In this paper, the energy losses in big band saw machines are investigated. These losses are caused by the geometric and angular inaccuracies with which the leading wheels are made. Expressions for calculating the kinetic energy of the mechanical system in the ideal and the real cases are obtained. For this purpose, expressions for calculating the velocities of the centers of the masses in two mutually perpendicular planes are obtained. A dependence for calculation of the kinetic energy losses of the mechanical system in final form is received. Optimization procedure is used to determine the values of the parameters at which these losses have minimum values. The proposed study can be used to minimize energy losses in other classes of woodworking machines.

Many nonlinear dynamical systems can present a challenge for the stability analysis in particular the estimation of the region of attraction of an equilibrium point. The usual method is based on Lyapunov techniques. For the validity of the analysis it should be supposed that the initial conditions lie in the domain of attraction. In this paper, we investigate such problem for a class of dynamical systems where the origin is not necessarily an equilibrium point. In this case, a small compact neighborhood of the origin can be estimated as an attractor for the system. We give a method to estimate the basin of attraction based on the construction of a suitable Lyapunov function. Furthermore, an application to Lorenz system is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

In this paper, a parallel multi-path variant of the well-known TSAB algorithm for the job shop scheduling problem is proposed. Coarse-grained parallelization method is employed, which allows for great scalability of the algorithm with accordance to Gustafon’s law. The resulting P-TSAB algorithm is tested using 162 well-known literature benchmarks. Results indicate that P-TSAB algorithm with a running time of one minute on a modern PC provides solutions comparable to the ones provided by the newest literature approaches to the job shop scheduling problem. Moreover, on average P-TSAB achieves two times smaller percentage relative deviation from the best known solutions than the standard variant of TSAB. The use of parallelization also relieves the user from having to fine-tune the algorithm. The P-TSAB algorithm can thus be used as module in real-life production planning systems or as a local search procedure in other algorithms. It can also provide the upper bound of minimal cycle time for certain problems of cyclic scheduling.

In this paper, a new set of intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators have been introduced under the environment of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs). For this, firstly focused on some existing aggregation operators and then new operational rules known as Dombi operation have been pro- posed which make the advancement of flexibility behavior with the parameter. Based on Dombi operation laws, some new averaging and geometric aggregation operators namely, intuitionistic fuzzy Dombi weighted averaging, ordered weighted averaging and hybrid weighted averaging operator, classified as IFDWA, IFDOWA and IFDHWA operators respectively and intuitionistic fuzzy Dombi geometric, ordered weighted geometric and hybrid weighted geometric operators, labeled as IFDWG, IFDOWG and IFDHWG operators respectively have been proposed. Further, some properties such as idempotency, boundedness, monotonicity and commutative are investigated. Finally, a multi-attribute decision-making model has been developed for the proposed operators to select the best mutual fund for investment. The execution of the comparative study has been examined with the existing operators in this environment.

This paper proposes a design procedure for observer-based controllers of discrete-time switched systems, in the presence of state’s time-delay, nonlinear terms, arbitrary switching signals, and affine parametric uncertainties. The proposed switched observer and the state- feedback controller are designed simultaneously using a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The stability analysis is performed based on an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional with one switched expression, and in the meantime, the sufficient conditions for observer-based stabilization are developed. These conditions are formulated in the form of a feasibility test of a proposed bilinear matrix inequality (BMI) which is a non-convex problem. To make the problem easy to solve, the BMI is transformed into a set of LMIs using the singular value decomposition of output matrices. An important advantage of the proposed method is that the established sufficient conditions depend only on the upper bound of uncertain parameters. Furthermore, in the proposed method, an admissible upper bound for unknown nonlinear terms of the switched system may be calculated using a simple search algorithm. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed controller and the validity of the theoretical results are illustrated through a simulation example.

In this paper we have studied the driftless control system on a Lie group which arises due to the invariance of Black-Scholes equation by conformal transformations. These type of studies are possible as Black-Scholes equation can be mapped to one dimensional free Schrödinger equation. In particular we have studied the controllability, optimal control of the resulting dynamics as well as stability aspects of this system.We have also found out the trajectories of the states of the system through two unconventional integrators along with conventional Runge-Kutta integrator.

