The Special Issue entitled “Air Quality Monitoring for Smart Cities and Industrial Applications” addresses the pressing concern of environmental pollution, particularly air pollution, and its impact on global well-being [...]

This is the supplementary material for the Foundations of Computer Aided Process Design (FOCAPD 2024) Conference Proceedings: Novel Cost-Efficient Tributyl Citrate Production Process presented in the Systems and Control Transactions series

Intelligent manufacturing workshop uses automatic guided vehicles as an important logistics and transportation carrier, and most of the existing research adopts the intelligent manufacturing workshop layout and Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) path step-by-step optimization, which leads to problems such as low AGV operation efficiency and inability to achieve the optimal layout. For this reason, a smart manufacturing assembly line layout optimization model considering AGV path planning with the objective of minimizing the amount of material flow and the shortest AGV path is designed for the machining shop of a discrete manufacturing enterprise of a smart manufacturing company. Firstly, the information of the current node, the next node and the target node is added to the heuristic information, and the dynamic adjustment factor is added to make the heuristic information guiding in the early stage and the pheromone guiding in the later stage of iteration; secondly, the Laplace distribution... [more]

Reductive amination is a powerful tool in sustainable organic synthesis that allows chemists to access a wide range of valuable amine products using renewable feedstocks and mild reaction conditions, with minimal waste generation. Practical applications can be found in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, contributing to greener and more sustainable chemical processes. In this work, we present a heterogeneous (Rh and Pt) catalyzed protocol for the fast and efficient synthesis of ractopamine hydrochloride (β-adrenergic drug) under microwave-assisted reductive amination protocol starting from raspberry ketone and octopamine. Microwave (MW) successfully accelerated the hydrogenation reaction and reduced the reaction time from 13 h to only 3 h under mild conditions (50 °C at 10 bar). The best catalysts were Pt/C and Rh/C, which led to high conversion and selectivity towards ractopamine:HCl. Different solvents and ketone substrates were also experimented. Acetophenone, cyclohexanone,... [more]

Coxibs are a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, characterized by a much lower gastrotoxicity compared to classic NSAIDs. They are often used in conjunction with other drugs, which greatly increases the likelihood of adverse drug interactions. The presented study analyzed the degradation rate of celecoxib and cimicoxib in solutions under the influence of other medicinal substances at different temperatures. For this purpose, triple-drug mixtures were prepared, consisting of coxib and eleven different commonly used drugs (paracetamol, ketoprofen, diclofenac, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, meloxicam, tramadol, doxycycline, bisoprolol, and caffeine). Then, the mixtures were incubated at two temperatures. Within the time specified by the research plan, further aliquots of the mixtures were subjected to a chromatographic analysis. Separation was conducted on HPTLC F254 silica gel chromatographic plates as a stationary phase, usin... [more]

Increased usage of nano-zinc oxide (nZnO) in different commercial fields has raised serious concerns regarding their discharge into the water streams containing natural and synthetic coating agents. Moreover, utilization of ground and surface water for drinking purposes is a common approach in many countries. Therefore, the removal of nZnO particles from water is essential to minimize the risk to the environment. The present research investigated the removal of nZnO from complex water matrices by conventional coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation (C/F/S) process using polyaluminum chloride (PACl) as coagulants. The result showed that removal of uncoated nZnO through sedimentation was efficient in waters containing divalent cations in the absence of dissolved organic matter (DOM). For the water containing higher salt concentration, PACl coagulant showed better removal performance with increasing coagulant dosage; however, synthetic organic coating agent and DOM significantly decreased... [more]

In recent years, there has been significant research and practical application of machine learning methods for predicting reservoir pore pressure. However, these studies frequently concentrate solely on reservoir blocks exhibiting normal-pressure conditions. Currently, there exists a scarcity of research addressing the prediction of pore pressure within reservoir blocks characterized by abnormally high pressures. In light of this, the present paper introduces a machine learning-based approach to predict pore pressure within reservoir blocks exhibiting abnormally high pressures. The methodology is demonstrated using the X block as a case study. Initially, the combination of the density−sonic velocity crossplot and the Bowers method is favored for elucidating the overpressure-to-compact mechanism within the X block. The elevated pressure within the lower reservoir is primarily attributed to the pressure generated during hydrocarbon formation. The Bowers method has been chosen to forecast... [more]

