BrainMap

Corina Alice Babutanu

Ph.D. eng.

senior researcher - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Researcher

Curriculum Vitae (10/10/2024)

Expertise & keywords

i-TURB integrated system - the best balance between the ecological potential of water and the turbine efficiency Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2021-0269 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: MECANICA-IND 2004 SRL

Project partners: MECANICA-IND 2004 SRL (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA NAŢIONALĂ DE ŞTIINŢĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE POLITEHNICA BUCUREŞTI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro/i-turb/

Abstract:

The project aims to develop and implement an intelligent water aeration system for hydraulic turbines (i-Turb) with double purpose: to increase the dissolved oxygen content of the discharged water from hydropower plants and to improve hydraulic turbine operation by reducing the vibrations induced by pressure fluctuations when operating at partial load.

The i-Turb intelligent system will reach a technology readiness level equal to TRL6, starting from the level of TRL5, namely the innovative non-invasive device for dispersed water aeration, ECOTURB, developed in a previous CDI project (PN2 88/2014) by the implementation team of this project, and patented by international patent no 036765 / 17.12.2020 B1. By equipping the ECOTURB device with sensors for monitoring the water parameters and the turbine operation, and integrating them into an automated measurement, control and command module, the intelligent i-Turb system will be obtained, a complete, efficient solution in terms of oxygen transfer into water, energy consumption necessary for aeration (by aeration device automation) and turbine efficiency (by injecting air at certain operating regimes).

Thus, the present project aims to continue the research of the implementation team, by developing an intelligent, automated system for monitoring and controlling the quality of discharged water, as well as the efficiency of hydro units (i-Turb), with potential for transfer and commercial use on the national and worldwide markets, in correlation to the international water quality requirements imposed by international regulations (EU Water Directive 60/2000 / EC). The implementation and testing of the intelligent i-Turb aeration system in relevant conditions of real scale operation will demonstrate its efficiency, finally obtaining a technology demonstrated in the industrial environment (TRL6).

Hydrokinetic eco-power system for ultra low head water streams Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3247 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); SMART MECHANICS S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://hyper.upb.ro/

Abstract:

This project proposes a power energy technology which is interrelated with the current research trends at national and international level, being in line with the European Union research priorities, aiming to respond to at least four R&D challenges: development of ecological turbines with very low environmental impact using permanent magnets generators; improvements in the construction material for the turbine’s moving part using lighter, low cost and more resistant alternatives; development of improved low speed direct-drive generator suitable for low heads; development of improved generators through the use of permanent magnets generators to small hydro applications. Generating electricity only from the kinetic energy of water arises as a possible solution for use in low power applications, like in natural protected areas or in remote communities. With little power generally available from most river systems in which head may be quite small, the research challenges in small hydrokinetic turbines are now focused on developing hydropower systems capable of generating from tens to hundreds of watts.

The proposed technological concept, entitled “Hydrokinetic eco - Power System for Ultra Low Head Water Streams” (HyPER) will generate electrical power by using the kinetic energy of ultra-low head water streams, without damaging the existing ecosystem. This technical concept is based on the combination of the classical elements hydraulic turbine and permanent magnets generator (TRL2), with a positive environmental impact, studied for the first time in a novel, compact assembly. The developed experimental model consisting in: hydrokinetic turbine with a shrouded runner, shaftless-coupled in the same casing with a permanent magnets generator and equipped with a flow mixing diffuser will be tested in the laboratory conditions for the validation of the technology (TRL4).

Eco-hybrid water intake with behavioural barrier to reduce the impact on fish fauna and river morphology Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1444 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro/294ped-2020/

Abstract:

The project aims to address complementary the water intake problem by creating a common hybrid solution based on the use of environmental friendly water intakes operating in tandem with a fish guidance systems based on influencing their behaviour by using bubbles curtains. The novelty of the proposed research consists in extending the application domain of the bubble diffusers, by using them within an integrated solution for fish fauna. The project requires a multi and trans-disciplinary approach, and the contribution of specialists in different fields: hydrotechnics (designing and implementing the ecological intake so as not to affect the morphology of the river and its hydrological regime), hydraulics (design and implementation of bubble diffusers) and numerical simulation. The methods for designing diffusers for generating bubble curtains and ecological water intakes being well known by the research team, the project starts from TRL3 and envisages to reach TRL4 after the project implementation. This will be achieved by designing and integrating the two components (on the basis of the existing knowledge and results of the team) into an assembly/a system, testing its operation and effectiveness and validating it in laboratory operating conditions. It is envisaged to realize and to theoretically and experimentally characterize a reduced model of the hybrid solution, suitable for future development (TRL 5-6) in order to be used on the Romanian mountain rivers, for facilitating the migration of the fish fauna. The difference between the obtained results and the expected system results will be analyzed or/and assessed. By the common approach and by achieving the project’s proposed objectives, the prerequisites of obtaining reliable results with impact on the technical and scientific field will be created.

Advanced spin-valve sensors for high accuracy non-contacting DC/AC current measurement applications Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1804 2020 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro/315ped-2020/

Abstract:

The project scope consists in designing, development, testing and validation of a demonstrator that uses the spin-valve magneto-resistive structures for high accuracy non-contacting DC/AC current sensing.

The demonstrator, spin-valve MR sensors, realized by nanotechnology, is a multilayer of type Ta/FL(tFL)/Cu(tCu)/PL(tPL)/FeMn(10 nm)/Ta. Thin films multilayer is deposited by high vacuum sputtering.

The proposed demonstrator brings out innovative aspects and a high degree of novelty in relation to international state of art. The design of demonstrator provides a very high flexibility in building various applications and signal processing.

The main objective of this project is achievement of a demonstrator, based on the spin-valve structures, for non-contacting DC/AC current sensing, TRL4.

Another important objective is the validation of the microfabrication technology used to obtain the spin-valve current sensors. The specific objectives will lead to the main objectives success.

By implementation of the above objectives and taking into account the expertise of the involved scientist, through the published papers, and the research infrastructure of our institutions, we can argue that the project is highly feasible.

The main outcome of the project will be a demonstrator, which incorporates 2 sensors based on spin-valve structures and a “U shape” conductive strip. This “U shape” setup allows differential measurement for non-contacting detection of DC/AC currents. Another important outcome’s the validation of the microfabrication technology used to obtain the spin-valve current sensors. The high vacuum deposition of magnetic stacks for spin-valve sensors will require some special steps of nanotechnology in order to obtain specific magnetic/electric properties.

Some of the preliminary results led us to the concept of this project:

Jenica Neamtu and Marius Volmer, the patent Ro 125187/30-07-2013 “Rotation Magneto-resistive Micro-sensor”.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION FROM INTEGRATED NATURAL SOURCES IN COMPLEX INSTALLATIONS Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0406 2018 - 2021

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU PROTECŢIA MEDIULUI BUCUREŞTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NAŢIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU PROTECŢIA MEDIULUI BUCUREŞTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MASINI SI INSTALATII DESTINATE AGRICULTURII SI INDUSTRIEI ALIMENTARE - INMA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://teachersproject.ro/

Abstract:

Having as common focus the innovative developments in renewable energy, the project consortium brings together university, academic and scientific research organizations whose objectives converge towards performance improvement by supporting existing institutional research capabilities. The project aims to optimize renewable energy production facilities and to develop functional models which will ensure electric power supply with integrated natural sources, especially in disadvantaged areas, by applying new and emerging technologies. Starting from the complex electricity generation systems, which are patented/in process of being patented at national level, and with the contribution of the coordinator and the partner institutions that will develop the component projects, the integrated generation-supply assemblies will be validated under relevant operating conditions. Within the project the complementary partnership for innovation is promoted, the members having a well-defined role within the consortium, each contributing to the significant optimization of the complex systems for renewable energy production in both coastal areas and for flowing waters, improvement of hydrogenerators, and realization of pilot models for demonstration and provision of thermal and electrical energy. This project provides the necessary support to strengthen the scientific and technical competencies through the correlation and coordination of activities and resources within public research organizations and the capitalization of these competences through research results provided to the socio-economic field. The project implementation leads to the improvement of research infrastructure at the consortium level and to the reinforcement of institutions capacity through the formation and involvement of the newly employed human resource, in order to acquire new knowledge in the field of innovative technologies for energy production from renewable resources in integrated complex installations.

