A Synthesis of Thermodynamic Models Unifying Traditional and Work-Driven Operations with Heat and Mass Exchange

A novel trend in the theory of thermodynamic limits for energy convertors and traditional heat and mass exchangers is analyzed, where certain special controls called, the Carnot control variables, play a common role. In terms of these controls an expression for the lost work has the same form in irreversible energy convertors and in traditional processes of purely dissipative transport. For sequential-type equipment of a finite size, enhanced limits are obtained for the energy production or consumption. Formal models of simplest energy convertors and characteristics of endoreversible operations are particularly lucid in terms of the Carnot controls. Progress in the theory of energy generation problems is achieved; examples of applications are outlined. Efficiency decrease caused by dissipation and finite rate bounds are estimated for work released from an engine or work added to a heat pump. It is shown that a simplification in the analysis of energy limits in complex thermal operations is achieved when Carnot controls are applied. Extensions involve mass transfer problems and a finite-rate counterpart of classical available energy (exergy).     

On decentralised control of non-linear interconnected systems

The asymptotic stabilisation problem of a class of large-scale interconnected systems is considered, where the non-linear interconnections between subsystems satisfy quadratic constraints that are functions of the whole system's state vector. A decentralised combined observer-controller compensator is proposed and analysed, where the subsystems’ state vectors are estimated using local sliding mode observers. The closed-loop system driven by the proposed decentralised compensator is guaranteed to be asymptotically stable subject to two conditions that are easily verifiable. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed decentralised combined observer-controller compensator.     

Detection and sequence analysis of hepatitis B virus integration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

A PCR-based technique was used to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B. Integrated HBV DNA sequences, with virus-cell junctions located in the cohesive region between direct repeat 1 (DR1) and DR2, were found in 2 of 10 studied patients.     

Exposure of Human Models in the Near and Far Field?A Comparison

The specific absorption rate (SAR) was measured in over 650 locations in a full-scale model of man exposed in the far and near field of antennas at 350 and 915 MHz. The whole-body average, the body-parts average, and the distributions of the SAR's are compared for three wave polarizations for the far and the near-field exposures. Effects on the energy deposition of the antenna type, gain, and location in the near field are discussed.     

On satisfying due-dates in large job shops: idle time insertion

We consider the problem of minimizing maximum lateness in a job shop. A conceptually simple simulation based procedure described in a recent paper by Hodgson et al [1] is modified to provide improved schedules. Computational experimentation is provided to identify the conditions under which the approach is most viable, and to report the procedure's performance on known test problems.     

Thermodynamic optimization for work-assisted heating and drying operations

We construct thermodynamic criteria for optimization of sequential work-assisted heating and drying operations which run jointly with ‘endoreversible’ thermal machines. The total power input is minimized with constraints which take into account the dynamics of heat and mass transport and rate of work consumption. Finite-rate, endoreversible models include the irreducible losses of classical exergy potential caused by the thermal resistances. Extremum performance functions for optimal work, which incorporate residual entropy production, are formulated in terms of end states, duration and (in discrete processes) number of stages. Formal analogies between entropy production expressions for work-assisted and conventional drying operations help formulate optimization models of the former. An optimization procedure for a two-stage drying operation with an endoreversible heat pump at each stage is outlined.     

Reservoir engineering assessment of low-temperature geothermal resources in the Skierniewice municipality (Poland)

Low temperature geothermal resources and their production potential in the Skierniewice area of Poland were evaluated assuming conventional well doublet arrays. The reservoir engineering assessment was carried out, within the framework of a World Bank project, to study the feasibility of providing heat to the local district heating system, using data from two existing wells and from geophysical surveys, and by evaluating results of production, injection and interference well tests. Two options were simulated mathematically, using both semianalytical and numerical codes, considering a simplified reservoir model: one based on the two existing wells, the other considering four wells, two to be drilled. The injection of spent brines into a different reservoir was also studied.     

RF Energy Deposition in a Heterogeneous Model of Man: Far-Field Exposures

Distributions of the specific absorption rate (SAR) were measured in a full-scale heterogeneous model of man. The model contained a skeleton, brain, lungs, and muscle. All these tissues had dielectric properties close to those of the respective in vivo properties of actual tissues at the test frequencies. SAR's were measured for exposures in the far field at 160, 350, and 915 MHz for the E and H polarizations. A computer-controlled scanning system and an implantable, minimally perturbing electric field probe were used. The results are also compared with the SAR distributions previously measured in a homogeneous model.