Probabilistic optimality in long-term energy sales

This paper introduces a graphic methodology that makes it possible to compare over a wide range of probabilities the revenues that a generator obtains using different policies to decide how much energy to sell under long-term contracts and how much on the spot market. Examples are based on results for the Colombian Power System     

Friction diagram of the helically coiled tube

The pressure drop in helical coils can easily be calculated with good precision. The required friction factor λ can be taken from the friction diagram presented in this paper. The diagram also offers a graphic view of the pertinent parameters and the flow condition (laminar or turbulent) in the helically coiled tube.     

A Platform-Based Taxonomy for ESL Design

This article presents a taxonomy for ESL tools and methodologies that combines UC Berkeley's platform-based design terminologies with Dan Gajski's Y-chart work. This is timely and necessary because in the ESL world we seem to be building tools without first establishing an appropriate design flow or methodology, thereby creating a lot of confusion. This taxonomy can help stem the tide of confusion.     

The effects of deep zones on wetland nitrogen processing.

Twelve research wetlands were operated under varying conditions at a site west of the city of Phoenix. These were constructed as a triplicated design, with zero, one, two and three internal deep zones, all containing an inlet distribution and an outlet collection deep zone, together comprising 12.5-35% of the wetland areas. The water supply was partially nitrified effluent from a city wastewater treatment plant. Total nitrogen was reduced by about 50%, from inflow concentrations between 6 and 8 mg/L. Speciation of the inflow was approximately 25% organic nitrogen, 25% ammonium nitrogen and 50% nitrate nitrogen. Typical outflow concentrations were about 1.2 mg/L organic, 0.5 mg/L ammonium and 0.0-2.5 mg/L nitrate. Rate constants for total nitrogen were 15-20 m/year at 20 degrees C, and 20-30 m/year for nitrate, which agree well with other project reports. Temperature factors averaged 1.100 for total nitrogen, and 1.184 for nitrate. There were no differences in the internal hydraulics with deep zone numbers. Deep zone numbers in the wetlands did not affect nitrogen treatment performance. No differences with deep zone numbers were found for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, or nitrogen removals or rate constants. In conjunction with other reported results, there appears to be no large treatment benefit or detriment of incorporating internal deep zones in free water surface wetlands.     

Gigabit pulse position bistability in semiconductor lasers

The paper briefly reviews the major forms of optical bistability in active optical devices compatible for use in gigabit optical communication systems, and reports an entirely new optical bistability for the first time. Unlike previous devices, the two bistable states of the optical device are each a series of picosecond optical pulses at 1 GHz or greater repetition rates, and are distinguished by a half period temporal shift between their temporal positions in relation to a clock pulse. The bistable device is based on a gain switched semiconductor laser. Theoretical studies suggest 100-ps switching speeds might be achieved, and experimental results are reported indicating optically triggered switching times of 500 ps.     

Inverse controller design for fuzzy interval systems

This paper aims at designing and analyzing an inverse controller for stable inversible (minimum phase) fuzzy interval linear and/or multilinear systems. The controller is designed from the fuzzy interval ranges of the system parameters using an /spl alpha/-cut methodology. Indeed, for a given /spl alpha/-cut of the fuzzy system parameters representing an uncertainty level, the control objective can be viewed as maintaining the system output within a tolerance envelope, around the exact trajectory, specified by the degree of preference /spl alpha/ on the fuzzy trajectory. The stability is ensured in the way that the controller restricts the system output divergence within the tolerance envelope. The validity of the proposed method is illustrated by simulation examples.     

High-temperature sensible-heat storage options

Alkali-metal carbonate salts meet the requirements for high-temperature solar central receiver systems, but because of their corrosiveness they present special problems in the design of storage tanks. In order to reduce corrosion and temperature sufficiently to retain strength in the storage containing wall, internal and thermal insulation is required. We present design options and operation criteria for sensible-heat, molten-salt storage with internal insulation.