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Improvement of the quantitative performance characterization of photovoltaic (PV) strings was investigated, based on their monitoring data during maximum power point tracking (MPPT) operation. The maximum power voltage Vmp and current Imp of the PV strings under MPPT were continuously monitored, and corrected to standard temperature of 25 °C by using the temperature correction formulas, which were recently developed for PV modules. The irradiance G was measured by using a PV module irradiance sensor. It was verified that the formulas are applicable to PV strings, enabling reproducible temperature correction of Vmp and Imp with relative standard deviation (σ) of about 0.4–0.9% under various weather conditions. Comparison of the outdoor results with indoor current–voltage curve measurements of the constituent modules in the strings showed that the maximum output power Pmax under the standard test conditions STC, i.e. 25 °C and 1 kWm−2, estimated from the temperature-corrected Vmp and Imp, agreed with the indoor result typically within ±1.5%. The experimental results also showed that other information of the string such as partial shading and activation of bypass diodes can be also sensitively detected by analyzing the temperature-corrected Vmp and Imp. The outdoor measurements and data analysis of this study can be carried out without stopping the MPPT operation of the string. The analysis is performed by using the real-time data. The present method is expected to be applicable to most kinds of crystalline silicon PV strings without modification.

This paper reports a study into the possibility of applying a simplified approach, recommended by standards for conventional steel beams, to determine the heating temperature under the conditions of a fire in relation to steel I-beams with a corrugated wall. The research is predetermined by the limitation of methods that make it possible to determine the heating temperature of this type of beam in a fire using engineering methods with a small amount of calculations. Technical data on steel beams with cladding have been considered for calculation, the features of heat impact of fire on them have been analyzed, a calculation procedure has been devised, the estimation schemes have been built, and the calculations have been performed. Data on the temperature distribution in the cross-sections of beams with and without cladding were obtained by using a simplified method recommended by standards and the refined method based on a finite-element method. Mathematical models have been constructed for calculations that describe the effect of a standard temperature regime of fire on the distribution of temperature in eachminute in the cross-sections of steel beams with and without cladding. The models have been described on the basis of the differential equation of thermal conductivity, boundary conditions of the third kind, which take into consideration convective and radiant heat transfer. It was established that themineral wool cladding of the beam with a corrugated wall is a reliable fire protection agent. The heating temperature of the beam does not reach a critical value of 500°C in 60minutes, which provides the class of this beam with the most stringent requirements for its fire resistance in accordance with the classification in line with the acting norms in Ukraine. The simplified method, recommended by the current standards of the European Union and Ukraine, could be effectively used to analyze the fire resistance of these beams and is the basis of the procedure for the estimated assessment of the fire resistance of these structures

PURPOSE Previous publications have described how the standard temperature and pressure correction will overcorrect measurements with a low-energy photon low-dose rate brachytherapy source at low ambient air pressures. To account for this effect, an additional correction factor is applied after the standard temperature and pressure correction. This additional correction is dependent on the source being measured and the chamber it is measured in. Well chamber corrections for two sources and findings regarding aspects that may affect the altitude response of the sources are presented. METHODS A purpose-built pressure vessel was constructed previously, which could achieve pressures ranging from 74.661 to 106.66 kPa (560-800 mmHg). Three Cesium Blu sources (131 Cs) from Isoray Inc. and three CivaDots (103 Pd) from CivaTech Oncology Inc. were tested over this pressure range in increments of 2.7 kPa (20 mmHg) in three HDR 1000 Plus chambers, and the Cesium Blu sources were also tested in two IVB 1000 chambers. Both chamber models are air communicating well-type ionization chambers produced by Standard Imaging Inc. Multiple runs of each source/chamber combination were completed, corrected with the standard temperature and pressure correction, normalized to the result at 101.325 kPa, and averaged with runs of the same combination. The chamber response was also simulated using MCNP6 to validate the experimental results. RESULTS Measurements of both sources in all chambers followed the expected power dependence on ambient pressure as seen in previous studies. The Cesium Blu source, however, demonstrated a significant difference in response in the HDR 1000 Plus chamber versus the IVB 1000 chamber. For an altitude correction factor of the form, PA = k1 (P)k2 , new coefficients are proposed for both sources for pressure units of kPa and mmHg. The Monte Carlo calculated chamber response agreed with the experimental results within 2% for all sources and chambers at all pressures. CONCLUSIONS Altitude correction coefficients for two new low-energy photon low-dose rate brachytherapy sources are provided. The directional dependence of the CivaDot has no bearing on its dependence on pressure; however, the difference in construction materials from other 103 Pd sources leads to unique correction coefficients. The higher energy of the Cesium Blu source with respect to 103 Pd and 125 I sources yields a difference in correction factors depending on which model chamber is used for air-kerma strength calculations. Clinics must be careful to select the correct pair of coefficients for the chamber model they used.

Existing fire protection systems for steel structures using fire-retardant profile coatings or fire-retardant screens are not always acceptable for practical use due to their considerable thickness required to ensure the highest fire resistance classes of these structures. Reducing this thickness can possibly be done by using a fire protection system that effectively combines the physicochemical properties of passive and reactive fire retardant materials, as well as fire shields. Uncertainty of influence of parameters of such system of fire protection on fire resistance of steel designs causes carrying out of research in this direction. The studies aimed to assess the fire resistance of steel structures with a fire protection system, which uses a fire shield and fire protection coating of the steel profile. Peculiarities of temperature dependences of steel structures of I-column profile with such combined system of fire protection on duration of fire influence on standard temperature mode are defined. It is established that the rate of temperature rise is the highest for a steel structure with a reactive fire-retardant coating of the profile (the value of 550 °C is reached for the duration of fire exposure 59 min), the lowest – for a structure with passive coating (this temperature is reached for 125 min). The influence of the parameters of the fire protection system on the fire resistance of steel structures is determined. It is shown that the use of fire shields leads to a significant increase in fire resistance of steel structures. If there is a reactive coating on the surface of the structure, this increase is from 90 % to 100 %. In the case of using a passive coating of the profile, the fire resistance of the structure increases by an amount ranging from 67 % to 88 %. The effectiveness of fire shields is greater in the presence of a passive coating on the surface of the structure than the reactive material. The use of reactive coating on the inner and outer surfaces of fire shields does not increase the fire resistance of the steel structure, which is protected by a screen.

