Numerical simulations of annular extrudate swell using various types of viscoelastic models

In this study, numerical simulations of annular extrudate swell of high density polyethylene (HDPE) were carried out. Some important viscoelastic models, such as the Larson, the PTT and the K-BKZ model, were employed for the swell calculation through various types of dies. These numerical results were compared with the experimental ones. The numerical results of the swell behaviors were very different in each viscoelastic model, while their simple shear flow characteristics were almost the same. As a result, the uniaxial elongational viscosity for large deformation as the steady state region is not important, but the property for relatively small deformation has remarkable effects on the numerical results for the die that have a uniaxial contraction region. Both reversible and irreversible types were tried for the Larson model. It was found that there was a difference between the irreversibility assumption of the K-BKZ model and the Larson model. While there was a serious difference in the response for reversing strain among these viscoelastic models, the response was very important to predict annular extudate swell behavior.     

A fuzzy based method for leveling output power fluctuations of photovoltaic-diesel hybrid power system

A Photovoltaic system’s output power fluctuates as insolation varies with weather condition. Fluctuating PV power causes frequency deviations when large PV power is penetrated in the isolated utility. In this paper, a fuzzy based method for leveling the fluctuations of PV power in a PV-diesel hybrid power system is proposed. By means of the proposed method, output power control of PV system becomes possible considering power utility conditions and the conflicting objective of output power leveling and maximizing energy capture is achieved. Here, fuzzy control is used to generate the output leveling power command. The fuzzy control has three inputs of average insolation, variance of insolation, and absolute average of frequency deviation. First, the proposed method is compared with the method where captured maximum power is given to the utility without leveling. Second, the proposed method is compared with a conventional method where captured maximum power is leveled by using an energy storage system and is given to the isolated utility. Simulation results show that the proposed method is effective in leveling PV power fluctuations and is feasible to reduce the frequency deviations of the isolated power utility.     

Augmented LQG controller for enhancement of online dynamic performance for WTG system

Operation of variable speed wind turbine generator (WTG) in the above-rated region characterized by high turbulence intensities demands a trade-off between two performance metrics: maximization of energy harvested from the wind and minimization of damage caused by mechanical fatigue. This paper presents a learning adaptive controller for output power leveling and decrementing cyclic loads on the drive train. The proposed controller incorporates a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) augmented by a neurocontroller (NC) and regulates rotational speed by specifying the demanded generator torque. Pitch control ensures rated power output. A second-order model and a stochastic wind field model are used in the analysis. The LQG is used as a basis upon which the performance of the proposed paradigm in the trade-off studies is assessed. Simulation results indicate the proposed control scheme effectively harmonizes the relation between rotor speed and the highly turbulent wind speed thereby regulating shaft moments and maintaining rated power.     

A novel particle swarm optimization method based on quantum mechanics computation for thermal economic load dispatch problem

This paper presents an efficient strategy to solve the thermal economic load dispatch (ELD) problem by considering several aspects of ELD. ELD performs an important role in the economical operation of power system, which essentially involves nonlinearity according to the characteristics of the generators. The complexity is amplified when the generators' prohibited zones and valve‐point effect are considered, which makes ELD a nonconvex and nonsmooth problem. The strategy employs a mechanism involving a quantum mechanics‐inspired particle swarm optimization (QMPSO). The conventional PSO is modified by integrating quantum mechanical theory which redefines the particles' positions and velocities in a dynamic manner and therefore explores more search space. The QMPSO employs a multipopulation‐based scheme which ensures particle movement and avoids premature convergence at the same time. Moreover, in order to diversify the particles, a dynamic mutation operator is introduced in the proposed method. Such features deliver a fine balance between the local and global searching abilities. Simulations are carried out by considering several cases of thermal units of varying combinations of system configurations such as with and without the valve point, with and without network loss, and for one or several hours of load demand. The results are quite promising and effective compared with several benchmark methods. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reliability of parameters of associated base straight line in step height samples: Uncertainty evaluation in step height measurements using nanometrological AFM

Step height is widely used as one of the important nanometrological standards for the calibration of nanometrological instruments. In the calculation of step height, a method of determining a base straight line as a reference line is very important. In nanometrology, which is a field of dimensional metrology, an associated feature (Gaussian associated feature), such as a base straight line, is normally calculated from a measured dataset of a metrological instrument on a real feature using the least squares method. The reliability of a base straight line varies depending on the position and number of measured points for the line and the uncertainty in step height calibration also varies depending on the reliability of the base straight line. In this study, we carried the out step height measurement of micropatterned thin films (10, 7, 5, and 3 nm) using an atomic force microscope (AFM) equipped with a three-axis laser interferometer (nanometrological AFM) and evaluated the uncertainty in these measurements. From the uncertainty evaluation results, the uncertainty derived from the reliability of the parameters of the base straight line was one of the major sources of uncertainty when the measured points for the base straight line were varied. An expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of less than 0.4 nm was obtained. Furthermore, the reliable range of an associated base straight line in a single step height, such as that in an atomic step sample, was calculated and in importance of the calculation of the reliable range was shown in the uncertainty evaluation and in determining the measurement strategy.     

Protection relay system using information network for distribution system with DGs

We propose a new protection scheme for selective and quick disconnection of a fault area in a distribution system, which can be flexibly adopted for a large‐scale introduction of distributed generators (DGs). When a fault occurs, relays provide a binary state signal which is activated if, for instance, the current at the corresponding relay location exceeds a certain value. Although each relay cannot locate the fault point with only its own signal, it can locate the fault by utilizing signals from other relays together with its own signal. Because only a binary state signal is transmitted instead of the actual physical variable such as the magnitude of the fault current, the network traffic is much less than when a conventional protection scheme for a transmission system using an information system is applied to a distribution system. The following are the main results of a simulation on our proposed protection scheme: (1) the proposed protection scheme can successfully disconnect only a fault feeder when the relays use signals provided from the sending end of the fault feeder and all other DGs on the same feeder, (2) in the case of a fault on a DG connected feeder, the DG can be disconnected within 0.06 s. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(4): 30–35, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20232     

Enantioselective Hydrogenation of (E)-α-phenylcinnamic Acid over Cinchonidine-modified Pd Catalysts Supported on TiO2 and CeO2

The effects of the catalyst support, reaction temperature, and concentration of the modifier were examined to optimize supported Pd-catalysts and reaction conditions for the achievement of higher enantiomeric excess in the hydrogenation of (E)-α-phenylcinnamic acid. Over 90% of enantioselectivity was achieved using a cinchonidine-modified 40 wt% Pd/TiO₂ catalyst at 288 K.     

A new method for the analysis of cross-country multifaults in a double-circuit transmission line

To analyze multifaults on a power line, many complex calculations must be performed. Hence, in many cases, computers are employed in the actual phase domain. However, it is difficult to determine the property and/or the physical meaning of the calculated results because the computer method is based on many complex numerical calculations. This paper represents a new analytical method for short-circuit studies which can deal with cross-country multifaults in a double-circuit transmission line with zero-sequence mutual coupling. This method is based on the well-known “two-component network theory” for a balanced three-phase double-circuit. Procedure steps are: (1) represent the network as seen from the faulted points with symmetrical component impedance; (2) construct the symmetrical equivalent circuits for faults with imaginary phase-shifting transformers; (3) combine these equivalents with each other and erase the symmetrical voltages at faulted points because the phase voltages at such points are known; and (4) calculate the currents at the faulted points by solving the simultaneous linear equations. This method is applied to an investigation of distance-relay “underreach” phenomena where crosscountry multifault occurred on a double-circuit transmission line. Effects of line constants on these phenomena have been well understood.