Traditionally-constructed wells are commonly used to measure hydraulic head in all saturated systems, even in fine-grained sediments. Previous studies (Hvorslev 1951, Penman 1961) have shown that time lag in response to head changes between traditional wells and the surrounding fine-grained sediments can be a significant source of error. Time lag is caused by the time required for water to flow into or out of the well to reflect the appropriate change in head. A low-volume piezometer was constructed to measure changes in hydraulic head without requiring a change in fluid volume within the piezometer by directly measuring pore pressure in the surrounding sediments. The low-volume piezometer used a commercially-available pressure transducer that is hydraulically connected to the surrounding sediment by a porous-ceramic cylinder. The device is attached to a drive point that allows for quick insertion without creating excessive over-pressure so that equilibrium is achieved rapidly. The low-volume piezometer was inserted near traditionally-constructed wells in 3-4 m thick, saturated clay in west-central Florida. The low-volume piezometer was field tested to compare measured pore pressures with observed levels in traditionally-constructed wells. The comparison highlights any head difference between the two methods, and determines if there is a time lag between the two measurement methods and its magnitude. The low-volume piezometer was installed next to a traditionally-constructed well and heads in both wells were monitored for three months. Results show that the low-volume piezometer can take up to a month to reach equilibrium. Using Hvorslev's equations, traditionally-constructed wells have time lag of roughly 6 orders of magnitude greater than the low-volume piezometer. If this is correct, it could take up to 83,000 years for a traditionally-constructed well to reach equilibrium. However, when a trend analysis is performed on the hydrographs from the low-volume piezometer and the two traditional wells, the correlation coefficients are 0.95 and 0.96. The very strong correlation suggests that the low-volume piezometer and the traditional wells both respond similarly to changes in head. More field data need to be collected, but it appears that contrary to theory, time lag in traditionally-constructed wells may be negligible.

Characterization of semi-permeable films promotes the systematic selection of membranes and process design. When acquiring the diffusive and sorption properties of gas transport in non-porous membranes, the time lag method is considered the conventional method of characterization. The time lag method involves monitoring the transient accumulation of species due to permeation on a fixed volume present in a downstream reservoir. In the thesis at hand, an alternative approach to the time lag technique is proposed, termed as the short cut method. The short cut method appoints the use of a two reservoir system, where the species decay in the upstream face of the membrane is monitored, in combination with the accumulation on the downstream end. The early and short time determination of membrane properties is done by monitoring the inflow and outflow flux profiles, including their respective analytical formulas. The newly proposed method was revealed to have estimated the properties at 1/10 the required time it takes for the classical time lag method, which also includes a better abidance to the required boundary conditions. A novel design of the upstream reservoir, consisting of a reference and working volume, is revealed, which includes instructional use, and the mechanics involved with its operation. Transient pressure decay profiles are successfully obtained when the reference and working volumes consisted of only tubing. However when tanks were included in the volumes, large errors in the decay were observed, in particular due to a non-instantaneous equilibration of the pressure during the start up. This hypothesis was further re-enforced by examining different upstream tank-based configurations. iii In the end, a validated numerical model was constructed for the purpose of simulating the two reservoir gas permeation system. A modified form of the finite differences scheme is utilized, in order to account for a concentration-dependent diffusivity of penetrants within the membrane. Permeation behavior in a composite membrane system was disclosed, which provided a new perspective in analyzing the errors associated with the practical aspect of the system.

Characterization of semi-permeable films promotes the systematic selection of membranes and process design. When acquiring the diffusive and sorption properties of gas transport in non-porous membranes, the time lag method is considered the conventional method of characterization. The time lag method involves monitoring the transient accumulation of species due to permeation on a fixed volume present in a downstream reservoir. In the thesis at hand, an alternative approach to the time lag technique is proposed, termed as the short cut method. The short cut method appoints the use of a two reservoir system, where the species decay in the upstream face of the membrane is monitored, in combination with the accumulation on the downstream end. The early and short time determination of membrane properties is done by monitoring the inflow and outflow flux profiles, including their respective analytical formulas. The newly proposed method was revealed to have estimated the properties at 1/10 the required time it takes for the classical time lag method, which also includes a better abidance to the required boundary conditions. A novel design of the upstream reservoir, consisting of a reference and working volume, is revealed, which includes instructional use, and the mechanics involved with its operation. Transient pressure decay profiles are successfully obtained when the reference and working volumes consisted of only tubing. However when tanks were included in the volumes, large errors in the decay were observed, in particular due to a non-instantaneous equilibration of the pressure during the start up. This hypothesis was further re-enforced by examining different upstream tank-based configurations. iii In the end, a validated numerical model was constructed for the purpose of simulating the two reservoir gas permeation system. A modified form of the finite differences scheme is utilized, in order to account for a concentration-dependent diffusivity of penetrants within the membrane. Permeation behavior in a composite membrane system was disclosed, which provided a new perspective in analyzing the errors associated with the practical aspect of the system.

