Assurance Technology Research Articles

Changes in Physicochemical Characteristics and Volatile Flavor Compounds of Brine-Preserved Ready-to-Eat Shrimp (Solenocera crassicornis) during Chilled Storage

This study aimed to explore the changes in the quality of ready-to-eat peeled shrimp (Solenocera crassicornis) during chilled storage. The cooked shrimp were soaked in hermetically sealed jars, which were treated by three soaking methods: distilled water; 4% NaCl solution; and 4% NaCl, 0.34% citric acid, 4.23% trehalose, and 0.04% VC solution (defined as the control, experimental 1 (E1), and experimental 2 (E2) groups, respectively). The shelf-life of the E2 group was 20 days longer than that of the control group. Sensory scores, color, and textural results confirmed the E2 group exhibited better sensory scores and color, and the degradation of the physical structure of shrimp muscle was delayed during chilled storage. In addition, the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), total viable count (TVC), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of shrimp muscle in each group all showed an increasing trend, but these values were significantly lower in the E2 group than those in the control and E1 groups during chilled storage. The results of gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC–IMS) and principal components analysis (PCA) showed that the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the three groups of RTE shrimp muscle changed, but small changes in VOCs were observed in E2 during chilled storage. These results provide new ideas and references for peeled shrimp product development and quality assurance technology.

Perspectives of Flow Assurance Problems in Oil and Gas Production: A Mini-review

Flow assurance is essential to a sustainable oil and gas production system; if not managed appropriately, it may cause huge CapEx/OpEx and is also a life-threatening phenomenon. Therefore, a systematic investigation of the formation/deposition mechanisms and reliable mitigation/management strategies is vital to control the significant flow assurance problems of gas hydrates deposition/blockage, wax/asphaltenes deposition, multiphase flow, scale formation, sand transport, and corrosion problems. This review aims to deliver rationalized and brief information accumulated in the current state of the art on all kinds of flow assurance issues faced by the oil and gas industries. This review will offer new insights into the fundamental mechanistic steps of deposition and blockage in oil and gas production systems that assist in developing new inhibition chemistries. The innovative techniques utilized to probe the depositions and assess the inhibitor’s performance are also presented along with their advantages and limitations. Overall, this paper will support flow assurance engineers in managing pipeline blockage risk triggered due to the problems mentioned above.

Phase equilibrium data for clathrate hydrates formed in the systems of urea + (methane or carbon dioxide) + water

Subsea methane hydrates are expected as a potential natural gas resource. To develop gas production methods for the subsea methane hydrates, flow assurance technologies are necessary. Urea is one of the environmentally-friendly thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors (THIs) which is expected to be applicable for subsea methane hydrate systems. To evaluate its performance as a THI, a set of phase equilibrium data are necessary. In this study, we report phase equilibrium data for systems of urea + methane + water and urea + carbon dioxide + water in the range of aqueous compositions of urea up to its solubility limits. The present data for urea + methane + water ranged in pressures from 5 to 13 MPa and in urea mass fractions from 0.05 to 0.5. The comparison with the literature found that the inhibition effect of urea is a few kelvin weaker than that of methanol in the present measurement range. With the dense urea solutions, the system reached four phase equilibrium, i.e., solid urea–aqueous solution–gas–hydrate. At 13 MPa, approximately 13 K of inhibition temperature was obtained with 0.500 of feed mass fraction where solid urea was precipitated from the aqueous phase. In the urea + carbon dioxide + water systems, urea also worked as a THI. The maximum inhibition temperature was approximately 10 K with 0.400 of urea mass feed fraction at the four phase equilibrium. Based on the present equilibrium data and seafloor conditions of the subsea methane hydrates, it was found that urea can be used for the both systems of the methane gas production and the hydrate based carbon capture and storage.

ProCon: An automated process-centric quality constraints checking framework

When dealing with safety–critical systems, various regulations, standards, and guidelines stipulate stringent requirements for certification and traceability of artifacts, but typically lack details with regards to the corresponding software engineering process. Given the industrial practice of only using semi-formal notations for describing engineering processes – with the lack of proper tool mapping – engineers and developers need to invest a significant amount of time and effort to ensure that all steps mandated by quality assurance are followed. The sheer size and complexity of systems and regulations make manual, timely feedback from Quality Assurance (QA) engineers infeasible. In order to address these issues, in this paper, we propose a novel framework for tracking, and “passively” executing processes in the background, automatically checking QA constraints depending on process progress, and informing the developer of unfulfilled QA constraints. We evaluate our approach by applying it to three case studies: a safety–critical open-source community system, a safety–critical system in the air-traffic control domain, and a non-safety–critical, web-based system. Results from our analysis confirm that trace links are often corrected or completed after the work step has been considered finished, and the engineer has already moved on to another step. Thus, support for timely and automated constraint checking has significant potential to reduce rework as the engineer receives continuous feedback already during their work step.

