Simultaneous approach for simulation of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor

The simulation of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor pebble-bed module(HTR-PM) plant is discussed.This lumped parameter model has the form of a set differential algebraic equations(DAEs) that include stiff equations to model point neutron kinetics.The nested approach is the most common method to solve DAE,but this approach is very expensive and time-consuming due to inner iterations.This paper deals with an alternative approach in which a simultaneous solution method is used.The DAEs are discretized over a time horizon using collocation on finite elements,and Radau collocation points are applied.The resulting nonlinear algebraic equations can be solved by existing solvers.The discrete algorithm is discussed in detail;both accuracy and stability issues are considered.Finally,the simulation results are presented to validate the efficiency and accuracy of the simultaneous approach that takes much less time than the nested one.

A Comparison of Arithmetic Operations for Dynamic Process Optimization Approach

A comparison of arithmetic operations of two dynamic process optimization approaches called quasi-sequential approach and reduced Sequential Quadratic Programming(rSQP)simultaneous approach with respect to equality constrained optimization problems is presented.Through the detail comparison of arithmetic operations,it is concluded that the average iteration number within differential algebraic equations(DAEs)integration of quasi-sequential approach could be regarded as a criterion.One formula is given to calculate the threshold value of average iteration number.If the average iteration number is less than the threshold value,quasi-sequential approach takes advantage of rSQP simultaneous approach which is more suitable contrarily.Two optimal control problems are given to demonstrate the usage of threshold value.For optimal control problems whose objective is to stay near desired operating point,the iteration number is usually small.Therefore,quasi-sequential approach seems more suitable for such problems.

Competition effects in an afrotemperate forest

Background： Information about competition responses is mainly available for monospecific stands or mixed stands with a small number of species. Studies on complex multi-species and highly structured forest ecosystems are scarce. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to quantify competition effects and analyse competition responses in a species-diverse afrotemperate forest in South Africa, based on an observational study with mapped tree positions and long-term diameter increment records. Methods： The sensitivity to competition was analysed for individual species and involved the calculation of the slope of the linear relation between the value of a competition index （CI） and diameter growth as a measure of sensitivity. In a next step different competition indices were combined and tree diameters were grouped in three classes as surrogates for canopy status and ontogenetic stage. Results： Five competition indices were found to be effective in showing sensitivity to competition for a number of canopy and sub-canopy species. Significant linear regressions were fitted for 18 of a total of 25 species. Species reactions varied significantly in their sensitivity to the different CIs. The indices were classified as belonging to two groups, those that responded more to local crowding and those that are more sensitive to overtopping, which revealed species-specific sensitivities to both factors. The analysis based on diameter classes revealed that species clearly changed their sensitivity to crowding or overtopping depending on diameter. Canopy and sub-canopy species showed distinct differences in their reactions. Conclusions： The application of multiple CIs brought novel insights relating to the dynamics of afrotemperate forests. The response patterns to different competition indices that focus on crowding and overtopping are varied and tree diameter dependent, indicating that oversimplified assumptions are not warranted in the interpretation of Cl- growth relations.