A Simulation Model of Railroad Reliability
Article Abstract:
A simulation model is used to study the relative reliability of structures subject to failure caused by fatigue cracking. This general model can be applied to most structures maintained by periodic inspections, including airplanes, bridges, pressure vessels, and nuclear reactors. The models of initiation and growth of cracks and the resulting fractures use a grid of stress cells to approximate the cross-sectional shape of the structural components. Included in the analysis is a general model of the probabilistic detection of cracks during an inspection. The reliability of structural components can be combined in the analysis to obtain overall structural reliability. The model was applied to railroad rails as a subcontract for the Department of Transportation. Measurements of the rail's material characteristics and operating environment are used to estimate its reliability for a specified inspection schedule. The crack growth model selected for the rail application performs well for steel compositions, though alternative growth models are recommended for other materials. For the rail application, a model for computing the stress exposure of railroad rails is also included. Results from the rail application and use of these results to improve efficiency of resource allocations are presented.
Publication Name: SIMULATION
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0037-5497
Year: 1985
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Simulation of a Desalination Plant Supplied by a Photovoltaic Array with Management Strategies
Article Abstract:
Simulation of a seawater desalination plant, powered by solar energy, is discussed. The plant uses the reverse osmosis desalination method. Plant components - the photovoltaic generators, energy storage devices, DC-DC up-convertors - were modeled. Solar energy availability data were generated by a stochastic model, developed from recorded observations. Several runs, including one simulating a full year's operation, were conducted. The model was found to be adequate for estimating costs accurately enough for comparing design solutions and management strategies. The model may also be used in other energy resources projects. Flow charts describing management logic, diagrams of the plant operation, and graphs summarizing run results are included.
Publication Name: SIMULATION
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0037-5497
Year: 1984
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Evaluating the Reliability and Availability of Photovoltaic Systems
Article Abstract:
SOLREL is a simulation model designed to predict the cost and reliability of photovoltaic systems. The model predicts the cost of energy production per kilowatt-hour (kWh). A number of factors can be considered: system failures, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, initial and operating costs, wear on the system. SOLREL is useful for engineers in making cost-reliability decisions. Four solar systems have been evaluated using SOLREL. One was a residential system. Three were commercial. The model can interface with existing photovoltaic models, and it can be adjusted to suit different sizes of systems. Tables, graphs, and flowcharts illustrating the model and applications are presented.
Publication Name: SIMULATION
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0037-5497
Year: 1983
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- Abstracts: Use of Computer Simulation in Oil Spill Response Training. How Much Simulation Is Really Needed in Maritime Training?
- Abstracts: A Simulation Model of Stock Exchange Trading. Exchange rate system simulation by means of vector processing. A Multiple-Aircraft Radar Simulation
- Abstracts: Simulating Carbon Accumulation in Northern Ecosystems. Simulating Saudi Arabia's Oil Export Strategy. Simulating the 'Buck Rogers Backpack'
I want to build a desalination plant powered bye photovoltaic panels, and I wish you help to realize this project.
Best wishes
____________________
Mr. Bouchakour salim
Engineer at research projects direction
Research & Technology Division
SONATRACH
Address :
SONATRACH aval
Camp VI, DRT/ GPR/ ENR
Arzew, Ain El Bia (31230)
Oran, Algérie
E-Mail: Sbouchakour@avl.sonatrach.dz
bs197903@yahoo.fr