A finite line source simulation model for geothermal systems with series- and parallel-connected boreholes and independent fluid loops

A model for the simulation of geothermal systems with parallel- and series-connected boreholes is presented. Mass and heat balance problems are formulated for each component in the system and are assembled into system-level problems. A third problem is formulated to account for heat transfer in the bore field, using the finite line source solution. This third problem is coupled to the system-level heat balance problem by an analytical solution of the heat transfer inside boreholes with multiple U-tubes. The simulation model allows for any number of independent fluid loops within the bore field or within individual boreholes and allows for combinations of specified inlet fluid temperatures and heat extraction rates in independent fluid loops. The model accounts for the axial variation of the fluid and borehole wall temperatures and heat extraction rates. The capabilities of the model are demonstrated through three example simulations.     

Domestic demand-side response with heat pumps: controls and tariffs

ABSTRACT

Electric heat pumps feature prominently in projected energy transitions in the UK and elsewhere. Owing to their high electricity consumption, heat pumps are viewed as important targets for demand-side response (DSR). Findings are presented from a field trial of a new control system that aims to optimize heat pump performance, including under time-varying tariff conditions. The trial involved monitoring 76 properties with heat pumps, but without dedicated heat storage; 31 of these received the control system. Interviews were conducted with a subsample of 12 participants. The controller successfully evened out electricity demand over the day (reducing the evening peak), but this was associated with increased late night and daytime temperatures. Interview participants reported some disturbance owing to overnight heating and noise, as well as usability issues with the controller interface and hardware. These issues present risks to the future acceptability of such systems. While the system delivered short-term demand reductions successfully, longer-term demand shifting risked causing unacceptable disturbance to occupants. Future control systems could overcome some of the issues identified in this pioneering trial through more effective zoning, using temperature caps or installing dedicated heat storage, but these may either limit the available flexibility or be challenging to achieve.     

基于(火用)效率目标的环冷机余热回收系统操作参数优化

摘要：针对烧结环冷机余热回收利用率不高的难题，采用分析法建立了评价某钢铁厂烧结环冷机余热回收系统运行效率的效率模型。基于多孔介质模型、局部非热平衡方程、真实气体SRK方程建立环冷机内气固两相换热模型。通过CFD仿真模拟，探究料层高度、循环风机输入烟气温度、烧结矿底部入口风速三项可控环冷机运行工艺参数对系统效率的影响规律。结果表明，料层厚度在1～1.5 m区间每增加0.1 m，效率增加0.8%～1.1%；循环风温在100～140℃之间每增加10℃，效率增加1.4%～1.5%；烧结矿底部入口风速在0.9～1.9 m/s之间每增加0.1 m/s，效率降低0.18%～0.24%。在此基础上，基于工业运行数据建立效率正交试验优化模型，提高了该余热回收系统3.42%的效率。     

Relations between asphaltene content,viscosity reduction rate of heavy oil and ultrasonic parameters

Ultrasonic treatment could decrease the viscosity of heavy oil and previous study on had focused on one heavy oil sample and involved less on the influence of asphaltene content. This study examined the effect of asphaltene content on viscosity reduction rate by ultrasonication. A comparison on samples with various asphaltene content and vibration parameter was made. The results showed that the optimal vibration frequency might decrease as the asphaltene content increased, whereas the optimal vibration intensity and the optimal treatment time were suggested to be enlarged. A semi-quantitative correlation was matched, which helped for numerical simulation about ultrasonic treatment.     

Thermodiffusion‐Assisted Pyroelectrics—Enabling Rapid and Stable Heat and Radiation Sensing

Sensors for monitoring temperature, heat flux, and thermal radiation are essential for applications such as electronic skin. While pyroelectric and thermoelectric effects are suitable candidates as functional elements in such devices, both concepts show individual drawbacks in terms of zero equilibrium signals for pyroelectric materials and small or slow response of thermoelectric materials. Here, these drawbacks are overcome by introducing the concept of thermodiffusion‐assisted pyroelectrics, which combines and enhances the performance of pyroelectric and ionic thermoelectric materials. The presented integrated concept provides both rapid initial response upon heating and stable synergistically enhanced signals upon prolonged exposure to heat stimuli. Likewise, incorporation of plasmonic metasurfaces enables the concept to provide both rapid and stable signals for radiation‐induced heating. The performance of the concept and its working mechanism can be explained by ion–electron interactions at the interface between the pyroelectric and ionic thermoelectric materials.     

