M. H. Fazalul Rahiman

Black Box Modeling Of Steam Temperature

This paper describes the black-box modeling of steam temperature based on the real-time data. The autoregressive exogenous (ARX) model structure was selected in this initial work. The real-time data obtained using a computer-based data acquisition system from a pilot-scale distillation column. A pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) was chosen as the input signal. Input signal and measured data were interfaced to the plant via visual basic programming. The system identification toolbox in MATLAB package was used for PRBS signal generation, modeling and validation.

Non-invasive ultrasonic tomography: Liquid/gas flow visualization

This paper presents the non-invasive ultrasonic tomography system for imaging liquid and gas flow. Transmission-mode approach has been used for sensing the liquid/gas two-phase flow, which is a kind of strongly inhomogeneous medium. The algorithms used to reconstruct the concentration profile for two-phase flow using fan-shaped beam scanning geometry were presented. Experiments showed that the performance of the system is acceptable. Results of the experiments using LBPA, HRA and HBRA were discussed.

Model Predictive Control for steam distillation essential oil extraction process

This paper presents the simulation and assessment of a Model Predictive Control (MPC) for the steam distillation essential oil extraction process. The mathematical model of the plant was obtained beforehand from the system identification technique by using ARX model structure. The model is then applied to the MPC control structure as a predicted model. The objective of the controller design is to keep low overshoot in steam temperature in order to improve the dynamic response of the essential oil extraction process. The conventional feedback controller is good in terms of accuracy and to attain the stability of the controlled variable but it is rather complicated when dealing with the nonlinear characteristic and slow process dynamic. This is an important criterion when we opt for MPC since steam temperature was known to exhibit a very large time delay. The simulation results on both PID and MPC show that the MPC can sustain the steam temperature at required set point efficiently with acceptable value of overshoot and RMSE.

Model Predictive Control using ARX model for steam distillation essential oil extraction system

This paper presents the development and implementation of an ARX (Auto-Regressive eXogenous) model for Model Predictive Control (MPC) in steam distillation extraction system. The mathematical model was developed using the system identification technique. The MPC is proposed as a controller in a way to regulate the system to maintain the optimum operation temperature besides minimizing the energy that is used to power up the plant. Tuning of the MPC was examined with several values of prediction horizon with the similar default parameter to achieve the optimal setting for the better controllers performance. The performance of MPC was evaluated at optimal temperature setting. Simulation result indicates that MPC is able to control the steam temperature in more efficient way using a first order ARX model.

Design and development of thermoelectric generator kit from car engine heat

To meet the increasing world demands for energy, the rate of depletion of non-renewable energy sources must be reduced while emerging alternative renewable energy sources. Renewable Energy (RE) is a clean energy that produces no harm to earth and this can be done by increasing the overall thermal efficiency of conventional power plants. Thus a study is conducted to harvesting energy by using a renewable energy such as waste heat. Most of the techniques currently available recover waste heat in the form of thermal energy which is then converted to electricity in a conventional steam power plant. Another approach which has received a little attention so far is direct conversion of thermal waste energy into electricity. The objectives include determining the method of harvesting electricity from car engine heat, investigating the operational of Thermoelectric Generator (TEG), correlating the TEG with circuit to drive a load and analyzed the method through Matlab/Simulink software. The study will present the summary correlated particularly to car engines heat recovery systems, introducing the key parameters, components and methods to determine the performance of such systems.

Development of energy harvesting using speed breaker

Energy can neither be created or be destroyed and can only be transform from one form to another. Pressure is a kind of energy that is exerted almost all the time as force and can be either reused within the same process or transferred to another process. Force or when it converts into energy is called potential energy and free of charge energy. Thus, this energy can reduce the operating cost and can increase the output productivity. Pressure has large opportunities and stronger range of force recovery on the road. Therefore, this project utilizes force created from vehicle hump as an alternative and new renewable energy source. A model of road speed breaker which uses power hump technology is used as device to harness force created from applied pressure from the heavy vehicles hitting the speed breaker which act as the input. The speed breaker is used as it can function into two different uses such as for slowing of road vehicles and hence generating energy by harnessing applied force into electrical energy. The electrical energy produced can either be use to power up street lights or stored in a battery for emergency purposes.