			Home About us Contact

Operating Range (operating + range)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	27%
Life Sciences	27%
Engineering	18%

Selected Abstracts

Studies on Regime Transition, Operating Range and System Stability in a Liquid-Solid Circulating Fluidized Bed

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 4 2009
P. Natarajan
Abstract In the present work, the variations in the solids circulation rate and solids holdup were analyzed to study the behavior of a liquid-solid circulating fluidized-bed (LSCFB) regime. The results confirm the existence of two regions in the regime of LSCFB. A new concept of critical liquid velocity, jlc, is proposed in the present work for demarcation between region,1 and region,2, which is found to be a constant value of about 1.3,ut for all particles considered. The operating range of the LSCFB regime is obtained for the various particles and a correlation is developed from the data to estimate the maximum total liquid velocity. The predicted maximum liquid velocity was compared with the experimental values and found to be in good agreement within ±9,%. The effects of total liquid velocity, particle size and density on the stable operating range are discussed. Analysis of the experimental results shows that stable operation prevails both in region,1 and region,2. [source]

Nitric oxide, superoxide and renal blood flow autoregulation in SHR after perinatal L -arginine and antioxidants

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2007
M. P. Koeners
Abstract Aim:, Nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide are considered to be regulatory in renal blood flow (RBF) autoregulation, and hence may contribute to development of hypertension. To extend our previous observations that dynamic NO release is impaired in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) we investigated, firstly, if superoxide dependency of RBF autoregulation is increased in SHR and, secondly, if the beneficial effect of perinatal supplementation in SHR is partly as a result of early correction of RBF autoregulation. We hypothesized that perinatal supplementation by restoring dynamic NO release and/or decreasing superoxide dependency and would improve life-long blood pressure regulation. Methods:, Autoregulation was studied using stepwise reductions in renal perfusion pressure in anaesthetized male SHR, SHR perinatally supplemented with arginine and antioxidants (SHRsuppl) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), prior to and during i.v. N, -nitro- l -arginine (NO synthase inhibitor) or tempol (superoxide dismutase mimetic). Results:, Spontaneously hypertensive rat displayed a wider operating range of RBF autoregulation as compared with WKY (59 ± 4 vs. 33 ± 2 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.01). Perinatal supplementation in SHR decreased mean arterial pressure, renal vascular resistance and the operating range of RBF autoregulation (43 ± 3 mmHg; P < 0.01). In addition autoregulation efficiency decreased. RBF autoregulation characteristics shifted towards those of normotensive WKY. However, dynamic NO release was still impaired and no clear differences in superoxide dependency in RBF autoregulation between groups was observed. Conclusion:, Perinatal supplements shifted RBF autoregulation characteristics of SHR towards WKY, although capacity of the SHRsuppl kidney to modulate NO production to shear stress still seems impaired. The less strictly controlled RBF as observed in perinatally supplemented SHR could result in an improved long-term blood pressure control. This might partly underlie the beneficial effects of perinatal supplementation. [source]

Fuzzy torque distribution control for a parallel hybrid vehicle

EXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 1 2002
Jong-Seob Won
A fuzzy torque distribution controller for energy management (and emission control) of a parallel hybrid electric vehicle is proposed. The proposed controller is implemented in terms of a hierarchical architecture which incorporates the mode of operation of the vehicle as well as empirical knowledge of energy flow in each mode. Moreover, the rule set for each mode of operation of the vehicle is designed in view of an overall energy management strategy that ranges from maximal emphasis on battery charge sustenance to complete reliance on the electrical power source. The proposed control system is evaluated via computational simulations under the FTP75 urban drive cycle. Simulation results reveal that the proposed fuzzy torque distribution strategy is effective over the entire operating range of the vehicle in terms of performance, fuel economy and emissions. [source]

Nonlinear predictive control of smooth nonlinear systems based on Volterra models.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 16 2010
Application to a pilot plant
Abstract There is a large demand to apply nonlinear algorithms to control nonlinear systems. With algorithms considering the process nonlinearities, better control performance is expected in the whole operating range than with linear control algorithms. Three predictive control algorithms based on a Volterra model are considered. The iterative predictive control algorithm to solve the complete nonlinear problem uses the non-autoregressive Volterra model calculated from the identified autoregressive Volterra model. Two algorithms for a reduced nonlinear optimization problem are considered for the unconstrained case, where an analytic control expression can be given. The performance of the three algorithms is analyzed and compared for reference signal tracking and disturbance rejection. The algorithms are applied and compared in simulation to control a Wiener model, and are used for real-time control of a chemical pilot plant. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

On the steady-state properties of actual flip angle imaging (AFI)

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2009
Kay Nehrke
Abstract AFI (actual flip angle imaging) represents an interesting approach to map the B1 transmit fields by measuring the spatial variations of the effective flip angle. However, the accuracy of the technique relies on the adequate spoiling of transverse magnetization. In the present work configuration theory was employed to develop a proper RF and gradient spoiling scheme for the AFI technique, making the sequence robust against off-resonance without the need of large spoiling gradients. Furthermore, numerical simulations were performed to predict the steady-state signals and, hence, the accuracy of the AFI technique as a function of the sequence and tissue parameters. It is shown that the spoiling properties of the sequence are mainly defined by the phase shift increment , of the RF pulses and the diffusion sensitivity resulting from the unbalanced gradients of the sequence. Adequate spoiling may be achieved for a reasonable range of tissue parameters and flip angles for moderate spoiling gradients if a favorable value for , is chosen. Phantom and in vivo head imaging experiments show an excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions, indicating that the proper operating range of the approach may be reliably predicted by the theory. Magn Reson Med 61:84,92, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Effects of uniaxial stress on the magnetic properties of thin films and GMR sensors prepared on polyimide substrates

