Multilevel surrogate modeling of an amine scrubbing process for CO2capture

Surrogate models provide a powerful method for simplifying calculations within complex simulations. While surrogate models are broadly applied within chemical engineering, little research exists investigating the level of surrogacy's impact on a simplified process model. In this work, artificial neural networks (ANN) and Kriging models are used as surrogate models at the process, process unit, and thermodynamic levels for a CO₂ amine scrubbing process. The surrogated models are evaluated against an Aspen Plus simulation for accuracy, convergence behavior, computational cost, and ability to extrapolate. The thermodynamic and process unit models can better handle discontinuous, non-smooth behavior, and convergence issues in the surrogated truth model, but poor conditioning in the final system of equations results in a lower accuracy and convergence rate than the process level surrogate. Beyond model accuracy, availability of diverse data, intended re-usability, and the desired outputs must be considered when selecting a level of abstraction.     

Quantification of historical dust exposures in the diatomaceous earth industry

Quantitative estimates of dust exposure in a diatomaceous earth (DE) mining and milling operation have been derived based on air sampling records for the period 1948-1988. A total of 6395 records was included in the analysis. Conversion of results obtained by particle counting, expressed as millions of particles per cubic feet (mppcf) of gravimetrically from a filter cassette and expressed as mg m-3 total, were converted to mg m-3 respirable dust using a conversion factor derived from data obtained during the same periods at the plant. Conversion factors were calculated as the average difference of means on the log scale in order to provide stable and consistent conversions and as a ratio of arithmetic means so that the results could be compared with similar studies. After converting the available data to mg m-3 respirable dust, geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) concentrations were 0.37 (2.43) during the 1950s and 0.17 (2.35) during later periods. Exposures were estimated using two linear models, one estimating the changes in concentration over time, and the other providing job-specific mean exposures during the more recent period. Extrapolation of the estimates to periods prior to the availability of any data was done using a subjectively-determined scaling factor. The average estimated respirable dust concentrations for 135 jobs were 3.55 (+/-1.25), 1.37 (+/-0.48), 0.47 (+/-0.16) and 0.29 (+/-0.10) mg m-3 prior to 1949, 1949-1953, 1954-1973 and 1974-1988, respectively. Despite the limitations of the available data, the estimation procedures used are expected to provide reasonable quantitative estimates of silica-containing dust exposure for subsequent exposure-response analyses.     

An integrated 8-12 GHz fractional-N frequency synthesizer in SiGe BiCMOS for satellite communications

We present an integrated fractional-N low-noise frequency synthesizer for satellite applications. By using two integrated VCOs and combining digital and analog tuning techniques, a PLL lock range from 8 to 12 GHz is achieved. Due to a small VCO fine tuning gain and optimized charge pump output biasing, the phase noise is low and almost constant over the tuning range. All 16 sub-bands show a tuning range above 900 MHz each, allowing temperature compensation without sub-band switching. This makes the synthesizer robust against variations of the device parameters with process, supply voltage, temperature and aging. The measured phase noise is ?87 dBc/Hz and ?106 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz and 1 MHz offset, respectively. In integer-N mode, phase noise values down to ?98 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz and ?111 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, respectively, were measured.     

Noninvasive estimate of work of breathing due to the endotracheal tube

BACKGROUND: Although evidence suggests that secretions lining the inner wall of the endotracheal tube (ETT) often reduce its cross-sectional area, no data are available on the work of breathing as affected by the ETT. A noninvasive method is proposed for estimating the additional work of breathing necessitated by the ETT in patients whose lungs are mechanically ventilated. This method (the acoustic-Blasius method) involves (1) determining the inner geometry of the ETT using the acoustic reflection method and (2) using these geometric data to solve the Blasius equation that characterizes the ETT pressure drop-flow relation. METHODS: To evaluate the acoustic-Blasius method in vivo, the authors computed the work of breathing due to the ETT in four healthy persons breathing through an ETT connected to a pressure-support device and in five tracheally intubated patients receiving mechanical assistance in the pressure-support mode. For the tracheally intubated patients, the reference value was the work calculated from the ETT pressure drop measured between the two ends of the ETT using a pressure catheter. RESULTS: In the healthy participants and the tracheally intubated patients, there was close agreement between inspiratory work per cycle values estimated by directly measuring the ETT pressure drop and calculated using the acoustic-Blasius method: The difference was consistently less than 0.08 joules (< 10% of the reference value). CONCLUSIONS: The data show that the acoustic-Blasius method allows noninvasive quantification of the ETT-related work of breathing in situ.     

