Improving the Knowledge-Based Expert System Lifecycle

Knowledge-based expert systems are used to enhance and automate manual processes through the use of a knowledge base and modern computing power. The traditional methodology for creating knowledge-based expert systems has many commonly encountered issues that can prevent successful implementations. Complications during the knowledge acquisition phase can prevent a knowledge-based expert system from functioning properly. Furthermore, the time and resources required to maintain a knowledge-based expert system once implemented can become problematic. There are several concepts that can be integrated into a proposed methodology to improve the knowledge-based expert system lifecycle to create a more efficient process. These methods are commonly used in other disciplines but have not traditionally been incorporated into the knowledge-based expert system lifecycle. A container-loading knowledge-based expert system was created to test the concepts in the proposed methodology. The results from the container-loading knowledge-based expert system test were compared against the historical records of thirteen container ships loaded between 2008 and 2011

Container Loading Problems: A State-of-the-Art Review

Container loading is a pivotal function for operating supply chains efficiently. Underperformance results in unnecessary costs (e.g. cost of additional containers to be shipped) and in an unsatisfactory customer service (e.g. violation of deadlines agreed to or set by clients). Thus, it is not surprising that container loading problems have been dealt with frequently in the operations research literature. It has been claimed though that the proposed approaches are of limited practical value since they do not pay enough attention to constraints encountered in practice.In this paper, a review of the state-of-the-art in the field of container loading will be given. We will identify factors which - from a practical point of view - need to be considered when dealing with container loading problems and we will analyze whether and how these factors are represented in methods for the solution of such problems. Modeling approaches, as well as exact and heuristic algorithms will be reviewed. This will allow for assessing the practical relevance of the research which has been carried out in the field. We will also mention several issues which have not been dealt with satisfactorily so far and give an outlook on future research opportunities

An entropy-guided Monte Carlo tree search approach for generating optimal container loading layouts

In this paper, a novel approach to the container loading problem using a spatial entropy measure to bias a Monte Carlo Tree Search is proposed. The proposed algorithm generates layouts that achieve the goals of both fitting a constrained space and also having “consistency” or neatness that enables forklift truck drivers to apply them easily to real shipping containers loaded from one end. Three algorithms are analysed. The first is a basic Monte Carlo Tree Search, driven only by the principle of minimising the length of container that is occupied. The second is an algorithm that uses the proposed entropy measure to drive an otherwise random process. The third algorithm combines these two principles and produces superior results to either. These algorithms are then compared to a classical deterministic algorithm. It is shown that where the classical algorithm fails, the entropy-driven algorithms are still capable of providing good results in a short computational time

Green Low-Carbon Technology for Metalliferous Minerals

Metalliferous minerals play a central role in the global economy. They will continue to provide the raw materials we need for industrial processes. Significant challenges will likely emerge if the climate-driven green and low-carbon development transition of metalliferous mineral exploitation is not managed responsibly and sustainably. Green low-carbon technology is vital to promote the development of metalliferous mineral resources shifting from extensive and destructive mining to clean and energy-saving mining in future decades. Global mining scientists and engineers have conducted a lot of research in related fields, such as green mining, ecological mining, energy-saving mining, and mining solid waste recycling, and have achieved a great deal of innovative progress and achievements. This Special Issue intends to collect the latest developments in the green low-carbon mining field, written by well-known researchers who have contributed to the innovation of new technologies, process optimization methods, or energy-saving techniques in metalliferous minerals development

Validación de la calidad de las soluciones obtenidas en la tesis de maestría optimización integral del problema de carga de contenedores tridimensionales

Esta tesis presenta un Algoritmo Genético (AG) para resolver un problema combinatorio de empaquetamiento tridimensional, el cual es un problema NP-Hard que consiste básicamente en colocar una serie de cajas tridimensionales dentro de un contenedor tridimensional con medidas conocidas, buscando optimizar la utilización del espacio [Pisinger, 2002]. La importancia de este trabajo radica en continuar con las perspectivas de investigación planteadas en la tesis de maestría OPTIMIZACIÓN INTEGRAL DEL PROBLEMA DE CARGA DE CONTENEDORES TRIDIMENSIONALES realizada por el ingeniero Carlos Alberto Vega Mejía (M.Sc) y cuyos resultados se pueden consultar en [García et al., 2011], con el fin de complementar los estudios realizados a la fecha. Se evidenció que en relación al espacio ocupado, el trabajo del Ing. Vega Mejía estadísticamente logró un mejor aprovechamiento del mismo, pero en cuanto al desvío del centro de gravedad el método planteado por los autores ofrece un mejor equilibrio del contenedor en la instancia de 72 cajas.This Thesis presents a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the combinatory problem of tridimensional packing, which is a NP-Hard Problem that basically consists in put a series of tridimensional boxes inside of a tridimensional container with known dimensions, in order to optimize the usage of the space inside [Pisinger, 2002] The significance of this job emphasizes in continue the line of research presented in the Master s Thesis INTEGRAL OPTIMIZATION OF THE CONTAINER LOADING PROBLEM made by the engineer Carlos Alberto Vega Mejía (M. Sc) a whose results can be consulted at [Garcia et al, 2011] with the purpose of adding content to the studies done up to this date. It s shown that in relation with the occupied space, the works of the Eng, Vega Mejía can have a statistically better usage of the space inside the container, but when looking at the deviation of the gravity center, the method purposed by the authors of this thesis offers a better balance inside the container at the instance of 72 boxes.Ingeniero (a) IndustrialPregrad

