Effective Technical Solutions Research Articles

Guest editorial: special issue on wind power technologies

Due to global concerns about environmental pollution and potential fossil energy shortage, wind energy has become a significant clean energy for electricity generation systems all over the world. In China the total installed capacity of wind power has been over 70 GW in 2012, which makes China become the country with the largest wind power installation capacity worldwide. According to the official plan of Chinese government, the installed capacity of wind power in China is expected to be 150 and 200 GW in 2015 and 2020, respectively. The report from the Global Wind Energy Council has also shown that the total installed capacity of wind power in the US has reached to 60 GW in 2012. In Europe, the European Commission published its Communication ‘‘Investing in the Development of Low Carbon Technologies (SET-Plan)’’ in October 2009, stating that wind power would be ‘‘capable of contributing up to 20 % of EU electricity by 2020 and as much as 33 % by 2030’’. However, due to the intermittence and fluctuation of wind, the increasing penetration of wind power into the transmission grid has imposed many technical challenges on maintaining the secure and stable operation and control of transmission grids. In 2011, there were 193 wind power outages occurred in China. Among them, there were 54 outages with wind power losses ranging from 100 to 500 MW, and 12 outages with wind power losses over 500 MW. Therefore, effective technical solutions associated with the grid integration of large-scale wind power, and safe and reliable operation and control of the transmission grid integrated with large-scale wind power are urgently required. This special issue is dedicated to address the challenges, experiences, and solutions for the development of wind power technologies. Eight original research papers are brought together to report the most recent advances in wind power fields, particularly in wind power forecasting, wind turbine driven generation system, wind power integration, modeling and simulation, and operation, control and dispatch of the transmission grid integrated with large-scale wind power, etc. The issue also includes three reviews about the present state of art of research on wind power technologies and the suggestions for promoting the future research in this field. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all authors who made contributions in preparing their papers, and also thank all reviewers who made their efforts to review and comment each paper. I hope this special issue will be interesting to all readers who work in the field of wind power.

3D Numerical Analysis of 2D Profile Bending with the Torque Superposed Spatial Bending Method

Engineering research, in the field of light weight design, is strongly oriented towards the development of new high strength materials and innovative forming methods, capable of withstanding limitations with regard to the wide variety of technological and economical aspects. Cost effective lightweight construction, in addition to the reduction of energy/material consumption and overall reduction of weight, also strongly depends on stability, continuity and robustness of production processes. Kinematic solutions for the production of spatial designed structures, in terms of 3D bending of profiles and tubes, show great potential in an increase of efficiency in the field of light weight design. The Torque Superposed Spatial bending method - TSS, developed at the Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Construction, Technische Universitat Dortmund, represents an innovative, robust and cost effective technical solution for 2D and 3D bending of tubes and profiles and offers a wide spectrum of capabilities, such as process continuity, parameter adaptation and flexibility for spatial bending of profiles with arbitrary cross-sections. In this paper, an introduction to 3D numerical analysis of the 2D profile bending method using TSS method is introduced and presented. The first objective of the work is to establish validity of the numerical model for the bending parameters, such as the bending force and bending momentum. Secondly, further investigations of the state of stresses and strains during load and unload conditions were performed. These are important for any further analysis and understanding of spring-back, residual stresses and cross section deformation of the profiles. The numerical simulations are performed with the use Abaqus software code, with elastic plastic material characteristics, and are, for the purpose of validation, compared to experimental data.

An Overview of Fire Risk and Fire Protection Solutions for Wind Turbines

To search effective technical solutions to control fire risk of wind turbines, based on the risk system composed of “Human- Equipment - Environment – Management” in safety systems engineering theory, the four main aspects of wind turbines fire risk, i.e., lightning strikes and bad weather, mechanical and electrical equipment failure, human errors and poor management and fire protection systems missing, were pointed out. The fire risk and fire risk control measures of wind turbines were analyzed, the progress of fire detection technology and fire protection solutions of wind turbines were reviewed. The results show that, to develop and equip with high-performance automatic fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems is the inevitable choice to effectively control the fire risk of wind turbines.

Effective technical solutions for the refining of steel from nonmetallic inclusions in continuous caster tundishes

The technical solutions proposed for modifying the internal structure of the tundishes in slab continuous casters and intended to increase the quality of slabs and sheet rolled products are subjected to pilot tests.

The Commercial Bank Card System Based on SOA

SOA has been the effective technical solution to enterprise application integration and business process rebuilding. The paper presents a reference implementation scheme of Commercial Bank Card System based on SOA. In requirement tier, the implementation plan first establishes the full concept model and logical model of Commercial Bank Card System from business request(business use case-business step-atomic business) to system request (system use case-system step-atomic component), then in semantics tier, we give out full description of the model through the combination of OWL and BPEL. At last a SOA’s three-tier framework of “requirement-semantics-service” has been built for the Commercial Band Card System.

