Solvent transport dynamics and its effect on evolution of mechanical properties of nitrocellulose(NC)-based propellants under hot-air drying process

Appropriate drying process with optimized controlling of drying parameters plays a vital role in the improvement of the quality and performance of propellant products.However,few research on solvent transport dynamics within NC-based propellants was reported,and its effect on the evolution of mechanical properties was not interpreted yet.This study is conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of hot-air drying for NC-based propellants and clarify the effect of temperature on solvent transport behavior and further the change of mechanical properties during drying.The drying kinetic curves show the drying time required is decreased but the steady solvent content is increased and the drying rate is obviously increased with the increase of hot-air temperatures,indicating hot-air temperatures have a significant effect on drying kinetics.A modified drying model was established,and results show it is more appropriate to describe solvent transport behavior within NC-based propellants.Moreover,two linear equations were established to exhibit the relationship between solvent content and its effect on the change of tensile properties,and the decrease of residual solvent content causes an obvious increase of tensile strength and tensile modulus of propellant products,indicating its mechanical properties can be partly improved by adjustment of residual solvent content.The outcomes can be used to clarify solvent transport mechanisms and optimize drying process parameters of double-based gun propellants.

Dynamics of Ore-Forming Processesof the Stratabound Skarn Copper Depositsof Tongling, Anhui Province

The skarn and ore bodies of the stratabound skarn copper deposits of Tongling, Anhui Province, are both controlled by definite stratigraphic horizons, and they are concordant with the strata. They occur as layers and layer-like bodies in permeable carbonate rocks of the Middle-Upper Carboniferous Huanglong and Chuanshan Formations which are underlain by impermeable shale or siliceous rocks of the Upper Devonian Wutong Formation. The authors study the dynamics of ore-forming processes of the ore deposits with the dynamic model of coupled transport and reaction, and the following results are obtained: The salinity gradient and flow rate of the ore-forming fluids can both promote the mixing and reaction of juvenile water and formation water, and the permeable strata are favourable sites for the intense transport-reaction of mixing and the formation of deposits. (2) As isothermal transport-reaction took place along the bedding of strata, the moving transport-reaction front formed at the contact between the ore-forming fluids and the rocks advanced slowly along the permeable strata, and then stratiform skarn and ore bodies concordant with the strata were formed. (3) The gradient transport-reaction taking place across the isotherms in the cross-bedding direction caused the mineralogical composition to alter gradually from magnesian skarn to sulphide ore bodies.

Developing architecture of a traveler information system for dynamic equilibrium in traffic networks

Having criticized the current architecture of Advanced Traveler Information Systems （ATISs）, this work discusses a new base of requirements to develop a new paradigm for traffic information systems. It mainly integrates three dimensions within a traffic system： drivers＇ pattern of behavior and preferences, urban traffic desires, and capabilities of traffic information service providers. Based on the above, functional segments from several related backgrounds are brought together to structure a new architecture, called Interactive Traveler Information System （ITIS）. The main interactive feature of this new architecture is a two-way communication track between drivers and the traffic information system provider-in fact, a decision on choosing a road at a particular time for an individual will be made based on the utility of both sides. This new configuration consists of driver-side smartphone application, centric traffic prediction, and decision-maker units, which will shape a new approach of decision-making processes. These all work together to satisfy the designated goal of ITIS, which is preserving the Wardrop equilibrium condition in the traffic network level. Finally, we concentrate on a comparison study, which shows a differentiation between performance of the proposed ITIS and the current ATIS model in a real situation. This has been done with simulations of analogical scenarios. The most noticeable advantage of the proposed architecture is not being limited to a saturation limit, and the positive effect of increasing system penetration in the performance of the newly introduced information system. In conclusion, new research subjects are suggested to be carried out.

Thermal Transport in Methane Hydrate by Molecular Dynamics and Phonon Inelastic Scattering

The heat conduction and thermal conductivity for methane hydrate are simulated from equilibrium molecular dynamics. The thermal conductivity and temperature dependence trend agree well with the experimental results. The nonmonotonic temperature dependence is attributed to the phonon inelastic scattering at higher temperature and to the confinement of the optic phonon modes and low frequency phonons at low temperature. The thermal conductivity scales proportionally with the van der Waals interaction strength, The conversion of a crystal-like nature into an amorphous one oecurs at higher strength. Both the temperature dependence and interaction strength dependence are explained by phonon inelastic scattering.

