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Despite the importance of the bio-oil collection system for pyrolysis, this component is little discussed in the literature, mainly when it involves the adherence of the bio-oil and the separation of chemical species. In this study, we present a collection system that simultaneously reduces the bio-oil adhesion to the walls of the equipment and separates phenolic species from the bio-oil while the biomass is pyrolyzed. The collection system is formed by four condensers and five waterbeds in series. The biomass used was the sisal residue, whose pyrolysis produces one of the bio-oils with the highest viscosity. Adherence was initially studied in a prototype by varying the mass flow rate of biomass, the volumetric flow rate of nitrogen, reaction temperature, and the insertion site of the waterbed. We identified that bio-oil adhesion on the equipment walls was reduced when the independent variable values were the lowest; however, approximately 50% of the fluid adhered to the equipment walls. The fluid adhesion reduction was obtained by eliminating high-pressure points in the pyrolysis gas flow, increasing the bio-oil produced in the waterbeds to 93%. The chemical species were separated in the waterbeds by bubbling the pyrolysis gas, producing agglomerates of bio-oil on the liquid surface and chemical species in solution. FTIR and GC/MS were used to characterize the bio-oils and aqueous solutions for the products formed in higher yields. The analyses show a high transfer of phenolic species to the aqueous phase, mainly in the first waterbed, and that the bio-oil composition was similar in all beds, showing no separation signs. These results showed that the system studied is a viable alternative to the bio-oil collection of different characteristics, ensuring little internal fluid adhesion and a high ability to separate chemical species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Limited examples exist of successful Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) implementation across an entire healthcare organisation. The aim of this study was to use a multi-stakeholder co-design process to develop a PROM collection system, which will inform implementation of routine collection of PROMs across an entire healthcare organisation. Methods: Co-design comprised semi-structured interviews with clinicians (n = 11) and workshops/surveys with consumers (n = 320). The interview guide with clinicians focused on their experience using PROMs, preferences for using PROMs, and facilitators/barriers to using PROMs. Co-design activities specific to consumers focused on: (1) how PROMs will be administered (mode), (2) when PROMs will be administered (timing), (3) who will assist with PROMs collection, and (4) how long a PROM will take to complete. Data were analysed using a manifest qualitative content analysis approach. Results: Core elements identified during the co-design process included: PROMs collection should be consumer-led and administered by someone other than a clinician; collection at discharge from the healthcare organisation and at 3–6 months post discharge would be most suitable for supporting comprehensive assessment; PROMs should be administered using a variety of modes to accommodate the diversity of consumer preferences, with electronic as the default; and the time taken to complete PROMs should be no longer than 5–10 min. Conclusion: This study provides new information on the co-design of a healthcare organisation-wide PROM collection system. Implementing a clinician and patient informed strategy for PROMs collection, that meets their preferences across multiple domains, should address known barriers to routine collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of a delegation of VUKhIN specialists regarding China's coke plants are noted. The processes and equipment employed are described, and some aspects of coke plant operation are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collection of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) represents the most important challenge in MSW management as the economy and efficiency of the whole MSW management system is affected by the quality of the collection operations. The methodology proposed in this paper is based on the development of an algorithm for the optimization of MSW collection systems where the objective is to minimize the distances and the number of vehicles required as well as the optimal siting of the depot, considering vehicles of different capacities operated in multi-trips and the possibility of the use of multi depots. Therefore, the algorithm analyzes the validity of the collection system from the environmental and economic perspectives. The algorithm is performed in a sequence of phases defined by vehicle capacities in which each phase is composed of three major steps including partitioning, optimization of collection configurations and vehicle allocation. The algorithm was developed using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and is applied for the municipality of Tiznit showing its applicability and efficiency. A sensitivity analysis was applied demonstrating the importance of vehicle capacities for collection optimization in the case of high waste generation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illegal disposal of solid waste is a significant issue in many parts of the world, particularly in urban areas. Because of unprecedented urbanization, these areas are crowded, putting pressure on the already inadequate municipal services such as waste management. As municipalities fail to provide adequate and effective waste management services, the expansion and proliferation of informal settlements contribute to the problem of illegal dumping. Apartheid spatial planning produced environmentally unsustainable cities characterized by glaring disparities in municipal resource allocation, disturbingly inefficient transportation systems, and widespread urban insecurity. Therefore, this study examines how the expansion of informal settlement at an unprecedented rate contributes to illegal dumping post-apartheid by conducting a systematic review. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search from 1994 to 2023 was conducted in the field of waste management. The review focuses on three key aspects: (1) factors that contribute to illegal dumping in townships; (2) waste management laws during apartheid and post apartheid; and (3) waste collection system in townships and spatial planning. South Africa's inequality is a major contributor to environmental degradation. The situation was exacerbated by efforts to prevent urban migration and forcefully remove black people from cities; apartheid ideology justified the dormitory-like nature of urban townships. In the South African context, the literature reveals that there is a research gap in the application of technologies and effective waste management plans to keep up with the growing number of informal settlements. Furthermore, despite progressive environmental policies, implementation has been ineffective. This study offers valuable evidence on the spatial and temporal dynamics of informal settlements, addressing both the location and time aspects. A robust government-led Community Participation in Solid Waste Management program is required immediately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the precise clock management technology for the power consumption information collection system which demands precise requirements of the electric power meter clock. The causes of the clock deviation of the collection system and the problems caused by the clock deviation are analysed first; Then the key technologies for achieving accurate time synchronization are explained; Next, the master station and terminal time synchronization algorithm is designed. Only two NLP synchronizations are required to obtain a high accuracy time deviation, and the accuracy of the algorithm is demonstrated through a test of an example. Finally, the electric power meter time adjustment scheme using a combination of broadcast time adjustment and ESAM point-to-point time adjustment is designed to achieve high accuracy and low error, which has high reliability and practicality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Channels and sewers are commonly used to collect sewage during extensively rural areas. The sewage and bacterial characteristics of rural sewage collection systems can influence their operation and maintenance performance which further affect appropriate system decision. In this study, eight rural sewage collection systems (four each of channels and sewers) were applied to evaluate the sewage quality, bacterial characteristics, and their differences of two kinds of collection systems. The results indicate that significantly distinction existed between the rural sewage collection systems of channels and sewers. Sewage in channels had higher suspended solid (SS) concentration but lower sulfide concentration than that in sewers. The SS, sulfate, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal capacity in channels was nearly 3.5, 4.0, and 0.6 times than those in sewers. At least 14 genera and 18 species of bacteria showed significantly distinction between channels and sewers even their main phylum, genus, and species of bacteria communities was Proteobacteria (∼70.3%), Acinetobacter (∼22.3%), and Pseudomonas fragi (∼13.8%), respectively. The structural characteristics and bacterial function caused the difference between channels and sewers. Overall, this study revealed the intrinsic and essential differences of channels and sewers, providing basic and meaningful data for rural sewage collection systems decision. HIGHLIGHTS Sewage quality and bacterial characteristics of channels and sewers were significantly different.; Channels had better SS and sulfate removal abilities but lower COD removal abilities.; Fourteen genera and 18 species of bacteria showed significant distinction between channels and sewers.; Structural characteristics and bacterial function caused the difference between channels and sewers.;

Abstract An optimization framework for global optimization of the cable layout topology for offshore wind farm (OWF) is presented. The framework designs and compares closed‐loop and radial layouts for the collection system of OWFs. For the former, a two‐stage stochastic optimization program based on a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed, while for the latter, a hop‐indexed full binary model is used. The purpose of the framework is to provide a common base for assessing both designs economically, using the same underlying contingency treatment. A discrete Markov model is implemented for calculating the cable failure probability, useful for estimating the time under contingency for multiple power generation scenarios. The objective function supports simultaneous optimization of (i) initial investment (network topology and cable sizing), (ii) total electrical power loss costs and (iii) operation costs due to energy curtailment from cable failures. Constraints are added accounting for common engineering aspects. The applicability of the full method is demonstrated by tackling three differently sized real‐world OWFs. Results show that (i) the profitability of either topology type depends strongly on the project size and wind turbine rating. Closed loop may be a competitive solution for large‐scale projects where large amounts of energy are potentially curtailed. (ii) The stochastic model presents low tractability to tackle large‐scale instances, increasing the required computing time and memory resources. (iii) Strategies must be adopted in order to apply stochastic optimization for modern OWFs, intending analytically or numerically simplification of mathematical models.

