Numerical Simulation of Land Subsidence at Tanggu District in Tianjin, China

Based on observed data from Tanggu District in Tianjin, a back-propagation neural network (BPNN) model was introduced to predict possible land subsidence due to exploitation of groundwater. According to model estimation under various hypothetical extraction scenarios, patterns of land subsidence at Tanggu District were studied and discussed.The predicted average background land subsidence rate of Tanggu is 9.47 mm/a.The significance of contribution of aquifers to land subsidence descends in order of units Ⅳ,Ⅲ,Ⅴ,Ⅱ.Land subsidence tends to deteriorate with the increase in total extraction rate.

Numerical Modelling of Performance of R22 and R290 in Adiabatic Capillary Tubes Considering Metastable Two-Phase Region ——Theoretical Model Description and Validation

A homogeneous theoretical model is developed to predict the performance of R22 and R290 in adiabatic capillary tubes. The model is based on conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy. Metastable both liquid and two-phase flow regions are considered in the model. In metastable two-phase region, superheated liquid is introduced into the metastable mixture viscosity and two methods are presented to evaluate it. The model is validated by comparing the predicted pressure and temperature profile and mass flow rate with several investigators′ experimental data of R22 and one of its alternatives R290 reported in literature. All of the predicted mass flow rates are within ±800 of measured values. Comparisons are also made between the present model and other investigators′ models or sizing correlation. The model can be used for design or simulation calculation of adiabatic capillary tubes.

SOL-GEL SYNTHESIS AND LUMINESCENCE OF GREEN LIGHT EMITTING PHOSPHORS ZN_2SIO4/MN^(2+)

Mn^2＋ doped Zn2SiO4 phosphors were synthesized by sol-gel method, and the influence of zinc source, Mn^2＋ dopant concentration and annealing temperature were investigated. Results show that zinc nitrate based precursor with strong green emission intensities is better than zinc acetate based precursor. The intensity of green light emission reaches a peak at 254 nm when the Mn^2＋ dopant concentration is about 5%（ molar percentage）. Structural details of the phosphors were examined through X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The result indicates that they are both rhombohedral structures, which remain amorphous below 700 ℃ and crystallize completely around 1000 ℃. The luminescent properties of Zn2SiO4/Mn^2＋ phosphors were characterized by excitation and emission spectra.

Selection of a Thermophilic Alkalitolerant Actinomycete and Conditions for CMCase Production

Five thermophilic strains that can degrade cellulose were isolated from the compost of a waste management in Guangzhou, China. Since one of them degraded cellulose effectively, it was chosen as the study strain. Based on its morphology, spores′ susceptibility to heat, cell wall composition and other characteristics, the organism was classified as Thermomonospora fusca. Conditions for production of carboxy methyl cellulase (CMCase) were examined. The optimal temperature and pH value for enzyme production were 50 ℃ and 10.5, respectively. Cellulosic materials and easily metabolisable carbohydrates served as carbon sources for the growth of the strain. Only cotton, avicel,carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) acted as potent inducers for the production of cellulases by this strain. Despite excellent growth on easily metabolisable carbohydrates, only constitutive levels of cellulases were produced. The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for CMCase production were cotton and soybean respectively. The high thermostability, wide pH stability, and cheap nitrogen source show well potential use for composting treatment and commercial detergents.

Genetic Optimization Algorithm of PID Decoupling Control for VAV Air-Conditioning System

Variable-air-volume (VAV) air-conditioning system is a multi-variable system and has multi coupling control loops. While all of the control loops are working together, they interfere and influence each other. A multivariable decoupling PID controller is designed for VAV air-conditioning system. Diagonal matrix decoupling method is employed to eliminate the coupling between the loop of supply air temperature and that of thermal-space air temperature. The PID controller parameters are optimized by means of an improved genetic algorithm in floating point representations to obtain better performance. The population in the improved genetic algorithm mutates before crossover, which is helpful for the convergence. Additionally the micro mutation algorithm is proposed and applied to improve the convergence during the later evolution. To search the best parameters, the optimized parameters ranges should be amplified 10 times the initial ideal parameters. The simulation and experiment results show that the decoupling control system is effective and feasible. The method can overcome the strong coupling feature of the system and has shorter governing time and less over-shoot than non-optimization PID control.

