Estimating the Error of Calculating the Load Losses in 6—10 kV Distribution Electric Networks

The aim of the study is to estimate the level of load losses for actual (nonuniform) loading of transformer substations in comparison with the load loss level under the conditions of their being uniformly loaded for a typical 6 kV urban distribution electric network. The extent to which such networks are equipped with automated information and measurement systems for fiscal electricity metering is extremely poor. Therefore, not only the load curves of the 6--10/0.4 kV substation transformers, but also their load factors are unknown in the majority of cases. Under these conditions, in calculating the load losses in 6--10 kV distribution electric networks, it is assumed that all substation transformers are uniformly (equally) loaded. The load losses in these electrical networks are calculated with a certain error associated with the assumption according to which the substation transformers are supposed to be uniformly loaded. Under these conditions, estimation of this error becomes of issue. The article describes the modeling, calculation and analysis of technical losses of electricity under the conditions of nonuniformly loaded transformers of a typical urban distribution network consisting of four transformers and four cables interconnecting them. The modeling and calculation of power losses were carried out using the RAP-10-st computer program for several different groups of transformer loading factors. Within each group, different subgroups were produced by rearranging the group loading factors. Each subgroup modeled a nonuniform transformers loading mode in the studied network. For each of these modes, the power losses were calculated and studied with the use of the RAP-10-st computer program. A conclusion has been drawn from the obtained analysis results regarding the error in determining the load losses associated with the assumption about the uniform loading of the substation transformers in the network. The obtained results may prompt electric grid companies to increase the extent of fitting their networks with automated information and measurement systems for fiscal electricity metering to improve the accuracy of determining the load losses.

Comparison of Two Typical Professional Programs for Mechanical Analysis of Interlayer Bonding of Asphalt Pavement Structure

The mechanical analysis of interlayer bonding problem of asphalt pavement is performed by the elastic layered system theory or finite element method (FEM); then, a lot of specialized programs based on the above theories emerged successively, of which BISAR3.0 and EverStressFE are quite representative. In order to further clarify the characteristics of BISAR3.0 and EverStressFE for investigating interlayer bonding problem of asphalt pavement, this paper will carry out a comprehensive comparison from the specific realization viewpoint, such as the principle of interlayer bonding, modeling, calculation processing, and result treatment, and a specific example will be given to compare and analyze their functions. The results indicate that the two programs have certain comparability in analyzing the interlayer bonding problem of asphalt pavement, which will contribute to the foundation for the rational selection of asphalt pavement structure mechanical analysis program.

Side Chain Effect of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Derivatives on Reflection Properties

Some cellulose derivatives are known to exhibit thermotropic and lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) phases with a visible reflection feature by changing the side chains and mixing with specific solvents, respectively. Although many studies have been reported so far, most of the derivatives have the side chains of linear alkyl groups, but not the bulky phenyl groups. In this report, we synthesized a series of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) derivatives that possessed both linear propionyl esters and bulky (trifluoromethyl)phenyl carbamates in the side chains. The reflection peaks of HPC derivatives shifted to longer wavelengths upon heating due to an increase in the CLC helical pitch. Such thermally induced shifting behavior of the reflection peak was crucially dependent on not only the propionyl esterification degree, but also the substituents in the side chains of HPC derivatives. When the side chains of HPC were chemically modified with both propionyl esters and bulky substituents such as 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl carbamates, the reflection peaks emerged at longer wavelengths at the same temperature. This probably happened because of the steric hindrance of bulky side chains, as supported by the empirical molecular modeling calculation. Although the occupied volumes of (trifluoromethyl)phenyl groups were independent of the CLC phase temperature with visible Bragg reflection, the substituent position, i.e., substituent orientation of trifluoromethyl groups affected the CLC phase temperature. Moreover, we found that the hydrogen bonds between carbamate moieties in the HPC side chains play an important role in the thermally induced shift of reflection peaks.