The work presented in this thesis focuses on the problem of reconstructing threedimensional models of fire from real images. The intended application of the reconstructions is for use in research into the phenomenon of fire-induced high voltage flashover, which, while a common problem, is not fully understood. As such the reconstruction must estimate not only the geometry of the flame but also the internal density structure, using only a set of a few synchronised images. Current flame reconstruction techniques are investigated, revealing that relatively little work has been done on the subject, and that most techniques follow either an exclusively geometric or tomographic direction. A novel method, termed the 3D Fuzzy Hull method, is proposed, incorporating aspects of tomography, statistical image segmentation and traditional object reconstruction techniques. By using physically based principles the flame images are related to the relative flame density, allowing the problem to be tackled from a tomographic perspective. A variation of algebraic tomography is then used to estimate the internal density field of the flame. This is done within a geometric framework by integrating the fuzzy c-means image segmentation technique and the visual hull concept into the process. Results are presented using synthetic and real flame image sets. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

The majority of Eskom's 22kV lines use wood as the support structure material. The economics of wood pole cross arms and their flashover withstand capabilities outweigh those of steel cross arms. However, wood pole structures are vulnerable to what is known as a Pole Top Fire. When insulators and wood cross arms become polluted, small and sustained leakage currents flow along the surface of the insulator and thereafter into the wood itself. This eventually leads to burning of the wood. Many of the 22kV lines traverse vast rural lands, going over people's path ways. If this fire is not discovered timeously, it can cause breakage of the relevant cross arm or the pole itself. A broken cross arm usually causes the outer phase conductor to hang between one and two meters above ground. When it's dark, rural inhabitants cannot see clearly and walk directly into these low lying energized conductors which cause severe injuries and often fatalities. Low hanging conductors cannot be detected electrically and are potentially hazardous to humans and animals. Safety is currently one of the highest priorities for Eskom Distribution and hence there is a dire need to mitigate Pole Top Fires. The researcher hypothesizes that the implemented mitigating technique of bonding does not eliminate Pole Top Fires. In this study accurate statistics on Pole Top Fires in KwaZulu - Natal are provided and causes of fires investigated to provide an understanding thereof. Two basic mechanisms of burning have been identified and explained. These are surface tracking and sparking, and internal sparking. This has helped to explain what mitigation techniques will be effective. A critical analysis on the performance of recommended mitigation techniques is conducted. This study therefore aims to conclude on the effectiveness of implemented techniques to mitigate Pole Top Fires. By comprehensive and critical analysis of a complex operational and safety related problem technical options for mitigating or eliminating the fires are identified, critically analyzed and only those options that are really technically feasible are proposed. This has not been properly done in Eskom before. It is within this context that this research has been undertaken. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Power line function is to transfer electrical power. Power lines represent a major component in the transport process of electricity and they are subjected to various types of failures. Causes of failure include wind-induced oscillations or Aeolian vibrations. Wind causes transmission line conductors to undergo oscillatory motions which cause failure. To mitigate oscillations of line conductors, Stockbridge dampers are used. It has been observed that dampers are subjected to the same undesirable and destructive effects from vibrations as the conductors they are meant to protect. In the case of a damper, the cyclic bending as well as the friction between its wire cables are caused by vibrations leading to failure. The mathematical model describing the bending stress of the symmetrical Stockbridge damper’s messenger cable near the clamped end is analyzed. The reliability of the mathematical model is assessed using experimental data obtained from the forced response test conducted at the VRTC laboratory at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. Data from the experiment has been compared with the MatLab model established by the researcher. Due to friction between the wires of the messenger cable, variation of temperature is observed in the messenger cable during operation. Change of temperature of the messenger cable was investigated, as a function of time, at constant velocity and constant displacement. Experimental data were generated during dynamic characteristic tests on Stockbridge dampers and thereafter the prediction of the variation temperature was undertaken. There are various mechanical characteristics of a damper that can be affected with time. To reach the aim of this study, three types of vibration test were conducted on the Stockbridge damper: the fatigue test, the forced vibrations test and the free vibrations test. Tests were conducted on a shaker machine with new and used Stockbridge dampers to determine the remaining life of those dampers by looking at their different mechanical properties. The frequency domain and time spectrum were used to display the results. The fatigue test investigated one of the commonest types of Stockbridge damper failure, namely, loss of the small mass because of sustained high frequency resonance. Ultimately, data correlated well and two mathematical models were developed: one for predicting damage in the life of a Stockbridge damper (based on the highest resonance frequency of the damper), and one for predicting the temperature of the messenger cable. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

No description available.

In Southern Manitoba, potato producers are experiencing wetter and drier conditions within the soil profile during the growing season leading to poor quality and inconsistent yields. Russet Burbank Potato cultivar was grown in Southern Manitoba on fine sandy loam soil in a two year (2013-2014) study using two water management treatments: (i) overhead irrigation and (ii) no-irrigation. The main objectives of the study were (i) to assess the impact of overhead irrigation on water table depth and potato yield (ii) to estimate the shallow groundwater contribution to potato water requirement through upward flux (iii) to track the nitrogen dynamics within the potato root-zone under overhead irrigation and no-irrigation scenarios (iv) to examine the effects of no-irrigation and overhead irrigation system at critical growth stages on marketable yield and quality of potatoes. In 2013, water was applied using a linear move irrigation system and in 2014 a rain gun irrigation system was used for the irrigated treatment. Volumetric soil water content, precipitation, irrigation depth, water table depth, nitrate concentration and electrical conductivity in potato root-zone, groundwater electrical conductivity, weather variables, total potato yield, marketable yield, and quality parameters were measured. The total yield was not significantly different between the two treatments in both years. The marketable yield of the irrigated treatment (36.89 MT/ha) was 20% higher (p = 0.017) compared to the non-irrigated treatment (30.74 MT/ha) in 2013. However, no significant difference was found between the irrigated (39.0 MT/ha) and non-irrigated (43.7 MT/ha) treatments in 2014. Potato yields from both treatments were significantly correlated with the average groundwater depth. Water balance analysis within the root-zone during rainy and rain-free periods showed that nitrate rich groundwater may have contributed to some of the crop water demand. The lack of rainfall and high temperature during tuber initiation and tuber bulking stages resulted in the accumulation of high concentration of nitrates within the root-zone by the late release of nitrates from the polymer-coated urea and the upward migration of groundwater containing 55 ppm and 70 ppm of nitrates in the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons, respectively. Overhead irrigation was found to be economically advantageous to produce better quality potatoes with higher marketable yields.

Thesis (MAppSc in Project Management)--University of South Australia, 1995

Thesis (Ph. D.), Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology, 1996.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2009.

Η εργασία αυτή παρουσιάζει τους σημαντικότερους μηχανισμούς με τους οποίους οι υπερτάσεις προκύπτουν από κεραυνό στα εναέρια δίκτυα διανομής ισχύος μέσης και χαμηλής τάσης, όπως επίσης και τυπικές κυματομορφές υπερτάσεων. Η αποτελεσματικότητα των πιο σημαντικών μεθόδων για να μετριάσουμε τέτοιες υπερτάσεις σε δίκτυα μέσης και χαμηλής τάσης συζητούνται επίσης. Αρχικά γίνεται αναφορά στο φαινόμενο του κεραυνού, στο πως δημιουργείται ο κεραυνός καθώς και στα προβλήματα που μπορεί να δημιουργήσει. Στη συνέχεια γίνεται μια σύντομη αναφορά στον τρόπο που είναι δομημένο το εναέριο δίκτυο διανομής και στον τρόπο λειτουργίας του, πριν ξεκινήσει η ανάλυση της αντικεραυνικής συμπεριφοράς του και η μελέτη τρόπων για τη βελτίωση αυτής. Τέλος, παρουσιάζεται η προσομοίωση ενός ελληνικού δικτύου εναέριας διανομής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας με τη χρήση του προγράμματος ΑΤΡ - ΕΜΤΡ και μελετάται η συμπεριφορά του μετά την πτώση κεραυνού σε αυτή εξάγοντας συμπεράσματα και προτείνοντας λύσεις για τη βελτίωση της. / This work presents the major mechanisms by which the overvoltages are stemmed from lightning in both medium and low voltage overhead power distribution networks, as well as typical surge waveforms. The effectiveness of the main protective measures that can be utilized to improve the line lightning performance are also discussed. Initially what is briefly described is the lightning phenomenon, the ways it is created and the problems it can cause as well. Afterwards the way that the overhead distribution power network is structured is presented as well as the way it works, ending with the complete method of its lightning protection in theoretical basis and the ways this can be improved. Finally, we performed the simulation of a greek overhead power distribution network using the ATP - EMTP software, we studied its lightning performance by making conclusions and proposing ways it can be improved.

Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η μελέτη της συμπεριφοράς εναέριων γραμμών και υπόγειων καλωδίων μεταφοράς υψηλής τάσης έναντι κεραυνών. Για την εξυπηρέτηση του σκοπού αυτού, γίνεται προσομοίωση ενός υβριδικού δικτύου, αποτελούμενου τόσο από εναέριες γραμμές μεταφοράς όσο και από υπόγεια καλώδια, και μελέτη των μεταβατικών υπερτάσεων που εμφανίζονται σε αυτό λόγω κεραυνικών πληγμάτων σε έναν από τους αγωγούς προστασίας του τερματικού πυλώνα, όπου πραγματοποιείται η διασύνδεση εναέριας γραμμής-υπόγειου καλωδίου. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο παρατίθενται κάποια θεωρητικά στοιχεία σχετικά με τις ατμοσφαιρικές υπερτάσεις. Αναλύονται τα είδη των κεραυνών, οι βασικές παράμετροι και τα κύρια χαρακτηριστικά τους. Επιπλέον, περιγράφονται οι επιπτώσεις από κεραυνικά πλήγματα και ο τρόπος εύρεσης της συχνότητας με την οποία συμβαίνουν κεραυνοί ανά περιοχή. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο γίνεται μία εισαγωγή στα Συστήματα Ηλεκτρικής Ενέργειας και αναπτύσσονται τα βασικά στοιχεία των εναέριων γραμμών και των υπόγειων καλωδίων μεταφοράς ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας. Επίσης, πραγματοποιείται μία σύγκριση αυτών των δύο τρόπων μεταφοράς ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας, παρουσιάζοντας τα θετικά και αρνητικά στοιχεία καθενός από αυτούς. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο εξετάζονται τα είδη σφαλμάτων και τα αίτια δημιουργίας αυτών στις γραμμές μεταφοράς ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας. Επιπλέον, δίνονται κάποια βασικά χαρακτηριστικά για την κυματομορφή του κεραυνικού ρεύματος. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο αναλύεται η μόνωση και η προστασία τόσο των εναέριων γραμμών όσο και των υπόγειων καλωδίων έναντι κεραυνικών πληγμάτων. Εξετάζονται ακόμα οι μηχανισμοί που εγείρουν υπερτάσεις στη γραμμή μεταφοράς. Έπειτα, για τον καθορισμό της θέσης των αγωγών προστασίας της γραμμής, περιγράφονται οι μέθοδοι της μέγιστης γωνίας αλλά και η ηλεκτρογεωμετρική μέθοδος. Στο πέμπτο κεφάλαιο αναπτύσσονται τα επιμέρους στοιχεία του υπολογιστικού προγράμματος ATP-EMTP, το οποίο θα αποτελέσει το μέσο εξομοίωσης για την παρούσα εργασία. Αναφέρονται τα σημεία υπεροχής και η καταλληλότητά του για τέτοιου είδους αναλύσεις και παρουσιάζονται τα επιμέρους υποπρογράμματα από τα οποία αποτελείται. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δίνεται στο ATPDraw, το οποίο είναι το κύριο όργανο της εξομοίωσης. Στο έκτο κεφάλαιο περιγράφεται αναλυτικά το υβριδικό δίκτυο μεταφοράς υψηλής τάσης που χρησιμοποιείται στην εξομοίωση και αναλύονται τα στοιχεία που το αποτελούν, δηλαδή οι εναέριες γραμμές και τα υπόγεια καλώδια. Επιπλέον, παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα των εξομοιώσεων και οι γραφικές παραστάσεις των υπερτάσεων στα διάφορα σημεία του κυκλώματος, εξαιτίας κεραυνικών πληγμάτων, των οποίων το εύρος αυξάνει σε κάθε εξομοίωση. Στη συνέχεια ελέγχεται η επικινδυνότητα των υπερτάσεων που εγείρονται για τα διάφορα μεγέθη κεραυνικού ρεύματος και εάν ο εξοπλισμός σε διαφορετικά σημεία του δικτύου αντέχει τις υπερτάσεις αυτές ή καταστρέφεται. Από τα αποτελέσματα προκύπτει ότι επικίνδυνες υπερτάσεις παρατηρούνται σε τμήματα της εναέριας γραμμής μεταφοράς πλησίον του σημείου κεραυνικού πλήγματος. Αντίθετα, το υπόγειο τμήμα του δικτύου αποδεικνύεται πιο ανθεκτικό, καθώς δεν εγείρονται επικίνδυνες υπερτάσεις ακόμα και για πολύ υψηλό κεραυνικό ρεύμα. / The purpose of this diploma thesis is the study of the behavior of overhead transmission lines and underground transmission cables against lightning. In favor of this purpose, a simulation of a hybrid transmission network takes place, which is composed of both overhead lines and underground cables, in order to examine transient overvoltages. These overvoltages are raised due to a lightning that strikes the shield wire of the terminal tower, where the interconnection of overhead line to underground cable takes place. Chapter one presents the basic theory concerning atmospheric discharges. It describes the different types of lightning strikes, their parameters and basic characteristics. Furthermore, it analyzes the consequences of lightning and how to find the frequency that a lightning takes place in an area. At the second chapter there is an introduction in the systems of electric energy and a presentation of the basic characteristics of overhead lines and underground cables. In addition, there is a comparison between those two means of electricity transmission. Chapter three examines the types of errors and the causes of them at the electricity transmission lines. Moreover, it gives the basic parameters of the lightning current waveform. Chapter four analyzes the insulation and protection of both overhead lines and underground cables against lightning. It also examines the mechanisms that raise overvoltages at the transmission lines. Afterwards, there are described two methods on how to define the place of shield wires at a transmission line. Chapter five describes the ATP-EMTP simulation program, which is a specific software to simulate power systems. Its superiority for research like the present one is high lined and special emphasis is given to ATPDraw which is the main tool for the simulation. At chapter six there is a detailed analysis of the hybrid network used in this simulation and of its basic components, which are the overhead lines and the underground cables. Furthermore, there is a presentation of the results of the simulation and the graphs of the overvoltages at different spots of the network, due to lightning strikes. Afterwards, there is an evaluation of the risk of overvoltages that are raised for different lightning current sizes and if the equipment at different spots of the network sustains these overvoltages or it is destroyed. From the results, it is concluded that dangerous overvoltages are raised at sections of the overhead line near the lightning strike. On the contrary, the underground section of the network appears to be more resistant, as there are not raised dangerous overvoltages, even when the lightning current was too high.