Bioprocess applications of model-based estimation techniques

The last decade has seen the development of a number of approaches for estimating those variables which are difficult to measure on-line in industrial process situations. Whilst a range of techniques is available, a common element is the use of process knowledge in the form of a system model. In the case of bioprocess systems, although a large range of models has been presented in the literature, their use in estimation schemes on an industrial scale has been limited. A number of reasons can be identified for their low level of utilisation. Of particular significance is the uncertainty which exists in quantifying system performance and the process-model mismatch which inevitably results. The level of ‘pre-defined model’ uncertainty, together with the knowledge gained during the course of the fermentation, serves to dictate estimator structure. The paper considers a range of estimation strategies and contrasts, through industrial applications, their performance characteristics and utility.     

The thermal ignition of lignocellulosics in infinite slab and cubic geometries

Wood shaving samples were heated in both cubic baskets and in a previously described system realising the conditions of the ‘infinite slab’ in thermal ignition. Results from the two sets of experiment were found to be totally consistent with each other.     

European intercomparison on electron spin resonance identification of irradiated foodstuffs

The results of a co-trial organized by the Community Bureau of Reference on the use of Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy for the identification of irradiated food in 21 laboratories are presented. The trial was qualitative on beef and trout bones, sardine scales, pistachio nut shells, dried grapes, and papaya, and quantitative on poultry bones. There was no difficulty in identifying irradiated meat bones, dried grapes, and papaya. In the case of fish bones there is a need for further kinetic study on different species. Identification of irradiation in pistachio nuts is more complicated and additional research is needed before further trials. All laboratories were able to distinguish between chicken bones irradiated at 1 to 3 kGy or 7 to 10 kGy although there was a partial overlap between the results.     

Viscoelastic Windows of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

A viscoelastic window (VW) concept has been proposed to identify different types of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA's). Such viscoelastic windows are constructed from the values of dynamic storage modulus: G' and dynamic loss modulus G' at frequencies of 10^-2 and 10² rad/sec. These frequencies are chosen because the range covers most of the time scales corresponding to the uses of PSA's at different application rates in performance tests. A four quadrant concept has also been recommended to categorize different types of PSA's based on the location of their VW's on the log-log cross plot of G' and G'. It was found that for most PSA's, the range of G' and G' at room temperature within these selected frequencies falls between 10³ and 10⁶ Pascals. The proposed four-quadrants (top-left hand quadrant of high G' and low G', top-right hand quadrant of high G' and high G', lower left hand quadrant of low G' and low G', and lower right-hand quadrant of low G' and high G') correspond respectively to (1) non-PSA or release coatings (2) high shear PSA's, (3) removable PSA's and medical PSA's and (4) quick and cold stick PSA's. It was also observed that the VW's of general purpose permanent PSA's occupy the central region which straddles part of the four quadrants.     

Applications of the 4×4 determinant method and the POLYGON ENGINE

In the first half of the paper, various types of processing pertaining to a polygon, using the 4×4 determinant theories are explained along with a new containment test algorithm of a point in a polygon. In the latter half of the paper, a general-purpose geometric processor, the POLYGON ENGINE, is presented which can deal with various types of interference problems, such as Boolean operations in solid modelling, hidden line and surface eliminations, ray tracing and so on. It is, a successor of the TRIANGLE PROCESSOR and is also based upon the 4×4 determinant theories [4–6]. While the TRIANGLE PROCESSOR processes a triangulated polygon on a triangle-by-triangle basis, the POLYGON ENGINE can treat a polygon without triangulation. The latter is expected to be more functional, more efficient and easier to use.     

Two- or three-stage least squares?

Two elements enter the choice between 2 and 3SLS for full-system estimation: statistical efficiency and computational cost. 2SLS always has the computational edge, but 3SLS can be more efficient, a relative advantage that increases with the strength of the interrelations among the error terms. A measure of these interrelations is thus helpful in making the choice, and, when there are only two equations, this has suggested using a high pairwise error correlation as an indicator of when to use 3SLS. In larger systems of equations, however, these pairwise correlations can remain small even though more general interrelations give 3SLS the relative advantage. More general indicators are therefore needed, and this paper suggests three such and demonstrates their efficacy.Professor of Economics, Boston College, and Principal Research Associate, Center for Computational Research in Economics and Management Science, MIT. All computation was done on the TROLL system at MIT. My thanks go to Josh Charap for his able research assistance. This research was sponsored in part by the National Science Foundation under grant #IST-8420614.     

部件试验模态综合的简便方法

本文将一种基于完备模态基的模态综合技术应用于子结构的试验模态综合,获得成功。这种半试验半理论的模态综合方法是一种较为简便的、要求试验工作量较小的试验模态综合法,因为它只要求测量子结构的振动模态和频率即可。数值仿真结果表明,这种简便的试验模态综合法是行之有效的。     

调质状态下40Cr钢的焊接

在合理制定焊接工艺的基础上，采用R307珠光体耐热钢焊条成功地进行40Cr钢在调质状态下的焊接，解决了通常采用25—13型奥氏体焊条焊接出现的焊缝强度低、焊接接头性能差的问题。     

进口与国产高强度耐磨钢板的组织及力学性能

观察了进口、国产高强度耐磨钢板的组织，测试了它们的力学性能及耐磨性能。结果表明，国产准贝氏体钢耐磨板具有良好的强韧性配合，耐磨性能超过进口耐磨钢板，能够替代进口板作为高强度耐磨板。     

聚丙烯表面改性及与涂料的粘结

讨论了聚丙烯制品喷涂着色的优点及影响聚丙烯制品与涂料之间粘结强度的各种因素。综述和评价了对聚丙烯进行表面改性的必要性及各种表面改性方法。