Towards optimization of the osmotic drying process of alumina-gelatin objects: Regression analysis and verification

In this study, further analysis of the osmotic drying process was conducted to identify the optimum combination of parameters for drying rectangular alumina-gelatin beams. This study was designed to determine the effect of three variables related to the osmotic drying process (osmotic pressure, molecular weight, and immersion time) on the interaction between the liquid desiccant and the submerged alumina-gelatin samples. The water loss from the alumina-gelatin samples was positively correlated with the molecular weight, osmotic pressure, and immersion time. Up to 40% by weight of the initial water content was removed during the osmotic drying process. The samples also experienced solids gain due to the counterflow of solute from the liquid desiccant. The least amount of solids gain resulted from drying for the shortest immersion time at low osmotic pressure and high molecular weight. Evidence of possible interactions between variables was noted for the sintered density metric. Statistical methods were used to form regression equations for the measured responses (water loss, solids gain, bulk density). A verification experiment was conducted to compare the experimental outcomes to the predicted outcomes. The responses were simultaneously optimized to identify the combination of variable settings required to meet specified goals. In order to maximize water loss, minimize solids gain, and maximize bulk density, the ceramic-gelatin object should be immersed for approximately 60?min in an aqueous solution of 100,000?g/mol poly(ethylene oxide) at an osmotic pressure of 2.50?MPa. These values are valid for the range of parameter settings tested and the sample fabrication and drying methods used.     

The roles of conceptual modelling in improving construction simulation studies: A comprehensive review

The conceptual modelling phase of simulation studies has proven to be effective in enhancing the impact of simulation modelling in different domains. However, this simulation phase did not receive much attention in the construction simulation domain. The objective of this paper is to identify the roles that conceptual modelling can play in advancing the engagement, accuracy, and adoption (among other things) of discrete-event simulation studies in construction. In this paper, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is conducted, which involves a comprehensive search of databases and researchers’ profiles to identify journal papers, conference articles, books, and theses that have reported the benefits of conceptual modelling for discrete-event simulation studies. The review resulted in 82 documents that were published from 2000 to 2020. Results indicate that the benefits of conceptual modelling include facilitating communications between stakeholders, capturing sufficient information for the simulation model, improving the quality of simulation models, guiding other simulation modelling activities, and facilitating verification and validation of simulation models. By linking these benefits to the current research agenda in construction simulation, this paper shows the significance and potential of the conceptual modelling phase to enhance the impact of discrete-event simulation studies in construction.     

Cost-minimization analysis of a working vacation queue with N-policy and server breakdowns

This paper investigates the N-policy M/M/1 queueing system with working vacation and server breakdowns. As soon as the system becomes empty, the server begins a working vacation. The server works at a lower service rate rather than completely stopping service during a vacation period. The server may break down with different breakdown rates during the idle, working vacation, and normal busy periods. It is assumed that service times, vacation times, and repair times are all exponentially distributed. We analyze this queueing model as a quasi-birth–death process. Furthermore, the equilibrium condition of the system is derived for the steady state. Using the matrix-geometric method, we find the matrix-form expressions for the stationary probability distribution of the number of customers in the system and system performance measures. The expected cost function per unit time is constructed to determine the optimal values of the system decision variables, including the threshold N and mean service rates. We employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the optimization problem. Finally, numerical results are provided, and an application example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the queueing model.     

随车起重机伸缩臂截面多目标优化

为了提高某火箭炮弹药装填车随车起重机伸缩臂的结构刚度,减轻结构质量,建立了随车起重机伸缩臂参数化模型,并对伸缩臂在水平受载状态下进行仿真分析。以伸缩臂截面尺寸参数为设计变量,借助最优拉丁超立方试验设计建立样本空间,构造响应面多项式函数近似模型。在此基础上,利用NSGA-Ⅱ型遗传算法对伸缩臂自身重量、挠度进行多目标优化。优化结果表明:伸缩臂质量减轻了24.5%,减重效果明显。文中所采用的将参数化建模、有限元分析和数值寻优相结合的优化方法,可为起重机伸缩臂截面优化提供一定的参考。     

海藻化工以氢氧化钙作为钙化剂的新型钙化工艺研究

研究了海藻化工中以氢氧化钙作为钙化剂的新型钙化工艺,使用氢氧化钙+氯化钙作为褐藻酸钠的钙化剂替代传统的单一氯化钙。确定的双钙钙化工艺条件：每升褐藻酸钠胶液（褐藻酸钠质量浓度为2.5 g/L）,添加氯化钙溶液29.0 mL（质量分数为5%）,添加氢氧化钙溶液13.75 mL（质量分数为5%）,复合钙化剂中氯化钙与氢氧化钙物质的量比为1.19∶1。与传统工艺相比,新型钙化工艺褐藻酸钠的产率未有明显变化,得到的褐藻酸钠粘度稍有降低,粘度由275.1 mPa·s降低至241.3 mPa·s;氯化钙使用量降低40%以上,总钙添加量减少19%。双钙钙化工艺实现了对钙化废水的再利用,废水中钙质量浓度经处理由483 mg/L降到20 mg/L左右,电导率由6.84 mS/cm降至4.28 mS/cm;经脱钙处理的钙化废水回用后对产品褐藻酸钠的产率和粘度没有显著影响。新工艺操作简单,不仅有效减少了钙化废水中离子的引入,同时可以实现低成本地脱钙,脱钙后的废水可以作为冲稀水回收利用,减少了水资源的消耗,为海藻化工行业的减排提供了一条新的工艺途径。     

Automated classification of simulated wind field patterns from multiphysics ensemble forecasts

In this study, we have proposed an automated classification approach to identify meaningful patterns in wind field data. Utilizing an extensive simulated wind database, we have demonstrated that the proposed approach can identify low‐level jets, near‐uniform profiles, and other patterns in a reliable manner. We have studied the dependence of these wind profile patterns on locations (eg, offshore vs onshore), seasons, and diurnal cycles. Furthermore, we have found that the probability distributions of some of the patterns depend on the underlying planetary boundary layer schemes in a significant way. The future potential of the proposed approach in wind resource assessment and, more generally, in mesoscale model parameterization improvement is touched upon in this paper.     

XJM-KS型浮选机矿化器负压产生机理研究

浮选机矿化器是用于浮选矿浆预处理的重要设备，其性能的优劣直接影响到浮选机的工作效果。文章通过流体力学仿真软件FLUENT对XJM-KS型浮选机矿化器的内部流场进行数值仿真，重点研究了聚焦式喷嘴布置所带来的流场特征。模拟结果表明，高速的矿浆射流能够在混合室内产生-2.43×10Pa的负压区，从而吸入大量的空气，实现空气与矿浆的有效混合与预矿化，与传统的机械搅拌式矿浆预处理装置相比，该矿化器能够大幅度提高预矿化效果。     

Atomistic insight into the hydration and proton conducting mechanisms of the cobalt doped Ruddlesden-Popper structure Sr3Fe2O7-δ

Sr₃Fe₂O_7-δ (SFO) with two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper (R–P) structure has recently been proved to be a promising material for the single phase cathode in proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (P–SOFCs). To investigate the hydration reactions and proton conducting mechanisms of SFO and cobalt doped SFO (SFCO), both bulk and surface properties were calculated. We conclude that R–P structures have advantages in P–SOFCs. The unique Sr–O–M layer can facilitate the hydration process. Although in Sr–O–F and Sr–O–N layers, it is difficult for the formation and migration of oxygen vacancies, protons are most stable. Furthermore, cobalt doping can not only improve the electronic conductivity but also enhance surface properties of SFCO. The easily exposed Co–Fe–O surface can also facilitate the hydration reactions on the surface. Our work could give an informative insight into the relationships among the doped elements, the R–P structures, the hydration process and the proton conducting properties.