Dynamic participation of doubly fed induction generator in automatic generation control

Increasing levels of wind generation have resulted in an urgent need for the assessment of their impact on frequency control of power systems. The displacement of conventional generation with wind generation will result in erosion of system frequency. The paper analyzed the dynamic participation of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) to system frequency responses of two-area interconnected power system having variety of conventional generating units. Frequency control support function responding proportionally to frequency deviation is proposed to take out the kinetic energy of turbine blades in order to improve the frequency response of the system. Impacts of different wind penetrations in the system and varying active power support from wind farm on frequency control have been investigated. Integral gains of AGC loop are optimized through craziness-based particle swarm optimization (CRPSO) in order to have optimal transient responses of area frequencies, tie-line power deviation and DFIG parameters.     

Creep properties of melt infiltrated SiC/SiC composites with Sylramic™-iBN and Hi-Nicalon™-S fibers

Isothermal tensile creep tests were conducted on 2D woven and laminated, 0/90 balanced melt infiltration (MI) SiC/SiC composites at stress levels from 48 to 138 MPa and temperatures to 1400°C in air. Effects of fiber architecture and fiber types on creep properties, influence of accumulated creep strain on in-plane tensile properties, and the dominant constituent controlling the creep behavior and creep rupture properties of these composites were investigated. In addition, the creep parameters of both composites were determined. Results indicate that in 2D woven MI SiC/SiC composites with Sylramic™-iBN or Hi-Nicalon™-S fibers, creep is controlled by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) SiC matrix, whereas in 2D laminated MI SiC/SiC composites with Hi-Nicalon™-S fibers, creep is controlled by the fiber. Both types of composites exhibit significant variation in creep behavior and rupture life at a constant temperature and stress, predominantly due to local variation in microstructural inhomogeneity and stress raisers. In both types of composites at temperatures >1350°C, residual silicon present in SiC matrix to reacts with SiC fibers and fiber coating causing premature creep rupture. Using the creep parameters generated, the creep behaviors of the composites have been modeled and factors influencing creep durability are discussed.     

Studies on electrical properties of wheat bread as a function of moisture content during storage

Bread undergoes several physicochemical changes during storage that results in a rapid loss of freshness. These changes depend on the moisture content present in the bread product and collectively termed as staling. The present work explains how the electrical properties of bread vary with time and moisture content at its crust and crumb. An instrument based on electrical impedance spectroscopy with multichannel electrodes is developed for the present investigations. Detailed studies have been carried out to understand the influence of changes in moisture profile at bread crust and crumb in terms of electrical properties during the storage of 120 h. A linear relationship is observed between the measured impedance and capacitance and residual moisture content in bread at crust during storage. It is observed that the measured Resistance at bread crumb has a nonlinear mathematical relationship with moisture content present at crumb.     

An efficient one pot synthesis of water-dispersible calix[4]arene polyhydrazide protected gold nanoparticles--a "turn off" fluorescent sensor for Hg[II] ions

In the present study, we report the synthesis of aqueous stable gold nanoparticles by using calix[4]arene polyhydrazide (CPH) as both reducing and capping agents. The calix[4]arene polyhydrazide reduced gold nanoparticles (CPH-AuNps) were characterized by UV/Vis, particle size analyzer (PSA) and transmission electron mictroscopy (TEM). The records confirmed high stability of CPH-AuNps in aqueous solution over a long period of time and even at varied pH. Additionally, CPH-AuNps have been investigated for its application as "Turn Off" fluorescent sensor for Hg[II]. A concentration of Hg[II] in the limit of 10 nM to 10 microM can be detected based on fluorescence quenching of the CPH-AuNPs and it was also concluded from the spectroscopic data that CPH-AuNPs possess excellent selectivity to Hg[II] over several metal ions like Pb[II], Cu[II], Cd[II], Mn[II], Zn[II] and Ni[II].     

Microstructure and tensile properties of BN/SiC coated Hi-Nicalon, and Sylramic SiC fiber preforms

Batch to batch and within batch variations, and the influence of fiber architecture on room temperature physical and tensile properties of BN/SiC coated Hi-Nicalon and Sylramic SiC fiber preform specimens were determined. The three fiber architectures studied were plain weave (PW), 5-harness satin (5HS), and 8-harness satin (8HS). Results indicate that the physical properties vary up to 10 percent within a batch, and up to 20 percent between batches of preforms. Load-reload (Hysteresis) and acoustic emission methods were used to analyze damage accumulation occurring during tensile loading. Early acoustic emission activity, before observable hysteretic behavior, indicates that the damage starts with the formation of nonbridged tunnel cracks. These cracks then propagate and intersect the load bearing 0° fibers giving rise to hysteretic behavior. For the Hi-Nicalon preform specimens, the onset of ° bundle cracking stress and strain appeared to be independent of the fiber architecture. Also, the 0° fiber bundle cracking strain remained nearly the same for the preform specimens of both fiber types. TEM analysis indicates that the CVI BN interface coating is mostly amorphous and contains carbon and oxygen impurities, and the CVI SiC coating is crystalline. No reaction exists between the CVI BN and SiC coating.     

Bio‐fabrication of silver nanoparticles by Pseudomonas aeruginosa : optimisation and antibacterial activity against selected waterborne human pathogens

Multiple drug resistance and treatment of contaminated water has become a serious issue in past years. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), being bactericidal, non‐toxic, cheap and environment friendly behaviour, have drawn attention to overcome these problems. This study has been designed to synthesise AgNPs from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AgNPs formation was confirmed by colour change and UV–vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peaks demonstrated the presence of capped proteins as reducing and stabilising agent. Transmission electron microscopy micrograph revealed spherical shape AgNPs with the size ranging between 10 and 20 nm. Antibacterial activity of AgNPs was evaluated against the most prevalent waterborne pathogens enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Salmonellae typhimurium. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of AgNPs was tested for the treatment of contaminated water which showed attenuation in bacterial load within 8 h as demonstrated by growth kinetics data. Furthermore, AgNPs did not exhibit haemolytic effects on human red blood cells (RBCs) even at 100 mg L⁻¹ concentration of AgNPs. The results herein suggest that AgNPs synthesised by P. aeruginosa under optimised conditions exhibit microbicidal property against waterborne pathogens and having no toxic effect on human RBCs. These AgNPs could be employed for treatment of contaminated water after process optimisation.Inspec keywords: silver, nanoparticles, nanobiotechnology, nanofabrication, microorganisms, antibacterial activity, water treatment, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy, blood, cellular biophysicsOther keywords: biofabrication, silver nanoparticles, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, optimisation, antibacterial activity, waterborne human pathogens, multiple drug resistance, contaminated water treatment, colour change, UV‐vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, capped proteins, reducing agent, stabilising agent, transmission electron microscopy micrograph, enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Salmonellae typhimurium, growth kinetics, human red blood cells, microbicidal property, process optimisation, Ag     

X-ray diffraction studies of NbTe<Subscript>2</Subscript> single crystal

NbTe₂ is a member of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) group. Single crystals of niobium ditelluride (NbTe₂) have been grown by a chemical vapour transport technique using iodine as transporting agent. The composition of the grown crystals was confirmed on the basis of energy dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDAX) and remaining structural characterization was also accomplished by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Lattice parameters, volume and X-ray density have been carried out for the grown crystals. The particle size for a number of reflections has been calculated using Scherrer’s formula.     

Performance enhancement in coal fired thermal power plants. Part II: steam turbines

This paper presents the results of the performance enhancement study on 22 coal fired thermal power stations of capacities 30–500 MW. The oldest units (30 MW) have served for 33yr and the newer units (500 MW) have been in operation since 7yr. The turbine efficiencies are in the range 31·00–41·90% as compared to the design range of 34·80–43·97%. The isentropic efficiencies are in the range 74·13–86·40% as compared to design values of 83·20–89·10%. Considerable scope for efficiency improvement through low cost solutions: operational optimization, capital overhaul, simple modifications, etc., exists for all classes of units. The efficiencies can be restored to their design values. The developments in turbines over the last quarter of this century which have led to improved isentropic and thermal efficiencies must be adopted for existing units through retrofits, upgrades and revamps. The turbine efficiencies can be improved to 38·0% for 30 MW units and to 47% for 500 MW units. The maximum potential is for improvement in 210 and 500 MW units followed by 110 and 120 MW units. The potential for 30 and 62·5 MW units is rather limited because of their low capacity share, lack of interest in manufacturers to sell spares (because of the low volume of requirement) and large pay back periods for modernisation schemes. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The chemical compatibility of insert‐molded bimaterial composites of polycarbonate and carbon fiber polyetheretherketone

Chemical compatibility of a bimaterial composite composed of polycarbonate (PC) and C fiber polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was examined. Series composite specimens were constructed by injecting C fiber PEEK into a mold containing one half of a PC dogbone. Specimens were exposed for 2 weeks at room temperature to various cleaning chemicals that are commonly used in semiconductor fabrication facilities: deionized water, 0.1% aqueous Triton CL10 surfactant, 0.1% aqueous Alfonic 610‐3.5 surfactant, and isopropyl alcohol. To increase the severity of the test, some samples were strained and/or notched before immersion. After exposure, specimens were tested in tension and results were compared to their corresponding pre‐exposure values. None of the chemicals affected the strength of the unstrained, unnotched PC/C fiber PEEK composite. However, isopropyl alcohol and the surfactant solutions caused the strained specimens to fail (both unnotched and notched) during chemical exposure. The strains used during exposure were near the respective breaking points of the unnotched and notched composite. Consequently, only a slight reduction in strength from chemical exposure was needed to cause failure. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 173–178, 2000