Modeling-based optimization of a fixed-bed industrial reactor for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

An industrial scale propylene production via oxidative dehydrogenation of propane(ODHP)in multi-tubular reactors was modeled.Multi-tubular fixed-bed reactor used for ODHP process,employing 10000 of small diameter tubes immersed in a shell through a proper coolant flows.Herein,a theory-based pseudo-homogeneous model to describe the operation of a fixed bed reactor for the ODHP to correspondence ole fin over V_2O_5/γ-Al_2O_3catalyst was presented.Steady state one dimensional model has been developed to identify the operation parameters and to describe the propane and oxygen conversions,gas process and coolant temperatures,as well as other parameters affecting the reactor performance such as pressure.Furthermore,the applied model showed that a double-bed multitubular reactor with intermediate air injection scheme was superior to a single-bed design due to the increasing of propylene selectivity while operating under lower oxygen partial pressures resulting in propane conversion of about 37.3%.The optimized length of the reactor needed to reach 100%conversion of the oxygen was theoretically determined.For the single-bed reactor the optimized length of 11.96 m including 0.5m of inert section at the entrance region and for the double-bed reactor design the optimized lengths of 5.72m for the first and 7.32 m for the second reactor were calculated.Ultimately,the use of a distributed oxygen feed with limited number of injection points indicated a signi ficant improvement on the reactor performance in terms of propane conversion and propylene selectivity.Besides,this concept could overcome the reactor runaway temperature problem and enabled operations at the wider range of conditions to obtain enhanced propylene production in an industrial scale reactor.     

Entropy Generation Due to Natural Convection in a Partially Open Cavity with a Thin Heat Source Subjected to a Nanofluid

This article presents a numerical study of natural convection cooling of a heat source mounted inside the cavity, with special attention being paid to entropy generation. The right vertical wall is partially open and is subjected to copper–water nanofluid at a constant low temperature and pressure, while the other boundaries are assumed to be adiabatic. The governing equations have been solved using the finite volume approach, using SIMPLE algorithm on the collocated arrangement. The study has been carried out for a Rayleigh number in the range 10³ < Ra < 10⁶, and for solid volume fraction 0 <? <0.05. In order to investigate the effect of the heat source and open boundary location, six different configurations are considered. The effects of Rayleigh numbers, heat source and open boundary locations on the streamlines, isotherms, local entropy generation, Nusselt number, and total entropy generation are investigated. The results indicate that when open boundary is located up, the fluid flow augments and hence the heat transfer and Nusselt number increase and total entropy generation decreases.     

Damage Assessment and Ductility Evaluation of Post Tensioned Beams with Hybrid FRP Tendons

The study presented in this article concentrated on investigating the ductility and characterization of damage in concrete beams post tensioned with hybrid carbon-glass fiber-reinforced polymer (HFRP) composites. The investigation included an approach for design of flexural members with HFRP tendons and characterization of damage, load deformation response, ultimate strength, and failure modes. Direct tensile tests of hybrid FRP rods in a previous study had indicated elastoplastic response, enhanced ductility, and increased strain capacity. In this context, the current study focused on design and fabrication of post tensioned beams using glass or steel rebars for partial prestressing. All the beams were tested in flexure under four-point bending configuration. Results of the study are presented in terms of ductility index and enhanced load-deflection response in comparison with the conventional FRP materials. Damage characterization involved evaluating the specific features of the acoustic emissions for detecting the elastoplastic transition in the hybrid tendons. The method involved use of a high-resolution fiber-optic interferometer for detection and separation of acoustic emissions. By using the time domain response, it was possible to spatially localize the damage at various stages of the loading. Spectral energy of the acoustic emissions facilitated separation of carbon and glass fiber fractures.     

Effect of dust-neutral collisions on the dust characteristics in a magnetized plasma sheath

The characteristics of dust in a plasma sheath are investigated in the presence of an external magnetic field and taking into account the dust-neutral collision force. The continuity and momentum equations of ions and dust particles are solved numerically with various magnitudes of collision force by using the fluid model. The numerical results have revealed that the collision force reduces the dust gyro radius, changes the positions of the extrema of the dust density and the velocity in the depth direction. It is shown that the collision force reduces the dust kinetic energy which has no fluctuation even in a strong external magnetic field.     

ISM analysis of CPFR implementation barriers

Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) as an interconnection scheme between organisations have been shown to have significant benefits. Since its inception in the 1990s, its uptake has been lower than originally predicted. This paper identifies the major barriers and their interrelationships in CPFR implementations with a focus on high-tech industries. Interpretive Structural Modelling is used with a group of CPFR experts from industry/academia and Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée àun Classement analysis to identify the driving and dependence powers. The paper identified 45 CPFR barriers and classifies them into four categories based on expert opinion, with only 13 of these determined to be significant. The results indicate that in terms of categories, managerial barriers are a significant root cause for both process and cultural barriers and CPFR implementation difficulties. It also indicates that although the importance of information technology to launch collaborative schemes has been addressed by many scholars, technology alone is not the complete solution for successful CPFR implementation. The paper has significant practical implications for organisations as it identifies the main CPFR barriers and their causal relationships. This will help firms in the process of CPFR strategy development particularly for mitigation strategies for dominant barriers.     

Quantitative characterization of carrier injection across metal–organic interfaces using Bardeen theory

We have investigated the contact between a metal and an organic/polymeric (o/p) material and we have introduced a relation for carrier injection using Bardeen theory. A series of narrow barriers is considered in the semiconductor side to account for the localized nature of the carriers in the o/p material. As an application of the model, we have calculated the hopping rate of carriers in terms of the contact parameters. Also, we have discussed the hopping of carriers deep into the organic dielectric. Finally, we have explored the hopping rate in practical contacts between polyfluorene-based polymers and different electrodes.     

Constitutive Relationships for Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete at Elevated Temperatures

Steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) is an advanced cementitious composite where fibres can act as a profitable replacement for diffused reinforcement, like welded steel mesh, especially for thin cross sections. In this case fire becomes a very important condition in the design. Previous experimental research has shown the benefits in fire resistance of steel fibres, when structural elements are bent. The proper understanding of the effects of elevated temperatures on the properties of SFRC is necessary. In this study, constitutive relationships are developed for high-strength FRSC subjected to fire, with the purpose of given that capable modelling and to specify the fire-performance criteria for concrete structures. They are developed for unconfined FRSC specimens that include compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, strain at peak stress, and compressive stress–strain relationships at elevated temperatures. The proposed relationships at elevated temperature are compared with experimental results. These results are used to establish compressive stress–strain relationships. Further experimental results for tension and the other main parameters at elevated temperature are needed in order to establish well-founded models and to improve the proposed constitutive relationships, which are general, rational, and fit well with the experimental results.