Thermal Behavior of Clay-Based Building Materials: A Numerical Study Using Microstructural Modeling

A large part of the energy savings in the building sector comes from the choice of materials used and their structures. We are interested, through a numerical study, in establishing the link between the thermal performance of composite materials and their microstructures. The work begins with the generation of a two-phase 3D composite structure, the application of the Random Sequential Addition (RSA) algorithm, and then the finite element method (FE) is used to evaluate, in steady-state, the effective thermal conductivity of these composites. The result of the effective thermal conductivity of composite building material based on clay and olive waste at a volume fraction of 10% obtained by simulation is 0.573 W·m?1·K?1, this result differs by 3.6% from the value measured experimentally using modern metrology methods. The calculated value is also compared to those of existing analytical models in the literature. It can be noticed also that the effective thermal conductivity is not only related to the volume fraction of the inclusions but also to other parameters such as the shape of the inclusions and their distribution. The small difference between the numerical and experimental thermal conductivity results shows the performance of the code used and its validation for random heterogeneous materials. The homogenization technique remains a reliable way of evaluating the effective thermal properties of clay-based building materials and exploring new composite material designs.

Performance Assessment of a Heat Recovery Unit Utilizing Turbine with Variable Inlet Guide Vanes Configuration for Application in Passenger Vehicles

This study explores the potentials of employing an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system with variable inlet guide vanes (VIV) turbine geometry designed on a GT-Suite platform for effective exhaust heat recovery (EHR) application onboard passenger vehicles. The ORC model simulation was based on vehicle speed mode using R245fa as working fluid to assess the thermal performance of the ORC system when utilizing modified turbine geometry. Interestingly, the model achieved a very improved performance in contrast to the model without a modified turbine configuration. The results revealed the average 2.32 kW ORC net output, 4.93% thermal efficiency, 6.1% mechanical efficiency, and 5.0% improved brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for the developed model. As determined by the performance indicators, these promising results from the model study show the prospect of EHR technology application in the transportation sector for reduction in exhaust emissions and fuel savings.

A Review on Renewable Energy Systems for Irrigation in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

The lack of water in arid and semi-arid regions has often limited agricultural production. Indeed, even where water is available for irrigation, the lack of electricity, as well as the high costs of diesel, has created constraints on small farmers. The purpose of this research is to review the renewable energy potential available in arid and semi-arid zones that can be used for irrigation as a substitute for fossil fuels. In this review, the solar thermal irrigation, solar photovoltaic (PV) irrigation, wind pumping and biomass pumping are discussed. The comparison of different hybrid pumping systems and analyses of renewable sources irrigation assessment in arid and semi-arid regions of Mozambique also are discussed. The results of this study showed that there are still certain technological limitations regarding the use of solar thermal energy for irrigation. As far as wind power is concerned, the analysis of the pumping water life cycle cost showed that the wind power water pumping system is more economical and viable compared to the diesel based system. However, the study concluded that photovoltaic solar energy has been shown to be more viable for pumping water for irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions.

Research on Parameter Collaborative Configuration of DC Circuit Breaker and DC Fault Current Limiter

Fault current suppression is the key technology to ensure the safe operation of the DC power distribution system. In order to realize the parameter collabora-tive configuration of the DC circuit breaker and the DC current limiter and improve the fault current suppression capability, the fault current suppression mechanism of the DC power distribution system is revealed based on the circuit model. Then, based on the mathematical model of the DC breaker, the characteristic parameters of DC breaking are extracted, and then the influence of different characteristic parameters on the breaking characteristics of fault current is studied. Finally, the mathematical model of the collaborative process between DC circuit breaker and DC current limiter is established. The charac-teristic parameters of fault current collaborative suppression are extracted. The coupling effects of different characteristic parameters on the fault current col-laborative suppression are studied. The principle of collaborative configuration of DC circuit breaker and DC current limiter is proposed, and the collaborative suppression ability of DC circuit breaker and DC current limiter to fault current is fully exploited to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the DC power distribution system.

Energy Losses in Superconductors

Absence of macroscopic resistance is the most essential trait of superconductors for their practical applications. Yet several mechanisms lead to dissipation in the superconducting state such as weak links, fluctuations, and the motion of flux vortices in the mixed state of type II materials. Thus it is of practical as well as fundamental interest to explore these mechanisms to the fullest extent and to learn how to control them. Regarding the control of flux motion, most research efforts aim at preventing flux motion by introducing a variety of pinning strategies. In the present work, we discuss the circumstances under which it is possible to exclude vortices in the first place, or to short their motion through intrinsic multi-band effects. Experimental results on two model systems, molybdenum-germanium and magnesium diboride films, are presented to support these strategies.

