Improved Integrated Optimization Method of Gasoline Blend Planning and Real-Time Blend Recipes

An innovative integrated optimization strategy for gasoline blend planning is proposed, and an improved method to achieve online optimization of real-time blend recipes is described. The proposed strategy can calculate a rough blend and delivery sequence of gasoline and then adapt to process changes by using a three-level discrete-time algorithm. Only one blender is considered in this study. A single-period nonlinear model (NLP) is solved at the top level of the algorithm to check the feasibility of a long-term production plan. A multi-period mixed-integer nonlinear model is formulated and solved at the middle level of the algorithm to compute a short-term blend plan. Finally, a single-period NLP is solved circularly at the lowest level of the algorithm to optimize blend recipes to consider the changes in the quality of blend components. The initial plan is modified if the top-level model is not feasible. The middle-level model is resolved if an unexpected event occurs during blending. The proposed approach is advantageous because the initial planning and blending recipes can be modified online, remarkably minimizing quality giveaway and increasing the blending success rate. The performance of the proposed strategy is illustrated through its industrial application in real-world gasoline blending

Integrated Operation and Cyclic Scheduling Optimization for an Ethylene Cracking Furnaces System

Multiple cracking furnaces in an ethylene plant run in parallel to produce ethylene, propylene, and other products from different hydrocarbon feedstocks. Because both coke formation in radiant coils and change of operation conditions with time have significant effects on the performance of cracking furnaces, it is better for the cyclic scheduling to be simultaneously optimized with the operation conditions. To match this real requirement, a mixed-integer dynamic optimization (MIDO) problem is presented for the optimization of both operation conditions and cyclic scheduling simultaneously, through which the optimal assignment, the processing time, the subcycle number, and the optimal operation conditions of different feeds in different cracking furnaces are determined at the same time. To solve the MIDO problem, it is discretized and converted into a large scale mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. The two scheduling cases of a cracking furnaces system are illustrated showing a remarkable increase in the economic performance as compared with that of the traditional method

Modeling and Optimization of a Steam System in a Chemical Plant Containing Multiple Direct Drive Steam Turbines

Steam systems in some of China’s chemical plants usually contain multiple direct-drive steam turbines that provide mechanical power to pumps/compressors. When optimizing this system, a certain degree of deviation is found in the theoretical models of steam turbines. A more realistic steam turbine model is developed by improving the traditional thermal model using industry data. This model characterizes efficiency variations under different conditions. Boiler and other unit models are then simplified to allow the use of this model in optimization. By incorporating the models, a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is formulated to perform the operation optimization. The proposed model considers electric power as the alternative energy source for lower-level mechanical power demands. Using the proposed optimization model on an ethylene plant, a maximum of 8.01% reduction in the total operation cost is achieved compared with the original operation strategies. This case study shows a successful application of the MINLP model in optimizing an actual chemical plant

Investigation on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Hydrochar and Its Derived Pyrolysis Char for Their Potential Application: Influence of Hydrothermal Carbonization Conditions

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an aqueous-phase procedure to prepare charred material using biomass. To obtain a charred material with high porosity, ash content, and thermal recalcitrance, it is necessary to investigate the influence of HTC conditions (peak temperature, retention time, and feedstock type) on the properties of hydrochar and its derived pyrolysis char (HDPC). Additionally, the relative importance of these conditions for the selected properties was also investigated by heterogeneity index. The results indicated that the properties of both hydrochar and HDPC samples were greatly influenced by the HTC process. The ash content and major metal elements (Na, Mg, K, and Ca) of hydrochar and HDPC samples were strongly influenced by the feedstock type; other properties, such as surface area, carbon sequestration potential, total carbon, total nitrogen, and dissolved organic carbon were moderately influenced by the feedstock type. Overall, this study provided new insights into the relative importance of different HTC conditions in the properties of hydrochar and HDPC samples, which was an important process toward obtaining a “required” charred material for environmental remediation

Integrated Dual-Production Mode Modeling and Multiobjective Optimization of an Industrial Continuous Catalytic Naphtha Reforming Process

Catalytic naphtha reforming is a key process both in refineries and in the production of aromatic compounds. However, the characteristics of dual-production modes render the process model difficult to adapt to changing production needs. Because catalytic naphtha reforming has a complicated reaction mechanism along with multiple operation variables and objectives, its optimization is challenging. We herein report the modeling and optimization steps employed to resolve these issues. A detailed continuous catalytic regenerative (CCR) reforming process model was established, integrating the reaction kinetic model, reactor model, heater model, compressor model, and separator model. On the basis of the CCR model, multiobjective optimizations were performed, and a hierarchical structure of stochastic algorithm was proposed, thus reducing computation costs during model calculations. Three multiobjective optimization problems were solved using the proposed algorithm, with these cases being based on refinery production, the production of aromatic compounds, and energy conservation. Optimization results were consistent with the industrial process and identified improvements through tuning the key operational parameters, such as inlet temperature, pressure, and hydrogen-to-oil molar ratio. Optimal operating points were also listed for different requirements of the reforming process

Additional file 1: of The E2F4 prognostic signature predicts pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

Clinical characteristics by dataset of samples used in analysis. Sample size and clinical characteristics, including age, estrogen receptor status, neoadjuvant response status, and treatment protocol, for the samples used in each dataset involved in the study. (PDF 246 kb

ATRA pretreatment inhibits melphalan-induced apoptosis.

