A novel acoustic method of partial discharge allocation considering structure-borne waves

For partial discharge, PD, allocating utilizing acoustic emission, AE, sensors, the arrival time of acoustic waves to the sensors forms the calculation basics, therefore, it is crucial that distance calculations are based on direct acoustic path. Considering structure-borne waves of higher speed, this would imply an incorrect distance between the source and sensor, because, AE signals of indirect path me be considered as AE signals of direct path. Therefore, a heuristic algorithm has been developed to consider the possible indirect paths. By comparing the time taken in each path of propagation, to reach the specified sensor location, the indirect path of shortest time for AE signal is determined. For experimental verification, a test oil chamber has been fabricated. PD signals are generated at different points inside the tank. The estimation results of algorithm have been compared with results of classic Time Difference of Arrivals method, TDOA. The proposed method considerably increases the PD allocation precision.     

A ReaxFF-based molecular dynamics study of the pyrolysis mechanism of HFO-1336mzz(Z)

A series of ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the pyrolysis mechanisms of HFO-1336mzz(Z). Five initiation reaction pathways are observed in the process of pyrolysis. By comparing the activation energy of the reactions, the ground state CF₃CH=CHCF₃ exciting into the triplet state CF₃CH-CHCF₃ is the main initial reaction pathway with the activation energy of 238.553 kJ mol⁻¹. HF and C₂F₂ are the dominant products and other final products including CF₄, CHF₃ and C₂F₄ are detected in the process of pyrolysis as well. The intra-molecular elimination (1, 2-elimination), radical attacking mechanism and radical combination reaction are three formation mechanisms of HF. The formation mechanism of C₂F₂ is slightly different from HF, including fluorine transfer reaction, radical combination reaction and defluorination. By the kinetic analysis of HFO-1336mzz(Z) pyrolysis, the pre-exponential factor and activation energy are obtained from ReaxFF simulations.     

Simulation on thermoelectric device with hydrogen catalytic combustion

The micro-thermoelectric-generator based on catalytic combustion of hydrogen and oxygen was designed. With the application of general finite reaction rate model in CFD software of FLUENT, the effect of inlet parameters on the highest temperature difference between the hot and cold plate of the generator was studied. Results showed that, the temperature in the heating and cooling channel of the micro-thermoelectric-generator was uniform; with the increasing of inlet reactant temperature, the highest temperature difference increased, but the total efficiency of the generator decreased. Results can be used to the further design and optimization of micro-thermoelectric-generator based on hydrogen catalytic combustion.     

An alternative mathematical model of vane anemometers based on the balance of power

Anemometers based on the exchange of momentum between the flow and rotating measuring element comprise an important class of instruments used in flow metrology, especially in meteorological and ventilation measurements. In these instruments, overvaluation of the measured average velocity, caused by the inertia of their rotors, takes place. To analyse this phenomenon and the dynamics of the measurement process, as well as to estimate and minimize the measurement uncertainty, it is required to be acquainted with the mathematical model of the anemometer. In this study, the model of the vane anemometer based on the equation of motion of its rotor available in the literature is analysed, and a new model based on the power balance is proposed. Model testing and a comparison of both models has also been performed.     

Modeling and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for PV array under partial shade conditions

Influenced by partial shade, PV module aging or fault, there are multiple peaks on PV array's output power–voltage (P–V) characteristic curve. Conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods are effective for single peak P–V characteristic under uniform solar irradiation, but they may fail in global MPP tracking under multi-peak P–V characteristics. Existing methods in literature for this problem are still unsatisfactory in terms of effectiveness, complexity and speed. In this paper, we first analyze the mathematical model of PV array that is suitable for simulation of complex partial shade situation. Then an adaptive MPPT (AMPPT) method is proposed, which can find real global maximum power point (MPP) for different partial shade conditions. When output characteristic of PV array varies, AMPPT will adjust tracking strategies to search for global peak area (GPA). Then it is easy for conventional MPPT to track the global MPP in GPA. Simulation and experimental results verify that the proposed AMPPT method is able to find real global MPP accurately, quickly and smoothly for complex multi-peak P–V characteristics. Comparison analysis results demonstrate that AMPPT is more effective for most shade types.     

Partition-based fuzzy median filter based on adaptive resonance theory

This paper presents a novel partition-based fuzzy median filter for noise removal from corrupted digital images. The proposed filter is obtained as the weighted sum of the current pixel value and the output of the median filter, where the weight is set by using fuzzy rules concerning the state of the input signal sequence to indicate to what extent the pixel is considered to be noise. Based on the adaptive resonance theory, the authors developed a neural network model and created a new weight function where the neural network model is employed to partition the observation vector. In this framework, each observation vector is mapped to one of the M blocks that form the observation vector space. The least mean square (LMS) algorithm is applied to obtain the optimal weight for each block. Experiment results have confirmed the high performance of the proposed filter in efficiently removing impulsive noise and Gaussian noise.     

Time–frequency interpretation of multi-frequency signal from rotating machinery using an improved Hilbert–Huang transform

The Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) has proven to be a promising tool for the analysis of non-stationary signals commonly occurred in industrial machines. However, in practice, multi-frequency intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and pseudo IMFs are likely generated and lead to grossly erroneous or even completely meaningless instantaneous frequencies, which raise difficulties in interpreting signal features by the HHT spectrum. To enhance the time–frequency resolution of the traditional HHT, an improved HHT is proposed in this study. By constructing a bank of partially overlapping bandpass filters, a series of filtered signals are obtained at first. Then a subset of filtered signals, each associated with certain energy-dominated components, are selected based on the maximal-spectral kurtosis–minimal-redundancy criterion and the information-related coefficient, and further decomposed by empirical mode decomposition to extract sets of IMFs. Furthermore, IMF selection scheme is applied to select the relevant IMFs on which the HHT spectrum is constructed. The novelty of this method is that the HHT spectrum is just constructed with the relevant, almost monochromatic IMFs rather than with the IMFs possibly with multiple frequency components or with pseudo components. The results on the simulated data, test rig data, and industrial gearbox data show that the proposed method is superior to the traditional HHT in feature extraction and can produce a more accurate time–frequency distribution for the inspected signal.     

Material constraints related to storage of future European renewable electricity surpluses with CO2 methanation

The main challenges associated with a growing production of renewable electricity are intermittency and dispersion. Intermittency generates spikes in production, which need to be curtailed when exceeding consumption. Dispersion means electricity has to be transported over long distances between production and consumption sites. In the Directive 2009/28/EC, the European Commission recommends sustainable and effective measures to prevent curtailments and facilitate transportation of renewable electricity. This article explores the material constraints of storing and transporting surplus renewable electricity by conversion into synthetic methane. Europe is considered for its mix of energy technologies, data availability and multiple energy pathways to 2050. Results show that the requirements for key materials and land remain relatively low, respecting the recommendations of the EU Commission. By 2050, more than 6 million tons of carbon dioxide might be transformed into methane annually within the EU. The efficiency of renewable power methane production is also compared to the natural process of converting solar into chemical energy (i.e. photosynthesis), both capturing and reenergizing carbon dioxide. Overall, the production of renewable methane (including carbon dioxide capture) is more efficient and less material intensive than the production of biofuels derived from photosynthesis and biomass conversion.     

Molybdenum disilicide-silicon nitride bushing nozzles tailor-made for basalt fibers production

A carefully comparative study of several ceramics compounds allowed the identification of MoSi₂ blended with Si₃N₄ as a suitable material for the realization of bushing nozzles, specifically designed for basalt fibers production. Degradation static tests were developed and performed to demonstrate the high resistance to oxidation at operating temperature of MoSi₂-Si₃N₄ composites with respect to alumina, zirconia stabilized with magnesia or yttria, pure MoSi₂, pure Si₃N₄, and MoSi₂ englobing SiC. Moreover, the MoSi₂-Si₃N₄ composites resulted resistant to corrosion and chemical inert with respect to oxidizing components present in basalt melts.Bushings in MoSi₂-Si₃N₄ were obtained by using hot isostatic pressing and were processed through mechanical drilling. The basalt fibers produced with the MoSi₂-Si₃N₄ bushing showed a constant diameter and a regular surface morphology. The bushing was recovered intact without defects or fractures demonstrating the efficiency of the selected material. Replacing platinum-rhodium bushings with ceramic ones could greatly reduce costs of basaltic fibers production and could encourage the use of these eco-friendly, natural fibers as reinforcement in lightweight polymer composites.     

Effects of Sn content on thermal stability and mechanical properties of the Ti60Zr10Ta15Si15 amorphous alloy for biomedical use

The (Ti₆₀Zr₁₀Ta₁₅Si₁₅)_100−xSn_x (x = 0, 4, 8, 12 at.%) amorphous ribbons were prepared by the single roll melt-spinning method, and the effects of the Sn content on the thermal stability, the elastic modulus and nanohardness of the Ni-free Ti-based alloys were investigated. It is found that Sn additions decrease the glass formation ability of the Ti₆₀Zr₁₀Ta₁₅Si₁₅ alloy. The content of Sn addition has an important impact on the elastic modulus and nanohardness of the alloys. The amorphous alloy with 4% Sn addition exhibits the highest the elastic modulus and nanohardness, which are 111 GPa and 7.0 GPa, respectively. The correlation between the mechanical properties and Sn content was discussed based on the free volume containing in the as-spun ribbons.