Inversion-based deblending using migration operators

In this paper, we compare the denoising- and inversion-based deblending methods using Stolt migration operators. We use Stolt operator as a kernel to efficiently compute apex-shifted hyperbolic Radon transform. Sparsity promoting transforms, such as Radon transform, can focus seismic data into a sparse model to separate signals, remove noise or interpolate missing traces. Therefore, Radon transforms are a suitable tool for either the denoising- or the inversion-based deblending methods. The denoising-based deblending treats blending interferences as random noise by sorting the data into new gathers, such as common receiver gather. In these gathers, blending interferences exhibit random structures due to the randomization of the source firing times. Alternatively, the inversion-based deblending treats blending interferences as a signal, and the transform models this signal by incorporating the blending operator to formulate an inversion problem. We compare both methods using a robust inversion algorithm with sparse regularization. Results of synthetic and field data examples show that the inversion-based deblending can produce more accurate signal separation for highly blended data.     

Variability of water exchanges through the Strait of Hormuz

Ocean Dynamics - The variability of the water mass exchange between the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean is investigated using a high-resolution (1/36°) ocean model. We focus on the period...     

Pore to pore validation of pore network modelling against micromodel experiment results

Pore network modelling (PNM) has been widely used to study the multiphase flow and transport in porous media. Although a number of recent papers discussed the PNM validation on core-scale parameters such as permeability, relative permeability and capillary pressure; quantitative predictive potential of PNM on pore by pore basis has rarely been studied. The aim of this paper is to present a direct comparison between PNM simulations and corresponding micro-model experiments at the same scale and the same geometry. A number of well-defined and constrained two-phase flow in porous medium experimental scenarios were utilized to validate the physics solving part in PNM (filling rules, capillary and viscous pressure). This work validates that a dynamic pore network flow solver can predict two-phase flow displacements for these experiments for drainage situations at both pore and plug scales. A glass-etched micro-model is used to quantify the accuracy of a dynamic PNM solver on pore and core levels. Two-phase drainage micro fluidic experiments at different flow conditions are performed on micro-models. PNM simulations are performed on the same pattern and flow conditions as used in micro-model experiments. The two-phase distribution extracted from experiment images is registered onto rsults of PNM simulations for direct pore to pore comparison. Pore-scale matching level is found at around 75 % for all three test cases. The matching level of core-scale parameters such as S _{w c} and oil-phase permeability varies from case to case; the relative error to micro-model experiment measurements varies from 15 to 60 %. Possible reasons leading to discrepancies on core-scale parameters are discussed: missing considerations during validation of the combination of uncertainty in both simulator input parameters and experiments are seen as the principal factors.     

Biostratigraphy and seismic data analysis to detect the sequence stratigraphic depositional environment of the Miocene succession: Gulf of Suez (Egypt)

This work comprises a study of the sequence stratigraphy, seismic-facies analysis, biostratigraphy and depositional environments of the northern part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, using a set of 24 3D seismic profiles, composite logs and sonic logs from ten wells. The syn-rift formations in the studied ten wells are described lithologically and interpreted based on investigating two seismic profiles. Biostratigraphically, the Miocene fossils are identified to correlate the five planktonic foraminiferal biozones in the examined boreholes (RB-A1, RB-B1, RB-B3, EE85-2 and RB-C1). The sequence stratigraphic analysis suggests that the Miocene succession can be subdivided into two major third order depositional sequences (S1 and S2) separated by the three major sequence boundaries (DSB1, DSB2 and DSB3).     

Performance and environmental impact of a turbojet engine fueled by blends of biodiesels

Depletion of conventional fuels, concerns about environmental pollution and the tightening of exhaust emission legislations are the main reasons for increasing research on alternative fuels produced from agricultural feedstock. In this study, biodiesel fuels produced from cotton and corn vegetable oils are investigated as renewable fuels for a gas turbine engine for aviation. The biodiesel fuels are defined as cotton methyl ester (CTME) and corn methyl ester. The performance characteristics and exhaust emissions of the gas turbine engine are investigated when the engine fueled with three blends of 10%(B10), 20%(B20) and 50%(B50) of biodiesel/JetA-1 by volume. The biodiesel fuels were produced using transesterification process and characterized according to ASTM biodiesel specifications. Chemical and physical properties show a real potential of using biodiesel blends as an alternative for JetA-1. The measured engine performance parameters and exhaust emissions are compared with that of pure JetA-1 over a range of throttle setting. The gas turbine engine used in this study is equipped with pressure, flow, temperature, thrust and speed sensors that connected to data acquisition system and control unit in addition to exhaust gas analyzer. The experimental results show that biodiesel fuels can be used up to blend of 50% with JetA-1 in gas turbine engines with slight enhancement in engine performance and significant improvements in exhaust emissions. The engine static thrust is increased with 2% for B50 at lower and medium engine speeds and decreased with 11% at high engine speed compared to conventional JetA-1 fuel. The thrust-specific fuel consumption for biodiesel blends is lower than that for regular JetA-1 fuel. The gas turbine engine efficiency is increased for biodiesel blends by 14% compared to JetA-1, and this is reported for CTME B50. For oxygen concentration in exhaust gases emissions, the higher the biodiesel blend, the higher the O₂ concentration in the exhaust compared with JetA-1 fuel. The O₂ level increased by 6% for biodiesel blend of B50 compared to JetA-1 fuel. The emissions of CO and HC emissions decreased by 5 and 37%, respectively, compared with conventional JetA-1. Additionally, the biodiesel blends achieve a higher CO₂ and NO_x emissions with 11 and 27%, respectively, compared to JetA-1. The sulfur dioxide SO₂ decreased by 75% compared to the regular JetA-1 fuel.     

Study on clean technology-assisted combustion behavior and NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> emission using thermal imager for alternate fuel blends

The correlation between oxides of nitrogen emission and in-cylinder temperature of diesel engine fueled with various alternative fuels has been investigated in this research paper. Experimentations were performed in engine without any modifications using pure high-speed diesel fuel, used cooking oil biodiesel (UCO20), animal fat residue biodiesel (AFR20) and camphor oil (CMR20) at 20% volume concentration of biodiesel each. From combustion analysis, the heat release rate and peak cylinder pressure of biodiesel blends were about 13.487% lower and 4.819% higher than those of diesel fuel on an average, respectively. Longer combustion duration has been observed for all biodiesel blends at all load conditions. Oxides of nitrogen emission level show 16.405, 10.352 and 7.524% increment for UCO20, AFR20 and CMR20, respectively. Noteworthy NO _x reduction of about 43.8% was recorded for diesel blended with camphor oil when compared to other biodiesel blends. The relationship between in-cylinder temperature and NO _x emission concentration was premeditated through thermal imager. The result depicted that the increase in NO _x concentration depends on augmented in-cylinder temperature for all test fuels.     

Modelling wind-erosion risk in the Laghouat region (Algeria) using geomatics approach

Wind-erosion risk is a challenge that threatens land development in dry-land regions. Soil analysis, remote sensing, climatic, vegetal cover and topographic data were used in a geographic information system (GIS), using multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to map wind-erosion risk (R_we) in Laghouat, Algeria. The approach was based on modelling the risk and incorporating topographic and climatic effects. The maps were coded according to their sensitivity to wind erosion and to their socio-economic potential, from low to very high. By overlapping the effects of these layers, qualitative maps were drawn to reflect the potential sensitivity to wind erosion per unit area. The results indicated that severe wind erosion affects mainly all the southern parts and some parts in the north of Laghouat, where wind-erosion hazard (H_we) is very high in 43% of the total area, and which was affected mainly by natural parameters such as soil, topography and wind. The results also identified features vulnerable to R_we. The product of the hazard and the stake maps indicated the potential risk areas that need preventive measures; this was more than half of the study area, making it essential to undertake environmental management and land-use planning.     

