Extraction of anionic dyes with ionic liquid–nonionic surfactant aqueous two-phase system

The cloud point of nonionic surfactant (Triton X-114) in ionic liquid ([Bmim]Cl) aqueous solution exhibits as increase and then decrease and increase again with the increase of ionic liquid (IL) content, which is the origin of an IL–nonionic surfactant aqueous two-phase system. The nonionic surfactant-rich phase coexists with a high content of IL aqueous solution phase in the IL–nonionic surfactant aqueous two-phase system. The partitioning of various ionic dyes indicates that anionic species exhibit a high partitioning coefficient between the IL-rich phase and the nonionic surfactant-rich phase.     

First principles calculations of the stability of the T2 and D88 phases in the V–Si–B system

The crystal and electronic structures of D8_l-V₅SiB₂ and D8₈-V₅Si₃B ternary compounds have been investigated by means of first principle calculations. The calculated structural parameters are in very good agreement with the experimental data. The calculated values of the enthalpies of formation at T = 0 K of the D8_l-V₅SiB₂ and D8₈-V₅Si₃B ternary compounds are −67.1 and −62.1 kJ/mol of atoms respectively. The total and partial electronic densities of states show a strong hybridization between the B p states and V d states. The defect enthalpies of formation as well as the mixing enthalpies have been computed. These data are essential for the modeling of the D8_l and D8₈ phases in the V–Si–B ternary system. A partial V–VSi₂–VB isothermal section at 298 K is proposed.     

Interval analysis applied to the maximum loading point of electric power systems considering load data uncertainties

This paper proposes a simple and efficient power flow method to calculate, in an interval manner, the main variables corresponding to the maximum loading point, under load data uncertainties. The resulting interval nonlinear system of equations is solved using Krawczyk method. The proposed methodology is implemented in the Matlab environment using the Intlab toolbox. Results are compared with those obtainable by Monte Carlo simulations. IEEE 30 bus system and a South-southeastern Brazilian network are used to validate the proposed methodology.     

Interactive minimax optimisation for integrated performance analysis and resource planning

Analysing performances for future improvement and resource planning is a key management function. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) provides an analytical mean for performance modelling without assuming parametric functions. Multiple Objective Optimisation (MOO) is well-suited for resource planning. This paper reports an investigation in exploring relationships between DEA and MOO models for equivalent efficiency analysis in a MOO process. It is shown that under certain conditions minimax reference point models are identical to input-oriented dual DEA models for performance assessment. The former can thus be used for Hybrid Efficiency and Trade-off Analyses (HETA). In this paper, these conditions are first established and the equivalent models are explored both analytically and graphically to better understand HETA. Further investigation in the equivalence models leads to the modification of efficiency measures and the development of a minimax reference point approach for supporting integrated performance analysis and resource planning, with the Decision Maker’s (DM) preferences taken into account in an interactive fashion. Both numerical and case studies are conducted to demonstrate the proposed approach and its potential applications.     

Control point policy optimization using genetic algorithms

This paper describes the application of an integrated Genetic Algorithm (GA)/Discrete Event Simulation model for selecting optimum values for Critical Point Policy (CPP) hedging time and buffer size parameters. The CPP is shown to perform well, when compared with the Critical Ratio priority rule, in terms of improving service levels, particularly when subject to conditions where buffer sizes and Takt times are required to be small. The technique developed involves buffer sizes being chosen by a GA according to a constraint on the total storage space available within the system. A method is described for reducing the number of variables that the GA needs to deal with, hence, improving the efficiency of the GA optimization process. The development and application work reported also provides further understanding into how and when the CPP should be applied.     

自平衡法在天津市文化中心交通枢纽工程中的应用

用自平衡法进行桩基检测时,荷载箱的埋设位置决定检测数据的真实性.现行自平衡点计算公式不考虑桩顶荷载作用,影响测试结果.为了避免因为平衡点计算精度影响测试结果,根据天津市文化中心交通枢纽工程实际情况,考虑桩顶上部回填级配碎石对平衡点的影响,修正既有平衡点计算公式.运用修正后的公式,计算天津市文化中心交通枢纽工程桩平衡点,并与设计值进行了比较,吻合较好.     

Mechanical property enhancement of non‐bonding electrospun mats via adhesive

In the present study, the effect of adhesive on the morphology of different electrospun polymeric mats was investigated. The modification of two polymers, poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinyl chloride), was carried out by blending the polymers with different amounts of poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) adhesive to investigate the effect of different amounts of adhesive with heat hardener in hybrid mats. The introduction of various concentrations of PBA into different polymer solutions led to the formation of point‐bonded electrospun fibrous mats. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that point‐bonded polymer/adhesive fibers were uniformly distributed throughout the mats. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, contact angle measurements and thermogravimetric analysis were used to study the different properties of the hybrid mats. The tensile strength of the blended fibrous electrospun mats was increased effectively. This enhancement of the mechanical properties of the mats due to the presence of adhesive increases the number of potential applications of the electrospun mats, especially for mechanically weak polymers. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nonlinear maximum power point tracking control and modal analysis of DFIG based wind turbine

The doubly fed induction generator based wind turbine (DFIG-WT) has strong nonlinearities originated from the aerodynamics of the wind turbine and the coupled dynamic of the DFIG, and can operate under a time-varying and wide operation region. This paper investigates a feedback linearisation controller based on the detailed model of the DFIG-WT, the control objective is to maximize energy conversion for this system. The original nonlinear system is partially linearized to a third-order linear system and a remained second-order internal nonlinear system. Fully decoupled control of the external dynamics is achieved, and the stability of the remained internal dynamics is analyzed via Lyapunov stability method. Moreover, modal analysis is applied for the nonlinear system controlled by the proposed nonlinear controller to verify its global optimal performance and low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability over various wind operation range. Simulation studies verify that more accurate tracking and better LVRT capability can be achieved in comparison with conventional vector control (VC).     

Common fixed points of a countable family of multivalued quasi-nonexpansive mappings in uniformly convex Banach spaces

In this paper, we introduce a one-step iterative scheme for finding a common fixed point of a countable family of multivalued quasi-nonexpansive mappings in a real uniformly convex Banach space. We establish weak and strong convergence theorems of the proposed iterative scheme under some control conditions.     

Continuous Cloud Point Extraction of Volatile Organic Contaminants from Wastewater in a Multi-Stage Rotating Disc Contactor: Effect of Structure and Concentration of Solutes

Abstract

Cloud point extraction (CPE) has been successfully scaled up to continuously remove aromatic contaminants from wastewater in a multi-stage rotating disc contactor (RDC) using t-octylphenolpolyethoxylate. The extraction performances for the removal of organic solutes with different structures and degrees of hydrophobicity were compared here for both batch and continuous CPE. Included are the volatile aromatics benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene; volatile chlorinated compounds dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene; and non-volatile phenolics phenol, o-cresol, and catechol. The higher the K_ow (octanol-water partition coefficient) or hydrophobicity of the solutes, the better the extraction due to the greater affinity of solutes to solubilize into micelles. The empirical linear correlations between log K_ow, log (solute partition ratio), and log (height of transfer unit or HTU) were developed. Toluene is used as a model solute for the study of effect of initial solute concentrations in the continuous RDC. The extraction ability decreases as the concentration of toluene in the wastewater increases mainly due to coacervate entrainment into the overhead effluent.