Update on subsidence at the Wairakei–Tauhara geothermal system,New Zealand

The total subsidence at the Wairakei field as a result of 50 years of geothermal fluid extraction is 15 ± 0.5 m. Subsidence rates in the center of the subsidence bowl have decreased from over 450 mm/year during the 1970s to 80–90 mm/year during 2000–2007. The location of the bowl, adjacent to the original liquid outflow zone of the field, has not changed significantly. Subsidence at the Tauhara field due to Wairakei production was not as well documented in the early years but appeared later and has been less intense than at Wairakei. Total subsidence of 2.6 ± 0.5 m has also occurred close to the original liquid outflow zone of this field, and maximum subsidence rates in this area today are in the 80–100 mm/year range. In the western part of the Wairakei field, near the area of hot upflow, subsidence rates have approximately doubled during the last 20 years to 30–50 mm/year. This increase appears to be have been caused by declining pressure in the underlying steam zone in this area, which is tapped by some production wells. At Tauhara field, two areas of subsidence have developed since the 1990s with rates of 50–65 mm/year. Although less well-determined, this subsidence may also be caused by declining pressure in shallow steam zones. The cause of the main subsidence bowls in the Wairakei–Tauhara geothermal system is locally high-compressibility rocks within the Huka Falls Formation (HFF), which are predominantly lake sediments and an intervening layer of pumice breccia. At Wairakei, casing deformation suggests the greatest compaction is at 150–200 m depth. The cause of the large compressibility is inferred to be higher clay content in the HFF due to intense hydrothermal alteration close to the natural fluid discharge areas. Future subsidence is predicted to add an additional 2–4 m to the Wairakei bowl, and 1–2 m elsewhere, but these estimates depend on the assumed production-injection scenarios.     

Hydrogen production from water-splitting reaction based on RE-doped ceria–zirconia solid-solutions

The effect of rare earth (RE = Tb, Pr and La) dopant on the catalytic performance of RE-doped ceria–zirconia (CZRE) solid-solutions for oxygen storage capacity and hydrogen production activity has been successfully investigated. The sustainability of the solid-solutions even after the reduction was confirmed by XRD. Raman analysis showed that the addition of RE element in CZ system significantly decreased the intensity of the characteristic fluorite peak (462–474 cm⁻¹) indicating a highly deformed structure than CZ system which can enhance the oxygen mobility and redox property of these materials and the order of the intensity decrease was Pr > Tb > La. The XPS measurements revealed that the CZPr sample has a homogeneous distribution of Ce/Zr and also showed a high enrichment of Pr on the particle surface than the others. Among the CZRE solid-solution catalysts tested, CZPr catalyst showed the best catalytic performance for high OSC and hydrogen production from water-splitting reaction.     

The quantification of the embodied impacts of construction projects on energy,environment, and society based on I–O LCA

With rapid social development and large-scale construction of infrastructure in China, construction projects have become one of the driving forces for the national economy, whose energy consumption, environmental emissions, and social impacts are significant. To completely understand the role of construction projects in Chinese society, this study developed input–output life-cycle assessment models based on 2002, 2005, and 2007 economic benchmarks. Inventory indicators included 10 types of energy, 7 kinds of environmental emissions, and 7 kinds of social impacts. Results show that embodied energy of construction projects in China accounts for 25–30% of total energy consumption; embodied SO₂ emissions are being controlled, and the intensities of embodied NO_x and CO₂ have been reduced. However, given that the construction sector related employment is 17% of the total employment in China, the accidents and fatalities related to the construction sector are significant and represent approximately 50% of the national total. The embodied human and capital investments in science and technology (ST) increased from 2002 to 2007. The embodied full time equivalent (FTE) of each ST person also increased while the personal ST funding and intramural expenditures decreased. This might result from the time lag between RD activities and large-scale implementation.     

A note on the long-run elasticities from the energy consumption–GDP relationship

The goal of this paper is to examine the long-run elasticities of the impacts of energy consumption on GDP and GDP on energy consumption. The energy consumption–GDP relationship is amongst the most popular relationships examined in the energy economics literature. The bulk of the extant literature has assumed a positive relationship between energy consumption and real GDP. Our analysis shows that in only around 60% of the countries considered the relationship is positive.     