Control of the delayed outward potassium currents in bursting pace-maker neurones of the snail, Helix pomatia

The net outward current in bursting pace-maker neurones of the snail (Helix pomatia) during sustained and repeated voltage clamp pulses was studied. The properties of currents remaining in cobalt-Ringer or after TEA injection were compared with those in untreated cells. 2. With sustained voltage clamp depolarizations the net outward current first increases to a maximum at 150 msec and then declines to 60% or less of its peak intensity. This depression, which is greater during repetition of short pulses (e.g. 100 msec pulses at 0-5 sec intervals), represents a true decrease in the outward flow of K (designated IK) and is not due to a decreased driving force resulting from extracellular K accumulation. The steady-state current-voltage (I-V) relationship for IK is N-shaped (Heyer & Lux, 1976). 3. A component of IK persists when Ca and Mg in the medium are replaced by Co (ICo-res). With voltage clamp depolarizations ICo-res increases rapidly to a maximum and then partially inactivates with voltage dependent time constants of hundredths or tenths of seconds. Repolarization removes the inactivation. Thus, repeated stimulation with short pulses does not increase the depression of ICo-res-ICo-res (e.g. measured during voltage steps from holding potentials of -50 to near 0 mV) is smaller in test pulses preceded by depolarization and larger in pulses preceded by hyperpolarization. The steady state I-V relationship is not N-shaped. ICo-res is blocked by intracellular injection of tetraethylammonium (TEA). 4. Repeated voltage clamp depolarization to near 0 mV with 100 msec pulses for neurones with large Ca currents in normal Ringer produces a long-term depression which is maximal with 300-400 msec repolarizations (to -50 mV) between pulses. This corresponds with stimulus parameters for the maximum Ca current (Heyer & Lux, 1976). Intracellular injection of Ca2+ (also Ba2+ and Co2+) likewise reduces the total net outward current and especially the delayed outward current under voltage clamp. 5. The component of IK which is removed by Co is identified as Ca dependent and designated IK(Ca). With single voltage clamp pulses IK(Ca) follows the approximate time course and voltage dependence of the slow inward Ca current (Iin slow; Heyer & Lux, 1976). Several lines of evidence suggest that Ca ions moving through the membrane activate IK(Ca). 6. Part of IK cannot be blocked by intracellular TEA injection. In different neurones the magnitude of the IK component resistant to TEA (ITEA-res) is approximately proportional to the relative magnitudes of Iin slow.ITEA-res does not inactivate with sustained depolarization and shows pronounced long-term depression with repetitive stimulation at intermediate intervals and an increased outward current at the onset of the second and subsequent pulses following short repolarizations. The steady-state I-V relationship is N-shaped. ITEA-res is abolished by extracellular Co. 7. A net inward current with low depolarizations can be measured after TEA injection...     

An algorithm for the calculation of poisson's equation in 2-d semiconductor problems

A robust algorithm is described for the solution of the highly nonlinear potential problem in the analysis of semiconductors under a zero current assumption. Some examples are given showing the use of the algorithm.     

Zur Kinetik des Frischens von Kohlenstoff aus chromlegierten Eisenschmelzen unter vermindertem Druck

Möglichkeiten des Frischens legierter Schmelzen im Vakuum infolge der Druckabhängigkeit der Reaktion [C] + [O] = CO. Untersuchungen im Vakuum-Induktionsofen beim Aufblasen gasförmiger Frischmittel auf chrom- und kohlenstoffhaltige Eisenschmelzen. Geschwindigkeit des an der Schmelzoberfläche ablaufenden Frischvorganges. An- und Abtransport der Reaktionsteilnehmer zur Oberfläche. Bedingungen für den Beginn der Schlakkenbildung. Zusammenhang zwischen Aufblas- und Frischgeschwindigkeit.     

How accurate is preoperative staging as a basis for treatment decisions in gastric carcinoma?

The treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma by various neoadjuvant and adjuvant multimodal therapy regimes is under current investigation to improve the poor outcome of these patients. Therefore, pretherapeutic tumor staging according to the TNM classification is essential for the optimal application of various therapeutic modalities. According to recent studies, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the most sensitive technique in measuring tumor infiltration (T-staging). In addition, although less reliable compared to the T-staging, the sensitivity of EUS in assessing lymph node status (N-staging) is superior to computed tomography and conventional ultrasound. Pretherapeutic laparoscopic investigation may give additional important information about tumor stage. This overview describes the significance of various diagnostic techniques that can be applied in tumor staging investigations.