Dynamic fluid transport property of hydraulic fractures and its evaluation using acoustic logging

The existing acoustic logging methods for evaluating the hydraulic fracturing effectiveness usually use the fracture density to evaluate the fracture volume, and the results often cannot accurately reflect the actual productivity. This paper studies the dynamic fluid flow through hydraulic fractures and its effect on borehole acoustic waves. Firstly, based on the fractal characteristics of fractures observed in hydraulic fracturing experiments, a permeability model of complex fracture network is established. Combining the dynamic fluid flow response of the model with the Biot-Rosenbaum theory that describes the acoustic wave propagation in permeable formations, the influence of hydraulic fractures on the velocity dispersion of borehole Stoneley-wave is then calculated and analyzed, whereby a novel hydraulic fracture fluid transport property evaluation method is proposed. The results show that the Stoneley-wave velocity dispersion characteristics caused by complex fractures can be equivalent to those of the plane fracture model, provided that the average permeability of the complex fracture model is equal to the permeability of the plane fracture. In addition, for fractures under high-permeability(fracture width 10~100 μm, permeability ~100 μm^(2)) and reduced permeability(1~10 μm, ~10 μm^(2), as in fracture closure) conditions, the Stoneley-wave velocity dispersion characteristics are significantly different. The field application shows that this fluid transport property evaluation method is practical to assess the permeability and the connectivity of hydraulic fractures.

Monte Carlo Simulation of Laser-Ablated Particle Splitting Dynamic in a Low Pressure Inert Gas

A Monte Carlo simulation method with an instantaneous density dependent meanfree-path of the ablated particles and the Ar gas is developed for investigating the transport dynamics of the laser-ablated particles in a low pressure inert gas.The ablated-particle density and velocity distributions are analyzed.The force distributions acting on the ablated particles are investigated.The influence of the substrate on the ablated-particle velocity distribution and the force distribution acting on the ablated particles are discussed.The Monte Carlo simulation results approximately agree with the experimental data at the pressure of 8 Pa to 17 Pa.This is helpful to investigate the gas phase nucleation and growth mechanism of nanoparticles.

Combined effects of massive reclamation and dredging on the variations in hydrodynamic and sediment transport in Lingdingyang Estuary,China

Anthropogenic disturbances associated with the rapid development of coastal cities have drastically influenced the hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes in many large estuaries globally.Lingdingyang Estuary(LE),located in the central and southern part of the Pearl River Delta,southern China with a long history of high-intensity anthropogenic disturbances,was studied to explore the contribution rate and mechanism underlying the alteration in hydrodynamics and sediment transport under each phase of human activity.A state-of-the-art modeling tool(TELEMAC-2D),was used to study the variations in the hydrodynamics and sediment transport,accounting for reclamation-induced shoreline and dredging-induced topography changes.The results indicated that:i)under the influence of successive land reclamation,the general distribution of the Confluence Hydrodynamic Zone(CHZ)in LE varied from scattered to concentrated,and these zones moved 3–5 km seaward.ii)Large-scale channel dredging weakened the residual flow in LE,decreasing the residual flow in the Inner-Lingding Estuary(ILE)by 62.45%.This was initiated by the enhancement of tidal dynamics through changes in the bottom friction caused by dredging in the ILE.In contrast,massive reclamation decreased the residual flow in the ILE by 17.55%and increased that in the Outer-Lingding Estuary(OLE).iii)Despite disturbances related to land reclamation and dredging,the estuarine jet flow in LE remained a turbulent jet system,and the estuarine jet flow became more asymmetrical.In addition,the position of the estuarine jet source moved 6–13 km seaward.iv)Both reclamation and dredging decreased the SSC in the ILE and increased the SSC in the OLE.Reclamation weakened the SSC in the ILE by 62.19%,whereas dredging enhanced the SSC in the OLE by 49%.Spatially,reclamation resulted in an increase in the SSC near the outlets and a decrease in the SSC in the northern portion of the Western Channel.Dredging mainly increased the SSC in the northern part of the OLE.v)The increase in the barotropic pressure gradient was the main factor driving the enhancement of the residual flow and SSC near the outlets.Moreover,the southward location of the“artificial outlets”favored the transport of suspended sediments to the OLE,which was one of the primary reasons for the increase in the SSC in the OLE.Finally,the tidal dynamics of the ILE intensified due to massive reclamation and dredging.The findings of this study indicate that hydrodynamics and sediment transport in LE have greatly changed over the last decades,with reclamation and dredging being the crucial drivers.The insights obtained from this study can serve as a reference for the comprehensive management of the Pearl River Estuary and other large estuaries experiencing similar anthropogenic forcing.

