Wide Range Of Dynamic Conditions Research Articles

Basal Force Fluctuations and Granular Rheology: Linking Macroscopic Descriptions of Granular Flows to Bed Forces With Implications for Monitoring Signals

AbstractGranular flows are ubiquitous in nature with single flows traversing a wide range of dynamic conditions from initiation to deposition. Many of these flows are responsible for significant hazards and can generate remotely detectable seismic signals. These signals provide a potential for real‐time flow measurements from a safe distance. To fully realize the benefit of seismic measurements, basal‐granular forces must be linked to macroscopic internal flow dynamics across a wide range of flow conditions. We utilize discrete element simulations to observe dry and submerged granular flows under plane‐shear and inclined‐flow configurations, relating bulk kinematics to basal‐force distributions. We find that the power and frequency of force fluctuations scale with non‐dimensional shear rate (I). This scaling tracks three pre‐established regimes that are described by μ(I) rheology: (a) an intermittent particle rearrangement regime, where basal forces are dominated by low frequencies; (b) an intermediate regime where basal forces start to increase in frequency while showing correlations in space and (c) a fully collisional regime where the signal is nearly flat up to a cutoff frequency. We further identify a newly defined fourth regime that marks a “phase change” from the intermediate to collisional regime where increases in basal force fluctuations with increasing shear rates stalls as the granular bed dilates, partially destroying the contact network. This effort suggests that basal forces can be used to interpret complex granular processes in geophysical flows.

Assessing an efficient “Instant Acclimation” approximation of dynamic phytoplankton stoichiometry

The variable elemental ratios of carbon to essential nutrients in marine organic matter affect the productivity of marine food-webs and the sequestration of carbon in the deep ocean. It is important that models of these systems are able to correctly reproduce observed trends. “Dynamic Quota” models have achieved some success in this regard, but the computational expense of transporting each state variable in ocean models has prevented many large-scale models from moving beyond a simpler “Fixed Stoichiometry” formulation. This article compares the Dynamic Quota and Fixed Stoichiometry models to a recent “Instant Acclimation” model, which combines the stoichiometric flexibility of the Dynamic Quota model with the computational efficiency of the Fixed Stoichiometry model. The Instant Acclimation model is mathematically equivalent to the Dynamic Quota model at equilibrium, and provides an accurate approximation under a wide range of dynamic conditions. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the Instant Acclimation model recommend it as a candidate for incorporating flexible stoichiometry into marine ecosystem models, especially in situations where the number of model state-variables is restricted.

Activated Sludge Production Parameters and Nutrient Content of Organic Sludge Components.

An important part of biological treatment system design is quantifying the sludge production and the nutrient removal capacity. Influent wastewater COD fractionation, biomass growth and endogenous respiration directly impacts the composition of the mixed liquor solids in activated sludge systems. The objectives of this project were to determine the model kinetic and stoichiometric parameters associated with activated sludge production and the nutrient content (N and P) of unbiodegradable organic matter components. A complete sludge retention experiment was conducted over 70 days in a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor fed with a real municipal wastewater, and operated with alternating growth and famine periods. Experimental results were simulated and compared using the default values from two well-accepted model parameter sets. The General ASDM parameter set was found to better fit the experimental data than the Metcalf and Eddy parameter set, mainly to characterize endogenous respiration and the heterotrophic biomass concentration. An influent unbiodegradable organic particulate fraction (fXU,Inf) value of 0.16 g COD/g COD was determined by calibration of the accumulated sludge total COD, suspended solids and heterotrophic biomass concentrations. The nutrient content of the accumulated endogenous residue (XE) and influent unbiodegradable organic particulate (XU,Inf) components were calibrated to 0.030 and 0.100 g N/g COD and 0.035 and 0.008 g P/g COD, respectively. These values are in the range of those reported in the literature except for the high P content found in the endogenous residue, possibly due to the presence of coagulants added for P removal in the accumulated sludge. These results were consistent under the wide range of dynamic conditions tested and could improve model prediction of sludge production and composition.

