Contentsold.kimijas-sk.lv/metodiskie_materiali/lejupielade/faili/1266066730HT… · the Long-Term Economic Strategy of Latvia and Lisbon Strategy for 2005–2008. To achieve this

Contents

Foreword 3

Chemistry & Biotechnology 4

Topinambour Concentrate – a New Source of Dietary Fibre and Prebiotics 4“Lignin-based Soil Amendment – Plant” Systems for Phytoremediation of Oil Polluted Objects 5Bioreactors and Bioprocess Controllers 5Humic Organic Fertilizer “Peat Elixir – 1” 6Method for Detection of E. coli in Drinking WaterBiofilms with Fluorescence in situ Hybridisation 6Chemical, Physical and Physicochemical Testing of Metals, Alloys, Metal Coatings and Electrolytes 7

New Materials & Processes 8

Growth Rhythm Investigations of Apple Tree Grafting Components 8Design and Production Technology of Tools and Gear-wheels 8Small-size Invertor Contact Welding Equipment 9MHD Equipment for Stirring and Measured Pouringof Molten Metal in Metallurgical Technologies 9Steam Explosion Technology 10Self-binding Biocarbon Materials from Steam-exploded Biomass 11High Permeability Tubular Products Made by MIOM Technology 12Automated System for Three-dimension (3D) Solid Surface Roughness Testing 12Improvement of Dimensional and Biological Durability of Wood 13Nanosized Ceramic Powders 13Nanodispersed Pure Ceramic and Metallic Powders 14Structural Members of Buildings Made of Perforated Bands 14Rigid Polyurethane Foams from Vegetable Oils 15Heat-resisting Ion-plasmous Coatings for Vehicle Construction Products 16Manufacturing Techniques of Powder Components of Complex Forms 16Inhibitors of Metal Corrosion in Neutral Aqueous and Water-ethylene Glycol Media, Applications in Cooling and Heating Systems 17Irradiation Sterilization and Modification of Materials and Articles 17

Life Sciences & Medicine 18

Therapeutic Wound Dressings 18Elastic Magnets for Magnetotherapy (Various Shapes and Sizes) 19Portable Optical Detector of Arterial Stenosis 20Volume and Quality Estimation of Round Timber 20

Environment Friendly Technologies 21

Moisture Meter of Bulk Material 21Equipment for Heat Transfer Coefficient Estimationfor Building Parts under Real Operation Conditions 21Cranberry Growing Technologies 22Moisture Indicator “Sargs” 22High-voltage Plasma Technology for Cleaning Underwater Ship Hull from Sea Adherence 23Heat Conductivity Measuring System with Standardised “Hot Plate” Method 24Software for Calculation of Heat Consumption inBuildings 24Scheme of Building Energy Certification 25Elaboration of Methodology for Automated Forecasting of Wood Increment in Volume 26Decision Support Systems for Integrated Plant Protection Management 26

Communication & Information Technologies 27

Event Timer A032-ET 27Wideband RF Signal Digitizer B042 27Digital Switching System “Kvant-E” for Next Generation Network 28Technologies of Signal Processing for Radar Subsurface Sounding Data 30Billing 30Pattern Recognition Software 31FIELDM 31Methodology for Computer Simulation of ComplexSystems and Its Implementation for Analysis andImproved Operation of Real-world Systems 32Improved Hydrogeological Model for Evaluating Contaminant Migration in Sulphur-polluted Groundwater – Sludge Pools at Inãukalns 33Remote Control and Monitoring Module BieneRemote 33Working Time Monitoring System 34The System for Measurement and Analysis of Telecommunications Network Traffic 34Operation with Remote Objects Basedon TCP/IP Communication Protocol 35

Power Engineering & Electronics 36

Airscrew Compressor 36Thyristor (Soft) Start 36Grain Drying Control System (GDCS) 36Contactless Low Speed Doubly Fed Asynchronous Generators 37Modular Kit for Industrial Automationand Teaching Purposes 37

Transport 38

Restoration Technology of Vehicle Headlight Reflectors by Ion-plasmous Sputtering 38Data Logger for Motorized Vehicles 38Covery 39

H i g h T e c h i n L a t v i a 2 0 0 6

The world is becoming a more competitive place. Elimi-

nation of trade barriers and the emergence of large and

transparent markets are clear signals of the challenges

that we face in today’s increasingly globalised world.

Economy based on knowledge and innovation is a key

stimulant of competitiveness of every region and country.

There are too few innovative firms in Latvia, and the will-

ingness to create new firms is still too low. It should also

be noted that Latvia in its innovation performance still

has to catch up with the EU average.

Research and innovation shall be at the heart of

Latvia’s policies, funding and business activity. The state

and businesses should invest in research and education

already today to reach the European Union average GDP

per capita level over the next 20–30 years according to

the Long-Term Economic Strategy of Latvia and Lisbon

Strategy for 2005–2008. To achieve this goal, we need to

strengthen our public research and innovation systems,

facilitate public-private partnerships, ensure a favourable

regulatory environment, help to develop supportive finan-

cial markets and create attractive educational, training

and career conditions.

The Ministry of Education and Science has launched

national programmes for the development of education

and research systems as well as their infrastructures. The

ministry is one of the main partners in the development

of innovation policies and implementation of the Nation-

al Innovation Programme. We believe that money which is

allocated for innovation and research is actually an

investment in jobs, growth and consequently, in our

future. Since the 1990s the ministry has oriented its

funding instruments towards the promotion of commercial

application of publicly funded research and development.

In Latvia, dissemination of the relevant information

among interested parties has been supported. Since the

end of the 90s, information on innovative developments

and business activities has been published regularly.

This publication will show you that there are signifi-

cant ongoing innovative activities in Latvia. It is to be

hoped that you will find descriptions and illustrations of

those innovations interesting and thought-provoking –

and that this will also inspire you to face the challenges

of innovation.

I wish our researchers, teachers and professors, busi-

ness people and all innovators success in their creative

work. Investing in knowledge is the best way how Latvia

can become competitive on the global stage and improve

the quality of life of its inhabitants.

F o r e w o r d

Maija Bundule

Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education and Science,Ministry of Education and Science


4

Topinambour Concentrate – a New Source of Dietary Fibre and Prebiotics

MÇrti¿‰ Be˙ers

University of Latvia, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Kronvalda bulvÇris 4, LV-1586, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7034892Fax: (+371) 7034885E-mail: [email protected]://ww1.lu.lv/jauna/strukt/mbi/index.html

A technology for production of topinambour concentrate

has been developed at the Institute of Microbiology and

Biotechnology, University of Latvia. (LUMBI). The raw

material is a non-traditional agriculture plant – topinam-

bour (Jerusalem artichoke). Tubers of topinambour are

well known as a source of inulin acting as dietary fibre

and prebiotics, stimulator of Bifidobacterium, cholesterol

lowering agent, stimulator of calcium absorption, and

sweetener. Relatively high amounts of protein and miner-

als – potassium and iron, are found in topinambour tu-

bers. The recommended dosage of inulin for humans is

2–20 g per day. The new technology includes washing of

tubers, chipping, dehydration, roasting and grinding to

obtain powder with 5–7% water content. The chemical

composition of topinambour concentrate is shown in tab-

le (% DW).Carbohydrates 62–64

Free reducing substances (RS) 4.7–5.1

Free glucose 0.8

Free fructose 2.6

Sucrose 10.6

Inulin 48–50

Glucose after hydrolysis 16.7

Fructose after hydrolysis 44.8

Fructose/glucose 2.8

Proteins 17.12

Lipids 1.9

Nucleic acids 2.1

The taste properties of the product can be regulated by

activating exo-inulase, the enzyme found in tubers, as

well as by regulating dehydration and roasting tempera-

tures. Formation of fructose from inulin and Millard reac-

tions take place during the production of the concentrate.

The taste of topinambour concentrate slightly reminds the

taste of bread or malt. This new product can be used as

additive to flour, milk and other functional ingredients

used in food processing. Topinambour concentrate can

also be directly added to coffee, etc. The most important

component of the concentrate is the fructose polymer

inulin, characterised with a highly variable degree of

polymerization (2 to 60); it is indigestible by all higher

animals, and its caloric value is up to 1.5 kcal/g. Inulin

in topinambour concentrate is represented by a short-

chain 2–3 fructose molecules, and it is known from liter-

ature that the short-chain inulin is more bifidogenic.

Topinambour concentrate was used for preparing

Lacto-type functional yoghurt at the Riga Milk Processing

Plant. The nutritive and taste properties of the product

proved to be well acceptable. Biscuits with a topinambour

concentrate additive have been made at A/S “Laima”. Pro-

duction of topinambour concentrate (patent No. P-05-

90 of the Republic of Latvia) was started by “Herbe Ltd.”.

Contacts

C h e m i s t r y & B i o t e c h n o l o g y

5

“Lignin-based Soil Amendment – Plant” Systems forPhytoremediation of Oil Polluted Objects

Bioreactors and Bioprocess Controllers

Juris Vanags

Joint-stock company Biotechnical Centre

Dzïrbenes iela 27, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7553518Fax: (+371) 7553518E-mail: [email protected]://www.bioreactors.net

Laboratory bioreactors (of 5 and 30 litres) have a novel

electromagnetic drive, which ensures good aseptic and

easy operation conditions. In the bioreactors, a flexible

bioprocess controller is used, which is easy to customize

for different types of fermentation and bioreactors.

Bioprocess controller BIO-3 is a flexible bioprocess

controller, which is easily customized for different types

of fermentation and bioreactors. Flexibility is achieved by

using Basic programmable microcomputer. The touch

screen display makes the user service intuitive and attrac-

tive. Application: control of every manufacturer’s bioreac-

tor (in laboratory, pilot and industrial scales); moderniza-

tion of old bioreactors.

Customer-specialized industrial automation projects in

biotechnology, food industry, chemical engineering,

waste water treatment plants. The projects may be based

on different PLC (Siemens Simatic, General Electric Fanuc

or Versamax, Schneider Electric Modicon Quantum, etc.)

and SCADA (Siemens WinCC, General Electric Cimplicity).

Galina Telysheva

Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry

Dzïrbenes iela 27, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7555916Fax: (+371) 7550635E-mail: [email protected]://www.lza.lv/scientists/telysheva.htmhttp://159.148.90.160/eng/izgudrotaji/TelisevaG.asp

Target oriented mechano-chemical modification of lignin-

rich wood chemical processing waste with Si-containing

compounds was developed and bio- and sorption active

products were synthesized as “soil-organic matter – clay

mineral” biomimetics. These products are described as a

supramolecular system, where a guest molecule of Si-

oligomer modulates both microsurface and bulk structure

of the lignocellulosic host matrix. Owing to their

enhanced ability to sorb simultaneously organic pollu-

tants and degrader microorganisms, the synthesized prod-

ucts create conditions for highly efficient biodegradation

of organic pollutants on the relevant interfaces. Incorpo-

ration of Si-oligomer molecules into the lignocellulosic

matrix ensures controlled transfer of silicon into soil solu-

tion and improves its availability to the plants.

A more vigorous root system observed in plants that

grow in the presence of the developed products increases

the efficiency of phytoremediation. As a second compo-

nent of the phytoremediation systems developed, a mono-

culture of red clover of the Latvian selection or its mix-

ture with fescue were selected from among the plant

species tolerant to oil pollution on the basis of their test

results.

The developed phytoremediation system is effective in

the prevention of uncontrolled soil pollution in locations

of oil pipelines, car washing sites, in areas of oil product

storage or discharge, etc.; in situ decontamination of low

pollution sites (oil product content up to 1.5%); in the

final remediation stage of heavily polluted objects pre-

treated in different ways with restoration of soil fertility

and recovery of agricultural land use. The dosage of Si-

lignin depends on the level of pollution and may vary

from 100 kg/ha to 1 t/ha.

The efficiency of the novel phytoremediation system

was confirmed by field trials at the MaÏeikai Oil Refinery

Plant.

Contacts

Contacts


6

Humic Organic Fertilizer “Peat Elixir – 1”

Method for Detection of E. coli in Drinking Water Biofilmswith Fluorescence in situ Hybridisation

TÇlis Juhna

Riga Technical University, Department of Water Engineering and Technology

Post box: a/k 526, LV-1010, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089085Fax: (+371) 7089084E-mail: [email protected]://www.bf.rtu.lv/~sgut

The method is used for identification and quantification

of E. coli bacteria directly on surfaces (e. g. reservoir

walls, coupons for biofilm sampling, corroded cast iron

pipes) by using a fluorescence in situ hybridization tech-

nique. The principle of the method lies in the ability of a

specific sequence linked to a fluorescent dye to bind to a

unique nucleotide sequence of E. coli 16S rRNA, produc-

ing a signal that is detectable with an epifluorescence

microscope. The peptide nucleotide acid (PNA) probe used

in this method has several advantages over traditionally

applied DNA probes, including better specificity and more

rapid procedure.

