With wind turbines growing in size, operation and maintenance has become a more important area of research with the goal of making wind energy more profitable. Wind turbine blades are subjected to intense fluctuating loads that can cause significant damage over time. The need for advanced methods of alleviating blade loads to extend the lifespan of wind turbines has become more important as worldwide initiatives have called for a push in renewable energy. An area of research whose goal is to reduce the fatigue damage is smart rotor control. Smart bladed wind turbines have the ability to sense aerodynamic loads and compute an actuator response to manipulate the aerodynamics of the wind turbine. The wind turbine model for this research is equipped with two different smart rotor devices. Independent pitch actuators for each blade and trailing edge flaps (TEFs) on the outer 70 to 90% of the blade span are used to modify aerodynamic loads. Individual Pitch Control (IPC) and Individual Flap Control (IFC) are designed to control these devices and are implemented on the NREL 5 MW wind turbine. The consequences of smart rotor control lie in the wind turbine’s power capture in below rated conditions. Manipulating aerodynamic loads on the blades cause the rotor to decelerate, which effectively decreases the rotor speed and power output by 1.5%. Standard Region 2 generator torque control laws do not take into consideration variations in rotor dynamics which occur from the smart rotor controllers. Additionally, this research explores new generator torque control algorithms that optimize power capture in below rated conditions. FAST, an aeroelastic code for the simulation of wind turbines, is utilized to test the capability and efficacy of the controllers. Simulation results for the smart rotor controllers prove that they are successful in decreasing the standard deviation of blade loads by 26.3% in above rated conditions and 12.1% in below rated conditions. As expected, the average power capture decreases by 1.5%. The advanced generator torque controllers for Region 2 power capture have a maximum average power increase of 1.07% while still maintaining load reduction capabilities when coupled with smart rotor controllers. The results of this research show promise for optimizing wind turbine operation and increasing profitability.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία πραγματεύεται την μελέτη και ανάλυση ενός αιολικού συστήματος με ασύγχρονη μηχανή διπλής τροφοδοσίας. Αρχικά, γίνεται μία εισαγωγή στις ανανεώσιμες πηγές ενέργειας, με ιδιαίτερη αναφορά στην αιολική ενέργεια. Κατόπιν, περιγράφονται τα κυριότερα ανεμολογικά χαρακτηριστικά οι διάφοροι τρόποι ταξινόμησης των ανεμογεννητριών που υπάρχουν σήμερα, τα δομικά στοιχεία αυτών, καθώς και οι βασικές τεχνικές ελέγχου που εφαρμόζονται σ’ αυτές. Ακολουθεί η γενική παρουσίαση μίας διπλά τροφοδοτούμενης επαγωγικής γεννήτριας. Προκειμένου να γίνει μελέτη των μεταβατικών καταστάσεων, παρουσιάζεται το δυναμικό μοντέλο και ο διανυσματικός έλεγχος μίας διπλά τροφοδοτούμενης επαγωγικής γεννήτριας διπλής τροφοδοσίας. Τέλος, γίνεται η προσομοίωση ενός αιολικού πάρκου, που περιλαμβάνει ανεμογεννήτριες αυτού του τύπου και μελετώνται τα δεδομένα που προκύπτουν για τυχαίες μεταβολές του ανέμου. / The subject of this thesis is the study and analysis of a variable speed wind turbine equipped with a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG). At first, an introduction is made of the renewable energy sources, with special mention of the wind energy. Then, there is the description of the different types of wind turbines than exist nowadays, their components and their aerodynamic conversion. A general presentation of a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) is made. After that, the dynamic model and the vector control doubly-fed induction generator are presented in order to study various transition phenomena. Finally, the simulation of a wind farm that includes wind turbines of this type, is made and we study the effects of sudden changes of the wind speed.

This thesis deals with the design of electrical control for a constant speed propeller. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the propeller governor design process on a case example of a DMP-3 propeller paired with a Rotax 912 ULS, using knowledge of flight mechanics, electrical engineering and automation. The scope of this thesis addresses the problems of propeller pitch control using an electrically driven linear actuator. In conclusion, this paper compares the benefits of the DMP-3 constant speed propeller, considering its use in existing airplanes within the UL-2 and CS-LSA category. Furthermore, it evaluates the capabilities of the proposed electronic governor, and outlines possibility of further development in this field.