Determination of the angular parameters in the general altitude–azimuth tracking angle formulas for a heliostat with a mirror-pivot offset based on experimental tracking data

A set of general altitude–azimuth tracking angle formulas for a heliostat with a mirror-pivot offset and other geometrical errors were developed previously. The angular parameters with respect to the geometrical errors are the tilt angle, ψ_t, and the tilt azimuth angle, ψ_a, of the azimuth axis, the bias angle, τ₁, of the altitude axis from the orthogonal to the azimuth axis, and the canting angle, μ, of the mirror surface plane relative to the altitude axis. In view of the importance the zero angle position errors of the two rotational axes (α₀ is for the zero angle position error of the altitude axis and γ₀ for the zero angle position error of the azimuth axis), the original general tracking angle formulae have been slightly modified by replacing the tracking angles in the original tracking formulas with the difference between the nominal tracking angles and the zero angle position errors. The six angular parameters (ψ_a, ψ_t, γ₀, τ₁, α₀, μ) for a specific altitude–azimuth tracking heliostat could be determined from experimental tracking data using a least squares fit and the classical Hartley-Meyer solution algorithm. The least squares model is used on data for a specially designed heliostat model with two sets of laser beam tracking test data to show the effectiveness of the least squares model and the Hartley-Meyer algorithm.     

A physically consistent FVM interpolation scheme based on the discretized convection–diffusion equation

A physically consistent difference scheme is proposed to discretize the convection–diffusion equation in this paper. The interface variables of control volume are calculated by the interpolation of the discretized convection–diffusion equation rather than the direct interpolation with neighbor nodes in the direction perpendicular to the interface. In the new scheme, all the nodes of parallel and normal to the interface are involved, which means that the influence of cross-stream fluxes is considered. Obviously, the proposed interpolation scheme is full of physical meaning and better than the traditional convective interpolation schemes. Two simulations of typical benchmark problems, lid-driven cavity flow in square cavity and flow over a backward-facing step, are carried out with this scheme and some traditional schemes to prove the advantages of the proposed scheme.     

Comparison of a district heating system operation based on actual data – Omsk city,Russia, case study*

A district heating (DH) system in the Russian city of Omsk has been considered as a case study. This study is based on the data set of temperature and demand recorded over two-year operation of the DH system. We provide an insight on how the heat demand profile is met by the control framework. The paper quantifies the DH system performance by using heat load curves, maximum, minimum and average values of temperature, paving the way for a modelling approach. Central heating process in Omsk in 2017 was generally smoother than in 2016, while peak values are also lower. In 2017, its supply temperature was about 5°C closer to the control curve. The dispersion of the points was reduced between 2016 and 2017, especially at higher outdoor temperatures. Further lowering annual and peak heat demand, which are respectively 4% and 9% lower in 2017 should be a priority in future.     

A novel system for the production of pure hydrogen from natural gas based on solid oxide fuel cell–solid oxide electrolyzer

In this paper, a novel process for the production of pure hydrogen from natural gas based on the integration of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) is presented. In this configuration, the SOFC is fed by natural gas and provides electricity and heat to the SOEC, which carries out the separation of steam into hydrogen and oxygen. Depending on the system layout considered, the oxygen available at the SOEC anode outlet can be either mixed with the SOFC cathode stream in order to improve the SOFC performance or regarded as a co-product. Two configurations of the cell stack are studied. The first consists of a stack with the same number of SOFCs and SOECs working at the same current density. In this case, since in typical operating conditions the voltage delivered by the SOFC is lower than the one required by the SOEC, the required additional power is supplied by means of an electric grid connection. In the second case, the electricity balance is compensated by providing additional SOFCs to the stack, which are fed by a supplementary natural gas feed. Simulations carried out with Aspen Plus show that pure hydrogen can be produced with a natural gas to hydrogen LHV-efficiency that is about twice the value of a typical water electrolyzer and comparable to that of medium-scale reformers.     

