A framework for automation control systems selection in long steel products hot rolling plants
- Authors: Mukuwari, Ernest
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Steel industry and trade - Automation , Automatic control
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/284847 , uj:30779
- Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Automation systems in long steel products hot rolling plants are prone to performance failures that have potential of negatively impacting business performance. During the automation systems acquisition processes various selection factors require careful consideration. An automation system selection framework, based on systems engineering principles, to guide automation engineering teams in the long steel products hot rolling plants was explored in this work. The current automation selection techniques were investigated through surveys, interviews and a case study. System engineering processes of requirements analysis, functional analysis and allocation, and synthesis were thoroughly investigated and discussed. Furthermore, the importance of systems analysis and control management database was explored and its support functions in the framework selection process highlighted. In the case study investigation, automation systems configuration management was found to be a serious challenge that impacted negatively on maintenance and production systems. The maintenance and production procedures were found to be disconnected to the actual plant configuration. When the preliminary framework was presented to the engineering managers and engineers, positive feedback on its possible value addition was received. To quote one engineer feedback, “this document is the missing link to a process that needs to be followed in a few easy steps. With this framework as a guide a number of disastrous decisions could have been avoided.” It is possible to develop a generic framework for automation systems selection in long steel products hot rolling plants. The developed framework is then tailored to suit the respective plant environment, and can be enhanced by templates, procedures and techniques which are withdrawn from the systems analysis and control management portfolio.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mukuwari, Ernest
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Steel industry and trade - Automation , Automatic control
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/284847 , uj:30779
- Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Automation systems in long steel products hot rolling plants are prone to performance failures that have potential of negatively impacting business performance. During the automation systems acquisition processes various selection factors require careful consideration. An automation system selection framework, based on systems engineering principles, to guide automation engineering teams in the long steel products hot rolling plants was explored in this work. The current automation selection techniques were investigated through surveys, interviews and a case study. System engineering processes of requirements analysis, functional analysis and allocation, and synthesis were thoroughly investigated and discussed. Furthermore, the importance of systems analysis and control management database was explored and its support functions in the framework selection process highlighted. In the case study investigation, automation systems configuration management was found to be a serious challenge that impacted negatively on maintenance and production systems. The maintenance and production procedures were found to be disconnected to the actual plant configuration. When the preliminary framework was presented to the engineering managers and engineers, positive feedback on its possible value addition was received. To quote one engineer feedback, “this document is the missing link to a process that needs to be followed in a few easy steps. With this framework as a guide a number of disastrous decisions could have been avoided.” It is possible to develop a generic framework for automation systems selection in long steel products hot rolling plants. The developed framework is then tailored to suit the respective plant environment, and can be enhanced by templates, procedures and techniques which are withdrawn from the systems analysis and control management portfolio.
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An analysis of robust fuzzy - PID control for AGC systems : focusing on PID tuning and design
- Authors: Thakur, Priyanka
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: PID controllers , Fuzzy systems , Automatic control , Control theory , Algorithms
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213546 , uj:21166
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract , M.Ing. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))
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- Authors: Thakur, Priyanka
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: PID controllers , Fuzzy systems , Automatic control , Control theory , Algorithms
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213546 , uj:21166
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract , M.Ing. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))
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'n Beheerstelsel vir die Benoni brandweer
- Authors: Botha, Nantes
- Date: 2014-11-17
- Subjects: Automatic control , Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12792
- Description: M.Com. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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- Authors: Botha, Nantes
- Date: 2014-11-17
- Subjects: Automatic control , Management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12792
- Description: M.Com. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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Beheertegnieke vir stelsels met meer as een nie-lineariteit
- Authors: Gouws, Johan
- Date: 2014-09-30
- Subjects: Automatic control , Control theory , Nonlinear theories , System analysis
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12215
- Description: M.Ing. (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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- Authors: Gouws, Johan
- Date: 2014-09-30
- Subjects: Automatic control , Control theory , Nonlinear theories , System analysis
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12215
- Description: M.Ing. (Electrical & Electronic Engineering) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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Vernuwing van die kurrikulum vir beheerstelsels N6
- Authors: Bothma, Pieter Hendrik
- Date: 2014-05-19
- Subjects: Automatic control , Curriculum change - South Africa , Technical education - Curricula
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11109 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10697
- Description: M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bothma, Pieter Hendrik
- Date: 2014-05-19
- Subjects: Automatic control , Curriculum change - South Africa , Technical education - Curricula
