Fuzzy speed control of belt conveyor system to improve energy efficiency

Driven by constantly increasing energy demands, prices, environmental impact caused by carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, efficient use of energy is gaining grounds in both public and private enterprises. The energy consumption of belt conveyors can be lowered using energy modelling techniques. In this research, a resistance-based mathematical energy model was utilised in the electrical energy efficiency optimisation of the troughed, inclined belt conveyor system taking into account indentation rolling resistance, bulk solid flexure resistance and secondary resistance as they together contribute 89% resistance to motion. An optimisation problem was formulated to optimise the electrical energy efficiency of the belt conveyor system and subsequently solved using the “fmincon” solver and interior point algorithm of the MATLAB optimisation toolbox. Analysis of simulation results showed that for the same given operating capacities, an average energy saving of about 7.42% and an annual total cost savings of Gh¢ 5, 852, 669.00 (USD 1, 083, 827.59) for a 2592-hour operation can be achieved when the used model and optimisation technique are employed over the constant speed operation.

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METHODOLOGY FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENCY INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRICAL CONSUMERS

Journal of Engineering Studies and Research ◽

10.29081/jesr.v18i4.143 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

Author(s):

ANDONOV KONDYU ◽

DINOLOV OGNYAN ◽

MIHAILOV LIUDMIL

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Energy Efficiency ◽

Electrical Energy ◽

Belt Conveyor ◽

Thermo Electric ◽

Conveyor System ◽

Electric Drives ◽

Study Results

<p>Uniform indications for electric consumers classifying are determined according to their technological signs and the physical forms of electrical energy conversion. Levels of consumption in electrical consumers are defined, on the basis of which 29 indexes for investigation, evaluation and comparison of the energy efficiency in electric drives are systematized. The indexes are distributed into 6 groups. Dependencies are defined and methods are developed for determination of the indexes system. An aggregate mathematical model for monitoring and evaluating the energy efficiency of grouped electric drives is synthesized. Case-study results for a typical belt-conveyor system in a thermo-electric power plant are obtained.</p>

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Are Cross-Border Classes Feasible for Students to Collaborate in the Analysis of Energy Efficiency Strategies for Socioeconomic Development While Keeping CO2 Concentration Controlled?

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13031584 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1584

Author(s):

Roberto Araya ◽

Pedro Collanqui

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Socioeconomic Development ◽

Concept Maps ◽

Research Question ◽

Co2 Concentration ◽

Asia Pacific ◽

School Students ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Cross Border ◽

Science Classes

Education is critical for improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 concentration, but collaboration between countries is also critical. It is a global problem in which we cannot isolate ourselves. Our students must learn to collaborate in seeking solutions together with others from other countries. Thus, the research question of this study is whether interactive cross-border science classes with energy experiments are feasible and can increase awareness of energy efficiency among middle school students. We designed and tested an interactive cross-border class between Chilean and Peruvian eighth-grade classes. The classes were synchronously connected and all students did experiments and answered open-ended questions on an online platform. Some of the questions were designed to check conceptual understanding whereas others asked for suggestions of how to develop their economies while keeping CO2 air concentration at acceptable levels. In real time, the teacher reviewed the students’ written answers and the concept maps that were automatically generated based on their responses. Students peer-reviewed their classmates’ suggestions. This is part of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education project on energy efficiency using APEC databases. We found high levels of student engagement, where students discussed not only the cross-cutting nature of energy, but also its relation to socioeconomic development and CO2 emissions, and the need to work together to improve energy efficiency. In conclusion, interactive cross-border science classes are a feasible educational alternative, with potential as a scalable public policy strategy for improving awareness of energy efficiency among the population.

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Dimensionless Analysis on the Characteristics of Pneumatic Booster Valve with Energy Recovery

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2016/2804816 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Fan Yang ◽

Kotaro Tadano ◽

Gangyan Li ◽

Toshiharu Kagawa

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Energy Efficiency ◽

Energy Recovery ◽

Operational Parameters ◽

Local Pressure ◽

Air Power ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Dimensionless Analysis ◽

Air Supply ◽

Save Energy

Factories are increasingly reducing their air supply pressures in order to save energy. Hence, there is a growing demand for pneumatic booster valves to overcome the local pressure deficits in modern pneumatic systems. To further improve energy efficiency, a new type of booster valve with energy recovery (BVER) is proposed. The BVER principle is presented in detail, and a dimensionless mathematical model is established based on flow rate, gas state, and energy conservation. The mathematics model was transformed into a dimensionless model by accurately selecting the reference values. Subsequently the dimensionless characteristics of BVER were found. BVER energy efficiency is calculated based on air power. The boost ratio is found to be mainly affected by the operational parameters. Among the structural ones, the recovery/boost chamber area ratio and the sonic conductance of the chambers are the most influential. The boost ratio improves by 15%–25% compared to that of a booster valve without an energy recovery chamber. The efficiency increases by 5%–10% depending on the supply pressure. A mathematical model is validated by experiment, and this research provides a reference for booster valve optimisation and energy saving.

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