Review of Recent Advances in Non-invasive, Flexi-ble, Wearable Sweat Monitoring Sensors

Wearable health-monitoring devices are novel and integral developments based on smart-textiles. Conventional wearable technology consists of micro-controllers and a variety of electronic devices embedded on the skin, or in-corporated into the apparels, where they act as signal receptors, analytical devices and transmitters of the signals generated from the human body. Invasive methods are currently more commonly practiced where biofluids are obtained by penetrating the body by incision or injection, while in non-invasive methods no such penetrations take place. A critical review of current non-invasive wearable technology, including colorimetric, enzymatic, pH based, electrochemical and conductivity sensors, is presented in this paper along with the challenges and limitations they pose. Additionally, novel techniques of analysis have been explored concluding that a textile-based medium offers higher compatibility for in-tegration of such sensors in comparison to other existing substrates.     

基于复局部均值分解和复信号包络谱的滚动轴承故障诊断方法

提出了一种基于复局部均值分解(CLMD)和复信号包络谱(CSES)的滚动轴承故障诊断新方法。首先通过互相垂直安装的加速度传感器采集2个方向的振动信号,并将其组成一个复数信号;然后利用CLMD对二元复数信号进行自适应分解,将分解得到的复数信号的实部和虚部包络信号组成一个复包络信号,根据复傅里叶变换具有幅值增强和综合频率特性,直接对复包络信号进行复傅里叶变换,提取的故障特征频率更为清晰。通过滚动轴承不同位置的外圈故障实验,证明了所提方法能够实现故障特征增强,可用于诊断滚动轴承微弱故障和复合故障。     

Calculating Overvoltages in Windings of Synchronous Motors with Thyristor Frequency Converters

Analysis of overvoltages on the windings of synchronous motors caused by recharging of the insulation capacitances of motor stator windings connected with switching of valve currents has been carried out. The effect of a connecting cable line on the overvoltages of the motor is demonstrated. Formulas for determining the EMF phases of the network and the motor are presented. Expressions for determining bias EMF and zero-sequence EMF are examined. Oscillograms of variations in the current of the motor phases, the output voltage of the rectifier, and the insulation voltage of the motor are presented. Based on an analysis of the calculated quantities, conclusions are drawn and recommendations given for switching on the windings of a smoothing throttle.     

The Effect of Energy-Supply and Performance Indicators on the Performance of Traction-Resource Management Centers

Russian Electrical Engineering - This paper presents the results of a study of the effect of the characteristics of the traction power-supply system on the indicator of the energy supply of...     

Bioleaching of heavy metals from wastewater sludge by ferrous iron oxidizing bacteria

Experiments on bacterial leaching of heavy metals from aerobically stabilized surplus activated sludge at the Bortnichi aeration plant in Kiev have been conducted with addition of FeSO₄ ? 7H₂O as a stimulant of iron-oxidizing bacteria. The mechanism of heavy metal leaching involving the ferrous iron oxidation by bacteria with subsequent formation of Fe(OH)₃ was confirmed. This process is accompanied by the reduction of pH level of wastewater sludge that results in leaching of heavy metals.     

Review of the coal-fired,over-supercritical and ultra-supercritical steam power plants

The article presents a review of developments of modern high-capacity coal-fired over-supercritical (OSC) and ultra-supercritical (USC) steam power plants and their implementation. The basic engineering solutions are reported that ensure the reliability, economic performance, and low atmospheric pollution levels. The net efficiency of the power plants is increased by optimizing the heat balance, improving the primary and auxiliary equipment, and, which is the main thing, by increasing the throttle conditions. As a result of the enhanced efficiency, emissions of hazardous substances into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, the “greenhouse” gas, are reduced. To date, the exhaust steam conditions in the world power industry are p ₀ ≈ 30 MPa and t ₀ = 610/620°C. The efficiency of such power plants reaches 47%. The OSC plants are being operated in Germany, Denmark, Japan, China, and Korea; pilot plants are being developed in Russia. Currently, a project of a power plant for the ultra-supercritical steam conditions p ₀ ≈ 35 MPa and t ₀ = 700/720°C with efficiency of approximately 50% is being studied in the EU within the framework of the Thermie AD700 program, project AD 700PF. Investigations in this field have also been launched in the United States, Japan, and China. Engineering solutions are also being sought in Russia by the All-Russia Thermal Engineering Research Institute (VTI) and the Moscow Power Engineering Institute. The stated steam parameter level necessitates application of new materials, namely, nickel-base alloys. Taking into consideration high costs of nickel-base alloys and the absence in Russia of technologies for their production and manufacture of products from these materials for steam-turbine power plants, the development of power plants for steam parameters of 32 MPa and 650/650°C should be considered to be the first stage in creating the USC plants as, to achieve the above parameters, no expensive alloys are require. To develop and construct OSC and USC head power plants, joint efforts of the government, experts in power industry and metallurgy, scientific institutions, and equipment manufacturers are required.     

Specific features of the control systems of new-modification 310–330-MW steam turbines manufactured by PAO turboatom

Principal engineering solutions taken by PAO Turboatom when developing the control systems of the 310–325-MW turbines for thermal power stations are set forth. A schematic diagram of the control system is presented and the designs of the retrofitted basic mechanisms, viz., high-pressure steam-distribution unit and the cutoff valve, are described. It is noted that the accepted principles of designing the control systems allow retaining the following advantages of the latter: use of the condensate as a cheap nonflammable working fluid, valveless switches to control the locking servomotors, a mechanical ring-type turbine trip mechanism (TTM) in combination with an actuator fitted with two double-seated actuator valves to control the pressure in the pulse security lines, and a rotary valve to block the triggering of the actuator valves during successive testing of the TTM rings by filling the oil during the operation of the turbine and the subsequent raising of the above valves. The control systems of the new-modification turbines are based on microprocessor hardware using electromechanical converters to drive every cutoff valve as a universal solution that is not oriented towards a particular manufacturer of the control system electronics. Application of a mechanical turbine trip mechanism is acknowledged as indispensable for unconditional guarantee of the safe operation of the turbines irrespective of the presence of the electronic turbine trip mechanism.     

