Simultaneous process optimization and heat integration based on rigorous process simulations

This paper introduces a simultaneous process optimization and heat integration approach, which can be used directly with the rigorous models in process simulators. In this approach, the overall process is optimized utilizing external derivative-free optimizers, which interact directly with the process simulation. The heat integration subproblem is formulated as an LP model and solved simultaneously during optimization of the flowsheet to update the minimum utility and heat exchanger area targets. A piecewise linear approximation for the composite curve is applied to obtain more accurate heat integration results. This paper describes the application of this simultaneous approach for three cases: a recycle process, a separation process and a power plant with carbon capture. Case study results indicate that this simultaneous approach is relatively easy to implement and achieves higher profit and lower operating cost and, in the case of the power plant example, higher net efficiency than the sequential approach.     

Control theory for stochastic distributed parameter systems,an engineering perspective

The main purpose of this paper is to survey some recent progresses on control theory for stochastic distributed parameter systems, i.e., systems governed by stochastic differential equations in infinite dimensions, typically by stochastic partial differential equations. We will explain the new phenomenon and difficulties in the study of controllability and optimal control problems for one dimensional stochastic parabolic equations and stochastic hyperbolic equations. In particular, we shall see that both the formulation of corresponding stochastic control problems and the tools to solve them may differ considerably from their deterministic/finite-dimensional counterparts. More importantly, one has to develop new tools, say, the stochastic transposition method introduced in our previous works, to solve some problems in this field.     

Reference governors and maximal output admissible sets for linear periodic systems

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we consider the problem of constraint management in Linear Periodic (LP) systems using Reference Governors (RG). First, we introduce the periodic-invariant maximal output admissible sets for LP systems. We extend the earlier results in the literature to Lyapunov stable LP systems with output constraints, which arise in RG applications. We show that, while the invariant sets for these systems may not be finitely determined, a finitely-determined inner approximation, which is periodically invariant, can be obtained by constraint tightening. We then analyze the geometric and algebraic relationship between these sets and show that these sets are related via simple transformations, implying that it suffices to compute only one of them for real-time applications. This greatly reduces the memory burden of RG (or other similar constraint management strategies), at the expense of an increase in processing requirements. We present a thorough analysis of this trade-off. In the second part of this paper, we present two RG formulations, and discuss their properties and algorithms for their computation. Numerical simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the approach.     

The constrained two-dimensional guillotine cutting problem with defects: an ILP formulation,a Benders decomposition and a CP-based algorithm

This paper addresses a variant of two-dimensional cutting problems in which rectangular small pieces are obtained by cutting a rectangular object through guillotine cuts. The characteristics of this variant are (i) the object contains some defects, and the items cut must be defective-free; (ii) there is an upper bound on the number of times an item type may appear in the cutting pattern; (iii) the number of guillotine stages is not restricted. This problem commonly arises in industrial settings that deal with defective materials, e.g. either by intrinsic characteristics of the object as in the cutting of wooden boards with knotholes in the wood industry, or by the manufacturing process as in the production of flat glass in the glass industry. We propose a compact integer linear programming (ILP) model for this problem based on the discretisation of the defective object. As solution methods for the problem, we develop a Benders decomposition algorithm and a constraint-programming (CP) based algorithm. We evaluate these approaches through computational experiments, using benchmark instances from the literature. The results show that the methods are effective on different types of instances and can find optimal solutions even for instances with dimensions close to real-size.     

Switching controller design for linear time invariant plant with a single I/O delay

ABSTRACT

To deal with the problem of conflicting requirements that cannot be satisfied by only a single LTI controller, this paper focuses on the design of a switching controller, which includes several stabilising linear time-invariant (LTI) controllers designed independently with different control performance criteria, for a specific LTI plant with a single I/O delay. The switching controller design procedure is divided into three steps. First, using simple loop shifting arguments, the design problem is reducible to an equivalent delay-free one. Second, traditional LTI controller synthesis methods could be considered independently for the delay-free plant. Third, based on a quadratically stable state space realisation method, a Youla parameter including a switching strategy with these controllers is designed to guarantee different requirements. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the approach.     

