Lower order cities and national urbanization policies: China and India

The authors "examine the urbanization history and policies of China and India with a special emphasis on the lower order cities. [They] consider the proposition that, as the developing countries continue to urbanize at a rapid pace, the lower order cities can play a potentially effective role in guiding future urbanization and in securing a balanced economic and spatial development. Through an examination of the urbanization records, policies, and performance of the lower order cities in these two countries [the authors] discuss the 'top-down' versus the 'bottom-up' approaches to urbanization strategy and national development.... Differences between the urbanization policies of China and India and the transferability of the Chinese experience to other contexts [are also discussed]."     

Integral equation methods for analysis of piece-wise non-homogeneous three-dimensional elastic solids of arbitrary shape

A numerical method based on the theory of multidimensional singular integral equations which can be used in principle to obtain solutions of any static boundary value problem for a three-dimensional elastic solid is described in this paper. Earlier applications of the method are reviewed and compared with that presented in this paper. A scheme of numerical calculations suitable for high speed digital computers is outlined. Some typical applications of the method to foundation engineering problems are described.     

Effects of binder on recovery stamp charged coke making process

The optimum stability of coal cake is essential for producing good quality of coke in stamp charged coke making process. A suitable binder named as ‘X7’ was identified to improve the stability of coal cake, oven throughput, coke quality and reduce specific energy consumption for stamp charged coke making process. Laboratory results show that addition of ‘X7’ in coal blend up to 0.10–0.50 percentage, improved the mechanical strength of coal cake by 3.0–5.0 percentage. Six hundred kg pilot plant trials show that addition of binder in the base coal blend improved coke quality in terms of CSR, M ₄₀ and AMS significantly. Coke plant trials also show that ‘X7’ addition (0.10%) in base coal blend improved coke quality in terms of CSR (1.25 point), M ₄₀ (0.9 point) and AMS (1.70 mm). Addition of ‘X7’ increased Coke End Temperature up to 24°C during plant trials. The increased in temperature saved energy approximately 11 000 Gcal and reduce CO₂ emission by at least 10 000 T/Annum.     

NONLINEAR ANALYSIS OF POLYGONAL PLATES UNDER NONSTATIONARY TEMPERATURE

In this paper nonlinear thermal behaviors of polygonal plates have been investigated following a new approach. A conformal mapping technique has been employed in the investigation. Numerical results obtained for different polygons are given in tables and compared with other known results.     

Production and delivery policies for enhanced supply chain partnerships

Recent research on supply chain management has highlighted the importance of building strong customer–supplier relationships in order to gain competitive advantage. This paper examines the benefits of buyer–supplier partnerships over lot-for-lot, i.e. single setup single delivery (SSSD) systems and suggests two policies that the supplier can pursue in order to meet customers’ needs: (1) Single setup multiple delivery (SSMD), and (2) Multiple setup multiple delivery (MSMD). If its fixed setup cost is relatively high, the supplier would prefer to implement SSMD and produce an entire order with one setup. However, if the supplier can reduce the setup cost and the supplier's capacity is greater than the threshold level (P?=?2D), it is more beneficial for the supplier to implement the multiple setups and multiple deliveries (MSMD) policy, even though he pays more frequent setup costs since the savings in inventory holding costs is greater than the increased setup costs. In the latter case, setup reduction is realized by the knowledge and efficiency gained through frequent setup operations. To provide guidelines for the policy selection, we examine the interactions among variables, such as production capacity, learning rate, and holding costs for both parties. The paper also discusses the benefit sharing plan, which discusses according to the contribution (or sacrifice) each party made to the partnership efforts.     

Two-phase flow in GDL and reactant channels of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Understanding the effect of two-phase flow in the components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is crucial to water management and subsequently to their performance. The local water saturation in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and reactant channels influences the hydration of the membrane which has a direct effect on the PEMFC performance. Mass transport resistance includes contributions from both the GDL and reactant channels, as well as the interface between the aforementioned components. Droplet–channel wall interaction, water area coverage ratio on the GDL, oxygen transport resistance at the GDL–channel interface, and two-phase pressure drop in the channels are interlinked. This study explores each factor individually and presents a comprehensive perspective on our current understanding of the two-phase transport characteristics in the PEMFC reactant channels.