A control design for linear-time-delay systems

One outcome of a PhD project (David Tingey). Industrial systems which involve time delays are difficult to control in general. In addition, the presence of a time-delay may make a control loop unstable. In this work, a new stability criterion and control law is provided to control a class of time delay systems with delay in the state. The result has been applied to a mechanical system and can also be applied to flight and marine control. This work was done as a joint collaboration with Leeds Metropolitan University. This work is supported by the EPSRC case PhD studentship

Estimation and control of some classes of dynamical systems with application to biological wastewater treatment

It is well-known that there are no general approaches for observer and controller design for nonlinear systems. Instead, focus is placed upon design for classes of systems. On the other hand, a wide variety of dynamical systems belong to the class of state-affine systems. Amongst these are biological wastewater treatment processes, which are essential in order to prevent pollution in the environment and prevent disease in the consumption of recycled water. An interesting aspect found in biological wastewater treatment systems, and many typical industrial processes, are time-delays. In almost all systems there are time-delays and nonlinearities and it is not surprising that time-delay and nonlinear systems have received a great deal of attention in mathematics and control engineering. This project introduces new methodologies for the design of controllers and observers for a class of state-affine systems and a class of linear time-delay systems. Firstly, new observable and controllable canonical forms are introduced. These are then used to establish new controller and observer design methodologies for a class of state¬affine systems. In particular, an adaptive observer design is established. The methodologies are simple since they are based upon linear techniques. Secondly, a full-state controller and a separation principle are established for a class of single-input single-output linear time-delay systems. The designs are based on a new stability criterion and are derived from first principles. Finally, the new observer design methodology for the class of state-affine systems is used to produce observers for the estimation of biomass concentration in a biological wastewater treatment bioreactor. The observers are applied in theory and in simulation, where a full and a partial knowledge of the kinetic rate of reaction of biomass are considered. In addition, the performances are shown both in the absence and in the presence of measurement noise for a variety of influent flow characteristics.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Estimation and control of some classes of dynamical systems with application to biological wastewater treatment

It is well-known that there are no general approaches for observer and controller design for nonlinear systems. Instead, focus is placed upon design for classes of systems. On the other hand, a wide variety of dynamical systems belong to the class of state-affine systems. Amongst these are biological wastewater treatment processes, which are essential in order to prevent pollution in the environment and prevent disease in the consumption of recycled water. An interesting aspect found in biological wastewater treatment systems, and many typical industrial processes, are time-delays. In almost all systems there are time-delays and nonlinearities and it is not surprising that time-delay and nonlinear systems have received a great deal of attention in mathematics and control engineering. This project introduces new methodologies for the design of controllers and observers for a class of state-affine systems and a class of linear time-delay systems. Firstly, new observable and controllable canonical forms are introduced. These are then used to establish new controller and observer design methodologies for a class of state¬affine systems. In particular, an adaptive observer design is established. The methodologies are simple since they are based upon linear techniques. Secondly, a full-state controller and a separation principle are established for a class of single-input single-output linear time-delay systems. The designs are based on a new stability criterion and are derived from first principles. Finally, the new observer design methodology for the class of state-affine systems is used to produce observers for the estimation of biomass concentration in a biological wastewater treatment bioreactor. The observers are applied in theory and in simulation, where a full and a partial knowledge of the kinetic rate of reaction of biomass are considered. In addition, the performances are shown both in the absence and in the presence of measurement noise for a variety of influent flow characteristics.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Elevated CO2 and O3 Effects on Fine-Root Life Span in Ponderosa Pine

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations are rising, which may have opposing effects on tree C balance and allocation to fine roots. More information is needed on interactive CO2 and O3 effects on roots, particularly fine-root life span, a critical demographic parameter and determinant of soil C and N pools and cycling rates. We conducted a study in which ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings were exposed to two levels of CO2 and O3 in sun-lit controlled-environment terracosms for three years. Minirhizotrons were used to monitor individual fine roots in three soil horizons every 28 days. Proportional hazards regression was used to analyze effects of CO2, O3, diameter, depth, and season of root initiation on fine-root survivorship. More fine roots were produced in the elevated CO2 treatment than in ambient CO2. Median life spans varied from 140-448 days depending on the season of root initiation. Elevated CO2, increasing root diameter, and increasing root depth all significantly increased fine-root survivorship and median life span. Life span was slightly, but not significantly, lower in elevated O3, and increased O3 did not reduce the effect of elevated CO2. These results indicate the potential for elevated CO2 to increase the number of fine roots and their residence time in the soil, which is also affected by root diameter, root depth, and phenology