The analytical procedure includes drying and fixation

of bacteria on the surfaces, addition of the probe solu-

tion, incubation for two hours and visualization of E. coli

cells by means of an epifluorescence microscope. E. coli

cells appear in red colour (Fig. 1) on a black background.

The method enables the combination of several probes

for simultaneous detection of multiple species in mixed

bacterial populations and numerical recording of the total

bacteria count. Unlike culture- and enzyme-based meth-

ods, this technique enables the detection of both meta-

bolically active and dead cells. It is a rapid (providing

results after 3 hours) and easy to use method, which does

not require removal of sample from the surface or cultur-

ing. Basic skills of working with microscope are required.

Raitis Ziemelis, Semjons Cifanskis

Science and Production Firm Ltd.“Intellectual Resources”

Pils iela 28, Ventspils, LV-3600, LatviaTel.: (+371) 9209775, 7089469Fax: (+371) 3624697, 7570512E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Humic organic fertilizer “Peat Elixir – 1” is produced by

special high-voltage plasma and cavitation treatment of

peat mixture. It is possible to form the properties of the

fertilizer according to practical needs by changing the

special treatment regimes.

Laboratory tests and agricultural field testing of the

produced humic fertilizer showed good results. The appli-

cation of the humic fertilizer makes it possible to reduce

the time of ripening of berries, fruits and vegetables.

Besides, this fertilizer can restore the fertility of deplet-

ed soils and reduce the harmful consequences of frosts or

droughts. Application of this product together with a

mineral fertilizer makes it possible to reduce the con-

sumption of the mineral fertilizer by 20 – 30%. Fertilizer

“Peat Elixir – 1” fixes radionuclides, heavy elements and

other toxic substances.

Humic organic fertilizer “Peat Elixir – 1” is produced in

a small factory of the “Intellectual Resources Ltd.”

(Ventspils, Latvia) and is based on industrial technology.

The minimal annual output of the factory is about

700 tons of fertilizer. The output may be increased ten

times if additional investments are made in this technol-

ogy.

Fertilizer “Peat Elixir – 1” is offered for sale both

inside and outside Latvia.

Contacts

Contacts

C h e m i s t r y & B i o t e c h n o l o g y

7

Chemical, Physical and Physicochemical Testing of Metals,Alloys, Metal Coatings and Electrolytes

Ingr¥da V¥ti¿a

Riga Technical University, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Laboratory of Electrodeposition

Miera iela 34, Salaspils-1, LV-2169, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7800772Fax: (+371) 7800779E-mail: [email protected]://www.nki.lv

Chemical, physical and physicochemical tests of metals

and alloys, metal coatings and electrolytes include the

following processes:

Physical testing of welds includes characterization of

surface and cross-sectional structures of cast and rolled

metal articles – porosity, cracks and recrystallization;

Chemical composition of metal alloys to determine

metal alloy designation;

Electrodeposited, thermally deposited and sputtered

metal single layer and multilayer coatings – thickness,

uniformity of thickness, porosity and adhesion;

Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials –

macroscopic and microscopic examination of welds; Elec-

trolytes for electrodeposition of metal coatings – elec-

trodeposition rate; dissipating ability of the electrolyte;

quality of the electrodeposited coating;

Determination of copper, nickel, zinc, tin and other

elements in mixtures of inorganic compounds.

The main objects of research: Mechanisms of elec-

trodeposition and formation of structure of metals and

composite coatings onto light, hard alloy and vacuum

evaporated metal substrates, functional coatings for

microelectronics.

1. Electrodeposition and formation of structure of Sn,

Au (electro- and chemically deposited) and Ni-B,

Cu, Fe-Ni (80wt.%Ni), Co-W (50wt.%W) alloy func-

tional coatings onto:

• Cu and Cu alloys;

• vacuum evaporated copper, permalloy and titani-

um;

• Al alloys;

• hard alloys of niobium, e. g., for the formation of

superconductive Nb3Sn compounds.

2. Interdiffusion of substrate metals and coatings, for-

mation of intermetallic layers, electrodeposition of

barrier layers that prevent interdiffusion.

3. Electrodeposition of black, solderable conductive

composite coatings of:

tin – Chevrel phase PbMo6S8 (20–80 mass%

PbMo6S8) to form superconductive coatings

tin – niobium carbonitride (9–80 mass% niobium

carbonitride)

tin – titanium nitride (5–70 mass% titanium

nitride)

tin – titanium-niobium carbonitride (55–70 mass%

titanium-niobium carbonitride), and

4. composite coatings of Sn – Ca5(PO4)3(OH), Ni –

ZrO2+Y2O3 (50 mass% ZrO2+Y2O3).

Contacts


8

Growth Rhythm Investigations of Apple Tree Grafting Components

Design and Production Technology of Tools and Gear-wheels

Ruslans Doro‰enko

Riga Technical University, Machine Building Technology Institute

Ezermalas iela 6 – 106, LV-1014, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+317) 7089713, 9552580Fax: (+317) 7089752E-mail: [email protected]://www.tmf.rtu.lv/mti

Design and methodology and production technology of

complicated-profile tools have been developed.

Design methodology and production technology of

gear-wheels have been developed.

Design and finishing versions have been developed;

their production technology has been improved, resulting

in general optimisation of product quality.

CharacteristicsComplicated-profile tools: D = 50 .. 150 mm;

B = 10 .. 80 mm;

γ = 0°.. 30°;

α = 12°.. 20°;

Gear-wheels: D = 20 .. 500 mm; B = 5 .. 100 mm;

m = 0,5 .. 8 or Dp = 32 .. 3 (USA)

Advantages:• lower energy consumption;

• longer lifetime of technological equipment;

• reduced level of vibration during the production

process.

Mintauts Åboli¿‰

Latvia University of AgricultureFaculty of AgricultureDepartment of Horticulture

LielÇ iela 2, Jelgava, LV-3001, LatviaTel.: (+371) 30 05630, 30 05630E-mail: [email protected]://www.llu.lv

Every year fruit-plant nurseries produce more and more

high quality planting material. In most cases such mate-

rial is viable, but sometimes it is not. The possible reason

may be the incompatibility between the graft and the

rootstock. Incompatibility is not always noticed: the graft

is not breaking, only retarded growth, premature yellow-

ing and defoliation of grafted plants is observed. Yield in

such orchards will be low and in some cases fruit will not

even reach maturity. For the precise determination of the

growth rhythms of both the rootstock and the graft,

simultaneous measurement of each plant for both the

graft and the rootstock should be made. The diurnal

growth rhythms were observed by the auxanography

method. Also monthly or weekly growth rhythms were

observed.

The results obtained by auxanography showed rhyth-

mic diurnal growth of apple cultivars and their rootstocks,

represented as a curve resembling a sinusoid. The maxi-

mum growth was recorded in the evening hours, but the

minimum growth was observed in the morning. The

monthly and weekly growth in height for grafting combi-

nations varied and included 3–5 growing waves. Grafted

combinations with coinciding growth rhythms and combi-

nations with the poorest coincidence were observed, and

the latter showed inherent incompatibility between culti-

vars and rootstocks.

Contacts

Contacts

N e w M a t e r i a l s & P r o c e s s e s

9

Small-size Invertor Contact Welding Equipment

MHD Equipment for Stirring and Measured Pouringof Molten Metal in Metallurgical Technologies

Yuri Gelfgat

University of Latvia,Institute of Physics

Miera iela 32, Salaspils-1, LV-2169, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7945855Fax: (+371) 7901214E-mail: [email protected]://www.iph.sal.lv

Sergey Tiselsky

Joint-stock company Non-Ferrous Castings

Gan¥bu dambis 21a, LV-1005, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7383682Fax: (+317) 7381271E-mail: [email protected]://www.kl.lv

MHD equipment is a set of electromagnetic devices for

stirring and pouring molten non-ferrous metals and alloys

from metallurgical furnaces. Such MHD equipment may be

incorporated into already existing furnaces or used in the

development and production of new modern metallurgical

devices of various applications. The MHD equipment

allows to significantly reduce the melting and preparation

time of alloys, to produce melts that are homogeneous

over the furnace volume content, to reduce losses due to

oxidation, to automate production technologies of ingots

and casting, to implement continuous technological

processes, etc.

Aleksandrs Fi∫ipovs

Riga Technical University, Machine Building Technology Institute

Ezermalas iela 6 – 410, LV-1014, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089701, mob. 9162752Fax: (+371) 7089701E-mail: [email protected]://www.tmf.rtu.lv/mti

The Research Problem Laboratory of Machine Welding

Processes (MPA ZPPL) studies problems related to micro-

contact welding.

The Laboratory has developed a design of portable

small-size invertor contact welding equipment consisting

of manually operated welding pliers and a power/control

unit. The invertor is suitable for use in repair work and

similar operations. The advantages of the invertor contact

welding equipment are its small weight, high safety level

and adaptability to a wide range of welding operations.

Technical data of the invertor:Single-phase power voltage 220 V, 50 Hz

Welding current equal to max. 3000 A

Thickness of welded materials: 0.05 .. 1.00 mm

Mass: 7 kg welding pliers, 12 kg control unit.

The MPA ZPPL staff provides consultations on microw-

elding techniques, technology and equipment, and offer

solutions to problems related to gas and arc welding oper-

ations.

Contacts

Contacts


10

Steam Explosion Technology

JÇnis GrÇv¥tis


Dzïrbenes iela 27, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 6012041Fax: (+371) 7550635E-mail: [email protected]

Wood, Non-wood forest products�Agriculture residues

Steam Explosion

Water extraction

Water soluble�products (sugars)

Fibres, Shivers, Fibrils�Lignin droplets

NaOH or organic solvent�extraction

Cellulose

Totally chlorine free�bleaching

Bleached�cellulose

Sulphur free�lignin

Precipitation

Lignin solution

SE products

Wood and non-wood biomass fractionation scheme

Water

Steam Explosion Unit

Boiler

Receiver (10 l)

To separation column

Ball Valve

Reactor�(0.5 l)

Sample

Steam Explosion (SE): SE (in literature also labelled as

steam explosion autohydrolysis, steam explosion pulping,

steam cracking) is in principle a simple process. The input

(wood or non-wood forest material or agricultural waste

from forestry and plantation management) is treated with

saturated steam, usually up to 40 atmospheres. The treat-

ment time varies from some seconds to some minutes.

After treatment, the reactor is decompressed in fractions

of a second. The technical implementation principle of SE

is simple (Fig.1). Empirically, the so-called severity

parameter or the reaction ordinate Ro can be expresses as:

Ro = t ∗ exp [(T–100)/14.75]

where: treatment time (t, minutes) and temperature

(T, °C) express the SE severity against the base tempera-

ture Tbase = 100 °C. Therefore, similar SE results may be

achieved at different t and T combinations.

The separation of the main components after SE is

easy and is shown in Fig. 2. SE may be combined with

other separation technologies in order to efficiently

process low yield/higher value added compounds. The use

of vacuum evaporation, supercritical extraction, microfil-

tration, membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, etc. are

some of the separation technologies that may be used in

combination with SE.

Research into SE has been performed on a laboratory-

scale SE unit (steam gun) at the Latvian State Institute

of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC). The LSIWC focuses on the fol-

lowing SE market products derived from forestry and plan-

tation byproducts:

• fibres for cement mixtures;

• fibres for paper industry;

• lignin as binder for fibreboards;

• microcrystalline cellulose (cosmetics, ceramics, food,

dyes, etc.);

• new sorbents;

• fodder yeast;

• pretreatment agent in the production of bioethanol fuel;

• material for evaluation of wood-cell wall nanostructures.

Contacts


11

Self-binding Biocarbon Materials from Steam-exploded Biomass

JÇnis GrÇv¥tis


Dzïrbenes iela 27, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 6012041Fax: (+371) 7550635E-mail: [email protected]

Milled Brazilian bagasse (left) and steam explosion bulkmass (right). The corresponding self-bound panel (left) andcarbonized biocarbon panel (right).

Steam exploded biomass micrograph of a self-bound samplecarbonized at 900 °C

Normally carbonaceous panels and board-type materials

are produced from fibreboard or particle board made from

fibrous materials or chips that are bound together by a

suitable synthetic thermosetting adhesive under designed

pressure and temperature conditions to form the product.

