Impact of wetting-drying cycles and acidic conditions on the soil aggregate stability of yellow‒brown soil

Soil aggregate is the basic structural unit of soil,which is the foundation for supporting ecosystem functions,while its composition and stability is significantly affected by the external environment.This study was conducted to explore the effect of external environment(wetting-drying cycles and acidic conditions)on the soil aggregate distribution and stability and identify the key soil physicochemical factors that affect the soil aggregate stability.The yellow‒brown soil from the Three Gorges Reservoir area(TGRA)was used,and 8 wetting-drying conditions(0,1,2,3,4,5,10 and 15 cycles)were simulated under 4 acidic conditions(pH=3,4,5 and 7).The particle size distribution and soil aggregate stability were determined by wet sieving method,the contribution of environmental factors(acid condition,wetting-drying cycle and their combined action)to the soil aggregate stability was clarified and the key soil physicochemical factors that affect the soil aggregate stability under wetting-drying cycles and acidic conditions were determined by using the Pearson’s correlation analysis,Partial least squares path modeling(PLS‒PM)and multiple linear regression analysis.The results indicate that wetting-drying cycles and acidic conditions have significant effects on the stability of soil aggregates,the soil aggregate stability gradually decreases with increasing number of wetting-drying cycles and it obviously decreases with the increase of acidity.Moreover,the combination of wetting-drying cycles and acidic conditions aggravate the reduction in the soil aggregate stability.The wetting-drying cycles,acidic conditions and their combined effect imposes significant impact on the soil aggregate stability,and the wetting-drying cycles exert the greatest influence.The soil aggregate stability is significantly correlated with the pH,Ca^(2+),Mg^(2+),maximum disintegration index(MDI)and soil bulk density(SBD).The PLS‒PM and multiple linear regression analysis further reveal that the soil aggregate stability is primarily influenced by SBD,Ca^(2+),and MDI.These results offer a scientific basis for understanding the soil aggregate breakdown mechanism and are helpful for clarifying the coupled effect of wetting-drying cycles and acid rain on terrestrial ecosystems in the TGRA.

Effect of flexural loading on degradation progress of recycled aggregate concrete subjected to sulfate attack and wetting-drying cycles

The degradation progress of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC) subjected to sulfate attack under wetting-drying cycles and flexural loading is studied. Three different stress ratios(0, 0.3 and 0.5) were applied in this test. The variations of relative dynamic elastic modulus Erd and water-soluble SO2-4 contents in RAC were used to evaluate degradation progress. The changes in mineral products and microstructures of interior concrete were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD), the environmental scanning electron microscope(ESEM) and X-ray computed tomography(X-CT). The results indicate that flexural loading accelerates the degradation of RAC under sulfate attack and wetting-drying cycles by expediting the transmission of SO2-4 into interior concrete. Furthermore, the accelerated effect of flexural loading is more obvious with the increase of stress ratio, that is because higher stress ratios can accelerate the extension of microcracks and generate more channels for the transmission of SO2-4. Also, more expansive products(gypsum and ettringite) are generated by the reaction of Ca(OH)2 with SO2-4, which can further accelerate the degradation of RAC.

Accelerating Effect of Wetting-Drying Cycles on Steel Bar Corrosion in Concrete

Raining and sun-shining processes in natural climate were simulated by water spraying and infrared lightshining alternately as wetting-drying cycles in accelerated durability test. The accelerating effects of the wet-ting-drying cycles and the variation of corrosion current density and corrosion potential of steel bar in concrete undersuch conditions were studied. The result shows that the main reason leading to accelerating corrosion of steel bar inconcrete is the wetting-drying cycles, which can cause the increase of corrosion potential difference between the an-ode and cathode of steel bar corrosion cell and the decrease of concrete resistance. Corrosion rate of the steel bar inconcrete under four typical conditions, including wetting-drying cycle, long time submerging in water, long time ex-posure to indoor and outdoor environment were measured and compared. The test results indicate that the corrosionrates under the four typical conditions are in the order of spraying and infrared light shining cycles, outdoor environ-ment, indoor environment, and submerging in water, respectively.

Development and application of an instrument for simulating wetting-drying cycles of expansive soils under loads

Alternating rainfall and evaporation in nature severely impact the shear strength of expansive soils. This study presents an instrument for simulating the effect of wetting–drying cycles on the strength of expansive soils under different loads, and its testing error is verified. With this instrument,direct shear tests were performed on samples experiencing 0-6 cycles under vertical loads of 0 kPa,5 kPa, 15 kPa, and 30 k Pa. The results found that this instrument provides a new method for evaluating the effects of wetting–drying cycles on soils, and this method represents actual engineering conditions more accurately than do preexisting methods. It accurately controls the water content within 1% while simulating the specified loads at different soil depths.Cohesion is significantly affected by wetting–drying cycles, while the friction angle is not as sensitive to these cycles. Decrease in shear strength can be attributed to the fissures in soils caused by wetting–drying cycles. The existence of vertical loads effectively restricts shrinkage fissuring and cohesion attenuation, consequently inhibiting the attenuation of shear strength.

Research on Corrosion Effect of Sulfate Ions on Concrete Under Wetting-Drying Cycle

Saline soil is widely distributed in the marine sediments along the coast of the world and the arid-semi-arid areas of the Middle East and Iraq,and calcium sulfate erosion has become one of the important factors affecting the durability of concrete in this area.In order to clarify the mechanism of sulfate ion damage to concrete,this paper mainly takes saline soil with high sulfate content in coastal area as well as arid-semi-arid area as the research object,and uses indoor geotechnical test,field test and numerical simulation to study the influence of different dry-wet cycle times on the unconfined compressive strength of concrete test blocks,and puts forward the relationship between the erosion arrival depth and time of sulfate ion in concrete,so as to predict the long-term erosion depth by using the erosion depth of sulfate ion in concrete in short time.The results show that the shorter the erosion time when the erosion reaches a certain depth,and the larger the erosion reaches when the erosion time is the same,the faster the erosion reaches the depth with the increase of erosion time.Compared with rectangular section concrete,circular section concrete penetrates faster.The results of this study can provide a reference for the durability design of concrete in saline soil sites containing sulfate.

Temporal Microbial Response to Wetting-Drying Cycles in Soils within and Outside the Influence of a Shrub in the Sahel

Piliostigma reticulatum is a native woody shrub found in cropped fields in the Sahel and has been shown to increase crop productivity and soil quality. Frequently occurring drying and rewetting cycles (DRW) may alter the soil quality beneath these shrubs. We investigated the effect of DRW cycles on microbial community in soil beneath and outside the P. reticulatum canopy and the roles of this shrub in the adaptation of the microbial community to abiotic stress. Soils were incubated in a climate controlled chamber for 45 days, after exposure to 10 consecutive days of DRW cycles at 75% of water holding capacity (WHC). Basal respiration, β-glucosidase activity, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and available nitrogen (;) were measured at 2, 30, and 45 days after soil exposed to the DRW cycles. MBC increased significantly two days after the DRW cycles and was greater for soil beneath the shrub canopy compared with soil outside the shrub canopy. PCA analysis based on basal respiration, microbial biomass carbon, available nitrogen, and β-Glucosidase activity resulted in a tight clustering in the beneath shrub soil samples. Soils incubated for more than 30 days after DRW cycles had higher available nitrogen content than soils incubated for less than 30 days. Soil from beneath the shrub canopy significantly improved soil resilience based on β-glucosidase activity. Soil from beneath the shrub canopy also had higher nutrient levels and greater microbial activity even when subjected to DRW cycles, potentially improving the ability of crops to withstand in-season drought when they are adjacent to shrubs. The work should bring our scientific community into a more comprehensive assessment of potential effects of a crop-shrub intercropping that may allow for increased crop yields in semi-arid ecosystems under drought conditions.

Change in Grain-Size Composition of Lignite under Cyclic Freezing-Thawing and Wetting-Drying

The paper presents the change in grain-size composition of lignite under cyclic freezing-thawing (FTC) and wetting-drying (WDC). The article shows that in the spring and autumn periods the lignites can be subjected to repeated freezing-thawing and wetting-drying, which determines the possibility of changing their grain-size composition and structure. Experimental studies in laboratory conditions on the influence of cyclic freezing-thawing (FTC) and wetting-drying (WDC) on the quality indicators of lignites have been carried out, their granulometric (fractional) composition has been studied. Freezing-thawing cycle conditions are as follows (FTC): minimum exposure temperature: -20°C;maximum: +5°C;relative humidity: 30%;number of processing cycles: 3. Wetting-drying cycles are as follows (WDC): drying temperatures are +20, +40, +60, +80°C, drying time 90 minutes, the coals are further subjected to rain (soaking) for a period of water saturation to humidity of 30% - 40% and dry again. The number of wetting-drying cycles is 3 times. The tests have revealed the destructive effects of FTC and WDC on the samples of lower metamorphic grade coal, and the cycles of wet-dry lead to the much higher yield of fine sizes (-6+0;-13+0 mm) than the cycles of freeze-thaw. Furthermore, it is found that the increase in the yield of fines depends on the heating temperature: coal disintegration proceeds more intensively at a higher temperature of drying.

Dynamic simulation analysis of molten salt reactor-coupled air-steam combined cycle power generation system

A nonlinear dynamic simulation model based on coordinated control of speed and flow rate for the molten salt reactor and combined cycle systems is proposed here to ensure the coordination and stability between the molten salt reactor and power system.This model considers the impact of thermal properties of fluid variation on accuracy and has been validated with Simulink.This study reveals the capability of the control system to compensate for anomalous situations and maintain shaft stability in the event of perturbations occurring in high-temperature molten salt tank outlet parameters.Meanwhile,the control system’s impact on the system’s dynamic characteristics under molten salt disturbance is also analyzed.The results reveal that after the disturbance occurs,the controlled system benefits from the action of the control,and the overshoot and disturbance amplitude are positively correlated,while the system power and frequency eventually return to the initial values.This simulation model provides a basis for utilizing molten salt reactors for power generation and maintaining grid stability.

Bicycle-related traumatic injuries: a retrospective study during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND:This study aimed to review bicycle-related injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist with reinforcement or implementation of new policies for injury prevention.METHODS:This is a retrospective descriptive analysis of injuries sustained during cycling for patients 18 years old and above who presented to Singapore General Hospital from January to June 2021.Medical records were reviewed and consolidated.Descriptive analyses were used to summarize patient characteristics,and differences in characteristics subgrouped by triage acuity and discharge status were analyzed.RESULTS:The study included 272 patients with a mean age of 43 years and a male predominance(71.7%).Most presented without referrals(88.2%)and were not conveyed by ambulances(70.6%).Based on acuity category,there were 24(8.8%)Priority 1(P1)patients with 7 trauma activations,174(64.0%)and 74(27.2%)P2 and P3 patients respectively.The most common injuries were fractures(34.2%),followed by superficial abrasion/contusion(29.4%)and laceration/wound(19.1%).Thirteen(4.8%)patients experienced head injury and 85 patients(31.3%)were documented to be wearing a helmet.The majority occurred on the roads as traffic accidents(32.7%).Forty-two patients(15.4%)were admitted with a mean length of stay of 4.1 d and 17(6.3%)undergone surgical procedures.Out of 214(78.7%)discharged patients,no re-attendances or mortality were observed.In the subgroup analysis,higher acuity patients were generally older,with higher proportions of head injuries leading to admission.CONCLUSION:Our study highlights significant morbidities in bicycle-related injuries.There is also a high proportion of fractures in the young healthy male population.Injury prevention is paramount and we propose emphasizing helmet use and road user safety.

Effect of drying-wetting cycles on pore characteristics and mechanical properties of enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation-reinforced sea sand

Enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation(EICP)is an emanating,eco-friendly and potentially sound technique that has presented promise in various geotechnical applications.However,the durability and microscopic characteristics of EICP-treated specimens against the impact of drying-wetting(D-W)cycles is under-explored yet.This study investigates the evolution of mechanical behavior and pore charac-teristics of EICP-treated sea sand subjected to D-W cycles.The uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)tests,synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography(micro-CT),and three-dimensional(3D)recon-struction of CT images were performed to study the multiscale evolution characteristics of EICP-reinforced sea sand under the effect of D-W cycles.The potential correlations between microstructure characteristics and macro-mechanical property deterioration were investigated using gray relational analysis(GRA).Results showed that the UCS of EICP-treated specimens decreases by 63.7% after 15 D-W cycles.The proportion of mesopores gradually decreases whereas the proportion of macropores in-creases due to the exfoliated calcium carbonate with increasing number of D-W cycles.The micro-structure in EICP-reinforced sea sand was gradually disintegrated,resulting in increasing pore size and development of pore shape from ellipsoidal to columnar and branched.The gray relational degree suggested that the weight loss rate and UCS deterioration were attributed to the development of branched pores with a size of 100-1000 m m under the action of D-W cycles.Overall,the results in this study provide a useful guidancee for the long-term stability and evolution characteristics of EICP-reinforced sea sand under D-W weathering conditions.

Durable K-ion batteries with 100% capacity retention up to 40,000 cycles

Currently,the major challenge in terms of research on K-ion batteries is to ensure that they possess satisfactory cycle stability and specific capacity,especially in terms of the intrinsically sluggish kinetics induced by the large radius of K+ions.Here,we explore high-performance K-ion half/full batteries with high rate capability,high specific capacity,and extremely durable cycle stability based on carbon nanosheets with tailored N dopants,which can alleviate the change of volume,increase electronic conductivity,and enhance the K+ion adsorption.The as-assembled K-ion half-batteries show an excellent rate capability of 468 mA h g^(−1) at 100 mA g^(−1),which is superior to those of most carbon materials reported to date.Moreover,the as-assembled half-cells have an outstanding life span,running 40,000 cycles over 8 months with a specific capacity retention of 100%at a high current density of 2000 mA g^(−1),and the target full cells deliver a high reversible specific capacity of 146 mA h g^(−1) after 2000 cycles over 2 months,with a specific capacity retention of 113%at a high current density of 500 mA g^(−1),both of which are state of the art in the field of K-ion batteries.This study might provide some insights into and potential avenues for exploration of advanced K-ion batteries with durable stability for practical applications.

Multi-objective optimization and evaluation of supercritical CO_(2) Brayton cycle for nuclear power generation

The supercritical CO_(2) Brayton cycle is considered a promising energy conversion system for Generation IV reactors for its simple layout,compact structure,and high cycle efficiency.Mathematical models of four Brayton cycle layouts are developed in this study for different reactors to reduce the cost and increase the thermohydraulic performance of nuclear power generation to promote the commercialization of nuclear energy.Parametric analysis,multi-objective optimizations,and four decision-making methods are applied to obtain each Brayton scheme’s optimal thermohydraulic and economic indexes.Results show that for the same design thermal power scale of reactors,the higher the core’s exit temperature,the better the Brayton cycle’s thermo-economic performance.Among the four-cycle layouts,the recompression cycle(RC)has the best overall performance,followed by the simple recuperation cycle(SR)and the intercooling cycle(IC),and the worst is the reheating cycle(RH).However,RH has the lowest total cost of investment(C_(tot))of$1619.85 million,and IC has the lowest levelized cost of energy(LCOE)of 0.012$/(kWh).The nuclear Brayton cycle system’s overall performance has been improved due to optimization.The performance of the molten salt reactor combined with the intercooling cycle(MSR-IC)scheme has the greatest improvement,with the net output power(W_(net)),thermal efficiencyη_(t),and exergy efficiency(η_(e))improved by 8.58%,8.58%,and 11.21%,respectively.The performance of the lead-cooled fast reactor combined with the simple recuperation cycle scheme was optimized to increase C_(tot) by 27.78%.In comparison,the internal rate of return(IRR)increased by only 7.8%,which is not friendly to investors with limited funds.For the nuclear Brayton cycle,the molten salt reactor combined with the recompression cycle scheme should receive priority,and the gas-cooled fast reactor combined with the reheating cycle scheme should be considered carefully.

Involvement of the ABA-and H_(2)O_(2)-Mediated Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle in the Drought Stress Responses of Wheat Roots

Abscisic acid(ABA),hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)) and ascorbate(AsA)–glutathione(GSH)cycle are widely known for their participation in various stresses.However,the relationship between ABA and H_(2)O_(2) levels and the AsA–GSH cycle under drought stress in wheat has not been studied.In this study,a hydroponic experiment was conducted in wheat seedlings subjected to 15%polyethylene glycol(PEG)6000–induced dehydration.Drought stress caused the rapid accumulation of endogenous ABA and H_(2)O_(2) and significantly decreased the number of root tips compared with the control.The application of ABA significantly increased the number of root tips,whereas the application of H_(2)O_(2) markedly reduced the number of root tips,compared with that under 15%PEG-6000.In addition,drought stress markedly increased the DHA,GSH and GSSG levels,but decreased the AsA levels,AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios compared with those in the control.The activities of the four enzymes in the AsA–GSH cycle were also markedly increased under drought stress,including glutathione reductase(GR),ascorbate peroxidase(APX),monodehydroascorbate reductase(MDHAR)and dehydroascorbate reductase(DHAR),compared with those in the control.However,the application of an ABA inhibitor significantly inhibited GR,DHAR and APX activities,whereas the application of an H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly inhibited DHAR and MDHAR activities.Furthermore,the application of ABA inhibitor significantly promoted the increases of H_(2)O_(2) and the application of H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly blocked the increases of ABA,compared with those under 15% PEG-6000.Taken together,the results indicated that ABA and H_(2)O_(2) probably interact under drought stress in wheat;and both of them can mediate drought stress by modulating the enzymes in AsA–GSH cycle,where ABA acts as the main regulator of GR,DHAR,and APX activities,and H_(2)O_(2) acts as the main regulator of DHAR and MDHAR activities.

Centrifugal and field studies on water infiltration characteristics below canals under wetting-drying-freezing-thawing cycles

Seepage is one of the main causes for the deformation and instability of canal slopes in Xinjiang,China.In this study,centrifugal model tests under wetting-drying(WD)and wetting-drying-freezing-thawing(WDFT)cycles were performed to investigate the water infiltration characteristics below a canal.The results show that the shallow soil of the canal models was fully saturated in the wetting process.Compared with the canal model under the WD cycles,the canal model under the WDFT cycles had larger saturated areas and a higher degree of saturation below the canal top after each cycle,indicating that the freezing-thawing(FT)process in the WDFT cycles promoted the water infiltration behavior below the canal slope.The cracks on the surface of the canal model under the cyclic action of WDFT developed further and had a higher connectivity,which provided the conditions for slope instability from a transverse tensile crack running through the canal top.On this basis,a field test was conducted to understand the water infiltration distribution below a typical canal in Xinjiang,China,which also verified the accuracy of the centrifugal results.This study provides a preliminary basis for the maintenance and seepage treatment of canals in Xinjiang,China.

有向图上基于层次树索引的最大cycle truss社区搜索

社区搜索旨在从信息网络中找出包含用户查询顶点的高内聚连通子图,cycle truss是一种基于cycle三角形的社区搜索模型,而现有的基于索引的cycle truss社区搜索方法存在索引空间大、搜索效率低、社区内聚性低的缺点。为了解决这一问题,提出一种基于层次树索引的最大cycle truss社区搜索方法。首先,提出了k-cycle truss分解算法,并引入了两个重要的概念:cycle三角连通与k-层次等价。基于k-层次等价设计了层次树索引TreeCIndex与表结构索引SuperTable,在此基础上,并基于这两个新的索引,提出了两个高效的cycle truss社区搜索算法。在4个真实数据集上与已有的基于TrussIndex与EquiTruss的社区搜索算法进行了比较,实验结果表明,TreeCIndex与SuperTable比TrussIndex与EquiTruss节省至少41.5%的空间,索引构建的时间节省8.2%至98.3%,且搜索最大cycle truss社区的效率分别高出了一个和两个数量级。

