Abstract: Phytophthora cinnamomi (P. c) is a plant pathogenic
oomycete that is capable of damaging plants in commercial production
systems and natural ecosystems worldwide. The most common
methods for the detection and diagnosis of P. c infection are
expensive, elaborate and time consuming. This study was carried out
to examine whether species specific and life cycle specific volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) can be absorbed by solid-phase
microextraction fibers and detected by gas chromatography that are
produced by P. c and another oomycete Pythium dissotocum. A
headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) together with gas
chromatography (GC) method was developed and optimized for the
identification of the VOCs released by P. c. The optimized parameters
included type of fiber, exposure time, desorption temperature and
desorption time. Optimization was achieved with the analytes of P.
c+V8A and V8A alone. To perform the HS-SPME, six types of fiber
were assayed and compared: 7μm Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS),
100μm Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 50/30μm
Divinylbenzene/CarboxenTM/Polydimethylsiloxane
DVB/CAR/PDMS), 65μm Polydimethylsiloxane/Divinylbenzene
(PDMS/DVB), 85μm Polyacrylate (PA) fibre and 85μm CarboxenTM/
Polydimethylsiloxane (Carboxen™/PDMS). In a comparison of the
efficacy of the fibers, the bipolar fiber DVB/CAR/PDMS had a higher
extraction efficiency than the other fibers. An exposure time of 16h
with DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber in the sample headspace was enough to
reach the maximum extraction efficiency. A desorption time of 3min
in the GC injector with the desorption temperature of 250°C was
enough for the fiber to desorb the compounds of interest. The chromatograms and morphology study confirmed that the VOCs from
P. c+V8A had distinct differences from V8A alone, as did different
life cycle stages of P. c and different taxa such as Pythium dissotocum.
The study proved that P. c has species and life cycle specific VOCs,
which in turn demonstrated the feasibility of this method as means of
Abstract: In contrast to existing methods which do not take into account multiconnectivity in a broad sense of this term, we develop mathematical models and highly effective combination (BIEM and FDM) numerical methods of calculation of stationary and quasistationary temperature field of a profile part of a blade with convective cooling (from the point of view of realization on PC). The theoretical substantiation of these methods is proved by appropriate theorems. For it, converging quadrature processes have been developed and the estimations of errors in the terms of A.Ziqmound continuity modules have been received. For visualization of profiles are used: the method of the least squares with automatic conjecture, device spline, smooth replenishment and neural nets. Boundary conditions of heat exchange are determined from the solution of the corresponding integral equations and empirical relationships. The reliability of designed methods is proved by calculation and experimental investigations heat and hydraulic characteristics of the gas turbine first stage nozzle blade.
Abstract: Production of hard-to-cut materials with uncoated carbide cutting tools in turning, not only cause tool life reduction but also, impairs the product surface roughness. In this paper, influence of hot machining method were studied and presented in two cases. Case1-Workpiece surface roughness quality with constant cutting parameter and 300 ºC initial workpiece surface temperature. Case 2- Tool temperature variation when cutting with two speeds 78.5 (m/min) and 51 (m/min). The workpiece material and tool used in this study were AISI 1060 steel (45HRC) and uncoated carbide TNNM 120408-SP10(SANDVIK Coromant) respectively. A gas flam heating source was used to preheating of the workpiece surface up to 300 ºC, causing reduction of yield stress about 15%. Results obtained experimentally, show that the method used can considerably improved surface quality of the workpiece.
Abstract: The paper presents a numerical investigation on the
rapid gas decompression in pure nitrogen which is made by using the
one-dimensional (1D) and three-dimensional (3D) mathematical
models of transient compressible non-isothermal fluid flow in pipes.
A 1D transient mathematical model of compressible thermal multicomponent
fluid mixture flow in pipes is presented. The set of the
mass, momentum and enthalpy conservation equations for gas phase
is solved in the model. Thermo-physical properties of multicomponent
gas mixture are calculated by solving the Equation of
State (EOS) model. The Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK-EOS) model is
chosen. This model is successfully validated on the experimental data
[1] and shows a good agreement with measurements. A 3D transient
mathematical model of compressible thermal single-component gas
flow in pipes, which is built by using the CFD Fluent code (ANSYS),
is presented in the paper. The set of unsteady Reynolds-averaged
conservation equations for gas phase is solved. Thermo-physical
properties of single-component gas are calculated by solving the Real
Gas Equation of State (EOS) model. The simplest case of gas
decompression in pure nitrogen is simulated using both 1D and 3D
models. The ability of both models to simulate the process of rapid
decompression with a high order of agreement with each other is
tested. Both, 1D and 3D numerical results show a good agreement
between each other. The numerical investigation shows that 3D CFD
model is very helpful in order to validate 1D simulation results if the
experimental data is absent or limited.
Abstract: Periodicities in the environmetric time series can be
idyllically assessed by utilizing periodic models. In this
communication fugitive emission of gases from open sewer channel
Lyari which follows periodic behaviour are approximated by
employing periodic autoregressive model of order p. The orders of
periodic model for each season are selected through the examination
of periodic partial autocorrelation or information criteria. The
parameters for the selected order of season are estimated individually
for each emitted air toxin. Subsequently, adequacies of fitted models
are established by examining the properties of the residual for each
season. These models are beneficial for schemer and administrative
bodies for the improvement of implemented policies to surmount
future environmental problems.
Abstract: The effect of cross linking of the protein isolates of
three legumes with the microbial enzyme transglutaminase (EC
2.3.2.13) on the functional properties at different NaCl concentration
was studied. The reduction in the total free amino groups (OD340) of
the polymerized protein showed that TGase treatment cross-linking
the protein subunit of each legume. The solubility of the protein
polymer of each legume was greatly improved at high concentration
of NaCl. At 1.2 M NaCl the solubility of the native legumes protein
was significantly decreased but after polymerization slightly
improved. Cross linked proteins were less turbid on heating to higher
temperature as compared to native proteins and the temperature at
which the protein turns turbid also increased in the polymerized
proteins. The emulsifying and foaming properties of the protein
polymer were greatly improved at all concentrations of NaCl for all
legumes.
Abstract: Palm methyl ester (PME) is one of the alternative
biomass fuels to liquid fossil fuels. To investigate the combustion
characteristics of PME as an alternative fuel for gas turbines, combustion experiments using two types of burners under atmospheric
pressure were performed. One of the burners has a configuration
making strong non-premixed flame, whereas the other has a
configuration promoting prevaporization of fuel droplets. The results
show that the NOx emissions can be reduced by employing the latter burner without accumulation of soot when PME is used as a fuel. A
burner configuration promoting prevaporzation of fuel droplets is
recommended for PME.
Abstract: This study aims to assess the environmental hazards
from radon exhalation rate in the soil samples in selected locations in
Iraqi Kurdistan, using passive (CR-39NTDs) and active (RAD7)
detecting method. Radon concentration, effective radium content and
radon exhalation rate were estimated in soil samples that collected at
the depth level of 30 cm inside 124 houses. The results show that the
emanation rate for radon gas was variation from location to other,
depending on the geological formation. Most health risks come from
emanation of radon and its daughter due to its contribution for indoor
radon, so the results showed that there is a linear relationship
between the ratio of soil and indoor radon concentration (CSoil Rn222/
Cindoor Rn222) and the effective radium content in soil samples. The
results show that radon concentration has high and low values in
Hajyawa city and Er. Tyrawa Qr, respectively. A comparison
between our results with that mentioned in international reports was
done.
Abstract: The experimental results on combustion of rice husk
in a conical fluidized bed combustor (referred to as the conical FBC)
using silica sand as the bed material are presented in this paper. The
effects of excess combustion air and combustor loading as well as the
sand bed height on the combustion pattern in FBC were investigated.
Temperatures and gas concentrations (CO and NO) along over the
combustor height as well as in the flue gas downstream from the ash
collecting cyclone were measured. The results showed that the axial
temperature profiles in FBC were explicitly affected by the
combustor loading whereas the excess air and bed height were found
to have minor influences on the temperature pattern. Meanwhile, the
combustor loading and the excess air significantly affected the axial
CO and NO concentration profiles; however, these profiles were
almost independent of the bed height. The combustion and thermal
efficiencies for this FBC were quantified for different operating
conditions.