The Circumferential Thigh Lift and Vertical Extension Circumferential Thigh Lift

Excess skin and soft tissue of the thighs after massive weight loss (MWL) can present with varying degrees of severity. The classic medial thigh lift has considerable limitations in the postbariatric population, inspiring the quest for safer and more effective technical solutions. In this study, the circumferential thigh lift (CTL), and CTL with vertical extension, predicated on a theoretical and technical approach that improves safety and aesthetics in thighplasty after MWL, is described and evaluated. Nine patients were treated; all patients experienced MWL and all had previously undergone first-stage contouring with circumferential abdominal dermolipectomy. Patients were treated with a prone-to-supine approach with concomitant suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL). Lumbar and lateral thigh and infragluteal skin and fat were excised to the midaxillary lines and medial thigh meridians. Direct excision of anterolateral thigh skin was carried in a superficial plane into the medial thigh to confluence with the posterior excision. No direct undermining of any skin margin was performed. When soft-tissue excess is limited to the proximal third of the thigh, a horizontal excision pattern is used; with middle and lower one-third thigh excess, a vertical extension is employed. The medial superficial fascial system is anchored to the superficial perineal fascia. Data were reviewed retrospectively. In the 9 procedures performed, 3 achieved MWL by nonsurgical means, and 6 underwent bariatric surgery (bypass or band). Three patients were treated with CTL, and 6 with CTL with vertical extension. There were 3 seromas (33%) treated with percutaneous aspiration. There was 1 case of cellulitis (11%) treated successfully with in-office incision and drainage, and oral antibiotics. There were no hematomas, skin loss, wound dehiscences, lymphedema, or vulvar distortions. The circumferential excision of thigh excess without direct undermining allows for the maintenance of a rich blood supply to skin margins, and concomitant SAL improves thigh contour while providing discontinuous thigh undermining. Anchoring of the superficial fascial system to superficial perineal fascia reinforces the medial lift and prevents scar migration. CTL with or without vertical extension can be combined with SAL to maximize safety and aesthetic results after MWL.

Of silver bullets and red herrings: invited commentary to Fisk et al.

A ‘red herring’ is something that diverts attention from a topic or line of inquiry (Collins 2009). We believe that the main line of argument in the Viewpoint by Fisk et al. (2011) constitutes such a red herring. By enthusiastically promoting investment in Research & Development (R&D) for new drugs and diagnostic techniques, the authors divert attention from the top priorities in maternal and perinatal health in lowand middle-income countries. These priorities are (as Fisk et al. state in their paper): providing access to comprehensive reproductive health services, to skilled care during and immediately after childbirth, and to emergency care when life-threatening complications develop (International Women’s Health Program 2009). Fisk et al. do not challenge that health services in lowand middle-income countries need to be improved. But they anticipate new pharmaceutical products and diagnostic techniques which they imply will make independent contributions towards improving maternal and perinatal health – provided that there will be increased investment in R&D. We are not told what exactly these products will be like. They are so far entirely hypothetical, but will supposedly offer effective technical solutions to longstanding social and health problems. One can see Fisk et al. Viewpoint as visionary – or as peddling ‘silver bullets’, magically simple solutions to longstanding, complex problems. With their message, Fisk et al. risk diverting not only attention but also scarce resources – in the worst case, away from the health care services in need of improvement.

Sustainable Use of Arsenic-Removing Sand Filters in Vietnam: Psychological and Social Factors

Elevated arsenic concentrations in drinking water pose a health threat to millions of people. Although point-of-use sand filters provide an effective technical solution for mitigating arsenic exposure, the actual reduction in health risk also depends on psychological factors that influence behaviors related to this device. For example, acquiring a sand filter must be preferred to competing options for investing effort and money and, once installed, the users must regularly maintain the filters. These key behaviors of sustainable use are related to psychological factors, such as problem awareness, benefits and costs, social and affective influences, and the perception of practical difficulties. This study investigated the sustainable use of arsenic-removing sand filters in Vietnam. Based on questionnaire surveys, data were gathered in 319 rural households and analyzed with regression models. Psychological factors explained significant variance in the investigated key behaviors. Significant factors included perceived improvements in water healthiness and taste, monetary costs, social norms, and affective influences. In questions with open answers, interviewees mentioned various practical problems, particularly those related to the inflexibility of the device and the effort of changing the sand. Interestingly, many interviewees operate the sand filters for removing iron from the water but are unaware of problems with arsenic.

