Analysis of gas dispersion and ventilation within a comprehensive CAD model of an offshore platform via computational fluid dynamics

Maintaining an adequate air flow with a desired air quality that is free from hazardous gases is among the most important actions taken toward the improvement of safety in any process plant. Due to the increased focus on the consequences of existing hazardous material on safety, health, and the environment, air quality and sufficient ventilation within a plant has been increasingly considered in the design stage. This paper investigates and analyzes methane and hydrogen sulfite dispersion and the effect of air ventilation within a CAD model of an offshore platform using computation fluids dynamics (CFD). In addition, this method and its principals could be utilized in any other hazardous environment. Simulations of possible hazardous events along with solutions for preventing or reducing their probability are presented to better assess the data. These investigations are performed by considering hypothetical hazardous scenarios which consist of gas leakages from pipes and process equipment under different conditions. After drafting a precise and highly detailed CAD model of the plant and performing CFD simulations on this model, the results of gas behaviors, dispersion, distribution, accumulation, and its possible hazards are investigated and analyzed. The larger amount of details of the actual plant model in CFD simulation are obtained by using a combination of different methods and software. These include PDMS for 3-D drawing of the plan, Rinoceros for geometrical integration of the process equipment and facilities, and Sharc Harpoon which meshes the model. Moreover, the probability of inducing ignitable or toxic concentration of gases within the atmosphere and air ventilation of the unit is considered by these investigations.     

Experimental data and CFD performance for cloud dispersion analysis: The USP-UPC project

Forecasting the behaviour of a flammable or toxic cloud is a critical challenge in quantitative risk analysis. Recent literature shows that empirical and integral models are unable to model complex dispersion scenarios, like those occurring in semi-confined spaces or with the presence of physical barriers. Although CFD simulators are promising tools in this regard, they still need to be fully validated with comprehensive datasets coming from experimental campaigns designed ad-hoc. In this paper, we present an experimental campaign carried out by a joint venture between University of São Paulo and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya to investigate CFD tools performance when used to analyse clouds dispersion. The experiments consisted on propane cloud dispersion field tests (unobstructed and with the presence of a fence obstructing the flow) of releases up to 0.5 kg s⁻¹ of 40 s of duration in a discharge area of 700 m². We provide a full 1-s averaged propane concentration evolution dataset of two experiments, extracted from 29 points located at different positions within the cloud, with which we have tested FLACS^® CFD-software performance. FLACS reproduces successfully the presence of complex geometry, showing realistic concentration decreases due to cloud dispersion obstruction by the existence of a fence. However, simulated clouds have not represented the whole complex accumulation dynamics due to wind variation.     

Numerical modeling of water spray suppression of conveyor belt fires in a large-scale tunnel

Conveyor belt fires in an underground mine pose a serious life threat to miners. Water sprinkler systems are usually used to extinguish underground conveyor belt fires, but because of the complex interaction between conveyor belt fires and mine ventilation airflow, more effective engineering designs are needed for the installation of water sprinkler systems. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the interaction between the ventilation airflow, the belt flame spread, and the water spray system in a mine entry. The CFD model was calibrated using test results from a large-scale conveyor belt fire suppression experiment. Simulations were conducted using the calibrated CFD model to investigate the effects of sprinkler location, water flow rate, and sprinkler activation temperature on the suppression of conveyor belt fires. The sprinkler location and the activation temperature were found to have a major effect on the suppression of the belt fire, while the water flow rate had a minor effect.     

贵阳市城区大气颗粒物PM_(2.5)的污染特征与季节变化规律

于2013年6月至2014年5月在贵阳市城区设置采样点,利用国产武汉天虹智能采样器连续一年采集大气颗粒物(PM2.5)样品共357个,采用HOBO U30气象仪同步记录气象数据。气象数据分析表明贵阳市春、秋和冬季均为东北风,夏季多南风且风速较大,全年以东北风为主。结合气象数据分析了贵阳市市区PM2.5污染特征并初步讨论其来源。结果表明:PM2.5日浓度范围为4~193μg/m3,平均值为70±33μg/m3,日超标率为46%。以季节来看,夏季PM2.5浓度最低,冬季最高,秋、春季次之。PM2.5主要来源于工业排放与燃煤污染。与国内其它城市研究相比,处于轻度污染水平。     

环境作用动力学基础及应用

目的优化原有的环境作用动力学理论模型。方法在原有环境作用动力学理论模型的基础上,提出环境适应性、环境响应性、变化重复性等3个概念,修改蠕变动力学理论模型的假设2。结果形成了由8个定义、2个假设组成的更加完善的环境作用动力学理论模型。结论新的环境作用动力学理论模型涵盖了蠕变动力学理论模型和原有的环境作用动力学理论模型,应用范围得到大大扩展。     

广西钦州湾营养状况季节分析与评价研究

根据2009年1月、4月、8月和11月对钦州湾海域调查结果,分析并评价了该海域营养状况的季节变化。结果表明,钦州湾海域总溶解无机氮(DIN)含量范围在0.023 mg/L~1.750 mg/L,硅酸盐(SiO3-Si)含量范围在0.027 mg/L~3.900 mg/L,磷酸盐(PO4-P)含量范围在0.001 mg/L~0.158 mg/L。NO3-N是DIN的主要存在形式,占62%~78%。不同的营养盐季节分布有所差异。DIN季节分布表现为夏季春季秋季冬季;PO4-P季节分布为春季秋季冬季夏季;SiO3-Si季节变化为夏季秋季春季冬季。从营养结构看,与Justic'等提出的营养盐化学计量限制标准比较符合P限制条件,PO4-P可能成为浮游植物生长的潜在限制因子。按照营养状态指数值,钦州湾海域春季、夏季和秋季表层海水处于富营养化状态,钦州湾内湾富营养化程度高,一旦水文气象条件适宜,从春季到秋季该区域随时都会发生赤潮灾害的可能。     

菹草腐解-金鱼藻生长耦合作用对水质及植物生长的影响

通过室内实验模拟沉水植物季相交替过程,分析菹草腐解-金鱼藻生长耦合作用对水质变化影响,探讨菹草不同残体量腐解对金鱼藻生长的影响.结果表明,不同残体量条件下,金鱼藻均能将水体营养盐及有机质保持在相对较低水平,且实验第29 d后基本保持稳定,其中DTN0.514 mg·L-1,TN0.559 mg·L-1,TP0.080 mg·L-1,DTP0.014 mg·L-1,TOC13.94mg·L-1,Chl-a26.546 mg·L-1,菹草腐解-金鱼藻生长耦合作用对水质的改善效果明显,其中在20 g残体条件下处理效果较好,对水体TN、DTN、TP、TOC和Chl-a的去除率分别达到89.67%、52.51%、94.99%、55.59%和98.55%;不同残体量条件下金鱼藻的叶绿素、可溶性蛋白、丙二醛含量均比初始值增加,残体释放的营养盐促进了金鱼藻生长,在20 g残体条件下其对金鱼藻生长的促进作用最好.结果表明在水体含有20 g残体条件下,菹草腐解-金鱼藻生长耦合作用对水质的改善及植物生长的促进效果最显著.     

茚虫威在土壤中的消解动态研究

茚虫威是一种广谱高效的氨基甲酸酯类杀虫剂,低毒低残留。采用气相色谱法对茚虫威在土壤中的残留进行分析,采用田间试验方法研究了茚虫威在土壤中的消解动态。结果表明,茚虫威在土壤中消解较快,其残留消解动态曲线符合化学反应一级动力学方程,在土壤中的半衰期为7.6天。说明茚虫威使用后在环境(土壤)中可以较快地消解,从而可以较好地保障生产安全。     

不同16SrDNA靶序列对DGGE分析活性污泥群落的影响

为探讨不同通用引物扩增16S rDNA靶序列对活性污泥微生物群落分析的影响,更合理的利用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术分析活性污泥样品.从连续流搅拌槽式反应器(CSTR)中获取活性污泥,以3对通用引物341f/534r、968f/1 401r和341f/926r扩增16S rDNA序列,用DGGE分离PCR扩增产物.研究表明采用不同引物对进行DGGE分析时,群落多样性和动态存在显著的差异.341f/534r和968f/1 401r的靶序列分离效果较好,341f/926r的靶序列分离效果较差.引物341f/534r和341f/926r DGGE图谱显示S2和S3相似性高,引物968f/1 401r DGGE图谱显示S1和S2相似性高.由此可见采用不同引物对进行DGGE分析时,群落结构之间的相似性和动态是不一致的.341f/534r的DGGE图谱中条带丰富,多样性最好,968f/1 401r的DGGE图谱次之,341f/926r DGGE图谱条带最少,多样性也较差.因此,在利用DGGE分析活性污泥样品时采用引物341f/534r和968f/1 401r是比较适宜的.     

Individual-based modelling of fishermen search behaviour with neural networks and reinforcement learning

A model to mimic the search behaviour of fishermen is built with two neural networks to cope with two separate decision-making processes in fishing activities. One neural network deals with decisions to stay or move to new fishing grounds and the other is constructed for the purpose of finding prey within the fishing areas. Some similarities with the behaviour of real fishermen are found: concentrated local search once a prey has been located to increase the probability of remaining near a prey patch and the straightforward movement to other fishing grounds. The artificial fisherman prefers areas near the port when conditions in different fishing grounds are similar or when there is high uncertainty in its world. In the latter case a reluctance to navigate to other areas is observed. The artificial fisherman selects areas with higher concentration of prey, even if they are far from the port of departure, unless a high uncertainty is related to the fishing ground. Connected areas are preferred and followed in orderly fashion if a higher catch is expected. The observed behaviour of the artificial fisherman in uncertain scenarios can be described as a risk-averse attitude. The approach seems appropriate for an individual-based modelling of fishery systems, focusing on the learning and adaptive characteristics of fishermen and on interactions that take place at a fine scale.