Pareto-optimal solutions for multicriteria optimization of a chemical engineering process using a diploid genetic algorithm

In many, if not most, optimization problems, industrialists are often confronted with multi‐objective decision problems. For example, in manufacturing processes, it may be necessary to optimize several criteria to take into account all the market constraints. Hence, the purpose is to choose the best trade‐offs among all the defined and conflicting objectives. This paper presents a multi‐objective optimization procedure based on a diploid genetic algorithm, which yields an optimal zone containing the solution under the concept of Pareto dominance. Pair‐wise points are compared, and non‐dominated points are collected in the Pareto region. Then a ranking is established, and the decision maker selects the first‐best solution. Finally, the procedure is applied to the chemical engineering process of cattle feed manufacture.     

Partial state model reference adaptive control of a rapid thermal processor

The temperature control problem in a rapid thermal processor is addressed using first a conventional PID controller and then a partial state model reference adaptive controller derived via the long-range predictive control and linear quadratic control approaches. These two algorithms are shown to provide such fundamental design features as offset-free disturbance rejection and stability robustness with respect to unmodelled and time-varying dynamics.     

X-Ray Micro-Calorimeter Based on Si Thermistors for X-Ray Astronomy: Design and First Measurements

X-ray Astronomy provides a unique window on a wide variety of astrophysical phenomena. The currently operating X-ray space observatories perform X-ray spectral imaging with the use of CCDs. When available, cryogenic X-ray microcalorimeter arrays will far outperform CCDs in terms of spectral resolution, energy bandwidth and count rate. Experience has been gained with Infra-Red bolometer arrays at CEA-LETI (Grenoble) in collaboration with the CEA-SAp (Saclay); taking advantage of this background, we are now developing an X-ray spectro-imaging camera for the next generation space astronomy missions, using silicon technology (implanted and high temperature diffused thermistors). Each pixel of this array detector is made of a tantalum absorber bound, by indium bump hybridization, to a silicon thermistor. The absorber array is bound to the thermistor array in a single automatic step. The thermo-mechanical link, provided by hybridization, is being improved in terms of thermal capacitance. Finally, our main effort is in developing arrays of silicon thermistors with negligible excess 1/f noise. The thermistor has been simulated with the 2D simulator ATHENA (SILVACO International). We studied the effects of the implants and their thermal treatment on both vertical and lateral dopant distributions at the edges of the thermistor. Prototypes have been created following the procedure optimized by the ATHENA simulation. We present the status of the development and results of measurements performed on these four main building blocks required to create a detector array up to 32×32 pixels in size.      

Analytical modelling and experimental validation of proton exchange membrane electrolyser for hydrogen production

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolysers (ELSs) are considered as pollution-free with enhanced efficiency technology. Hydrogen can be easily produced from different resources like biomass, water electrolysis, natural gas, propane, and methanol. Hydrogen generation from water electrolysis, which is the splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, can be beneficial when used in combination with variable Renewable Energy (RE) technologies such as solar and wind. When the electricity used for water electrolysis is produced by a variable RE source, the hydrogen stores the unused energy for a later use and can be considered as a renewable fuel and energy resource for the transport and energy sectors.This paper aims to propose a novel graphical model design for the PEM-ELS for hydrogen production based on the electrochemical, thermodynamical and thermal equations. The model under study is experimentally validated using a small-scale laboratory electrolyser. Simulation results, using Matlab-Simulink?, show an adequate parameter agreement with those found experimentally. Therefore, the impact of the different parameters on the electrolyser dynamic performance is introduced and the relevant analytical-experimental comparison is shown. The temperature effect on the PEM-ELS dynamic behaviour is also discussed.     

Modeling and design of printed antennas using neural networks

A single neural network is developed to model the resonant frequency of rectangular patch printed on uniaxially anisotropic substrate with air gap using effective parameters in conjunction with spectral dyadic Green's function. Also, the strength of ANN models in antenna design is demonstrated by considering two case studies: the design of circular patch antenna and planar inverted‐F antenna. Results show good agreement with literature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2011.     

A noise-filtering method using a local information measure

A nonlinear-noise filtering method for image processing, based on the entropy concept is developed and compared to the well-known median filter and to the center weighted median filter (CWM). The performance of the proposed method is evaluated through subjective and objective criteria. It is shown that this method performs better than the classical median for different types of noise and can perform better than the CWM filter in some cases.     

A neural network based on an inexpensive eight-bit microcontroller

In this paper, a neural network is trained and validated using a low end and inexpensive microcontroller. The well-known backpropagation algorithm is implemented to train a neural network model. Both the training and the validation parts are shown through an alphanumeric liquid crystal display. A chemical process was chosen as a realistic nonlinear system to demonstrate the feasibility, and the performance of the results found using the microcontroller. A comparison was made between the microcontroller and the computer results.     

Experimental study and simulation of a solar dryer for spearmint leaves (Mentha spicata)

An indirect forced convection solar dryer consisting of an air flat plate collector and a drying cabin was designed and fabricated to investigate its performance under the climate of Algiers. Drying experiments have been performed for spearmint leaves at different air flow rates in order to determine the drying velocity, the characteristic drying curve, the effective diffusion coefficient and the activation energy. A mathematical model based on thermal and mass balances over the component of the solar collector and the cabinet dryer was developed. Simulations are carried out for meteorological data of Algiers (Algeria). We analyse the effect of air mass flow rate, air temperature, products mass, collector area, air recycling rate on the drying time, the solar fraction and the efficiency of the dryer.     

Hydrogen production by methanol aqueous electrolysis using photovoltaic energy: Algerian potential

Hydrogen is considered as the most promising energy carrier for providing a clean, reliable and sustainable energy system. It can be produced from a diverse array of potential feed stocks including water, fossil fuels and organic matter. Electrolysis is the best option for producing hydrogen very quickly and conveniently. Water electrolysis as a source of hydrogen production has recently gained much attention since it can produce high purity hydrogen and can be compatible with renewable energies. Besides the water electrolysis, aqueous methanol electrolysis has been reported in several studies. The aqueous methanol electrolysis proceeds at much lower voltage than that with the water electrolysis. As a result of the substantially lower operating voltage, the energy efficiency for methanol electrolysis can be higher than that for water electrolysis. In this paper, we are interesting to methanol electrolysis in order to produce hydrogen. The relation linking hydrogen production rate to the power needed to electrolyse a unit volume of aqueous methanol solution has been determined. Using this relation, the potential of hydrogen from aqueous methanol solution using a PV solar as the energy system has been evaluated for different locations in Algeria.