A better understanding of several mineral processing devices and applications was gained through studies conducted with mathematical analysis tools. Linear circuit analysis and population balance modeling were utilized to remedy inefficiencies found in a number of popular mineral processing water-based unit operations. Improvements were made in areas, including unit capacity and separation efficiency. One process-engineering tool, known as linear circuit analysis, identified an alternative coal spiral circuit configuration that offered improved performance while maintaining a reasonable circulating load. In light of this finding, a full-scale test circuit was installed and evaluated at an existing coal preparation facility. Data obtained from the plant tests indicate that the new spiral circuit can simultaneously reduce cut-point and improve separation efficiency. A mathematical population balance model has also been developed which accurately simulates a novel hindered-bed separator. This device utilizes a tangential feed presentation system to improve the performance of conventional teeter-bed separators. Investigations utilizing the mathematical model were carried out and have predicted solid feed rates of up to 71 tph/m² (6 tph/ft²) can be achieved at acceptable efficiencies. The model also predicts that the unfavorable impact of operating at low feed percent solids is severely reduced by the innovative feed presentation design. Tracer studies have verified that this system allows excess feed water to cross over the top of the separator without entering the separation chamber, thereby reducing turbulence. A hindered-bed separator population balance model was also developed whose results were utilized to improve the efficiencies encountered when using a teeter-bed separator as a mineral concentrator. It was found that by altering the apparent density of one of the feed components, the efficiency of the gravity separation could be greatly improved. These results led to the development of a new separator which segregates particles based on differences in mass after the selective attachment of air bubbles to the hydrophobic component of the feed stream. Proof-of-concept and in-plant testing indicate that significant improvements in separation efficiency can be achieved using this air-assisted teeter-bed system. The in-plant test data suggest that in some cases, recoveries of the plus 35 mesh plant feed material can be increased by more than 40% through the application of this new technology. / Ph. D.

This work examines and implements two different techniques for the estimation of the capacitance and impedance of microstrip-like open structures. Both theories, one developed by Yamashita and Mittra and the other by Itoh and Hebert are based on variational methods. The results for the capacitance and impedance of a microstrip-like structure are calculated numerically and compared with measurements taken using a sample. The results presented in this thesis indicate that the first method produces results with large error and it can be used for microstrip structures with only one strip. The second method produces very accurate results for the microstrip structure under consideration and is the one recommended. / Master of Science

An automatic method generates tests for circuits described in a hardware description language (HDL). The input description is in a non-procedural subset of VHDL, with a simplified period-oriented timing model. The fault model, based on previous research, includes micro-operation and control statement faults. The test method uses path-tracing, working directly from the circuit description, not a derived graph or table. Artificial intelligence problem-solving techniques of goals and goal solving are used to represent and manipulate sensitization, justification, and propagation requirements. Backtracking is used to recover from incorrect choices. The method is implemented in ProLog, an artificial intelligence language. Results of this experimental ProLog implementation are summarized and analyzed for strengths and weaknesses of the test method. Suggestions are included to counter the weaknesses. A user's manual is included for the experimental implementation. / M.S.

[Truncated introduction] A major contribution of this thesis is the observation that the N port impedance parameters for the distribution planes can be modelled as simple LC series elements in the frequency range over which the interesting interactions between the loading elements and the planes occur. Loosely speaking, the C represents the inter-plane capacitance and the L is associated with a first order frequency trend of the transfer and input impedances associated with the planes. In the literature, values for L have been obtained for power ground plane structures using curve fitting techniques [38]. In this thesis, formulae are developed for L based on the modal summation expression. As for the impedance case, the approach developed in the thesis that removes the singular behaviour, results in computational efficient expressions. Preliminary results on the simple LC model were presented by the author in [42, 43] The results reported in the thesis extend this work in the light of the new impedance model proposed. The simple LC characterisation enables the development of new low frequency expression for the input and transfer impedance for ports on planes loaded with many decoupling capacitors. The expressions are based on a one off frequency independent decomposition of the inductance matrix associated with the placement of the capacitors. The eigen-mode decomposition eliminates the need for matrix inversion at each frequency point and leads to an efficient computational procedure for calculating the impedance of loaded planes. Furthermore, the interaction between the capacitors and planes is clearly seen in the analytical expressions. This has led to new insights regarding the interaction of multiple capacitors with supply planes in terms of location, resonance mechanisms, pole locations and damping. These insights are beneficial to the understanding and optimisation of printed circuit board power distribution systems.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第23207号 / 工博第4851号 / 新制||工||1757(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科電気工学専攻 / (主査)教授 篠原 真毅, 教授 守倉 正博, 准教授 久門 尚史 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

