Efficient Shortcut Method for Determining the Process Window in Stirred-Pulsed Extraction Columns

Recent studies showed the superior separation performance of stirred-pulsed columns of different diameters in liquid-liquid extraction processes. Here, an efficient shortcut method will be presented, which is time and resource-efficient as well as cost-effective to determine the operational window of these columns for industrial separation tasks. Savings in time of less experiments and costs of materials consumption can be estimated with up to 30 %. The presented method is particularly suitable before the application of new chemical systems, which are particularly cost-intensive and scarce in material supply.     

New modulation method for matrix converters

This paper presents a new modulation method for matrix converters based on the indirect modulation model. During the switching period, the proposed modulation method uses a combination of only one active vector and a zero vector in the inversion stage to achieve minimum flux error, whereas in the rectification stage, a single current vector is selected according to the angle error of the input current vector. This reduces the number of switching states in the switching period, which improves the accuracy of generating the reference output voltage vector, especially in the low-modulation-index range. In addition, closed-loop control of the input current vector is achieved. The input currents are not measured but are estimated by applying inverse transformation to the measured output currents using the matrix associated with the chosen active switching state.     

Flicker study on variable speed wind turbines with doubly fed induction generators

Grid connected wind turbines may produce flicker during continuous operation. This paper presents a simulation model of a MW-level variable speed wind turbine with a doubly fed induction generator developed in the simulation tool of PSCAD/EMTDC. Flicker emission of variable speed wind turbines with doubly fed induction generators is investigated during continuous operation, and the dependence of flicker emission on mean wind speed, wind turbulence intensity, short circuit capacity of grid and grid impedance angle are analyzed. A comparison is done with the fixed speed wind turbine, which leads to a conclusion that the factors mentioned above have different influences on flicker emission compared with that in the case of the fixed speed wind turbine. Flicker mitigation is realized by output reactive power control of the variable speed wind turbine with doubly fed induction generator. Simulation results show the wind turbine output reactive power control provides an effective means for flicker mitigation regardless of mean wind speed, turbulence intensity and short circuit capacity ratio.     

Can soft-starters help save energy?

This article describes results of an experimental evaluation of seven commercial soft-starters used with three motors of different power ratings. Several performance indicators have been measured and compared to illustrate operation of soft-starters and assess their energy-saving capabilities. Three standard squirrel-cage induction motors, rated at 3 kW, 7.5 kW, and 22 kW, were used. Several European manufacturers provided soft-starters for the investigation. Tests were performed under the steady-state and transient operating conditions     

Reduced-order extended luenberger observer based sensorless vector control driven by matrix converter with nonlinearity compensation

This paper presents a new sensorless vector control system for high-performance induction motor drives fed by a matrix converter with nonlinearity compensation. The nonlinear voltage distortion that is caused by commutation delay and ON-state voltage drop in the switching devices is corrected by a new matrix converter model. A reduced-order extended Luenberger observer is employed to bring better response in the whole speed operation range, and a method to select the observer gain is presented. Experimental results are shown to illustrate the performance of the proposed system.     

Experimental evaluation of ride-through capabilities for a matrixconverter under short power interruptions

The matrix converters, which are direct power electronic converters, are able to provide important benefits such as bidirectional power flow, sinusoidal input currents with adjustable displacement angle, and a great potential for size reduction. Still, two major disadvantages exist: a lower than unity voltage transfer ratio and high sensitivity to power grid disturbances. Many solutions to provide continuous operation of adjustable speed drives (ASDs) during power grid disturbances have been proposed, but they are all applied to DC-link ASD. In this paper, a new solution to provide limited ride-through operation is presented with a matrix converter using a scalar controlled induction motor for a duration of hundreds of milliseconds, without any hardware modification. During the ride-through operation, the drive is not able to develop torque or to control the motor flux. By recovering the necessary power to feed the control hardware of the matrix converter, it is able to keep the ASD operating. When normal grid conditions are reestablished, the matrix converter is able to accelerate the motor from nonzero speed and flux by initializing the modulator with the estimated frequency and the initial angle of the reference output voltage vector. The maximum duration of the ride-through operation depends on the initial motor flux, speed level, rotor time constant, load torque, and inertia. This method is verified on a laboratory setup with a matrix converter     

Evaluation of modulation schemes for three-phase to three-phase matrix converters

This paper presents a method for evaluating different modulation schemes employed with three-phase to three-phase matrix converters. The evaluation method addresses three important modulator characteristics: the output waveform quality, the input waveform quality and the switching losses associated with the modulation schemes. The method is used to evaluate four different modulation strategies, all based on the direct space-vector modulation approach. Further, regarding the switching losses, the paper proposes a new space-vector approach by which the switching losses can be reduced by 15%-35%, depending on the output load angle. This new modulation approach is applicable whenever the output voltage reference is below half the input voltage and the output voltage quality is then superior to that of the conventional space vector modulation scheme. The functionality of the new modulation scheme is validated by both simulations and experimental results and compared to waveforms obtained by using exiting space vector modulation schemes. The output voltage of the proposed scheme turns out to be comparable to the best of the conventional schemes while the input current is more distorted.     

Preconceptional education

Although studies have examined the susceptibility and pattern of injury induced by infusion of free radical-generating solutions into a number of vital organs, no such investigation has been performed for the diaphragm. The purpose of the present study was to examine the susceptibility of the diaphragm to damage by a free radical-generating solution (iron-ADP complexes). Studies were performed using an in situ canine diaphragmatic strip preparation in which the phrenic artery supplying the strip was cannulated and perfused with blood from the ipsilateral femoral artery. Four groups of studies were performed: (1) a group in which saline was infused into the arterial supply of the diaphragm for 15 min; (2) a group in which a solution of iron-ADP was infused; (3) a group in which both iron-ADP and superoxide dismutase (SOD), a free radical scavenger, were infused; and (4) a group given iron-ADP and denatured SOD. Strip tension and blood flow were monitored during electrically induced diaphragmatic contractions for 15 min before intraphrenic infusions, during the period of infusions, and for 90 min after cessation of infusions. We found that diaphragm tension did not change over time in saline-treated control animals but fell significantly in animals in which iron-ADP was infused. The effects of iron-ADP were largely prevented by concomitant administration of active SOD, but not by denatured SOD. On average, at 90 min after cessation of infusions, tension had fallen to 82 +/- 6, 41 +/- 8, 63 +/- 4, and 28 +/- 9% of its initial value in saline, iron-ADP, iron-ADP/SOD, and iron-ADP/denatured SOD groups, respectively (p < 0.001 for comparison of the four groups, with saline and iron-ADP/SOD groups different from the other two groups). Diaphragm blood flow did not change significantly in any group. These data suggest that free radical-mediated diaphragmatic injury can result in a marked reduction in diaphragm contractility.     

Link voltage peak control of parallel resonant converter by controlof the converter switching instant

This paper describes a new control strategy of the parallel resonant DC link converter called voltage peak control (VPC). VPC limits the link voltage to twice the DC link voltage. The strategy eliminates the need of additional power electronic components that clamp the link voltage. The operation of the resonant link is described highlighting the factors that influence on the link voltage peak. The paper describes how control of the link voltage peak is possible by appropriate timing of the converter switching. The VPC strategy is implemented in a parallel resonant DC link converter, and simulations with the VPC strategy turned on and turned off are compared. Experimental verification of the VPC strategy is done in a three-phase parallel resonant DC link converter and measurements of switching losses are present. It is concluded that the switching losses are low and the link voltage peak can be controlled without any additional clamp circuits using VPC     

Grid support of a wind farm with active stall wind turbines and AC grid connection

One of the main concerns in the grid integration of large wind farms is their ability to behave as active controllable components in the power system. This article presents the design of a new integrated power control system for a wind farm made up exclusively of active stall wind turbines with AC grid connection. The designed control system has the task of enabling such a wind farm to provide the best grid support. It is based on two control levels: a supervisory control level, which controls the power production of the whole farm by sending out reference signals to each individual wind turbine, and a local control level, which ensures that the reference power signals at the wind turbine level are reached. The ability of active stall wind farms with AC grid connection to control the power production to the reference power ordered by the operators is assessed and discussed by means of simulations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.