A new 4-D dynamical system with hyperchaos is reported in this work. It is shown that the proposed nonlinear dynamical system with hyperchaos has no equilibrium point. Hence, the new dynamical system exhibits hidden hyperchaotic attractor. An in-depth dynamic analysis of the new hyperchaotic system is carried out with bifurcation transition diagrams, multistability analysis, period-doubling bubbles and offset boosting analysis. Using Integral Sliding Mode Control (ISMC), global hyperchaos synchronization results of the new hyperchaotic system are described in detail. Furthermore, an electronic circuit realization of the new hyperchaotic system has been simulated in MultiSim software version 13.0 and the results of which are in good agreement with the numerical simulations using MATLAB.

Many real-time systems can be described as cascade space-state models of different orders. In this paper, a new predefined controller is designed using a Strongly Predefined Time Sliding Mode Control (SPSMC) scheme for a cascade high-order nonlinear system. The proposed control scheme based-on SMC methodology is designed such that the system states reach zero within a determined time prior to performing numerical simulation. Moreover, Fixed Time Sliding Mode Control (FSMC) and Terminal Sliding Mode Control (TSMC) schemes are presented and simulated to provide a comparison with the proposed predefined time scheme. The numerical simulation is performed in Simulink/MATLAB for the proposed SPSMC and the other two existing methods on two examples: second and of third order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed SPSMC method. The trajectory tracking of the ship course system is addressed as an example of a second-order system. Synchronization of two chaotic systems, Genesio Tesi and Coullet, is considered as an example of a third-order system. Also, by using two performance criteria, a thorough comparison is made between the proposed predefined time scheme, SPSMC, and the two no predefined time schemes, FSMC and TSMC.

This publication presents the research aimed at developing statistical models, on the basis of which it was possible to prepare credible forecasts of unit cost and coal net output for longwalls in 5 hard coal mines in P oland. The argument has been verified that there is a dependence between the level of nuisance and the level of costs, as well as longwall production results.

A research procedure has been developed for that purpose, which aimed at developing two statistical models connecting the nuisance due to geological and mining conditions with costs and longwall production results. The multiple linear regression technique has been used to develop statistical models. The set of data taken into account in the analyses comprised 120 longwalls mined in the years 2010–2019. Two models have been developed – one for forecasting unit costs, the other for forecasting coal net output. Subsequently, the models’ forecasting ability has been verified on a sample of historical data. A relative forecast error for 75% of observations has been in the range of (–25%; +37%). That result has been considered satisfactory. Subsequently, using those models, forecasts of unit costs and coal net output have been prepared for 220 longwalls planned for mining in the years 2020–2030. Those forecasts have been prepared in the stipulated ranges of geological and mining nuisance influencing mining process, by means of dedicated W Ue and W Ut factors. The nuisance models for forecasting purposes have been developed using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. The research hypothesis has been confirmed on the basis of the obtained results. An increase in the level of nuisance leads to an increase in the unit costs for longwalls and the deterioration of production results. Unit operating costs for longwalls in specific ranges of nuisance may differ by up to 30%, being in the range of 52.0–120.3 zł/Mg. Likewise, the coal daily output of longwalls may be even 22% lower, having the average level in the range of 1.89–3.61 thousand Mg/d.

The paper presents the results of hydrogeological parameters determination carried out in the area of the Muschelkalk outcrop (Middle Triassic) near Tarnów Opolski. The studies consisted of a short pumping test in 16 piezometers and then their flooding and observation of water table recovery after the stopping of the pumping. The test allowed the values of hydraulic conductivity and specific capacity of Muschelkalk layers ranging from 8.56 · 10–8 m/s to 3.63 · 10–3 m/s and from 0.0075 to 128 m3/h/1mS, respectively, to be calculated. The wide range of values is related to the fact of studying the layers characterized by high permeability and water-bearing capacity (Karchowice Beds, Diplopora Beds and Górażdże Beds) as well as layers with low permeability (Gogolin Beds). The dense network of the research points made it possible to demonstrate the surface variability of rocks permeability and water- bearing capacity, determined mostly by the direction of outcrops of individual layers. The results of the conducted studies show that the most water-bearing zone of the area is related to the carbonate rocks of the Karchowice, Diplopora and Górażdże Beds, characterized by the highest values of hydraulic conductivity k (above 2 · 10–4 m/s) and specific capacity q (above 15 m3/h/1mS), in the belt stretching latitudinally through Kosorowice–Otmice. The studied area can be considered a Polish limestone-concrete field where several mines exploiting Muschelkalk carbonate rocks operate. The results of the conducted studies may be useful for the correct prognosis of the groundwater inflow either to already existing quarries or newly designed mines within the Major Groundwater Basins.

The fact that mines have to be established at the place where they are located without having a chance to choose a location brings out area usage conflicts with areas that need to be protected. In fact, forestlands are most common in these overlapping areas in Turkey. In order to perform mining activities in this overlapping forestlands, mining enterprises in Turkey receive forest land permit fees (FLPF), reforestation fees, rehabilitation fees + security deposit of conformity to the environment (SDCE), and other fees. In order to determine the share of these costs in mining investments and operating costs (OC) and to bring a solution proposal so that these costs do not pose a risk of loss of the investment in the mining enterprises, questions have been asked to mining enterprises within Turkey using the “Survey Monkey” program. The averages of all forest fees determined from the answers are proportioned to the mining investment amounts (MIA) and the annual average OC of each mining company responding to the Survey.

Thus, the distribution criteria of different forest fees that are required to be paid by the mining enterprises in order to carry out mining operations in the forestlands in Turkey and their distribution on the basis of mineral groups were analyzed. In this calculation, it was suggested that all the fees in Turkey should be reduced to a more reasonable degree by suggesting solutions regarding the calculation method envisaged by the FLPF, which has a very high share. Otherwise, the result of these rates shows that the costs of forest land-use for mining stipulated by the legislation in Turkey are quite high compared to other countries, and that the current mining investments can have difficulty in maintaining their economic operability in the presence of these required costs.

Waters with mineralization above 1000 mg/dm3, classified as mineral waters, are exploited in many regions of Poland. Their resources are usually not renewable and their excessive exploitation can lead to the deterioration of their physical and chemical properties and negatively affect their quantitative status.

The stages in the life of a groundwater deposit involve prospecting, exploration, development, and exploitation. Deposit management is the basis for a sustainable and economically successful process of using water resources.

The problem of effective management of mineral water deposit management has not been raised so far, which is why the authors decided to address issues that should be taken into account in the abovementioned process. An integrated approach to the prospecting, exploration, opening, and exploitation of mineral waters combining the knowledge of specialists from various disciplines (hydrogeologists, geologists, drillers and producers) will enable the appropriate management of these resources.

The article describes the basic elements of the process, special attention has been paid to the mineral water deposit development plan conditioning the correct and economically justified exploitation of these waters. This plan should take the development strategy and legal and environmental conditions into account. Hydrogeological and mathematical models of mineral water deposits developed as part of the plan provide the basis for determining the extent of the mining area and estimating water resources. The deposit opening, exploitation, and monitoring methods are important elements of the deposit development plan.

The heavy metal content is one of the criteria for foundry dust commercial use. To assess the possibility of foundry dust use, it is necessary to analyze its composition, including the content of basic heavy metals, and its mechanical properties. The paper presents the results of research on foundry dust from one of the Polish foundries. The aim of the study was to assess the waste management based on its composition and content of heavy metals. Dust samples were taken from one of the Polish foundries, producing iron and steel castings. Samples were taken from several places in the foundry, i.e. from electric furnace dust collectors, shock grating unit, transport of moulding sands unit, pneumatic blast cabinet units and the regeneration of spent foundry sand units. Samples were taken twice from each place at the turn of 2017–2018. The total content of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Fe for recovery and additionally Hg as environmental pollution was analyzed. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the dust from foundry furnaces and pneumatic cleaners can be used in metallurgy due to a high percentage of iron. It was found that the dust from casting cleaning, transport and regeneration department can be used in the cement or construction industry. In addition, an assessment of the mercury content showed that the re-use of this dust would not cause an environmental hazard. It was found that the profitability of foundry dust use depends on the stability of its composition and requires testing for each batch of dusts.