A common drawback of phenol and furan resins is that

these are synthesized from petroleum-derived materials,

which are therefore environmentally unsafe, expensive

and unavailable for an acceptable price everywhere.

The present invention has been made by designing a

method for forming a carbonaceous material from cheap

and renewable lignocellulose blend containing as a binder

steam-exploded lignin, a mixture of steam-exploded lig-

nin and reducing substances, and a steam-exploded pulp

containing the above binders and cellulosic fraction of

steam-explosion treated biomass. Thus the obtained phe-

nolic adhesive is self-binding in situ.

The steam explosion technology includes fast impreg-

nation of plant material with saturated steam in a closed

reactor. The treatment proceeds under moderate tempera-

ture and pressure conditions (up to 250 °C, 4.0 MPa) for

a set period of time (from some seconds to some min-

utes). After that the reactor is decompressed in fractions

of a second.

Moreover, by using a scanning electron microscope,

our studies have shown that the lignin-carbohydrate

binder forms some kind of bridges inside the cell lumens

during the carbonization of panels. Therefore, the steam-

exploded lignin and reducing substance binder favourably

affect the bending strength of the product after a high-

temperature carbonization process.

The whole technological process of the production of

carbonaceous materials is simple and cost-effective. The-

se materials are designed for use as insulation boards as

well as shielding and finishing panels where certain tem-

perature, chemical and biological resistance is required.

Contacts


12

High Permeability Tubular Products Made by MIOM Technology

Automated System for Three-dimension (3D) Solid Surface Roughness Testing

JÇnis Rudz¥tis

Riga Technical University, Institute of Machine-Building Tehnology

Ezermalas iela 6 – 407, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089701, mob. 9425510Fax: (+371) 7089701E-mail: [email protected]://www.tmf.rtu.lv/mti

The system for 3D solid surface roughness testing consists

of three main parts:

• the sensitive element consisting of a diamond nee-

dle connected with a mechanical structure: two-step

motors, adjustment screws, a stage (X, Y), gearbox,

and a column stand;

• the electronic part, including a transducer, frequen-

cy filter, digitization and amplification circuitry;

• a computer and software for the control of all oper-

ating procedures, calculation of parameters and dis-

playing of drawings and results.

The system allows us to obtain precise quantitative

and graphical information about the investigated surface.

The offered surface roughness testing is based on the

analysis of surface cross-sectional profile of machine

parts. In practical applications the surface roughness of a

machine part may be characterized as a 3D object.

The new technology may be used in machinery engi-

neering.

The 3D solid surface roughness testing system is cheap

and simple to apply. It enables:

• determination of height parameters of the surface;

roughness and waviness profile as well as spacing

and amplitude parameters;

• obtaining of a 3D picture (isometric plot) of the sur-

face area in any of the three forms: surface rough-

ness, waviness and the resulting surface;

• determination of 3D parameters of the surface;

• plotting of a contour map of the surface area.

Viktors Mironovs

Riga Technical UniversityFaculty of Civil Engineering, Department of BuildingMachines and Mechanization of Construction

Telephone/Fax: (+371) 7089270E-mail: [email protected]://www.bf.rtu.lv/~bmm

The method of magnetic-pulse processing of materials

(MIOM) is applied for manufacturing permeable tubular

products. The method is based on pulse-compression of a

pipe, in the cavity of which some metal powder, fibres or

tubes are placed. Generally the process takes place due to

the use of energy of a pulse electromagnetic field. Cop-

per, brass, aluminium and steel may be used as pipe

materials. The products have the following dimensions: at

least 20-50 mm diameter and 10-1000 mm length. (Claim

for patent in Latvia No. P-05-79 from 30.06.2005.

Authors: V. Mironovs, V. Lapkovskis.)

• Permeable components with capillaries from metal

tubules

• Permeable components made of powders with

20–40% porosity

• Permeable components with a beam of metal fibres

• Permeable components fixed on a steel mandrel

• Permeable components in a metal ring holder

Application• Permeable components with metal capillaries are most

suitable for clearing gases and aggressive liquids.

• Permeable components made of metal powders are

suitable for clearing gases, liquids and oils in a wide

range of temperatures. Porosity may vary.

Development stageManufacturing techniques are developed; experimental

equipment for making product samples is created.

Researches into some properties of permeable products

are carried out.

Cooperation tasks• Search for partners to develop manufacture

• Search for investors to do further researches

Contacts

Contacts


13

Improvement of Dimensional and Biological Durability of Wood

Nanosized Ceramic Powders

îriks Palãevskis

Plasma & Ceramic Technologies Ltd.

Miera iela 34, Salaspils, LV-2169, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7800767Fax: (+371) 7800767E-mail: [email protected]

The small enterprise “Plasma & Ceramic Technologies”

Ltd. (PCT Ltd.) is a producer of nanosized powders of

refractory compounds (oxides, nitrides, carbonitrides et

al.) and their multi-component composites by the plasma

technique. This technique is developed at our host Insti-

tute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Riga Technical Univer-

sity.

These nanopowders were mainly used for manufactur-

ing of advanced ceramics. Such powders (for example,

Si3N4, TiN, AlN, Al2O3, ZrO2, Si3N4-SiC, Si3N4-Me2O3,

Ti(C,N), AlN-Y2O3, ZrO2-Y2O3, Al2O3-ZrO2, Al2MgO4, etc.)

are characteristic with the specific surface area in the

range of 10–90 m2/g and with the particle size in the

range of 20–150 nm.

The advantage of our technology is the manufacturing

of nanosized composite powders with a high degree of

homogeneity. We are always ready for discussion in order

to adapt our product quality according to the customer’s

wishes.

In September 2004, a Quality Management System was

introduced in practice at our enterprise, and this system

was certificated according the norms of EN ISO

9001:2000.

Our new products:• Hydroxyapatite powder for bioceramics

• Spray-dried granulate from nanosized oxide powders

The possible application fields of nanopowders are:

• advanced ceramics,

• structure-toughened ceramics,

• ceramics of high thermal conductivity,

• ceramic cutting tools,

• components of fuel cells,

• metal matrix composites,

• modification of metal structure and polymers,

• electrochemical coatings with nanoparticles,

• implant materials for medicine.

Andris Morozovs

Latvia University of AgricultureFaculty of Food Technology, Department of Chemistry

LielÇ iela 2, Jelgava, LV-3001, LatviaTel.: (+371) 3005645Fax: (+371) 3022829E-mail: [email protected]

Timber of most species grown in Latvia has low durabili-

ty; it tends to deteriorate under the influence of physical

factors, such as UV radiation, water, oxygen and temper-

ature. Fungi are the major cause of biological decay.

Swelling and shrinking in variable humidity conditions

cause cracking of wood.

Properties of wood can be considerably improved by

converting hydrophilic OH-groups into larger, more

hydrophobic ester groups by acetylation. Acetylation con-

verts wood into more hydrophobic material that increases

compatibility with hydrophobic plant oil based coatings.

Wood species vary considerably in chemical composi-

tion, ultra- and anatomical structure. These factors are

crucial for the control process of wood acetylation, which

is very complex and requires a multi-disciplinary approach.

Mathematical modelling of acetic anhydride diffusion

in wood is based on a parabolic partial differential equa-

tion in 2-dimensional situations with different diffusion

coefficients. The modelling results are compared with

experimental data of the pine heartwood samples placed

in vapours of acetic anhydride. The proposed mathemati-

cal model can be applied for acetic anhydride mass trans-

fer in solid wood.

With the aim of improving water-repellent properties,

impregnation of acetylated and natural wood with rape-

seed oil or ethyl ester of fatty acids was studied. Improve-

ment in anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) was observed only

when acetylated wood was treated.

Contacts

Contacts


14

Nanodispersed Pure Ceramic and Metallic Powders

Structural Members of Buildings Made of Perforated Bands

Viktors Mironovs


Tel./Fax: (+371) 7089270E-mail: [email protected]://www.bf.rtu.lv/~bmm

In mechanical engineering, when small parts are made by

punching a band, a significant amount of waste products

are left in the form of perforated bands.

Perforated steel bands with the thickness of 1.0–

1.5 mm and an 80–110 mm width cause the greatest inter-

est. The sizes of round or rectangular cells vary between

6 and 5 mm. Such perforated steel bands have a small

weight (0.2–0.3 kg/m) and high strength (400–700 MPa).

For this reason, it is a perfect material to be applied in

the manufacturing of structural members of buildings.

Examples of application:• Distancers for making ferroconcrete floors. (Claim for

patent in Latvia No. P-04-98 of 16.08.2004. Authors:

V. Lapsa, V. Mironovs.)

Advantages: a variety of forms and sizes, high com-

pression strength.

• Insulated wall members. (Claim for patent in Latvia No.

P-03-38 of 31.03.2004. Authors: V. Lapsa, V. Mironovs.)

Advantages: simplicity of installation, because facing

panels are glued to a plastered surface.

• Reinforcement for brickwork. (Claim for patent in Latvia

No. P-04-126 of 18.10.2004. Authors: V. Mironovs,

V. Lapsa.)

Advantages: durability and good adhesion with cement

mortar.

Development stage: Research with the aim of develop-

ing more detailed technology; improving corrosion resist-

ance; certification. Experimental batches of products are

made.

Purpose of cooperation:

• Perfection of technology

• Search for customers to expand manufacture

Leonids Stafeckis

Private joint-stock company NEOMAT

Miera iela 34, Salaspils, LV-2169, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7944794, fax: (+371) 7944792E-mail: [email protected]://www.neomat.lv

The joint-stock company NEOMAT (between 1976 and

1992 – Special Design Technology Bureau of Inorganic

Materials of the Academy of Sciences of Latvia) has devel-

oped high technologies and equipment for the production

of nanodispersed pure ceramic and metallic powders by

using a plasma chemical synthesis method and has also

produced these powders.

The process is characterized by:

• high purity of resulting product;

• formation of 20–80 nm size particles;

• formation of powder composites with phase compo-

sition, which are not formed under ordinary condi-

tions.

The application of nanodispersed pure powders

enables the manufacturing of dense materials with high-

tech characteristics with relatively low process parame-

ters of powder metallurgy (such as hot pressing, hot iso-

static pressing, etc.).

Our nanodspersed pure powders are widely used in

many important industries, such as space technologies,

aviation, engine building, electronics, metallurgy, chemi-

cal industry, etc.

Major uses for our powders include turbine blades,

combustion chambers for spacecraft and aircraft, bear-

ings, heat exchanger parts, electronics and electrotechni-

cal devices, surgical instrments and microspheres for med-

icine, seals and trim parts, components used in chemical

industry and metallurgy, etc.

The available nanopowders include:

nitrides (Si3N4, AlN, TiN, ZrN, NbN, AlN-TiN, Si3N4-AlN,

Si3N4-ZrN, etc.)

oxides (Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2)

carbides (SiC)

carbonitrides (TiCN)

pure metals (Cu in oil)

compositions (Si3N4-Y2O3, Si3N4-Y2O3-Al2O3, TiN-TiC,

Al2O3-Mo-TiN)

nitrides-borides (TiN-TiB2, ZrN-ZrB2)

and many others.

Contacts

Contacts


15

Rigid Polyurethane Foams from Vegetable Oils

Uldis Stirna


Dzïrbenes iela 27, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: +(371) 7 552581Fax: +(371) 7 550635E-mail: [email protected]://www.woodchem.lv

It is known that rigid polyurethane foams (PU foams) are

the most efficient heat-insulating materials. The raw

material used in their production are polyols, which are

mainly obtained from petrochemical products, although

petroleum is a non-renewable raw material source, and its

price has been growing dramatically in the past few years.

At the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, a tech-

nology has been developed for obtaining PU foams from

polyols, which are synthesized from different vegetable

oils, such as rape-seed, sunflower-seed, flax-seed,

coconut and olive oils. We have a “know-how” for formu-

lation of storage-stable polyol systems, incorporating a

vegetable oil polyol, catalysts, a surfactant, a flame retar-

dant and an environmentally friendly agent – water, so

that plastic foam with good service characteristics may be

obtained, which may be sprayed on structural parts, tanks

or pipelines.

A technology for obtaining sprayable PU foams has

been developed, which are formed on the basis of rape-

seed oil polyols. In contrast to commercial PU foams, the

obtained plastic foams are characterized by about 30%

lower water absorption ability. A pilot-scale production of

such polyol systems has been launched; the production

process is energy saving and environmentally sound. Cal-

culations show that PU foams obtained from vegetable

polyols, in terms of their price, are competitive with PU

foams obtained from petrochemical raw materials.

