Operating Regimes Research Articles

Active domain adaptation in support of reliable operating mode detection for wind turbines

Wind turbines operate under different regimes depending on the contextual conditions, such as meteorology, operational constraints, or grid loads. Knowing when a turbine changes operational regime (its current operating mode) is crucial for a proper assessment of its performance, as only then can one compare it to the expected performance. However, often operators overseeing the turbines do not have access to the operating mode (OM) a turbine is in, leading to incomplete or inaccurate evaluation of its current capacity. We have devised an approach to leverage the knowledge across different wind farms aiming at reliably transferring, using domain adaptation, an OM detection model from a source turbine, for which OM labels are available, to a target turbine, for which they are not. This is achieved by an active learning process, enabling the adaptation to take place with expert supervision, while minimizing the required effort. Furthermore, an extension based on density-based clustering allows to post-process the outcome of the active learning to further characterize and discriminate between multiple non-primary modes of the turbine. Our approach is validated on a real-life dataset of onshore wind turbines, and we demonstrate that our active domain adaptation method achieves optimal OM detection performance.

Managing Residual Heat Effects in Femtosecond Laser Material Processing by Pulse-on-Demand Operation

Femtosecond laser processing combines highly accurate structuring with low residual heating of materials, low thermal damage, and nonlinear absorption processes, making it suitable for the machining of transparent brittle materials. However, with high average powers and laser pulse repetition rates, residual heating becomes relevant. Here, we present a study of the femtosecond laser pulse-on-demand operation regime, combined with regular scanners, aiming to improve throughput and quality of processing regardless of the scanner’s capabilities. We developed two methods to define the needed pulse-on-demand trigger sequences that compensate for the initial accelerating scanner movements. The effects of pulse-on-demand operation were studied in detail using direct process monitoring with a fast thermal camera and indirect process monitoring with optical and topographical surface imaging of final structures, both showing clear advantages of pulse-on-demand operation in precision, thermal effects, and structure shape control. The ability to compensate for irregular scanner movement is the basis for simplified, cheaper, and faster femtosecond laser processing of brittle and heat-susceptible materials.

Cross-calibration and first vertical ECE measurement of electron energy distribution in the TCV tokamak

Abstract This paper describes the first vertical electron cyclotron emission measurement of non-thermal electron distributions in the Tokamak à Configuration Variable. These measurements were conducted in runaway electron scenarios and in the presence of electron cyclotron current drive. Measured intensities of linearly polarized X- and O-mode radiation from fast electrons allow the analysis of the energy distribution. The measurements were made possible through the creation of an operational regime for the diagnostic that is free of thermal background radiation, in relaxed electron density operations. This operational regime notably enables the cross-calibration of the diagnostic system, relying on thermal plasma measurements and modeling with the ray-tracing code SPECE.

Coherent instabilities in thulium-based fiber amplifiers induced by laser frequency modulation.

Frequency modulation of narrow-linewidth lasers can cause coherent backscattering in cladding-pumped fiber amplifiers. This detrimental effect can be observed in Tm-based fiber amplifiers and can be an additional limitation for power scaling applications. We investigate such instabilities in Tm- and Tm/Ho-doped fiber amplifiers for a wide range of design parameters (active fiber length, pumping scheme, dopant type) and operation regimes (laser frequency tuning rate, amplifier gain). For each amplifier configuration, the backward-propagating (BP) signal is found to peak at a specific laser frequency tuning rate, with an amplitude and a frequency that increase with increasing amplifier gain and fiber length.

Overall Concept Design of 2.45 GHz ECR Ion Source with Tunable Magnetic Field

The design of the ECR ion source was made for an operating frequency of 2.45 GHz. The ion source is considered to be used for producing protons and double charged helium ions. The source construction as well as the separate components design are presented in the study. The operating modes include both ECR and microwave operating regimes. The extraction system with the beamforming was developed. The beam adjustment is implemented by the longitudinal shifting of the electrodes against the plasma electrode position. The performance of the 2.45 GHz waveguide line to provide the stable power injection into the plasma chamber is considered. The numerical simulation of the waveguide line components was made and optimised.

