Influence of wood extractives on the photo‐discoloration of wood surfaces exposed to artificial weathering

Extracted and unextracted black cherry (Prunus serotina), red oak (Quercus rubra), and red pine (Pinus resinosa) wood specimens were exposed to artificial weathering, and their discoloration process was investigated to obtain basic understanding on the role of wood extractives in the weathering of hardwoods and softwoods. Color measurements were made with a spectrometer according to ISO 2470 standards, using the CIELAB system. Results obtained showed that the rate of whiteness was not significantly affected by extractives removed with organic solvents, but were significantly affected when organic solvent extraction was followed by water extraction. The total discoloration rate had the same pattern, and chromaticity coordinates were less affected by wood extractives. These results confirm the hypothesis that some extractives contained in wood act as antioxidants and are able to provide some protection to wood surfaces against weathering degradation. However, more work is needed to understand the chemistry and mechanism of action of these extractives so as to develop any practical use for this property. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 31, 425–434, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20248     

Using rainbow net simulation to measure fault tolerance in a multiprocessor

The Rainbow net simulation technique is applied to modelling the impact of system load and fault handling on the availability of a fault-tolerant multiprocessor architecture. Rainbow nets are described along with the motivation for creating this modelling technique. A Rainbow net fault-handling model is created for the fault-tolerant multiprocessor architecture and the topology is shown to remain constant in size, independent of the number of processor, memory and I/O elements configured in the system. Simulation is performed with a varying load in terms of the number of active jobs the system must support. Results are given showing how the fault-tolerant capability varies with load. Two new metrics for evaluating fault tolerance are introduced; namely full fault-tolerability and partial fault-tolerability. They are based on simple observations in the model.     

A new voltage control equipment using fuzzy inference

Power system control equipment needs higher sensitivity and operational reliability. Advanced voltage control equipment is needed for reducing the frequency of tap changes and improving the characteristics (the relationship between the actual voltage and reference voltage) of the voltage to meet today's power system requirements. However, these objectives are in a trade-off relationship. Studies of voltage control derived from a knowledge base suitable for electric power systems can satisfy these objectives using fuzzy inference. Compared with corresponding conventional equipment, the new equipment improved the deviation of 30 min average voltage of 30 percent. This paper describes the design concept of new voltage control equipment using fuzzy inference. In addition, field test results are described along with rules of fuzzy inference, membership functions, and the deviation of 30 min average voltage through detailed simulation.     

Interconnected power systems with superconducting magnetic energy storage

The objective of this work is to discuss the concept of back‐to‐back interconnection systems with energy storage, especially with a Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) incorporated into a back‐to‐back DC link. In this case, each converter of the back‐to‐back system is used as a power conditioning system for the SMES coils. Since the AC–DC converter can be designed independently of the frequency of the power system, a two‐way switch is connected to the AC side of each converter. This two‐way switch can select the interconnected power systems. By using the two‐way switches, this system can provide the stored energy in the SMES system to each interconnected power system through two AC–DC converters. For instance, lower‐cost power of each power network can be stored through two converters during the off‐peak hours and made available for dispatch to each power network during periods of demand peak. Then this system increases the reliability of electric power networks and enables the economical operations depending on the power demand. This paper describes the unique operations of the back‐to‐back interconnection with SMES and discuses the optimal SMES configuration for a 300‐MW‐class back‐to‐back interconnection. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(2): 37–43, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20482     

科研项目管理信息系统的设计

介绍了用自顶向下的结构化方法进行科研项目管理信息系统设计的过程。该系统的应用节省了大量人力、物力和财力,提高了企业科研项目管理水平。     

凤滩水电厂自动发电控制策略

介绍了凤滩水电厂自动发电控制(AGC)策略的实现方法,重点介绍了修正等容量比例有功分配方法及相应措施.程序设计的原则是,机组紧跟目标负荷的情况下,在最佳效率下运行,同时减少机组开/停机次数、有功调节频率和跨越振动区次数,从而减少机组磨损,兼顾运行效率和机组运行安全.     

On a responsive replenishment system: a fuzzy logic approach

In today's competitive business environment, it is important that customers are able to obtain their preferred items in the shops they visit, particularly for convenience store chains such as 7–Eleven where popular items are expected to be readily available on the shelves of the stores for buyers. To minimize the cost of running such store chains, it is essential that stocks be kept to a minimum and at the same time large varieties of popular items are available for customers. In this respect, the replenishment system needs to be able to cope with the taxing demands of minimal inventory but at the same time keeping large varieties of needed items. This paper proposes a replenishment system which is able to respond to the fluctuating demands of customers and provide a timely supply of needed items in a cost–effective way. The proposed system embraces the principle of fuzzy logic which is able to deal with uncertainties by virtue of its fuzzy rules reasoning mechanism, thereby leveraging the responsiveness of the entire replenishment system for the chain stores. To validate the feasibility of the approach, a case study has been conducted in an emulated environment with promising results.     

Experimental and analytical study on the spray characteristics of dimethyl ether (DME) and diesel fuels within a common-rail injection system in a diesel engine

This paper investigates the effect of injection parameters on the characteristics of dimethyl ether (DME) as an alternative fuel in a diesel engine with experimental and analytical models based on empirical equations. In order to study macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of DME fuel, this work focuses on the atomization characteristics of DME and compares experimental and predicted results for spray development obtained by empirical models for diesel and DME fuel. Detailed comparisons of spray tip penetration from three different empirical correlations and from visualization experiments of diesel and DME fuels were conducted under various fuel injection conditions. In comparison with the results of different empirical equations for measured spray tip penetration, the experimental results of this study provide good agreement with the calculation results based on empirical equations, except during the earliest stage of the injected spray sequence. The results of atomization characteristics indicate that DME showed better spray characteristics than conventional diesel fuel. Also, the fuel injection delay and maximum injection rate of DME fuel are shorter and lower than those of diesel fuel at the same injection conditions, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline films using Fenton reagent

The chemical oxidation of aniline to form polyaniline (PANI) films and powder samples was made using Fenton reagent as an oxidizing agent in aqueous sulfuric acid medium. The PANI films were monitored by using the quartz crystal microbalance and the electronic absorption techniques. The optimum concentration was determined and the results were justified by measuring the UV–vis absorption spectra for the in situ PANI films. The conductivity for the PANI films and powder samples, prepared in different conditions, was measured. Also, the IR spectra, X‐ray and the thermogravimetric analysis for the PANI powder formed in the bulk were measured and compared with the polymer prepared using ammonium peroxydisulfate. A preliminary investigation to the dielectric properties of the polymer powder was measured and discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008