The process design and simulation for the methanol production on the FPSO (floating production,storage and off-loading) system

A process for methanol production from 100 MM scfd of stranded gas and CO₂ is proposed and simulated using a commercial process simulator, PRO/II v.9.1, for a FPSO (floating production, storage, off-loading) system. The process consists of Steam-CO₂ Reforming (SCR), methanol synthesis, a Reverse Water-Gas Shift (RWGS) reaction and ancillaries with recycle streams to SCR and RWGS. All reactors were simulated using the Gibbs reactor model. Also, the Plug Flow Reactor (PFR) model with reaction rate equations was used for the methanol reactor and the result was compared to the Gibbs reactor model. To maximize the use of the carbon source in stranded gas and CO₂ while avoiding an undesirable increase in process size, the optimum recycle ratios were calculated with a satisfying constraint, a steam-to-carbon ratio ≥ 1 in the SCR. In the proposed Methanol-FPSO process the RWGS reactor can maximize CO₂ utilization and case studies were performed to analyze the influence of RWGS.     

Preparation and physical properties of an epoxy nanocomposite with amine‐functionalized graphenes

Graphene, consisted of a single layer of carbon atom in a two‐dimensional lattice, has superior electrical and physical properties that promise many exciting applications. In this study, graphenes were prepared from graphite powder by chemical method and their images were investigated by TEM and SEM. To develop high performance epoxy nanocomposites with good dispersion of graphenes and strong epoxy‐graphene interfacial bonding, graphenes were amine‐functionalized and the effects of the amine‐functionalization on the curing behavior and physical properties of epoxy/graphene nanocomposites were studied. FTIR spectra confirmed the amine‐functionalization. The physical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by DSC, DMA, TMA, and impact tester. Fracture surfaces were investigated by SEM. The physical properties of the nanocomposites could be improved considerably by the amine‐functionalization of graphenes. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:985–991, 2014. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Low‐Temperature Sintering and Piezoelectric Properties of CuO‐Added KNbO3 Ceramics

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of CuO‐added KNbO₃ (KN) ceramics were investigated. The CuO reacted with the Nb₂O₅, formed a CuO–Nb₂O₅‐related liquid phase during the sintering, and assisted the densification of the KN ceramics at low temperatures. Moreover, some of the Cu²⁺ ions replaced the Nb⁵⁺ ions in the matrix and behaved as a hardener. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the KN ceramics were considerably influenced by the relative density. The 1.0 mol% CuO‐added KN ceramic sintered at 960°C for 1.0 h, which showed a maximum relative density, exhibited a high phase angle of 86.9°, P_r of 14.8 μC/cm², and E_c of 1.8 kV/mm. This specimen also exhibited good dielectric and piezoelectric properties: ε^T₃₃/ε_o of 364, d₃₃ of 122 pC/N, k_p of 0.29, and Q_m of 611.     

Development of a Multiplex and Cost-Effective Genotype Test toward More Personalized Medicine for the Antiplatelet Drug Clopidogrel

There has been a wide range of inter-individual variations in platelet responses to clopidogrel. The variations in response to clopidogrel can be driven by genetic polymorphisms involved in the pathway of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and the target receptor P2Y12. A set of genetic variants known for causing variations in clopidogrel responses was selected, which included CYP2C19*2, *3, *17, CYP2B6*4, *6, *9, CYP3A4*18, CYP3A5*3, MDR1 2677G > T/A, 3435C > T, and P2Y12 H2 (742T > C). The simultaneous detection of these 10 variants was developed by using a multiplex PCR and single-base extension (MSSE) methodology. The newly developed genotyping test was confirmed by direct DNA sequencing in the representative positive control samples and validated in an extended set of 100 healthy Korean subjects. Genotyping results from the developed MSSE exhibited a perfect concordance with the direct DNA sequencing data and all of variants tested in 100 healthy Korean subjects were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05). The present molecular diagnostic studies provide an accurate, convenient, and fast genotyping method for the detection of multiple variants. This would be helpful for researchers, as well as clinicians, to use genetic information toward more personalized medicine of clopidogrel and other antiplatelet drugs in the future.     