Проаналізовано способи та досвід застосування різних методів щодо приведення межі вогнестійкості будівельних конструкцій у випадку відхилення температурного режиму вогневого випробування від стандартного температурного режиму пожежі. На основі проведених теоретичних та експериментальних досліджень виконано співставлення реальних та стандартних температурних впливів з використанням методу співставленні площ, що знаходяться під кривою пожежі та обмежених ординатою температури, при якій досягнуто один з критеріїв вогнестійкості та віссю абсцис. Перевірено за допомогою аналітичного розрахунку з використанням функції Гріна адекватність методу приведення межі вогнестійкості. Встановлено, що метод приведення реальної температури отриманої в результаті проведення вогневого випробування до стандартного температурного режиму пожежі, є адекватним і може застосовуватись при інженерних розрахунках який забезпечує точність в межах 10-15%.

To assess the accuracy and precision of infrared cameras compared to traditional measures of temperature measurement in a temperature, humidity, and distance controlled intensive care unit (ICU) population. This was a prospective, observational methods comparison study in a single centre ICU in Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. A convenience sample of 39 patients admitted to a single room equipped with two ceiling mounted thermal imaging cameras was assessed, comparing measured cutaneous facial temperature via thermal camera to clinical temperature standards. Uncorrected correlation of camera measurement to clinical standard in all cases was poor, with the maximum reported correlation 0.24 (Wide-angle Lens to Bladder temperature). Using the wide-angle lens, mean differences were − 11.1 °C (LoA − 14.68 to − 7.51), − 11.1 °C ( − 14.3 to − 7.9), and − 11.2 °C ( − 15.23 to − 7.19) for axillary, bladder, and oral comparisons respectively (Fig. 1a). With respect to the narrow-angle lens compared to the axillary, bladder and oral temperatures, mean differences were − 7.6 °C ( − 11.2 to − 4.0), − 7.5 °C ( − 12.1 to − 2.9), and − 7.9 °C ( − 11.6 to − 4.2) respectively. AUCs for the wide-angle lens and narrow-angle lens ranged from 0.53 to 0.70 and 0.59 to 0.79 respectively, with axillary temperature demonstrating the greatest values. Infrared thermography is a poor predictor of patient temperature as measured by existing clinical standards. It has a moderate ability to discriminate fever. It is unclear if this would be sensitive enough for infection screening purposes.Fig. 1Bland–Altman plots for temperatures measured using clinical standards to infrared camera. a Wide-angle camera versus bladder temperature. b Narrow-angle camera versus bladder temperature Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10877-021-00731-y.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of elephant camp–derived wastes was studied using series of batch experiments. Three different materials derived from elephant dung namely fresh elephant dung (FD), washing water (WW), and washed fiber (WF) served as the substrates. The theoretical methane potentials of the solid substrates were 786.0 and 580.6 LCH4/gVSadded at standard temperature and pressure, for FD and WF, respectively. In addition, the cumulative methane yields were 275.7±1.6, 266.7±14.3, and 202.6±1.6 NmL/gVSadded for FD, WW, and WF, respectively. Also, there were no signs of an acid accumulation throughout the studies. For the kinetic study, the modified Gompertz equation fitted well with the experimental data with an R2 more than 0.98. Moreover, FD showed the highest predicted methane production potential of 293.2 NmL/gVSadded. Since the methane yields of FD and WW were not significantly different, in practical terms, FD should be washed and subsequently, the generated WW could be served to anaerobic digestion. However, direct combustion seems to be a more promising biorefinery-based option for WF since its methane potential was relatively low, but the fibers had a high heating value. The integrated AD and thermochemical process could potentially generate more than 14,500 kJ/kg of FD.

The results of research of fire resistance of steel air ducts with the combined system of fire protection in the conditions of fire influence according to the standard temperature regime according to DSTU B V.1.1-4 are resulted. Steel air ducts were investigated, in the design of which two fire protection systems were used, in which passive fire protection material material (fiberglass "IPS-T-1000") and reactive fire protection material materials ("Endotherm HT-150" and "Endotherm 250103") were used. The research method is applied, which is based on the provisions of DSTU B V.1.1-16. The essence of this technique is that the samples of steel ducts are installed in the vertical support structure of the furnace and exposed to fire. According to the obtained experimental data, the integrity and thermal insulation capacity of air ducts are evaluated. According to the results of the research, the peculiarities of temperature distribution on the unheated surface of air ducts in the conditions of fire influence and characteristics of fire resistance of steel air ducts with the combined fire protection system are determined. It is shown that the temperature is most important on the unheated surface of the duct near the place of its compaction in the vertical enclosingstructure. The temperature on the surface of the duct at a distance of 325 mm from the enclosing structure is several tens of degrees lower than the temperature on the surface of the duct at a distance of 25 mm from it. The period of time to achieve the loss of thermal insulation capacity of air ducts and the class of their fire resistance, which is EI 45. The direction of further researches which are focused on revealing of dependencesbetween a time interval before achievement of loss of thermal insulation capacity and thickness of layers of the combined system of fire protection for steel air ducts is defined. This detection will determine the optimalparameters of the combined fire protection system for steel air ducts, acceptable to ensure their fire resistance for a wide range of duration of fire exposure at a standard temperature.

Introduction . In the process of designing warehouse buildings, taking into account the adopted design decisions, it is required to assess the compliance of the actual fire resistance limits of building structures with the required fire resistance limits. The fire resistance limits of the (actual) building structures are determined under the influence of a “standard” temperature regime, the use of which can lead to both laying an overestimated fire resistance margin in a project and underestimating the thermal effect in a “real” fire. Aims and purposes . The purpose of the study is to assess the convergence of the “standard” temperature regime and possible “real” temperature regimes of fires in modern warehouse buildings, as well as the correspondence of actual fire resistance limits to the effects of “real” fires. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: mathematical modeling of the development of a “real” fire by the field method in a warehouse building at different fire loads was carried out, as well as modeling of heating of the supporting structures of the coating according to the standard temperature regime and the “real” temperature conditions of the fire obtained during the simulation; the required fire resistance limits of the bearing building structures of the coating are determined through the equivalent duration of the fire. Methods . A storage building of a standard form with dimensions of 12×12×6.5 m was chosen as the object of the study. The building has a 4×4 meter gate in the amount of 2 pieces and an entrance door of 1×2 meter size. Within the walls of the building are 32 windows measuring 0.7×1 meter. Coverage — an impassable flat roof over metal trusses. The parameters of the fire load during mathematical modeling were taken according to the reference data of Yu.A. Koshmarov 12 types of typical fire load stored in warehouse buildings are considered. For mathematical modeling of “real” temperature fires, the “Fire Dynamics Simulator” (FDS) software package was used, which implements a field (differential) mathematical model. For mathematical modeling of the heating process of steel building structures, the finite-difference method for solving the Fourier heat equation with external and internal nonlinearity was used, implemented in the ANSYS Mechanical software package. results and discussion. The results of modeling in the FDS software package show that the temperature impact on the structure according to the standard temperature regime for fire loads: cables+wires, industrial oil, ethyl alcohol was less, which indicates an underestimation of the thermal impact on the structure. The results of modeling the heating of structures showed that the heating time of the coating truss is up to 400–700 °C for fire loads: cables+wires, industrial oil, ethyl alcohol less than the time obtained from standard tests, which indicates an initial underestimation of the actual fire resistance of steel structures of the coating when designing warehouse buildings. Conclusions . The assumption that the thermal impact of the standard temperature regime on the steel structures of modern warehouse complexes was underestimated was confirmed for 3 of the 12 fire loads considered, namely: cables+wires, industrial oil, ethyl alcohol.

