Modification Of Configuration Research Articles

Signal-Centric Framework Based on Probability of Detection for Real-Time Reliability of Concrete Damage Inspection

Passive nondestructive testing (NDT) methods allow one to detect damage by the energies emitted from the internal processes. While the test conditions can be controlled and repeatable, obtained data are random, and the probability of detection (PoD) is affected. However, in concrete with complex fracture behavior, factors such as signal attenuation, sensor-damage distance, and test configuration influence the reliability of the test. The conventional practice of proceeding without assessing credibility prevents the ability to determine whether a configuration modification is required, necessitating reassessment. The main objective of this study is to develop a signal-centric framework to enhance the real-time reliability of inspection by investigating the PoD of acoustic emission (AE), a widely used passive NDT method for the real-time monitoring of structures. This study’s purpose is to evaluate the mechanical processes and the passive signal responses, emphasizing the detectability of cracking in concrete with two PoD approaches, namely, amplitude- and energy-based PoDs. Additionally, critical signal signatures, namely, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and frequency, were pinpointed for their direct influence on the detectability of the crack. With the outcomes obtained, a novel framework, which aims to provide an adaptive evaluation of the PoD of the technique, was suggested to achieve the desired quality in the damage detection of structures.

Lithium–Sulfur Solid-State Electrolyte (Polymers, Oxides and Sulfides) Batteries with a High-Loading Polysulfide Cathode

Introduction Since the introduction of lithium-ion batteries in 1990, the steady growth in volume and performance of lithium-ion cell components and batteries has demonstrated their strong demand in the high-energy-density energy-storage market. The commercial lithium-ion cells adopt the stable intercalation reaction to enable the reversible insertion of lithium ions between layered oxide cathodes and graphite anodes, resulting in the high energy density (100–350 Wh kg–1) and long-term cycling capability (1,000 cycles) that outperform other rechargeable batteries. However, after three decades of research, the charge-storage capacities of the electrode active materials are approaching their theoretical values (200–300 mAh g–1), while the cost of the electrode continues to increase. This limits the improvement of the energy density of lithium-ion cells, which has reduced the annual growth rate from 7% to 2%, making it difficult to supply the energy-storage market of more than 1,500 GWh in 2030. In response to these challenges, next-generation batteries are being developed, focusing on electrochemical cells to achieve high reversible energy storage and competitive prices and solid-state electrolytes for enhanced stability and improved energy density. Both developments aim at achieving new energy density records (300–500 Wh kg–1 and 700–800 Wh L–1) that would enable electric vehicles to surpass conventional vehicles in range, while reducing cell costs. Results and Discussion In this presentation, we will present the designs of the next-generation rechargeable cells aimed at overcoming the bottleneck faced by current commercial lithium-ion cells. From the materials science point of view, the lithium–sulfur battery is the most promising candidate because of its high energy density, low cost, and low toxicity. On the other hand, from the materials engineering point of view, the solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity are proposed to increase the energy density, cyclability, and safety of the batteries through configuration modification. To adopt the advantages of these two novel battery technologies, we report an integrated design of the lithium–sulfur electrochemical cell with the solid-state electrolyte as a lithium–sulfur solid-state electrolyte cell. The lithium–sulfur electrochemical cell employs a high-sulfur-loading polysulfide cathode to achieve high energy density and to form a smooth ion-transfer interface between the catholyte and the solid-state electrolyte. On the other hand, the solid-state electrolyte provides excellent stability and safety to the cells by stabilizing the polysulfide cathode and protecting the lithium anode. The resulting cell design demonstrates the new battery materials and configurations, which include the development of a high-performance polysulfide cathode, the design and synthesis of solid-state electrolytes (i.e., polymer, oxide, and sulfide-based electrolytes), and the cell integration and interface analytical method. Our battery technologies enable the design of lithium–sulfur solid-state electrolyte batteries to achieve high sulfur loadings (4–16 mg cm–2) and high sulfur contents (50–80 wt%), which are better than those of current lithium–sulfur batteries that aim to be 5–10 mg cm–2 and 70 wt%. With the high sulfur loading, the lithium–sulfur solid-state electrolyte batteries exhibit high areal capacity (5–7 mA·h cm–2) and energy density (11–15 mW·h cm–2). Both values are higher than those of commercial lithium-ion cells for electric vehicles. Moreover, the cell has a long cyclability (100–200 cycles) and high rate capability (C/20 to 1C rate). Conclusion In summary, we report in the presentation a summary of our lithium–sulfur solid-state electrolyte batteries with a high-loading polysulfide cathode. The solid-state electrolytes stabilize the polysulfide cathode and the electrochemical reaction of lithium–sulfur batteries, while the stabilized polysulfide cathode forming a stable ionic conductive interface between the cathode and the solid-state electrolytes. Our lithium–sulfur solid-state electrolyte cells demonstrate outstanding battery-design parameters, excellent cell-performance values, and advanced interface analytical method. Both are essential for the commercial development of advanced next-generation rechargeable batteries. References L.-L. Chiu, S.-H. Chung, J. Mater. Chem. A 2022, 10, 13719.Y.-J. Yen, S.-H. Chung, J. Mater. Chem. A 2023, 11, 4519.Y.-C. Huang, B.-X. Ye, S.-H. Chung, RSC Adv. 2024, 14, 4025.