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11109 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10697
- Description: M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies) , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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Improving steam temperature control with neural networks
- Authors: Smuts, Jacques Francois
- Date: 2012-09-07
- Subjects: Neural networks (Computer science) , Temperature control , Automatic control , Steam power plants
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7132
- Description: D.Ing. , The thesis describes the development, installation, and testing of a neural network-based steam temperature controller for power plant boilers. Attention is focussed on the mechanical and thermodynamic aspects of the control problem, on the modelling and control aspects of the neural network solution, and on the practical and operational aspects of its implementation. A balance between theoretical and practical considerations is strived for. Experimental data is obtained from an operational coal fired power plant. As a starting point, the importance of good steam temperature control is motivated. The sensitivity of heated elements in boilers to changes in heat distribution is emphasized, and it is shown how various factors influence the heat distribution. The difficulties associated with steam temperature control are discussed, and an overview of developments in advanced steam temperature control on power plant boilers is given. The suitability of neural networks for process modelling and control are explored and the error backpropagation technique is shown to be well suited to the steam temperature control problem. A series of live plant tests to obtain modelling data is described and specific attention is given to discrepancies in the results. The prOcess of selecting the ideal network topology is covered and improvements in modelling accuracy by selecting different model output schemes are shown. The requirements for improving steam temperature control are listed and the philosophy of optimal heat distribution (OHD) control is introduced. Error backpropagation through the heat transfer model is utilized in an optimizer to calculate control actions to various fire-side elements. The scheme is implemented on a power boiler. It is shown that the optimizer manipulates control elements as expected. Problems with fuel-topressure oscillations and erroneous fuel flow measurement are discussed. Due to process oscillations caused by OHD control, a reduction in control quality is evident during mill trips and capability load runbacks. Substantial improvements over normal PID control however, are evident during load ramps.
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- Authors: Smuts, Jacques Francois
- Date: 2012-09-07
- Subjects: Neural networks (Computer science) , Temperature control , Automatic control , Steam power plants
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7132
- Description: D.Ing. , The thesis describes the development, installation, and testing of a neural network-based steam temperature controller for power plant boilers. Attention is focussed on the mechanical and thermodynamic aspects of the control problem, on the modelling and control aspects of the neural network solution, and on the practical and operational aspects of its implementation. A balance between theoretical and practical considerations is strived for. Experimental data is obtained from an operational coal fired power plant. As a starting point, the importance of good steam temperature control is motivated. The sensitivity of heated elements in boilers to changes in heat distribution is emphasized, and it is shown how various factors influence the heat distribution. The difficulties associated with steam temperature control are discussed, and an overview of developments in advanced steam temperature control on power plant boilers is given. The suitability of neural networks for process modelling and control are explored and the error backpropagation technique is shown to be well suited to the steam temperature control problem. A series of live plant tests to obtain modelling data is described and specific attention is given to discrepancies in the results. The prOcess of selecting the ideal network topology is covered and improvements in modelling accuracy by selecting different model output schemes are shown. The requirements for improving steam temperature control are listed and the philosophy of optimal heat distribution (OHD) control is introduced. Error backpropagation through the heat transfer model is utilized in an optimizer to calculate control actions to various fire-side elements. The scheme is implemented on a power boiler. It is shown that the optimizer manipulates control elements as expected. Problems with fuel-topressure oscillations and erroneous fuel flow measurement are discussed. Due to process oscillations caused by OHD control, a reduction in control quality is evident during mill trips and capability load runbacks. Substantial improvements over normal PID control however, are evident during load ramps.
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'n Wasige beheerder vir 'n elektriese hooflynlokomotief
- Authors: Mors, Winfried
- Date: 2012-08-16
- Subjects: Fuzzy systems , Fuzzy logic , Automatic control , Electric locomotives
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9497 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5927
- Description: M.Ing. , The principal reasons for the development of a prototype improved control system are the high maintenance costs and unreliability of Spoomet's fleet of class 6E/6E1 resistor technology electric main line locomotives. These factors may largely be attributed to two fundamental shortcomings of the existing locomotive control systems, namely the lack of inherent feedback and application of inconsequent control practices during acceleration from standstill. The improved control system features the application of a rule based fuzzy controller, implementing human skill and experience to control tractive effort of a resistor technology main line locomotive. The aim of the fuzzy controller is to accelerate the train from standstill to approximately 35 km/h, smoothly and safely. The prototype fuzzy controller was implemented with a personal computer using an advanced fuzzy logic development system. A simulation model was developed for the locomotive and the load. This model was used to first test the structure of the controller and the initial rule blocks. Following the verification of the fuzzy rules on the simulation model, a relay interface was developed to implement the operation of the control system in coupled mode with the existing control system on a locomotive. The interactive fine-tuning and evaluation of the fuzzy rules were performed during this phase of the development. The test results include the successful evaluation of the prototype fuzzy controller under a variety of typical and "worst case" operating conditions, as well as under conditions of wheel slip. The industrialisation and long term considerations for continued development of the fuzzy logic controller are described in the conclusion.