Economic analysis of coal price–electricity price adjustment in China based on the CGE model

In recent years, coal price has risen rapidly, which has also brought a sharp increase in the expenditures of thermal power plants in China. Meantime, the power production price and power retail price have not been adjusted accordingly and a large number of thermal power plants have incurred losses. The power industry is a key industry in the national economy. As such, a thorough analysis and evaluation of the economic influence of the electricity price should be conducted before electricity price adjustment is carried out. This paper analyses the influence of coal price adjustment on the electric power industry, and the influence of electricity price adjustment on the macroeconomy in China based on computable general equilibrium models. The conclusions are as follows: (1) a coal price increase causes a rise in the cost of the electric power industry, but the influence gradually descends with increase in coal price; and (2) an electricity price increase has an adverse influence on the total output, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Electricity price increases have a contractionary effect on economic development and, consequently, electricity price policy making must consequently consider all factors to minimize their adverse influence.     

Effect of electromagnetic field on the thermal performance of longitudinal trapezoidal porous fin using DTM–Pade approximant

The heat transfer and thermal distribution through porous fins have gotten a lot of attention in recent years due to their extensive applications in the manufacturing and engineering field. In porous fins, the impact of magnetic field aids in improved heat transfer enhancement. Also, the combination of an electric effect and a magnetic field considerably enhances heat transfer. In this direction, the thermal distribution through a convective–radiative longitudinal trapezoidal porous fin with the impact of an internal heat source and an electromagnetic field is discussed in the present analysis. The governing heat equation is nondimensionalized with nondimensional terms, and the transformed nonlinear ordinary differential equation is solved analytically using the DTM–Pade approximant algorithm. Furthermore, the graphical discussion is presented to explore the impact of various nondimensional parameters, such as convection-conduction parameter, fin taper ratio, thermomagnetic field, radiation–conduction parameter, internal heat generation parameter, and thermoelectrical field on the temperature gradient of the fin. The investigation's key findings disclose that as the magnitude of the convection–conduction parameter, fin taper ratio, and radiation–conduction parameter increase, the thermal distribution through the fin reduces. The thermal distribution inside the fin increases for the heat-generating parameter, thermoelectric, and thermomagnetic fields.     

Research into the formation process of hydrogen–air mixture in hydrogen fueled engines based on CFD

The density of hydrogen is much smaller than that of air, so it is hard for hydrogen and air to form high grade mixture. Furthermore, the diffusing speed of hydrogen is so high that the formation state of mixture changes rapidly. Therefore it will become more difficult to carry through the further research of mixture space–time distributing rule. In order to investigate the formation rule of hydrogen–air mixture and improve the mixture quality, in this paper, computation fluid dynamics (CFD) mode is adopted to carry through three-dimensional numerical simulation research of flow field in hydrogen fueled engine cylinder. The numerical simulation is done in a two-stroke hydrogen fueled engine, and the mixture forming state at different hydrogen-injecting time is contrasted. The evolvement rule of flow field in cylinder and mixture forming state is shown in the result. The simulation results show that, when hydrogen-injecting begins at 260 °CA, the forming quality of the mixture is better than other two states, this is the same as the experimental results. It indicates that CFD is one of the effective methods to analyze the formation of mixture in hydrogen fueled engine.     

Modeling and simulation of solid oxide fuel cell based on the volume–resistance characteristic modeling technique

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a complicated system with heat and mass transfer as well as electrochemical reactions. The real-time dynamic simulation of SOFC is still a challenge up to now. This paper develops a one-dimensional mathematical model for direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (DIR-SOFC). The volume–resistance (V–R) characteristic modeling technique is introduced into the modeling of the SOFC system. Based on the V–R modeling technique and the modular modeling idea, ordinary differential equations meeting the quick simulation are obtained from partial differential equations. This model takes into account the variation of local gas properties. It can not only reflect the distributed parameter characteristics of SOFC, but also meet the requirement of the real-time dynamic simulation. The results indicate that the V–R characteristic modeling technique is valuable and viable in the SOFC system, and the model can be used in the quick dynamic and real-time simulation.     

