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Systematic Methodology (systematic + methodology)
Selected AbstractsIncorporating linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic information in a risk-based approach for ranking contaminated sitesINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010Kejiang Zhang Abstract Different types of uncertain information,linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic,exist in site characterization. Their representation and propagation significantly influence the management of contaminated sites. In the absence of a framework with which to properly represent and integrate these quantitative and qualitative inputs together, decision makers cannot fully take advantage of the available and necessary information to identify all the plausible alternatives. A systematic methodology was developed in the present work to incorporate linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic information into the Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE), a subgroup of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods for ranking contaminated sites. The identification of criteria based on the paradigm of comparative risk assessment provides a rationale for risk-based prioritization. Uncertain linguistic, probabilistic, and possibilistic information identified in characterizing contaminated sites can be properly represented as numerical values, intervals, probability distributions, and fuzzy sets or possibility distributions, and linguistic variables according to their nature. These different kinds of representation are first transformed into a 2-tuple linguistic representation domain. The propagation of hybrid uncertainties is then carried out in the same domain. This methodology can use the original site information directly as much as possible. The case study shows that this systematic methodology provides more reasonable results. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010;6:711,724. © 2010 SETAC [source] Finite element analysis of advanced multilayer capacitorsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2003L. Vu-Quoc We establish a systematic methodology to design and analyse electromagnetic components such as advanced multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) using the finite element (FE) method. We employ a coupled formulation to compute the interaction between the electric and magnetic fields. Unlike a linear distribution of current assumed in the circuit model, an accurate electrostatic solution to model the entire advanced MLCCs (4 × 4 × 27 = 432 cells) is presented. The FE solution is used to compute the lumped parameters for a range of frequencies. These lumped parameters are then used to compute the parasitic elements of the MLCCs. We introduce two algorithms to efficiently analyse the behaviour of a capacitor with changing frequency. The lower frequency (much below the self-resonant frequency of the capacitor) algorithm separates the effect of the electric and magnetic fields and reduces the computational effort required to solve the FE problem, whereas, the high-frequency algorithm couples the effect between the electric and the magnetic fields. We use these algorithms in conjunction with a new multiple scale technique to effectively determine the small values of R, L and C in MLCCs. The formulation, the implementation, and the numerical results demonstrate the efficacy of the present FE formulation and establish a systematic methodology to design and analyse advanced electromagnetic components. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A geometric approach for the design of MIMO sliding controllers.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 1 2009Application to a wind-driven doubly fed induction generator Abstract This paper presents a systematic methodology to design controllers for a general class of nonlinear MIMO systems affine in the control in the presence of bounded uncertainties and disturbances. The design method is developed using a theoretical framework based on the combination of a geometric approach and sliding mode techniques. The resulting robust control law guarantees finite time convergence, whereas chattering reduction is achieved by utilizing the minimum discontinuous action required to ensure disturbance rejection. The proposed methodology is applied to the control of a grid-connected wind energy generation system based on a doubly fed induction generator. The control objectives considered in this paper are maximization of the wind energy conversion and reactive power regulation to minimize machine losses. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dynamic Analysis of Tendon Driven Robotic MechanismsJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 5 2003Jyh-Jone Lee In this paper, a systematic methodology for the dynamic analysis of tendon-driven robotic mechanisms is presented. The approach utilizes the recursive Newton-Euler equations to compute the kinematic and dynamic equations of all links that locate on the transmission line of a tendon-driven robotic mechanism. The inertias of the intermediate links in the mechanism are taken into account. It is shown that the dynamic equations can be established in a recursive manner from the end-effector links toward the proximal links and can be solved at the proximal end without the need of solving the simultaneous system equations. The joint reaction forces and the tension in each segment of tendon can be also obtained. The methodology can be applied to both endless and open-ended tendon drives. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Geared robot manipulators with a jointed unit: Kinematic analysis and its applicationJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 10 2001Dar-Zen Chen An efficient and systematic methodology for the kinematic analysis of geared robot manipulators (GRMs) with a jointed unit is presented. It is shown that, by decomposing mechanical transmission lines of a GRM into serially connected jointed and disjointed units, kinematic relation between local inputs and local outputs of admissible jointed units can be systematically formulated. Accordingly, angular displacements of input links with respect to their associated primary links can be symbolically expressed in terms of joint angles by a unit-by-unit evaluation procedure. This unit-by-unit evaluation procedure provides better kinematic insights into how input torques are transmitted to various joints. It is also shown that an actuator in a GRM with a jointed unit can drive nonconsecutive joints by proper design of its gear train. A 3 degrees of freedom GRM with a jointed unit is used as an illustrative example. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Synthesis of mechanical driver and power generation configurations, Part 2: LNG applicationsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 9 2010Frank L. Del Nogal Abstract Optimization framework for the synthesis of power systems has been presented in Part 1 of this article, which systematically identifies the most cost-efficient number, type, and model of mechanical drivers, together with optimal arrangement for compressor stage, helper motors or generators, and power plants. The developed methodology is applied to an LNG case study in which optimal and near-optimal systems at various economic scenarios are identified. Also, a systematic methodology for the integrated design of refrigeration and power systems has been addressed to improve the overall design of low temperature processes. Additional key degrees of freedom such as stage pressure ratios and plant capacity are optimized, alongside other design variables, which provide greater flexibility in the matching of power supply and demands. This strategy is applied to an LNG case study and shows the convenience of this approach as the interactions between the refrigeration and power systems are systematically exploited. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] A superstructure-based optimal synthesis of PSA cycles for post-combustion CO2 capture,AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 7 2010Anshul Agarwal Abstract Recent developments have shown pressure/vacuum swing adsorption (PSA/VSA) to be a promising option to effectively capture CO2 from flue gas streams. In most commercial PSA cycles, the weakly adsorbed component in the mixture is the desired product, and enriching the strongly adsorbed CO2 is not a concern. On the other hand, it is necessary to concentrate CO2 to high purity to reduce CO2 sequestration costs and minimize safety and environmental risks. Thus, it is necessary to develop PSA processes specifically targeted to obtain pure strongly adsorbed component. A multitude of PSA/VSA cycles have been developed in the literature for CO2 capture from feedstocks low in CO2 concentration. However, no systematic methodology has been suggested to develop, evaluate, and optimize PSA cycles for high purity CO2 capture. This study presents a systematic optimization-based formulation to synthesize novel PSA cycles for a given application. In particular, a novel PSA superstructure is presented to design optimal PSA cycle configurations and evaluate CO2 capture strategies. The superstructure is rich enough to predict a number of different PSA operating steps. The bed connections in the superstructure are governed by time-dependent control variables, which can be varied to realize most PSA operating steps. An optimal sequence of operating steps is achieved through the formulation of an optimal control problem with the partial differential and algebraic equations of the PSA system and the cyclic steady state condition. Large-scale optimization capabilities have enabled us to adopt a complete discretization methodology to solve the optimal control problem as a large-scale nonlinear program, using the nonlinear optimization solver IPOPT. The superstructure approach is demonstrated for case studies related to post-combustion CO2 capture. In particular, optimal PSA cycles were synthesized, which maximize CO2 recovery for a given purity, and minimize overall power consumption. The results show the potential of the superstructure to predict PSA cycles with up to 98% purity and recovery of CO2. Moreover, for recovery of around 85% and purity of over 90%, these cycles can recover CO2 from atmospheric flue gas with a low power consumption of 465 k Wh tonne,1 CO2. The approach presented is, therefore, very promising and quite useful for evaluating the suitability of different adsorbents, feedstocks, and operating strategies for PSA, and assessing its usefulness for CO2 capture. Published 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Reduced-order suboptimal control design for a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems using POD and ,,D techniquesOPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS AND METHODS, Issue 3 2008Radhakant Padhi Abstract A new computational tool is presented in this paper for suboptimal control design of a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems (DPSs). In this systematic methodology, first proper orthogonal decomposition-based problem-oriented basis functions are designed, which are then used in a Galerkin projection to come up with a low-order lumped parameter approximation. This technique has evolved as a powerful model reduction technique for DPSs. Next, a suboptimal controller is designed using the emerging ,,D technique for lumped parameter systems. This time domain control solution is then mapped back to the distributed domain using the same basis functions, which essentially leads to a closed form solution for the controller in a state-feedback form. We present this technique for the class of nonlinear DPSs that are affine in control. Numerical results for a benchmark problem as well as for a more challenging representative real-life nonlinear temperature control problem indicate that the proposed method holds promise as a good optimal control design technique for the class of DPSs under consideration. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Aligning business needs and instructional assets (recycling instructional assets)PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT, Issue 1 2009Joel Gendelman High-performing organizations and performance improvement professionals frequently speak about the alignment of their instructional curricula with the needs of the business. However, they often lack a systematic methodology for performing that alignment. This article presents such a method. The process provides the ability to better support current business initiatives, increase organizational responsiveness, and reduce curriculum acquisition and development costs. [source] A critical reappraisal of the fossil record of the bilaterian phylaBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 2 2000GRAHAM E. BUDD ABSTRACT It has long been assumed that the extant bilaterian phyla generally have their origin in the Cambrian explosion, when they appear in an essentially modern form. Both these assumptions are questionable. A strict application of stem- and crown-group concepts to phyla shows that although the branching points of many clades may have occurred in the Early Cambrian or before, the appearance of the modern body plans was in most cases later: very few bilaterian phyla sensu stricto have demonstrable representatives in the earliest Cambrian. Given that the early branching points of major clades is an inevitable result of the geometry of clade diversification, the alleged phenomenon of phyla appearing early and remaining morphologically static is seen not to require particular explanation. Confusion in the definition of a phylum has thus led to attempts to explain (especially from a developmental perspective) a feature that is partly inevitable, partly illusory. We critically discuss models for Proterozoic diversification based on small body size, limited developmental capacity and poor preservation and cryptic habits, and show that the prospect of lineage diversification occurring early in the Proterozoic can be seen to be unlikely on grounds of both parsimony and functional morphology. Indeed, the combination of the body and trace fossil record demonstrates a progressive diversification through the end of the Proterozoic well into the Cambrian and beyond, a picture consistent with body plans being assembled during this time. Body-plan characters are likely to have been acquired monophyletically in the history of the bilaterians, and a model explaining the diversity in just one of them, the coelom, is presented. This analysis points to the requirement for a careful application of systematic methodology before explanations are sought for alleged patterns of constraint and flexibility. [source] The Study of Molecular Modeling for Heavy Oil Thermal CrackingCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 9 2007L. Yan Abstract The tighter specifications for refining products have gradually led refineries to focus on the molecular modeling of petroleum processing. In this work, a systematic methodology is presented for the molecular modeling of heavy oil thermal cracking (HOTC). This research which is based on a microscopic understanding provides a basis to achieve better design, management, optimization, and control of HOTC. The molecular information of HOTC product streams is represented in the form of a MTHS (molecular type homologous series) matrix. From consideration of the complexity of structural isomers in heavy petroleum fractions, the heavy molecules in a homologous series are grouped to reduce the dimension of the MTHS matrix. Transformation correlations are developed to capture the molecular properties of each homologous series in the MTHS matrix and to interrelate the molecular composition and bulk properties of the product streams. The HOTC process model was built on the basis of the molecular representation provided by the MTHS matrix and the transformation correlations. Two case studies are illustrated for validation of the proposed model and methodology. [source] | |||||||||||||