Modular Simulation Platform Research Articles

Open-source simulation platform for air source heat pump integrated with thermal energy storage

This article introduces a modular simulation platform for assessing thermal energy storage (TES) integrated with air source heat pumps (ASHP). The Python platform is an open-source library that includes classes for modeling air-air and air-water heat pumps, TES devices, and the heating load of residential buildings. To validate the ASHP model, the study utilized experimental data obtained from a commercial heat pump evaluated at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The results indicate a mean deviation of 0.7% for COP across the operating range, with a maximum relative deviation of 12.6%. In terms of system heating capacity, the model had an average deviation of 4.3% compared to experimental results, with a maximum deviation of 8.2%. Three classes were implemented for modeling distinct types of TES devices: a generic TES based on energy balances, a sensible isothermal water tank, and a stratified water tank. Details of the mathematical models are provided, along with their respective strengths and limitations. An example is provided showcasing the integration of a residential 10 kWh thermal storage unit with an ASHP operating in Denver, CO. The comparison of two different discharge criteria for the TES unit highlights the importance of control strategies in the system performance.

A real-time dynamic simulation platform for 6R manipulators based on an explicit modeling method

Dynamic simulation is critical for robotic design and control. In this study, a modular simulation platform is developed using a novel explicit dynamic modeling method. Combined with a PD controller and a globally linearized compensator, the dynamic modeling method presents an explicit and canonical form for tree-chain and closed-chain multi-body systems. Paired with the new approach, the platform makes it convenient for modeling, and it performs well in real-time with a high update frequency. The platform also offers a thorough parameter setting and simulation scene presentation interface through the construction of several modules. A simulation experiment using a 6-DOF manipulator demonstrates the platform’s capacity for real-time, stable, and practical simulations, which is also applicable for high-DOF multi-body systems of future uses.

Design and Implementation of a Modular UUV Simulation Platform.

The complex and time-varying marine environment puts forward demanding requirements for the structural design and algorithm development of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). It is inevitable to repeatedly evaluate the feasibility of autonomy schemes to enhance the intelligence and security of the UUV before putting it into use. Considering the high cost of the UUV hardware platform and the high risk of underwater experiments, this study aims to evaluate and optimize autonomy schemes in the manner of software-in-loop (SIL) simulation efficiently. Therefore, a self-feedback development framework is proposed and a multi-interface, programmable modular simulation platform for UUV based on a robotic operating system (ROS) is designed. The platform integrates the 3D marine environment, UUV models, sensor plugins, motion control plugins in a modular manner, and reserves programming interfaces for users to test various algorithms. Subsequently, we demonstrate the simulation details with cases, such as single UUV path planning, task scheduling, and multi-UUV formation control, and construct underwater experiments to confirm the feasibility of the simulation platform. Finally, the extensibility of the simulation platform and the related performance analysis are discussed.

Energy and wear optimisation of train longitudinal dynamics and of traction and braking systems

Traction and braking systems deeply affect longitudinal train dynamics, especially when an extensive blending phase among different pneumatic, electric and magnetic devices is required. The energy and wear optimisation of longitudinal vehicle dynamics has a crucial economic impact and involves several engineering problems such as wear of braking friction components, energy efficiency, thermal load on components, level of safety under degraded or adhesion conditions (often constrained by the current regulation in force on signalling or other safety-related subsystem). In fact, the application of energy storage systems can lead to an efficiency improvement of at least 10% while, as regards the wear reduction, the improvement due to distributed traction systems and to optimised traction devices can be quantified in about 50%. In this work, an innovative integrated procedure is proposed by the authors to optimise longitudinal train dynamics and traction and braking manoeuvres in terms of both energy and wear. The new approach has been applied to existing test cases and validated with experimental data provided by Breda and, for some components and their homologation process, the results of experimental activities derive from cooperation performed with relevant industrial partners such as Trenitalia and Italcertifer. In particular, simulation results are referred to the simulation tests performed on a high-speed train (Ansaldo Breda Emu V250) and on a tram (Ansaldo Breda Sirio Tram). The proposed approach is based on a modular simulation platform in which the sub-models corresponding to different subsystems can be easily customised, depending on the considered application, on the availability of technical data and on the homologation process of different components.

