Application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in Drying Technology: A Comprehensive Review

Inspired by the functional behavior of the biological nervous system of the human brain, the artificial neural network (ANN) has found many applications as a superior tool to model complex, dynamic, highly nonlinear, and ill-defined scientific and engineering problems. For this reason, ANNs are employed extensively in drying applications because of their favorable characteristics, such as efficiency, generalization, and simplicity. This article presents a comprehensive review of numerous significant applications of the ANN technique to solve problems of nonlinear function approximation, pattern detection, data interpretation, optimization, simulation, diagnosis, control, data sorting, clustering, and noise reduction in drying technology. We summarize the use of the ANN approach in modeling various dehydration methods; e.g., batch convective thin-layer drying, fluidized bed drying, osmotic dehydration, osmotic-convective drying, infrared, microwave, infrared- and microwave-assisted drying processes, spray drying, freeze drying, rotary drying, renewable drying, deep bed drying, spout bed drying, industrial drying, and several miscellaneous applications. Generally, ANNs have been used in drying technology for modeling, predicting, and optimization of heat and mass transfer, thermodynamic performance parameters, and quality indicators as well as physiochemical properties of dried products. Moreover, a limited number of researchers have focused on control of drying systems to achieve desired product quality by online manipulating of the drying conditions using previously trained ANNs. Opportunities and limitations of the ANN technique for drying process simulation, optimization, and control are outlined to guide future R&D in this area.     

Deproteinised natural rubber used as a controlling layer membrane in reservoir-type nicotine transdermal patches

Reservoir-type nicotine transdermal patches (NTPs), composed of a concentrated nicotine solution embedded between a backing layer and a controlling layer membrane, were constructed by a heat-sealing technique. The aim of this research was the preparation of a novel controlling layer membrane from deproteinised natural rubber latex (DNRL). The ultimate tensile strength and percentage of elongation at breakage of the DNRL membrane were 0.23 ± 0.04 MPa and 604.46 ± 95.38%, respectively. The DNRL membrane existed as an amorphous phase and was poorly hygroscopic and dense. FT-IR and DSC analysis demonstrated that the membrane consisted almost entirely of isoprene functional groups with a T_g of −64.79 °C. The effects of the DNRL membrane thickness (100–300 μm) and different nicotine concentrations in the reservoir (1.75–4.25 mg/cm²) on the nicotine release rate and nicotine permeation through a pig skin membrane were studied in vitro. The in vitro nicotine release rate and skin permeation rate increased with decreasing membrane thickness and increasing nicotine content in the reservoir. The release and permeation profiles followed first- and zero-order kinetics, respectively. The release and permeation performance was similar to a commercially available Nicotinell TTS-20 patch. The newly developed NTPs were stable under storage in a tightly sealed container at 4 °C or at ambient temperature for up to 3 months. Thus, DNRL is suitable for use as a controlling layer membrane in NTPs in transdermal drug delivery systems.     

志丹探区延长组储层特征及控制因素分析

运用岩芯观察、薄片分析、压汞等各类测试资料,分析了志丹探区延长组砂岩的储集条件、岩石学特征、填隙物组分、孔隙类型及孔隙结构,从沉积作用、成岩作用、构造改造作用对延长组（重点是长2-长6）储层特性进行了探讨,对影响储层储集性能的因素进行了分析,认为沉积相控制储层砂体的展布和物性的好坏;成岩作用和成岩矿物的不同对储层孔隙空间的发育程度有重要影响;后期改造作用对岩石性能的影响主要表现在使岩石破碎而形成的裂缝,从而间接地控制着岩石的储集性能。     

基于BIM的武汉杨泗港长江大桥总控管理平台研究

本文首先阐述了特大型桥梁工程管理上的难点,以及项目总控管理在交通工程领域的应用现状。通过分析项目总控模式在信息收集、处理、分析上存在的缺陷,以及BIM技术应用于项目总控模式的优势,提出了基于BIM的项目总控管理模式,并构建了基于BIM的项目总控管理平台,设计了平台的总体架构和八大功能模块,实现对基于BIM的项目总控管理模式的应用。最后,将基于BIM的项目总控管理平台应用于武汉杨泗港长江大桥项目中取得了良好的效果,为BIM技术结合项目总控模式应用于特大型桥梁工程管理提供了有益借鉴。     

致密砂岩储层微观孔隙特征评价——以中国吐哈盆地为例

致密砂岩微观孔隙特征评价是致密油气地质评价的核心研究工作。基于恒速压汞、铸体薄片、X-射线衍射等测试分析,对吐哈盆地水西沟群致密砂岩开展微观孔隙特征评价工作。研究表明：靶区致密储层岩石类型以岩屑长石砂岩和长石岩屑砂岩为主,不稳定矿物含量高是导致微观孔隙结构复杂的主要原因;致密储层的物性与矿物组成有密切关系,石英由于其脆性而易形成微裂缝,对储层的渗透率贡献明显,对孔隙度影响不大;黏土矿物由于其可塑性及遇水膨胀的特性,对孔隙度和渗透率影响明显,均呈负相关;长石由于其不稳定性,在溶蚀作用下形成高岭石,但在致密储层复杂孔喉体系的背景下,流体的迂回程度高,造成高岭石多在原地沉淀,堵塞孔隙和喉道,与孔渗存在明显的负相关;基于毛管压力曲线,可把致密储层的孔喉结构划为3类,分别为粗喉道所控制的高孔区、中喉道控制的中孔区和细喉道控制的低孔区;同常规储层相比,致密储层具有排替压力高、进汞饱和度低、喉道半径小、孔喉比高、结构系数高等特点。该评价方法和思路,为吐哈盆地,乃至我国其他盆地的致密油气勘探提供科学依据。     

上扬子区页岩气甜点分布控制因素探讨——以上奥陶统五峰组—下志留统龙马溪组为例

上扬子区作为中国南方海相地层最稳定的地区,发育多套海相页岩。为研究控制该区页岩气甜点分布的主要因素,以上奥陶统五峰组—下志留统龙马溪组页岩为研究对象,依据上扬子区域地质事件及盆地结构特征,从构造控源控藏的角度对该区构造格局、高产井分布与气藏控制因素进行了分析,指出四川盆地东南及边缘发育的达州—利川、涪陵—彭水、南川—遵义、永川—习水、富顺—盐津、威远—犍为6大构造转换与调节带,其页岩具有弱变形与弱改造特征,是盆内最有利的页岩气赋存与保存区。结论认为:(1)受高热演化、强改造因素影响,上扬子区海相页岩以构造转换带与调节带变形最弱,具有页岩气多源汇聚与复合成藏的有利条件,且天然缝网与圈闭最为匹配,是盆内最有利的页岩气赋存与保存区,页岩气资源量最为丰富;(2)四川盆地东北部达州—利川及东南永川—习水构造转换带与调节带应引起下一步页岩气选区评价与勘探工作的高度重视。     

水乳液型不饱和聚酯树脂防砂剂

针对辽河油田地层严重出砂问题，研制成功不饱和聚酯树脂水乳液防砂剂，拟定了施工工艺。该技术可用于稀油井、水井的防砂，施工工艺简单、成本较低、固结砂抗压强度高，对地层渗透率影响小，在现场油井防砂试验中已初见成效。