Solar map of India under clear sky conditions

This paper focusses on generation of solar irradiation map under clear sky conditions using r.sun model. Direct Irradiation, diffuse irradiation and global irradiation maps are plotted using programme which was developed in C language. This programme calculates different components of solar irradiation using clear sky model (r.sun). Further Surfer software was used to plot different irradiation maps. All three values (Direct Irradiation, Global Irradiation and Diffuse Irradiation) were compared by IMD values for performing statistical analysis i.e. Mean Bias Error (MBE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and standard deviation. MBE was found within ±10%, RMSE lies within <20% and standard deviation was found to have very low value which indicated good fitting between model results and calculated values. Therefore the r.sun model is good model and can be used for computing solar irradiation for India.     

Robust SVM-direct torque control of induction motor based on sliding mode controller and sliding mode observer

This paper proposes a design of control and estimation strategy for induction motor based on the variable structure approach. It describes a coupling of sliding mode direct torque control (DTC) with sliding mode flux and speed observer. This algorithm uses direct torque control basics and the sliding mode approach. A robust electromagnetic torque and flux controllers are designed to overcome the conventional SVM-DTC drawbacks and to ensure fast response and full reference tracking with desired dynamic behavior and low ripple level. The sliding mode controller is used to generate reference voltages in stationary frame and give them to the controlled motor after modulation by a space vector modulation (SVM) inverter. The second aim of this paper is to design a sliding mode speed/flux observer which can improve the control performances by using a sensorless algorithm to get an accurate estimation, and consequently, increase the reliability of the system and decrease the cost of using sensors. The effectiveness of the whole composed control algorithm is investigated in different robustness tests with simulation using Matlab/Simulink and verified by real time experimental implementation based on dS pace 1104 board.     

Synthesis of the Ni–Zn–Sm ferrites using microwaves energy

This work reports the preparation of Ni–Zn–Sm ferrite powders by combustion reaction using microwaves energy and XRD characterization. The influence of the fuel type used was investigated. The metallic nitrates and fuels (urea, glycine or 1:1 mixture) were heated in microwave oven for 5 and 10 min using the power of 450 and 630 W. Ni–Zn–Sm ferrite and traces of secondary phases were observed in the powders obtained with glycine and mixture (1:1). The powers obtained with urea presented low cristallinity, only the main peak of the Ni–Zn–Sm ferrite phase was observed.     

An extended finite element library

This paper presents and exercises a general structure for an object‐oriented‐enriched finite element code. The programming environment provides a robust tool for extended finite element (XFEM) computations and a modular and extensible system. The programme structure has been designed to meet all natural requirements for modularity, extensibility, and robustness. To facilitate mesh–geometry interactions with hundreds of enrichment items, a mesh generator and mesh database are included. The salient features of the programme are: flexibility in the integration schemes (subtriangles, subquadrilaterals, independent near‐tip, and discontinuous quadrature rules); domain integral methods for homogeneous and bi‐material interface cracks arbitrarily oriented with respect to the mesh; geometry is described and updated by level sets, vector level sets or a standard method; standard and enriched approximations are independent; enrichment detection schemes: topological, geometrical, narrow‐band, etc.; multi‐material problem with an arbitrary number of interfaces and slip‐interfaces; non‐linear material models such as J2 plasticity with linear, isotropic and kinematic hardening. To illustrate the possible applications of our paradigm, we present 2D linear elastic fracture mechanics for hundreds of cracks with local near‐tip refinement, and crack propagation in two dimensions as well as complex 3D industrial problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plastic limit analysis of cylindrically orthotropic circular plates

The plastic limit analysis of cylindrically orthotropic circular plates is developed using a piecewise linear orthotropic yield criterion. The yield criterion is a modification of an isotropic formulation that consists of a series of weighted piecewise linear components. The piecewise linear yield criterion enables an analytical solution for the plastic limit load of cylindrically orthotropic circular plates. Plastic limit analysis for both simply supported and clamped circular plates under uniformly distributed load are carried out. Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the sensitivity of the plastic limit loads to material orthotropy and influences of orthotropic ratio and chosen yield criteria on the plastic limit loads of the circular plates are discussed. It is found that the plastic limit loads of the orthotropic circular plates are affected significantly by the orthotropic ratio. Enhancement of the circumferential yield moment will increase dramatically the plastic limit load of the plates. Moment and velocity fields of the plates in plastic limit state are also derived and discussed. The results obtained from the present study are helpful in understanding the failure mechanism of orthotropic circular plates and is useful for design.     

Phosphate recovery through struvite precipitation by CO2 removal: effect of magnesium, phosphate and ammonium concentrations

In the present study, the precipitation of struvite (MgNH(4)PO(4)·6H(2)O) using the CO(2) degasification technique is investigated. The precipitation of struvite was done from supersaturated solutions in which precipitation was induced by the increase of the solution supersaturation concomitant with the removal of dissolved carbon dioxide. The effect of magnesium, phosphate and ammonium concentrations on the kinetics and the efficiency of struvite precipitation was measured monitoring the respective concentrations in solution. In all cases struvite precipitated exclusively and the solid was characterized by powder XRD and FTIR. The morphology of the precipitated crystals was examined by scanning electronic microscopy and it was found that it exhibited the typical prismatic pattern of the struvite crystals with sizes in the range between 100 and 300 μm. The increase of magnesium concentration in the supersaturated solutions, resulted for all phosphate concentration tested, in significantly higher phosphate removal efficiency. Moreover, it is interesting to note that in this case the adhesion of the suspended struvite crystals to the reactor walls was reduced suggesting changes in the particle characteristics. The increase of phosphate concentration in the supersaturated solutions, for the magnesium concentrations tested resulted to the reduction of struvite suppression which reached complete suppression of the precipitate formation. Excess of ammonium in solution was found favour struvite precipitation. Contrary to the results found with increasing the magnesium concentration in solution, higher ammonium concentrations resulted to higher adhesion of the precipitated crystallites to the reactor walls. The results of the present work showed that it is possible to recover phosphorus in the form of struvite from wastewater reducing water pollution and at the same time saving valuable resources.     

Severe hemorrhage because of delayed iliac vein rupture after dialysis catheter placement: Is it preventable?

Mechanical complications of femoral catheterization for hemodialysis include pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistulae, neurological injury, and vessel perforation. With regard to the latter, severe hemorrhage is a rare but devastating and potentially fatal complication. We report the case of a 76-year-old female who underwent femoral catheterization for hemodialysis using ultrasound guidance. The first hemodialysis session was conducted without incident. Unfortunately, inadvertent injury and delayed perforation of the iliac vein resulted in severe hemorrhage and retroperitoneal hematoma. Surgical repair was performed. The patient was asymptomatic after the procedure and was discharged 15 days later. Based on this case and a review of the literature, we present mechanisms and ways to prevent this complication.