Design and Application of Automatic Test System of Soil Water Characteristic Curve

[Objective] In order to better meet the requirement of crops on a more and more accurate water content under various planting environment of modern agri-culture, an automatic test system of soil water characteristic curve was designed by combining the conceptions of soil moisture content and soil water potential. [Method] Electronic soil moisture tension meter was used to determine the real-time tension value of soil moisture in the tested container, and the electronic Weigh sensor was used to determine soil Weigh. Minusing method was used to calculate soil moisture content, based on which the soil water characteristic curve was plotted. [Result] Through the filed survey of 2 different kinds of soil in Jiangsu Province, the results were as fol ows： soil of different composition showed different trend in soil water characteristic curve that the soil water characteristic relation of the sandy soil in the old course of the Yel ow River in Xuzhou was Y=-0.000 2X3＋0.027 7X2-1.644 5X＋38.161, R2=0.991 9; while the soil water characteristic relation of the saline-alkali soil in Jinhai Farm of Dafeng was Y=-0.00 2X2-0.426X＋39.905, R2=0.991 3. [Con-clusion] The automatic test system of soil water characteristic curve soil water char-acteristics curve could reflect soil moisture content and soil water potential, as wel as reflect the effectiveness of soil water to plant growth, providing basis for the sci-entific irrigation.

Energy flow problem solution based on state estimation approaches and smart meter data

Accurate electric energy(EE)measurements and billing estimations in a power system necessitate the development of an energy flow distribution model.This paper summarizes the results of investigations on a new problem related to the determination of EE flow in a power system over time intervals ranging from minutes to years.The problem is referred to as the energy flow problem(EFP).Generally,the grid state and topology may fluctuate over time.An attempt to use instantaneous(not integral)power values obtained from telemetry to solve classical electrical engineering equations leads to significant modeling errors,particularly with topology changes.A promoted EFP model may be suitable in the presence of such topological and state changes.Herein,EE flows are determined using state estimation approaches based on direct EE measurement data in Watt-hours(Volt-ampere reactive-hours)provided by electricity meters.The EFP solution is essential for a broad set of applications,including meter data validation,zero unbalance EE billing,and nontechnical EE loss check.

Algorithm design and application of novel GM-AGC based on mill stretch characteristic curve

As the spring equation is limited to the accuracy of mill stiffness and the linearity of the mill spring curve, the traditional gaugemeter automatic gauge control(GM-AGC) system based on spring equation cannot meet the requirements of practical production. In allusion to this problem, a kind of novel GM-AGC system based on mill stretch characteristic curve was proposed. The error existing in calculating strip thickness by spring equation were analyzed first. And then the mill stretch characteristic curve which could effectively eliminate the influence of mill stiffness was described. The novel GM-AGC system has been applied successfully in a hot strip mill, the application results show that the thickness control precision is improved significantly, with the novel GM-AGC system, over 98.6% of the strip thickness deviation of 3.0 mm class can be controlled within the target tolerances of ±20 μm.

Renewable and Storage Energy Integration for Smart Grid Housing

This paper presents the design, implementation and testing of an embedded system that integrates solar and storage energy resources to smart homes within the smart mierogrid. The proposed system provides the required home energy by installing renewable energy and storage devices. It also manages and schedules the power flow during peak and off-peak periods. In addition, a two-way communication protocol is developed to enable the home owners and the utility service provider to improve the energy flow and the consumption efficiency. The system can be an integral part for homes in a smart grid or smart microgrid power networks. A prototype for the proposed system was designed, implemented and tested by using a controlled load bank to simulate a scaled random real house consumption behavior. Three different scenarios were tested and the results and findings are reported. Moreover, data flow security among the home, home owners and utility server is developed to minimize cyber-attaeks.