Kannan M. Moudgalya

Second-order splitting combined with orthogonal cubic spline collocation method for the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation

In this paper, a second-order splitting method is applied to the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation and then an orthogonal cubic spline collocation procedure is employed to the approximate resulting system. This semidiscrete method yields a system of differential algebraic equations (DAEs) of index 1. Error estimates in L 2 and L c¢ norms are obtained for the semidiscrete approximation. For the time discretization, the time integrator RADAU5 is used. The results of numerical experiments are presented to validate the theoretical findings.

Non-equilibrium stage modeling and non-linear dynamic effects in the synthesis of TAME by reactive distillation

Abstract Tertiary-amyl methyl ether (TAME) is a potential gasoline additive that can be advantageously synthesized using the reactive distillation (RD) technology. This work emphasizes on non-linear effects in dynamic simulations of reactive distillation column. For certain configurations, dynamic simulation with equilibrium stage (EQ) model leads to sustained oscillations (limit cycles) which have been reported in our earlier work [Katariya, A. M., Moudgalya, K. M., & Mahajani, S. M. (2006). Nonlinear dynamic effects in reactive distillation for synthesis of TAME. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research , 45 (12), 4233–4242]. Feed condition and Damkohler number are the important parameters that influence the existence of these effects. To confirm the authenticity of the observed non-linear behaviors, a more realistic and rigorous dynamic NEQ model for a packed column is developed which uses a consistent hardware design. The steady state behavior of the NEQ model is examined by varying the number of segments and the column height. The dynamic simulation and the bifurcation study with stability analysis indicate that the parameter space, in which oscillations may be observed, is shifted in the case of NEQ model.

A class of discontinuous dynamical systems II. An industrial slurry high density polyethylene reactor

A lumped parameter model of an industrial HDPE reactor is presented. Discontinuity in the mode of operation makes either a set of 15 DAEs or a set of 12 DAEs applicable to this system at any instant. The reactor switches back and forth from one model to another reaching a time averaged steady state. The DAEs are integrated by DASSL. Using the Box-Complex procedure, the sum of squares of errors between plant data and model prediction is minimised and the model tuned. The tuned parameters agree with the literature values. Sensitivity analysis of the model shows that manipulation of pressure will yield a faster change in the reactor conditions as compared to manipulating the catalyst feed rate.

Engineering education for everyone a distance education experiment at IIT Bombay

Distance education at IIT Bombay is carried out through live and free transmission of its own courses, through satellite, video conference and webcast. Distance education is a partial solution to improve the dismal state of engineering education in India. Optionally, the transmission is also available under value added modes, using powerful features, such as, video course on demand and the learning management system, moodle. A brief description of the nonthesis masterpsilas degree, known as postgraduate diploma of IIT Bombay, PGDIIT, available through the distance mode, is given. The article concludes with a summary of the national programme on technology enhanced learning, NPTEL, a joint effort of all IITs and IISc. The students, staff and faculty of IIT Bombay enthusiastically support distance education.

A low cost, open source, single board heater system

A single board heater system to provide a hands-on capability to control system students is presented. Using this device, it is possible to carry out all experiments that one typically needs in a first control course. It is made accessible by enabling it to work with the free software Scilab. Results from a few experiments are listed. Remote access of this device using LabVIEW is also presented. The details and the logic of the design of this device is presented. Its design is released as open source and is also available for purchase at

A class of discontinuous dynamical systems I. An ideal gas–liquid system

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A virtual laboratory for distance education

When a liquid and a gas are sent into a closed system and withdrawn through a single outlet, discontinuous behaviour results. Two different models are applicable to this system depending on whether the liquid or the gas flows out. The system switches between the gas flow and the liquid flow incessantly, reaching a state of sliding motion (Filippov, Differential Equations with Discontinuous Righthand Sides. Mathematics and its Applications (Soviet Series), Kluwer, Dordrecht, 1988). It is shown that the state of sliding motion is reached from all starting positions. The sliding motion is also shown to be stable. The steady state of the sliding motion can also be considered as a time-averaged steady state. Simulation results support these predictions. Similar results are obtained in the presence of a control valve.

Evaluation of Web Based Behavioral Interventions Using Spoken Tutorials

With the addition of online laboratories, distance education can become more meaningful and complete. This paper presents a virtual lab established through LabVIEW data socket technology that enables the end user to design and implement control algorithms. Although this makes the problem more challenging, the quality of learning is also enhanced enormously. We demonstrate this lab through an open source, low cost, single board heater system. A large number experiments have been conducted using this setup.

Tracking dynamic boundary fronts using range sensors

The clumsy and the inconsistent web interface of spoken-tutorial.org impedes its use by creators, reviewers, users and workshop organisers. Based on the analytics, such as the traversal paths taken by the learner to access the content and the duration of time spent, and the informal feedback, we have created a new integrated interface for the spoken tutorials. Cluster analysis of usability studies conducted on 82 engineering college students has confirmed that the new interface addresses the shortcomings of the old interface. The results also indicate that computer experience is a key factor that influences their preference towards e-learning interfaces as investigated through learner behavioral interventions.

Pedagogical and Organisational Issues in the Campaign for IT Literacy Through Spoken Tutorials

We examine the problem of tracking dynamic boundaries occurring in natural phenomena using range sensors. Two main challenges of the boundary tracking problem are energy-efficient boundary estimations from noisy observations and continuous tracking of the boundary. We propose a novel approach which uses a regression-based spatial estimation technique to determine discrete points on the boundary and estimates a confidence band around the entire boundary. In addition, a Kalman Filter-based temporal estimation technique is used to selectively refresh the estimated boundary to meet the accuracy requirements. Our algorithm for dynamic boundary tracking (DBTR) combines temporal estimation with an aperiodically updated spatial estimation and provides a low overhead solution to track boundaries without requiring prior knowledge about the dynamics of the boundary. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm and estimated confidence bands achieve loss of coverage of less than 2 - 5% for a variety of boundaries with different spatial characteristics.