Dynamic phasor and frequency estimator for phasor measurement units

Synchrophasors and frequency estimations play an increasingly important role in power systems. Discrete Fourier transform (DFT) may introduce errors into phasor and frequency estimations under dynamic conditions, such as power oscillation. A dynamic phasor and frequency estimator for phasor measurement units (PMUs) is proposed to improve accuracy by considering dynamic characteristics of power systems expressed as Taylor derivatives. Firstly, phasor estimations of sequence components of diffident data windows are attained via DFT. Secondly Taylor derivatives, expressed by adjacent phasors at different data windows, are employed to improve accuracy of estimations by reassigning estimations with the knowledge of dynamic characteristics. Finally, dynamic characteristics of positive sequence components are applied to estimate the fundamental frequency with less delay compared to a state-of-the-art algorithm, phasor-based synchronised frequency measurement (PSFM). To verify the performance, a set of digital dynamic tests and a power oscillation model using PSCAD/EMTDC are presented. The simulation results show that proposed algorithm can achieve highly accurate estimations of phasor and frequency over a wide range of dynamic conditions. Even though a minor increase in calculation burden is required, this technique provides accurate phasor and frequency estimations without changing the legacy structure of PMU devices. Additionally, it has been found that proposed algorithm really meets the needs of online applications.

Dynamic control of a SI engine with variable intake valve timing

AbstractEngines equipped with a means to actuate air flow at the intake valve can achieve superior fuel economy performance in steady state. This paper shows how modern nonlinear design techniques can be used to control such an engine over a wide range of dynamic conditions. The problem is challenging due to the nonlinearities and delays inherent in the engine model, and the constraint on the air flow actuator. The controller is designed on the basis of a mean‐value model, which is derived from a detailed intake stroke model. The control solution has two novel features. Firstly, a recovery scheme for integrator wind‐up due to input constraints is directly integrated into the nonlinear control design. The second novel feature is that the control Lyapunov function methodology is applied to a discrete‐time model. The performance of the controller is evaluated and compared with a conventionally controlled engine through simulation on the detailed engine model. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Acoustic impedance and basal shear stress beneath four Antarctic ice streams

AbstractThe acoustic impedance of the subglacial material beneath 7.2 km profiles on four ice streams in Antarctica has been measured using a seismic technique. The ice streams span a wide range of dynamic conditions with flow rates of 35–464 m a–1. The acoustic impedance indicates that poorly lithified or dilated sedimentary material is ubiquitous beneath these ice streams. Meanacoustic impedance across each profile correlates well with basal shear stress and the slipperiness of the bed, indicating that acoustic impedance is a good diagnostic not only for the porosity of the subglacial material, but also for its dynamic state (deforming or non-deforming). Beneath two of the ice streams, lodged (non-deforming) and dilated (deforming) sediment coexist but their distribution is not obviously controlled by basal topography or ice thickness. Their distribution may be controlled by complex material properties or the deformation history. Beneath Rutford Ice Stream, lodged and dilated sediment coexist and are distributed in broad bands several kilometres wide, whileon Talutis Inlet there is considerable variability over much shorter distances; this may reflect differences in the mechanism of drainage beneath the ice streams. The material beneath the slow-moving Carlson Inlet is probably lodged but unlithified sediment; this is consistent with the hypothesis that Carlson Inlet was once a fast-flowing ice stream but is now in a stagnant phase, which could possibly be revivedby raised basal water content. The entire bed beneath fast-flowing Evans Ice Stream is dilated sediment.

Analysis of coal Mill Dynamic Characteristics Under Normal and Abnormal Operating Conditions

This paper describes the analysis results of the dynamic characteristics of coal grinding mills used in a large coal-fired power generation unit. The aim of the work is to develop a knowledge-based expert power plant operator support/control system (KBOSS) to improve power plant process monitoring and control. To achieve this it is necessary to develop a mill model that is accurate under a wide range of dynamic conditions. As the mill modeling tests were carried out in various different operating conditions, including some abnormal conditions, the test results obtained provide very important information for mill control, modeling and the system knowledge base development.

