Topology Optimization for Steady-State Navier-Stokes Flow Based on Parameterized Level Set Based Method

In this paper,we consider solving the topology optimization for steady-state incompressibleNavier-Stokes problems via a new topology optimization method called parameterized level set method,which can maintain a relatively smooth level set function with a local optimality condition.The objective of topology optimization is to􀀀nd an optimal con􀀀guration of theuid and solid materials that minimizes power dissipation under a prescribeduid volume fraction constraint.An arti􀀀cial friction force is added to the Navier-Stokes equations to apply the no-slip boundary condition.Although a great deal of work has been carried out for topology optimization ofuidow in recent years,there are few researches on the topology optimization ofuidow with physical body forces.To simulate theuidow in reality,the constant body force(e.g.,gravity)is considered in this paper.Several 2D numerical examples are presented to discuss the relationships between the proposed method with Reynolds number and initial design,and demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the proposed method in dealing with unstructuredmesh problems.Three 3D numerical examples demonstrate the proposedmethod is feasible in three-dimensional.

Hydrogen production via autothermal reforming of ethanol over noble metal catalysts supported on oxides

Hydrogen was produced over noble metal (Ir, Ru, Rh, Pd) catalysts supported on various oxides, including γ-Al2O3, CeO2, ZrO2 and La2O3, via the autothermal reforming reaction of ethanol (ATRE) and oxidative reforming reaction of ethanol (OSRE). The conversion of ethanol and selectivites for hydrogen and byproducts such as methane, ethylene and acetaldehyde were studied. It was found that lanthana alone possessed considerable activity for the ATRE reaction, which could be used as a functional support for ATRE catalysts. It was demonstrated that Ir/La2O3 prevented the formation of methane, and Rh/La2O3 encumbered the production of ethylene and acetaldehyde. ATRE reaction was carried out over La2O3-supported catalysts (Ir/La2O3) with good stability on stream, high conversion, and excellent hydrogen selectivity approaching thermodynamic limit under autothermal condition. Typically, 3.4 H2 molecules can be extracted from a pair of ethanol and water molecules over Ir(5wt%)/La2O3. The results presented in this paper indicate that Ir/La2O3 can be used as a promising catalyst for hydrogen production via ATRE reaction from renewable ethanol.

Path-planning algorithms for self-driving vehicles basedon improved RRT-Connect

This study aims to solve path planning of ntelligent vehicles in self driving In this study,an improved path planning method com-bining constraints of the environment and vehicle is proposed.The algorithm designs a reasonable path cost function,then uses a heuristic guided search strategy to improve the speed and quality of path planning,and finally generates smooth and continuous cur-vature paths based on the path post-processing method focusing on the requirements of path smoothness.A simulation test shows that compared with the basic rapidly-exploring random tree(RRT),RRT-Connect and RRT*algorithms,the path length of the proposed algorithm can be reduced by 19.7%,29.3%and 1%respectively,and the maximum planned path curvature of the proposed algorithm is 0.0796 mr1 and 0.1512 mi respectively.under the condition of a small amount of planning time.The algorithm can plan the more suitable driving path for intelligent vehicles in a complex environment.