Interaction Between DEHP and Particulate in a Eutrophic Lake

Characteristics of interaction between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP) and particulate in a eutrophic lake were studied in this paper. DEHP concentrations ranged from 89.9 to 247 μg/L with an average value of 146 μg/L in subsurface water (SSW) samples, and from 82.0 to 390 μg/L with an average value of 211 μg/L in water surface microlayer (SM) samples. The results indicate that there was only a weak correlation between the DEHP concentrations and suspended particulate material(SPM) concentrations in both SSW and SM, while the significant correlation between DEHP concentrations and chlorophyll a concentrations was found, which suggestes that DEHP was principally bound to phytoplankton in the eutrophic lake. Correlation between DEHP concentrations and total phosphor (TP) concentrations was also found in this investigation.Enrichment factors (EF) of DEHP in SM were in the range of 0.85 to 2.12 with an average value of 1.35. DEHP EFs were significantly related to the enrichment of chlorophyll a in SM. The results suggest that the enrichment of DEHP in SM of this eutrophic lake was mainly due to DEHP accumulation in phytoplankton and was controlled by distribution of phytoplankton between SM and SSW.

Optimization of Selecting Air Conditioning Cold/Heat Sources with Grey Relation Analysis

Selection of air conditioning（AC） cold/heat sources generally concerns about certain aspects and cannot reveal the whole profile of the problems. Grey relation analysis （GRA） is a data processing method to categorize the correlation extent of compared sequences and a certain reference sequence in a system with uncertain information. It is applied to evaluating and selecting AC cold/heat sources from four main aspects, which are technology, economy, reliability, and operation and management. Case study shows that the result for selecting AC cold/heat sources with the GRA method can be more reasonable and convincible. Thus it offers a new approach for designers in heating, ventilating and air conditioning field to compare and evaluate different AC cold/heat sou rces.

Preparation and swelling properties of a starch-g-poly（acrylic acid）/organo-mordenite hydrogel composite

A novel hydrogel composite was prepared via inverse suspension polymerization using starch, acrylic acid and organo-mordenite micropowder with the cross- linker, N,N＇-methylenebisacrylamide and the initiator, potassium persulfate. Fourier transform infrared spectro- scopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed that the acrylic acid was grafted onto the backbone of the corn starch, that the organo-mordenite participated in the polymerization, and that the addition of organo-mordenite improved the surface morphology of the hydrogel composite. The swelling capacity of the hydrogel compo- site was evaluated in distilled water, and solutions with different pH values, and various salt solutions. It was found that the incorporation of 10wt-% organo-mordenite enhanced the water absorbency by 144% （from 268 to 655 g-gl） and swelling was extremely sensitive to the pH values, the concentration of the salt solution and cation type. Swelling kinetics and water diffusion mechanism of the hydrogel composite in distilled water were also discussed. Moreover, the hydrogel composite showed excellent reversibility of water absorption even after five repetitive cycles and the hydrogel composite exhibited significant environmental-responsiveness by changing the swelling medium from distilled water to 0.1 mol. L-1 NaC1 solution. In addition, the loading and release of urea by the hydrogel composite were tested and the nutrient-slow- release capability of this material was found to be suitable for many potential applications.

The energy performance and passive survivability of high thermal insulation buildings in future climate scenarios

Given that the passive performance simulation of buildings based on typical meteorological year data and specific design schemes makes it challenging to respond to climate change and refine design requirements on time,this article established a passive performance prediction model for future buildings considering multi-dimensional variables including climate change,building design,and operational characteristics.For high thermal insulation buildings under future climates,the mild climate zone is more sensitive than the others,cooling energy demand is more sensitive than heating demand,apartments are more sensitive than office buildings,and passive survivability is more sensitive than energy performance;for buildings of the same type located in the same climate zone,thermal design solutions determine the increase rate of cooling demand.The potential benefits of climate warming on heating demand reduction are almost zero,but the cooling demand increases significantly,with apartments and office buildings increasing up to 22.1% and 5.0%,respectively.Buildings generally overheat in the future,and the increase rate of the mild zone far exceeds other zones with duration and severity being 3004.8% and 877.7%for apartments,and 884.3% and 288.9%for office buildings,respectively.

