Abstract: Information is increasing in volumes; companies are overloaded with information that they may lose track in getting the intended information. It is a time consuming task to scan through each of the lengthy document. A shorter version of the document which contains only the gist information is more favourable for most information seekers. Therefore, in this paper, we implement a text summarization system to produce a summary that contains gist information of oil and gas news articles. The summarization is intended to provide important information for oil and gas companies to monitor their competitor-s behaviour in enhancing them in formulating business strategies. The system integrated statistical approach with three underlying concepts: keyword occurrences, title of the news article and location of the sentence. The generated summaries were compared with human generated summaries from an oil and gas company. Precision and recall ratio are used to evaluate the accuracy of the generated summary. Based on the experimental results, the system is able to produce an effective summary with the average recall value of 83% at the compression rate of 25%.
Abstract: Synthesis gas manufacturing by steam reforming of hydrocarbons is an important industrial process. High endothermic nature of the process makes it one of the most cost and heat intensive processes. In the present work, composite effect of different inert gases on synthesis gas yield, feed gas conversion and temperature distribution along the reactor length has been studied using a heterogeneous model. Mathematical model was developed as a first stage and validated against the existing process models. With the addition of inert gases, a higher yield of synthesis gas is observed. Simultaneously the rector outlet temperature drops to as low as 810 K. It was found that Xenon gives the highest yield and conversion while Helium gives the lowest temperature. Using Xenon inert gas 20 percent reduction in outlet temperature was observed compared to traditional case.
Abstract: This paper presents two simplified models to
determine nodal voltages in power distribution networks. These
models allow estimating the impact of the installation of reactive
power compensations equipments like fixed or switched capacitor
banks. The procedure used to develop the models is similar to the
procedure used to develop linear power flow models of transmission
lines, which have been widely used in optimization problems of
operation planning and system expansion. The steady state non-linear
load flow equations are approximated by linear equations relating the
voltage amplitude and currents. The approximations of the linear
equations are based on the high relationship between line resistance
and line reactance (ratio R/X), which is valid for power distribution
networks. The performance and accuracy of the models are evaluated
through comparisons with the exact results obtained from the
solution of the load flow using two test networks: a hypothetical
network with 23 nodes and a real network with 217 nodes.
Abstract: Fly ash is a significant waste that is released of
thermal power plants and defined as very fine particles that are drifted upward with up taken by the flue gases due to the burning of
used coal [1]. The fly-ash is capable of removing organic
contaminants in consequence of high carbon content, a large surface area per unit volume and contained heavy metals. Therefore, fly ash
is used as an effective coagulant and adsorbent by pelletization [2, 3].
In this study, the possibility of use of fly ash taken from Turkey like low-cost adsorbent for adsorption of zinc ions found in waste
water was investigated. The fly ash taken from Turkey was pelletized with bentonite and molass to evaluate the adsorption capaticity. For
this purpose; analyses such as sieve analysis, XRD, XRF, FTIR and SEM were performed. As a result, it was seen that pellets prepared
from fly ash, bentonite and molass would be used for zinc adsorption.
Abstract: The increased number of automobiles in recent years
has resulted in great demand for fossil fuel. This has led to the
development of automobile by using alternative fuels which include
gaseous fuels, biofuels and vegetables oils as fuel. Energy from
biomass and more specific bio-diesel is one of the opportunities that
could cover the future demand of fossil fuel shortage. Biomass in the
form of cashew nut shell represents a new energy source and
abundant source of energy in India. The bio-fuel is derived from
cashew nut shell oil and its blend with diesel are promising
alternative fuel for diesel engine. In this work the pyrolysis Cashew
Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL)-Diesel Blends (CDB) was used to run the
Direct Injection (DI) diesel engine. The experiments were conducted
with various blends of CNSL and Diesel namely B20, B40, B60, B80
and B100. The results are compared with neat diesel operation. The
brake thermal efficiency was decreased for blends of CNSL and
Diesel except the lower blends of B20. The brake thermal efficiency
of B20 is nearly closer to that of diesel fuel. Also the emission level
of the all CNSL and Diesel blends was increased compared to neat
diesel. The higher viscosity and lower volatility of CNSL leads to
poor mixture formation and hence lower brake thermal efficiency and
higher emission levels. The higher emission level can be reduced by
adding suitable additives and oxygenates with CNSL and Diesel
blends.
Abstract: In an assessment of the extractability of metals in
green liquor dregs from the chemical recovery circuit of semichemical
pulp mill, extractable concentrations of heavy metals in
artificial gastric fluid were between 10 (Ni) and 717 (Zn) times
higher than those in artificial sweat fluid. Only Al (6.7 mg/kg; d.w.),
Ni (1.2 mg/kg; d.w.) and Zn (1.8 mg/kg; d.w.) showed extractability
in the artificial sweat fluid, whereas Al (730 mg/kg; d.w.), Ba (770
mg/kg; d.w.) and Zn (1290 mg/kg; d.w.) showed clear extractability
in the artificial gastric fluid. As certain heavy metals were clearly
soluble in the artificial gastric fluid, the careful handling of this
residue is recommended in order to prevent the penetration of green
liquor dregs across the human gastrointestinal tract.
Abstract: We have developed a microfluidic device system for the continuous producting of nanoparticles, and we have clarified the relationship between the mixing performance of reactors and the particle size. First, we evaluated the mixing performance of reactors by carring out the Villermaux–Dushman reaction and determined the experimental conditions for producing AgCl nanoparticles. Next, we produced AgCl nanoparticles and evaluated the mixing performance and the particle size. We found that as the mixing performance improves the size of produced particles decreases and the particle size distribution becomes sharper. We produced AgCl nanoparticles with a size of 86 nm using the microfluidic device that had the best mixing performance among the three reactors we tested in this study; the coefficient of variation (Cv) of the size distribution of the produced nanoparticles was 26.1%.
Abstract: In the present study, a heterogeneous and
homogeneous gas flow dispersion model for simulation and
optimisation of a large-scale catalytic slurry reactor for the direct
synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas and CO2, using a
churn-turbulent regime was developed. In the heterogeneous gas flow
model the gas phase was distributed into two bubble phases: small
and large, however in the homogeneous one, the gas phase was
distributed into only one large bubble phase. The results indicated
that the heterogeneous gas flow model was in more agreement with
experimental pilot plant data than the homogeneous one.
Abstract: Silver nano-particles have been used for antibacterial
purpose and it is also believed to have removal of odorous compounds,
oxidation capacity as a metal catalyst. In this study, silver
nano-particles in nano sizes (5-30 nm) were prepared on the surface of
NaHCO3, the supporting material, using a sputtering method that
provided high silver content and minimized conglomerating problems
observed in the common AgNO3 photo-deposition method. The silver
nano-particles were dispersed by dissolving Ag-NaHCO3 into water,
and the dispersed silver nano-particles in the aqueous phase were
applied to remove inorganic odor compounds, H2S, in a scrubbing
reactor. Hydrogen sulfide in the gas phase was rapidly removed by the
silver nano-particles, and the concentration of sulfate (SO4
2-) ion
increased with time due to the oxidation reaction by silver as a
catalyst. Consequently, the experimental results demonstrated that the
silver nano-particles in the aqueous solution can be successfully
applied to remove odorous compounds without adding additional
energy sources and producing any harmful byproducts
Abstract: A transient finite element model has been developed
to study the heat transfer and fluid flow during spot Gas Tungsten
Arc Welding (GTAW) on stainless steel. Temperature field, fluid
velocity and electromagnetic fields are computed inside the cathode,
arc-plasma and anode using a unified MHD formulation. The
developed model is then used to study the influence of different
helium-argon gas mixtures on both the energy transferred to the
workpiece and the time evolution of the weld pool dimensions. It is
found that the addition of helium to argon increases the heat flux
density on the weld axis by a factor that can reach 6.5. This induces
an increase in the weld pool depth by a factor of 3. It is also found
that the addition of only 10% of argon to helium decreases
considerably the weld pool depth, which is due to the electrical
conductivity of the mixture that increases significantly when argon is
added to helium.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for noninvasive measurement
of blood glucose concentration based on transilluminated laser beam
via the Index Finger has been reported in this paper. This method
depends on atomic gas (He-Ne) laser operating at 632.8nm
wavelength. During measurement, the index finger is inserted into the
glucose sensing unit, the transilluminated optical signal is converted
into an electrical signal, compared with the reference electrical
signal, and the obtained difference signal is processed by signal
processing unit which presents the results in the form of blood
glucose concentration. This method would enable the monitoring
blood glucose level of the diabetic patient continuously, safely and
noninvasively.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new optimization techniques
for the optimization a gas processing plant uncertain feed and
product flows. The problem is first formulated using a continuous
linear deterministic approach. Subsequently, the single and joint
chance constraint models for steady state process with timedependent
uncertainties have been developed. The solution approach
is based on converting the probabilistic problems into their
equivalent deterministic form and solved at different confidence
levels Case study for a real plant operation has been used to
effectively implement the proposed model. The optimization results
indicate that prior decision has to be made for in-operating plant
under uncertain feed and product flows by satisfying all the
constraints at 95% confidence level for single chance constrained and
85% confidence level for joint chance constrained optimizations
cases.