Security Transparency Assurance Technology for Analysis and Visualization of Software Components

Security Transparency Assurance Technology for Analysis and Visualization of Software Components

Information Security Architecture Design for Cyber-Physical Integration System of Air Traffic Management

With the continuous expansion of air traffic flow, the increasingly serious aviation network security threats have a significant and far-reaching impact on the safe operation of the aviation industry. The networked air traffic management (ATM) system is an integrated space–air–ground network integrating communication, network, satellite, and data chain technology, which adopts a network-centric structure to provide network-enabled services and applications for the air transportation system. In view of the serious network threats faced by networked ATM, this paper studies the basic theories and key technologies of ATM information security assurance and designs a credible security architecture to provide comprehensive and systematic security assurance for networked ATM. Starting from the problems and development trend of ATM security assurance, this paper investigates the dynamic and complex data processing process of ATM system, analyzes the complex interaction between its cyber and physical system, and then constructs the networked ATM cyber–physical fusion system model and threat model. Furthermore, the causal relationship between ATM security threat alert information is mapped into a Bayesian network, and the game model of networked ATM is proposed using Bayesian Nash equilibrium strategy. At last, the information security assurance architecture of networked ATM system based on blockchain technology is formed by establishing a distributed co-trust mechanism and multi-chain storage structure. We expect this paper to bring some inspiration to the related research in academia and aviation so as to provide useful reference for the construction of ATM safety and security system and the development of technology.

Numerical simulation of natural gas flow characteristics and hydrate formation risk in deepwater submarine pipelines

The development of flow assurance technology in submarine pipelines affects the safety, efficiency, and economy of deepwater natural gas development. In this study, in order to accurately predict the hydrate formation risk in deepwater submarine pipelines, a novel mathematical prediction model of hydrate formation risk has been established. The model has been applied and sensitivity analysis of typical factors has been carried out. The model prediction results show that: (1) Due to the low temperature of the seabed, hydrate formation region (HFR) often exists in submarine pipelines. (2) When other conditions are constant, hydrate formation region increases with the decrease in seawater temperature. (3) When other conditions are constant, the temperature drop, and the length of hydrate formation region decrease with the increase of gas transmission rate. (4) When other conditions are constant, the temperature drop, and the length of hydrate formation region decreases with the increase of gas transport temperature. (5) Reasonable setting of gas transmission temperature and gas transmission rate can help to reduce the hydrate risk and consumption of inhibitors during submarine natural gas transmission.

A gray correlation based Bayesian network model for fault source diagnosis of multistage process – Small sample manufacturing system

Fault source diagnosis methodology is one of the key technologies of quality control and assurance for multi-source & multi-stage manufacturing processes, especially in small sample manufacturing systems. By analyzing the existing research on fault source diagnosis methods, a Bayesian network-based methodology is proposed. Gray correlation theory and mechanism analysis method are used in the process of Bayesian network model construction to reduce the dependence of sample data size for structure learning in the process of small sample manufacturing of complex products. In addition, two fault source diagnosis methods based on manufacturing principle analysis and reverse Bayesian network respectively are proposed. The strategy of the combined use of the two methods in the actual manufacturing scenes is given to cope with the fault source diagnosis scenario in the real manufacturing process. In the end, an example from an actual factory is provided to validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model and methodologies.

Development trend of internet technology finance and information security with perspective of web based system assurance engineering

Development trend of internet technology finance and information security with perspective of web based system assurance engineering

Research on Wellbore Integrity Assurance Technology for Deepwater High-Pressure Oil and Gas Wells

Annulus pressure control is critical to well safety in deepwater oil and gas wells, and it is crucial for deepwater high-pressure oil and gas wells, which are related to production safety. At present, the deepwater annular pressure analysis model is mainly based on the trapped annulus principle. For the high annular pressure of deepwater high-pressure oil and gas wells, it brings great management and control challenges. This paper proposes a deepwater high-pressure oil and gas well annular pressure analysis method considering formation connectivity. According to the existing measures of annular pressure management and control, the differences between various types of annular pressure management and control technology are systematically analyzed and expounded, and the annular pressure management and control technology of deepwater high-pressure oil and gas wells is proposed accordingly. At the same time, combined with the actual case of a deepwater high-pressure well in the South China Sea, the annular pressure considering different influencing factors is analyzed, and the appropriate management and control methods of annular pressure are recommended. This paper systematically summarizes and studies the analysis and control technology of annular pressure in deepwater high-pressure oil and gas wells, which provides a technical basis for China’s deep water to move from conventional deepwater to deepwater high-pressure, and can provide a reference for the management and control of annular pressure in oil and gas wells in subsequent deepwater projects.