Advances in Unconventional Oil and Gas

This book focuses on the latest progress in unconventional oil and gas (such as coalbed methane, shale gas, tight gas, heavy oil, hydrate, etc.) exploration and development, including reservoir characterization, gas origin and storage, accumulation geology, hydrocarbon generation evolution, fracturing technology, enhanced oil recovery, etc. Some new methods are proposed to improve the gas extraction in coal seams, characterize the relative permeability of reservoirs, improve the heat control effect of hydrate-bearing sediment, improve the development efficiency of heavy oil, increase fracturing effectiveness in tight reservoirs, etc

Swelling characteristics of some British mudrocks

One-dimensional swelling tests were conducted on seven undisturbed and remoulded heavily-overconsolidated clays and indurated mudstones. The samples cover a wide range of properties in terms of geological age, mineralogy, plasticity and diagenetic bonds. It is found that swelling proceeds faster than is predicted by Terzaghi's theory of swelling at low overconsolidation ratios (OCR), but it is slower at high OCR values, probably due to the prominence of secondary swelling. The results show that swelling is of a progressive nature, regardless of plasticity and diagenetic bonds. The coefficient of swelling decreases and the ratio of secondary to primary swelling increases with increasing OCR. At high OCR's, the former drops by more than an order of magnitude below the coefficient of consolidation; the latter can be as high as 0.6 within a log-cycle of time. Progressive softening and failure phenomena in mudrocks are considered to be due to the combined effects of progressive swelling and breakdown of diagenetic bonds. Swelling pressure is found to be indicative of in situ stress conditions. The average swelling index generally increases with pre-consolidation pressure in remoulded samples. Three types of diagenetic bonds are postulated: carbonate cements, viscous-adsorbed-water-type, and mechanical adhesion. Bonds tend to decrease the swelling index and so increase the coefficient of swelling. The fabric of the samples is far different from that assumed in the double-layer theory, which can qualitatively predict the physico-chemical forces involved in swelling. Dead volume, in which the double-layer force cannot operate, is shown to be large. The results of tests using n-decane as pore fluid to suppress osmotic swelling indicates that mechanical swelling is more than 50 to 60 per cent of total swelling in the samples. Both mechanical and total swelling indices are linearly correlated with liquid limit among remoulded samples, except for the Fuller's Earth clay which contains at least 65 per cent smectite (expandable clay)

XVIII International Coal Preparation Congress

Changes in economic and market conditions of mineral raw materials in recent years have greatly increased demands on the ef fi ciency of mining production. This is certainly true of the coal industry. World coal consumption is growing faster than other types of fuel and in the past year it exceeded 7.6 billion tons. Coal extraction and processing technology are continuously evolving, becoming more economical and environmentally friendly. “ Clean coal ” technology is becoming increasingly popular. Coal chemistry, production of new materials and pharmacology are now added to the traditional use areas — power industry and metallurgy. The leading role in the development of new areas of coal use belongs to preparation technology and advanced coal processing. Hi-tech modern technology and the increasing interna- tional demand for its effectiveness and ef fi ciency put completely new goals for the University. Our main task is to develop a new generation of workforce capacity and research in line with global trends in the development of science and technology to address critical industry issues. Today Russia, like the rest of the world faces rapid and profound changes affecting all spheres of life. The de fi ning feature of modern era has been a rapid development of high technology, intellectual capital being its main asset and resource. The dynamics of scienti fi c and technological development requires acti- vation of University research activities. The University must be a generator of ideas to meet the needs of the economy and national development. Due to the high intellectual potential, University expert mission becomes more and more called for and is capable of providing professional assessment and building science-based predictions in various fi elds. Coal industry, as well as the whole fuel and energy sector of the global economy is growing fast. Global multinational energy companies are less likely to be under state in fl uence and will soon become the main mechanism for the rapid spread of technologies based on new knowledge. Mineral resources will have an even greater impact on the stability of the economies of many countries. Current progress in the technology of coal-based gas synthesis is not just a change in the traditional energy markets, but the emergence of new products of direct consumption, obtained from coal, such as synthetic fuels, chemicals and agrochemical products. All this requires a revision of the value of coal in the modern world economy