Sensor placement for fault location identification in water networks: A minimum test cover approach

This paper focuses on the optimal sensor placement problem for the identification of pipe failure locations in large-scale urban water systems. The problem involves selecting the minimum number of sensors such that every pipe failure can be uniquely localized. This problem can be viewed as a minimum test cover (MTC) problem, which is NP-hard. We consider two approaches to obtain approximate solutions to this problem. In the first approach, we transform the MTC problem to a minimum set cover (MSC) problem and use the greedy algorithm that exploits the submodularity property of the MSC problem to compute the solution to the MTC problem. In the second approach, we develop a new \textit{augmented greedy} algorithm for solving the MTC problem. This approach does not require the transformation of the MTC to MSC. Our augmented greedy algorithm provides in a significant computational improvement while guaranteeing the same approximation ratio as the first approach. We propose several metrics to evaluate the performance of the sensor placement designs. Finally, we present detailed computational experiments for a number of real water distribution networks

Detailed Diagnosis of Performance Anomalies in Sensornets

We address the problem of analysing performance anomalies in sensor networks. In this paper, we propose an approach that uses the local flash storage of the motes for logging system data, in combination with online statistical analysis. Our results show not only that this is a feasible method but that the overhead is significantly lower than that of communication-centric methods, and that interesting patterns can be revealed when calculating the correlation of large data sets of separate event types.GINSENGCONE

An adaptive envelope analysis in a wireless sensor network for bearing fault diagnosis using fast kurtogram algorithm

This paper proposes a scheme to improve the performance of applying envelope analysis in a wireless sensor network for bearing fault diagnosis. The fast kurtogram is realized on the host computer for determining an optimum band-pass filter for the envelope analysis that is implemented on the wireless sensor node to extract the low frequency fault information. Therefore, the vibration signal can be monitored over the bandwidth limited wireless sensor network with both intelligence and real-time performance. Test results have proved that the diagnostic information for different bearing faults can be successfully extracted using the optimum band-pass filter

Data-driven Soft Sensors in the Process Industry

In the last two decades Soft Sensors established themselves as a valuable alternative to the traditional means for the acquisition of critical process variables, process monitoring and other tasks which are related to process control. This paper discusses characteristics of the process industry data which are critical for the development of data-driven Soft Sensors. These characteristics are common to a large number of process industry fields, like the chemical industry, bioprocess industry, steel industry, etc. The focus of this work is put on the data-driven Soft Sensors because of their growing popularity, already demonstrated usefulness and huge, though yet not completely realised, potential. A comprehensive selection of case studies covering the three most important Soft Sensor application fields, a general introduction to the most popular Soft Sensor modelling techniques as well as a discussion of some open issues in the Soft Sensor development and maintenance and their possible solutions are the main contributions of this work

A probabilistic model for information and sensor validation

This paper develops a new theory and model for information and sensor validation. The model represents relationships between variables using Bayesian networks and utilizes probabilistic propagation to estimate the expected values of variables. If the estimated value of a variable differs from the actual value, an apparent fault is detected. The fault is only apparent since it may be that the estimated value is itself based on faulty data. The theory extends our understanding of when it is possible to isolate real faults from potential faults and supports the development of an algorithm that is capable of isolating real faults without deferring the problem to the use of expert provided domain-specific rules. To enable practical adoption for real-time processes, an any time version of the algorithm is developed, that, unlike most other algorithms, is capable of returning improving assessments of the validity of the sensors as it accumulates more evidence with time. The developed model is tested by applying it to the validation of temperature sensors during the start-up phase of a gas turbine when conditions are not stable; a problem that is known to be challenging. The paper concludes with a discussion of the practical applicability and scalability of the model

Structural health monitoring of offshore wind turbines: A review through the Statistical Pattern Recognition Paradigm

Offshore Wind has become the most profitable renewable energy source due to the remarkable development it has experienced in Europe over the last decade. In this paper, a review of Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMS) for offshore wind turbines (OWT) has been carried out considering the topic as a Statistical Pattern Recognition problem. Therefore, each one of the stages of this paradigm has been reviewed focusing on OWT application. These stages are: Operational Evaluation; Data Acquisition, Normalization and Cleansing; Feature Extraction and Information Condensation; and Statistical Model Development. It is expected that optimizing each stage, SHMS can contribute to the development of efficient Condition-Based Maintenance Strategies. Optimizing this strategy will help reduce labor costs of OWTs׳ inspection, avoid unnecessary maintenance, identify design weaknesses before failure, improve the availability of power production while preventing wind turbines׳ overloading, therefore, maximizing the investments׳ return. In the forthcoming years, a growing interest in SHM technologies for OWT is expected, enhancing the potential of offshore wind farm deployments further offshore. Increasing efficiency in operational management will contribute towards achieving UK׳s 2020 and 2050 targets, through ultimately reducing the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE)