Application of response surface methodology for the optimization of biodiesel production from yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed oil

In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) involving central composite design (CCD) was applied to optimize the reaction parameters of biodiesel production from yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed oil during the single-step transesterification process. A total of 30 experiments were designed and performed to determine under the effects of variables on the biodiesel yield such as methanol to oil molar ratio (2:1–10:1), catalyst concentration (0.2–1.0 wt.% NaOH), reaction temperature (50–70°C), and reaction time (30–90 min). The second order polynomial model was used to predict the biodiesel yield and coefficient of determination (R²) was found to be at 0.9818. The optimum biodiesel yield was calculated as 96.695% from the model with the following reaction conditions: 7.41:1 of methanol to oil molar ratio, 0.63 wt. % NaOH of catalyst concentration, 61.84°C of reaction temperature, and 62.12 min of reaction time. It is seen that the regression model results were in agreement with the experimental data. The results showed that RSM is a suitable statistical technique for optimizing the reaction parameters in the transesterification process in order to maximize the biodiesel yield.     

Performance of a diesel engine with water emulsified diesel prepared with optimized process parameters

An attempt has been made to produce stable water–diesel emulsion with optimal formulation and process parameters and to evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine using this stable water–diesel emulsion. A total of 54 samples were prepared with varying water/diesel ratio, surfactant amount and stirring speed and water separation was recorded after 24 and 48 hr of emulsification. The recorded data were used in artificial neural network (ANN)-particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique to find the optimal parameters to produce water–diesel emulsion for engine testing. The predicted optimal parameters were found as 20% water to diesel ratio, 0.9% surfactant and 2200 rpm of stirrer for a water separation of 14.33% in one day with a variation of 6.54% against the actual value of water separation. Water–diesel emulsion fuel exhibited similar fuel properties as base fuel. The peak cylinder gas pressure, peak pressure rise rate and peak heat release rate for water–diesel were found higher as compared to diesel at medium to full engine loads. The improved air-fuel mixing in water–diesel emulsion enhanced brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of engine. The absorption of heat by water droplets present in water–diesel emulsion led to reduced exhaust gas temperature (EGT). With water–diesel emulsion fuel, the mean carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) emissions reduced by 8.80, 39.60, and 26.11%, respectively as compared to diesel.     

基于最小能量原理的平衡图调节法在矿井通风系统优化中的应用

根据最小能量原理,采用平衡图调节法解决矿井通风网络中风压不平衡的问题,建立矿井通风网络优化模型。根据矿山基本情况和平衡图原理绘制出通风网络"平衡图",采用不同的变换方法使得"平衡图"真正达到平衡,进而得出不同的优化调节方案,并进行风压平衡的验证。应用最小能量原理选出能耗最低的调节方案。并且,运用基于最小能量原理的平衡图调节法解决了矿山的实际问题,结果表明,运用该方法能形象直观地反映出风量、风压及功率之间的关系,在解决通风网络中风压不平衡问题的同时,既形象直观,又使得经济费用最低,保证矿山安全高效生产。     

An energy-absorbing sliding seat for reducing neck injury risks in rear impact—analysis for prototype built

Objective: This study investigated overall performance of an energy-absorbing sliding seat concept for whiplash neck injury prevention. The sliding seat allows its seat pan to slide backward for some distance under certain restraint force to absorb crash energy in rear impacts.

Methods: A numerical model that consisted of vehicle interior, seat, seat belt, and BioRID II dummy was built in MADYMO to evaluate whiplash neck injury in rear impact. A parametric study of the effects of sliding seat parameters, including position and cushion stiffness of head restraint, seatback cushion stiffness, recliner characteristics, and especially sliding energy-absorbing (EA) restraint force, on neck injury criteria was conducted in order to compare the effectiveness of the sliding seat concept with that of other existing anti-whiplash mechanisms. Optimal sliding seat design configurations in rear crashes of different severities were obtained. A sliding seat prototype with bending of a steel strip as an EA mechanism was fabricated and tested in a sled test environment to validate the concept. The performance of the sliding seat under frontal and rollover impacts was checked to make sure the sliding mechanism did not result in any negative effects.

Results: The protective effect of the sliding seat with EA restraint force is comparable to that of head restraint–based and recliner stiffness–based anti-whiplash mechanisms. EA restraint force levels of 3 kN in rear impacts of low and medium severities and 6 kN in impacts of high severity were obtained from optimization. In frontal collision and rollover, compared to the nonsliding seat, the sliding seat does not result in any negative effects on occupant protection. The sled test results of the sliding seat prototype have shown the effectiveness of the concept for reducing neck injury risks.

Conclusion: As a countermeasure, the sliding seat with appropriate restraint forces can significantly reduce whiplash neck injury risk in rear impacts of low, medium, and high severities with no negative effects on other crash load cases.     