Measuring Porosity of Anodes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) through Water Archimedeans Porosimetry

The present research is aimed to measure the porosity of anodes in solid oxide fuel cell through water Archimedeans method. There are various alternatives available to replace fossil fuel cells like nuclear power, wind energy, solar energy, bio fuel, and geothermal and fuel cells. Among all the alternatives of fossil fuel, one form of energy production that stands out from the rest and promises a sustainable future energy is fuel cell. Moreover, it offers many advantages in contrast to other forms of energy generation. An Archimedean approach for water immersion porosimetry is carried out. Some of the results are beyond rational limits, and given negative and sometime above 100 percent porosity. The reasons for these unacceptable results are either due to water ingress into the sample or the sample turns into buoyant due to air in the cling film. The results from Archimedean porosimetry should only be used qualitatively due to errors associated with the results. It is also noted that Archimedean porosimetry is not the ideal technique for measuring the porosity of coated samples. It is suggested that larger samples should be analyzed that will help to minimize the weighing errors.

Analysis of a Methanol-Power Polygeneration System from Natural Gas

This paper analyzes the characteristics of a Natural Gas (NG)-based Methanol-Power Polygeneration System (MPPS). The structures and parameters of the polygeneration systems are investigated to explore the appropriate process for each polygeneration system. And some effective methods, such as exergy distribution analysis and energy-utilization diagrams (EUD) are adopted to investigate the performance & characteristic of the system. The results reveal that, MPPS adopted Partial Reforming and Partial Cycling synthesis (PR/PC) process can reach good performance, while MPPS exhibits poor performance when adopting Full Reforming and Once Through synthesis (FR/OT) process. Through further study with exergy analysis method, we find that the particular synthesis and separation properties of methanol lead to such difference. Therefore, the characteristics of chemical product should be important factors in the configuration and integration of polygeneration systems. The work of this paper is significant for the research and development of polygeneration system.

PIV Measurement of Velocity Distribution in the Moderator Circulation Test (MCT)

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has been carrying out a scaled-down moderator test program to simulate the CANDU-6 moderator circulation phenomena during steady state operation and accident conditions. The Moderator Circulation Test (MCT) facility was designed and constructed as 1/4 scale of the prototype of CANDU-6 reactor. In the present work spatial distribution of two-dimensional velocity in the MCT facility under isothermal condition was measured using planar Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system which consists of double pulsed laser, synchronizer, and high speed camera. TSI’s Insight TM 4G software was used to perform PIV image capturing, PIV calculation and post processing. 10 μm sized silver-coated hollow sphere particles were used as flow tracer particles. Multiple experiments were conducted to cover large area of the MCT facility with limited field of view of a single camera. Instantaneous and averaged velocity field were analyzed for each spatial position and flow rate. This research is capable of offering validation data for self-reliant CFD tools to predict moderator subcooling margin in CANDU-6 reactor.

Probabilistic Issue of Reliability for Power Machinery Operating in Coal Fired Power Plants

The paper presents results of reliability analysis made for lignite fired 370 MW rated power units installed in the Belchatow Power Plant (Poland). The concept of standardized power unit and the method of a histogram with a set number of observations in each class were applied in a study. The study includes analysis of probability distributions of operation times and repair times for the main power unit components. Empirical probability distribution functions have been identified and their parameters estimated in the study. The final forecast includes an estimation of such reliability measures like expected operation time, expected failure rate, average repair time and expected annual failure duration.

Classification of Briquettes Selection Criteria Using Principal Components Analysis Approach

The briquettes have the potential to reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood while addressing employment issues for youths and women through briquette-making value chain components. However, the marketing that would increase the acceptance of the briquettes requires an essential understanding of the briquettes’ critical selection criteria considered by potential briquette users. This study assesses the classes of briquette energy and their preferences. The study specifically investigated the following: 1) level of interest in briquette’s geometric shapes, 2) classes for briquette geometric shapes 3) class components leading to purchasing the briquettes. A baseline survey was conducted, which included 330 households in the Morogoro district’s urban, peri-urban, and rural communities. The study used a snowball technique to meet with respondents, especially in families with youth and women. Securing information in objectives one and two used the five Likert scales (Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, and strongly disagree). In contrast, objective three utilized the five Likert scales of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the order of importance. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method assisted in classification and interpreting the motive behind preferences. The results found that the motive behind the shape preferences was in two categories, each including three principal components. The categories are 1) geometric shapes: round, long, and circular/plate forms, and 2) purchasing influences: performance, attractiveness, and personal capacity. Therefore, the briquettes with technically improved round shapes produced based on the performance factors are recommended for adoption and marketability.

