Fast Decoupled Load Flow (FDLF) is a very popular and widely used power flow analysis method because of its simplicity and efficiency. Even though the basic FDLF algorithm is well investigated, the same is not true in the case of additional schemes/modifications required to obtain adjusted load flow solutions using the FDLF method. Handling generator Q limits is one such important feature needed in any practical load flow method. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of two classes of schemes intended to handle this aspect i.e. the bus type switching scheme and the sensitivity scheme. We propose two new sensitivity based schemes and assess their performance in comparison with the existing schemes. In addition, a new scheme to avoid the possibility of anomalous solutions encountered while using the conventional schemes is also proposed and evaluated. Results from extensive simulation studies are provided to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of these existing and proposed schemes, especially from the point of view of reliability.

This paper presents a new open-loop speed estimation method for a three-phase induction motor drive. The open-loop speed estimators available in literature have the advantage of reduced computational stress over the observers but they share a common limitation of being largely dependent on flux and machine parameters. They involve integrations and differentiation in the algorithm that leads to serious error in estimation when subject to different operating conditions. The proposed estimator is based on synchronous speed tracking and is cost-effective. It is immune to any variation in machine parameters and noise. The synchronous speed is computed from stator frequency which is estimated on-line using the stator current signals. A unique, non-adaptive method for estimation of stator frequency within one-sixteenth of time period is also proposed to enhance the speed of estimation. Computer simulation and experimentation on a 2.2 kW Field oriented controlled induction motor drive is carried out to verify the performance of proposed speed estimator. The results show excellent response over a wide range of rotor speed in both directions including low speed and under different operating conditions. This confirms the effectiveness of the proposed method.

The stability of the flow of a viscoelastic fluid over a deformable elastic solid medium is reviewed focusing on the role played by the fluid elasticity on the earlier known instability modes for the Newtonian fluids. In particular, two classes of modes are emphasized: the viscous mode for the creeping flow, and the wall mode for high Reynolds number flow. The flow geometry is restricted to plane Couette flow of fluid supported on elastic substrate of finite thickness. The viscoelastic fluid is described using the Oldroyd-B model and the dynamics of the deformable solid continuum is described by either Hookean or neo-Hookean elastic model. In the limit of \(Re \rightarrow 0\), the introduction of fluid elasticity delays the onset of instability and for sufficiently viscoelastic fluid with dilute polymer concentration, the instability is suppressed rendering the flow stable. For concentrated solution and polymer melt, the instability persists, but with higher value of critical shear rate than for the Newtonian fluid, indicating stabilizing role of fluid elasticity in creeping flow regime. However, for high Reynolds number flow of dilute polymer solution, the polymer addition plays a destabilizing role for wall modes, indicated by reduction in critical Reynolds number by an order of magnitude.

Puffing and entrainment characteristics of helium plumes emanating out into ambient air from a circular orifice are investigated in the present study. Velocity and density fields are measured across a diametric plane using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) respectively in phase resolved manner. Experiments are performed in Froude numbers range 0.2–0.4 and for Reynolds numbers 58–248. Puffing frequency measurements reveal that the plume puffing frequencies are insensitive to the plume exit conditions, since the instability is buoyancy driven. The frequencies obtained in the present case are in agreement with frequencies obtained by Cetegen & Kasper (1996) for plumes originating from circular nozzles of various L/D ratios. Velocity and density measurements reveal that toroidal vortex formed during a puffing cycle entrains ambient air as it traverses downstream and this periodic engulfment governs the entrainment mechanism in pulsating plumes. The obtained velocity and density fields are used to calculate mass entrainment rates. It is revealed that though the flow is unsteady, the contribution of unsteady term in mass conservation to entrainment is negligible, and it becomes zero over a puff cycle. Finally, an empirical relation for variation of mass entrainment with height has been proposed, in which the non-dimensional mass entrainment is found to follow a power law with the non-dimensional height.

Conventionally, obtaining a converged solution for a MagnetoHydroDynamic problem entails a highly resolved Hartmann boundary layer, leading to excessive time and computational requirements. For high Hartmann number flows through electrically conducting channels, majority of the current loops close through the walls and the Hartmann layer contributes only a small fraction of the global current path. Hence, the effect on flow parameters due to coarsening the mesh of the Hartmann Layer was investigated using the ANSYS FLUENT code. Numerical simulations have been carried out in square and rectangular ducts with wall conductance ratio of 0.156 and 0.078 respectively. Magnetic field was varied from 1T to 4T to obtain solution for Hartmann numbers $\left (Ha=Ba\sqrt {\sigma / \mu } \right )$ in the range of 260–1040 for the square duct, and 520–2080 for the rectangular duct. B, a,μ, and σ are the strength of applied magnetic field, characteristic length of the channel, dynamic viscosity and electrical conductivity of the fluid respectively. The errors in estimating core and side layer peak velocity and fully developed pressure gradient were found to be low even for a grid system having 46% coarser grid than a well-resolved system. The analysis indicated that for high Hartmann number flows through thick, conducting ducts, coarsening the mesh in the Hartmann boundary layer reduced computational time, not compromising on the solution accuracy and appears to be a promising option for complex geometry MHD simulation.

An experimental system was built to measure the gas (nitrogen and helium) flow characteristics in circular microchannels with diameters of 50, 20 and 5 μm. The Reynolds number of the flow was controlled in the large range of 15 to 2550. The highest Mach number could reach a magnitude of 0.625 and the highest Knudsen number was over 0.021. Four available empirical correlations were comparatively studied, in terms of the influence from compressibility and rarefaction. The accuracy of each correlation was investigated, and qualitative explanations were given according to the essence of fluid dynamics. The compressibility is found to be the dominant parameter in the experiments carried out. The results obtained by gas flow in holey optical fibres are helpful for the design of micro-scale pulse tube cryocoolers.

The determination of thermal conductivities of a composite lamina is of paramount importance in the effective design and application of composite materials. The thermal conductivity of a lamina along the fibre direction can be easily estimated from the Rule of Mixtures but, the thermal conductivity in the transverse direction which depends on many factors need to be determined effectively. The transverse thermal conductivities of continuous fibre reinforced composite lamina are computed by numerical method using finite element analysis. Different fibre concentrations, fibre shapes and different fibre-matrix combinations are examined. A Regular array of square pattern of fibres is considered. The finite element model is validated with the available experimental results and theoretical models for a circular fibre and then extended to other shapes of fibres. Two-dimensional finite element model is adopted for the analysis, due to the restriction of heat flow only in transverse direction and the fibres are assumed to be continuous and perfectly bonded to the matrix. Analysis is carried out for a wide range of fibre-matrix combinations and up to the maximum fibre concentration in the composite. The analysis is extended for circular, square, elliptical and rhombus shaped fibres. From the results it is observed that there is a significant variation in the transverse thermal conductivity due to the shape of fibre, concentration ratios and fibre matrix combinations. This variation in thermal conductivity of a composite lamina results into a broader choice for the selection of composite materials in thermal applications.

The aim of the present paper is to study the unsteady magneto-hydrodynamic viscous Couette flow with heat transfer in a Darcy porous medium between two infinite parallel porous plates considering Hall effect, and temperature dependent physical properties under constant pressure gradient. The parallel plates are assumed to be porous and subjected to a uniform suction from above and injection from below while the fluid is flowing through a porous medium that is assumed to obey Darcy’s law. A numerical solution for the governing nonlinear partial differential equations coupled with set of momentum equations and the energy equation including the viscous and Joule dissipations is adopted. The effect of the porosity of the medium, the Hall current and the temperature dependent viscosity and thermal conductivity on both the velocity and temperature distributions are investigated. It is found that the porosity number M has a marked effect on decreasing the velocity distribution (owing to a simultaneous increase in Darcy porous drag). Also the temperature T is decreased considerably with increasing porosity number. With increasing Hall current parameter m, the velocity component u (x-direction) is considerably increased, whereas velocity component w (z-direction) is reduced. Temperatures are decreased in the early stages of flow but effectively increased in the steady state with increasing m.

Cooling needs are increasing rapidly at hot climatic countries with increased global warming. The existed vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) system demands electricity for its operation which is more expensive. The concept of a newly proposed cooling cogeneration cycle has been developed by clubbing the power and cooling processes. It consists of characteristics of Rankine cycle and vapour absorption refrigeration (VAR) system and can be developed at hot climatic conditions with LiBr–water mixture as a working fluid. The results show that increase in heat source temperature is boosting power with a drop in cooling. The resulted cooling is seven times more than the power generation. The separator temperature has been recommended from 140 to 150∘C to maximize the total output.

This paper provides an insight into a new biotechnological method based on calcite precipitation for achieving high strength bio-concrete durability. It is very clear that mineral precipitation has the potential to enhance construction material resistance towards degradation procedures. The appropriate microbial cell concentration (30 ∗ 105 cells/ml) was introduced onto different structural concrete grades (40, 45 and 50 MPa) by mixing water. In order to study the durability of structural concrete against aggressive agents, specimens were immersed in different types of acids solution (5% H2SO4 and HCl) to compare their effects on 60th, 90th and 120th day. In general, sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid are known to be the most aggressive natural threats from industrial waters which can penetrate concrete to transfer the soluble calcium salts away from the cement matrix. The experimental results demonstrated that bio-concrete has less weight and strength losses when compared to the ordinary Portland cement concrete without microorganism. It was also found that maximum compressive strength and weight loss occurred during H2SO4 acid immersion as compared to HCl immersion. The density and uniformity of bio-concrete were examined using ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test. Microstructure chemical analysis was also quantified by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) to justify the durability improvement in bacterial concrete. It was observed that less sulphur and chloride were noticed in bacterial concrete against H2SO4 and HCl, respectively in comparison to the ordinary Portland cement concrete due to calcite deposition.