Changing roles controlling alternating marine and aeolian deposition and formation of Quaternary sequences in Hergla coastal escarpment (north-eastern Tunisia)

This work is meant to set a new stratigraphic framework of the Quaternary Hergla Sea Cliff deposits in eastern Tunisia including vital precisions concerning depositional environments and climatic conditions. Infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) data previously obtained at the Hergla region show that the Khniss unit is Tyrrhenian in age (MIS 5.5), while the Rejiche unit dates to the MIS 5.3/5.1 undifferentiated by the IRSL for the marine deposits and attributed to the MIS 4 for the dunes continental deposits. The sedimentological studies showed that the whole of the marine units of the Upper Pleistocene of Hergla were deposited in a shallow marine environment and also highlighted at least two major transgressive cycles interrupted by drops of the sea level leading to emergence. The first cycle corresponds to the Khniss unit deposit. The second cycle corresponds to the transgression of the Rejiche unit. The end of the MIS 5.5 is marked by a lagoonal sedimentation with a regressive tendency followed by an emergence period materialized by the presence of a paleosol. During the MIS 5.3/5.1, the marine deposits of the Rejiche unit correspond to infratidal carbonate sediments subjected to storms currents. They are characterized by the reworking of lithoclasts, due to the action of the storm currents. Eventually, the study of cements in the continental deposits of the Rejiche unit indicates a late evolution in a continental vadose environment, subjected to the action of meteoric waters. In terms of climatic conditions, the MIS 5.5 was hotter and wetter than the subsequent MIS 5.3/5.1.     

Comparison of NATM and umbrella arch method in terms of cost,completion time,and deformation

In all kinds of tunnel excavations, especially those excavated in cities, it is important to control surface settlements and prevent damage to the surface and subsurface structures. For this purpose, in weak rocks and soils, the umbrella arch method (UAM) has been used in addition to the new Austrian tunneling method (NATM). NATM and UAM are the best-known classical methods used in tunnel excavation. In classical tunneling, NATM is usually preferred in normal rocks. However, in some cases, NATM may be insufficient. UAM is a very effective alternative especially in soils and weak rocks. In soil and weak rocks, UAM is especially necessary to prevent excessive deformations. Selection of UAM or NATM is based on the following factors: cost comparison of NATM and UAM, allowable deformations, quality of rock or soil, application time of NATM and UAM, availability of skilled workers, and qualification level of the workers. Therefore, selecting the excavation method in these kinds of grounds is vital in terms of achieving the project goals in time, managing the project costs effectively, and controlling the probable deformations on nearby structures. A critical issue in successful tunneling application is the ability to evaluate and predict the deformations, costs, and project time. In this paper, application times, costs, and deformation effects are compared between NATM and UAM in sensitive regions at the Uskudar-Umraniye-Cekmekoy metro project (UUCMP). Also, efficiency of the deformation control of UAM is demonstrated by using the 2D numerical analysis method. UUCMP is part of the Istanbul metro network. The tunnels have a cross section of 75.60 m² for NATM and 83.42 m² for UAM. Geology in this section is composed of weak sandstone. Diabase and andesite dykes are also rarely observed. This study shows that the construction cost of UAM are 1.7 times more expensive than NATM. Although application time of UAM is 2.5 times longer than NATM, it is 2.5 times more efficient in controlling the deformations. This efficiency in controlling the deformations is confirmed via two-dimensional numerical analyses.     

Identifying saline wetlands in an arid desert climate using Landsat remote sensing imagery. Application on Ouargla Basin,southeastern Algeria

Supervised and unsupervised satellite image classifications have progressed greatly in recent years. However, discrimination difficulties still remain among classes that directly affecting data extraction and surface mapping accuracy. The Ouargla region in southeastern Algeria is intersected by wadis, where direct communication between the shallow groundwater table and these dry, overlying ephemeral stream beds exists. Underflowing groundwater exfiltrates into low-lying aeolian blowouts or endorheic basins forming oases, chotts, and sebkhas, commonly known as saline wetlands. These wetlands are becoming increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic stress, resulting in significant water degradation. Wetland microclimates are very important to arid regions, as they promote oasis ecosystem sustainability and preservation. High water salinity in these ecosystems, however, directly affects flourishing habitat and undermines successful desert oasis development. The objective of this work is to choose the best classification method to identify saline wetlands by comparison between the different results of land use mapping within the Ouargla basin. Landsat ETM+ (2000) satellite imagery, using visual analysis with colored compositions, has identified various forms of saline wetlands in the Ouargla region desert environment in southeast Algeria. The results show that supervised classification is validated in the identification of Saharan saline wetlands, and that support vector machine (SVM) algorithm presents the best overall accuracy.