For cement-based materials, the curing temperature determines the strength gain rate and the value of compressive strength. In this paper, the 5% cement-stabilized macadam mixture is used. Three indoor controlled temperature curing and one outdoor natural curing scenarios are designed and implemented to study the strength development scenario law of compressive strength, and they are standard temperature curing (20°C), constant low temperature curing (10°C), day interaction temperature curing (varying from 6°C to 16°C), and one outdoor natural temperature curing (in which the air temperature ranges from 4°C to 20°C). Finally, based on the maturity method, the maturity-strength estimation model is obtained by using and analyzing the data collected from the indoor tests. The model is proved with high accuracy based on the validated results obtained from the data of outdoor tests. This research provides technical support for the construction of cement-stabilized macadam in regions with low temperature, which is beneficial in the construction process and quality control.

The results of the study of fire resistance of cable penetrations, in the design of which used a reactive fire protection material "Endotherm HT-150". The research methodology based on the provisions of DSTU B B.1.1-8, DSTU-N B EN 1991-1-2, DSTU-N B EN 1992-1-2 has been applied. The essence of this technique is that samples of cable penetrations are installed in a vertical support structure of the furnace. At the stage of fire exposure under the standard temperature regime and at the stage of cooling the furnace, temperature is measured on the unheated surface of the specimens, and their behavior is observed (cracks, holes, flames appear on the unheated side of the specimens). According to the experimental data, the integrity and thermal insulation capacity of cable penetrations are evaluated. According to the results of the research, the characteristics of fire resistance of cable penetrations with the use of reactive fire protection material "Endotherm HT-150" were determined. It is established that the design parameters of these cable penetrations significantly affect their fire resistance. So the cable penetrations, in which the cables are laid in steel boxes with reactive fire protection coating, correspond to the class of fire resistance EI 150. Cable penetration, in which cables with a reactive fire protection coating directly pass through the enclosure structure, corresponds to the class of fire resistance EI 90. Under fire conditions, the temperature on the unheated surface is of the lowest value for the cable penetration, in which the structural steel boxes are used. For a cable duct with a solid steel box, this temperature is several tens of degrees higher. The highest temperature on the unheated surface is provided by the cable penetration, in the construction of which no steel box is used. The direction of further researches which are focused on revealing of influence of parameters of a steel cable box, a protective structure, fire protection lining with application of reactive fire protection material and brands of cables on the fire resistance of cable penetrations is determined.

Rationale: Water loss by evaporation is a normal physiological process, in order to regulate plant temperature. Under conditions of thermal and water stress, water loss is accelerated compared to normal conditions, and the response of plants is variable. In extreme cases, it can lead to wilting and death of plants. It was found that the phenomenon of water loss behaved as a pattern in different plant species, given by two functions, logistics (first part of water loss) and hyperbola (second part of water loss) in relation to a moment m, at which the rate of water loss (RWL) has reached its maximum value. Method: We studied the water loss process for a series of plant samples on different plant species (Picea abies L., H. Karst; Juniperus communis L.; Pinus silvestris L.; Thuja occidentalis L.; Lamium purpureum L.; Veronica hederifolia L.), measuring the rate of weight loss (RWL) in controlled conditions. The drying of the samples was done in identical conditions (thermo-balance, 100 °C, standard temperature for drying the plant samples) with the real-time recording of the drying time simultaneously with the water loss rate (RWL) from the plant samples. The exposure time varied, depending on each species sample, and was approximately 1000 s. Results: The experimental data was recorded at intervals of every 10 s, during the entire drying period. RWL values varied from 0.024 to 0.054 g/min at the beginning of the drying process and reached maximum values after 70–100 s, having values between 0.258 g/min and 0.498 g/min. During the drying period, this indicator presented different graphic evolutions, difficult to be described with a single function. The first segment was described by a logistic function, and the second was described by a hyperbola, resulting in a model (RWLMod) which described the real phenomenon. This model and theoretical calculation were used to quantify the water loss in a time interval and, compared with empirical dates, no significant differences were observed, which indicated an increased degree of accuracy regarding the use of this model. Recommendation and novelty of work: The novelty of the work is given by the obtained model (RWLMod), which makes possible the description of RWL over the entire time interval, and ensures a good fit with the real data. It recommends the method and model in studies of plant behaviour under stress in relation to different influencing factors.

Solar power is one of the most promising sources of energy which is not only clean but renewable and easily harnessed. Pollution and other factors have forced us to look for opportunities in the field of renewables. Even though solar power harnessing using solar photovoltaic panels is the best way to convert light into usable electrical energy, only 15–22% of the energy of the total solar incidence on the panel is converted using commercially available silicon-based solar panels. Oxford PV researchers have managed to achieve about 27% in the laboratory. Even with these low figures of efficiencies, one can achieve good power output from a solar panel. These figures of efficiencies are tested in standard conditions where we have standard pressure, and standard temperature (25 °C). In this chapter, we shall discuss the variation of the parameters of solar panels due to variation in the environmental parameters. Possibilities to mimic the standard conditions to extract maximum energy from the solar panels, mainly focusing on thermo-electric cooling methods, and will discuss its feasibilities.

The reactivity index of weight loss (RI) and tumbling strength after the reaction (I10600) of manufacturing coke were first tested at a temperature series of 1100, 1200, and 1300 °C under CO2 atmosphere with different compositions and duration times to study the effects of temperature, time, and gas composition on coke hot strength. Then the RI/I10600, carbon structure, and optical texture of the cokes prepared from different single coals were mainly studied after a solution reaction with CO2 under a high temperature of 1300 °C and a standard temperature of 1100 °C. It was found that temperature greatly affects the RI/I10600 of coke, especially at high temperatures up to 1300 °C. Compared with standard tests under 1100 °C, the changes of RI/I10600 for different cokes are very different at 1300 °C, and the changes are greatly related to coke optical texture. Under a high temperature in the testing method, the tumbling strength of cokes with more isotropy increased, whereas it decreased for those with less isotropy. This simple method of using high temperature could yield the same results when compared with complicated simulated blast furnace conditions.

