Methods of Comparison of the Economic Order Quantity and Just-In-Time Restocking Technologies. The Case Study

Estimation of the optimal size of order is one of the key tasks in determining the parameters of the urban freight restocking system. The existing analytical models and methods are considering each technology separately and they do not compare the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and Justin-tme (JIT) restocking technologies. The purpose of this research was to evaluate efficiency of the JIT and EOQ restocking technologies. The research would help in selecting the delivery model, analyzing functioning of existing JIT and EOQ models. The article presents an approach to determining the comparison in organizing supplies to the retailer. For this, the two supply models were compared. The Just-in-Time model is characterised by costs that are spend on transportation. The Economic Order Quantity model includes costs of transportation and storage in a warehouse. After calculations, application of the Just-in-Time model in the given conditions was determined.

A hybrid algorithm for voltage stability enhancement of distribution systems

This paper presents a hybrid algorithm by applying a hybrid firefly and particle swarm optimization algorithm (HFPSO) to determine the optimal sizing of distributed generation (DG) and distribution static compensator (D-STATCOM) device. A multi-objective function is employed to enhance the voltage stability, voltage profile, and minimize the total power loss of the radial distribution system (RDS). Firstly, the voltage stability index (VSI) is applied to locate the optimal location of DG and D-STATCOM respectively. Secondly, to overcome the sup-optimal operation of existing algorithms, the HFPSO algorithm is utilized to determine the optimal size of both DG and D-STATCOM. Verification of the proposed algorithm has achieved on the standard IEEE 33-bus and Iraqi 65-bus radial distribution systems through simulation using MATLAB. Comprehensive simulation results of four different cases show that the proposed HFPSO demonstrates significant improvements over other existing algorithms in supporting voltage stability and loss reduction in distribution networks. Furthermore, comparisons have achieved to demonstrate the superiority of HFPSO algorithms over other techniques due to its ability to determine the global optimum solution by easy way and speed converge feature.

Increase the Efficiency of an Induction Motor Feed from Inverter for Low Frequencies by Combining Design and Control Improvements

Speed-controlled induction motors have the most significant potential for energy savings. The greatest problems with obtaining high efficiency occur in motors with a wide range of rotational speed regulation, as in the motors for driving industrial washing machines under consideration. While for the highest speeds, the dominant phenomenon is at field weakening. The problem is obtaining the optimal size of the magnetic flux for low rotation speed to prevent excessive saturation increasing current, and reduction of efficiency. This problem is usually solved by selecting the appropriate control for an already built machine. The authors propose a combination of activities when designing the motor structure with the selection of proper control, which allows for high efficiency. Since the drive does not require precise speed control or obtaining the required dynamics, it was possible to use an inexpensive control in an open loop, avoiding the cost of transmitters. Furthermore, the number of design parameters that are subject to change is significantly limited by technological factors and the available space in the washing machine. Proper parameter selection was made using a peripheral method assisted by field-circuit simulations. The proposed approach can be used in designing structures and selecting motors controls for other applications.

Lab-scale characterization and semi-field trials of Wolbachia Strain wAlbB in a Taiwan Wolbachia introgressed Ae. aegypti strain

Dengue fever is one of the most severe viral diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, with traditional approaches of disease control proving insufficient to prevent significant disease burden. Release of Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes offers a promising alternative control methodologies; Wolbachia-transinfected female Aedes aegypti demonstrate reduced dengue virus transmission, whilst Wolbachia-transinfected males cause zygotic lethality when crossed with uninfected females, providing a method for suppressing mosquito populations. Although highly promising, the delicate nature of population control strategies and differences between local species populations means that controlled releases of Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes cannot be performed without extensive testing on specific local Ae. aegypti populations. In order to investigate the potential for using Wolbachia to suppress local Ae. aegypti populations in Taiwan, we performed lab-based and semi-field fitness trials. We first transinfected the Wolbachia strain wAlbB into a local Ae. aegypti population (wAlbB-Tw) and found no significant changes in lifespan, fecundity and fertility when compared to controls. In the laboratory, we found that as the proportion of released male mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia was increased, population suppression could reach up to 100%. Equivalent experiments in semi-field experiments found suppression rates of up to 70%. The release of different ratios of wAlbB-Tw males in the semi-field system provided an estimate of the optimal size of male releases. Our results indicate that wAlbB-Tw has significant potential for use in vector control strategies aimed at Ae. aegypti population suppression in Taiwan. Open field release trials are now necessary to confirm that wAlbB-Tw mediated suppression is feasible in natural environments.