This study was focused on the collecting and recycling systems of bottles reused for traditional food packaging in the city of Yaoundé and the presence of biofilms in these bottles. A cross-sectional study approved by the Institutional Review Board was conducted in 43 quarters randomly selected in Yaoundé using a semi-structured questionnaire. The target population was producers and street sellers of traditional foods who used recovered bottles for food packaging and had freely signed the informed consent clearance. Then, the recovered bottles cleaned by the participants and ready to be reused as traditional food packaging were sampled and screened for the presence of biofilms. The results showed that 84% of the 162 participants were women. Bottles reused for traditional food packaging were mainly collected from garbage (70.4%). A total of six different cleaning processes were identified from manufacturers of traditional food products. The cleaning processes were significantly (p < 0.05) dependent on the education level and varied from one manufacturer to another. Amongst the identified cleaning processes, those which included soaking and disinfection unit operations were more efficient in biofilms’ removal. Bottles cleaned according to these processes scored the lowest biofilms’ contents. Independently of the cleaning processes, biofilms were detected in all recovered bottles. This might suggest a potential health risk for consumers.

Reversible logistics are complex to manage due to the uncertainty involved in the range of quality products, product return time, and return volume. The purpose of reversible logistics (RL) is to reduce the raw material, the material for reuse and to respect the environment, which fits into some activities and purposes of the circular economy (CE), although in a broader concept. The optimized reverse logistics (RL) demonstrated by world examples and different brands also lead to better supply chain visibility, leading to benefits. The optimized reverse logistics demonstrated by domestic examples case study 1 (for pellets) and case study 2 (for pallets) also lead to better supply chain visibility, leading to benefits. The studies explore the impact that decisions made in the supply chain phases have on the overall level of “circularity”. Optimized reverse logistics produces financial benefits while positively impacting the environment and business culture. Optimized reverse logistics also leads to better supply chain visibility, leading to benefits such as cost savings, greater customer satisfaction, better customer retention, faster and better service and reduced losses, improved sense of reduction of brand and waste, and greater sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The study focuses on end-of-life textile collection from households. • It introduces the first mile problem of circular economy supply chains. • Textile volumes are predicted with demographic and socio-economic variables. • Semi-centralized collection solution proved most suitable for end-of-life textiles. This paper presents the first mile problem of the circular economy supply chains: organizing the collection of used materials from individual consumers. Efficient solving of this problem is a prerequisite for recycling, as it ensures that adequate volumes of used materials, in this study end-of-life textiles, can be transformed into high-quality raw materials. Textile features affect the collection system design and make used textiles differ from other household waste fractions, such as glass or plastic. The aim is to investigate how to collect textile waste from consumers in a way that addresses the specific features of textiles, and the scarce resources of the collector organizations, but results in the largest collected yields to eventually drive up the recycling rates of used textiles. The study takes a supply chain view to reverse flows of textiles. Key experts from a sample of textile organizations were interviewed to understand their collection practices and possible future solutions, and a data analysis model was constructed to provide accurate prediction of end-of-life textile volumes. This study proposes how the first mile problem of end-of-life textiles, the collection from households, can be modelled in a situation where no historical volume data is available. The practical contribution lies in the urgent need for textile collection solutions, as municipal actors and waste companies in Europe are searching for efficient solutions to respond to the requirement of separate used textile collection by 2025. The study demonstrates how a circular economy problem with multiple unknows and uncertainties can be modelled quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimization framework for global optimization of the cable layout topology for offshore wind farm (OWF) is presented. The framework designs and compares closed‐loop and radial layouts for the collection system of OWFs. For the former, a two‐stage stochastic optimization program based on a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed, while for the latter, a hop‐indexed full binary model is used. The purpose of the framework is to provide a common base for assessing both designs economically, using the same underlying contingency treatment. A discrete Markov model is implemented for calculating the cable failure probability, useful for estimating the time under contingency for multiple power generation scenarios. The objective function supports simultaneous optimization of (i) initial investment (network topology and cable sizing), (ii) total electrical power loss costs and (iii) operation costs due to energy curtailment from cable failures. Constraints are added accounting for common engineering aspects. The applicability of the full method is demonstrated by tackling three differently sized real‐world OWFs. Results show that (i) the profitability of either topology type depends strongly on the project size and wind turbine rating. Closed loop may be a competitive solution for large‐scale projects where large amounts of energy are potentially curtailed. (ii) The stochastic model presents low tractability to tackle large‐scale instances, increasing the required computing time and memory resources. (iii) Strategies must be adopted in order to