Modelling the Nickel Electroforming Process of a Mechanical Vane Fit for Industry 4.0

Electrochemical forming is a chemical additive manufacturing process employed for the development of a variety of niche components, from micro-manufacturing to “heavy industry”. As the Industry 4.0 era unfolds, there is a need to develop models for electroforming which are based on electrochemically sound data. For modelling to be useful, physical and electrochemical parameters which could play a significant role in process optimisation and scaling up should be examined, followed by continuous cross-validation through appropriate experiments and measurements. That way a model can be a valuable aid, allowing predictability in tooling, piloting, and manufacturing in a reliable manner, while minimising the number of manufacturing trials and process waste [1].In this presentation we aim to discuss the experimental and modelling studies conducted as part of an attempt to predict the electroforming of a vane part used in aerospace applications. Mechanical vanes play an integral role in gas turbine engine design and, therefore, are of great industrial interest. Since their main function is to guide and optimise the air flow as the fluid moves through the engine, their design must abide by strict profile and thickness requirements, followed by low tolerances during manufacturing [2]. As near net shape parts, vanes are an interesting challenge for the electroforming process.In that effort, the effect of physical and electrochemical parameters on an electroformed vane was studied and a well-informed modelling tool, using COMSOL Multiphysics, was developed for modelling its industrial electroforming process. The model was subsequently validated through experiments.Following comprehensive scaling-up studies of nickel electroforming on a lab-scale rotating disk electrode (RDE), it was previously established that secondary current distribution could adequately simulate the forming process [3]. Subsequently, experiments were carried out in an industrial piloting tank utilising an industrial vane mandrel. Qualitative analysis of experimental results was carried out to determine process characteristics such as the deposition rate, the direction in which material deposition takes place on the surface, as well as to determine the process predictability. Moving forward, simulations of deposition at current densities up to ~ 5 A/dm2 were run and validated against experimentally achieved thicknesses. Attention was especially focused on the rate with which deposition evolves at the tip of the vane mandrel (“nose”) and the rate at its front and side faces (sides) to determine whether industry requirements for a thick “nose” against thinner sides could be met. The last part of the investigation included the micro-structural characterisation of the electroformed vanes.Simulations of the process at applied currents ≤5 ASD predicted thickness distribution at the sides in reasonably good agreement with the experimentally observed one. However, thickness at the “nose” area was under-predicted by almost 30%. On the other hand, simulations of the process at applied currents >5 ASD underpredicted both the thicknesses at the “nose” and those at the sides of the part. Nevertheless, it is proposed that the model can still be used for qualitative predictions of the growth of the deposit.Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the microstructure of the electroform and the purity of nickel. Imaging suggested that pyramid-shaped nickel particles evolve during deposition. Another interesting observation revealed a periodicity in the growth mechanism which leads to “necklace”-like zones of ~ 100 μm in thickness at the “nose”. It is proposed that these periodic zones might coincide with a periodic regeneration of the active NiOHads intermediate.Lastly, a qualitative assessment of the COMSOL Multiphysics model’s ability to simulate the effect of “masks on the electroforming process was carried out. Even though the relevant modelling results were not validated through practical experiments, the simulations strongly indicated that current distribution and, consequently, thickness distribution of demanding geometries could be efficiently controlled by the use of “masks” which could potentially be an important aid in the efforts to decrease dendritic growth at mandrel leading edges, just through modifications of the process setup configuration. Specifically, a “shell-type mask” configuration studied in this work was found to be significantly effective, “guiding” the current towards the “nose” and away from the leading edges. That way the desired thickness profile of the final product could imitate the target thickness profiles much closer than in the case when no “mask” is used.

