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Recent research and industrial accomplishment has revealed the advantages of cascaded smart converter PV system over traditional centralized and string PV system. However, even by adopting the cascaded smart converter, it is not always possible to track maximum power point (MPP) for all the panels under heavy shading condition, and a central converter is still required to track the peak power point of PV array. Based on the analysis of system configurations for smart converter PV system, an alternative PV system configuration is introduced which can extract peak power from all the panels under different mismatch condition and connect PV array to 380V DC bus without central converter. Based on this alternative PV system configuration, a multi-phase smart converter with single controller is proposed as a low cost panel-level MPPT solution. This proposal can largely reduce cost by saving MPPT controllers, current and voltage sensors without sacrificing energy production. The effectiveness of the proposal has been verified by both simulation and experiment results. / Master of Science

Faisant partie des recherches menées dans le cadre du développement du moteur cryogénique Vinci, prévu pour propulser le dernier étage d'Ariane 6, cette thèse a pour objectif la simulation numérique directe (DNS) de la croissance de bulles de vapeur en paroi.La réalisation de ce type de simulation nécessite que les effets physiques internes aux phases et les interactions entre phases soient correctement modélisés et résolus. Pour cela, des modèles et des schémas numériques adaptés à ce type d'écoulement sont mis au point et ce, couplés à des maillages suffisamment fins pour pouvoir résoudre la structure de l'écoulement et des zones de forts gradients, en particulier à l'interface. / Part of the researches concerning the Vinci cryogenic engine, created to propel the last part of Ariane 6, the main goal of this thesis is the direct numerical simulation of boiling flows.Simulation this kind of flow requires the modelling and the resolution of the multiple internal physical effects as well as phases interactions. To achieve this goal, we created models and numerical schemes suited to the boiling flows. The method is used on fine meshes in order to be able to resolve the flow structure, essentially at the interface.

This thesis presents the study of laminar to turbulent transition of particle laden flows. When a flow becomes turbulent, the drag increases one order of magnitude compared to a laminar flow, therefore, much research is devoted to understand and influence the transition. Previous research at the Linne Flow Centre at KTH has concentrated on the understanding of the bypass transition process of single-phase fluids. Though there are still questions, the principles of this process are now, more or less, known. However, little is known of the influence of particles on transition. While experiments in the 1960s already showed that particles can reduce the friction in turbulent channel flows significantly. The question explored in this thesis is whether this can be attributed to their influence on transition. The initial onset of transition has been investigated with both modal and non-modal linear stability analysis in a Poiseuille flow between two parallel plates. Particles are introduced as a second fluid and they are considered to be solid, spherical and homogeneously distributed. When the fluid density is much smaller than the particle density, ξ (≡ ρf/ρp) &lt;&lt; 1, an increase of the critical Reynolds number is observed. However, transient growth of streamwise vortices resulting in streaks is not affected by inclusion of particles. Particles with ξ ∼ 1 hardly seem to have an effect on stability. Although linear analysis shows that particles hardly influence the transient growth of disturbances, they might affect other (non-linear) stages of transition. To investigate such effects, the full Navier-Stokes equations for 3D Poiseuille flow between two parallel plates are numerically solved and particles are introduced as points with two-way coupling. For particles in a channel flow with ξ&lt;&lt;1, results show that the transition to turbulence is delayed for mass fractions ƒ (=mp N / ρf) larger than 0.1. For a mass fraction of ƒ=0.4 the initial disturbance energy needed to get a turbulent flow increases with a factor of four. Even if lower particle mass fractions ƒ are used, locally there could be large particle mass fractions. Therefore, the next step is to investigate the generation of local large particle mass fractions ƒ. Such particle clusters can be as large as the typical flow structures in the flow, like streak width and vortex size. Then they might change the flow field and (in)stability mechanisms. Numerical simulations of bypass transition in a boundary layer flow are used to determine whether particles cluster and where they tend to cluster. It is found that point particles with ξ&lt;&lt;1 and a large particle relaxation time tend to move in the low speed regions of the flow. In case of streaks, the low speed streaks are most favourable. For smaller particle relaxation times, particles act as tracers and do not have a preferential position and are homogeneously distributed. For particles with ξ∼1 the linear stability analysis showed no transition effect at any ƒ. However, one effect neglected until now is that of particle size. For particles with dimensions of the same order of magnitude of the flow disturbance, particles might influence the flow field. To investigate whether such particles migrate towards positions where they can affect transition some exploratory numerical simulations and experiments are performed. Numerically, the lateral migration of large particles (H/d=5) with ξ=1 in a 3D Poiseuille flow between two parallel plates is investigated. In laminar channel flow, large particles tend to move laterally due to shear to an equilibrium position. For a single large particle some key parameters for migration are identified: the size of the particle and the velocity of the fluid. When multiple particles are present, they tend to form particle trains. If particles are close, they influence each other and the equilibrium position shifts towards the wall, where the final position is dependent on the inter particle spacing. Also, not one steady equilibrium position is present, but particles move around an equilibrium position. Experimentally, migration of particles in bypass transition with ξ=1 is investigated to find out whether neutrally buoyant particles have a preferential position within streaks. The first results with tracer particles (d∼50μm) and few large particles (d∼200μm) do not show detectable preferential positioning. / <p>QC 20131030</p>

