PID controller tuning for a multivariable glass furnace process by genetic algorithm

Standard genetic algorithms (SGAs) are investigated to optimise discrete-time proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller parameters, by three tuning approaches, for a multivariable glass furnace process with loop interaction. Initially, standard genetic algorithms (SGAs) are used to identify control oriented models of the plant which are subsequently used for controller optimisation. An individual tuning approach without loop interaction is considered first to categorise the genetic operators, cost functions and improve searching boundaries to attain the desired performance criteria. The second tuning approach considers controller parameters optimisation with loop interaction and individual cost functions. While, the third tuning approach utilises a modified cost function which includes the total effect of both controlled variables, glass temperature and excess oxygen. This modified cost function is shown to exhibit improved control robustness and disturbance rejection under loop interaction.     

A proposed approach for setup time reduction through integrating conventional SMED method with multiple criteria decision-making techniques

Short setup time is an essential element for the effective implementation of many lean pillars, i.e., JIT, and Kanban. Most of the current setup reduction methodologies are based on Shingo’s Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) that suggests the conversion of internal setup operations to external operations. However, the conventional SMED approach – as proposed by Shingo – does not possess a systematic approach to accomplish this conversion. Thus, a new approach is proposed in order to aid the process engineers in implementing SMED. The proposed approach is based on the conventional SMED, but also it incorporates Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Techniques (MCDM) to the third implementation phase. The MCDM techniques used in this work are Analytical Hierarchal Process (AHP), Preference Selection Index (PSI) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The proposed approach provides a systematic procedure for selecting the best setup technique among the available alternatives, and takes also into consideration other factors that affect the decision-making process; including: cost, energy, facility layout, safety, life, quality and maintenance. A real example of PVC industry is used to exemplify the approach. The results demonstrate the capability of the proposed approach in setup time reduction, which in turn will improve machines’ utilization, and increase the productivity and flexibility of the whole facility.     

Modeling hydrogen storage on Mg–H2 and LiNH2 under variable temperature using multiple regression analysis with respect to ANOVA

The world is facing a major problem due to the depletion of conventional energy sources. Hydrogen is considered one of the most promising sources of energy. Recently, one of the problems facing utilization of hydrogen energy is the storage. Therefore, finding materials to store hydrogen based on the adsorption/desorption methodology (i.e. metal hydrides) is considered extremely vital issue. During this work two candidate materials (i.e. Mg–H₂ and LiNH₂) were investigated at different temperatures (25–45 °C). The results revealed that both candidate materials possessed long cycle life and cyclibility which opens the wide door to use these materials in vehicular applications. On the other hand the generated mathematical models based on the multiple regression analysis with respect to ANOVA showed that increasing temperature will increase the weight of hydrogen adsorption for both candidate materials.     

Room-temperature, selective detection of benzene at trace levels using plasma-treated metal-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Hybrid materials consisting of oxygen plasma-treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with metal nanoparticles (e.g., Rh, Pd, Au or Ni) can be tailored for the recognition of benzene vapors with high sensitivity and selectivity. Metal nanoparticles donate or accept a significant amount of charge upon adsorption of a target molecule, so as to affect electron transport in the nanotube. The plasma treatment enables the cleaning, activation, functionalization and metal decoration of carbon nanotubes in a single step, which offers enormous flexibility for tuning the interfacial properties of the resulting hybrid materials. When combined in a microsensor array operating at room temperature, the use of benzene-sensitive and benzene-insensitive metal-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes can provide selective detection of benzene at trace levels with a detection limit below 50 ppb.     

Pole–zero estimation of speech signal based on zero-tracking algorithm

This paper describes an adaptive algorithm for formant and antiformant tracking of nasal sounds of speech signal. It is based on an extension of the zero-tracking algorithm (ZTA) to the autoregressive moving average model (ARMA). In this context the parameter estimation algorithm used is a modified RLS algorithm (σ-RLS). This adaptive algorithm is shown to be robust against the sounds. The proposed algorithm updates adaptively the complex poles (formants) of the AR part and the complex zeros (antiformants) of the MA part respectively. An application to natural speech is given. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Feasibility study of a solar chimney power plant in Jordan

A solar chimney power plant system is theoretically designed for future erection in Jordan. Analytical analysis of the system is simulated by mathematical software. The actual values of solar irradiation in Jordan are used in the simulation to predict the power output of the solar chimney power plant. The output results of the maximum (inlet) values of velocity, pressure, and mass flow rate of air versus the chimney height variation are obtained. Furthermore, the electrical power output and the efficiency of chimney versus chimney height variation were determined. For a solar collector diameter of 40 m and a chimney diameter of 3.5 m, the maximum power output (85 kW) was obtained for a chimney height of 210 m.     

