The thesis deals with the analysis of the company after the recent major change and its need to optimize its information system. It designs alternative solutions and selecting the optimal variant. The aim of the work is creating recommendation of the optimal design solution to streamline business processes and increase support managerial decision making. The thesis focuses in the introductory part of the theoretical bases on grip of the problem: information theory, information system and change as the key aspect in the life of the organization, with emphasis on avoiding mistakes. It also assesses the benefits of information systems measurement as the input factor for the optimization evaluation. In the practical part, the situation and process analysis is used to describe a company in which optimization is being recommended. Subsequently, the variants of optimization are introduced and decision-making model for selecting the optimal selection is designed The conclusion summarizes aspects of the evaluation of optimization of information systems.

This dissertation is focused on the quantitative metrics of performance, cost, and reliability for future launch vehicles. Methods are developed that hold performance constant for a required mission and payload so that cost and reliability can be traded. Reliability strategies such as reducing the number of engines, increasing the thrust-to-weight ratio, and adding redundant subsystems all increase launch vehicle reliability. However, there are few references that illustrate the cost of increasing launch vehicle reliability in a disciplined, integrated approach. For launch vehicle design, integrated performance, cost, and reliability disciplines are required to show the sensitivity of cost to different reliability strategies. A methodology is presented that demonstrates how to create the necessary launch vehicle reliability models and integrate them with the performance and cost disciplines. An integrated environment is developed for conceptual design that can rapidly assess thousands of launch vehicle configurations. The design process begins with a feasible launch vehicle configuration and its mission objectives. The performance disciplines, such as trajectory analysis, propulsion, and mass estimation are modeled to include the effects of using different reliability strategies. Reliability models are created based upon the launch vehicle configuration. Engine reliability receives additional attention because engines are historically one of the leading causes of launch vehicle failure. Additionally, the reliability of the propulsion subsystem changes dynamically when a launch vehicle design includes engine out capability. Cost estimating techniques which use parametric models are employed to capture the dependencies on system cost of increasing launch vehicle reliability. Uncertainty analysis is included within the cost and reliability disciplines because of the limited historical database for launch vehicles. Optimization is applied within the integrated design environment to find the best launch vehicle configuration based upon a particular weighting of cost and reliability. The results show that both the Saturn V and future launch vehicles could be optimized to be significantly cheaper, be more reliable, or have a compromise solution by illustrating how cost and reliability are coupled with vehicle configuration changes.

Breeding objectives in the turkey industry are heavily weighted towards improving growth traits. This thesis focused on methods to efficiently select for other important production traits such as reproduction, feed efficiency, and meat yield. Based on bivariate and random regression modeling it was determined that egg production, fertility, and hatchability were influenced by genotype by environment interactions and, as a result, the regulation of reproductive traits is by some unique genes in the summer and winter. This may be due to changes in day length and temperature. Feed efficiency is another important consideration in a breeding objective and feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake were both moderately heritable. Residual feed intake was also more independent of production traits than feed conversion. Feed intake, body weight, and weight gain were moderately heritable and progress can be made in feed efficiency by appropriately weighting these traits in an index. Infrared measures of surface temperature were then investigated to determine if they can be used to select for feed efficiency. Temperatures of the distal metatarsus, eye, neck, and head did not show a strong relationship to feed efficiency and therefore offer limited advantages to a breeding program. Selection for breast meat yield (BMY) is important and it was determined that breast muscle depth, measured with ultrasound technology, is heritable and highly correlated to the carcass trait. As a result, ultrasound traits can compliment conformation scoring and sibling testing in a breeding program to increase the accuracy of selection for BMY and increase response to selection. A deterministic model was also developed and could be used to determine optimum slaughter weight. This would optimise profits in an integrated system, enabling the industry to account for and capitalize on genetic gains. Overall, the population parameters and selection criteria identified for reproduction, efficiency, and meat yield traits identified in the present thesis could be used to increase selection efficiency in turkey breeding programs. Further, the developed production model can be used by the industry to slaughter turkeys at a time that maximizes profits, based on performance levels.

No description available.