Abstract: the effects of refining and alkaline chemicals on potential of recycling bleached chemical pulp of bagasse were investigated in this study. Recycling was done until three times. Handsheet properties such as, apparent density, light scattering coefficient, tear index, burst index, breaking length, and fold number according to TAPPI standard were measured. Water retention value also was used to considering the treatments during recycling. Refining enhanced the strength of recycled pulp by increasing fiber flexibility and swelling ability, whereas by applying chemical treatment didn't observe any improvement. The morphology of recycled fiber was considered with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Abstract: An effort has been taken to simulate the combustion
and performance characteristics of biodiesel fuel in direct injection
(D.I) low heat rejection (LHR) diesel engine. Comprehensive
analyses on combustion characteristics such as cylinder pressure,
peak cylinder pressure, heat release and performance characteristics
such as specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency are
carried out. Compression ignition (C.I) engine cycle simulation was
developed and modified in to LHR engine for both diesel and
biodiesel fuel. On the basis of first law of thermodynamics the
properties at each degree crank angle was calculated. Preparation and
reaction rate model was used to calculate the instantaneous heat
release rate. A gas-wall heat transfer calculations are based on the
ANNAND-s combined heat transfer model with instantaneous wall
temperature to analyze the effect of coating on heat transfer. The
simulated results are validated by conducting the experiments on the
test engine under identical operating condition on a turbocharged D.I
diesel engine. In this analysis 20% of biodiesel (derived from
Jatropha oil) blended with diesel and used in both conventional and
LHR engine. The simulated combustion and performance
characteristics results are found satisfactory with the experimental
value.
Abstract: The development of wearable sensing technologies is a great challenge which is being addressed by the Proetex FP6 project (www.proetex.org). Its main aim is the development of wearable sensors to improve the safety and efficiency of emergency personnel. This will be achieved by continuous, real-time monitoring of vital signs, posture, activity, and external hazards surrounding emergency workers. We report here the development of carbon dioxide (CO2) sensing boot by incorporating commercially available CO2 sensor with a wireless platform into the boot assembly. Carefully selected commercially available sensors have been tested. Some of the key characteristics of the selected sensors are high selectivity and sensitivity, robustness and the power demand. This paper discusses some of the results of CO2 sensor tests and sensor integration with wireless data transmission
Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of a minute incremental exercise testing protocol in young asthma children. Twenty-two children with clinically diagnosed mild to moderate asthma volunteered to participate. The maximum incremental exercise test was performed using a cycle ergometer with an electromagnetic braking. A warm-up unloaded for 2 minutes then the workload was started at 40 watts for 2 minutes, and then stepwise increments of 8 watts per 2 minutes were applied. The pedaling frequency was set at 50 rpm. Ventilation and gas exchange were measured with a breath-by-breath automatic metabolic measurement system. Results showed that this test was well tolerated by all asthmatic children. Most of the children reached the VO2 plateau and satisfied the criteria for maximal respiratory exchange ratio of ≥ 1. This Study demonstrated that this testing protocol was suitable for young asthmatic children.
Abstract: Internal combustion engines rejects 30-40% of the
energy supplied by fuel to the environment through exhaust gas. thus, there is a possibility for further significant improvement of efficiency with the utilization of exhaust gas energy and its conversion to mechanical energy or electrical energy. The Thermo-Electric
Generator (TEG) will be located in the exhaust system and will make use of an energy flow between the warmer exhaust gas and the external environment. Predict to th optimum position of temperature
distribution and the performance of TEG through numerical analysis.
The experimental results obtained show that the power output significantly increases with the temperature difference between cold
and hot sides of a thermoelectric generator.