DDPM investigation on centrifugal slurry pump with inlet and sideline configuration retrofit

The inlet and sideline configuration modifications are widely investigated to alter regional particle fluid flow conditions, considering pressure, turbulence and erosion, therefore to improve energy saving and compartment longevity of centrifugal slurry pump. This paper aims to analyse pump hydraulic and erosion characteristics with proposed pump sideline and inlet configuration retrofit by the DDPM method. Specifically, the inlet guide vane number () and angle (), and sidelining vane (SDV) curvature are investigated in quantitative manner. Accordingly, by adjusting inlet vane configuration and placement, a trade-off between wall erosion and hydraulic performance is observed. The sidelining vane (SDV) design is suggested to avoid resultant counter-current flow formulation, therefore, to mitigate turbulence induced erosion in impeller and volute. However, the SDV modification effect on pump hydraulic head and efficiency is found marginal. In general, this study offers realistic guideline for performance improvement and device upgrading of centrifugal slurry pumps.

Unraveling the alternative process configurations for more environmentally friendly Maleic Anhydride production

This study aims to propose and evaluate alternative configurations for producing maleic anhydride (MA) through the n-butane oxidation pathway to enhance overall environmental friendliness. Seven alternative configurations, which vary in the number of non-adiabatic reactors and heat exchange methods, as well as the stripping agents used for recovering MA in the purification section, are rigorously designed and comprehensively compared. Among the proposed configurations, we have found that the one utilizing single reactor with co-current cooling and water as the stripping agent (Scheme 2) shows the most promise. It has an optimal yield of 70.0 %, an energy efficiency of 97.52 %, and exergy efficiency of 44.92 %. A cradle-to-gate life cycle impact assessment determines a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 0.091 kg-CO2eq/kg-MA from this scheme. In contrast, a techno-economic evaluation determines a minimum required selling price (MRSP) of 0.965 USD/kg-MA from this scheme. All these indicators are superior compared to those documented in the existing literature, suggesting a higher level of environmental friendliness. Subsequently, a suitable control strategy is proposed for the optimized Scheme 2 and evaluated by rejecting various kinds of feed disturbances (i.e., ± 10 % change in feed flowrate, ± 5 % change in molten salt flowrate, 1 % and 2 % of i-butane as feed impurity, and catalyst deactivation up to 40 %). Enhanced controllability is achieved by regulating the flowrate ratio between the flashed liquid and the n-butane (FL/NBU), which promptly indicates the reaction conversion during production. Based on the findings, we have concluded that overall environmental friendliness can be significantly enhanced with moderate modifications in the process configuration, which are easily feasible in the industry.

Boosting the active sites of Cu/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalysts through tailored precipitation method

A reverse co-precipitation method was employed to increase the surface area of Ce0.8Zr0.2O2, resulting in boosting the active sites of Cu catalysts in the water–gas shift reaction (WGS). Active Cu sites and oxygen vacancy have been systematically controlled through the modification of physical properties and geometric configuration via a reverse co-precipitation of Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 support. The catalytic activity in WGS is primarily dependent on the number of active Cu species and is partially on the oxygen storage capacity. The kinetic results with Cu loadings revealed that the efficiency of active metal utilization was effectively enhanced by a reverse co-precipitation method, compared to the normal precipitation method, owing to the moderate metal–support interactions. The turnover frequency values were independent of Cu dispersion, highlighting the structure-insensitivity of Cu/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalysts. This work suggests the possibility of controlling metal–support interactions through support synthesis methods.

Thermo- economic feasibility of solar-assisted regeneration in post-combustion carbon capture: A diglycolamine-based case

The solvent regeneration in the post-combustion carbon capture process usually relies on steam from the power plant steam cycle. This heat duty is one of the challenges of energy consumption in PCC (Post-combustion Carbon Capture). However, this practice results in a significant energy penalty, leading to a substantial reduction in the capacity of the Power Plant, estimated to be between 19.5 and 40 %. This paper investigate the techno-economic feasibility of a solar-assisted regeneration process for the PCC industrial scale with diglycolamine solvent. The study aims to assess the impact of system configuration modifications, such as LVC (Lean Vapor Compression), SPCC (Solar Post-combustion Carbon Capture), and combinations of trough or compound solar collectors with LVC, on energy efficiency and overall plant performance. With 3E analysis for SPCC configuration results show that this configuration. However, reducing energy consumption and energy penalty factor, exhibits a decrease in exergy and exergoeconomic efficiency compared to the other configurations in terms of exergy and exergoeconomic aspects. However, the LVC + SCSS (Solar Combined Separator-Stripper) configuration demonstrates the best performance across the 3E aspects, resulting in a reduction energy penalty to 12.2 % and improvements of 38 % and 4.2 % in exergy and exergoeconomic factors, respectively.

Energy consumption optimization of CO2 capture and compression in natural gas combined cycle power plant through configuration modification and process integration

Currently, natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants account for a quarter of global electricity power supply and lead to greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of the most effective technologies to reduce carbon emissions in the short term. However, the monoethanolamine (MEA)-based CO2 absorption and compression process is energy-intensive, which significantly reduces the power generation efficiency of NGCC. In addition, the waste hot and cold energy from NGCC and liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification process, which are generally wasted, can be recovered for the CCS process. Therefore, this study aims to reduce the energy consumption of the carbon capture process and recover waste LNG cold energy and hot energy in the NGCC through configuration modification and process integration. The results show that the energy consumption of CO2 regeneration in the proposed CO2 capture process configuration is reduced by 18.03 %, and the net power efficiency of the NGCC plant increases from 48.88 % to 50.10 %. Furthermore, a cascade two-stage organic Rankine cycle is integrated into the system for waste heat recovery, which can generate 5.04 MW electric power and reduce the efficiency penalty of the plant from 13.72 % to 10.29 %. By contrast, the alternative application of LNG cold energy to the CO2 compression process reduces compression power by 3.95 MW with a lower footprint and utility requirement while the efficiency penalty is decreased by 3.15 %.

Improving the performance of a shell and tube latent heat thermal energy storage through modifications of heat transfer pipes: A comprehensive investigation on various configurations

The modification of the geometric configurations of heat transfer pipes in shell and tube Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) systems not only enhances the melting process of the phase change material (PCM) but also improves the overall performance of these systems. This study aims to investigate ways to enhance the performance of LHTES systems by employing heat transfer pipes with various fin and twisted tape arrangements in a horizontal orientation. The Finite Volume Method and Enthalpy-Porosity method are employed to simulate the melting process. Stearic acid is used as the PCM material, while water serves as the heat transfer fluid. Eight different geometric configurations are modelled in the LHTES system: base case, horizontal fins, vertical fins, helical fins, horizontal tape, vertical tape, twisted tape and helical fins with twisted tape. The results show that within the time range of 0 and 29 min, the combined configuration of helical fins with twisted tape consistently demonstrates the fastest melting process. After 29 min, the configuration with vertical fins exhibits a marginally faster melting process than the combined configuration of helical fins with twisted tape. The configurations involving tapes also contribute to accelerated melting, although to a lesser extent than those with fins. Particularly, twisted tape proves highly effective in facilitating faster melting. The complete melting process times for configurations with vertical fins, helical fins, and combined helical fins with twisted tape are 38.7 %, 23.5 % and 32.7 % faster compared to the base case which is ∼69 min. Among the configurations, using tapes results in higher flow resistance and surface area compared to the base case. The attractive features of these configurations make them ideal for creating efficient and space-saving energy storage systems. This study provides crucial insights into essential heat and mass transfer processes, which can be leveraged to develop advanced LHTES systems for enhanced performance and sustainable energy solutions.

The origin of exceptionally large ductility in molybdenum alloys dispersed with irregular-shaped La2O3 nano-particles

Molybdenum and its alloys are known for their superior strength among body-centered cubic materials. However, their widespread application is hindered by a significant decrease in ductility at lower temperatures. In this study, we demonstrate the achievement of exceptional ductility in a Mo alloy containing rare-earth La2O3 nanoparticles through rotary-swaging, a rarity in Mo-based materials. Our analysis reveals that the large ductility originates from substantial variations in the electronic density of states, a characteristic intrinsic to rare-earth elements. This characteristic can accelerate the generation of oxygen vacancies, facilitating the amorphization of the oxide-matrix interface. This process promotes vacancy absorption and modification of dislocation configurations. Furthermore, by inducing irregular shapes in the La2O3 nanoparticles through rotary-swaging, incoming dislocations interact with them, creating multiple dislocation sources near the interface. These dislocation sources act as potent initiators at even reduced temperatures, fostering diverse dislocation types and intricate networks, ultimately enhancing dislocation plasticity.

Novel integration of thermoelectric distiller with direct contact membrane distillation

A thermoelectric distiller (TED) integrated with a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) unit was proposed and numerically investigated. The mathematical models of the hybrid TED--–DCMD system were developed and validated. In the proposed hybrid system, the TED provides the heating demand of the DCMD desalination unit in four novel configurations of TED-DCMD integration. The first configuration integrates the TED-DCMD by adding a DCMD heat exchanger coil inside the condensation tank of a TED, while the second configuration involves two TED condensation tanks with each tank containing a DCMD heat exchanger coil. The third configuration also consists of two TED tanks with an external heat exchanger where thermal energy from the TED produced water is transferred to the DCMD feed stream. The fourth configuration is a modification of the second configuration with a thermal recovery from TED produced water for inlet feed water preheating. To investigate the performance (distillate productivity, specific energy consumption, coefficient of performance, and ratio of TED productivity) of each integrated TED-DCMD configuration, the effects of different operating parameters such as DCMD feed flow rate, TEM current, number of TEMs, and TED produced water temperature were examined. Findings indicated that the third configuration is the most energy efficient, with specific energy consumption (SEC) reaching a minimum value of 217 kWh/m3 at low current operation of 2.1 A, and feed flow rate of 4.0 L/min for 8.0 TEMs in the TED. A maximum freshwater productivity and COPh of 2.74 kg/s and 3.24, are attained by the 4th and 3rd configurations, respectively. Results also indicated that elevating the current input encourages higher water productivity. Meanwhile, higher values of SEC and water productivity are attained when operating TED at saturation temperature.

Vortex synchronization-enabled heat-transfer enhancement in a channel with backward- and forward-facing steps

A channel with one backward-facing step and one forward-facing step is a typical configuration in engineering applications. In the channel, good heat transfer performance is often required, and the enhancement is usually achieved by employing different passive control methods, such as modification of geometric configuration or application of nanofluid. However, the other control method, i.e., active flow control (AFC), which is likely more effective, has been rarely applied in such a scenario. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring how a rigid plate affects the heat transfer of the channel. The plate either is stationary or actively rotates, corresponding to passive flow control or AFC. The influences of the horizontal position of the plate (S) and its orientation angle (θ) on the heat transfer performance are studied when the plate is stationary to provide a baseline. Compared to the baseline, the effects of S, θ, and the rotation frequency (fr) are revealed when the plate undergoes a sinusoidal rotation. Such a thermo-fluid dynamic problem is numerically simulated by the immersed-boundary lattice Boltzmann method. The results show that the plate can improve the heat transfer performance no matter whether it rotates or not, compared to the case without a plate. The rotating plate outperforms the stationary one when θ and fr are properly chosen at each S. Substantial improvement can be achieved when vortex synchronization or resonance occurs in the channel, i.e., when the natural vortex shedding frequency is close or equal to fr.

Effect of transglutaminase in conjunction with glucono‐δ‐lactone treatment on the antigenicity and conformational structure of β‐conglycinin

SummaryIn this study, β‐conglycinin was treated with transglutaminase (TGase) and glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL) to meticulously examine the resulting changes in both antigenicity and structural attributes. The findings elucidated a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the antigenicity of β‐conglycinin to 72.1% and 77.5% after the modified treatment employing TGase alone or in conjunction with GDL, respectively, in contrast to the untreated samples. Electrophoretic analysis showed a decrease in the density of 7S α, 7S α′, and 7S β, indicating the formation of high molecular weight protein aggregates because of the catalytic effect of TGase. Additionally, the simultaneous application of TGase and GDL induced modifications in the structural configuration of β‐conglycinin, as evidenced by a decrease in intrinsic fluorescence intensity, an augmentation in surface hydrophobicity, and a transition from β‐sheet to β‐turn and random coil structures. These observed alterations suggest that the decline in antigenicity is intricately linked to conformational changes, potentially influencing the exposure of antigenic epitopes. Overall, this study holds significant theoretical and practical implications for the development of hypoallergenic soy products and the enhancement of food safety.

ERSN-OpenMC-Py: A python-based open-source software for OpenMC Monte Carlo code

The graphical user interface is a key element in facilitating the use of complex simulation software. This project describes the development of a graphical user interface called “ERSN-OpenMC-Py” for an existing neutron simulation code, OpenMC. The main goal is to make simulation more accessible to a wider audience by providing a user-friendly and intuitive user interface. The process of developing the graphical user interface is described in detail, including the different stages of development such as user interface design, user interface implementation, and user interface integration with the OpenMC simulation code. The development tools used, such as Python3 and PyQt5, are also explained. The user interface allows the user to control the simulation parameters and interact with the simulation results. Key features of the user interface include visualization of simulation results, modification of simulation parameters, saving and loading simulation configurations, as well as managing output files. The end result is a functional user interface that allows users to easily visualize simulation results and control simulation parameters in an intuitive manner. This user interface also provides a better user experience for non-programming experts who wish to use the simulation code for their own projects. Program summaryProgram Title: ERSN-OpenMC-Py, version 1.0CPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/83xrdht7mz.1Developer's repository link:https://github.com/mohamedlahdour/ERSN-OpenMC-PyLicensing provisions: GPLv2Programming language: Python 3External routines/libraries: NumPy, Matplotlib, PyQt5Nature of problem: The program is designed to be utilized in the everyday workflow for tasks such as preparing input files for the OpenMC code and analyzing the resulting calculations.Solution method: The graphical user interface of the OpenMC is created using PyQt5. Figures are plotted by means of matplotlib library.

