Production Scheduling and Distribution in Downstream Sector Using Block-Structured Linear Programming Solution Technique ： A Comparative Analysis

The aim of this paper is to compare block-structured linear programming （LP） models against other practical optimization methods for solving downstream product refinery problems using a solution method different from the existing ones （like mixed integer linear programming （MILP） method）. The work X-rays the Nigerian petroleum refining industries and their channel of distribution in the local setting and identifies the critical features of scheduling and allocation of refined crude products; either for distribution within the country or for exportation to the international market. Applying our model to the distribution model, the computational results reveal a better route with lowest transportation cost for the scheduling problem and the best optimal blend with higher revenue for the production problem.

γ-LiAlO_2 Single Crystal Grown by Czochralski Technique and Modified by Vapor Transport Equilibration (VTE) Technique

Large-sized （～2 inch, 50.8 mm） γ-LiAlO2 single crystal has been grown by conventional Czochralski （Cz） method, but the crystal has a milky, dendriform center. The samples taken from transparent and milky parts were ground and examined by X-ray diffraction. All diffraction peaks could be indexed in γ-LiAlO2. The crystal quality was characterized by X-ray rocking curve. The full-width at half-maximum （FWHM） values are 116.9 and 132.0 arcsec for transparent and milky parts, respectively. The vapor transport equilibrium （VTE） technique was introduced to modify the crystal quality. After 1000℃/48 h, 1100℃/48 h, 1200℃/48 h VTE processes, the FWHM values dropped to 44.2 and 55.2 arcsec for transparent and milky part, respectively. The optical transmission of transparent part was greatly enhanced from 85% to 90%, and transmission of milky part from 75% to 80% in the range of 190~1900 nm at room temperature. When the VTE temperature was raised to 1300℃, the sample cracked and FWHM values of transparent and milky parts were increased to 55.2 and 80.9 arcsec, respectively. By combining Cz technique with VTE technique, large-sized and high quality γ-LiAlO2 crystal can be obtained.

EDI Technique and its Application in Shipping Transportation

EDI is an abbreviation for Electronic Data Interchange. It can make different enterprise and organization interchange trade and commercial datas through Computers in according with the standardized specification. Since it can save various of documents,we also call it"paperless" operation. The development of information technique from primary to advanced, which computers had been used as main part,involves three stages: The first stage is that computers bad been used to replace man to process various of business and documents inside the enterprise. The second stage is the network sys-

Measuring the velocity of sand particles in an air/particle two-phase flow:A comparison of several commonly used methods

The velocity of blown sand particles is an important parameter in aeolian movement （a special case of gas particle two-phase flow） and has ever been a topic of interest. At present, several techniques have been applied in measuring velocity of the blown sand particles. This paper reviews the measurement results of several commonly used methods： photoelectric cell method, high-speed photographic method, Particle Dynamics Analyzer （PDA） method and Particle Image Velocimetry （PIV） method. Photoelectric cell method, high-speed photograph method and PDA method are useful in studying the velocity distribution of particles. PIV is a whole-flow-field technique and a useful tool to study the average velocity field in a target area. These methods got some similar results but considerable differences also exist. They have come to similar conclusions on the velocity distributions at a single height but direct measurement results with respect to the velocity distribution very close to the surface are still scarce except some PDA results. The magnitude of measured mean particle velocity differs greatly. The relationship obtained by different methods between mean particle velocity and wind velocity, particle size and possibly other influencing factors also differs considerably. Although several authors have proposed similar power functions to describe the variation with height of the mean particle velocity, the predicted results have wide differences. Each technique is based on some unique principles, and has its advantages and disad- vantages. To make full use of different techniques, a lot of work needs be done to validate them. Developing a reliable technique to measure the velocity of blown particles is still a necessary task in aeolian research.