Flash-point prediction for binary partially miscible mixtures of flammable solvents

Flash point is the most important variable used to characterize fire and explosion hazard of liquids. Herein, partially miscible mixtures are presented within the context of liquid-liquid extraction processes. This paper describes development of a model for predicting the flash point of binary partially miscible mixtures of flammable solvents. To confirm the predictive efficacy of the derived flash points, the model was verified by comparing the predicted values with the experimental data for the studied mixtures: methanol + octane; methanol + decane; acetone + decane; methanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane; and, ethanol + tetradecane. Our results reveal that immiscibility in the two liquid phases should not be ignored in the prediction of flash point. Overall, the predictive results of this proposed model describe the experimental data well. Based on this evidence, therefore, it appears reasonable to suggest potential application for our model in assessment of fire and explosion hazards, and development of inherently safer designs for chemical processes containing binary partially miscible mixtures of flammable solvents

Effect of stirring on the safety of flammable liquid mixtures

Flash point is the most important variable employed to characterize fire and explosion hazard of liquids. The models developed for predicting the flash point of partially miscible mixtures in the literature to date are all based on the assumption of liquid-liquid equilibrium. In real-world environments, however, the liquid-liquid equilibrium assumption does not always hold, such as the collection or accumulation of waste solvents without stirring, where complete stirring for a period of time is usually used to ensure the liquid phases being in equilibrium. This study investigated the effect of stirring on the flash point behavior of binary partially miscible mixtures. Two series of partially miscible binary mixtures were employed to elucidate the effect of stirring. The first series was aqueous-organic mixtures, including water + 1-butanol, water + 2-butanol, water + isobutanol, water + 1-pentanol, and water + octane ; the second series was the mixtures of two flammable solvents, which included methanol + decane, methanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, and methanol + octane. Results reveal that for binary aqueous-organic solutions the flash-point values of unstirred mixtures were located between those of the completely stirred mixtures and those of the flammable component. Therefore, risk assessment could be done based on the flammable component flash point value. However, for the assurance of safety, it is suggested to completely stir those mixtures before handling to reduce the risk

Vergleich der Einleitungen in deutschen und in chinesischen Abschlussarbeiten

Wissenschaftliches Schreiben an der Universität ist für die Studierenden schwierig und führt nicht selten sogar zum Abbruch des Studiums (vgl. Ehlich/Steets 2003; Dittmann/Geneuss/ Nennstiel/Quast 2003; Steinhoff 2007). Bisher wurden Abschlussarbeiten nur zwischen europäischen Sprachen verglichen (vgl. Kaiser 2003), aber nicht zwischen Deutsch und Chinesisch. In diesem Artikel werden Unterschiede in den Makrostrukturen von Abschlussarbeiten aus beiden Ländern analysiert und dazu authentische Belege herangezogen. Dabei werden als Forschungsmethoden sowohl die Move Analysis als auch statistische Analysen verwendet. Als Ergebnis werden deutliche Unterschiede zwischen deutschen und chinesischen Abschlussarbeiten in Bezug auf die Makrostruktur berichtet und deren Bedeutung diskutiert

Differential Game for Environmental-Regulation in Green Supply Chain

[[abstract]]This paper demonstrates that a proper design of environmental-regulation pricing strategies is able to promote Extended Product Responsibility for green supply chain firms in a competitive market. A differential game model comprising Vidale-Wolfe equation has been established in light of sales competition and recycling dynamics as well as regulation related profit function. Analytic solutions of Markovian Nash equilibriums are provided with the necessary condition derived from Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. We found that governments should opt to gradually raise regulation standards so that rational manufacturers will gradually improve its product recyclability, and, in turn, Extended Product Responsibility will get promoted

CMOS Image Sensor with a Built-in Lane Detector

This work develops a new current-mode mixed signal Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) imager, which can capture images and simultaneously produce vehicle lane maps. The adopted lane detection algorithm, which was modified to be compatible with hardware requirements, can achieve a high recognition rate of up to approximately 96% under various weather conditions. Instead of a Personal Computer (PC) based system or embedded platform system equipped with expensive high performance chip of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), the proposed imager, without extra Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) circuits to transform signals, is a compact, lower cost key-component chip. It is also an innovative component device that can be integrated into intelligent automotive lane departure systems. The chip size is 2,191.4 × 2,389.8 μm, and the package uses 40 pin Dual-In-Package (DIP). The pixel cell size is 18.45 × 21.8 μm and the core size of photodiode is 12.45 × 9.6 μm; the resulting fill factor is 29.7%

Data mining of the GAW14 simulated data using rough set theory and tree-based methods

Rough set theory and decision trees are data mining methods used for dealing with vagueness and uncertainty. They have been utilized to unearth hidden patterns in complicated datasets collected for industrial processes. The Genetic Analysis Workshop 14 simulated data were generated using a system that implemented multiple correlations among four consequential layers of genetic data (disease-related loci, endophenotypes, phenotypes, and one disease trait). When information of one layer was blocked and uncertainty was created in the correlations among these layers, the correlation between the first and last layers (susceptibility genes and the disease trait in this case), was not easily directly detected. In this study, we proposed a two-stage process that applied rough set theory and decision trees to identify genes susceptible to the disease trait. During the first stage, based on phenotypes of subjects and their parents, decision trees were built to predict trait values. Phenotypes retained in the decision trees were then advanced to the second stage, where rough set theory was applied to discover the minimal subsets of genes associated with the disease trait. For comparison, decision trees were also constructed to map susceptible genes during the second stage. Our results showed that the decision trees of the first stage had accuracy rates of about 99% in predicting the disease trait. The decision trees and rough set theory failed to identify the true disease-related loci

The integration of a student response system in flipped classrooms

[[abstract]]The present study incorporates a student response system (SRS) as a means to engage students in a flipped classroom and promote active learning. While the effectiveness of such systems with regard to student learning has been well documented in disciplines that are dominated by lecture-based instruction, no studies have compared the effectiveness of SRS-integrated flipped classrooms in English language teaching contexts, as supported by the two different techniques of just-in-time teaching (JiTT) and peer instruction (PI). This study thus aims to fill this gap in the literature by examining the effects of SRS-integrated flipped classrooms on English language learners’ speaking skills, willingness to communicate, and satisfaction with the flipped learning experiences. Using a quasi-experimental design, the overall results indicate that SRS-integrated flipped classrooms are capable of providing interactive learning opportunities that enhance learners’ willingness to communicate, aiding their development of speaking skills and increasing their satisfaction with such learning experiences. The findings further suggest that the proposed approach has an additional advantage for motivating learners with low willingness to communicate to interact with the teacher and their peers in class activities, especially when facilitated by the PI technique

Ricostruzione geologica tridimensionale della stratigrafia tardo-quaternaria nel sottosuolo di Ferrara

This work is aimed at the reconstruction of the upper Quaternary depositional architecture, below the urban area of Ferrara, in northern Italy. The study area is part of the lower alluvial plain of the Po and Reno rivers and is therefore dominate by fluvial channel sands, levee sands-silts, and interchannel depression mud. The research was focused on the reconstruction of a digital geological model of the sedimentary bodies buried in the first 35 m under the topographic surface. The study units accumulated through Holocene and late Pleistocene times. The research work is based on the analysis of a rich data set, derived from about 2,000 subsurface investigations, consisting of continuous coring, penetration tests (including CPTU and SCPTU), and water wells stratigraphy. The subsurface modelling was achieved through both the conceptual interpretation of surface and subsurface information and the computerized geostatistic interpolation of digitalized data. The digital interpolation overcame the large heterogeneity of the data set into a homogeneous statistical and conceptual framework, through the use of a time and economic efficient work protocol. The research work achieved the reconstruction of the environmental evolution of the area, from the last glacial maximum time up to the present. The large climatic and eustatic fluctuations of the Quaternary largely influenced the environmental evolution and sedimentary dynamics of the area. During the last sea-level lowstand, a large body of synglacial river sands accumulated into the research area, under middle alluvial plain conditions. During phases of the eustatic rising, a thick alluvial plain body aggraded in the southern portion of the study area, fed by Apennines derived rivers, whereas non depositional condition persisted on the northern structural high. The maximum transgression was matched with the widespread sedimentation of fresh water marsh muds. During the highstand times, sands accumulated into both the Po and Reno channels, and mud into the adjacent interfluvial depressions. The research work demonstrated the great role played by the compressive deformation of this portion of the seismic active Apennines Foredeep Basin in the shaping of the depositional architecture. The sedimentary successions accumulated onto the anticline crests are much thinner than those sedimented into the syncline areas. The stratigraphic interpretation of the subsurface data can improve the geotechnical and hydrogeological work and support an improved seismic danger mitigation of an area significantly affected by the May 2012 earthquakes

Aligning supply chain strategy with corporate environmental strategy: A contingency approach

10.1016/j.ijpe.2013.02.027International Journal of Production Economics147PART B220-229IJPC

Degree of market imperfection and the pricing of stock index futures

Capital markets are imperfect. Market imperfections differ among markets. This study uses a theoretical valuation model derived by Hsu and Wang (2004) to estimate the degrees of market imperfection for mature and immature markets, and tests the applicability of the model. Moreover, this study proposes some theoretical hypotheses and empirical tests regarding the relationship between the degree of market imperfection and futures pricing. The evidence indicates that the Hsu and Wang (2004) model appears to provide a reasonable measure of the degree of market imperfection for real capital markets. The theoretical hypotheses and empirical results indicate that larger market imperfections are relatively more mispriced based on the model of perfect-market assumption, suggesting that the impact of market imperfection on the pricing of stock index futures is enormous, and cannot be neglected. Thus, when investors more closely examine the applicability of the cost of carry model for pricing mature and immature futures markets, they should note the degree of imperfection for the markets in which they are participating.