Abstract: The atmospheric pressure plasma torch with a direct
current arc discharge stabilized by water vapor vortex was
experimentally investigated. Overheated up to 450K water vapor was
used as plasma forming gas. Plasma torch design is one of the most
important factors leading to a stable operation of the device. The
electrical and thermal characteristics of the plasma torch were
determined during the experimental investigations. The design and
the basic characteristics of the water vapor plasma torch are presented
in the paper.
Plasma torches with the electric arc stabilized by water vapor
vortex provide special performance characteristics in some plasma
processing applications such as thermal plasma neutralization and
destruction of organic wastes enabling to extract high caloric value
synthesis gas as by-product of the process. Syngas could be used as a
surrogate fuel partly replacing the dependence on the fossil fuels or
used as a feedstock for hydrogen, methanol production.
Abstract: Cooktop burners are widely used nowadays. In
cooktop burner design, nozzle efficiency and greenhouse
gas(GHG) emissions mainly depend on heat transfer from the
premixed flame to the impinging surface. This is a complicated
issue depending on the individual and combined effects of various
input combustion variables. Optimal operating conditions for
sustainable burner design were rarely addressed, especially in the
case of multiple slot-jet burners. Through evaluating the optimal
combination of combustion conditions for a premixed slot-jet
array, this paper develops a practical approach for the sustainable
design of gas cooktop burners. Efficiency, CO and NOx emissions
in respect of an array of slot jets using premixed flames were
analysed. Response surface experimental design were applied to
three controllable factors of the combustion process, viz.
Reynolds number, equivalence ratio and jet-to-vessel distance.
Desirability Function Approach(DFA) is the analytic technique
used for the simultaneous optimization of the efficiency and
emission responses.
Abstract: Iron ore and coal are the two major important raw
materials being used in Iron making industries. Usually ore fines
containing around 5% Alumina are rejected due to higher proportion
of alumina. Therefore, a technology or process which may reduce
the alumina content by 2% by beneficiation process will be highly
attractive . In addition fine coals with ash content is used nearly 12%
is directly injected in blast furnace. Fast fluidization is a technology
by using dry beneficiation of coal and iron ore can be done. During
the fluidization process the iron ore band coal is fluidized at high
velocity in the riser of a fast fluidized bed, the heavier and coarse
particles is generally settled at the bottom in a dense zone of the riser
while the finer and lighter particle are entrained to the top dilute zone
and then via a cyclone is fed back to the bottom of the riser column.
Most of the alumina and low ash fine size coals being lighter are
expected to move up to the riser and by a natural beneficiation of
ores is expected to take place in the riser. Therefore in this study an
attempt has been made for dry beneficiation of iron ore and coal in a
fluidized bed and its hydrodynamic characterization.
Abstract: Experiments with pumpkin-rowanberry marmalade
candies were carried out at the Faculty of Food Technology of the
Latvia University of Agriculture. The objective of this investigation
was to evaluate the quality changes of pumpkin-rowanberry
marmalade candies packed in different packaging materials during
the storage of 15 weeks, and to find the most suitable packaging
material for prolongation of low sugar marmalade candies shelf-life.
An active packaging in combination with modified atmosphere
(MAP, CO2 100%) was examined and compared with traditional
packaging in air ambiance. Polymer Multibarrier 60 and paper bags
were used. Influence of iron based oxygen absorber in sachets of 500
cc obtained from Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Europe Ageless® on the
marmalade candies’ quality was tested during shelf life. Samples of
80±5 g were packaged in polymer pouches (110 mm x 110 mm),
hermetically sealed by MULTIVAC C300 vacuum chamber machine,
and stored in a room temperature +21±0.5 °C. The physiochemical
properties –moisture content, hardness, aw, pH, changes of
atmosphere content (CO2 and O2), ascorbic acid, total carotenoids,
total phenols in headspace of packs, and microbial conditions were
analysed before packaging and in the 1st, 3rd , 5th, 8th, 11th and 15th
weeks of storage.
Abstract: The efficiency of chitosan beads processed from 4
marine animal shells; white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), mud
crab (Scylla sp.), horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda),
and cuttlefish bone (Sepia sp.), for the adsorption experiments of
ammonia and formaldehyde were investigated. The porosities of
chitosan from the shells looked like beads were distinctly examined
under SEM. The original pores of those shells on the surface areas
compose of evenly fine pores. The shell beads of cuttlefish bone and
horseshoe crab show the larger probably even porosity, while on
those white leg shrimp and mud crab contain various large and fine
pores. The best adsorption at pH 9 in 18 mg/l ammonia at 2 hours
yield on cuttlefish bone, horseshoe crab, mud crab and white leg
shrimp with the average percent of 59.12, 51.45, 45.66 and 43.52,
respectively. Within 30 minutes the formaldehyde absorbers (at pH 5
in 8 μg/ml) revealed 46.27, 26.56, and 18.04 percent capacities in
cuttlefish bone, mud crab and white leg shrimp beads; while 22.44
percent in the horseshoe crab at pH 7. The adsorption capacities and
the amounts of beads showed a positive correlation. The adsorption
capacity relationship between pH and the gas concentrations were
affected by these qualities of chitosan beads.
Abstract: A newly designed gas-distributor for granulation of powdery materials in equilibrated fluidized bed and a system for collecting the granules prepared are suggested. The aim of these designs is to solve the problems arising by the granulation of powdery materials in fluidized bed devices. The gasdistributor and the collection system proved to be reliable at operation; they reduce the size of still zones, effectively disperse the binding solution in the bed and ensure the collection of granules of given diameter
Abstract: To improve HSE standards, oil and gas industries are
interested in using remotely controlled and autonomous robots instead
of human workers on offshore platforms. In addition to earlier reason
this strategy would increase potential revenue, efficient usage of
work experts and even would allow operations in more remote areas.
This article is the presentation of a custom climbing robot, called
Walloid, designed for offshore platform topside automation. This 4
arms climbing robot with grippers is an ongoing project at University
of Oslo.
Abstract: Recently, a growing interest has emerged on the
development of new and efficient energy sources, due to the inevitable extinction of the nonrenewable energy reserves. One of
these alternative sources which has a great potential and sustainability to meet up the energy demand is biomass energy. This
significant energy source can be utilized with various energy
conversion technologies, one of which is biomass gasification in
supercritical water.
Water, being the most important solvent in nature, has very important characteristics as a reaction solvent under supercritical
circumstances. At temperatures above its critical point (374.8oC and
22.1 MPa), water becomes more acidic and its diffusivity increases.
Working with water at high temperatures increases the thermal
reaction rate, which in consequence leads to a better dissolving of the
organic matters and a fast reaction with oxygen. Hence, supercritical water offers a control mechanism depending on solubility, excellent
transport properties based on its high diffusion ability and new reaction possibilities for hydrolysis or oxidation.
In this study the gasification of a real biomass, namely olive mill
wastewater (OMW), in supercritical water is investigated with the
use of Pt/Al2O3 and Ni/Al2O3 catalysts. OMW is a by-product
obtained during olive oil production, which has a complex nature
characterized by a high content of organic compounds and
polyphenols. These properties impose OMW a significant pollution
potential, but at the same time, the high content of organics makes
OMW a desirable biomass candidate for energy production.
All of the catalytic gasification experiments were made with five
different reaction temperatures (400, 450, 500, 550 and 600°C),
under a constant pressure of 25 MPa. For the experiments conducted
with Ni/Al2O3 catalyst, the effect of five reaction times (30, 60, 90,
120 and 150 s) was investigated. However, procuring that similar
gasification efficiencies could be obtained at shorter times, the experiments were made by using different reaction times (10, 15, 20,
25 and 30 s) for the case of Pt/Al2O3 catalyst. Through these experiments, the effects of temperature, time and catalyst type on the
gasification yields and treatment efficiencies were investigated.