apply stochastic optimization for modern OWFs, intending analytically or numerically simplification of mathematical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the literature published in 2019 on topics relating to gaseous emissions from wastewater facilities is presented. This review is divided into the following sections: odorant emissions from Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs); greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; gaseous emissions from wastewater collection systems; physiochemical odor/emissions control methods; biological odor/emissions control methods; odor/GHG characterization and monitoring; and odor impacts/risk assessments. © 2020 Water Environment Federation Practitioner Points: Provide a quick reference list for readers who do not have time to go through the 2019 published articles. This prescreening of relevant literatures will save them time and effort.Utilities, engineers, and researchers can identify knowledge gaps, which help them to plan for future testing and R&D needs.Designers can make use of the lit review findings to support their design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Optimization of waste collection systems can reduce waste management costs. In this study, optimization of the waste collection system of zone 3 of Yazd municipality of Iran, has been investigated using underground containers. Materials and Methods: In this research, after collecting information and performing field inspections, the statistical and raster information obtained from the Yazd municipality and Yazd waste management organization were introduced into ArcGIS software and based on the information obtained, including population density layer and population last estimation in zone ​​3, per capita waste production, and then considering all the information layers obtained using the GIS software, containers were located with a source separation approach. Results: The results of this study indicate that installation of underground containers for wet waste, in addition to improving the health and environmental status, can decrease the frequency of urban waste collection from 3 days to 2 days a week. Moreover, creation of temporary storage sites for dry wastes, can also significantly decrease the route of collection, due to the reduction of the collection route from 368,000 to 180,000 meters in the new routing system, reduce the economic cost, including reducing fuel costs as 50% per day, manpower as 33%, and reduce maintenance costs. Conclusion: Optimization of urban waste collection system using underground containers for wet waste and the use of temporary stations of dry wastes, considering the significant economic, environmental and aesthetic advantages can be considered as an appropriate option in Iranian cities especially in areas with hot and humid weather such as Yazd.

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Wastewater-source heat pump (WWSHP) applications to wastewater collection systems provide an attractive option for recovery of thermal energy. Although the idea is not new, there are few if any existing studies that talk about how the WWSHP location relative to the collection system influences efficiency. We used a wastewater collection system model and cost-benefit analysis to examine the payback time for a WWSHP relative to a conventional hot water boiler. The best location for WWSHP implementation depends on design capacity and collection system size, and the payback time could be as low as 3 years. There is a threshold of design capacity (160 kW) in the range of sizes that we investigated, and hourly variations leading to a higher electricity price could lead to a longer payback time. However, that threshold should increase and the payback time may decrease (<2 years) if larger sizes are included in the investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of urban areas, changing patterns of consumption and industrialization resulting in an increase in municipal waste generation are deteriorating the quality of environment, thereby posing a risk to sustainable development. The seriousness of the problem increases in a scenario where natural resources are getting scarcer and the traditional system of landfill is still being practiced extensively for solid waste disposal. Most often technology is considered as an essential component of the waste management where the functionality of different technologies depends on the quantity of waste and its composition. However, other factors such as government policy, legal framework, and financial allocation, social and cultural context play an equally vital role for an efficient waste management system, which is often ignored. Recognizing the importance of sustainable development and environmental conservation, the role of institutions and technology in delivering efficient waste management system has been evident in countries pioneering in waste management. This paper addresses the issue of municipal solid waste management by taking the case of India. It discusses the present municipal waste management system, practices and policies in India. In an evolutionary approach, it highlights the gaps in policy formulation, points out the challenges that the sector is facing and makes an attempt to suggest a way forward through a study of the municipal waste management policies and practices adopted in other countries that had championed waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kennebunk Sewer District collection system experienced H2S‐induced corrosion downstream of terminus manholes for the Wells Road and Boothby Road pumping stations. An automated odor control system using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was developed to mitigate further corrosion. System performance was quantified by recording the [H2S] in the terminus manholes before and after NaOH treatment. Preliminary evaluation at the Wells Road facility demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the average [H2S] between the treatment (4.8 ± 0.3 ppm) and control (67 ± 1.5 ppm). Permanent systems installed at both facilities in 2017 yielded similar positive results. The average [H2S] in the Wells and Boothby Road terminus manholes reduced from 89.4 ± 1.0 to 8.0 ± 0.1 ppm and from 7.9 ± 0.2 to 0.82 ± 0.06 