Managerial and engineering solutions made to ensure the quality of construction and installation work at various stages of the life cycle of a construction facility

Introduction. Current regulations indicate the need to ensure the quality of work performed at various stages of construction projects. Pursuant to the Urban Planning Code, quality control functions are assigned to a technical coordinator, as well as organizations that perform the work themselves. A number of approved sets of rules describe basic principles to be complied with by the companies performing this work. Research literature also focuses on and describes in detail the main problems that arise during the implementation of capital construction projects, as well as methods and techniques used to prevent and eliminate any deviations thus identified. At the same time, very few research works address fundamentals of work performance procedures and quality assurance technologies applied in the course of engineering surveying, development of design documentation and project budgets, performance of construction and installation work, operation, demolition and disposal of construction waste. These works are fragmented and disparate elements of a consolidated quality assurance system, and they need more research.
 
 Materials and methods. The author analyzed current regulations that ensure principal aspects of quality assurance at various stages of the life cycle of a construction facility. Principles of the systems approach to construction procedures and technologies, needed to ensure the pre-set parameters, are proposed. Specific conditions of construction control at the stage of engineering surveys and implementation of construction and installation works (including reconstruction, restoration, major repairs) of various classes of reliability and durability are considered.
 
 Results. Current regulations, documentation and scientific research projects, used to perform construction control, inspection of buildings and structures, as well as various types of monitoring, do not allow for the uniformity of companies responsible for quality assurance.
 
 Conclusions. The proposed systems approach to the arrangement of quality assurance work at various stages of the life cycle of a construction facility will in the shortest possible time allow for the development of uniform principles underlying the operation of entities that guarantee quality, prevent and timely identify various deviations.

Leveraging Digital Science for Improved QA Methodologies

Products and processes are using digital technology to increase manufacturing efficiency and quality. The digital revolution of the industrial industry is primarily driven by intense competition and changing customer expectations. Manufacturers may improve customer experiences, save costs, and boost speed and efficiency by using digital technologies. The application of related individual digital technologies has not been thoroughly assessed and combined to achieve adequate QA in the building sector, and as a result, it has received limited attention, despite the expanding rich and fragmented literature focusing on Industry 4.0 and Quality Assurance (QA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to collect, assess, and synthesize the existing literature on specific digital technology uses in quality assurance in the construction sector and suggest future lines of inquiry. Deming's cycle concept and a literature review methodology were used in this study to answer the following four research questions: (1) what is the literature's current state-of-the-art? (2) Which digital tools have been used in the construction sector for quality assurance? (3) Which QA process areas have seen the use of digital technology, and what are their uses? (4) What are the shortcomings of the current study and potential avenues for further investigation into digital technology for quality assurance in the construction sector? According to the data, since 2017, there has been a growing trend of study on digital technologies for quality assurance in the construction industry. Using six distinct study methodologies published throughout 18 different publishing sources, this spans 23 nations. Based on their functionality, four types of digital technologies were identified as having been used for quality assurance in the construction industry: data gathering technologies, decision-oriented technologies, collaboration technologies, and technologies linked to security and transparency. The use of digital technologies have a high degree of application during the "do" phase, enhancing the quality management procedure throughout construction towards reaching pre-stated quality standards, according to evaluation using Deming's cycle framework.

Preface to the special issue on driving safety and assurance technology for running vehicles on bridges

Preface to the special issue on driving safety and assurance technology for running vehicles on bridges

Management strategies emphasizing advanced food processing approaches to mitigate food borne zoonotic pathogens in food system

AbstractFoodborne zoonoses are the most neglected discipline due to a lack of awareness of potential health hazards, standardized detection methods, and identification of infectious host reservoirs. Food is the major carriage vehicle for the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and many outbreaks globally. Resilient surveillance and holistic intervention of effective mitigation strategies at both preharvest (bacteriophages, probiotics, vaccination, micronutrients, breeding, culling), postharvest (advanced food processing, biofilm removal, and disinfectant), retailer and consumer levels can reduce or prevent pathogens and cross‐contamination. Rapid tracking of contamination sources and identification of the route of infection should be implemented using analytical techniques for targeted detection of causative organisms and microbiological risk assessment. An overview elaborating various farm‐to‐fork pathogenic mitigation strategies at different stages of the food chain is presented. However, special emphasis is placed on the application of advanced novel food processing and preservation techniques, such as high‐pressure processing, pulsed light, ultrasound, ultraviolet light, ozone treatment, irradiation and other hurdle technologies for pathogen reduction and food quality assurance. This review will provide an overview of the overall scenario regarding foodborne pathogen–human health interactions and the possible prevention measures that would be helpful for producers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers for the safer and sustainable development of food products.

