Water Load Research Articles

Self-tuning kernel Gaussian method for predictive control systems

This paper introduces a novel Gaussian process approach for systems with unknown disturbances with quasi-periodic patterns to enhance the performance of a robust economic model predictive controller. A self-tuning kernel is proposed to substitute the periodic kernel used in the hybrid Gaussian process models in order to predict forthcoming disturbances more accurately while demanding a shorter training horizon. The proposed method is applied to a domestic solar thermal system, in which the hot water demand has a recurrent pattern, yet there is a slight variation daily. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed controller has a reliable and precise prediction of future demand, and therefore it is able to manage the solar thermal system properly under various hot water load scenarios. Specifically, the proposed controller yields more than 5% improvement over a proportional–integral–derivative controller in terms of energy saving associated with the electricity usage for an auxiliary heat source.

Loading test on the oil tank ground settlement performance monitored by an optical parallel scheme.

A loading test of the ground settlement (GS) performance of the oil tank must be examined before beginning its commercial service. This test requires the sensors to be installed around the oil tank, and the GS is measured while water is being filled in, where the liquid level is read with an ultrasonic radar equipment, etc., to indicate the applied water loads. During the service of the oil tank, loading and unloading corresponding to the oil inlet and outlet are the critical factors to cause the oil tank destruction in a fatigue way. Thus, a regular in-service loading test is the means of evaluating the tank base health condition. However, the sensors for GS measurement of the oil tank are mostly based on a liquid hydraulic sensor, which is an intrinsically static sensor determined by the fluidity of the measurement liquid. In order to meet the instantaneous requirement of the loading test, first, the configuration of the optical GS sensor was designed to suit the simultaneous measurement. Secondly, a data acquisition system was designed by combining the digital signal processing with a field programmable gate array to carry out a parallel multiple channel data collection. This ensures that the GS sensors are interrogated simultaneously to snapshot a GS status of the oil tank, even if its load was changed slowly. A practical oil inlet process was recorded with an ultrasonic radar oil level measurement, and the results of oil tank GS were verified with a manual measurement by using the Electronic Total Station. The effectiveness of our sensor monitoring of the oil tank GS performance during the loading test has been proven.

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF CATIONIZATION PROCESS ON WASTEWATER CHARACTERIZATION, PHYSICAL AND FASTNESS VALUES OF COTTON FABRIC

Reactive dyeing is the most widely used dyeing method for dyeing cellulosic fabrics in the textile industry. In this study, it was aimed to reduce the environmental impact caused by the use of high salt during the dyeing of cellulosic fabrics with reactive dyestuffs. In this context, a quaternary ammonium based chemical was used for the cationization of cotton fabrics. The usage amount of cationizing agent and flake caustic was determined with the experiments as 50 g/L and 17 g/L, respectively. Conventional and salt-free dyeing of standard fabric and salt-free dyeing of cationic fabric were carried out with 8 different 1% reactive dyestuffs in the laboratory. As a result of dyeing, it was observed that the color strength of cationic fabrics was at least as high as conventional dyeing. Pilot-scale trials were conducted with black color, the most commonly used dye in production. Two different dyeing processes, conventional dyeing of standard fabric and salt-free dyeing of cationic fabric, were carried out using 7% black reactive dyestuff. The findings revealed that cationic fabric has 8.6% darker color than standard fabric. Fastness and strength values were similar for both fabrics. the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) value of the salt-free dyeing bath was 74.4 % lower than conventional dyeing. Similarly, the conductivity value of salt-free dyeing was 73% and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) value was 27.8% lower when compared with conventional dyeing bath results. At the end of these studies, it has been seen that the same color strength can be obtained with less dyestuff by using the cationization process and the waste water load can be reduced.

Modelling green water loads on ships using coupled impulse response function and CFD solution

A 3D coupled method is used to model green water and to study numerically the influence of wavelength, wave steepness, and bow rake angle on the green water occurrence and peak pressure on a ship deck. To do that, the global motions of the vessel are obtained in the time domain using an impulse response function. The local hydrodynamic forces of green water load are computed using a commercial CFD solver together with the Volume of Fluid method. The approach is validated using in-house experimental results. Then a systematic parametric study is performed to understand the effect of several geometric and environmental parameters on green water loads. The results indicate that peak pressure due to green water increases significantly with vessel speed for all the wavelengths investigated and decreases with the increase of bow rake angle.

