Generalization of Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Controller and its Application to Control of MMA Batch Polymerization Reactor

In this research a generalization of Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy controllers is presented. In this generalization all or some of the inputs of the fuzzy controllers are fuzzy numbers. Also, it is proved that this generalization is well defined, which means that if the inputs of a generalized Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy controller are singleton fuzzy sets, then the generalized Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy controller will be reduced to a Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy controller. This controller was applied to temperature control of a methyl methacrylate (MMA) batch polymerization reactor, which uses jacket temperature error in addition to reactor temperature error. But the desired jacket temperature is affected by noise and disturbance. Therefore, there is uncertainty in the desired value of this variable. Fuzzy numbers are applied to model this uncertainty and a fuzzy trajectory was achieved for jacket desired temperature. After that an adaptation mechanism was designed. Experimental results present the fine performance of this controller in temperature control of solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate.     

Use of Glycerol Carbonate in an Efficient, One-Pot and Solvent Free Synthesis of 1,3-sn-Diglycerides

An efficient solvent-free synthesis of a variety of highly pure 1,3-sn-diglycerides (1,3-sn-diacylglycerols) in a two-step one pot process is described. Heating glycerol carbonate (4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one) with fatty acid anhydrides 2a–d affords 1:1 mixtures of glycerol carbonate fatty esters 3a–3d and the corresponding fatty acids. Further heating the reaction mixtures in the presence of catalytic amounts of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) at 195–200 °C yields highly pure 1,3-sn-diglycerides 4a–4d.     

Perfect High‐Temperature Plasticity Realized in Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube‐Concentrated α‐Al2O3 Hybrid

We investigate the high‐temperature compressive deformation behavior of a novel, fully dense and structurally uniform, 20 vol% multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–α‐Al₂O₃ matrix hybrid, which has a strong room‐temperature interfacial shear resistance (ISR) and a unique MWCNT‐concentrated grain‐boundary (GB) structure. We realized a perfect plastic deformation at 1400°C and a rather high initial strain rate of 10^?4 s^?1 by a low ~30 MPa flow stress, which is contrary to the strain hardening response of fine‐grain monolithic Al₂O₃. This unique performance in CNT–ceramic system in compression is explained as follows: the concentrated network of individual MWCNTs perfectly withstands the high‐temperature and shear/compressive forces, and strongly preserves the nanostructure of Al₂O₃ matrix by preventing the dynamic grain growth, even during a large ~44% deformation. Furthermore, the presence of large amount of radially soft/elastic, highly energy‐absorbing MWCNTs in the GB and specially multiple junction areas, and a potentially weak 1400°C‐ISR, could greatly facilitate the GB sliding process (despite the hybrid's strong room‐temperature ISR), as evidenced by the formation of some submicrometer‐scale MWCNT aggregates in GB area, the equiaxed grains and dislocation‐free nanostructure of the deformed hybrid. The results presented here could be attractive for the ceramic forming industry and could be regarded as a reference for oxide systems in which, the GB areas are occupied with soft/elastic, highly energy‐absorbing nanostructures.     

Long-term durability of onshore coated concrete —chloride ion and carbonation effects

Enhancing service life of reinforced concrete (RC) structures located in marine environments is an issue of great interest for design engineers. The present research addresses the effect of surface coatings on service life of onshore RC structures. Long-term performance of concrete samples up to 88 months of exposure at natural marine environment was investigated. Two onshore exposure conditions, including soil and atmosphere and different types of concrete coatings were studied. Carbonation rates of up to 0.5 and 1.5 mm/year were observed at the first 88 months of exposure for soil and atmospheric samples, respectively. Surface chloride ion build-up and variation in chloride ion diffusion were monitored with respect to time, and service life was estimated. Based on the obtained results it is proposed to use the aliphatic acrylic and polyurethane coatings for enhancing the service life of concrete structures in the investigated exposure conditions.     

Extension of Tao-Mason Equation of State to Heavy n-Alkanes

In our previous paper we extended the Tao and Mason equation of state (TM EOS) to refrigerant fluids, using the speed of sound data. This is a continuation for evaluating TM EOS in predicting PVT prope...     

Low profile unsaturated polyester resin–clay nanocomposite properties

Unsaturated polyester (UP)/organically modified clay (OMC) nanocomposites were prepared by multistep simultaneous mixing of UP oligomer chain, styrene (St) monomer, and OMC. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy data were in support of the formation of a partially intercalated nanocomposite. The glass transition temperatures of the nanocomposites revealed that the crosslinking reaction occurred homogeneously inside and outside of the OMC galleries. Adding 3 wt% OMC improved the flextural and storage modulus of UP by 31.5% and 30.2%, respectively. The Izod impact strength of UP was also improved by 51.7% at 1 wt% of OMC loading. Similar results were obtained for low‐profile UP/St/OMC nanocomposites. Resin shrinkage data measured by inhouse constructed apparatus showed that, at an OMC content of 3 wt%, the UP/St/OMC/low profile additive (LPA) system cannot provide superior volume shrinkage control. But, it is found that the use of nanoscale reinforcement in the UP systems is able to restore flextural and storage moduli loss when using LPAs. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of fiber content and type,compatibilizer, and heating rate on thermogravimetric properties of natural fiber high density polyethylene composites

Natural fiber polyethylene composites containing kenaf fibers, wood flour, newsprint, and rice hulls at 25 and 50% (by weight) fiber content were sampled and studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of fiber type and content, compatibilizer and heating rate on the thermal stability and degradation of the composites were evaluated. Among different natural fibers, kenef fibers were found to be the least thermally stable ones whereas newsprint fibers proved to be the most stable fibers in composite formulations. Composites containing higher amounts of natural fiber degraded at a higher rate and exhibited higher weight loss. The presence of the compatibilizer resulted in composites with slower thermal degradation. Heating rate increased both temperature and rate of main degradation peaks. FTIR and DSC results are also presented to discuss phenomena leading to thermal degradation. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Abrasive Wear Behavior of High Chromium Cast Iron and Hadfield Steel-- A Comparison

 Abstract： Wear properties of two different crushers used for grinding raw materials of cement industry are compared using pin-on-disk wear test. The wear test was carried out with different loads on a pin. Abrasive wear behavior of two alloys was evaluated by comparing mass loss, wear resistance, microhardness and friction coefficient. The microstructure of the specimens was detected using optical microscope. The results showed that abrasive wear of high chromium cast iron is lower than that of Hadfield steel. Due to the presence of M7C3 carbides on the high chromium cast iron matrix, impact crushers exhibited higher friction coefficient.     

Expected security cost‐based FACTS device allocation using hybrid PSO

This paper presents FACTS device allocation for market‐based power systems. The purpose of the FACTS installation is to provide benefit for all entities. Therefore, we use a concept of minimizing expected security cost (ESC), implying to maximize social welfare, to minimize operating reserve, and to minimize load interruption in annual basis. The FACTS device investment cost is also taken into account. The ESC considers operating cost under normal state and contingencies along with their associated probabilities to occur. Annual basis bid data is used to compute ESC as well as the cost data for load interruption and reserve procurement. This paper also considers control actions among multiple FACTS device to achieve minimum ESC. To solve the overall problem, particle swarm optimization is utilized to obtain optimal FACTS device allocation as main problem while sequential quadratic programing is used to solve optimal power flow as suboptimization problem. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.