Sprayable PU foams, in conformity with the developed

specifications, are characterized by the following proper-

ties:

Density – 40 ±2 kg/m3

Compressive strength – no less than 0.17 MPa

Water absorption after 7 days – no more than 3.0 V%

Closed cell content – no less than 85%

Thermal conductivity – no more than 0.030 W/m. K.

We have experience of more than 40 years in the field

of PU foam chemistry and technology, and we can co-

operate in the development of polyols and storage-stable

polyol mixtures obtained from different vegetable oils

and designed for producing PU foams.

Contacts


16

Heat-resisting Ion-plasmous Coatings for Vehicle Construction Products

Manufacturing Techniques of Powder Components of Complex Forms

Viktors Mironovs


Tel.: (+371) 7089270Fax: (+371) 7089270E-mail: [email protected]://www.bf.rtu.lv/~bmm

The technology is based on the use of an infiltration

method, which includes infiltration of copper-based

alloys into a porous workpiece. Separate iron elements are

pressed from powder-based materials on hydraulic press-

es by applying 2000–6000 kN force. Separate parts of the

component are made first, which are then assembled by

means of distancers and overlays. The obtained assembled

component is sintered in oxidation-protective atmos-

phere, e. g., endogas, at 1100–1150 °C. The operation of

sintering is combined with impregnation of the obtained

piece with Cu-containing material. (Claim for patent in

Latvia No. P-05-78 of 30.06.2005. Author: V. Mironovs.)

Examples of application:• Steps of centrifugal pumps for the feeding of miner-

al oil. The components have high anticorrosive

resistance and almost 100% density. Fe-C-Cu materi-

als with up to 20% copper contents are recommend-

ed.

• Matrices for pressing equipment with an internal

part of alloy WC-Co.

• Workpieces for making worm-wheels. The compo-

nents include a steel hub and a ring made of Fe-C-

Cu material with up to 12–15% copper content. This

provides high density, a good thermal conductivity

path and a low factor of friction.

Development stageResearches with the aim of improving the infiltration

process as well as increasing wear resistance and corro-

sion resistance are going on. Experimental batches of up

to 2–5 kg details are made.

Aleksandrs Urbahs

Riga Technical University, Institute of Technologies of Transport Vehicles

Ka∫˙u iela 1, LV-1658, Riga PDP, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089948Fax: (+371) 7089968E-mail: [email protected]://omega.rtu.lv/tti

Functional intermetal-ceramic coating IMCER was

designed for the protection and restoration of vehicle

construction products at high working temperatures (up

to 950–1050 °C).

The coatings are formed in plasma from fusions based

on aluminium and titanium. The maximum thickness of

the coating is 40 mkm.

The coating properties are investigated and tested on

turbine blades and other parts of the hot route of aircraft

gas turbine engines.

Test results (Fig. 1) showed an essential increase in

IMCER coating heat resistance in comparison with zirco-

nium-aluminized coatings (5–15 times higher depending

on the duration of temperature effect).

Testing of various product categories for heat resistance

in scorching chlorine sulphurous ash environment also con-

firmed the effectiveness of the offered protective coating.

IMCER coatings are characterized with 2–3 times higher

heat resistance if compared with aluminized coatings.

Distinguishing features:• the coating enables 2–3 times to increase the

resources of products working at high temperatures

and in aggressive environments;

• it is possible to obtain coatings of a variety of com-

position, structure or thickness, taking into consid-

eration the applied temperatures and voltages;

• the coating ensures high plasticity and heat resist-

ance of the product composition material;

• simplicity, stability and availability of coating sput-

tering technological process in conditions of serial

production have been achieved.

Fig. 1. Microstructure of heat-resisting IMCER coating

after heat resistance testing at 950 °C, ×1000: a – during

30 hours; b – during 200 hours.

Contacts

Contacts


17

Inhibitors of Metal Corrosion in Neutral Aqueous and Water-ethylene Glycol Media,Applications in Cooling and Heating Systems

Irradiation Sterilization and Modification of Materials and Articles

Juris Tiliks

University of Latvia, Laboratory of Solid State Radiation Chemistry

Kronvalda bulvÇris 4, LV-1010, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7033884Fax: (+371) 7033884E-mail: [email protected]

Treatment of various materials and articles with ionising

radiation considerably improves their properties. The Uni-

versity of Latvia has developed technologies and a pow-

erful source of ionizing radiation, the only one in Latvia –

an electron accelerator ELU-4, which generates fluxes of

fast electrons of 5 MeV energy and the dose rate up to

100 MGy/h for a layer of 5 g/cm2 material, and also

gamma radiation of the dose rate up to 50 kGy/h for arti-

cles of great thickness. Both kinds of radiation induce no

residual radioactivity in materials. The main directions of

application of this technology are sterilization of medical

materials and pharmaceuticals (the necessary dose of

25 kGy, i. e., treatment for 5 min), improvement of prop-

erties of polymer materials (the necessary dose of about

150 kGy), presowing radiation stimulation of seeds of cul-

tivated plants (the optimum dose of 20–100 Gy), etc. The

cost of radiation treatment is 24 LVL per hour, the size of

objects for irradiation – up to 1 × 1 × 0.2 m.

InÇra Zari¿a, Oleg Gryazev

Riga Technical University, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

Miera iela 34, Salaspils, LV-2169, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7800771, 95117072Fax: (+371) 7800779E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

The Protective Coatings Laboratory in cooperation with

the company Let-Comm offers the following products:

1. LATIKOR – a corrosion inhibitor for the protection

of ferrous metals against corrosion in demineralized and

in artesian waters as well as in heating and cooling sys-

tems. It prevents formation of boiler scale; it is effective

in static as well as in dynamic regime.

2. BOS-1 – a composition of corrosion inhibitors. It is

characterized by synergism and prevents corrosion of

metals in aqueous media. BOS-1 suppresses formation of

salt deposits as well as enables dissolution of salt

deposits formed during a long period of exposure to saline

solutions.

3. NC-2 – a concentrate of inhibitors. It is recom-

mended for the protection of steel, cast iron, copper,

brass and aluminium against corrosion in water-ethylene

glycol media.

4. INGA – concentrate of corrosion inhibitors consist-

ing of two parts: “A” and “B”. The preparation is added to

diluted mineral acids (phosphoric, sulphuric, citric, Na

salt of ethylendiaminetetra-acetic (Trilon) and other

acids). For elimination of boiler scale, metal oxides and

other deposits in heating and cooling systems, usually

hydrochloric acid solutions are used. INGA protects met-

als against corrosion during elimination of deposits and

scale from metal surfaces.

5. NERTE – a scale-dissolving concentrate meant for

the preparation of working solutions used to clear heat-

ing and water-pipe systems of scale, rust, dregs and other

sediments. It cleans stainless steel and copper devices

(boilers, radiators, capacitors, technological heaters).

Contacts

Contacts


18

Therapeutic Wound Dressings

MÇrti¿‰ Kalni¿‰

Riga Technical UniversityInstitute of Polymer Materials

Åzenes iela 14/24, LV-1048, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089218Fax: (+371) 7615765E-mail: [email protected]://www.lza.lv/scientists/kalninsm.htm

Matrices on the bases of harmless and biocompatible

polymers: polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly (vinyl

alcohol) (PVA) containing therapeutic substances (TS) for

wound protection and cure were elaborated, and a new

variety of therapeutic wound dressings (TWD) was devel-

oped. Such polymeric matrices are multicomponent sys-

tems with controllable biofunctional characteristics:

physical, mechanical and barrier properties (water vapour

and air permeability), biodegradability, extraction kinet-

ics of incorporated TS. The TS used are antiseptic (iodine,

chlorhexidine, viride nitens, methylenum coeruleum),

antibacterial (furacillinum, dioxidinium) agents and local

anaesthetics (lidocainum, novocainum) added in con-

formity with permissible single and daily doses. Simulta-

neous incorporation of antimicrobial/antiseptic TS and

local anaesthetics into polymeric matrices is possible.

The basic production technology of TWD was devel-

oped in the form of a laboratory-scale solution casting

technique, by covering medical gauze with TS containing

a modified PHB or PVA solution, applied by a special

micrometric applicator to ensure precise control of the

coating thickness. Regulations on experimental produc-

tion of TWD on a laboratory scale were drawn up and

approved.

Sterility testing of polymeric matrices and TWD exam-

ination carried out at the Institute of Microbiology and

Biotechnology and the results of clinical investigations

show that sufficient sterility was ensured by the use of

γ-irradiation (25 kGy) or steam. Low content of microor-

ganisms was observed for TS in antiseptic wound dress-

ings even without sterilization.

Clinical tests of the experimental TWD product (recog-

nized by the Central Medical Ethics Committee on the

basis of the conclusion that this TWD conforms to

bioethics standards, and also permitted by the Health

Statistics and Medical Technology State Agency) were per-

formed in the State Burn Centre under the guidance of

Dr. Monika Savicka.

TWD were tested in cases of various burns of different

degrees: fresh burns, deep burns (including skin-grafts for

burns), infected burns, grafted skin and others. Results of

clinical studies showed the effectiveness of the tested

TWD: better purification of infected wounds was

achieved. In cases of deep wounds, the period before skin

grafting was shorter because of more rapid locking of

wounds. Dressings may be replaced frequently without

using liniments and creams. The use of TWD alleviates

pain, because the dressings “breath”, do not stick to the

burned surfaces and do not traumatize the burns.

Financial support for this research was provided by the

Ministry of Defence of Latvia.

Contacts

L i f e S c i e n c e s & M e d i c i n e

19

Elastic Magnets for Magnetotherapy (Various Shapes and Sizes)

Vladislavs Pugaãevs

Magnetons Ltd.

Aizkraukles iela 21, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7558684, (+371) 9191274Fax: (+371) 7550839E-mail: [email protected]

Magnetotherapy is one of the most efficient methods of

physical therapy. Elastic magnets for this application were

prepared by the technology worked out at the Institute of

Physical Energy, the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Their

performance and technical parameters are exactly similar

to those of analogous products made by well-known com-

panies from the USA, Germany and Russia. The magneti-

sation curve and the main parameters of the elastic mag-

nets are shown in Fig. 1. The maximum induction of the

magnetic field on the magnet surface is 35 ±5 mT, with

two-polar or multipolar magnetisation on the working

surface.

The application experience of such magnets at the

state non-profit medical centre of the Pauls Stradins Clin-

ical University Hospital shows that elastic magnets may

be successfully used for medical purposes in physical

therapy rooms, at hospitals, clinics, health centres as well

as at home. Provided the points of application and the

duration of treatment are chosen correctly, magnetother-

apy ensures a therapeutic effect when treating the fol-

lowing medical conditions:

• muscle and joint pains;

• strains and bruises;

• backaches;

• ischialgia (sciatica);

• rheumatic pains;

• spondylosis and spondiarthrosis;

• hypertension;

• vein inflammation, etc.

The elastic magnets were registered at the Health Sta-

tistics and Medicine Technology Agency of the Ministry of

Welfare, Republic of Latvia, on August 8th, 2003 (regis-

tration card No. P3 0784).

Contacts


20

Portable Optical Detector of Arterial Stenosis

Volume and Quality Estimation of Round Timber

Leonards L¥pi¿‰

Latvia University of AgricultureFaculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Utilization

Akadïmijas iela 11, Jelgava, LV-3001, LatviaTel.: (+371) 3021619, mob. 9123622E-mail: dreska@llu

The volume of round timber may be measured including or

excluding the bark. Usually it is much more simple to take

overbark measures; however, underbark measurements are

required almost in all commercial operations. Conversion

procedures from overbark to underbark volumes depend

significantly on the bark thickness and timber taper. Both

of these indices very much depend on the tree species and

the diameter of the measuring point. Development of a

simple method for the estimation of underbark timber

volume of the accuracy required in everyday practice is

one of the research directions of the Forest Utilization

Department. Another direction, closely related to the pre-

vious one, is the investigation of possibilities to estimate

the quality of growing tree stems to fully satisfy cus-

tomers’ requirements.

On the basis of data collected from tree felling sites

and timber processing enterprises in different places in

Latvia, variation patterns of bark thickness and taper for

pine, spruce and birch trees were determined. The values

of taper and bark thickness for softwood sawlogs and

birch veneer logs were obtained. The research results have

been used for setting a new round timber measurement

standard (LVS 82:2003) and a round timber assortment

quality standard (LVS 80:1997). Characteristics (type,

dimensions, number, location) of knots as the most sig-

nificant timber quality-affecting feature was obtained.

