Application of artificial neural network method to predict the breakage properties of PGE bearing chromite ore

In the present investigation, systematic grinding experiments were conducted in a laboratory ball mill to determine the breakage properties of low-grade PGE bearing chromite ore. The population balance modeling technique was used to study the breakage parameters such as primary breakage distribution (B_{i, j}) and the specific rates of breakage (S_i). The breakage and selection function values were determined for six feed sizes. The results stated that the breakage follows the first-order grinding kinetics for all the feed sizes. It was observed that the coarser feed sizes exhibit higher selection function values than the finer feed size. Further, an artificial neural network was used to predict breakage characteristics of low-grade PGE bearing chromite ore. The predicted results obtained from the neural network modeling were close to the experimental results with a correlation of determination R² = 0.99 for both product size and selection function.     

Evaluation of hydrodynamic behavior of the perforated gas distributor of industrial gas phase polymerization reactor using CFD-PBM coupled model

A 2D computational fluid dynamics (Eulerian–Eulerian) multiphase flow model coupled with a population balance model (CFD-PBM) was implemented to investigate the fluidization structure in terms of entrance region in an industrial-scale gas phase fluidized bed reactor. The simulation results were compared with the industrial data, and good agreement was observed. Two cases including perforated distributor and complete sparger were applied to examine the flow structure through the bed. The parametric sensitivity analysis of time step, number of node, drag coefficient, and specularity coefficient was carried out. It was found that the results were more sensitive to the drag model. The results showed that the entrance configuration has significant effect on the flow structure. While the dead zones are created in both corners of the distributors, the perforated distributor generates more startup bubbles, heterogeneous flow field, and better gas–solid interaction above the entrance region due to jet formation.     

Modeling and simulation of mixing in water-in-oil emulsion flow through a valve-like element using a population balance model

Emulsion flows are very common in natural processes as well as in several engineering areas, such as in the process of desalting crude oil that occurs in refineries. This kind of flow is described as a polydispersed multiphase flow. In this work, we evaluated the behavior of water-in-oil emulsion flowing through a duct with an element used to mimic the effect of a globe valve. An Eulerian multi-fluid approach was employed by solving the population balance equation coupled with computational fluid dynamics. Coalescence and breakage models recently developed were extended to this inhomogeneous model. A bivariate population balance problem was also solved to demonstrate the mixing caused by the valve-like element. The simulated results showed good agreement with the available experimental data for the Sauter and DeBroukere mean diameters.     

A simple screen to detect hybrids between native and introduced Phragmites australis in the United States and Canada

In much of the United States and Canada, the common reed consists of both a native subspecies Phragmites australis americanus, and a highly invasive introduced subspecies P. australis australis. DNA testing is generally used to distinguish them definitively and is necessary to detect hybridization. We report a group of single nucleotide polymorphisms and indels in the nuclear NRT2 gene of Phragmites that differentiate North American native and European-introduced populations. All native samples tested were identical in NRT2 sequence over 1564 bases except for two positions. There were nine positions, consisting of seven base substitutions and two indels, at which all introduced samples were fixed for a different allele than the native samples. For the two indels, samples collected from northern Europe were also fixed for the same allele as the introduced samples collected across North America. One of the indels was easily detected by a PCR-RFLP assay and provides a rapid and inexpensive way to screen for hybrids between native and European-introduced populations of Phragmites and thus can facilitate more widespread surveillance for hybrids between native and introduced populations in North America.     

Modellbasierte Regelung der Partikelgrößenverteilung in der kontinuierlichen Wirbelschicht‐Sprühgranulation

Recycling of milled product particles in continuous fluidised bed spray granulation can lead to sustained oscillations in the particle size distribution. In this contribution, a model‐predictive feedback control scheme is presented that allows for stabilisation of unstable steady‐states. The feedback law is designed based on a population balance model, which describes the temporal evolution of the particle size distribution due to the particulate processes, and is compared with traditional design methods (PI, LQR).     

Planning an ecological network of Xiamen Island (China) using landscape metrics and network analysis

Most Chinese municipal governments and urban planners have attempted to conserve and create urban greenspace in response to rapid urbanization. It is a major task for urban landscape planners to construct an effective and harmonious urban ecological network and maintain a sustainable urban development environment. In this paper, the present situation and a recent greenway augment plan of Xiamen Island were assessed using a series of landscape metrics. The results showed that the recent greenway augment plan could improve the present greenway system considerably. The improvements were indicated by decrease in patch density, and increase in total class area and edge density on the patch level, landscape diversity, landscape evenness and landscape connectivity on the landscape level. On the basis of these analyses, a number of alternative planning scenarios were designed by using network analysis methods for improving the ecological network of Xiamen Island. An alternative planning scenario was proposed to decrease the degree of landscape fragmentation, increase the shape complexity of greenway patches and enhance the landscape connectivity. The results indicated that methods which integrate landscape metrics with network analyses could not only quantitatively assess the present situation and the rationality of planning for urban greenway systems, but also facilitate the design of planning scenarios for urban ecological networks, enabling them to meet the principles of conformity, harmony, circulation, safety, diversity and sustainability. The principles and methods of landscape ecology, and the greenway concepts that have originated in the West can be useful for Chinese landscape planning and can be applied to greenway development in China.     

混合型加工工业园区——城市化模式的新选择

东莞是我国在改革开放以后自下而上的城市化中比较典型的城市。由于占市域人口主要部分的外来务工人员无法融入城市化的进程,造成外来人口工业化、本地人口城市化两种形式的不统一,形成新的“二元城市”结构。混合型加工工业园区的规划建设,是解决外来人口城市化的一种有效途径。     

西部山地城镇的生态化发展思考

经济与产业结构不合理、缺乏有效的产业支撑和经济手段、自然生态环境脆弱等是当前西部山地城镇化面临的主要问题.应以生态效益的最大化和山地环境的可持续性为前提,结合当前西部山地经济发展的实际情况,采取适合其生态产业发展的城镇化模式,使山地城镇化成为促进山地传统农业经济向生态农业经济转变的核心推动力.     

实验城市建筑教育与城市状态

香港作为世界上最极端城市化的地区之一,有着许多颠覆传统建筑学的地方。而整个珠三角腹地,更早已成为中国式城市化现象的同义词。在中国式城市化现象已成为新一轮的建筑学理论趋势的同时,当今中国的建筑教育是否已开始直接面对这个趋势、尝试发展出一套回应如此快速和大量城市化现象的策略?本章作者希望藉由分析香港特殊的高密度、后泡沫的城市状态,和香港中文大学建筑系自2000年起所做的一些相应的课程上的实验与体制上的革新,来看两者之间的关系。建筑教育如何利用这个现象,试着走出一条适合香港及珠三角城市状态的建筑理念,将是文章的主要关注点。     

小城镇的个性与发展

该文从"城中村"现象入手,探讨城市发展和城市文化特色之间的关系和它们的相互作用,以及在城市化进程中,我们应该如何面对为了加速发展而对当地历史的扬弃和城市个性的缺失.