Estimation of Multiple Petrophysical Parameters for Hydrocarbon Reservoirs with the Ensemble-Based Technique

The ensemble-based history matching technique has been successfully applied to simultaneously estimate multiple petrophysical parameters for hydrocarbon reservoirs. The tuning petrophysical properties include horizontal and vertical permeability, porosity and three-phase relative permeability curves. Four scenarios with different combination of the tuning parameters have been evaluated. The ensemble-based history matching technique is found to be capable of estimating multiple petrophysical parameters by conditioning the reservoir geological models to production history. The uncertainty range of production data generated from the updated models is reduced compared to that of initial models. However, the history-matched models may not always provide good production prediction results, especially when absolute permeability and relative permeability are tuned simultaneously. This further illustrates the non-uniqueness of the history matching solutions. In addition, three-phase relative permeability curves are found to be estimated with good accuracy when absolute permeability fields are known.Key words: Petrophysical parameters; Assisted history matching; Ensemble kalman filter (EnKF); PUNQ-S3 mode

Quantification of Viscosity for Solvents−Heavy Oil/Bitumen Systems in the Presence of Water at High Pressures and Elevated Temperatures

In this study, a new and pragmatic methodology has been developed to accurately predict the viscosity for light solvents (i.e., methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, n-pentane, N2, and CO2)–heavy oil/bitumen/water systems as a function of pressure in the temperature range of 287.9–463.4 K. The LV and ALV (L is the oleic phase, V is the vapor phase, and A is the aqueous phase) phase equilibria of the aforementioned systems are calculated using the Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR EOS) with modified alpha functions and binary interaction parameters (BIPs). The six widely used mixing rules for predicting viscosity of solvents−heavy oil/bitumen systems pertaining to vapor–liquid equilibria are compared and evaluated, while the linear mixing rule is used for hydrocarbons−water mixtures. Plus, effective density is for the first time successfully introduced into the volume-based mixing rules. The volume-based power law, weight-based power law, and weight-based Cragoe’s mixing rules are found to well reproduce the viscosity for the aforementioned systems with AARDs of 15.5%, 19.0%, and 32.6%, respectively. Effective density rather than real density of dissolved gas(es) should be used for all of the volume-based mixing rules, while the adjustable parameter in the power law mixing rule has a potential to achieve high generalization if adequate measurements are made available. Although water has a lower diluting ability than other solvents in the same amount of dissolution, it can outperform methane and CO2 in diluting heavy oil/bitumen at high temperatures due to its high solubility. Addition of water can reduce or increase the viscosity of a solvents–heavy oil/bitumen mixture, depending on the ability of solvents and water to dilute heavy oil/bitumen and effects of water on the solvent dissolution. Water molar fraction in feed can exert an effect on the mixture viscosity in LV equilibria through affecting the solvent dissolution but cannot impose an impact on the mixture viscosity at ALV equilibria

Rapid flocculation-sedimentation of microalgae with organosilane-functionalized halloysite

Microalgae is a promising feedstock of biofuel for alternating fossil fuels. The major challenge of microalgal biofuels for commercial applications is in designing an efficient harvesting method with high economic feasibility. In this study, a rapid flocculation-sedimentation harvesting method induced by organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant was achieved for Scenedesmus dimorphus harvest. The harvesting efficiency was significantly influenced by the pH of microalgal dispersion and the dosage of flocculant. The optimized harvesting condition was pH 3.0 with flocculant dosage of 1.0 g.g(-1) cell dry mass. Under the optimized harvesting condition, microalgae rapidly reached 93% harvesting efficiency within 0.5 min of settling time, and reached 98% harvesting efficiency within 2 min of settling time. The rapid flocculation was attributed to the charge neutralization of the negatively-charged microalgae cells by the positively-charged organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant and to the sweep flocculation by organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant. The organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant did not affect the lipid extraction of microalgae, and not contaminate the extracted residuals. The organosilane-functionalized halloysite flocculant is of high efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, makes it be of promising application for commercial microalgae harvesting.</p

Zinc Improves Functional Recovery by Regulating the Secretion of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor From Microglia/Macrophages After Spinal Cord Injury

While zinc promotes motor function recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), the precise mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of zinc and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on neuronal recovery after SCI. The SCI model was established by Allen’s method. Injured animals were given glucose and zinc gluconate (ZnG; 30 mg/kg) for the first time at 2 h after injury, the same dose was given for 3 days. A cytokine antibody array was used to screen changes in inflammation at the site of SCI lesion. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the distribution of cytokines. Magnetic beads were also used to isolate cells from the site of SCI lesion. We then investigated the effect of Zinc on apoptosis after SCI by Transferase UTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) staining and Western Blotting. Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) scores and immunofluorescence were employed to investigate neuronal apoptosis and functional recovery. We found that the administration of zinc significantly increased the expression of 19 cytokines in the SCI lesion. Of these, G-CSF was shown to be the most elevated cytokine and was secreted by microglia/macrophages (M/Ms) via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway after SCI. Increased levels of G-CSF at the SCI lesion reduced the level of neuronal apoptosis after SCI, thus promoting functional recovery. Collectively, our results indicate that the administration of zinc increases the expression of G-CSF secreted by M/Ms, which then leads to reduced levels of neuronal apoptosis after SCI

Effects of levofloxacin hydrochlordie on photosystem II activity and heterogeneity of Synechocystis sp.

Effects of LH on photosynthesis of Synechocystis sp. were investigated by a variety of in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence. O-2 evolution and the photosystem II (PSII) activity were clearly inhibited by LH. Exposure to LH increased the proportion of PSII beta and this weakened the connectivity between PS11 units and hindered excitation energy-transfer between PSII units. LH decreased the density of the active photosynthetic reaction centers, inhibited electron transport, and increased the dissipated energy flux per reaction center. The inhibitory effect of LH on Q(A)(-) reoxidation process could be divided into several stages. LH first inhibited the electron transfer from Q(A)(-) to Q(B) by weakening the connectivity between Q(A)(-) and Q(B), and PQ binding began taking part in Q(A)(-) reoxidation. At the second stage, the connectivity between Q(A)(-) and PQ pool was broken and inhibition on PQ binding occurred. At this stage, some Q(A)(-) began to be oxidized by S-2(Q(A)Q(B))(-). Finally, when the connectivity between Q(A)(-) and Q(B) and PQ was completely broken, all Q(A)(-) was oxidized through charge recombination. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Assessing Rail Station Accessibility Based on Improved Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method and Map Service API

Accessibility is an important index for evaluating the efficiency of rail stations. In view of the imbalance between the supply and demand of rail station settings and population distribution, this paper takes the Shijingshan District in Beijing as an example. Based on the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method and Gaode map’s service interface, the accessibility of rail stations is simulated and analyzed in terms of both walking and riding. Combined with the calculation results, supply and demand relationship and trip time, the current characteristics and causes are analyzed, and the corresponding optimization suggestions are put forward. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The accessibility distribution of rail stations in the Shijingshan District is relatively coordinated with the population distribution. The effectiveness of the accessibility assessment of rail stations can be further improved by improving the causal evaluation model with traditional calculation data; (2) The change of trip mode has a small impact on the accessibility of large stations, while small stations and areas with uneven station distribution can be improved by riding; (3) According to the K-value clustering method, the results of the two calculation methods are divided into five categories, and each category of demand units has different accessibility characteristics and causes; (4) Comprehensive accessibility is positively correlated with road density and population density

Assessing Rail Station Accessibility Based on Improved Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method and Map Service API

Accessibility is an important index for evaluating the efficiency of rail stations. In view of the imbalance between the supply and demand of rail station settings and population distribution, this paper takes the Shijingshan District in Beijing as an example. Based on the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method and Gaode map&rsquo;s service interface, the accessibility of rail stations is simulated and analyzed in terms of both walking and riding. Combined with the calculation results, supply and demand relationship and trip time, the current characteristics and causes are analyzed, and the corresponding optimization suggestions are put forward. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The accessibility distribution of rail stations in the Shijingshan District is relatively coordinated with the population distribution. The effectiveness of the accessibility assessment of rail stations can be further improved by improving the causal evaluation model with traditional calculation data; (2) The change of trip mode has a small impact on the accessibility of large stations, while small stations and areas with uneven station distribution can be improved by riding; (3) According to the K-value clustering method, the results of the two calculation methods are divided into five categories, and each category of demand units has different accessibility characteristics and causes; (4) Comprehensive accessibility is positively correlated with road density and population density

Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling and Analysis of Planetary Gearbox Combination Failure Based on Digital Twin

Existing studies on the dynamic characteristics of planetary gearboxes are generally based on traditional modeling methods. The models were idealized because of various uncertain factors that affect the dynamic characteristics of the planetary gearbox. The influence of non-mechanical components, such as driving motors, on dynamic analysis, is often ignored. Digital twin technology can not only simulate the data characteristics of physical entities to realize the real-time state evaluation and fault diagnosis of complex equipment but also reflect the entity characteristics of the modeled object completely. Therefore, a digital twin multi-body dynamic model of a planetary gearbox is established for detecting the combined fault of the sun gear missing teeth and the planetary gear missing teeth or pitting under different working conditions. The dynamic characteristics of a planetary gearbox subjected to electromechanical coupling were studied. The sun gear fault frequency, planetary gear fault frequency, and both related modulation frequencies appear in the experiment, and the corresponding fault characteristic frequencies also appear in the digital twin simulation. The validity of the proposed model was experimentally verified. Finally, the root-mean-square index was used to analyze the fault sensitivity of the traditional and digital twin models. The results show that the fault diagnosis effect of the digital twin model has a significant advantage, thus verifying the necessity of considering the effect of electromechanical coupling on the dynamic characteristics of the planetary gearbox

Effectiveness of varicella vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis: a meta-analysis

Background To evaluate the effectiveness of varicella vaccine (VarV) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among children during varicella outbreaks. Material and Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SinoMed, Wanfang and CNKI. Relevant outcomes included the incidence of varicella. Pooled estimates were calculated using a fixed-effects or random-effects model according to the heterogeneity among studies. Results A total of 15 studies with 7,474 children that received one or two dosages of VarV as PEP and 183,827 children who received no VarV were included in the meta-analysis. In total, one-dose and two-dose VarV as PEP had 43% (95% confidence interval (CI):27%, 55%) and 60% (95%CI: 35%, 75%) efficacy, respectively. When PEP was applied within 3 days, the pooled VarV as PEP for prevention of varicella was 80% (95%CI: 68%, 88%); when PEP was administered beyond 3 days, the pooled VarV as PEP for the prevention of varicella was 50% (95%CI: 11%, 72%). If the PEP was implemented with a coverage of more than 80%, the VarV could prevent 82% of varicella cases from occurring (95%CI: 15%, 96%); if the PEP covered a maximum of 80% of the susceptible cases, the VarV could prevent 65% of varicella cases from occurring (95%CI: 50%, 76%). Conclusion The two-dose VarV had better efficacy than one-dose VarV in the control of varicella outbreaks, especially if PEP was applied within 3 days of an outbreak and in conjunction with a high coverage rate ≥80%