Study terrestrial applications of solar cell powered systems

Terrestrial applications of solar cells and design systems are considered for those applications that show the most promise for becoming practical and accepted by users within the next five years. The study includes the definition, categorization, evaluation and screening of the most attractive potential terrestrial applications for solar cells. Potential markets are initially grouped and categorized in a general sense and are weighted in priority by their business volume, present and future. From a categorized list including marine, transportation, security, communication, meteorological and others, 66 potential solar cell applications have been cataloged. A methodology was formulated to include the criteria for evaluation and screening. The evaluation process covers all parts and components of the complete system required for each application and gives consideration to all factors, such as engineering, economic, production, marketing and other factors that may have an influence on the acceptance of the system

An Overview of Own Tracking Wireless Sensors with GSM-GPS Features

Wireless Sensors (WS) mobility and pause time have a major impact directly influencing the energy consumption. Lifetime of a WS Network (WSN) depends directly on the energy consumption, thus, the hardware and software components must be optimized for energy management. This study aims to combine a compact hardware architecture with a smart energy management efficiency in order to increase ratio Lifetime/Energy Consumption, to improve the operating time on a portable tracking system with GPS/GSM/GPRS features and own power. In this paper we present the evolution of own WS tracking architecture with GPS/GSM/GPRS features, basic criterion being the lifetime combined with low power consumption. Concern was focused on hardware and software areas: Large number of physical components led to reconsideration of hardware architecture, while for software, we focused on algorithms able to reduce the number of bits in transmitted data packets, which help to reduce energy consumption. The results and conclusions show that the goal was achieved

“Design, Development and Characterization of a Thermal Sensor Brick System for Modular Robotics

This thesis presents the work on thermal imaging sensor brick (TISB) system for modular robotics. The research demonstrates the design, development and characterization of the TISB system. The TISB system is based on the design philosophy of sensor bricks for modular robotics. In under vehicle surveillance for threat detection, which is a target application of this work we have demonstrated the advantages of the TISB system over purely vision-based systems. We have highlighted the advantages of the TISB system as an illumination invariant threat detection system for detecting hidden threat objects in the undercarriage of a car. We have compared the TISB system to the vision sensor brick system and the mirror on a stick. We have also illustrated the operational capability of the system on the SafeBot under vehicle robot to acquire and transmit the data wirelessly. The early designs of the TISB system, the evolution of the designs and the uniformity achieved while maintaining the modularity in building the different sensor bricks; the visual, the thermal and the range sensor brick is presented as part of this work. Each of these sensor brick systems designed and implemented at the Imaging Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) laboratory consist of four major blocks: Sensing and Image Acquisition Block, Pre-Processing and Fusion Block, Communication Block, and Power Block. The Sensing and Image Acquisition Block is to capture images or acquire data. The Pre-Processing and Fusion Block is to work on the acquired images or data. The Communication Block is for transferring data between the sensor brick and the remote host computer. The Power Block is to maintain power supply to the entire brick. The modular sensor bricks are self-sufficient plug and play systems. The SafeBot under vehicle robot designed and implemented at the IRIS laboratory has two tracked platforms one on each side with a payload bay area in the middle. Each of these tracked platforms is a mobility brick based on the same design philosophy as the modular sensor bricks. The robot can carry one brick at a time or even multiple bricks at the same time. The contributions of this thesis are: (1) designing and developing the hardware implementation of the TISB system, (2) designing and developing the software for the TISB system, and (3) characterizing the TISB system, where this characterization of the system is the major contribution of this thesis. The analysis of the thermal sensor brick system provides the user and future designers with sufficient information on parameters to be considered to make the right choice for future modifications, the kind of applications the TISB could handle and the load that the different blocks of the TISB system could manage. Under vehicle surveillance for threat detection, perimeter / area surveillance, scouting, and improvised explosive device (IED) detection using a car-mounted system are some of the applications that have been identified for this system

Security in Distributed, Grid, Mobile, and Pervasive Computing

This book addresses the increasing demand to guarantee privacy, integrity, and availability of resources in networks and distributed systems. It first reviews security issues and challenges in content distribution networks, describes key agreement protocols based on the Diffie-Hellman key exchange and key management protocols for complex distributed systems like the Internet, and discusses securing design patterns for distributed systems. The next section focuses on security in mobile computing and wireless networks. After a section on grid computing security, the book presents an overview of security solutions for pervasive healthcare systems and surveys wireless sensor network security

Design, analysis and remote monitoring of a solar powered orphan oil well pumping system in Nigeria

This thesis explores the issue of orphaned wells, which are abandoned oil and gas wells left uncapped, leading to the release of greenhouse gases, including methane and hydrogen sulphide gas H₂S, which is lethal to humans into the atmosphere. These wells contribute significantly to global warming, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a high heat-trapping capability, unfortunately due to it cost an average of 100,000CAD per well for oil well plugging, most oil industry abandon these wells. The research identifies cost-effective strategies to mitigate the impact of abandoned wells using renewable technology, specifically focusing on a comprehensive system sizing approach for Olobiri oil well 17. To address the problem, the study recommends the use of solar-powered pumps to remove the remnants of oil from the wells. PVsyst software is employed to determine the appropriate pump size if the system ran continuously or solar peak hours of the location. The results demonstrate that a 5-hour running time yields higher system efficiency compared to continuous running time. Based on HOMERpro optimization result, a 50kW PV unit and 54.9kW batteries are recommended for the system setup, resulting in improved efficiency and cost-effective option during the 5-hour operation with an overall efficiency of 11.4% and pump efficiency was 37.9% compared to a continuous flow system efficiency of 5%, and the pump efficiency of 11%. For monitoring and data logging purposes, the addition of PLX DAQ aids in real-time monitoring system for the design characteristics such as PV voltage and current, inverter AC output, oil level and temperature. This low-cost data logging system allows for easy maintenance and provides valuable data for further analysis since the PLX DAQ is a Microsoft Excel’s add-on. Also, due to the site location and the specification describing the location, Lora Technology is implemented for real time monitoring, which is independent on the internet network. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of addressing orphaned wells' environmental impact and proposes a viable solution for capping using renewable technology, particularly solar-powered pumps, to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and the potential hazards posed by abandoned wells

Study on Ground Engineering and Management of Carbonate Oil Field A under Rolling Development Mode

Carbonate rock has the characteristics of complicated accumulation rules, large-scale development, high yield but unstable production. Therefore, the management and control of surface engineering projects of carbonate rock oil and gas reservoirs faces huge difficulties and challenges. The construction of surface engineering should conform to the principle of integrated underground and ground construction and adapt to the oilfield development model. This paper takes the newly added area A of the carbonated oil field as an example to study the ground engineering under the rolling development mode and aims to provide the constructive ideas for the surface engineering under rolling development mode. The overall regional process design adheres to the design concept of "environmental protection, efficiency, and innovation", strictly follows the design specifications, and combines reservoir engineering and oil production engineering programs, oil and gas physical properties and chemical composition, product programs, ground natural conditions, etc. According to the technical and economic analysis and comparison of area A, this paper has worked out a suitable surface engineering construction, pipeline network layout and oil and gas gathering and transportation plan for area A. Some auxiliary management recommendations are also proposed in this paper, like sand prevention management and HSE management for carbonate reservoirs