In underground engineering, the deformation of surrounding rock caused by “three heights and one disturbance” leads to the failure of grouted rockbolt systems, which causes huge economic losses to the mining industry. The research shows that the failure process of grouted rockbolt systems is the result of energy accumulation and release, but the relationship between failure mode and energy dissipation is rarely studied. Based on this, the load transfer behavior, energy dissipation, failure mode and failure mechanism of the grouted rockbolt systems are investigated from the perspective of energy in this study using the indoor pullout test. Test results show that the load decreases rapidly, and the absorbed energy decreases due to the whole-body splitting crack. The absorbed energy of the specimen in the splitting crack mode is lower than that in the pullout failure mode. When the pullout load reaches its peak, the pullout load of the specimen with split failure mode decreases sharply. M... [more]

Many applications in the life science and food industries require (semi-)crystalline oil-in-water (O/W) dispersions. Unfortunately, high supercooling and, thus, low temperatures are often needed to induce the crystallization of droplets. As low molecular weight emulsifiers (LMWEs) are able to act as nucleation templates, they might help to decrease the required level of supercooling. Furthermore, proteins and LMWEs are frequently co-formulated to improve the colloidal stability of emulsions and dispersions. Hence, choosing a suitable protein and LMWE mixture would allow for achieving specific product properties for controlling the solid fat content (SFC) and take advantage of the stabilization mechanisms of both emulsifiers. Therefore, this study focuses on the impact of the co-existence of β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) and phospholipids (PLs) LMWEs on the SFC of triglyceride (TAG) droplets at isothermal conditions using a thermo-optical method. When β-lg alone was used as an emulsifier, a ma... [more]

Foam is a medium-stable system composed of gas and liquid phases, which has the advantages of low density at the gas phase and high viscosity at the liquid phase, and has a wide application in oil and gas field development and mineral flotation, but its special medium-stable system also brings many problems in industry applications. Scientists have carried out extensive analyses and research on the foam stability and bubble-bursting mechanism, which initially clarified the rules of bubble breakage caused by environmental factors such as temperature and pressure, but the mechanism of bubble bursting under the action of internal factors such as liquid mineralization and oil concentration of the films is still not clearly defined. In this paper, we propose a compound salt-resistant foaming agent, investigated the influence of the aggregation and adsorption behavior of oil droplets on the liquid films and boundaries, and established a relevant aggregation and adsorption model with the popu... [more]

Weakly cemented soft rock mines in the Ordos Basin are susceptible to mining disasters, including roof collapse and substantial deformation of surrounding rocks, during coal mining operations. Researching the damage characteristics of structures composed of low-strength “soft rock−coal” combinations is crucial for effectively preventing and controlling disasters in deep soft rock mining. To investigate the fractal damage characteristics of soft rock−coal combinations with different height ratios, uniaxial compression tests were conducted on specimens containing soft rock percentages of 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 80%. The results show that the uniaxial compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the soft rock−coal combinations increased with increasing proportions of soft rock. The soft rock−coal combination was clearly segmented, and the 40%, 50%, and 60% soft rock−coal combinations had good self-similarity. The fractal dimensions were 2.374, 2.508 and 2.586, which are all within th... [more]

The low-fidelity simulation method cannot meet the requirements for predicting the performance of an adaptive cycle engine (ACE), especially when considering tip clearance variations in the compression and expansion systems. The tip clearances of the components of an ACE, such as the adaptive fan and turbine, vary drastically under different operating conditions. Though the tip clearance significantly impacts the engine’s performance, including its thrust and fuel consumption, variations in tip clearance are not considered in traditional ACE simulation models. This paper developed a new integrated model for predicting ACE performance, including multi-fidelity simulation models of the components and a newly developed, simplified model for predicting tip clearance. Specifically, the integrated model consists of a zero-dimensional (0D) engine performance simulation model, a three-dimensional (3D) adaptive fan numerical simulation model, a one-dimensional (1D) low-pressure-turbine (LPT) me... [more]

The understanding of the impact of buoyancy-driven flow on the migration of respiratory droplets remains limited. To investigate this phenomenon, the Lagrangian−Eulerian approach (k-ε turbulent model and discrete phase model) was employed to analyze the interaction between buoyancy-driven flow and coughing activity. The simulation approach was validated by simulating a jet problem in water. Although this problem describes the jet penetration in water, the governing equations for this problem are the same as those for coughing activity in the air. The results demonstrated that an umbrella-shaped airflow was generated above a person and a temperature stratification existed in the room. The buoyancy-driven flow significantly altered the dispersion pattern of the droplets. Notably, for large droplets with an initial diameter of 100 μm, the flow in the boundary layer led to an increased deposition time by about five times. Conversely, for small droplets with an initial diameter of 20 μm, th... [more]

