Experimental and numerical investigation of constant volume dust and gas explosions in a 3.6-m flame acceleration tube

This paper describes an experimental investigation of turbulent flame propagation in propane-air mixtures, and in mechanical suspensions of maize starch dispersed in air, in a closed vessel of length 3.6 m and internal cross-section 0.27 m × 0.27 m. The primary motivation for the work is to gain improved understanding of turbulent flame propagation in dust clouds, with a view to develop improved models and methods for assessing explosion risks in the process and mining industries. The study includes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with FLACS and DESC, for gas and dust explosions respectively. For initially quiescent propane-air mixtures, FLACS over-predicts the rate of combustion for fuel-lean mixtures, and under-predicts for fuel-rich mixtures. The simulations tend to be in better agreement with the experimental results for initially turbulent gaseous mixtures. The experimental results for maize starch vary significantly between repeated tests, but the subset of tests that yields the highest explosion pressures are in reasonable agreement with CFD simulations with DESC.     

Functional regulatory spaces and policy diffusion in Europe: The case of mountains

The aim of this article is to propose a new analytical framework for comparing and explaining the emergence and diffusion of European regional mountain initiatives (ERMIs), envisaged as ‘functional regulatory spaces’ (FRS). The article examines three exploratory hypotheses. The first hypothesis considers that the different ERMIs (Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Carpathian, Balkan Mountains, Dinaric Arc, Caucasus) can be compared, distinguished, and classified using the FRS approach. The second hypothesis addresses the relationship between the degree to which ERMIs correspond to an ideal-type FRS and their role and position within policy diffusion processes. We suggest that the more an ERMI corresponds to an ideal-type FRS, the more important is its role in diffusion processes. The third hypothesis focuses on the relationship between the degree of formalization and institutionalization of ERMIs and their role in policy diffusion processes. We argue that the more and the earlier an ERMI is “formalized” and “institutionalized” in a clear and robust way as a “mature” FRS, the more important its role, and the more central its position, in diffusion processes. This article is a very first attempt to link FRS and policy diffusion concepts. As such it seeks to assess the link's feasibility and relevance, rather than a definitive empirical (in)validation of the three hypotheses.     

一台延期报废的氧气储罐的监控使用

通过对一台储氧卧罐检验结果的分析及对历次检验情况的比较,建议对这台容器进行判废处理。但由于生产需要,该容器不能立即更新,专家们根据实际情况提出了用声发射仪监控,延长使用期一年的意见。     

Changes in susceptibility of beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings towards Phytophthora citricola under the influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen fertilization

The growth-differentiation balance hypothesis (GDBH) predicts changes in susceptibility of plants against herbivores with changing resource availability. In the presented study we tested the validity of the GDBH for trees infected with a root pathogen. For this purpose Fagus sylvatica seedlings grown under different atmospheric CO₂- and soil nitrogen regimes were infected with the root pathogen Phytophthora citricola. High nitrogen supply increased total biomass of beech regardless of the CO₂-treatment, whereas elevated CO₂ enhanced biomass only in the high nitrogen treatment. The responses of beech under the different growing regimes to the Phytophthora root infection were not in line with the predictions of the GDBH. Enhanced susceptibility of beech against P. citricola was found in seedlings grown under elevated CO₂ and low nitrogen supply. Fifteen months after inoculation these plants were characterized by enhanced water use efficiency, by altered root-shoot ratios, and by enhanced specific root tip densities.     

Numerical Analysis of Heat Transfer and Gas Flow in PEM Fuel Cell Ducts by a Generalized Extended Darcy Model

Abstract

In this work, gas flow and heat transfer have been numerically investigated and analyzed for both cathode/anode ducts of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The simulation is conducted by solving a set of conservation equations for the whole domain consisting of a porous medium, solid structure, and flow duct. A generalized extended Darcy model is employed to investigate the flow inside the porous layer. This model accounts for the boundary-layer development, shear stress, and microscopic inertial force as well. Effects of inertial coefficient, together with permeability, effective thermal conductivity, and thickness of the porous layer on gas flow and heat transfer are investigated.     

消化/剩余污泥水分扩散通量的研究

在传递理论的基础上,研究了干燥温度、污泥厚度及其种类3个主要因素对污泥水分扩散的影响,干燥温度设为30℃、40℃和50℃,污泥厚度设为1.3 cm、2.6 cm和3.9 cm,分别考察了消化和剩余两种污泥的干燥性能。利用实验数据获得两种污泥的有效质扩散系数,采用因次分析法建立了它们的水分扩散通量的准则关系式,通过实验研究两种污泥的水分扩散通量随干基含湿量的变化规律,并获得了两种污泥的水分扩散通量的经验公式。实验结果显示3.9 cm厚的消化污泥在40℃条件下的干燥效果最好。     

A fuzzy DEMATEL method to evaluate critical operational hazards during gas freeing process in crude oil tankers

Gas freeing process in crude oil tanker ships is widely recognized one of the most hazardous aspects of shipboard operations. Although the process provides practical benefits to ship by removing the explosive or poisonous gases from the cargo tanks and raising the oxygen level up to 21 percent, the consequences of failure may cause serious damage to human health, marine environment and cargo. Therefore, the crew exercise utmost care and become aware of the potential hazards in gas freeing process. In this context, this paper provides a fuzzy DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method to evaluate critical operational hazards in gas freeing process. While the DEMATEL method enables to identify and analyse the potential hazards of gas freeing process with respect to causal–effect relation diagram, fuzzy sets deal with the uncertainty in decision-making and human judgements through the DEMATEL. Thus, the hybrid approach provides smart solution for safety practitioners to prevent critical hazards in gas freeing process. The results of the research will contribute to maritime safety at sea and prevention of environment pollution as well as loss of life on-board crude oil tankers ships.     

A lagrangian dispersion model for calculating concentration distribution within a built-up domain

A Lagrangian model to study the dispersion of pollutants between urban buildings is described. The flow field is supplied by an objective analysis (Rockle (1990) Ph.D. thesis, Vom Fachbereich Mechanik, der Technischen Hochschule Darmstadt, Germany) and is adjusted to satisfy the continuity equation. From the resulting; mass consistent field the Lagrangian diffusion parameters are eliminated. A 3-D Lagrangian diffusion model in a nonhomogeneous field is applied to calculate the pollutant distribution between the buildings. Several examples are studied and compared to wind tunnel measurements.     

集群中的绿色技术创新-扩散研究——以电子制造的无铅化为例

以我国电子企业在欧盟指令的压力下，引入无铅焊接工艺过程为例，考察了集群中绿色技术创新的扩散。文章回顾了全球无铅技术发展的历程，分析了绿色技术创新与扩散的特点，结合实证案例研究，指出在无铅化工艺的扩散过程中，领导企业的供应链管理、OEM厂商的制造技术能力、无铅元器件供应商之间的合作、及专业化的检验检测机构是推动绿色技术创新扩散的关键因素，而地理集群为这些因素之间的密切配合提供了可能，但促使集群合作创新的动力却来自集群之外。