Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controller of a Doubly Fed Induction Machine

Interval type-2 fuzzy logic controller (IT2FLC) method for controlling the speed with a direct stator flux orientation control of doubly fed induction motor (DFIM) is proposed. The fuzzy controllers have demonstrated their effectiveness in the control of nonlinear systems, and in many cases it is proved that their robustness and performance are less sensitive to parameters variation over conventional controllers. The synthesis of stabilizing control laws design based on IT2FLC is developed. A comparative analysis between type-1 fuzzy logic controller (T1FLC) and IT2FLC of the DFIM is shown. Simulation results show the feasibility and the effectiveness of the suggested method to the control of the DFIM under different operating conditions such as load torque and in the presence of parameters variation

A Comparative Study of Metakaolin/Slag-Based Geopolymer Mortars Incorporating Natural and Recycled Sands

Great efforts are being made to minimize the negative impact of the Portland cement industry on the environment by using industrial by-products during the manufacture of clinker or by the partial replacement of cement during the preparation of concrete. However, the carbon footprint remains relatively high in addition to the large consumption of natural resources such as sand and other aggregates. A solution to these problems is to completely replace Portland cement with a new generation of mineral binders, commonly known as geopolymers, which have properties similar to those of Portland cement. These binders can be obtained by the alkali-activation of siliceous or aluminosilicate materials. This study aims to develop pozzolanic type binders at room temperature (20°C) from the alkali-activation of aluminosilicate materials based on metakaolin and blast furnace slag at different percentages. Different activators were employed, including solid (NaOH) and liquid (Na2SiO3.nH2O). The optimal mixtures were used for making mortars based on natural sand (NS) and concrete recycled sand (CRS). A comparative experimental study of the physical, mechanical, and microstructural characteristics of the two types of mortars was conducted. Cement mixtures with a high amount of slag and an association of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate gave the best physico-mechanical properties. A drop in the compressive strength of mortars prepared with CRS was observed after 365 days, but it was still higher than those with NS. The obtained results show the possibility of designing an eco-friendly CRS-based geopolymer mortar that is more resistant than NS-based mortar with a homogeneous and integrated microstructure. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-08-07 Full Text: PD

Optimization of process conditions to improve copper adsorption capacity of raw and treated Algerian bentonite: Characterization, kinetics and equilibrium study

249-261Raw bentonite (RB) locally available in Mostaganem (Algeria) deposit has been treated in the presence of NaOH (B-NaOH), MgCl2 (B-MgCl2) and H2SO4 (B-H2SO4) to improve its adsorption ability for the removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions. Characterization of all adsorbents supported montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite as major clay minerals identified for the raw and treated bentonites and proved the aluminosilicate structure of the clays. In synthetic solutions, the adsorption equilibrium of copper onto RB, B-MgCl2 and B-H2SO4 is reached in 30 min. while, equilibrium is reached after 4 hours when using B-NaOH. The adsorption kinetics are well described by the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption of copper is pH-dependent. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms indicate a suitable fit between the experimental data and models. The corresponding parameters indicate that the sorption mechanism might be physical in nature. The maximum adsorption capacities of Langmuir that are obtained are in the following order 25.1 mg/g (RB) < 28.03 mg/g (B-H2SO4) < 39.89 mg/g (B-MgCl2) < 72.80 mg/g (B-NaOH). The removal efficiency of copper in industrial wastewater was 45.75 %, 55.22 %, 63.27 % and 70.39 % using RB, B-MgCl2, B-H2SO4 and B-NaOH, respectively. The B-NaOH exhibit a higher adsorption capacity of copper with the other tested bentonites

Low incidence of SARS-CoV-2, risk factors of mortality and the course of illness in the French national cohort of dialysis patients

International audienceThe aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of COVID-19 disease in the French national population of dialysis patients, their course of illness and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality. Our study included all patients on dialysis recorded in the French REIN Registry in April 2020. Clinical characteristics at last follow-up and the evolution of COVID-19 illness severity over time were recorded for diagnosed cases (either suspicious clinical symptoms, characteristic signs on the chest scan or a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 1,621 infected patients were reported on the REIN registry from March 16th, 2020 to May 4th, 2020. Of these, 344 died. The prevalence of COVID-19 patients varied from less than 1% to 10% between regions. The probability of being a case was higher in males, patients with diabetes, those in need of assistance for transfer or treated at a self-care unit. Dialysis at home was associated with a lower probability of being infected as was being a smoker, a former smoker, having an active malignancy, or peripheral vascular disease. Mortality in diagnosed cases (21%) was associated with the same causes as in the general population. Higher age, hypoalbuminemia and the presence of an ischemic heart disease were statistically independently associated with a higher risk of death. Being treated at a selfcare unit was associated with a lower risk. Thus, our study showed a relatively low frequency of COVID-19 among dialysis patients contrary to what might have been assumed