Individual-based multi-objective optimal structured treatment interruption for HIV infection

In this paper, based on the measurable quantities from an individual patient that has infection to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and his/her condition is near to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), individual-based multi-objective optimal treatments have been proposed. Firstly, the most effective parameters of the patient in computing Long-term non-progressor (LTNP) equilibrium are derived using global sensitivity analysis (GSA). To accomplish GSA effectively, Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) and partial rank correlation coefficients (PRCC) are utilized to rank each of the parameters based on each state of the 5-dimensional model. Then, these results are used by Dempster–Shafer (D–S) evidence theory (DSET) to rank the most effective parameters comprehensively. Now, these effective identified parameters are estimated using extended Kalman filter (EKF), which its covariance matrices are optimized based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Thus, the proposed methodology gives a calibrated model corresponding to the individual patient. Based on this calibrated model, the LTNP equilibrium related to the individual patient is derived. Using the derived individual-based LTNP equilibrium optimal structured treatment interruption (STI) strategies are extracted by defining suitable multi-objective optimization problem and solving it through using non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II). The results demonstrate that the proposed optimal treatments are able to effectively reach LTNP equilibrium with using the minimum and maximum drug usage of 3.6% and 35.1% of full drug usage treatment. Meanwhile, the different optimal treatments give the decision-makers enough flexibility to choose the suitable treatment based on existing facilities and necessities.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg–RE–TM Cast Alloys Containing Long Period Stacking Ordered Phases: A Review

Casting magnesium alloys hold the greatest share of magnesium application products due to their short processing period, low cost and near net shape forming. Compared with conventional commercial magnesium alloys or other Mg–RE-based alloys, the novel Mg–RE–TM cast alloys with long period stacking ordered(LPSO) phases usually possess a higher strength and are promising candidates for aluminum alloy applications. Up to now, two ways: alloying design and casting process control(including subsequent heat treatments), have been predominantly employed to further improve the mechanical properties of these alloys. Alloying with other elements or ceramic particles could alter the solidifi cation pattern of alloys, change the morphology of LPSO phases and refi ne the microstructures. Diff erent casting techniques(conventional casting, rapidly solidifi cation, directional solidifi cation, etc.) introduce various microstructure characteristics, such as dendritic structure, nanocrystalline, metastable phase, anisotropy. Further heat treatments could activate the transformation of various LPSO structures and precipitation of diverse precipitates. All these evolutions exert great impacts on the mechanical properties of the LPSO-containing alloys. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain a subject of debate. Therefore, this review mainly provides the state of the art of the casting magnesium alloys research and the accompanying challenges and summarizes some topics that merit future investigation for developing high-performance Mg–RE–TM cast alloys.     

粉土界面恒刚度循环剪切试验研究

竖向循环荷载作用下桩土界面的作用机理是研究桩土摩擦疲劳的关键。针对循环荷载作用下桩-粉土界面的剪切性能,使用改进的剪切试验装置在恒刚度条件下进行循环剪切试验,研究循环次数、累积位移和法向刚度对其摩擦疲劳性能、循环后单调剪切性能的影响。试验结果表明,粉土在循环剪切过程中,法向应力和剪应力在初始10个循环内随循环数增加快速衰减,随着循环进行,逐渐趋于稳定;单次循环内在剪切位移方向变化时,土体呈现表现出剪缩-剪胀-剪缩交替现象,总体变形呈现剪缩的趋势;循环荷载作用下,粉土界面的法向应力和剪应力随法向刚度增大衰减速率增大,达到稳定的累积循环位移越小;粉土循环后的单调剪切、法向应力恢复的单调剪切的剪应力比小于首次单调剪切试验值,且法向应力恢复的循环后剪切试验的剪胀程度较小,表明循环剪切过程中界面处粉土颗粒棱角破碎,颗粒变得光滑。在对试验数据分析的基础上,提出了与累积位移、法向刚度和初始应力相关的无量纲累积位移,建立了法向应力和界面摩擦角随累积位移的衰减方程。     

Catalytic Activity of Ceramic Honeycombs in the Exhaust Gas Oxidation of a Waste Treatment Plant

The activity of ceramic honeycombs with varying material composition and degree of utilization is compared on a suitable model gas in a test plant. The tested honeycombs are standard products that have not been surface‐treated in any way. A propane‐air mixture was fed to the test plant and then oxidized in a high‐temperature furnace. The analysis of the conversion rate over the reaction temperature showed remarkable differences in activity. The honeycomb with the most promising results was further investigated with the exhaust gas from the drying process of a waste treatment plant. Finally, the activity of this honeycomb was assessed in a large‐scale trial in an existing running regenerative thermal oxidizer.     

The effect of atmospheric plasma treatment of recycled carbon fiber at different plasma powers on recycled carbon fiber and its polypropylene composites

To increase the mechanical properties of recycled carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites, recycled carbon fibers (RCF) were subjected to atmospheric plasma treatment at different plasma powers (100, 200, and 300 W). The changes on surface topography and roughness of RCF were examined by atomic force microscopy. Plasma treatment of RCF increased the roughness value of RCF. The variation of surface elemental compositions and tensile strength of RCF were determined by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and tensile test, respectively. Plasma-treated RCF-reinforced PP composites were fabricated using high speed thermo-kinetic mixer. Plasma treatment of RCF at 100 W increased the tensile and flexural strength values of RCF-reinforced PP composites considerably by 17 and 11%, respectively. However, plasma treatment of RCF at higher plasma powers (200 W and 300 W) decreased tensile and flexural strength values of composites because of the etching of RCF. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47131.