Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Solar Chimney Power Plant’s Turbine

The solar chimney power plant is a relatively new electricity generation concept, based on renewable energy, combining the greenhouse effect with the chimney suction. The solar chimney powerplant consists of three parts, the solar collector, the chimney and the turbine generator unit, of which the study was focused on the later part. To evaluate the turbine performance inside the solar chimney powerplant, experimental system was constructed in Aswan, Egypt that has a metrological site (23°58'N and 32°47'E) occurs. The system was constructed to evaluate the performance of the solar chimney turbine and power generation characteristic in the hottest site where Aswan is located at the nearest of the Tropic of Cancer at the summer season. Velocity, electric power generation and the turbine efficiency are studying in this work. The numerical analyses were performed by using a commercial code CFX, ANSYS 16.1 to simulate the flow through the turbine and overall system. The study shows that the range of power generated (1.2 W - 4.4 W). It can be estimated, according to the results, the variation trend in pressure drops with the turbine rotation speed increase with small differences when the turbine rotation speed surpasses 1800 rpm with average efficiency of 57%. It is concluded that the theoretical model is basically valid for the system under study, and the CFD simulation can be used conveniently to predict the performance of the system, the comparison between them and experimental result shows a good agreement.

In vitro Evaluation with 5SBF of Alloy ASTM F75 Thermally Treated with Wollastonite

Samples of a cobalt-based alloy that underwent a surface treatment were evaluated. The samples, which were obtained by casting alloy ASTM F 75, were ground and polished on one side until a mirror finish was obtained. The samples were encapsulated in wollastonite （W） using uniaxial pressure, treated at 1 220 ~C for 1 h and subsequently tempered in water. The characterisation of the sample indicated that part of the ceramic encapsulating material was mechanically incorporated on the metallic surface by growth of the oxide layer of the alloy. After thermal treatment, a series of specimens were submerged in a solution with 5-fold simulated body fluid （5SBF） for 3, 5 and 21 days. Characterisation by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS） and X-ray diffraction （XRD） indicated nucleation and growth of a homogenous layer of apatite, beginning on the third day when the sample was submerged.

Static and dynamic stability responses of multilayer functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composite nanoplates via quasi 3D nonlocal strain gradient theory

This manuscript presents the comprehensive study of thickness stretching effects on the free vibration,static stability and bending of multilayer functionally graded(FG)carbon nanotubes reinforced composite(CNTRC)nanoplates.The nanoscale and microstructure influences are considered through a modified nonlocal strain gradient continuum model.Based on power-law functions,four different patterns of CNTs distribution are considered in this analysis,a uniform distribution UD,FG-V CNTRC,FG-X CNTRC,and FG-O CNTRC.A 3D kinematic shear deformation theory is proposed to include the stretching influence,which is neglected in classical theories.Hamilton's principle is applied to derive the governing equations of motion and associated boundary conditions.Analytical solutions are developed based on Galerkin method to solve the governing equilibrium equations based on the generalized higher-order shear deformation theory and the nonlocal strain gradient theory and get the static bending,buckling loads,and natural frequencies of nanoplates.Verification with previous works is presented.A detailed parametric analysis is carried out to highlight the impact of thickness stretching,length scale parameter(nonlocal),material scale parameter(gradient),CNTs distribution pattern,geometry of the plate,various boundary conditions and the total number of layers on the stresses,deformation,critical buckling loads and vibration frequencies.Many new results are also reported in the current study,which will serve as a benchmark for future research.

Theoretical, Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Effect of Inlet Blade Angle on the Performance of Regenerative Blowers

Regenerative machines allow high heads at small flow rates and present performance curves with very stable features. This research includes a study of the effect of four inlet flow angles (90°, 115°, 125° and 135°) of the blade at outlet flow angle of 90° on the performance of regenerative blower at rotation speed of 3000 rpm and at different flow rates. Investigation and comparison of the experimental results with both one-dimensional theoretical model and numerical CFD technique using CFX-ANSYS 16.1 are done. The numerical CFD analysis show that the flow enters the impeller from the blade side (about 65% of the blade side area) and leaves from the blade tip and blade side (the remaining 35% from the blade side area). According to this observation, a mathematical model that is based on momentum exchange theory to handle one inlet angle and two exit angles for the regenerative blower impeller blades is proposed. Consequently, the experimental work is carried out by two steps. The first step is done by studying the effect of inlet blade angle of 90° and analyzing the results by using the CFD analysis. The CFD results show shock losses and vortices behind each blade at the inlet flow regions. To reduce these losses, an increase of the inlet blade angle in a range between 25° to 45° is proposed. The second step is the splitting of this angle range to three inlet blade angles of 115°, 125° and 135° in order to study and analyze the CFD results for these angels. The CFD analysis shows the disappearance of the shock losses and vortices that are formed behind the blade of angle 90°. The experimental results show that the pressure head and the efficiency depend strongly on the blade inlet and outlet flow angles as well as on the blade geometry. The results also show that the best blower performance can be obtained at an inlet flow angle of 125°, and this is confirmed by CFD simulation analysis. Finally, it is shown that the proposed one-dimensional model yield results that are in a good agreement with the experimental results.

