Abstract: This paper presents a unified approach based graph
theory and system theory postulates for the modeling and analysis
of Simple open cycle Gas turbine system. In the present paper, the
simple open cycle gas turbine system has been modeled up to its subsystem
level and system variables have been identified to develop the
process subgraphs. The theorems and algorithms of the graph theory
have been used to represent behavioural properties of the system like
rate of heat and work transfers rates, pressure drops and temperature
drops in the involved processes of the system. The processes have
been represented as edges of the process subgraphs and their limits
as the vertices of the process subgraphs. The system across variables
and through variables has been used to develop terminal equations of
the process subgraphs of the system. The set of equations developed
for vertices and edges of network graph are used to solve the system
for its process variables.
Abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of soil microorganisms and the burhead plant, as well as the combination of soil microorganisms and plants to remediate monoethylene glycol (MEG), diethylene glycol (DEG), and triethylene glycol (TEG) in synthetic wastewater. The result showed that a system containing both burhead plant and soil microorganisms had the highest efficiency in EGs removal. Around 100% of MEG and DEG and 85% of TEG were removed within 15 days of the experiments. However, the burhead plant had higher removal efficiency than soil microorganisms for MEG and DEG but the same for TEG in the study systems. The removal rate of EGs in the study system related to the molecular weight of the compounds and MEG, the smallest glycol, was removed faster than DEG and TEG by both the burhead plant and soil microorganisms in the study system.
Abstract: The present paper proposes high performance nonlinear
force controllers for a servopneumatic real-time fatigue test
machine. A CompactRIO® controller was used, being fully
programmed using LabVIEW language. Fuzzy logic control
algorithms were evaluated to tune the integral and derivative
components in the development of hybrid controllers, namely a FLC
P and a hybrid FLC PID real-time-based controllers. Their
behaviours were described by using state diagrams. The main
contribution is to ensure a smooth transition between control states,
avoiding discrete transitions in controller outputs. Steady-state errors
lower than 1.5 N were reached, without retuning the controllers.
Good results were also obtained for sinusoidal tracking tasks from
1/¤Ç to 8/¤Ç Hz.
Abstract: For the last decade, statistics show traumatic brain
injury (TBI) is a growing concern in our legal system. In an effort to
obtain data regarding the influence of neuropsychological expert
witness testimony in a criminal case, this study tested three
hypotheses. H1: The majority of jurors will vote not guilty, due to
mild head injury. H2: The jurors will give more credence to the
testimony of the neuropsychologist rather than the psychiatrist. H3:
The jurors will be more lenient in their sentencing, given the
testimony of the neuropsychologist-s testimony. The criterion for
inclusion in the study as a participant is identical to those used for
inclusion in the eligibility for jury duty in the United States. A chisquared
test was performed to analyze the data for the three
hypotheses. The results supported all of the hypotheses; however
statistical significance was seen in H1 and H2 only.
Abstract: In this paper, we study the stability of a fractional order delayed predator-prey model. By using the Laplace transform, we introduce a characteristic equation for the above system. It is shown that if all roots of the characteristic equation have negative parts, then the equilibrium of the above fractional order predator-prey system is Lyapunov globally asymptotical stable. An example is given to show the effectiveness of the approach presented in this paper.
Abstract: This paper explores how Critical Systems Thinking and Action Research can be used to improve student performance in Networking. When describing a system from a systems thinking perspective, the following aspects can be identified: the total system performance, the systems environment, the resources, the components and the management of the system. Following the history of system thinking we observe three emerged methodologies namely, hard systems, soft systems, and critical systems. This paper uses Critical Systems Thinking (CST) which describes systems in terms of contradictions and conflict. It demonstrates how CST can be used in an Action Research (AR) project to improve the performance of students. Intervention in terms of student assessment is discussed and the impact of the intervention is discussed.
Abstract: Capacity and efficiency of any refrigerating system
diminish rapidly as the difference between the evaporating and
condensing temperature is increased by a reduction in the evaporator
temperature. The single stage vapour compression refrigeration
system using various refrigerants are limited to an evaporator
temperature of -40 0C. Below temperature of -40 0C the either
cascade refrigeration system or multi stage vapour compression
system is employed. Present work describes thermal design of
condenser (HTS), cascade condenser and evaporator (LTS) of
R404A-R508B and R410A-R23 cascade refrigeration system. Heat
transfer area of condenser, cascade condenser and evaporator for
both systems are compared and the effect of condenser and
evaporator temperature on heat-transfer area for both systems is
studied under same operating condition. The results shows that the
required heat-transfer area of condenser and cascade condenser for
R410A-R23 cascade system is lower than the R404A-R508B cascade
system but heat transfer area of evaporator is similar for both the
system. The heat transfer area of condenser and cascade condenser
decreases with increase in condenser temperature (Tc), whereas the
heat transfer area of cascade condenser and evaporator increases with
increase in evaporator temperature (Te).
Abstract: Stuck-pipe in drilling operations is one of the most
pressing and expensive problems in the oil industry. This paper
describes a computational simulation and an experimental study of
the hydrodynamic vibrator, which may be used for liquidation of
stuck-pipe problems during well drilling. The work principle of the
vibrator is based upon the known phenomena of Vortex Street of
Karman and the resulting generation of vibrations. We will discuss
the computational simulation and experimental investigations of
vibrations in this device. The frequency of the vibration parameters
has been measured as a function of the wide range Reynolds Number.
The validity of the computational simulation and of the assumptions
on which it is based has been proved experimentally. The
computational simulation of the vibrator work and its effectiveness
was carried out using FLUENT software. The research showed high
degree of congruence with the results of the laboratory tests and
allowed to determine the effect of the granular material features upon
the pipe vibration in the well. This study demonstrates the potential
of using the hydrodynamic vibrator in a well drilling system.
Abstract: The existence of maximal durations drastically modifies the performance evaluation in Discrete Event Systems (DES). The same particularity may be found on systems where the associated constraints do not concern the time. For example weight measures, in chemical industry, are used in order to control the quantity of consumed raw materials. This parameter also takes a fundamental part in the product quality as the correct transformation process is based upon a given percentage of each essence. Weight regulation therefore increases the global productivity of the system by decreasing the quantity of rejected products. In this paper we present an approach based on mixing different characteristics theories, the fuzzy system and Petri net system to describe the behaviour. An industriel application on a tobacco manufacturing plant, where the critical parameter is the weight is presented as an illustration.
Abstract: This paper investigates the inverse problem of determining
the unknown time-dependent leading coefficient in the parabolic
equation using the usual conditions of the direct problem and an additional
condition. An algorithm is developed for solving numerically
the inverse problem using the technique of space decomposition in a
reproducing kernel space. The leading coefficients can be solved by a
lower triangular linear system. Numerical experiments are presented
to show the efficiency of the proposed methods.