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- Authors: Mors, Winfried
- Date: 2012-08-16
- Subjects: Fuzzy systems , Fuzzy logic , Automatic control , Electric locomotives
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9497 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5927
- Description: M.Ing. , The principal reasons for the development of a prototype improved control system are the high maintenance costs and unreliability of Spoomet's fleet of class 6E/6E1 resistor technology electric main line locomotives. These factors may largely be attributed to two fundamental shortcomings of the existing locomotive control systems, namely the lack of inherent feedback and application of inconsequent control practices during acceleration from standstill. The improved control system features the application of a rule based fuzzy controller, implementing human skill and experience to control tractive effort of a resistor technology main line locomotive. The aim of the fuzzy controller is to accelerate the train from standstill to approximately 35 km/h, smoothly and safely. The prototype fuzzy controller was implemented with a personal computer using an advanced fuzzy logic development system. A simulation model was developed for the locomotive and the load. This model was used to first test the structure of the controller and the initial rule blocks. Following the verification of the fuzzy rules on the simulation model, a relay interface was developed to implement the operation of the control system in coupled mode with the existing control system on a locomotive. The interactive fine-tuning and evaluation of the fuzzy rules were performed during this phase of the development. The test results include the successful evaluation of the prototype fuzzy controller under a variety of typical and "worst case" operating conditions, as well as under conditions of wheel slip. The industrialisation and long term considerations for continued development of the fuzzy logic controller are described in the conclusion.
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Stereo vision based target tracking for a gun turret utilizing low performance components
- Authors: Ferreira, Gideon
- Date: 2009-02-26T12:19:48Z
- Subjects: Targets (Shooting) , Turrets , Automatic control , Automatic tracking , Programmable controllers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8159 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2165
- Description: M.Ing.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ferreira, Gideon
- Date: 2009-02-26T12:19:48Z
- Subjects: Targets (Shooting) , Turrets , Automatic control , Automatic tracking , Programmable controllers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8159 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2165
- Description: M.Ing.
- Full Text:
Multimodal verification of identity for a realistic access control application
- Authors: Denys, Nele
- Date: 2008-11-18T09:08:58Z
- Subjects: Pattern recognition systems , Human face recognition (Computer science) , Optical character recognition devices , Image processing , Automatic control
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1734
- Description: D. Ing. , This thesis describes a real world application in the field of pattern recognition. License plate recognition and face recognition algorithms are combined to implement automated access control at the gates of RAU campus. One image of the license plate and three images of the driver’s face are enough to check if the person driving a particular car into campus is the same as the person driving this car out. The license plate recognition module is based on learning vector quantization and performs well enough to be used in a realistic environment. The face recognition module is based on the Bayes rule and while performing satisfactory, extensive research is still necessary before this system can be implemented in real life. The main reasons for failure of the system were identified as the variable lighting and insufficient landmarks for effective warping.
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- Authors: Denys, Nele
- Date: 2008-11-18T09:08:58Z
- Subjects: Pattern recognition systems , Human face recognition (Computer science) , Optical character recognition devices , Image processing , Automatic control
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14730 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1734
- Description: D. Ing. , This thesis describes a real world application in the field of pattern recognition. License plate recognition and face recognition algorithms are combined to implement automated access control at the gates of RAU campus. One image of the license plate and three images of the driver’s face are enough to check if the person driving a particular car into campus is the same as the person driving this car out. The license plate recognition module is based on learning vector quantization and performs well enough to be used in a realistic environment. The face recognition module is based on the Bayes rule and while performing satisfactory, extensive research is still necessary before this system can be implemented in real life. The main reasons for failure of the system were identified as the variable lighting and insufficient landmarks for effective warping.
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Real-time target tracking for a gun-turret using low cost visual servoing
- Brauer, Herman Daniel Bertrus
- Authors: Brauer, Herman Daniel Bertrus
- Date: 2008-05-22T07:35:45Z
- Subjects: Targets (Shooting) , Turrets , Automatic control , Automatic tracking , Programmable controllers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2112 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/445
- Description: Prof. A.L. Nel
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Brauer, Herman Daniel Bertrus
- Date: 2008-05-22T07:35:45Z
- Subjects: Targets (Shooting) , Turrets , Automatic control , Automatic tracking , Programmable controllers
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2112 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/445
- Description: Prof. A.L. Nel
- Full Text: false
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