Ageing management and monitoring of critical equipment at Seveso sites: An ontological approach

A safe “ageing” of Seveso establishments is a challenge for both operators and regulators. To this scope, Seveso III Directive required to integrate the equipment integrity issue into the safety management system for the major accident prevention; at the same time, the Italian Authority adopted a short-cut method for a quick ageing evaluation, which awards the application of the best techniques to control integrity and prevent deterioration-related failures. In this paper, the use of the ontology has been proposed to support decision-making about the implementation of technical solutions to control equipment ageing and comply the requirements of the Seveso legislation. To contrast deterioration mechanisms, the rapid development of data intensive smart sensors should be exploited and, in this frame, the automated on-line direct monitoring of equipment conditions, based on innovative low-cost sensors, is a novelty and promising solution. The developed ontology-based system points towards the adoption, when possible, of on-line monitoring. This solution provides much more data than traditional measurements and it is essential for the operators to understand how to merge concurrent information and data and to adequately control equipment deterioration. The ontology-based approach appears a viable solution even for this purpose. To demonstrate its potentiality, a real use-case has been used, where the model has been tested in finding the best technical solutions to improve the ageing management of an atmospheric distillation unit of a refinery in order to comply with safety requirements. A further use-case is given to show how the model can be used to react, after real-time damage signals, to restore safety conditions by means of an adequate decision-making.     

A non-destructive single plate method for measurement of thermal resistance of polymer sheets and fabrics

Measurement of thermal resistance of polymer sheets and fibrous layers is important in various applications including those within the engineering, ergonomics, clothing design and personal protective equipment fields. Standard methods for measurement of thermal resistance of plain materials are generally time consuming, expensive and often require the sample to be cut. Moreover, the temperature difference between the surfaces of both plates surrounding the sample must be known, as well as the sample thickness. This article describes a new measuring device named the Thermoscope. The Thermoscope is not limited by the aforementioned requirements and is able to evaluate the thermal resistance of polymer sheets and textiles by touching the sample on one surface alone. Simultaneously, the other surface is kept in thermal contact with the supporting base. The accuracy of this device was compared with the Alambeta thermal insulation tester. Effects of various base materials on measurement precision were also studied.     

开展职业培训 服务发展大局

再生资源行业职业技能培训鉴定适应循环经济的要求，对提高从业人员素质、规范行业管理，促进再生资源产业发展具有重要作用。应充分利用行业协会平台，不断推进培训鉴定工作，全面提高再生资源行业的员工素质。     

Offspring genetic diversity increases fitness of female Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Inbreeding has negative effects on individual and population performances. Therefore, enhancement of offspring genetic diversity is believed to play a major role in shaping mating systems. However, no study has clearly separated the direct effect of having multiple partners from the indirect effect of having more outbred offspring on the resulting reproductive success of individuals in the wild. In this study, we report significant associations between both multiple mating and within-individual genetic diversity of offspring, and an increased reproductive success of wild female Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Specifically, we found that females with a higher number of mates also have more outbred offspring (within-individuals), and that both of these characteristics increased their reproductive success expressed in terms of offspring surviving when combining all freshwater juvenile stages. Our findings also indicate that determinants of fitness are different among sexes as within-individual offspring genetic diversity was not a strong predictor of male reproductive success, while the number of mates was important. We also show that females mated with more outbred males than on average, which potentially increased their chances of producing outbred offspring. These results therefore suggest that there could be more important indirect genetic benefits of multiple mating for females than for males.Communicated by M. Abrahams     

Differing rates of extra-group paternity between two populations of the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen)

Extra-pair paternity (EPP) is a common feature of the mating systems of many birds. The rate of EPP may vary between species, races and populations. A comparison of extra-group paternity (EGP) rates was made between two races of a group-living passerine, the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), to determine if similar mating systems were being employed. The two populations had similar social structure, but differed in group size and dispersal. It was predicted that dispersal differences would have a profound effect on the rate of EGP between the populations, as the population with the lower rate of dispersal and higher chance of breeding with a close relative would engage in EGPs more frequently. Eight microsatellite loci were used to determine parentage in the white-backed Australian magpie (G. t. tyrannica). The rate of EGP was found to be 44%. Dispersal rates were estimated from observational data. Over half of the juvenile magpie cohort from the previous breeding season left the territorial group. These results contrast sharply with the results found by other researchers in a population of western Australian magpies (G. t. dorsalis). In this population, 82% EGP is recorded and dispersal of juveniles is close to nil. The results indicate that dispersal rate is a potentially important predictor of rates of extra-group fertilisations between populations of this species, and suggest that females maximise their reproductive output by avoiding breeding with close kin.Communicated by M. Soler     

A Method for Response Time Measurement of Electrosensitive Protective Devices

A great step toward the improvement of safety at work was made when electrosensitive protective devices (ESPDs) were applied to the protection of press and robot-assisted manufacturing system operators. The way the device is mounted is crucial. The parameters of ESPD mounting that ensure safe distance from the controlled dangerous zone are response time, sensitivity, and the dimensions of the detection zone. The proposed experimental procedure of response time measurement is realized in two steps, with a test piece penetrating the detection zone twice. In the first step, low-speed penetration (at a speed v^m) enables the detection zone border to be localized. In the second step of measurement, the probe is injected at a high speed V^d. The actuator rod position is measured and when it is equal to the value L registered by the earlier measurements, counting time begins as well as the monitoring of the state of the equipment under test (EUT) output relays. After the state changes, time tp is registered. The experimental procedure is realized on a special experimental stand. Because the stand has been constructed for certification purposes, the design satisfies the requirements imposed by Polski Komitet Normalizacyjny (PKN, 1995). The experimental results prove the measurement error to be smaller than ± 0.6 ms.     

基于RBI技术的海上平台延期服役静设备定量化安全评估技术

针对海上延期服役平台静设备的安全风险评估与控制问题,应用RBI风险评估技术的评估理论和方法对海上延期服役平台静设备的定量化安全管理方法进行了实践和探索,并选择某延期服役平台进行风险分析相关结论的工程验证。其具体过程是运用定量RBI技术,首先根据工艺流程和介质特点对海上平台静设备分别进行了物流回路和损伤回路的划分,并以此为基础对延期服役平台静设备的安全风险进行定量评估,进而得出各静设备单元的失效可能性、失效后果及风险等级,最后通过得出的损伤模式、损伤机理及对应的腐蚀速率,从而制定针对性的检测策略。将利用这些检验策略所检测出的真实情况与分析结论进行对比,最终验证了RBI技术在延期服役平台静设备风险评估方面具有很强的适用性。     

超声相控阵检测焊缝三维可视化

介绍超声相控阵扇形（s型）扫查法对焊缝实施全体积检测的优势：信号（色码幅度）实时显示,自动存储,特别是检测数据可三维（5D）显示,又可多视角观测,缺陷四定（定位、定性、定量、定级）更方便,符合国际权威法规ASME最新版（2011a）的有关要求。期盼UT人员能在日常焊缝检测中熟练运用相控阵三维可视化技术。     

综合环境试验系统中受试产品表面Cl元素沉降聚积效果正交分析

针对综合环境试验系统中受试产品表面检出Cl元素的异常现象,提出基于正交试验的受试产品表面Cl元素沉降聚积效果分析方法。介绍试验系统工作原理与Cl元素检测方法,明确试验目标,通过前期实验筛除试验系统中与Cl元素沉降聚积无关的因素,最终确定三因素两水平的正交试验,对通风、吸波材料、试验时间等进行组合研究。通过对正交试验结果分析,发现了导致Cl元素沉降聚积量最大的多因素组合,从而为大量开展的综合环境试验中Cl元素的控制提供参考。