The effects of pressure on the isothermal fluid behavior of bituminous coals

An investigation into the effects of pressure (helium gas) on the isothermal fluid behavior includes: (1) the effect of pressure on the rate of melting and coking as evidenced by the rate constants k(melt) and k(coke); (2) the effect of pressure on the energies of activation of melting and coking; (3) the effects of pressure on the characteristic times; (4) the effects of pressure on the maximum isothermal fluidity. Results from the effects of pressure on k(melt) revealed that it was generally the high total sulfur, low nitrogen, low reactives/mineral matter ratio, medium rank coals which show the greatest increase in k(melt), whereas the highest rank coals show the least decrease in k(coke). The energies of activation of melting and coking were not significantly affected by pressure. The investigation also reveals increases or decreases in the respective times of softening, maximum fluidity, resolidification and total time of fluid behavior under isothermal pressurized conditions. There appears the possibility that these shifts may be rank dependent. Additionally, the lower rank coals show the largest relative increase in their fluidities when subjected to pressure. Empirical relationships were derived in order to quantitatively predict the maximum isothermal fluidity for most (fluid) coals at a given pressure.     

Wave dynamics on a thin-liquid film falling down a heated wall

The dynamics of a thin liquid film falling down a uniformly heated wall is studied. The model introduced by Kalliadasis et al. [J. Fluid Mech. 475 (2003) 377] for the same problem is revisited and its deficiencies, namely the prediction of a critical Reynolds number with 20% error, cured. For the energy equation a high-order Galerkin projection in terms of polynomial test functions is developed. It is shown that not only does this more refined formulation correct the critical Reynolds number, but it also gives, with an appropriate expansion close to criticality, the long-wave theory. Bifurcation diagrams for permanent solitary waves are constructed and compared with the solution branches obtained from different models. It is shown that, in all cases, the long-wave theory exhibits limit points and branch multiplicity, while the other models predict the continuing existence of solitary waves. Time-dependent computations show that the free surface and interfacial temperature approach a train of coherent structures that resemble the infinite-domain stationary solitary pulses.     

The greenhouse effect; Impact upon and the role to be played by construction

The authors highlight several possible ways in which the construction industry could lower present emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. It is an excellent discussion document and is recommended reading.     

Visual insights into high-resolution earthquake Simulations.

This study focuses on the visualization of a series of large earthquake simulations collectively called TeraShake. The simulation series aims to assess the impact of San Andreas Fault earthquake scenarios in Southern California. We discuss the role of visualization in gaining scientific insight and aiding unexpected discoveries.     

Echolocation — From range to outline segments

A ring of ultrasonic sensors mounted on a mobile robot is used to map a room. The sensors are modelled with an arc model: the object causing the reflection lies on an arc with radius equal to the range and arc angle equal to twice the beam angle. By fusing sensing with motion, a surface is displayed as a sequence of arcs. In this paper, the algorithm for obtaining outline segments from the arcs is presented.     

The importance of glossaries

Standards cannot be set, specifications cannot be written uniformly and unambiguously, and methods cannot be described succinctly, without an agreed terminology. Producing a glossary is a painstaking process and the fundamental principles involved are described. Some difficulties and misunderstandings are identified.     

Critical evaluation of coupling particle size distribution with the shrinking core model

The shrinking core model (SCM) is widely used to model fluid-solid reactions such as the leaching of metals from minerals. In most cases, however, the particle size distribution (PSD) of the solid material was disregarded. In this paper the erroneous shift in the control regime when neglecting PSD was quantified and the dependence of the shift on the coefficients of variation (CV) and the type of PSD was analysed. By coupling the SCM with a Gamma PSD, it was found that neglecting the PSD would shift the control regime from chemical reaction to inert/ash layer diffusion, when the CV was between 0.7 and 1.2. For a system controlled by liquid film diffusion, neglect of the PSD, would shift the control regime to chemical reaction when CV is between 0.3 and 0.7 or to inert/ash layer diffusion when CV is greater (0.9-1.5). It was therefore postulated that some researchers had unknowingly made invalid conclusions about the control regime due to the neglect of PSD. However, an inert/ash layer diffusion-controlled process was insensitive to the neglect of PSD. When CV<0.3, neglect of the PSD would not cause any erroneous shifts, irrespective of the control regime. Experimental data confirmed the observation. For a given CV, the deviation in the fraction reacted from the mono-PSD increases with CV and decreases with time. The maximum deviation, which occurs at the beginning, is about 10% with a gamma PSD of CV=0.3. The percent deviation is dependent of the type of PSDs. Gamma PSD gives the lowest deviation while Gaudin-Schuhmann results in the largest deviation (maxi. ∼19%, with CV=0.3) in the first half of dissolution process. Log-normal distribution gives a larger deviation than gamma but quickly approaches the latter with time. The deviation for Rosin-Rammler is between log-normal and Gaudin-Schuhmann. For systems with CV less than 0.3, the SCM can be fairly used without considering PSD. When CV is greater than 0.3, particularly in the early stage of a dissolution process with a PSD other than gamma, PSD should be included to avoid substantial errors.     

An observer-based approach for the projection onto a 2d-curve under movement

Standard path control laws of autonomous vehicles use the shortest distance between the vehicle’s position and the path as a control error. In order to determine this distance, the projection point onto the path needs to be determined continuously. This requires fast algorithms that feature high numerical reliability in the field of vehicle application.This paper presents two different observer-based approaches for the projection problem. The identity observer reconstructs all states of interest for path control. The second one, a reduced observer, only possesses the curve parameter as a state and calculates the other values by algebraic formulas. Both algorithms consider the continuous movement of the vehicle, the run of the curve, and work without any approximation of the curve. Furthermore, they are applicable for arbitrary parameterized smooth curves, guarantee the required numerical stability, have short calculating time, and show good statistical properties. The performance is shown in several simulations as well as under real conditions.     

The Philosophy of Critical Realism—An Opportunity for Information Systems Research

It is argued that recent research in the information systems field has tended to either emphasise the structural/collective dimension or the agency/individual dimension, not both. Structuration theory is a more recent attempt to address both agency and structure, however there are a number of issues with the use of structuration theory in information systems research, not the least of which is its lack of recognition of the temporal and longitudinal nature of information systems development. A relatively new philosophy, critical realism, provides the potential for a new approach to social investigations in its provision of an ontology for the analytical separation of structure and agency. The philosophy is introduced and its implications for sociological investigation are discussed.