Abstract: As a by-product of the biodiesel industries, glycerol
has been vastly generated which surpasses the market demand. It is
imperative to develop an efficient glycerol valorization processes in
minimizing the net energy requirement and intensifying the biodiesel
production. In this study, base-catalyzed transesterification of
glycerol with dimethyl carbonate using microwave irradiation as
heating method to produce glycerol carbonate was conducted by
varying grades of glycerol, i.e. 70%, 86% and 99% purity, that is
obtained from biodiesel plant. Metal oxide catalysts were used with
varying operating parameters including reaction time, DMC/glycerol
molar ratio, catalyst weight %, temperature and stirring speed. From
the study on the effect of different operating parameters it was found
that the type of catalyst used has the most significant effect on the
transesterification reaction. Amidst the metal oxide catalysts
examined, CaO gave the best performance. This study indicates the
feasibility of producing glycerol carbonate using different grade of
glycerol in both conventional thermal activation and microwave
irradiation with CaO as catalyst. Microwave assisted
transesterification (MAT) of glycerol into glycerol carbonate has
demonstrated itself as an energy efficient route by achieving 94.2%
yield of GC at 65°C, 5 minutes reaction time, 1 wt% CaO and
DMC/glycerol molar ratio of 2. The advantages of MAT
transesterification route has made the direct utilization of bioglycerol
from biodiesel production without the need of purification. This has
marked a more economical and less-energy intensive glycerol
carbonate synthesis route.
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to detect the chaotic
behavior in monetary economic relevant dynamical system. The
study employs three different forms of Taylor rules: current, forward,
and backward looking. The result suggests the existence of the
chaotic behavior in all three systems. In addition, the results strongly
represent that using expectations in policy rule especially rational
expectation hypothesis can increase complexity of the system and
leads to more chaotic behavior.
Abstract: Ulexite (Na2O.2CaO.5B2O3.16H2O) is boron mineral
that is found in large quantities in the Turkey and world. In this
study, the dissolution of this mineral in the disodium hydrogen
phosphate solutions has been studied. Temperature, concentration,
stirring speed, solid liquid ratio and particle size were selected as
parameters. The experimental results were successfully correlated by
linear regression using Statistica program. Dissolution curves were
evaluated shrinking core models for solid-fluid systems. It was
observed that increase in the reaction temperature and decrease in the
solid/liquid ratio causes an increase the dissolution rate of ulexite.
The activation energy was found to be 63.4 kJ/mol. The leaching of
ulexite was controlled by chemical reaction.
Abstract: The reduction of greenhouse gases emissions is highly
discussed ecological theme at present. In addition to power industry
also main production sectors of binders, i.e. cement, air and hydraulic
lime are very sensitive to these questions. One of the possibilities
how CO2 emissions can be reduced directly at clinker burnout is
represented by partial substitution of lime with a material containing
limy ions at absence of carbonate group. Fluidised fly ash is one of
such potential raw materials where CaO can be found free and also
bound in anhydrite, CaSO4. At application of FBC (fluidized bed
combustion) fly ash with approximate 20% CaO content and its
dosing ratio to high percent lime 1:2, corresponding stechiometrically
to the preparation of raw material powder, approximately 0,37 t CO2
per 1 ton of one-component cement would be released at clinker
burnout compared to 0,46 t CO2 when orthodox raw materials are
used. The reduction of CO2 emissions thus could reach even 20%.
Abstract: We used 24 Ile de France lambs, weighing between 15 and 32 kg (BW). Treatments were supplemented with concentrate: “in nature” sugarcane (IN), sugarcane hydrolyzed using 0.6% calcium oxide (CaO) under aerobic condition (AER), and sugarcane hydrolyzed using 0.6% CaO under anaerobic condition (ANA), constituting a completely randomized design with eight repetitions per treatment. Lambs were housed in individual stalls and fed into the through, allowing 10% of leftovers. Lambs were slaughtered when body weight reached 32 kg. The following parameters were determined on Longissimu lumborum muscle of hot and cold carcasses: pH and color, 45 minutes and 24 hours after slaughtering. Qualitative analysis of the meat were performed in the loins, water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), and shear force (SF). We used a completely randomized design with three treatments and eight repetitions. Means were compared by Tukey test at 5% significance. A higher value for redness (a*) 45 minutes after slaughter (10.48) were found for lambs fed hydrolyzed under anaerobic conditions sugarcane. The other qualitative characteristics of meat were not affected by treatments (P >0.05). The comparison of meat quality resulting from the treatments shows that it is possible to feed in nature sugarcane to lambs, thus waiving hydrolyses process and the spending with alkalizing agent.
Abstract: Stoneware clay, fired clay (as a grog), calcite waste and class C fly ash in various mixing rations were the basic raw materials for the mixture for production of dry pressed ceramic tiles. Mechanical properties (water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, flexural strength) as well as mineralogical composition were studied on samples with different source of calcium oxide after firing at 900, 1000, 1100 and 1200°C. It was found that samples with addition of calcite waste contain dmisteinbergit and anorthite. This minerals help to improve the strength of the body and reduce porosity fired at lower temperatures. Class C fly ash has not significantly influence on properties of the fired body as calcite waste.
Abstract: Strategic spatial planning, which is taken as an effective and competitive way for the governors of the city to improve the development and management level of a city, has been blooming in recent years all over the world. In the context of globalization and informatization, strategic spatial planning must transfer its focus on three different levels: global, regional and urban. Internal and external changes in environmental conditions lead to new advances in strategic planning both theoretically and practically. However, such advances or changes respond differently to cities on account of different dynamic mechanisms. This article aims at two cities of Tianjin in China and Melbourne in Australia, through a comparative study on strategic planning, to explore the differentiation of mechanisms in urban planning making. By comparison and exploration, the purpose of this article is to exhibit two different planning worlds between western and Chinese in a new way nowadays.
Abstract: This study compares the quality of different brands of Portland Cement (PC) available in Libyan market. The amounts of chemical constituents like SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, SO3 and Lime Saturation Factor (LSF) were determined in accordance with Libyan (L.S.S) and Amrican (A.S.S) Standard Specifications. All the cement studies were found to be good for concrete work especially where no special property is required. The chemical and mineralogical analyses for studied clinker samples show that the dominant phases composition are C3S and C2S while the C3A and C4AF are less abundant.
Abstract: In order to fulfill world energy demand, several efforts have been done to look for new and renewable energy candidates to substitute oil and gas. Biomass is one of new and renewable energy sources, which is abundant in Indonesia. Palm kernel shell is a kind of biomass discharge from palm oil industries as a waste. On the other hand, Jatropha curcas that is easy to grow in Indonesia is also a typical energy source either for bio-diesel or biomass. In this study, biomass was used as co-fuel in briquetting of low-rank coal to suppress the release of emission (such as CO, NOx and SOx) during coal combustion. Desulfurizer, CaO-base, was also added to ensure the SOx capture is effectively occurred. Ratio of coal to palm kernel shell (w/w) in the bio-briquette were 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20 and 90:10, while ratio of calcium to sulfur (Ca/S) in mole/mole were 1:1; 1.25:1; 1.5:1; 1.75:1 and 2:1. The bio-briquette then subjected to physical characterization and combustion test. The results show that the maximum weight loss in the durability measurement was ±6%. In addition, the highest stove efficiency for each desulfurizer was observed at the coal/PKS ratio of 90:10 and Ca/S ratio of 1:1 (except for the scallop shell desulfurizer that appeared at two Ca/S ratios; 1.25:1 and 1.5:1, respectively), i.e. 13.8% for the lime; 15.86% for the oyster shell; 14.54% for the scallop shell and 15.84% for the green mussel shell desulfurizers.
Abstract: This study is focused on the development of prediction models of the Ozone concentration time series. Prediction model is built based on chaotic approach. Firstly, the chaotic nature of the time series is detected by means of phase space plot and the Cao method. Then, the prediction model is built and the local linear approximation method is used for the forecasting purposes. Traditional prediction of autoregressive linear model is also built. Moreover, an improvement in local linear approximation method is also performed. Prediction models are applied to the hourly Ozone time series observed at the benchmark station in Malaysia. Comparison of all models through the calculation of mean absolute error, root mean squared error and correlation coefficient shows that the one with improved prediction method is the best. Thus, chaotic approach is a good approach to be used to develop a prediction model for the Ozone concentration time series.
