Long-term forecasting technology of macroeconomic systems development: regional aspect

Conducting of effective public policy is impossible without the scientifically substantiated evaluation of taken decisions. Long-term modeling and forecasting is the tool that allows evaluating the impact of the ongoing reforms on macroeconomic systems’ development. This requires the processing of huge amount of diverse information. This article is devoted to modeling and long-term forecasting of regional macroeconomic systems’ development. The simulation model based on the method of system dynamics is proposed. The generalized forecasting technology, which includes simulation model setup, validation and long-term forecasting, is developed. The numerical experiments and the forecast of Kharkiv region development until 2025 were carried out on the basis of the suggested information technology

The influence of over-stoichiometry in La2Ni0.9V0.1O4.15+δ on selective oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

In this study, the non-stoichiometric redox compound La2Ni0.9V0.1O4.15+δ has been tested as an oxidant in selective oxidation of propane. The extent of over-stoichiometry (δ) was varied via both removing oxygen with propane in pulse experiments, as well as partial re-oxidation with oxygen. The optimal degree of over-stoichiometry (δ) has been quantified; olefins are formed whereas formation of CO2 is prevented provided that δ is below 0.03. Additionally, the structural stability of the material was tested with in situ X-ray diffraction in H2 (H2-XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), propane-pulse-experiments and re-oxidation cycles. La2Ni0.9V0.1O4.15+δ has demonstrated structure stability at 550 °C and reversibility during oxidation–reduction cycles at 800 °C. Therefore, La2Ni0.9V0.1O4.15+δ is considered suitable for selective oxidative dehydrogenation of propane, provided that the degree of over-stoichiometry is limited to 0.03

Formation of high surface area Li/MgO - Efficient catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation/cracking of propane.

In this study nanoscale clusters of Li/MgO oxide with varying lithium contents are prepared via the sol–gel method. The preparation routine consists of co-gelation of LiNO3 and Mg(OCH3)2 in methanol/water solution followed by drying at 50 °C under vacuum and calcination at 500 °C in air. The structural and textural transformations that take place during oxide formation are studied with TGA–DSC–MS and FTIR spectroscopy. The obtained materials are characterized by TEM, N2 physisorption and XRD. Presence of increasing amounts of lithium precursor causes extensive hydrolysis of the alkoxide sol. Appreciable amounts of lithium ions can be incorporated in the magnesia gel even under the mild conditions during sol–gel transformation. Non-incorporated lithium ions form a separate carbonate phase, which has a detrimental effect on the surface area due to enhanced sintering. The Li/MgO oxide materials thus prepared possess high surface area (50–190 m2/g) depending on Li content. Small amounts of lithium ions, when present as a dispersed phase, do not seem to influence the structural and textural characteristics of the magnesia gel and, in these cases, nanoscale Li/MgO oxide clusters with high surface areas similar to pure MgO can be prepared. Sol–gel derived Li/MgO provides significantly higher olefin yields in ODH of propane in comparison with conventional Li/MgO catalysts, especially at lower temperatures

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF EXPERT COMPETENCY

The subject matter of the study is the processes of selecting and assessing the competency of experts. The goal of the study is to increase the objectivity of expert assessment by developing and applying a model and information technology for the integrated assessment of the competency of experts, which will enable selecting experts for participation in expert groups on a high qualitative level. The following tasks were solved: methods and models for assessing the quality and competency of experts were reviewed; a model for the integrated assessment of the competency of experts was developed; an applied information technology for a comprehensive assessment of the competency of experts was designed and implemented in software. The methodology of the study was based on the following methods: methods of heuristic, test and statistical evaluation were used to develop the model for the integrated assessment of the competency of experts; principles of system analysis and methods of object-oriented design were used to develop the applied information technology for the integrated assessment of the competency of experts. The following results were obtained: the problem of assessing the quality of experts was considered; based on the authors’ practical experience and analysis of literature sources, the structural diagram of the properties of experts and their assessment was developed; five main groups of existing methods for assessing the quality of experts were analyzed; existing models of an integrated assessment of the competency of experts were reviewed; a two-stage method for the integrated assessment of the competency of experts was developed by integrating the methods of heuristic, test, and statistical assessment; the main groups of users and functional requirements to the information system for assessing the competency of experts were identified; the database and user interface of the information system were developed; the developed information technology of the integrated assessment of the competency of experts was tested on actual data for selecting an expert group to choose the methodology of project management. Conclusions. The problem of selecting and assessing the competency of experts is one of the most difficult in the theory and practice of expert surveys. It cannot be solved by applying singular methods of assessment; its solution requires that complex methods, including both quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing the competency of specialists, should be applied. The applied information technology was developed for this purpose; it can be used at various enterprises, institutions, and organizations that are interested in automating the process of expert survey and in building quality expert groups

A bifunctional catalyst for the single-stage water-gas shift reaction in fuel cell applications. Part 2. Roles of the support and promoter on catalyst activity and stability.

The nature of oxide supports has a crucial effect on the performance of Pt-based catalysts in the water–gas shift reaction. Supports not only determine the activity of the catalyst, but also influence their stability (deactivation mechanism). Among the catalysts studied, Pt/TiO2 was the most active. Pt/CeO2 deactivated with time due to the formation of stable carbonate on the ceria surface. Sintering of Pt was found to be the cause of Pt/TiO2 deactivation. Using mixed oxides as catalyst supports did not improve the activity despite the better red–ox properties of mixed oxides compared with the single-oxide supports. Pt/TiO2 could be stabilized by adding a second metal (Re), which prevented Pt sintering. In addition, Pt–Re/TiO2 was more active than Pt/TiO2. Under WGS conditions, part of the Re was present in oxidizing form (ReOx); we speculate that this helped improve the catalyst activity