Geothermal energy utilization trends from a technological paradigm perspective

The use of geothermal energy and its associated technologies has been increasing worldwide. However, there has been little paradigmatic research conducted in this area. This paper proposes a systematic methodology to research the development trends for the sustainable development of geothermal energy. A novel data analysis system was created to research the geothermal energy utilization trends, and a technological paradigm theory was adopted to explain the technological changes. A diffusion velocity model was used to simulate and forecast the geothermal power generation development in the diffusion phase. Simulation results showed that the development of installed capacity for geothermal generation had a strong inertia force along with the S-curve. Power generation from geothermal power sources reached a peak in 2008 and is estimated to be saturated by 2030. Geothermal energy technologies in hybrid power systems based on other renewable energy sources look to be more promising in the future.     

发动机尾气余热驱动的吸附式空调系统仿真与测试

针对在高太阳辐射地区，柴油车驾驶室内使用车载空调会增加车辆发动机的耗油量、降低柴油车经济效益的问题，搭建了一套由发动机尾气余热驱动的吸附式车载空调系统。系统由填充有氯化钙/氯化锰/硫化膨胀石墨复合吸附剂的吸附床、蒸发器、冷凝器、储液罐和阀门组成，使用氨作为制冷剂，利用车辆在行驶时接触到的自然风为吸附床冷却，在发动机尾气余热的驱动下，为驾驶室内提供连续的制冷效果。结合仿真和实验测试，对所设计系统的制冷性能进行了分析，仿真结果表明，系统最优循环时间为45 min，系统的理论平均制冷功率可达3.5 kW以上，系统COP处于0.2~0.25之间。实验结果表明，在230℃的尾气温度条件下，系统能产生3 kW的平均制冷量。在40℃环境温度条件下，系统在蒸发器进出口处的平均温差为6.5℃，平均制冷量为3.2 kW。     

Methodology for optimization of pouring variables using bottom pour for low masses of SS304 (<300 kg) in investment casting process (case study)

Bottom pour ladles with stopper rod systems are commonly used in the metal casting industry. However, stopper rod bottom-pouring systems have not yet been developed for the lower thermal masses of alloys typically used in the investment casting industry. Large thermal masses used with bottom pour systems are typically limited for ladles larger than 700 kg and to certain alloys with higher fluidity and longer solidification time like cast iron, aluminum alloys etc. In this study, bottom pour ladle designs and low thermal mass refractory systems have been developed and evaluated in production investment foundry trials with 300 kg pouring ladle. The ladles system and pouring practices used will be described along with the results from the pouring trials for SS304 that represents typical alloys used in Investment casting industries. Optimization of the variables used in an experimentation using Genetic algorithm is also explained.     

Development of mobile miniature natural gas liquefiers

With increasing consumption of natural gas (NG), small NG reservoirs, such as coalbed methane and oil field associated gas, have recently drawn significant attention. Owing to their special characteristics (e.g., scattered distribution and small output), small-scale NG liquefiers are highly required. Similarly, the mixed refrigerant cycle (MRC) is suitable for small-scale liquefaction systems due to its moderate complexity and power consumption. In consideration of the above, this paper reviews the development of mobile miniature NG liquefiers in Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC), China. To effectively liquefy the scattered NG and overcome the drawbacks of existing technologies, three main improvements, i.e., low-pressure MRC process driven by oil-lubricated screw compressor, compact cold box with the new designed heat exchangers, and standardized equipment manufacturing and integrated process technology have been made. The development pattern of “rapid cluster application and flexible liquefaction center” has been eventually proposed. The small-scale NG liquefier developed by TIPC has reached a minimum liquefaction power consumption of about 0.35 kW·h/Nm³. It is suitable to exploit small remote gas reserves which can also be used in boil-off gas reliquefaction and distributed peak-shaving of pipe networks.     

Efficiency and effectiveness enhancement of an intercooler of two‐stage air compressor by low‐cost Al2O3/water nanofluids

The present study was aimed to utilize low‐cost alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles for improving the heat transfer behavior in an intercooler of two‐stage air compressor. Experimental investigation was carried out with three different volume concentrations of 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0% Al₂O₃/water nanofluids to assess the performance of the intercooler, that is, counterflow heat exchanger at different loads. Thermal properties such as thermal conductivity and overall heat transfer coefficient of nanofluid increased substantially with increasing concentration of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. Specific heat capacity of nanofluids were lower than base water. The intercooler performance parameters such as effectiveness and efficiency improved appreciably with the employment of nanofluid. The efficiency increased by about 6.1% with maximum concentration of nanofluid, that is, 1% at 3‐bar compressor load. It is concluded from the study that high concentration of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles dispersion in water would offer better heat transfer performance of the intercooler.     

