Prediction of Low Heating Value of Sugar Cane Bagasse as a Fuel for Industrial Boilers in the High Relative Humidity Region: Case of Cameroon

Many attempts have been made to estimate calorific value of bagasse using mathematical equations, which were created based on data from proximate, ultimate, physical and chemical analysis. Questions have been raised on the applicability of these equations in different parts of the globe. This study was initiated to tackle these problems and also check the most suited mathematical models for the Law Heating Value of Cameroonian bagasse. Data and bagasse samples were collected at the Cameroonian sugarcane factory. The effects of cane variety, age of harvesting, source, moisture content, and sucrose on the LHV of Cameroon bagasse have been tested. It was shown that humidity does not change within a variety, but changes from the dry season to the rainy season;the sugar in the rainy season is significantly different from that collected in the dry season. Samples of the same variety have identical LHV. LHV in the dry season is significantly different from LHV in the rainy season. According to the fact that this study was done for cane with different ages of harvesting, the maturity of Cameroonian sugarcane does not affect LHV of bagasse. Tree selected models are much superior tool for the prediction of the LHV for bagasse in Cameroon compared to others. The standard deviation of these validated models is around 200 kJ/kg compared to the experimental. Thus, the models determined in foreign countries, are not necessarily applicable in predicting the LHV of bagasse in other countries with the same accuracy as that in their native country. There was linear relationship between humidity, ash and sugar content in the bagasse. It is possible to build models based on data from physical composition of bagasse using regression analysis.

Experiments on Ni/γ-Al_2O_3 catalyst for improving lower heating value of biomass gasification fuel gas via methanation

Ni-based catalysts supported by γ-Al_2O_3 were prepared for improving the lower heating value( LHV) of biomass gasification fuel gas through methanation. Prior to the performance tests, the physico-chemical properties of the catalyst samples were characterized by N_2 isothermal adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction( XRD) and a scanning electron microscope( SEM). Afterwards, a series of experiments were carried out to investigate the catalytic performance and the results showthat catalysts with 15% and20% Ni loadings have better methanation catalytic effect than those with 5% and 10% Ni loadings in terms of elevating the LHV of biomass gasification fuel gas. M oreover, controllable influential factors such as the reaction temperature, the H_2/CO ratio and the water content occupy an important position in the methanation of biomass gasification fuel gas. 15 Ni/γ-Al_2O_3 and 20 Ni/γ-Al_2O_3 catalysts have a higher CO conversion and CH_4 selectivity at 350 ℃ and the LHV of biomass gasification fuel gas can be largely increased by 34. 3 % at 350 ℃. Higher H_2/CO ratio and a lower water content are more beneficial for improving the LHV of biomass gasification fuel gas when considering the combination of both CO conversion and CH_4 selectivity. This is due to the fact that a higher H_2/CO ratio and lower water content can increase the extent of the methanation reaction.

Low organic matter abundance and highly efficient hydrocarbon generation of saline source rock in the Qaidam Basin,NW China

The geochemical analysis and experimental simulation are comprehensively used to systematically study the hydrocarbon generation material,organic matter enrichment and hydrocarbon generation model of Paleogene source rock in the Western Qaidam Depression,Qaidam Basin,NW China.Three main factors result in low TOC values of saline lacustrine source rock of the Qaidam Basin:relatively poor nutrient supply inhibits the algal bloom,too fast deposition rate causes the dilution of organic matter,and high organic matter conversion efficiency causes the low residual organic carbon.For this type of hydrogen-rich organic matter,due to the reduction of organic carbon during hydrocarbon generation,TOC needs to be restored based on maturity before evaluating organic matter abundance.The hydrocarbon generation of saline lacustrine source rocks of the Qaidam Basin is from two parts:soluble organic matter and insoluble organic matter.The soluble organic matter is inherited from organisms and preserved in saline lacustrine basins.It generates hydrocarbons during low-maturity stage,and the formed hydrocarbons are rich in complex compounds such as NOS,and undergo secondary cracking to form light components in the later stage;the hydrocarbon generation model of insoluble organic matter conforms to the traditional“Tissot”model,with an oil generation peak corresponding to Ro of 1.0%.

Measuring quality of life in oculoplastic patients

AIM: To investigate if there is any published evidence of impaired quality of life in conditions which are corrected by oculoplastic surgery and whether there is proven benefit in the quality of life such procedures. ·METHODS: We searched a number of databases to determine the level of evidence available for common conditions amenable to oculoplastic surgery. Search terms concentrated on quality of life measures rather than anatomical correction of deformities. ·RESULTS: The level of evidence available for different conditions was very variable. Certain conditions had extensive research documenting reduction in quality of life,with some evidence for improvement after surgery. Some other common conditions had little or no evidence supporting of reduction in quality of life to support the need for surgery. ·CONCLUSION: The evidence is sparse for quality of life improvement after some of our most commonly performed procedures. Many of these procedures are now being identified by primary care trusts(PCTs) as of "low clinical value",and are no longer being routinely commissioned in certain parts of the UK. There is a need to address this lack of evidence to determine whether oculoplastic surgery should continue to be commissioned by PCTs.

A new kind of chelating agent with low pH value applied in the TSV CMP slurry

TSV（through silicon via） is an emerging technology, which can realize micromation compared with the conventional packaging and extend Moore＇s law. Chemical mechanical polishing（CMP） is one of the most important steps in the process of TSV manufacture, and it is an enabling technology to extend Moore＇s law in the past two decades. Low pressure, low abrasive and low p H value are the main requirements for copper interconnection.In this paper, the effect of different kinds of TSV slurry with FA/OⅡ or FA/O IV type chelating agent on CMP are studied. All kinds of slurry used in this study are alkaline with no added inhibitors. From the experiment results, it can be seen that the copper removal rate and surface roughness achieved by using the FA/OⅣ type chelating agent with a low p H value is superior to using the FA/OⅡ type chelating agent.