A study on performance optimization of a toilet by measuring accumulated flow rate of a trapway

When water shortages occur, toilet water-saving becomes an effective way to solve the problem. We developed a new method that utilizes the accumulated flow rate to predict the flushing performance and to obtain design data for the development of high-efficiency toilets. The results showed that the length and shape of the trapway are the most important factors for flushing performance, and additional water saving can be achieved by delaying the opening of the trapway outlet valve. In addition, the tank water level in the water tank needs to be optimized considering siphon intensity as well as siphon duration. In conclusion, the toilet was optimized up to 6.5 kg of water using 60 mm diameter flexible tube by the method of accumulated flow rate measurement. In the future, the development of an ultra high efficiency toilet below 4.5 kg will be tried utilizing the method.     

Metaheuristic-based inspection policy for a one-shot system with two types of units

In this paper, we address an inspection policy problem for a one-shot system with two types of units, namely, Type 1 units that fail at random times and Type 2 units that degrade with time. Interval availability and life cycle cost are used as optimization criteria and estimated by simulation. We determine inspection intervals, preventive replacement ages of Type 1 units, and preventive maintenance thresholds of Type 2 units that have minimal life cycle cost and satisfy the target interval availability during inspection periods. A simulation-based optimization procedure using a hybrid genetic algorithm is proposed to find near-optimal solutions. Numerical examples are studied to investigate the effects of model parameters on optimal solutions and compare the hybrid genetic algorithm with the general genetic algorithm.     

Plasmon-enhanced quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with metal@Dendron nanoparticles

We have investigated the effects of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) on the performance of quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by photoreduction in the presence of generation 5 polyester hydroxyl acetylene bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic acid dendrons (Dendron) as a stabilizer. The plasmon-enhanced DSSCs were achieved by incorporating metal@Dendron NPs into TiO₂ photoanodes. The presence of dendrons prevents the photoelectrons from recombining on the surface of TiO₂ semiconductor and improves the stability of metal NPs. With the addition of Ag@Dendron NPs, the photocurrent and the power conversion efficiency of quasi-solid-state DSSCs increased due to the LSP effect of metal NPs and the barrier effect of dendron, which were confirmed by the increased incident photon-to-photocurrent efficiency and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis.     

Hydrogen production from acid- and ammonia-pretreated biomass

Hydrogen production from biomass has potential environmental and economic advantages; however, the factors that lead to low hydrogen production should be investigated. Acid and base pretreatments were applied to investigate the catalytic effects of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) on the biomass (wood pellets) samples and hydrogen production through pyrolysis. The pyrolysis behavior and gas yield were analyzed using a thermogravimetric analyzer and drop tube furnace, respectively. The chemical structure characteristics were analyzed using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Chemically pretreated samples yielded considerably higher hydrogen than the raw sample, as confirmed based on the microstructural properties of the biochar samples. Therefore, the physical changes produced a greater effect than the chemical changes caused by the removal of AAEMs.

     

Effect of prior microstructures on the behavior of cementite particles during subcritical annealing of medium carbon steels

The effect of prior microstructures on the behavior of cementite particles in conjunction with microstructural changes of the matrix during subcritical annealing was investigated by changing the initial microstructures into ferrite + coarse pearlite, ferrite + fine pearlite, bainite, and martensite, in medium carbon steels. While the coarsening of cementite particles in martensite proceeded rapidly with the growth of large cementite particles at boundaries with the dissolution of smaller particles within martensite laths, the coarsening rate of cementite particles in bainite was found to be much slower than that in martensite. This could be attributed to the thermal stability of cementite particles, the smaller amount of carbon in solution, and the lower driving force for solute diffusion due to the uniform size distribution of cementite particles in bainite. The controlling coarsening kinetics in medium carbon steels with ferrite-pearlite, bainite and martensite, were found as boundary diffusion, diffusion along dislocation, a combination of boundary diffusion and diffusion along dislocation, respectively.     

An Auto-configuration 4M Group Management using Wireless Sensor Networks for Reconfigurable Manufacturing System

<正>The first tier of automotive manufacturers has faced to pressures about move,modify,updating tasks for manufacturing resources in production processes from demand response of production order sequence for motor company and process innovation purpose for productivity. For meets this requirements,it has to require absolutely lead time to re-wiring of physical interface for production equipment,needs for change existing program and test over again.For prepare this constraints,it needs studying an auto-configuration functions that build for both visibility and flexibility based on the 4M(Man,Machine,Material, Method)group management which is supports from WSN (Wireless Sensor Network)of the open embedded device called M2M(Machine to Machine)and major functions of middleware including point manager for real-time device communication,real-time data management,Standard API (Application Program Interface)and application template management.To be application system to RMS (Reconfigurable Manufacturing System)for rapidly response from various orders and model from motor company that is beginning to establishing the mapping of manufacturing resources of 4M using WSN.