Design and control of a synchronous reluctance machine drive

This thesis investigates the design, performance and control of a synchronous reluctance machine (Synchrel) drive. The Synchrel machine is proposed for variable speed drives because of its advantages over other machines. The rotor has no cage winding, brushes or slip rings. The torque ripple levels are lower in the Synchrel machine than the switched reluctance machine as it operates from a standard sine wave supply. An axially laminated rotor was designed based on finite element analysis, with the aim of producing the same output power as obtained from an induction motor (M) with a similar stator. Using vector control, the developed torque is controlled by regulating the stator current vector. Two vector control schemes are used, maximum torque per ampere and constant current in the direct axis. The output torque characteristics of the machine have been confirmed by finite element analysis. Slotine's approach of sliding mode control is used for position control of the vector controlled synchronous reluctance machine. A comparison is undertaken between the performance of a fixed gain controller with two sliding mode controllers, for both the regulator and servo cases. Invariant performance is obtained using Slotine's sliding mode control approach, unlike with a fixed gain controller. Robustness to parameter variation is an important feature of this technique. This robustness can be achieved through the control law design, assuming parameter variation bounds are known. These improvements are demonstrated for variations in load inertia. Inductance ripple affects machine performance, for example decreasing output torque and increasing core losses. A state space model for the machine that incorporates this inductance effect, yields drive simulation results that agree with experimental results

Case Study of Thermal Injection in Heavy Oil Reservoir

A study has been done on thermal injection – as an enhanced oil recovery - in heavy oil reservoir. Two types of thermal injection were discussed. These methods are cyclic steam stimulation and steam flooding. The simulation part was done using Eclipse 300 and literature data. Moreover, steam flooding technique was used in simulating the reservoir. It was confirmed that thermal injection is significant in heavy oil reservoir. It was shown that the viscosity is the main variable that affects the production rate and the recovery factor of the field. By decreasing the value of this variable the production rate was significantly increased. Using thermal injection increased the recovery factor from 3.75% to 56.5%

Architecture Education Methodology Comparison between KTH-Sweden and PUA-Egypt

The increasing global emphasis on sustainable approaches demands new approaches to architecture education. In order to raise the level of architecture education; analyses of different education programs, finding comparable experiences and problems across borders and the creation of a network worldwide for the exchange of information are recognized methods of achieving and maintaining comparable national and global standards. With the aim of improving education and research activities, Faculty of Engineering at Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt; PUA (Private developing world university) and the Royal Institute of Technology; KTH (International technical university in Stockholm, Sweden) agreed on long term cooperation in 2009.This cooperation aim is to introduce the "Swedish" experience in teaching and education at PUA in order to provide graduates with the professional, intellectual and technological skills which enable them to compete in global job markets and cope with modernity. As a part of the cooperation agreement between PUA and KTH; a team work from KTH conducted a follow up and evaluation of Architecture program at PUA.The present paper focuses on the Architecture Curriculum followed in PUA as compared to the already adapted in Sweden. This comparison is undertaken in various directions covering methodologies used in both universities; besides in depth analysis of that methodology outcome, in the form of the final product quality (the graduate students) will be exposed. This comparative analysis gives us as academics a basis to strengthen our programs, to enhance our role in shaping undergraduate education, and to improve the quality of education

TOWARDS ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE IN MINET EL-BASSAL DISTRICT AT ALEXANDRIA

Industrial properties are functional buildings. They are not built to fulfill the aesthetic needs of their users or communities. In urban areas of large cities, they are unlikely to have the privilege of attracting kudos for the communities in which they are situated. In Egypt, and precisely in the metropolitan city of Alexandria, Minet El-Bassal district was once a famous Alexandrian Industrial district. It was built around 1810 overlooking the only seaport in Egypt at that time. It consisted of headquarters of international trading companies, large store-houses, workers housing and the bourse de cotton an international marketing center for Egyptian cotton”. Brokers came from all over the world to this area; cotton was a major agriculture croup, totally for export under the British occupation in Egypt (1882-1956). The district was -and still is supported by a well designed transportation network either for people or goods, this network helped connecting the district with all vital spots of local production and marketing in Egypt. By the early 90s, the Egyptian government followed a new policy of liberalization. The immediate impact was a reduction in cotton cultivated area, total production and manufacturing. An industry, which had sustained large communities of people, became redundant. Many of the cotton factory buildings in Minet El-Bassal district are on their way to be demolished and the sites will be cleared for new apartment blocks. It is essential to create awareness of the heritage value of Minet El-Bassal district\u27s industrial buildings -particularly of its cotton factories before they are demolished. This paper aims to document Minet El-Bassal district as an industrial coastal region and to discuss the various options to revitalize the neglected old industrial properties in the area, thus preserve the identity of the place and improve quality of life. The work proposed in this paper is based on the steps of a design studio course offered for fourth level architecture students at Pharos University in Alexandria, where the authors, as demonstrators of the course supervised the documentation work and suggested the rehabilitation of a group of industrial buildings in the study area