A strategy for beneficiation of wastewater streams from fissure and process water developed for a gold mine operation in the west of Johannesburg was tested for viability in a pilot study. The investigation was aimed at evaluating the compliance of the finally discharged effluent streams with the current Water Use Licence (WUL). The core of the water recovery process consisted of softening to remove divalent cationic species, followed by ion exchange processes employing Strong Acid Cationic (SAC) resins and Weak Acid Cationic (WAC) resins. An operational design limitation was that the crystalactor used in the softening stage had a minimum capacity of 20 000 L/h, whereas the rest of the system could be operated at flow rates of as low as 2 000 L/h. For this reason, the softening step was done in semi-batch mode. Calcium hardness was decreased from 70 mg/L to values lower than 40 mg/L (as Ca2+). During the ion exchange (water recovery) process, columns using SAC resin produced better quality water than the WAC resins. The SAC columns produced water compatible with South African Water Quality Standards. Additionally, the use of SAC proved to be a more financially favourable option, since the regenerant stream contained high concentrations of calcium nitrate, magnesium nitrate and sodium nitrate fertilizer. The latter could be sold as a liquid fertilizer to farmers. In addition to the above findings, the pilot system reduced the concentration of toxic and radiotoxic metals such as uranium. The final concentration of the uranium in the effluent (0.01 mg/L) was below the regulation limit 0.07 mg/L. The selective removal of uranium is crucial in order to produce high-quality fertilizer from the ion exchange regeneration streams. Copyright / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

In this research, a focus is on the development of simplified models to represent the behavior of electric machinery within the time-domain models of power systems. Toward this goal, a generator model is considered in which the states include the machine’s active and reactive power. In the case of the induction machine, rotor slip is utilized as a state and the steady-state equivalent circuit of the machine is used to calculate active and reactive power. The power network model is then configured to accept the generator and induction machine active and reactive power as inputs and provide machine terminal voltage amplitude and angle as outputs. The potential offered by these models is that the number of dynamic states is greatly reduced compared to traditional machine models. This can lead to increased simulation speed, which has potential benefits in model-based control. A potential disadvantage is that the relationship between the reactive power and terminal voltage requires the solution of nonlinear equations, which can lead to challenges when attempting to predict system dynamics in real-time optimal control. In addition, the accuracy of the generator model is greatly reduced with variations in rotor speed. Evaluation of the models is performed by comparing their predictions to those of traditional machine models in which stator dynamics are included and neglected.

Diploma thesis is focused on information system assessment and subsequent proposal for its modification. These changes are partly concerned on company requests, where system implemented is, but on the other hand also of development of processes in the time horizon. These proposals of changes and optimization will be afterwards presented and recommended for realization.