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 8 2008
Berkem Özkaya
Abstract The effects of externally applied uniaxial stress on the magnetic properties of Co thin films and pseudo-spin-valve (PSV) structures on flexible polyimide substrates were investigated. The advantage of the polyimide substrate is its flexibility and high elasticity (,1%), which cannot be achieved using conventional crystalline substrates. The Co layers exhibit a macroscopic easy axis induced by the preparation process. When the stress is applied perpendicular to the induced in-plane easy axis, the magnetic domains in the film rotate towards the applied stress direction, which was confirmed using Kerr microscopy and magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) magnetometer measurements. A Co/Cu/Ni PSV system was prepared on polyimide substrate with dc magnetron sputtering. Applying uniaxial stress leads to opposite rotation of the magnetisation directions in both layers to each other due to different signs of the magnetostriction coefficients of Co and Ni. The magnetisation and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) curves under applied stress were recorded using in situ MOKE and current in-plane four-point probe techniques, respectively. When the stress is applied perpendicular to the external magnetic field (Hext), the operating range of the GMR sensor increases, whereas the sensitivity decreases. Anisotropy energies and saturation magnetostriction values of the Co and Ni layer were determined by fitting the GMR and magnetisation curves using a micromagnetic model. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]

Parameter Estimation and Actuator Characteristics of Hybrid Magnetic Bearings for Axial Flow Blood Pump Applications

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 7 2009
Tau Meng Lim
Abstract Axial flow blood pumps are generally smaller as compared to centrifugal pumps. This is very beneficial because they can provide better anatomical fit in the chest cavity, as well as lower the risk of infection. This article discusses the design, levitated responses, and parameter estimation of the dynamic characteristics of a compact hybrid magnetic bearing (HMB) system for axial flow blood pump applications. The rotor/impeller of the pump is driven by a three-phase permanent magnet brushless and sensorless motor. It is levitated by two HMBs at both ends in five degree of freedom with proportional,integral,derivative controllers, among which four radial directions are actively controlled and one axial direction is passively controlled. The frequency domain parameter estimation technique with statistical analysis is adopted to validate the stiffness and damping coefficients of the HMB system. A specially designed test rig facilitated the estimation of the bearing's coefficients in air,in both the radial and axial directions. Experimental estimation showed that the dynamic characteristics of the HMB system are dominated by the frequency-dependent stiffness coefficients. By injecting a multifrequency excitation force signal onto the rotor through the HMBs, it is noticed in the experimental results the maximum displacement linear operating range is 20% of the static eccentricity with respect to the rotor and stator gap clearance. The actuator gain was also successfully calibrated and may potentially extend the parameter estimation technique developed in the study of identification and monitoring of the pump's dynamic properties under normal operating conditions with fluid. [source]

A Passive Magnetically and Hydrodynamically Suspended Rotary Blood Pump

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 3 2009
Martin Stoiber
Abstract A combined hydrodynamic,magnetic bearing allows the design of rotary blood pumps that are not encumbered with mechanical bearings and magnets requiring sensors or electrical power. However, such pumps have so far needed very small and accurately manufactured gaps between rotor and housing to assure effective hydromagnetic bearing behavior. In order to use this concept in disposable pump heads, a design that allows larger rotor-housing gaps, and thus larger manufacturing tolerances, is needed. A pump with passive magnetic bearings and a gap between rotor and housing in the range of 0.5 mm was designed. Numerical simulations were performed to optimize the rotor geometry at low levels of shear stress. An experimental test stand was used to find a range of speeds and gap settings that resulted in low levels of vibration and useful pressure,flow relationships. Three different rotor geometries were tested using a viscosity-adjusted test fluid. Blood damage tests were conducted within the desirable range of speeds and gap settings. In this study stable pump performance was demonstrated at total gap widths between 0.3 and 0.7 mm at flows of 0,10 L/min, with afterloads up to 230 mm Hg. Best performance was achieved with rotors sliding on a fluid pillow between the rotor and the outer housing at a gap distance of 50 to 250 µm. The inner gap distance, between the rotor and the inner housing, could be as great as 500 µm. Hemolysis tests on the prototype within the chosen operating range showed lower values (NIH = 0.0029 ± 0.0012 g/100 L) than the Biomedicus BP-80 pump (NIH = 0.0033 ± 0.0011 g/100 L). In conclusion, it is possible to build rotary blood pumps with passive hydromagnetic bearings that have large gaps between their rotors and housings. Rotor behavior is sensitive to the position of the permanent magnetic drive unit. To minimize vibration and blood damage, the fluid gaps and the rotational speed have to be adjusted according to the desired operating point of the pump. Further study is needed to optimize the magnetic drive unit and to ascertain its ability to withstand inertial loads imposed by sudden movements and external shock. [source]

Development and calibration of a nitrification PDE model based on experimental data issued from biofilter treating drinking water

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2006
I. Queinnec
Abstract To remove ammonia for production of drinking water, nitrification can be performed in a bio-filter. At least 1 month is necessary to capture from the groundwater and then grow a sufficient amount of nitrifying bacteria to reach the desired removal efficiency. Improving start-up of bio-filters at low substrate concentration is therefore a major challenge. In this connection, it is important to develop appropriate models for designing, monitoring or analysing biofilm systems during start-up or following disinfection events. This study discusses the development and calibration of a nitrification PDE model which reflects the compromise between the complexity associated with the description of the full physical and biochemical mechanisms and the search for a simplified model with identifiable parameters. This model takes only the relevant phenomena (considering the full operating range) into account. The validity of the calibrated model has been evaluated through experiments under very different operational conditions, at the laboratory and under real industrial conditions, involving the full upstream chain of water treatment (iron oxidation and sand filter). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]