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Visible-near Infrared (VIS-NIR) Spectroscopy as a Rapid Measurement Tool to Assess the Effect of Tillage on Oil Contaminated Sites
Douglas Reward Kokah,
Fou Ayebatin,
Egai Ayibawari Obiene
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019
Pages:
135-143
Received:
22 September 2019
Accepted:
26 September 2019
Published:
7 November 2019
Abstract: This study assessed the potential of using visible-near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to determine the effect of tillage (ploughing) on oil-contaminated sites. Crude oil contaminated samples were collected from the Ikarama, Bayelsa State, Niger Delta, Nigeria. 62 and 20 samples were collected from untilled and tilled (ploughed) sites, respectively. All samples were analysed in the laboratory with an Analytical Spectral Device spectrometer with a spectral range of 350 to 2500 nm. Principal component analysis was performed on the soil spectral data using chemometric. Sequential ultrasonic solvent extraction was also carried out followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis to validate the visible-near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy sensitivity and ability to detect change due to hydrocarbons profile changes. 27% and 15% concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were present in the untilled and tilled sites, respectively. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis also showed that PAHs and allkanes concentrations in the untilled site ranged from 0.05 to 48.493 mg/kg and 0.07 to 528.147mg/kg, respectively. For the tilled (ploughed) site, the concentrations for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and alkanes quantified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ranged from 0.04 to 0.742 mg/kg and 0.06 to 159.280mg/kg, respectively. In addition, non-metric Multidimensional scaling was carried out using Primer version 6 to investigate the statistical significance of the hydrocarbon profiles and concentrations of the samples. To minimise the extent of overlap of the samples, the 82 samples collected were reduced to 49 samples (43 untilled and 6 tilled). Results show that visible-near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy may be a valuable tool for grouping hydrocarbon contaminated soils into hydrocarbon content and concentrations.
Abstract: This study assessed the potential of using visible-near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to determine the effect of tillage (ploughing) on oil-contaminated sites. Crude oil contaminated samples were collected from the Ikarama, Bayelsa State, Niger Delta, Nigeria. 62 and 20 samples were collected from untilled and tilled (ploughed) sites, r...
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Intelligent Methods Used for Obtaining Weather Derivatives: A Review
Gujanatti Rudrappa,
Nataraj Vijapur
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019
Pages:
144-148
Received:
24 July 2019
Accepted:
31 October 2019
Published:
6 December 2019
Abstract: Weather is the condition of the atmosphere and forecasting is predicting the condition of the atmosphere in near future. Weather forecasting is a formidable challenge as weather is a multi- dimensional, continuous and chaotic process. The distinct nature of the model forecasting in all situations accurately is challenging. Presently weather conditions are being obtained from satellites, Doppler radar, radio sounds, observations from aircraft and ground. Collected data is subjected to various statistical and machine learning techniques. These techniques can incorporate relatively simple observation of the sky to highly complex computerized mathematical models. Weather forecasting still remains a challenging issue, due to unpredictable and chaotic nature of weather. Even with present methods the weather forecasting system may still fail to predict weather attribute, therefore there is still scope left to improve these systems. The objective of carrying out the survey is to look forward on how machine learning can help us to improve weather parameter estimation. In this paper we report the different methods carried out by leading researchers, formidable challenges and present our views on development of efficient weather forecasting system. Also, we propose a method which makes use image processing and neural networks to achieve the weather parameter estimation.
Abstract: Weather is the condition of the atmosphere and forecasting is predicting the condition of the atmosphere in near future. Weather forecasting is a formidable challenge as weather is a multi- dimensional, continuous and chaotic process. The distinct nature of the model forecasting in all situations accurately is challenging. Presently weather conditi...
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Steeply Inclined Working Face Floor Stress Distribution and Supporting Research
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019
Pages:
149-153
Received:
14 November 2019
Accepted:
2 December 2019
Published:
7 December 2019
Abstract: In order to obtain Stress distribution and damage law of Steeply inclined working face floor，this paper combined elastic-plastic mechanics theory to improve model of the half-infinite body model，and the three-dimensional half-infinite body model was established which comprehensively considered the stress characteristics in the strike and inclined directions of the working face，and the iterative formula of vertical stress in floors was calculated. Meanwhile，the three-dimensional stress distributions in floors with different depths were calculated by Software-MATHCAD and SUFER. The numerical simulation was applied to simulate no supporting condition and temporary supporting with Cement Based Grouting Material condition in fully-mechanized coal caving face of steeply inclined coal seam and obtained the corresponding plastic damage zone. According to the empirical formula calculated formula floor damage depth of 10.4m, and the application of cement grouting material was carried out on the floor, temporary support, in the working face, the lower floor heave amount reduced 28.7%, in the working face, the upper floor heave amount reduced 22.4%, and the supporting method can effectively control the floor damage. The results show that provided a theoretical basis for the floor management of steep coal seam working face.
Abstract: In order to obtain Stress distribution and damage law of Steeply inclined working face floor，this paper combined elastic-plastic mechanics theory to improve model of the half-infinite body model，and the three-dimensional half-infinite body model was established which comprehensively considered the stress characteristics in the strike and inclined d...
