Items

  • RESEARCH ON THE SIMULATION OF THE OPERATION OF ROBOTIC MECHANISMS

    The optimal design of the structures from the component of the robotic mechanisms requires a good knowledge of the various parameters during their operation. Among them are mentioned the working parameters that give the position, speed and acceleration at the operational level of the robots, as well as at the level of the active joints from the component of the robotic mechanisms. This paper presents how a functional simulator of robotic active mechanisms called RobSim was created. The simulator allows the positional and kinematic analysis of active robotic mechanisms, regardless of their configuration and the number of component modules. The positional analysis is performed parametrically. A polynomial variation of the fifth degree was considered for the position parameters at the level of active joints. The simulator allows establishing the position and orientation at the operational level of the analyzed robotic mechanism, as well as the trajectory followed by the robot during operation. Also, the simulator allows establishing the speeds and accelerations both at the operational level of the robotic mechanisms, as well as at the level of the active joints in their component.
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  • RESEARCH CONCERNING THE POSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF A FOURTH CLASS MECHANISM

    It is well known that with the increase in the class of mechanisms, the complexity of their analysis methods also increases accordingly. This is especially the case for mechanisms of class greater than four that contain kinematic groups whose structure includes deformable contours. The usefulness of these mechanisms is also given by their versatility due to the multiple configurations they can have during the kinematic work cycles. The present paper proposes a method for the positional analysis of a complex mechanism of the fourth class. First, the component independent contours of the mechanism are identified using the graph associated with it. Then, the system of equations containing the position parameters of the mechanism is established by projecting the associated vector contours on the axes of a conveniently chosen coordinate system. Solving the system of equations was done numerically, using the fsolve module included in the Maple program. The results obtained from solving the system of equations allowed the development of a functioning simulator of the analyzed mechanism. Finally, the variation curves of the position parameters on a kinematic cycle of operation are presented.
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  • IMPROVEMENT OF OIL PRODUCTION BY MATRIX ACIDIZING OF A WELL IN SANDSTONE RESERVOIR

    This paper focuses on investigating the reasons behind the low productivity of a confidentially named well, referred to as X102, in sandstone reservoirs. The objective is to enhance the well’s productivity through the implementation of acidizing techniques. The paper makes a significant contribution to the existing literature in this field by expanding the knowledge base and providing an economic analysis of acidizing oil wells. The assessment of the X102 well indicates that it exhibited initial productivity from the natural energy of the oil reservoir, demonstrating an oil flow rate of 307 barrels per day with a skin value of 35. After 3 years of production, the X102 well experienced a decline in productivity due to fines migration. Excel software was employed to process well completions, reservoirs, production, well tests, and economic data. The Horner plot slope was used to calculate the damage, Pipesim software extracted the initial profile of the X102 well, and StimCADE software facilitated the acidizing design. Following the implementation of acidizing, a reduction in fines flow was observed, resulting in a decrease in skin value from 35 to 5. The acid treatment successfully dissolved the fine particles, leading to an increased oil flow rate of 1006 barrels per day. Economically, acidizing proved suitable, generating a profit of $44,062,800 and achieving a return on investment in 89 days over a 2-year production period.
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  • EVALUATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DIFFERENT ENERGY SOURCES, FOSSIL OR ALTERNATIVE, THROUGH THE LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT METHOD

    Energy is one of the most important components of a country's economy and development, and fossil fuels ensure 83.4 % of primary energy worldwide. One of the most debated facts nowadays is the influence of the fossil fuels used as a main energy source, on climate change, in fact the CO2 emissions released by these fuels. Therefore, alternative energy sources have been developed to reduce CO2 emissions, respectively the impact of greenhouse gases, on the environment. The present study proposes an objective evaluation of different types and sources of energy and a relevant method for assessment of the environmental impact of representative type of energy sources. Consequently, fossil fuels and alternative sources of energy, especially electricity, are evaluated by Life cycle assessment method. Specific power energy of each category of combustibles, as well as their specific emission of CO2, SOx and NOx, are highlighted and discussed. The study emphasized that the impact of different energy sources has to be attentively analyzed in order not to actually generate more serious environmental consequences.
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  • TREATMENT OF RIVER AND LAKE WATER FOR ALGAE USING NANOBUBBLES

