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Found 6414 publications

Systematic Design and Evaluation of Energy-Efficient Alternatives of Heterogeneous Azeotropic Distillation: Furfural Case Study

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2021-01-01

Volume: 88

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 619-624

Description:

Separation of azeotropic mixtures receives special attention for their impact on various significant industrial processes. Because of the non-ideal behaviour of these mixtures, it is impossible to separate them by conventional distillation. Instead of a single distillation unit, a system of multiple operations is to be employed. Heterogeneous azeotropic distillation (HAD) is an example of this kind of systems, where entrainers are applied to modify the behaviour of the mixture. The selection of the best separation system is a key objective during the synthesis of the process network. However, synthesis of HAD is especially difficult because of the complex interaction between its continuous and discrete features. Therefore, traditional separation network synthesis tools are incapable of solving this problem. In this work, the properties of the ternary vapor-liquid-liquid equilibrium diagram are exploited for systematically identifying plausible operating units that perform the separation of the azeotrope. Subsequently, energy consumption of the entire network is estimated through rigorous simulation. The P-graph framework is employed to represent the system’s structure. Additionally, its combinatorial algorithms generate a rigorous superstructure for the synthesis problem, and the set of n-best designs that minimize energy consumption. The method is illustrated by synthesizing the dehydration of furfural through HAD. The results demonstrate that it constitutes a valuable tool for the designer by being effective in the systematic identification and assessment of HAD alternatives.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET2188103

Classification of flours based on color measurements and evaluation using multivariate mathematical methods

Publication Name: Heliyon

Publication Date: 2025-11-01

Volume: 11

Issue: 16

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The quality of flour and its composition are essential questions for bakeries and customers. In this study, 44 different cereals were studied with colorimetry. The color indices CIE L∗, a∗ and b∗ along with the reflection spectra were measured and evaluated using multivariate statistical methods. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) were applied to characterize reflection functions and reduce the dimensionality of these data. The aim of the study was to determine whether color measurements could differentiate between whole-grain and non-whole-grain flours, and between wheat and non-wheat (triticale and rye) flours. Cluster analysis was performed on the reflection spectral data, L∗a∗b∗ coordinates, PCA coefficients, and NMF weights to identify distinct sample groups. Both dimensionality reduction methods revealed that the wheat samples studied form a four-dimensional subspace in the original multidimensional reflection spectra dataset. Furthermore, the findings confirmed that the applied methods effectively distinguish whole grain from non-whole grain flours and wheat from non-wheat flours.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e44096

How the Categorisation of SDG Targets into ESG Pillars can Inform the Corporate SDG Report

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 107

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 193-198

Description:

In this research, SDG standards are mapped to the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars through Triple-Bottom Line (TBL) groupings based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and accounting items, which allow SDG standards to be harmonised with the ESG pillars. Two methodologies developed in the literature for classifying SDG standards into TBL groupings were also used to create a ranking scheme. This scheme can help companies determine which SDG standards are most important for their sustainability reporting. Companies report on the steps they have taken towards sustainability and the sustainability aspects of their operations in their ESG sustainability reports. In many cases, their reporting includes information on SDGs, which, like ESG reporting, does not have a standard disclosure methodology, so announcements are made with different information, in different formats, by different companies. To make SDG reporting more consistent, harmonisation with existing ESG reporting methodologies could be identified as a forward step in this field because it would help to produce more informed, consistent SDG reporting. In addition to integrating SDGs into ESG reporting methodologies, SDGs also could be integrated into ESG scoring methodologies, which would be more relevant to stakeholders and the stock market. The paper will review ESG reporting and scoring methodologies, with a particular focus on which methodology is most appropriate for harmonisation. By defining the integration methodology, the study contributes to the public policy discussion about sustainable reporting.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET23107033

Genetic and Bacterial Programming for B-Spline Neural Networks Design

Publication Name: Journal of Advanced Computational Intelligence and Intelligent Informatics

Publication Date: 2007-03-01

Volume: 11

Issue: 2

Page Range: 220-231

Description:

The design phase of B-spline neural networks is a highly computationally complex task. Existent heuristics have been found to be highly dependent on the initial conditions employed. Increasing interest in biologically inspired learning algorithms for control techniques such as Artificial Neural Networks and Fuzzy Systems is in progress. In this paper, the Bacterial Programming approach is presented, which is based on the replication of the microbial evolution phenomenon. This technique produces an efficient topology search, obtaining additionally more consistent solutions.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.20965/jaciii.2007.p0220

Investigation of the impact of a solar panel system installed on an heavy-duty truck trailer on fuel consumption at the ZalaZONE test track

Publication Name: Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 19

Issue: 4

Page Range: 304-310

Description:

This study evaluates the impact of a solar panel system installed on a heavy-duty truck (HDV) trailer on fuel consumption, tested at the ZalaZONE track. Two vehicles were assessed – diesel-powered and an liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered truck, with the latter equipped with solar panels. Over five days, the solar system powered cabin electronics, reducing idle time and fuel use. While fuel and carbon dioxide (CO₂) savings were observed, performance was limited by battery charge and sunlight exposure. The results show potential for up to 10% fuel savings, demonstrating the system’s feasibility for reducing emissions in long-haul transport, though further optimization is needed.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.12913/22998624/200029

BARRIER FACTORS OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES: EVIDENCE FROM HUNGARY AND INDONESIA

Publication Name: Economics and Sociology

Publication Date: 2021-01-01

Volume: 14

Issue: 4

Page Range: 73-88

Description:

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have major difficulties in implementing Supply Chain Management (SCM) strategy. Previous studies show that different types of industries in size, focus, and location have different SCM implementation problems but there is a lack of research on the effect of supply chain structure. This paper addresses this gap by comparing the barrier factors of SMEs with different supply structures. The survey revealed the ranking of the barrier factors in two countries and analyzes the effect of the different SCM structures. With a more complex supply structure, the Indonesian companies suffer more from their organizational factors as their top barriers in the rank order: inadequate performance measure, and management capacity, lack of inter-departmental cooperation in communication, and unclear organization objective. While Hungarian SMEs, having a simpler supply structure, evaluated the lack of financial resources, employees, knowledge of SCM, and poor commitment from other SCM partners as their top barrier factors. The outcomes of this research provide valuable knowledge to managers in priorities of SCM strategy implementation depending on the complexity of their supply structure.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2021/14-4/4

The Use Of Payment Cards In Kazakhstan: Analysis And Forecast

Publication Name: Economy Strategy and Practice

Publication Date: 2021-01-01

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Page Range: 106-116

Description:

The aim of the study is to analyze and forecast the use of payment cards for making non-cash payments through national payment systems in Kazakhstan. Based on this goal, a hypothesis was put forward that in Kazakhstan, there is a relationship between the number of payment cards and the volume of non-cash payments. This hypothesis was confirmed because of the study. The information base of the study was the data on payment cards, which were taken from the Statistical Bulletin of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Hypothesis testing was carried out using correlation analysis for three periods: 2009, 2016, 2020. The method of finding Pearson’s correlation in the SPSS program was used. The results showed a downward change in the relationship between the selected indicators and the amount of funds transferred over time. Also, in this study, a forecast was made for 2021-2023 for the indicators under consideration. To make a forecast for the indicators under consideration, a graphical method (polynomial trend line) was used. The resulting forecast shows the growth of cardholders and, consequently, the spread of the number of payment cards among the population in 2021-2023. The practical significance of this study is that the proposed methodology can help predict the dynamics of payment cards in any country in the world. Recommendations are also given for further improving the financial system, since increasing the transparency of monetary circulation in small-and-medium sized businesses will lead to a positive result in the implementation of the program for universal declaration of income in 2025.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.51176/1997-9967-2021-3-106-116

Investigation of the Geometrical Deterioration Process of Tramway Superstructure Systems – A Case Study

Publication Name: Acta Polytechnica Hungarica

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: 23

Issue: 1

Page Range: 345-364

Description:

Tramway tracks deteriorate over time due to operational loads, environmental conditions, and structural factors. This study analyzes the geometric degradation of Budapest's tramway tracks using long-term measurements. Track gauge and longitudinal level were assessed with the TrackScan 4.01 instrument to evaluate deterioration across different superstructure types. Findings indicate that concrete slab tracks experience gauge widening, while embedded rail systems tend to narrow under similar conditions, with structural design playing a greater role than traffic intensity. Measurement limitations highlight the need for improved monitoring tools. These insights support more effective maintenance strategies, ensuring greater durability and sustainability.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.12700/APH.23.1.2026.1.20

Issues about autonomous cars

Publication Name: Saci 2016 11th IEEE International Symposium on Applied Computational Intelligence and Informatics Proceedings

Publication Date: 2016-07-07

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 13-18

Description:

The Autonomous car is a complex topic, different technical fields like: Automotive engineering, Control engineering, Informatics, Artificial Intelligence etc. are involved in solving the human driver replacement with an artificial (agent) driver. The problem is even more complicated because usually, nowadays, having and driving a car defines our lifestyle. This means that the mentioned (major) transformation is also a cultural issue. The paper will start with the mentioned cultural aspects related to a self-driving car and will continue with the big picture of the system.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1109/SACI.2016.7507360