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Optimising Potable Water Pumping Operations in Small-Scale Gold Mining Environments in Ghana Using Daboase Headworks as a Case Study
Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi,
Joseph Kwarteng,
Emmanuel Aboah
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019
Pages:
154-163
Received:
18 November 2019
Accepted:
2 December 2019
Published:
7 December 2019
Abstract: This paper assesses the challenges facing the optimisation of potable water pumping operations in small scale gold mining environments in Ghana using the Daboase headworks as a case study. The paper reviews the level of water pollution and its negative impact on alternating current motors and other electrical fittings at the Daboase headwork. The method of data collection used for the paper were questionnaires, interviews, cluster sampling and systematic sampling. Four sampling operation components were used, namely: selection of sampling stations, selection of water quality parameters, sampling frequency, and data collection and analysis methods. The paper focuses on the substantial reduction in pump energy consumption, operational and maintenance cost and the optimisation of potable water pumping operation systems in conclusion. The study proposes an upgrade of electrical controls with new state of the art control panels and a multi-level pumping system. Finally, it recommends a modelled space vector pulse width modulation variable speed drive, which has a greater overall performance and higher efficiency, less switching losses and greater power factor, which minimises the cost of operation, maintenance and equipment breakdown as well as optimising productivity of the Daboase headworks.
Abstract: This paper assesses the challenges facing the optimisation of potable water pumping operations in small scale gold mining environments in Ghana using the Daboase headworks as a case study. The paper reviews the level of water pollution and its negative impact on alternating current motors and other electrical fittings at the Daboase headwork. The m...
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Integrally Panel Strength Design Method of the Thick Skin for “T”
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019
Pages:
164-168
Received:
20 November 2019
Accepted:
5 December 2019
Published:
10 December 2019
Abstract: Based on the design methodology of the integral panel in the "aircraft design manual", the structure with the higher load-carrying capacity can be obtained under the optimal design area ratio. However, the determination of the of the separation surface location between the skin and the stringer is great obstacle during the actual design work. In this paper, some research works have been done to solve this problem. For the T-shaped integral panel with skin thickness ranging from 4mm-6mm, the position of a separating surface has been determined, and the area ratio of the skin to the stringer has been determined. At the same time, the optimal design area ratio of the skin to the stringer is obtained by calculation and experimental verification under the condition that the structural quality is certain and the maximum unstable load is taken as the design objective. The 4mm-6mm-thickness skin T-shaped integral panel designed with this area ratio has the strongest ability to bear axial compression load and the smallest structure weight. This paper makes up some defects of the integral panel design in the data, provides some basic data support for the majority of aircraft designers, and facilitates the engineering designers to carry out fine design work and improve the quality of aircraft design.
Abstract: Based on the design methodology of the integral panel in the "aircraft design manual", the structure with the higher load-carrying capacity can be obtained under the optimal design area ratio. However, the determination of the of the separation surface location between the skin and the stringer is great obstacle during the actual design work. In th...
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Aircraft Cost Modelling, Integrated in a Multidisciplinary Design Context
Davide Di Pasquale,
David Gore,
Mark Savill,
Timoleon Kipouros,
Carren Holden
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019
Pages:
169-189
Received:
18 September 2019
Accepted:
26 September 2019
Published:
17 December 2019
Abstract: Most of the current cost models focus on a particular manufacturing process or a specific maintenance aspect, therefore not providing the whole picture. The main challenge in modelling the manufacturing cost, associated to a new aircraft at the initial design stage, is to examine all the cost features and the way to link them into the decision making process. It is important to understand the cost related to different competing designs, and this can be tackled by including cost estimation in the design process. Estimating the cost at the early design stage is paramount to reduce the life cycle cost of the aircraft. This paper presents the development of a new methodology for the generation of a cost estimation approach for preliminary aircraft design in a multidisciplinary environment. The framework is able to capture the design attributes that drive the cost allowing a designer to assess cost changes with respect to different design configurations. The cost model is built in Excel using a Visual Basic interface and it is integrated within Model Centre platform, where it can be treated as a component of a computational design process. The paper concludes by presenting the results from a real wing trade-off study that includes all the components of a complete design system.
Abstract: Most of the current cost models focus on a particular manufacturing process or a specific maintenance aspect, therefore not providing the whole picture. The main challenge in modelling the manufacturing cost, associated to a new aircraft at the initial design stage, is to examine all the cost features and the way to link them into the decision maki...
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Composition and Application of Aircraft Towing Tractor Automatic Control System
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2019
Pages:
190-195
Received:
20 November 2019
Accepted:
9 December 2019
Published:
18 December 2019
Abstract: The airports construction level is improved and the construction scale is constantly expanded with the rapid development of society, economy and science and technology, which brings a good development prospect for aircraft towing tractors. On the basis of summarizing the current research and application of aircraft towing tractors, the traction characteristics of towbar and towbarless aircraft tractors were analyzed, and the mechanical, electric, hydrodynamic and hydraulic transmission automatic control system were compared. The composition, working principle and application of hydraulic steering control system, hydraulic braking control system, hydraulic clamping and lifting mechanism and hydraulic hybrid power system of aircraft towing tractors were emphatically discussed. The results show that the configuration of towbarless traction is flexible and the traction capability is strong. Hydraulically controlled aircraft towing tractor has good traction, braking and control characteristics. Electronic hydraulic braking system is precisely controllable, and the hydraulic hybrid technology is beneficial to reduce the energy consumption of aircraft towing tractors. The demand for aircraft towing tractors is increasing with the expansion of the airport distribution and construction, on the basis of constantly improving the existing aircraft towing tractor and according to the needs of airport operation, it is necessary to adopt innovative technology to develop energy-saving, environment-friendly and intelligent aircraft towing tractors, so as to adapt the development needs of aviation industry.
Abstract: The airports construction level is improved and the construction scale is constantly expanded with the rapid development of society, economy and science and technology, which brings a good development prospect for aircraft towing tractors. On the basis of summarizing the current research and application of aircraft towing tractors, the traction cha...
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