Sharif Digital Repository

Cobalt-based catalysts were prepared on gamma alumina supports, and their behaviour for different Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) conditions was assessed. Although Co/γ-Al 2O 3 is a well-known FTS catalyst, its durability ought to be improved to make the industrial process economically feasible. The effect of lanthanum doping on the catalyst lifetime was examined utilising reactor tests and catalyst characterization techniques including TPR, ICP and N 2 porosimetry. Reactor test results revealed that an optimum amount of lanthanum improved catalyst activity and selectivity. Increasing amounts of lanthanum doping up to about 1.1wt% seemed to modify the chemical composition of the support... 

Cobalt-based catalysts were prepared on different alumina supports, and their behaviour for different Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) conditions assessed. Although Co/γ-Al2O3 is a well-known FTS catalyst, its durability ought to be improved to make the industrial process economically feasible. Here calcination repetitions effects on the catalyst lifetime were examined utilising reactor tests and characterisation techniques including XRD, TPR, ICP and N2 porosimetry. Results revealed that fewer calcination repetitions improved catalyst activity and selectivity. Based upon the XRD results, these findings appeared to be due to the improved size of cobalt crystals on the pore surfaces. These... 

In this paper, thermal and catalytic hydrocracking of liquid paraffin hydrocarbons, from Tehran refinery, is studied using a pilot plant reactor. The experimental system consisted of a vertical tubular flow reactor where hydrogen and liquid products were fed from the top of the reactor and after passing through a bed of catalyst (or quartz beads in the case of thermal hydrocracking experiments), the liquid and gaseous products were separated and sampled for subsequent analyses. The reaction temperature was in the range of 410-430°C for catalytic hydrocracking and 440-470°C for thermal hydrocracking experiments. The space velocities for both sets of experiments varied between 0.5 to 1.5... 

Samples of regular gamma and nano-structured alumina were prepared and their porosimetric properties evaluated by N 2 porosimetry method. Moreover, cobalt based catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Synthesis were prepared by loading cobalt under two calcinations using these alumina supports. Then the porosimetric properties of these materials as well as; their reactor behaviors assessed. Although the nano-structured favored the gamma alumina from pore volume and surface points of view, comparison of porosimetric properties of fresh alumina samples with corresponding catalysts prepared revealed that calcination effect in decreasing those factors was more pronounced for the nano-structured... 

Cobalt supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-covered alumina has been recently developed and successfully utilized as a catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Problems associated with shaping of Co/CNTs into extrudates or pellets as well as catalyst attrition rendered these materials unfavorable for industrial applications. In this investigation regular γ- and nano-structured (N-S) alumina as well as CNTs-covered regular γ- and N-S-alumina supports were impregnated by cobalt nitrate solution to make new cobalt-based catalysts which were also promoted by Ru. The catalysts were characterized and tested in a micro reactor to evaluate their applicability in FTS. γ-Al2O3 was prepared by... 

Fog computing paradigm attempts to provide diverse processing at the edge of IoT networks. Energy usage being one of the important elements that may have a direct influence on the performance of fog environment. Effective scheduling systems, in which activities are mapped on the greatest feasible resources to meet various competing priorities, can reduce energy use. Consequently, a hybrid discrete optimization method called HDSOS-GOA, which uses the Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) approach, is proposed to handle scientific workflow scheduling challenges in the fog computing environment. HDSOS-GOA combines the search qualities of Symbiotic Organisms Search (SOS) and the... 

In this paper, we analyze the performance of a nonlinear two-photon-absorption (TPA) receiver and compare its performance with that of a single-photon-absorption (SPA) receiver in the context of spectral-phase-encoded optical code-division multiple access (CDMA) technique. The performances for the above systems are evaluated for two different transmission scenarios, namely, asynchronous and slot-level synchronous transmitters. Performance evaluation includes different sources of degradation such as multiple-access interference, noise due to optical amplification, shot noise, and thermal noise. In obtaining the performance, the mean and variance of the received signal in each of the above... 

In this paper, the authors study the performance of a two-photon absorption (TPA) receiver in a typical communication system employing an optical amplifier. For the study, the authors develop a comprehensive performance analysis, taking into account noises due to an optical amplifier, shot noise, and thermal noise, using Gaussian approximation technique. In evaluating the performance of the system using this technique, the mean and the variance of the received signal will be derived. Comparing the results of receivers using the TPA process with that of a typical single-photon absorption (SPA) structure leads the authors to conclude that TPA receivers can be used when the speed of the... 

This paper describes a study of the performance of various configurations for placing multiple optical amplifiers in a typical coherent ultrashort light pulse code-division multiple access (CULP-CDMA) communication system using the additive noise model. For this study, a comprehensive performance analysis was developed that takes into account multiple-access noise, noise due to optical amplifiers, and thermal noise using the saddle-point approximation technique. Prior to obtaining the overall system performance, the input/output statistical models for different elements of the system such as encoders/decoders, star coupler, and optical amplifiers were obtained. Performance comparisons... 

In the present study, considering two-dimensional porosity distribution through a functionally graded porous (FGP) beam, its optimal distributions are obtained. A multi-objective optimization problem is defined to maximize critical buckling load and minimize mass of the beam, simultaneously. To this end, Timoshenko beam theory is employed and equilibrium equations for two-dimensional functionally graded porous (2D-FGP) beam are derived. For the solution, we present generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) and consider two symmetric boundary conditions (Clamped-Clamped and Hinged-Hinged). Solving generalized eigenvalue problem, critical buckling load for 2D-FGP beam is then obtained.... 

In this paper, assuming porosity varies only along thickness direction, its optimal distributions in functionally graded porous (FGP) beams are tailored. Two multi-objective optimization problems are defined. In the first one, critical buckling load and mass are optimized simultaneously while in the second one, we concentrate on simultaneous optimization of mass and fundamental frequency. Employing Timoshenko beam theory, we present governing equations for a FGP beam. For the solution, we use Ritz method and propose appropriate trial functions according to the boundary conditions (Hinged-Hinged, Clamped-Clamped, Clamped-Hinged and Clamped-Free). Since the porosity distribution along... 

This research addresses the escalation of the ‘discourse of going’ among Iranian educated people in recent years through highlighting the influential role played by for-profit study abroad institutions. Utilizing a discourse-analytic approach, we engage the theoretical concept of chronotope, caliberation, and commodification to investigate the ways through which for-profit study abroad institutions represent the images of ‘life beyond’. The data were obtained in interview sessions with ten certified Iranian study-abroad institutions. The results of the data analysis revealed two main themes, namely, hypothetical utopia there and dystopia here as well as success here-and-now and...