UAV platform (unmanned aerial vehicle) with dedicated capabilities and support infrastructure with applications in national security missions Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - SOLUTII - 1 - Platforme UAV
PN-III-P2-2.1-SOL-2016-01-0008 2017 - 2020

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE AEROSPATIALA "ELIE CARAFOLI" - I.N.C.A.S. BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE AEROSPATIALA "ELIE CARAFOLI" - I.N.C.A.S. BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); Ministerul Apararii Nationale prin Agentia de Cercetare pentru Tehnica si Tehnologii Militare (ACTTM) (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UTI GRUP S.A. (RO); AVIOANE CRAIOVA S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.incas.ro/images/stories/PN-III/UAVino/index.html

Abstract:

UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) is an extension of the UAV concept defined as a complex system counting several unmanned aerial vehicle platform (UAV fleet), the command, control and communication system (C3), and the ground operating team. The entities from the civil area (appropriate ministries, governmental or non-governmental agencies, private firms) which are in a direct correlation with the domains where UAS systems could be used represent potential civil beneficiaries. Worldwide, the UAV systems were developed initially for specific military requirements. It is noteworthy that the military missions are executed in segregated airspace. That imposes some features at both the air vector level and the ground communication systems making this kind of systems different from the ones used in civil area. Undoubtedly, the costs of the operating systems are high. Particularly, for the UAV platform operated by MAI (Ministry of Internal Affairs) structures, there is an optimal space for civil missions, usually in non-segregated airspace, but heavily hostile, totally different from military missions due to the interactions with the ambient environment (wind, rainfall, extreme temperatures, solar radiations, etc.), to the specific of the mission in the non-segregated airspace (jitter, radio interference, etc.), or to the direct hostility (blunt objects, physical jams, etc.)

The state-of-the-art for an UAV system with applications in national security missions is, in fact, a symbiosis between a mobile ground command-control system and a set of air vectors, and it is capable to work in a non-segregated environment. If at the level of ground infrastructure there are some commune elements for an extended range of systems for civil and military applications, at the air vectors level there is a technologic side that require a clearly classification of the UAV systems.

The system proposed in the project will benefit from the innovative technology necessary to accomplish the tasks written in the terms of reference of the project. Some of them are: the usage of hybrid propulsion for increasing the system autonomy, the development of advanced command and control algorithms of air vectors for making the transition VTOL FW, the development of advanced algorithms for landing on a mobile platform, the development of robust algorithms for redundant control (reconfigurable system), the on board implementation of a sens-and-avoid system, the automatic resource management and/or adaptive reconfiguration.

Spintronic Structures with Anisotropic Magneto-Resistance (AMR) and Giant Magneto-Resistance (GMR) for Robust Sensing Applications Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0915 2017 - 2018

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/pn-2016-2020/magsens/magsens.htm

Abstract:

The project scope consists in design, development and achievement a demonstrator based on spintronic structures, to be used for robust sensing solutions. This device is well suited to energy efficient applications. An important scope is the validation of nano-technology for achievement the demonstrator. The proposed device has a multi-chip sensor architecture. 3 spintronic structures will be patterned on chip: a Wheatsone bridge with AMR strips, a Wheatsone bridge with GMR strips and a PHE sensor. The combination, on the same substrate, of 3 types of spintronic sensors gives a new approach and degree of novelty in magnetic sensing and provides a high flexibility in building various applications using a single device. These structures are not internally interconnected, so a maximum flexibility in building applications can be achieved by making suitable external connections. Such approach is new not only at national level but also, after our knowledge, this can bring new contributions to the international level in what concern the spintronic AMR, GMR, PHE structures with good magnetic sensitivity, thermal stability and low field resolution. The specific objectives are: 1. Concept of multi-chip spintronic structures; 2 Layout design of masks and micromagnetic simulations of three spintronic structures with AMR, GMR and PHE; 3 Layout design of complex multi-chip spintronic demonstrator and micromagnetic simulations to improve the sensors geometry; 4 Nano-technological experiments in order to fabricate multi-chip spintronic sensors; 5 Achievement a spintronic demonstrator; 6 Magnetic &electric testing of demonstrator; 7 Laboratory validation of nano-technology for spintronic structures. The structure of the research teams is highly complementary. Good collaboration between ICPE-CA team and UTBv team is strengthen over 15 years of together activity, emphasized in National Projects: CERES, CEEX, Matnantech, PNCDI II, numerous Communications at Int. Conf &ISI Articles.