Traceability of mass measurements in Estonia

Realization of the national mass scale for the optimal coverage of the industrial need for the mass calibrations at the Estonian national metrology institute, AS Metrosert, is described. The cost effective technical solutions to meet the calibration requirements of the advised OIML class E1 weights have been established. The traceability to the International Prototype Kilogram, the measurement capability achieved, and the results of participation in international comparisons are described in detail. The actual need for the mass calibrations in Estonia with respect to the measurement capability of the laboratory is estimated.

Core Sustainable Values: Examining the Consideration and Influence of Social Factors within Sustainable Technologies

Sustainable technologies appears to focus, as the name suggests, on the technological considerations, following more of a ‘how it works’ or ‘can do’ approach to sustainability. As sustainable concerns appear increasingly prevalent within engineering and design developments, immense practical knowledge is being developed which advances this area further. Moreover, users are progressively aware of the importance of sustainability and are driving demand further, commercially, to develop outcomes with a sustainable label attached. This paper draws from various multi-disciplinary research and theoretical concepts to examine the social influence within sustainable technologies. From this, debate surrounding sustainability can be opened up to a more rounded and responsible perspective. Social considerations are seen in this paper as fundamental to sustainable technology, not only in being classified as sustainable but also producing effective and understandable technical solutions for users.

Utilization of decomposition gases in atmospheric-vacuum tubestill units

Negative sides of process-flow diagrams for utilization of acidic decomposition gases from vacuum towers of production atmospheric-vacuum tubestill units in the radiation chambers of active furnaces at oil refineries (OR) are examined. New flow diagrams for utilization of decomposition gases from vacuum towers are proposed: adsorption of hydrogen sulfide by amine solutions; and combustion in a firebox using a special lining. It is pointed out that utilization of decomposition from vacuum towers in a firebox with subsequent recuperation of the heat of exiting exhaust gases and warming of a thermal agent is an economically effective technical solution recommended for implementation at OR.

Nuclear Energy in a Global Context

This paper is a brief overview of the perspectives of development on nuclear power and nuclear wastes management in a global context. In contrast to a few years ago, nuclear energy is now considered by several countries as an important part of their future energy portfolio. Effective technical solutions for the long-term management of the radioactive wastes produced by current reactors are an industrial reality. Although practical experience in building and operating geologic repositories for high-level waste is still mainly limited to a few pilot-scale facilities, there is today a high level of confidence within the scientific and technical community that the geologic repository approach is capable of safely isolating the waste from the biosphere for as long as it poses significant risks.

The trend toward development of tank furnaces in production of sheet glass

The cardinal changes in the design of sheet glass tank furnaces that significantly improve the technical and economic indexes are examined. The most effective technical solutions are the change in the design of the feed pocket, burners, regenerators, and knuckle and equipping them with modern process equipment and highly stable refractories.

Time scales as a factor in decision-making by French farmers on weed management in annual crops

The aim of this research was to improve the advice given by extension institutions to French farmers and to develop a Decision Support System (DSS) for weed control that would match the practical approach adopted by farmers. Farmers running 15 farms with different farming systems in different regions completed comprehensive interviews which allowed them to explain how they deal with weeds. We built temporal diagrams for crop management sequences and decision making. This paper describes the basic framework common to all the farmers interviewed. Each farmer employed pre-established weed control programmes. When designing these programmes, farmers integrated different time scales: the current year, the rotation, and the long term. In the short term, they considered the risks of yield losses and/or lower harvest quality plus harvesting difficulties. In the medium term, they anticipated the risk of finding a weed species in another crop of the rotation where control would be difficult or costly, weighing the risks of yield loss against the cost and effectiveness of solutions, not only in the current crop but also in subsequent crops, so that once again, the rotation was the central focus of weed control. In the long term, their main aim was to limit the soil seed bank to an acceptable level. The farmers interviewed stated that they would continue to implement a weed control programme that they deemed satisfactory as long as no new problem appeared, and until they could learn about more effective technical solutions. When designing a DSS that will ensure successful, more sustainable weed management practices, it is crucial to take account of both the complexity of the decision-making process and the multicriteria nature of decision making.

Global atmospheric change and the UK refrigeration industry: redefining problems and contesting solutions

The paper relates the ‘global’ to the ‘local’ through examination of the impacts of recent concerns regarding global atmospheric change (stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change) upon thinking and practices within sections of the British refrigeration industry. Complementing political studies of the effects of international agreements to curb the production and emission of gases implicated in atmospheric change, attention is paid to the attitudes and understandings of individual managers and owners responsible for decision-making within the industry. Information derived from the trade press and interviews with managers reveals important areas of uncertainty and dispute. This has implications for the ecological modernisation thesis, which views commercial innovation as a means to secure effective technical solutions to environmental problems. Currently, within refrigeration, no single technology unambiguously satisfies the full range of performance and environmental criteria. Not only are the attributes of particular technologies debated, but the environmental criteria on which performance is judged are also disputed, reflecting different constructions of the relative importance of ozone depletion, direct global warming impact, energy efficiency and indirect warming impact. Yet individual businesses do not, and cannot, have a rational and environmentally informed basis on which to judge the trade-offs which they are forced to make.

