A Parametric Optimization Approach of an Induction Heating System for Energy Consumption Reduction

Author(s):  
Paolo Cicconi ◽  
Anna Costanza Russo ◽  
Mariorosario Prist ◽  
Francesco Ferracuti ◽  
Michele Germani ◽  
...  

Nowadays, electromagnetic high-frequency induction is very used for different non-contact heating applications such as the molding process. Every molding process requires the preheating and the thermal maintenance of the molds, to enhance the filling phase and the quality of the final products. In this context, an induction heating system, mostly, is a customized equipment. The design and definition of an induction equipment depends on the target application. This technology is highly efficient and performant, however it provides a high-energy consumption. Therefore, optimization strategies are very suitable to reduce energy cost and consumption. The proposed paper aims to define a method to optimize the induction heating of a mold in terms of time, consumption, and achieved temperature. The proposed optimization method involves genetic algorithms to define the design parameters related to geometry and controller. A test case describes the design of an induction heating system for a polyurethane molding process, which is the soles foaming. This case study deals with the multi-objective optimization of parameters such as the geometrical dimensions, the inductor sizing, and the controller setting. The multi-objective optimization aims to reduce the energy consumption and to increase the wall temperature of the mold.

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Maral ◽  
C. B. Şenel ◽  
K. Deveci ◽  
E. Alpman ◽  
L. Kavurmacıoğlu ◽  
...  

Abstract Tip clearance is a crucial aspect of turbomachines in terms of aerodynamic and thermal performance. A gap between the blade tip surface and the stationary casing must be maintained to allow the relative motion of the blade. The leakage flow through the tip gap measurably reduces turbine performance and causes high thermal loads near the blade tip region. Several studies focused on the tip leakage flow to clarify the flow-physics in the past. The “squealer” design is one of the most common designs to reduce the adverse effects of tip leakage flow. In this paper, a genetic-algorithm-based optimization approach was applied to the conventional squealer tip design to enhance aerothermal performance. A multi-objective optimization method integrated with a meta-model was utilized to determine the optimum squealer geometry. Squealer height and width represent the design parameters which are aimed to be optimized. The objective functions for the genetic-algorithm-based optimization are the total pressure loss coefficient and Nusselt number calculated over the blade tip surface. The initial database is then enlarged iteratively using a coarse-to-fine approach to improve the prediction capability of the meta-models used. The procedure ends once the prediction errors are smaller than a prescribed level. This study indicates that squealer height and width have complex effects on the aerothermal performance, and optimization study allows to determine the optimum squealer dimensions.


Author(s):  
Kyle G. Strohmaier ◽  
James D. Van de Ven

Improving energy storage technology is an important means of addressing concerns over fossil fuel scarcity and energy independence. Traditional hydraulic accumulator energy storage, though favorable in power density, durability, cost, and environmental impact, suffers from relatively low energy density and a pressure-dependent state of charge. The hydraulic flywheel accumulator concept utilizes both pneumatic and kinetic energy domains by employing a rotating pressure vessel. This paper describes a mathematical model of the hydraulic flywheel accumulator and presents the results of a multi-objective optimization of the associated design parameters. The two optimization objectives are to minimize the total system mass and minimize the total energy converted between the pneumatic and kinetic domains during operation. These objectives are pursued by varying five design parameters: accumulator radius, wall thickness, and length; end cap length; and maximum angular velocity. Constraints on combinations of these design parameters are imposed by material stress, as well as the energy capacity required to complete a specified drive cycle. This optimization approach can be used to guide the design of a hydraulic flywheel accumulator for a variety of different applications.


Processes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Longxian Xue ◽  
Shuai Wu ◽  
Yuanzhi Xu ◽  
Dongli Ma

A pump-driven actuator, which usually called an electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA), is widely used in aerospace and industrial applications. It is interesting to optimize both its static and dynamic performances, such as weight, energy consumption, rise time, and dynamic stiffness, in the design phase. It is difficult to decide the parameters, due to the high number of objectives to be taken into consideration simultaneously. This paper proposes a simulation-based multi-objective optimization (MOO) design method for EHA with AMESim and a python script The model of an EHA driving a flight control surface is carried out by AMESim. The python script generates design parameters by using an intelligent search method and transfers them to the AMESim model. Then, the script can run a simulation of the AMESim model with a pre-set motion and load scenario of the control surface. The python script can also obtain the results when the simulation is finished, which can then be used to evaluate performance as the objective of optimization. There are four objectives considered in the present study, which are weight, energy consumption, rise time, and dynamic stiffness. The weight is predicted by the scaling law, based on the design parameters. The performances of dynamic response energy efficiency and dynamic stiffness are obtained by the simulation model. A multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is applied to search for the parameter solutions at the Pareto-front of the desired objectives. The optimization results of an EHA, based on the proposed methodology, are demonstrated. The results are very useful for engineers, to help determine the design parameters of the actuator in the design phase. The proposed method and platform are valuable in system design and optimization.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1155
Author(s):  
Lifang Zeng ◽  
Jianxin Hu ◽  
Dingyi Pan ◽  
Xueming Shao

A mono tiltrotor (MTR) design which combines concepts of a tiltrotor and coaxial rotor is presented. The aerodynamic modeling of the MTR based on blade element momentum theory (BEMT) is conducted, and the method is fully validated with previous experimental data. An automated optimization approach integrating BEMT modeling and optimization algorithms is developed. Parameters such as inter-rotor spacing, blade twist, taper ratio and aspect ratio are chosen as design variables. Single-objective (in hovering or in cruising state) optimizations and multi-objective (both in hovering and cruising states) optimizations are studied at preset design points; i.e., hovering trim and cruising trim. Two single-objective optimizations result in different sets of parameter selections according to the different design objectives. The multi-objective optimization is applied to obtain an identical and compromised selection of design parameters. An optimal point is chosen from the Pareto front of the multi-objective optimization. The optimized design has a better performance in terms of the figure of merit (FM) and propulsive efficiency, which are improved by 7.3% for FM and 13.4% for propulsive efficiency from the prototype, respectively. Further aerodynamic analysis confirmed that the optimized rotor has a much more uniform load distribution along the blade span, and therefore a better aerodynamic performance in both hovering and cruising states is achieved.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Long Xiao ◽  
Cemi Kahve ◽  
Chun-Ming Fu

AbstractA rapid thermal cycling molding (RTCM) with novel internal induction heating mode is proposed in this work. The induction coils are directly inserted in the corresponding mounting holes of mold with an annular gap in between. During mold heating, eddy current losses confined at the walls of the mounting holes act as thermal sources to rapidly heat the mold cavity surface. Water passed through the annular gaps can be utilized to cool the mold in the cooling stage. Moreover, a design framework of the internal induction heating system in the RTCM mold is also developed. Firstly, a unit cell model of the mold was established to evaluate mold thermal response via numerical simulations, in which the effect of frequency and magnitude of coil current, the layout of induction coils and the annular gap size were examined. Then, a hybrid multi-objective optimization method was applied to optimize the induction heating system for the unit cell model. Finally, based on the obtained optimal parameters, a novel design strategy was adopted to conformally arrange the induction coils for the industrial RTCM molds. The blow mold of automotive spoiler was taken as an example to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results show that the present approach cannot only improve the mold thermal response performance, but also facilitate the mold heating system design process. This work may provide an effective method to realize RTCM of industrial plastics parts with free-form shape.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Konesev ◽  
P. A. Khlyupin

Introduction: the systems of thermal effects on thermo-dependent, viscous and highly viscous liquids under conditions of the Arctic and the Extreme North are considered. Low efficiency and danger of heating systems based on burned hydrocarbons, heated liquids and steam are shown. Electrothermal heating systems used to maintain thermo-dependent fluids in a fluid state are considered. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the application of the most common electrothermal system — heating cables (tapes). The most effective electrothermal system based on induction technologies has been determined. Materials and methods: considered methods of thermal exposure to maintain the fluid properties of thermo-dependent fluids at low extreme temperatures. Results: presents an induction heating system and options for its implementation in the Extreme North and the Arctic. Conclusions: induction heating system to minimize loss of product quality, improve the system performance under changing process conditions, eliminate fire product, to reduce the influence of the human factor.


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