Startup Company Business Concept Validation Methodology

Many technology startups begin with what appears to be a brilliant idea or a business concept that could be commercialized and successfully taken to market. However, new business fields and products are characterized by a multi-dimensional uncertainty that results in several planning questions that need to be answered in order to make the right decision about whether to bring it to market at all, and how to bring it to market if there is a validated opportunity. Accordingly, new entrepreneurs can benefit from a simple, easy-to-use methodology that will guide them through the concept screening process and provide them with practical tools to test-drive their concept and make a decision about how to proceed forward. The Startup Business Concept Validation Methodology (SBCVM) is designed to be used by startup teams with limited business experience as a self-guided method that will provide them with an organized approach to evaluate and validate their business concept

The need for UN climate change policy reformation

This paper endeavours to understand the climate change phenomenon and identify measures taken to contain it. It discusses global warming causes and consequences and assesses effectiveness of the United Nations (UN) polices following failure of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In pursuing this course of action, this paper utilizes data collected from East Africa region. Key issues discussed in the paper include findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the role of urbanization in global warming as cities emit most of greenhouse gases. Special reference is made to developing cities which are growing extremely fast and will consume more energy in future. They are becoming economic engines and adopting industrialization as an economic model while developed cities are experiencing de-industrialization. Developing cities have neither the ability to adopt green technology nor the capacity to establish large capacity public transport systems to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It is evident that UN efforts to combat climate change are not effective because past experience shows that CO2 generation cuts weren’t near enough. The recent Paris Agreement may restore a faith in UN process if implemented but doesn’t reduce temperatures as needed unless all drivers of climate variability are considered, particularly the abortive role of developing cities. The UN Programme appears to be focusing on attaining urban resilience rather than targeting grassroots causes. Urbane-bias global policies drive the rural population to leave their land and flood cities while over-usage of natural resources by the rich is left unchecked. A new UN strategy making the countryside a more appealing place to live in and work whilst normalising urban growth is needed as well as mobilizing local leaders who enjoy more autonomy to enact regulations. It should also alleviate poverty, deter excessive practices and put science and technology under community control

Revitalization of Greater Khartoum Urban Transportation System

Khartoum metropolis depends on a single-modal transport – vehicular road system. Mass transport modes are completely absent making Khartoum unable to meet citizens’ mobility demand. Thus passengers facing long time delays in transport stations. Slow traffic speeds and severe traffic jams result in long trip periods, high traffic accidents rates and high suspended particulate concentrations accumulating in the air. This situation is attributed to: Use of small-sized vehicles running on limited paved road network. • Adoption of extensive grid iron planning patterns lacking multi-grade intersections. • Eroded public transport fleet and extremely overcrowded urban centres. Negligence of public transport systems integration into landuse plans and urban structure restructuring difficulty crippled public transport revitalisation for no space is left for mass transport infrastructure construction. Moreover, transport systems’ operation mismanagement and focus on economic development increased pressure on transport systems. This paper endeavours to point out the deficiencies in public transport services and proposes the areas of reformation. To revitalize urban transport, Khartoum main transport infrastructures must be efficiently operated by establishment of a talented transport authority supported by strong legislations and popular authorization and able to adopt sustainable mobility solutions to meet current and future traffic demands by: Rehabilitating and expanding the existing infrastructures. • Deploying large-capacity multimodal transport systems including river transport, bus rapid transit systems, tramways and metropolitan railways to connect Khartoum polycentric and its sprawling outward growth. • Mitigating environmental pollution and enforcing stringent road safety measures. • Reviewing traffic laws to tighten traffic regulations and control traffic flows. Investment priority should be given to river transport. It is economically feasible, has large carrying capacity and safe and almost accident free. Furthermore, Nile Rivers dominate the metropolis, dictate urban configuration, direct urban growth, impose urban expansions patterns and influence spatial organization

Case Study of Thermal Injection in Heavy Oil Reservoir

A study has been done on thermal injection – as an enhanced oil recovery - in heavy oil reservoir. Two types of thermal injection were discussed. These methods are cyclic steam stimulation and steam flooding. The simulation part was done using Eclipse 300 and literature data. Moreover, steam flooding technique was used in simulating the reservoir. It was confirmed that thermal injection is significant in heavy oil reservoir. It was shown that the viscosity is the main variable that affects the production rate and the recovery factor of the field. By decreasing the value of this variable the production rate was significantly increased. Using thermal injection increased the recovery factor from 3.75% to 56.5%