裂隙网络渗流理论的软硬互层状岩体渗流分析

为研究软硬互层状岩体的渗透规律,根据层状岩体中的裂隙发育规律,把互层状岩体简化为由层面裂隙和构造裂隙组成的离散裂隙介质,建立了互层状岩体渗流离散裂隙网络模型,并根据裂隙交叉处的流量守恒原理求解其渗流场。通过一个算例验证了模型的合理性,并讨论了切层裂隙开度对垂直方向渗流的影响,得到了互层状岩体渗透场的分布特点。     

基于裂隙网络渗流模型的地下厂房涌水量预测

基于裂隙几何要素的统计特征,采用Monte-Carlo法随机生成裂隙网络系统,以裂隙交叉为节点、节点与节点间的裂隙为线单元,依据单裂隙立方体定律和质量守恒原则,构建了裂隙网络中水流运动数学模型,并求得了模型数值解,研制了岩体裂隙地下水流数值模拟程序.实例结果表明,该模型数值法可用于预测水工建筑物的涌水量,可供裂隙发育且具有一定规模的研究区域借鉴.     

ISP工艺中卷取箱内板卷导热数学模型的研究

依据ISP工艺中卷取箱内板带的表面特性、板带厚度和板间接触压力对板卷径向热量的传递有较大影响,建立了能真实反映该影响因素的板带间径向等效导热系数计算模型,并建立了适用于求解为非连续介质的板卷导热数学模型。通过对模型的模拟求解,计算分析了板卷热过程,板卷最大温差为12℃,满足轧制工艺的要求,并为计算分析箱内热过程提供理论依据。     

基于RBF替代模型的氯化物浓度计算方法

地下水溶质运移不确定性受多种因素影响,其中参数不确定性最为重要。为提高地下水溶质运移的模拟精度,基于参数不确定性建立某垃圾填埋场溶质运移随机模型,通过参数敏感性分析得到影响该区域氯化物运移的水文地质参数,以最优目标进行矩阵设计选出代表性较好的输入参数并将其代入随机模型中进行蒙特卡罗分析,并基于RBF模型建立该区域的氯化物运移替代模型进行氯化物浓度预测。结果表明,多次随机模拟结果的平均值与实测值无论从数值大小或范围均吻合较好,各监测点氯化物浓度分布近似呈正态分布;RBF模型预测数值模拟结果与数值模型运算效果相差10%以内,预测结果具有一定的可靠性,可用于该地区地下水氯化物浓度预测预警及水资源管理的风险规避。     

裂隙网络介质地下水流运动参数反演分析

根据锦屏水电站坝址区揭示的地质、水文地质情况，基于Monte-Carlo法，建立了三维随机裂隙网络模型。基于结构面控制反演法原理，并以水文地质条件为基础，以水位拟合为目标。结合所建立的数学模型和最优化方法，反演裂隙网络介质的几何参数和渗透参数。参数反演结果表明了所建模型的合理性，该模型能够应用于工程实际。     

裂隙连通性对岩体渗流场的影响分析

基于渗流理论,探讨了岩体裂隙的连通性概念,并推导了求解连通系数的解析式,依据裂隙几何特性的统计规律,应用Monte-Carlo法随机产生裂隙网络,结合数值法和连通系数的解析式,模拟了岩体裂隙网络的水流特性.算例结果表明,裂隙的连通性对岩体水流具有较大影响.     

岩溶裂隙对坡面饱和水流汇集的影响研究

针对传统基于松散介质特性建立的分布式水文模型难以模拟喀斯特流域的水文过程,在分布式水文-土壤-植被模型(DHSVM)基础上引入裂隙渗流立方定律,考虑裂隙导水介质各向异性对坡面饱和水流汇集的影响,实现了对DHSVM的改进,以适用于喀斯特流域的水文过程模拟.结果表明,喀斯特裂隙对坡面饱和水流路径及汇集产生影响,对水流汇集的影响由流域上游至下游逐渐减弱,为进一步研究喀斯特流域的水文过程提供了科学依据和理论基础.     