中国硫酸盐气溶胶直接辐射效应数值模拟

硫酸盐气溶胶对地球系统能量收支平衡和全球气候变化有重要影响.本研究基于中国2007年二氧化硫排放清单,应用Can METOP、OPAC和SBDART模型,对中国硫酸盐气溶胶直接辐射效应及其空间分布和时间变化进行分析.结果表明,2007年中国硫酸盐气溶胶直接辐射效应全年波动范围在-9.1~0.0008 W·m~(-2)之间,全国年均值为-1.372 W·m~(-2),低于全球均值(-0.35 W·m~(-2)),其中华东地区最强为-5.017 W·m~(-2),西北地区最弱仅为-0.22 W·m~(-2),该空间分布主要受SO_2排放的空间差异及西风导致的向东溢出效应影响.同时,除华南之外的绝大多数地区夏季辐射效应最强、冬季最弱,这主要由SO_2向硫酸盐的转化率及相对湿度的季节差异决定.本研究有助于了解中国硫酸盐气溶胶及其气候效应的时空差异,对评估硫酸盐气溶胶的气候效应有重要意义.     

基于水生态文明建设的地方水环境资源立法研究

水生态文明是生态文明的重要组成和基础保障,是实现生态文明的重要支撑.进行水生态文明建设的重要基础保障是法律,而法律保障中最基础的一个环节就是立法,因此通过立法来保障水生态文明建设成为必然的趋势.选取江苏这一地区,从地方法治的角度出发,分析江苏省水生态文明建设在立法取得的成果以及存在的应当注意的问题.在此基础上结合江苏省的特殊省情,从立法的重点内容、立法程序以及立法监督三个方面提出完善地方水生态文明立法的建议.     

响应曲面法优化镍转炉渣氧压选择性浸出工艺

为了优化镍转炉渣加压条件下H₂SO₄选择性浸出Co、Ni、Cu,抑制Fe浸出的工艺,采用响应曲面法的中心组合设计原理,建立影响选择性浸出率的二次多项式数学模型,研究浸出温度、c(H₂SO₄)及液固比及上述因素两两交互作用对提高Co、Ni、Cu浸出率及减少Fe浸出率的影响规律. 结果表明:浸出温度和c(H₂SO₄)对浸出率影响最显著,液固比次之. c(H₂SO₄)越高,Co、Ni、Cu和Fe的浸出率越高,而提高浸出温度有利于降低Fe浸出率. 响应曲面法优化获得的最佳工艺条件:浸出温度为210 ℃、c(H₂SO₄)为0.38 mol/L、液固比为4.25 mL/g,在该条件下,Co和Ni的浸出率均大于98%,Cu浸出率大于96%,Fe浸出率小于0.4%. 浸出控制参数优化后提高了有价金属的浸出率,同时也降低了Fe浸出率,实现了镍转炉渣中有价金属的回收及其与Fe的高效分离.      

政府环境监管与企业最优环境策略的博弈

随着我国经济的快速发展,伴随而来的是日趋严峻的环境污染,而在政府环境监管的背景下,各个利益相关者之间的博弈在环保效果实施中发挥了很大的作用。利用博弈论的分析方法,建立了一个关于中央政府、地方政府和企业三个利益相关者之间的利益博弈模型,通过对该模型的求解得出三方的平衡状态。最后针对如何实现政府高效监管和企业最优环境策略,向博弈三方共同努力推动社会经济可持续发展提供了相关政策建议。     

A Power Law Model for River Flow Velocity in Iowa Basins

This study explores power law relationships to estimate water flow velocity as a function of discharge and drainage area across river networks. We test the model using empirical data from 214 United States (U.S.) Geological Survey gauging stations distributed over the state of Iowa in the U.S. The empirical data are the measurements of the mean cross‐sectional velocity and concurrent discharge. The data are used to estimate parameters for a state‐wide model and to test for spatial variability for 15 large river basins contained within the state. Spatial differences among the basins are small but some parameters significantly differ from the state‐wide model. Using individual station data, the authors also explore a simpler power law model that disregards dependence on the drainage area. Overall, the study shows that including drainage area improves the model. Our study provides parameter values that can be directly incorporated into a regional scale routing model, and provides a framework for developing flow velocity models for hydraulically similar rivers in the U.S. and the world.     

基于节约法的村镇生活垃圾收运路线优化研究

为了降低垃圾收运成本,减少垃圾收运过程产生的环境和社会影响,对含有多种级别道路的村镇生活垃圾收运路线进行了优化。综合考虑垃圾收运过程的运输距离、路况、环境污染等因素,利用层次分析法确定了不同级别道路的综合权重,并对实际运输距离进行修正,得到综合运输距离。以节约综合运输距离为目标,使用节约法对收运路线进行优化,得出了节约路程多、发生拥堵少、环境污染小的村镇生活垃圾收运路线。并以蒙城县岳坊镇为例,对该地区的垃圾收运路线进行优化设计,验证了方法的可行性。