A mild gasification method has been developed to provide an innovative clean coal technology. The objectives of this study are to (a) incorporate a fixed rate devolatilization model into the existing 2D multiphase reaction model, (b) expand the 2D model to 3D and (c) utilize the improved model to investigate the mild-gasification process and guide modification of the mild-gasifier design. The Eulerain-Eulerian method is employed to calculate both the primary phase (air) and secondary phase (coal particles). The improved 3D simulation model, incorporated with a devolatilization model, has been successfully developed and employed to determine the appropriate draft tube dimensions, entrained flow residence time, The simulations also help determine the appropriate operating fluidization velocity range to sustain the fluidized bed depth without depleting the chars or blowing the char away. The results are informative, but require future experimental data for verification.

Les machines électriques polyphasées présentent des avantages intrinsèques (fractionnement de la puissance, faible ondulation du couple) par rapport à leurs équivalents triphasés qui sont appréciés notamment pour la propulsion navale. Structurellement, ces machines disposent également de capacités de reconfiguration du fait des redondances offertes par leur grand nombre de phases. L'exploitation de ces capacités est susceptible d'augmenter leur sûreté de fonctionnement en adoptant des modes de marche dégradée. Les travaux présentés proposent une méthode permettant de quantifier la fiabilité de toute la chaine de conversion. Le convertisseur statique y est particulièrement étudié car ses composants constituent un point faible en matière de fiabilité dans le système polyphasé. Des bases virtuelles continues de ces composants sont développées afin de s'affranchir des effets de quantification. Les principaux facteurs de stress sont identifiés et intégrés dans l'évaluation des taux de défaillance des différents éléments du système. Les modèles de Markov sont exploités pour prendre en compte les effets des reconfigurations sur la fonction de fiabilité. Un critère couplant la performance et à la fiabilité est introduit afin de caractériser les modes de marche dégradée dans l'évaluation de la fiabilité du système. Des exemples d'application de la méthode sur des systèmes issus essentiellement de l'environnement maritime sont exposés en intégrant leur topologie, leur profil de mission et leur stratégie de commande, ceux-ci influençant fortement les facteurs de stress. Enfin une étude de sensibilité de l'impact de la variabilité des données d'entrée sur la fonction de fiabilité est proposée. / Electrical multi-phase machines exhibit intrinsic advantages (power subdivision, weak torque ripple) compared to 3-phase machines. Multi-phase machines are appreciated for marine propulsion. They own reconfiguration capabilities due to redundancy because of their high number of phases. Those capabilities are able to improve multi-phase machines reliability by using degraded modes. Presented work proposes a methodology to quantify the multi-phase system reliability. Static converter is particularly investigated as its components are a weak point in the system. Continuous virtual bases of the components are developed to prevent quantification effects. Main stressors are identified and included in the failure rates assessment of the different system components. Markov models are used to take into account the reconfiguration consequences onto the reliability function. A coupled criterion performance-reliability is introduced to characterize degraded modes into the reliability assessment. Examples of the method application from marine environment are exhibited including their topology, mission profile and control strategy, which strongly influence the stressors. A sensitivity analysis is proposed showing the input data scattering effect onto the reliability function.

