Optimal scheduling of single stage batch plants with direct heat integration

This paper addresses the multi-objective optimization problem arising in the operation of heat integrated batch plants, where makespan and utility consumption are the two conflicting objectives. A new continuous-time MILP formulation with general precedence variables is proposed to simultaneously handle decisions related to timing, product sequencing, heat exchanger matches (selected from a two-stage superstructure) and their heat loads. It features a complex set of timing constraints to synchronize heating and cooling tasks, derived from Generalized Disjunctive Programming. Through the solution of an industrial case study from a vegetable oil refinery, we show that major savings in utilities can be achieved while generating the set of Pareto optimal solutions through the ɛ-constraint method.     

Spatial agglomeration and productivity in Italy: A panel smooth transition regression approach

The paper analyses the nonlinearities in the impact of localization, diversity, urbanization and competition on firm‐level total factor productivity (TFP), using a large sample of Italian firms from 1999 to 2007. We adopt a panel smooth transition regression model, so that the TFP elasticities are free to vary smoothly across two or more extreme values. Results show that localization economies and Jacobian externalities materialize only for values of, respectively, intra‐industry agglomeration and extra‐sectoral diversity above a certain threshold. Local competition exerts a positive effect on productivity, even though the marginal impact shrinks at high levels of competition. We find instead no evidence of diseconomies of agglomeration.     

端盖双滑块+斜顶3次复合抽芯机构注射模设计

针对塑件注射成型自动化实施困难问题， 设计了一副单点潜浇口、两板式2次开模注射模来解决这一难题。模具布局为1模2腔。模具中单腔的机构设置情况为：（1）定模侧，设计了一个油缸驱动的定模顶出机构；动模侧，设置了2个特殊的斜顶+滑块复合机构、1个万能斜顶机构、1个隧道滑块机构、及1个顶针顶出机构；（2）定模顶出机构由油缸驱动定模顶出板以驱动6根斜顶杆来对6个倒扣特征进行自动脱模；（3）2个特殊的复合机构分别为：双滑块+斜顶3次复合抽芯机构、单滑块斜顶两次抽芯机构；此2个机构的作用是，通过斜导柱驱动滑块，从而2次驱动滑块内的斜顶实施2次抽芯，来到达塑件局部区域多次多向抽芯的目的；（4）机构中，使用万能斜顶机构能有效减小模具高度尺寸；使用隧道滑块斜抽芯机构，动模一侧增加1次模板开模打开来驱动隧道滑块实施斜抽芯，能有效利用模具开模动力，降低模具制造成本。     

Current Control Method of Achieving Wide‐Range Power Driving for Linear Synchronous Motor with Half‐Wave‐Rectified Self‐Excitation

In a previous paper, we proposed a novel linear synchronous motor with half‐wave‐rectified self‐excitation. A long‐stator‐type linear synchronous motor was built and its performance was verified by experiments. This paper presents a new current control method for the linear synchronous motor in order to achieve a wide range of speeds and high‐power operations. First, we propose a current control method for high‐thrust operation in the constant‐thrust region. This operation is realized by using the reluctance thrust resulting from the saliency of the linear synchronous motor. We also propose a control method that maximizes the ratio of the thrust to the voltage; this method can be used to expand the operating range. Wide‐range‐speed operation can be achieved by applying this new control method along with field‐weakening control. The thrust and operating characteristics of the proposed control methods are estimated by performing experiments and coupled electric and magnetic analysis.     

Effects of Smart Charging of Multiple Electric Vehicles in Reducing Power Generation Fuel Cost

The high penetration of variable sources of renewable power generation will lead to operational difficulties in supply/demand balancing in the entire power system. The mass deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug‐in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) will also cause significant changes in electricity demand. Therefore, controlling and managing the charging time of EVs/PHEVs are effective approaches that are imperative for improving balancing in power system operation. We assumed travel patterns for EVs in a model of the future Tokyo power system and analyzed the power system loads, including the charging load of the EVs, under several charging control scenarios. We verified that charging time controls are substantially effective for reducing the fuel costs in the power system. Further, we found that load leveling under a multicar charging management scenario gave the best results in terms of the fuel costs in all cases.     

Influence of accelerated curing on the compressive strength of polymer-modified concrete

In recent building practice, rapid construction is one of the principal requisites. Furthermore, in designing concrete structures, compressive strength is the most significant of all parameters. While 3-d and 7-d compressive strength reflects the strengths at early phases, the ultimate strength is paramount. An effort has been made in this study to develop mathematical models for predicting compressive strength of concrete incorporating ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) at the later phases. Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) goodness-of-fit test was used to examine distribution of the data. The compressive strength of EVA-modified concrete was studied by incorporating various concentrations of EVA as an admixture and by testing at ages of 28, 56, 90, 120, 210, and 365 d. An accelerated compressive strength at 3.5 hours was considered as a reference strength on the basis of which all the specified strengths were predicted by means of linear regression fit. Based on the results of KS goodness-of-fit test, it was concluded that KS test statistics value (D) in each case was lower than the critical value 0.521 for a significance level of 0.05, which demonstrated that the data was normally distributed. Based on the results of compressive strength test, it was concluded that the strength of EVA-modified specimens increased at all ages and the optimum dosage of EVA was achieved at 16% concentration. Furthermore, it was concluded that predicted compressive strength values lies within a 6% difference from the actual strength values for all the mixes, which indicates the practicability of the regression equations. This research work may help in understanding the role of EVA as a viable material in polymer-based cement composites.     

NiTi-W原位复合材料的马氏体相变与性能

为获得高性能NiTi基记忆合金复合材料,通过熔炼、锻造、拔丝等手段获得一种NiTi-W原位复合材料。利用SEM扫描电镜观察材料显微组织;DSC测试材料的马氏体相变行为;利用WDT II-20万能拉伸试验机测试材料的力学性能。SEM分析结果显示,拔丝加工使W纤维直径细化至几微米,甚至亚微米级别,在NiTi基体中沿拔丝方向一致排布。DSC测试结果显示,材料经不同温度退火后展现出复杂的可逆马氏体相变行为,在某些升、降温曲线上出现多个吸放热峰现象。拉伸测试结果显示,600 ℃退火样品经适当的预拉伸变形后,屈服强度会大大增加,由~200 MPa提升到~800 MPa,断裂应力超过1 GPa,断裂应变高达40%,材料展现出优秀的线性超弹性,是一种集高强度、高塑性、高线性超弹性于一身的高性能材料。     

基于优化粒子数和分段权值的粒子群直线电机PID整定

以工程中直线电机伺服系统为研究对象,提出一种优化粒子数量加分段式惯性权重递减的粒子群PID控制器参数优化算法。优化粒子数量的方法可降低函数调用次数,通过对近两代的全局最优值进行比较,得到的误差值如果大于设定值,认为是在初始寻优阶段,保持粒子数量,否则在最终优化阶段,减少粒子数量,所减少的粒子特征是最接近最佳粒子的粒子,以保证在欧氏距离内实现粒子的分散性。最后再结合指数衰减曲线加线性递减曲线构成的分段式惯性权重递减策略提升算法的全局寻优和局部寻优能力。经数值验证分析,该优化算法在保证遍历性的同时,在一定程度上提高了算法的运行速度和寻优精度。实验仿真结果表明,该算法对PID控制器进行参数优化,直线电机系统响应速度快,超调量小,调节时间短。     

Ni-Co-Sn三元系相平衡的实验研究

本实验通过采用电子探针显微分析和X-ray衍射分析方法实验研究了Ni-Co-Sn三元体系在700°C和1000°C时的相平衡。在这两个温度截面中均未发现三元化合物。βCo3Sn2相和Ni3Sn2（h）相形成了一个贯穿连续固溶体相。Ni-Sn侧包含Ni3Sn（l）、Ni3Sn（h）和Ni3Sn4三个化合物相，它们中Sn的固溶度是有很大区别的。700°C时，Co在Ni3Sn（l）和Ni3Sn4中的最大固溶度在分别约为6.9 at.%和25.6 at.%，在1000°C时，Co在Ni3Sn（h）中的最大固溶度约为15.5 at.%。在700℃和1000℃下，Ni-Co侧的（αCo，Ni）相为一个贯穿连续固溶体相，并且Sn在（αCo，Ni）相中的固溶度约为1 at.% ~10.5 at.%。Ni在线性化合物CoSn相中的溶解度约为15.9 at.%。     

Effect of titanium chelating compound on hydration resistance of CaO material

The hydration resistance of CaO materials prepared by Ca(OH)₂ calcination with titanium chelating compounds is investigated in this paper. The crystalline phases and microstructure characteristics of sintered specimens were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), define FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that the hydration resistance of CaO samples was improved significantly, especially for samples with 9 wt% Ti chelating compound. The specimens with Ti chelating compound showed an increase in bulk density and a decrease in apparent porosity after heating when compared to the specimens without additive. The grain surface of CaO grain and the gaps between the CaO grain boundaries were covered with calcium phosphate glass phase, calcium phosphate showed two different shapes: irregular shape and rod shape. The formation and distribution of these two forms were the key factors that affecting the hydration resistance of CaO samples.