Development of mathematical models of heat conductivity for modern electronic devices with elements containing foreign inclusions

This paper considers the heat conduction process for an isotropic medium containing a foreign half-through inclusion and heated by a locally concentrated heat flow. Linear and non-linear mathematical models for determining the temperature field have been built to establish the temperature regimes for the effective operation of electronic devices. The coefficient of thermal conductivity of a non-uniform structure is represented as a whole, using asymmetric unit functions, which automatically provides the conditions of ideal thermal contact on the surfaces of materials. This results in solving one heat conduction equation with discontinuous and singular coefficients. A linearizing function was introduced to linearize the nonlinear boundary value problem. Analytical-numerical solutions of linear and nonlinear boundary-value problems have been obtained in a closed form. A linear temperature dependence of the coefficient of thermal conductivity of structural materials was chosen for a heat-sensitive medium. As a result, an analytical-numerical solution was derived, which determines the temperature distribution in this medium. On this basis, a numerical experiment was performed, the results of which are graphically displayed and confirm the adequacy of the constructed mathematical models to a real physical process. The materials of the plate and inclusion are silicon and silver. The results for these materials based on the linear and non-linear model differ by 7 %. Their slight difference is explained by the fact that the values of the temperature coefficient of thermal conductivity are small. The models built make it possible to analyze the given environments in terms of their thermal resistance. As a result, it becomes possible to improve it, and protect structures from overheating, which could lead to the failure of individual nodes and their elements and the entire electronic device

Combined control of PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustions by electrostatic precipitation

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have demonstrated promise in reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions, but their potential for simultaneously reducing NOx in small-scale combustion systems remains largely unexplored. This study examines the potential of ESP with DC corona discharge of negative polarity to reduce both PM and NOx emissions from small-scale combustion. A chemical kinetic model is first developed to predict NOx removal in the ESP. The model accounts for the non-uniform electric field distribution and inhomogeneity of non-thermal plasma in chemical kinetic while remaining simple enough for practical engineering applications. This allows for the optimisation of ESP parameters during the initial design phase. Using this model, the ESP was developed and applied with different energisation regimes to control emissions from a 15 kW pellet combustion heating unit. The initial concentrations for PM and NOx were 48 mg/m3 and 305 mg/m3, respectively (0 °C, 101.3 kPa; at reference O2 = 10 %vol.). The efficiency of the ESP was both theoretically and experimentally determined for various operational regimes at voltages ranging from 6.8 to 11 kV. At 11 kV, the ESP demonstrated a PM removal efficiency of 99.99 % and a NOx removal efficiency of 38 %, achieving compliance with Ecodesign Directive limits. The model's predictions showed reasonable agreement with experimental data, with a slight miscalculation for both particle precipitation and NOx removal. These findings have significant implications for the design and operation of ESPs in small-scale biomass combustion systems, offering a foundation for optimising these devices for combined NOx and particulate matter control.

Influence of water saliny changes on the operation of the RAS biological treatment system under low temperature conditions

In fish-breeding circulation systems the change-over of a biofilter from operation in fresh water conditions to sea water conditions (or vice versa) requires a smooth gradual transition. However, a one-time water change is feasible faster and technologically easier. This determined the relevance of the study. The goal was to determine the influence of one-time water salinity changes (sea to fresh and fresh to sea) on the ability of the activated sludge biocenosis of biofilters to maintain or restore its activity in a cold-water RAS. Six model biofilters were filled with sea water and six with fresh water. With a simultaneous decrease of water temperature from 21 to 9 °C, at the first stage a start-up period of biological treatment was carried out. At the second stage — in a stable operating regime, sea water was simultaneously changed to fresh water, and fresh water to sea water. Concentrations of ammonium, nitrites and nitrates were determined at the start of experiment, then on the next day after a bacterial culture and ammonia as a source of ammonium nitrogen adding, and then — 2 times a week. A steady decrease in the concentration of ammonium in water to 0.2 mg/l, nitrite — to 0.3 mg/l was considered as the indicator of the end of each stage. The duration of the start period of biological treatment in both fresh and sea water was approximately the same and amounted to 138 and 134 days, respectively. With the simultaneous change of sea water to fresh or fresh water to sea, the complete destruction of the biofilter activated sludge biocenosis didn’t happen, that indicated by the continuing increase of the nitrates concentration. However, the ability of the biofilter biocenosis to purify circulating water from ammonia nitrogen and nitrites naturally decreases with the following gradual performance restoration. The adaptation of biofilter biocenosis to work under conditions of rapid desalination was 1.5 times faster than the adaptation of biocenosis to rapid salination.

