Impact of shape representation schemes used in discrete element modelling of particle packing

In different computer models, shape is represented using different methodologies, to varying degrees of precision. This paper examines two approaches to shape representation, and their effects on accuracy in the context of cylindrical particle packing. Two discrete element method (DEM) based software packages are used. A X-ray CT scan of a packed bed provides the experimental measurements for comparison. Eight sphere-composite representations of the same cylindrical pellet were tested. Two of these gave results that quantitatively follow experimental measurements. A range of factors that in theory could affect accuracy of the simulation results are examined, including edge roundedness, surface roughness and restitutional behaviour as a function of sphere-composite representations. The conclusion is that, for packing at least, matching the object's overall shape and dimensions is not enough. Only when a high enough resolution is applied to corners and edges, could the sphere-composite approach possibly match the experimental data quantitatively.     

Event-triggered variable horizon Supervisory Predictive control of hybrid power plants

The supervision of a hybrid power plant, including solar panels, a gas microturbine and a storage unit operating under varying solar power profiles is considered. The Economic Supervisory Predictive controller assigns the power references to the controlled subsystems of the hybrid cell using a financial criterion. A prediction of the renewable sources power is embedded into the supervisor. Results deteriorate when the solar power is unsteady, owing to the inaccuracy of the predictions for a long-range horizon of 10 s. The receding horizon is switched between an upper and a lower value according to the amplitude of the solar power trend. Theoretical results show the relevance of horizon switching, according to a tradeoff between performance and prediction accuracy. Experimental results, obtained in a Hardware In the Loop (HIL) framework, show the relevance of the variable horizon approach. Power amplifiers allow us to simulate virtual components, such as a gas microturbine, and to blend their powers with that of real devices (storage unit, real solar panels). In this case, fuel savings, reaching 15%, obtained under unsteady operating conditions lead to a better overall performance of the hybrid cell. The overall savings obtained in the experiments amount to 12%.     

A semicontinuous approach for heterogeneous azeotropic distillation processes

The separation of azeotropes has substantial energy and investment costs, and the available methods require high capital costs for reconstruction of process plants. As an alternative, a semicontinuous configuration that utilizes an existing plant with minor modifications has been explored. In this paper, a semicontinuous, heterogeneous azeotropic distillation process is proposed and acetic acid dehydration process is used as a case study. To carry out the simulation work, Aspen HYSYS^® simulation software is used along with MATLAB^® and an interface program to handle the mode-transition of the semicontinuous process. Sensitivity analyses on operating parameters are performed to identify the process limits. Comparisons are made to conventional heterogeneous azeotropic distillation, and dividing-wall distillation column on the annual cost. The results proved that the semicontinuous system is the best setup in terms of total annual costs and energy requirements.     

An optimization model for evaluating the economic impact of availability and maintenance notions during the synthesis and design of a power plant

In this paper, we introduce an optimization strategy in order to comprehensively quantify the impact of availability and maintenance notions during the early stages of synthesis and design of a new natural gas combined cycle power plant. A detailed state-space approach is thoroughly discussed, where influence of maintenance funds on each component's repair rate is directly assessed.In this context, analysis of the reliability characteristics of the system is centered at two designer-adopted parameters, which largely influence the obtained results: the number of components which may fail independently at the same time, and the number of simultaneous failure/repair events.Then, optimal solutions are evaluated as the availability-related parameters and the amount of resources assigned for maintenance actions are varied across a wide range of feasible values, which enable obtaining more accurate and detailed estimations of the expected economic performance for the project when compared with traditional economic evaluation approaches.     

A novel quasi-oppositional harmony search algorithm and fuzzy logic controller for frequency stabilization of an isolated hybrid power system

The intermittent wind power in isolated hybrid distributed generation (IHDG) may cause serious problems associated with frequency (f) and power (P) fluctuation. Energy storage devices such as battery, super capacitor, and superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) may be used to reduce these fluctuations associated with f and P. This paper presents a study of IHDG power system for improving both f and P deviation profiles with the help of SMES. The studied IHDG power system is consisted of wind turbine generator and diesel engine generator. Both f and P control problems of the studied power system model are addressed in presence or absence of SMES. Fuzzy logic based proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller with SMES is used for the purpose of minimization of f and P deviations. The different tunable parameters of the PID controller and those of the SMES are tuned by a novel quasi-oppositional harmony search algorithm. Performance study of the IHDG power system model is carried out under different perturbation conditions. The results demonstrate minimum f and P deviations may be achieved by using the proposed fuzzy logic based PID controller along with SMES.     

新型壳聚糖/纳米二氧化硅杂化材料的制备与性能

在纳米S iO2颗粒表面引入羟丙基氯活性基团,得到功能化S iO2颗粒,再将羟丙基氯化的S iO2颗粒交联固定在壳聚糖上,制备了一种新型的壳聚糖/纳米S iO2杂化材料(简称杂化材料);通过傅里叶变换红外光谱、透射电镜、扫描电镜方法对杂化材料进行表征,采用热重(TG)分析研究杂化材料的热性能;考察了杂化材料的沉降速率和对金属离子Ca2+和M g2+的吸附能力。电镜分析结果表明,杂化材料微粒为纳米尺度的无机S iO2加强化的微粒,S iO2颗粒分散在材料中,形成均匀的表面;TG分析结果表明,杂化材料的热性能有所提高;沉降实验测得壳聚糖和杂化材料作为吸附剂的沉降时间分别为130.3,68.5s,表明杂化材料的沉降速率比壳聚糖的沉降速率快了近一倍;杂化材料对金属离子Ca2+和M g2+的吸附量分别可达到0.289 3,1.445 6mm ol/g。     

一种单相串联混合电力有源滤波器的研究

文中对串联混合电力滤波器抑制谐波的原理进行了分析。为了检测单项系统的谐波电流,提出一种基于虚拟三相法和瞬时无功理论的谐波检测方法,并且对串联滤波逆变器的直流侧电压的控制进行了讨论。仿真结果证明了其有效性。     

微制造平台微振动的最优控制

采用混合隔振技术建立了微制造平台隔振系统。该系统以空气弹簧和橡胶层作为被动隔振元件、超磁致伸缩致动器作为主动隔振元件，并采用最优控制理论设计其主动控制器。研究了在不同的性能指标加权阵的情况下，该主动振动控制系统对基础干扰和由微制造设备产生的直接干扰所引起的微制造平台振动的控制效果。研究表明性能指标加权阵对振动控制效果影响非常大。通过大量的仿真实验确定了一组性能指标加权阵，使所设计的主动控制系统能在较宽的频率范围对基础干扰和直接干扰所引起的微制造平台振动进行有效的控制。     

基于水印的图像认证和完整性保护技术

数字水印技术的发展为解决图像认证和完整性保护问题提供了新的思路。对用于篡改检测和图像认证的水印技术做了综述。数字水印技术根据其识别差错的能力分为四种类型:易损水印、半易损水印、混合水印和自嵌入水印。最后还对水印认证技术的安全性问题进行了讨论。