基于数值模拟方法的尾矿库污染范围与介质渗透系数相关分析

为了解尾矿库不同介质的渗透性对污染物运移及分布特征的影响,以某尾矿库为例,通过建立剖面二维饱和—非饱和模型,发现该尾矿库中的污染物主要通过坝体运移和扩散,进而分析了污染范围的空间矩与不同介质的渗透系数之间的非线性相关关系。结果表明,污染范围的质心横坐标与坝体和坝基渗透系数的非线性相关系数分别为0.613 5、0.626 6;质心纵坐标与坝体和坝基渗透系数的非线性相关系数分别为0.758 6、0.802 7;横向离散程度与坝基渗透系数的非线性相关系数为0.831 8;垂向离散程度与坝体渗透系数的非线性相关系数为0.691 1。可见尾矿库中污染物的运移及其分布特征受坝体和坝基渗透性的影响较大,而受尾矿的渗透性影响不明显。     

水滴在流动油介质中的碰撞特性研究

根据新型制冰方式，采用数值模拟方法对水滴在流动油介质中的传热、碰撞接触及合并特性进行了研究。对油水多相流动混合物中的连续介质油和离散水滴分别建立适时动态分布参数模型和颗粒轨道模型，模型建立过程中考虑到流体的适时物性参数、所喷入水滴粒径的变化，通过跟踪水滴轨迹，研究和获得了水滴在低温油介质中由水冻结成冰颗粒过程中所发生的碰撞和运动规律，为探讨新型制冰方法的可能性及实验研究打下了基础。     

二维岩体裂隙网络有压渗流数值模拟分析

根据裂隙岩体的渗流机理对岩体裂隙网络中的渗流进行了合理简化和假设,以渗流立方定理、质量守恒定理和水流不可压缩假设为基础建立了裂隙网络的有压渗流模型,用改进DDA算法得到了裂隙几何信息,并用PCG算法和可视化编程技术开发了相应的计算程序.通过与Grenoble试验对比,验证了程序的合理性.对DECOVALEX项目的二维BMT模型进行了初步渗流计算,获得了均匀和非均匀裂隙条件下不同的渗流规律.该结果为研究岩石裂隙网络的应力-渗流耦合效应奠定了基础.     

Natural-gas fueled spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engine performance and emissions

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that has been used and investigated extensively for use in spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engines. Compared with conventional gasoline engines, SI engines using natural gas can run at higher compression ratios, thus producing higher thermal efficiencies but also increased nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions, while producing lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). These engines also produce relatively less power than gasoline-fueled engines because of the convergence of one or more of three factors: a reduction in volumetric efficiency due to natural-gas injection in the intake manifold; the lower stoichiometric fuel/air ratio of natural gas compared to gasoline; and the lower equivalence ratio at which these engines may be run in order to reduce NO_x emissions. High NO_x emissions, especially at high loads, reduce with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). However, EGR rates above a maximum value result in misfire and erratic engine operation. Hydrogen gas addition increases this EGR threshold significantly. In addition, hydrogen increases the flame speed of the natural gas-hydrogen mixture. Power levels can be increased with supercharging or turbocharging and intercooling. Natural gas is used to power CI engines via the dual-fuel mode, where a high-cetane fuel is injected along with the natural gas in order to provide a source of ignition for the charge. Thermal efficiency levels compared with normal diesel-fueled CI-engine operation are generally maintained with dual-fuel operation, and smoke levels are reduced significantly. At the same time, lower NO_x and CO₂ emissions, as well as higher HC and CO emissions compared with normal CI-engine operation at low and intermediate loads are recorded. These trends are caused by the low charge temperature and increased ignition delay, resulting in low combustion temperatures. Another factor is insufficient penetration and distribution of the pilot fuel in the charge, resulting in a lack of ignition centers. EGR admission at low and intermediate loads increases combustion temperatures, lowering unburned HC and CO emissions. Larger pilot fuel quantities at these load levels and hydrogen gas addition can also help increase combustion efficiency. Power output is lower at certain conditions than diesel-fueled engines, for reasons similar to those affecting power output of SI engines. In both cases the power output can be maintained with direct injection. Overall, natural gas can be used in both engine types; however further refinement and optimization of engines and fuel-injection systems is needed.     

Decomposition of limestone in a solar reactor

The thermal decomposition of limestone has been selected as a model reaction for developing and testing an atmospheric open solar reactor. The reactor consists of a cyclone gas/particle separator which has been modified to let the concentrated solar energy enter through a windowless aperture. The reacting particles are directly exposed to the solar irradiation. Experimentation with a 60 kW reactor prototype was conducted at PSI's 90m² parabolic solar concentrator, in a continuous mode of operation. A counter-current flow heat exchanger was employed to preheat the reactants. Eighty five percent degree of calcination was obtained for cement raw material and 15% of the solar input was converted into chemical energy (enthalpy).The technical feasibility of the solar thermal decomposition of limestone was experimentally demonstrated. The use of solar energy as a source for high-temperature process heat offers the potential of reducing significantly the CO₂ emissions from lime producing plants. Such a solar thermochemical process can find application in sunny rural areas for avoiding deforestation.     

