ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS EDUCATION WITH COMPUTER ALGEBRA: THE MATLAB ALTERNATIVE

Computer algebra systems have become an important tool for many engineering and technical professionals. There is a growing need to incorporate such tools into the education of such professionals. This paper discusses these systems and their role within engineering mathematics in higher education. Some advantages and problems associated with computer algebra are highlighted and illustrated using MATLAB

Neural Network Control of a Laboratory Magnetic Levitator

Magnetic levitation (maglev) systems are nowadays employed in applications ranging from non-contact bearings and vibration isolation of sensitive machinery to high-speed passenger trains. In this chapter a mathematical model of a laboratory maglev system was derived using the Lagrangian approach. A linear pole-placement controller was designed on the basis of specifications on peak overshoot and settling time. A 3-layer feed-forward Artificial Neural Network (ANN) controller comprising 3-input nodes, a 5-neuron hidden layer, and 1-neuron output layer was trained using the linear state feedback controller with a random reference signal. Simulations to investigate the robustness of the ANN control scheme with respect to parameter variations, reference step input magnitude variations, and sinusoidal input tracking were carried out using SIMULINK. The obtained simulation results show that the ANN controller is robust with respect to good positioning accuracy

Assessment of Wind Power Potential and Wind Electricity Generation Using WECS of Two Sites in South West, Nigeria

The study was used to analyze the wind characteristics of Shaki (08.40’ N; 03.23’ E; Altitude 457.0 m; Air density 1.1723 kg/m3) and Iseyin (07.58’ N; 03.36’ E; Altitude 330.0 m; Air density 1.1869 kg/m3), two local sites in Oyo State, Nigeria. 21 years monthly mean wind speeds at 10 m height obtained from the Nigeria meteorological department were employed together with the Weibull 2-parameter distribution and other statistics to carry out monthly, seasonal and whole years’ analyses of the sites’ wind profiles for electricity generation. It was found that the whole data spread ranged between 0.9 and 9.1 m/s for the two sites while the 21 years’ average ranged between 3.2 and 5.1 m/s and 2.9 and 4.7 m/s for Shaki and Iseyin sites respectively. Three wind energy conversion systems were employed with the results and it was discovered that, the sites have capacity to generate MWh to GWh of electricity at an average cost/kWh of between € (0.025 and 0.049) and that a turbine with technical parameters of cut-in, cut-out and rated wind speeds of 3.0, 25 and 11.6 m/s is appropriate for the sites

Adaptive Non-linear Predictive Control

Most predictive control algorithms, including the Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) (Clarke et al. 1987) are based on linear dynamics. Many processes are severely non-linear and would require high order linear approximations. Another approach, which is presented here, is to extend the basic adaptive GPC algorithm to a non-linear form. This provides a non-linear predictive controller which is shown to be very effective in the control of processes with non-linearities that can be suitably modelled using general Volterra, Hammerstein and bilinear models. In developing this algorithm, the process dynamics are not restricted to a particular order as is the case with the current non-linear adaptive algorithms. Simulations are presented using a number of examples and the steady state properties are discussed.;The Non-Linear Generalized Predictive Control (NLGPC) algorithm is tested on a non-linear batch reactor system by carrying out a number of experiments and comparing its performance with other control strategies. The NLGPC is shown to outperform the constrained Self-Tuning PID (STPID) controller by Katende and Jutan (1993) and the Generalized Minimum Variance (GMV) controller by Clarke and Gawthrop (1975). It is also shown to have better performance than the well known GPC algorithm by Clarke et al. (1987). The advantage of th NLGPC over the other controllers is attributed to its adaptive nature and use of non-linear process models in its design

Root Locus-Based Magnetic Levitation System Stabilization: An Undergraduate Control System Design Approach

