Jose M. Giron-Sierra

A kinetic model for beer production under industrial operational conditions

A kinetic model for beer production is proposed. The model takes into account five responses: biomass, sugar, ethanol, diacetyl and ethyl acetate. In contrast with previously published models, this model segregates biomass into three components: lag, active and dead cells and considers the active cells as the only fermentation agent. Experiments were first performed at laboratory scale and isothermal runs were carried out at five temperatures (8°C, 12°C, 16°C, 20°C and 24°C). Fitting of experimental data was made by non-linear regression. Parameter values calculated were similar to those given in the literature. The kinetic model was able to fit experimental data with a very good agreement. Afterwards, experiments were conducted at pilot plant scale and runs were now carried out changing temperature with time, in the industrial way. The kinetic model, with the parameter values calculated as a function of temperature, was able to predict with a very high accuracy the non-isothermal experimental data achieved. This model can be used for simulation of the industrial process under different operational conditions and for faults detection. It can also be utilized for the optimization and even for the supervised control of the process and its automatization.

Fast Ferry Vertical Accelerations Reduction with Active Flaps and T-Foil

Abstract The research deals with the design and use of actuators to improve the seakeeping performances of a fast ferry. The interest of the research is now restricted to heaving and pitching motions, with heading sea. The ship has active control surfaces (flaps and T-foil). The paper presents a control-oriented model of these actuators, in SIMULINK. This model can be easily coupled with a SIMULINK model of the ship, furnishing a simulation environment for control studies. Using this facility, a study of control alternatives (moving the actuators) has been started. We include in the paper first results with conventional PID control, which are useful as reference for comparison purposes.

Multiobjective optimization and multivariable control of the beer fermentation process with the use of evolutionary algorithms

This paper describes empirical research on the model, optimization and supervisory control of beer fermentation. Conditions in the laboratory were made as similar as possible to brewery industry conditions. Since mathematical models that consider realistic industrial conditions were not available, a new mathematical model design involving industrial conditions was first developed. Batch fermentations are multiobjective dynamic processes that must be guided along optimal paths to obtain good results. The paper describes a direct way to apply a Pareto set approach with multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs). Successful finding of optimal ways to drive these processes were reported. Once obtained, the mathematical fermentation model was used to optimize the fermentation process by using an intelligent control based on certain rules.

Ant Colony Extended

This paper studies of the performance of Ant Colony Extended to the Travelling Salesman Problem.The algorithm includes two kinds of ants: patrollers (exploration search) and foragers (exploitation search).The algorithm includes a population dynamics allows the algorithm to self-organise.The algorithm is able to solve the Travelling Salesman Problem successfully compared with other classical ant algorithms. Ant Colony Extended (ACE) is a novel algorithm belonging to the general Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO) framework. Two specific features of ACE are: the division of tasks between two kinds of ants, namely patrollers and foragers, and the implementation of a regulation policy to control the number of each kind of ant during the searching process. In addition, ACE does not employ the construction graph usually employed by classical ACO algorithms. Instead, the search is performed using a state space exploration approach. This paper studies the performance of ACE in the context of the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP), a classical combinatorial optimisation problem. The results are compared with the results of two well known ACO algorithms: ACS and MMAS. ACE shows better performance than ACS and MMAS in almost every TSP tested instance.

Improving the comfort of a fast ferry

A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of using controlled flaps and a T-foil to smoothen a ships vertical motion while navigating in head seas. The study comprised two steps: to develop a tool for control design in the form of a computer-based simulation and to use this tool to develop satisfactory controllers. The simulation was based on mathematical models of the ship, the actuators, the waves and the seasickness effect. Since the actuators have limited action, there is a limited margin for improvement based on more sophisticated control strategies. Possible improvements of motion sickness incidence (MSI) are linked to a control strategy that exploits better synchronization with incident waves.

Experimental Study of Controlled Flaps and T-Foil for Comfort Improvement of a Fast Ferry

Abstract Fast ships can suffer important negative effects from vertical accelerations. The sea-sickness of passengers is related, in a cumulative form, to these accelerations. Our research deals with the alleviation of vertical accelerations, using appendages that can move under control to counteract each incident wave: a T-foil near the bow and transom flaps. After a long modelling work, involving experiments in a towing tank institution, the conditions for the study of control design have been established. First experimental confirmations of the efficacy of controlled appendages have been achieved. A well tuned P.D. has been tested, with very promising results. The paper begins with a short recapitulation of the previous research. Next, the paper focus on the experiments with a replica with appendages.

CANbus-based distributed fuel system with smart components

A new distributed control system for fuel management and other avionics applications is introduced. The system consists of a network of smart components such as sensors, valves, and pumps which are connected via a controlled area network bus (CANbus). Thus, no central fuel management computer is required, wiring is simplified, and the weight decreases. The heart of each smart component is a CAN-enabled microcontroller. All smart components share a copy of the same code inside its microcontroller, for easier certification. A distribution methodology has been developed based on a set of automata and on the employment of CANbus (as the communication protocol) for global state broadcasting.

A simulation of aircraft fuel management system

Abstract Aircrafts usually have several fuel tanks, and there are fuel transfers among these tanks along a flight. These transfers are controlled with valves, and may follow several alternative paths, since structural fuel system redundancies are provided for evident reasons. An on board program for the management and reconfiguration of the fuel system must be developed and tested. The article introduces an aircraft fuel management system simulation, which provides a platform for the study of the fuel system logic and sequencing that the on board program must implement for normal flights and for malfunction cases. The simulation environment can be easily modified and extended, for instance to consider the use of new components. A specific example is considered: an aircraft with six tanks in the wings and a tail tank. The article presents a two-layer model, the use of the model for simulation experiments, and some illustrative examples.

Optimisation of autonomous ship manoeuvres applying Ant Colony Optimisation metaheuristic

This paper introduces the use of a swarm algorithm, derived from Ant Colony Optimisation, to solve path planning problems for autonomous vehicles. The purpose is to obtain optimal trajectories for manoeuvres of Autonomous Surface Vessels. The algorithm works with a model of the vehicle, and the solutions achieved are always feasible. With enough time, it can also obtain trajectories very close to the optimal. Provided the appropriate modifications the algorithm can be applied to solve other combinatorial optimisations problems with a non restricted number of feasible solutions. The methodology is tested through simulations on open sea manoeuvres and scenarios with the presence of obstacles.

Distributed control system for fuel management using CANbus

A new distributed control system for fuel management and other avionics applications is introduced. The system consists in a network of smart components such as sensors, valves and pumps. They are connected via CANbus. No central fuel management computer is required. Wiring is simplified and has less weight. The heart of each smart component is a CAN-enabled microcontroller. All smart components have the same code in their microcontroller, for easier certification. BIT is implemented in each smart component. A protocol is defined for the action sequences and for message exchanging among components. This paper presents first results of an European project joining the efforts of six industry partners and three universities.