[ES] En los últimos años, la investigación en motores se ha centrado principalmente en la reducción de emisiones contaminantes y en el aumento de la eficiencia. Muchos de los esfuerzos de investigación actuales en este campo están dirigidos a mejorar y desarrollar nuevas estrategias activas para la reducción de emisiones, en particular centradas en los nuevos conceptos de combustión y en la obtención de un mejor control sobre ella. Su desarrollo requiere la aplicación de nuevas herramientas experimentales y teóricas. Estas herramientas deberían permitir tanto la aplicación de nuevas estrategias activas de control de contaminantes como ampliar el conocimiento básico de los fundamentos de los procesos involucrados. En este contexto es donde se encuadra el objetivo de esta Tesis: el desarrollo y optimización de un nuevo sistema de encendido no intrusivo y modulable, que permitirá el control sobre el tiempo y la ubicación del punto de encendido. Dicho sistema se aplicará para el encendido de chorros Diesel de inyección directa. En particular, se pretende evidenciar cómo las condiciones locales al encendido pueden afectar al desarrollo de la combustión posterior. Para lograr este objetivo, el trabajo de investigación se ha dividido en dos bloques principales. El primero se centra en el desarrollo y la optimización del sistema de encendido. Aprovechando las posibilidades que ofrece el proceso de inducción de plasma con láser y, una vez seleccionado el mejor método de inducción para su aplicación en un entorno especifico como el de un motor, se ha llevado a cabo un proceso de optimización y validación del sistema. Tal proceso resulta de importancia básica en el desarrollo de esta investigación, ya que la aplicación de un sistema de encendido totalmente fiable resulta ser fundamental, tanto en términos de su posible aplicación para control de combustión como en términos de las posibilidades de estudios que pueda ofrecer. Al principio, a partir de un extenso estudio de la literatura sobre el proceso de inducción de plasma con láser, se han obtenido los parámetros fundamentales a tener en cuenta para la aplicación del sistema al encendido de chorros de combustible de inyección directa. A partir de estos parámetros, se ha diseñado un primer sistema de encendido. Luego su fiabilidad en la inducción de plasma ha sido estudiada experimentalmente en condiciones ambientales y de motor, aplicando una metodología de optimización desarrollada en este mismo trabajo experimental. Como resultado principal de este primer bloque de trabajo, se ha podido obtener un sistema de encendido por plasma inducido con láser completamente optimizado y fiable, así como un método novedoso para su validación y optimización. El segundo bloque de trabajo corresponde a la aplicación del sistema al encendido de un chorro Diesel de inyección directa en condiciones reales del motor. El objetivo de este bloque era lograr dos hitos principales: la determinación de las capacidades y los límites del sistema en su aplicación, y el desarrollo de un primer estudio experimental sobre la influencia de las condiciones locales de la zona de encendido sobre una combustión Diesel. Para lograrlo, primero se ha validado la capacidad de encendido del sistema bajo un conjunto adecuado de condiciones termodinámicas, previamente seleccionadas para mantener la máxima efectividad. Los resultados de este estudio, en comparación con los típicos parámetros de autoencendido en las mismas condiciones, han permitido demostrar la capacidad de encendido del sistema. Posteriormente, se ha llevado a cabo una variación paramétrica de tiempos y posiciones en las que inducir el plasma, con el fin de determinar el efecto de las condiciones locales sobre el desarrollo de la combustión Diesel. En este caso, al comparar los resultados obtenidos con los parámetros estándar de autoencendido, se han podido obtener tendencias interesantes, que subra / [CAT] En els últims anys, la investigació en motors s'ha centrat principalment en la reducció d'emissions contaminants i en l'augment de l'eficiència. Molts dels esforços d'investigació actuals en aquest camp estan dirigits a millorar i desenvolupar noves estratègies actives per a la reducció d'emissions, en particular centrades en els nous conceptes de combustió i en l'obtenció d'un millor control sobre ella. El seu desenvolupament requereix l'aplicació de noves eines experimentals i teòriques. Aquestes eines haurien de permetre tant el desenvolupament i aplicació de noves estratègies actives de control de contaminants com ampliar el coneixement bàsic dels fonaments dels principals processos involucrats. En aquest context és on s'enquadra l'objectiu principal d'aquesta Tesi: el desenvolupament i l'optimització d'un nou sistema d'encés no intrusiu i modulable, que permetrà el control sobre el temps i la ubicació del punt d'encés. Aquest sistema s'aplicarà per a l'encesa de dolls Diesel d'injecció directa. En particular, es pretén evidenciar com les condicions locals a l'encesa poden afectar el desenvolupament de la combustió posterior. Per a aconseguir aquest objectiu, el treball de recerca s'ha dividit en dos blocs principals. El primer se centra en el desenvolupament i l'optimització del sistema d'encesa. Aprofitant les possibilitats que ofereix el procés d'inducció de plasma amb làser i, una vegada seleccionat el millor mètode d'inducció per a la seua aplicació en un entorn especifique com el d'un motor, s'ha dut a terme un procés d'optimització i validació del sistema. Tal procés resulta d'importància bàsica en el desenvolupament d'aquesta investigació, ja que l'aplicació d'un sistema d'encesa totalment fiable resulta ser fonamental, tant en termes de la seua possible aplicació per a control de combustió com en termes de les possibilitats d'estudis que puga oferir. Al principi, a partir d'un extens estudi de la literatura sobre el procés d'inducció de plasma amb làser, s'han obtingut els paràmetres fonamentals a tindre en compte per a l'aplicació del sistema a l'encesa de dolls de combustible d'injecció directa. A partir d'aquests paràmetres, s'ha dissenyat un primer sistema d'encesa. Després la seua fiabilitat en la inducció de plasma ha sigut estudiada experimentalment en condicions ambientals i de motor, aplicant una metodologia d'optimització desenvolupada en aquest mateix treball experimental. Com a resultat principal d'aquest primer bloc de treball, s'ha pogut obtindre un sistema d'encés per plasma induït amb làser completament optimitzat i fiable, així com un mètode nou per a la seua validació i optimització. El segon bloc de treball correspon a l'aplicació del sistema a l'encesa d'un doll Dièsel d'injecció directa en condicions reals del motor. L'objectiu d'aquest bloc era aconseguir dues fites principals: la determinació de les capacitats i els límits del sistema en la seua aplicació a l'encesa de dolls d'injecció directa, i el desenvolupament d'un primer estudi experimental sobre la influència de les condicions locals de la zona d'encesa sobre el desenvolupament posterior d'una combustió Diesel. Per a aconseguir-ho, primer s'ha validat la capacitat d'encesa del sistema sota un conjunt adequat de condicions termodinàmiques, prèviament determinades per a mantindre la màxima efectivitat. Els resultats d'aquest estudi, en comparació amb els típics paràmetres d'autoencesa en les mateixes condicions, han permés demostrar la capacitat d'encesa del sistema. Posteriorment, s'ha dut a terme una variació paramètrica de temps i posicions en les quals induir el plasma per a forçar l'encesa, amb la finalitat de determinar l'efecte de les condicions locals sobre el desenvolupament de la combustió Diesel. En aquest cas, en comparar els resultats obtinguts amb els paràmetres estàndard d'autoencesa, s'han pogut obtindre tendències interessants, que subratl / [EN] In the recent years the engine research has been mainly focused on the pollutant emissions reduction and on increasing the efficiency. Many of the actual research efforts in the field of the Internal Combustion Engines are aimed to improve and develop new active strategies for emission reduction, particularly centered on new combustion concepts and a general improved combustion control. Their development requires the application of new experimental and theoretical tools, allowing both to be directly applied as an active pollutant control strategy and to permit to expand the basic knowledge of the governing processes' fundamentals. This is the concept where the main objective of this Thesis is framed: the development and optimization of a new, non-intrusive and modulable ignition system that will allow the control on the position and timing of the ignition spot. Such system will be applied to the ignition of direct injection diesel sprays in order to expand the knowledge of the ignition process, particularly considering how the local conditions at the ignition are affecting the subsequent combustion development. In order to accomplish the proposed objective, the research work has been divided in two main blocks. The first one is focused on the development and optimization of the ignition system. Taking advantage of the possibilities granted by the laser plasma induction process and, once selected the best induction method for its application in an internal combustion engine environment, a process of optimization of the ignition system has been carried out. Such optimization process results to be of basic importance for this research development. In fact, the application of fully reliable ignition system is fundamental both in terms of its possible direct application for combustion modulation purposes and in terms of the new study possibilities that is able to deliver. At first, from an extensive literature survey upon the plasma laser induction process, the fundamental parameters to focus on for the application of the system to the ignition of direct injection fuel sprays have been obtained. Starting from these parameters, a first ignition system has been designed, and then its reliability in the plasma induction has been experimentally tested under ambient and engine-like conditions, applying an original optimization methodology. As a main result of this first work block, a fully optimized and completely reliable laser induced plasma ignition system has been obtained, and an original system validation and optimization method has been developed. The second work block corresponds to the application of the ignition system to a direct injection diesel spray under real engine conditions. This block aimed to accomplish two main goals: the determination of the system capabilities and limits for the spray ignition application and the development of a first experimental study regarding the influence of the local conditions at the ignition location on the subsequent development of diesel combustion. In order to do so, first the system ignition capability has been tested on a diesel spray, under an adequate set of thermodynamic conditions determined to maintain the maximum possible system feasibility. The results of this study, compared with the standard combustion diagnostics parameters for the autoignition event at the same conditions, proved its ignition capabilities. Then a parametric variation of the local timing and position of the induced plasma generation region has been carried out, in order to determine the effect of the local condition on the combustion development. By comparing the obtained results with standard autoignition parameters at the same conditions, interesting trends have been obtained, that underline the system ability to control and modulate the combustion event / Pinotti, M. (2019). COMBUSTION CONTROL OF DIESEL SPRAYS BY MEANS OF LASER INDUCED PLASMA IGNITION [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/130205 / TESIS