The effective and reliable performance of any pump can be significantly impacted by the piping system design. One of the essential points is the pump suction pipe. Poor design and dimension of the suction piping can lead to cavitation in the pump which affects its head and efficiency. The primary objective is to reduce the hydraulic losses of the suction piping in order to maintain a Net Positive Suction Head required by the pump. Suction piping is recommended to be short and straight, and branch connections, valves and elbows should be avoided, which is not always possible. In addition, cavitation can occur in the actual hydraulic elements installed on the pump suction. This work is focused on the investigation of cavitating hydraulic element in the suction pipe on the pump performance. A converging-diverging nozzle with a circular cross-section was used for this purpose. A straight pipe segment of constant diameter and the same length was used for comparison. Both elements were chara... [more]

Complex systems and their various characteristics have been widely considered in economic and industrial systems [...]

Heat exchangers in operation often experience scaling, which can lead to a decrease in heat exchange efficiency and even safety accidents when fouling accumulates to a certain thickness. To address this issue, manual intervention is currently employed to monitor fouling thickness in advance. In this study, we propose a two-layer LSTM neural network model with an attention mechanism to effectively learn fouling thickness data under different working conditions. The model accurately predicts the scaling thickness of the heat exchanger during operation, enabling timely human intervention and ensuring that the scaling remains within a safe range. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed neural network model (TA-LSTM) outperforms both the traditional BP neural network model and the LSTM neural network model in terms of accuracy and stability. Our findings provide valuable technical support for future research on heat exchanger descaling and fouling growth detection.

MK-7, like other biological molecules, exists in geometric isomers, including cis and trans forms, among which only the all-trans form holds biological significance. Recent studies have drawn attention to the manifold health advantages linked to the consumption of menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Nonetheless, the scarcity of MK-7 in natural dietary sources underscores the necessity for creating dietary supplements to fulfil daily intake requisites. Obtaining MK-7 involves employing production techniques encompassing solid- or liquid-state fermentation. However, upscaling this process becomes intricate in static fermentation due to challenges in heat and mass transfer. Consequently, the bulk of research on MK-7 synthesis via fermentation has concentrated on the liquid-state approach. To this end, endeavors have been dedicated to refining MK-7 biosynthesis by exploring diverse fermentation media compositions, optimal growth conditions, and even integrating nanobiotechnology methodologies. Innovativ... [more]

Thin films of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocrystals, widely acknowledged for their unique physical-chemical properties and functionalities, are used in disparate technological fields, including photovoltaics, sensing, environmental remediation and energy storage. In this paper, the preparation of thin films consisting of anatase-phase TiO2 nanorods deposited using the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique and their characterization in terms of morphology, elemental composition and wettability are presented and discussed. Particular attention is paid to the effects of the laser fluence, varied over a broad range (F = 25, 50, 100 mJ/cm2), and to the role of the capping surfactants bound to the surface of the nanorod precursors. Whereas increasing fluence favored a partial removal of the surface-bound surfactants, a post-growth UV-light-driven photocatalytic treatment of the films was found to be necessary to reduce the incorporated fraction of organics to a further su... [more]

Steel slag is a solid waste product generated during the carbonation stage of steelmaking. It has high levels of heavy metals and substantial amounts of free calcium and magnesium oxide, making it unsuitable for use as a cement material. Furthermore, the disposal of steel slag in landfills requires many resources and can seriously contaminate the surrounding environment. One method of reducing its negative environmental impact is carbonation, which involves reacting steel slag with carbon dioxide to form stable minerals. However, many parameters influence the carbonation efficiency of steelmaking slag, including temperature, time, particle size, pressure, CO2 concentration, liquid-to-solid ratio, moisture content, humidity, additives, etc. To this end, this paper comprehensively reviews the most important steel slag carbonation-influencing factors. Moreover, it compares the characteristics from two perspectives based on their causes and effects on carbonation. Finally, this article rev... [more]