An integrated metabolic model for the aerobic and denitrifying biological phosphorus removal

In this work, an integrated metabolic model for biological phosphorus removal is presented. Using a previously proposed mathematical model it was shown to be possible to describe the two known biological phosphorus removal processes, under aerobic and denitrifying conditions, with the same biochemical reactions, where only the difference in electron acceptor (oxygen and nitrate) is taken into account. Though, apart from the ATP/NADH ratio, the stoichiometry in those models is identical, different kinetic parameters were found. Therefore, a new kinetic structure is proposed that adequately describes phosphorus removal under denitrifying and aerobic conditions with the same kinetic equations and parameters. The ATP/NADH ratio (delta) is the only model parameter that is different for aerobic and denitrifying growth. With the new model, simulations of anaerobic/aerobic and anaerobic/denitrifying sequencing batch reactors (A(2) SBR and A/O SBR) were made for verification of the model. Not only short-term behavior, but also steady state, was simulated. The results showed very good agreement between model predictions and experimental results for a wide range of dynamic conditions and sludge retention times. Sensitivity analysis shows the influence of the model parameters and the feed substrate concentrations on both systems.

Monte Carlo modelling of erosion processes

Many models are available in the literature that describe ductile and brittle erosion processes and the influence of scale formation on the erosion process. It is clear that each of these models has limited applicability restricted by the mode of material removal being modelled. Hence, if erosion processes over a wide range of dynamic conditions expected in service are to be modelled then a new approach unifying the individual mechanistic models must be adopted. This paper presents such a unified approach. Monte Carlo simulation techniques are used to model the stochastic nature of erosion processes. Particle properties, material surface condition and the local dynamic impact environment are individually considered and permit a suitable mechanistic erosion model to be selected for the particular impact conditions. Variation in particle size, impact velocity and material properties are accommodated by using statistical distributions to describe each condition. Using Monte Carlo methods discrete impact conditions are selected and the amount of damage is calculated. The final erosion rate is given by summing all of the discrete damage events. Predictions using this modelling approach are compared with examples taken from laboratory studies aimed at simulating gas turbine service and coal combined cycle environments are used to demonstrate the versatility of this Monte Carlo approach.

Modelling erosive wear

Many models are now available which may form the basis of a predictive tool to describe ductile, brittle and scale modified erosion processes. From a review of these models, it is clear that a unified approach is required, incorporating aspects of many of these models, if erosive wear both at room temperature and elevated temperature is to be predicted over a wide range of dynamic conditions expected in service. This paper presents an approach based on the Monte Carlo simulation of erosion, by considering the dynamics of individual particle impact actions. The materials' surface condition (and hence properties) the local environment and the properties of the particle permit a suitable erosion model to be selected for that particular impact condition. The final erosion rate is evaluated by accumulating damage across all impacts. This Monte Carlo simulation approach permits the many models currently available to be incorporated into a single unified computer model, with the most pertinent model selected for a given impact condition. Examples of the model's application to a wide range of materials and erosion conditions are presented for gas turbine and coal gasification environments to demonstrate the versatility of this unified erosive wear modelling approach.

Dynamic Simulation of the ITER Fuel Cycle

This paper discusses a dynamic simulation developed for the ITER fuel cycle including vacuum pumping, fuel processing, fueling, pellet injection, tritium breeding blanket detritiation, fuel purification and isotope separation. The dynamic simulation model is used for calculating the unsteady-state flow of materials through the various fuel processing systems. since many of the systems have substantial hold-up times, and the ITER reactor burn and dwell cycle is periodic, a steady state model cannot provide a complete picture of system behavior. The dynamic model allows assessment of flowrates and minimum and maximum inventories under a wide range of dynamic conditions. This information is necessary for proper specification of system design requirements.