Mathematical formulation and heuristic algorithms for optimisation of auto-part milk-run logistics network considering forward and reverse flow of pallets

The operational planning of distribution network for automotive industry is complex with many conditions to consider, including heterogeneous fleet, enforcing the feasibility of 3D-packing of pallets into vehicles to address the vehicle's capacity in terms of weight and volume, compatibility of orders in a vehicle, returning empty pallets from assembly-plants backwards to suppliers, and delivery time windows. A mathematical model (MILP) is proposed that takes account of these conditions to minimise total transportation costs. The network structure can be a combination of direct shipment and milk-run for both forward and reverse flow of pallets. The model is solved optimally for small-size problems. For solving larger problems, a heuristic algorithm (in two versions) is proposed that uses a similarity measure to generate a reasonable list of orders. Best/first-fit strategies are employed to generate a feasible solution with the aid of a relaxed version of the proposed MILP. Improvement heuristics are also designed. Unlike most of existing constructive heuristics, our aim for developing the heuristic approach is to force routing decision, with all of its considerations, being made optimal. We also use the proposed best-fit strategy in the body of grouping evolution strategy (GES) algorithm to attain an effective meta-heuristic approach. The effectiveness of heuristics is tested on generated instances which demonstrates they are optimal for small-size problems. They are also tested on the data of daily auto-parts shipments gathered from the largest Iranian automobile company. Results demonstrate there exists a significant potential for cost saving through milk-run strategy compared with the direct shipping strategy.     

直线运动滚动导轨副混合润滑研究

综合考虑了直线运动导轨副接触几何、预紧力、真实表面粗糙度、曲率系数等因素,建立了直线运动导轨副混合润滑数值模型,研究了滑块移动速度、曲率半径系数、工作载荷、表面粗糙度对导轨接触副润滑特性的影响,得到结论:导轨副法向工作载荷、最大赫兹接触压力和赫兹接触半径随着外加总载荷的增大而增大,平均膜厚随着载荷的增大而减小;混合润滑模型可预测导轨副在大范围工况条件下完整的润滑状态;直线运动导轨大多工作在混合润滑状态下,随着滑块移动速度的增加,接触界面由边界润滑状态向混合润滑状态转变,润滑性能逐渐提高;适当增加曲率半径系数,有利于润滑油膜的形成与稳定。     

Distributed adaptive state estimation and tracking by using active-passive sensor networks

Heterogeneous sensor networks (HSN) find a wide range of applications in the field of military and civilian environments, where sensor nodes are utilized to estimate the position of a target with both dynamics and control input being unknown for the purposes of tracking. In the HSN, nodes are considered active depending upon their ability to sense the target output while the others are taken passive. Accurate estimation requires local information exchange among the spatially located sensor nodes, so that the active nodes as well as the passive nodes converge simultaneously to the same value. The local information exchange among the nodes is dictated by a connected graph. By using the criterion of collective observability, a novel distributed adaptive estimation scheme is introduced via adaptive observer where the nodes are allowed to have different sensor modalities. Using the estimated information, a subset of active and passive nodes, referred to as mobile nodes, can track the moving target. By using a constant state feedback controller at each mobile node, the state and parameter estimation as well as the tracking errors are shown to be uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulation results verify theoretical claims.     

Improved Stable Indocyanine Green (ICG)‐Mediated Cancer Optotheranostics with Naturalized Hepatitis B Core Particles

In recent years, hepatitis B core protein virus‐like particle (HBc VLP) is an impressive biomaterial, which has attracted considerable attention due to favorable properties such as structural stability, high uptake efficiency, and biocompatibility in biomedical applications. Heretofore, only a few attempts have been made to apply it in physical, chemical, and biological therapy for cancer. In this study, a tumor‐targeting RGD‐HBc VLP is first fabricated through genetic engineering. For image‐guided cancer phototherapy, indocyanine green (ICG) is loaded into RGD‐HBc VLP via a disassembly/reassembly pathway and electrostatic attraction with high efficiency. The self‐assembled stable RGD‐HBc VLP significantly improves body retention (fourfold longer), aqueous stability, and target specificity of ICG. Remarkably, these positive reformations promote more accurate and sensitive imaging of U87MG tumor, as well as prolonged tumor destruction in comparison with free ICG. Moreover, the photothermal and photodynamic effect on tumors are quantitatively differentiated by multiple linear regression analysis. Overall, less‐potent medicinal ICG can be perfectly rescued by bioengineered HBc VLP to realize enhanced cancer optotheranostics.