Consequence prediction for dust explosions involving interconnected vessels using computational fluid dynamics modeling

Combustible dust explosions continue to present a significant threat toward operating personnel and pneumatic conveyance equipment in a wide variety of processing industries. Following ignition of suspended fuel within a primary enclosure volume, propagation of flame and pressure fronts toward upstream or downstream interconnected enclosures can result in devastating secondary explosions if not impeded through an appropriate isolation mechanism. In such occurrences, an accelerated flame front may result in flame jet ignition within the secondary vessel, greatly increasing the overall explosion severity. Unlike an isolated deflagration event with quantifiable reduced pressures (vent sizing according to NFPA 68 guidance), oscillation of pressure between primary and secondary process vessels leads to uncertain overpressure effects. Dependent on details of the application such as relative enclosure volumes, relief area, fuel type, suspended concentration, duct size, and duct length, the maximum system pressure in both interconnected vessels can be unpredictable. This study proposes the use of FLame ACceleration Simulator (FLACS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to provide reliable consequence predictions for specific case scenarios of dust deflagrations involving interconnected equipment. Required minimum supplement to the originally calculated relief area (A_v) was determined through iterative simulation, allowing for reduced explosion pressures (P_red) to be maintained below theoretical enclosure design strengths (P_es).     

Optimization of gas detector placement considering scenario probability and detector reliability in oil refinery installation

Gas detection system is a critical layer of protection in process safety. Leak scenario probability and detector reliability are two key factors in the optimization of gas detector placement. However, they are easily neglected in previous studies, which may lead to an inaccurate evaluation of the optimization solutions. In this study, a stochastic programming (SP) optimization method is proposed considering these two factors. In order to quantitatively represent the probability of leak scenarios, a complete accident scenario set (CASS) is built combining leak sources and wind fields. Then, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is adopted for consequence modeling of gas dispersion. The Markov model is developed to predict the detector reliability. With the objective of minimal cumulative detection time (MCDT), the SP formulation considering scenario probability and detector reliability (MCDT-SPR) is proposed. By introducing the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, the optimization formulations can be solved. A case study is investigated on a diesel hydrogenation refining unit. Results validate this approach is promising to improve the detection efficiency. This method is more practical and matching with the actual industrial environment, where the leak scenarios and the detector reliability can change dynamically in real process setting.     

Hazard analysis on LPG fireball of road tanker BLEVE based on CFD simulation

In order to research the hydrocarbon fireball characteristic of LPG tanker Boiled Liquid Evaporate Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) under different conditions, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the hydrocarbon fireballs from the LPG tanker BLEVE accidents were carried out. Several new different factors, such as the mass of fuel, inlet velocity and airflow velocity, were considered to analyze the influence on the evolution of the characteristics of the fireball and the development of the LPG tanker BLEVE accidents. Results indicate that the fireball with a greater mass of fuel radiates more heat but slower. The large longitudinal diameter of the fireball and high radiation heat flux are observed in case of a faster inlet velocity used for the same mass. The airflow was found to shorten the initial phase of the fireball effectively. Some suggestions were proposed to prevent the LPG BLEVE accidents. Analysis performed show that various parameters like fireball diameter, radiative heat flux and lifting speed of fireball can be predicted well using FDS code.     

基于系统动力学模型的区域可持续发展分析

结合系统动力学建模的原则和方法,构建了区域可持续发展系统动力学模型。根据区域社会经济发展和环境变化的动态性,子系统之间能量和物质流通的转化与信息的交互,形成人口、科技、环境、资源、经济5个子系统。某农业县三种方案对比的模拟实验表明,控制人口,大力发展生态农业和第三产业,优化产业发展结构,不但实现了GDP增长,而且环境质量指数稳步提升,促进了区域经济社会与环境的可持续发展。     

活性炭对含铅废水吸附特性研究

采用静态法用活性炭吸附处理含铅废水,考察了活性炭对含铅废水的吸附特性。结果表明:活性炭对铅离子吸附平衡时间为100 m in;吸附等温方程为:Ce/qe=0.4298+0.0594Ce(25℃),该方程符合Langmu ir型吸附模式,不同温度下吸附平衡参数0RL1,表示该吸附为有利吸附。实验数据应用数学模型拟合,二级相关系数R2=0.9998,显示吸附过程动力学与二级动力学模型相关性较好;计算不同温度下各热力学参数:△Hθ大于零、△Gθ小于零,证实该吸附过程是一个自发吸热过程。△Sθ大于零,表明铅离子在固液界面有序性减小、混乱度增大。△Hθ值很小,说明该过程为物理吸附。     

