Modular supervisory controller for complex systems

Automation for the oil and gas industry is driven by the need to improve efficiency, productivity, consistency, and personnel safety, while reducing cost. Fully automated systems alleviate the physical toll on human operators and allow them to focus on monitoring unsafe well events and machinery maintenance. Complex systems like drilling rigs and snubbing units require supervisory controllers that can safely coordinate equipment and processes, overcome interoperability challenges and allow for functional scalability without sacrificing safety, security, and consistency of operations. The primary objective of this report is to explore the feasibility of developing a modular supervisory controller architecture which addresses these concerns by modifying and extending existing architectures. Such modifications include the use of non-homogeneous models in sub-system modules, including discrete event models for control and physics-based models for collision avoidance, addition of a system compilation module (Meta Module) to identify simple design errors, and implementation of an algorithm for synthesis of modules and filters to replace missing sub-systems. This report discusses the implementation results of the modular supervisory control architecture (modMFSM) on a simplified two-machine drilling system for assessment of design practices. Simulations for three test cases were executed to assess the ability of the controller to correctly perform error-free operations, detect and react to possible collisions, and adapt to missing equipment. The report then discusses the possibilities of extending the modMFSM architecture to control large complex systems such as drilling rigs, using snubbing operations as an example.Mechanical Engineerin

Voltage Source Converter based Hybrid STATCOM for Reactive Power Compensation in Utility Grid

The availability of high voltage, high current and high-speed power electronic devices has led to increase in popularity of several power electronic applications such as FACTS. A STATCOM is one such power electronic converter, from the FACTS family, which can be used to improve the power factor of a transmission line, maintain the connected bus at the required voltage level, etc. In distribution power level, D-STATCOMs are used to achieve the same objectives. Several power converter topologies have been proposed for STATCOMs and D-STATCOMs, ranging from a standard two-level VSC based topology to a cascaded full-bridge based topology. The cascaded full-bridge based topology might be suitable for high power STATCOM applications but might not be the best option at the lower power level of a D-STATCOM. D-STATCOMs therefore often use a standard two-level converter-based topology owing to cost constraints. The research work presented in this thesis proposes a new power electronic topology which can be used for D-STATCOM applications. This topology is essentially composed of multiple cascaded h-bridge cells in each phase of a standard two-level converter. The two-level converter provides bulk of the power output and operates at a low switching frequency, whereas the h-bridge cell operates at a higher switching frequency and achieve power quality objectives. This research work initially presents simulations to validate the proposed topology. Outer control is proposed to operate the proposed topology as a D-STATCOM. Inner control loops are proposed to maintain the DC-link voltage of the h-bridge cells. An experimental prototype of the proposed topology is also developed. The results obtained from the proposed topology are compared with that obtained from a standard two-level converter-based topology. It is shown that due to the h-bridge cell action in the proposed topology, the obtained current THD is low in comparison to a standard two-level VSC based topology being used as a D-STATCOM

Dynamic performance of numerical distance protection relays in heavily series compesated networks

Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.Series compensating capacitors were initially introduced in transmission networks mainly to increase th

Ecosystem-Driven Design of In-Home Terminals Based on Open Platform for the

Abstract—In-home healthcare services based on the Internet-of-Things (IoT) have great business potentials. To turn it into reality, a business ecosystem should be established first. Technical solutions should therefore aim for a cooperative ecosystem by meeting the interoperability, security, and system integration requirements. In this paper, we propose an ecosystem-driven design strategy and apply it in the design of an open-platform-based in-home healthcare terminal. A cooperative business ecosystem is formulated by merging the traditiona

Quantitative criteria of considering AC infeed in DC fault assessment of modular multilevel converters

International audienceAn accurate and efficient DC fault current assessment of modular multilevel converters (MMCs) is critical for designs and protection. The state-of-the-art often ignores the impact of the AC infeed in the DC fault assessment without MMC blocking. However, whether the AC infeed needs to be considered or not is a controversial problem. This paper proposes quantitative criteria to determine the necessity of considering the AC infeed in the fault current assessment. The method is based on the premise that the MMC blocking has not occurred. Based on the average model of the MMC, the fault current contribution from the AC side is quantified under different control schemes. The criteria are established by a contributing ratio of the AC infeed over the total fault current. The obtained criteria only rely on the system and control parameters, which enable designers to identify the impact by ignoring the AC infeed in the DC fault assessment. The effectiveness of the proposed criteria is validated by two case studies and two different control schemes. The results reveal that the submodule (SM) capacitance and the number of SMs have a large impact on the AC infeed contribution

Special Topics in Information Technology

This open access book presents outstanding doctoral dissertations in Information Technology from the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Information Technology has always been highly interdisciplinary, as many aspects have to be considered in IT systems. The doctoral studies program in IT at Politecnico di Milano emphasizes this interdisciplinary nature, which is becoming more and more important in recent technological advances, in collaborative projects, and in the education of young researchers. Accordingly, the focus of advanced research is on pursuing a rigorous approach to specific research topics starting from a broad background in various areas of Information Technology, especially Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics, Systems and Control, and Telecommunications. Each year, more than 50 PhDs graduate from the program. This book gathers the outcomes of the best theses defended in 2021-22 and selected for the IT PhD Award. Each of the authors provides a chapter summarizing his/her findings, including an introduction, description of methods, main achievements and future work on the topic. Hence, the book provides a cutting-edge overview of the latest research trends in Information Technology at Politecnico di Milano, presented in an easy-to-read format that will also appeal to non-specialists

Special Topics in Information Technology

This open access book presents outstanding doctoral dissertations in Information Technology from the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Information Technology has always been highly interdisciplinary, as many aspects have to be considered in IT systems. The doctoral studies program in IT at Politecnico di Milano emphasizes this interdisciplinary nature, which is becoming more and more important in recent technological advances, in collaborative projects, and in the education of young researchers. Accordingly, the focus of advanced research is on pursuing a rigorous approach to specific research topics starting from a broad background in various areas of Information Technology, especially Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics, Systems and Control, and Telecommunications. Each year, more than 50 PhDs graduate from the program. This book gathers the outcomes of the best theses defended in 2021-22 and selected for the IT PhD Award. Each of the authors provides a chapter summarizing his/her findings, including an introduction, description of methods, main achievements and future work on the topic. Hence, the book provides a cutting-edge overview of the latest research trends in Information Technology at Politecnico di Milano, presented in an easy-to-read format that will also appeal to non-specialists

Center for Space Microelectronics Technology. 1993 Technical Report

The 1993 Technical Report of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center for Space Microelectronics Technology summarizes the technical accomplishments, publications, presentations, and patents of the Center during the past year. The report lists 170 publications, 193 presentations, and 84 New Technology Reports and patents. The 1993 Technical Report of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center for Space Microelectronics Technology summarizes the technical accomplishments, publications, presentations, and patents of the Center during the past year. The report lists 170 publications, 193 presentations, and 84 New Technology Reports and patents