Velimir Čongradac

Bio: Velimir Čongradac is an academic researcher from University of Novi Sad. The author has contributed to research in topics: Energy accounting & Efficient energy use. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 6 publications receiving 245 citations.

Soft sensor for real-time cement fineness estimation.

Abstract: This paper describes the design and implementation of soft sensors to estimate cement fineness. Soft sensors are mathematical models that use available data to provide real-time information on process variables when the information, for whatever reason, is not available by direct measurement. In this application, soft sensors are used to provide information on process variable normally provided by off-line laboratory tests performed at large time intervals. Cement fineness is one of the crucial parameters that define the quality of produced cement. Providing real-time information on cement fineness using soft sensors can overcome limitations and problems that originate from a lack of information between two laboratory tests. The model inputs were selected from candidate process variables using an information theoretic approach. Models based on multi-layer perceptrons were developed, and their ability to estimate cement fineness of laboratory samples was analyzed. Models that had the best performance, and capacity to adopt changes in the cement grinding circuit were selected to implement soft sensors. Soft sensors were tested using data from a continuous cement production to demonstrate their use in real-time fineness estimation. Their performance was highly satisfactory, and the sensors proved to be capable of providing valuable information on cement grinding circuit performance. After successful off-line tests, soft sensors were implemented and installed in the control room of a cement factory. Results on the site confirm results obtained by tests conducted during soft sensor development.

A review on optimized control systems for building energy and comfort management of smart sustainable buildings

Abstract: Buildings all around the world consume a significant amount of energy, which is more or less one-third of the total primary energy resources. This has raised concerns over energy supplies, rapid energy resource depletion, rising building service demands, improved comfort life styles along with the increased time spent in buildings; consequently, this has shown a rising energy demand in the near future. However, contemporary buildings’ energy efficiency has been fast tracked solution to cope/limit the rising energy demand of this sector. Building energy efficiency has turned out to be a multi-faceted problem, when provided with the limitation for the satisfaction of the indoor comfort index. However, the comfort level for occupants and their behavior have a significant effect on the energy consumption pattern. It is generally perceived that energy unaware activities can also add one-third to the building’s energy performance. Researchers and investigators have been working with this issue for over a decade; yet it remains a challenge. This review paper presents a comprehensive and significant research conducted on state-of-the-art intelligent control systems for energy and comfort management in smart energy buildings (SEB’s). It also aims at providing a building research community for better understanding and up-to-date knowledge for energy and comfort related trends and future directions. The main table summarizes 121 works closely related to the mentioned issue. Key areas focused on include comfort parameters, control systems, intelligent computational methods, simulation tools, occupants’ behavior and preferences, building types, supply source considerations and countries research interest in this sector. Trends for future developments and existing research in this area have been broadly studied and depicted in a graphical layout. In addition, prospective future advancements and gaps have also been discussed comprehensively.

A review of computational optimisation methods applied to sustainable building design

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive review of all significant research applying computational optimisation to sustainable building design problems. A summary of common heuristic optimisation algorithms is given, covering direct search, evolutionary methods and other bio-inspired algorithms. The main summary table covers 74 works that focus on the application of these methods to different fields of sustainable building design. Key fields are reviewed in detail: envelope design, including constructions and form; configuration and control of building systems; renewable energy generation; and holistic optimisations of several areas simultaneously, with particular focus on residential and retrofit. Improvements to the way optimisation is applied are also covered, including platforms and frameworks, algorithmic comparisons and developments, use of meta-models and incorporation of uncertainty. Trends, including the rise of multi-objective optimisation, are analysed graphically. Likely future developments are discussed.