一种钛白粉转窑煅烧尾气余热利用新装置

钛白粉煅烧转窑尾气的高湿、高硫、高酸露点的特性使得转窑尾气余热利用过程中换热器寿命不理想。在总结已有尾气余热利用方式存在问题的基础上,提出了一种长寿命、易维护的套管式热管余热利用装置,该装置由彼此分离的换热套管通过弯头、法兰连接成为整体,尾气垂直横掠双层套管段,与高硫、高湿的尾气通过相变介质的相变完成热量由尾气向取热介质的转移,产生钛白粉生产工艺所急需的蒸汽,双层管的相变换热套管对比单层管的重力热管换热器寿命明显延长;连接换热套管的单层管弯头不与高湿、高硫尾气换热,大大减轻了尾气对单层管的腐蚀。换热器应用在3.6 m×58 m的钛白粉煅烧窑上,每年可以产生0.9 MPa的水蒸气1.12万t,为企业带来可观的经济效益。     

析湿工况下翅片管式换热器表面粉尘沉积过程的数值模型

空调器采用翅片管式换热器作为蒸发器，在制冷工况下换热器表面发生析湿及粉尘沉积，导致性能衰减。建立湿翅片表面粉尘颗粒物沉积过程的数学模型，模拟冷凝水捕集颗粒物以及湿积灰层黏附颗粒物的过程。被冷凝水捕集的颗粒物数量等于运动轨迹与水表面轮廓会出现相交的入射颗粒物的数量；后续的入射颗粒物与湿积灰层碰撞时，部分入射颗粒物会发生沉积且部分被碰撞的已沉积湿颗粒物会发生移除，这两部分的颗粒物数量相减即为被湿积灰层黏附的颗粒物数量。模拟与实验结果的对比表明，预测的湿积灰层形状与实验照片的吻合度较好，预测的单位面积颗粒物沉积质量与91%的实验数据之间的误差在±20%之间，平均误差为11.8%。     

甲基氯硅烷精馏流程的模拟与优化

采用Aspen plus软件对工业七塔精馏过程进行全流程建模与模拟，优化工艺参数，研究了新的精馏节能工艺。对一甲塔等7个精馏塔采用双因素水平的灵敏度分析，考察了塔釜采出率、回流比、进料位置和塔顶压力对产品浓度和热负荷的影响，确定一甲塔最优的工艺参数：塔釜摩尔采出率为0.92，摩尔回流比为130，塔顶压力为0.18 MPa，总理论板数为400，在210块理论板位置进料。在此基础上，针对高能耗的脱高塔/脱低塔，模拟研究了双效精馏新工艺，新工艺可节省39.70%的年总成本；针对一甲塔模拟研究了热泵精馏新工艺，新工艺可降低41.42%的年总成本。     

带有方形肋及双倾斜肋片的细通道内流动、传热和熵产分析

为了探究带有方形肋及双倾斜肋片细通道的流动换热及熵产特性，设计了2种带有方形肋及双倾斜肋片的组合细通道(MCDS-L, MCDS-R)，然后采用数值模拟的方法分析其流动特性、传热特性和熵产特性，并将其分析结果同2种方形肋细通道(MCS-L, MCS-R)和一种双倾斜肋片细通道(MCD)进行对比。结果表明，在所研究的雷诺数范围内，组合通道的摩擦阻力系数基本一致且均高于其他3组通道(MCS-L, MCS-R, MCD) 。此外，组合通道的努塞尔数均高于其他3组通道，而熵产增大数均低于其他3组通道。其中，MCDS-L通道的努塞尔数最大，熵产增大数最低。表明MCDS-L通道的换热效果最佳，能量的综合利用程度最高。研究成果为微细通道热沉的设计提供参考。     

防振条约束失效对蒸汽发生器传热管面内流弹失稳的影响研究

根据防振条布置以及面内支承连续失效个数，将防振条面内约束失效分析划分为多种工况，分析了不同工况下面内约束失效对传热管面内模态的影响，采用各位置阻尼在振型函数上进行加权平均的方法计算了各阶模态的阻尼比，进而研究了防振条面内不同约束对传热管面内流弹失稳的影响。分析结果表明，随着面内支承连续失效位置的增多，弯管段面内首阶模态频率不断降低，出现在弯管段的振型越加明显；弯管段面内首阶模态不一定是最大流弹失稳比值出现的模态，最大流弹失稳比值出现模态的振型几乎都出现在弯管段；随着面内支承连续失效位置的增多，面内流弹失稳比值不断增大，当连续3个及以上防振条面内约束失效时，将出现流弹失稳现象。