A Review on Technologies for the Use of CO2 as a Working Fluid in Refrigeration and Power Cycles

The use of carbon dioxide as a working fluid has been the subject of extensive studies in recent years, particularly in the field of refrigeration where it is at the heart of research to replace CFC and HCFC. Its thermodynamic properties make it a fluid of choice in the efficient use of energy at low and medium temperatures in engine cycles. However, the performance of transcritical CO2 cycles weakens under high temperature and pressure conditions, especially in refrigeration systems;On the other hand, this disadvantage becomes rather interesting in engine cycles where CO2 can be used as an alternative to the organic working fluid in small and medium-sized electrical systems for low quality or waste heat sources. In order to improve the performance of systems operating with CO2 in the field of refrigeration and electricity production, research has made it possible to develop several concepts, of which this article deals with a review of the state of the art, followed by analyzes in-depth and critical of the various developments to the most recent modifications in these fields. Detailed discussions on the performance and technical characteristics of the different evolutions are also highlighted as well as the factors affecting the overall performance of the systems studied. Finally, perspectives on the future development of the use of CO2 in these different cycles are presented.

Long-Cycle Lithium Batteries with LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2) Cathodes above 4.5 V Enabled by Uniform Coating of Nanosized Garnet Electrolytes

The pursuit of high-energy cathode materials has been focused on raising the charging cutoff voltage of nickel (Ni)-rich layered oxide cathode such as LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O2 (NCM811). However, the NCM811 suffers from rapid capacity fading upon cycling at cutoff voltage higher than 4.5 V, owing to their structural degradation and labile surface reactivity. Surface-coating with solid electrolytes has been recognized as an effective method to mitigate the performance failure of NCM811 at high voltage. Herein, the nano-sized Li_(6.4)La_(3)Ta_(0.6)Zr_(1.4)O_(12) (LLZTO) is uniformly coated on the surface of single-crystal NCM811 particles, accompanied with the long-range Ta^(5+) diffusion into the transition metal layer of NCM811 lattice. It is revealed that the LLZTO coating can not only inhibit the surface reactions of NCM811 with liquid electrolytes but also play an important role in suppressing the bulk microcracking within the NCM811 particles. The incorporation of Ta^(5+) ion expands the lattice spacing and thereby improves the homogeneity of the Li^(+) diffusion in the single-crystal NCM811, which alleviates the mechanical strain and intragranular cracks caused by nonuniform phases-transformation at high charging voltage. The synergy of surface protection and structural stabilization realized by LLZTO coating enables the NCM811-based lithium batteries to achieve a remarkable electrochemical performance. Typically, LLZTO coated NCM811 delivers a high reversible specific capacity of 202.1 mAh⋅g^(−1) with an excellent capacity retention as high as 70% over 1000 cycles upon charging to 4.5 V at 1 C.

The Impact of Network Topologies and Radio Duty Cycle Mechanisms on the RPL Routing Protocol Power Consumption

The Internet of Things(IoT)has witnessed a significant surge in adoption,particularly through the utilization of Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs),which comprise small internet-connected devices.These deployments span various environments and offer a multitude of benefits.However,the widespread use of battery-powered devices introduces challenges due to their limited hardware resources and communication capabilities.In response to this,the Internet Engineering Task Force(IETF)has developed the IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-power and Lossy Networks(RPL)to address the unique requirements of such networks.Recognizing the critical role of RPL in maintaining high performance,this paper proposes a novel approach to optimizing power consumption.Specifically,it introduces a developed sensor motes topology integrated with a Radio Duty Cycling(RDC)mechanism aimed at minimizing power usage.Through rigorous analysis,the paper evaluates the power efficiency of this approach through several simulations conducted across different network topologies,including random,linear,tree,and elliptical topologies.Additionally,three distinct RDC mechanisms—CXMAC,ContikiMAC,and NullRDC—are investigated to assess their impact on power consumption.The findings of the study,based on a comprehensive and deep analysis of the simulated results,highlight the efficiency of ContikiMAC in power conservation.This research contributes valuable insights into enhancing the energy efficiency of RPL-based IoT networks,ultimately facilitating their widespread deployment and usability in diverse environments.