Development of elements of the condition monitoring system of turbo generators of thermal power stations and nuclear power plants

The rationale is given for the improvement of the regulatory framework for the use of shaft sensors for the in-service condition monitoring of turbo generators and the development of control systems of shaft surfacing and misalignments of supports. A modern concept and a set of methods are proposed for the condition monitoring of the “shaft line–thrust bearing oil film–turbo generator supports” system elements based on the domestic COMPACS® technology. The system raw data are design, technology, installation, and operating parameters of the turbo generator as well as measured parameters of the absolute vibration of supports and mechanical quantities, relative displacements and relative vibration of the rotor teeth in accordance with GOST R 55263-2012. The precalculated shaft line assembly line in the cold state, the nominal parameters of rotor teeth positions on the dynamic equilibrium curve, the static and dynamic characteristics of the oil film of thrust bearings, and the shaft line stiffness matrix of unit support displacements have been introduced into the system. Using the COMPACS-T system, it is planned to measure positions and oscillations of rotor teeth, to count corresponding static and dynamic characteristics of the oil film, and the static and dynamic loads in the supports in real time. Using the obtained data, the system must determine the misalignments of supports and corrective alignments of rotors of coupling halves, voltages in rotor teeth, welds, and bolts of the coupling halves, and provide automatic conclusion if condition monitoring parameters correspond to standard values. A part of the methodological support for the proposed system is presented, including methods for determining static reactions of supports under load, the method for determining shaft line stiffness matrices, and the method for solving the inverse problem, i.e., the determination of the misalignments of the supports by measurements of rotor teeth relative positions in bearing housings. The procedure for calculating misalignments of turbo generator shaft line supports is set out.     

Application of Artificial Thunderstorm Cells for the Investigation of Lightning Initiation Problems between a Thundercloud and the Ground

The results of the experimental application of artificial thunderstorm cells of negative and positive polarities for the investigation of the lightning initiation problems between the thundercloud and the ground using model hydrometeor arrays are presented. Possible options of the initiation and development of a discharge between the charged cloud and the ground in the presence of model hydrometeors are established. It is experimentally shown that groups of large hydrometeors of various shapes significantly increase the probability of channel discharge initiation between the artificial thunderstorm cell and the ground, especially in the case of positive polarity of the cloud. The authors assume that large hail arrays in the thundercloud can initiate the preliminary breakdown stage in the lower part of the thundercloud or initiate and stimulate the propagation of positive lightning from its upper part. A significant effect of the shape of model hydrometeors and the way they are grouped on the processes of initiation and stimulation of the channel discharge propagation in the artificial thunderstorm cell of negative or positive polarity–ground gap is experimentally established. It is found that, in the case of negative polarity of a charged cloud, the group of conductive cylindrical hydrometeors connected by a dielectric string more effectively initiates the channel discharge between the artificial thunderstorm cell and the ground. In the case of positive polarity of the artificial thunderstorm cell, the best effect of the channel discharge initiation is achieved for model hydrometeors grouped together by the dielectric tape. The obtained results can be used in the development of the method for the directed artificial lightning initiation between the thundercloud and the ground.     

Probable causes of damage of heat-exchange tubes of low-pressure-exchanges of PND-3 type and repair methods

The structures of low-pressure heaters (LPH), which are installed at nuclear power plants with the K-1000-60/1500 type turbine plants are considered. It was revealed that only the PND-3 type low-pressure heaters have the damages of the heat exchange tubes. For a short operation life, the number of the damaged heat-exchange tubes of PND-3 is approximately 50 pcs for Kalinin NPP and 100–150 pcs for Balakovo NPP. The low-pressure heaters were manufactured at AO Ural Plant of Chemical Machine-Building “Uralkhimmash,” OAO Taganrog Boiler-Making Works “Krasny Kotelshchik,” and Vitkovice Machinery Group, but the damage nature of the heat-exchange tubes is identical for all PND-3. The damages occur in the place of passage of the heat exchange tubes through the first, the second, and the third partitions over the lower tube plate (the first path of the turbine condensate). Hydraulic shocks can be one of the possible causes of the damage of the heat-exchange tubes of PND-3. The analysis of the average thermal and dynamic loads of the tube systems of PND-1–PND-4 revealed that PND-3 by the thermal power are loaded 1.4–1.6 times and by the dynamic effects are loaded 1.8–2.0 times more than the remaining LPHs. Another possible cause of damage can be the cascaded drain of the separate into PND-4 and then through the drainage heat exchange into PND-3. An additional factor can be the structure of the condensate drainage unit. The advanced system of the heating steam flow and pumping scheme of the separate drain using the existing drainage pumps of PND-3 for K-1000-60/1500 turbine plants for Balakovo and Kalinin NPPs were proposed. The considered decisions make it possible to reduce the flow rate of the heating steam condensate from PND-3 into PND-4 and the speed of the heating steam in the tube space of PND-3 and eliminate the occurrence of hydraulic shocks and damages of the heat exchanger tubes.