The issue related to the conditions for creating the required temperature regime of fire when testing structures for fire resistance has not been studied in detail up to now. That necessitated determining the technical conditions under which it is possible to comply with the standard temperature regime of fire in the fire chamber of the furnace. The influence of the design parameters of the fire furnace chamber on the condition of compliance with the standard fire temperature regime when tested for fire resistance has been established. One of the most effective methods for examining such an impact is computer simulation. A computer model of the fire furnace was built on the basis of a comprehensive analysis and earlier work on the study of such furnaces, taking into consideration technical characteristics, in particular, geometrical parameters, fuel and air supply systems. The obtained research results are a prerequisite for scientific substantiation of the design parameters of fire furnaces and their engineering systems, which is necessary to comply with the standard temperature regime of fire in the furnace fire chamber. This makes it possible to provide the necessary conditions for testing building structures for fire resistance in compliance with the requirements of the relevant standards. The computer model constructed makes it possible to create the necessary temperature regime in the fire chamber of the furnace (in this study, the standard temperature of fire). As a result of the study, the technical parameters of the fuel supply and ventilation system were determined, which ensure compliance with the standard temperature regime in the fire chamber of the furnace. That makes it possible to build an automated complex of the testing process for fire resistance of building structures. In addition, the data obtained can be the basis for the design of such fire furnaces with the ability to comply with different fire temperature regimes without the intervention of the operator.

Diffusion coefficients of radon through minerals and rocks are characterised by Arrhenius linear plots, i.e., increasing with temperature. It has been observed, for example, that rocks with a mild heating (

In heating structural steels to extreme temperatures with quenching or normalization, the dislocation density in the α-phase structure is comparable with that on heating to the standard temperature Ac3 + 30–50°C. The change in dislocation density depends on the quantity of carbon and alloying elements in the steel.

In the article, experimental fire tests on establishing maximum fire resistance of the steel columns with fire-retardant mineral wool covering are analyzed. The scientific novelty of this study are the new method developed for manufacturing and shaping samples of the steel columns with fire-retardant mineral wool covering, and the method developed for conducting fire tests on establishing patterns of dependence of the moment when steel columns with the fire-retardant cladding lose their bearing capacity down to the limit. The subject of the study was an influence of design parameters of the fire-retardant cladding on the results of the estimated fire resistance of the steel columns under the influence of the standard fire temperature mode. The main task of the research described in this article was to determine a moment of the peak critical temperature of fire-retardant steel structure depending on the thickness of the mineral wool covering. The test results of samples of steel columns with different thickness of fire-retardant cladding based on mineral wool covering are also described in the article; the tests were carried out in accordance with the developed methodology of experimental studies. The repeatability of the time indicators of the bearing capacity loss by the tested samples of steel columns with fire-retardant cladding depending on the duration of the sample exposure to the action of the fire standard temperature is shown. The obtained research results will allow to create a mathematical model for predicting a dependence of the moment when a steel structure reaches its critical temperature depending on the thickness of the fire-retardant cladding. The constructed mathematical model can be considered as a scientific basis for the creation of new engineering methods of calculation for assessing fire resistance of the steel structures with fire-retardant mineral wool covering. These engineering and calculation methods allow improving the regulatory acts for designing of the fire-resistant steel structures.

The physiological changes and the mechanism of stress tolerance in tomato were studied under low temperature and low light conditions. Two growth chamber experiments evaluated three temperatures regimes under standard and relatively low illumination levels with three tomato genotypes. Both experiments used a completely randomized split-plot design (CRD), with temperature regime as the main plot and tomato genotype as the split-plot. The three tomato varieties were “Fenyan No.1”, “SV0313TG”, and “Ousa”. In both experiments, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidases (POD) in tomato seedlings decreased under low temperature regime and the combination of low temperature and low light. Decreasing temperature had the greatest effect on the increase in enzyme activity. Decrease in POD activity was the greatest under low light and low temperature. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plant tissue also decreased under low temperature (20°C/10°C day/night) compared to the standard temperature control (25°C/16°C day/night), but increased at 15°C/5°C day/night temperatures in both experiments and was the greatest under the lowest light and temperature conditions. In both experiments, proline concentrations were the greatest under the standard light intensity (30,000 lux), and proline concentrations increased as temperature decreased. The content of soluble sugar decreased under only low temperature stress but increased under double stresses. The relative value of osmotic potential increased a little under low temperature stress but decreased under double stresses.

Magnetic properties and structure of the 1.4540 (S15500) stainless steel products manufactured by additive technology using the selective laser melting method (SLM) were studied. The structure of the SLM alloy differs from the conventional 1.4540 stainless steel. The volume fraction of austenite of 34% is found in the SLM sample. After solution treatment, the austenite is not observed. The martensitic thin plates and precipitations are observed in both as-build and solutionized samples. The solution treatment at standard temperature of 1038°C can be successfully used for the SLM 1.4540 steel products. Magnetic properties of the SLM 1.4540 stainless steel allow considering this material as applicable for soft-magnetic applications requiring high strength and high corrosion resistance.

Enclosure structures of cable tunnels are typically made of reinforced concrete. To determine their limit of fire resistance, a standard temperature mode of fire is used.The fire in cable tunnels creates a special temperature mode, which differs from the standard one. This is explained by that the cable tunnels differ in design, fire load, aerodynamic and other parameters. A result of incorrect determining the limit of fire resistance for the building structures of cable tunnels might be their collapse at fire. Thus, studying the temperature mode of the fire is an important task.Modelling, as a method of scientific research, makes it possible, without performing costly and labor-intensive field experiments on models, to conduct all necessary experiments to determine the temperature modes of fire in cable tunnels. The purpose of the research of this work is to determine the temperature mode of fire in a cable tunnel depending on its shape, size and fire load.To take into account the specificity of the heterogeneity of the material from which the cable lines are made, as well as the conditions of conductive heat transfer (thermal conductivity in the solid material), the cable lines are given as a multi-component material. Polyvinyl chloride is bonded to the insulation of wires and copper from which cables are made. In addition, it is considered that the insulation material burns out. The specified parameter is given due to the bulk density and the linear burning rate.In one of the CFD software systems computer models of cable tunnels were created. Computational experiments were carried out and temperature modes of fire in tunnels with different parameters were determined.In this paper, further development of the use of computational experiments for the study of heat and mass transfer processes in fires in cable tunnels.

The presence of Cistus and Cytisus in Portugal is a potential source of an autochthonous renewable energy form. Portugal is also a main cork producer leading to large amounts of cork powders and residues, which can be incorporated in new fuel products. The present work studies the combustion of chars from hybrid pellets in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. The hybrid pellets, made from blends of Cytisus with cork residues, Cistus with Eucalyptus and Cytisus with Cistus, were subsequently carbonized in nitrogen atmosphere at 800 °C, and later cut into smaller and more uniform particles with average lengths of 4.5, 7.5 and 11.5 mm approximately. Combustion tests were carried out at three different bed temperatures, 700, 800 and 900 °C. From the evolution of the overall combustion resistance of batches of these char pellets, kinetic and diffusive data were obtained. Contrary to the standard expected trend, a clear decrease of the overall combustion resistance with temperature increase, the results show that there are some unexpected approximations on the evolution of these overall combustion resistances. This is due to the influence of some ash components upon the combustion kinetics and that in some circumstances such influence overrides the standard temperature dependency.

Measurement of dryrubbercontent of latex (DRC) is very important factor in the trade transactions of rubber. Determination of temperature and drying time of latex’s DRC need to be studied in order to avo id the excessive difference between farmers and factories so that it can cause loss effect on sale andpurchase of latex transaction. This study aimed to determine the temperature and time factor of the DRC during the drying process and its interaction. The study used a complete random ized design (RAL) with twofactors, i.e. temperature (80oC, 90oC, 100oC, 110oC, 120oC) and time (2, 4, 6 hours) with 3 replications and as control was 100oC for 2 hours. The results showed that the interaction between temperature and time was apparent (p

Respirograms of activated sludge OURTx and OUR20x were measured under site (T) and standard (20°C) temperatures, respectively, and the predicted standard temperature respirogram OUR20x,cal was also calculated using the Arrhenius equation. These respirogram profiles reveal more information than effluent quality. A decrease of OUR20x is a critical alarm signal for the loss of pollutant removal capacity, and a sudden increase of the predicted value OUR20x,cal is an alarm signal for the unrecoverable deterioration of biomass. The sign of OUR20x-OUR20x,cal can be used for selection of tuning strategies. For example, a negative value of OUR20x-OUR20x,cal indicates that doubling biomass is difficult, thus strategies such as extending the reaction time with limited available biomass is preferred. The findings in this study elucidated the respiration profile of activated sludge under changes of temperature and can be effectively used for the stable operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants under cold temperatures and seasonal variations.

This study evaluates different hydrothermal pretreatment conditions for the tomato plant. Since these plants produce abundant waste due to their lignocellulosic content, biodegradation through anaerobic digestion is difficult. Hydrothermal pretreatment of the tomato plant was carried out at different times (0, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 min), with pressure and temperature conditions maintained at 394 K and 202,650 total Pa. In addition, acid and base were added to determine if they favored the hydrolysis of the lignocellulosic material. After determining the most appropriate pretreatment time for the different options (with or without chemical reagent), aerobic biodegradability was evaluated, as well as the structural changes caused by the pretreatment. From this stage of pretreatment evaluation, it was concluded that the conditions of greatest interest were 15 min (t15) hydrothermal pretreatment without the addition of chemical reagents (TPWH (t15)). The anaerobic digestion process was subsequently evaluated by comparing TPWH (t15) with the untreated tomato plant, obtaining a mean value of 0.125 ± 0.006 and 0.097 ± 0.010 m3STP CH4/kg TVS (total volatile solids) (STP standard temperature and pressure conditions, 273 K and 101,325 Pa), respectively, once the methane production is stabilized.

In this paper, the upper optimization, based on the dynamic model of heating network, solves the problem of pipe network failure caused by too low temperature, the lower layer optimizes the capacities of the devices at the heat sources with the objective of economy according to the results of upper layer. Through the case analysis, the result shows that after optimization, the difference between the pipeline temperature and standard temperature is reduced by 33%, the minimum temperature of the pipe is increased from 52.5 °C to 76.7 °C, and the problem of pipeline failure is effectively avoided. Compared to the traditional capacity optimization model, the capacity planning cost of the two heat sources is reduced by 3.37% and 4.14% respectively. The bi- level programming model proposed in this paper can effectively avoid the operation failure of pipe network, and has better economic benefits after considering the variable efficiency characteristics of energy device.

To study the effect of the temperature field and gradient of a steel-concrete composite box girder bridge, a 5 × 35 continuous composite box girder bridge is used as the research object. The temperature measuring point is set by selecting a typical cross section, and the temperature change data are measured. The temperature field of the different positions in the composite box girder bridge is studied, the global and local temperature differences are compared, and the law of temperature distribution and the main factors affecting the temperature field are formulated. The most unfavourable expression function of the vertical temperature gradient of the section is simulated using the measured data, the existing standard temperature gradient mode is compared, the finite element model of the bridge is established, and the influence of the actual temperature gradient mode on the stress and deformation of the composite girder is further analysed. The conclusions show that the temperature differences of different azimuth sections and the local temperature differences between the steel and concrete joint parts of the steel-concrete composite box girder bridge are not significant. The temperature gradient heating and cooling model fitted by the measured temperature field can be used as a reference for the structural design of similar local bridges.

A wide variety of soils are available in the world out of which some are good in views of construction engineers and few are problematic due to their swelling and shrinkage properties, and black cotton soil (BCS) is one of them. These properties can easily produce uplift movement and may lift the lightweight civil engineering structures and causing collapse, cracking and ultimately hazard to mankind. In such a case, there is an extreme need for soil stabilization and hence to find and introduce cheap and easily adoptable stabilizing agent. Calcium carbide residue (CCR) which is a by-product of acetylene gas manufacturing industry due to its alkaline properties can be effectively used as stabilizing material, and reducing the environmental problem of its disposal is taken into the frame. This study depicts the use of CCR in stabilizing BCS. Introducing CCR in BCS can increase the strength and swell property of soil, for this CCR fixation point was determined by sequentially adding 1–10% CCR to BCS and studying properties like pH and consistency limits. Strength and swell pressure of BCS were checked with varying percentage of CCR. To study strength properties, unconfined compression test is conducted, and to examine swell properties a portable and in-house fabricated swell pressure measuring device was used. Maximum strength development in stabilized clay is found at 7% CCR cured for 28 days at standard temperature. It was further observed that addition of CCR to BCS resulted in increased strength of about 5 times than that of virgin BCS and it was observed that stabilization of soil with 7% CCR reduces its swell pressure by around 88%.