Abstract: In industrial scale of Gas to Liquid (GTL) process in
Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, a part of reactor outlet gases such as
CO2 and CH4 as side reaction products, is usually recycled. In this
study, the influence of CO2 and CH4 on the performance and
selectivity of Co-Ru/Al2O3 catalyst is investigated by injection of
these gases (0-20 vol. % of feed) to the feed stream. The effect of
temperature and feed flow rate, are also inspected. The results show
that low amounts of CO2 in the feed stream, doesn`t change the
catalyst activity significantly but increasing the amount of CO2 (more
than 10 vol. %) cause the CO conversion to decrease and the
selectivity of heavy components to increase. Methane acts as an inert
gas and doesn`t affect the catalyst performance. Increasing feed flow
rate has negative effect on both CO conversion and heavy component
selectivity. By raising the temperature, CO conversion will increase
but there are more volatile components in the product. The effect of
CO2 on the catalyst deactivation is also investigated carefully and a
mechanism is suggested to explain the negative influence of CO2 on
catalyst deactivation.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence
of reaction temperature and wheat straw moisture content on the
pyrolysis product yields, in the temperature range of 475-575 °C.
Samples of straw with moisture contents from 1.5 wt % to 15.0 wt %
were fed to a bench scale Pyrolysis Centrifuge Reactor (PCR). The
experimental results show that the changes in straw moisture content
have no significant effect on the distribution of pyrolysis product
yields. The maximum bio-oil yields approximately 60 (wt %, on dry
ash free feedstock basis) was observed around 525 °C - 550 °C for all
straw moisture levels. The water content in the wet straw bio-oil was
the highest. The heating value of bio-oil and solid char were
measured and the percentages of its energy distribution were
calculated. The energy distributions of bio-oil, char and gas were 56-
69 % 24-33 %, and 2-19 %, respectively.
Abstract: In this paper, the construction of fast algorithms for the computation of Periodic Walsh Piecewise-Linear PWL transform and the Periodic Haar Piecewise-Linear PHL transform will be presented. Algorithms for the computation of the inverse transforms are also proposed. The matrix equation of the PWL and PHL transforms are introduced. Comparison of the computational requirements for the periodic piecewise-linear transforms and other orthogonal transforms shows that the periodic piecewise-linear transforms require less number of operations than some orthogonal transforms such as the Fourier, Walsh and the Discrete Cosine transforms.
Abstract: Thermally insulating ceramic coatings also known as
thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) have been essential technologies to
improve the performance and efficiency of advanced gas turbines in
service at extremely high temperatures. The damage mechanisms of
air-plasma sprayed YSZ thermal barrier coatings (TBC) with various
microstructures were studied by microscopic techniques after thermal
cycling. The typical degradation of plasma TBCs that occurs during
cyclic furnace testing of an YSZ and alumina coating on a Titanium
alloy are analyzed. During the present investigation the effects of
topcoat thickness, bond coat oxidation, thermal cycle lengths and test
temperature are investigated using thermal cycling. These results
were correlated with stresses measured by a spectroscopic technique
in order to understand specific damage mechanism. The failure
mechanism of former bond coats was found to involve fracture
initiation at the thermally grown oxide (TGO) interface and at the
TGO bond coat interface. The failure mechanism of the YZ was
found to involve combination of fracture along the interface between
TGO and bond coat.
Abstract: The gas safety management system using an
intelligent gas meter we proposed is to monitor flow and
pressure of gas, earthquake, temperature, smoke and leak of
methane. Then our system takes safety measures to protect a
serious risk by the result of an event, to communicate with a
wall-pad including a gateway by zigbee network in buildings
and to report the event to user by the safety management
program in a server. Also, the inner cutoff valve of an
intelligent gas meter is operated if any event occurred or
abnormal at each sensor.
Abstract: This paper presents software tools that convert the C/Cµ floating point source code for a DSP algorithm into a fixedpoint simulation model that can be used to evaluate the numericalperformance of the algorithm on several different fixed pointplatforms including microprocessors, DSPs and FPGAs. The tools use a novel system for maintaining binary point informationso that the conversion from floating point to fixed point isautomated and the resulting fixed point algorithm achieves maximum possible precision. A configurable architecture is used during the simulation phase so that the algorithm can produce a bit-exact output for several different target devices.