Recently, there has been an increased interest in the use of artificial neural networks in various branches of the electric power industry including relay protection. Аrtificial neural networks are one of the fastest growing areas in artificial intelligence technology. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the use of аrtificial neural networks in the electric power engineering, including relay protection. Existing microprocessor-based relay protection devices use a traditional digital signal processing of the monitored signals which is reduced to a multiplying the values of successive samples of the monitored current and voltage signals by predetermined coefficients in order to calculate their RMS values. In this case, the calculated RMS values often do not reflect the real processes occurring in the protected electrical equipment due to, for example, current transformer saturation because of the DC component presence in the fault current. When the current transformer is saturated, its secondary current waveform has a characteristic non-periodic distorted form, which is significantly differs from its primary (true) waveform, which causes underestimation of the calculated RMS value of the secondary current compared to its true value. In its turn, this causes to a trip time delay or even to a relay protection devices operation failure. The use of аrtificial neural networks in conjunction with a traditional digital signal processing provides a different approach to the functioning of both the measuring and logical parts of the microprocessor-based relay protection devices, which significantly increases the speed and reliability of such relay protection devices in comparison with their traditional implementation. A possible application of the аrtificial neural networks for the relay protection purposes is the fault occurrence detection and its type identification, current transformer secondary current waveform distortion restoration due to its saturation up to its true value, detection the distorted and undistorted sections of the current transformer secondary current waveform during its saturation, primary power equipment abnormal operating modes detection, for example, power transformer magnetizing current inrush. The article describes in detail the stages of the practical implementation of the аrtificial neural networks in the MATLAB-Simulink environment by the example of its use to restore the distorted current transformer secondary current waveform due to saturation.

The article discusses and systematizes the causes of high values of short-circuit currents in electrical networks up to 1 kV and indicates their negative consequences. A brief analysis of some current limiting methods (both with and without additional investment) is given, which makes it possible to reduce the negative effects when significant short-circuit currents occur. The variants of the implementation of these current limiting methods recommended for study at the design stage or when replacing equipment that has exhausted its resource, are considered. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods of limiting short-circuit currents described in the article are indicated. Options for connecting equipment with low power consumption to nodes of the electrical network up to 1 kV with high values of short-circuit currents are also considered. Special attention is paid to current-limiting protection devices, a detailed description of the design of some of them is given, the advantages of their use in comparison with other current-limiting methods are indicated, the corresponding graphs of the limitation of the periodic component of the short-circuit current, shock short-circuit current and thermal pulse are presented. Based on the analysis of graphic materials, the issue of ensuring the selectivity of protections is considered. The degree of prevalence of equipment with the property of current limitation is determined. A method for determining selective current-limiting protection devices is given, viz. the method of energy selectivity, the corresponding graphs for determining energy selectivity are presented. The physics allowing to determine the degree of efficiency of limiting the short-circuit current is described. Recommendations on the use of current-limiting equipment are proposed.

The article focuses on the use of genetic algorithms for the design of linear induction motors. Comparison of genetic algorithm with classical methods in the context of electrical machines designing has been carried out. The results of solving an optimization problem for two designs are presented, viz. a laboratory linear induction electric motor based on a three-phase SL-5-100 inductor and a traction single-sided linear induction electric motor of an urban transport system. The optimality criterion included maximizing the power factor and efficiency, as well as the rigidity of the mechanical characteristic while ensuring a starting traction force of at least a set value. The results of optimization of such parameters of the secondary element as the width and thickness of the conductive strip as well as the thickness of the magnetic circuit are described. The relevance of the problem of optimizing the parameters of the secondary element with unchanged parameters of the inductor is due to the fact that the same inductor can be used to build various structures, while the secondary element is created for each specific application and integrated directly into the working body of the mechanism or is a driven product. To calculate the traction and energy characteristics of linear induction electric motors, an electromagnetic model based on detailed equivalent circuits was used, taking into account longitudinal and transverse edge effects and providing a calculation time for one set of parameters of about 1 s. In accordance with this model, the electric motor is reduced to a set of three detailed equivalent circuits: a magnetic circuit, primary and secondary electrical circuits. The result of the optimization of these electric motors was an increase in the efficiency by 1.6 and 1.4 %, respectively, an increase in the power factor by 0.9 and 0.2 %, and an increase in the rigidity of traction characteristics and starting traction force.

This article considers the principal theoretical possibility of regulating a nuclear power reactor under changing operating modes conditions when external periodic disturbances take place in conditions of changing the operating mode. By the external periodic perturbation a downward change in the conditions of the heat sink was meant. The magnitude of the changes was preliminarily calculated in such a way that the operating conditions of the power plant did not exceed the boundaries of the safe operation zone of the reactor. In the case of approaching the operation parameters to the critical ones, the heat sink was increased until the working conditions returned to their previous state. In this work the amplitude frequency response of a non-linearly enhanced system in the nuclear power plant operating conditions when non-linearly reacting to external periodic influences has been studied. The external cyclic disturbances effect produced on the reactor that initially existed under stationary operating conditions has been considered. The research was carried out by numerical simulation of the competition between processes occurring in a nuclear power plant and determined by the system’s reaction time and relaxation time while responding to periodic external influences. Calculations of the relaxation time dependence on the fixed frequency-revealing external influence’s temperature are presented. Also, the relaxation time dependence on the frequency of external influence at a fixed temperature for systems with various relaxation periods was calculated. It is determined that when the dependence between system temperature and the external influence time is calculated, there exists a wide range of possible frequency control. To evaluate the behavior of a nuclear power reactor under conditions of operating modes changes, a fundamental physical mathematical model of the reactor’s state under external harmonic influence is presented. It is based on the nonlinear Riccati equation. The external harmonic effect was simulated by changing the heat supply and heat removal conditions near the critical point.

An assessment is given to the problems of urban wastewater sludge utilization in our country and abroad, with determination of formation and usage level. Global trends in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions exacerbate the urgency of solving the designated tasks. At the same time, recently, in connection with the EU’s plans to introduce a cross-border carbon levy, it has become necessary to reduce the carbon footprint from burning traditional fuels, which is an urgent problem of modern society. One of the directions that provide a solution to this problem is the replacement of part of the hydrocarbon fuel by the consumption of multicomponent solid fuel based on the use of combustible waste that is part of the multicomponent fuel. This solid fuel can be used to meet the needs of small consumers, for example, in the autumn-summer period to generate a drying agent for the preparation of grain on the threshing-floor, in small boiler houses, in sand drying plants of locomotive depots, heat installations of hangars and workshops, as well as in other heat-generating installations operating on solid fuels. At the same time, solving the problem of reducing the carbon footprint for Belarus is closely related to another urgent task – reducing the energy component of industrial products and the environmental consequences of storing accumulated and generated waste. The paper presents the results of joint scientific research in the field of application of modern technologies and equipment using electrohydraulic treatment to reduce and minimize the level of anthropogenic and polluting substances in wastewater sludge. The described technological equipment, technology and post-treatment modes reduce the content of harmful substances in the wastewater sludge composition even with short-term treatment. An assessment of the effectiveness of the developed technology for the use of sewage sludge is given, using the method of wet multicomponent briquetting to obtain a multicomponent fuel. The presented process flow diagram of multicomponent briquetting using sewage sludge and plant-wood waste directly shows the undeniable advantages of using watered wastewater sludge as a raw material for the production of solid fuel. At the same time, the optimally selected ratio of components and moisture content of the briquetted composition solves a number of technologically difficult problems that cannot be realized using traditional briquetting technologies. The presented data of the conducted research and the developed technology make it possible to expand the area of using wastewater sludge as a secondary renewable material resource.

The results of the analytical study substantiated the operating conditions for the highly efficient use of the temperature potential of seawater in heat pump heating systems (HPHS) for buildings a building with correspondingly improved environmental indicators. Based on the analysis of the regional conditions of the Odessa water area of the Black Sea, the initial parameters have been substantiated and rational modes of operation of an improved HPHS with central, decentralized or local heating of the subscriber energy carrier have been determined. As indicators for evaluating the efficiency of the HPHS operation, the conversion factor of energy flows and the specific consumption of external energy for the drive of the compressor and the circulating pump of cooled water in the operation of heat pump units were considered. For seawater in the Odessa water area of the Black Sea during the entire heating period, the following temperatures were considered as initial data for analysis: water at the inlet to the evaporator (5–10) ° C, at the outlet (1 °C); calculated temperature difference of the coolant in the heating system (50–40) °C, indoor air (20 °C); estimated outdoor temperature (–18 °C). The characteristic correspondence between the flow rates of the cooled sea water and the heated energy carrier of the heat supply system was taken into account. The prerequisites of high efficiency of the heat pump heat supply system in which the actual conversion coefficient exceeds the seasonal normalized calculated and minimum value at an outdoor temperature of (–10) °C under the limiting conditions of the monoenergy regime for both new and reconstructed buildings were substantiated. In the course of the study, it has been determined that the total specific consumption of external energy for the compressor drive and the circulation of cooled water in the operation of a heat pump unit with a characteristic ratio of water equivalents, even under the limiting conditions of the monoenergetic mode of operation of the heat supply system at an outdoor temperature of (–10) °C, are within the range of generally accepted values (w = 0.28–0.34).

153 reservoirs have been created in the Republic of Belarus. During the period of passing catastrophic floods and high waters along the river, there is a risk of overflowing reservoirs, overflow of water masses through the crest of an earthen dam and flooding of significantly large areas. The destruction of the dam is accompanied by the formation of a breach and the outflow through it of an unsteady flow of water in the form of a breakthrough wave into the downstream. A breakthrough wave and catastrophic flooding of the area are the main destructive factors of hydrodynamic accidents. Calculations to determine parameters of the wave and to assess the possible consequences of flooding are necessary when drawing up operational-and-tactical plans for the prevention and elimination of emergencies in case of accidents at retaining structures, determining the probable damage from flooding of the territory in the downstream of a hydraulic structure as a result of the passage of a breakthrough wave. It is necessary to assess the flooding zone and the hydrodynamic parameters of the flow, viz. the maximum values of the depth and velocity of the flow in the zone of catastrophic flooding, the time from the beginning of the accident to the arrival of a breakthrough wave at the particular point of the terrain, the duration of flooding, the boundaries of the zone of catastrophic flooding, the hydrographic flow rate in the section of the eroded dam and the graph of the fall headwater level. The degree of reliability of predictive calculations is determined by the accuracy of the two applied mathematical models, viz.: 1) erosion of the dam; 2) the movement of the breakout wave. The analysis of the applied mathematical models shows that in all cases the hydrodynamic models based on the oneand two-dimensional equations of Boussinesq – Saint-Venant are used to calculate the movement of the breakthrough wave. Wave parameters, i. e. wave height and speed of its propagation, completely depend on the hydrograph of the discharge in the section of the eroded dam, which, in its turn, is determined by the dynamics of its erosion. The aim of the work is to develop a methodology for calculating the flooding of the downstream as a result of the destruction of a soil dam.

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