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The following thesis looks into modeling a chilled water system equipped with variable speed drives on different piece of equipment and optimization of system setpoints to achieve energy savings. The research was done by collecting data from a case-study and developing a system of component models that could be linked to simulate the overall system operation.

Multi-objective optimization tools using genetic algorithms (GAs) are being increasingly used for improving building performances and sustainability. However, few research studies focus on district-scale solutions. In the present project, a multi-objective optimization method using genetic algorithms was applied in order to help decision makers find the optimal energy mix of a district energy system in the preliminary design phase.   A case study consisting of the new campus Albano in Stockholm (comprising lecture buildings and student residences) was used for the analysis. A wide range of energy systems was included as a design variable: wind turbines, solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic cells, ground-source heat pumps, biomass boilers, combined cooling, heating and power, district heating and district cooling. The energy provided by the chosen technologies and the district energy balances are simulated on an annual basis using a steady-state method with an hourly resolution.   Three objectives functions were to be minimized: (1) the life-cycle costs; (2) the greenhouse gas emissions; and (3) the annual non-renewable primary energy consumption of the district. The optimization process was implemented on MOBO, a multi-objective optimization tool based on genetic algorithms.   The findings include understanding the trade-offs among the three objectives and a selection of alternatives of energy supply systems to be further investigated in the detailed design phase.