Submitted by Maria Medeiros (maria.dilva1@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-08-24T14:29:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ANA VITÓRIA DE ALMEIDA MACÊDO - TESE (PPgEE) 2017.pdf: 3449345 bytes, checksum: ff78e54595b43261343d5050a8dc3e50 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T14:29:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANA VITÓRIA DE ALMEIDA MACÊDO - TESE (PPgEE) 2017.pdf: 3449345 bytes, checksum: ff78e54595b43261343d5050a8dc3e50 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-29 / CNPq / Um controle para auxílio do controle de frequência é projetado utilizando um método baseado em lógica fuzzy e no controle do ângulo de passo de turbinas eólicas de velocidade variável. O controle visa que as turbinas eólicas operem abaixo do seu valor nominal, estando sempre prontas para aumentar sua geração no caso de evento na rede elétrica, contribuindo para o controle de frequência. Com os esforços para converter tanta energia quanto seja possível com o vento disponível, a potência desperdiçada pela maioria dos controles estudados para elaboração desta tese vale a pena em relação aos benefícios do controle de frequência em sistemas com grande penetração das usinas eólicas, proporcionando a participação da energia eólica nos serviços ancilares. Ressaltando que a introdução de qualquer nova tecnologia de geração no sistema deve ser feita de modo que seja compatível com os princípios operacionais do sistema existente. O controle fuzzy de potência foi desenvolvido no Matlab®/Simulink e permite o bom funcionamento da turbina eólica utilizando uma metodologia alternativa aos controles clássicos. Com isto foi desenvolvido o controle de frequência também baseado em lógica fuzzy. Como grande vantagem do controle fuzzy destaca-se sua fácil adaptação a outros modelos de turbina que utilizem o controle de pitch (turbinas eólicas de velocidade variável), uma vez que o algoritmo é o mesmo, havendo a necessidade apenas de fazer testes para adaptação das faixas de operação do controle. / A control to support the frequency control is designed using a method based on fuzzy logic and pitch angle control in variable speed wind turbines. The control aims that some wind turbines operate below their rated value (derated or deloaded), being always ready to increase their generation in case of some event in the power grid, contributing to the frequency control. With efforts to convert as much energy as possible with the available wind, the power wasted by most controls studied in this work worth of the benefits of frequency control in systems with high power plants penetration, providing wind power to participate on ancillary services. Recalling that the introduction of any new generation technology into the system must be made in a way that is compatible with the operating principles of the existing system. The fuzzy control developed in Matlab®/Simulink for power control enables a suitable operation of the wind turbine using an alternative methodology to the classic controls, it was developed the frequency control also based on fuzzy logic. The fuzzy control great advantage highlight is its easy adaptation to other turbine design which use pitch control (variable speed wind turbines), since the algorithm is the same, just by doing tests for adjustment of the control operation ranges.

The aim of this thesis work was to gain understanding of the interactions between talc mineral and surfaces, liquids and chemicals relevant for industrial applications, such as pulp and paper. Talc is used in the pulp and paper industry as a filler pigment, in control of pitch (lipophilic extractives) deposits and as a coating pigment. A deeper understanding of talc interactions will be beneficial in optimizing its use. Long-range attractive interactions between talc and hydrophobic model probes, as well as pitch probes, have been measured using the atomic force microscope (AFM) colloidal probe method. Two procedures for preparation of pitch colloidal probes were developed to allow these studies. Model hydrophobic, nanorough surfaces with surface energy characteristics similar to talc have also been prepared and their interactions with hydrophobic model probes compared to interactions between hydrophobic model probes and talc. It is demonstrated that talc mineral interacts with model hydrophobic particles, as well as with pitch, by long-range attractive forces, considerably stronger than the expected van der Waals force. The possible origin of the measured interaction forces is discussed, and the conclusion is that the main cause is an attractive capillary force due to formation of a gas/vapor capillary between the surfaces. Force measurements using model hydrophobic, nanorough surfaces show that a large-scale waviness does not significantly influence the range and magnitude of the capillary attraction, but large local variations in these quantities are found. It is demonstrated that a large variation in adhesion force corresponds to