The design of experiments when there are errors in all the variables

The Error-in-Variables Model (EVM) applies to a large class of problems in parameter estimation in which there is error in all the variables. This property makes it of more general applicability than the widely used technique of ordinary Least Squares. While there is a voluminous literature on EVM there is nothing on a general method for designing experiments when EVM applies. In this paper we present an extension of the concept of D-optimality to provide such a general method. It is illustrated by applying it to the estimation of copolymer reactivity ratios and to fitting an ellipse.     

Prediction of fire classification for wood based products. A multivariate statistical approach based on the cone calorimeter

Wood has long traditions as a building material, and is often used in construction elements, and as interior and exterior surfaces in the Nordic countries. In most applications, there are reaction to fire requirements to products used as surfaces, e.g. in escape routes and larger public spaces. Most wood products will therefore have to be treated with fire retardant (FR) agents to fulfil the strict requirements to properties connected to heat release and flame spread. Unfortunately, FR agents usually also increase the smoke production, as they cause a more incomplete combustion of the wood. The wood product manufacturers seek to find the optimal amount of FR additives where both heat release and smoke production in the classifying test are within the requirements given in the building regulations. This paper describes models for prediction of the European reaction to fire classes of wood products. The models are based on multivariate statistical analysis, and use test results from the cone calorimeter test as input. The presented models are, with very good precision, able to predict which Euroclass and additional smoke class a wood based product would obtain if it were to be tested in the single burning item test. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of Temperature Distribution in Stored Wheat without Aeration

A neural-deterministic simulation model applied for calculating distributions of temperatures and moisture content in a bed of wheat stored in a steel silo without aeration is presented in the article. The model consists of differential equations of heat and moisture transfer, initial and boundary conditions, and three artificial neural networks used during simulated ambient air conditions. Experiments and computer simulations were carried out in order to determine temperature fields in wheat grain stored in a steel silo for two months. The computer simulations were carried using MATLAB and FEMLAB software. The difference between measured and simulated temperature in grain near the silo wall at a height of 2.5 m from the bottom was less than 3.0°C. On the basis of the analysis performed it was concluded that the temperature distributions obtained with the model were consistent with the measured results obtained for grain stored in a steel silo without aeration.     

Creep of aromatic polyamide fibres

Creep of Kevlar 29, Kevlar 49 and PRD 49-III fibres was investigated. The fibres exhibited transient creep and the strain-time relationship was represented by a logarithmic time law. The creep strain recovered with time when the load was removed. Upon reloading to the same creep stress the strain-time relationship was again logarithmic but the creep rate was reduced. Modulus measurements were made during the creep test and these showed that the modulus increased with time. This result indicated a crystallite rotation mechanism which could account for the experimentally observed creep strain. Creep in PRD 49-III fibres exhibited a small temperature dependence over the temperature range 20°C to 150°C. The apparent creep activation energy was consistent with the range of values reported for hydrogen bonding. This suggests one possible creep mechanism in which the combined action of stress and thermal activation causes rearrangement of intercrystalline bonds in the crystallite boundaries resulting in boundary creep. Boundary creep allows crystallite rotation which produces the macroscopic creep strain. Boundary creep is discussed in terms of the fibre morphology and a model of delayed elasticity.     

TRANSFER FUNCTION MODEL ORDER AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION

Abstract. A distributed lag model with a rational transfer function is considered. We have demonstrated that the C -table can be used to determine the orders of the rational transfer function and the Padé table can be used to estimate the parameters of an identifiable transfer function. In case the model is not uniquely identified, the C -table reduces possible competing models to only a few for further examination. Padé approximant gives consistent initial values for possibly more efficient iterative procedures to estimate the coefficients of the identified model. Some asymptotic results on the estimation of the C -table and the Padé table are given. A few examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.     

储层石蜡沉积预测技术研究与应用

在油田开发过程中 ,由于油藏温度、压力等条件的变化 ,高含蜡原油在近井带容易产生石蜡沉积 ,堵塞地层孔隙或裂缝 ,严重影响油田开采 ,尤其对于低渗油田 ,伤害特别严重。文中应用理想溶液理论、质量守恒和能量守恒等基本原理 ,建立更符合油田实际情况的油藏中石蜡沉积预测数学模型 ,开发一套方便实用的油藏中石蜡沉积预测软件系统FPOS1 0。在此基础上 ,应用室内实验数据和现场数据对吉林新民油田油井石蜡沉积情况进行预测和现场拟合 ,确定新民油田临界石蜡沉积半径为 2 5m ,快速、准确地为现场清防蜡措施提供理论依据。     

Lyapunov‐stable discrete‐time model reference adaptive control

Discrete‐time model reference adaptive control (MRAC) is considered with both least squares and projection algorithm parameter identification. For both cases complete Lyapunov proofs are given for stability and convergence. The results extend the approach of Johansson (Int. J. Control 1989; 50 (3):859–869) to include Lyapunov stability for MRAC when the normalized projection algorithm is used for parameter identification. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DRYING OF GRANULAR PARTICLES IN A MULTISTAGE INCLINED FLUIDIZED BED WITH MECHANICAL VIBRATION

A mathematical model for the drying rate of granular particles in a multistage inclined fluidized bed(IFB) is presented from the standpoint of simultaneous heat and mass transfer, with taking the effect of mechanical vibration added vertically into consideration.

Steady-state distributions for the temperatures and concentrations of the particles and the heating gas, and for the moisture content of the particles are numerically calculated based on the present model. The calculated results show fairly good agreement with the experimental data, which were obtained from the drying experiments of brick particles in a three-stage IFB using comparatively low temperature air(40-60°C) as the heating gas.

It has been found within the range of the experimental conditions employed that, the mechanical vibration added vertically enhances the over-all drying rate of the particles and its effect can be considered equivalent to an increase in the air velocity.     

The influence of the ion content of whey on the pH-activity profile of the β-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae

The pH-dependence of the reaction kinetics of lactase (β-galactosidase) from Aspergillus oryzae in different reaction media is presented in terms of a two-parameter model. The lactase from A. oryzae seems to have replaced the A. niger lactase on the market owing to a better activity/price ratio and may be utilised for lactose hydrolysis in acid as well as in neutral milk products. Its pH optimum is around pH 4.5. However, in the neutral pH-range its activity depended strongly on the salt content of the substrate solution. For example, its activity in whey (pH 6.5) fell to only 30% of its expected activity in a pure lactose solution at the same pH. The whey effect was the same for both soluble and immobilised lactase. The two parameter kinetic model, which included a term for competitive product inhibition gave excellent agreement with experimental data, and may thus be useful for the prediction of reactor performance with this enzyme.     

Thermally stimulated shrinkage forces in oriented polymers: 1. Temperature dependence

Temperature dependences of shrinkage forces appearing in oriented polymer samples when heated at constant length were recorded for polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene and polypropylene. The influence of various processing conditions on thermally stimulated shrinkage forces is demonstrated. A four-state model is proposed which qualitatively describes the temperature dependences of shrinkage forces in amorphous polymers.