ppm, respectively. This work demonstrates the ability of the NaOH system presented here to minimize emission of corrosive H2S gas in small collection systems. Practitioner points: Biologically‐produced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas corrodes sewer collection system components and results in premature asset failure.Maintaining wastewater pH above 8.5 by injecting sodium hydroxide (NaOH) minimizes H2S emission by shifting the molar distribution of sulfur species and partially inhibiting the anaerobes that produce H2S.The practical application of this approach may be limited to small wastewater collection systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore wind power resource, which is relatively stable, abundant, and with modest impact on the environment, is a kind of clean and renewable energy suitable for large-scale development. Offshore wind farms have different topological structures of the collection system, such as AC parallel type, DC parallel type, DC series type, single-ring type, and double-ring type. The purpose of this paper is to analyse reliability and economy for various topologies and provide an insight into wind farm construction. In this study, the topology structure of various offshore wind farms is introduced firstly. Then, the reliability assessment methods are proposed. The reliability of the chain wind farm is analysed with the reliability block diagrams, while the reliability of the ring wind farm is analysed by using the classification method. In addition, the economy is evaluated considering investment costs. The investment cost for each type of component is calculated separately, which contributes to assessing the investment cost of the whole offshore wind farm. Detailed results from a case study, which includes 96 wind turbines, demonstrate that the DC series–parallel wind farm has superiority in reliability and economy, as well as in terms of its potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lee, D.-H. and Choi, K., 2023. Feasibility study on the emergency acquisition of satellite images for maritime search and rescue. In: Lee, J.L.; Lee, H.; Min, B.I.; Chang, J.-I.; Cho, G.T.; Yoon, J.-S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Multidisciplinary Approaches to Coastal and Marine Management. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 116, pp. 463-467. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. With increasing maritime activities such as logistics and leisure, the frequency and scale of maritime accidents are growing. To minimize damage from maritime accidents and provide appropriate responses, the accident scenarios must be accurately predicted. To this end, maritime control and monitoring systems are required. Recently, remote sensing platforms such as drones, helicopters, and satellites have been increasingly used for accident monitoring. Images obtained by drones or helicopters have high resolution but small coverage because the platforms fly at a low altitude. In comparison, the images acquired from satellites, which operate in high orbits, have wide coverage and are thus more effective in monitoring vast maritime areas. However, because satellites capture images at a predetermined time according to the mission orbit, the observation period is limited. Therefore, a satellite imagery collection system based on satellites operating worldwide must be established to acquire images from the target time and place. This paper proposes an image collection system for acquiring satellite images of target areas in maritime accident scenarios. Based on a statistical analysis of historical maritime accident data, the main objects to be detected are selected, and the requirements are specified. Additionally, the spatial and revisit cycles and observation time of optical and synthetic aperture radar satellites are analyzed and an image collection system is established by selecting the satellites available for accident response. The proposed system can facilitate the use of satellite images to respond promptly to maritime accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore wind power resource, which is relatively stable, abundant, and with modest impact on the environment, is a kind of clean and renewable energy suitable for large-scale development. Offshore wind farms have different topological structures of the collection system, such as AC parallel type, DC parallel type, DC series type, single-ring type, and double-ring type. The purpose of this paper is to analyse reliability and economy for various topologies and provide an insight into wind farm construction. In this study, the topology structure of various offshore wind farms is introduced firstly. Then, the reliability assessment methods are proposed. The reliability of the chain wind farm is analysed with the reliability block diagrams, while the reliability of the ring wind farm is analysed by using the classification method. In addition, the economy is evaluated considering investment costs. The investment cost for each type of component is calculated separately, which contributes to assessing the investment cost of the whole offshore wind farm. Detailed results from a case study, which includes 96 wind turbines, demonstrate that the DC series–parallel wind farm has superiority in reliability and economy, as well as in terms of its potential applications.

This paper presents the impact of the collected VAT on a company acting in the construction field in the current economic environmnet; the study is based on data provided by the company before and after applying the VAT collection system. The research reflects the VAT payable on State Budget three times: before its entry into the system, its activity during the application system and its situation in 2014 when the company can choose between staying in the system or getting out of it. The research method consisted in reviewing approaches made in the literature, articles and specialized studies in national and international journals. We followed a detailed approach of the effects generated by the VAT collection system among companies acting in the construction filed and we made a case study based on the activity of the construction companies before applying the system and their option to stay or exit the VAT collection system.