In paleomagnetism, practical measurements are rarely made using perfect, isolated, single-phase, ferromagnetic crystals. Experimental observations are typically made using magnetic materials formed by a variety of natural processes. In this thesis, we will look at bridging the gap between current numerical modelling capability and experimental observations. First, we work towards micromagnetic modelling of multi-phase magnetic materials, including magnetostriction, embedded in a rocky matrix, along with crystal defects. We present a derivation of the Boundary Element Method formulation used by the micromagnetics package, MERRILL, and provide an extension of this from single-phase materials to multi-phase. After discussing issues with previous approaches to modelling magnetostriction, we derive and present a more robust and flexible approach. This model of magnetostriction is suitable for non-uniformmagnetizations, for multi-phase materials, and for arbitrary boundary conditions, and can be incorporated into MERRILL.We then outline a method for extending our model to materials embedded in an infinite elastic matrix of arbitrary elasticity. Finally, we present a method for modelling the magnetic response of a material due to crystal defects, along with a concrete example of a magneto-dislocation coupling energy at a magnetite-ilmenite boundary where stress due to lattice misfit is eased by regular edge dislocations. Second, we work towards being able to verify micromagnetic models against nano-scale experimental data. To do this, we present two techniques for simulating electron holograms from micromagnetic modelling results, a technique capable of imaging magnetic structures at the nano-scale. We also present example electron holograms of commonly occurring magnetic structures in nano-scale rock and mineral magnetism, and highlight some distinguishing features, which may be useful for interpreting experimental electron holography data.

The implementation of highly integrated multi-bands and multi-standards reconfigurable radio transceivers is one of the great challenges in the area of integrated circuit technology today. In addition the rapid market growth and high quality demands that require cheaper and smaller solutions, the technical requirements for the transceiver function of a typical wireless device are considerably multi-dimensional. The major key performance metrics facing RFIC designers are power dissipation, speed, noise, linearity, gain, and efficiency. Beside the difficulty of the circuit design due to the trade-offs and correlations that exist between these parameters, the situation becomes more and more challenging when dealing with multi-standard radio systems on a single chip and applications with different requirements on the radio software and hardware aiming at highly flexible dynamic spectrum access. In this dissertation, different solutions are proposed to improve the linearity, reduce the noise and power consumption in analog and RF circuits and systems. A system level design digital approach is proposed to compensate the harmonic distortion components produced by transmitter circuits’ nonlinearities. The approach relies on polyphase multipath scheme uses digital baseband phase rotation pre-distortion aiming at increasing harmonic cancellation and power consumption reduction over other reported techniques. New low power design techniques to enhance the noise and linearity of the receiver front-end LNA are also presented. The two proposed LNAs are fully differential and have a common-gate capacitive cross-coupled topology. The proposed LNAs avoids the use of bulky inductors that leads to area and cost saving. Prototypes are implemented in IBM 90 nm CMOS technology for the two LNAs. The first LNA covers the frequency range of 100 MHz to 1.77 GHz consuming 2.8 mW from a 2 V supply. Measurements show a gain of 23 dB with a 3-dB bandwidth of 1.76 GHz. The minimum NF is 1.85 dB while the input return loss is greater than 10 dB across the entire band. The second LNA covers the frequency range of 100 MHz to 1.6 GHz. A 6 dBm third-order input intercept point, IIP3, is measured at the maximum gain frequency. The core consumes low power of 1.55 mW using a 1.8 V supply. The measured voltage gain is 15.5 dB with a 3-dB bandwidth of 1.6 GHz. The LNA has a minimum NF of 3 dB across the whole band while achieving an input return loss greater than 12 dB. Finally, A CMOS single supply operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is reported. It has high power supply rejection capabilities over the entire gain bandwidth (GBW). The OTA is fabricated on the AMI 0.5 um CMOS process. Measurements show power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) of 120 dB till 10 KHz. At 10 MHz, PSRR is 40 dB. The high performance PSRR is achieved using a high impedance current source and two noise reduction techniques. The OTA offers a very low current consumption of 25 uA from a 3.3 V supply.