The microwave plasma torch (MPT) has gained popularity in industrial applications due to its high energy density, ionization levels, and high temperature. However, the non-uniform and unstable plasma generated by microwave plasma sources has limited the production of large-scale MPTs. This paper proposes a novel MPT device utilizing a four-port microwave source (2.45 GHz, 4 kW) to address these issues. The improved plasma uniformity and stability are achieved through the new structure, and the microwave efficiency is enhanced by introducing the focusing dielectric in the coupled cavity. Using a 3D electromagnetic field model, microwave plasma model and fluid model, the paper optimizes the geometry and inlet mode of the MPT device. Experimental results show that the novel MPT device can generate a plasma torch with a maximum height of 545 mm, a working range of 10−95 L/min, and a microwave efficiency up to 86%. The proposed device not only competently meets industrial requirements, but... [more]

The aim of this study was to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid in aqueous solution. Experiments were carried out in a 250 mL batch reactor with recirculation of the reaction mixture and using a UVA-LED radiation source with a heterogeneous UVC-modified perlite-based TiO2 photocatalyst. The photocatalytic degradation of acetamiprid was optimized using a Box−Behnken design (BBD) of the response surface methodology (RSM). The variables in the process optimization were catalyst type, volume of the reaction mixture, and light radiation intensity. From the experimental data obtained, the conversions of the photocatalytic reactions, the reaction rate constants, and the mean square deviations were calculated. The experimental results have shown that the conversion of the reaction is significantly affected by the type of catalyst, i.e., the method used to immobilise the photocatalytic layer on the perlite granules. The highest conversions of... [more]

Electrode roll-forming refers to rolling a battery electrode into a preset thickness through the electro-hydraulic servo pump-controlled hydraulic roll gap thickness automatic control system (known to as pump-controlled AGC). Compared with the motor servo system, the friction problem of the electro-hydraulic servo system is more serious and the friction problem of the actuator itself is very prominent. Moreover, low-speed performance is one of its core indicators, the friction phenomenon is the most abundant during the low-speed stage and the impact on the servo system is also the most obvious. Therefore, for high-performance electro-hydraulic servo control, friction compensation is not only unavoidable, but also a very difficult problem. Aiming to influence the friction on the position control of the pump-controlled system of a lithium battery pole strip mill, the rolling mechanism and process procedure under micro-displacement position control based on the friction model were studied... [more]

The purpose of this research is to have a clearer understanding of the resource value of electrolytic Zn anode slime, explore its fine structure and treat it in a classified manner. In this paper, the composition, content and distribution of Pb, Mn and Zn in electrolytic Zn anode slime during one production cycle were studied under typical working conditions of enterprises, by using the method of μ-XRF combined with mm-XRF. Based on heatmap and cluster analysis, the resource value of anode slime at different points in the electrolytic Zn silting area and the conventional area was evaluated. The research results were as follows: (1) There were two different areas of electrolytic Zn anode slime: the silting area and conventional area. Between these, the silting area accounted for approximately 15% of the total number of anode plates, and there were significant differences between these areas in terms of surface element content, surface morphology, slime thickness and water content. (2) I... [more]

(1) Background: Plant growth regulators (PGRs) can accelerate growth or improve the quality and quantity of bean sprouts but are forbidden to use in bean sprout cultivation, as the sprouting process’s increased chemicals will disturb the PGRs analysis. This article aimed to increase the accuracy and level of sensitivity of the LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous analysis of 10 PGRs after mixed solid phase extraction (SPE) purification. (2) Methods: An LC-MS/MS detection method for 10 kinds of PGRs was established based on ESI ionization in the positive ion mode for 6-furfurylaminopurine (6-KT), paclobutrazol (PBZ), indole-2-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and in the negative ion mode for gibberellin A3 (GA3), 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA), forchlorfenuron (FCF), thidiazuron (TDZ), and 6-benzyl adenine (6-BA). (3) Results: The 10 PGR compounds were detected within a concentration range of 1.0−50 ng/mL. The average recover... [more]

Efficient monitoring of the blast furnace system is crucial for maintaining high production efficiency and ensuring product quality. This article introduces a hybrid cluster variational autoencoder model for monitoring the blast furnace ironmaking process which exhibits multimode behaviors. In contrast to traditional approaches, this method utilizes neural networks to learn data features and effectively handles the diverse feature types observed in different production modes. Through the utilization of a clustering process within the hidden layer of the variational autoencoder, the proposed technique facilitates efficient fault detection in the context of multimodal blast furnace data. Based on the variational autoencoder model, this study further establishes a unified monitoring index and defines a method for computing the control limits. The application of the model to real blast furnace data reveals its proficiency in accurately identifying faults across diverse modes; compared with... [more]