Chitosan membrane has found applications in biomedical, wastewater treatment, and petrochemical fields that involve the use of silver ions (Ag+). However, mobility of Ag+ in chitosan membranes has seldom been studied. In this study, transport properties of Ag+ in chitosan membranes are studied in-depth, to determine diffusivity coefficient, permeability coefficient, and sorption uptake of Ag+ in chitosan. All parameters are evaluated based on the influence of feed concentration, membrane thickness and operating temperature. The diffusivity is determined from the time lag obtained from transient diffusion experiments. The permeability is determined from the steady state of permeation experimentally. The diffusivity and corresponding permeability coefficients of Ag+ in chitosan range from to 2.0 10-7 (cm2/s) and from 6.6 10-8 to 2.0 10-7 {mol m/[m2 s (mol/L)]}, respectively, over the conditions tested. Temperature dependencies of these two parameters are found to follow the Arrhenius relationship. Sorption uptake of the silver salt in chitosan correlates well with the Langmuir isotherm. Also determined from the sorption tests are degree of membrane swelling at different concentrations. This information allows diffusivity coefficients to be determined from the steady state permeation rate. These values of diffusivity are compared with that obtained using the time lag method.

Chitosan membrane has found applications in biomedical, wastewater treatment, and petrochemical fields that involve the use of silver ions (Ag+). However, mobility of Ag+ in chitosan membranes has seldom been studied. In this study, transport properties of Ag+ in chitosan membranes are studied in-depth, to determine diffusivity coefficient, permeability coefficient, and sorption uptake of Ag+ in chitosan. All parameters are evaluated based on the influence of feed concentration, membrane thickness and operating temperature. The diffusivity is determined from the time lag obtained from transient diffusion experiments. The permeability is determined from the steady state of permeation experimentally. The diffusivity and corresponding permeability coefficients of Ag+ in chitosan range from to 2.0 10-7 (cm2/s) and from 6.6 10-8 to 2.0 10-7 {mol m/[m2 s (mol/L)]}, respectively, over the conditions tested. Temperature dependencies of these two parameters are found to follow the Arrhenius relationship. Sorption uptake of the silver salt in chitosan correlates well with the Langmuir isotherm. Also determined from the sorption tests are degree of membrane swelling at different concentrations. This information allows diffusivity coefficients to be determined from the steady state permeation rate. These values of diffusivity are compared with that obtained using the time lag method.

Characterization of semi-permeable films promotes the systematic selection of membranes and process design. When acquiring the diffusive and sorption properties of gas transport in non-porous membranes, the time lag method is considered the conventional method of characterization. The time lag method involves monitoring the transient accumulation of species due to permeation on a fixed volume present in a downstream reservoir. In the thesis at hand, an alternative approach to the time lag technique is proposed, termed as the short cut method. The short cut method appoints the use of a two reservoir system, where the species decay in the upstream face of the membrane is monitored, in combination with the accumulation on the downstream end. The early and short time determination of membrane properties is done by monitoring the inflow and outflow flux profiles, including their respective analytical formulas. The newly proposed method was revealed to have estimated the properties at 1/10 the required time it takes for the classical time lag method, which also includes a better abidance to the required boundary conditions. A novel design of the upstream reservoir, consisting of a reference and working volume, is revealed, which includes instructional use, and the mechanics involved with its operation. Transient pressure decay profiles are successfully obtained when the reference and working volumes consisted of only tubing. However when tanks were included in the volumes, large errors in the decay were observed, in particular due to a non-instantaneous equilibration of the pressure during the start up. This hypothesis was further re-enforced by examining different upstream tank-based configurations. iii In the end, a validated numerical model was constructed for the purpose of simulating the two reservoir gas permeation system. A modified form of the finite differences scheme is utilized, in order to account for a concentration-dependent diffusivity of penetrants within the membrane. Permeation behavior in a composite membrane system was disclosed, which provided a new perspective in analyzing the errors associated with the practical aspect of the system.

For today's organizations to fully optimize their two major priorities;which are reducing cost and increasing revenue, they need to be involved in continuous modifications and constant renewals of right mechanism towards alignment between business and IT strategies. This paper investigates issues in strategic alignment, the specifics were: What causes time lag between business-IT strategy implementation, how can organization manage this time lag better, and finally how alignment can be achieved in business-IT strategy. Thorough literature review has been carried out, to come up with causes of time lag between business-IT strategy. Then, two case studies together with three experts' interviews have been conducted in order to validate causes of time lag in business-IT strategy. The results shows that, lack of understanding of IT departments by business department, and lack of understanding of business department by IT department and protocol rigidity are the major causes of time lag that exists between business-IT strategy. While, the lesser factors were: not using the IT departments in defining the business strategy and usage of business terminologies by business department in communicating with the IT department

Characterization of semi-permeable films promotes the systematic selection of membranes and process design. When acquiring the diffusive and sorption properties of gas transport in non-porous membranes, the time lag method is considered the conventional method of characterization. The time lag method involves monitoring the transient accumulation of species due to permeation on a fixed volume present in a downstream reservoir. In the thesis at hand, an alternative approach to the time lag technique is proposed, termed as the short cut method. The short cut method appoints the use of a two reservoir system, where the species decay in the upstream face of the membrane is monitored, in combination with the accumulation on the downstream end. The early and short time determination of membrane properties is done by monitoring the inflow and outflow flux profiles, including their respective analytical formulas. The newly proposed method was revealed to have estimated the properties at 1/10 the required time it takes for the classical time lag method, which also includes a better abidance to the required boundary conditions. A novel design of the upstream reservoir, consisting of a reference and working volume, is revealed, which includes instructional use, and the mechanics involved with its operation. Transient pressure decay profiles are successfully obtained when the reference and working volumes consisted of only tubing. However when tanks were included in the volumes, large errors in the decay were observed, in particular due to a non-instantaneous equilibration of the pressure during the start up. This hypothesis was further re-enforced by examining different upstream tank-based configurations. iii In the end, a validated numerical model was constructed for the purpose of simulating the two reservoir gas permeation system. A modified form of the finite differences scheme is utilized, in order to account for a concentration-dependent diffusivity of penetrants within the membrane. Permeation behavior in a composite membrane system was disclosed, which provided a new perspective in analyzing the errors associated with the practical aspect of the system.

Separation technologies with polymeric membranes are widely studied and have a wide range of applications. The membrane's heart is a dense selective layer whose permeability should strongly depend on the permeating species' properties. In turn, permeability depends on the diffusivity and solubility of the permeating species in the selective layer, which are considered intrinsic properties of the polymer forming the selective layer. When developing new membrane materials, the ultimate objective is to exceed the famous "upper bound" limit by achieving simultaneously higher selectivity and higher permeability. This objective is impossible without a reliable and accurate characterization method to determine the selective layer's intrinsic transport properties. The time-lag method is the most common membrane characterization technique, initially developed for polymeric membranes. However, as the membrane technology and material science advance, the selective layer structure becomes more complex and not limited to organic polymers. As a result, the time-lag method needs to be reviewed and adapted to these more complicated cases, which was the main objective of this thesis. Numerical simulation of dynamic gas permeation experiments is a powerful tool to examine different aspects of the time-lag method. Therefore, we have established a comprehensive variable-mesh finite-difference scheme, which was used throughout the thesis. It allowed us to investigate the effect of different random and resolution errors and an extrapolation error on the resulting time lag of an ideal membrane. We then considered more complex systems, particularly those of glassy polymers and mixed matrix membranes, to investigate the effect of different transport mechanisms on the results of dynamic and steady-state gas permeation experiments. In parallel, we also focused on developing a novel gas permeation system that would monitor dynamic gas permeation experiments based on pressure decay at the feed side. All the existing constant-volume gas permeation systems rely on monitoring pressure to rise at the membrane's permeate side. Although this work is still ongoing, we have made considerable progress. Among the numerous contributions made through this thesis, there are three of particular significance. We have developed an analytical model to predict mixed matrix membranes' relative permeability with the uniformly dispersed non-permeable fillers of different shapes. The model requires three structural parameters arising from the filler's shape and size, and it is superior to all existing analytical models, including the famous Maxwell model. We have also demonstrated that the diffusivity of mixed matrix membranes determined by the time-lag method depends on the number of layers of dispersed particles. In the limiting case of a single layer of uniformly impermeable fillers, it is possible for the diffusivity determined by the time-lag method to be greater than that of the host polymer, which might appear as counterintuitive in the absence of defects at the polymer-particle interface. In the case of glassy polymers, it is possible to observe an upward deviation from the steady-state flux, resulting from a non-instantaneous equilibrium between permeating species in Henry's and Langmuir adsorption sites.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(情報学) / 甲第20029号 / 情博第624号 / 新制||情||108(附属図書館) / 33125 / 京都大学大学院情報学研究科社会情報学専攻 / (主査)教授 石田 亨, 教授 矢守 克也, 教授 喜多 一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Informatics / Kyoto University / DFAM