Multi-stage Dynamic Post-disaster Recovery Strategy for Distribution Networks Considering Integrated Energy and Transportation Networks

To improve the resilience of distribution networks(DNs),a multi-stage dynamic recovery strategy is proposed in this paper,which is designed for post-disaster DN considering an integrated energy system(IES)and transportation network(TN).First,the emergency response quickly increases the output of gas turbines(GTs)in the natural gas network(NGN),and responsively reconfigures the DN in microgrids,to maximize the amount of loads to be restored.The single-commodity flow model is adopted to construct spanning tree constraints.Then,in the second stage of energy storage recovery,mobile energy storage systems(MESSs)are deployed to cover the shortages of power demands,i.e.,to further restore the loads after evaluating the load recovery situation.The Floyd algorithm based dynamic traffic assignment(DTA)is selected to obtain the optimal path of the MESSs.In the third stage,the outputs of various post-disaster recovery measures are adjusted to achieve an economically optimized operation.Case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed dynamic post-disaster recovery strategy.

Mechanism of Formation of the Ozone Valley over the Tibetan Plateau in Summer-Transport and Chemical Process of Ozone

With the 3D chemical transport model OSLO CTM2, the valley of total column ozone over the Tibetan Plateau in summer is reproduced. The results show that when the ozone valley occurs and develops, the transport process plays the main part in the ozone reduction, but the chemical process partly compensates for the transport process. In the dynamic transport process of ozone, the horizontal transport process plays the main part in the ozone reduction in May, but brings about the ozone increase in June and July. The vertical advective process gradually takes the main role in the ozone reduction in June and July. The effect of convective activities rises gradually so that this effect cannot be overlooked in July, as its magnitude is comparable to that of the net changes. The effect of the gaseous chemical process brings about ozone increases which are more than the net changes sometimes, so the chemical effect is also important.

Joint slot allocation and dynamic pricing of container sea-rail multimodal transportation

The container sea-rail multimodal transport system faces complex challenges with de- mand uncertainties for joint slot allocation and dynamic pricing. The challenge is formulated as a two-stage optimal model based on revenue management （RM） as actual slots sale of multi-node container sea-rail multimodal transport usually includes contract sale to large shippers and free sale to scattered shippers. First stage in the model utilizes an origin-destination control approach, formulated as a stochastic integer programming equation, to settle long-term slot allocation in the contract market and empty container allocation. Second stage in the model is formulated as a stochastic nonlinear programming equation to solve a multiproduct joint dynamic pricing and inventory control problem for price settling and slot allocation in each period of free market. Considering the random nature of demand, the methods of chance constrained programming and robust optimi- zation are utilized to transform stochastic models into deterministic models. A numerical experiment is presented to verify the availability of models and solving methods. Results of considering uncertain/certain demand are compared, which show that the two-stage optimal strategy integrating slot allocation with dynamic pricing considering random de- mand is revealed to increase the revenue for multimodal transport operators （MTO） while concurrently satisfying shippers＇ demand. Research resulting from this paper will contribute to the theory and practice of container sea-rail multimodal transport revenue management and provide a scientific decision-making tool for MTO.

