This study is a research around an issue encountered by MyEasyLab, a laboratory involved in asbestos testing for the French market. They are facing a problem of sample losses, which is hardly acceptable, especially when growing on a highly competitive and price driven market. They are therefore looking for ways to have a better traceability of their samples. The technicians were observed to identify their needs and the problems the company is facing. This study is presenting as a result two complementary solutions: the reorganization of the working space, and the usage of the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to track the samples. The reorganization of the room using the 5S method should enable a more optimized way of working. This method initially used in the industry early on by Toyota, enables to optimize the flows (goods, person, waste …) in a sustainable way. The use of RFID presents the opportunity of a deep change in the whole process of the company, from the client to the labs. Bags already tagged RFID could be sent to the clients for their sample collection, enabling traceability from the beginning of the chain. The samples could, using RFID, be detected as they enter the site, leave the site and if they are in an undesired location (for example in the trash). The RFID technology is also an opportunity to facilitate the work of the technician, with a possibility to save around 4h15 of working time per day. The kind of tags that seems the most appropriate for this application is passive UHF tags. They present the advantages of being cheaper, easier to buy in bulk and readable from longer distances.  Even though the RFID technology is often seen as expensive, a return on investment seems possible for a tag price under 0.08€.  Further experimental tests need to be realized to refine the results of this study.

Supervised machine learning models require a labeled data set of high quality in order to perform well. Available text data often exists in abundance, but it is usually not labeled. Labeling text data is a time consuming process, especially in the case where multiple labels can be assigned to a single text document. The purpose of this thesis was to make the labeling process of clinical reports as effective and effortless as possible by evaluating different multi-label active learning strategies. The goal of the strategies was to reduce the number of labeled documents a model needs, and increase the quality of those documents. With the strategies, an accuracy of 89% was achieved with 2500 reports, compared to 85% with random sampling. In addition to this, 85% accuracy could be reached after labeling 975 reports, compared to 1700 reports with random sampling.

Orientadores: Christiano Lyra Filho, Celso Cavellucci / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T20:13:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bueno_EdilsonAparecido_M.pdf: 1593593 bytes, checksum: ff2749c689002cc1c4de48ee0899defc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta uma nova visão para o problema de redução das perdas técnicas em sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica, através de reconfiguração de redes. A principal inovação consiste em abordar o problema com a consideração explícita das variações de demandas, mas impondo-se a restrição de que as configurações devem permanecer fixas ao longo do período de planejamento. Esta característica abre a perspectiva de que a metodologia venha a ser usada na operação diária dos sistemas de distribuição. No entanto, leva a um problema de otimização bem mais complexo do que o caracterizado pela visão tradicional. Formulações para demandas fixas e variáveis são desenvolvidas. Duas metodologias distintas para abordagem do novo problema são elaboradas. A primeira utiliza a metodologia denominada Busca Menor Energia, inspirada na técnica de Abertura Seqüencial de Chaves. A segunda técnica, denominada Árvore de Aproximação, faz uso das idéias de árvore geradora de custo mínimo. Ambas são combinadas com uma busca local, denominada Troca de Ramos Generalizada, baseada na técnica de Troca de Ramos. Explora-se também uma extensão da metodologia Árvore de Aproximação caracterizada por associação com conceitos do método GRASP (Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure). Estudos de casos ilustram a aplicação das metodologias em redes de cidades brasileiras / Abstract: This work presents a new point of view for the technical losses reduction problem in electric power distribution systems, through network reconfigurations. The main innovation is the explicit consideration of demand variations and the use of a fixed configuration during the planning period. This last characteristic makes the methodology able to be used in the daily operation of distribution systems. However, it leads to an optimization problem more complex than approaches without demand variations. Formulations for fixed and variable demands are created. Two distinct methodologies for the resolution of the new problem are elaborated. The first one uses the Minimum Energy Losses methodology, inspired by the ¿Sequential Switch Opening¿ technique. The last one, called Approximation Tree, is based on algorithms for the minimum spanning tree problem. Both of them are combined with a local search procedure, called Branch Exchange by Energy, based on the ¿Branch Exchange¿ technique. An extension of the Approximation Tree methodology is proposed by using concepts of the well-known GRASP method (Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure). Case Studies demonstrate the application of the methodologies in Brazilian cities¿ networks / Mestrado / Automação / Doutor em Engenharia Elétrica

For decades, duplex filters have been put to use virtually unmodified. Technologies, handling and use of materials show enormous potential for improvement. Filter element emoval/replacement is performed according to a complex process sequence. With the newly developed Duplex Filter, the market demands concerning simple filter element removal/replacement, as well as weight and pressure loss reduction are fully met.