    This study explores the innovative use of nanobubbles in treating river and lake water, focusing on the removal of algae and other organic pollutants. The research combines a comprehensive literature analysis with the development and testing of an autonomous water treatment system based on ozone nanobubbles technology. The methodology includes designing for constructing a catamaran-type vessel equipped with gas separation systems, ozone generation, and nanobubbles production. Experimental results indicate significant efficiency of nanobubbles in algae removal, with over 90% reduction observed, and substantial improvement of water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen and turbidity. The proposed system can treat approximately 66 m³ of water per hour, demonstrating the technology's potential for large-scale applications in water body management and restoration. This study contributes to the advancement of ecological and efficient water treatment methods, offering a viable alternative to conventional water quality management techniques in aquatic ecosystems. This study has no academic precision pretention in its application part: it evolved from the owner of the lake need of valuing its asset for business production and the author need of fishing passion and interest in solving the situation. Yet its findings are objective and accurate. It had no finance for equipment, works, laboratory analysis, or any other related activity. Data measurements was gathered with common water quality digital testers with 2% precision and did not follow the laboratory determination quality standards.
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  • CHARACTERIZATION OF ISOBATHS IN THE CENOMANIAN RESERVOIR OF THE MUANDA FIELD – IMPLICATIONS FOR OPTIMAL OIL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

    The study of isobaths characterization in the Cenomanian reservoir of the Muanda field focuses on optimizing petroleum resource management. Using geostatistical techniques and numerical analysis methods, the isobaths of the K, J, I and H layers were mapped. The K layer, the most superficial, is 44 meters thick, while the J and I layers reach 48 meters respectively. This research highlights the spatial variability of isobaths, a key factor in understanding the rapid depletion of the reservoir, which is mainly attributed to the presence of argillites. The lithological heterogeneity, characterized by high clay content, influences reservoir permeability, complicating fluid flow and, consequently, well productivity. The study also subdivided the reservoir into distinct zones according to clay content, revealing that the southwestern zone has a clay content of over 57.42%, while the southeastern zone is less clayey, with a content of less than 41.87%. The results underline the importance of a geostatistical approach to resource management, identifying target areas for potential interventions such as hydraulic fracturing. This study thus contributes to a better understanding of reservoir dynamics and to the formulation of appropriate strategies for the sustainable exploitation of petroleum resources in the Muanda region.
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  • A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEEP LEARNING METHODS APPLIED FOR WASTEWATER pH NEUTRALIZATION PROCESS MODELLING

    In a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) there are several different, intricate processes with a dynamic and nonlinear behaviour. The fact that these processes are nonlinear, some of them having a high degree of nonlinearity, as is the wastewater pH neutralization process, comes with a number of problems related to their modelling and control. The identification of any method that can be used to simplify the modelling and control of such a high nonlinear process, it is a desideratum to ensure a quality effluent of the plant, because its water quality is affected by the treated wastewater discharged into it. The Deep Learning (DL) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques offer incredible solutions that can be explored in order to find out the optimal tool that can be used for wastewater pH treatment process modelling. In the present paper, seven DL solutions were implemented and tested in order to identify the most appropriate DL method for modelling this type of process, method that ensures the best result. The analysed DL methods are Feedforward Neural Networks (FNNs), Temporal Convolutional Networks (TCNs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), General Regression Neural Networks (GRNNs), Time Delay Neural Networks (TDNNs) and Deep Belief Networks (DBNs), being implemented using Python 3.9 software and Tensorflow. The analysis made with the mentioned DL methods, was based on knowing the flowrate of the acid reactant (which was maintained constant), the initial alkaline reactant flowrate in the treated solution, the initial pH level, and the desired pH level, with the final goal of predicting the required quantity of alkaline reactant flowrate necessary to obtain a neutral pH.
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  • STRUCTURAL MODELLING OF THE OIL POTENTIAL OF THE WEST CONGOLIAN SUB-BASIN THROUGH THE IDENTIFICATION OF GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES AND GRAVIMETRIC ANOMALIES

