Intelligent Approach for GOSP Oil Recovery Enhancement

This study aims to propose an intelligent operational advisory solution that guides the plant operation team to optimal HPPT/LPPT pressure settings that compensate for the variation in ambient temperature effect to maximize plant revenue. Traditional industry practice is to operate a gas-oil-separation-plant (GOSP) at fixed operating conditions ignoring the variation in the ambient temperature (Ta) leading to a loss in oil recovery and associated revenue. The variation of ambient temperature (Ta) highly affects the separation process, where ambient temperature varies greatly from summer to winter. To develop a correlation, a GOSP model was constructed by OmegaLand dynamic simulator using a typical Saudi Aramco GOSP design. Oil recovery values were determined by running the process simulation for a typical range of high-pressure production trap (HPPT), low-pressure production trap (LPPT), and ambient temperature (Ta). Then, an intelligent approach was built to determine the optimum pressure of LPPT and HPPT units for each ambient temperature condition using an artificial intelligence technique. Results show that liquid recovery decreases with an increase in ambient temperature at constant HPPT and LPPT pressures, indicating adjustment in HPPT or LPPT pressure responding to the temperature variations can improve the oil recovery. At constant LPPT pressure and ambient temperature, the oil recovery increases with an increase in HPPT pressure until it reaches the optimum value and then decreases with further increase in the HPPTpressure suggesting that there is an optimum HPPT pressure at which oil recovery is maximum. At fixed ambient temperature and fixed HPPT pressure, liquid recovery increases with increasing LPPT pressure until it reaches the optimum value, and then it decreases with further increase in the LPPT pressure suggesting that there is an optimum LPPT pressure at which oil recovery is maximum.

Experimental Works on Geopolymer Concrete Composites: Destructive and Non-Destructive Testing

The main theme of this research work is to study Geopolymer concrete (GPC) composites behavior when different binding materials in certain percentages are replaced completely with cement in order to analyse the mechanical properties and bonding between aggregates and Geopolymer paste. The term Geopolymer was coined by Professor Davidovits in 1978, a kind of inorganic polymer that can be prepared at room temperature by utilizing modern waste. Any material that contains for the most part silicon (Si) and Aluminium (Al) is a source material for the production of Geopolymer. Geopolymer is an inorganic polymer composites which is an eco-friendly sustainable product by replacing the conventional concrete such as Flyash, Ground Granulated Blast furnace slag (GGBS, Silica fume, Metakaolin(MK) and other siliceous materials are used as substitute binders to Portland cement. The properties of GPC have been studied in several researches due to its importance and ability to solve the problems of ordinary Portland cement. GGBS, MK and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) was used as replacement to cement and binder in Geopolymer concrete. The specimens are cured at ambient temperature condition. Mechanical properties of the GPC mix specimens are studied for different time ages (7days, 21days and 28days) and the strengths of the specimens were determined. Alkaline Activator Solutions are prepared in the molarities of 8, 10.

Influence of Temperature on Impact Sensitivity of Matchhead Composition while in Contact with Different Process Materials

This research work aims to understand the influence of temperature (upto 80°C) on the impact sensitivity of matchhead composition with various process contact materials (Steel, aluminium, brass) and to find out the critical temperature for process safety. The BAM fall hammer was modified with a heating element for the measurement of impact sensitivity. The Limiting Impact Energy (LIE) at ambient temperature condition with steel surface on the top and bottom was found to be 3.73J. The lowest critical temperature was found to be 60.14°C for the matchhead composition when it is in contact with steel, which was used as the contact material for both top and bottom.

Application of REA-method to a convective drying of apple rings at ambient temperature

This study focuses on the convective drying of apple rings without any extra-heating of the processing ambient air. The lumped reaction engineering approach (REA) model has been employed to determine the rate of drying for the apple rings under forced convection considered as a normal processing regime. The algorithm implies determination the activation energy curve from the accurate ‘reference’ measurements of the drying rate under natural convection conditions. The required for the model implementation mass transfer coefficients for the apple ring samples under natural and forced conditions were obtained in the series of customized experiments. The study does extend the application of REA for the limiting simplest case of convective drying of thick samples under ambient temperature condition."

In the Heat and Noise of the Moment: Effects on Risky Decision Making

Two studies, comprising 128 participants, were conducted to examine possible detrimental effects of noise and moderate heat stress on decision making. Three tasks involving risky decisions were used: a lottery choice task, the Balloon Analogue Risk Task, and two risk scenario questionnaires. Study 1 ( n = 97) involved three noise stressors presented at 60dB(A) and a quiet condition. Compared with all other conditions, a radio podcast about the jubilee of museums caused a significant increase in risk aversion in the Choice Dilemma Questionnaire task. Study 2 ( n = 31) compared two groups that completed the aforementioned tasks either in a warm (≥ 30°C) or neutral (≤ 25°C) ambient temperature condition. Participants made significantly riskier decisions in the warm ambient temperature condition in all tasks except the lottery task. Effects were more pronounced among female subjects. Especially elevated ambient temperatures should, therefore, be monitored in office environments to prevent impairments of decision making.

Effect of respiratory gases (O2; CO2) on shelf-life of fresh oyster mushrooms packaged with different sealable polymeric materials

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of respiratory gases on shelf life of fresh Oyster mushrooms. The complete randomize design was followed for the experiment. After sorting of collected cultivated mushrooms were packed in different polymeric packaging materials-polystyrene trays over wrapped with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microfilm and polypropylene (PP) at refrigerated and ambient temperature condition for 12 days. Gas composition as CO2, O2, N2, concentration at 3 days intervals of the total 12 days duration also including sensorial quality were evaluated. CO2 contents were found to be increased but O2 contents was found to be reduced for both packaging materials within 3 days storage at ambient temperature. In refrigerator, oxygen content in both of trays increased sharply within 3 days of storage. Off flavor appeared strongly and started to spoil from third days after Oyster mushrooms packed in ambient temperature, which on the contrary was not detected in mushroom packed and stored until 12 days in refrigerator. Shortest storage period for a single day at ambient condition and extended period of 12 days self life was determined when mushrooms were stored in refrigerator in respect of sensorial quality in sealed polypropylene bag or in polystyrene trays.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(3), 205-210, 2015

Effects of Ambient Temperature Condition on Biodiesel Properties Derived from Palm Oil

Crude palm oil (CPO) is currently the most preferable feedstock to be converting into biodiesel via transesterification process in this region. Though the commercial projections for biodiesel have grown, there remains some concerns with respect to its resistance to degradation during storage that possibly will compromise the fuel quality. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influences of ambient temperature condition on properties of biodiesel characteristics and emission. The biodiesel samples were stored and monitored in glass container at the temperature 6°C, 25°C and 30°C, and blending of biodiesel was varied from 5vol% (B5) - 45vol% (B45). The changes of density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, water content, acid value, and as well as emission of CO2 and CO were observed. The result show storage under ambient temperatures properties of CPO biodiesel were found to have higher value compare to the other temperature storage and also have significant effect on the CO emission.

Las an Efficient Catalyst for Synthesis of Aldimines at Ambient Temperature Condition

Some new aldimines were synthesized from substituted 2-amino thiazoles and different aromatic aldehydes usingL-proline as an efficient catalyst. The structure elucidation of aldimines has been made on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral data. The easy work up, higher yield and shorter reaction time are the advantages of the method.