<p>(<b>A</b>) U266 cells were treated with 1 µM of ATRA or vehicle for 72 h prior to 5 µM melphalan treatment for another 48 h. Apoptosis in cells treated or untreated by melphalan was analyzed by flow cytometry. The percentage of survival cells in each group was calculated from triplicate data. Data are mean ± SD from three independent experiments.^#<i>P</i><0.01 by one-way ANOVA. (<b>B</b>) U266 cells treated as described above were subjected to immunoblotting with antibodies to CBP, Ape/Ref-1, MDR1, PARP-1, and GAPDH proteins. The experiment was repeated at least three times. The figure shows a representative result. (<b>C</b>) The relative expression of <i>MDR1</i> was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and normalized to <i>GAPDH</i> mRNA level. All experiments were performed in triplicate, and data are shown as normalized mean ± SD. ^#<i>P</i><0.01, n = 3. (<b>D</b>) After transfected with siRNA or control vectors for 24 h, U266 cells were treated with melphalan for 48 h and cell apoptosis was monitored by flow cytometry analysis.</p

Effect of ATRA on p38-MSK cascade activation in myeloma cells.

<p>(<b>A</b>) U266 cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of ATRA for 2 h. Cell lysates were subjected to immunoblotting with antibodies to phosphorylated and total p38 as well as MSK1 proteins. (<b>B</b>) U266 cells were incubated with 1 µM of ATRA for the indicated periods. Phosphorylated p38 and MSK1 were measured by Western blotting. The experiment was repeated at least three times. The figure shows a representative result.</p

CBP induced by ATRA contributes to Ape/Ref-1 expression.

<p>(<b>A</b>) U266 cells were treated with 1 µM of ATRA for 4 h and subsequently ChIP experiments were performed with anti-phosphorylated (Ser10) or acetylated (Lys9) histone H3 antibodies. (<b>B</b>) After 1 µM ATRA treatment for different periods, RT-PCR was performed to analyze the expression of <i>PP2Acα</i> and <i>PP1cα</i>. <i>GAPDH</i> was used as an internal control. Each assay was performed in triplicate. The figure shows a representative result of triplicate experiments. (<b>C</b>) U266 cells were incubated with 1 µM ATRA for the indicated periods. CBP and p300 expression were measured by Western blotting. (<b>D</b>) U266 cells was pretreated by 20 µM of C646 for 1 h, and then incubated with ATRA for 48 h. The medium and additives were replaced every 24 h. Western blotting was performed to detect Ape/Ref-1 expression. (<b>E</b>) U266 cells were transfected with p300 or CBP expression vectors. 48 h later after transfection, the cell lysate was subjected to Western blotting using the anti-Ape/Ref-1 antibody. (<b>F</b>) U266 cells were treated with 1 µM ATRA for dedicated periods and subsequently ChIP experiments were performed in triplicate with anti-p300 or CBP antibodies. *<i>P</i><0.05, ^#<i>P</i><0.01, versus the control group untreated by ATRA, n = 3.</p

MSK1-mediated CREB phosphorylation activates Ape/Ref-1 expression.

<p>(<b>A</b>) U266 cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of ATRA for 4 h. Cell lysates were subjected to immunoblotting with antibodies to phosphorylated CREB (Ser133) and total CREB. (<b>B</b>) U266 cells were incubated with 1 µM of ATRA for the indicated periods. Phosphorylated and total CREB levels were measured by Western blotting. The figure shows a representative result of triplicate experiments. (<b>C</b>) After exposure to 1 µM ATRA for 24 h, U266 cells were subjected to ChIP experiments using anti-CREB and control normal IgG antibodies. Immunoprecipitated genomic DNA fragments were amplified by PCR with specific primers targeting <i>Ape</i>/<i>Ref-1</i> promoter. Input reflected the relative amounts of sonicated DNA fragments using in immunoprecipitation. ATRA vs. vehicle: ^#<i>P</i><0.01, n = 3. (<b>D</b>) At 24 h after transfection of scrambled or <i>MSK1</i> siRNAs, cells was treated with 1 µM of ATRA for another 24 h. Attenuated CREB phosphorylation by <i>MSK1</i> knockdown was detected by Western blotting. (<b>E</b>) At 24 h after transfection of siRNAs against <i>MSK1</i> together with CREB-luc (2 µg) and pRSV-luc (20 ng) reporters, U266 cells were incubated with 1 µM ATRA for another 24 h. Luciferase activity was measured and normalized to <i>Renilla</i> luciferase activity. Each value presented is the average of triplicate samples and a representative of multiple independent experiments.</p