Effect of Mn-Site Doping with Nickel on the Electric and Magnetic Properties of Sm0.55Sr0.45MnO3 Manganites

We present the effect of Ni-ions doping on the magnetoresistance and magnetic properties of Sm_0.55Sr_0.45Mn_1?x Ni _x O₃ in the temperature range 4.2–300 K and the magnetic field range 0–90 kOe, for 0<x<10 %. The Ni-ion doping significantly reduces the metal-ferromagnetic to insulating-paramagnetic transition temperature (T _C ). The Sm_0.55Sr_0.45Mn_1?x Ni _x O₃ undergoes a transition from low-temperature ferromagnetic metallic state to high-temperature paramagnetic insulating-like state. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for samples with various Ni-concentrations showed a reduction in the paramagnetic transition temperature with increasing Ni-concentration. Moreover, the sharp peak in the susceptibility shown by the Ni-free samples has disappeared completely. The susceptibility becomes more round at 10 % Ni, while for lower Ni-concentration it becomes flat, indicating almost pure ferromagnetic behavior. Magnetization isotherms measurements have also been performed for Ni-ions samples doped with up to 10 %. With increasing Ni-doping, the irreversibility region in both M vs. T and M vs. H curves have decreased considerably, almost vanishing at 5 % Ni. For 5 % Ni and above, the FC and ZFC states basically coincide on top of each other, no spin-glass-like transition has been seen.     

Abnormal Behavior of the Angular Dependence of Resistivity in?YBCO?Thin Films

Careful investigation of the angular dependence of resistivity ??(??) (?? is the angle between the magnetic field and the ab-planes) as a function of the temperature within the superconducting transition in an applied magnetic field B up to 1 T for a series of YBa₂Cu₃O_7??? (YBCO) thin films revealed a large variation in the shape and width of the minimum displayed in the vicinity of ??=0??, from a flat to a very sharp behavior. The series of films studied included both optimally doped and underdoped samples of different T _c , critical current density?J _c , film thickness, and preparation techniques. ??(??) measured for B close to ??=0?? (B parallel to ab-planes) for both B??J and B??J (J is the applied current density) showed two classes of samples; class of samples where ??(??) is independent of the direction of B relative to J and the other class where ??(??) depends on the orientation B relative to?J. This unusual unique behavior motivated us to investigate its origin by looking at the scaling of ??(??) as a function of the reduced field. Scaling of ??(??)) with the reduced field B(?? ^?2cos?² ??+sin?²)^1/2 allowed a quantitative determination of the value of ?? (intrinsic anisotropy) which varies between 7 and 400, and is independent of film thickness and J _c . Analysis of the microstructure though XRD of the films studied showed that the anisotropy is related to microstrain of the films.     

Numerical and analytical study of severity of cracks in cylindrical and spherical shells

The present study deals with the severity of cracks in pressure equipments, where such defects are often involved. Our work is particularly concerned with the problem of cylindrical shells and also the little well-known problem of spherical shells, including all sorts of practical defects, namely axisymmetric or semi-elliptic, both internal and external cracks. The stress intensity factor in the linear elastic domain and the J integral in the elastoplastic range are performed using the finite element method and compared to the results provided by the application of the semi-analytical A16 or R6 simplified criteria, depending on a limit load calculation. The nocivity of the defects depends on the crack shape and size and other structural geometrical parameters. Use is made of a polynomial decomposition of the stress field in the vicinity of the crack in order to cover all industrial loadings. All the numerical results, for a wide range of shell and crack geometries, are depicted using appropriate tables and curves in order to check the fracture criteria more easily.