Parametric Energy and Economic Analysis ofModified Combined Cycle Power Plant with Vapor Absorption and Organic Rankine Cycle

To meet the escalating electricity demand and rising fuel costs,along with notable losses in power transmission,exploring alternative solutions is imperative.Gas turbines demonstrate high efficiency under ideal International Organization for Standardization(ISO)conditions but face challenges during summer when ambient temperatures reach 40℃.To enhance performance,the proposal suggests cooling inlet air by 15℃using a vapor absorption chiller(VAC),utilizing residual exhaust gases from a combined cycle power plant(CCPP)to maximize power output.Additionally,diverting a portion of exhaust gases to drive an organic Rankine cycle(ORC)for supplementary power generation offers added efficiency.This integrated approach not only boosts power output but alsominimizes environmental impact by repurposing exhaust gases for additional operations.This study presents a detailed energy and economic analysis of a modified combine cycle power plant,in Kotri,Pakistan.R600A is used as organic fuel for the ORC while LiBr-H2O solution is used for the VAC.Two performance parameters,efficiency and energy utilization factor,Four energetic parameters,Work output of ORC,modified CCPP,original CCPP and cooling rate,and one economics parameter,payback period were examined under varying ambient conditions and mass fraction of exhaust gases from outlet of a gas turbine(ψ).A parametric investigation was conducted within the temperature range of 18℃to 50℃,relative humidity between 70%and 90%,and theψranging from 0 to 0.3.The findings reveal that under elevated ambient conditions(40℃,90%humidity)withψat 0,the Energy Utilization Factor(EUF)exceeds 60%.However,the ORC exhibits a low work output of 100KWalongside a high cooling load of 29,000 kW.Conversely,the modified system demonstrates an augmented work output of approximately 81,850 KWcompared to the original system’s 78,500KW.Furthermore,the integration of this systemproves advantageous across all metrics.Additionally,the payback period of the system is contingent on ambient conditions,with lower conditions correlating to shorter payback periods and vice versa.

Exploring the mechanical behavior and microstructure of compacted loess subjected to dry-wet cycles and chemical contamination

Due to climatic factors and rapid urbanization,the soil in the Loess Plateau,China,experiences the coupled effects of dry-wet cycles and chemical contamination.Understanding the mechanical behavior and corresponding microstructural evolution of contaminated loess subjected to dry-wet cycles is essential to elucidate the soil degradation mechanism.Therefore,direct shear and consolidation tests were performed to investigate the variations in mechanical properties of compacted loess contaminated with acetic acid,sodium hydroxide,and sodium sulfate during dry-wet cycles.The mechanical response mechanisms were investigated using zeta potential,mineral chemical composition,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)tests.The results indicate that the mechanical deterioration of sodium hydroxidecontaminated loess during dry-wet cycles decreases with increasing contaminant concentration,which is mainly attributed to the thickening of the electrical double layer(EDL)by Nat and the precipitation of calcite,as well as the formation of colloidal flocs induced by OH,thus inhibiting the development of large pores during the dry-wet process.In contrast,the attenuation of mechanical properties of both acetic acid-and sodium sulfate-contaminated loess becomes more severe with increasing contaminant concentration,with the latter being more particularly significant.This is primarily due to the reduction of the EDL thickness and the erosion of cement in the acidic environment,which facilitates the connectivity of pores during dry-wet cycles.Furthermore,the salt expansion generated by the drying process of saline loess further intensifies the structural disturbance.Consequently,the mechanical performance of compacted loess is sensitive to both pollutant type and concentration,exhibiting different response patterns in the dry-wet cycling condition.