Short‐Term Wind Power Prediction for Wind Turbine via Kalman Filter Based on JIT Modeling

This paper addresses wind power prediction, which is known to be a key technology in energy management systems. In this paper, a 24‐h‐ahead power prediction method using a filter theory is proposed for wind power generation. The prediction method is a simple algorithm. The procedure of prediction consists of two steps: the data processing and the calculation of the predicted values. In data processing, in order to obtain the correlative data from the database, we employ just‐in‐time modeling. In the calculation of the predicted values, we propose a regression model for wind speed and wind power, and the unknown parameters are estimated using a constrained Kalman filter. Moreover, in the procedure used to estimate the unknown parameters, reduction and convergence of the variables are also guaranteed. Finally, the advantages of the proposed method over the conventional method are shown through actual prediction evaluations.     

Alpha-Helical Structure of Fish Actomyosin: Changes during Setting

Participation of the α-helix in setting was investigated using circular dichroism. The α-helicity of the actomyosin from eight species of fish decreased during incubation at 30°C or at 40°C. The extent and pattern of decrease differed among species. When rate of decrease was plotted vs rate of increase in strength of gel preincubated at 30°C or at 40°C, the two factors correlated closely. We propose that the unfolding of α-helix initiated setting.     

Activities of Enzymes of Sugar Metabolism in Gamma-Irradiated Potato Tubers

The sucrose content of potato tubers was increased by gamma-irradiation. The activities of enzymes responsible for sugar metabolism in irradiated potato tubers were measured during storage after irradiation. The activities of phosphorylase, sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase were significantly enhanced by irradiation and remained at a high level while sucrose was accumulated in irradiated tubers. The activities of phosphoglucomutase and phosphoglucose isomerase were little influenced by irradiation. The activity of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was enhanced slightly by irradiation and decreased to a level lower than unirradiated tubers depending upon irradiation dose.     

Macro-scale complexity of nano- to micro-scale architecture of olivine crystals through an iodine vapour transport mechanism

The production of nano- to micro-scale olivine (magnesium and iron silicate) crystals has been achieved at relatively low temperatures through an iodine vapour transport of the metal onto amorphous silicon dioxide. The process occurs down a temperature gradient from 800 to 600 °C yielding high quality crystals with long range crystallinity, highly complex interconnectivity and intricate macroscale architecture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the substrate before and after the reaction reveals that the amorphous silicon oxide species is mobile, due to the lack of correlation between the silicon oxide layer and the final olivine particles, leading to a vapour–liquid–solid or vapour–solid growth mechanism. This technique demonstrates a facile, low temperature synthetic route towards olivine crystals with nano- to micro-scale dimensions.     

Design of a Data‐Oriented Multivariable PID Control System

PID control schemes have been widely employed for industrial processes. However, it is important to choose a suitable set of PID gains included in the PID controller, because the control performance strongly depends on these PID gains. For single‐input/single‐output systems, data‐oriented control schemes without using the system model in computing PID gains have been proposed. In this paper, the proposed scheme is extended to a multi‐input/multi‐output case. That is, PID gains included in the multivariable PID controllers can be derived by using only the operating data. As a result, the suitable set of PID gains can be obtained, and it enables the system output to track to the reference model output. The behavior of the proposed scheme is examined by numerical simulation examples.     

LAMINAR AND TURBULENT NATURAL CONVECTION-RADIATION INTERACTIONS IN A SQUARE ENCLOSURE FILLED WITH A NONGRAY GAS

A numerical investigation of interactions oflaminar and turbulent natural convection and radiation in a differentially heated square enclosure was performed. Songray gas radiation was analyzed with the P^-approximation method for the radiative transfer equation and the weighted sum of gray gases model, A desirable compatibility was achieved in the resultant formulation for radiative transfer with the governing equations for natural convection flows. The Favre-averaged formulation was employed for analyzing turbulent flows together with a k-e model. In the analysis, a two-dimensional enclosure filled with carbon dioxide gas was considered. Solutions were obtained for a range of Grashof numbers and Prandtl numbers varying from 10⁴ to 10¹⁰ Characteristics of flow and temperature fields were compared with predictions in the literature and were found to be in good agreement in general.     

Low-energy Electron Effects on the Sterility and Viscosity of Grains

Microbial load and viscosity of brown rice, rough rice, wheat and buckwheat exposed to electrons at different acceleration voltages were examined and compared with those irradiated with gamma-rays. Electrons at acceleration voltages of 180–225 kV reduced microbial loads of grains to <100 CFU/g. The viscosities of aqueous suspensions of grains treated with such low-energy electrons were almost the same or higher than those irradiated with gamma-rays at 0.1 kGy, much lower than necessary to disinfect grains. Results suggest that low-energy electrons can decontaminate grains with little starch degradation compared to gamma-rays.     

Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Sterility and Functional Qualities of Dehydrated Blood Plasma

Effects of irradiation with gamma-rays and electron beams on dehydrated blood plasma as well as heat treatment and fumigation were examined in terms of the sterility and functional properties to compare pasteurization techniques. Fumigation and irradiation reduced microorganisms in dehydrated plasma to less than 10/g, whereas heat treatment (63°C, 30 min) did not reduce microbe count below 1 × 10³/g. Fumigation lowered solubility of plasma proteins and heat treatment decreased emulsifying capacity considerably while gamma-irradiation and electron-irradiation did not significantly affect functional properties. Results indicated irradiation with gamma-rays or electron beams was an efficacious blood plasma pasteurization method.     

Numerical Study on Periodic Structure Evolution of Output Power in MHD Generator by Using Pulse‐Assisted Ionization Discharge

A pulse‐assisted ionization discharge applied to a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator is proposed as a technique to increase an electrical conductivity of working fluid. In this study, a periodic structure of output power in the MHD generator by using pulse‐assisted ionization discharge was evaluated. As a result, the discharge electrode length and the velocity of working fluid affect the discharge current distribution. The periodic structure of output power was observed in the several conditions. When the velocity of working fluid is roughly same as the sound speed, the periodic structure of output power was not observed.     

A Direct Drive θ‐Z Motor for Rotary and Linear Motion

A multidimensional positioning mechanism, along with high speed and high accuracy, is essential for an industrial machine. A positioning machine operates precisely in both vertical linear motion (z‐axis) and rotary motion (θ‐axis). A ball screw mechanism is used for the z‐axis whereas a servo motor is used for the θ‐axis. We developed a direct drive θ‐z motor for rotary and linear motion. Torque and thrust are generated directly by the mover. Thus, high speed and high accuracy as well as miniaturization are achieved without using machine elements such as a ball screw and belt. In this paper, we describe the structure and operating principle of the θ‐Z motor, and the sensor that can detect the θ‐axis and the z‐axis position. In addition, we consider a design method that minimizes copper loss by taking advantage of the shape of the permanent magnet and coil. Furthermore, using a prototype we evaluated the characteristics of torque, thrust, and repeatability.