9307909 Klinzing An advanced control system to optimize the operation of pneumatic conveying equipment will be investigated, using as input the pressure fluctuations which is naturally induced by two-phase solids-gas flow in pipes. The flow pattern to be optimized determines the energy consumption, the operation life of the equipment, and the stability in operation. Computer control, fuzzy logic analysis and neural network techniques will be developed and applied, in order to obtain a stable and economical flow pattern in operation. The recommended control techniques will be transmitted to industrial partners, who will form an "industrial advisory board" to review the research progress and its transfer to industry. The proposed research may have important results for increasing the efficiency and reliability of pneumatic transport in chemical manufacturing, mining sites, pharmaceutical and food industry. This is a university-industry collaborative research project, as defined in the NSF Announcement GOALI (Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry, NSF 93-149). ***