Biohydrogen production by Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 wild-type and mutants under different conditions: Light, nickel, propane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen

Increasing awareness of environmental problems caused by the current use of fossil fuel-based energy, has led to the search for alternatives. Hydrogen is a good alternative and the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is naturally able to produce molecular hydrogen, photosynthetically from water and light. However, this H₂ is rapidly consumed by the uptake hydrogenase.This study evaluated the hydrogen production of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 wild-type and mutants: hupL⁻ (deficient in the uptake hydrogenase), hoxH⁻ (deficient in the bidirectional hydrogenase) and hupL⁻/hoxH⁻ (deficient in both hydrogenases) on several experimental conditions, such as gas atmosphere (argon and propane with or without N₂ and/or CO₂ addition), light intensity (54 and 152 ??Em⁻²s⁻¹), light regime (continuous and light/dark cycles 16 h/8 h) and nickel concentrations in the culture medium.In every assay, the hupL⁻ and hupL⁻/hoxH⁻ mutants stood out over wild-type cells and the hoxH⁻ mutant. Nevertheless, the hupL⁻ mutant showed the best hydrogen production except in an argon atmosphere under 16 h light/8 h dark cycles at 54 ??Em⁻²s⁻¹ in the light period, with 1 ??M of NiCl₂ supplementation in the culture medium, and under a propane atmosphere.In all strains, higher light intensity leads to higher hydrogen production and if there is a daily 1% of CO₂ addition in the gas atmosphere, hydrogen production could increase 5.8 times, related to the great increase in heterocysts differentiation (5 times more, approximately), whereas nickel supplementation in the culture medium was not shown to increase hydrogen production. The daily incorporation of 1% of CO₂ plus 1% of N₂ did not affect positively hydrogen production rate.     

Investigation of the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of La–Fe–B system hydrogen-storage alloys

La–Fe–B hydrogen-storage alloys were prepared using a vacuum induction-quenching furnace with a rotating copper wheel. The thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the La–Fe–B hydrogen-storage alloys were investigated in this work. The P–C–I curves of the La–Fe–B alloys were measured over a H₂ pressure range of 10⁻³ MPa to 2.0 MPa at temperatures of 313, 328, 343 and 353 K. The P–C–I curves revealed that the maximum hydrogen-storage capacity of the alloys exceeded 1.23 wt% at a pressure of approximately 1.0 MPa and temperature of 313 K. The standard enthalpy of formation ΔH and standard entropy of formation ΔS for the alloys' hydrides, obtained according to the van't Hoff equation, were consistent with their application as anode materials in alkaline media. The alloys also exhibited good absorption/desorption kinetics at room temperature.     

The Solar Office in context

The goal of sustainability in buildings can only hope to be realised if buildings are designed to both conserve and generate energy. The Solar Office at Doxford International is designed to minimise the use of energy while its external fabric is designed to replace such energy that is used. The recently completed building is now subject of a comprehensive monitoring programme. The programme covers both the performance of the 73 kW_p photovoltaic installation and the environmental conditions within the building as a whole. Hour by hour findings are posted on a dedicated web site. Photovoltaics could have the same impact on building form and layout as the invention of the passenger lift at the end of the last century.     

Hydrogen recovery from the photovoltaic electroflocculation-flotation process for harvesting Chlorella pyrenoidosa microalgae

In this paper, an integrated process using photovoltaic power to harvest microalgae by electro-flocculation (EF) and hydrogen recovery is presented. It is mainly favorable in regions with high solar radiation. The electro-flocculation efficiency (EFE) of Chlorella pyrenoidosa microalgae was investigated using various types of electrodes (aluminum, iron, zinc, copper and a non-sacrificial electrode of carbon). The best results regarding the EFE, and biomass contamination were achieved with aluminum and carbon electrodes where the electrical energy demand of the process for harvesting 1 kg of algae biomass was 0.28 and 0.34 kWh, respectively, while the energy yield of harvested hydrogen was 0.052 and 0.005 kWh kg^?1, respectively. The highest harvesting efficiency of 95.83 ± 0.87% was obtained with the aluminum electrode.The experimental hydrogen yields obtained were comparable with those calculated from theory. With a low net energy demand, microalgae EF may be a useful and low-cost technology.     

