Forest biomass supply logistics for a power plant using the discrete-event simulation approach

This study investigates the logistics of supplying forest biomass to a potential power plant. Due to the complexities in such a supply logistics system, a simulation model based on the framework of Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) is developed in this study to evaluate the cost of delivered forest biomass, the equilibrium moisture content, and carbon emissions from the logistics operations. The model is applied to a proposed case of 300 MW power plant in Quesnel, BC, Canada. The results show that the biomass demand of the power plant would not be met every year. The weighted average cost of delivered biomass to the gate of the power plant is about C$ 90 per dry tonne. Estimates of equilibrium moisture content of delivered biomass and CO₂ emissions resulted from the processes are also provided.     

Selective solid-phase extraction of trace Pb(II) from aqueous solution using Pb(II)-ion imprinted polymer

In this work, we synthesized several ions imprinted polymers based on the inclusion of 8-hydroxyquinoline, vinyl benzoic acid, and diazoaminobenzene as ligands into the polymer matrix to complex with lead ions. Besides, to optimize various parameters for the selective extraction and enrichment of lead ions using the best synthesized imprinted polymers, the selectivity of the chosen inorganic ions was investigated. These investigations indicated that the synthesized imprinted polymer particles have good potential for selective enrichment of lead ions compared with other heavy metal ions, and the selectivity of lead ion-imprinted polymers for lead ion was higher than non-imprinted polymer.     

Simultaneous Removal of Four Dye Pollutants in Mixture Using Amine Functionalized Kit-6 Silica Mesoporous Magnetic Nanocomposite

In this study, Kit-6 silica mesoporous was created on the surface of magnetite core having silica shell and functionalized by amine group to form Fe3O4@SiO     

The impact of connate water saturation and salinity on oil recovery and CO2 storage capacity during carbonated water injection in carbonate rock

Carbonated water injection (CWI) is known as an efficient technique for both CO₂ storage and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). During CWI process, CO₂ moves from the water phase into the oil phase and results in oil swelling. This mechanism is considered as a reason for EOR. Viscous fingering leading to early breakthrough and leaving a large proportion of reservoir un-swept is known as an unfavorable phenomenon during flooding trials. Generally, instability at the interface due to disturbances in porous medium promotes viscous fingering phenomenon. Connate water makes viscous fingers longer and more irregular consisting of large number of tributaries leading to the ultimate oil recovery reduction. Therefore, higher in-situ water content can worsen this condition. Besides, this water can play as a barrier between oil and gas phases and adversely affect the gas diffusion, which results in EOR reduction. On the other hand, from gas storage point of view, it should be noted that CO₂ solubility is not the same in the water and oil phases. In this study for a specified water salinity, the effects of different connate water saturations (S_wc) on the ultimate oil recovery and CO₂ storage capacity during secondary CWI are being presented using carbonate rock samples from one of Iranian carbonate oil reservoir. The results showed higher oil recovery and CO₂ storage in the case of lower connate water saturation, as 14% reduction of S_wc resulted in 20% and 16% higher oil recovery and CO₂ storage capacity, respectively.     

Polyamide 6 nanocomposites incorporating cellulose nanocrystals prepared by In situ ring‐opening polymerization: Viscoelasticity,creep behavior,and melt rheological properties

The creep behavior and solid and melt linear viscoelasticity of novel polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) prepared via in situ anionic ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) were investigated to accelerate research efforts to develop new polymeric materials with improved properties for lightweight, load‐bearing applications. The obtained results showed that incorporation of relatively small amounts of ≤ 2wt% CNCs into the PA6 thermoplastic matrix gave nanocomposite samples with significantly enhanced creep and viscoelastic materials functions of the PA6 as indicated by lower creep strain, lower creep compliance, improved elastic recovery after removal of load, and reduced Arrhenius activation energies for time‐dependent viscoplastic flow. The obtained results were analyzed and interpreted by theoretical equations for predicting the viscoelasticity and creep behavior of polymeric systems. The melt rheological properties showed enhanced melt strength and elasticity. The formation of a percolated network structure of CNC was revealed by morphological observations that were consistent with the dynamic structure break‐up and reformation rheological experiments. The stiffness, rigidity of the CNCs along with their special ROP‐facilitated intrinsic strong chemical interactions with the PA6 matrix is believed to be responsible for the observed superior creep and viscoelastic materials functions even with very little CNC concentration. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 56:1045–1060, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Investigation of ex-vessel core catcher for SBO accident in VVER-1000/V528 containment using MELCOR code

Nuclear Science and Techniques - An S-band high-gradient accelerating structure is designed for a proton therapy linear accelerator (linac) to accommodate the new development of compact,...     

Investigation of factors affecting dynamic modulus and phase angle of various asphalt concrete mixtures

This study investigated the dynamic response of various asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures subjected to sinusoidal loading. Eight AC mixtures (four wearing and four base course) were selected including (but not limited to): superpave, asphalt institute manual series, and dense bituminous macadam. The uniaxial dynamic modulus (|E*|) test at various temperatures (4.4–54.4 °C) and frequencies (0.1–25 Hz) was conducted using asphalt mixture performance tester. Statistical analysis of two-level factorial was employed to regulate the factors affecting the AC mixtures. The results revealed that an increase in temperature (from 21.1 to 37.8 °C), translated into 45 and 43 % drop in |E*| values on average while 80 and 67 % decrease in |E*| values was attributed to the sweep of frequency (from 25 to 0.1 Hz) for wearing and base course mixes, respectively. Non-linear regression model was developed to express the dynamic modulus as a function of test temperature, loading frequency and mixture volumetric parameter. Furthermore, Witczak model of dynamic modulus prediction was evaluated and the results indicated a close fit with an average under prediction error of 0.20. The study characterized and ranked the representative AC mixtures that could help in selecting the material/gradation for mechanistic-empirical pavement design approach.