An Evaluation of the Main Physical Features and Circulation Patterns in the Black Sea Basin

Having as target the semi-enclosed basin of the Black Sea,the primary purpose of the existing paper is to present an overview of its extensive physical features and circulation patterns.To achieve this goal,more than five decades of data analysis-from 1960 to 2015-were taken into consideration and the results were validated against acknowledged data,both from satellite data over the last two decades and in-situ measurements from first decades.The circulation of the Black Sea basin has been studied for almost 400 years since the Italian Count Luigi Marsigli first described the“two-layer”circulation through the Bosphorus Strait in the year 1681.Since climate change projections for the Black Sea region foresee a significant impact on the environment in the coming decades,a set of adaptation and mitigation measures is required.Therefore more research is needed.Nowadays,the warming trend adds a sense of immediate urgency because according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centre for Environmental Information,July 2020 was the second-hottest month ever recorded for the planet.Its averaged land and ocean surface temperature tied with July 2016 as the secondhighest for the month in the 141-year NOAA’s global temperature dataset history,which dates back to 1880.It was 0.92°C above the 20th-century average of 15.8°C,with only 0.01°C less than the record extreme value measured in July of 2019.

Model Predictive Control Coupled with Artificial Intelligence for Eddy Current Dynamometers

The recent studies on Artificial Intelligence(AI)accompanied by enhanced computing capabilities supports increasing attention into traditional control methods coupled with AI learning methods in an attempt to bringing adap-tiveness and fast responding features.The Model Predictive Control(MPC)tech-nique is a widely used,safe and reliable control method based on constraints.On the other hand,the Eddy Current dynamometers are highly nonlinear braking sys-tems whose performance parameters are related to many processes related vari-ables.This study is based on an adaptive model predictive control that utilizes selected AI methods.The presented approach presents an updated the mathema-tical model of an Eddy Current Dynamometer based on experimentally obtained system operational data.Finally,the comparison of AI methods and related learn-ing performances based on the assessment technique of mean absolute percentage error(MAPE)issues are discussed.The results indicate that Single Hidden Layer Neural Network(SHLNN),General Regression Neural Network(GRNN),Radial Basis Network(RBNN),Neuro Fuzzy Network(ANFIS)coupled MPC have quite satisfying performances.The presented results indicate that,amongst them,GRNN appears to provide the best performance.

Submarine Hunter: Efficient and Secure Multi-Type Unmanned Vehicles

Utilizing artificial intelligence(AI)to protect smart coastal cities has become a novel vision for scientific and industrial institutions.One of these AI technologies is using efficient and secure multi-environment Unmanned Vehicles(UVs)for anti-submarine attacks.This study’s contribution is the early detection of a submarine assault employing hybrid environment UVs that are controlled using swarm optimization and secure the information in between UVs using a decentralized cybersecurity strategy.The Dragonfly Algorithm is used for the orientation and clustering of the UVs in the optimization approach,and the Re-fragmentation strategy is used in the Network layer of the TCP/IP protocol as a cybersecurity solution.The research’s noteworthy findings demonstrate UVs’logistical capability to promptly detect the target and address the problem while securely keeping the drone’s geographical information.The results suggest that detecting the submarine early increases the likelihood of averting a collision.The dragonfly strategy of sensing the position of the submersible and aggregating around it demonstrates the reliability of swarm intelligence in increasing access efficiency.Securing communication between Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)improves the level of secrecy necessary for the task.The swarm navigation is based on a peer-to-peer system,which allows each UAV to access information from its peers.This,in turn,helps the UAVs to determine the best route to take and to avoid collisions with other UAVs.The dragonfly strategy also increases the speed of the mission by minimizing the time spent finding the target.

High-temperature tribological performance of functionally graded Stellite 6/WC metal matrix composite coatings manufactured by laser-directed energy deposition

Wear-driven tool failure is one of the main hurdles in the industry.This issue can be addressed through surface coating with ceramic-reinforced metal matrix composites.However,the maximum ceramic content is limited by cracking.In this work,the tribological behaviour of the functionally graded WC-ceramic-particlereinforced Stellite 6 coatings is studied.To that end,the wear resistance at room temperature and 400°C is investigated.Moreover,the tribological analysis is supported by crack sensitivity and hardness evaluation,which is of utmost importance in the processing of composite materials with ceramic-particle-reinforcement.Results indicate that functionally graded materials can be employed to increase the maximum admissible WC content,hence improving the tribological behaviour,most notably at high temperatures.Additionally,a shift from abrasive to oxidative wear is observed in high-temperature wear testing.

Use of wastes from the tea and coffee industries for the production of cellulases using fungi isolated from the Western Ghats of India

In this study,coffee pulp(Coffea arabica)and green tea(Camellia sinensis)residues were characterized for use as a substrate of solid-state fermentation for cellulases production.The invasion rate was evaluated,as well as cellulases production by strains of Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma asperellum from the western Ghats of India,on coffee pulp,green tea,and a mixture of both substrates(50:50).T.asperellum(AFP)strain was found to have the highest growth rate(0.409±0.021 mm/h)using a mixture of both substrates.The production of cellulases by T.asperellum was unsatisfactory due to the presence of polyphenols in the supports to which A.nigger cellulases are more resistant.The production of cellulases by A.nigger was linked to the pH of the supports,favouring the use of T and TC.It was found that the extracts produced by A.niger(28A strain using a mixture substrate,28A,and 20A strains using only green tea as a substrate)presented the highest cellulase activities when evaluated using a plate technique producing degradation halos of 2.3±0.1 cm of diameter.Aspergillus 28A strain did not require mineral enrichment media for cellulase production using green tea residues as support of solid-state fermentation.