Special issue on Advanced modeling for Systems Assurance Engineering

Special issue on Advanced modeling for Systems Assurance Engineering

Three discipline collaborative radiation therapy (3DCRT) special debate: FLASH radiotherapy needs ongoing basic and animal research before implementing it to a large clinical scale.

Three discipline collaborative radiation therapy (3DCRT) special debate: FLASH radiotherapy needs ongoing basic and animal research before implementing it to a large clinical scale.

Simulation analysis and experimental research on the safety distance of UAV inspection on transmission lines

In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection has become one of the main means of daily operation and maintenance of overhead transmission lines. Since the key components of the UAV inspection system are composed of electronic components, it relies on data communication to realize data link transmission. In the actual operation process, the complex electromagnetic field environment has an obvious impact on its control and communication performance, especially when inspecting near the DC line. In this paper, combined with the research on the safety assurance technology of UAV inspection operations, the electromagnetic field simulation model of the UAV inspection operation on DC transmission lines is established. The electromagnetic field distribution around the wire is analyzed when the UAV is at different inspection distances, and the influence range and degree of the DC electromagnetic field on UAV inspection system are obtained. A true test platform for the inspection safety distance of the ±500 kV line UAV inspection was built, and the inspection safety distance test and research of the small rotary-wing UAV with a typical size, structure, and material was carried out. Through the test, when the current of the transmission line is 3 kA, the minimum safety distance of the UAV inspection operation of the ±500 kV DC transmission line straight tower is 3 m, and the distance is corrected in combination with the current. The research results of this paper can provide technical support for the inspection operation of small multi-rotor UAVs on ±500 kV transmission lines.

Hydrate Deposition Model and Flow Assurance Technology in Gas-Dominant Pipeline Transportation Systems: A Review

Hydrate Deposition Model and Flow Assurance Technology in Gas-Dominant Pipeline Transportation Systems: A Review

Explainable AI-infused ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection

While AI and imaging technologies are dramatically transforming the process and machine condition monitoring, product inspection remains confined to probing the geometry and surface morphology. Subsurface and bulk inspection remain prohibitively slow and imprecise. This paper presents an explainable AI (XAI)-infused ultrasound imaging approach for rapid detection of artifacts including product defects. The approach led to the discovery of correlated spatial patterns in the images located away from the artifacts. This discovery enabled accurate (> 80%) detection of artifacts that are not discernible with the current image segmentation methods, and it could profoundly impact product quality and (cyber)security assurance technologies.

Sensor Layout of Hoisting Machinery Vibration Monitoring Based on Harmony Genetic Search Algorithm

With the construction of automated docks, health monitoring technology as a parallel safety assurance technology for unmanned hoisting machinery has become a hot spot in the development of the industry. Hoisting machinery has a huge structure and numerous welded joints. The complexity and nonlinearity of the welded structure itself makes the structural failure parts random and difficult to arrange for monitoring sensors. In order to solve the problem of effectiveness and stability of the sensor arrangement method for monitoring the structure of hoisting machinery. Using the global and local search capabilities enhanced by the complementary search mechanism, a structural vibration monitoring sensor placement algorithm based on the harmony genetic algorithm is proposed. Firstly, the model is established for modal analysis to obtain the displacement matrix of each mode. Secondly, the optimal parameter combination is established through parameter comparison, and the random search mechanism is used to quickly search in the modal matrix to obtain the preliminary solution, and then the preliminary solution is genetically summed The mutation operation obtains the optimized solution, and the optimal solution is retained through repeated iterations to realize the decision of the vibration sensor layout of the crane structure monitoring. Combining the comparison test of harmony genetic algorithm, harmony search algorithm and genetic algorithm, the fitness of harmony genetic algorithm in <i>X</i>, <i>Y</i> and <i>Z</i> directions were 0.0045, 0.0084 and 0.0058, respectively, which were all optimal. And the average probability of deviating from the optimal path is 1.10%, 19.34%, and 54.43%, which are also optimal. Harmony genetic algorithm has the advantages of simplicity, fastness and strong global search ability, and can obtain better fitness value and better search stability.