Tool For Design Of Systems Research Articles

A Predictive Numerical Model for Analyzing Performance of Solar Photovoltaic, Geothermal Hybrid System for Electricity Generation and District Heating

A simulation and analysis of the energy conversion equations describing the behavior of a hybrid system composed of solar photovoltaic PV, and geothermal subsystems for power generation and district heating are presented in this paper. A numerical model based upon the aforementioned energy conversion equations was developed, coded and results were compared to experimental data. The model is intended to be used as an optimization and design tool for such hybrid systems. The model predicted results compared fairly with experimental data under various conditions.

Assessment of a New Approach for Systematic Subsurface Drip Irrigation Management

This paper aimed to assess the reliability of a new approach that provides systematic irrigation management based on fixed water suction in the vadose zone. Trials were carried out in the experimental farm of IRA Gabès on subsurface drip irrigated (SDI) tomato plot. The SDI system was designed so that the soil water content is to be maintained within prescribed interval ascertaining the best plant growth. Irrigation management was systematically monitored by water suction evolution in the vadose zone. Recorded results showed that all-over irrigation season lateral pressure head ranged within 93.3 ± 20.0; 119.95 ± 53.35 and 106.6 ± 40.0 mb, respectively, at the upstream, middle, and downstream. The correspondent lateral pressure head distribution uniformity ranged within 97.1% and 99.6%. Soil water content varied within 0.2175 ± 0.0165; 0.206 ± 0.0195 and 0.284 ± 0.100 beneath the inlet, the behalf, and the lateral end tip. The correspondent soil water distribution uniformity was higher than 80.7% all-over irrigation season. Based on the recorded results, the proposed approach could be a helpful tool for accurate SDI systems design and best water supplies management. Nevertheless, further trials are needed to assess the approach reliability in different cropping conditions.

A Light-Weight Rapid Control Prototyping System Based on Open Source Hardware

In this paper, we propose a light-weight rapid control prototyping (RCP) system based on off-the-shelf open source hardware to achieve high performance computing, cost effectiveness, portability, and easy accessiblity. The proposed RCP system consists of a PC-based computer-aided control system design (CACSD) tool for computing control action and tiny palm-sized open source hardware for input and output (I/O) operation and data transfer through a built-in high-speed USB interface. The popular-priced and portable open source hardware is used as a bridge between CACSD tools and real plants to deliver the control and sensor data at the sampling time points. Ten I/O function blocks written in C code are developed based on the CACSD tool employed for the proposed light-weight RCP system in order to handle I/O operation in a simple way. In addition, we suggest two practical strategies, a batch transfer strategy and a variable sampling period method, to increase the sampling rate of the control system. It is shown through experiment that the proposed light-weight RCP system works well up to a sampling rate of 2 kHz without adopting expensive hardware and C code generators. It is expected that the proposed RCP system will be considered as affordable and readily available to schools for mass education.

QFD APPROACH FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT-SERVICE SYSTEM

Increasing awareness of the importance of services has given rise to the concept of product-service system where goods and services are sold as an integrated package to customers. On the other hand, the emerging sustainability concept has escalated the demand for sustainability for industries. Consequently, it is necessary to build strategies that lead the company to achieve sustainability goals while keeping competitiveness. Drawing on the necessity service and sustainability concept in the quality improvement of the product-service system, this study aims to develop a systematic design tool by filling the gap to the previous studies. We used Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach by considering customer requirements (VoC) and stakeholder requirements (VoSt), instead of VoC only, based on the service and sustainability dimensions. We refer to the proposed QFD approach as QFDSPS. We introduce service productivity index (SPI) to measure the performance of the system. Thus, in the proposed methodology, the strategies for quality improvement were defined as subject to VoC, VoSt, and SPI. The methodology was implemented in a Javanese restaurant which meets the characteristics of a product-service system. The result shows that the proposed method can be implemented. The implications due to the implementation of the method are also discussed.