a small variation in local contact angle of the capillaries at the surfaces. The nature of the surface topographical features influences the capillary attraction by affecting the local contact angle and by pinning of the three-phase contact line. The effect is clearly dependent on the size of the surface features and whether they exist in the form of crevices or as extending ridges. Entrapment of air also affects the imbibition of water in pressed talc tablets. The effects of wetting and dispersion agents on the interactions between talc and hydrophobic probes have also been investigated. It is demonstrated that a common dispersing agent used for talc, poly(acrylic acid), does not affect the capillary attraction between talc and non-polar probes. In fact, the results strongly suggest that poly(acrylic acid) does not adsorb on the basal plane of talc. From this finding it is inferred that the stabilizing effect of this additive most likely is due to adsorption to the edges of talc. In contrast, a wetting agent (the non-ionic triblock copolymer Pluronic PE6400) removes the long-range capillary attraction. It is suggested that such an ability to replace air at the talc surface is of great importance for an efficient wetting agent. The Hamaker constant for talc has also been estimated by using optical data obtained from spectroscopic ellipsometry. It is demonstrated that a nanocrystalline talc mineral, cut in different directions displays very small differences in Hamaker constant between the different crystallographic orientations, whereas a microcrystalline sample displays a significantly higher value. The estimated Hamaker constants are discussed for different material combinations of relevance for the pulp- and paper industry, such as cellulose and calcium carbonate. / Målet med detta avhandlingsarbete var att öka förståelsen för interaktioner mellan talkmineral och ytor, vätskor och kemikalier relevanta för industriella applikationer, såsom papper och massa. Talk används i pappers- och massaindustrin som fyllmedel, för kontroll av hartsrika (lipofila extraktivämnen) avsättningar och som bestrykningspigment. En djupare förståelse för talkinteraktioner kommer att vara användbart för att optimera dess användning. Långväga attraktiva interaktioner mellan talk och hydrofoba modellpartiklar, såväl som mellan talk och hartspartiklar, har uppmätts med hjälp av atomkraftsmikroskopi (AFM) genom att fästa kolloidala partiklar på kraftsensorn. Två metoder för att framställa partiklar gjorda av harts har utvecklats för att möjliggöra dessa studier. Hydrofoba, nanostrukturerade modellytor med ytenergier liknande de för talk har också tillverkats och deras växelverkan med hydrofoba modellpartiklar har jämförts med dem mellan talk och hydrofoba modellpartiklar. Studierna visar att talkmineral växelverkar med hydrofoba modellpartiklar, såväl som med harts, genom långväga attraktiva krafter som är betydligt starkare än den förväntade van der Waals kraften. Möjliga orsaker till de uppmätta växelverkanskrafterna diskuteras och slutsatsen blir att huvudorsaken är en attraktiv kapillärkraft som uppkommer genom att en gas-/ångkapillär bildas mellan ytorna. Kraftmätningar gjorda med hydrofoba nanostrukturerade modellytor visar att en storskalig vågighet inte nämnvärt påverkar storleken av kapillärattraktionen, men stora lokala variationer existerar. Det demonstreras att en stor variation i adhesionskraft motsvaras av en liten variation i lokal kontaktvinkel för kapillärerna på ytorna. Ytornas topografi påverkar kapillärattraktionen genom att påverka den lokala kontaktvinkeln samt genom att trefaskontaktlinjen inte kan röra sig fritt över ytan. Effekten är tydligt beroende av huruvida ytojämnheterna existerar i form av nedsänkningar eller upphöjningar. Instängd luft påverkar också pressade talktabletters uppsugningsförmåga av vatten. Vätnings- och dispergeringsmedels inverkan på växelverkan mellan talk och hydrofoba partiklar har undersökts. Resultaten visar att ett vanligt dispergeringsmedel för talk, polyakrylsyra, inte påverkar kapillärattraktionen. I själva verket tyder data på att polyakrylsyra inte adsorberas på talks basalplan. Utifrån dessa resultat dras slutsatsen att polyakrylsyra stabiliserar talkdispersioner genom att adsorbera på talkkanterna. Ett vanligt vätmedel (nonjonisk triblock sampolymer Pluronic PE6400) tar å andra sidan bort långväga kapillärattraktion. Detta antyder att egenskapen att ersätta luft på talkytan är av stor betydelse för effektiva vätmedel. Hamakerkonstanten för talk har uppskattats genom att utnyttja optiska data från ellipsometrimätningar. Det demonstreras att ett nanokristallint talkmineral kapat i olika riktningar uppvisar mycket små skillnader i Hamakerkonstant mellan de olika kristallografiska orienteringarna, medan ett mikrokristallint prov uppvisar ett betydligt högre värde. De beräknade Hamakerkonstanterna diskuteras för olika materialkombinationer relevanta för pappersindustrin, såsom cellulosa och kalciumkarbonat. / QC 20100813