Performance prediction and evaluation of the scroll-type hydrogen pump for FCVs based on CFD–Taguchi method

To improve hydrogen utilisation and provide superior water management, the recirculation hydrogen pump is one of the key components in a fuel-cell vehicle (FCV). This work focused on the performance estimation of a scroll-type hydrogen pump for FCVs. A series of CFD simulation cases were designed using the Taguchi method and were carried out to determine the optimum conditions for volumetric efficiency, and the effects of four factors, including pressure ratio, rotating speed, axial clearance, and radial clearance. The contributions of these factors on volumetric efficiency and shaft power were quantified by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. The results show that axial clearance and rotating speed are the main influencing factors on volumetric efficiency, and their contribution ratios are 45.3% and 39.6%, respectively, in the operational range of the hydrogen pump for FCVs. Pressure ratio and rotating speed should be considered first to reduce shaft power, and their contribution ratios are 40.9% and 55.4%, respectively. At last, the performance maps of the scroll-type hydrogen pump were obtained to reveal the dynamic changes at various working conditions. It is found that volumetric efficiency and shaft power are more sensitive to the change in rotating speed when the pressure ratio deviates from the designed value. The results can be used as guidelines for component matching in the design and operation of PEM fuel cell systems.     

A meshless local Petrov–Galerkin approach for solving the convection-dominated problems based on the streamline upwind idea and the variational multiscale concept

A meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) approach based on the streamline upwind (SU) idea and the variational multiscale (VMS) concept, called as VMS-SUMLPG method, is herein proposed to solve the convection-dominated problems. In the present VMS-SUMLPG method, the streamline upwind is constructed in the test function to solve the non-self-adjoint matrix. Meanwhile, the VMS concept as a stability term is adopted to alleviate the numerical instability such as spurious oscillations, overshoots, and undershoots. Its numerical accuracy and stability are validated by comparing with the streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUMLPG) method and the finite volume method with high-order difference schemes for two classical convection-dominated problems at the Peclet number ranging from 10⁶ to 10⁸. It is shown that the numerical solutions of the present VMS-SUMLPG method are accuracy, smoothness, and stability.     

Simulating the impact of policy,energy prices and technological progress on the passenger car fleet in Austria—A model based analysis 2010–2050

This paper investigates the effects of policy, fuel prices and technological progress on the Austrian passenger car fleet in terms of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To analyse these effects a simulation model is used. We model the car fleet from a bottom-up perspective, with a detailed coverage of vehicle specifications and propulsion technologies. The model focuses on the technological trend toward electrified propulsion systems and their potential effects on the fleet's energy consumption and GHG emissions. To represent the impact of prices and income on the development of the fleet, we combine the fleet model with top-down demand models.     

Immersed boundary method for the simulation of heat transfer and fluid flow based on vorticity–velocity formulation

ABSTRACT

The present paper, based on the vorticity–velocity formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations, proposes an immersed boundary method for the simulation of heat transfer problems within a geometrically complex domain. The desired boundary conditions are imposed by the direct modification of the initial conditions of vorticity transport and energy equations using smooth interpolations. The time advancement of both transport equations is performed by the explicit fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. One of the main objectives of this paper is to present global smooth interpolations to evaluate the local Nusselt number. The forced convection of moving and fixed circular cylinders, natural convection problem in complex geometries, and the mixed convection between two concentric cylinders—at various Reynolds numbers—are studied.     

Synthesis and characterization of electrolytes based on BaO–CeO2–GdO1.5 system for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Composite electrolytes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (ITSOFC) based on BaO–CeO₂–GdO_1.5 ternary system have been synthesized through conventional solid state reaction route. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) studies confirm a two-phase microstructure. The bulk conductivity in air is found to increase with BaO content, in the temperature range of 150–250 °C, while the total conductivity in air at 800 °C decreases with BaO content. At 800 °C, the Open Cell Voltage (OCV) of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) constructed using these electrolytes is higher than those for Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9.