Accurate prediction of thermal response in biological tissue during microwave ablation (MWA) is essential to ensure treatment safety and efficacy. However, the applicability of classical local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) models becomes a concern in the evaporation regime. This study presents a comparative numerical investigation of the classical LTNE model and a proposed δ-modified LTNE model that explicitly accounts for attenuation of tissue–blood heat exchange through a physically motivated δ parameter derived from blood-phase water content. Simulations are performed for liver tissue with varying porosities under 50 W, 75 W, and 100 W and compared with experimental data. A modified W(T) formulation is proposed that preserves evaporation physics with reduced computational complexity. RMSE and MAPE show that, at 50 W, both models provide comparable predictions (RMSE ≤ 2.49 °C, MAPE ≤ 5.85%), indicating limited evaporation effects. At 75 W, RMSE and MAPE values remain comparable between the two models (RMSE ≤ 6.54 °C, MAPE ≤ 7.74%), representing a transitional regime in which evaporation effects begin to emerge. Under 100 W, the classical LTNE model markedly overpredicts tissue temperature near the antenna, with RMSE up to 26.37 °C and MAPE reaching 26.86%. In contrast, the δ-LTNE model substantially reduces prediction errors, maintaining RMSE ≤ 4.23 °C and MAPE ≤ 16.79% through the proposed evaporation-dependent attenuation formulation. These results indicate that the proposed δ-LTNE formulation improves temperature prediction for the investigated high-power liver MWA conditions.
This study evaluates the seismic fragility of high-rise steel storage racks under long-distance and short-distance earthquake excitations using Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA). Two representative sites were selected to represent long- and short-distance earthquake scenarios. A numerical model of the high-rise rack system was developed and validated against substructure experimental results and benchmark data reported in the literature. The IDA results show that the earthquake scenario significantly influenced the seismic response of the investigated rack. Long-distance ground motions generally resulted in severe damage and collapse at lower seismic intensity levels, particularly for global deformation responses. Long-distance excitation also resulted in a more abrupt transition from severe damage to collapse, indicating a limited deformation reserve once severe damage was reached. In contrast, short-distance ground motions produced more localized damage and a more gradual progression toward collapse. In addition, serviceability assessments showed a higher susceptibility to residual misalignment under long-distance ground motions, highlighting potential risks to automated warehouse operations even at relatively low seismic intensities. Overall, the results indicate greater vulnerability of the investigated high-rise rack to long-distance ground motions in terms of global deformation, damage progression, and residual misalignment.
This study investigated a mechanical-press torrefaction-assisted carbonization route for producing Napier grass-derived bio-coke. Napier grass was first torrefied under mechanical pressure at 280–340 °C and 20–70 MPa, followed by carbonization at 1000 °C. The effects of torrefaction temperature and pressure on the properties of the torrefied products and resulting bio-cokes were evaluated. Mechanical-press torrefaction densified the biomass and enabled the formation of consolidated bio-cokes after carbonization. Although the carbonization yield increased on a torrefied-precursor basis, severe pretreatment reduced the overall bio-coke recovery from the original biomass. On a whole-sample dry basis, the carbon contents and HHVs of the pretreated bio-cokes ranged from 69.20 to 72.65 wt% and from 25.97 to 27.30 MJ kg−1, respectively, compared with 70.06 wt% and 26.48 MJ kg−1 for BC-Raw NP. BC-TNP-340-45 exhibited the highest carbon content, HHV, and apparent density of 1.03 g cm−3, whereas the highest compressive strength of 41.7 MPa was obtained for BC-TNP-320-70. Raman analysis showed a slight decrease in the ID/IG ratio from 1.158 for BC-Raw NP to 1.037 for BC-TNP-340-45, indicating a modest change in carbon structure. CO2-TGA-DTG-DSC analysis showed that pretreatment shifted the principal CO2 gasification region toward higher temperatures, with Tmax increasing from 881.34 to 970.26 °C. A preliminary Fe2O3 reduction test provided qualitative evidence of metallic Fe formation. Overall, mechanical-press torrefaction effectively modified and densified Napier grass before carbonization, producing bio-cokes with improved mechanical integrity and higher characteristic CO2 gasification temperatures, while also upgrading fuel characteristics under selected pretreatment conditions.
This study investigates a sustainable, one-step alkaline–hydrogen peroxide (AHP) extraction strategy for the dual recovery of pectin-derived soluble fractions (PSF) and bioactive extractive fractions (EF) from mature-green mango peel (Chok Anan cultivar). The influence of oxidative severity (1–5
This study develops a comprehensive framework for evaluating the environmental impacts of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Thailand using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The framework covers collection, transportation, treatment, and avoided product utilization, considering different cluster sizes and technologies. Four conceptual scenarios were modeled: reference, current, waste management master plan, and improvement scenarios incorporating centralized and on-site systems. Results show that landfilling and incineration are major contributors to global warming, acidification, and eutrophication, while recycling and energy recovery technologies, including refuse-derived fuel (RDF) with waste-to-energy (WTE), substantially reduce impacts. Effective strategies vary by cluster size. For large clusters, optimal integration includes anaerobic digestion, composting, RDF with WTE, recycling, and landfilling. Medium clusters benefit from composting, RDF with WTE, recycling, and landfilling, whereas small clusters are best served by on-site home composting, incineration with WTE, recycling, and landfilling. A diversion of 95% of waste from landfills, combined with a 30% recycling rate, can lower climate change impacts by nearly 200%. Sensitivity analysis indicates that reducing MSW transport distances further decreases impacts. Applying spatial differentiation in Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) and using different LCIA methods yielded consistent trends. Overall, the proposed framework supports the development of carbon-neutral MSW management systems by optimizing technology integration, maximizing recycling and energy recovery, and minimizing landfill disposal. The cluster-based approach offers tailored solutions for developing countries, significantly mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.