Tradeoff between heating energy demand in winter and indoor overheating risk in summer constrained by building standards

Evidence indicates that improvement of thermal performance of building envelope has the potential for aggravating the indoor overheating risk in summer. On the other hand, evolving building standards continue to strengthen the requirements for thermal performance to achieve the energy-saving target. Therefore, this study quantifies the interaction effect between building standards-oriented building design, heating energy demand in winter, and indoor overheating risk in summer. Building databases with different energy efficiency levels are generated using a randomly generated method. Uncertain variables include not only 13 design parameters but also the running state of natural ventilation and external shading. The indoor overheating risk is assessed in terms of severity and duration. Finally, a multi-objective optimization model integrating metamodels and the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is proposed to balance heating energy demand in winter and indoor overheating risk in summer. Results indicate that building standards tend to aggravate overheating risk in summer: the duration and severity of high-performance buildings increased by 40.6% and 24.2% than that of conventional-performance buildings. However, window ventilation could offset the adverse effect, and mitigation of duration and severity can be up to 85.2% and 62.1% for high-performance buildings. Window ventilation can weaken the conflict between heating energy demand in winter and overheating risk in summer. As heating energy demand increased from 6.1 to 67.3 kWh/m^(2), the overheating risk changes little that the duration of overheating risk decreased from 17.5% to 15.6% and severity decreased from 8.7 ℃ to 8.3 ℃.

Bio-immobilization and recovery of chromium using a denitrifying biofilm system: Identification of reaction zone, binding forms and end products

Chromium is an important resource in strategic metals.Different from most studies focusing on the bio-reduction of hexavalent chromium[Cr(VI)],this study aims to achieve the immobilization and recovery of chromium using a sequencing batch biofilm reactor.Results showed that Cr(VI) removal efficiency remained more than 99%,and 97%of reduced Cr(III) was immobilized in the biofilm.Immobilization zone,chromium forms and extracellular polymeric substances composition changes were combined to reveal the mechanism of Cr(VI) reduction and immobilization.The chromium distribution in biofilm demonstrated that intercellular layer was the main active zone with an immobilization amount of 891.70±126.32 mg/g-VSS.The reduced products analysis confirmed that trivalent chromium[Cr(III)]chelated with carboxyl,amino and other functional groups and immobilized in the form of organic Cr(III).The digestion method realized a chromium recovery efficiency of 74.59%.This study provides an alternative method for the bioremediation and resources recovery in chromium polluted wastewater.

Improved Water Network Macroscopic Model Utilising Auto-Control Adjusting Valve by PLS

In order to overcome the low precision and weak applicability problems of the current municipal water network state simulation model, the water network structure is studied. Since the telemetry system has been applied increasingly in the water network, and in order to reflect the network operational condition more accurately, a new water network macroscopic model is developed by taking the auto-control adjusting valve opening state into consideration. Then for highly correlated or collinear independent variables in the model, the partial least squares (PLS) regression method provides a model solution which can distinguish between the system information and the noisy data. Finally, a hypothetical water network is introduced for validating the model. The simulation results show that the relative error is less than 5.2%, indicating that the model is efficient and feasible, and has better generalization performance.

Treating Opaque Beer Wastewater Using a Novel Internal Circulation Membrane Bioreactor

An innovative internal circulation membrane bioreactor（ICMBR）treating traditional opaque beer brewery wastewater was introduced. Beer wastewater from Tianjin Huarun Brewhouse was taken as the influent. The removal efficiency of suspended solid, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen were studied with the changeable hard real time design method, organic loading rate and nutrition elements. The average percentage reduction in chemical oxygen demand achieved 90%. The total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen were also reduced by 90% and 95%, respectively. The results indicate that the outlet of ICMBR meets the requirements of the environment landscape recycling use.

Coastal Water Quality Assessment by Self-Organizing Map

A new approach to coastal water quality assessment was put forward through study on self-organizing map （ SOM ）. Firstly, the water quality data of Bohai Bay from 1999 to 2002 were prepared. Then, a set of software for coastal water quality assessment was developed based on the batch version algorithm of SOM and SOM toolbox in MATLAB environment. Furthermore. the training results of SOM could be analyzed with single water quality indexes, the value of N ： PC atomic ratio） and the eutrophication index E so that the data were clustered into five different pollution types using k-means clustering method. Finally, it was realized that the monitoring data serial trajectory could be tracked and the new data be classified and assessed automatically. Through application it is found that this study helps to analyze and assess the coastal water quality by several kinds of graphics, which offers an easy decision support for recognizing pollution status and taking corresponding measures.

Optimized determination of airborne tetracycline resistance genes in laboratory atmosphere

Antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs)have been detected in various atmospheric environments.Airborne ARGs transmission presents the public health threat.However,it is very difficult to quantify airborne ARGs because of the limited availability of collectable airborne particulate matter and the low biological content of samples.In this study,an optimized protocol for collecting and detecting airborne ARGs was presented.Experimental results showed that recovery efficiency tended to increase initially and then declined over time,and a range of 550-780 copies/mmz of capture loading was recommended to ensure that the recovery efficiency is greater than 75%.As the cell walls were mechanically disrupted and nucleic acids were released,the buffer wash protects ARGs dissolution.Three ratios of buffer volume to membrane area in buffer wash were compared.The highest concentrations of airborne ARGs were detected with 1.4μL/mm^2 buffer wash.Furthermore,the majority of the cells were disrupted by an ultrasonication pretreatment(5 min),allowing the efficiency ARGs detection of airborne samples.While,extending the ultrasonication can disrupt cell structures and gene sequence was broken down into fragments.Therefore,this study could provide a theoretical basis for the efficient filter collection of airborne ARGs in different environments.An optimized sampling method was proposed that the buffer wash was 1.4 nL/mm and the ultrasonication duration was 5 min.The indoor airborne ARGs were examined in accordance with the improved protocol in two laboratories.The result demonstrated that airborne ARGs in an indoor laboratory atmosphere could pose the considerable health risk to inhabitants and we should pay attention to some complicated indoor air environment.

Estimating the effect of shallow groundwater on diurnal heat transport in a vadose zone

The influence of shallow groundwater on the diurnal heat transport of the soil profile was analyzed using a soil sensor automatic monitoring system that continu- ously measures temperature and water content of soil profiles to simulate heat transport based on the Philip and de Vries （PDV） model. Three experiments were conducted to measure soil properties at depths of 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm when groundwater tables reached l0 cm, 30 cm, and 60 cm （Experiments I, II, and III）. Results show that both the soil temperature near shallow groundwater and the soil water content were effectively simulated by the PDV model. The root mean square errors of the temperature at depths of 5 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm were 1.018℃, 0.909℃, and 0.255℃, respectively. The total heat flux generated the convergent and divergent planes in space-time fields with valley values of-161.5 W-m 2 at 7：30 and -234.6 W.m2 at 11：10 in Experiments II and III, respectively. The diurnal heat transport of the saturated soil occurred in five stages, while that of saturated-unsaturated and unsaturated soil profiles occurred in four stages because high moisture content led to high thermal conductivity, which hastened the heat transport.

Erratum to: Optimized determination of airborne tetracycline resistance genes in laboratory atmosphere

Erratum to:Front.Environ.Sci.Eng.2020,14(6):95 tp:/oiog/0.100/5117183-020-1274-5 Due to the negligence of the authors in the writing,there are some errors in the Fig.8 in the manuscript,the crrection is as fllws,and we apologize to the reader.