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Robustness and resilience of different solid-liquid separation technologies for tertiary phosphorus removal to low levels by coagulation
Get PDFIn this study, three tertiary solid separation technologies were assessed on their robustness and resilience against an effluent phosphorus target of <0.3 mg P/L at steady state and dynamic conditions. The ballasted flocculation system was found to be very robust at delivering the low P target. Alternatively, cloth filtration provided a more sustainable option for less strict consents of sub 0.5 mg P/L. The effluent from the membrane system was more variable but it was shown to meet the low consents even with increased phosphorus and solids content in the feed. A molar ratio of 1.37 Fe: P was shown to be sufficient to meet the P target at short contact times as with the ballasted flocculation process. It was highlighted that optimisation of up-stream flocculation can be a considerable factor for consistent performance. Overall, the study determined key attributes of the different technologies tested providing valuable insights for technology selection at full scale.Funding for this study was gratefully received by Severn Trent Water.Science of The Total Environmen
A flexible K‐band FMCW radar prototype for low‐RCS nano‐drone detection
Get PDFData supporting this study cannot be made available due to commercial restrictions.Nano‐drones are insect‐like drones used to provide intelligence through their capability of intrusion and ability to carry small sensors. They pose a defence and security threat and can potentially violate secure establishments and privacy rights. Their rapid emergence and increased availability have made them an existing technology which is affordable and easy to operate. Nano‐drones are typically defined as drones smaller than 15 cm. They are light and stealthy in nature and present a very low radar cross‐section (RCS) which creates a significant challenge for active Radio Frequency (RF) security systems tasked with detecting potential threats. This paper presents a K‐band Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar prototype tailored for detecting nano‐drones. Operating at 24 GHz and utilising commercial off‐the‐shelf components, the radar offers a low‐cost, flexible and customisable solution with user‐selectable frequency and waveform parameters. The system's detection capabilities were tested using low‐RCS oscillating metallic spheres ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 cm in diameter. Nano‐drone detection was demonstrated using range‐Doppler maps and time‐frequency spectrograms of a real and small 5 cm nano‐drone. The paper provides a detailed overview of the radar design and test methodology, together with a detailed investigation of the radar performance.Ministry of Higher Education MalaysiaIET Radar, Sonar & Navigatio
Improving anti-oxidation properties of metal interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells via a dense Ag-based coating layer
Get PDFSolid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are a highly efficient energy conversion technology, but the degradation of metal interconnects remains a critical challenge. Conventional coatings often lack sufficient electrochemical performance and stability. In this study, a dense Ag coating was developed using the screen-printing method to improve the electrochemical performance and chemical compatibility of SOFC interconnects. Symmetric and single cells were prepared with La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ cathodes and SUS430 interconnects to evaluate the coating under high-temperature conditions, simulating real SOFC operation. The Ag coating demonstrated excellent adhesion, uniformity, and oxidation resistance, with conductivity increasing from 0.01 to 13.13 S cm^−1 at 650 ∘C after coating and the area-specific resistance decreasing from 1.843 to 0.378 Ω cm^2 after coating between cathode and interconnect at 750 ∘C. Moreover, the coating effectively inhibited Cr diffusion from the interconnect to the cathode, addressing a major limitation in SOFC durability. These results suggest that Ag coatings offer a practical and promising solution to enhance the performance and extend the lifespan of SOFC systems.This research was supported by the Centre for Energy Engineering at Cranfield University (UK).Thank you to the China Scholarship Council for their support.Fue
Design space exploration of geared turbofans using alternative fuels
Get PDFThis paper explores the design space of UHBPR geared turbofan engines for the short-to-medium range market, focusing on the comparative performance of engines powered by conventional Jet A-1, Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), and liquid hydrogen accounting for the thermal management effect of the cryogenic fuel. Utilizing a multi-point design approach, the research aims to optimize engine configurations for each fuel type, considering the anticipated entry into service in 2035 (EIS2035). The study investigates key parameters such as engine performance, size and weight.
The findings reveal that HEFA-optimised engines show a moderate 0.16% improvement in energy-specific fuel consumption (ESFC) and exhibit minimal changes in engine performance, size, and weight compared to the Jet-A baseline, confirming its feasibility as a retrofitted fuel in existing Jet-A engines. This positions HEFA as a practical short-term solution. In contrast, hydrogen-optimised engines that utilise fuel preheating, demonstrate an increase in specific energy consumption by nearly 5.6% mainly attributed to the fuel conditioning, but can enable more compact designs with a reduction of 1.9% in bare engine weight. Furthermore, a retrofitting analysis indicates that Jet A-1-optimised design can adequately accommodate both HEFA and H2 but with decreasing ESFC differences of −0.1% and 6.9% for HEFA and Hydrogen.The HEAVEN project is in receipt of funding from the framework programme for research and innovation Horizon Europe under grant agreement No 101102004.ASME Turbo Expo 2025: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Expositio
Early-stage assessment of a flexible aircraft simulation framework in a pilot-in-the-loop environment
No full textAccurate prediction of the interactions between aeroelastic effects, flight control, and flight dynamics is essential for evaluating the handling qualities and safety of future aircraft concepts. This paper reports on the development of an advanced modelling and simulation framework for assessing the impact of airframe flexibility on flight dynamics within a real-time pilot-in-the-loop environment. As part of this, a series of shakedown trials were conducted using a model of a Saab 340B to test system integration, pilot interaction, and dynamic response through open-loop manoeuvres. These tests were supported by subjective fidelity ratings using the Simulation Fidelity Rating (SFR) scale to evaluate the framework’s readiness for formal handling qualities assessments. Pilot feedback confirmed the general suitability for such evaluations, while also identifying perceptual and modelling limitations. This research demonstrates the feasibility and value of integrating multidisciplinary modelling tools with piloted simulation and establishes a foundation for the forthcoming handling qualities evaluation campaign.The research leading to these results has received funding from the Innovate UK, Aerospace Technology Institute(ATI), under the Out of Cycle NExt generation highly efficient air transport (ONEheart) project (Ref no. 10003388)AIAA Aviation Forum and Ascend 202
A simulation framework for zoom-aided coverage path planning with UAV-mounted PTZ cameras
Get PDFAchieving energy-efficient aerial coverage remains a significant challenge for UAV-based missions, especially over hilly terrain where consistent ground resolution is needed. Traditional solutions use changes in altitude to compensate for elevation changes, which requires a significant amount of energy. This paper presents a new way to plan coverage paths (CPP) that uses real-time zoom control of a pan–tilt–zoom (PTZ) camera to keep the ground sampling distance (GSD)—the distance between two consecutive pixel centers projected onto the ground—constant without changing the UAV’s altitude. The proposed algorithm changes the camera’s focal length based on the height of the terrain. It only changes the altitude when the zoom limits are reached. Simulation results on a variety of terrain profiles show that the zoom-based CPP substantially reduces flight duration and path length compared to traditional altitude-based strategies. The framework can also be used with low-cost camera systems with limited zoom capability, thereby improving operational feasibility. These findings establish a basis for further development and field validation in upcoming research phases.Sensor
Convolutional neural networks for accurate measurement of train speed
Get PDFIn this study, we explore the use of Convolutional Neural Networks for improving train speed estimation accuracy, addressing the complex challenges of modern railway systems. We investigate three CNN architectures — single-branch 2D, single-branch 1D, and multiple-branch models — and compare them with the Adaptive Kalman Filter. We analyse their performance using simulated train operation datasets with and without Wheel Slide Protection activation. Our results reveal that CNN-based approaches, especially the multiple-branch model, demonstrate superior accuracy and robustness compared to traditional methods, particularly under challenging operational conditions. These findings highlight the potential of deep learning techniques to enhance railway safety and operational efficiency by more effectively capturing intricate patterns in complex transportation datasets.Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transi
UK Silvoarable Network data
No full textSilvoarable agroforestry (the intercropping of trees and arable crops) can diversify farm incomes, increasing tree planting and improve farm biodiversity. In 1992 a silvoarable experiment, comprising three replicate blocks of four poplar (Populus spp.) hybrids (at a spacing of 10 m x 6.4 m) and three arable treatments, was established by Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, Leeds University in West Yorkshire, and the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucestershire. [The associated report describes the results from the experiment for the four-year period from April 1999 to April 2003. It covers the effects on tree growth, crop yields, economics, understorey vegetation, and the number and diversity of ground invertebrates.]Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF
An overview of non-destructive technologies for postharvest quality assessment in horticultural crops
Get PDFArtificial intelligence and machine vision are increasingly popular within food supply chains for automated decision making in quality grading and disease identification. There are many types of data that these models can be trained on, and choosing which information is needed is a critical factor in minimising both food loss and cost, while maximising the impact on food quality. Non-destructive technologies give information about crop phenotypes (e.g. external colour, oil content, sweetness) without damaging the crop, allowing a greater and more representative proportion the stored food to be analysed. These non-destructive technologies use different methods to analyse the product, each with different intrinsic capabilities and limitations. Therefore, choosing which technology is most appropriate for each application is a complex and costly decision. This mini-review summarises the physical and chemical basis of how some popular non-destructive technologies function, and how these different methods give unique advantages and limitations. The most popular technologies summarised include Red-Green-Blue (RGB) imaging, visible and near-infrared spectroscopy, and vibrometry. We also review technologies that are growing in popularity, including X-ray imaging, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging.This work was funded by Orchard House Foods Ltd. andCranfield University through the Cranfield IndustrialPartnership PhD Scheme.The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnolog
Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors for water reuse using municipal wastewater: the role of post-treatment
Get PDFJeffrey, Paul - Associate SupervisorAnaerobic Membrane Bioreactors (AnMBRs) are seen as a promising alternative
to Aerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AeMBR) based water reuse schemes as they
better support a circular economy paradigm with the potential for recovery of
energy and nutrients. However, evidence of their application for water reuse is
very limited which significantly restricts their potential deployment. This research
aimed to identify the current challenges of using AnMBRs for water reuse with
respect to their ability to achieve the quality requirements in state of the art
national and regional standards. The work investigates the performance and
feasibility of technologies commonly applied as a post-treatment stage for
AeMBRs and ultimately to provide references for possible treatment trains for
future water reuse implementations. A critical review and controlled pilot scale
AnMBR and AeMBR operations followed by lab-scale post-treatment trials were
conducted to understand the performance of the investigated post-MBR
processes and their potential role in AnMBR based water reuse applications. The
distinctive matrices of AnMBR and AeMBR effluents, in particular the different
nitrogen species as ammonia in the AnMBR effluent and nitrate in the AeMBR
effluent, were found to influence different performance across the investigated
post-MBR technologies. The presence of ammonia caused a higher membrane
fouling and a potential failure to meet the standard for potable reuse during the
RO filtration of the AnMBR effluent. When chlorinated, the AnMBR effluent
provided a controllable residual ammonia and chlorine concentration while
exhibiting lower disinfection by-products formation potential compared to the
AeMBR effluent. UV/TiO₂ delivered a selective removal of organic and nutrient
compounds as a function of varying the UV intensity and TiO₂ dose from the
AnMBR effluent. These findings highlight the potential to combine these
processes to achieve more sustainable treatment trains producing high quality
effluents for various water reuse applications. In particular, the combination of
AnMBR-Chlorination shows promise as a circular economy approach to
municipal wastewater treatment for agriculture irrigation.PhD in Water, including Desig