Environment energy harvesting hybrid system by photovoltaic and piezoelectric conversion, DC/DC transformation with MEMS integration and adaptive storage Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0486 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA TIMIŞOARA (RO); ACADEMIA ROMANA FILIALA TIMISOARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); SYSCOM PROCESS CONTROL SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/pn-2014/asemems-harvest.pdf

Abstract:

We propose the prototype of a hybrid system for energy harvesting from the ambient through photovolatic and piezoelectric conversion, DC/DC transformation with MEMS integration, and adaptive storage. A demonstrator comprising wireless sensors powered by the hybrid system for three specific applications will be designed and tested. A key, novel component is the planar power micro-transformer for high frequency, with hybrid magnetic nanofluid/ferrite magnetic core and spiral windings fabricated in MEMS technology, which is part of a DC/DC converter. The magnetic nanofluid usage (Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in diesel engine oil, with oleic acid as surfactant) provides for a better thermal stability, increases the magnetic coupling between the windings and enhances the dielectric strength of the device. We propose a novel fabrication method for the planar coils, in MEMS technology. The micro-transformer and its mounting will be machined at ICPE-CA, which has the LIGA technology.

The second key component is the photovoltaic (PV) conversion system, which relies on two novel, complementary solutions. The PV conversion system is provided with a concentrator and an anti-reflex coating to enhance the efficient usage of the ambient light. An anti-reflex layer based on ZnO nanostructures will be deposited on the PV cells surface to build a trap-structure aimed at extending the photons path in the absorbent material through multiple reflections. Complementary, a novel piezo-ceramic system made of a piezo-ceramic board is proposed. The on board optimized piezo-structures under mechanical constraints (e.g., exposure to wind, flow) produce electrical power. The two energy harvesting conversion systems, photovoltaic and piezoelectric are interconnected in a novel electrical energy storage system that provides for an optimal power management. The proposed concept-system for energy management comprises two storage levels: a short-term storage buffer and a long-term storage buffer.

The integration of the photovoltaic and piezoelectric conversion systems with an adaptive, efficient energy storage system and an original DC/DC converter, which utilizes a planar, spiral, MEMS, hybrid (magnetic nanofluid / ferrite) cored power micro-transformer in an efficient device for energy harvesting is a novel product at a national scale that may result in added value for future developments, inclusively as end product for the financial partner. The system will power wireless sensors, thus enabling its integration with ICT (Intelligent Communication Technologies) solutions. The possible applications with market potential of these systems for ambient energy harvesting are diverse and practically unlimited, distinguishing themselves through deployment in island mode, difficult to access locations, and lacking local power sources. Several of these applications may be: automations with pressure sensors deployed in natural gas distribution networks, level transducers for potable water storage tanks, sensors for NOx analysis with smoke chimneys. Also, the scientific and ecological monitoring: sensors deployed on marine buoys (dissolved Oxygen sensors, temperature, conductivity, turbidity), agricultural applications: sensors for monitoring the humidity and temperature of the soil. The impact of this product dissemination consists in four submitted papers to ISI journals and the participation in two international conferences that will provide the Romanian research for international visibility. As result of the project two patent requests will be filed with OSIM.

Innovative power grid protection device against low power factor electronic loads Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0914 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); ELECTROVALCEA SRL (RO); BKD ELECTRONIC S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.iedpfc.utcluj.ro/

Abstract:

The present project proposal is about the research, experimentation and implementation of a new electronic circuit topology for low power loads that present a nonlinear behaviour. The main objective of the development is to transform at very low implementation costs these nonlinear loads into "network friendly" loads, without affecting their optimal functioning.