Evaluation of optimal operation alternatives of reactors used for d‐glucose oxidation in a bi‐enzymatic system with a complex deactivation kinetics

AbstractOne essential engineering problem when developing an industrial enzymatic process concerns the choice of the reactor alternative based on a priori knowledge on process and (free vs immobilized) enzyme characteristics, materials, and operation costs. For a multi‐enzymatic system, involving complex interactions among enzymes that exhibit optimal activity on different parametric domains and a high‐order deactivation, this problem requires an extended analysis. The study aims at extending the use of a modular simulation platform by approaching the optimization of complex multi‐enzymatic systems. An optimal constructive and operating alternative is determined for the case study of the complex oxidation of d‐glucose to 2‐keto‐d‐glucose in the presence of oxygen 2‐oxidoreductase (P2Ox, EC 1.1.3.10) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), by comparatively analyzing various enzymatic reactor models (simple batch, batch with intermittent addition of enzyme, semi‐batch reactor, continuously operated packed‐bed column, or mechanically agitated reactor with enzyme immobilized on support). Optimal reactor choice is based on the minimum amount of required P2Ox that ensures an imposed reaction conversion and reactor productivity under various technological constraints, by testing two temperatures (25 and 30 °C) and various catalase/P2Ox ratios (0–300/1 U U−1). © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ITETRIS: A modular simulation platform for the large scale evaluation of cooperative ITS applications

Cooperative ITS systems are expected to improve road traffic safety and efficiency, and provide infotainment services on the move, through the dynamic exchange of messages between vehicles, and between vehicles and infrastructure nodes. The complexity of cooperative ITS systems and the interrelation between its components requires their extensive testing before deployment. The lack of simulation platforms capable to test, with high modelling accuracy, cooperative ITS systems and applications in large scale scenarios triggered the implementation of the EU-funded iTETRIS simulation platform. iTETRIS is a unique open source simulation platform characterized by a modular architecture that allows integrating two widely adopted traffic and wireless simulators, while supporting the implementation of cooperative ITS applications in a language-agnostic fashion. This paper presents in detail the iTETRIS simulation platform, and describes its architecture, standard compliant implementation, operation and new functionalities. Finally, the paper demonstrates iTETRIS large scale cooperative ITS evaluation capabilities through the implementation and evaluation of cooperative traffic congestion detection and bus lane management applications. The detailed description and implemented examples provide valuable information on how to use and exploit iTETRIS simulation potential.

Pressure Coordinated Control System of Regenerative Braking Based on Hardware of ABS for HEV

A new kind of pressure coordinated control system suite of regenerative braking system for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) is proposed in this paper on the basis of appropriate transformation on traditional hydraulic braking system with ABS. AMEsim modular simulation platform is used to build a simulation model of the system. Dynamic performances of the key components and system are simulated and analyzed. And the simulation results show the effectiveness and feasibility of the pressure coordinated control system, which lays the foundation of the design and optimization for the regenerative braking system.

Enzymatic reactor selection and derivation of the optimal operation policy, by using a model-based modular simulation platform

Design and optimal operation of an enzymatic process depend on the characteristics of the free- vs. immobilized-enzyme, purification problems, materials and operation costs. When the enzyme stabilization is not fully successful, the optimal choice of the reactor type and operation mode is depending on the process and enzyme deactivation characteristics. Quick simulation of operation modes based on the process kinetics and a library of reactor models can help in comparing alternatives for getting the final decision. The analysis is exemplified for two enzymatic processes, by determining the optimal operating policy for several tested reactors: classic batch, batch with intermittent addition of enzyme, semi-batch reactor, continuously operated packed-bed column, or a mechanically agitated reactor with immobilized enzyme in small beads. Prediction of reactor performances points out the best choice for the given enzyme characteristics, and also conditions allowing to switch the production from large-volume batches to the continuous operation mode.

A multi-level simulation platform of natural gas internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell–gas turbine hybrid generation system: Part I. Solid oxide fuel cell model library

In this paper, a hierarchical model library of natural gas internal reforming (IR) solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is developed to reflect a multi-level modeling design. First, two types of positive electrolyte negative (PEN) models are presented, which take into account the electromotive force of multi-component fuel and H 2/CO joint electrochemical oxidation. Secondly, an advanced PEN model is introduced for better prediction at high fuel utilization. Thirdly, an approximate analytical PEN model is introduced to achieve a balance between accuracy and speed. Cell-level modeling provides boundary conditions for PEN-level models via a unified description of flow and heat transfer in both planar and tubular geometries. Unlike quasi-equilibrium and lumped cell-level models, distributed modeling reveals a significant difference between outlet gas temperatures and average solid temperature, especially under countercurrent flow. Based on analytical view factors, the detailed radiation heat transfer model shows greater uniform distribution of current density and solid temperature. Upon validation, the multi-level SOFC model library constitutes the main component of the modular simulation platform for IRSOFC–GT (gas turbine) hybrid generation systems in a gPROMS environment.