Using next generation nuclear power reactors for development of a techno‐economic model for hydrogen production

Nuclear and hydrogen are considered to be the most promising alternatives energy sources in terms of meeting future demand and providing a CO?‐free environment, and interest in the development of more cost‐effective hydrogen production plants is increasing—and nuclear‐powered hydrogen generation plants may be a viable alternative. This paper is a report on investigating the application of new generation nuclear power plants to hydrogen production and development of an associated techno‐economic model. In this paper, theoretical and computational assessments of generations II, III+, and IV nuclear power plants for hydrogen generation scenarios have been reported. Technical analyses were conducted on each reactor type—in terms of the design standard, fuel specification, overnight capital cost, and hydrogen generation. In addition, a theoretical model was developed for calculating various hydrogen generation parameters, and it was then extended to include an economic assessment of nuclear power plant‐based hydrogen generation. The Hydrogen Economic Evaluation Program originally developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency was used for calculating various parameters, including hydrogen production and storage costs, as well as equity, operation and maintenance (O&M), and capital costs. The results from each nuclear reactor type were compared against reactor parameters, and the ideal candidate reactor was identified. The simulation results also verified theoretically proven results. The main objective of the research was to conduct a prequalification assessment for a cogeneration plant, by developing a model that could be used for technical and economic analysis of nuclear hydrogen plant options. It was assessed that high‐temperature gas‐cooled reactors (HTGR‐PM and PBR200) represented the most economical and viable plant options for hydrogen production. This research has helped identify the way forward for the development of a commercially viable, nuclear power‐driven, hydrogen generation plant.     

Design and Analysis of Single-Bit Ternary Matched Filter

Wireless Personal Communications - Matched filtering has found its way in many diverse applications such as communication, signal processing and more. The emphasis of this paper is on the design...     

Effect of pretreatments and drying methods on physico‐chemical,sensory characteristics and nutritional value of oyster mushroom

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of pretreatments and drying methods on the chemical, physico‐chemical, sensory characteristics and nutritional value of oyster mushroom. Chemical analysis of oyster mushroom (OM) showed that the values content were increased by many times when calculated on dry weight basis. Nine treatments of dried mushroom powders (DMP) were prepared using three drying methods (hot air drying, vacuum drying, and sun drying). Also, three pretreatments of each method of drying were used (untreated, blanching by steaming without or with steeped in 0.5% citric acid solution for 30 min).The results and statistical analysis revealed that, sun dried oyster mushroom samples (without pretreatments) were found to be the best. The DMP samples resulting of the sun drying had a highest physico‐chemical properties, sensory evaluation scores, and contents of the mineral elements and amino acids as compared to other pretreatments and drying methods.

Practical applications

Fresh mushrooms have high water content, high enzymatic activity and hence are highly perishable. Thus, in this study nine treatments of dried mushroom powders (DMP) were prepared using three drying methods (hot air drying, vacuum drying and sun drying).Also, three pretreatments of each method of drying were used (untreated, blanching by steaming without or with steeped in citric acid).The DMP samples (untreated) resulting of the sun drying were better than other pretreatments and drying methods regarding quality attributes.     

Fracture behavior of glass bead-filled poly(oxymethylene) injection moldings

The mechanical properties of glass bead filled poly(oxymethylene) were investigated as a function of glass bead content and glass bead diameter using injection molded test pieces. Fracture toughness measurements were made using single edge-notched tension and single edge-notched bend specimens. The effect of notch orientation with respect to the mold fill direction on fracture toughness was studied using single gate and double gate moldings. Tensile strength and flexural modulus were measured using standard test pieces. It was found that; (i) fracture toughness of the filled and unfilled polymer was relatively independent of notch orientation, (ii) the presence of weldlines in the molded test pieces did not affect the fracture toughness of unfilled polymer or its composites, (iii) fracture toughness of filled polymer was always considerably lower than that of the unfilled polymer; fracture toughness decreased sharply with increasing bead concentration, (iv) fracture toughness was not a sensitive function of glass bead diameter; it decreased slightly as bead diameter increased, (v) strain energy release rate as measured under impact decreased with increasing bead concentration, (vi) tensile strength decreased linearly with increasing glass bead concentration and was inversely proportional to the square root of the bead diameter, (vii) weldlines did not affect the tensile strength of the polymer or its composities, (viii) flexural modulus increased linearly with increasing glass bead concentration according to the Einstein equation.     

Technological,Regulatory, and Ethical Aspects of In Vitro Meat: A Future Slaughter‐Free Harvest

Defined as meat cultured in a laboratory within a bioreactor under controlled artificial conditions, in vitro meat is a relatively recent area that has opened a whole universe of possibilities and opportunities for the meat sector. With improved chemical and microbial safety and varied options, in vitro meat has been proposed as a green, healthy, environmentally friendly, and nutritionally better product that is free from animal suffering and death. Cell culture and tissue culture are the most probable technologies for the development of this futuristic muscle product. However, there are many challenges in the production of a suitable product at an industrial scale under a sustainable production system and a great body of research is required to fill the gaps in our knowledge. Many materials used in the product development are novel and untested within the food industry and demand urgent regulatory and safety assessment systems capable of managing any risks associated with the development of cultured meat. The future of this product will depend on the actions of governments and regulatory agencies. This article highlights emerging biotechnological options for the development of cultured meat and suggests ways to integrate these emerging technologies into meat research. It considers the problems and possibilities of developing cultured meat, opportunities, ethical issues as well as emerging safety and regulatory issues in this area.     

Vitamin A status of healthy children in Manisa,Turkey

Background  

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health nutrition problem in the developing world. Even subclinical Vitamin A deficiency is associated with increased childhood mortality. Severe maternal vitamin A deficiency may cause increased mortality in the first months of life. There have been a limited number of studies regarding vitamin A status in Turkey. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin A status of healthy children in Manisa, Turkey.     

INVESTIGATION ON THE INCIPIENT FLUIDIZATION AND HEAT TRANSFER IN A CENTRIFUGAL FLUIDIZED BED DRYER

Abstract

Based on the continuum theory, a physical model of gas-solid two phase flow in a centrifugal fluidized bed has been proposed. A set of governing equations to describe the fluidization state are obtained and solved numerically after some simplifying. The quantitative experimental study on the characteristics of the incipient fluidization in the centrifugal fluidized bed is performed to examine the proposed model. Gas-solid two phase heat transfer in CFB during a drying process is also conducted. The influences of bed thickness, particle diameter, physical properties of particle, rotating speed of the bed and the gas superficial velocity on heat transfer characteristics are examined. A correlation that can be used to calculate the heat transfer coefficients in the drying process in CFB is obtained.     

300 MW机组RB负荷速率确定分析

实现RB功能是保证机组在重要辅机故障跳闸时自动、快速降负荷,减少非计划停运的重要措施,也是机组整体自动化程度的反映.其中关键技术之一是确定RB速率,以下就此简要分析RB速率的求解问题.     

北部引嫩渠首嫩江枯水期来水量与渠道引入量的分析

黑龙江省北部引嫩无坦引水工程，为大庆地区工业及沿途农业灌溉供水运行１６年来，由于引水口上拦沙坡和引水口上游江道河床的变化，枯水期嫩江来水量和供水量发生了矛盾。本文根据实测资料分析分流比减小的原因，并提出若干建议及措施。     

基于神经网络的动态QFD方法

为了更迅速全面地将顾客需求转化为质量特性 ,提出了基于神经网络的动态 QFD方法 .该方法将神经网络与 QFD方法相结合 ,建立了 QFD神经网络模型 .通过网络的学习训练 ,获得最优的关系模型 .该方法能快速地将顾客需求变化传递给设计者 ,从而在第一时间内完成新产品的开发 .并以实例介绍了顾客需求模型以及顾客需求的获取方法