Sharif Digital Repository

Nowadays, the need for industrial processes with sufficient accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility to compete world markets is inevitable. On the other hand, the advent of control techniques and increased computation power of CPUs allow implementation of complex controllers using optimization techniques to provide higher efficiency and economic productivity. Model predictive control refers to a wide range of optimization-based control methods applying explicit models to predict its prospective use. These methods of control compute control signal by minimizing the cost function so that the process output becomes very close to the optimal path. In this paper, we use a new model predictive... 

The problem of gyrocompassing using inertial sensors, i.e., gyros and accelerometers, is addressed. North finding, with an order of accuracy of one arc-min, is not only required for the initial alignment of inertial navigation systems, but also has a critical role to play in the guidance and navigation of ships that navigate for long periods of time. In this work, after extracting the error model of an inertial navigation system and augmenting it with the error model of inertial sensors, a processing algorithm based on the Kalman filter is designed and simulated to process the navigation system velocity error, and to estimate and correct tilt and heading errors along with gyro drifts and... 

This paper presents a comprehensive operation model for micro-grids (MG) operating in the islanded mode. Various energy sources of a MG including diesel engine generator, micro-turbine, wind turbine and photovoltaic cell as well as battery storage and AC/DC rectifier/inverter are modeled in the proposed framework. Fuel costs, emission costs, and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of these sources as well as their operating limits and characteristics are considered in the model. Furthermore, a new multi-cross learning-based chaotic differential evolution (MLCDE) algorithm is presented to solve the optimization problem of MG operation. The numerical results obtained from the proposed... 

A repeated inflation-unemployment game within the linear-quadratic frame-work of Barro and Gordon is studied assuming that the government would like to cheat optimally and the finite heterogeneous population of private agents attempts to learn the government's targets using a reinforcement learning algorithm. Private agents are heterogeneous in their initial expectations of inflation rate but are assumed to utilize an identical anticipatory reinforcement learning process, namely Q-learning. In our heterogeneous setting, the only way for the private agents to achieve a zero value for their loss function, is for all of them to correctly anticipate the Nash equilibrium. It is of particular... 

A repeated inflation-unemployment game within the linear-quadratic framework of Barro and Gordon is studied assuming that the government would like to cheat optimally and the finite heterogeneous population of private agents attempts to learn the government's targets using a reinforcement learning algorithm. Private agents are heterogeneous in their initial expectations of inflation rate but are assumed to utilize an identical anticipatory reinforcement learning process, namely Q-learning. In our heterogeneous setting, the only way for the private agents to achieve a zero value for their loss function, is for all of them to correctly anticipate the Nash equilibrium. It is of particular... 

This paper deals with the problem of multi-agent learning of a population of players, engaged in a repeated normal-form game. Assuming boundedly-rational agents, we propose a model of social learning based on trial and error, called "social reinforcement learning". This extension of well-known Q-learning algorithm, allows players within a population to communicate and share their experiences with each other. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed learning algorithm, a number of simulations on the benchmark game of "Battle of Sexes" has been carried out. Results show that supplementing communication to the classical form of Q-learning, significantly improves convergence speed towards... 

Highly dynamic nature of the applied loads on flexible and lightly damped offshore wind turbine (OWT) foundations affects the lifetime and serviceability of the system. In this study, the excessive vibration responses of OWTs are minimized using tuned mass dampers (TMD) and tuned liquid column dampers (TLCD). Due to high efficiency of TLCDs and TMDs for certain loading conditions, a combined TLCD-TMD is also utilized to improve the overall performance in a wide range of loading conditions. First, a parametric study was performed that highlights the sensitivity of these structural control devices. The effect of two devices on fixed offshore wind turbine foundations for the benchmark 5 MW NREL... 

With the increasing use of pervasive computing environments (PCEs), developing dynamic reconfigurable software in such environments becomes an important issue. The ability to change software components in running systems has advantages such as building adaptive, long-life, and self-reconfigurable software as well as increasing invisibility in PCEs. As dynamic reconfiguration is performed in error-prone wireless mobile systems frequently, it can threaten system safety. Therefore, a mechanism to support assured dynamic reconfiguration at run-time for PCEs is required. In this paper, we propose an Assured Dynamic Reconfiguration Framework (ADRF) with emphasis on assurance analysis. The... 

In this research, a green solid catalyst of phosphomolybdic acid (HPA) prated on Chitosan was synthesized to produce biodiesel. The prepared catalyst was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and XRF analyses. The catalyst was applied in microwave-assisted trans-esterification of Pomegranate oil, and the biodiesel production process was optimized by response surface methodology based on central composite design (RSM-CCD). The effect of influential reaction parameters, including time (33–142 min), catalyst weight (0.15–5.6 wt%), and methanol to oil molar... 

Cobalt-based catalysts were prepared on gamma alumina supports, and their behaviour for different Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) conditions was assessed. Although Co/γ-Al 2O 3 is a well-known FTS catalyst, its durability ought to be improved to make the industrial process economically feasible. The effect of lanthanum doping on the catalyst lifetime was examined utilising reactor tests and catalyst characterization techniques including TPR, ICP and N 2 porosimetry. Reactor test results revealed that an optimum amount of lanthanum improved catalyst activity and selectivity. Increasing amounts of lanthanum doping up to about 1.1wt% seemed to modify the chemical composition of the support... 

Cobalt-based catalysts were prepared on different alumina supports, and their behaviour for different Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) conditions assessed. Although Co/γ-Al2O3 is a well-known FTS catalyst, its durability ought to be improved to make the industrial process economically feasible. Here calcination repetitions effects on the catalyst lifetime were examined utilising reactor tests and characterisation techniques including XRD, TPR, ICP and N2 porosimetry. Results revealed that fewer calcination repetitions improved catalyst activity and selectivity. Based upon the XRD results, these findings appeared to be due to the improved size of cobalt crystals on the pore surfaces. These... 

In this study, kinetics, equilibrium, and mechanisms of SDBS adsorption onto carbonate rock in presence/absence of alkaline/electrolyte, which is not well discussed in the available literature, is analyzed through batch experiments. Analysis of kinetic data showed that adsorption rate of SDBS onto carbonate is controlled by both boundary layer and intraparticle diffusion, also adsorption kinetics meets pseudo second-order model. The coefficient of kinetic model is a linear function of initial and equilibrium concentrations. The adsorption isotherm experiences four distinct regions, with a rising trend in the first regions until reaching to a maximum after which decreases slightly, as the... 

In this study, kinetics, equilibrium, and mechanisms of SDBS adsorption onto carbonate rock in presence/absence of alkaline/electrolyte, which is not well discussed in the available literature, is analyzed through batch experiments. Analysis of kinetic data showed that adsorption rate of SDBS onto carbonate is controlled by both boundary layer and intraparticle diffusion, also adsorption kinetics meets pseudo second-order model. The coefficient of kinetic model is a linear function of initial and equilibrium concentrations. The adsorption isotherm experiences four distinct regions, with a rising trend in the first regions until reaching to a maximum after which decreases slightly, as the... 

The production routing problem (PRP) merges the lot-sizing problem and the vehicle routing problem, two classical problems that have been the focus of comprehensive studies for over half a century. Solving the PRP is an effort to optimize decisions about the production, inventory, distribution, and routing in an integrated manner. In the literature of the recent decade, due to economic changes and regulatory issues, reverse logistics has become a focal point. Subsequently, the vehicle routing problem with simultaneous pickup and delivery (VRPSPD) has drawn more and more attention for its considerable effect on the reverse logistics problem. In addition, one of the major arguments in supply... 

Interfacial tension (IFT) as one of the main properties for efficient CO2 flooding planning in oil reservoirs depends strongly on pressure, temperature, and composition of the reservoir fluids. Therefore, it is important to measure this property at real reservoir conditions for successful field development plan. In this study, an axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) has been utilized to measure the equilibrium IFTs between crude oil and CO2 at different temperatures and pressures. Moreover, minimum miscibility pressures (MMP) and first-contact miscibility pressures (P max) of crude oil/CO2 systems at different temperatures are determined by applying the vanishing interfacial tension (VIT)... 

The morphology of symmetric and asymmetric membranes obtained by precipitation can be rationalized by thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. Such parameters which the former relates to thermodynamic effect and the latter controls the time of separation of the cast solution film immersing in the non-solvent bath from the glass plate were calculated as dimensionless parameters for further analysis. Phase diagram was used to consider the role of thermodynamic. The kinetic properties of the membranes could be investigated by the rate of mass transfer between solvent and non-solvent. By adding additives to the polymer solution the desire for becoming two phase and also viscosity of the solution... 

Gas flooding processes have emerged as attractive enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods over the last few decades. Among different gas flooding processes, CO2 flooding is recognized as being most efficient for displacing oil through miscible displacement. Minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) is a crucial parameter for successfully designing CO2 flooding, which is traditionally measured through time-consuming, expensive, and cumbersome experiments. In the present study, a new reliable model based on feed-forward artificial neural networks was presented to predict both pure and impure CO2-crude oil MMP. Among various properties and parameters, reservoir temperature, reservoir oil composition, and... 

In the recent years, declination of oil reservoir causes the importance of researches on enhancement of oil recovery processes become more important. One of wide applicable approaches in enhancement of oil recovery is carbon dioxide injection which becomes interested because of relative low cost, good displacement and environmentally aspects. The injection of carbon dioxide to oil reservoir causes the lighter hydrocarbons of crude oil are extracted by CO2. This phenomena can be affected by various factors such the solubility of hydrocarbons in carbon dioxide so in the present investigation Fuzzy c-means (FCM) as a novel approach for estimation of solubility of alkanes in carbon dioxide in... 

This study aims to investigate, optimize, and simulate the dispersed phase holdup at flooding conditions for the standard physical systems in a pulsed extraction column with the disc-doughnut configuration. The interaction impacts for operational parameters (pulse intensity and organic and aqueous phase velocities) and interfacial tension (systems type) were examined using the response surface approach. A novel correlation for the dependent parameter, namely holdup at flooding based on the quadratic model, was developed with the central composition design methodology. A desirable agreement between actual data and calculated data from the proposed model was observed because of the high... 

Continuous improvement and extension of pervasive computing environments, in which objects have high mobility and limited computing power, implies service migration to be considered as one of the main issues. On the other hand, context-awareness which is the most distinguishable feature of pervasive computing helps better serving of users. Accordingly, migration in the presence of context-awareness is considered as the underlying of our motivation. This improves the performance of migration, which is not easily achievable through traditional migration techniques. In this paper we introduce a model to support context-aware migration besides its migration process phases and framework. Our...