Particular Piece Of Equipment Research Articles

Solvay method of estimating the risk of electrostatic ignition

IEC TS 60079-32-1 “ATEX - Electrostatic hazards, guidance” gives us the best practice to avoid ignition from electrostatic sources. In Solvay we follow this guideline but, when we find that our existing practice, at a particular site for a particular chemical process in a particular piece of equipment, does not comply with that guidance, we are faced with a difficult question: what priority should we give to putting it right? To answer that question we have to analyse the risk associated with electrostatic ignition sources for the particular process and that particular piece of equipment. It depends on many factors, including the frequency of the presence of an explosive atmosphere, the Minimum Ignition Energy of the flammable gas or combustible dust and the number of people who would be exposed to the blast wave or shrapnel from an explosion or the thermal radiation from a fire. Such considerations allow us to prioritize the risk in three levels, ranging from Risk 1 (Unacceptable), through Risk 2 (Intermediate) to Risk 3 = Acceptable. This paper shows how to estimate the risk level of scenarios involving electrostatic and indeed other ignition sources using the Solvay method.

Tracking major resources for automated progress monitoring of construction activities: masonry work case

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to monitor the progress of construction activities in an automated way by using sensor-based technologies for tracking multiple resources that are used in building construction.Design/methodology/approachAn automated on-site progress monitoring approach was proposed and a proof-of-concept prototype was developed, followed by a field experimentation study at a high-rise building construction site. The developed approach was used to integrate sensor data collected from multiple resources used in different steps of an activity. It incorporated the domain-specific heuristics that were related to the site layout conditions and method of activity.FindingsThe prototype estimated the overall progress with 95% accuracy. More accurate and up-to-date progress measurement was achieved compared to the manual approach, and the need for visual inspections and manual data collection from the field was eliminated. Overall, the field experiments demonstrated that low-cost implementation is possible, if readily available or embedded sensors on equipment are used.Originality/valuePrevious studies either monitored one particular piece of equipment or the developed approaches were only applicable to limited activity types. This study demonstrated that it is technically feasible to determine progress at the site by fusing sensor data that are collected from multiple resources during the construction of building superstructure. The rule-based reasoning algorithms, which were developed based on a typical work practice of cranes and hoists, can be adapted to other activities that involve transferring bulk materials and use cranes and/or hoists for material handling.

Condition monitoring of marine and offshore machinery using evidential reasoning techniques

This paper first assesses the operational uncertainties of a particular piece of equipment in a marine and offshore system based on an oil analysis technique. Trend analysis, family analysis, environmental analysis, human reliability analysis and design analysis for each criterion are aggregated using evidential reasoning (ER) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) algorithms. Data is collected from available statistics and supplemented by expert judgement from the related industry. The results provided in this study will be beneficial to the marine and offshore industries as indicators for monitoring and diagnosis of faults in machinery and thus assist practitioners in making better decisions in their maintenance management process. Furthermore, by changing the conditions that affect the operation of machinery, and through calculating a value for this operation, a benchmark for condition monitoring is constructed. The operational condition of machinery depends on many variables and their dependencies; thus, alteration of a criterion value will ultimately alter the operational conditions of the machinery. For any deviation to be corrected in a timely manner, the operational condition of the machinery has to be monitored properly and frequently.

ENHANCEMENT OF EFFECTIVE MEANS AND EFFICIENT THE APPLICABILITY OF THE MANUAL: METHODS AND PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE

The application of the handbook is to clarify the vital importance of the correct use of the functions of a particular piece of equipment, handling and effective functioning. The use or non-availability when needed can cause serious problems to the equipment user or performing routines and processes in general, compromising quality management. The objective of this paper is to show the inefficiency or misuse of these, proposing alternative methods of improvement or innovation that makes effective use and effective applicability, thus contributing to ensuring after-sales quality. The methodology was exploratory and field research based on questionnaires, generating qualitative and quantitative data. The results confirmed that the making of these in standard format (paper), is not meeting designated goals when initially idealized and representing imminent danger, therefore, the relevance and the need to educate the public and managers, for their potential safety hazard and closes presenting ten suggestions for improvement or innovation as fruit (consequence) of the research.

Issues in Optimal Asset Management

In previous presentations the authors have discussed optimal asset management within the water industry. This paper extends this work by developing a case study around optimal asset management. Whilst earlier work has been focused on the development of theoretical models, this paper focusses on issues in application of the optimal asset model. It presents the steps to address the application of the model. It does this by addressing a specific piece of equipment within the water industry subject to replacement and refurbishment. Hence it describes a practical solution for dealing with the trade-off between capital expenditure (CAPEX, replacements of an asset) and operational expenditure (OPEX, refurbishment of an asset). The case study is based on experiences with two Water Companies.

Estimation of Skin Moisture and Elasticity from Facial Image by using Kernel Ridge Regression

Various assessment characteristics have been used to evaluate the physiological condition of the skin, including skin moisture, elasticity, oil, and color. This often requires specific pieces of equipment such as a microscope. Although everyday evaluations may be needed to maintain skin condition, a particular piece of equipment may not be suitable for daily use. In this paper, it was proposed that a method to estimate skin moisture and elasticity from a facial image shot by a typical camera. The facial image’s RGB, HSV, and YCrCb components were extracted as the explanatory variables for kernel ridge regression (KRR). In general processing, one color space is often adopted for a single purpose. In this research, some of the color components of various color spaces were selectively combined as explanatory variables for KRR. To select suitable explanatory variables, the sequential feature selection (SFS) method was applied. As a result, the correlation coefficient between the estimated and measured skin moisture values was 0.35. These results showed that skin moisture estimation using the facial image was insufficient. In contrast, the correlation coefficient between the estimated and measured skin elasticity values was 0.72, indicating that the skin elasticity estimation was successful.

Summary of Savonius wind turbine development and future applications for small-scale power generation

Wind turbine use is expanding throughout the world as a means to provide electricity without contributing to the increase in global-warming gases. Most commonly, very large, horizontal-axis turbines are constructed in fleets that are connected to national-level electrical grid systems. More recently, there has been a desire for more local, small-scale power production that can be used to power very specific pieces of equipment or buildings. Some of the small-scale turbines are designed differently from their larger counterparts—they are driven by drag forces rather than by lift. Drag-driven turbines are typically called Savonius turbines. This paper, which presents a historical perspective on Savonius turbines, will illustrate their potential for providing local power. Finally, we will discuss recent developments in analysis methods which intend to optimize Savonius turbines for powering cellular communication towers in developing parts of the world.

The Unanticipated Difficult Intubation in Obstetrics

In this focused review, we discuss an algorithm specifically for the unanticipated difficult intubation in obstetrics. This generic algorithm emphasizes a standardized and prespecified sequence of interventions to provide safe, efficient, and effective airway management for the emergency obstetric surgical patient. Individual institutions and anesthesia providers are encouraged to use this framework to select specific pieces of equipment for each step, and to create regular opportunities for all obstetric anesthesia providers to become facile with each airway device and to integrate the algorithm under simulated conditions.

Improving Quality Control In Medical Equipment Inventory

Improving Quality Control In Medical Equipment Inventory

Performance Evaluation of Triangulation Based Range Sensors

The performance of 2D digital imaging systems depends on several factors related with both optical and electronic processing. These concepts have originated standards, which have been conceived for photographic equipment and bi-dimensional scanning systems, and which have been aimed at estimating different parameters such as resolution, noise or dynamic range. Conversely, no standard test protocols currently exist for evaluating the corresponding performances of 3D imaging systems such as laser scanners or pattern projection range cameras. This paper is focused on investigating experimental processes for evaluating some critical parameters of 3D equipment, by extending the concepts defined by the ISO standards to the 3D domain. The experimental part of this work concerns the characterization of different range sensors through the extraction of their resolution, accuracy and uncertainty from sets of 3D data acquisitions of specifically designed test objects whose geometrical characteristics are known in advance. The major objective of this contribution is to suggest an easy characterization process for generating a reliable comparison between the performances of different range sensors and to check if a specific piece of equipment is compliant with the expected characteristics.

A Win, Win Relationship… Continuing Education Offers Benefits for Biomeds, Employers

Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, learn how to service a new piece of equipment, or master a specialty, continuing education is an important part of your career.It can be equally important to your employer, notes Jim Rider, chief operating officer of Bio-Electronics, a medical equipment service company based in Lincoln, NE. “To stay competitive, a very high priority should be placed on continuing education,” says Rider.According to education providers in the field, service professionals need a minimum of two weeks of training each year to keep abreast of technological advances and changes. “A small investment on the part of the hospital can result in tremendous cost savings,” says Terrence Speth, owner and president of the Radiological Service Training Institute (RSTI) in Solon, OH. “By training in-house people to service equipment, a hospital can get its maintenance costs down to 4% of the replacement value.”“Education should be a part of every organization's budget,” agrees Manny Roman, president of DITEC, also located in Solon, OH. “It's a shame that when cuts are made, training is often the first to go.”RSTI and DITEC are among the prominent educators in continuing education for biomeds. These schools offer hands-on training in imaging systems, with classes in magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, picture archiving and communications systems, and DICOM, as well as manufacturer-specific training for GE, Philips, OEC, and other products.Both schools offer similar five-level programs, ranging from fundamentals of servicing diagnostic imaging equipment (level 1, DITEC) to filmless integration (phase V, RSTI). “The courses are done in five-part series, depending on how in-depth the hospitals want to service their equipment,” says Speth. Both schools also train managers who want to implement in-house imaging maintenance programs and both hold on-site training upon request.George Hajduk, who has completed the first four classes in DITEC's five-level program, says they are designed primarily for biomeds who work in-house or for third-party service providers, since original equipment manufacturers have their own schools for their product lines. Hajduk attended training at the request of his employer, Synernet, a hospital-owned service organization in Portland, ME. “One of our clients wanted to reduce the cost of their service contracts” by training him to repair imaging equipment.These courses are also available at various conferences and symposiums, such as those sponsored by AAMI, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and local biomedical associations. Some of the courses are given by RSTI or DITEC and are condensed versions of the classes offered in Ohio.Some biomeds also seek out continuing education at community colleges. For example, employees of Bio-Electronics take courses in Lincoln, NE, and Sioux City, IA, Rider says. He adds that several medical parts companies, such as ReMedPar of Goodlettsville, TN, also provide training. Those wishing to advance their skills on a specific piece of equipment can contact the manufacturer for training opportunities.Distance or online continuing education has traditionally not been available for biomeds because of the need for hands-on instruction. However, some of the fundamentals classes lend themselves to distance learning, says Roman. DITEC has partnered with CTI of Lewisville, TX, a biomed training institute, to provide pre-recorded lectures via the Internet. “We're trying to reach people who can't travel to the schools,” says CTI director, Mark Cooper.So how do schools determine which classes to offer? Each year, RSTI surveys the field to assess training needs and then responds by developing course content to meet those needs. Some of the more popular classes include principles of servicing diagnostic x-ray systems, advanced radiographic systems maintenance, customer satisfaction skills, and PACS. Management courses at both schools are popular as well.Most classes last two weeks, with about half the time devoted to hands-on learning and half to lecture. Prior to taking his first class at DITEC, Hajduk was trying to self-train on x-ray equipment. The level 1 class “was the eye opener for me,” he says. “I thought, ‘Oh, this is how it works.’ It gave me the fundamentals.”With some courses costing more than $4,000, the decision to take continuing education may not always be a simple one. Luckily for most students, their employers pay their tuition and travel costs. If a student is paying his or her own expenses, DITEC offers an up-front discount and a payment plan is set up. Some RSTI students also pay their own way. However, there's such demand for service professionals in the industry that most people have a job by the time they've taken one or two classes, says Speth. Although it can be expensive, most agree that the cost of continuing education is worth it.

Continuing medical education program introducing yourself to the evolution of the individualized airway algorithm

Introduction: The goal of this abstract is to introduce a continuing medical education program for the maintenance of difficult airway competency based on expertise. Rather than following the Benumof difficult airway algorithm, we also demonstrate how each individual can develop his own personalized difficult airway algorithm. This process requires recognizing one’s limitations and skill level. Individuals intuitively conduct this process during management of difficult airway situations and rely on their own comfort and skill-based algorithm as opposed to the nationally recognized difficult airway algorithm. Methods: Practice-based learning and improvement involve systematic monitoring of one’s outcomes, benchmarking these with national or regional data, identifying gaps between one’s performance and benchmarking information, developing personal learning projects and acquiring new knowledge skills to bridge these gaps, applying the knowledge to one’s practice, and again monitoring one’s outcomes in a cycle of continuous quality improvement. This cycle is illustrated in Fig. 1 [1]. The skills of attending anesthesiologists at a university health care network are assessed. A self-assessment questionnaire and a theorybased airway examination are given to the individual, asking their level of experience with a particular piece of equipment. Once the self-assessment questionnaire and theory-based examination are implemented, a validation tool is administered to the individual. This is a real-time difficult airway scenario that is given on a mannequin simulator. The purpose of this validation tool is to confirm the results of the self-assessment questionnaire. Based on this information, an objective analysis was performed, and a curriculum is devised for each person utilizing as its core the weaknesses that are identified. A skill-directed workshop using a mannequin simulator and a dog laboratory for surgical airway practice are integral components of the curriculum. Each individual must demonstrate at the end of the curriculum competence exhibited by (1) postcurriculum self-assessment questionnaire and theory-based airway examination, (2) workshops and continuing medical education credit, (3) dog laboratory for securing surgical airway, (4) credentialing booklet dictated by the number of successful repetitions referenced in the literature for a particular adjunct, (5) mechanisms for tracking progress based on clinical performance, (6) performance evaluations, (7) objective structured assessment of technical skills, and (8) portfolios [2]. This is illustrated in Box 2. Discussion: Effective educational interventions should help promote changes in the performance of physicians. In the field of continuing education, a variety of strategies have been found to encourage the integration of new knowledge and skills into practice and reinforce learning. Research has shown that pure didactic sessions are not as effective in changing physicians’ behaviors as experiential sessions [3]. Realistic competency skills are acquired and can be disseminated from faculty to the residency and throughout the institution.

Equipment Experts: Enhancing Student Learning in Textile Science

Student equipment experts promote active learning in a product and materials analysis class. After preparation through reading about a specific piece of equipment and meeting with the instructor to see and practice with the equipment, the student demonstrates its use to the class and answers questions from the class. While this activity is time intensive for the instructor during the training period, use of equipment experts has produced more interest from students during class, better attention during demonstrations, and one-on-one interactions between the instructor and students. An unexpected benefit is the assistance of equipment experts during laboratory work. Equipment experts in a lab class enhance active learning and student comfort with lab work.

Effects of substrate temperature on properties of pulsed dc reactively sputtered tantalum oxide films

The effects of substrate heating on the stoichiometry and the electrical properties of pulsed dc reactively sputtered tantalum oxide films over a range of film thickness (0.14to5.4μm) are discussed. The film stoichiometry, and hence the electrical properties, of tantalum oxide films; e.g., breakdown field, leakage current density, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss are compared for two different cases: (a) when no intentional substrate/film cooling is provided, and (b) when the substrate is water cooled during deposition. All other operating conditions are the same, and the film thickness is directly related to deposition time. The tantalum oxide films deposited on the water-cooled substrates are stoichiometric, and exhibit excellent electrical properties over the entire range of film thickness. “Noncooled” tantalum oxide films are stoichiometric up to ∼1μm film thickness, beyond that the deposited oxide is increasingly nonstoichiometric. The presence of partially oxidized Ta in thicker (>∼1μm) noncooled tantalum oxide films causes a lower breakdown field, higher leakage current density, higher apparent dielectric constant, and dielectric loss. The growth of nonstoichiometric tantalum oxide in thicker noncooled films is attributed to decreased surface oxygen concentration due to oxygen recombination and desorption at higher film temperatures (>∼100°C). The quantitative results presented reflect experience with a specific piece of equipment; however, the procedures presented can be used to characterize deposition processes in which film stoichiometry can change.

Applying genetic algorithm for the development of the components-based embedded system

The embedded system is primarily designed for a particular piece of equipment and it varies on a case-by-case basis. The functionality is required to be specific to the equipment and consequently the application domain is limited. The software embedded in the system also faces problem due to the limitation of the hardware capacity. It is necessary for the designers to consider the hardware capacity and software specification simultaneously while an embedded system is developed. If hardware and software are taken into account concurrently, the design applicability and efficiency are decreased. The evolutionary computing (EC), which comprises techniques of evolutionary programming, evolution strategies, genetic algorithms, and genetic programming has been widely used to solve optimization problems for large scale and complex systems. It is capable to escape not only from local optima due to population based approach, but also from unbiased nature, which enables it to perform well in a situation with little domain knowledge. Therefore, this study proposes an evolutionary approach that applies the characteristics of software reuse, the metrics for the object-oriented concept, and the genetic algorithm to effectively manage and optimize the embedded system. This approach is implemented in the World Wide Web environment. Numerous results associated with performance enhancements of the algorithm are presented in this paper.

Dose area product measurement in orthopaedic trauma: An attempt at establishing a local diagnostic reference level

Background The Ionizing Radiations Medical Exposure Regulations Act IR(ME)R2000, requires the establishment of diagnostic reference levels (DRL) for radiological examinations. Current National Radiation Protection Board guidelines do not have any dose data available on orthopaedic trauma. Where National guidelines are not available, the establishment of local DRLs, to collect dose data and to set intervention levels is important. Materials and methods Dose area product measurement in 1000 patients who underwent emergency trauma surgery was analyzed. This included 210 hip fractures, 315 wrist fractures, 117 ankle fixations, 94 supracondylar fractures, 47 intramedullary nailing, 24 joint relocations, and 139 other examinations of extremities. The median dose area product (DAP) along with the first and third quartile values for each procedure was calculated. Results Intramedullary nailing of femur was done at the highest exposure with the median DAP of 68.5 cGy cm 2, followed by hip pinning. Values for fracture neck of femur exceeded those of tibial nailing. Among close reduction tibia and fibula manipulation had the highest radiation values between first and third quartiles of the distribution to give a possible DRL range and this has been determined. Discussion The DRL is a measure of patient dose and serves as a quantitative guide to optimization of radiological protection. The IR(ME)R states that if the DRL for an examination is exceeded by a particular piece of equipment or operator, legislation requires that reasons be investigated and remedial action be taken. It is hoped the study will contribute to the establishment of a national DRL for orthopaedic examinations.

Experience with using alternative reducing agents at blast furnace

This paper presents the experience that EKO Stahl has gained with the blast furnace injection of plastics and animal fats as alternative reducing agents since 1993. The specific pieces of equipment that have been designed and implemented for handling, storing and injecting these substances into the blast furnace tuyeres are described. The parameters that allow line stability and the overall effects on blast furnace operation are reported.

Simulation of thermal desalination processes

A general computer code for all types of evaporation and flashing processes has been developed and is currently being used by a number of Scandinavian industries and UAE University. Its advanced graphic capabilities enable the user to construct process flow sheets on the screen. The results can be displayed either graphically, as text file, or in any other form chosen by the user, and can be studied both for the whole plant such as concentration, temperature, and pressure profiles, and for a particular piece of equipment. The program is modular in structure and includes a number of modules for evaporators, heat exchangers, condensers, flash chambers, compressors, steam jet ejectors, etc. Each module has its own mathematical model. The program also includes a comprehensive database for the physical properties of seawater as well as other liquors. There is a library containing correlations for the heat transfer coefficient of different heat transfer surfaces and flow regimes. Account is made to all thermodynamic losses in the process such as boiling point elevation, non-equilibrium allowance inside the evaporators and flash chambers, temperature drops due to pressure drops in demisters, transmission lines, and condensers. Designed to be very flexible, the program can be used as an excellent tool for the simulation, rating and optimisation of all types of thermal desalination processes. Currently, it is being tested for on-line monitoring of process performance in a major food industry.

Preliminary experiments on apparatus for in situ studies of microwave-driven reactions by small angle neutron scattering

In this article we describe apparatus for the study of the microwave-driven growth of particles in solution by in situ small angle neutron scattering (SANS). This apparatus has enabled the first preliminary experiments using microwave-activated in situ diffraction. We take iron oxide as the prototype system, but the technique may be extended to a wide variety of chemical reactions that deposit solids from solution. The key features of the apparatus are a microwave cavity with a modular construction that may be adapted to the geometric constraints of the diffractometer, and a computer-controlled microwave generator that may be set to maintain either constant pressure or temperature in the reaction vessel. In this particular piece of equipment the reaction vessel is adapted so that part of the sample fills a cell of identical construction to those commonly used in SANS measurements for optimal transmission of the neutron beam.

Simulation of thermal desalination processes

Different flow sheets for thermal desalination processes were simulated using the computer program Evapolund. This general software is modular in structure and includes a number of modules describing different components in an evaporation process such as evaporators, different types of heat exchangers, condensers, flash drums, compressors, steam jet ejectors, etc. The program includes a comprehensive database for the physical properties of seawater as well as other liquors, and a library containing correlations for the heat transfer coefficient of different heat transfer surfaces and flow regimes. Designed to be very flexible, the program can be used as an excellent tool for the design and evaluation of all types of thermal desalination processes. Account is made to different thermodynamic losses in the process such as boiling point elevation, non-equilibrium allowance inside the evaporators and flashing drums, temperature drops due to pressure drops in demisters, transmission lines, and condensers. The user can easily construct the flow sheet of the process and provide a minimum of input data, depending on the calculation case at hand. Simulation results can be displayed either graphically, or converted as a text file, or in any other form chosen by the user and can be studied either for the whole plant such as temperature, pressure and concentration profiles, or for a particular piece of equipment in the plant. The paper gives simulation results of four thermal desalination processes to demonstrate the capabilities of the program.