Strategic planning optimization for natural gas to liquid transportation fuel (GTL) systems

A strategic planning optimization model is proposed for a network of natural gas to liquids (GTL) systems, and it is solved using a rolling horizon strategy. The model formulation determines the strategic and tactical decisions of the GTL supply chain over a long time horizon. The decisions to build new GTL refineries may be made over the span of 30 years and their operations cover the span of 60 years. Multiple capacities of GTL refineries (i.e., 1, 5, 10, 50, and 200 thousand barrels per day) that produce gasoline, diesel, and kerosene commensurate to the United States demand ratio may exist in the network. The parameter inputs include the locations, availabilities, and prices of natural gas in the United States discretized by county, the delivery locations of fuel products, and the transportation costs of every input and output of the refinery, defined for each time period. Formulated as a large-scale mixed-integer linear optimization (MILP) model, the problem is solved using a rolling horizon strategy for tractability. Case studies on the state of Pennsylvania are presented for different planning schemes and their impact on the economic performance of the GTL network is discussed.     

Systematic approach for recognizing limiting factors for growth of biomethane use in transportation sector – A case study in Finland

In this paper, limiting factors for increased use of biomethane as a transportation fuel are studied. The aim of this research is to recognize and estimate the limiting factors for biomethane utilization in the transportation sector. The limiting factors are studied by using calculation models from Life cycle perspective and literature reviews. According to the results, the main limiting factors can be classified into the following categories: production potential, technology, economy or policy. For biomethane utilization in Finland, the main limiting factors seem to be the lack of distribution infrastructure in northern parts of the country and the uncertain economical feasibility for agricultural biomass producers and for vehicle owners. From the political perspective, the external costs for petrol operated vehicles are higher than for biomethane operated vehicles. Reductions from the external costs could be used by political decisions as a base to support the growth of biomethane in the transportation sector which could lead to GHG emission reductions. A similar systematic approach can also be used to study limiting factors for other transportation energy systems.     

The effects of blast lag in abrasive jet machined micro-channel intersections

Abrasive jet micro-machining (AJM) uses compressed air carrying abrasive solid particles to micro-machine a variety of features into surfaces. If the feature sizes are less than the size of the abrasive jet footprint, then a patterned erosion-resistant mask is used to protect the substrate material, leaving exposed areas to define the features. Previous investigations have revealed a ‘blast lag’ phenomenon in which, for the same dose of abrasive particles, narrower mask openings lead to channels that are shallower than wider ones. Blast lag occurs when using AJM on brittle substrates because of the natural tendency to rapidly form a V-shaped cross-sectional profile which inhibits abrasive particle strikes on the narrow vertex at the feature centerline. In this paper, the blast lag phenomenon is studied when using AJM to machine a network of microfluidic channels. It is found that, in some cases, differences in blast lag occurring at channel intersections and within the channels themselves, can lead to channel networks of nonuniform depth. A previously developed surface evolution model is adapted to allow prediction of the onset of blast lag in the channels and intersections and thus explain these differences. Finally, methods to eliminate the differences are discussed.     

浅谈延迟焦化装置露天栈桥的设计

根据延迟焦化装置露天栈桥的工程设计实践,围绕一炉两塔(一个加热炉两个焦炭塔)的焦化装置,分析了露天栈桥设计中的要点及难点,对其在平面布置、基础安排和吊车梁选型等设计方面做一些介绍和论述。     

The hydrogen economy, fuel cells, and electric cars

Hopes have again been raised about developing a “hydrogen economy”, in which hydrogen could be expected to replace oil and natural gas for most uses, including transportation and heating. It is again being claimed that hydrogen will be a widely available, clean, safe fuel. This article argues that such expectations are almost certainly illusory. Hydrogen, like electricity, is not an energy resource but an energy carrier. It takes more energy to extract hydrogen from water than burning the hydrogen can ever provide. There are also inevitable losses in storage, transmission, and final mechanical or heating applications. The question then turns on the efficiency—and safety—of the entire chain of conversion, from the energy source (fossil, solar, or other) to the final use. Moreover, energy sources (preferably renewable, for the long term) can be used for the direct creation of electricity, which can be introduced into the existing grid without requiring a vast investment in a new hydrogen distribution system. In addition, a hydrogen-based system would be unacceptably dangerous. This report will present a detailed technical and economic analysis of the problems with the proposed hydrogen economy and the advantages of some alternatives, principally electricity-based. A hypothetical case of what would be required for a hydrogen filling station serving the general public is closely examined.     

Intriguing nonlinear dynamics of a controller with a sluggish actuator

We apply a bifurcation-theoretic approach to the standard Moore–Greitzer compressor model in effort to understand a curious phenomenon. When one forces the actuator to respond sluggishly to commanded inputs, performance of the controller improves dramatically. We show that the behavior can be explained via Hopf–Hopf interactions of surge and rotating stall. Also, we argue that there is a broad class of controllers which possess the general dynamic features responsible for the surprising effectiveness of sluggish actuators.     

时滞系统控制问题块脉冲算子解的收敛性

本文给出了一种基于块脉冲算子的离散逼近格式.应用这种逼近格式,可以获得时滞非 线性最优控制问题的块脉冲级数解.本文证明了这种块脉冲级数解将收敛于这类问题的精 确解,并具有一阶收敛速度.     

智能材料电流变流体在运输包装中的应用研究

在深入分析缓冲运输包装基本理论基础上，并将研制的ERF阻尼器用于缓冲隔振支座的设计中，可实现有效的振动控制，使产品在运输过程中不会由于振劝冲击而损坏，经仿真模拟缓冲隔振效果明显。     

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.     

不规则I型和L型横截面形状薄壁杆件的横向弯曲稳定分析

根据势能驻值原理,采用转换B3样条函数模拟杆件横截面的翘曲位移场,文[8]提出了用于分析在横向荷载作用下薄壁杆件稳定问题的样条有限杆元法。方法适用于任意横截面形状和任意边界条件的薄壁杆件,考虑了杆壁中面上剪切变形的影响,能很好地描述剪力滞后现象。本文讨论了不规则I型截面简支梁和L型截面简支梁的屈曲分析,数值算例的结果表明了方法的灵活性、精确性和有效性。