The growth of the global population, urbanization as well as economic and industrial development, affect the continuously increasing demand for mineral aggregates. The current assessed global production of mineral aggregates amounts to 50 billion Mg/year, which statistically approximates 6.5 Mg per an inhabitant of the globe. In terms of consumption volume, water is the only raw material ahead of aggregates. Despite such a great scale, in many countries and regions the extraction and production of aggregates belong to the least regulated sector of human activity. This refers particularly to the countries of A sia, A frica, and North A merica, where both the resources and the extraction of aggregates, particularly of sand and gravels, are either not monitored and registered. It significantly increases the negative impact on the natural environment, due to the destruction of riverbeds and oxbows, coastal erosion, drying up cultivation areas, etc. In the reports, local terminology of aggregates often functions, which makes it difficult to compare them and prepare appropriate balances. In order to regulate the unfavorable situation, one of the main conclusions of the Report (UNEP 2019) is the need of implementing a common requirement to plan and monitor the process of extraction of natural resources. The paper presents the possibility of forecasting the extraction and producing aggregates based on the consumption of cement, i.e. the basic building material. A lthough the analyzed coefficient of mineral aggregate production per unit of cement consumption (production) varies, its advantage is the fact that the production of cement is identified and taken into account in balances of industrial production of the majority of countries, whereas such identification for mineral aggregate production are still lacking.

This paper deals with issues related to tribological processes occurring as a result of excessive wear of the surface of scraper conveyor components caused by the impact of the mined material created during drilling of development or exploitation galleries. One of the most common types of tribological wear is abrasive wear. W ear tests were carried out for hard coal – based abrasive using dry carbon abrasive and a hydrated mixture with 76 and 58% hard coal. Based on the conducted research, it was established that the effects of wear processes are associated with damage typical of wear mechanisms: micro-scratching and micro-fatigue. For the wear variant in the presence of dry coal abrasive, individual scratches caused by the abrasive grains were observed on the surface of the samples. The main reason for this type of damage was the aggregation of quartz, which is one of the basic components of the mineral substance present in the tested hard coal. When hydrated carbon mixtures were used as an abrasive, the surface of the samples also displayed scratches characteristic of the aggregate quartz. A small part of the carbon abrasive was pressed into the scratches. Under the influence of the wear caused by friction, small depressions were also formed, where coal penetrated. The effect of coal pressing into micro-scratches is related to its plastic properties. T ests of the abrasive conducted after the conclusion of wear tests have shown that under the influence of the local increase in temperature and pressure, the hard coal contained in the abrasive can undergo transformations. In the abrasive transformed under friction, small, but measurable changes in the content of the C element in relation to the initial hard coal sample were exhibited.

The aim of the work was to draw attention to the usefulness of the alkaline thermal activation process with sodium hydroxide in the process of rare earth metal leaching (REE), from fly ash with hydrochloric acid and nitric acid(V). The work is a part of the authors’ own research aimed at optimizing the REE recovery process coming from fly ash from hard coal combustion.

The article contains an assessment of the possibility of leaching rare earth metals (REE) from fly ash originating from the combustion of hard coal in one of the Polish power plants. The process was carried out for various samples consisting of fly ash and sodium hydroxide and for different temperatures and reaction times. The process was carried out for samples consisting of fly ash and sodium hydroxide containing respectively 10, 20 and 30% on NaOH by weight in relation to the weight of fly ash. Homogenization of these mixtures was carried out wet, and then they were baked at 408K, 433K and 473K, for a period of three hours. The mixture thus obtained was ground to a particle size of less than 0.1 mm and washed with hot water to remove excessive NaOH. The solid post-reaction residue was digested in concentrated HCl at 373K for 1 hour at a weight ratio fs/fc of 1:10. The results of chemical analysis and scanning microscopic analysis along with EDS analysis and X-ray analysis were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of the tested material.

