Energy-saving estimation model for hypermarket HVAC systems applications

Energy saving estimation model (ESEM) use normal distribution (Gaussian) probability theory to predict potential savings for previously determined system improvements. Those improvements are low/high cost investments based on data gathered during one year monitoring of typical hypermarket facility HVAC system. The consumption of electrical energy and natural gas has been monitored and system segments with largest amount of energy consumption have been marked. Gathered data pointed out to fan units as the biggest energy consumers and suggested that system energy-saving improvement must be focused on fans energy consumption control. This paper deals with ESEM inputs and outputs in order to provide correct financial estimation of specific investment.     

An optimisation support for the design of hybrid production lines including assembly and disassembly tasks

The optimisation problems related to the assignment of tasks to workstations in assembly and disassembly lines have been largely discussed in the literature. They are known, respectively, as Assembly Line Balancing and Disassembly Line Balancing Problems. In this study, both types of task performed on the identical product are integrated in a common hybrid production system. Therefore, the logistic process is simplified and disassembly tasks can supply easier the assembly tasks with the required components. The considered production system has the layout of two parallel lines with common workstations. The product flow is conventional in the assembly line and reverse in the disassembly line. The paper provides a new mathematical model for designing such a hybrid system and an approximate approach based on ant colony optimisation for solving large-scale instances. The solution method is tested in a case study. The obtained results are compared with the solution provided by the design of two independent lines. The analysis of the results highlights the potential benefits of the hybrid production system.     

Quantitative kinetic analysis in a microfluidic device using frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging

A novel microfluidic approach for the quantification of reaction kinetics is presented. A three-dimensional finite difference numerical simulation was developed in order to extract quantitative kinetic information from fluorescence lifetime imaging experimental data. This approach was first utilized for the study of a fluorescence quenching reaction within a microchannel; the lifetime of a fluorophore was used to map the diffusion of a quencher across the microchannel. The approach was then applied to a more complex chemical reaction between a fluorescent amine and an acid chloride, via numerical simulation the bimolecular rate constant for this reaction was obtained.     

Formulation,Characterization and Stability Assessment of a Food‐Derived Tripeptide,Leucine‐Lysine‐Proline Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles

The chicken‐ or fish‐derived tripeptide, leucine‐lysine‐proline (LKP), inhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme and may be used as an alternative treatment for prehypertension. However, it has low permeation across the small intestine. The formulation of LKP into a nanoparticle (NP) has the potential to address this issue. LKP‐loaded NPs were produced using an ionotropic gelation technique, using chitosan (CL113). Following optimization of unloaded NPs, a mixture amount design was constructed using variable concentration of CL113 and tripolyphosphate at a fixed LKP concentration. Resultant particle sizes ranged from 120 to 271 nm, zeta potential values from 29 to 37 mV, and polydispersity values from 0.3 to 0.6. A ratio of 6:1 (CL113:TPP) produced the best encapsulation of approximately 65%. Accelerated studies of the loaded NPs indicated stability under normal storage conditions (room temperature). Cytotoxicity assessment showed no significant loss of cell viability and in vitro release studies indicated an initial burst followed by a slower and sustained release.     

Effects of Growth Rates and Compositions on Dendrite Arm Spacings in Directionally Solidified Al-Zn Alloys

Dendritic spacing can affect microsegregation profiles and also the formation of secondary phases within interdendritic regions, which influences the mechanical properties of cast structures. To understand dendritic spacings, it is important to understand the effects of growth rate and composition on primary dendrite arm spacing (λ ₁) and secondary dendrite arm spacing (λ ₂). In this study, aluminum alloys with concentrations of (1, 3, and 5 wt pct) Zn were directionally solidified upwards using a Bridgman-type directional solidification apparatus under a constant temperature gradient (10.3 K/mm), resulting in a wide range of growth rates (8.3–165.0 μm/s). Microstructural parameters, λ ₁ and λ ₂ were measured and expressed as functions of growth rate and composition using a linear regression analysis method. The values of λ ₁ and λ ₂ decreased with increasing growth rates. However, the values of λ ₁ increased with increasing concentration of Zn in the Al-Zn alloy, but the values of λ ₂ decreased systematically with an increased Zn concentration. In addition, a transition from a cellular to a dendritic structure was observed at a relatively low growth rate (16.5 μm/s) in this study of binary alloys. The experimental results were compared with predictive theoretical models as well as experimental works for dendritic spacing.     