Review on Comparative Study of Solid Polymer Electrolyte Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) Doped with Ionic Liquid

AbstractFuture demands for energy shortages have prompted a lot of effort to be put into finding alternatives. The use of renewable energies as a revolutionary energy source has gained acceptance. Due to their high flexibility and the interaction between the electrode and the electrolyte, solid polymer electrolytes are employed as a favorable electrolyte for application of electrochemical devices to storage renewable energy. As these are easy in synthesis, have much lower mass density, shows high mechanical stability, also have low binding energy with salts, and high mobility of charge carriers, polyethylene Oxide (PEO) based electrolyte has attracted a lot of interest. Configuration rectification combining PEO with ionic liquids has been introduced to enhance the low ionic conductivity and poor thermodynamic stability of the PEO materials in high‐voltage devices at ambient temperature. This configuration modification can successfully validate the applications of PEO polymer electrolyte with large electro‐stable voltage ranges. Solution casting method has been used for the synthesis of polymer electrolyte. The essential physical characteristics of PEO in polymer matrices work as a polymer host in SPEs has been described in this review paper, along with several modifications to overcome these limitations. It has been seen that the addition of ionic liquid increases the all over conductivity of the solid polymer electrolyte in most cases also improves the electrical stability of the electrolyte.

Optimizing post-combustion carbon capture: A comprehensive 3E analyses of energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic aspects with solar integration

The combination of capturing CO2 from power plants and storing it has the potential to mitigate the effects of fossil fuel usage on the climate. The reduction of CO2 emissions through CCS is recognized as a viable solution, but the significant challenge lies in the need to reduce costs and energy consumption in its development. A method that can be utilized to improve the energy efficiency of capture is the implementation of exergy-based analysis, which includes both exergetic and exergoeconomic analyses. This study aims to create an exergy-based assessment of a post-combustion CO2 capture with DGA 50 wt% solvent, using ASPEN HYSYS Version 11 for a Natural Gas-fired power plant with a capture rate of 90 %. The results show that through meticulous modifications in the system's configuration, including LVC, SSF, RVC, RSR, ICA, and their combinations, the reboiler's energy consumption was significantly reduced from 11.1 GJ/Ton CO2 to 3.27 GJ/Ton CO2, and the utility consumption was reduced by approximately 6,500$/h. Additionally, we compared various configurations in terms of exergy and exergoeconomic. The plant exergy efficiency improved from 44.9 % in the standard configuration to 68.3 % for the LVC + Solar configuration. Additionally, the exergoeconomic factor improved from 3.1 % to 3.8 %.

Adsorption, Single‐Molecule Manipulation, and Self‐Assembly of Borazine on Ag(111)

AbstractThe interaction of borazine with metal supports and the concomitant surface chemistry play important roles in the synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride and the assembly of BN‐doped carbon nanostructures, thus making adsorbed borazine an intriguing model system. Herein, the first real space characterization of individual borazine molecules and highly ordered borazine self‐assemblies on solid supports, combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning tunneling spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and complementary density functional theory modeling is reported. Specifically, a weak, nondissociative adsorption of borazine with the ring aligned in parallel to the surface plane is observed on Ag(111) upon low temperature deposition. Borazine is found to favor hollow adsorption sites, which guide the assembly of intricate borazine assemblies including a porous, chiral honeycomb‐like network, and dense‐packed monolayer films. Additionally, a modification of the borazine adsorption configuration by STM‐based manipulation is demonstrated. Dehydrogenation of individual molecules by voltages pulses yields an upright standing borazine fragment bound via B to Ag. This study thus provides a comprehensive, single‐molecule level characterization of borazine adsorption and surface chemistry on a characteristic coinage metal support and may serve as a reference for advanced low‐dimensional materials based on functionalized borazines or including BN units as dopants.

Smart manufacturing with transfer learning under limited data: Towards Data-Driven Intelligences

Advanced cyber-physical production methods, often known as smart manufacturing or Industry 4.0, keep benefiting from the combination of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) techniques with sophisticated manufacturing techniques. Yet, the degree to which the deployed predictive models can manage uncertainties and production data changes in the factory over time strongly influences such systems' “smartness” level. Traditional machine learning (ML) approaches often tend to perform badly in situations of configuration modification in a production process without enough fresh data. Conventional machine learning-based predictive modeling methods require large volumes of training data; however, accumulating large amounts of training data in real-world applications such as manufacturing is labor-intensive and costly, especially for small and medium enterprises. Consequently, limited data is a prevalent obstacle for ML techniques. The present study employs a transfer learning (TL) framework to address this issue. Due to its numerous benefits, electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) has been selected as an illustrative case. This study throws light on developing a new prediction model using TL to predict the material removal rate (MRR) of the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process. The input parameters are pulse on time, current, and voltage. The developed model is based on Deep Neural Network (DNN). The proposed method overcomes the limitations of traditional machine learning (ML) models, which require many experimental datasets for accurately predicting the responses. The results show that TL can be used to overcome the issue of limited data in the manufacturing process.

Preliminary in-silico analysis of vascular graft implantation configuration and surface modification

Vascular grafts are used to reconstruct congenital cardiac anomalies, redirect flow, and offer vascular access. Donor tissue, synthetic, or more recently tissue-engineered vascular grafts each carry limitations spanning compatibility, availability, durability and cost. Synthetic and tissue-engineered grafts offer the advantage of design optimization using in-silico or in-vitro modeling techniques. We focus on an in-silico parametric study to evaluate implantation configuration alternatives and surface finishing impact of a novel silicon-lined vascular graft. The model consists of a synthetic 3D-generic model of a graft connecting the internal carotid artery to the jugular vein. The flow is assumed unsteady, incompressible, and blood is modeled as a non-Newtonian fluid. A comparison of detached eddy turbulence and laminar modeling to determine the required accuracy needed found mild differences mainly dictated by the roughness level. The conduit walls are modeled as non-compliant and fixed. The shunt configurations considered, are straight and curved with varied surface roughness. Following a grid convergence study, two shunt configurations are analyzed to better understand flow distribution, peak shear locations, stagnation regions and eddy formation. The curved shunt was found to have lower peak and mean wall-shear stress, while resulting in lower flow power system and decreased power loss across the graft. The curved smooth surface shunt shows lower peak and mean wall-shear stress and lower power loss when compared to the straight shunt.

Interaction with wheat starch affect the aggregation behavior and digestibility of gluten proteins

Understanding the interplay between gluten and wheat starch is crucial for elucidating the digestibility mechanism of gluten in wheat-based products. However, this mechanism remains under-investigated. This study sought to elucidate the influence of starch-induced protein structural modifications on gluten digestion. Our findings revealed that starch considerably enhanced gluten digestion. In the presence of starch, gluten protein digestibility increased from 10.91 % (in the control group with a gluten-to-starch ratio of 1:0) to 14.40 % (in the complex with a gluten-to-corn starch ratio of 1:1). The diminished gluten protein digestibility due to starch may be ascribed to modifications in protein configuration and aggregation behavior. Morphological studies suggested that starch not only functioned as filler particles but also diluted the gluten matrix. A protein network assessment further affirmed that both the junction density and branching rate of gluten proteins decreased notably by 29.9 % and 25.1 %, respectively. Conversely, lacunarity increased by 1.92-fold, compromising the cohesiveness and connectivity of the gluten matrix. Elevated starch concentrations suppressed the formation of disulfide bonds, impeding gluten protein aggregation. Concurrently, gluten-starch interactions were governed by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic associations. In summary, starch augmented gluten protein digestibility by curtailing their polymerization. This revelation might offer novel perspectives on optimizing gluten protein digestion and utilization.