According to the standard EN 61000-3-2 there are no regulations on power factor and harmonics levels for general purpose electronic devices under 75W and electronic lighting devices below 25 W. Under 25W, like most of energy efficient lighting devices, we found the LED lighting devices and Compact Fluorescent Lamps. Other electronic devices that have the power under 75W are the chargers for the phone battery, video cameras and tablets, the LCD computer monitors with backlight LED, small screen LCD TV with backlight LED, external power supply for digital photo frames, laptops, data transmission equipment (hub, switch, router) and home entertainment equipment (DVD / Blue Ray Players, Hi-Fi Audio, Gaming Consoles, etc.). Thus, according to the report "Energy Efficiency Status Report 2012" conducted by the JRC (Joint Research Centre - European Commission), approximately 32% of housing consumers are electronics loads, low power consumers that may be below the present normative. This percentage may increase if we take into account the electronic power supplies for the control systems in modern appliances.

By the fact that this kind of loads are not settled, their power factor is often approximately 0.5-0.6 and the total harmonic distortion is more than 80%. Increasingly use of these nonlinear, low-power devices (especially in IT-telecommunications) could be one of the reasons why, in fact, within the 230V public network, the voltage waveform is strongly deformed.

A nonlinear behaviour of a load or, more precisely, a group of loads like, can affect the power quality and may lead to inappropriate behaviour, failure or premature aging of the nearby equipments. Thus, the power quality at the consumer level is very important.

The present research project comes with a solution to the problems presented above. Thus, during the project it will be researched and developed an electronic circuit with high power factor, adapted to low power applications. The final circuit topology will be implemented in 3 prototype devices: 1 - LED lighting device; 2 - phone / tablet charger; 3 - external universal power supply under 75W. One of the technical solutions can be based on active power factor correction, active PFC. These methods, however, were developed for medium and high power applications, where there are clear rules and therefore these solutions must be adapted to low power applications. We can investigate and propose other circuits that are not based on classical circuit topologies for power factor correction. For low cost applications, a solution can be based on passive PFC circuits. Also a very interesting research field is the analysis of circuit topologies that allow inherent high power factor, that not necessarily require a high value capacitive filter at the input.

By implementing at a large-scale this kind of solution it could solved, at least in part, some of the problems in the 230V power grid, where the traditional solutions are difficult to be applied because there are a large number of independent users, the number of the active users is changing in a very dynamic way and not least, do not cover expenses related to kind of investment.

Innovative aeration system of the water used by hydraulic turbines, for preservation of the aquatic life Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0814 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); TEHNOINSTRUMENT IMPEX SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/pn-2014/ecoturb.pdf

Abstract:

The main objective of the European Water Policy is to achieve until 2015 a „good state” of all ground and underground waters from EU countries and associated areas, and also, to achieve the „good ecological potential” for essentially modified and artificial waters. The definition of the „good state” is based on a new concept of ecological quality which considers the biological, chemical and physical characteristics.

The ecological operation of the hydraulic turbines is a continuous preoccupation for both designers and operators. The environmental friendly concept represents a necessity for the development of hydro engineering for all countries. In order to preserve the green character of the hydro energy, all environmental aspects must be considered and studied. The dissolved oxygen (DO) in water courses represents an essential parameter which allows the preservation and development of aquatic habitat. Considering the above, the objective of the present proposition is identification and creation of a technical solution which will contribute to improvement of the DO quantity of water, so necessary to the aquatic life. We propose the study of a new air injection system in the draft tube of the hydro turbines which will induce a maximum quantity of the DO in the water, with minimum energy consumption and a positive effect over the aquatic environment. A higher aeration level is achieved with a larger air-water contact surface, created by air dispersion in fine bubbles. An innovative element is the fact that the purposed device is non-invasive, which means that the influence over the water flow regime through the turbine draft tube will be minimum, involving a minimum influence over turbine efficiency. Also, during some operation regimes there are under pressure areas in the draft tube which will be used for the suction of atmospheric air without energy consumption, making the operation costs lower.