A Review on the Evolution of Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbine: Small Wind Turbines

Wind energy witnessed tremendous growth in the past decade and emerged as the most sought renewable energy source after solar energy. Though the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) is preferred for multi-megawatt power generation, Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) is as competitive as HAWT. The current study aims to summarize the development of VAWT, in particular, Darrieus turbine from the past to the project that is underway. The reason for the technical challenges and past failures are discussed. Various configurations of VAWT have been assessed in terms of reliability, components and low wind speed performance. Innovative concepts and the feasibility to scale up for megawatt electricity generation, especially in offshore environments are investigated. This paper is a modest attempt to highlight the state-of-the-art information on the ongoing developments focusing on decentralized power generation. This review is envisioned as an information hub for the major developments in VAWT and its technical advancements so far.

Effect of Distribution Generators on Stability in a Limited Bus Power Grid System

It has been recognized recently that when injecting renewable energy source power to a load bus which connected to a distributed feeder in a power grid system, a stability problem occurs particularly when having high fault duties that exceeding the circuit breaker ratings at some substations. In this paper an analysis of power flow, short circuit, stability and protection is given in detail to an example of limited 7-bus power grid system. Comparison is illustrated between power grid with and without distributed generators regarding bus voltages, fault currents, critical power angles, selected current transformers and over current relay settings in each bus.

A Novel Wind Energy Conversion System with Storage for Spillage Recovery

This paper proposes a new system configuration for integrating a compressed air energy storage system with a conventional wind turbine. The proposed system recycles the mechanical spillage of blades and stores it for later electricity generation with assistance from a rotary vane machine. The configuration and operational policy is explained, and a comparative case study shows that the proposed system recovers investment costs through savings on electricity procurement and revenue through power export.

Blackout Prevention by Power Swing Detection and Out-of-Step Protection

Power swing evoked by sudden changes like faults or switching operations will become more and more important for protective relaying, due to the growing load flow in electrical power networks. Unwanted trips of the distance protection function must be avoided to prevent cascading effects and blackouts in the network. Selective out-of-step-tripping is required to stop unstable power swing and to prevent damage to affected generators. Therefore a reliable method for detection of power swing is presented, which requires no settings for operation. Power swing can be detected from 0.1 Hz up to 10 Hz swing frequency, also during open pole condition and during asymmetrical operation. A blocking logic prevents unselective trips by the distance protection. However, faults that occur during a power swing must be detected and cleared with a high degree of selectivity and dependability. For unstable power swing a flexible out of step tripping function will be proposed. The coordination of power swing detection, distance protection and out of step protection provides a reliable system protection.

Propagation Characteristics of Partial Discharge Pulses in the Cable

In order to determine the type and location of partial discharge in cable, the effect of partial discharge (PD) pulse propagation in the cable is studied. Firstly, pulses are injected to cables of different lengths so that input and output signal can be measured at both ends of each cable. Then the transfer function of pulse propagation path can be defined. Secondly, high-voltage test is done in the cable joint with man-made defects, and typical PD waveforms are gotten. Seven parameters of waveform characteristics are calculated, including edge times, waveform shape and statistical characteristics. They are used to distinguish different types of PD or distances of the pulse propagation. Thus the efficiency of PD recognition in cable can be improved.

Power Stabilization System with Counter-Rotating Type Pump-Turbine Unit for Renewable Energy

Traditional type pumped storage system contributes to adjust the electric power unbalance between day and night, in general. The pump-turbine unit is prepared for the power stabilization system, in this serial research, to provide the constant power with good quality for the grid system, even at the suddenly fluctuating/turbulent output from renewable energies. In the unit, the angular momentum changes through the front impeller/runner must be the same as that through the rear impeller/runner, that is, the axial flow at the outlet should be the same to the axial flow at the inlet. Such flow conditions are advantageous to work at not only the pumping mode but also the turbine mode. This work discusses experimentally the performance of the unit, and verifies that this type unit is very effective to both operating modes.