The workflow system and its applications

Recent information technological advances have led to the workflow system that provides an effective technical solution for productivity improvement and business process reengineering. Workflow is a network of activities, also commonly known as a business process, defined for a specific business objective. The fundamental principle of workflow technology is the separation of business process from (software) applications and data. This implies a flexible, adaptable system that can support dynamic business changes. This flexibility, however, is not built upon complexity. Instead, the system should be easily modified for a new business environment. On the other hand, a good workflow system facilitates individual tasks, and collectively the entire business process by providing accurate inputs (data, forms tools) and effective routing control. Workflow technology has a wide range of applications and, when appropriately implemented, can increase productivity, reduce operating costs, improve response to customer requests and shorten the business process cycle. A great opportunity for a company is in evidence to advance its competition edge to a new level through implementation of workflow technology in the next few years. This paper discusses workflow environments, system components, architecture, integrated applications for external program execution, and future trends.

Insertion of a Straight Peritoneal Catheter in an Arcuate Subcutaneous Tunnel by a Tunneler: Long Term Experience

This study describes the results of the insertion of a straight Tenckhoff peritoneal catheter (PC) in an arcuate, caudally concave tunnel using a tunneler designed by the authors. It has a semicircular shape and a bending radius of 4.5 cm. A hospital renal unit. From June 1988 to February 1994, 112 straight Tenckhoff PCs, 62 with one deep cuff (single-cuff PC) and 50 with two cuffs (double-cuff PC), were inserted as first catheters in 112 patients (mean age 62 +/- 13 years), who underwent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The follow-up was 1099 months (mean 18 +/- 13 months) for single-cuff PCs and 1264 months (mean 25 +/- 15 months) for double-cuff PCs, respectively. After intraperitoneal placement of the PCs by median laparotomy, a 180 degrees arc bend tunnel, with both external and peritoneal exits directed downwards, was created by means of the tunneler. The rate of exit-site infection (ESI) was 0.27 episodes/year (epis/year). The probability of remaining ESI-free was 76%, 60%, and 55% at 1, 2, and 3 years. The rate of tunnel infection (TI) was 0.046 epis/year. The incidence of the double-cuff PC-related ESI and TI tended to be lower than the incidence observed with the single-cuff PC. Episodes of peritonitis were 60 (0.30 epis/year), where 6 were subsequent to ESI and/or TI. Two PCs were lost due to ESI, 3 due to TI, and 11 due to peritonitis. Drainage failure, due to displacement of the PC caused by straightening, involved 3 PCs; 2 were lost. PC survival was 92%, 82%, and 74% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. By an easily used semicircular tunneler, the standard straight Tenckhoff PC can be stably positioned in an arcuate tunnel with both inner and outer exits directed downwards. This tunnel shape, as already suggested by some authors, appears to be an effective technical solution to reducing the PC-related complication rates.

Conversion of the "Sarcophagus" of the chernobyl nuclear plant into an underground radiation shield

The {open_quotes}sarcophagus,{close_quotes} made as the primary construction for confining radionuclides during the post-accident period, is exhausting its protective capabilities, and this is cause for alarm. The competition conducted in Ukraine in 1993 did not yield a sufficiently effective technical solution to convert it into an ecologically safe system. The competition commission preferred the French design in which a second {open_quotes}sarcophagus{close_quotes} is build above the first one and all structures (more than 200,000 m{sup 3}) and destroyed fuel elements (more than 150 tonnes) are to be completely disassembled, decontaminated, and stored in special dumps. Such a technical solution is difficult to implement, it is expensive, and it is ecologically unreliable, i.e. {open_quotes}Chernobyl affiliates{close_quotes} are created (of course, not in France but in Ukraine). This article discusses the possibility of burying the sarcophagus in soil.

The Integral Effect and the Time Factor

The modern principles used in determining the economic effectiveness of socialist production, scientific and technological progress, and capital investment are based on Marxist economic theory, on the knowledge and utilization of the economic laws of socialism, and on vast experience in planning and management. They are conditional on the long-term objectives of socialist society, which are aimed at raising the living standard of the people and at making use of the attainments of the scientific and technological revolution, and they are based on the varied practical experience of planning, scientific, design, and economic organizations in determining priority socioeconomic tasks and the most effective economic and technical solutions.