    The Democratic Republic of Congo has significant hydrocarbon reserves in its subsoil. The western Congo sub-basin is less explored in terms of oil potential. This study contributes to enriching the subsoil geological data by highlighting geological structures of major interest for oil exploration. This sedimentary basin is located in the Congo-Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo and represents the main hope for oil prospects. With regard to the potential of this basin, it is worth mentioning that the presence of source rocks, oil showings, the presence of anticlines and faults identified in this study constitute potential traps for hydrocarbons. To date, the Western Congo sub-basin has been relatively unexplored. The satellite data have been compared with the tectonic field model in order to highlight the structural patterns of this vast basin. This research is crucial for informing future exploration initiatives and unlocking the hydrocarbon potential of the region, thus contributing to the country’s economic development.
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  • DC MOTOR ANGULAR POSITION CONTROL SYSTEM USING ARDUINO PLATFORM

    The objective of this paper is to realize an angular position control system with a direct current motor. For this purpose, an Arduino microcontroller board is used to control the LS-25GA370 DC motor. The L298N dual H-bridge motor driver is used to modulate the PWM signal and control the travel direction. PID (proportional, integral and derivative) control algorithms are used to generate the PWM output. To implement a PID controller, the tuning parameters of the controller, namely proportional gain, integral gain and derivative gain must be carefully determined. Since the system is nonlinear, the PID controller is the best choice to accomplish this task. The sensor used was a Hall type encoder. To test the system, a LabVIEW interface was used, which communicates with the Arduino Uno platform through the serial port. This technical solution, using PID controller, can be applied for robotic arm position control system and many other industrial applications.
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  • RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CHELA FORMATION OF THE NSIAMFUMU AND LIAWENDA FIELDS IN THE ONSHORE COASTAL BASIN, D.R. CONGO

    Petrographic and petrophysical characterizations of the pre-salt Chela formation of the Nsiamfumu and Liawenda fields in the onshore Coastal Basin of the D.R. Congo it was performed. These characterizations, as part of the static modelling of the reservoirs, involved reading log measurements, thin-slice observations of rock samples taken from this formation, calculations and interpretation of logs, CPI (Computer Processed Interpretation) and DST (Drill Stem Testing) from well tests. The following observations were obtained: • Wells Lw-1: the formation is characterized by dolomitic limestone and micaceous black shale with a thickness of 34 m having heavy oil indices and an average porosity of 17% and a salinity greater than 300 gr/L; • Well Lw-2: the formation is characterized by islands of sand, coarse sandstone and a few quartz pebbles with a thickness of 10m showing evidence of light oil, gas and an average porosity of 24%; • Shaft Lw-3: the formation is dominated by micaceous shale and dolomite interbeds with a thickness of 14m showing little evidence of hydrocarbons, only salt water and residual oils; • Puits Ns-1: the formation is characterized by beige to grey dolomite, grey shale and white sand with a thickness of 6m showing evidence of light oil and an average porosity of 20%.
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  • THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN AUTOMATED CNC TYPEWRITER

    The paper presents the essential theoretical elements related to the construction and operation of numerical control machines, starting from a study of the theoretical aspects related to the design of a CNC typewriter. The block diagrams of the machine, the interconnections between the component blocks and the operation of the whole system are highlighted. The paper also describes the implementation of the typewriter. It starts from a detailed diagram of the wiring and connections between the component elements, up to the presentation and commentary of how to create the program for the microcontroller used. Finally, the testing and operation of this CNC is detailed, from the design of the drawing to its actual realization, with the help of the designed and implemented assembly. CNC systems allow the repetitive production of the same parts, exactly the same and without deviations. Unlike a human operator who cannot execute two identical parts, the repeatability achieved by machines with numerical controls is clearly superior, so the reproducibility component is ensured.
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  • EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE FEASIBILITY OF CORNCOB ACTIVATED CARBON FOR ADSORBED NATURAL GAS STORAGE

    In this study, activated carbon was synthesised from corn cobs through a two-step process involving carbonization at 600°C within an airtight furnace and chemical activation utilising phosphoric acid. The resultant activated carbon derived from corn cobs demonstrated significant adsorption capabilities, with a substantial BET surface area of 860.500 m2/g and exhibiting favourable adsorption-desorption kinetics. These attributes position it as an exceptional precursor material to produce nanoporous carbon materials suitable for the storage of natural gas. Two distinct sample sizes, measuring 841 microns and 400 microns, were meticulously chosen for examination in this investigation. The findings derived from the adsorption of natural gas, quantified in terms of volume-based metrics, revealed a direct and positive correlation between increasing pressures and pore sizes, resulting in higher adsorption capacities. The experimental conditions encompassed a temperature range of 27°C to 40°C, and storage pressures spanning from as low as 3.5 psi to as high as 28 psi. The recorded adsorption capacities were observed to fall within the range of 1.3424 mmol/g to 4.3073 mmol/g. The adsorption capacity of natural gas exhibited sensitivity to variations in both pressure and temperature, with the highest recorded storage capacity of 4.3073 mmol/g occurring at a temperature of 27°C and a pressure of 23 psi. The findings of this study highlight the significant potential of utilising corncob-derived activated carbon as an adsorbent for natural gas storage. Recommendations for further optimization and integration of this technology into existing gas storage systems are discussed. This research advances the prospect of utilising agricultural waste materials for eco-friendly and cost-effective energy storage, contributing to the transition towards a greener energy landscape.
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  • A NUMERICAL SIMULATION TO DETERMINE THE BEHAVIOR OF THE HYDROGEN-NATURAL GAS MIXTURE IN DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

    This article presents the world energy situation, the importance of energy transition, and it further designates hydrogen as a potential replacement for natural gas. Moreover, the paper specifies that the energy transition will be carried out gradually, sustained by conventional resources. Hydrogen can be mixed with natural gasses in current networks, but additional risks must be considered. These risks prove to be minimal in the distribution sector if the hydrogen fraction is kept within acceptable limits, and if optimal operation and safety measures are enforced. The behavior of the hydrogen-natural gas mixture, also called HENG , is studied based on distinguishing the physical and chemical properties of hydrogen and natural gas. In order to analyze the true behavior of the mixture in a distribution network, a numerical simulation was undertaken, whose analysis shows that there is a tight connection between the concentration of hydrogen in the system, consumption, and linepack , and the operational limits of the network must be established based on these data. Knowing the behavior, strategies and regulations can be drafted in order to safely exploit natural gas-hydrogen distribution networks. However, every distribution network has its own particularities, which is why additional studies both at theoretical as well as practical level, performed on real distribution networks, are needed.
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  • ANALYSIS OF FRACTURE GEOMETRY IN FLUID DRAINAGE AFTER HYDRAULIC FRACTURING. CASE OF WINK MS-09 IN MAKELEKESE FIELD, D.R. CONGO

    In this paper, we analyze stimulation by hydraulic fracturing with the aim of establishing a relationship between fracture geometry and hydrocarbon drainage. Believes fracturing geometry is an effective means of predicting the productive capacity of a hydrocarbon reservoir and the productivity of a well stimulated by hydraulic fracturing is closely linked to the fracturing geometry. Demonstrate the impact of fracturing geometry on the productivity of a hydrocarbon reservoir. Characterize the different parameters of the fracturing geometry while determining the link between these parameters; highlight the difference between the productivity of the reservoir before and after fracturing and monitor the evolution of productivity in relation to this geometry.
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  • CONTRIBUTION TO THE GEOCHEMICAL STUDY OF KANZI AND MVUANGU PHOSPHATE ROCKS IN THE LEMBA OIL SUB-BASIN OF CENTRAL CONGO

    Located on the Congolese (DRC) side of the Lemba depression, our study area is the part that was returned by "ex-Zaïrep", just east of the concession currently operated by Perenco rep. Open to oil and mining exploration, we brought back phosphate rock samples from the field, which were analyzed by the Commissariat Général à l'Energie Atomique (CGEA) using the ED- XRF Xepos III spectrometer. These analyses were used to characterize the geochemistry of the Kanzi and Mvuangu phosphates. The results of the Chemical Analyses (Oxides) and Chemical Elements are as follows: (1) Major oxides (%:) Al2O3 (21,21 – 17,24); SiO2 (14,85 – 30,40); P2O5 (19,48 -13,34 %) finally Fe2O3 (8,544 – 10,74 %), and other oxides with concentrations in mg/kg (MnO, ZnO, Rb2O, SrO, ZrO2, Nb2O5, Sb2O5, Ta2O5); (2) Major Chemical Elements (%): Aluminum (11.22- 9.124); Silicon (6.939-14.21); Phosphate (8.5-5.823 %) and several trace metallic elements that will be exposed in another soil and sediment matrix to assess the state of the environment prior to mining and petroleum activities. The origin of these metallic elements, including heavy metals, rare earths and radionuclides, is phosphate. Phosphate rocks, such as apatite, may contain heavy metals, rare earths and radionuclides in their mineral structure. The gravity anomaly map of the Lemba sub-basin, where the phosphate sites are located, clearly shows that the phosphates of Kanzi in the south and Mvuangu in the north are not located in the central deposits, but in the upper parts of the sub-basin. These areas are potentially anticlines, which are geological structures capable of containing hydrocarbons. This study is a contribution to our knowledge of the phosphate resource in Kanzi and Mvuangu, and contribute to understanding the geological structures capable of containing hydrocarbons. It is also an important contribution in the field of geochemistry and gravimetry.
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  • FLEXIBILITY STUDY OF A PIPELINE SYSTEM IN FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER

    This study evaluates the flexibility of a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) pipeline system, focusing on its ability to withstand various loads and stresses while maintaining structural integrity. Key aspects include analyzing FRP material properties, assessing pipe geometry, evaluating external and internal loads, and performing a flexibility analysis using CAESAR II software. The initial findings indicated that the stress levels exceeded permissible limits, necessitating adjustments in support positions and types. These adjustments successfully reduced stress levels to acceptable thresholds, ensuring reliable system performance. This study highlights the importance of meticulous design and continuous optimization to guarantee the safety and durability of FRP pipeline installations.
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  • OPTIMIZATION OF MIB-02 WELL BY CONVERTING THE ACTIVATION MODE USING PROSPER SOFTWARE

    Mibale oil field considered a mature oil field, located offshore in the coastal basin of the DR Congo and discovered in 1973, has seen an evolution in its production since it began operation in 1976, starting from an initial rate of 10,000 BOPD with 3 producing wells to the current production of 5,905 BOPD from 14 wells. In 2021, the field had 393 MMstb of oil reserves in the reservoir. A thorough study of the production system was carried out, focusing on the five best producing wells, including well MIB-02. Despite traversing layers of the reservoir with high oil potential, the well is underperforming with a respective flow rate of 351 BOPD and a 60% WOR using an electric submersible pump. Following this low production, various studies were conducted, including the study on converting the activation method by proceeding with nodal analysis technique. The use of nodal analysis proved crucial in identifying the shortcomings of the production system, combining field history with analysis of production, well test, pressure, and completion data. The IPM Prosper software enabled a thorough analysis, revealing that MIB-02 had a production potential greater than its current performance. This performance was revealed after evaluation and interpretation of IPR, VLP curves and sensitivities of variables such as water cut and pressure at the first node. After interpreting these curves, the MIB-02 well had the production capacity of 4100.62 BOPD and 12463.9 BWPD. By converting the submersible electric pump activation mode to gas-lift and exploring various scenarios, production was improved with an oil flow rate of 1244.9 BOPD, water flow of 2539 BWPD, to a gas flow of 0.37346 MMscf/day and 67.1% water cut. Despite these improvements, excessive water production remains a challenge while also highlighting the complexity of the production system and the limitations of the analysis technique. Therefore, further studies can be envisaged by modeling and simulating the reservoir, considering well interventions and quantifying the remaining reserves today. This more comprehensive approach will enable a clearer vision and help decide the best optimization strategies for the Mibale field production system.
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  • INTEGRATED CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS APPLICATION FOR ROAD TRAFFIC EFFICIENCY

    Road traffic is a problem that every country has to face for the benefit of its population. Everything related to the transportation of people, goods, and services can be delayed due to a deplorable infrastructure. From minor tasks like individual shopping to important services like ambulances and fire trucks, all vehicles in Romania will eventually pass through a traffic light-controlled intersection that is not managed in real-time and that is also highly inefficient. At such a location, it is critical for traffic flow to be as smooth as possible to prevent time losses, and for traffic information to be stored into a cloud for process optimization. The purpose of the developed application is to reduce the real-time traffic jams to allow the optimal vehicles movement in safe conditions for all traffic participants. Using deep learning (DL) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, the application is based on two convolutional neural networks (CNN’s), respectively one for real-time detection of cars and people, and another one for real-time detection of cars license plates. The cars detections with CNN’s is important for road traffic optimization, for the efficient pedestrian detection necessary for crosswalks, and the car licence plates detection necessary for preventing traffic violations. The developed application contains several modules that operate based on deep learning and devices that communicate with each other, ensuring efficient data saving in cloud, data visualization, real-time traffic light control, and the information processing from traffic cameras.
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  • ARC WELDING ROBOTIC FLEXIBLE CELL SIMULATION USING ROBOGUIDE SOFTWARE

    The objective of the work is the design and simulation of a flexible manufacturing structure with two robots, integrated in a welding application, using the Roboguide software. FANUC ROBOGUIDE is a robot simulator that simulates both the movement of the robots and the commands from the designed application, significantly reducing the time needed to create new motion configurations.The possibility to import the CAD models of the components, of the fixing devices and of the final effectors of the robots integrated into the designed application, allows the creation and evaluation of various structures. Automatic program generation simplifies manual programming operations. ROBOGUIDE allows pre-programming of robots before they are installed in a cell, as well as visualization and confirmation of robot trajectories before downloading the programs to the real robot.
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  • ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – POWERED VIDEO CONTENT GENERATION TOOLS

    This article discusses the considerations of artificial intelligence-powered video content generation tools, exploring their applications, ethical considerations, and evaluation criteria. Through discussions of various artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including features, limitations, and implications, the authors analyze the evolving landscape of video creation in the digital age. Key themes include the ethical implications of deep fake technology and the importance of responsible AI principles, exemplified by Microsoft's guidelines. This paper identifies five of the most promoted free social media tools. Evaluation criteria for these tools, such as visual quality, relevance, coherence, authenticity, and transparency, are examined to assess the suitability of AI-generated videos. While AI offers promising opportunities, the discussion underscores the continued need for human oversight and ethical considerations to ensure the responsible use of AI technologies in video content generation.
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  • WATER SOFTENING PLANTS AND REDUCTION OF IRON AND MANGANESE BY MAGNETIC AND NANOBUBBLE CO2 TREATMENT: A TECHNICAL AND APPLICATIVE ANALYSIS

    Human society and environment are based on water resources. Hard water with iron and manganese excess is spread across the world and softening of drinking water is widely applied for reasons of public health, client comfort, economic and environmental benefits. Also, from industrial or commercial point of view, using it produce scale deposits in water systems and equipment often result in ample technical and economic problems. Solutions of reducing its hardness and iron/manganese excess exists on the market, even with the substances presented in the work. The novelty this study brings comes from using high intensity permanent magnets arrangements and CO2 nanobubbles treatment that increased the speed, the volume of treatment, while decreasing the energy and complexity of the installation, also decreasing the pollution mark of the system. The detrimental contributions of softening, in particular the use of chemicals and energy, are taken into account in the carbon footprint of the drinking water companies. The beneficial contributions have not been included in the carbon footprint. For carbon capture in the crystallized calcite and dissolution of CO2 into the softened water, the carbon footprint is compensated by the net carbon benefit of softening.
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  • DETERMINING THE PERFORMANCE OF A HEAT EXCHANGER USED IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

    The study of heat transfer in the food industry is as important as in any other industry. Food products are constantly subjected to heat treatments. For this reason, a sunflower food oil, which undergoes heat treatment in the manufacturing process, was chosen for this study. The study was carried out on a laboratory plant and aimed to determine the heat transfer coefficients for three sets of determinations: partial heat transfer coefficient inside - where the warm sunflower oil circulates, partial heat transfer coefficient in the annular space - where cold water circulates and overall heat transfer coefficient, in a tube-in-tube heat exchanger made of copper. The obtained values of heat transfer coefficients were compared with literature data for the same type of food oil. This type of heat exchanger, tube-in-tube, is specific to the food industry. Countercurrent circulation of flows through the appliance was established from the outset, as this type of circulation is preferred from the point of view of determining the performance of heat exchange appliances. Efficiency values were also established for the three sets of experimental determinations. For the calculations, the values for the temperatures of the fluids, both at the inlet and outlet of the apparatus and the values for the volume flow rates of the fluids were required.
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  • CONTRIBUTION OF SEISMIC AND GEOTHERMAL DATA ANALYSIS TO THE ASSESSMENT OF THE HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF THE CENTRAL BASIN OF THE D.R. CONGO

    This paper presents an evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential of the Cuvette Centrale basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) using an integrated approach that combines seismic and geothermal data. The envelope attribute of seismic data was used to identify different rocks of the petroleum system, including potential gas-prone zones. The interpretation of seismic profiles helped to delineate geological units and determine their lithology. Isobath maps based on seismic data revealed the presence of grabens and anticlines, which are favorable geological structures for hydrocarbon accumulation. Analysis of the geothermal gradient and temperature evolution in the formations allowed us to establish source rock maturity maps, highlighting two distinct zones: an overmature zone favorable for gas and a mature zone favorable for oil. These results suggest a strong hydrocarbon potential in the Cuvette Centrale basin.
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  • SIMPLIFIED COMPUTATIONAL TOOL FOR PREDICTING FORMATION DAMAGE IN OIL WELLS

    The present study underscores the significance of regular well test analysis to ensure the accuracy and consistency of data pertaining to the permeability and skin of exploratory wells. This study advances the development of a novel computer model, ASPIRE, which predicts formation damage in oil wells by analysing well-test data. In this context, identifying blocked pore throats in the formation close to the wellbore by paraffinic deposits (scales) and its influence on permeability necessitates routine well-test analysis. The software employs a modified linear regression model developed in this study to perfectly fit the well-test data's infinitely acting linear flow (IARF) region to a straight line. The cases "CASE 1" and "CASE 2" were considered for constant rate transient drawdown well test analyses. The findings indicate that Case 1, with a high skin factor, requires remedial action, such as stimulation, to increase the formation's permeability close to the wellbore for enhanced productivity. In contrast, Case 2 has higher permeability and lower skin factor than Case 1, so stimulation is not required. In addition, R-squared analyses were conducted to validate the results obtained from the developed tool. The analyses reveal an R-square value of 1 for all cases, indicating a 100% accuracy. Therefore, the study concludes that the developed tool is instrumental in accurately predicting formation damage in oil wells.
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  • CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF A DRINKING WATER NETWORK

    The fundamental aim of this paper is to investigate and explore the design and simulation methods for a cyber-physical system (CPS) for the monitoring and control of drinking water capture, treatment and distribution processes. This research aims to provide a deep understanding of the theoretical concepts underlying CPS systems, as well as a detailed analysis of the technologies and methodologies used in the design and simulation of these complex systems. Through this investigation, we aim to identify effective solutions for the management of drinking water resources, given the critical importance of water in modern society. By analyzing case studies and current practices, we will assess the advantages and challenges associated with implementing a CPS system in the real-world context of water supply infrastructure. This work not only aims to provide a theoretical perspective on the concept of CPS applied in the field of drinking water supply, but also to contribute to the development and implementation of practical solutions in order to ensure universal access to quality water and to protect the environment. Through academic approach and rigorous research, we hope to make a contribution to the field of mechatronic engineering and environmental technologies.
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