Thermophysical Model for Online Optimization and Control of the Electric Arc Furnace

AbstractA dynamic, first-principles process model for a steelmaking electric arc furnace has been developed. The model is an integrated part of an application designed for optimization during operation of the furnace. Special care has been taken to ensure that the non-linear model is robust and accurate enough for real-time optimization. The model is formulated in terms of state variables and ordinary differential equations and is adapted to process data using recursive parameter estimation. Compared to other models available in the literature, a focus of this model is to integrate auxiliary process data in order to best predict energy efficiency and heat transfer limitations in the furnace. Model predictions are in reasonable agreement with steel temperature and weight measurements. Simulations indicate that industrial deployment of Model Predictive Control applications derived from this process model can result in electrical energy consumption savings of 1–2%.Abstract A dynamic, first-principles process model for a steelmaking electric arc furnace has been developed. The model is an integrated part of an application designed for optimization during operation of the furnace. Special care has been taken to ensure that the non-linear model is robust and accurate enough for real-time optimization. The model is formulated in terms of state variables and ordinary differential equations and is adapted to process data using recursive parameter estimation. Compared to other models available in the literature, a focus of this model is to integrate auxiliary process data in order to best predict energy efficiency and heat transfer limitations in the furnace. Model predictions are in reasonable agreement with steel temperature and weight measurements. Simulations indicate that industrial deployment of Model Predictive Control applications derived from this process model can result in electrical energy consumption savings of 1–2%

Capacity Building on Heat Balance in Electrolysis of Aluminium

Designing games for learning in the workplace is challenging in many ways. Within the process industry, the aluminium production cells are harsh environments that are difficult to instrument and pose domain related challenges, which make effective training difficult to achieve. In particular, cognitive challenges arise due to the slow nature of the physical process that disconnects the operators' actions and causality. The complex chemical process demands a high level of understanding of the parameters and their complex interdependencies. Additional challenges are related to representing an appropriate level of detail and precision of the workplace, including integration with existing tools. This paper describes the digital simulation game designed and developed for the operators in aluminium plants to master the cognitive skills required for Heat Balance in the aluminium production cells. A co-design process was adopted from the initial inception of the idea, development and evaluation. The paper will discuss and present the co-creation artefacts used, namely a paper prototype, hybrid prototype of the game along with the output from iterative development cycles. This work is conducted within the research and innovation project, Accelerated Learning for Technology Transfer, with the Norwegian company Hydro.publishedVersio

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy of pelvic lymph nodes in locally advanced prostate cancer: planning procedures and early experiences

publishedVersio

Helsepersonells erfaringer med veiledning av hjertetransplanterte pasienter til aktivitet og trening: en kvalitativ studie

Master's thesis in Health and social sciencesPasienter opplever ofte usikkerhet rundt egen treningstoleranse etter hjertetransplantasjon. Tidligere ble hjertetransplanterte pasienter pålagt treningsrestriksjoner, men nyere studier tyder derimot på at både moderat trening og høyintensiv intervalltrening er trygt og blir tilbudt pasientene. Kunnskap om hvilke erfaringer transplantasjonsteamet har med veiledning av pasientene kan gi helsepersonell strategier til bedre oppfølging på pasientens hjemsted. Vi ønsket derfor å undersøke helsepersonells erfaringer med veiledning av hjertetransplanterte pasienter til aktivitet og trening. Vi utførte en kvalitativ studie med semistrukturerte intervju for innhenting av data. Dataene ble analysert ved hjelp av systematisk tekstkondensering. Utvalget bestod av seks informanter som alle hadde lengre tids erfaring med veiledning av hjertetransplanterte pasienter til aktivitet og trening. Analysen avdekket to hovedkategorier: motivasjon til trening og utfordringer ved trening. Viktige faktorer for motivasjon til trening var selvbestemmelse, mestring, tilhørighet, takknemlighet til donor, sosial støtte og treningens positive effekter. Utfordringer ved trening var både av fysisk, psykososial og økonomisk karakter. Studien viste at helsepersonell opplever at veiledningen de gir til hjertetransplanterte er svært viktig, den bidrar til økt kunnskap og bevissthet, trygghet og redusert engstelse. Trening under veiledning gjør at pasientene kan utfordre seg fysisk i trygge rammer. Å kjenne at det nye hjertet tåler belastningen gir pasientene motivasjon til trening. Det ses likevel et behov for at kunnskap om at hjertetransplanterte har få restriksjoner med tanke på trening og fysisk aktivitet spres, både til lokalsykehus, fastleger, kommunehelsetjenesten og fysioterapeuter. Dette er ny og ukjent kunnskap for mange