MODEL-BASED OPTIMIZATION OF CYCLES OF CO2 WATER-ALTERNATING-GAS (CO2-WAG) INJECTION IN CARBONATE RESERVOIR

Pre-salt reservoirs are among the most important discoveries in recent decades due to the large quantities of oil in them. However, high levels of uncertainties related to its large gas/CO2 production prompt a more complex gas/CO2 management, including the use of alternating water and gas/CO2 injection (WAG) as a recovery mechanism to increase oil recovery from the field. The purpose of this work is to develop a methodology to manage cycle sizes of the WAG/CO2, and analyze the impact of other variables related to the management of producing wells during the process. The methodology was applied to a benchmark synthetic reservoir model with pre-salt characteristics. We used five approaches to evaluate the optimum cycle size under study, also assessing the impact of the management of producing wells: (A) without closing producers due to gas-oil ratio (GOR) limit; (B) GOR limit fixed at a fixed value (1600 m³/m³) for all wells; (C) GOR limit optimized per well; (D) joint optimization between GOR limit values of producers and WAG cycles; and (E) optimization of the cycle size per injector well with an optimized GOR limit. The results showed that the optimum cycle size depends on the management of the producers. Leaving all production wells open until the end of the field's life (without closing based on the GOR limit) or controlling the wells in a more restricted manner (with closing based on the GOR limit), led to significant variation of the results (optimal size of the WAG/CO2 cycles). Our study, therefore, demonstrates that the optimum cycle size depends on other control variables and can change significantly due to these variables. This work presents a study that aimed to manage the WAG-CO2 injection cycle size by optimizing the life cycle control variables to obtain better economic performance within the premises already established, such as the total reinjection of gas/CO2 produced, also analyzing the impact of other variables (management of producing wells) along with the WAG-CO2 cycles.

Script Identification of Camera Based Bilingual Document Images Using SFTA Features

In this article, the exhaustive experiment is carried out to test the performance of the Segmentation based Fractal Texture Analysis (SFTA) features with nt = 4 pairs, and nt = 8 pairs, geometric features and their combinations. A unified algorithm is designed to identify the scripts of the camera captured bi-lingual document image containing International language English with each one of Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, and Urdu scripts. The SFTA algorithm decomposes the input image into a set of binary images from which the fractal dimension of the resulting regions are computed in order to describe the segmented texture patterns. This motivates use of the SFTA features as the texture features to identify the scripts of the camera-based document image, which has an effect of non-homogeneous illumination (Resolution). An experiment is carried on eleven scripts each with 1000 sample images of block sizes 128 × 128, 256 × 256, 512 × 512 and 1024 × 1024. It is observed that the block size 512 × 512 gives the maximum accuracy of 86.45% for Gujarathi and English script combination and is the optimal size. The novelty of this article is that unified algorithm is developed for the script identification of bilingual document images.

Ammonia-based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for zero emission maritime power: a case study

Implementing environmentally friendly fuels and high efficiency propulsion technologies to replace the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) fueled by fossil fuels such as Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) on board ships represents an attractive solution for maritime power. In this context, fuel cells can play a crucial role, thanks to their high energy efficiency and ultra-low to zero criteria pollutant emissions and environmental impact. This paper performs the technical feasibility analysis for replacing the conventional diesel engine powertrain on board a commercial vessel with an innovative system consisting of ammonia-fuel-based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology. Taking into account the size of the diesel engines installed on board and the typical cruise performed by the commercial vessel, the ammonia consumption, as well as the optimal size of the innovative propulsion system have been assessed. In particular, the SOFC powertrain is sized at the same maximum power output as the main reference diesel engine. The mass and energy balances of the ammonia-based SOFC system have been performed in Aspen PlusTM environment. The gravimetric (kWh kg−1) and volumetric (kWh m−3) energy density features of the ammonia storage technology as well as the weight and volume of the proposed propulsion system are evaluated for verifying the compliance with the ship’s weight and space requirements. Results highlight that the proposed propulsion system involves an increase in weight both in the engine room and in the fuel room compared to the diesel engine and fuel. In particular, a cargo reduction of about 2.88% is necessary to fit the ammonia-based SOFC system compared to the space available in the reference diesel-fueled ship.

STRATEGIC OF MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY’S RECEIVABLE DEBT

An integrated approach is proposed to optimize the size and structure of the enterprise’s working capital based on factor analysis in order to increase the efficiency of its use. The formation of the optimal value of the enterprise’s working capital is based on the establishment of working capital standards and the forecasting of economic indicators characterizing the performance of the enterprise as a whole and of individual processes. The process of forming the optimal size and structure of working capital takes into account the influence of various factors and allows you to minimize the cost of production and ensure the successful operation of the enterprise. In formulating the enterprise’s working capital management strategy, a systematic approach was applied, which included a number of the following requirements: the object under study is presented as a system for which the goals and conditions of use are agreed upon; in the studied system, the optimal value of each element is determined by the totality of indicators; during the study, alternative options for the formation of system components are considered taking into account the influence of internal and external factors; the control strategy of the object under study is formed taking into account the optimal values of its components established as a result of mathematical modeling. An integrated approach is based on establishing the optimal value of each element of current assets based on mathematical modeling, depending on the needs of the enterprise. The practical significance of the research results lies in the possibility of applying the proposed approach to the formation and implementation of the enterprise’s working capital management strategy and the ability to make strategic decisions that are most appropriate for the external and internal conditions of the enterprise’s functioning.

Working Woman Orientations for Fixing the Ideal Number of Family Members – A field study applied on sample of women working in Riyadh city –: العوامل المؤثرة على اتجاهات المرأة العاملة نحو تحديد الحجم الأمثل للأسرة – دراسة ميدانية مطبقة على عينة من النساء العاملات في مدينة الرياض –

This study is considered one of the descriptive studies that seeks to identify the attitudes of working women towards determining the optimal size of the family. It also uses the social survey method in the sampling method, through the use of a random sample for a group of female employees in a number of schools affiliated with the Supervision Office in the south of Riyadh. The sample size was 152 female employees from all schools. The researcher used a tool (questionnaire) to collect data as a tool consistent with the nature of the method used. From the results of the study, it was found that the average optimal number for both males and females is (3) children. It was also found that there is some agreement among the study sample on the social and economic factors affecting the size of the family.