Fuzzy control of nitrogen removal in predenitrification process using ORP.

In order to meet increasingly stringent discharge standards, new applications and control strategies for the sustainable removal of nitrogen from wastewater have to be implemented. In the past years, numerous studies have been carried out dealing with the application of fuzzy logic to improve the control of the activated sludge process. In this paper, fuzzy control strategies of predenitrification systems are presented that could lead to better effluent quality and, in parallel, to a reduction of chemicals consumption. Extensive experimental investigations on lab scale plant studies have shown that there was excellent correlation between nitrate concentration and ORP value at the end of the anoxic zone. Results indicated that ORP could be used as an on-line fuzzy control parameter of nitrate recirculation and external carbon addition. The optimal value of ORP to control nitrate recirculation and external carbon addition was - 86 +/- 2 mV and - 90 +/- 2 mV, respectively. The results obtained with real wastewater also showed the good performance and stability of the fuzzy controllers independently from external disturbances. The integrated control structure of nitrate recirculation and external carbon addition in the predenitrification system is also presented.     

Evaluation of accuracy of measuring intraocular pressure by handheld non-contact applanation tonometer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of measuring intraocular pressure by handheld non-contact applanation tonometer. METHOD: 58 patients' (113 eyes) intraocular pressure were measured by Keeler, non-contact tonometer and R 900 Goldmann applanation tonometer and the results of measurement of intraocular pressure by the two kinds of tonometers were compared. RESULT: The mean intraocular pressure measured by non-contact is 16.31 +/- 5.59 mmHg and 17.49 +/- 6.13 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.1333 kPa) by Goldmann applanation tonometer, respectively. There was no statistical significance to be found (P > 0.05) between the two methods. By linear correlation and regression analysis, a positive correlation was found between the two methods (r = 0.8942, b = 0.8154). CONCLUSION: The handheld non-contact tonometer has the same accuracy and reliability of measurement of intraocular pressure comparing with Goldmann applanation tonometer, and it can be used in glaucoma clinic and screening.     

A Customized Radiation Sensor for Ionization Collection

The measurement of absorbed doses is fundamental to radiation biology and oncology. A customized parallel plate radiation sensor was designed and fabricated as a precursor to investigating novel materials, such as carbon nanotubes, as a substitute for conventional metallic conducting plates or active volume medium. This sensor contains two thick and large-area electrodes that provide the sensor with a good signal-to-noise ratio. The 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams produced by a Varian Clinac 21 EX medical linear accelerator were used in the experiments. The linear accelerator was calibrated such that 1 monitor unit (MU) produces 1 cGy of dose in water with depth of 5 cm for a calibration geometry of source-to-axis distance equal to 100 cm and 10times10 cm² field size at the point of measurement. Ionization measurements were performed by varying the bias voltages, electrode separations, exposures, and angles of the incident beam to characterize the sensor. Signal saturation characteristics of the sensor with different electrode separations and exposures were investigated. This sensor displayed excellent linear response to exposure up to 600 MU. An analytical modeling using the pencil beam model and simulations based on device configuration were given to explain the results. In oblique incident beam experiments, the prototype sensor showed an accurate response compared to simulation results for a small field size of 1times1 cm². The sensor was tested to be suitable in the study of ionization collection efficiencies for different materials     

Performance implications of the thermal-induced frequency drift infast wavelength switched systems with heterodyne detection

The frequency modulation response and tuning dynamics of a two-section DFB laser are determined by carrier and thermal modulation of the active layer refractive index. In response to a step change in the injection current for switching between channels in a wavelength division multiplexed system, the optical frequency changes rapidly due to the carrier effect, and then slowly drifts toward a steady state value due to the thermal effect. For wavelength switched applications with heterodyne detection, the drifting of the optical frequency broadens the spectrum of the IF signal and may impose a limit on the time that the signal remains within the IF passband (residency time). The IF spectral broadening and residency time are investigated theoretically and experimentally. Based upon a minimum mean square error fit between experimental and theoretical FM responses, the dependence of the spectral broadening and residency time on the bias condition of the laser and the optical frequency switching interval is characterized     

Pultruded fibre reinforced polyurethane composites II. Effect of processing parameters on mechanical and thermal properties

This paper presents a novel process for the fabrication of pultruded polyurethane (PU) composites. The effects of the processing parameters on the mechanical properties (flexural strength and flexural modulus, etc.) and thermal properties (HDT) of the fibre reinforced PU composites by pultrusion have been studied. The processing parameters investigated include pulling rate (in-line speed), die temperature, filler type and content, and post-cure time and temperature. Results show that the composites possessed various optimum pulling rates at different die temperatures. On the basis of the DSC diagram, the swelling ratio, the mechanical properties and the thermal properties of composites, the optimum die temperature can be determined. It is found that the mechanical and thermal properties increase with filler content for various types of filler. The mechanical and thermal properties increase at a suitable post-cure temperature and time. Furthermore, the properties which decreased due to the degradation of composite materials for a long post-cure time will be discussed.     

Study on phase behavior–impact strength relationship of unsaturated polyester/polyurethane hybrid polymer network

The phase behavior of a hybrid polymer network (HPN) composed of poly[(propylene glycol maleate)-co-(propylene glycol phthalate)] crosslinked with styrene and polyester–urethane crosslinked with methylene-bis-ortho-chloroaniline was examined. The correlation between phase separation and impact strength of the HPNs is discussed. The composition of HPNs has an effect on their properties.     

Lubricating behavior of iron rhenate and its relation to matching pairs

The iron rhenate was compounded by chemical method, which may be generated during wear process of Fe-Re alloys at elevated temperature. The friction coefficient of iron rhenate has been determined by a pin-on-disc device. The results show that iron rhenate plays role of lubricating at RT-600 °C. The lubricating behavior is related to the matching pairs. The hardness of the materials of matching pairs, compatibility of iron rhenate with materials of matching pairs and surface roughness of disc affect the lubricating behavior of iron rhenate mostly. The principle of matching pairs is proposed. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Synopsis of the first author Xiong Dangsheng. associated professor, born in 1960. Current research fields include high-temperature self-lubricating alloys and tribological properties of material.     

Influence of China‘s WTO Entry on Petroleum Taxation

China has formulated a series of preferential taxation policies for the country 's petroleum enterprises. Those state policies are the important factors influencing reform and development of petroleum enterprises. The taxes turned over to the State by CNPC in 1998, 1999 and 2000 are 31.4 billion yuan, 31.7 billion yuan and 41 billion yuan respectively, accounting for 11.64 percent, 9.06 percent and 10.15 percent of the annual sales income.With China 's entry into WTO, it is necessary for t…     

Anaerobic digestion of alkaline black liquor using an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor

The anaerobic digestion of alkaline black liquor from a cereal straw pulping mill was studied in batch (serum bottles) and continuous systems (up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor—UASB). The batch digestion studies confirmed that lignin and related compounds (LRC) in the alkaline black liquor were the main inhibitory substances and could not be decomposed by anaerobic bacteria. At organic loading rates of 5–10 kg COD m^?3 day^?1, the UASB reactor achieved 50–60% COD removal efficiencies. Gas production was 2–3 dm³ per dm³ of alkaline black liquor. Two different sludge types were examined in the reactor: granular and cluster-like sludges. Sludge in a cluster, which involved many small granules and flocs, tended to form larger aggregates and possessed good settling ability.