A model of energy management analysis,case study of a sugar factory in Turkey

This study presents a case study of energy management in a sugar factory in Turkey. The main idea of the study is to analyse energy consumption, the quantity of material production, and figure out a suitable energy efficiency for the case study of a sugar factory subsequently. Firstly, a material production and energy consumption audit were performed for the sugar factory. Secondly, energy efficiency was calculated from the energy data. The SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) statistical software was used to ensure the accuracy of the data. The factory’s energy consumption was calculated as 43,590.25 toe (tons of oil equivalent) over the last year. These results were used for CUSUM (Cumulative Sum Deviation Method) graphics. This research poses the consumption of energy, cost of energy and the relationship between energy usage and material production of sugar. The unit of energy cost was 688.22 [$/toe] for the last year. This result showed that the factory decreased the unit of energy by optimisation. The results indicated that the investigated sugar factory should pay attention to the energy management issue in order to comply with the Energy Efficiency of Turkish Law and Directives.     

Magnetic Properties of Zn1?x Ni x O (0.25≤x≤ 0.50) Prepared by Solid-State Reactions

In this study the origin of ferromagnetism in ZnO-based bulk systems has been investigated using Ni-doped ZnO samples, Zn_1−x Ni _x O with 0.25≤x≤0.50, prepared by solid-state reactions. The structural characterizations indicated that the Ni²⁺ ions almost uniformly distributed in all the samples, and the samples have hexagonal wurtzite structure; however, when x is increased toward 0.50, a new NiO phase is formed. A ferromagnetism (FM) has been observed for all the samples at and below the room temperature. In other words, the room temperature results of (M–H) curves show that the FM observed is intrinsic for all the Ni-doped ZnO samples. However, the saturated magnetizations decrease gradually with increasing Ni concentration. This indicates that, in addition to FM, the excessive doping of Ni in ZnO also causes an antiferromagnetic (AFM) contribution which increases with increasing Ni amount. This result is also supported by the magnetization against temperature measurements. Furthermore, the trend of the ac-susceptibility (χ) versus temperature curves, measured under an ac-magnetic field of 100 Oe, also support our conclusion about the antiferromagnetic contribution to ferromagnetism in our samples.     

Investigation of the effects of geometrical parameters on heat transfer from buried finned pipes

Heat transfer from finned pipes buried in the soil has been investigated using experimental, analytical and numerical techniques. The experimental setup consists of a ground source heat pump system and two separate ground heat exchangers. Constant surface temperature approach based on Carslaw and Jaeger’s theory study was used for calculating the heat transfer from the pipes analytically. The problem was modeled and solved using a CFD program numerically. Effects of the fin number, fin length and simulation time on the heat transfer rate have been investigated and compared with bare tube. A modified analytical formula was also proposed for finned pipes in this study.     

Modification of cyclohexanone-formaldehyde-resin

The reactions of cyclohexanone-formaldehyde-resin via its hydroxy and carbonyl functional groups with a number of different reagents such as acetic anhydride, benzoyl chloride, hydroxylamine, semicarbazide, and phenyl hydrazine were studied. Melting points, IR spectrums, and solubilities in various solvents of the products were determined.     

cDNA cloning and functional characterization of the mouse Ca2+-gated K+ channel, mIK1. Roles in regulatory volume decrease and erythroid differentiation

We have cloned from murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells, thymus, and stomach the cDNA encoding the Ca2+-gated K+ (KCa) channel, mIK1, the mouse homolog of hIK1 (Ishii, T. M., Silvia, C., Hirschberg, B., Bond, C. T., Adelman, J. P., and Maylie, J. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.(U. S. A. 94, 11651-11656). mIK1 mRNA was detected at varied levels in many tissue types. mIK1 KCa channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes closely resembled the Kca of red cells (Gardos channel) and MEL cells in its single channel conductance, lack of voltage-sensitivity of activation, inward rectification, and Ca2+ concentration dependence. mIK1 also resembled the erythroid channel in its pharmacological properties, mediating whole cell and unitary currents sensitive to low nM concentrations of both clotrimazole (CLT) and its des-imidazolyl metabolite, 2-chlorophenyl-bisphenyl-methanol, and to low nM concentrations of iodocharybdotoxin. Whereas control oocytes subjected to hypotonic swelling remained swollen, mIK1 expression conferred on oocytes a novel, Ca2+-dependent, CLT-sensitive regulatory volume decrease response. Hypotonic swelling of voltage-clamped mIK1-expressing oocytes increased outward currents that were Ca2+-dependent, CLT-sensitive, and reversed near the K+ equilibrium potential. mIK1 mRNA levels in ES cells increased steadily during erythroid differentiation in culture, in contrast to other KCa mRNAs examined. Low nanomolar concentrations of CLT inhibited proliferation and erythroid differentiation of peripheral blood stem cells in liquid culture.     

