Geographic Information System-based tools in environmental management

The authors reviewed existing modelling platforms as part of a large study of water and pollution pathways through catchments in Ireland (Irish EPA Pathways project). Worldwide, work on producing catchment management tools (CMTs) has been underway for some time and some of the tools identified here date from as early as 1989. Some of the management problems and model conceptualisations have not changed very much but now there is a stronger emphasis on water quality and more concern about a wider range of contaminants. What has changed substantially is the use of Geographical Information System and Graphical Windows interfaces as technologies supporting a wider practical use of these tools. This review of existing CMTs identified three systems which would be candidates if a CMT had to be deployed immediately in Ireland. All have a rigid catchment model structure and lack the flexibility to include any new scientific information or flow-path conceptualisation that may emerge. The same modelling structure is used for all parts of the catchment, with spatial variation represented by parameter variation only and not variation in model structure. They also have rigid graphical user interfaces which cannot be tailored to match any specific requirements that may emerge from the pathways end-user workshops. Thus a CMT with a more flexible and accessible modelling structure is required if the results of current research are to be incorporated.     

The use of ethanol–gasoline blend as a fuel in an SI engine

One of the major problems for the successful application of gasoline–alcohol mixtures as a motor fuel is the realization of a stable homogeneous liquid phase. To overcome this problem, a new carburetor was designed. With the use of this new carburetor, not only the phase problem was solved but also the alcohol ratio in the total fuel was increased.By using ethanol–gasoline blend, the availability analysis of a spark-ignition engine was experimentally investigated. Sixty percent ethanol and 40% gasoline blend was exploited to test the performance, the fuel consumption, and the exhaust emissions.As a result of this study, it is seen that a new dual fuel system could be serviceable by making simple modifications on the carburetor and these modifications would not cause complications in the carburetor system.     

Ferronickel production in Kosova ‐ past performance and new opportunities

The Feronikeli complex, located in Glogovc of Kosova, consists of open cast mines with estimated reserves of 24 Mt of laterite ferronickel ore with an average Ni+Co content of 1.25 %, and a large metallurgical complex with an installed capacity of 12000 t of nickel in ferronickel per year. It began operating in 1984 and was shut down in 1998 due to the armed conflict in Kosova. The installed technology was state‐of‐the‐art at the time and is described in the paper. Past performance technological problems are analysed and solutions are proposed. The main problems during the operation were due to the high sulphur contents of both the heavy oil used as a fuel in the rotary kiln as well as of the Kosova basin lignite used as a reductant in the process. The reconstruction of the plant is an ideal opportunity to upgrade the process in terms of energy efficiency and environmental control. Recommendations for revamp to this effect are formulated.     

A solution state diode using semiconductor polymer nanorods with nanogap electrodes

A solution state polymer diode, which uses regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT):dichlorobenzene solution as the semiconductor between highly doped p-type silicon and aluminum electrodes has been built. Electrodes separated by a 40 nm gap enable intra-chain charge carrier transfer through the lengths of single polymer chains. This prevents chain to chain hopping and chain entanglements, increasing carrier mobility. The degradation with time and hysteresis effects of the diodes are measured. An optimal P3HT solution concentration of 6 mg ml(-1) is found. A current density of at least 300 mA cm(-2) is achieved, indicating at least a six-fold improvement in carrier mobility compared to previously fabricated solid state P3HT diodes.     

Evaluation of Dispersion Based Calculations Compared to the Experimental Compressive Strength Results of CNT/6063AI Composites

Nowadays, it is vital to predict strength results of composites in advance of manufacturing process to reduce testing costs; especially in carbon nanotube （CNT） reinforced metal matrix composites. Therefore, compressive mechanical properties of fabricated CNT reinforced aluminum （AI） matrix composites are investigated and compared with the calculation results of dispersion based prediction models. First of all, CNT/6063 AI composites are fabricated by vacuum assisted infiltration of molten 6063 AI alloy into the CNT preform. Then, compressive mechanical properties of these composites are determined. Eventually, model calculations and experimental results are visualized by plotting comparison graphs. As a result, correlation between prediction models and experimental results are established and potential results of difference between these results are discussed.     

Yeast species associated with the spontaneous fermentation of cider

This paper reports the influence of cider-making technology (pneumatic and traditional pressing) on the dynamics of wild yeast populations. Yeast colonies isolated from apple juice before and throughout fermentation at a cider cellar of Asturias (Spain), during two consecutive years were studied. The yeast strains were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 5.8S rRNA gene and the two flanking internal transcribed sequences (ITS). The musts obtained by pneumatic pressing were dominated by non-Saccharomyces yeasts (Hanseniaspora genus and Metschnikowia pulcherrima) whereas in the apple juices obtained by traditional pressing Saccharomyces together with non-Saccharomyces, were always present. The species Saccharomyces present were S. cerevisiae and S. bayanus. Apparently S. bayanus, was the predominant species at the beginning and the middle fermentation steps of the fermentation process, reaching a percentage of isolation between 33% and 41%, whereas S. cerevisiae took over the process in the final stages of fermentation. During the 2001 harvest, with independence of cider-making technology, the species Hanseniaspora valbyensis was always isolated at the end of fermentations.     

Modeling of Thermal Spalling During Electrical Discharge Machining of Titanium Diboride

Erosion in electrical discharge machining has been described as occurring by melting and flushing the liquid formed. Recently, however, thermal spalling was reported as the mechanism for machining refractory materials with low thermal conductivity and high thermal expansion. The process is described, here, by a model based on a ceramic surface exposed to a constant circular heating source which supplies a constant flux over the pulse duration. The calculations were based on TiB₂ mechanical properties along a and c directions. Theoretical predictions were verified by machining hexagonal TiB₂. Large flakes of TiB₂ with sizes close to grain size and maximum thickness close to the predicted values were collected, together with spherical particles of Cu and Zn eroded from cutting wire. The cutting surfaces consist of cleavage planes sometimes contaminated with Cu, Zn, and impurities from the dielectric fluid.     

High resolution numerical simulation of sulphur-dioxide emission from a power plant building

Most sulphur-dioxide (SO₂) emission calculations have been performed on an annual basis and do not take into account spatial and temporal variations on fine scale. The main objective of this study is to illustrate spatio-temporal variation of SO₂ emission pattern using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools of the area surrounding the Yatagan Power Plant (YPP) building in Mugla, Turkey. In order to simulate the atmospheric conditions, wind speed, wind direction and the emission of SO₂ from 3 stacks of YPP including the simplified model of the power plant building, a commercial CFD, FLUENT is used. The results involve 75 km² areas surrounding the YPP with a fine mesh resolution of 5 m × 5 m. SO₂ emission shows that the CFD tool is able to simulate the emission with fine mesh digital elevation model (DEM). The DEM highly influences the local magnitude and direction of the wind in the domain which effects both spatial and temporal emission distribution of the SO₂ gases. It is noted that the hills around the YPP cause the flue gas emissions to move away from the ground for 4 main wind directions when compared with the constant elevation model.     

Power quality assessment of grid-connected wind farms considering regulations in turkey

This paper presents measurement system and detailed analysis of power quality at the substation of two different wind farm sites which are of low and high power rate. Measurement system has been designed using a data acquisition board (DAQ), Labview software, Matlab programming and a portable PC. The system has been installed at medium voltage level at substation of both wind farms. The real measurement results at substations are compared to current regulations in Turkey.