The subject of control system design has evolved considerably over the years. Although several design techniques and strategies have been adopted to realize control systems that meet a predetermined set of performance criteria, the fundamental problem remains that of developing controllers to adjust the performance characteristics of a dynamic system in order to obtain a desired output behavior. The dynamic behavior of a magnetic levitation system (MLS) of a ferromagnetic ball is compensated in this paper. Consolidating the exposure of undergraduate students to the rudiments of control system design, the paper employs the classical root locus technique to stabilize the system. A combination of analytical and software-based methods is used to design proportional-derivative and phase-lead compensators based on the linearized model of the system. Complete details of the design approach, from modeling and analysis of the plant to computing the values of the controller parameters, are shown. MATLAB scripts for plotting root loci and simulating the system are provided

Voltage Collapse and the Nigerian National Grid

A modern electric power system network (PSN) is typically a large and complex engineering system whose healthy existence is crucial to industrial and socio-economic development of Nations. Voltage instability and collapse contribute to large extent to system collapse or blackouts and it is one of the major concerns for today’s electric power system operations. The Nigerian National grid (NNG) experiences on an average of thirty-five (35) system collapse every year over the past ten (10) years. This paper presents an overview and classification of system collapse on the NNG. Keywords — Voltage collapse, Voltage instability, and Nigerian National Grid (NNG

Constitutive Modeling of Wind Energy Potential of Selected Sites in Nigeria: A Pre-Assessment Model

In this chapter, the authors present the result of a study carried out to develop a pre-assessment model that can be used to carry out a preliminary study on the availability of wind energy resources of a site. 21 years’ (1987 – 2007) monthly average wind speeds for 18 locations in Nigeria were used to create the simple constitutive model. The locations span across the six geopolitical zones of the nation with three stations from each zone. Various statistical procedures were employed in the development of the model. The outcome gave an empirical model, which if employed, will lead to determining the mod- est range of wind energy potential of a site. Further, the results from this model were compared with those from the well-established two-parameter Weibull statistical distribution function and found to be reasonably adequate. Thus with this model, decision on site selection for complete assessment can be made without much rigour

The impact of blockchain technology on information technology governance

Abstract : This dissertation forms a hypothesis that Blockchain technology is giving rise to a new form of enterprise IT governance. Blockchain is a computational design that first emerged as the technology underpinning the popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Despite its use in cryptocurrency, it has an array of different use cases that may significantly impact the global economy. Some areas that Blockchain will affect were never truly re-engineered by the internet era, namely Economics and Governance. This dissertation is a qualitative exploration and analysis of blockchain’s impact on Information Technology Governance. The research unpacks these implications by comparing governance in hierarchical organisations and decentralised autonomous organisations. The primary data is attained through a questionnaire and the secondary data from a case study. The research contains two literature reviews on Blockchain and IT governance. The primary finding of this research reveals that although conventional IT Governance will still be used in the future, fifty percent of the sentiments shared by subject matter experts indicate that unconventional governance will take precedence with decentralised autonomous organisations. This implies that changes in traditional governance frameworks may be required in the future.M.Com. (Information Technology Management

Stokvels as vehicles of wealth accumulation amongst migrants in Johannesburg

Saving clubs or stokvels have been around in many parts of the World, under different names, for many years and they have been instrumental in teaching people how to save. This research sets to investigate the possible use of stokvels as vehicles, channels or conduits for wealth accumulation among migrant population living in the inner city of Johannesburg. Participants’ contributions and the extent this translates into wealth accumulation among members were critically examined. Furthermore, the study explored whether gender plays any role in terms of stokvels membership and the reasons thereof. The hypothesis of this research was that incomes from stokvels contribute to wealth accumulation of migrants in the inner city of Johannesburg. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to address the research questions and gather relevant data. The use of a mixed approach was adopted as it allows a deeper exploration of the different research objectives and questions of the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of this study have revealed that there is a positive relationship between membership to stokvels and wealth accumulation. Moreover, trust and social capital were found to be pivotal in ensuring success of these groups in terms of who should be accepted into the group. However, many other factors, such as the level of education, the length of stay in South Africa and the marital status of participants could have an impact on wealth status of participants