Quantitative electroencephalographic characteristics of crack cocaine dependence

This study replicates preliminary findings reporting a quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) profile of crack cocaine dependence in abstinence. All subjects (n = 52) met criteria for DMS-III-R cocaine dependence (in the form of crack), and were residing in a drug-free therapeutic community. Baseline QEEG evaluations were conducted at intake (5-10 days after last use of crack, and at follow-up (1 month after last reported use). Previous findings of significant excess of relative alpha power and deficit of absolute and relative delta and theta power were replicated in this expanded group. Abnormalities were greater in anterior than posterior regions, and disturbances in interhemispheric relationships were also observed. Further, QEEG showed little change in the interval between the first and second evaluations. This QEEG profile may reflect persistent alterations in neurotransmission as a possible consequence of chronic cocaine exposure.     

Digital Image Analysis in Geotechnical Engineering Education

Existing research has shown that visual input significantly contributes to learning, therefore, it is paramount to use visual tools to help demonstrate engineering concepts. One of these tools, digital image analysis, can help effectively communicate complex concepts to students in a simple and understandable format as a supplement to traditional lecturing, while simultaneously enabling students to have hands-on experience. This note describes a series of activities to incorporate digital image analysis into engineering education. The undergraduate students worked in research projects that involved image-based analysis of geomaterials. Based on these activities and the students’ response to a questionnaire, it was recognized that digital image analysis can enhance the understanding of engineering phenomena for undergraduate students. The hands-on experience and visual demonstration improved the students’ grasp of fundamental concepts in research projects. The research experience allowed the students to build a connection between the classroom and the solution of state-of-the-art engineering scientific problems. It also taught them about cooperation and teamwork, as well as academic independence.     

Genetic Algorithm for the Multiple-Query Optimization Problem

Producing answers to a set of queries with common tasks efficiently is known as the multiple-query optimization (MQO) problem. Each query can have several alternative evaluation plans, each with a different set of tasks. Therefore, the goal of MQO is to choose the right set of plans for queries which minimizes the total execution time by performing common tasks only once. Since MQO is an NP-hard problem, several, mostly heuristics based, solutions have been proposed for solving it. To the best of our knowledge, this correspondence is the first attempt to solve MQO using an evolutionary technique, genetic algorithms     

Mechanical and microstructural properties of low-carbon steel-plate-reinforced gray cast iron

In the present experimental study, strengthening of gray cast iron by reinforcing with steel plates was investigated in the as-cast and normalized conditions. Normalizing heat treatments were applied to the specimens at temperatures of 800 °C and 850 °C. Three-point bend specimens were manufactured from gray cast iron and also from gray cast iron with reinforced steel plates. Flexural strengths of the steel-plate-reinforced cast iron were calculated for four distinct volume fractions (V_r = 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, and 0.16). The current study shows that the steel-plate-reinforced gray cast iron has higher flexural strength and flexural modulus than the cast iron without reinforcement. The flexural strength considerably increases with slight increase in normalization temperature. Optical and scanning electron microscopy analyses were used to examine flake morphology and microstructures of gray cast iron and steel-plate-reinforced gray cast iron. It is noted that carbon diffuses from the gray cast iron to the steel plates. A transition region containing partially dissolved graphite and having high hardness was observed due to the carbon diffusion.     

Research on ethanol production and use from sugar beet in Turkey

Emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO₂, CO, CH₄ and NO_X from fossil fuel use are implicated in climate change. The use of bioethanol is one means to reduce fossil fuel use and emissions of greenhouse gases. This study investigated research to produce ethanol from sugar beet and use as fuel in Turkey. The calculated demand for bioethanol amounted to some 220,000 m³ where a 5% ethanol mix in petrol was used. Turkey has the potential to produce 30 million ton of sugar beet, which is sufficient to meet the bioethanol demand.