Neuro-Fuzzy System for Compensating Slow Disturbances in Adaptive Mold Level Control

[EN] Good slow disturbances attenuation in a mold level control with stopper rod is very important for avoiding several product defects and keeping down casting interruptions. The aim of this work is to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and compensation of an adaptive mold level control method for slow disturbances related to changes of stopper rod. The advantages offered by the architecture, called Adaptive-Network-based Fuzzy Inference System, were used for training a previous model. This allowed learning based on the process data from a steel cast case study, representing all intensity levels of valve erosion and clogging. The developed model has high accuracy in its functional relationship between two compact input variables and the compensation coefficient of the valve gain variations. The future implementation of this proposal will consider a combined training of the model, which would be very convenient for maintaining good accuracy in the Fuzzy Inference System using new data from the process.This work is supported by a Project (AA-ELACERO, P211LH021-023) of the National Key Research and Development Program of Automatic, Robotic and Artificial Intelligence of Cuba.González-Yero, G.; Ramírez Leyva, R.; Ramírez Mendoza, M.; Albertos, P.; Crespo, A.; Reyes Alonso, JM. (2021). Neuro-Fuzzy System for Compensating Slow Disturbances in Adaptive Mold Level Control. Metals. 11(1):1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/met1101005612111

Control of Continuous Casting Process Based on Two-Dimensional Flow Field Measurements

Two-dimensional flow field measurement allows us to obtain detailed information about the processes inside the continuous casting mould. This is very important because the flow phenomena in the mould are complex, and they significantly affect the steel quality. For this reason, control based on two-dimensional flow monitoring has a great potential to achieve substantial improvement over the conventional continuous casting control. Two-dimensional flow field measurement provides large amounts of measurement data distributed within the whole cross-section of the mould. An experimental setup of the continuous casting process called Mini-LIMMCAST located in Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany, is used for this thesis. This thesis examines two alternatives of flow measurement sensors: Ultrasound Doppler Velocimetry (UDV) and Contactless Inductive Flow Tomography (CIFT). Both sensor variants can obtain information on the velocity profile in the mould. Two approaches were considered to create the process model needed for model-based control: a spatially discretized version of a model based on partial differential equations and computational fluid dynamics and a model obtained using system identification methods. In the end, system identification proved to be more fruitful for the aim of creating the model-based controller. Specific features of the flow were parametrized to obtain the needed controlled variables and outputs of identified models. These features are mainly related to the exiting jet angle and the meniscus velocity. The manipulated variables considered are electromagnetic brake current and stopper rod position. Model predictive control in several versions was used as the main control approach, and the results of simulation experiments demonstrate that the model predictive controller can control the flow and achieve the optimum flow structures in the mould using UDV. CIFT measurements can provide similar velocity profiles. However, further technical developments in the CIFT sensor signal processing, such as compensating for the effects of the strong and time-varying magnetic field of the electromagnetic brake on CIFT measurements, are necessary if this sensor is to be used for closed-loop control.Two-dimensional flow field measurement allows us to obtain detailed information about the processes inside the continuous casting mould. This is very important because the flow phenomena in the mould are complex, and they significantly affect the steel quality. For this reason, control based on two-dimensional flow monitoring has a great potential to achieve substantial improvement over the conventional continuous casting control. Two-dimensional flow field measurement provides large amounts of measurement data distributed within the whole cross-section of the mould. An experimental setup of the continuous casting process called Mini-LIMMCAST located in Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany, is used for this thesis. This thesis examines two alternatives of flow measurement sensors: Ultrasound Doppler Velocimetry (UDV) and Contactless Inductive Flow Tomography (CIFT). Both sensor variants can obtain information on the velocity profile in the mould. Two approaches were considered to create the process model needed for model-based control: a spatially discretized version of a model based on partial differential equations and computational fluid dynamics and a model obtained using system identification methods. In the end, system identification proved to be more fruitful for the aim of creating the model-based controller. Specific features of the flow were parametrized to obtain the needed controlled variables and outputs of identified models. These features are mainly related to the exiting jet angle and the meniscus velocity. The manipulated variables considered are electromagnetic brake current and stopper rod position. Model predictive control in several versions was used as the main control approach, and the results of simulation experiments demonstrate that the model predictive controller can control the flow and achieve the optimum flow structures in the mould using UDV. CIFT measurements can provide similar velocity profiles. However, further technical developments in the CIFT sensor signal processing, such as compensating for the effects of the strong and time-varying magnetic field of the electromagnetic brake on CIFT measurements, are necessary if this sensor is to be used for closed-loop control.

MATLAB

This excellent book represents the final part of three-volumes regarding MATLAB-based applications in almost every branch of science. The book consists of 19 excellent, insightful articles and the readers will find the results very useful to their work. In particular, the book consists of three parts, the first one is devoted to mathematical methods in the applied sciences by using MATLAB, the second is devoted to MATLAB applications of general interest and the third one discusses MATLAB for educational purposes. This collection of high quality articles, refers to a large range of professional fields and can be used for science as well as for various educational purposes

Proceeding Of Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2016 (MERD’16)

This Open Access e-Proceeding contains a compilation of 105 selected papers from the Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2016 (MERD’16) event, which is held in Kampus Teknologi, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) - Melaka, Malaysia, on 31 March 2016. The theme chosen for this event is ‘IDEA. INSPIRE. INNOVATE’. It was gratifying to all of us when the response for MERD’16 is overwhelming as the technical committees received more than 200 submissions from various areas of mechanical engineering. After a peer-review process, the editors have accepted 105 papers for the e-proceeding that cover 7 main themes. This open access e-Proceeding can be viewed or downloaded at www3.utem.edu.my/care/proceedings. We hope that these proceeding will serve as a valuable reference for researchers. With the large number of submissions from the researchers in other faculties, the event has achieved its main objective which is to bring together educators, researchers and practitioners to share their findings and perhaps sustaining the research culture in the university. The topics of MERD’16 are based on a combination of fundamental researches, advanced research methodologies and application technologies. As the editor-in-chief, we would like to express our gratitude to the editorial board and fellow review members for their tireless effort in compiling and reviewing the selected papers for this proceeding. We would also like to extend our great appreciation to the members of the Publication Committee and Secretariat for their excellent cooperation in preparing the proceeding of MERD’16

Evolutionary Computation

This book presents several recent advances on Evolutionary Computation, specially evolution-based optimization methods and hybrid algorithms for several applications, from optimization and learning to pattern recognition and bioinformatics. This book also presents new algorithms based on several analogies and metafores, where one of them is based on philosophy, specifically on the philosophy of praxis and dialectics. In this book it is also presented interesting applications on bioinformatics, specially the use of particle swarms to discover gene expression patterns in DNA microarrays. Therefore, this book features representative work on the field of evolutionary computation and applied sciences. The intended audience is graduate, undergraduate, researchers, and anyone who wishes to become familiar with the latest research work on this field

Fuzzy Controllers

Trying to meet the requirements in the field, present book treats different fuzzy control architectures both in terms of the theoretical design and in terms of comparative validation studies in various applications, numerically simulated or experimentally developed. Through the subject matter and through the inter and multidisciplinary content, this book is addressed mainly to the researchers, doctoral students and students interested in developing new applications of intelligent control, but also to the people who want to become familiar with the control concepts based on fuzzy techniques. Bibliographic resources used to perform the work includes books and articles of present interest in the field, published in prestigious journals and publishing houses, and websites dedicated to various applications of fuzzy control. Its structure and the presented studies include the book in the category of those who make a direct connection between theoretical developments and practical applications, thereby constituting a real support for the specialists in artificial intelligence, modelling and control fields

Proceeding Of Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2015 (MERD’15)

This Open Access e-Proceeding contains 74 selected papers from the Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2015 (MERD’15) event, which is held in Kampus Teknologi, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) - Melaka, Malaysia, on 31 March 2015. The theme chosen for this event is ‘Pioneering Future Discovery’. The response for MERD’15 is overwhelming as the technical committees have received more than 90 papers from various areas of mechanical engineering. From the total number of submissions, the technical committees have selected 74 papers to be included in this proceeding. The selected papers are grouped into 12 categories: Advanced Materials Processing; Automotive Engineering; Computational Modeling and Analysis & CAD/CAE; Energy Management & Fuels and Lubricants; Hydraulics and Pneumatics & Mechanical Control; Mechanical Design and Optimization; Noise, Vibration and Harshness; Non-Destructive Testing & Structural Mechanics; Surface Engineering and Coatings; Others Related Topic. With the large number of submissions from the researchers in other faculties, the event has achieved its main objective which is to bring together educators, researchers and practitioners to share their findings and perhaps sustaining the research culture in the university. The topics of MERD’15 are based on a combination of advanced research methodologies, application technologies and review approaches. As the editor-in-chief, we would like to express our gratitude to the editorial board members for their tireless effort in compiling and reviewing the selected papers for this proceeding. We would also like to extend our great appreciation to the members of the Publication Committee and Secretariat for their excellent cooperation in preparing the proceedings of MERD’15

Temperature Control Using an Air Handling Unit Installed with Carel pCO5+ Controller

This dissertation reports the project work developed in the Thesis/Dissertation course during the 2nd year of the Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the field of Automation and Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering (DEE) at Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP). The installation of an Air Handling Unit (AHU) in a work place or a hospital plays an important role in the treatment and maintaining the purity of air. The temperature control is focused in this dissertation. The AHU maintains the temperature of the room or office at a set temperature. The heating and cooling function are done automatically by taking in the reference temperature of the room also depending on the outdoor climate. The main purpose of the AHU is to ensure comfort to the patients, staffs and the employees. In case of the hospitals, the main function of AHU is air cleanliness in hygiene applications. It also includes supplying a sufficient amount of oxygen and removing the carbon dioxide and maintaining a comfortable room climate. They help protect patients and staff from infections. This dissertation will focus on the study of wide range of technologies which will work on the AHU with the Carel electronic controller whose main function is to control the temperature of an office. The unit was installed at Farfetch, Barco, Portugal. The study includes the working of selection criteria of the supply and return fans, inverters, recovery unit, probes, dampers and the controller