<p dir="ltr">Hydraulic actuation technology is one of the most common ways of transferring power in agricultural and construction machinery. As the system efficiency and fuel consumption of these machines gains more attention due to climate change, a new generation of high-efficient hydraulic architecture is in need. This dissertation presents a study for reducing energy loss in the hydraulic control system of agricultural tractors and their implements. The solution is referred to as a multi-pressure rail (MPR) system and provides power to the hydraulic functions following a pressure control logic, as opposed to the traditional flow control logic typical of hydraulic systems used in off-road vehicles.</p><p dir="ltr">The proposed hydraulic architecture and controller allows for elimination of redundant flow control valves in the state-of-the-art system, which cause excessive throttling losses leading to poor overall energy efficiency. Related work on MPR technology targets construction vehicles, where the MPR solution can allow energy recovery during overrunning loads and better engine management. This study alternatively addresses the case of agricultural applications where functions mostly operate under resistive load conditions with slow dynamics, which offers an opportunity to target throttle losses. The hydraulic architecture design starts with the choice of number of rails, then supply system and pressure selection and control valve set. Next, the controller is proposed. The controller contains two layers. The lower layer directly controls the command tracking, rotational speed, or pressure, for each subsystem. The higher layer, namely the supervisory controller, optimizes the rail pressure levels in real time to guarantee minimum overall throttling loss.</p><p dir="ltr">To prove the effectiveness of the hydraulic system architecture and controller design, a standalone test rig was conceived and used to validate a numerical simulation model of the MPR system and its control strategy. Particular focus is given to the dynamic behavior of the system during the switches of a function between different pressure rails, which needs to ensure reduced oscillations of the flow provided to each hydraulic function. Then, to demonstrate the ability on power saving in real working conditions, reference machines were chosen: a 435 hp hydraulic tractor powering a 16-row planter, for which operating features during typical drive cycles were available to the authors. Simulation models of the two reference machines were built and validated with in field experiments. A full MPR system model on the reference machines was constructed using the validated models. This full model was used to predict the reference tractor and planter hydraulic system performance and power consumption during typical drive cycles. The results show up to 52.4% total power reduction at the pump shaft, corresponding to 113.8% system efficiency gain.</p><p dir="ltr">The dissertation also laid out the planned activities to complete the study. The system controller will be generalized that could suit more equipment in addition to the reference machine in this study. In the meantime, the reference tractor and planter will be modified into the proposed MPR system for field testing. That includes new sensors, controllers, valves, etc. The field test is the final experimental validation for the proposed MPR system on the front of effectiveness and power saving in real working condition.</p>

Power losses are always a cause of worry for any power grid. In India, the situation is even worse. Though recent reports by Ministry of Power shows that Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses (AT &C losses) have come down from 36.64% in 2002-03 to 27% in 2011-12, yet they are much higher than the losses seen in many of the developed nations. The reduction shown in power loss is because of the Electricity Act, 2003 and the amendments made to it in 2007 which controlled the commercial losses rather than the technical losses. According to Ministry of Power, technical losses (Transmission & Distribution losses or T&D losses) in India are reported to be 23.65% in 2011-12. However, according to the study done by EPRI, for systems deployed in developed countries, these losses are estimated to be in the range of 7-15.5%. T & D losses occur in four system components namely step-up transformers and high voltage transmission (0.5-1%), step down to in intermediate voltage, transmission and step down to sub transmission voltage level (1.5-3%), sub-transmission system and step down to low voltage for distribution (2-4.5%), and distribution lines (3-7%). 1% of power loss is approximately equivalent to annual loss of Rs 600 million for a single state. Hence, in a year, loss in distribution line alone causes approximate loss of Rs 1.8-4.2 billion per state. Understanding and reducing power losses in distribution lines which contribute nearly 50% of the total T&D losses assume significance and has formed the motivation for the work reported in the thesis. In recent years, the trend has been to encourage users to generate solar power predominantly at residential complexes and captive power plants at industrial complexes. It has been suggested in the literature that Distributed Generation (DG) can not only reduce the load demanded from the power grid but also the power loss. In this thesis, it has been shown that by the choice of proper size and location of DG, the power loss can be reduced substantially as compared to unplanned deployment of DGs. The objective of the thesis is to design strategy for location of distributed user generated power to maximize the reduction in power loss. The thesis begins with a study of distributed generation in primary distribution networks and proceeds to problem formulation, with the aim being to develop an algorithm that can find out the optimal locations for DG allocation in a network. A greedy approximation algorithm, named OPLODER (i.e. Optimal Locations for Distributed Energy Resources), is proposed for the same and its performance on a benchmark data set is observed, which is found to be satisfactory. The thesis then moves on to describe the actual data of 101,881 commercial, residential and industrial consumers of Bangalore metropolitan area. A loss model is discussed and is used to calculate the line losses in LV part of the grid and loss is estimated for the said actual data. The detailed analysis of the losses in the distribution network shows that in most cases the losses are correlated with the sanctioned load. However there are also some outliers indicating otherwise. The analysis concludes that the distributed generated sources need to be optimally located in order to benefit fully. Also presented thereafter is a study about the impact of electrical properties and the structure of the network on power loss. In the second part of the thesis, OPLODER was again used to process the BESCOM data of 101,881 consumers by modeling them to be connected in three topologies namely Bus (i.e. linear structure), Star (i.e. directly connected) and Hybrid (i.e. tree structure). In case of Bus topology, when DG capacity available is 5% of the demand in substation, OPLODER reduced the loss from 14.65% to 10.75%, from 11.63% to 7.71% and from 13.33% to 9.24% for IISc, Brindavan, and Gokula substations respectively. Similarly, for the same amount of DG in case of star topology, OPLODER reduced loss from 1.75% to 1.26%, from 3.39% to 2.59% and from 2.96% to 1.99% for IISc, Brindavan, and Gokula substations respectively. Thereafter, the available real world data is re-modeled as a tree-type structure which is closer to the real world distribution network and OPLODER is run on it. The results obtained are similar to those presented above and are highly encouraging. When applied to the three substations viz. IISc, Brindavan and Gokula, the power loss dips from 9.95% to 7.42%, from 6.01% to 4.44% and from 8.07% to 5.95%, in case of DG used is 5% of the demand in substation. For the optimal strategies worked out in the thesis, additional overheads will be present. These overheads are studied and it has been found that the present infrastructure and technologies will be sufficient to handle the smart distribution network and the optimal strategy for distributed sources.

La préservation de la chaîne du froid est un paramètre particulièrement important dans le cadre de la distribution urbaine, où les fréquentes ouvertures de portes induisent une charge thermique d’infiltration. Afin de réduire les transferts de masse et de chaleur et de protéger l’ouverture, des rideaux d’air ont récemment été installés au niveau de l’ouverture des camions frigorifiques. L’objet de la présente étude est d’étudier ce type confinement. Deux modèles CFD ont été développés pour simuler les champs de températures et de vitesses dans un camion réfrigéré clos. Ils ont permis de montrer que la variation de la vitesse de soufflage ne modifie pas de manière significative la structure des écoulements. Différents conduits d’air sont modélisés. Les résultats numériques montrent que la configuration avec un conduit ouvert améliore fortement le renouvellement d’air. Puis, une étude numérique est réalisée dans le but d’étudier les infiltrations de chaleur et de masse au cours de l’ouverture des portes. Ces écoulements sont bien prédits par le modèle CFD, excepté à la transition entre les deux régimes d’infiltration. Une caisse expérimentale a été équipée d’un dispositif de rideau d’air composé d’un jet ambiant, d’un jet froid ou d’un jet double. En parallèle, un modèle numérique CFD a été développé pour étudier l’influence de différents paramètres. Une bonne concordance entre les résultats numériques et expérimentaux a été observée. L’efficacité du rideau d’air ambiant est maximale lorsque le point d’impact du rideau se situe dans le plan de l’ouverture. Le rideau double maintient efficacement l’homogénéité de la température pour de courtes ouvertures. Le rideau d’air froid est la meilleur configuration, il limite fortement l’augmentation de température de l’enceinte et permet des gains énergétiques importants. / Cold chain safety is a key parameter for urban distribution where the frequent door-opening induces a heat infiltration. In order to reduce heat and mass transfer, air curtain have recently been installed to protect the doorway of refrigerated truck. The aim of this work is to study this type of door insulation. Two CFD numerical models were developed to simulate the temperature and velocity fields in a closed refrigerated truck. These models showed that modifying the blowing velocity does not modify the air flow structure inside the cavity. Different air chutes were modelled. Numerical results demonstrate that the configuration with a convergent and an open duct strongly improves the air renewal. A numerical investigation was performed in order to study heat and mass infiltration rates during the opening. The infiltration flow rate is well predicted by the CFD model, except at the transition between both flow regimes. An experimental truck was equipped with an air curtain setup, composed by an ambient air jet, a cold air jet or a double jet. In parallel, a numerical CFD model was developed to study the influence of various parameters. Experimental and numerical results were found to be in good agreement. The maximum efficiency of the ambient air curtain is reached when the impact point of the jet occurs in the door plane at the ground level. This configuration is only relevant for short opening times. The double air curtain efficiently maintains the temperature homogeneity for short openings. The cold air curtain is the best configuration which strongly limits the temperature increase during the opening and allows important energy savings.