石油污染土壤中高效石油烃降解菌Y-16的筛选及其降解性能

通过富集和驯化培养从石油污染的土样中筛选出一株高效石油烃降解菌Y-16,其对胜利原油7 d降解率达到51.98%。在好氧条件下,对Y-16菌株的最优降解条件进行了探索,结果表明,在pH值8.0,温度30℃,接种量10%,摇床转数160 r/m in和3 000~7 000 mg/L的底物浓度下,Y-16菌株的最高降解率可达到60.34%。通过Y-16菌株对石油烃降解规律的探索,发现Y-16菌株对石油烃的降解符合一级反应动力学模型。     

连续曝气下河水水质及睡莲生理响应的季节变化

采取现场实验方法,在春、夏、秋三季测定了6个睡莲(Nymphaea tetragona L.)植物净化槽(曝气、非曝气)中睡莲的叶绿素(Chl)、可溶性蛋白(SP)含量与过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,氮磷积累、生物量、根长、茎高、叶长、分蘖数、根密度等生物学指标及对应的水质常规理化指标,探讨了连续曝气下睡莲的生理响应及河水水质的季节变化。结果表明,连续曝气明显影响了睡莲的生理特性,导致净化槽中水质发生相应变化,且影响程度与睡莲生长状况的季节变化相关。曝气槽中睡莲植物的根长、茎高、叶长较短,叶片Chl-a、Chl-b、SP含量下降,而根组织POD、CAT活性升高,氮磷积累、生物量下降,分蘖数、根密度下降;春、夏季曝气对睡莲的影响相对较小,曝气槽中TN、NH4+-N浓度低于非曝气槽,而TP、溶解性P浓度明显升高;秋季曝气对睡莲的影响较严重,曝气槽中TN、NH4+-N、TP、溶解性P浓度均高于非曝气槽。研究结论为在污染河道生态修复工程实践中,针对水生植物生长状况的季节变化而进行曝气方式调节提供理论依据。     

基于液气比的湿法脱硫系统的运行优化研究

石灰石-石膏湿法烟气脱硫是一种比较成熟、脱硫效率较高的脱硫技术。阐述了这种方法的化学基础和过程动力学,研究了影响烟气脱硫效率的主要因素,并讨论了液气比对提高脱硫效率和降低成本的影响。通过对某公司脱硫系统的优化调整,系统运行稳定,节能效果明显。根据机组负荷控制液气比在11 L/m3左右,脱硫系统的安全性和经济性均可保证,并有广泛地推广空间。     

Focusing Ecological Research for Conservation

Ecologists are increasingly actively involved in conservation. We identify five key topics from a broad sweep of ecology that merit research attention to meet conservation needs. We examine questions from landscape ecology, behavioral ecology, ecosystem dynamics, community ecology, and nutrient cycling related to key topics. Based on literature review and publication trend assessment, consultation with colleagues, and roundtable discussions at the 24th International Congress for Conservation Biology, focused research on the following topics could benefit conservation while advancing ecological understanding: 1. Carbon sequestration, requiring increased linkages to biodiversity conservation; 2. Ecological invasiveness, challenging our ability to find solutions to ecological aliens; 3. Individual variation, having applications in the conservation of rare species; 4. Movement of organisms, integrating ecological processes across landscapes and scales and addressing habitat fragmentation; and 5. Trophic-level interactions, driving ecological dynamics at the ecosystem-level. Addressing these will require cross-disciplinary research under the overarching framework of conservation ecology.     

Temporal Changes in Forest Landscape Patterns in Artvin Forest Planning Unit, Turkey

Understanding the historical dynamics, composition, and environmental disturbances of forest landscapes provides a context for monitoring changes, describing trends, and establishing reference conditions. This study analyses the temporal changes in forest ecosystem structure in Artvin Forest Planning Unit (AFPU), Turkey, during 1972–2002 period based on digitized forest stand type maps using geographic information system (GIS) and interpretation of satellite data. The results showed that there was a net decrease of 450 ha in total forested areas between 1972 and 2002. Forest ecosystem structure changed over time depending on a few factors such as demographic movements, insect outbreaks, dam and road construction, unregulated management actions, and social pressure. In conclusion, temporal changes and the factors affecting these changes should be determined for sustainable management of natural resources.