Fast computing neural network modeling for fault diagnosis in power systems

P. Chandra Sekhar, B. V. Sanker Ram and K. S. Sarma

In this paper an approach for fault location based on online neural network is designed. The approach of learning the neural network based on the running fault values are trained for the suggested neural network. This approach result in running fault diagnosis based on the fault observation parameter based on the diagnosis tool. The approach is designed to run on running values of the distributed system so as to overcome the level of fault happening in a run time environment, which is not observed in case of the conventional neural controlling method.

Natural convection heat transfer from fin arrays-experimental and theoretical study on effect of inclination of base on heat transfer

S. V. Naidu, V. Dharma Rao, B. Govinda Rao, A. Sombabu and B. Sreenivasulu

The problem of natural convection heat transfer from fin arrays with inclination is studied experimentally and theoretically to find the effect of inclination of the base of the fin array on heat transfer rate. A numerical model is developed by taking an enclosure, which is formed by two adjacent vertical fins and horizontal base. Results obtained from this enclosure are used to predict heat transfer rate from the fin array. All the governing equations related to fluid in the enclosure, together with the heat conduction equation in both the fins are solved by using Alternate Direct Implicit method.  Numerical results are obtained for temperature along the length of the fin and in the fluid in the enclosure. The experimental studies have been also carried out on two geometric orientations viz., (a) vertical base with vertical fins (vertical fin array) and (b) horizontal base with vertical fins (horizontal fin array), with the five different inclinations like 0⁰, 30⁰, 45⁰, 60⁰, and 90⁰. The experimental results are compared with the numerical results computed by the theoretical analysis shows the good agreement.

Numerical Simulation of Hydrodynamic Field from Pump-Turbine Runner

I. Anton and I. Sârbu

One of the fundamental hypotheses of turbomachine design is to assume that the stream surfaces in the machine bladed zones are of revolution type. This can be obtained by accepting the flow as axisymmetric in the hypothesis of incompressible and ideal fluid and by determining the hydrodynamic field constituted by the stream lines and equipotential ones, respectively, in the meridian plane. In this paper is developed a computational model of the hydrodynamic field in the meridian plane by the boundary element technique. The results are obtained by solving a boundary-limit conditions problem for Stokes’ equation for the j velocity potential. From the connection between the functions j and y is determined the stream function y and the velocity field along stream lines. The proposed computational model is applied to a pump-turbine runner and the numerical results are compared to those obtained by the finite element method.

Investigations on TIO₂ and AG based single and multilayer films for window glazings

M. M. Hasan, A. B. M. Malek, A. S. M. A. Haseeb and H. H. Masjuki

In this investigation, TiO₂ and Ag based single and multilayer-films were deposited on microscope glass slides with varying individual layer thicknesses by radio-frequency reactive magnetron sputtering. Prior to multilayer development, single layers of Ag and TiO₂ were deposited and characterized. All the films were prepared at an elevated pressure of 3 Pa at room temperature. It was found that single layer of TiO₂ showed anatase polycrystalline structure. It also exhibited high visible transmittance of above 80% and higher refractive index of 2.31 at a wavelength of 550 nm. The indirect optical band gap of the TiO₂ films was estimated as 3.39 eV. The Ag single layer films were found to be crystalline with a very high reflectance for IR (Infra-red) light. Finally, the multi-layers have been deposited and characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible-NIR spectro-photometry, scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy.

Performance evaluation of a palm fruit bunch stripper

Ojomo A. O., Ologunagba F. O. and Alagha S. A.

Abstract:

A palm fruit bunch stripper was designed and developed at the Department of Agricultural Engineering Technology, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo state, Nigeria.  The machine was evaluated for the stripping of quartered bunches. Studies were conducted on the effect of machine speed (1500rpm, 2000rpm and 2500rpm) and the time of steaming (10min, 20min and 30min) on the machine out-put capacity, efficiency and quality performance efficiency. The performance was also evaluated at different levels of machine and crop variables. Machine speed and time of steaming statistically affected the machine performance at 5% significance level using the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The performance was found to be influenced by all studied variables. However, the machine gave the best stripping efficiency of 93.4%, quality performance of 91.2% and output capacity of 74.9kg/h with the least damaged seed of 0.4% at 2500rpm machine speed and 30min time of steaming, when compared with other combinations of variables.

Optical signature of wood sample - Mueller matrix imaging polarimetry

K. Srinivasa Reddy, V. Mohan kumar, S. Chandra lingam, P. Raghavendra Rao and P. V. Kanaka Rao

Abstract:

Mueller Matrix Imaging Polarimetry is a powerful imaging technique used to provide high precision measurements for the Mueller matrices at every pixel of an image captured with a detector. The system used acquires 16 Mueller Matrix images and these images are further processed to investigate the polarization properties of the sample under consideration. In this communication the optical system used to acquire the Mueller Matrix Images functioning in reflection frame is described and the resulting polarization character of the wood sample is presented.

Potential of fluted pumpkin and commercial activated carbons for phenol removal in aqueous systems

O. A. Ekpete, M. Horsfall Jnr and T. Tarawou

The potential of fluted pumpkin activated carbon made from fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F) stem waste and commercial activated carbon was studied. The fluted pumpkin stem waste was carbonized and activated with 0.3M ortho-phosphoric acid. Batch kinetic and isotherm studies were carried out under varying experimental conditions of contact time, phenol concentration, temperature, adsorbent dosage and pH. The results showed that the amount of phenol adsorbed increased with increasing initial phenol concentration and decreased with increasing pH. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used for the mathematical description of adsorption equilibrium. It was found that the experimental data fitted Langmuir better than Freundlich models. The result illustrated how fluted pumpkin stem waste, an environmental nuisance in Nigeria can be converted to a useful activated carbon for phenol removal in aqueous solution.

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow in Enclosed Rotating Filter and Disk

Yazan Taamneh

Abstract:

Computational fluid dynamics is used to investigate the behaviour of the fluid flow between two rotating filter disks. The fluid is assumed to be Newtonian, incompressible, non-fouling and isothermal. The k-ε model is used to describe turbulent flow in a pressurised housing specially surrounding the rotating membrane. The axial gap between two rotating disk was found to has significant effect on the shear stress over the filter disk. Increasing the rotation speed of the filters decreases the permeate flux. The back pressure phenomenon can be a voided by a careful choice of the operating conditions.

Surface plasmon resonance determination of methanol concentration during alkaline transestrification

Amir Reza Sadrolhosseini, Mohd. Maarof Moksin, W. Mahmood, Mat. Yunus and Zainal Abidin Talib

Abstract:

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) method was applied to determine the methanol concentration during an alkaline transestrification of the mixture of palm oil and methanol. Theoretically, an SPR signal resonance angle relates with the refractive index of the mixture. Experimental data showed a resonance angle by way of refractive index depends on each volume percentage of palm oil, methanol, and methyl ester. The optimized percentages of volume concentration are found to be 12% methanol and 88% palm oil. At the present measurement precision, it resulted in 2% excess unutilized palm oil or methanol in the biodiesel mixture.

Seismic design of high piers for mountain bridges

Qingxiang Zheng and Wenhua Liu

Abstract:

Because of complex topography of bridge sit, many high piers bridges with unconventional configurations in western mountainous areas of China are used in highway. The damage of the bridges in the Wenchuan earthquake told us that the new concepts and measures should be used in mountain bridges design. The importance of the seismic concept design, the structure analysis and the details of seismic measures for bridge was discussed. Some advices in the seismic design of bridge are given.

Effect of common salt on some engineering properties of eggshell stabilized lateritic soil

Amu O. O. and Salami B. A.

Abstract:

This paper was to study the effect of common salt on the compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) properties of eggshell stabilized lateritic soils with a view to discovering a good compliment for eggshell as a useful stabilizer for road works. Classification and consistency tests were performed on the soil samples which were also subjected to compaction and CBR tests. Stabilization was performed at optimum eggshell and with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% of common salt. The addition of common salt reduced the Plastic Indices (PI) of the samples. The values reduced from 8.041, 7.604 and 6.828% to 8.031, 1.247 and 1.233% respectively in samples A, B and C. Maximum Dry Density (MDD) increased from 2137 to 2080 kg/m³ and 1977 to 2070 kg/m³ in samples A and C respectively. The unsoaked CBR values also increased from 34.78 to 50.99 kN/m², 15.64 to 28.89 kN/m² and 27.31 to 34.20 kN/m² respectively in samples A, B and C. The result showed that the addition of common salt improved the compaction and CBR characteristics of eggshell stabilized soils.

An improved creep and shrinkage based model for deflections of composite members reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced bars

M. A. Faruqi, S. Bhadra, D. Sun and J. Sai

Abstract:

Corrosion of steel and resulting degradation of concrete severely affects the serviceability and safety of structures. Millions of dollars are spent every year for the repair and rehabilitation of such structures. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) provide excellent choice to resist corrosion. In this paper an improved analytical model to predict the creep and shrinkage based deflections of CFRP reinforced concrete flexural members is presented. Deflection values are compared with experimental data from literature and commonly used models. Our results show that the proposed model correlates well with the experimental results and provides much better prediction than the American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) procedure and a common literature model.

Optimization of process parameters in turning of AISI 202 austenitic stainless steel

M. Kaladhar, K. V. Subbaiah, Ch. Srinivasa Rao and K. Narayana Rao

Abstract:

This paper deals with the optimization of machining parameters in turning of AISI 202 austenitic stainless steel using CVD coated cemented carbide tools. During the experiment, process parameters such as speed, feed, depth of cut and nose radius are used to explore their effect on the surface roughness (R_a) of the work piece. The experiments have been conducted using full factorial design in the Design of Experiments (DOE) on Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) lathe. Further, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the influence of process parameters and their interaction during machining. From the analysis, it is observed that the feed is the most significant factor that influences the surface roughness followed by nose radius. An attempt has been made to generate to prediction models for surface roughness. The predicted values are confirmed by using validation experiments.

Performance evaluation of a fish feed pelletizing machine

Ojomo A. O., Agbetoye L. A. S. and Ologunagba F. O.

Abstract:

A pelletizing machine for the production of fish feed was designed and developed. It consists of a hopper, barrel which houses the screw conveyor (auger), the cutting knife and the die orifice. The machine is driven by a 2 kW, 1420 rpm single phase electric motor. The performance evaluation of the machine was carried out. The aim was to investigate the effects of moisture contents and the speed of operation on the performance of the machine. It was observed that the pelletizing efficiency, throughput capacity and the percentage recovery of the machine increased with the increase in moisture content and the speed of the machine. The machine showed higher throughput capacity of 19.7 kg/h with maximum pelletizing efficiency of 87.6%.  Moisture content constituted a greater portion of variability in efficiency than speed. A unit increase in moisture content resulted in an increase of about 20% in pelleting efficiency whereas a corresponding unit increase in speed only increased the pelletizing efficiency by 3%. The machine does not make use of steam thereby making it easier to operate. The adoption of the pelletizing machine by small and medium scale farmers would go a long way in helping them to produce their own feed with local contents thereby alleviating the problems associated with the sourcing of imported feeds.