Ozone-Catalytic Treatment of Automotive Exhaust

In the paper, an original design of an ozone-catalytic device, in which the process of ozone formation occurs directly inside the catalyst monolith of the honeycomb structure, is proposed for solving the problem of exhaust gases purification at the "cold start" of an automobile engine. For the considered device, various regimes of operation were examined, and the equations allowing us to calculate the concentrations of ozone depending on time were obtained. The developed mathematical model shows a significant decrease in ozone concentration after the "cold start" is over and the temperature of the exhaust gases increases, because of changes in the balance of various chemical reactions. Thus, the ozone concentration is maximum during a cold start, precisely when the lower temperatures do not allow other reactions than those of oxidation of toxic gases with ozone, and decreases by the time the catalytic unit warms up, when effective neutralization of toxic impurities becomes possible without the participation of ozone. The results of the mathematical modeling were confirmed by testing this device for purifying exhaust gases of a YaMZ-238M2 engine. The test results show that the use of ozone-catalytic reactions significantly increases the efficiency of neutralizing toxic impurities under cold start conditions, compared to the case when only catalytic reactions with oxygen without the participation of ozone are used.

Numerical Investigation of an NACA 13112 Morphing Airfoil.

This article presents a numerical study on the 2D aerodynamic characteristics of an airfoil with a morphed camber. The operational regime of the main rotor blade of the IAR 330 PUMA helicopter was encompassed in CFD simulations, performed over an angle of attack range of α=[-3°; 18°], and a Mach number of M=0.38. Various degrees of camber adjustment were smoothly implemented to the trailing-edge section of the NACA13112 airfoil, with a corresponding chord length of c=600 mm at the Reynolds number, Re=5.138×106, and the resulting changes in static lift and drag were calculated. The study examines the critical parameters that affect the configuration of the morphing airfoil, particularly the length of the trailing edge morphing. This analysis demonstrates that increasing the morphed camber near the trailing edge enhances lift capability and indicates that the maximum lift of the airfoil depends on the morphed chord length. The suggested approach demonstrates potential and can be implemented across various categories of aerodynamic structures, such as propeller blade sections, tails, or wings.

1.645 µm Er:YAG single-mode dual-wavelength emitter for CH4 differential absorption lidar.

We present a hybrid fiber/bulk laser source at 1.645 µm designed for methane (CH4) monitoring using differential absorption lidar (DIAL) measurements in the atmosphere. The emitter is also suited for coherent wind Doppler lidar. It relies on a Q-switched Er:YAG ring cavity pumped by erbium fiber lasers at 1532 nm. The pulsed laser is sequentially seeded by two fiber-coupled CW distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes in the center of the CH4 line multiplet at 1645.55 nm (ON wavelength) and out of at 1645.30 nm (OFF wavelength). Despite a gain difference in the crystal between the ON and OFF wavelengths, pulses with equal energies and durations (9 mJ/300 ns) are obtained at a rate of 1 kHz. The spectral stability and purity properties in the dual-wavelength operating regime are presented.

REGIONALISM IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE REGIME

The article is devoted to the characteristics of the peculiarities of public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in the regions whose water areas are significantly rich in such objects. The research of regional specifics of legal regulation and organizational mechanisms of the maintenance of the operational regime aimed at underwater cultural heritage represents experience of countries that are parties to the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage and those who have not yet adhered to it. The relevance of the research issues is determined by the necessity to create the concept of the public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in Ukraine based on the best international practices and progressive experience of the functioning of comprehensive legal regimes of sea areas and regional cooperation. The article aims to determine the main tendencies, the best tools and mechanisms of the public administration of underwater cultural heritage regime in the range of regions of the world, whose water areas are significantly rich in such objects. The article’s purpose is to suggest proposals regarding the adoption of the positive experience and implementation of the new practices of legal regulation and organizational support of the underwater cultural heritage regime in Ukraine. The methodological basis of the research is composed of general scientific and special legal methods of scientific knowledge (historical, statistical, analysis and synthesis, comparative, scientific abstraction, forecasting, simulation). The authors describe the main modern risks for underwater cultural heritage and the ways of their potential detrimental effects elimination. Within the classical ways of regional cooperation in the field of maritime activity, the joint efforts and national approaches to public administration of underwater cultural heritage regimes in Mediterranean, Black Sea and Caribbean Basins have been characterized. It was mentioned that typical features of such administration include the establishment of specially authorized national management bodies, approval of relevant legislation and regional specialized treaties, cooperation with interested parties and digitization of vaults of museums and underwater objects in situ. Special attention was drawn to the necessity of the development of national legislation of Ukraine on the activity in the field of underwater cultural heritage, to the intensification of efforts regarding cooperation on regional and global basis, as well as to the implementation of new technical opportunities for activation of underwater historical, cultural and archeological artifacts digitization.

Operation regimes of spinal circuits controlling locomotion and the role of supraspinal drives and sensory feedback

Locomotion in mammals is directly controlled by the spinal neuronal network, operating under the control of supraspinal signals and somatosensory feedback that interact with each other. However, the functional architecture of the spinal locomotor network, its operation regimes, and the role of supraspinal and sensory feedback in different locomotor behaviors, including at different speeds, remain unclear. We developed a computational model of spinal locomotor circuits receiving supraspinal drives and limb sensory feedback that could reproduce multiple experimental data obtained in intact and spinal-transected cats during tied-belt and split-belt treadmill locomotion. We provide evidence that the spinal locomotor network operates in different regimes depending on locomotor speed. In an intact system, at slow speeds (<0.4 m/s), the spinal network operates in a non-oscillating state-machine regime and requires sensory feedback or external inputs for phase transitions. Removing sensory feedback related to limb extension prevents locomotor oscillations at slow speeds. With increasing speed and supraspinal drives, the spinal network switches to a flexor-driven oscillatory regime and then to a classical half-center regime. Following spinal transection, the model predicts that the spinal network can only operate in the state-machine regime. Our results suggest that the spinal network operates in different regimes for slow exploratory and fast escape locomotor behaviors, making use of different control mechanisms.

Spatial resolution limit for a solid immersion lens

The solid immersion (SI) effect is widely used to increase the spatial resolution of optical focusing systems and even overcome the Abbe diffraction limit. Resolution enhancement offered by a SI lens is mostly a function of its geometry and refractive index nSI. While SI lenses are relatively well understood, the scaling of the resolution enhancement by such lenses is still a subject of debate, with some works reporting ≃nSI and ≃nSI2 dependencies for the hemispherical and hyperhemispherical SI lens configurations, respectively. In this paper, we offer a general argument for a resolution limit for SI optics and, then, verify it via the numerical analysis of the hemispherical and hyperhemispherical silicon SI lenses designed for the terahertz (THz) range. In fact, we find that there is no contradiction in the reported resolution enhancements ≃nSI and ≃nSI2; however, they happen in different operation regimes. We then demonstrate that the resolution values reported for the different SI lens arrangements in the visible (VIS), near-, and middle-infrared (NIR and MIR), as well as THz bands obey the derived limit. Our findings will be useful for the further design and applications of SI optics.

Operation regimes of spinal circuits controlling locomotion and the role of supraspinal drives and sensory feedback.