Biosorption of binary heavy metal systems: Phenomenological mathematical modeling

A phenomenological mathematical modeling approach was applied in order to describe the biosorption of binary heavy metal systems. The mathematical modeling here proposed was verified with the biosorption of Cu(II)–Ni(II) systems onto residue of alginate extraction from Sargassum filipendula. Equilibrium studies were carried out in order to elucidate the competition between the ions in the process. The Cu(II) ions showed a higher affinity with the biosorbent, while the Ni(II) removal was highly dependent on the presence of Cu(II) ions (i.e., the Cu(II) ions inhibit the removal of Ni(II)). According to the Akaike criterion, the equilibrium experimental data was better described by the Langmuir-Freundlich model, which considers the competition among ions for the active sites. The phenomenological mathematical modeling of the kinetics of biosorption was based on binary equilibrium equations, material balances and possible limiting mass transfer steps instead of the empirical models usually applied. The model was then adjusted to the experimental kinetic data and validated by a simulation in a different condition. According to the model, the internal mass transfer resistance (intra-particle diffusion) is the limiting step that controls the kinetics of the process. Therefore, due to its high predictive capacity, the phenomenological approach described in this work can be applied as a tool for design and optimization of binary heavy metal adsorption systems.

Coupled glass and structure response of conventional curtain walls subjected to blast loads: validation tests and analysis

This paper presents comparisons of analysis predictions and shock tube test results from a recent dynamic test program involving a conventional Enclos curtain wall system designed solely for wind and gravity loads. Measured blast wave induced glazing response and mullion deflections are compared to response predictions made using fast running nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) techniques incorporating LS-DYNA based finite element analysis of structural mullions and FEA implementation of statistical glass fracture prediction techniques. The design-level nonlinear finite element analysis was performed using WhAM [window (hazard) analysis module], a fast-running, web-based design tool for blast-loaded curtain wall systems. WhAM was developed by Protection Engineering Consultants (PEC) with support from the Enclos Advanced Technology Studio. Post-test comparisons between measured and predicted system and component-level response were carried out to (a) evaluate the accuracy of WhAM, and (b) illustrate how the precision test data can be used to enhance certain features of the WhAM software such as its glass material model (an LS-DYNA user-defined constitutive model with probabilistic failure criterion based on the ASTM E1300 glass failure prediction model and dynamic test data) and simplified modeling techniques for connection details. Note that SI units are used throughout the text of this paper. American/imperial units are also provided in tables when raw data was originally recorded in those units. Data plots resulting from raw data are also presented in American/imperial units.

Assessment of the Usability and Accuracy of the Simplified One-Diode Models for Photovoltaic Modules

Models for photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels, based on the diode equivalent circuit, have been widely used because they are effective tools for system design. Many authors have presented simplified one-diode models whose three or four parameters are calculated using the data extracted from the datasheets issued by PV panel manufactures and adopting some simplifying hypotheses and numerical solving techniques. Sometimes it may be difficult to make a choice among so many models. To help researchers and designers working in the area of photovoltaic systems in selecting the model that is fit for purpose, a criterion for rating both the usability and accuracy of simplified one-diode models is proposed in this paper. The paper minutely describes the adopted hypotheses, analytical procedures and operative steps to calculate the parameters of the most famous simplified one-diode equivalent circuits. To test the achievable accuracy of the models, a comparison between the characteristics of some commercial PV modules issued by PV panel manufacturers and the calculated current-voltage (I-V) curves, at constant solar irradiance and/or cell temperature, is carried out. The study shows that, even if different usability ratings and accuracies are observed, the simplified one-diode models can be considered very effective tools.

An Experience of CACSD for Networked Control Systems: From Mechatronic Platform Identification to Control Implementation

Continual advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) are revolutionizing virtual education and bringing new tools on the market that provide virtual solutions to a range of problems. Nevertheless, nonvirtual experimentation using computer-aided control system design tools is still fundamental for future engineers. This paper describes a control course laboratory element, which is designed to teach electronic control engineering, in which students use a networked control system to steer and drive an electric car prototype. Multidisciplinary in nature, this laboratory allows students to take advantage of their previous academic training, as they model the plant from an open-loop test and contrast the simulated behavior with experimental results obtained on the prototype. A goal in this work was that students, across multiple engineering disciplines, should be able to integrate the knowledge acquired throughout their degree studies. An evaluation of students' grades, and their perception of the course, was conducted; this confirmed the educational benefits of the approach.

Simulation of acoustic backscattering from bubbles and droplets under different shape regimes with implications for underwater detection of leakages using active acoustic sensors

Safe subsea production of oil and gas, as well as storage of CO2 in geological formations subsea, require rapid detection of accidental releases, eliminating potential harm to the environment. Monitoring of natural gas seeps are important in a climate and environmental aspect. Previous studies demonstrate the potential of sonars for detection and quantification of oil and gas releases of natural or anthropogenic origin. Simulations of acoustic backscattering from plumes is an important tool for design of leakage detection systems and in situ leakage quantification. Backscattering from subsea leakages are often simulated assuming spherical shapes using, e.g., effective medium theory, however in real world situations bubble and droplets are not spherical. In this study the backscattering from single bubbles (CO2, CH4, and air) and droplets (light and heavy oil) are simulated under different shape regimes (i.e. as a function of Reynolds and Eotvos number). The shapes are extracted from time dependent Computa...

The BLIXER, Integrated Balun-LNA-Mixer for ZigBee Application

Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to design a Blixer using noise-cancelling technique and balun –LNA-Mixer for better performance. Methods: As studied in literature of mixers, it shows they have less bandwidth disadvantage. This paper is concentrated to realize a wide bandwidth mixer by keeping the real part of the impedance of all RF nodes low, and using this mixer there is no capacitive loading problem. Findings: By avoiding use of inductors, the on chip size of circuit will be reduced and also the bandwidth extension requirement is fulfilled. This gives less DC-voltage drop after IF filtering. The design is implemented and simulated using Advanced Design System tool in CMOS 0.18um technology. The noise figure of the final BLIXER is obtained as 0.6dB and that of LNA is less than 2dB. This results are one of the best seen for a BLIXER. Applications: This design is well suited for wideband ZigBee receiver in wireless communication systems.

PERANCANGAN APLIKASI E-DISCUSSION ANTARA GURU DAN SISWA BERBASIS WEB PADA SMP N 13 SOLOK SELATAN DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN BAHASA PEMROGRAMAN PHP DAN DATABASE MySQL

From the research that has been conducted at Junior High School 13 South Solok can be concluded that the system used in the junior high school is less effective , due to the learning process can only be done on condition that the meeting between students and teachers in the classroom. If the meeting does not take place the learning process cannot be done. Therefore, the presence of E-Discussion system is expected to help the learning process of students effectively. After doing some research on Junior High School 13 South Solok this by collecting data through interviews and other methods. Then the analysis of data collected by the system design tools. After the designed output design.design input , design files and E-Discussion. The results of the analysis has been conducted on the Web site of the E-Discussion with the PHP programming language.

A design approach for integrating thermoelectric devices using topology optimization

Efficient operation of thermoelectric devices strongly relies on the thermal integration into the energy conversion system in which they operate. Effective thermal integration reduces the temperature differences between the thermoelectric module and its thermal reservoirs, allowing the system to operate more efficiently. This work proposes and experimentally demonstrates a topology optimization approach as a design tool for efficient integration of thermoelectric modules into systems with specific design constraints. The approach allows thermal layout optimization of thermoelectric systems for different operating conditions and objective functions, such as temperature span, efficiency, and power recovery rate. As a specific application, the integration of a thermoelectric cooler into the electronics section of a downhole oil well intervention tool is investigated, with the objective of minimizing the temperature of the cooled electronics. Several challenges are addressed: ensuring effective heat transfer from the load, minimizing the thermal resistances within the integrated system, maximizing the thermal protection of the cooled zone, and enhancing the conduction of the rejected heat to the oil well. The design method incorporates temperature dependent properties of the thermoelectric device and other materials. The 3D topology optimization model developed in this work was used to design a thermoelectric system, complete with insulation and heat sink, that was produced and tested. Good agreement between experimental results and model forecasts was obtained and the system was able to maintain the load at more than 33K below the oil well temperature. Results of this study support topology optimization as a powerful design tool for thermal design of thermoelectric systems.

A single stage absorption refrigeration system dynamic mathematical modeling, adjustment and experimental validation

In this paper, a dimensionless dynamic mathematical model is proposed, in order to analyze the response of single stage absorption refrigeration systems according to operating and geometric parameters. Suitable control volumes are defined in order to obtain the system dynamic response. Mass accumulation in the components is neglected, and the system is divided in two regions: i) the absorbent/refrigerant solution in the thermal compressor, and ii) pure refrigerant in the condenser, expansion valve and evaporator. The temperatures at each control volume are calculated in time with a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for the refrigerant side, and with a system of non-linear algebraic equations for the absorbent/refrigerant solution side of the refrigerator. The model equations are based on conservation of mass and energy principles, and simple functions to evaluate the thermodynamic properties of the ammonia–water system. Two sets of experimental data from an absorption refrigeration prototype were used to carry out model adjustment (set 1), followed by experimental validation (set 2), which showed good qualitative and quantitative agreement, within the experimental uncertainties. Dynamic simulations were conducted to assess the adequacy of model assumptions. Since accuracy and low computational time were obtained, it is reasonable to expect that the mathematical model could be used as a reliable design, control and optimization tool for absorption refrigeration systems.

Aerodynamic Design of Separate-Jet Exhausts for Future Civil Aero-engines—Part I: Parametric Geometry Definition and Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

This paper presents the development of an integrated approach which targets the aerodynamic design of separate-jet exhaust systems for future gas-turbine aero-engines. The proposed framework comprises a series of fundamental modeling theories which are applicable to engine performance simulation, parametric geometry definition, viscous/compressible flow solution, and design space exploration (DSE). A mathematical method has been developed based on class-shape transformation (CST) functions for the geometric design of axisymmetric engines with separate-jet exhausts. Design is carried out based on a set of standard nozzle design parameters along with the flow capacities established from zero-dimensional (0D) cycle analysis. The developed approach has been coupled with an automatic mesh generation and a Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) flow-field solution method, thus forming a complete aerodynamic design tool for separate-jet exhaust systems. The employed aerodynamic method has initially been validated against experimental measurements conducted on a small-scale turbine powered simulator (TPS) nacelle. The developed tool has been subsequently coupled with a comprehensive DSE method based on Latin-hypercube sampling. The overall framework has been deployed to investigate the design space of two civil aero-engines with separate-jet exhausts, representative of current and future architectures, respectively. The inter-relationship between the exhaust systems' thrust and discharge coefficients has been thoroughly quantified. The dominant design variables that affect the aerodynamic performance of both investigated exhaust systems have been determined. A comparative evaluation has been carried out between the optimum exhaust design subdomains established for each engine. The proposed method enables the aerodynamic design of separate-jet exhaust systems for a designated engine cycle, using only a limited set of intuitive design variables. Furthermore, it enables the quantification and correlation of the aerodynamic behavior of separate-jet exhaust systems for designated civil aero-engine architectures. Therefore, it constitutes an enabling technology toward the identification of the fundamental aerodynamic mechanisms that govern the exhaust system performance for a user-specified engine cycle.

Modified Micropipline Architecture for Synthesizable Asynchronous FIR Filter Design

The use of asynchronous design approaches to construct digital signal processing (DSP) systems is a rapidly growing research area driven by a wide range of emerging energy constrained applications such as wireless sensor network, portable medical devices and brain implants. The asynchronous design techniques allow the construction of systems which are samples driven, which means they only dissipate dynamic energy when there processing data and idle otherwise. This inherent advantage of asynchronous design over conventional synchronous circuits allows them to be energy efficient. However the implementation flow of asynchronous systems is still difficult due to its lack of compatibility with industry-standard synchronous design tools and modelling languages. This paper devises a novel asynchronous design for a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, an essential building block of DSP systems, which is synthesizable and suitable for implementation using conventional synchronous systems design flow and tools. The proposed design is based on a modified version of the micropipline architecture and it is constructed using four phase bundled data protocol. A hardware prototype of the proposed filter has been developed on an FPGA, and systematically verified. The results prove correct functionality of the novel design and a superior performance compared to a synchronous FIR implementation. The findings of this work will allow a wider adoption of asynchronous circuits by DSP designers to harness their energy and performance benefits.

Performance analysis and optimization of an advanced pharmaceutical wastewater treatment plant through a visual basic software tool (PWWT.VB).

A user-friendly, menu-driven simulation software tool has been developed for the first time to optimize and analyze the system performance of an advanced continuous membrane-integrated pharmaceutical wastewater treatment plant. The software allows pre-analysis and manipulation of input data which helps in optimization and shows the software performance visually on a graphical platform. Moreover, the software helps the user to "visualize" the effects of the operating parameters through its model-predicted output profiles. The software is based on a dynamic mathematical model, developed for a systematically integrated forward osmosis-nanofiltration process for removal of toxic organic compounds from pharmaceutical wastewater. The model-predicted values have been observed to corroborate well with the extensive experimental investigations which were found to be consistent under varying operating conditions like operating pressure, operating flow rate, and draw solute concentration. Low values of the relative error (RE = 0.09) and high values of Willmott-d-index (d will = 0.981) reflected a high degree of accuracy and reliability of the software. This software is likely to be a very efficient tool for system design or simulation of an advanced membrane-integrated treatment plant for hazardous wastewater.

A highly linear RF mixer using gate-all-around junctionless transistor

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we investigate the performance of a radio-frequency (RF) mixer based on single-silicon nanowire gate-all-around (GAA) junctionless field-effect transistor (JLFET). The main novelty in this work is the achievement of high linearity of RF mixer using band-to-band tunnelling phenomenon of GAA-JLFET. Using technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations, we extracted the value of unity-gain cut-off frequency of 420 GHz, which shows its potential for circuit applications in the extremely high-frequency regime. The harmonic-balanced simulations in Agilent advanced design system tool with an emphasis on the device-circuit interaction are used to analyse the RF mixer performance, such as output spectrum, 1-dB compression point, and conversion gain in comparison with 32-nm conventional n-metal oxide semiconductor transistor.

Matrix Operations Design Tool for FPGA and VLSI Systems

Embedded systems used in real-time applications require low power, less area and high computation speed. For digital signal processing, image processing and communication applications, data are often received at a continuously high rate. The type of necessary arithmetic functions and matrix operations may vary greatly among different applications. The RTL-based design and verification of one or more of these functions could be time-consuming. Some High Level Synthesis tools reduce this design and verification time but may not be optimal or suitable for low power applications. The design tool proposed in this paper can improve the design time and reduce the verification process. The design tool offers a fast design and verification platform for important matrix operations. These operations range from simple addition to more complex matrix operations such as LU and QR factorizations. The proposed platform can improve design time by reducing verification cycle. This tool generates Verilog code and its testbench that can be realized in FPGA and VLSI systems. The designed system uses MATLAB-based verification and reporting.

A Numerical Model for Predicting Dynamic Performance of Biomass-Integrated Organic Rankine Cycle, ORC, System for Electricity Generation

This paper presents the modeling of the energy conversion equations describing the total power generated by a hybrid system of biomass-CHP (Combined Heat and Power) and Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). A numerical model based upon the aforementioned conservation equations was developed, coded and results were analyzed. The model is intended to be used as an optimization and design tool for typical Biomass-CHP systems. The proposed model predicted results compared fairly with data under various biomass loading conditions.

Scattering Parameters prediction for 433MHz SAWR with Minimum Insertion loss

<p><em>A proposed schematic design for surface acoustic wave resonator (SAWR) is introduced in this paper. A simplified equivalent model for both one and two port 433MHz SAWR is built. Scattering parameters of the proposed design is extracted and compared with a commercial one of the same resonant frequency. Advanced system design tool is nominated to give the main parameters like Impedance and Admittance with their real and imaginary response. The insertion loss predicted mathematically and recorded from simulation then compared with the measured value. The proposed design tool introduced adequate results with minimum hardware procedure specifications.</em></p>