Numerical modelling of flow and transport in rough fractures

Simulation of flow and transport through rough walled rock fractures is investigated using the latticeBoltzmann method （LBM） and random walk （RW）, respectively. The numerical implementation isdeveloped and validated on general purpose graphic processing units （GPGPUs）. Both the LBM and RWmethod are well suited to parallel implementation on GPGPUs because they require only next-neighbourcommunication and thus can reduce expenses. The LBM model is an order of magnitude faster onGPGPUs than published results for LBM simulations run on modern CPUs. The fluid model is verified forparallel plate flow, backward facing step and single fracture flow; and the RWmodel is verified for pointsourcediffusion, Taylor-Aris dispersion and breakthrough behaviour in a single fracture. Both algorithmsplace limitations on the discrete displacement of fluid or particle transport per time step to minimise thenumerical error that must be considered during implementation. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CFD modeling of a headbox with injecting dilution water in a central step diffusion tube

For engineering applications of water dilution controlling system,the fluid dynamics of a mixed flow was studied with computational fluid dynamics(CFD) simulations and self-designed experimental set-up.In order to examine the predictability of CFD model for the headbox in industrial scale,two pulp suspensions before mixing were treated as homogeneous flows separately.Standard k-ε turbulence models with the mass diffusion in turbulent flows-species transport approach were applied in the simulations.A numerical simulation of this headbox model was analyzed with semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations scheme with pressure–velocity coupling.Results show that the model can predict hydrodynamic characteristics of headbox with injecting dilution water in a central diffusion tube,and the distribution of water content at the outlet of the slice lip is ideally normal at different speeds.

Collision mitigation and vehicle transportation safety using integrated vehicle dynamics control systems

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of vehicle dynamics control systems （VDCS） on both the collision of the vehicle body and the kinematic behaviour of the ve- hicle＇s occupant in case of offset frontal vehicle-to-vehicle collision. A unique 6-degree-of- freedom （6-DOF） vehicle dynamics/crash mathematical model and a simplified lumped mass occupant model are developed. The first model is used to define the vehicle body crash parameters and it integrates a vehicle dynamics model with a vehicle front-end structure model. The second model aims to predict the effect of VDCS on the kinematics of the occupant. It is shown from the numerical simulations that the vehicle dynamics/crash response and occupant behaviour can be captured and analysed quickly and accurately. Yurthermore, it is shown that the VDCS can affect the crash characteristics positively and the occupant behaviour is improved.

Dynamic Effects of the South Asian High on the Ozone Valley over the Tibetan Plateau

In this study,the TOMS/SBUV（Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer/Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Radiometer） data and SAGE（Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment） II data were employed to calculate the monthly total zonal ozone deviations over the Tibetan Plateau and the 150-50-hPa zonal ozone variations.The results show that there is a significant correlation between the two,with a correlation coefficient of 0.977.From 150 to 50 hPa,the ozone valley over the Tibetan Plateau（OVTP） becomes the strongest based on the SAGE II data,and the South Asian high（SAH） is the most active according to the 40-yr reanalysis data of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts（ERA40）,so a correlation between the SAH and the OVTP may exist.The WACCM3（Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model version 3） simulation results show that both SAH and OVTP could still present within 150-50 hPa with reduced strength even when the height of the Tibetan Plateau was cut down to 1500 m.It is also shown that the seasonal variation of SAH would result in a matched seasonal variation of the OVTP,which suggests a meaningful effect of SAH on the OVTP.Meanwhile,it is found that the atmospheric circulation would impose different effects on the OVTP,depending on the SAH＇s evolution stages and movement directions.At 150-50 hPa,as the SAH approaches the plateau,the SAH zonal（meridional） transport would make the OVTP deeper（shallower）,while the vertical transport of ozone produces a deeper（shallower） OVTP at the lower（higher） level;the combined dynamic effects lead to a weakened OVTP.When the SAH stabilizes over the plateau,the zonal（meridional） transport results in a shallower（deeper） OVTP while the vertical transport would create a deeper（shallower） OVTP at the middle（bottom and top） levels;the combined dynamic effects produce a deeper OVTP.As the SAH retreats from the plateau,the OVTP becomes deeper（shallower） under the zonal（meridional） effect or shallower under the vertical effect;the combined dynamic effects contribute to a deeper（shallower） OVTP at the middle（bottom and top） levels.The SAH would have a weak effect on the OVTP over the plateau when positioned over the tropical Pacific.

On the quality requirements of demand prediction for dynamic public transport

As Public Transport(PT)becomes more dynamic and demand-responsive,it increasingly depends on predictions of transport demand.But how accurate need such predictions be for effective PT operation?We address this question through an experimental case study of PT trips in Metropolitan Copenhagen,Denmark,which we conduct independently of any specific prediction models.First,we simulate errors in demand prediction through unbiased noise distributions that vary considerably in shape.Using the noisy predictions,we then simulate and optimize demand-responsive PT fleets via a linear programming formulation and measure their performance.Our results suggest that the optimized performance is mainly affected by the skew of the noise distribution and the presence of infrequently large prediction errors.In particular,the optimized performance can improve under non-Gaussian vs.Gaussian noise.We also find that dynamic routing could reduce trip time by at least 23%vs.static routing.This reduction is estimated at 809,000€/year in terms of Value of Travel Time Savings for the case study.

