An Equivalent Model of Gas Networks for Dynamic Analysis of Gas-Electricity Systems

The increasing coupling between natural gas and electricity systems by gas-fired generation units brings new challenges to system analysis, such as pressure variations due to consumption perturbations of generation units. The emerging issues require revolutionary modeling and analysis techniques. This paper proposes a novel model to quantify gas pressure variations due to gas-fired power unit ramping and the impact of constraints from natural gas pressure change on ramp rates of gas-fired plants. By utilizing Laplace transform to resolve the governing equations of gas networks, the proposed model can significantly reduce modeling complexity and computational burden. The dynamic behaviors in time scale in s-domain and spatial partial differential equations are transformed into finite difference equations. By introducing the concept of transfer matrices, the relation between states at each node of gas systems can be expressed by transfer parameter matrices. Additionally, a simplified model is introduced to simply the analysis. The explicit expressions of nodal pressure variations in response to demand change are very convenient for analyzing system dynamic performance under disturbances, identifying the most influential factors. The new models are extensively demonstrated on three natural gas networks and benchmarked with traditional simulation approaches. Results illustrate that they produce very close results with the simulation approach, particularly when gas pipelines are long and enter steady states.</p

A Novel Method of Polynomial Approximation for Parametric Problems in Power Systems

Many problems in power systems depend on parameters, which could be stochastic variables or deterministic system control variables practically, e.g., generation outputs, nodal voltages, etc. Due to the nonlinearity of power systems, the analytical relation between system states and parameters cannot be obtained directly. Using the sampling method to evaluate the influence of parameters on system states is very powerful but time-consuming. One feasible approach is to use polynomial approximations, where the system states are approximately expressed in the form of polynomials in terms of parameters. Galerkin method can be used to identify the approximate solution with high accuracy by solving high-dimensional equations. However, if a large number of parameters are involved, solving these high-dimensional equations becomes a serious challenge. This paper proposes an innovative method for resolving these high-dimensional equations in power systems, which constructs a sequence of decoupled equations to determine the polynomial expansion coefficients. This new approach can provide a local approximation in the form of Taylor expansion at a given operation point. Although the method is general, for simplicity and good readability, we introduce the detailed process in its application to load flow problems. Case studies from 6-, 118-, and 1648-bus system show that the proposed method provides approximation more efficiently than traditional Galerkin method does, and 3-order polynomials can give very accurate results.</p

Absorbing property of MnO2 nanorods and its meta-surface design

MnO2 nanorods were prepared by using the hydrothermal method and freeze-drying technology, and then molded into the MnO2/paraffin circular samples in different filling concentrations. The crystalline phase, microstructure and electromagnetic parameters of the samples were characterized and tested by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vector network analyzer (VNA). Sample meta-surface was designed and simulated by CST software and the pre and post simulation calculation and research of the meta-surface were carried out. The results show that prepared MnO2 powder has a rod structure with the diameter and length of the rod about 50-100 nm, 5-10 μm, respectively. The single cylindric structure is well-shaped, and the overall structure is homogeneous with crystallinity. Moreover, the tangent of dielectric loss(tanδ) increases with concentration, making a great contribution to the electromagnetic attenuation coefficient (α) of the sample of MnO2/paraffin, which increases with filling concentration of MnO2 nanorods. Microwave absorption frequency domain of MnO2/paraffin material is significantly broadened by the design of meta-surface, namely, the optimal bandwidth in 2-18 GHz can reach 14.32 GHz. The reason is the superposition of absorption peaks over a specified frequency range, which is caused by the coexistence of multiple resonances of the meta-surface

Design and Preparation of Flexible Graphene/Nonwoven Composites with Simultaneous Broadband Absorption and Stable Properties

As the world moves into the 21st century, the complex electromagnetic wave environment is receiving widespread attention due to its impact on human health, suggesting the critical importance of wearable absorbing materials. In this paper, graphene nonwoven (RGO/NW) composites were prepared by diffusely distributing graphene sheets in a polypropylene three-dimensional framework through Hummers&rsquo; method. Moreover, based on the Jaumann structural material design concept, the RGO/NW composite was designed as a multilayer microwave absorber, with self-recovery capability. It achieves effective absorption (reflection loss of &minus;10 dB) in the 2~18 GHz electromagnetic wave frequency domain, exhibiting a larger bandwidth than that reported in the literature for absorbers of equivalent thickness. In addition, the rationally designed three-layer sample has an electromagnetic wave absorption of over 97% (reflection loss of &minus;15 dB) of the bandwidth over 14 GHz. In addition, due to the physical and chemical stability of graphene and the deformation recovery ability of nonwoven fabric, the absorber also shows good deformation recovery ability and stable absorption performance. This broadband absorption and extreme environmental adaptability make this flexible absorber promising for various applications, especially for personnel wearable devices

Design and Preparation of Flexible Graphene/Nonwoven Composites with Simultaneous Broadband Absorption and Stable Properties

As the world moves into the 21st century, the complex electromagnetic wave environment is receiving widespread attention due to its impact on human health, suggesting the critical importance of wearable absorbing materials. In this paper, graphene nonwoven (RGO/NW) composites were prepared by diffusely distributing graphene sheets in a polypropylene three-dimensional framework through Hummers’ method. Moreover, based on the Jaumann structural material design concept, the RGO/NW composite was designed as a multilayer microwave absorber, with self-recovery capability. It achieves effective absorption (reflection loss of −10 dB) in the 2~18 GHz electromagnetic wave frequency domain, exhibiting a larger bandwidth than that reported in the literature for absorbers of equivalent thickness. In addition, the rationally designed three-layer sample has an electromagnetic wave absorption of over 97% (reflection loss of −15 dB) of the bandwidth over 14 GHz. In addition, due to the physical and chemical stability of graphene and the deformation recovery ability of nonwoven fabric, the absorber also shows good deformation recovery ability and stable absorption performance. This broadband absorption and extreme environmental adaptability make this flexible absorber promising for various applications, especially for personnel wearable devices

Elevated pCO(2) changes community structure and function by affecting phytoplankton group-specific mortality

The rise of atmospheric pCO(2) has created a number of problems for marine ecosystem. In this study, we initially quantified the effects of elevated pCO(2) on the group-specific mortality of phytoplankton in a natural community based on the results of mesocosm experiments. Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community, and the concentration of chlorophyll a was significantly higher in the high-pCO(2) treatment than the low-pCO(2) treatment. Phytoplankton mortality (percentage of dead cells) decreased during the exponential growth phase. Although the mortality of dinoflagellates did not differ significantly between the two pCO(2) treatments, that of diatoms was lower in the high-pCO(2) treatment. Small diatoms dominated the diatom community. Although the mortality of large diatoms did not differ significantly between the two treatments, that of small diatoms was lower in the high-pCO(2) treatment. These results suggested that elevated pCO(2) might enhance dominance by small diatoms and thereby change the community structure of coastal ecosystems

Optimal design of a hybrid suspension magnet for middle-low-speed maglev trains

A middle-low-speed maglev train is supported by an electromagnetic force between the suspension electromagnet (EM) and the steel rail and is driven by a linear induction motor. The capability of the suspension system has a direct bearing on safety and the technical and economic performance of the train. This paper focuses on the dependence of the electromagnetic force on the variation of the structural configuration of the EM with the purpose of improving performance of a conventional EM. Finally, a novel configuration is proposed of a hybrid suspension magnet, which combines permanent magnets and coils, in order to increase the suspension force while reducing the suspension power loss