Real-time flow control using neural networks

In this paper, an on-line trained neural network controller is applied to control the flow rate of a process control rig. The neural controller replaces a conventional controller in the forward path. The overall performance of this controller is compared with that of a PID controller in the presence of noise and non-linearity. It is shown that as the non-linearity is added to the system, the PID controller cannot track the set-point changes, however, the neural controller copes well under various conditions.     

Simulation of long-range transport aerosols from the Asian Continent to Taiwan by a southward Asian high-pressure system

Aerosol is frequently transported by a southward high-pressure system from the Asian Continent to Taiwan and had been recorded a 100% increase in mass level compared to non-event days from 2002 to 2005. During this time period, PM2.5 sulfate was found to increase as high as 155% on event days as compared to non-event days. In this study, Asian emission estimations, Taiwan Emission Database System (TEDS), and meteorological simulation results from the fifth-generation Mesoscale Model (MM5) were used as inputs for the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to simulate a long-range transport of PM2.5 event in a southward high-pressure system from the Asian Continent to Taiwan. The simulation on aerosol mass level and the associated aerosol components were found within a reasonable accuracy. During the transport process, the percentage of semi-volatile PM2.5 organic carbon in PM2.5 plume only slightly decreased from 22-24% in Shanghai to 21% near Taiwan. However, the percentage of PM2.5 nitrate in PM2.5 decreased from 16-25% to 1%. In contrast, the percentage of PM2.5 sulfate in PM2.5 increased from 16-19% to 35%. It is interesting to note that the percentage of PM2.5 ammonium and PM2.5 elemental carbon in PM2.5 remained nearly constant. Simulation results revealed that transported pollutants dominate the air quality in Taipei when the southward high-pressure system moved to Taiwan. Such condition demonstrates the dynamic chemical transformation of pollutants during the transport process from continental origin over the sea area and to the downwind land.     

Comparisons of commuter's exposure to particulate matters while using different transportation modes

This study compared commuters' exposures to particulate matter (PM) while using motorcycles, cars, buses, and the mass rapid transit (MRT) on the same routes in Taipei, Taiwan. Motorcycle commuters who had the shortest travel time (28.4+/-4.2 min) were exposed to the highest concentrations of PM(10) (112.8+/-38.3 microg/m(3)), PM(2.5) (67.5+/-31.3 microg/m(3)), and PM(1.0) (48.4+/-24.7 microg/m(3)) among four commuting modes. By contrast, car commuters were exposed to the lowest PM concentrations and had the second shortest travel time among them. Motorcycle commuters' high trip-averaged PM concentrations and bus commuters' long commuting time (43.1+/-5.1 min) resulted in their high whole-trip PM exposures. Size fractions of PM were relatively consistent across PM exposures of the four commuting modes with fine particles (PM(2.5)) contributing to 53-60% of PM(10) and submicron particle (PM(1)) contributing to 39-43% of PM(10). Motorcycles idled at traffic lights and bus doors opened at stops increased commuters' PM exposures. Fixed-site monitoring data explained well the variation of whole-trip PM(10) exposure of car (r(2)=0.63) and MRT (r(2)=0.52) commuters, and of whole-trip PM(2.5) exposure of car (r(2)=0.76), MRT (r(2)=0.73) and motorcycle (r(2)=0.64) commuters in regression analyses. The coefficients (slopes) of regression between fixed-site monitoring data and PM(2.5) exposures were less than 1 for car and MRT commuters but greater than 1 for motorcycle commuters. In conclusion, proximity to traffic emissions contributes to a person's high PM exposure during his or her daily commute. This proximity occurs when people use motorcycles on roads and when bus/MRT commuters walk or wait along commuting routes. Fixed-site air monitoring data can under-estimate motorcycle commuters' PM(2.5) exposures but over-estimate car and MRT commuters' PM(2.5) exposures.     

A mini-scale modeling approach to natural daylight utilization in building design

This paper purposes on shading devices as natural daylight utilization component for building design. It was proved that a proper setting for shading device could conspicuously promote the room lighting performance. Natural daylight which includes directional sunlight, diffused skylight and reflected light can also exert as a perspective of energy conservation in buildings. In order to verify a simple approach can also be workable, a mini-scale model (1:20) is employed in this study. It reveals that when a suitable altitude and azimuth is maintained, in regards to the vertical shading device and the sun position, not only is shading achieved, but the area of the daylight zone can also be substantially increased. The experiment investigated and analyzed the details of this modeling data and subsequently proposed relevant design criterion for vertical shading devices that both users and designers can apply. Namely, it proved that a mini-scale model could also assist in natural daylight utilization and building energy-conservation design.     

Structural response of stainless steel oval hollow section compression members

Cold-formed stainless steel oval hollow sections (OHS) offer the combined aesthetic appeal of circular hollow sections and stainless steel, together with the structural efficiency associated with cross-sections of differing geometric properties about their two principal axes. To date, no structural design guidance exists for these cross-sections, principally due to their relatively recent introduction and a lack of fundamental structural test data. This paper examines the structural response of stainless steel OHS compression members and presents design recommendations. A series of laboratory tests was carried out to generate fundamental structural performance data. Tensile coupon tests were initially performed to establish the basic material stress–strain characteristics of the sections. These were followed by stub column tests to determine the average compressive response of the cross-sections and flexural buckling tests to obtain ultimate load carrying capacity data for use in the determination of a suitable buckling curve for stainless steel OHS. Measurements of the geometric properties of the test specimens including initial imperfections were carried out. The full load–displacement responses of the specimens were recorded and have been presented herein. A finite element (FE) modelling programme was performed in parallel with the experimental study. Once the FE models had been validated against the test results, parametric studies were carried out to further investigate the influence of individual key parameters, including the aspect ratio and local slenderness of the cross-sections as well as the member slenderness. Based on the obtained experimental and numerical results, a class 3 limit for stainless steel OHS in compression and a suitable buckling curve for OHS columns have been proposed.     

高保塑超缓凝剂的研究与应用

超缓凝剂是配制超缓凝混凝土的关键技术.采用高分子化学方法,研制了一种混凝土用超缓凝剂,研究了超缓凝剂对水泥浆体流动性、凝结时间、混凝土和易性及后期力学性能的影响,并结合实际工程应用对其性能进行了探讨.试验结果表明,超缓凝剂在低掺量(0.1‰～0.5‰)条件下具有良好的保塑性能,保坍3～7h;随着掺量的提高,水泥浆体的凝结时间和保坍时间逐渐延长,高掺量(0.5‰～2.0‰)下达到超缓凝,对混凝土的后期强度具有一定的增强效果,强度提高约10％.同时,配制的超缓凝混凝土表现了优异的耐久性能.     

运用NIDA进行钢框架结构二阶直接分析

文章提出了运用二阶直接分析法对钢框架结构进行分析,同时考虑P-A-δ效应以及结构和构件的初始缺陷对钢框架的影响,避免了考虑计算长度问题和单独检查每根构件的稳定性.结构和构件的强度和稳定性可以简单地通过构件截面进行检验.算例表明,这种设计方法较传统线性分析法和计算长度法更加准确和有效.     

北京市埋地燃气管道安全状况评估系统研究

埋地管道失效引起的突发事故会造成严重的财产损失、人员伤亡和环境破坏,针对管道的事故可能性进行评估．可以明确影响管道安全的主要因素．采取有效的措施减小事故的发生。基于安全评估思想和可靠的数学模型,对管道的腐蚀破坏、外力破坏和误操作破坏进行评估,对含缺陷管道进行剩余强度评价和剩余寿命预测,编制了基于GIS平台的评估软件“北京市埋地燃气管道安全状况评估系统”。利用现场检测数据及调查结果进行安全状况等级的评估,评估结论可靠,能直观显示管道的安全等级并提示薄弱环节,提供维护建议,对评估内容和结果适时进行统计分析,操作简单,实用性强。     

Economic benefits of optimal control for water-cooled chiller systems serving hotels in a subtropical climate

A water-cooled chiller system in an air-conditioned hotel can take up about one-quarter of the total electricity consumption and considerable amounts of water in the heat rejection process. This paper evaluates operating cost savings of a chiller system integrated with optimal control of cooling towers and condenser water pumps. A sophisticated chiller system model was used to ascertain how different control methods influence the annual electricity and water consumption of chillers operating for the cooling load profile of a reference hotel. It is estimated that applying load-based speed control to the cooling tower fans and condenser water pumps could reduce the annual system electricity use by 8.6% and operating cost by 9.9% relative to the equivalent system using constant speed fans and pumps with a fixed set point of 29.4 °C for cooling water temperature control. The ways to implement this advanced control for system optimization are discussed.     

Advancement of solar desiccant cooling system for building use in subtropical Hong Kong

The solar desiccant cooling system (SDCS) had a saving potential of the year-round primary energy consumption as compared to the conventional air-conditioning system for full fresh air application in the subtropical Hong Kong. In order to further enhance its energy efficiency, advancement of the basic SDCS was carried out through a strategy of hybrid design. Six hybrid system alternatives of SDCS were therefore proposed, three for full fresh air design while another three for return air design for the building zone. Year-round performance evaluation of each solar hybrid desiccant cooling system was conducted for typical office application under different climatic and loading conditions. All the six hybrid system alternatives were found technically feasible, with up to 35.2% saving of year-round primary energy consumption against the conventional air-conditioning systems. Among the hybrid alternatives, recommendations were made on the SDCS hybridized with vapour compression refrigeration for full fresh air design; and the SDCS hybridized with vapour absorption refrigeration for return air design, since they had the saving potentials of both primary energy and initial cost. These two hybrid system alternatives used evacuated tubes, a more economical type of solar collectors compared to the PV or PVT panels.