Control of discrete-time nonlinear systems actuated through counter-convecting transport dynamics

We consider the stabilisation of discrete-time nonlinear systems that are actuated through a pair of transport partial difference equation(PdE)systems that convect in the opposite directions from one another.An explicit feedback law that compensates the discrete PdE dynamics is designed.Global asymptotic stability of the closedloop system is proved with the aid of a Lyapunov function.The feedback design is illustrated through an example.The proposed design in this paper allows the delay to be arbitrarily long and time-varying.Furthermore,our predictor feedback law in discrete time is explicit as the predictor state is computed by an algebraic equation.

Kelvin probe force microscopy for perovskite solar cells

Kelvin probe force microscopy(KPFM) could identify the local work function of surface at nanoscale with high-resolution on the basis of simultaneous visualization of surface topography, which provides a unique route to in-situ study of the surface information like the composition and electronic states. Currently, as a non-destructive detection protocol, KPFM demonstrates the unique potential to probe the basic nature of perovskite materials that is extremely sensitive to water, oxygen and electron beam irradiation. This paper systematically introduces the fundamentals and working mode of KPFM, and elaborates the promising applications in perovskite solar cells for energy band structures and carrier transport dynamics, trap states, crystal phases, as well as ion migration explorations. The comprehensive understanding of such potential detection engineering may provide novel and effective approaches for unraveling the unique properties of perovskite solar cells.

Numerical simulation of a dense solid particle flow inside a cyclone separator using the hybrid Euler-Lagrange approach

This paper presents a numerical simulation of the flow inside a cyclone separator at high particle loads. The gas and gas–particle flows were analyzed using a commercial computational fluid dynamics code. The turbulence effects inside the separator were modeled using the Reynolds stress model. The two phase gas–solid particles flow was modeled using a hybrid Euler–Lagrange approach, which accounts for the four-way coupling between phases. The simulations were performed for three inlet velocities of the gaseous phase and several cyclone mass particle loadings. Moreover, the influences of several submodel parameters on the calculated results were investigated. The obtained results were compared against experimental data collected at the in-house experimental rig. The cyclone pressure drop evaluated numerically underpredicts the measured values. The possible reason of this discrepancies was disused.

Statistical properties of pseudo-particle systems

Pseudo-particle modeling （PPM）, a molecular modeling method which combines time-driven algorithms and hard molecule modeling, was originally developed for simulating gas in complex multiphase systems （Ge ＆ Li, 2003; Ge et al., 2005; Ge, 1998）. In this work, the properties of two- and three-dimensional pseudo-particle systems, namely, mean free path, compressibility factor, self-diffusion coefficient and shear viscosity, are systematically measured by using PPM. it is found that in terms of an effective diameter, the results well conform to the Chapman-Enskog theory, thus suggesting that PPM can be employed to simulate the micro- and meso-scale behavior of ordinary gas and fluid flows.

Ion Transport Mechanism in ClC-Type Channel Protein under Complex Electrostatic Potential

In order to illustrate the ion transport mechanism of chloride channel（Cl C） protein,a type of Cl C protein,Cl C-ec1,from Escherichia coli is embedded into an explicit membranewater system by using software VMD. Then a parallel molecular dynamics（MD） simulation is employed to equilibrate the Cl C-ec1 structure for 27.5 ns at temperature 298.15 K. Based on this equilibrated structure,we compute the channel geometric size variation and electrostatic potential distribution along the channel. Meanwhile,Cl^- transport process is simulated using oriented random walk method under variable external potential. The simulation result shows that Cl^- transport velocity depends on the width of the narrowest channel region. Mutation of negative glutamate E148 can produce positive potential,which is beneficial for Cl^- transport,around external Cl^- binding region in the channel. The simulated current-voltage curves about Cl^- transporting in Cl C-ec1 protein agree with Jayaram＇s experimental results.