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Abstract: The synthesis of heat exchanger networks (HENs) is an NP hard problem, made even more difficult by the requirement of commercial software licenses and coding ability. This paper introduces OpenHENS, a first-of-itskind open-source tool for HEN synthesis. In the literature, HEN synthesis based on mathematical programming almost exclusively relies on commercial MINLP (mixed-integer non-linear programming) solvers (e.g., BARON, Gurobi, etc.). Open source MINLP solvers, in contrast, lack the robustness, scalability and quality that are the hallmarks of commercial solvers. To overcome this challenge, OpenHENS embeds a novel three-step synthesis method that gradually increases the complexity of the model. The first two steps identify economically viable and thermodynamically feasible heat exchanger matches, removing the non-viable matches and reducing the problem size. In the third step, numerous HEN designs are obtained by evolving promising networks to obtain families of near-optimal solutions. OpenHENS was tested on thirteen benchmark problems and seven of the solutions were within 2 % of the total annualised cost (TAC) best-known solutions from literature. In eleven of the benchmark problems, OpenHENS returned more than 10 unique networks within 2 % of the best solution, enabling the engineer to select the most practical design with minimal cost difference. OpenHENS demonstrates that open-source software, when developed correctly, offers comparable performance to commercial software while promoting greater accessibility in industry.
Keywords: heat exchanger network, process integration, optimization, mathematical programming, open source, Phyton
Published in DKUM: 03.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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Abstract: This thesis aims to implement an open-source framework for the automatic alignment and tracking of the KORUZA v2 Pro free-space optical solution. Free-space optical systems are explored and current optical alignment and tracking solutions are analyzed. We use Neural Network-based object detection approaches to complement the essential collection of framework functionality. We train a Neural Network to detect KORUZA v2 Pro units with data gathered from currently deployed links. The out-of-the-box solution for automatic alignment and tracking can be freely modified and extended.
Keywords: free-space optics, automatic alignment, neural networks, object detection, open-source framework
Published in DKUM: 14.03.2022; Views: 801; Downloads: 99
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Abstract: Open educational resources in e-learning are the future source of information for lifelong learners. Open source and open standards are defined as the basis of the "Open educational resource movement" that is beginning to form on a global level in the last decade. The characteristics of the OS are investigated in the relation to e-Learning, existing and new pedagogical principles and copyright issues. Several good practices, ideas and existing initiatives are presented and the vision of the future of open educational resources is introduced.
Keywords: e-learning, open source, open educational resources
Published in DKUM: 04.12.2017; Views: 1675; Downloads: 514
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Abstract: The development of the next generation of 3D printer Troublemaker is described in this project. Since their first development Troublemakers have been in operation for more than a year and we have decided that some design features should be improved. All the design features and parts of the original Troublemaker had to be evaluated and improved or replaced if necessary. All the 3D modelling was done parametrically in SolidWorks. The Troublemaker 3D printer has open-source hardware design and all the documentation will be freely available to anyone.
Keywords: development, 3D printer, Troublemaker, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, open source, open hardware
Published in DKUM: 27.10.2015; Views: 2922; Downloads: 148
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