Anaerobic digestion is widely used for waste treatment and for biofuel production in the form of biogas from dedicated energy crops. Proper operation and control of anaerobic digesters require knowledge of biogas flow rate and methane composition of biogas. Methane content of biogas from an anaerobic digester was measured on-line by modifying an off-line measurement device, previously constructed by the authors, that uses a hydrocarbon sensor (MQ-4) and a pressure/temperature/humidity sensor (BME-280) integrated with an Arduino Uno. This modified on-line sensor was programmed to automatically measure methane composition by self-regulated introducing biogas sample and evacuating the device. It also equipped with a function of biogas flow chamber which could calculate the cumulative biogas production over a time interval. Methane composition (v/v) could be measured every three hours. Measurements made by this device agreed within an average absolute difference of 0.81 ± 0.58 % with measurements by a gas chromatograph equipped with a thermal conductivity detector. The volumetric flow rate was directly expressed on a moisture-free basis at standard temperature and pressure. The total cost of this device was under US $140. For an additional US $7, the device can be upgraded with an LED display that toggles between composition and flow rate.

The ignition, puffing and sooting characteristics of Chinese RP-3 kerosene droplet burning have been studied using high-speed, OH* chemiluminescence and soot thermal radiation imaging. The experiments were conducted in air at standard temperature and sub-atmospheric pressures ranging from 0.2 bar to 1 bar. The kerosene droplet was supported by a thermocouple tip and ignited by a retractable coiled heating wire. The results showed that the ignition delay time increased with a decrease of the ambient pressure, due to an increased distance between kerosene and oxygen molecules. Steady burning and disruptive burning were identified following the ignition. OH* chemiluminescence images showed a spherical flame and a longer flame standoff distance under a lower pressure. The puffing intensity was observed to be enhanced with a reduction of the ambient pressure, and a decreased pressure was found to lower the sooting emission.

In order to effectively control the quality of the 10kV drop fuse, the main reason for the operation of the fuse in the system is given, and the quality improvement method is proposed. The State Grid Corporation conducts the sampling test of the 10kV drop fuse. Through the material analysis and temperature rise test of the fuse, the material temperature of the contact surface of the main circuit conductor of the 10kV drop fuse is tested, and the test standard temperature rise limit is given. Combined with the temperature rise test results, the operating conditions and quality problems of the fuse equipment were analyzed. The test analyzes the root cause of the different operating currents of the fuses and the overheating at different locations. The temperature rise curve and the rising rate of the fuses at different positions are given. The results show that the fuse materials generally have different degrees of defects, the material testing failure rate is 88.9%, and the temperature rise test failure rate is 44.4%. The heat rise point of the fuse temperature rise test is mainly concentrated on the sliding position of the upper conductive piece and the upper contact, the screw connection position of the upper contact nut and the fusion tube, and the fastening position of the fuse and the lower conductor bolt. Therefore, strictly controlling the material quality of the 10kV drop fuse is of great significance for improving the stable operation of the 10kV drop fuse. The research results in this paper provide technical support for the material procurement of State Grid Corporation.

Important uncertainties remain in our understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of atmospheric hydroxyl radical concentration ([OH]). Carbon-14-containing carbon monoxide (14CO) is a useful tracer that can help in the characterization of [OH] variability. Prior measurements of atmospheric 14CO concentration ([14CO] are limited in both their spatial and temporal extent, partly due to the very large air sample volumes that have been required for measurements (500–1000 liters at standard temperature and pressure, L STP) and the difficulty and expense associated with the collection, shipment and processing of such samples. Here we present a new method that reduces the air sample volume requirement to ≈ 90 L STP while allowing for [14CO] measurement uncertainties that are on par with or better than prior work (≈ 3 % or better, 1 σ). The method also for the first time includes accurate characterization of the overall procedural [14CO] blank associated with individual samples, a key improvement over prior atmospheric 14CO work. The method was used to make measurements of [14CO] at the NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, USA, between November 2017 and November 2018. The measurements show the expected [14CO] seasonal cycle (lowest in summer) and are in good agreement with prior [14CO] results from another low-latitude site in the Northern Hemisphere. The lowest overall [14CO] uncertainties (2.1 %, 1 σ) are achieved for samples that are directly accompanied by procedural blanks and whose mass is increased to ≈ 50 micrograms of carbon (µgC) prior to the 14C measurement via dilution with a high-CO, 14C-depleted gas.

The base of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ) is a critical interface, providing a first-order estimate of gas hydrate distribution. Sensitivity to thermobaric conditions makes its prediction challenging, particularly in the regions with dynamic pressure–temperature regime. In Green Canyon Block 955 (GC 955) in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the seismically inferred base of the GHSZ is 450 m (1476 ft) below the seafloor, which is 400 m (1312 ft) shallower than predicted by gas hydrate stability modeling using standard temperature and pressure gradient assumptions and an assumption of structure I (99.9% methane gas) gas hydrate. We use three-dimensional seismic log data and heat-flow modeling to explain the factor of the salt diapir on the observed thinning of the GHSZ. We also test the alternative hypothesis that the GHSZ base is actually consistent with the theoretical depth. The heat-flow model indicates a salt-induced temperature anomaly, reaching 8°C at the reservoir level, which is sufficient to explain the position of the base of the GHSZ. Our analyses show that overpressure does develop at GC 955, but only within an approximately 500-m (∼1640-ft)-thick sediment section above the salt top, which does not currently affect the pressure field in the GHSZ (∼1000 m [∼328 ft] above salt). Our study confirms that a salt diapir can produce a strong localized perturbation of the temperature and pressure regime and thus on the stability of gas hydrates. Based on our results, we propose a generalized evolution mechanism for similar reservoirs, driven by salt-controlled gas hydrate formation and dissociation elsewhere in the world.

The task of modern systems of heat supply in the poultry houses are the maintenance of the necessary temperature parameters in the habitats of the poultry. On the basis of researches of infrared heating systems in poultry house an engineering technique for calculating the temperature regime in module for growing poultry has been developed. The module was equipped with an infrared heater and an exhaust outlet and allows designing efficient infrared heating systems in agricultural premises to ensure standard temperature regime. In this case, the technique is only resolved when the conditions for providing the required temperature and air speed parameters are met. If the temperature of the module tin changes from 16 °C to 35 °C, and inflow air speed varies from 0.2 m/s to 0.3 m/s, the infrared heating system and the ventilation system completely provide the normalized air temperature in the irradiation area. Based on an algorithm using a developed technique a computer program was developed. This program allows, through the use of a simple method of substituting input factors, to determine the parameters of the temperature regime of the module for poultry breeding.

This paper presents a control strategy for automatic temperature and relative humidity control systems for poultry farms. This work aims to build a simple but automated smart Poultry Farm device that will be suitable for a poultry farm environment for controlling temperature and relative humidity. Moreover, for better understanding of inside environment of the poultry farms survey analysis (for the maximum temperature, minimum temperature and relative humidity) had done for 12 months of 2019 on different areas/places of 100 poultry farms of Bangladesh. Additionally, the process of controlling the temperature and relative humidity control uses a microcontroller (ATmega328p) that receives data from the sensor AM2302 and controls suitable temperature and humidity by using a logic algorithm code. Poultry needs a standard temperature and humidity which have been set within 20 °C-25 °C and 60%-80% respectively. Nevertheless, an LCD display (16*2) with Matrix keypad (4*4) has been included in the device by which farmers can easily set, operate and check the required temperature and humidity inside the poultry farms. Finally, sensor testing and device administration results are documented to achieve the success of the research.

Given the need tominimize the weight-dimensional indicators of steel structures, the issue of the effective use of a combined fire protection system is relevant. The article deals with the thermal state of steel structures with such a system of fire protection under conditions of fire exposure in the standard temperature mode according to DSTU B V. 1.1-4-98*. The experimental samples used square steel plates with a side of 500mm and a thickness of 5mm and 10mm. The conducted research revealed the peculiarities of dependences of the temperatures of steel structures with passive and reactive fire-retardant materials of two brands on the duration of fire exposure. It was established that these dependences for steel structures with combined, passive, and reactive fire protection systems have a monotonously growing character. The maximum values of the duration of fire exposure are typical of the experimental samples that have the steel plate of the thickness of 10mm, for a critical temperature of steel of 600°C. They are 111min, 101min, 55minutes, respectively, for the combined, passive, and reactive fire protection systems. It was established that a combined fire protection system is characterized by an increase in the duration of reaching the critical temperature of steel in comparison with passive and reactive fire protection systems. This is due to the effective combination of physical and chemical properties of passive and reactive fire-retardant materials. For the duration of fire exposure up to 79min, the value of the duration of reaching the critical temperature of steel for a combined fire protection system exceeds the sum of durations of its achievement, which are typical for passive and reactive fire protection systems. This indicates the effectiveness of a combined system in this range of fire exposure duration. At an increase in the duration of fire exposure, the effectiveness of a combined fire protection system decreases

To create radio engineering control systems for non-polar gases transported through gas pipelines, especially natural gases or gases associated with oil production, it is necessary to take into account the influence of humidity on the characteristics of gases, especially in the decimeter and centimeter wavelength ranges. A methodology has been developed for the effect of humidity on the relative dielectric constant of non-polar gases.

This paper examines the thermodynamics of PtO2 stripes formed as intermediates of Pt(111) surface oxidation as a function of the degree of dilation parallel to the stripes, using density functional theory and atomistic thermodynamics. Internal energy calculations predict 7/8 and 8/9 stripe structures to dominate at standard temperature and pressure, which contain 7 or 8 elevated PtO2 units per 8 or 9 supporting surface Pt atoms, respectively. Moreover, we found a thermodynamic optimum with respect to mean in-stripe Pt-Pt spacing close to that of alpha-PtO2. Vibrational zero point energies, including bulk layer contributions, make a small but significant contribution to the stripe free energies, leading to the 6/7 stripe being most stable, although the 7/8 structure is still close in free energy. These findings correspond closely to experimental observations, providing insight into the driving force for oxide stripe formation and structure as the initial intermediate of platinum surface oxidation, and aiding our understanding of platinum catalysts and surface roughening under oxidative conditions.

Temperature measurement is essential in industries. The advantages of resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) are high sensitivity, repeatability, and long-term stability. The measurement performance of this thermometer is of concern. The connection between RTDs and a novel microprocessor system provides a new method to improve the performance of RTDs. In this study, the adequate piecewise sections and the order of polynomial calibration equations were evaluated. Systematic errors were found when the relationship between temperature and resistance for PT-1000 data was expressed using the inverse Callendar-Van Dusen equation. The accuracy of these calibration equations can be improved significantly with two piecewise equations in different temperature ranges. Two datasets of the resistance of PT-1000 sensors in the range from 0 &deg, C to 50 &deg, C were measured. The first dataset was used to establish adequate calibration equations with regression analysis. In the second dataset, the prediction temperatures were calculated by these previously established calibration equations. The difference between prediction temperatures and the standard temperature was used as a criterion to evaluate the prediction performance. The accuracy and precision of PT-1000 sensors could be improved significantly with adequate calibration equations. The accuracy and precision were 0.027 &deg, C and 0.126 &deg, C, respectively. The technique developed in this study could be used for other RTD sensors and/or different temperature ranges.

Current microbiological water safety testing methods are not feasible in many settings because of laboratory, cost, and other constraints, particularly in low-income countries where water quality monitoring is most needed to protect public health. We evaluated two promising E. coli methods that may have potential in at-scale global water quality monitoring: a modified membrane filtration test followed by incubation on pre-prepared plates with dehydrated culture medium (CompactDryTM), and 10 and 100 ml presence–absence tests using the open-source Aquatest medium (AT). We compared results to membrane filtration followed by incubation on MI agar as the standard test. We tested 315 samples in triplicate of drinking water in Bangalore, India, where E. coli counts by the standard method ranged from non-detect in 100 ml samples to TNTC (>200). Results suggest high sensitivity and specificity for E. coli detection of candidate tests compared with the standard method: sensitivity and specificity of the 100 ml AT test was 97% and 96% when incubated for 24 h at standard temperature and 97% and 97% when incubated 48 h at ambient temperatures (mean: 27 °C). Sensitivity and specificity of the CompactDryTM test was >99 and 97% when incubated for 24 h at standard temperature and >99 and 97% when incubated 48 h at ambient temperatures. Good agreement between these candidate tests compared with the reference method suggests they are suitable for E. coli monitoring to indicate water safety.

Incremental Capacity Analysis (ICA) has been widely introduced to research aging mechanism and estimate State of Health (SOH) of lithium-ion battery. However, traditional incremental capacity analysis is generally performed at a standard temperature. Actually, temperature also affects the characteristics of Incremental Capacity (IC) curve, resulting in larger estimation error at different temperature. In this paper, compared with different IC curve solving methods, Savitzky-Golay filtering method with less calculation is firstly introduced to obtain smoother IC curve. Secondly, through the correlation analysis between the characteristics of the IC curve and the aging state of the battery, the highest correlation characteristic point is extracted. Subsequently, by analyzing the coupling influence mechanism of temperature and aging on battery impedance, the mechanism functions among the characteristic point, temperature and aging are constructed. Based on the mechanism functions, a SOH estimation method in wide temperature range is then proposed. Finally, the proposed estimation method is verified at -5 °C ∼55 °C, and the results show the maximum estimation error is 4.03%, which indicates that the proposed estimation method can effectively broaden the temperature range of the original incremental capacity analysis method.