Electrochemical behavior of Mg–Li,Mg–Li–Al and Mg–Li–Al–Ce in sodium chloride solution

Mg–Li, Mg–Li–Al and Mg–Li–Al–Ce alloys were prepared and their electrochemical behavior in 0.7 M NaCl solutions was investigated by means of potentiodynamic polarization, potentiostatic current–time and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements as well as by scanning electron microscopy examination. The effect of gallium oxide as an electrolyte additive on the potentiostatic discharge performance of these magnesium alloys was studied. The discharge activities and utilization efficiencies of these alloys increase in the order: Mg–Li < Mg–Li–Al < Mg–Li–Al–Ce, both in the absence and presence of Ga₂O₃. These alloys are more active than commercial magnesium alloy AZ31. The addition of Ga₂O₃ into NaCl electrolyte solution improved the discharging currents of the alloys by more than 4%, and enhanced the utilization efficiencies of the alloys by more than 6%. It also shortened the transition time for the discharge current to reach to a steady value. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements showed that the polarization resistance of the alloys decreases in the following order: Mg–Li > Mg–Li–Al > Mg–Li–Al–Ce. Mg–Li–Al–Ce exhibited the best performance in term of activity, utilization efficiency and activation time.     

Temperature dependence of the enthalpy of formation of metal hydrides characterized by an excess volume

A universal framework to calculate the temperature dependence of the excess enthalpy present in regions characterized by an excess volume is calculated for metals and metal hydrides. At high temperatures, the different contributions from the pressure–volume, heat capacity, entropy and work associated with the thermal expansion are studied separately and their magnitudes and signs are compared. It is found that the pressure–volume contribution opposes and dominates the other three contributions at both high temperature and excess volume, and it is thus found that this contribution becomes the leading temperature dependent contribution to the enthalpy of a material. The conditions under which a temperature change will reduce the enthalpy of formation of metal hydrides are also given and the Mg/MgH₂ system is studied as an example. Excluding the heat capacity contribution, an increase in temperature tends to offset the effect of the excess volume on the enthalpy of formation. It is also demonstrated that the impact of temperature will be more favorable to a reduction of the enthalpy of formation if a large fraction of the metal hydride is in a state of small excess volume compared to a small fraction of the hydride in a state of high excess volume.     

Tailored solar optics for maximal optical tolerance and concentration

Recently identified fundamental classes of dual-mirror double-tailored nonimaging optics have the potential to satisfy the pragmatic exigencies of concentrator photovoltaics. Via a comprehensive survey of their parameter space, including raytrace verification, we identify champion high-concentration high-efficiency designs that offer unprecedented optical tolerance (i.e., sensitivity to off-axis orientation) - a pivotal figure-of-merit with a basic bound that depends on concentration, exit angle, and effective solar angular radius. For comparison, results for the best corresponding dual-mirror aplanatic concentrators are also presented.     

The effect of electrode infiltration on the performance of tubular solid oxide fuel cells under electrolysis and fuel cell modes

The electrochemical performance of two different anode supported tubular cells (50:50 wt% NiO:YSZ (yttria stabilized zirconia) or 34:66 vol.% Ni:YSZ) as the fuel electrode and YSZ as the electrolyte) under SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) and SOEC (solid oxide electrolysis cell) modes were studied in this research. LSM (La_0.80Sr_0.20MnO_3−δ) was infiltrated into a thin porous YSZ layer to form the oxygen electrode of both cells and, in addition, SDC (Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9) was infiltrated into the fuel electrode of one of the cells. The microstructure of the infiltrated fuel cells showed a suitable distribution of fine LSM and SDC particles (50–100 nm) near the interface of electrodes and electrolyte and throughout the bulk of the electrodes. The results show that SDC infiltration not only enhances the electrochemical reaction in SOFC mode but improves the performance even more in SOEC mode. In addition, LSM infiltrated electrodes also boost the SOEC performance in comparison with standard LSM–YSZ composite electrodes, due to the well-dispersed LSM nanoparticles (favouring the electrochemical reactions) within the YSZ porous matrix.