Performance evaluation of unbalanced flow lines with general distributed processing times, failures and imperfect production

In this paper an analytical approximation for the performance of non-homogenous asynchronous Flow Production Systems (FPSs) with finite buffers is presented. Generally distributed stochastic processing times as well as breakdowns and imperfect production are considered. The procedure explicitly accounts for simultaneous blocking and starving. The approximation is based on the decomposition of an M-station-line into M — 1 two-station-lines which are analyzed with the help of a GI/G/I/N_max queueing model. Numerical comparisons with exact and simulation results for hypothetical as well as for real-life flow-lines indicate that the procedure provides accurate results.     

Hybrid semiconductor electrodes for light-driven photoelectrochemical switches

Hybrid (n-/p-type) semiconductor electrodes represent a viable strategy for fabrication of wavelength-controlled optoelectronic switches. Four hybrid electrodes (BiVO₄/Co₃O₄, BiVO₄/CuO, TiO₂/Co₃O₄, TiO₂/CuO) were prepared in the form of random assemblies of nanocrystalline powders on ITO-glass and the wavelength dependence of their photocurrent response was investigated. The former three electrodes exhibited wavelength-controlled switching of photocurrent direction, whereas the latter one showed exclusively cathodic photocurrents. The prerequisite for the switching effect is that the potentials of the valence and conduction band edges of an n-type component are more positive than those of a p-type one. Further key parameters influencing the photocurrent response are the applied potential and the presence of electron and hole scavengers.     

A modified size effect model for brittle nonmetallic materials

Formulae of both existing size effect models for brittle materials, `effective volume' and `effective surface' were theoretically derived for bar specimens with rectangular and circular cross-sections, for three- and four-point bending load configuration, respectively. Additionally, a modified model called `effective shell model' is introduced. Exemplarily three- and four-point bending tests were performed on bar specimens of different sizes of a leucite reinforced glass ceramic material. The results were analyzed based on the three size effect models. It was found that the defect population of the specimens could be characterized better with the effective surface than with the effective volume model. The new effective shell model improves the statistical reliability even more.     

Über Zeitkonstanten von Kondensatoren

Zusammenfassung Bei hinreichend langer Trocknung und Bernsteinisolation lassen sich mit Luftkondensatoren Zeitkonstanten erreichen, die in der Größenordnung 10⁷ s bzw. 10³ s/pF liegen. Die physikalischen Ursachen der Entladung werden näher untersucht. Praktisch erfolgt die Entladung nur über die Bernsteinisolation; die Leitfähigkeit der Luft ist zu vernachlässigen. Maßgebend für die Entladung ist das Verhältnis Volumen zur Kapazität. Hohe Zeitkonstanten lassen sich erreichen, wenn das Verhältnis Volumen zur Kapazität klein ist. Kondensatoren mit sehr hohen Zeitkonstanten finden ihre Anwendung, z. B. wenn ein aufgeladener Kondensator als Vergleichsspannungsquelle dienen soll, bei der elektrischen Kurzzeitmèssung als Zeittransformator oder zur Messung sehr hoher Widerstände von der Größenordnung 10¹⁰ bis 10¹⁵ nach dem Kondensatorentladungsverfahren. Über eine weitere Anwendung wird demnächst berichtet werden.Die vorliegende Untersuchung wurde von Herrn Prof. Dr.-Ing. E. h. Dr.-Ing. W. Rogowski angeregt, dem ich für seine vielseitige Unterstützung zu großem Dank verpflichtet bin. Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danke ich für die Mittel zur Durchführung der Arbeit.     

Optimisation models to enhance resilience in evacuation planning

We argue that the concepts of resilience in engineering science and robustness in mathematical optimisation are strongly related. Using evacuation planning as an example application, we demonstrate optimisation techniques to improve solution resilience. These include a direct modelling of the uncertainty for stochastic or robust optimisation as well as taking multiple objective functions into account.     

Integrated synthesis and extraction of short‐chain fatty acid esters by supercritical carbon dioxide

We developed an efficient, integrated reaction‐extraction process for the production of short‐chain fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) from milk fat, using carbon dioxide as the only processing solvent. FAEE were synthesized using a short‐chain fatty acid selective lipase. The expansion of the liquid mixture of reactants by dense carbon dioxide enhanced the apparent lipase selectivity. In situ extraction of FAEE by a continuous flow of supercritical carbon dioxide proved to increase the lipase production rate. When the integrated process was operated with alternated periods of synthesis and product removal, the overall selectivity for short‐chain FAEE increased as well, as a result of the combination of the selectivities of lipase and extraction solvent. A two‐fold increase of the lipase productivity was achieved at these conditions, compared to a single batch reaction. The developed process enables the synthesis and isolation of high‐value fatty acid derivatives from a natural source such as milk fat. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Karl Kratzl Emeritus

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Regulation of calf renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-hydroxylase activities by calcium-regulating hormones

Parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 had opposite effects on calf renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-, 23-, and 1 alpha-hydroxylase activities. Parathyroid hormone administration increased renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase activity 7-fold while 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-23- and 24-hydroxylase activities were essentially the same as controls. Administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-23-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase activities 4-fold and decreased 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase activity to undetectable concentrations. Vitamin D deficiency increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha -hydroxylase activity 13-fold, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-23-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase activities were undetectable. These results confirm previous reports with regard to control of renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase and 1 alpha -hydroxylase in other species and represent new findings relative to the control of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-23-hydroxylase. Plasma P was lower and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 higher in calves treated with parathyroid hormone, and Ca and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were lower in the vitamin D-deficient calves. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-treated calves had higher plasma P and lower Mg than controls. Further studies using this calf model should lead to better understanding of Ca-regulating hormones control of vitamin D metabolism.