Locomotion in mammals is directly controlled by the spinal neuronal network, operating under the control of supraspinal signals and somatosensory feedback that interact with each other. However, the functional architecture of the spinal locomotor network, its operation regimes, and the role of supraspinal and sensory feedback in different locomotor behaviors, including at different speeds, remain unclear. We developed a computational model of spinal locomotor circuits receiving supraspinal drives and limb sensory feedback that could reproduce multiple experimental data obtained in intact and spinal-transected cats during tied-belt and split-belt treadmill locomotion. We provide evidence that the spinal locomotor network operates in different regimes depending on locomotor speed. In an intact system, at slow speeds (<0.4 m/s), the spinal network operates in a non-oscillating state-machine regime and requires sensory feedback or external inputs for phase transitions. Removing sensory feedback related to limb extension prevents locomotor oscillations at slow speeds. With increasing speed and supraspinal drives, the spinal network switches to a flexor-driven oscillatory regime and then to a classical half-center regime. Following spinal transection, the model predicts that the spinal network can only operate in the state-machine regime. Our results suggest that the spinal network operates in different regimes for slow exploratory and fast escape locomotor behaviors, making use of different control mechanisms.

Control of a Directional Downhole Drilling System Using a State Barrier Avoidance Based Method

Abstract Vibrations such as bit-bouncing, stick–slip, and whirl motion can significantly reduce downhole drilling's performance and efficiency. These phenomena are likely to arise once the dynamical states of drilling fall into undesired operating regimes, as verified by both theoretical analyses and experimental studies. To effectively avoid such undesired operating conditions of a downhole drilling process, this paper introduces an advanced nonlinear state-constrained control method to formulate a setpoint tracking problem of high-order directional drilling dynamics under state constraints. These constraints are carefully defined using the field test results, and their shapes are in complex state-space regions, causing additional complexity to the control design. Moreover, unlike vertical drilling, the directional drilling system requires modeling of coupled axial and torsional dynamics with a higher degree-of-freedom (DOF). In this study, the proposed method will tackle these challenges by converting the original high-order constrained control problem into a standard nonlinear control problem. Leveraging on the linear parameter varying (LPV) method that is applied to the converted system, we can actively prevent drilling from falling into the undesired regimes, to achieve the constrained control objective.

Enhanced control of grid-connected multi-machine wind power generation systems using fuzzy backstepping approaches

This research paper presents an approach for enhancing the performance of a multi-machine wind power generation system (WPGS) through the combination of nonlinear and intelligent control techniques. The suggested approach focuses on optimizing the WPGS, which utilizes permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) interconnected with the grid. To enable grid connection, a back-to-back configuration is employed for both the rectifier and inverter in a fifteen-switch configuration, with control achieved through pulse width modulation. The designed control algorithm is designed to effectively regulate the system and reduce the active and reactive power ripples. Initially, the WPGS model is provided. Subsequently, the fuzzy backstepping control (FBC) law is detailed, incorporating the Lyapunov stability technique. Fuzzy logic is used to adapt the gains in the backstepping approach, ensuring the control system can accommodate disturbances and system variations. As a result, this adaptive control approach enables optimal effusiveness of the entire system in both static and dynamic operational regimes. Experimental tests were conducted using MATLAB to compare the efficacy of the designed strategy against the traditional backstepping control approach. The obtained results demonstrated the robustness and effective reference tracking capabilities of the designed FBC approach, along with the complete elimination of speed overshoot across diverse wind conditions. These findings validate the designed control approach's effectiveness and superiority over the BC approach under varying conditions.

A new low NOx emission technique for NH3/H2 blends in a flameless combustor through offset injection