Two-sided U-type assembly line balancing problem

U-type and two-sided assembly lines are two types of design having advantages over traditional straight assembly lines. In this paper, a new line design hybrid of U-type and two-sided lines is presented. A bi-objective 0-1 integer programming model is developed to solve the line balancing problem of the proposed design. Zoning constraints are also considered for the proposed design. A number of test problems from the literature with up to 65 tasks are solved. Benefits of two-sided U-type lines are discussed.     

A bilinear programming model and a modified branch-and-bound algorithm for production planning in steel rolling mills with substitutable demand

In this paper, we address an instance of the dynamic capacitated multi-item lot-sizing problem (CMILSP) typically encountered in steel rolling mills. Production planning is carried out at the master production schedule level, where the various end items lot sizes are determined such that the total cost is minimised. Through incorporating the various technological constraints associated with the manufacturing process, the integrated production–inventory problem is formulated as a mixed integer bilinear program (MIBLP). Typically, such class of mathematical models is solved via linearisation techniques which transform the model to an equivalent MILP (mixed integer linear program) at the expense of increased model dimensionality. This paper presents an alternative branch-and-bound based algorithm that exploits the special structure of the mathematical model to minimise the number of branches and obtain the bound at each node. The performance of our algorithm is benchmarked against that of a classical linearisation technique for several problem instances and the obtained results are reported.     

Effect of growth rates and temperature gradients on the spacing and undercooling in the broken-lamellar eutectic growth (Sn-Zn eutectic system)

The Sn-Zn system has a eutectic structure of a broken lamellar type. Dependence of the broken-lamellar spacing λ and the undercooling ΔT on V and G were investigated, and the relationship between them was examined. A Sn-Zn (99.99%) high-purity eutectic alloy was melted in a graphite crucible under vacuum atmosphere. This eutectic alloy was directionally solidified upward with a constant growth rate V (8.30 μm/s) and different temperature gradients G (1.86–6.52 K/mm), and also with a constant temperature gradient (6.52 K/mm) and different growth rates (8.30–165.13 μm/s) in a Bridgman-type directional solidification furnace. The lamellar spacings λ were measured from both transverse and longitudinal sections of the specimen. The λ values from the transverse section were used for calculations and comparisons with the previous works. The undercooling values ΔT were obtained using growth rate and system parameters K ₁ and K ₂. It was found that the values of λ decreased while V and G increased. The relationships between lamellar spacing λ and solidification parameters V and G were obtained by linear regression analysis method. The λ² V, ΔTλ, ΔTV ⁻⁵, and λ³ G values were determined using λ, ΔT, V, and G values. The experimentally obtained values for the broken-lamellar growth (Sn-Zn eutectic system) were in good agreement with the theoretical and other experimental values.     

A set partitioning based goal programming model for the team formation problem

In this paper, we offer a multi-objective set-partitioning formulation for team formation problems using goal programming. Instead of selecting team members to teams, we select suitable teams from a set of teams. This set is generated using a heuristic algorithm that uses the social network of potential team members. We then utilize the proposed multi-objective formulation to select the desired number of teams from this set that meets the skill requirements. Therefore, we ensure that selected teams include individuals with the required skills and effective communication with each other. Two real datasets are used to test the model. The results obtained with the proposed solution are compared with two well-known approaches: weighted and lexicographic goal programming. Results reveal that weighted and lexicographic goal programming approaches generate almost identical solutions for the datasets tested. Our approach, on the other hand, mostly picks teams with lower communication costs. Even in some cases, better solutions are obtained with the proposed approach. Findings show that the developed solution approach is a promising approach to handle team formation problems.     

Effects of eccentricity defect on the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the mechanism clutch-helical two stage gear

This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamic behavior of an automotive clutch coupled with a helical two stage gear system. The nonlinear dynamic model is simulated by twenty seven degrees of freedom and including three types of nonlinearity: dry friction path, double stage stiffness and spline clearance. The utility of the proposed nonlinear model is illustrated by the industrial need to clearly identify the dynamic behavior of mechanical elements (shafts, bearings, gears, flywheel, pressure plate, hub of the clutch…) and reduce vibration. The governing nonlinear time varying motion equation formulated is resolved by the analytic Runge Kutta method.Then the modeling of the eccentricity defect located on the gear and the flywheel of the clutch is done. The effect of this defect on the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the system is investigated.