WATER LOAD EFFECT ON URINARY HYALURONIDASE ACTIVITY IN NORMOTENSIVE OFFSPRING OF NORMOTENSIVE AND HYPERTENSIVE SUBJECTS: A POSSIBLE LINK TO HYPERTENSION DEVELOPMENT

Objective: Alterations in sodium and water intake-excretion balance are currently admitted as a relevant factor in arterial hypertension development. Hyaluronic acid metabolism in renal medullary has been proved to play a relevant role in the regulation of water resorption by the collecting duct, and hyaluronidase excretion in urine has been found to be inversely related to hydration status. Thus, the aim of our study was to assess urinary hyaluronidase activity in response to water loading in hypertensive and normotensive subjects with and without familial predisposition to hypertension. Design and method: Eighty-six adult Caucasian men underwent a water loading test consisting of oral administration of 15-20 ml of water/kg body weight over 40-45 min. Urinary hyaluronidase activity was assessed by turbidimetric assay at baseline and every 60 min for 4 hours. The study cohort included 21 hypertensive patients (HT) and 65 normotensive offsprings of normotensive (NT neg, n = 29) and hypertensive subjects (NT pos, n = 36). Results: Urinary hyaluronidase activity decreased in response to water loading in all groups, attaining the lowest levels at 60 and 120 min. However, while at baseline and after 240 min hyaluronidase activity was similar for all subjects, between 60 and 180 min NT pos subjects maintained significantly highest levels than both NT neg and HT patients (p<0.0001 and p<0.001 at 120 min, respectively). Conclusions: Consistent with previous findings, our results show that hyaluronidase activity in urine is inversely correlated with hydration status as we observed in all studied groups in response to water loading. However, while baseline levels did not differ between groups, the decrease in hyaluronidase activity was significantly lower in the subgroup of subjects having a family history of hypertension. Since hyaluronidase activity in the renal medullary has been postulated to be associated with ADH metabolism, individuals genetically predisposed to hypertension might exhibit increased renal sensitivity to ADH action resulting in alterations in the management of water loading by the vasopressinergic system that could precede and contribute to hypertension development.

Prediction and parametric evaluation of water quality on basin of River Brahmani by ANN and GIS

Surface water in India flows via 14 main river basins and several medium and small basins. Climate change is influencing precipitation and, as a result, the amount of accessible freshwater, while growing waste water loads are decreasing the quality of surface water and groundwater supplies. Surface water quality is critical and a major environmental problem worldwide. Surface water contamination caused by numerous pollutants is a worldwide issue. The Brahmani River Basin present in Odisha, India, has been chosen for research. From 1991 to 2015, water quality indicators (monthly) were collected and analysed from January to December among the chosen five gauging stations in Odisha. For the analysis, six water quality characteristics are chosen: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen requirement, electric conductivity, total hardness, and CaCO3. The prediction was performed using an artificial neural network, and the geographical analysis was performed in ArcGIS using the inverse distance weighting approach. For the summer, monsoon, and winter seasons, the coefficient of computation for the artificial neural network among definite and anticipated values of water quality metrics is 1. If current conditions persist, future years will most likely follow a similar trend to the one experienced from 1991 to 2015.

Water Loading and Uromodulin Secretion in Healthy Individuals and Idiopathic Calcium Stone Formers.

Uromodulin is a protein made only by the kidney and released in urine, circulating in polymerizing and nonpolymerizing forms. This protein's multiple functions include inhibition of stone formation in the urine. The physiological determinants of uromodulin production are incompletely understood. We investigated changes in uromodulin levels and key factors governing its production and release in urine and serum. We performed an experiment to determine whether water loading, a common intervention to prevent stone formation, will alter the rate of uromodulin production. During a 2-day period, 17 stone forming participants and 14 control participants were subjected to water loading (day 1) and normal fluid intake (day 2). Uromodulin levels were measured on timed hourly collections in urine and plasma during the period of the study. Water loading increased urinary uromodulin secretion (33±4 versus 10±4 μ g/min at baseline, P < 0.0001) in stone formers and control participants. Despite high urine volumes, most participants maintained relatively stable urinary uromodulin concentrations. Native Western blots for polymerizing and nonpolymerizing uromodulin suggest that polymerizing uromodulin was the predominant form at higher urinary flow volumes. Urine flow rates and sodium excretion were significant correlates of urinary uromodulin production. Water loading did not affect serum uromodulin levels, which were also not associated with urinary uromodulin. Water loading increases the secretion of polymerizing urinary uromodulin. This increased secretion reduces the variability of urinary uromodulin concentrations despite high urine volumes. Serum uromodulin levels were not affected by this treatment.

Renal dysfunction in patients with chronic toxic hepatitis and ways of its correction

The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of the long-acting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor Lisinopril in the correction of renal dysfunction in patients with chronic hepatitis (CH).It was found that in patients with СH under conditions of spontaneous diuresis, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreases by 1.33 times against the background of a decrease in water reabsorption (p&lt;0.05) and a tendency to a decrease in sodium excretion. During a 2-hour water load, a 3-fold decrease in GFR (p&lt;0.05) was revealed with a slight decrease in water reabsorption and a decrease in sodium and potassium excretion in the urine (p&lt;0.05). The occurrence of such disturbances in response to exercise indicates functional changes that may be due to intrarenal vasospasm as a result of activation of the interstitial renin-angiotensin system. The іnclusion of Lisinopril at a dose of 2.5 mg in the treatment regimen had a positive effect both on the clinical symptoms of hepatitis - a decrease in the activity of ALT, AST, urea (p&lt;0.05), and on the functional state of the kidneys, mainly due to the effect on filtration processes. This is especially clearly demonstrated by the implementation of the water load: an increase in diuresis by 2 times (p&lt;0.05) against the background of an increase in the glomerular filtration rate by 3 times (p&lt;0.05), excretion of sodium and potassium (p&lt;0.05). This indicates an increase in the adaptive function of the kidneys when included in the treatment ACE inhibitor.

Surface water load and earthquake stress interactions near the Pirrís reservoir, Costa Rica

This study analyzes the relationships between the stress changes produced by the water load variations due to the filling operations at the Pirrís Reservoir, Costa Rica, and the stress changes generated by three relevant earthquakes after the first impoundment. The earthquakes differ in their magnitude, distance from reservoir and depth. Two of them correspond to a shallow crustal faulting, and the third earthquake corresponds to a subduction thrust-fault. The first filling operations began in March 2011 and the daily time history of water levels was available until December 2017. The seismicity has been recorded by a dense local network of seismological stations operating since January 2008. Effects of both types of sources (water loads and earthquakes) were combined to obtain the total Coulomb Failure Stress in the reservoir area, analyzing which of them was dominant in each case and time. We then analyzed the effects of the pore pressure diffusion due to the water loads on the nearby seismicity including two of the studied earthquakes. Results lead to different conclusions depending on the characteristics of each earthquake. An important result is observed after the occurrence of the subduction earthquake, where the coseismic effects become dominant along the entire study area, eclipsing the effect of water loading at all depths. This shows that in a regime stressed by a regional earthquake, albeit of its moderate magnitude, and regional distance, the effect of water loads is barely perceptible. In the absence of tectonic activity, however, the impact of water loading is notable.

Effect of Brine Concentration on Bacteria Isolated from Leafy Vegetables (Talinum triangulare, Telfairia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina)

The effect of brine on bacteria isolated from leafy vegetables was evaluated. Fresh waterleaf (Talinum triangulare), Pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis) and Bitter leaves (Vernonia amygdalina) including cooking salt were bought from vendors in Mile 3 market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Brine concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% were prepared by dissolving appropriate grams of salt in distilled water. Nine millilitres of the respective concentrations were transferred into clean test tubes, labelled, stoppered with foil and autoclaved at 121℃ for 15 minutes at 15psi. Sterile distilled water served as a control. The test isolates were standardized based on 0.5McFarland and 1mL each was introduced into different brine concentrations. The standard plate count was used to monitor brine effects on isolates and this was done hourly for six hours. Inoculated plates were incubated at 37℃ for 24 hours. After incubation, enumerated colonies were used to deduce isolate mortality. The total heterotrophic bacterial (THB) load of bitter, Pumpkin and water leaves were 3.49±0.4×106, 3.25±0.4×106 and 1.99±0.2×106 CFU/g, respectively. The staphylococcal counts for bitter, Pumpkin and water leaves were 1.65±0.3×104, 3.13±0.5×104 and 1.55±0.4×104 CFU/g, respectively. Total coliform counts for bitter, Pumpkin and water leaves were 1.52±0.8×105, 2.85±0.1×105 and 1.75±0.6×105 CFU/g, respectively. Staphylococcal counts of pumpkin leaves were significantly (P≤0.05) higher than those obtained for bitter leaf and water leaf. There was no significant difference(P&gt;0.05) in the THB and Coliform counts of all samples. E. coli was predominant in Pumpkin and water leaves while Staphylococcus sp was predominant in bitter leaves. The LC50 values for E. coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus sp were; 5.39, 3.88, 1.62, and -0.41mg/ml, respectively. The LC50 showed that the brine was very lethal on Bacillus sp and Staphylococcus sp. High brine concentration is recommended to achieve reduced bacterial load.

Research of aluminum nitride water load for the 4.6 GHz 500 kW LHCD system of the CFETR

To meet the increasing heating needs of the China Fusion Experimental Tokamak Reactor (CFETR), the output power in each Lower Hybrid Current Drive (LHCD) transmission line should be increased from 250 kW to 500 kW. Therefore, a new high-power water load must be developed for the 4.6 GHz 500 kW LHCD system. This paper aims to report the most recent research progress of the water load: aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramic is used as the media material to isolate the water and vacuum, and the radio frequency (RF) simulation results show that the return loss of the water load is less than −25dB at 4.6 GHz over a wide temperature range. Under 500 kW continuous wave (CW) operation, the maximum temperatures of the ceramic and water are separately 67 °C and 62 °C, resulting in thermal deformation of the ceramic of approximately 0.003 mm. Moreover, the AlN water load was tested on the 4.6 GHz 250 kW high-power test bench and found to work well with low reflected power.

A novel multi-objective scheduling model for grid-connected hydro-wind-PV-battery complementary system under extreme weather: A case study of Sichuan, China

Affected by extreme hot and dry weather events, the power supplied by hydropower is seriously insufficient in Sichuan province during the summer of 2022, causing severe power shortage and incalculable economic losses for the society. Therefore, a novel multi-objective scheduling model based on grid-connected hydro-wind-solar-battery energy resources combining flexible reserves is proposed to collaboratively guarantee the power supply reliability of both the contracted long-distance power transmission and the local electricity demand under extreme hot and dry weather. The intermittent nature of water inflow, wind speed, solar irradiance, and load is considered, and the multi-scenarios are produced using Latin Hypercube Sampling method. In this work, thermal plants are regarded as flexible reserves for easing the load shedding level of local load. The McCormick's Envelope method is implemented to linearize the power production model of the hydropower station. A multi-objective model, including minimum penalty cost of load shedding and carbon dioxide emission, is proposed to achieve the economic-environmental equilibrium of the power system. The proposed multi-objective optimal hybrid energy complementary strategy is transformed into a single objective model via ε-constraint method, and the fuzzy satisfying method is introduced to select the best compromise solution in the Pareto Front. The meteorological information of the summer of 2022 is collected to verify the effectiveness of this proposed mixed-integer-linear-programming energy complementary model based on a hydropower station on the Jinsha River in Sichuan province, China. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed model is efficient and can enhance the reliability of real-world power systems under extreme hot and dry weather. A set of policy suggestions have been provided for Sichuan province to develop the power grid to face the extreme weather effect.

The modeling of changes in the specific activity of tritium in plants

Birch juice is a drink made of birch sap of medium-sized wild trees at the springtime. It is popular especially in northern Europe and Asia on territories with occasionally waterlogged permeable soils. However, some of these areas coincide with highest tritium leakage ever recorded (Kyshtym, Chernobyl and Fukushima). Robust analyses on tritium levels (scintillation method) in the birch sap were carried out in location with a constant load of tritiated water between 2003 and 2016. Sampling the birch sap was carried out annually in season (usually from the final week of February to the first-week of April. Sampling of birch sap was usually has been carried out during the period when the daytime air temperature was within +(5–8) °C minimum for 3 days. During this period, began intensive sap flow. Data obtained is put in relation to air temperature and humidity in order to contribute to the understanding basic mechanisms of tritium intake via birch. Findings confirmed that tritium easily penetrates via water into any organism and it can accumulate there for much longer than its half-decay times. It was firstly revealed that it is possible to predict the concentration of this dangerous pollutant in the birch sap based on the temperature and humidity dynamics. And with continuous input of tritium into the environment, the concentration of tritium in free water increases polynomial. The specific tritium activity values due to the gradient of tritium concentration in the atmosphere-plant-ground system of the change in temperature and humidity. For the organization of monitoring and control, the possibility of radioecological safety for the affected areas was determined

Prevailing impacts of river management on microplastic transport in contrasting US streams: Rethinking global microplastic flux estimations

While microplastic inputs into rivers are assumed to be correlated with anthropogenic activities and to accumulate towards the sea, the impacts of water management on downstream microplastic transport are largely unexplored. A comparative study of microplastic abundance in Boulder Creek (BC), and its less urbanized tributary South Boulder Creek (SBC), (Colorado USA), characterized the downstream evolution of microplastics in surface water and sediments, evaluating the effects of urbanization and flow diversions on the up-to-downstream profiles of microplastic concentrations and loads. Water and sediment samples were collected from 21 locations along both rivers and microplastic properties determined by fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The degree of catchment urbanization affected microplastic patterns, as evidenced by greater water and sediment concentrations and loads in BC than the less densely populated SBC, which is consistent with the differences in the degree of urbanization between both catchments. Microplastic removal through flow diversions was quantified, showing that water diversions removed over 500 microplastic particles per second from the river, and caused stepwise reductions of downstream loads at diversion points. This redistribution of microplastics back into the catchment should be considered in large scale models quantifying plastic fate and transport to the oceans.

V2 vasopressin receptor mutations: future personalized therapy based on individual molecular biology.

The diluting and concentrating function of the kidney plays a crucial role in regulating the water homeostasis of the body. This function is regulated by the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin through the type 2 vasopressin receptor (V2R), allowing the body to adapt to periods of water load or water restriction. Loss-of-function mutations of the V2R cause X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (XNDI), which is characterized by polyuria, polydipsia, and hyposthenuria. Gain-of-function mutations of the V2R lead to nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis disease (NSIAD), which results in hyponatremia. Various mechanisms may be responsible for the impaired receptor functions, and this review provides an overview of recent findings about the potential therapeutic interventions in the light of the current experimental data.

Studies on the Deformation and Macro-Micro-Damage Characteristics of Water-Bearing Sandstone under Cyclic Loading and Unloading Tests.

The study of the deformation characteristics and damage evolution law of the underground water-bearing rock mass under reciprocating loads such as mine earthquake and mechanical vibration is a very crucial aspect of underground engineering. In this pursuit, the present study was envisaged to assess the deformation characteristics and damage evolution law of sandstone with different water contents under various cycles. Specifically, the uniaxial and cyclic loading and unloading tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests of the sandstone under dry, unsaturated, and saturated conditions were carried out under laboratory conditions. Subsequently, the change laws of elastic modulus, cyclic Poisson's ratio, and irreversible strain in the loading section of sandstone under different water content conditions were analyzed. Based on the two-parameter Weibull distribution, the coupled damage evolution equations of sandstone under water content and load were established. The results showed that with an increase in the water content in the sandstone, the loading elastic modulus of the corresponding cycles exhibited a gradual decrease. Microscopic analysis revealed that kaolinite was present in the water-bearing sandstone in a lamellar structure, with flat edges and many superimposed layers, and the proportion of kaolinite gradually increased with an increase in the water content. The poor hydrophilicity and strong expansibility of kaolinite are the key factors in reducing the elastic modulus of sandstone. With the increase of the number of cycles, the cyclic Poisson's ratio of sandstone experienced three stages: an initial decrease, followed by a slow increase, and finally a rapid increase. The decrease was mainly observed in the compaction stage; the slow increase existed in the elastic deformation stage; and the rapid increase was seen in the plastic deformation stage. Furthermore, with the increase of water content, there was a gradual increase in the cyclic Poisson's ratio. The concentration degree of the distribution of the rock microelement strength (the parameter m) under the corresponding cycle of sandstone with different water content states exhibited an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease. With the increase in the water content, the parameter m under the same cycle gradually increased, and the change rule of parameter m corresponded to the development of internal fractures in the sample. With an increase in the number of cycles, the internal damage of the rock sample gradually accumulated, and the total damage increases gradually but the growth rate decreases gradually.

Understanding the acceleration impact of load and flowing water on the chloride ion transport properties of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete

In this study, the acceleration impact of load and flowing water on the Cl− transport properties of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FABGC) was studied for concrete in a complex environment. The results showed that when the erosion age remained unchanged, the concentration of Cl− gradually decreased, and the proportion of bound Cl− increased with an increase in depth from the FABGC surface. At a constant depth from the FABGC surface, Cl− mainly exists in the form of free Cl−. Both flowing water erosion and loading promoted the transport of Cl−, and their combined effect was the primary factor influencing ion transport in the tension zone. When its content in FABGC is high, Al will change the gel structure in FABGC, thus inhibiting the transport of Cl−. A Cl− transport model considering multiple factors (such as the bound Cl−, load, porosity, and flowing water) was established, and its rationality was verified.

Optimizing solar-assisted industrial heating and cooling system for cost-effective installation

Integrating solar thermal collectors into industrial processes could be a viable way to replace the use of conventional fuels and achieve economic and environmental goals. However, there is a need to consider the detailed dynamic operation of a system with storage on a systematic control scale to fully optimize realistic system performance under variable conditions by minimizing excess energy production and maximizing annual life-cycle cost savings. In this study, we developed a TRNSYS-based dynamic statistical optimization model and evaluated FPC-based solar-assisted heating systems to develop a cost-effective system design for two industries: MOHA soft drinks and Sheba leather factories in the Tigray region, Ethiopia. Three operating loads were compared: process heat, utility heat, and utility heat and chilled water. The optimized designs resulted in significant annual life-cycle cost savings, high solar fractions, and a good margin on temperature trends where solar collector size has a greater impact. Annual cost savings per unit area of solar collector for process and utility heat were in the range of $51–90/m2 for a collector mass flow rate and storage volume of 0.01–0.02 m3/h-m2 and 0.04–0.08 m3/m2, respectively. For the utility heat and chilled water loads, the values were $49/m2 for a mass flow rate of 0.04 m3/h-m2 and a storage volume of 0.07 m3/m2. Thus, the study supports the transient analysis of solar-assisted industrial heat. The case studies have shown that the method provides optimal solutions for the use of solar thermal energy. As investment and financial sourcing remain a priority challenge, the model and case study results could help in decision-making for similar and other production capacities, regions, industries, and solar technologies.

Cleaning testing of nineteenth-century plaster surface models with thin polyacrylamide-based gel layers attached to flexible polyethylene films

This paper explores the cleaning efficacy of polyethylene-supported 15-min photo-crosslinked poly (acrylamide-co-benzophenone) surface-attached gels (SAGs) on gypsum plaster surface models inspired by nineteenth-century casts. Cleaning tests were performed on plaster surface models with and without organic and inorganic coatings, which had been exposed to accelerated ageing by heat, humidity, and light after artificial soiling. The specific types of SAG systems were selected based on their water loading and dehydration capacities. The SAGs were loaded with customized solutions and applied on the plaster models for one minute. Cleaning efficacy was evaluated with visible reflectance, UV fluorescence photography, scanning electron microscopy, colorimetry, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, glossimetry, high resolution 3D microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 2D Fourier transform infrared imaging. The SAGs provided fast and minimal wetting of the substrates, prevented excessive liquid spreading and allowed the effective liquid contact with the soiled gypsum plaster surface. A striking removal of soils from the gypsum plaster surface models was observed, which suggests convenient application of the SAG systems for the cleaning of historical plaster objects.

Development of Ultra High-Performance Fiber reinforced concrete barge for 5 MW wind turbine

Floating wind turbines are gaining more popularity today as one of the effective green energy harvesting systems. In the effort to reduce the cost of construction for floating wind turbines, concrete support structures and concrete barge have been developed. However, due to the concrete low tensile strength and susceptibility to chemical action and freezing temperatures, the concrete barges are designed with very large sections resulting in high energy consumption, high volume of construction materials, weightier structure and more heavy equipment for fabrication and installation. Therefore, in order to overcome these challenges, in this study Ultra High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is proposed for use in casting a barge for a floating offshore wind turbine and compared to a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) barge. The experimental tests conducted on the UHPFRC and RCC barge small sized prototypes, showed less heel on the RCC barge compared to the UHPFRC barge. However, the RCC barge experienced severe green water load which could cause it to capsize. The hydrodynamic analysis results from the finite element analysis showed less pitch motions in the UHPFRC barge in 7 out of the 12 DLCs considered. The roll motions were less than 50 in both barges with insignificant difference between them, while in heave motions, the UHPFRC barge experienced 10% to 20% less motions than the RCC barge in all 12 DLCs. In the structural analysis, the maximum deformation of the UHPFRC barge was 14 mm, which is 129% higher than the deformation of the RCC barge. In overall, the UHPFRC barge proved to be more effective in achieving better hydrodynamic motions for the barge floater in comparison to the RCC barge and can be considered as alternative to the conventional reinforced cement concrete material.