Cette thèse est consacrée à l’étude des mécanismes d’interaction laser-matière en régime femtoseconde pour l’analyse de circuits intégrés par stimulation photoélectrique non-linéaire. Cette technique permet d’accroitre la résolution pour répondre à la miniaturisation des composants électroniques. Les milieux étudiés dans ce travail sont plus particulièrement le silicium, matériau constitutif des circuits intégrés, et la silice pour le transport des impulsions laser dans une fibre optique. En effet, l’émergence de cette technique d’analyse en milieu industriel requiert l’utilisation de systèmes compacts, fiables et sécuritaires. Les simulations réalisées montrent la génération de charges dans le silicium et la propagation des impulsions dans des fibres photoniques à cœur creux identifiées pour limiter les effets non-linéaires. Des expérimentations sur composants permettent de les confronter aux simulations et de valider l’utilisation de ce type de fibres.Enfin, ce travail a permis de déterminer les paramètres optiques et laser essentiels ainsi que les technologies compatibles avec les contraintes industrielles en analyse de circuits intégrés. / This thesis is dedicated to the study of laser-matter interaction mechanisms in femtosecond regime for the analysis of integrated circuits by nonlinear photoelectric laser stimulation. This technique improves the resolution in order to deal with the miniaturization of electronic components. The materials studied in this work are silicon, a major chemical component in semiconductor electronics, and silica used for transporting laser pulses in optical fibers. Indeed, the emergence of this analysis technique in industrial environments needs the use of compact, reliable and safe systems. The performed simulations show charge generation in silicon and propagation of pulses in photonic fibers identified for limiting nonlinear effects. Some experiments on components allow a comparison with simulations and validation of the use of this type of fibers. Finally, this work was able to identify key optical and laser parameters along with technologies compatible with industrial constraints in integrated circuit analysis.

There is an increasing demand for power converters with small size, light weight, high conversion efficiency and higher power density. Also, in many applications, there is a need for dc-to-dc converters to accept dc input voltage and provide regulated and/or isolated dc output voltage at a desired voltage level including telecommunications equipment, process control systems, and in industry applications. This thesis presents the analysis, design, simulation and experimental results of three-phase high-frequency transformer isolated resonant converters. The first converter presented is a three-phase LCC-type dc-dc resonant converter with capacitor output filter including the effect of the magnetizing inductance of the three-phase HF transformer. The equivalent ac load resistance is derived and the converter is analyzed by using approximation analysis approach. Base on this analysis, design curves have been obtained and a design example is given. Intusoft simulation results for the designed converter are given for various input voltage and for different load conditions. The experimental verification of the designed converter performance was established by building a 300 W rated power converter and the experimental results have been given. It is shown that the converter works in zero-voltage switching (ZVS) at various input voltage and different load conditions. A three-phase (LC)(L)-type dc-dc series-resonant converter with capacitive output filter has been proposed. Operation of the converter has been presented using the operating waveforms and equivalent circuit diagrams during different intervals. An approximate analysis approach is used to analyze the converter operation, and design procedure is presented with a design example. Intusoft simulation results for the designed converter are given for input voltage and load variations. Experimental results obtained in a 300 W converter are presented. Major advantages of this converter are the leakage and magnetizing inductances of the high-frequency transformer are used as part of resonant circuit and the output rectifier voltage is clamped to the output voltage. The converter operates in soft-switching for the inverter switches for the wide variations in supply voltage and load and it requires narrow switching frequency variation (compared to LCC-type) to regulate the output voltage. A three-phase high-frequency transformer isolated interleaved (LC)(L)-type dc-dc series-resonant converter with capacitive output filter using fixed frequency control is proposed. The converter operation for different modes is presented using the operating waveforms and equivalent circuit diagrams during different intervals. This converter is modeled and then analyzed using the approximate complex ac circuit analysis approach. Based on the analysis, design curves were obtained and the design procedure is presented with a design example. The designed converter is simulated using PSIM software to predict the performance of the converter for variations in supply voltage and load conditions. The converter operates in ZVS for the inverter switches with minimum input voltage and loses ZVS for two switches in each bridge for higher input voltages. / Graduate