Indulis Kukulis

Latvian Institute of Cardiology

Pilso¿u iela 13, LV-1002, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7615094 E-mail: [email protected]

JÇnis Sp¥gulis, RenÇrs Erts

University of LatviaInstitute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy

Rai¿a bulv. 11, LV-1459, Riga, LatviaTel./Fax: (+371) 7228249E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

The innovative patented design (No. LV P-144-04) pro-

vides reliable detection of arterial stenosis – narrowing of

extremity arteries – in a non-invasive and patient-friend-

ly way within only a few seconds. Its operating principle

is based on a real-time analysis of the heartbeat pulse

wave propagation throughout the human body. Optical

photoplethysmographic contact probes are used as pulse

wave detectors.

Features:The detector consists of two optical contact probes

and an electronic amplifying/processing unit. The meas-

urement starts by pressing a button, and after approx.

10 seconds the result appears on the digital display.

Specifications:Battery powered; operation time 2 h without recharg-

ing.

Portable, dimensions – 10 × 5 × 3 cm

Weight – 100 g

Measurement/processing time – up to 10 seconds

Contacts

Contacts

E n v i r o n m e n t F r i e n d l y T e c h n o l o g i e s

21

Moisture Meter of Bulk Material

Equipment for Heat Transfer Coefficient Estimation forBuilding Parts under Real Operation Conditions

Andris Jakoviãs

University of Latvia, Laboratory for Mathematical Modelling ofEnvironmental and Technological processes (VTPMML)

Ze∫∫u iela 8, LV-1002, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7033780Fax: (+371) 7033781E-mail: [email protected]://www.modlab.lv

In order to determine heat permeability of a building

part, measurements of heat fluxes and temperatures are

necessary. Sufficient amount of data in this non-station-

ary process are obtained by recording the heat flux

through the building part and its temperature at both

sides during several days. The data are fed into computer

by means of an A/D converter. The task of software UMeas

is to control the measurement duration/interval and to

display the obtained measurement data. The measurement

data are collected in a file that is further used for the cal-

culation of the heat transfer coefficient by using the orig-

inal methodology and the corresponding data processing

software.

Minimisation of a two-argument function is performed.

One of the parameters is the heat transfer coefficient U;

the other one is thermal time constant t. This two-argu-

ment function can be visualized by using software Data-

Proc, which localises this minimum as the first step and

finds the accurate solution by iterations as the next step.

Therefore, not only the value of the heat transfer coeffi-

cient but also the thermal time constant is obtained. The

latter characterises the time interval in which the tem-

perature change at one side of the building part causes a

temperature change at the other side of the building part.

Raitis ZiemelisSemjons Cifanskis

Intellectual Resources Ltd.

Pils iela 28, Ventspils, LV-3600, LatviaTel.: (+371) 9209775, (+371) 7089469Fax: (+371) 3624697, (+371) 7570512E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

The portable moisture meter is intended for quantitative

testing of the relative moisture content in bulk materials

(peat, sawdust, cement, clay, flour, starch, sugar, etc.)

directly in the place of storage.

The operation principle of the device is based on

measuring of the dielectric constant of the given materi-

al by means of a nonlinear capacitance method.

Calibration of the device is necessary for each kind of

material. The device measures the relative moisture con-

tent in the range of 10 to 90% (for materials with dis-

persivity not exceeding 3 mm).

The moisture meter compares favourably with the

existing similar units by portability, high reliability, small

weight (1.3 kg) and small quantity of the material sample

necessary for measuring (not more than 80 ml).

Contacts

Contacts


22

Cranberry Growing Technologies

Moisture Indicator “Sargs”

Semjons Cifanskis

Riga Technical University Research Laboratory of Nonlinear Phenomena ofVibrating Systems

Ka∫˙u iela 1, LV-1658, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089469Fax: (+371) 7570512E-mail: [email protected]

The Moisture Indicator “Sargs” can be used as a sensor for

determination of moisture in places that are hard to reach

(e. g., vegetable-storage cellars). Ingress of moisture in

vegetable-storage cellars causes degradation of potatoes,

apples, beetroots and other vegetables and fruits. When

moisture appears in the cellar, the Indicator gives an

audible warning signal. The sensor is usually located in

the lower part of the cellar, but the warning device itself

may be placed in any other suitable location or room.

Having received the audible warning signal, the owner of

the cellar can undertake all the appropriate measures to

save the stored crops.

Besides, the Moisture Indicator “Sargs” can be used to

determine steam saturation in saunas (when condensate

appears, the Indicator gives a characteristic audible

warning). Other possible places of application are hospi-

tals (care of bed-ridden patients in a serious condition).

The Moisture Indicator “Sargs” has been adopted for

use in engineering companies and enterprises of 14 coun-

tries: Institute de Automatica Industrial (Madrid, Spain),

DISTEK Company (Ariel, Israel), Moscow Helicopter Plant

(Russia), Mitsubishi Company (Japan), AVIATEST LNK

(Riga, Latvia), firms “JR&D” and “Senco” (USA), Company

“Maxikon OY” (Finland), SPA “VORTAL” (Brescia, Italy),

Federation of Estonian Engineering Industry (Tallinn,

Estonia), Company “Quadrant EPP” (Belgium), “EPOLINE”

(Germany), Beijing University “Tsin Hua” (Beijing, China),

Container Carrier “MSC – Suec” (Karasae, Liberia) and Con-

tainer Carrier “MERSK” (Panama).

Mintauts Åboli¿‰

Latvia University of AgricultureFaculty of Agriculture Department of Horticulture

LielÇ iela 2, Jelgava, LV-3001, LatviaTel.: (+371) 30 05630, (+ 371) 30 05630E-mail: [email protected]://www.llu.lv

Owing to suitable climatic conditions in Latvia there are

large areas of unused swamps including sphagnum bogs,

where in the previous years peat was extracted; later the

land was drained and roads were constructed in these

places.

The remaining layer of peat was sufficient for the cre-

ation of modern cranberry nurseries. The cranberry market

is not saturated because of lack of soils and climatic con-

ditions suitable for cranberry growing in Western Europe.

The USA and Canada are the leading countries in cranber-

ry growing in the world.

The project TOP 99-58 “Investigation of cranberry

growing technologies in grass bogs” was realized on the

Strïlnieki farm in the Riga District, Bab¥te municipality.

ResultsAccording to modern technologies, a trial of American

large-berry cranberry growing trial was conducted in a

grass bog polder of 3.5 ha size. Sawdust and sphagnum

peat mixture was used as growth medium.

Field management costs were estimated; a sprinkler

watering system was installed by laying pipelines in the

soil.

American large-berry cranberry cultivars “Stevens” and

“Bergman” received from the USA were used as planting

material.

Softwood cuttings of this crop (2.5–3 tha-1) were

worked into the ground after scattering, incorporating

them into the ground by means of a milling cutter. Sand

used as mulching material was spread with a specially

constructed spreader. An estimate was drawn up for cre-

ating a cranberry field.

Contacts

Contacts


23

High-voltage Plasma Technology for Cleaning Underwater Ship Hull from Sea Adherence

Semjons CifanskisVladimirs Jaku‰eviãs

Riga Technical University, Research Laboratory of Nonlinear Phenomena of Vibrating Systems

Ka∫˙u iela 1, LV-1658, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089469, (+371) 6751061Fax: (+371) 7570512E-mail: [email protected]

Formation of calcareous sea adherence on a ship hull

causes the falling of the ship speed, overconsumption of

fuel and deterioration of the acoustic systems operation.

Cleaning of the ship by placing it in a dry dock is difficult

and expensive procedure. High-voltage plasma technolo-

gy for underwater cleaning of ship hull was designed

within the framework of the European Union Project

GRD1-1999-11153 “Auxiliary Climbing Robot for Underwa-

ter Ship Hull Cleaning of Sea Adherence and Surveying,

AURORA”.

The proposed technology is realized in the following

operational procedure. A special underwater robot (Spain)

is moved over the surface of the ship hull. Control over

the robot operation is carried out by special facilities

(Greece), but the tracking of the target – by an ultra-

sound radar (Sweden). A special gauge carriage with

working electrodes (RTU, Latvia) is fastened to the front

part of he robot. The surge current generator mounted on

board the ship feeds the operating voltage to electrodes.

As a result, a series of plasma discharges giving rise to

shock waves is achieved. Removal of calcareous sea

adherence is achieved during the passage both of direct

compression shock waves and tension waves reflected

from the ship hull. By suitable selection of plasma dis-

charge parameters it is possible to clean the ship hull

without injury to its paint coating (this is the main

advantage of the proposed method in comparison with

cleaning by a high pressure jet). Besides, the proposed

installation has smaller weight, cost and power consump-

tion. High-voltage plasma technology was demonstrated

in action in Madrid (Spain) and won positive appreciation

of experts.

Besides, high-voltage plasma technology may be used

in some other fields (removal of erosion layer from rein-

forced concrete, renewal of lead screw without placing the

ship in a dry dock, cleaning of pipes in heat exchangers,

compacting of bulk cargo in ship holds, cleaning of fuel

nozzles in diesel engines, sterilization of potable water,

etc.).

Prof. M. Armada and Prof. T. Akinfiev (Instituto de

Automatica Industrial, Madrid, Spain) carried out the gen-

eral management of the project. Prof. J. Viba (Latvia) was

scientific supervisor of the Riga part of the project.

Contacts


24

Heat Conductivity Measuring System with Standardised “Hot Plate” Method

Software for Calculation of Heat Consumption in Buildings

Andris Jakoviãs



Software HeatMod allows to simulate heat conditions of

finished and planned buildings and to perform qualitative

analysis of different reconstruction versions in conformi-

ty with the requirements of EN 832 based on monthly

data. The heat balance of any building includes heat con-

duction, convection and radiation energy losses and

sources. Generally, the total amount of heat necessary for

heating purposes is calculated taking into account the

prevailing weather conditions, location of the building

and its type.

It is possible to calculate the conduction heat losses

coefficient according to the Latvian Building Code LBN

002-01. This method, however, does not allow us to sim-

ulate the actual heat consumption, but may be applied to

comparable buildings corresponding to the norms includ-

ed in the above-mentioned Code.

The software also includes a special heat transmit-

tance calculation tool for multi-layered walls, which can

be used in cases of structures with more than one layer of

known thickness and heat transfer coefficient, as well

walls including air layers.

Andris Jakoviãs



A method of a guarded hot plate conforming to the

requirements of LVS ISO 8302 is used to determine heat

conductivity and thermal resistance of materials consider-

ing their size, temperature and power measurements. A

special experimental measuring system and the corre-

sponding self-made software Isis were developed. The

experimental setup can be used for studying materials

with thermal resistance not less than 0.02 Km2/W. In the

setup, experimental data can be collected during a long

period of time and used afterwards for statistical analysis

and calculations. The power supplied to the heated plate

is controlled, allowing it to reach signal conditions that

may be stationary (for estimation of thermal resistance)

or periodical (for estimation of thermal inertia).

Contacts

Contacts


25

Scheme of Building Energy Certification

Andris Krïsli¿‰

Riga Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Heat, Gas and Water Technology

P. O. Box 526, LV-1010, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 9284950, 7089288Fax: (+371) 7615191E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]://www.bf.rtu.lv/~enerlab,http://www.bf.rtu.lv/~encerb

The scheme of building energy certification was devel-

oped to achieve two main purposes: the scheme has to

help evaluate the thermal performance of buildings and to

stimulate the behaviour of the inhabitants. It was pro-

posed that the rating scale should be based on the meas-

ured annual heat consumption and be adjusted to the

influence of weather conditions and differences in the

level of occupancy.

The rating criterion that could serve both purposes

was developed in 2000 at the Institute of Heat, Gas and

Water Technology and was called standardized specific

heat consumption:

qst

=qs.h. DD s.t. +

qd.w. A , kWh/m2 year,------------------------------- ----------------------

DD 30n

where: 30 – standard occupancy level, m2 per person;

A – heated enclosed area, m2; DD – degree-days

of the heating period during the rating year;

DDst – degree-days of a standard year in

favourable economical conditions; n – number

of inhabitants, persons; qst – rated specific

heat consumption, kWh/m2 year; qs. h. –

measured specific energy consumption for

space heating during the rating year,

kWh/m2 year; qd. w. – measured energy con-

sumption for domestic hot water during the

rating year, kWh/m2 year.

The structure of the rating scale was harmonized with

the GBC2000 concept. The numerical values of the scale

were based on two main types of consumption: common

heat consumption and best present consumption accord-

ing to the level of LBN 002-01 (Latvian Building Code,

“Thermal Performance of Building Envelope” 2001). Ener-

gy consumption of all other levels can be calculated from

the above two.

This system of building energy certification was suc-

cessfully implemented with the support of EU LIFE pro-

gramme in Ogre town under the ENERLAB project that

lasted from 2002 until 2004. In order to promote energy

certification and to raise energy awareness among inhab-

itants, a unique mechanism of building energy labels

(Figure 1) was used during the project. On a trial basis,

the implementation of the Latvian energy certification

scheme for multi-storey apartment buildings in Ogre town

proved the following:

• The scheme may be easily applied to buildings

receiving heat from district heating systems;

• If supplemented by an information campaign,

5–10% reduction in heat consumption will be achie-

ved compared with the situation prior to energy cer-

tification.

Contacts


26

Elaboration of Methodology for Automated Forecasting of Wood Increment in Volume

Decision Support Systems for Integrated Plant Protection Management

Inara Turka Biruta Bankina

Latvia University of AgricultureFaculty of AgricultureDepartment of Plant Biology and Protection

LielÇ iela 2, Jelgava, LV-3001, LatviaTel.: (+371) 30 21998Fax: (+371) 30 27238E-mail: [email protected]://www.llu.lv

The objective of the research work was to introduce new

systems for forecasting and warning related to crop-

destructive organisms by using new organisation of forms

and technologies, which would be based on information

technologies and the use of the Internet. Pathogen and

pest damage thresholds and criteria have been estab-

lished with the aim of introducing software for forecast-

ing cereal and potato diseases and pests.

To prevent pesticide overdosage in crop fields, plant

protection experiments are focussed on the integrated

plant protection requirements of Latvia.

A new strategy was made based on PC software to

decrease the use of pesticides on the basis of research

into pest and disease biology, cultivar resistance, influ-

ence of the weather, choice and dosage of pesticides. The

obtained agricultural products are more environmentally

friendly.

The Department of Plant Biology and Protection of the

Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU), LLU Vecauce Train-

ing and Research farm, State Plant Protection Service,

State Plant Protection Centre, and the Latvian Agricultur-

al Advisory and Training Centre have been involved in the

joint research project.

ResultsAn integrated system of plant protection is being

introduced by using PC models NegFry and PC – cereal dis-

eases: intellectual property of the Danish Institute of

Agricultural Sciences, which was used in co-operation

with the authors (http://www.vaad.lv/planteinfo).

Models are introduced in Latvia on the basis of the

study of development of major pathogens, motivation of

pesticide usage, choice and optimisation of pesticide

dosages, optimal intervals between spraying, and the

design of a database according to a unified scheme.

Imants Liepa

Latvia University of AgricultureFaculty of ForestryDepartment of Silviculture

Akadïmijas iela 11, Jelgava, LV-3001, LatviaTel.: (+371) 3026322, (+371) 3021619E-mail: [email protected]://www.llu.lv

The result of the project is a practical and convenient

method for scientific forecasting of the annual dynamics

of volume increment data of forest stands and sets. The

use of the method ensures the prediction lag (further

forecast), which may be one to ten years forwards; the

forecast level in annual data; forecast accuracy is as high

as 0.2 mm of a standing tree radial and 10% of a volume

increment. Forecasts relate to the long-term category.

Forecasts may be developed on the basis of an ecological

approach and on retrospective archival data of the near-

est weather station. Every forecast is obtained as the

weighted mean from several iterations, the number of

which depends on the sufficiency of arguments. The mul-

tiple linear and power functions are applied as prognostic

models. Each model comprises 5–10 predictor arguments.

These are selected by automatic browsing of environmen-

tal matrices containing all decades’ estimates for every

year in the time-span of 25–30 previous years. The

method may be adopted for all characteristics and prop-

erties of natural systems depending upon environmental

conditions.

Equipment required:• increment borer and device LINTAB-4 for empiric

data sampling;

• computer software for data processing.

ResultsThe offered method is suitable for forecasting process-

es influenced by environmental conditions.

Contacts

Contacts

C o m m u n i c a t i o n & I n f o r m a t i o n T e c h n o l o g i e s

27

Event Timer A032-ET

Wideband RF Signal Digitizer B042

Ivars Bilinskis

University of Latvia,Institute of Electronics and Computer Science

Dzïrbenes iela 14, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7554500Fax: (+371) 7555337E-mail: [email protected]://www.edi.lv

The Digitizer B042 continues the line of DASP-based

instruments designed and manufactured in Latvia in the

framework of DASP (Alias-free Digital Signal Processing)

technology applications.

If compared to the previous models of DASP digitizers,

this model is considerably advanced in terms of spectral

purity. Specifically, in combination with DASP algorithms,

the digitizer provides signal spectral analysis in the whole

frequency range from 0.1 to 669.3 MHz supporting a spu-

rious-free dynamic range >55 dBFS, which is unique for

such a wide bandwidth. These characteristics demonstrate

the potential of DASP technology as they are achieved on

the basis of a specific 12 bit ADC (AD9433 from “Analog

Devices”) with the sampling rate up to 125 MSPS. The

achieved bandwidth of more than 650 MHz is about

10 times wider than the bandwidth of 62.5 MHz general-

ly obtained according to the rules of the classical Digital

Signal Processing technology. There is no other available

technique of RF signal digitizing and digital analyzing

that would permit us to achieve comparable dynamic per-

formance by using typical A/D converters.

The digitizer may serve as a suitable basis for creating

various virtual instruments for signal analysis in Time and

Frequency domains. Like other DASP-based instruments,

the digitizer is characterized by a simplified design ensur-

ing a high degree of reliability of operation and a low

manufacturing cost.

Jurijs Artjuhs

University of Latvia, Institute of Electronics and Computer Science

Dzïrbenes iela 14, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7554500Fax: (+371) 7555337E-mail: [email protected]://www.edi.lv

The Event Timer A032-ET is the latest and most advanced

instrument of such kind designed and manufactured in

Latvia. It can be used for various applications, especially

where extremely accurate, wide-range and high-speed

timing measurements are required. First and foremost the

A032-ET is tailored to applications related to Satellite

Laser Ranging, although it may be well suited to other

applications (such as time-of-flight spectrometry).

The A032-ET provides alternatively:

• continuous (gapless) measurement of events at high

(up to 10 KHz) mean measurement rate, allowing

burst rates up to 16 MHz;

• cyclical measurement of events that come as sepa-

rate inputs in a strictly defined order: in every cycle,

the Event Timer primarily measuring a single Start

event, and then – a user-defined number of Stop

events (up to 12,000). The Stop events are measured

over an internal online programmable gate.

In these measurement modes, the A032-ET supports

excellent precision characteristics: 6–8 picoseconds RMS

resolution, picosecond-level linearity and high temporal

stability.

The A032-ET offers a network interface based on

TCP/IP communication protocols, providing fully remote

control and remote specific applications. This kind of

interface is well suitable for designing distributed multi-

user timing systems. Currently the A032-ET is recognized

as one of the best timing devices applicable to the glob-

al network of “International Laser Ranging Service”.

Contacts

Contacts


28

Digital Switching System “Kvant-E” for Next Generation Network

JÇnis Baltgalvis

VEF KTR Ltd.

Ìnijas iela 16-b, LV-1084, Riga, LatviaTel.: +(371) 7515883; mobile: +371 6416808Fax: +(371) 7515883E-mail: [email protected]://www.vef-ktr.lv

“VEF KTR Ltd.” designs, produces and installs telecom-

munications systems for both public switched telephone

network (PSTN) and private networks. The switching

equipment was installed in different countries with the

total capacity more than twenty one million lines, and

the modern digital switching system (DSS) “Kvant-E” is

among them with the total capacity of more than two mil-

lion lines.

The DSS “Kvant-E” now smoothly evolves into the Next

Generation Network (NGN). The system is equipped with

the Gateway based on using of SmartNode line gateways.

The Gateway supports the functions of:

• VoIP gateway (GW), which converts 64kb/s circuits

into Internet protocol (IP) packet streams and vice

versa. Voice over IP is supported according to the

H.323 or SIP standards and via Inalp Networks’

patented ISDN over IP (ISoIP) protocol.

• IP Router, with 2 Ethernet ports, supports RIP I, RIP

II protocols. The router QoS enables classification,

shaping and scheduling of multiple service classes.

The “Kvant-E” system can work in mesh networks con-

nected to the equipment of different vendors (Cisco,

Vocaltec, etc.). This feature can be used to get services

from different service providers (e. g. long-distance com-

munications service).

Different types of service applications can be offered

to customers based on using highly flexible multi-service

IP network features of the “Kvant-E” system. To simplify

the description of these applications, they may be

grouped into three application scenarios:

•∑Applications in carrier networks, in which the

“Kvant-E” system is used to supply Integrated Ser-

vice Access (ISA) on the customer’s premises.

•∑Applications in enterprise networks, in which the

“Kvant-E” system is used as the main node equip-

ment for inter-site networking. These applications

are also called Multiservice Intranets (MSI).

•∑Applications in LAN telephony in which the “Kvant-

E” serves as gateways between the LAN and the

PSTN access. These applications are also called LAN

voice gateway (LVG).

Carrier NetworksThe “Kvant-E” provides a service access point for the

subscriber in a multi-service IP-based provider networks

with respect to physical connectivity and protocol inter-

operability. The system also ensures traffic classification

and enforcement of Service Level Agreements (SLA) on

the access link. It provides, among other features, full

ISDN feature support, local switching, breakout options

and mass provisioning support. Typical services in these

networks are softswitch-based telephony, PSTN access

through V5.2 gateways, PBX networking services, and LAN

interconnection.

Typical access technologies for these networks include

xDSL, WLL, PowerLine and conventional leased lines. With

the use on an external modem (M), the “Kvant-E” can pro-

vide connection to leased lines or any bridged-Ethernet

broadband access.

Enterprise NetworksIn company-owned and operated wide area networks

(WAN), the “Kvant-E” can be used to converge voice and

data communications on the same IP link. “Kvant-E”

Enterprise Networks can integrate ISDN telephony service

and IP data communications providing the benefits of a

converged network plus advanced applications and a lot

of telephony features. Better use of the rented band-

width, improved inter-site communication and reduced

network costs are additional benefits.

LAN TelephonyWith its Voice-over-IP gateway features, the “Kvant-E”

may be used as a powerful gateway for H.323 LAN voice

systems, such as LAN based PBXs or call centres.

A powerful gateway has performance reliability and

scalability advantages compared with PC-based gateway

cards. In this application the “Kvant-E” also offers a

migration path to enterprise or carrier networking.

Multiservice Corporative Network Solution with Broad-

band Physical and Wireless Accesses and VoIP based on

“Kvant-E” Digital Switching System is given in a separate

figure.

Contacts


29

Internet

ISP 1

138512429879-90220

138512429879-90220

138512429879-90220

138512429879-90220

LAN

LAN

LANMobile�

carrier 1Mobile�

carrier 2

PSTN 2

Kvant-E

IAP�Base StationW-CDMA

Terminal�station

Terminal�station

Terminal�station

Line FXOLine�ISDN�BRI

Router

Headquarters

Remote�office 2

E1 Line�V5.2

E1 Line�CCS-Kvant

Switch

H.323

Router 2

Trans-�ceiver

Router 1

ADSL�modem

DSLAMADSL

ADSL ADSL

Up to 48�lines FX8

5 lines�FX8

PBX

9 Lines FXO

E1 Line�CCS #7

DSL line�1 Mbit/s

Optical line�10 Mbit/s

Cisco�Router

IP Phone IP Phone IP Phone

CCS-Kvant

GSM �gateway

E1 Line

LMDS�modem

LMDS�modem

Kvant-E

Kvant-E

Remote�office 1

ISP 2 ISP 3

ISP 4

PSTN 1

Trans-�ceiver

IP PBX�«Asterisk»�

ADSL�modem

Multiservice Corporative Network Solution with Broadband Physical and Wireless Accesses and VoIP based on “Kvant-E” Digital Switching System


30

Technologies of Signal Processing for Radar Subsurface Sounding Data

Billing

Sta¿islavs Gri‰ins

Transport and Telecommunications Institute

Lomonosova iela 1, LV-1019, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 9854464Fax: (+371) 7100535E-mail: [email protected]://www.tsi.lv

The main task of billing consists in calculating and mak-

ing out bills on the basis of data obtained from a

telecommunication station by each operator or original

customer, who is connected to the given station, and

checking up on the correctness of all bills that each of the

operators has made out. The billing also solves tasks of

secondary importance, such as the storage of current bal-

ance data, the agency module, the management module,

etc.

Our billing was developed as a system permitting us to

process different kinds of voice traffic through various

kinds of transit systems, which are not easily compatible

among themselves on logging, and are based on full

analysis of the traffic passing through all the telecommu-

nications network of a firm making use of PSTN and VoIP

systems.

The existing types of billings, as a rule, become

attached to one, two or several known world manufactur-

ers of telephone exchanges, such as CISCO, VocalTec, etc.,

or tarifficators from less known manufacturers of tele-

phone exchanges, intended only for one type of systems.

But the use of the various types of telecommunications

equipment from manufacturers of different countries gen-

erally do not allow us to unite them in a single whole

because of the incompatibility of CDR structures.

Researches are carried out in the direction of billing

universalization without making large alterations for a

specific target. Billing should enable receiving data not

only by means of standard systems and reports, for exam-

ple, radius, but also by using alternative versions of data

uploading by application of filters to universalize the

logs.

Our system covers CISCO, ATC M-200 MR-12 2 items,

Meridian 11C, VoIP Proxy/Gatekeeper 2 items, SIP-server,

databases which are incorporated in the uniform system

working in a commercial mode. Tests and trials of the

billing system are conducted with real voice traffic.

Aleksandrs Grakovskis

Transport and Telecommunication Institute

Lomonosova iela 1, LV-1019, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7100634Fax: (+371) 7100535E-mail: [email protected]://www.tsi.lv

The algorithms proposed for radar signal processing

depend on data registration technology. For radar data

processing, we are planning to implement algorithms

based on the methods of mathematical morphology,

computational geometry and fractal geometry.

This means, for example, that alternative digital signal

processing in real-time scale is based on the algorithms

using the theory of peculiarities of differential map-pings. In this case the initial signal is presented as a

geometrical object, but the basic method is found by

comparing the fragments of own signal and a known spa-

tial geometric object – template (or frame) curve.

This transformation may be made by appropriate local

coordinate selection. In this case the task amounts to the

mapping of each realization of the sounding pulse on the

space curve (e. g., complex analytical signal) and further

classification of signal points in three possible behaviour

situations – linear, quadratic and cubic, where only he lat-

ter is associated with the target location.

Where necessary, classic digital signal processing,

namely, FFT, Cosine-transformation, Wavelet-transforma-

tion and other orthogonal transformations (separately or

in combination with the above) may be used in this case.

The specific algorithm and scheme of processing will be

defined when analysis of experimental data properties is

completed.

Contacts


31

Pattern Recognition Software

FIELDM

Jurijs Kras¿itskis


Lomonosova iela 1, LV-1019, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7100634, (+371) 7254066Fax: (+371) 7100535E-mail: [email protected]://www.tsi.lv

FIELDM is a toolbox consisting of the Matlab codes for

electromagnetic field (EMF) computation and processing

on a PC. These computer codes are intended for scientif-

ic and design applications and are oriented to the solu-

tion of the direct and indirect problems arising from EMF

radiation and propagation in various natural and artificial

media.

FIELDM is adapted especially to the investigation of

problems concerning radio wave propagation trace calcu-

lations and antenna design. In particular, it permits us to

solve some direct problems by computing the characteris-

tics of the propagation traces (e. g., impulse response

and/or frequency response, attenuation, field strength

variation versus distance, etc.). The graphs below demon-

strate the results of FIELDM application to elevated

antennas, which constitute a problem basic to personal

communication. These calculations are performed without

any kind of commonly used approximation. The second

example of a direct problem solution is the establishment

of the EMF in the Earth ionosphere in the form of a spher-

ical waveguide excited by the return stroke of lightning.

One of the numerous problems related to antennas is

the performance of electrically small frame aerials provid-

ed with ferrite rods. FIELDM consists of the relevant

codes, including calculation of a toroidal antenna with

ferrite core, investigated by the author for the first time.

There are also codes for problem solution concerning

antenna array (linear or circular) analysis and synthesis.

A separate group within FIELDM is made up by codes

supporting some inverse problems (e. g., evaluation of

current pulse form in a radiator by processing the signal

received from it, examination of trace parameters, etc.).

FIELDM is a set of independent subroutines designed

to keep up the input information preservation principle.

Comments in English or Russian are available.

The FIELDM package may be modified according to the

customer’s request.

Jevge¿ijs Heifecs


E. Birznieka-Up¥‰a iela 26, LV-1011, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7282786Fax: (+371) 7100535E-mail: [email protected]://www.tsi.lv

Software has been developed to solve the task of pattern

recognition in the process of the automatic sorting of

postings; in particular, original algorithms were obtained

for the detection of blocks containing the sender’s and

recipient’s address, postal fee signs, and bar codes on the

scanned envelope image. The software enables identifica-

tion of the content of blocks with simultaneous correction

of both the reading errors and the writing errors made by

the sender, including mistakes in written addresses.

Developed with the use of original algorithms, the

software support for the precision measurement of geo-

graphical parameters of bitmapped images of Postnet,

Planet, DataMatrix, Pdf417, Code 25, Code 39, Code

128 bar codes is meant for the operation validity control

of devices designated for such bar codes drawn on the

envelope.

All programs are optimized to ensure the maximum

speed of operations.

Contacts

Contacts


32

Methodology for Computer Simulation of Complex Systemsand Its Implementation for Analysis and ImprovedOperation of Real-world Systems

Jurijs Merkurjevs

Riga Technical University, Department of Modelling and Simulation

Ka∫˙u iela 1, LV-1658, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089514Fax: (+371) 7089513E-mail: [email protected]://www.itl.rtu.lv/mik/index.html

Simulation is a process of designing a model of a real sys-

tem and conducting experiments with this model in order

to understand the behaviour of the system and/or to eval-

uate various strategies for the operation of the system.

Examples of investigated systems include logistics, trans-

port, manufacturing, services, banking and information

systems. Simulation has become a very important tool for

designing and analysing complex systems and policies

before implementation. In some cases, simulation will

help to optimise a system by improving the value of the

chosen optimisation criterion.

Success of a simulation study is highly dependent on

the correct use of the relevant methodology. High-tech

product development possibilities are offered in the fol-

lowing areas:

• Discrete-event simulation models

• Methodology of discrete-event simulation on MS Excel

spreadsheets

• Methodology of simulation-based metamodelling

• Intelligent simulation tools

• Visualisation of the simulation process

• Simulation in engineering fields

• Simulation in education and training

Examples of recent and current activities include:

• Development of simulation tools for analysis and

planning of logistics systems. For instance, resource-

optimal location (e. g., drug distribution analysis in a

hospital), increasing carrying capacity of logistics net-

work nodes (e. g., Container terminal at the Riga Com-

mercial Port).

• Risk management analysis through simulation. Appli-

cation of simulation methods to research into agricul-

tural risks.

• Supply chain dynamics analysis and optimisation

through simulation. Simulation-based evaluation of

operational effectiveness of the supply chain with dif-

ferent supply chain structures and information-sharing

strategies.

• Development of methodology for the determination

of the best inventory control policy through simula-

tion. Evaluation of cost efficiency of different invento-

ry control policies through simulation.

Contacts


33

Improved Hydrogeological Model for Evaluating Contaminant Migration in Sulphur-polluted Groundwater – Sludge Pools at Inãukalns

Remote Control and Monitoring Module BieneRemote

Aleksejs Gavrilovs

Biene Electronics Ltd.

Ru‰Çnu iela 24/1 – 53, LV-1057, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 9106159, +371 7265259Fax: (+371) 7265259E-mail: [email protected]://www.bieneelectronics.com

The module offers Home and Industrial Automation con-

trol via SMS. From a great distance, it is possible to oper-

ate remote equipment and to receive messages about the

occurrence of any events. It is also possible to receive

information about the current condition of some remote

unmanned equipment. By using the GSM controller

BieneRemote, you can create a system for monitoring the

condition of remote objects. The system enables analysis

of environmental conditions and collection of information

from gauges, which may be located in any point of globe.

Typical applications include:

• Remote control, alarm and monitoring of electricity

transformers, high and low voltage cabins, electrici-

ty generators of windmills.

• Unmanned Base Station control and monitoring.

Unmanned equipment monitoring.

• Water level and pump unit monitoring. Supervisory

control of water systems.

• Control and monitoring of cold room refrigeration

systems.

• Remote alarm system.

• Monitoring of the state of vending machines.

• Remote telemetry, automatic meter reading.

• Remote equipment control.

• Gate opener system.

Aivars Spalvi¿‰

Riga Technical University,Environment Modelling Centre

MeÏa iela 1/4, LV-1048, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089511Fax: (+371) 7089531E-mail: [email protected]://www.emc.rtu.lv

From 1956 to 1981, the Oil Processing Factory of Riga

annually produced about 16,000 tonnes of highly toxic

waste. This sludge consisted of tar, asphalthens, sulphuric

acid and other hazardous substances. The waste was dis-

carded into two abandoned sand pits located at Inãukalns

village. The pits become pools, known as the Northern

and the Southern pool. The dissolved waste from the

pools has been migrating into groundwater towards the

Gauja river. The waste of the Northern pool will reach the

river after approx. 25 years.

In 1998, a hydrogeological model (HM) was created for

the contaminated Inãukalns area and approximate fore-

casts of SO4 and surface active component (SAC) migra-

tion were obtained. In 2004–2005, the HM was consider-

ably improved and the following results were obtained:

• the current parameters (weight, volume, migration

velocity, etc.) for the SO4 and SAC plumes have been

obtained for both waste pools;

• the worst-case scenarios (no sanitation of contami-

nants) were considered;

• rough parameters of remediation methods were

obtained.

These results of modelling are preliminarily, and more

data are needed to start implementation of the remedia-

tion schemes considered. The model may help to answer

many questions arising during the sanitation process of

the Northern pool, planned to be launched in the near

future with the financial support of the European Union.

Contacts

Contacts


34

Working Time Monitoring System

The System for Measurement and Analysisof Telecommunications Network Traffic

Ernests Pïtersons

Riga Technical University

Ka∫˙u iela 1, LV-1658, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089954E-mail: [email protected]

The system was created by a group of researchers of the

Transport Electronics and Telematics Department of the

Riga Technical University. The main goal was to formulate

recommendations for network optimization based on the

results of a traffic analysis. The approach is based on new

mathematical models of non-stationary and self-similar

traffic.

The system includes hardware for traffic generation,

emulation and monitoring from Agilent and Candela Tech-

nologies as well as software tools for experimental data

analysis and network optimization.

Alberts Kristi¿‰

University of Latvia, Institute of Solid State Physics

µengaraga iela 8, LV-1063, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7260856, (+371) 6546144Fax: (+371) 7132778E-mail: [email protected]://www.cfi.lu.lv

The system consists of a software package and a data

reading block.

The software package provides the followingfunctions:

• adding, editing and erasing of user data (name, sur-

name, working number, key number, telephone num-

ber);

• working time calculation according to four types of

work (ordinary working time, reserve time, evening

working time + working time on holydays till

10 p. m., night work time) (these parameters could

be changed);

• event searching by surname or working number, by

date and time interval;

• printing of search results;

• function “present – absent”;

• textual (or another) password system;

• calendar for determining days off and working days

as well as date intervals in relation to standby duty;

• automatic creation of archives in the form of text

files;

• other functions may be added as requested by cus-

tomers.

The data reading block has the followingparameters:

• identification device – Dallas identification button

or Proxy card;

• data readers – two (entry and exit);

• real time indication / working number indication;

• user count up to 200 (this count could be increased);

• operational memory for 500 events (in autonomous

regime) (this count could also be increased);

• connection with computer via serial port or Internet

(TCP/IP protocol);

• powered from mains (220 V) with protection against

short-term loss of voltage.

Contacts

Contacts


35

Operation with Remote Objects Basedon TCP/IP Communication Protocol

Alberts Kristi¿‰

University of Latvia, Institute of Solid State Physics

µengaraga iela 8, LV-1063, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7260856, (+371) 6546144Fax: (+371) 7132778E-mail: [email protected]://www.cfi.lu.lv

This communication protocol makes it possible to work

without additional communication lines and to transmit

information at great distances practically without any dif-

ficulties.

“Rabbit” controllers are used in the developed remote

control systems.

Different modifications of microcontrollers permit col-

lection of information from contact sensors (hercons,

magnetic loop controllers, move detectors, etc.), and

from data carriers based on DS19XX protocol (i-Buttons,

thermometers and others) or based on Viegand protocol

(Proximity cards).

It is possible to connect the system to other periph-

eral devices via standard RS232/485 ports.

Controllers can provide communication with the main

server via TCP/IP ports by using local, corporative or

worldwide networks.

Practical applications:

1. The system of access, control and management was

worked out for the LatRosTrans company. The system con-

sists of 24 controllers (corresponding to the number of

technological blocks of the Russia-Ventspils oil pipeline),

dispatcher program (in Daugavpils) and some client appli-

cations.

2. An entrance in/out system for the Latvijas GÇze

company has been worked out, which consists of three

in/out gates with automatic barriers, server administrator

and guard programs and some other client applications.

3. The system includes a checkpoint, authorized access

to offices and a security signal system with a unified

database to be used in two buildings of the Latvian Ship-

ping Agency.

Contacts


36

Airscrew Compressor

Thyristor (Soft) Start

Grain Drying Control System (GDCS)

Aldis Baums

University of Latvia, Institute of Electronics and Computer Sciences

Dzïrbenes iela 14, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7 558134Fax: (+371) 7 555 337E-mail: [email protected]://www.edi.lv

The Grain Drying Control System is intended for control of

the grain drying process in small and medium-sized forced

ventilation systems. By using this system, the required

grain humidity level can be achieved with minimum con-

sumption of electricity. The methodology of forced grain

ventilation developed at the University of Agriculture of

Latvia (patent No.12096, Republic of Latvia) was used for

the implementation the project. According to this

methodology, the decisive factor enabling the optimiza-

tion of energy consumption is the quantity of water

removed from grain in different weather conditions. The

developed algorithm and the application programs

embedded in the GDCS ensure control over the removed

quantity of water. The amount of the removed water is

calculated on-line from the grain inflow and outflow air

temperature (±0.2°C) and the relative humidity (±2%)

measurements. The measurement and computation results

obtained within one grain drying cycle are stored in the

internal memory of the GDCS. Data can be transferred to

a personal computer for storage and statistics.

The GDCS includes a microprocessor-based central con-

troller unit, grain inflow and outflow air temperature and

relative humidity measurement units, power relay box for

air ventilator, and heater switch.

The GDCS was developed on the basis of investigation

and test results of different modifications of the grain

drying control system obtained in hard operation condi-

tions during several grain drying seasons.

Juris Zvirgzds

Fonons Ltd.

RopaÏu iela 104, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7310185Fax: (+371) 7315308E-mail: [email protected]://www.fonons.lv

100%Voltage�

U

Torque�M Current

Direct start�

Direct�start

Direct�start

Start triangle�

Start�triangle

Start�triangle

Soft start�

Soft�start

Soft�startAvailable�

changes

58%

10%

50%

Time� Time� Time�

Voltage delivered to the engine� Start torque� Current delivered to the engine�

A thyristor (soft) start is used instead of a star-triangle

(three contactor) start or direct (one contactor) start for

starting powerful electric motors. Thyristors in the soft

start are steered by a processor. The processor program

allows us to choose the optimal function for the starting

current or voltage. Thus the sudden impact on the load at

the start-up is reduced, followed by a rapid acceleration

to full speed, as a result reducing the excessive wear of

belts, pulleys, and bearings. The main effect is the elim-

ination of the heavy current surge, which causes the pit-

ting and burning of contacts.

The airscrew compressor draws in air through an intake

cartridge. Then cleaned air passes through the intake reg-

ulator into the airend, which is driven by an electric

motor. The electric motor is steered by a thyristor (soft)

start. Air is compressed up to 16 bars in the airend. The

airend is cooled by injected oil. Oil is used at the same

time for lubrication and sealing. The air/oil mixture flows

from the airend to the air/oil separator tank. After pass-

ing through an oil-separation cartridge (residual oil con-

tent 3–5 mg/m3,) the compressed air is cooled down and

approximately 80–85% of water is separated in the

air/water separator.

Contacts

Contacts

P o w e r E n g i n e e r i n g & E l e c t r o n i c s

37

Contactless Low Speed Doubly Fed Asynchronous Generators

Modular Kit for Industrial Automationand Teaching Purposes

I∫ja Galkins

Riga Technical University, Department of Power and Electrical Engineering,Institute of Industrial Electronics and Electrical Engineering

Kronvalda bulvÇris 1, apt. 317, LV-1010, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+317) 7089914, 7089918Fax: (+317) 7089941E-mail: [email protected]://www.eef.rtu.lv

The set of digital control modules consists of several

pressed plates with elements that enable fulfilment of

definite functions. The modules may be divided into var-

ious groups depending on the function that they fulfil;

there may be modules of control, user interface, commu-

nications, information storage and servo elements as well

as extension modules meant for training. The modules

may be interconnected by means of a uniform system of

contacts. In this way typical module configurations for

fulfilment of a definite function are obtained. The modu-

lar kit was initially made for teaching purposes; however,

several of the configurations may be used as complete

industrial automation devices. For example, a specialized

or multi-purpose PLC may be developed on the basis of

the set of modules. An example of such PLC with a stan-

dardized body of a DIN-rail is shown in the attached fig-

ure. It includes modules of control, user interface and

implementation devices. It is possible to include some

part of a power control electronics converter to obtain,

for example, a complete frequency converter. A distin-

guishing feature of modular industrial automation devices

is their great flexibility. They may be adapted to the spe-

cific requirements of any given task.

Vladislavs Pugaãevs

Magnetons Ltd.

Aizkraukles iela 21, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7558684, (+371) 9191274Fax: (+371) 7550839E-mail: [email protected]

In modern high power (more than 600kW) windmills’ elec-

trical generating systems a comparatively new solution is

the application of doubly-fed asynchronous generators.

Electrical energy is supplied to the network through the

primary winding connected to the network as well as

through the rotor secondary winding which is connected to

the network with a brush contact unit and a semiconductor

converter of frequency. A doubly-fed asynchronous genera-

tor enables a wider range of rotating frequency of a wind-

mill and significantly increases the factor of wind power

utilization under conditions of variable wind velocities.

At the same time, the construction of the generator

and the windmill in general becomes more complex be-

cause of brushes and contact rings that further decrease

their safety, and the increased maintenance costs.

The paper considers the principal scheme and mathe-

matical models of the doubly-fed contactless asynchronous

generator elaborated and patented by the staff of the

Physical Energetics Institute of the Latvian Academy of

Sciences (FEI LZA) and the Riga Technical University (RTU).

In the proposed generator, three new features of the

construction may be distinguished, which were not

applied in asynchronous machines before:

1 – unmovable coils of primary and secondary wind-

ings are placed on the stator;

2 – a multipolar machine (with an increased number of

pairs of poles) is achieved without increasing the number

of magnetizing coils;

3 – the number of teeth of the windingless rotor

defines the number of pole pairs of the generator.

The previous analysis of the considered construction

mainly demonstrates the possibility to produce asynchro-

nous machines with 100 and more pairs of poles.

The analysis of the patented materials shows that in

the production of machines no analogues for this con-

struction were found in other countries.

The work demonstrates that the generator’s main

advantage is the sufficiently large number of pole pairs.

This enables the creation of a doubly-fed multipolar asyn-

chronous generator with a low rotation speed, which

could be applied in reductorless windmills with a genera-

tor directly connected to the wind turbine.

Contacts

Contacts


38

Restoration Technology of Vehicle Headlight Reflectorsby Ion-plasmous Sputtering

Data Logger for Motorized Vehicles

Juris Lauznis

Integris Ltd.

Aizkraukles iela 21–302, LV-1006, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7558738Fax: (+371) 7541218E-mail: [email protected]://www.integris.lv

Rising fuel prices force owners of trucks and other vehi-

cles to look for new means and methods to ensure super-

vision of fuel consumption and economy. The driver’s

working style and the technical condition of the vehicle

are important factors. Our working group has developed a

data logger, capable of registering the time and most of

the parameters and events occurring in the vehicle; orig-

inal or additional sensors are used for the purpose.

The device can capture and store ignition on/off data,

amount of fuel in the tank and its consumption level

(accuracy up to 1%), speed, distance covered; tempera-

ture of the engine, cabin, cargo department and outdoor

air, engine oil pressure, r. p. m., battery voltage, etc.

High accuracy measurements of the available and con-

sumed amount of fuel are based on a patented method

(Latvian patent LV 13255). Optional features include dri-

ver’s identification, route data storage by using the GPS,

second engine parameters, and wireless transfer of stored

data. An additional device may warn the driver about

problems in the vehicle, speeding, ice-formation hazard,

etc.

Analysis of stored data is performed by specially devel-

oped vehicle park management software. It may automat-

ically filter the captured data and find out events, the

time of their occurrence and conformity with the owner-

selected criteria indicating an “off limits” condition. All

parameters can be visualised as graphs. Information

about each vehicle and driver is stored in the database.

Statistical analysis for a defined time period is also avail-

able.

Aleksandrs Urbahs

Riga Technical University, Institute of Technologies of Transport Vehicles

Ka∫˙u iela 1, LV-1658, Riga PDP, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7089948Fax: (+371) 7089968E-mail: [email protected]://omega.rtu.lv/tti

The basic factor limiting the resource of vehicle head-

lights is the injury of the mirror coating reflecting capac-

ity. At present the problem is generally solved by com-

plete replacement of headlights.

The technology of ion-plasmous sputtering has been

developed for mirror coating restoration of vehicle head-

lights.

The technology of coating application includes the fol-

lowing principal stages:

• preliminary preparation of the surface;

• sputtering of a smoothing heat-resistant lacquer;

• thermal treatment;

• sputtering of aluminium coating in vacuum by the

ion-plasmous method.

Distinguishing features:• reflecting capacity and visual characteristics of the

mirror coating are completely restored (Fig. 1);

• the coating makes it possible to increase 2–3 times

the headlight reflector resource of the vehicles

working under high temperatures;

• reliable adhesion of coating and headlight basis and

the achievement of optimum physical and mechani-

cal properties of the coating;

• opportunity to obtain coatings in a variety of com-

position, structure and thickness, taking into con-

sideration their exposure to temperatures and volt-

ages;

• high plasticity, corrosion and heat resistance of the

product composition material, i. e., the coating;

• stability and availability of coating sputtering tech-

nological process under conditions of serial produc-

tion.

Defective headlight

Coating restored

Contacts

Contacts

T r a n s p o r t

39

Covery

Mihails Zilbermans


Lomonosova iela 1, LV-1019, Riga, LatviaTel.: (+371) 7100659, 6437979Fax: (+371) 7100535E-mail: [email protected]://www.tsi.lv

Covery represents an application program package for task

solution concerning the optimal number and configura-

tion of beacon and radar facilities included in the struc-

ture of air space surveillance systems in the responsibili-

ty areas of air traffic control centres.

Determination of the optimal number and configura-

tion of beacon and radar systems taking into considera-

tion the takeoff angles and the underlying terrain relief is

performed on the basis of the solution of the appropriate

direct and inverse tasks connected with the peculiarities

of reflection and dissipation of electromagnetic waves of

decimetric and centimetric range, taking into considera-

tion the real relief of location within the areas that are

important during the reflection.

The input material for the launching of the package

may be presented in the form of:

• table or graphic description of the required working

areas;

• admissible error level data in position finding of the

area borders;

• digital maps of locality relief within possible location

of beacon systems or radar sensor antennas.

Discontinuity of the presented height and scale maps

is fixed in the technical task.

The package includes software tools enabling the fol-

lowing:

• detection of distribution errors in position finding

within the working area;

• electrodynamic model formation on the basis of the

projection of the found error distribution on the Earth

surface;

• calculation of surface current distribution by two-di-

mensional Fourier-conversion of the formed electrody-

namics;

• task solution of the configuration synthesis and a num-

ber of radiation sources creating the distribution of the

found currents;

• modelling of the error distribution of the position find-

ing with the found position of the radiation sources in

the form of beacon or radar facilities;

• evaluation of the difference of the input and the found

error distribution with the aim of taking a decision

about the necessity to continue the iteration process.

The input requirements and the complex of the solu-

tion tasks may be varied as required by the customer.

Contacts


40

The outlook for Latvian technology “High Tech in Latvia 2006” is financially supported byMinistry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia.

Editorial BoardPïteris Reihmanis, director

Latvia Technology Park

E-mail: [email protected]

Laila Eli¿a, project manager

Latvia Technology Park

E-mail: [email protected]

PublisherLatvia Technology Park

Åzenes iela 16/20–136, Riga

LV-1048, Latvia

In Cooperation withLatvian Technological Center

Aizkraukles iela 21, Riga

LV-1006, Latvia

IRC Latvia

Aizkraukles iela 21, Riga

LV-1006, Latvia

Designed and Printed by

Publishing House AGB

K. Barona iela 31, Riga

LV-1011, Latvia

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