Industry 4.0
Vol. 9 (2024), Issue 5

Table of Contents

  • TECHNOLOGICAL BASIS OF “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    • Transformation of industrial enterprises to a circular economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0

      pg(s) 154-157

      The transformation of industrial enterprises to a circular economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0 is a key step towards sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint on the nature. The main objective of the circular economy is to reduce the waste and utilize resources as efficiently as possible by reusing, recycling and extending the life cycle of products. This transformation requires changes to both the production processes and the business models of enterprises. The transition of industrial enterprises to a circular business model will have a beneficial effect on the environment, increase their financial results and improve their competitiveness. The circular business model requires a rethinking of internal processes, products and strategies. This research aims to analyse the opportunities of industrial enterprises to rethink their product strategies, optimize resources, effectively manage waste and promote a circular organizational culture.

    • Integration of methods based on artificial intelligence in the processing of images in photography

      pg(s) 158-159

      The article examines modern artificial intelligence technologies used in photo processing, as well as their capabilities and limitations. The focus is on machine learning and deep learning algorithms that automate image editing processes, improve photo quality, and create unique artistic effects. The article also explores the ethical and technical limitations associated with the use of AI, such as processing quality, technology availability, and the impact on photographers’ creative process. The author describes the prospects for the further development of AI in the field of image processing and its potential to transform approaches to visual art. The article will be useful to both professional photographers and researchers interested in the intersection of technology and artistic expression.

  • DOMINANT TECHNOLOGIES IN “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    • Energy and exergy analysis of steam generator from nuclear power plant at four operating regimes

      pg(s) 160-163

      In this paper are presented results of the energy and exergy analyses related to the steam generator from nuclear power plant at four observed operating regimes. It is shown how the optimization processes and algorithms influence observed steam generator operation. The highest steam generator energy outlet is equal to 3012.17 MW and the lowest energy loss is 0.07 MW – both of them are obtained by using Genetic Algorithm (GA). Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) gives fluid operating parameters which will result with the lowest steam generator exergy destruction (107.05 MW) and the highest exergy efficiency (92.709%) in comparison to all other operating regimes. During the increase in ambient temperature from 5 °C up to 45 °C the lowest decrease in steam generator exergy efficiency (equal to 2.0136%) is obtained in the second operating regime which operating parameters are defined by using WOA. Final conclusion which can be derived from the observed research is that WOA has the most beneficial influence on the steam generator operation.

    • Numerical results of CFD simulations for full-scale ship-shape body motion in deep and shallow water

      pg(s) 164-172

      The objective of the simulations is to calculate the total resistance and visualize the flow around a bare hull of a boat motion in deep and shallow water. Ship resistance is an important issue for ensuring smooth propulsion in various speeds in open sea and especially in the increasing influence of shallowness. Subcritical speed range in open shallow water is the main interest regime. A limited number of cases in critical and supercritical speed regions are applied in computations for comparison. For the full-scale bare ship-shape body resistance tests, computational fluid dynamics techniques and SST k-omega turbulence viscous model were employed. All calculations were carried out considering the influence of the free surface effect in a fluid. For convenience of mesh generation, an automated structured polyhedral meshing was adopted for the delicate curved surface and the domain. CFD solver interFoam – OpenFOAM, is applied to execute all computations in this article. The numerical model was initially built in FreeCAD, an open computer aided design (CAD) software and discretized in the cfMesh, a library implemented on top of the OpenFOAM framework. Post-processing is performed within ParaView, an application for scientific visualization. All software is free.

    • Application of artificial neural networks for assessing the Psi-factor of thermal bridges under various geometries and materials

      pg(s) 173-177

      The publication examines the use of artificial neural networks to calculate the linear thermal conductivity (Psi-factor) of thermal bridges given various parameters, such as geometrical data and the thermal resistance R of the thermal bridge components. The neural network is trained on examples of IF, IW, and B thermal bridges, considering the straightforward task of determining Psi using given parameters. The neural network training results show high accuracy in calculations – RMSE is 1.132% on training data and 1.1423% on test data, and the correlation coefficient (R²) is around 0.9997 for both data sets. The applicability of the approach to seismic conditions in the Balkans is assessed.

    • Sustainable Heat Exchanger Design for Natural Gas Savings in Industrial Dryers

      pg(s) 178-181

      There are many different models and types of heat exchangers depending on the area of use. The type of fluids involved in heat transfer and their temperature play a critical role in selecting the appropriate model. Common heat exchangers include plate exchangers, tube-type exchangers, air-cooled exchangers, and graphite exchangers. In this study, a sustainable and original heat exchanger system was designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce natural gas consumption by utilizing the waste heat from natural gas. The design prioritizes ease of maintenance and cleaning. Detailed engineering analyses were conducted, and critical engineering errors identified in previous heat exchanger designs were resolved. The developed designs were validated through test studies and experiments, leading to the final design after an optimization process.
      As a result of the study, a high-capacity, energy-efficient, and sustainable heat exchanger integrated with modern technology was developed.

    • Mechanical Characterization of Al-Cu Materials Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy under Quasi-static and Dynamic Compressive Loadings

      pg(s) 182-185

      This study investigates the mechanical behaviour of Al10Cu materials fabricated through powder metallurgy and subjected to quasi-static and dynamic compressive loadings. The materials were sintered and tested under controlled conditions to evaluate their compressive strength. Quasi-static tests were performed at a constant strain rate of 0.003 s⁻ ¹, while dynamic tests were conducted at strain rates corresponding to impact speeds of about 10 m/s and 20 m/s. The results indicate that sintered Al10Cu materials are suitable for applications under high-strain impact loadings due to their high energy absorption. These findings highlight the potential of powdermetallurgy-derived Al10Cu alloys for applications requiring high strain rate performance, offering insight into their suitability for use in dynamic environments.

  • BUSINESS & “INDUSTRY 4.0”

    • Conceptual Model for Increasing Production Efficiency in Bulgarian Industrial Enterprises

      pg(s) 186-189

      In a world of constant change, there is an increasing need for tools and methods that help organizations become more efficient and competitive. Overcoming traditional thinking in business management requires organizations to quickly adapt to market innovations and fully focus on “processes, results, and customers.” Otherwise, many traditionally operating organizations may struggle to survive in a dynamic business environment. The modern concept of production efficiency is no longer limited to individual production units but focuses on the entire value chain, i.e., the “delivery of value” to all stakeholders. Despite the existence of various practices, methods, approaches, or theories that identify and deliver value to different stakeholders, the implementation of improvements within enterprises remains a subjective process. Based on the achievements of existing methods, tools, and best practices for realizing rapid-response and low-cost production processes, this publication proposes a conceptual model for increasing production efficiency in industrial enterprises in Bulgaria. The model takes into account the new realities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its logical continuation into Industry 5.0 by identifying and delivering value to all stakeholders.

    • The impact of E-commerce in a distribution company

      pg(s) 190-194

      This paper aims to present the role of information and communication technology in the rapid emergence of e-commerce, including its development, role and operation to date, and future prospects. When we talk about technology and its impact on society, we can talk about many different areas where information technology plays the main role. Nowadays, technology has minimized distances and not all the actions are done physically. With the development of information and communication technology, different requirements and different processes are developed, both in the public sector and in the private sector.
      The main purpose of the paper is the identification and analysis of the problems that are most often faced by organizations or enterprises and consumers in the use of electronic commerce, as well as the identification of factors that influence the use of this type of commerce by the business community in Albania. It is also explained the impact of e-commerce in increasing circulation and commercial activity in local businesses, with special emphasis in the case of one of the leading distributions and sales company, Marketing & Distribution. In this paper, the factors that affect electronic commerce have been analyzed and identified in the framework of the rapid development in the field of information and communication technology. The results of this paper will be able to serve companies in the design of development policies of their businesses, starting from a newly created business, small and medium businesses to large brands, which do not yet offer electronic commerce services.

  • SOCIETY & ”INDUSTRY 4.0”

    • Photogrammetry applications for digitizing cultural heritage artifacts. Case studies: digitalization of different artifacts in Albania

      pg(s) 195-198

      Ultimately, digitizing cultural heritage is not just about preservation; it is about enriching the cultural narrative, making it inclusive, and ensuring that knowledge and appreciation of our shared history are passed down to future generations. Digitization involves advanced techniques such as 3D scanning, high-resolution photography, and digital modeling. These technologies help create accurate and detailed representations of cultural assets, ensuring that the digital versions retain the original’s integrity and details. Ensuring high reliability for small-sized objects is a crucial challenge in digitizing cultural heritage sites, especially when dealing with objects that lack movement, transporting, low ambient light conditions, reflective material, etc. By incorporating three-dimensional models into the research and dissemination process, cultural heritage institutions can make their work more appealing and accessible to a wider audience, fostering greater appreciation and understanding of our shared cultural heritage.