The results of the determination of the convergence of experimental data on the duration of fire exposure under the standard temperature regime until the critical temperature of steel obtained for standardized samples (columns) and samples of reduced sizes (plates) with the use of the reactive fireproof material "Endoterm 400202", flowing under the thermal influence in fire conditions, and passive fireproof material (plates) «Endoterm 210104». It has been established that the deviation of the values of the duration of fire exposure to achievement the critical temperature of steel, determined for samples of reduced sizes, from the experimental data obtained on standardized samples, is, on average,–9,5% and 4,7% for reactive and passive fireproof materials, respectively. In this case, for a reactive fireproof material the value of this deviation is in the range from -24,0 % to 17,6 %, and most of it (93 %) has negative values (the duration of fire exposure until the critical temperature of steel, determined for most samples reduced sizes does not exceed the experimental data obtained for standardized samples). For a passive fireproof material, the values of deviation are in the range from -24,7 % to 23,1 %, and most of them (75 %) have positive values (the duration of fire exposure until the critical temperature of steel, determined for most samples of reduced sizes, exceeds the experimental data obtained for standardized samples). The average deviation is 12,1 % and 10,8 %, respectively, for reactive and passive fireproof materials. A regularity is established regarding the dependence of the deviation value of the critical temperature of steel. For a reactive fireproof material, with a increase of the critical temperature from 350 °C to 450 °C (and in some samples – up to 500 °C or more) the deviation decreases. With a further increase of this temperature, the deviation increases (up to temperature of 650 °C), and then decreases. For a passive fireproof material with an increase of the critical temperature from 350 °C to 500 °C (and in some samples – up to 550 °C or more) the deviation increases. With a further increase of this temperature the value of the deviation decreases.

Implementation of the Cold Thermal Energy Storage (CTES) system is one of the effective ways to reduce energy consumption and damping environmental pollutions. In this study, a household refrigerator with ceiling type evaporator is considered to equip it with CTES system. According to ASHRAE standard, the temperature ranges of the household refrigerator is between 274 and 280 K, and hence water is used as phase change material (PCM). Owing to the low thermal conductivity of water impact of the extended surface in the container was investigated. Hence, first, a bare cubic PCM container, as well as several finned containers, are examined, numerically. Bare PCM container could maintain the refrigerator’s cabin temperature in the standard condition, just for 30 min. Results show that adding three fins to PCM container, as the best choice, can keep the refrigerator’s temperature in the standard temperature range for 68 min. In consequence, the operation of the refrigerator equipped with a PCM container with three fins is examined, experimentally. The experimental results of charging and discharging process show the good consistency with the numerical results. Furthermore, it is obtained that using finned CTES system, would reduce compressor’s energy consumption about 17.4% per day. Due to lower electrical demand for refrigerator, it would diminish the fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission for 12 L and 28 kg, respectively.

In 2016 OECD put forward a routine problem to simulate the operation conditions in VVER-1000 reactor of Rostov NPP unit No. 2 taking into account control rod motions. The participants were encouraged to simulate the integrated process and obtain the indications of the hot leg temperature control sensors depending on control rod motions. The data from in the experiment at 75% nominal power was selected for the first test carried out in the frames of the international task. Insertion of the 10th and 9th CPS rod groups into the core without driving was carried out in the low power testing experiments at Rostov NPP unit No. 2 (May 31, 2010). The task was split into several subtasks, each with its own specifics. One of such subtasks is focused on the simulation of the standard temperature control indications at the FA outlet. The way of solving the abovementioned subtask is reflected in the present report.

In anaerobic digestion, less attention has been focused on the digestion of grease trap waste as a single substrate may be due to high lipid content that may cause inhibition effects resulted from long-chain fatty acids accumulation during the degradation of lipid. The inhibition results in the low and slow production of methane. This study investigates the influence of glycerine supplementation on the continuous stir tank reactor anaerobic treatment of grease trap waste. The operating procedures began with a start-up process and continued with a semicontinuous feeding process in an increasing organic loading rate of 1.3–3.6 gCOD/L day. The results showed that the resistance toward grease trap waste inhibition in a glycerine-supplemented reactor (RGS), measured as lag phase, can be shortened to 4 days during the start-up as compared to the control reactor (Rcontrol). With the reduction in lag-phase occurrence, the performance of RGS reactor affected the overall methane production. At standard temperature and pressure, RGS reactor performance of methane composition was 67%, with methane production rate of 0.376 LCH4/L day and methane yield of 0.19 LCH4/gCODremoved. These results were observed at an organic loading rate of 2.2 gCOD/L day. The overall methane production enhancement from the glycerine-supplemented reactor was 25%. Palmitate accumulation indicated the possible main inhibitor during the lag-phase experience. Furthermore, the system was able to recover methane production performance during semicontinuous feeding stage. The use of glycerine supplementation is a reliable strategy to induce the start-up of anaerobic digestion process of high-lipid substrate.

Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy was used to measure changes in the ratio of water vapor to molecular nitrogen gas in laboratory air sample with relative uncertainty of 5 × 10−4 during 100 s observations. Experimental data were collected during 100 s-runs in order to obtain sufficient signal-to-noise ratios. Estimated detection limit of water vapor at signal-to-noise ratio equal to 1 was determined to be equal to 1.4 × 1013 molecules per cm3, which is equivalent to molar concentration of 7.4 × 10−7 at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP). The achieved sensitivities make our Raman spectrometer suitable for noninvasive, rapid monitoring of gaseous species with very broad applications, for example in natural gas pipe-lines. An inexpensive, 70 mW power, multi-mode, diode-pumped solid-state laser operating near 532 nm served as an excitation source. The high sensitivity was achieved using a multi-pass cell built out of high reflectivity concave mirrors.

Densities, viscosities, refractive indices, and electrical conductivities of both artificially degraded and industrially degraded monoethanolamine (MEA) solutions are measured at a standard temperature of 293.15 or 298.15 K. These physical property measurement data are not currently available for the degraded MEA solutions, and the reported values are particularly important for monitoring solvent quality and plant performance. The data can be used to provide an estimation of the total degradation products’ build-up level in the solvent with a simple measurement by the CO2 plant operators, which would avoid using complex equipment and lengthy laboratory techniques. The data could also be useful for the CO2 capture plant designers to consider the impact of the degradation products on the physical properties of the solvent.