The application of ammonia (NH3) as a possible future fuel presents a plausible solution for green energy storage. It helps provide a carbon-neutral fuel alternative for industrial power generation and transportation. However, the combustion of NH3 presents a formidable challenge due to its low reactivity, inadequate flame stability, sluggish flame propagation, and high NOx emissions. Consequently, its integration into combustion systems necessitates substantial system and strategy modification to enable its deployment to industrial systems. The current study presents a novel fuel/air injection technique, which emphasizes the high recirculation of hot combustion products and the extended residence time of fuel/air mixtures. A comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation is conducted using a swirl air injection and offset fuel injection to achieve the flameless combustion mode for optimized NH3/H2 fuel blends. A range of mixture conditions (ϕ = 0.5–1.2) and NH3/H2 compositions (50/50–70/30) are experimentally examined. The investigations helped elucidate the effect of residence time and recirculation on NOx emissions through kinetic simulations using a reactor network model. Subsequently, 3-D numerical simulations helped identify regions of high recirculation, quantified through reactant dilution ratios and uniform temperature distribution. These aspects are determined using a new parameter, the temperature uniformity index along the axial direction of the combustor. The emissions of NOx, unburnt NH3, and unburnt H2 are quantified for different equivalence ratios and NH3 mole fractions in the fuel mixture. The investigations reveal that NOx emissions reached their minimum (450–654 ppm) and (344-211 ppm), when the burner operated at lean (ϕ = 0.5–0.8) and rich (ϕ = 1.0–1.2) conditions, respectively, for 70/30 NH3/H2 blend. The emissions of unburnt NH3 and H2 species remain minimal for lean conditions. Both lean and rich operational regimes demonstrated similar or superior emission characteristics in flameless combustion mode when compared to the conventional combustion mode.

Characteristics of Biochar Obtained by Pyrolysis of Residual Forest Biomass at Different Process Scales

In this work, the pyrolysis process and the characteristics of biochar produced using a bench-scale fixed-bed reactor and a prototype-scale auger reactor were studied. Residual forest biomass (RFB) from acacia, broom, gorse, and giant reed was used as feedstock. Besides information on pyrolysis characteristics of these specific biomass species from the Iberian Peninsula, new knowledge on the understanding of how results from small-scale reactors can be used to predict the behavior of higher-scale and continuous-operation reactors is offered. Batch pyrolysis was carried out using 40 g of biomass sample in a fixed-bed reactor with a heating rate of 20 °C∙min−1, pyrolysis temperature of 450 and 550 °C, and a residence time of 30 min, while for the continuous process it was used a prototype of an auger reactor with continuous operation with a biomass flow rate up to 1 kg/h, with temperatures of 450 and 550 °C, and a solids residence time of 5 min. The biochar yield was in the range of 0.26 to 0.36 kg/kg biomass dry basis, being similar for both types of reactors and slightly lower when using the auger reactor. The proximate analysis of the biochar shows volatile matter in the range 0.10 to 0.27 kg/kg biochar dry basis, fixed carbon in the range 0.65 to 0.84 kg/kg biochar dry basis, and ash in the range 0.04 to 0.08 kg/kg biochar dry basis. The carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen content of the biochar was in the range of 0.71 to 0.81, 0.09 to 0.22, and 0.02 to 0.03 kg/kg biochar dry basis, respectively. The results show that the up-scaling of the reactor and regime of operation does not have an important influence on the yield and characteristics of the biochar produced. The biochar obtained in the two types of reactors has characteristics appropriate for environmental applications, such as an additive to improve soil properties. It is possible to see that the characteristics of the biochar are influenced by the type of biomass and the conditions and parameters of the process; therefore, it is of major importance to control and know of these conditions, especially when considering upscaling scenarios.

Formulating iron ore pellet induration process in an industrial straight grate system: Real-time experimentation and validation

Understanding the complex process of iron ore pellet induration is crucial in a straight grate system in the steelmaking industry. There is no attempt made so far to predict the behavior of this unit considering the physiochemical processes (drying, carbon combustion and limestone calcination) along with the heat transfer within the pellet, and between the hot gas and pellet. Moreover, the reported models are validated mainly with the pot test data. To address these research gaps, in this contribution, a rigorous model framework is proposed for an industrial induration unit considering all these above-mentioned issues together with some other practical aspects, including the heat transfer from hot gas to grate bar and heat loss due to air leakage into the system. To validate this rigorous formulation, attempt is further made to perform the real-time experimentation with induration system equipped with a thermocar. It is shown first time that the predicted temperature profiles of the pellets, grate bar and exit gas associated with the running bed are consistent with the plant data. The fuel consumption data is further obtained to investigate the performance of the proposed formulation at different operating regimes. It is observed that the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) between the measured and predicted fuel rates is reasonably low (i.e., 4.2%). With this, it is recommended to use the proposed formulation for online property prediction, process design, optimization, troubleshooting, control and scale-up of the induration unit.