A review of the literature published in 2017 on topics relating to gaseous emissions from wastewater facilities is presented. This review is divided into the following sections: odorant emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs); greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from WWTPs; gaseous emissions from wastewater collection systems; physiochemical odor/emissions control methods; biological odor/emissions control methods; odor/GHG characterization/monitoring/modeling; and odor impacts/risk assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An agricultural environment data collection system based on the Internet of things is designed. The system uses support vector machine regression (SVMR) algorithm to process the raw data, the predict daily air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed value, in order to help predict the spread of harmful bacteria in farmland. The experimental results show that the mean absolute error of predicted average air temperature and the actual measured values is 1°C . For the average relative air humidity, the mean absolute error of predict values and the actual measured values is 5%. The mean absolute error of predict the average wind speed value and the actual measured values is 1 km/ h. The system data are accessed through the Internet of things environment. Eventually, the system will contribute to the field crop management staff to better manage and prevent the spread of germs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Web-Based Billing and Collection System for a Municipal Water and Services Unit is a system that sought to address the problem of a municipal water unit. Using the technology, meter reading will be paperless. It can be accessible through the Internet; end-users and water consumers/customers could connect and perform transactions enabling them to become efficient on their daily tasks whether in the office or at home. The head of the unit can make overall viewing of the status of daily transactions and can be viewed using desktop, laptop computers and android mobile devices connected to the internet. The water consumers/customers may receive email and short messaging system showing their current water consumption and water bill. Added/unique features such as graphical chart showing regular water consumptions on the end-users and consumers/customers dashboard as well as on their billing statements are provided. On the level of satisfaction of the respondents on the features of the proposed billing and collection system; result show that efficiency earned the highest weighted mean (4.43) interpreted as "satisfied". Functionality posed weighted arithmetic mean (4.33) verbally interpreted as "satisfied". Portability and reliability followed next. On the level of acceptance of the proposed billing and collection system; respondents' acceptance according to consumer accounts updating gauged at 4.35 weighted arithmetic mean with verbal interpretation of "acceptable". Auto-reminding the consumers for bills due for payment posed a 4.37 weighted arithmetic mean and was also "acceptable". According to billing statement printing and free format report generation, respondents recorded 4.45 weighted arithmetic mean and interpreted as "acceptable". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea floating wind farms have gained significant attention in recent years, however, their high construction and operation cost remains a notable challenge. In the floating wind farm, floating wind turbines (WTs) have a certain range of movement, and dynamic cables are used, thus the collection system needs a careful design that relies heavily on iterative optimization. In this study, a life cycle cost model for the collection system of floating wind farms is firstly established considering the floating characteristics. Due to the complexity of the optimization model, the two-layer optimization framework is presented. The upper layer uses Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) to determine the optimal connection between the WTs and offshore substations (OSs), while the lower layer optimizes the cable topology between WTs via Improved Monte Carlo Tree Search (IMCTS). Simultaneously, the cable selection scheme corresponding to the obtained topology is optimized by the lower level. Simulations are performed to validate the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves a minimum optimization cost of 45.277 million euros, and attains significant reductions of 2.31, 0.486 and 1.667 million euros, respectively, compared to Genetic Algorithm (GA), BPSO-Sweep-IMCTS and BPSO-AA-GA. Further, this study evaluates the differences in the optimized structures of the collection system between floating and fixed wind farms, and analyzes the effects of the OS position and environmental factors. The analysis results show that locating OSs at the central position and upstream side reduces the cost of the collection system, and the wind condition has a considerable influence on the design of the collection system. • Life-cycle cost model for the floating wind farm power collection system • Two-layer optimization method combining BPSO and IMCTS • Analyzing differences between the collection system of floating and fixed wind farms • Analyzing impacts of substation location on the power collection system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining clean water resources from the air is an important method to solve the water shortage problem in arid and semi-arid areas. Improving the efficiency of material water collection from the air remains a huge challenge that needs to be overcome. Inspired by natural creatures, a new combined mist dew collector is proposed. The collecting part of the system has a gradient structure with alternating convexity and endows it with different chemical wettability. Janus sponge will be used as the storage part and mechanically assembled together to form a fog/dew collection system. This combination approach can improve collection efficiency by adjusting the liquid behavior throughout the entire fog collection process, including nucleation of droplets during the capture process, high-speed transmission on conical channels, and separation and storage of droplets from Janus sponge. The synergistic effect of conical capture and sponge separation collection improves the efficiency of fog collection. Compared with traditional fog collection structures, our proposed collection system significantly improves the efficiency of fog collection. Meanwhile, our collection system can effectively collect dew under conventional subcooling conditions. The readily available low-cost raw materials, easy to assemble and disassemble, and easy to carry, our proposed fog/dew collection system combines fog and dew collection as a promising solution to alleviate freshwater shortages in many underdeveloped, arid, and island areas. [Display omitted] • Inspired by natural water gatherers, a new combined fog-dew collector is proposed. • Hump/groove mixed wettability conical needle has excellent performance in fog-collecting and droplet transfer. • The coupled structure of a conical hole and a conical needle delivers droplets quickly. • Dew collection on surfaces with hump/groove - hybrid wettability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]