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Pedro Carajilescov / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Energia, 2016. / Os estudos sobre transitórios em bombas de refrigeração de um reator são importantes para a análise de segurança de uma central nuclear. Uma análise precisa do decaimento da vazão de refrigerante no circuito primário durante uma eventual falha das bombas principais de refrigeração, evento conhecido como coastdown, é requerida tanto para pelos critérios de segurança estabelecidos como para a especificação e fabricação das bombas. Neste trabalho, o estudo é realizado utilizando um modelo matemático para simular transiente de vazão durante o período de coastdown em reatores nuclear do tipo PWR, no qual a equação de conservação da quantidade de movimento linear é utilizada de uma forma adimensional. Informações detalhadas sobre as características da bomba centrífuga não são necessárias. Como resultado, o decaimento da vazão é determinado a partir da razão entre dois parâmetros: a energia cinética do fluido refrigerante no circuito e a energia cinética armazenada nas partes rotativas da bomba. Em estudos anteriores, essa razão, denominada razão de energia efetiva, é mantida constante durante todo o evento de coastdown. Neste trabalho, foram propostas três correções para a melhoria dos resultados, a saber: a consideração de uma razão de energia efetiva variável durante o transitório, das variações na eficiência da bomba durante o transitório e das perdas mecânicas internas devido ao atrito e viscosidade no interior da bomba para baixas rotações. Para implementação do modelo proposto foi desenvolvido um programa, denominado de COREP-flow, cujos resultados foram comparados com dados experimentais obtidos na literatura. As comparações mostraram uma melhoria na reprodução desses resultados em relação aos modelos de referência. No Modelo 5 desenvolvido neste trabalho, os resultados obtidos apresentaram menor discrepância quando comparados com os dados experimentais. Para vazões superiores a 20 % da vazão inicial, a vazão de refrigerante calculada pelo Modelo 5 apresentou uma discrepância relativa média de 1,8 %, enquanto que o modelo proposto por Gao et al. (2011) apresentou uma discrepância relativa média de 4 %. Para vazões de refrigerantes inferiores a 20 % da vazão inicial, a discrepância relativa média para a vazão de refrigerante do Modelo 5 foi de 10,3 %, enquanto que a de Gao et al. (2011) foi de 50,6 %. / The transient studies in reactor cooling pumps (RCPs) are important for the nuclear power plant security analysis. An accurate analysis of flow coastdown in the primary cooling loop system during an eventual failure of the RCPs is required both for the established security criteria, and for the pumps specification and manufacturing. In this work, the study is performed using a mathematical model to simulate the flow rate transient in PWR reactor type during flow coastdown period, in which the conservation of linear momentum equation is non-dimensional. The detailed information of the centrifugal pump characteristics are not required. As result, the coastdown is determined from the ratio between two parameters: the kinetic energy of the coolant in the circuit and the kinetic energy stored in the rotating parts of the pump. In previous studies, the ratio, known as energy ratio, is kept constant during the whole coastdown period. In this work, it was proposed three corrections aiming the improvement of the results, to know: the consideration of an energy ratio variable during the transient, of the efficiency variations of the pumps during the transient and of the internal mechanical losses due to friction and viscosity inside the pump for low rotations. For the model implementation, a program was developed, the COREP-flow, whose results were compared to the experimental data obtained in the literature. The comparison showed an improvement in the reproduction of the results in relation to the reference models. In Model 5, developed in this work, the obtained results presented less discrepancy when compared to the experimental data. For flow rates higher than 20% of the initial flow, the coolant flow calculated by Model 5 presented a mean relative discrepancy of 1.8%, while the model proposed by Gao et al. (2011) presented a mean relative discrepancy of 4%. For coolant flow rates less than 20% of the initial flow, the mean relative discrepancy for the coolant flow of Model 5 was of 10.3%, while the one from Gao et al. (2011) presented a mean relative discrepancy of 50.6%.

No description available.

Designing a new power electronic conversion system is a multi-step process that requires the R\&D team(s) to go through an extended prototyping phase whose goal is to validate the design in its nominal state, as well as to test its behavior when it is subjected to abnormal conditions. To properly and safely validate all devices that are external to the power stage itself, such as the controllers and the protection systems, one of the best-suited device is a real-time emulator of the converter circuit, a platform that obeys the same mathematical laws and produces the same signals as the original device withoutactually realizing the power conversion. Unfortunately, these models are often based on analog solvers which are difficult to build, must be redesigned for each modification and are subject to drift and aging. While multiple digital real-time emulators have appeared on the market in the last decades, they typically require powerful and expensive computing platforms to perform their calculations or are not generic enough to emulate the more complex power circuits. In this work, we present a new framework that allows the rapid prototyping of a wide range of power converters by translating a power converter schematic drawn on a computer to a real-time equivalent set of equations which is processed by an FPGA with an emulation time-step of less than one microsecond. Contrary to the previously published works, our tools enable the use of entry-level FPGAs even for the emulation circuits composed of twenty switches or more. This framework takes the form of a tool-chain that starts by extracting the necessary information and a standard description from the initial circuit. However, due to the intricate ways in which the switches and diodes can change their state, this raw information is too complex to be processed and emulated directly.Our first major contribution to the state of the art is a way to automatically analyze these changes in order to reduce the complexity of the problem as much as possible while keeping all the necessary information intact. In this thesis, we develop two tools that are able to find all possible changes in the state of the switches that may appear in the immediate future, thereby reducing the quantity of information required to emulate the circuit. Thanks to the global optimization provided by our tools, simulating a typical AC-to-DC converter composed of 12 switches could require 80\% less resources when compared to existing emulators.To enable the emulation or large power converters, we have created a partitioning method which divides the circuit in multiple sub-circuits which are analyzed and optimized separately. The performances of this partitioning are demonstrated by the emulation of a three-phase three-level converter with a relative error of a less that 5% on the signals.To handle our new framework, a dedicated digital platform has been developed. In order to provide the best results even on small FPGAs, particular attention is given to the low resources usage and the low latency of our design. Through multiple examples, we show that this inexpensive real-time emulation platform is able to accurately emulate many circuits in open- or closed-loop operation with a sampling rate higher than 1 MHz / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished