Solar chemical looping reforming of methane combined with isothermal H2O/CO2 splitting using ceria oxygen carrier for syngas production

The chemical looping reforming of methane through the nonstoichiometric ceria redox cycle(CeO2/CeO2-δ) has been experimentally investigated in a directly irradiated solar reactor to convert both solar energy and methane to syngas in the temperature range 900–1050 °C. Experiments were carried out with different ceria shapes via two-step redox cycling composed of endothermic partial reduction of ceria with methane and complete exothermic re-oxidation of reduced ceria with H2 O/CO2 at the same operating temperature, thereby demonstrating the capability to operate the cycle isothermally. A parametric study considering different ceria macrostructure variants(ceria packed powder, ceria packed powder mixed with inert Al2 O3 particles, and ceria reticulated porous foam) and operating parameters(methane flow-rate, reduction temperature, or sintering temperature) was conducted in order to unravel their impact on the bed-averaged oxygen non-stoichiometry(δ), syngas yield, methane conversion, and solar reactor performance. The ceria cycling stability was also experimentally investigated to demonstrate repeatable syngas production by alternating the flow between CH4 and H2 O(or CO2). A decrease in sintering temperature of the ceria foam was beneficial for increasing syngas selectivity, methane conversion,and reactor performance. Increasing both CH4 concentration and reduction temperature enhanced δ with the maximum value up to 0.41 but concomitantly favored CH4 cracking reaction. The ceria reticulated porous foam showed better performance in terms of effective heat transfer, due to volumetric absorption of concentrated solar radiation and uniform heating with lower solar power consumption, thereby promoting the solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency that reached up to 5.60%. The energy upgrade factor achieved during cycle was up to 1.19. Stable patterns in the δ and syngas yield for consecutive cycles with the ceria foam validated material performance stability.

A novel power-combination method using a time-reversal pulse-compression technique

The electromagnetic time-reversal(TR)technique has the characteristics of spatiotemporal focusing in a time-reversal cavity(TRC),which can be used for pulse compression,thus forming an electromagnetic pulse with high peak power.A time-reversed pulse-compression method in a single channel has high pulse compression gain.However,single channel pulse compression can only generate limited gain.This paper proposes a novel TR power-combination method in a multichannel TRC to obtain higher peak power based on TR pulse-compression theory.First,the TR power-combination model is given,and the crosstalk properties of the associated channel and the influence of the reversal performance are studied.Then,the power-combination performances for the TR pulse compression,such as combined signal to noise ratio(SNR)and combined compression gain,are analyzed by numerical simulation and experimental methods.The results show that the proposed method has obvious advantages over pulse-compression methods using a single channel cavity,and is more convenient for power combination.

IRS-Aided SWIPT Systems with Power Splitting and Artificial Noise

Intelligent reflecting surface(IRS) is regarded as a promising technology because it can achieve higher passive beamforming gain. In particular, the IRS assisted simultaneous wireless information and power transfer(SWIPT) system can make the information decoding receivers(IDRs) have a higher signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), and the energy harvesting receivers(EHRs) have the guarantee of minimum harvested energy threshold. Motivated by the above,in this paper, we use the power splitting(PS) at the user and introduce artificial noise(AN) into the access point(AP), so that the user in system can harvest energy and decode information simultaneously,further improve the security of user. We jointly optimize the beamforming matrix at AP, the reflection phase shift at IRS and the PS ratio, in order to maximize the user’s achievable secrecy rate, subject to the user’s minimum harvested energy threshold and AP’s transmission power. Due to the introduction of PS ratio, the coupling between variables is increased,and the complexity of the problem is significantly increased. Furthermore, the problem is non-convex, so we propose an efficient algorithm based on Taylor Formula, semi-definite relaxation(SDR) and alternating optimization(AO) to get the solution. Numerical results show that the proposed IRS-SWIPT system with PS and AN achieves significant performance improvement compared with other benchmark scheme.

Two-Stage Optimal Dispatching of Wind Power-Photovoltaic-Solar Thermal Combined System Considering Economic Optimality and Fairness

Aiming at the problems of large-scale wind and solar grid connection,how to ensure the economy of system operation and how to realize fair scheduling between new energy power stations,a two-stage optimal dispatching model of wind power-photovoltaic-solar thermal combined system considering economic optimality and fairness is proposed.Firstly,the first stage dispatching model takes the overall economy optimization of the system as the goal and the principle of maximizing the consumption of wind and solar output,obtains the optimal output value under the economic conditions of each new energy station,and then obtains the maximum consumption space of the new energy station.Secondly,based on the optimization results of the first stage,the second stage dispatching model uses the dispatching method of fuzzy comprehensive ranking priority to prioritize the new energy stations,and then makes a fair allocation to the dispatching of the wind and solar stations.Finally,the analysis of a specific example shows that themodel can take into account the fairness of active power distribution of new energy stations on the basis of ensuring the economy of system operation,make full use of the consumption space,and realize the medium and long-term fairness distribution of dispatching plan.

LociScan,a tool for screening genetic marker combinations for plant variety discrimination

To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of plant genetic marker fingerprinting for variety discrimination,it is desirable to identify the optimal marker combinations.We describe a marker combination screening model based on the genetic algorithm(GA)and implemented in a software tool,Loci Scan.Ratio-based variety discrimination power provided the largest optimization space among multiple fitness functions.Among GA parameters,an increase in population size and generation number enlarged optimization depth but also calculation workload.Exhaustive algorithm afforded the same optimization depth as GA but vastly increased calculation time.In comparison with two other software tools,Loci Scan accommodated missing data,reduced calculation time,and offered more fitness functions.In large datasets,the sample size of training data exerted the strongest influence on calculation time,whereas the marker size of training data showed no effect,and target marker number had limited effect on analysis speed.

Performance of Gas-Steam Combined Cycle Cogeneration Units Influenced by Heating Network Terminal Steam Parameters

The determination of source-side extracted heating parameters is of great significance to the economic operation of cogeneration systems.This paper investigated the coupling performance of a cogeneration heating and power system multidimensionally based on the operating characteristics of the cogeneration units,the hydraulic and thermodynamic characteristics of the heating network,and the energy loads.Taking a steam network supported by a gas-steam combined cycle cogeneration system as the research case,the interaction effect among the source-side prime movers,the heating networks,and the terminal demand thermal parameters were investigated based on the designed values,the plant testing data,and the validated simulation.The operating maps of the gas-steam combined cycle cogeneration units were obtained using THERMOFLEX,and the minimum source-side steam parameters of the steam network were solved using an inverse solution procedure based on the hydro-thermodynamic coupling model.The cogeneration operating maps indicate that the available operating domain considerably narrows with the rise of the extraction steam pressure and flow rate.The heating network inverse solution demonstrates that the source-side steam pressure and temperature can be optimized from the originally designed 1.11 MPa and 238.8°C to 1.074 MPa and 191.15°C,respectively.Under the operating strategy with the minimum source-side heating parameters,the power peak regulation depth remarkably increases to 18.30%whereas the comprehensive thermal efficiency decreases.The operation under the minimum source-side heating steam parameters can be superior to the originally designed one in the economy at a higher price of the heating steam.At a fuel price of$0.38/kg and the power to fuel price of 0.18 kg/(kW·h),the critical price ratio of heating steam to fuel is 119.1 kg/t.The influence of the power-fuel price ratio on the economic deviation appears relatively weak.

PHASE AND FREQUENCY LOCKING OF MICROWAVE AND MILLIMETER WAVE POWER COMBINING

The phase and frequency locking of microwave, millimeter wave power combining were analysed and summarized in an all-round way. The master/slave phase locking of cavity oscillators, the peer phase locking of mutually coupled oscillators, and the peer phase locking of ring-connected multiple oscillators were investigated. The results of numerical calculations, and the relations of phase to phase locking model and oscillator parameters were given. And the cavity and space power combining aspects for microwave and millimeter wave were presented.

Intelligent Reflecting Surface with Power Splitting Aided Symbiotic Radio Networks

The performance of symbiotic radio(SR)networks can be improved by equipping secondary transmitters(STs)with intelligent reflecting surfaces(IRSs).Since the IRS power consumption is a non-negligible issue for STs,we consider an IRS assisted SR system where the IRS operates under power splitting(PS)mode.We aim at minimizing the IRS power consumption for the ST under the quality of service constraints for both primary and secondary transmissions by optimizing the transmit beamforming,the reflect beamforming and the PS factor.The optimization problem is non-convex.To tackle it,an algorithm is proposed by employing the block coordinate descent,semidefinite relaxation and alternating direction method of multipliers techniques.Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Power Splitting Behavior of Star Gearing Based on Deformation Compatibility

The deformation compatibility equations and the torque balance equations of star gearing with three branches have been found based on the characteristic that the system composes a closed-loop of power flow. In consideration of the parts manufacturing errors, assembly errors, bearing stiffness and float, the power splitting rate of each star gear and the system were calculated by using the theory of equivalent mesh error. The effects of the errors, float and the bearing stiffness on power splitting were studied. The study provides a useful theoretical guideline for the design of star gearing.

Evaluation of the Coherent Combining Lasers Array by the Power in the Bucket of the Main Lobe Method

Coherent combination of laser beam is an important and challenging area of high power laser science. And how to evaluate the high power laser by coherent beam combination is a new research spot. Formulas for the radiated intensity distributions of coherent combined Gaussian beam array are derived via Fraunhofer scalar diffraction model by utilizing representations of the cross-spectral density of the far field. Effects of beam array numbers and separate distances etc. on far field radiated profiles are shown and analyzed. A new conception named power in the bucket of the main lobe (PIMm) is advanced to measure the beam quality of combined beams. This evaluation method is useful for efficiently determining the peak irradiance and power in the bucket for single emitting apertures of general shape.

Power-combining based on master-slave injection-locking magnetron

A microwave power-combining system composed of two Panasonic 2M244-M1 magnetrons based on master–slave injection-locking is demonstrated in this paper. The principle of master–slave injection-locking and the locking condition are theoretical analyzed. Experimental results are consistent with the theoretical analysis and the experimental combined efficiency is higher than 96%. Compared with the external-injection-locked system, the power-combining based on the master–slave injection-locking magnetron is superior by taking out the external solid-state driver and the real-time phase control system. Thus, this power-combining system has great potential for obtaining a high efficiency, high stability, low cost, and high power microwave source.

A Financial Approach to Evaluate an Optimized Combined Cooling, Heat and Power System

Iran’s removing subsidy from energy carrier in four years ago leads to spike electricity price dramatically. This abrupt change increases the interest on distributed generation (DG) because of its several benefits such as lower electricity generation price. In Iran among all type of DGs, because of wide natural gas network infrastructure and several incentives that government legislated to support combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) investors, this type of technology is more prevalent in comparison with other technologies. Between existing CCHP technologies, certain economic choices are to be taken into account. For different buildings with different load curves, suitable size and operation of CCHP should be calculated to make the project more feasible. If CCHP does not well suited for a position, then the whole energy efficiency would be plunged significantly. In this paper, a model to find the optimal size and operation of CCHP and auxiliary boiler for any users is proposed by considering an integrated view of electricity and natural gas network using GAMS software. Then this method is applying for a hospital in Tehran as a real case study. Finally, by applying COMFAR III software, useful financial parameters and sensitivity analysis are calculated.

Differentiation degree combination weighting method for investment decision-making risk assessment in power grid construction projects

Power grid construction projects are distinguished by their wide variety,high investment,long payback period,and close relation to national development and human welfare.To improve the investment accuracy in such projects and effectively prevent investment risks,this paper proposes an investment optimization decision-making method for multiple power grid construction projects under a certain investment scale.Firstly,an in-depth analysis of the characteristics and development requirements of China’s power grid projects was performed.Thereafter,the time sequence and holographic method was adopted to conduct multi-dimensional,multi-perspective risk assessment of different parts of power grid projects,and a holographic risk assessment index system was developed.Moreover,an investment decision model considering the comprehensive risk based on combination weighting was developed according to the output and input of power grid construction projects.A new combination weighting optimization method that takes into account the investment willingness of enterprises was designed to improve the current weighting evaluation methods.Finally,the validity and applicability of the proposed evaluation method were verified by case examples.

Analysis of the compound split transmission based on the four-port power split device

In order to identify all the appropriate system schemes for the compound split systems formed primarily with a four-port mechanical power split device, power transmission characteristics of the compound split systems was analyzed. Considering the structural symmetry and according to the different connection arrangement of the four ports, compound split system was classified into four types. Using black-box modeling method, the generalized models of the speed ratio, the torque ratio and the power split ratio were established. Moreover, a semi-invert diagram was used to distin- guish the different schemes in each type. The characteristics of the speed ratio, the torque ratio and the power split ratio in each domain were also analyzed and compared. Through the semi-invert dia- gram, a selection method based on the rated-power speed ranges in different schemes was presented and all suitable compound split systems were identified, which can be used as references for the scheme selection of this kind of continuously variable power split transmission.

Effect of Tooth Profile Modification on Vibration of Power Split Gear Transmission System

Based on Newton ' s second law,the bend-torsion-shaft coupling nonlinear dynamic model and equations of power split gear transmission system are established.According to the principle of tooth profile modification,the tooth profile modification is considered as time-varying gear backlash function acting along the line of action.Then the dynamic functions are solved by using Runge-Kutta numerical method.After analyzing the effect of tooth profile modification quantity( TPMQ) and relative tooth profile modification length( TPML) to the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of power split gear transmission,the following conclusions are drawn:1 The TPMQ of a certain stage transmission affects the vibration of its own stage more significantly than the other stage,and the coupling effect between two stages can be ignored usually in the modification design;2 If the first stage TPMLs are less than 0.3,the influence of the first stage TPMLs to the first stage transmission vibration is much more greatly than the influence of the second stage TPMLs to the first stage transmission vibration,or else both the first and second stage TPMLs affect the first stage transmission vibration largely.The same is true for the second stage TPMLs,and the cutoff value is 0.2;3 The TPMQ affects the vibration of power split gear transmission system more principally than the TPML,and should be top-priority in the modification design.

Initiative Optimization Operation Strategy and Multi-objective Energy Management Method for Combined Cooling Heating and Power

This paper proposed an initiative optimization operation strategy and multi-objective energy management method for combined cooling heating and power(CCHP) with storage systems.Initially,the initiative optimization operation strategy of CCHP system in the cooling season,the heating season and the transition season was formulated.The energy management of CCHP system was optimized by the multi-objective optimization model with maximum daily energy efficiency,minimum daily carbon emissions and minimum daily operation cost based on the proposed initiative optimization operation strategy.Furthermore,the pareto optimal solution set was solved by using the niche particle swarm multi-objective optimization algorithm.Ultimately,the most satisfactory energy management scheme was obtained by using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS) method.A case study of CCHP system used in a hospital in the north of China validated the effectiveness of this method.The results showed that the satisfactory energy management scheme of CCHP system was obtained based on this initiative optimization operation strategy and multi-objective energy management method.The CCHP system has achieved better energy efficiency,environmental protection and economic benefits.

Synthetical Efficiency-based Optimization for the Power Distribution of Power-split Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Now the optimization strategies for power distribution are researched widely, and most of them are aiming to the optimal fuel economy and the driving cycle must be preknown. Thus if the actual driving condition deviates from the scheduled driving cycle, the effect of optimal results will be declined greatly. Therefore, the instantaneous optimization strategy carried out on-line is studied in this paper. The power split path and the transmission efficiency are analyzed based on a special power-split scheme and the efficiency models of the power transmitting components are established. The synthetical efficiency optimization model is established for enhancing the transmission efficiency and the fuel economy. The identification of the synthetical efficiency as the optimization objective and the constrain group are discussed emphatically. The optimization is calculated by the adaptive simulated annealing （ASA） algorithm and realized on-line by the radial basis function （RBF）-based similar models. The optimization for power distribution of the hybrid vehicle in an actual driving condition is carried out and the road test results are presented. The test results indicate that the synthetical efficiency optimization method can enhance the transmission efficiency and the fuel economy of the power-split hybrid electric vehicle （HEV） observably. Compared to the rules-based strategy the optimization strategy is optimal and achieves the approximate global optimization solution for the power distribution. The synthetical efficiency optimization solved by ASA algorithm can give attentions to both optimization quality and calculation efficiency, thus it has good application foreground for the power distribution of power-split HEV.

Solution of Combined Heat and Power Economic Dispatch Problem Using Direct Optimization Algorithm

This paper presents the solution to the combined heat and power economic dispatch problem using a direct solution algorithm for constrained optimization problems. With the potential of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) production to increase the efficiency of power and heat generation simultaneously having been researched and established, the increasing penetration of CHP systems, and determination of economic dispatch of power and heat assumes higher relevance. The Combined Heat and Power Economic Dispatch (CHPED) problem is a demanding optimization problem as both constraints and objective functions can be non-linear and non-convex. This paper presents an explicit formula developed for computing the system-wide incremental costs corresponding with optimal dispatch. The circumvention of the use of iterative search schemes for this crucial step is the innovation inherent in the proposed dispatch procedure. The feasible operating region of the CHP unit three is taken into account in the proposed CHPED problem model, whereas the optimal dispatch of power/heat outputs of CHP unit is determined using the direct Lagrange multiplier solution algorithm. The proposed algorithm is applied to a test system with four units and results are provided.

An Improved Combined Power System Utilizing Cold Energy of LNG

In order to improve efficiency of a combined power system in which waste heat from exhaust gas could be efficiently recovered and cold energy of liquefied natural gas(LNG) could be fully utilized as well. A system simulation and thermodynamic analysis were carried out,the Kalina cycle was reorganized by changing the concentration of "basic composition",so that a better thermal matching in the heat exchanger could be obtained and the irreversibility of the system was decreased. It was found that the Kalina cycle generally used in the bottom of combined power cycle could also be used to recover the cold energy of LNG. The results show that the exergy efficiency of 42.97% is obtained. Compared with the previous system attained the exergy efficiency of 39.76%,the improved system has a better performance.

Incoherent and coherent beam combination for master oscillator/power amplifier system with stimulated Brillouin scattering mirror

In this paper, we studied incoherent and coherent beam combining for the master oscillator/power amplifier （MOPA） system with stimulated Brillouin scattering （SBS） mirror. Optic field intensity distributions in the near and far field are numerically calculated for the two kinds of system. The results show that good beam quality in the far field could be obtained. It provides a theoretical basis for experimental research in the future.