Ash control methods to limit biomass inorganic content and its effect on fast pyrolysis bio-oil stability

This research investigates specific ash control methods to limit inorganic content within biomass prior to fast pyrolysis and effect of specific ash components on fast pyrolysis processing, mass balance yields and bio-oil quality and stability. Inorganic content in miscanthus was naturally reduced over the winter period from June (7.36 wt. %) to February (2.80 wt. %) due to a combination of senescence and natural leaching from rain water. September harvest produced similar mass balance yields, bio-oil quality and stability compared to February harvest (conventional harvest), but nitrogen content in above ground crop was to high (208 kg ha.-1) to maintain sustainable crop production. Deionised water, 1.00% HCl and 0.10% Triton X-100 washes were used to reduce inorganic content of miscanthus. Miscanthus washed with 0.10% Triton X-100 resulted in the highest total liquid yield (76.21 wt. %) and lowest char and reaction water yields (9.77 wt. % and 8.25 wt. % respectively). Concentrations of Triton X-100 were varied to study further effects on mass balance yields and bio-oil stability. All concentrations of Triton X-100 increased total liquid yield and decreased char and reaction water yields compared to untreated miscanthus. In terms of bio-oil stability 1.00% Triton X-100 produced the most stable bio-oil with lowest viscosity index (2.43) and lowest water content index (1.01). Beech wood was impregnated with potassium and phosphorus resulting in lower liquid yields and increased char and gas yields due to their catalytic effect on fast pyrolysis product distribution. Increased potassium and phosphorus concentrations produced less stable bio-oils with viscosity and water content indexes increasing. Fast pyrolysis processing of phosphorus impregnated beech wood was problematic as the reactor bed material agglomerated into large clumps due to char formation within the reactor, affecting fluidisation and heat transfer.

N-dimensional electron in an anharmonic potential:the large-N limit

We show that the energy levels predicted by a frac(1, N)-expansion method for an N-dimensional electron in an anharmonic potential are always lower than the exact energy levels but monotonically converge toward their exact eigenstates for higher ordered corrections. The technique allows a systematic approach for quantum many body problems in a confined potential and explains the remarkable agreement of such approximate theories when compared with numerical results.

The nonlinear Shannon limit and the need for new fibres

This paper will review the current understanding of the so called nonlinear Shannon limit, and will speculate on methods to approach the limit through new system configurations, and increase the limit using new optical fibres. © 2012 Copyright Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Challenges of developing non-linear devices to achieve the linear Shannon limit

To achieve the Shannon Capacity Limit, we need to develop practical, effective and deployable non-linear devices to invert the non-linear effects of the transmission line. In this work, we will summarise the progress we are making to realise these, specifically looking at optical phase conjugation and phase regenerators as methods to improve non-linear tolerances. © 2014 IEEE.

Limit Behaviour of Dynamic Rule-based Systems

The paper suggests a classification of dynamic rule-based systems. For each class of systems, limit behavior is studied. Systems with stabilizing limit states or stabilizing limit trajectories are identified, and such states and trajectories are found. The structure of the set of limit states and trajectories is investigated.

Generalized Variational Inequalities for Upper Hemicontinuous and Demi Operators with Applications to Fixed Point Theorems in Hilbert Spaces

∗ The final version of this paper was sent to the editor when the author was supported by an ARC Small Grant of Dr. E. Tarafdar.

Oscillation Theorems for Perturbed Second Order Nonlinear Differential Equations with Damping

Some oscillation criteria for solutions of a general perturbed second order ordinary differential equation with damping (r(t)x′ (t))′ + h(t)f (x)x′ (t) + ψ(t, x) = H(t, x(t), x′ (t)) with alternating coefficients are given. The results obtained improve and extend some existing results in the literature.

Oscillation Theorems for Second Order Sublinear Ordinary Differential Equations

Oscillation criteria are given for the second order sublinear non-autonomous differential equation. (r(t) (x)x′(t))′ + q(t)g(x(t)) = (t). These criteria extends and improves earlier oscillation criteria of Kamenev, Kura, Philos and Wong. Oscillation criteria are also given for second order sublinear damped non-autonomous differential equations.

Equisummability Theorems for Laguerre Series

Here we prove results about Riesz summability of classical Laguerre series, locally uniformly or on the Lebesgue set of the function f such that (∫(1 + x)^(mp) |f(x)|^p dx )^(1/p) < ∞, for some p and m satisfying 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞, −∞ < m < ∞.

Limit Cycles of Perturbations of a Class of Quadratic Hamiltonian Vector Fields

We prove that in quadratic perturbations of generic Hamiltonian vector fields with two saddle points and one center there can appear at most two limit cycles. This bound is exact.

Problems and Theorems in the Theory of Multiplier Sequences

The purpose of this paper is (1) to highlight some recent and heretofore unpublished results in the theory of multiplier sequences and (2) to survey some open problems in this area of research. For the sake of clarity of exposition, we have grouped the problems in three subsections, although several of the problems are interrelated. For the reader’s convenience, we have included the pertinent definitions, cited references and related results, and in several instances, elucidated the problems by examples.

Nonlinear communication channels with capacity above the linear Shannon limit

We prove that, under certain conditions, the capacity of an optical communication channel with in-line, nonlinear filtering (regeneration) elements can be higher than the Shannon capacity for the corresponding linear Gaussian white noise channel. © 2012 Optical Society of America.

Approaching the non-linear Shannon limit

We review the recent progress of information theory in optical communications, and describe the current experimental results and associated advances in various individual technologies which increase the information capacity. We confirm the widely held belief that the reported capacities are approaching the fundamental limits imposed by signal-to-noise ratio and the distributed non-linearity of conventional optical fibres, resulting in the reduction in the growth rate of communication capacity. We also discuss the techniques which are promising to increase and/or approach the information capacity limit.

Weighted Theorems on Fractional Integrals in the Generalized Hölder Spaces via Indices mω and Mω

Mathematics Subject Classification: 26A16, 26A33, 46E15.

Some Mean-Value Theorems of the Cauchy Type

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary 26A24, 26D15; Secondary 41A05