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This research project, carried out at the University of Derby, was used to develop an engine performance monitoring system and a data optimisation method for engine management systems for Land Rover. The project delivered two pieces of software developed for data modelling and optimisation with respect to the engine test bed. This has significantly reduced the engine test time on the test bed by up to 30%, reduced the cost of each engine test and provided optimum engine operation parameters to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which has resulted in lower emissions and improved fuel economy. The project was started in 2000 and completed in 2008. However the outcomes of the research and developed software tools are still used by the Land Rover engine test group.
The GRANIT system is a non-destructive technique for assessing the condition of rock bolts and ground anchors used to support structures such as tunnels. It applies a small impulse to the bolt and interprets the resulting vibration response to provide estimates of load and unbonded length. Initial development of the system was based on the findings of EPSRC projects in tunnels undertaken by the Universities of Aberdeen and Bradford from 1989-1997, resulting in an empirically based method. However, research undertaken at the University of Aberdeen since 1998 has provided the understanding of the process and developed the fundamental engineering science needed to underpin the development of a full commercial system. The GRANIT system is patented, and has been subject to worldwide licence to Halcrow who have undertaken testing and provided a method of ensuring the safety of mines, tunnels and similar structures. Halcrow received the NCE award for Technical Innovation Award for GRANIT in December 2010. The impact of the research has been in part economic, but largely on practitioners and professional services.
Industrial regions around the UK are seeking to develop bio-based economies in order to minimise their CO2 emissions and stimulate economic regeneration.
Researchers at Surrey, in collaboration with key industrialists from the Humber region, have produced a mathematical model of the main factors influencing the transition to, and establishment of, a bio-based economy. This model has been used by the Humber Environmental Managers (HEM) group, and the Humber local authorities to help guide strategic planning for the region. The outcome is that the research has contributed to environmental improvement and economic regeneration of the Humber region, and has indirectly impacted on public policy.
This case study describes the impact of the work at the University in the field of rail and road vehicle aerodynamics, which has primarily been through the integration of research into UK and EU standards and codes of practice. This has resulted in impacts on practitioners and professional services in the field of rolling stock and infrastructure construction and operation, and has also provided information for industrial testing work and for use in expert witness work. Specifically the work has been incorporated into the following codes and standards.
The methodology in these codes is widely used by the railway industry in the UK and Europe in train and infrastructure design, and indeed in some situations their use is obligatory. The work has also directly informed recent testing work for Network Rail and HS2 (via Arup) that have addressed fundamental issues associated with major electrification projects for the former and basic track spacing determination for the latter. It has been used in two court cases that were concerned with lorries blowing over.
Collaborations funded through EPSRC Interact and RCUK UK-China Science Bridge resulted in QUB's advanced control research having important economic and environmental impact in China, Pakistan, Vietnam. This includes the creation of new core modules for the Shanghai Automation Instrumentation Co (SAIC) SUPMAX Distributed Control System series of products now in use for whole plant monitoring and control to maximise energy efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. These products have since 2008 increased SAIC's revenue by over $50M p.a. Related networked monitoring technologies have been successfully deployed in Baosteel's hot-rolling production lines and in the Nantong Water Treatment Company that treats 20,000 tonnes of industrial waste water daily.
Experimental research and computer modelling in the School of Mechanical Engineering have been applied by engine and oil companies to reduce fuel consumption and noxious emissions. Studies into high pressure explosions and burn rates have helped industry improve engine efficiencies by up to 30% and contributed to the development of much improved fuels. These new products perform better, are less environmentally damaging and have generated new company revenues. Research into burn rates, detonations, and large jet-flames has also informed health and safety investigations, particularly the UK Government Inquiry into the Buncefield explosion, providing calculations and explanations of the blast, and recommendations on future safety controls.
Evaluating the ground-based manoeuvrability of large aircraft is time consuming and costly if explored though industry-developed complete models of ground dynamics. Research by Krauskopf and colleagues from the University of Bristol has shown that applying methods from dynamical systems allow these dynamics to be investigated efficiently and with considerable precision. This approach, and the related purpose-developed software, Dynamical Systems Toolbox, have been adopted by Airbus. It is now fully incorporated in the Airbus Methods and Tools portfolio as a supported tool for the evaluation of proposed works and new designs. The research delivers considerable savings in time and costs for the company. Additionally, this programme of research has delivered research training for Airbus employees and one, who studied for PhD with Krauskopf, now leads the Airbus development and implementation of these mathematical techniques which are being disseminated more widely within the company. There continue to be Bristol EPSRC CASE PhD studentships in collaboration with Airbus co-supervised by Krauskopf (7 in the assessment period).
Data assimilation is playing an ever increasing role in weather forecasting. Implementing four- dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVAR) is part of the long term strategy of the UK Met Office.
In this case study, an idealised 4DVAR scheme, developed by a team from the Universities of Surrey and Reading working with the UK Met Office, based on the integration of Hamiltonian dynamics and nonlinearity into data assimilation, has now been taken up by the Met Office. It is being used to evaluate options for improving operational 4DVAR. The simplicity of the scheme developed by this team has facilitated careful analyses of some generic problems with the operational model. The outcome includes direct impact on the environment and indirect impact on the economy, both through improvements in weather forecasting.
Runway stones thrown up by aircraft undercarriage wheels can cause considerable damage to the aircraft structure. A model of runway debris lofting developed at Imperial College has been used for the new A400M military transport aircraft, which Airbus reported was `absolutely needed' during the successful development of a nose wheel debris deflector [5. A]. This deflector dramatically reduces the incidence and severity of the runway debris impacts and the associated maintenance costs and downtime of the new aircraft. Airbus has received 174 orders to date for the A400M. An indication of the cost savings comes from the Hercules C130K, the predecessor of the A400M, which incurred costs of up to £1M for each aircraft on active service in Afghanistan for the repair of runway debris damage. This cost is now eliminated for the Airbus A400M aircraft.
This Case Study demonstrates how research has benefitted a commercial company (Telent Ltd), a public sector organisation (London Underground Ltd (LUL)) and the safety of staff and 1.4 billion passenger journeys.
The research enabled Telent to:
The new system also contributed to the revision of a BSI Standard (IEC BS EN 60268-16 2011).