Sustainable Systems Design

For the design of technical systems, we use algorithmic optimisation methods to optimise topology, resilience or operation. For this purpose, we use a variety of methods from the field of operations research and machine learning.

In particular, we use mixed-integer optimisation methods and common software solutions, such as SCIP.

In addition, we develop our own heuristics for finding global or local solutions, which are particularly characterized by a faster solution speed compared to conventional implementations.

For system synthesis, we also use machine learning methods such as clustering or Monte Carlo approaches to derive load profiles and requirements for system design from real-world boundary conditions.

The social developments of modern times require a rethink in the development of technical products and systems. In addition to energy efficiency, modern technical solutions must be characterized by a low environmental impact while at the same time maintaining economic profitability. These requirements are partly in conflict with each other, consequently the optimal technical solution can only be a trade-off between these tension criteria. With the method of multi-pole system analysis, the Chair of Fluid Systems provides an innovative methodological approach for optimal system identification in the tension triangle of sustainability conditions. The multi-pole system analysis (MPSA) method consists of the four steps (i) system synthesis, (ii) system analysis under uncertainty, (iii) stochastic optimization, and final (iv) sensitivity analysis. The method was presented on a conceptual wind energy converter as part of the research project.

Various test rigs are available for the experimental validation of the investigated methods. These test rigs exist on a large and model scale and serve for demonstration, calibration and validation of the components and systems. All relevant process variables can be recorded by means of extensive measurement technology.

Examples from our field of application are:

• modular demonstrator for pump systems
• EuP test bench for pump units
• measurement of the efficiency of positive displacement pumps in the hydraulic pump test field according to ISO 4409
• measurement of fan efficiency according to ISO 5801 and ISO 13348
• measurement of the efficiency of fans by varying the Mach and Reynolds numbers in a specially developed pressure chamber

Softsensors determine a target variable based on the measured variables of existing sensors. They are applied if the environmental conditions prevent real sensors from being used for the target variable or their use would be too expensive. In this way, further information is obtained from the data of existing sensors and thus additional knowledge is generated.

The redundant acquisition of the same process variables within a softsensor network can be used specifically to induce and analyse data conflicts. These data-induced conflicts, which result, among other things, from wear and tear of individual components, are the basis to derive models for the detection of wear and tear.

One of the core competences of the Chair of Fluid Systems is the analytical modeling of physical processes. The created models represent a physical process which can be solved by an equation with analytical solution. The problem is simplified to such an extent that only physical quantities that influence the process are considered (“as little as possible – as much as necessary”).

Furthermore, we use dimensional analysis. With dimensional analysis, a problem can be described in a dimensionless way by relating all quantities to corresponding characteristic quantities of the problem. The resulting dimensionless values help to achieve a compact “generally valid” representation of the results.

The dimensionless results are not only valid for a certain case, but for all physically similar problems. We use this for scaling. The functional data obtained on a model (e.g. reduced image, or model with different material) are transferred to the function of the real fullscale system.

The development of technical products is carried out in an increasingly complex environment with rapidly changing requirements. To meet these challenges, approaches from agile software development can be transferred to the development of physical products. Thus, important insights can be generated in early stages of product development by building prototypes. By using hardware-in-the-loop, components can be realistically examined with reduced experimental effort.

Our institute's own workshop enables us to build prototypes quickly and efficiently. This plays an essential role in the setup and maintenance of our test rigs and experiments.

Our developments are always based on existing problems and matching solutions. We pursue the goal of maximizing the customer's benefit.

Currently we are developing an innovative control valve in the focus of “Sustainable System Design”.

In the design process of pump systems, not only the optimum number, size and operating points of pumps must be determined, but also the optimum arrangement of the pumps to each other (serial or parallel pump operation).

Together with VDMA Pumpen + Systeme, IoT concepts for positive displacement pumps are being investigated in preparation for an AiF project. The aim is to implement such a concept as a demonstrator on an existing pump test bench, considering the developing standards in the context of Industry 4.0. Among other things, existing research results on the topic of soft sensors will be used to show how a practical implementation can be realized and used in industrial applications. Therefore, special attention is paid to knowledge transfer to the industrial partners.

Within the prototypical implementation, the machine-to-machine communication is carried out via the OPC UA standard defined in IEC 62541 under consideration of the OPC UA Companion Specifications for pumps and vacuum pumps. Thus, a platform- and manufacturer-independent information exchange can be guaranteed.

The project is an industrial joint research venture (AiF project) in cooperation with pump manufacturers and BASF AG. This ensures practical relevance and technology transfer.

The WIPANO project “model-based efficiency prediction” focuses on efficiency scaling for fans starting from a physically based model. The project aims at a draft ISO standard for up- and downscaling fan efficiency of axial, mixed flow and centrifugal design. The development of the scaling method shall be applied on the national (DIN/DKE), European (CEN/CENELEC) and international (ISO/IEC) level as standard ISO 13348.

Experimental investigations will be carried out at the Institute of Fluid Systems. They include the characteristic curve measurements of scaled centrifugal fans without housing as well as mixed flow fans, which are exposed to a Reynolds and Mach number variation in a pressure chamber.

Characteristic curve data are provided by industrial partners to evaluate the method to its functionality. The valuable industry data is used for validation, making the method reliable.

Control valves are important components in all process engineering plants. Together with pumps, they are the main actuators for controlling and regulating the production process. At the Chair of Fluid Systems we are working on the development of a new type of throttle valve. By clever separation and integration of functions we reduce the complexity for the user. The new valve type allows a much more compact design and thus saves materials. In addition to product development, we are also researching ways to save energy. The flow-optimized design of the valve achieves low pressure loss coefficients in open position. These possible low pressure losses must be considered in the overall context of the system in order to identify potential savings.

The overall goal of the HECTOR project of the ENPRO 2.0 initiative is to demonstrate the energy, resource and time saving potential of accelerated process development using reusable standard modules for continuous process control. For this purpose, an optimal modular construction kit has to be defined with the highest possible efficiency of the modules and at the same time the lowest possible complexity of the modular construction kit. The optimal compromise represents a multi-criteria optimisation problem which has to be solved. In addition, the energy efficiency in the operation of a modular system should be increased. For this purpose, methods for the detection of wear in the overall system are developed. Based on existing and cost-effective sensors, system information is collected redundantly and resulting data-induced conflicts are used to detect wear.

In the context of urbanization, the optimal adaptation of existing infrastructure structures to future needs is an important aspect. In this research project, the water infrastructure is optimized with regard to its resilience with the help of the presented methods above.