Comparison of Economic Dispatch, OPF and Security Constrained-OPF in Power System Studies RN

Electricity network is a very complex entity that comprises several components like generators, transmission lines, loads among others. As technologies continue to evolve, the complexity of the electricity network has also increased as more devices are being connected to the network. To understand the physical laws governing the operation of the network, techniques such as optimal power flow (OPF), Economic dispatch (ED) and Security constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) were developed. These techniques have been used extensively in network operation, planning and so on. However, an in-depth presentation showcasing the merits and demerits of these techniques is still lacking in the literature. Hence, this paper intends to fill this gap. In this paper, Economic dispatch, optimal power flow and security-constrained optimal power flow are applied to a 3-bus test system using a linear programming approach. The results of the ED, OPF and SC-OPF are compared and presented.

Modeling and Simulation of a Transmission Line Response to a 400 kV/400V Capacitor Coupled Substation

The access to electricity in rural areas is extremely limited, but it is crucial for all citizens. The population in rural areas of sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries is generally low, making it economically unfeasible to implement traditional rural electrification (CRE) projects due to the high cost of establishing the necessary distribution infrastructure. To address this cost issue, one alternative technology for rural electrification (URE) that can be explored is the Capacitor Coupled Substation (CCS) technology. CCS is a cost-effective solution for supplying electricity to rural areas. The research is necessitated by the need to offer a cost-effective technology for supplying electricity to sparsely populated communities. This paper examines the impact on the transmission network when a 400 kV/400V CCS is connected to it. The system response when a CCS is connected to the network was modeled using MATLAB/Si-mulink. The results, based on the fixed load of 80 kW, showed negligible interference on the transmission line voltage. However, there was minor impact on the parameters downstream of the tapping point. These findings were further supported by introducing a fault condition to the CCS, which showed that interferences with the CCS could affect the overall stability of the transmission network downstream of the tapping node, similar to the behavior of an unstable load.

A Synchronized Grid Integrated Three-Phase Inverter with a Renewable Source for Power Sharing

In this paper, a three-phase inverter with renewable source input is integrated into a grid in synchronization for power sharing by load. In previous topologies, the DC source connected inverter is not synchronized to the grid which causes harmonics and voltage distortions damaging the load and the source. In order to ensure power sharing by the load from the inverter and the grid, the inverter needs to be operated in synchronization to the grid with the same voltage mag-nitude, frequency and phase as that of the grid voltage. In this paper, the com-plete power from the load is shared by the three-phase grid and the three-phase inverter module reducing the consumption from the conventional grid. This is achieved using the PLL for the reference angular frequency generation with feedback from grid voltage and is connected to the sinusoidal PWM generator. The PLL is used to generate unit vector template reference signals for the signal generator operating the six-switch inverter. The inverter and grid are inter-connected through LC filter for the reduction of harmonics. The power sharing, voltage, and current graphs with THD analysis are analyzed with the help of the MATLAB software.

Network Reliability Analysis as a Tool to Guide Investment Decisions in Distributed Generation

Distributed Generation (DG) in any quantity is relevant to supplement the available energy capacity based on various locations, that is, whether a site specific or non-site specific energy technology. The evacuation infrastructure that delivers power to the distribution grid is designed with appropriate capacity in terms of size and length. The evacuation lines and distribution network however behave differently as they possess inherent characteristics and are exposed to varying external conditions. It is thus feasible to expect that these networks behave stochastically due to fault conditions and variable loads that destabilize the system. This in essence impacts on the availability of the evacuation infrastructure and consequently on the amount of energy delivered to the grid from the DG stations. Reliability of the evacuation point of a DG is however not a common or prioritized criteria in the decision process that guides investment in DG. This paper reviews a planned solar based DG plant in Uganda. Over the last couple of years, Uganda has seen a significant increase in the penetration levels of DG. With a network that is predominantly radial and experiences low reliability levels, one would thus expect reliability analysis to feature significantly in the assessment of the proposed DG plants. This is however not the case. This paper, uses reliability analysis to assess the impact of different evacuation options of the proposed DG plant on its dispatch levels. The evacuation options were selected based on infrastructure options in other locations with similar solar irradiances as the planned DG location. Outage data were collected and analyzed using the chi square method. It was found to be variable and fitting to different Probability Distribution Functions (PDF). Using stochastic methods, a model that incorporates the PDFs was developed to compute the reliability indices. These were assessed using chi square and found to be variable and fitting different PDFs as well. The viability of the project is reviewed based on Energy Not Supplied (ENS) and the anticipated project payback periods for any considered evacuation line. The results of the study are also reviewed for the benefit of other stakeholders like the customers, the utility and the regulatory body.