The results indicated that REE recovery from fly ash strictly depends on heat treatment temperature with NaOH, and an increase in REE recovery from alkaline-activated fly ash along with increasing the amount of NaOH in relation to fly ash mass.

The continuous improvement in the industries and organizations hinges upon the evaluation of their performance. In fact, the performance evaluation assists organizations to identify their strengths and weaknesses and, accordingly, enhance their efficiency. As soon as the concept of sustainability was propounded in the engineering based industries, the performance evaluation got more importance due to the environmental issues and social concerns along with the economical aspects. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to propose an approach based on fuzzy best-worst method (BWM) and fuzzy inference system (FIS) in order to evaluate the performance of an Iranian steel complex in terms of sustainability concept. In the proposed approach, the weights of some selected criteria were determined by fuzzy BWM method and, then, the score of the under study industry was calculated in terms of economic, environmental, and social aspects. At the end, an FIS was developed to calculate the final score of the intended industry. In order to check the efficiency of the proposed approach, its performance was measured using expert knowledge as well as real data of a steel complex in Iran. A moderate to high performance has been achieved for the understudy case through conducting the proposed approach. It was suggested that the industry should focus on the criteria with both high weights and low evaluated scores (for example the environmental management technologies and knowledge criterion) to increase its performance evaluation score. The obtained results were indicative of the efficiency of the proposed approach.

Consider the semilinear system defined by

x(i+1) = Ax(i) + f(x(i)), i≥ 0

x(0) = x0 ϵ ℜn

and the corresponding output signal y(i)=Cx(i), i ≥ 0, where A is a n x n matrix, C is a p x n matrix and f is a nonlinear function. An initial state x(0) is output admissible with respect to A, f, C and a constraint set Ω in ℜp if the output signal (y(i))i associated to our system satisfies the condition y(i) in Ω, for every integer i ≥ 0. The set of all possible such initial conditions is the maximal output admissible set Γ(Ω). In this paper we will define a new set that characterizes the maximal output set in various systems (controlled and uncontrolled systems). Therefore, we propose an algorithmic approach that permits to verify if such set is finitely determined or not. The case of discrete delayed systems is taken into consideration as well. To illustrate our work, we give various numerical simulations.

Electromagnetic mill installation for dry grinding represents a complex dynamical system that requires specially designed control system. The paper presents model-based predictive control which locates closed loop poles in arbitrary places. The controller performs as gain scheduling prototype where nonlinear model – artificial recurrent neural network, is parameterized with additional measurements and serves as a basis for local linear approximation. Application of such a concept to control electromagnetic mill load allows for stable performance of the installation and assures fulfilment of the product quality as well as the optimization of the energy consumption.

The aim of this study was the application of the geo-accumulation index and geostatistical methods to the assessment of forest soil contamination with heavy metals in the Babia Góra National Park (BGNP). For the study, 59 sample plots were selected to reflect all soil units (soil subtypes) in the studied area and take into account various forms of terrain. The content of organic carbon and total nitrogen, pH, hydrolytic acidity, the base cations and heavy metals content were determined in the soil samples. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) was calculated, enabling estimation of the degree of soil pollution. The tested soils are characterized by strong contamination with heavy metals, especially with lead. The concentration of heavy metals in the surface horizons of the tested soils exceeds allowable concentration. The content of heavy metals was related to the content of soil organic matter, soil acidity and altitude. Higher altitudes are dominated by coniferous tree stands, which are accompanied by acidic, poorly decomposed organic horizons. Our study has confirmed the impact of pollutants transported from industrial areas on the amount of heavy metals in soils of the BGNP.

This paper discusses design, evaluation, and application for the use of swirl/vortex technologies as liquid purifi cation system. A study was performed using modifi ed swirl sedimentation tanks. The vortex separators containing baffle have been studied under laboratory conditions at hydraulic load from 21 to 64 [m3/(m2·h)]. Analyzed disperser phases were municipal water and glycerol solutions of varying concentration. The pressure drop and the efficiency of purification of liquid stream were analyzed. The suspended particles of different diameters were successfully removed from liquid with the application of swirl chambers of proposed constructions. It was found that damming of liquid in the tank increases alongside liquid stream at the inlet and depends on the tank construction. The efficiency of the sedimentation tanks increases alongside the diameters of solid particles and decrease in the liquid flow rate. The best construction proved to be the one where baffle is located in the middle of in- and outlet due to the highest efficiency of the purification liquid stream for solid particles of the smallest diameter. The proposed solution is an alternative to the constructions of heavy fraction separators.

An increasing number of municipal sewage treatment plants in Poland, desirable from an environmental perspective, raises the problem of managing the growing volume of sewage sludge. The thermal treatment of municipal sewage sludge (TTMSS) method, by greatly reducing the waste volume, increases the heavy metal concentration in fly ash (primary, end product of the treatment process), which may constitute a risk factor when attempting to utilize them economically. The research paper concentrates on determining the TTMSS fly ash heavy metal leaching level. For this purpose, ash samples were subjected to leaching with the batch and percolation tests, and the heavy metal content in eluates was determined by the FAAS method. The obtained results served as a base to determine the level of heavy metal immobilization in the ash, the element release mechanism (percolation test), and the impact of the L/S (liquid to solid) ratio and pH on the heavy metal leaching intensity (percolation test). The conducted research indicated high immobilization of heavy metals in TTMSS fly ash, regardless of the applied study method, which corresponds to the results of other researchers. Lead was the most intensively eluted metal.

The removal of nitrates from aqueous solutions is cumbersome because of their high solubility in water. The use of zero-valent iron (ZVI) for the reduction of nitrates is the chemical process and it is an alternative method to the biological ones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the eff ectiveness of nitrates removal from water solution by using the ZVI process. The process was coupled with the removal of COD, phosphates and turbidity by using by-products of nitrates reduction. Batch tests were performed to evaluate the eff ectiveness of ZVI in the removal of nitrates from aqueous solutions. The eff ectiveness of nitrates removal was analyzed after 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min. and compared to the initial concentration of pollutants. Simultaneously analysis of ammonium nitrogen and nitrites was controlled to identify products of nitrates reduction under various pH. The removal of COD, phosphates and turbidity was also performed in batch tests. The eff ectiveness of the emoval by using three types of chemicals was compared – PIX, FeSO4, and waste Fe2+/Fe3+ from the ZVI process. The results obtained in the study indicate that ZVI can be eff ectively used in the treatment of water polluted with nitrates and the by-products of the process could be further applied in the removal of COD, phosphates and turbidity. Based on the results the method should be advised as a promising alternative to the technologies used nowadays under technical scale as a technology that fits with a circular economy.

The aim of the work was to analyze the effi ciency and reliability of pollutants removal (total suspended solids – TSS, BOD5, COD) in a collective wastewater treatment plant with activated sludge and hydroponic lagoon during its long term operation. The tested object was designed to treat wastewater in flowing through the sewerage system and wastewater delivered by the septic truck. The projected capacity of the treatment plant was 1200 m3∙d-1. The technological system for wastewater treatment consisted of a mechanical part, a flowing biological reactor working according to the BARDENPHO process, a secondary settling tank and a hydroponic lagoon. The efficiency and reliability of pollutants removal in the analyzed treatment plant were assessed on the basis of the data concerning influent and effluent wastewater collected during the years 2011–2018. On the basis of the measurements results, there were determined characteristic values of the selected pollution indicators in wastewater and the average efficiency of pollutants removal. The technological reliability of the wastewater treatment plant was assessed for the basic pollution parameters (BOD5, COD, TSS) in accordance with the elements of the Weibull’s reliability theory, with regard to normative values of the indicators specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Environment. The analysis was carried out using the Statistica 13.1 software. It was proved that in the wastewater treatment plant with an activated sludge and hydroponic lagoon the level of organic pollutants removal expressed by BOD5 was on average 99.5%, COD – 98.1% and TSS – 99.4%. The technological reliability of the system was 100% in terms of the removal of pollutants from the basic group, which means that during the long term operation (8 years) it provided failure-free operation and guaranteed the fulfillment of the requirements that can be found in the Polish law regulations concerning the analyzed pollutants.