Abstract: Calcium oxide (CaO) as carbon dioxide (CO2)
adsorbent at the elevated temperature has been very well-received
thus far. The CaO can be synthesized from natural calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) sources through the reversible calcination-carbonation
process. In the study, cockle shell has been selected as CaO
precursors. The objectives of the study are to investigate the
performance of calcination and carbonation with respect to different
temperature, heating rate, particle size and the duration time. Overall,
better performance is shown at the calcination temperature of 850oC
for 40 minutes, heating rate of 20oC/min, particle size of < 0.125mm
and the carbonation temperature is at 650oC. The synthesized
materials have been characterized by nitrogen physisorption and
surface morphology analysis. The effectiveness of the synthesized
cockle shell in capturing CO2 (0.72 kg CO2/kg adsorbent) which is
comparable to the commercialized adsorbent (0.60 kg CO2/kg
adsorbent) makes them as the most promising materials for CO2
capture.
Abstract: Current proposals for E-passport or ID-Card is similar to a regular passport with the addition of tiny contactless integrated circuit (computer chip) inserted in the back cover, which will act as a secure storage device of the same data visually displayed on the photo page of the passport. In addition, it will include a digital photograph that will enable biometric comparison, through the use of facial recognition technology at international borders. Moreover, the e-passport will have a new interface, incorporating additional antifraud and security features. However, its problems are reliability, security and privacy. Privacy is a serious issue since there is no encryption between the readers and the E-passport. However, security issues such as authentication, data protection and control techniques cannot be embedded in one process. In this paper, design and prototype implementation of an improved E-passport reader is presented. The passport holder is authenticated online by using GSM network. The GSM network is the main interface between identification center and the e-passport reader. The communication data is protected between server and e-passport reader by using AES to encrypt data for protection will transferring through GSM network. Performance measurements indicate a 19% improvement in encryption cycles versus previously reported results.
Abstract: During the past several years, face recognition in video
has received significant attention. Not only the wide range of
commercial and law enforcement applications, but also the availability
of feasible technologies after several decades of research contributes
to the trend. Although current face recognition systems have reached a
certain level of maturity, their development is still limited by the
conditions brought about by many real applications. For example,
recognition images of video sequence acquired in an open
environment with changes in illumination and/or pose and/or facial
occlusion and/or low resolution of acquired image remains a largely
unsolved problem. In other words, current algorithms are yet to be
developed. This paper provides an up-to-date survey of video-based
face recognition research. To present a comprehensive survey, we
categorize existing video based recognition approaches and present
detailed descriptions of representative methods within each category.
In addition, relevant topics such as real time detection, real time
tracking for video, issues such as illumination, pose, 3D and low
resolution are covered.
Abstract: In 2011, Debiao et al. pointed out that S-3PAKE protocol proposed by Lu and Cao for password-authenticated key exchange in the three-party setting is vulnerable to an off-line dictionary attack. Then, they proposed some countermeasures to eliminate the security vulnerability of the S-3PAKE. Nevertheless, this paper points out their enhanced S-3PAKE protocol is still vulnerable to undetectable on-line dictionary attacks unlike their claim.
Abstract: A kind of crash energy absorption structure adopted by vehicle simulator crash testing equipment based on mechanical energy
storage was studied. Dynamic explicit finite element simulation was achieved for thin-walled tube structure under different conditions of
section shape, thickness and inducement groove style. Crash energy absorption property of the structure was obtained. After optimization,
a reasonable structure was given which can meet current vehicle crash regulation. And the optimized structure can be adopted in vehicle
simulator, which can increase the practicability of the testing
equipment.
Abstract: Studying alternative raw materials for biodiesel production is of major importance. The use of mixtures with incorporation of wastes is an environmental friendly alternative and might reduce biodiesel production costs. The objective of the present work was: (i) to study biodiesel production using waste frying oil mixed with pork lard and (ii) to understand how mixture composition influences biodiesel quality. Biodiesel was produced by transesterification and quality was evaluated through determination of several parameters according to EN 14214. The weight fraction of lard in the mixture varied from 0 to 1 in 0.2 intervals. Biodiesel production yields varied from 81.7 to 88.0 (wt%), the lowest yields being the ones obtained using waste frying oil and lard alone as raw materials. The obtained products fulfilled most of the determined quality specifications according to European biodiesel quality standard EN 14214. Minimum purity (96.5 wt%) was closely obtained when waste frying oil was used alone and when 0.2% of lard was incorporated in the raw material (96.3 wt%); however, it ranged from 93.9 to 96.3 (wt%) being always close to the limit. From the evaluation of the influence of mixture composition in biodiesel quality, it was possible to establish a model to be used for predicting some parameters of biodiesel resulting from mixtures of waste frying oil with lard when different lard contents are used.
Abstract: It-s difficult for China-s current land transfer
institutions limited to county-wide to solve the contradiction between
urban-rural development and construction land shortage. On the basis of analyzing China-s construction land transfer system, and evaluation
toward Transfer of development rights (TDR) practices in Anhui and
Chongqing, the passage proposes: (1) we should establish a multi-level
land indicators trade market under the guidance of regional spatial
objectives, and allow land transfer paid across cities and counties
within a specific area following the regulation of both government and
market; (2) it would be better to combine organically the policy ntentions of land plan, regional plan, urban plan and economic plan, and link them with land indicators transfer to promote a wider range of
urban-rural balance and regional coordination.
Abstract: The winding hot-spot temperature is one of the most
critical parameters that affect the useful life of the power
transformers. The winding hot-spot temperature can be calculated as
function of the top-oil temperature that can estimated by using the
ambient temperature and transformer loading measured data. This
paper proposes the estimation of the top-oil temperature by using a
method based on Least Squares Support Vector Machines approach.
The estimated top-oil temperature is compared with measured data of
a power transformer in operation. The results are also compared with
methods based on the IEEE Standard C57.91-1995/2000 and
Artificial Neural Networks. It is shown that the Least Squares
Support Vector Machines approach presents better performance than
the methods based in the IEEE Standard C57.91-1995/2000 and
artificial neural networks.
Abstract: As the fossil fuels kept on depleting, intense research in developing hydrogen (H2) as the alternative fuel has been done to cater our tremendous demand for fuel. The potential of H2 as the ultimate clean fuel differs with the fossil fuel that releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the surrounding and leads to the global warming. The experimental work was carried out to study the production of H2 from palm kernel shell steam gasification at different variables such as heating rate, steam to biomass ratio and adsorbent to biomass ratio. Maximum H2 composition which is 61% (volume basis) was obtained at heating rate of 100oCmin-1, steam/biomass of 2:1 ratio, and adsorbent/biomass of 1:1 ratio. The commercial adsorbent had been modified by utilizing the alcoholwater mixture. Characteristics of both adsorbents were investigated and it is concluded that flowability and floodability of modified CaO is significantly improved.
Abstract: Cu-mesoporous TiO2 is developed for removal acid
odor cooperated with ozone assistance and online- regeneration
system with/without UV irradiation (all weather) in study. The results
showed that Cu-mesoporous TiO2 present the desirable adsorption
efficiency of acid odor without UV irradiation, due to the larger
surface area, pore sizeand the additional absorption ability provided by
Cu. In the photocatalysis process, the material structure also benefits
Cu-mesoporous TiO2 to perform the more outstanding efficiency on
degrading acid odor. Cu also postponed the recombination of
electron-hole pairs excited from TiO2 to enhance photodegradation
ability. Cu-mesoporous TiO2 could gain the conspicuous increase on
photocatalysis ability from ozone assistance, but without any benefit
on adsorption. In addition, the online regeneration procedure could
process the used Cu-mesoporous TiO2 to reinstate the adsorption
ability and maintain the photodegradtion performance, depended on
scrubbing, desorping acid odor and reducing Cu to metal state.