Different bubbles injector will be designed and realized in order to choose the one with a lower pressure drop compared to the pressure gradient inside the turbines draft tube and with a maximum oxygenation capacity. The chosen solution will be based on hydrodynamic and mass transfer parameters determination corresponding to the tested devises. The experimental analysis will be conducted first on a laboratory set up that takes into account the main flow parameters of a real hydraulic turbine: high flow velocity, adverse pressure gradient inside the draft tube, high turbulence level, but also the contact time of the air until its exit from the turbine. Three devises configurations will be chosen.

Numerical simulation and mathematical modelling will be performed to determine the under pressure sections of the full scale turbine, where the prototype will be implemented. In the end, a demonstrator model will be realized and built in on full scale turbine from a hydropower plant.

This demonstrative device will be integrated in an automatic system which includes continuous monitoring of draft tube pressure and DO level from downstream water of the HPP. The information from this system is used for a complete evaluation of aeration device efficiency from aeration, energy consumption and influence over turbine operation point of view point of view.

The main energy producer company from hydro resources agreed the full scale testing of the aeration device on one of its turbines, with great interest for the use of a non-invasive aeration solution, which can help to improve the quality of turbined water.

Environmental toxic and flammable gas detector based on silicon carbide MOS sensor array Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0566 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE- DEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE - IMT BUCURESTI INCD (RO); CEPROCIM S.A. (RO); INTERNET S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro

Abstract:

The objective of project is to produce for Security Domain, for detection and identification of dangerous gases (factors generating of crisis), an environmental toxic and flammable gases detector based on MOS capacitor gas sensor array. The gases of interest detected by our detector are: H2, CH4, CO, NO2, and SO2. MOS sensor on silicon carbide (SiC) is well suited for such application, because has high selectivity and sensitivity, fast response, short recovery time and low power consumption. Our sensor works in high temperature and harsh environment applications. Several innovative material and structures will be developed that will increase the performances of the present MOSiC sensors. Every structure will be highly sensitive to a certain type of gas. Structures with different characteristics will be integrated in an array in order to increase the range of gases that can be detected precisely. A drive circuit will be developed. Its purpose is to measure the output of the gas sensor and transmit it to a PC. On the PC a custom software application will be developed. This application receives the measured values from the drive circuit and analyzes them in order to determine the concentration and type of the detected gas. The sensors and drive circuit will first be designed and simulated. Then the SiC MOS structures will be characterized using a semiconductor characterization system and a controlled environment chamber. Characteristics will be plotted for all the structures in different gas mixtures environments. Sensors and the drive circuits will be fabricated and the custom software application will be developed. The prototype will be tested in the controlled chamber and in real applications to cement factory and the adjustment will be performed.

Power Generation System which Uses a Double - Effect Wind Turbine in Order to Ensure the Energy Autonomy in Specific Applications Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1349 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); Q SRL (RO); ICPEST S.R.L. (RO); ELDA MEC S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU INGINERIE ELECTRICA ICPE - CA BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icpe-ca.ro/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/pn-2011-2013/double-t-vax.pdf

Abstract:

Starting form the theoretical and practical expertise in design and manufacturing of micro wind turbines of the partners within the assembled consortium, there is intended to develop a system for power autonomy based on a double-effect wind turbine.

The novelty elements in the wind / mechanic conversion field as well as in the mechanical / electrical power conversion are presented below.

Firstly, the project proposes the development up to the prototype stage, of a new type of wind turbine with the rated power in the range of 10 - 20 kW, which will bring up a significant energy gain apart from the classical ones, based on the innovative aspects that will be addressed during the project activities. The technology that underlies the project achieving will be undertaken by partner P3, which has a significant production materials endowment for electrical and mechanical profile activities of the project as well as a considerable experience in assimilating products and services resulted from complex research activities. As the main turbine’s novelty elements, we propose the use of two wind rotors co-axially positioned on the same direction (solution that also is world wide in the beginning stage as a study or experimental solution). These two rotors will drive simultaneously an electrical generator, achieved especially for this purpose.

The second relevant aspect for the current project proposal is that of achieving, based on this turbine, a system of electric energy production which to offer an increased safety in electric power supplying of a special unit. In this respect, partner P4, which develops production activities in the food industry, will take over the prototype at one of their production units, thus assuring an increased degree of energy and protection autonomy towards the accidental interruptions provoked by the local energy distribution network.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects