Ash-forming elements in four Scandinavian wood species. Part 1: Summer harvest

Woody biomass in Finland and Sweden comprises mainly four wood species: spruce, pine, birch and aspen. To study the ash, which may cause problems for the combustion device, one tree of each species were cut down and prepared for comparisons with fuel samples. Well-defined samples of wood, bark and foliage were analyzed on 11 ash-forming elements: Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, K, P, S and Cl. The ash content in the wood tissues (0.2–0.7%) was low compared to the ash content in the bark tissues (1.9–6.4%) and the foliage (2.4–7.7%). The woods’ content of ash-forming elements was consequently low; the highest contents were of Ca (410–1340 ppm) and K (200–1310), followed by Mg (70–290), Mn (15–240) and P (0–350). Present in the wood was also Si (50–190), S (50–200) and Cl (30–110). The bark tissues showed much higher element contents; Ca (4800–19,100 ppm) and K (1600–6400) were the dominating elements, followed by Mg (210–2400), P (210–1200), Mn (110–1100) and S (310–750), but the Cl contents (40–330) were only moderately higher in the bark than in the wood. The young foliage (shoots and deciduous leaves) had the highest K (7100–25,000 ppm), P (1600–5300) and S (1100–2600) contents of all tissues, while the shoots of spruce had the highest Cl contents (820–1360) and its needles the highest Si content (5000–11,300). This paper presented a new approach in fuel characterization: the method excludes the presence of impurities, and focus on different categories of plant tissues. This made it possible to discuss the contents of ash element in a wide spectrum of fuel-types, which are of large importance for the energy production in Finland and Sweden.     

NEXT GENERATION ENGINEERED MATERIALS FOR ULTRA SUPERCRITICAL STEAM TURBINES

正1 ABSTRACT To reduce the effect of global warming on our climate,the levels of CO2emissions should be reduced.One way to do this is to increase the efficiency of electricity production from fossil fuels.This will in turn reduce the amount of CO2emissions for a given power output.Using US practice for efficiency calculations,then a move from a typical US plant running at 37%efficiency to a 760℃/38.5 MPa(1 400/5 580 psi)plant running at 48%efficiency would reduce CO2emissions by 170kg/MW.hr or 25%.     

Aerodynamic performance effects of leading-edge geometry in gas-turbine blades

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of the direct surface-curvature distribution blade-design method, originally proposed by Korakianitis, for the leading-edge design of turbine blades, and by extension for other types of airfoil shapes. The leading edge shape is critical in the blade design process, and it is quite difficult to completely control with inverse, semi-inverse or other direct-design methods. The blade-design method is briefly reviewed, and then the effort is concentrated on smoothly blending the leading edge shape (circle or ellipse, etc.) with the main part of the blade surface, in a manner that avoids leading-edge flow-disturbance and flow-separation regions. Specifically in the leading edge region we return to the second-order (parabolic) construction line coupled with a revised smoothing equation between the leading-edge shape and the main part of the blade. The Hodson–Dominy blade has been used as an example to show the ability of this blade-design method to remove leading-edge separation bubbles in gas turbine blades and other airfoil shapes that have very sharp changes in curvature near the leading edge. An additional gas turbine blade example has been used to illustrate the ability of this method to design leading edge shapes that avoid leading-edge separation bubbles at off-design conditions. This gas turbine blade example has inlet flow angle 0°, outlet flow angle −64.3°, and tangential lift coefficient 1.045, in a region of parameters where the leading edge shape is critical for the overall blade performance. Computed results at incidences of −10°,   −5°,   +5°,   +10° are used to illustrate the complete removal of leading edge flow-disturbance regions, thus minimizing the possibility of leading-edge separation bubbles, while concurrently minimizing the stagnation pressure drop from inlet to outlet. These results using two difficult example cases of leading edge geometries illustrate the superiority and utility of this blade-design method when compared with other direct or inverse blade-design methods.     

Hydrogen production by steam-gasification of carbonaceous materials using concentrated solar energy – V. Reactor modeling,optimization, and scale-up

A chemical reactor for the steam-gasification of carbonaceous particles (e.g. coal, coke) is considered for using concentrated solar radiation as the energy source of high-temperature process heat. A two-phase reactor model that couples radiative, convective, and conductive heat transfer to the chemical kinetics is applied to optimize the reactor geometrical configuration and operational parameters (feedstock's initial particle size, feeding rates, and solar power input) for maximum reaction extent and solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency of a 5 kW prototype reactor and its scale-up to 300 kW. For the 300 kW reactor, complete reaction extent is predicted for an initial feedstock particle size up to 35 μm at residence times of less than 10 s and peak temperatures of 1818 K, yielding high-quality syngas with a calorific content that has been solar-upgraded by 19% over that of the petcoke gasified.     

汽轮机数字电液调节系统挂闸异常的技术完善

分析了200MW汽轮机数字电液调节系统在运行中存在的挂闸异常问题,采取了相应的技术处理措施,且运行实践效果良好。     

新型高压共轨ECU升压模块的数字化开发与优化

为了提高喷油器电磁阀的响应速率,提出了一种基于CPLD(复杂可编程逻辑器件)应用于高压共轨ECU的数字升压模块。鉴于该升压电路结构参数多,其升压电压的恢复响应要求高等特征,基于Pspice建立了升压电路的仿真模型,研究了不同电路参数下升压模块的输出特性,全面优化了该升压模块的性能。结果显示,该升压模块的最大转换效率可以达90%以上。在柴油发动机上对ECU的试验表明,升压电压最大波动不超过10%,其恢复时间仅为1.3ms,功率管最大温升仅为41℃,满足整机运行范围内ECU的需求。     

Contents in Volume 23,2014

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Assessment methods of material ageing using Sdobyrev''s creep rupture model

The physical aspects of the activation energy, in higher and high temperatures, of the metal creep process were examined. The research results of creep-rupture in a uniaxial stress state and the criterion of creep-rupture in biaxial stress states, at two temperatures, are then presented. For these studies creep-rupture, taking case iron as an example the energy and pseudoenergy activation was determined. For complex stress states the criterion of creep-rupture was taken to be Sdobyrev's, i.e. σ_red = σ₁ β + (1 − β)σ_i, where: σ₁-maximal principal stress, σ_i-stress intensity, β-material constant (at variable temperature β = β(T)). The methods of assessment of the material ageing grade are given in percentages of ageing of new material in the following mechanical properties: 1) creep strength in uniaxial stress state, 2) activation energy in uniaxial stress state, 3) criterion creep strength in complex stress states, 4) activation pseudoenergy in complex stress states. The methods 1) and 3) are the relatively simplest because they result from experimental investigations only at nominal temperature of the structure work, however, for methods 2) and 4) it is necessary to perform the experimental investigations at least at two temperatures.     

Production of hydrogen from sewage biosolids in a continuously fed bioreactor: Effect of hydraulic retention time and sparging

Hydrogen was produced from primary sewage biosolids via mesophilic anaerobic fermentation in a continuously fed bioreactor. Prior to fermentation the sewage biosolids were heated to 70 °C for 1 h to inactivate methanogens and during fermentation a cellulose degrading enzyme was added to improve substrate availability. Hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 18, 24, 36 and 48 h were evaluated for the duration of hydrogen production. Without sparging a hydraulic retention time of 24 h resulted in the longest period of hydrogen production (3 days), during which a hydrogen yield of 21.9 L H₂ kg⁻¹ VS added to the bioreactor was achieved. Methods of preventing the decline of hydrogen production during continuous fermentation were evaluated. Of the techniques evaluated using nitrogen gas to sparge the bioreactor contents proved to be more effective than flushing just the headspace of the bioreactor. Sparging at 0.06 L L min⁻¹ successfully prevented a decline in hydrogen production and resulted in a yield of 27.0  L H₂ kg⁻¹ VS added, over a period of greater than 12 days or 12 HRT. The use of sparging also delayed the build up of acetic acid in the bioreactor, suggesting that it serves to inhibit homoacetogenesis and thus maintain hydrogen production.     

Trace metal chemistry and silicification of microorganisms in geothermal sinter, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

As part of a pilot study investigating the role of microorganisms in the immobilisation of As, Sb, B, Tl and Hg, the inorganic geochemistry of seven different active sinter deposits and their contact fluids were characterised. A comprehensive series of sequential extractions for a suite of trace elements was carried out on siliceous sinter and a mixed silica-carbonate sinter. The extractions showed whether metals were loosely exchangeable or bound to carbonate, oxide, organic or crystalline fractions. Hyperthermophilic microbial communities associated with sinters deposited from high temperature (92–94°C) fluids at a variety of geothermal sources were investigated using SEM. The rapidity and style of silicification of the hyperthermophiles can be correlated with the dissolved silica content of the fluid. Although high concentrations of Hg and Tl were found associated with the organic fraction of the sinters, there was no evidence to suggest that any of the heavy metals were associated preferentially with the hyperthermophiles at the high temperature (92–94°C) ends of the terrestrial thermal spring ecosystems studied.     

Wind power for pumping: The development of the ITP windpump

Water pumping has been one of the main applications for wind power in the past and despite the spread of mains-electric pumps, more than a million windpumps remain in regular use. This paper reviews the general technical and economic requirements for pumping water using wind energy and by way of example gives an overview of the development of the new ITP wind-pump. It then considers the future prospects for this kind of technology.     

Methods of creating solar-reflective nonwhite surfaces and their application to residential roofing materials

We describe methods for creating solar-reflective nonwhite surfaces and their application to a wide variety of residential roofing materials, including metal, clay tile, concrete tile, wood, and asphalt shingle. Reflectance in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum (0.7–2.5 μm) is maximized by coloring a topcoat with pigments that weakly absorb and (optionally) strongly backscatter NIR radiation, and by adding an NIR-reflective basecoat (e.g., one colored with titanium dioxide rutile white) if both the topcoat and the substrate weakly reflect NIR radiation. Coated steel and glazed clay-tile roofing products achieved NIR reflectances of up to 0.50 and 0.75, respectively, using only cool topcoats. Gray-cement concrete tiles achieved NIR reflectances as high as 0.60 with coatings colored by NIR-scattering pigments. Such tiles could attain NIR reflectances of up to 0.85 by overlaying a white basecoat with a topcoat colored by NIR-transparent organic pigments. Granule-surfaced asphalt shingles achieved NIR reflectances as high as 0.45 when the granules were covered with a white basecoat and a cool color topcoat.     

Preparation and performance of novel Li–Ti–Si–P–O–N thin-film electrolyte for thin-film lithium batteries

Novel Li–Ti–Si–P–O–N thin-film electrolyte was successfully fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering from a Li–Ti–Si–P–O target in N₂ atmosphere at various temperatures. XRD, SEM, EDX, XPS, and EIS were employed to characterize their structure, morphology, composition and electrochemical performances. The films were smooth, dense, uniform, without cracks or voids, and possessed an amorphous structure. Their room temperature lithium-ion conductivities were measured to be from 3.6 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ to 9.2 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹, and the temperature dependence of the ionic conductivities fits the Arrhenius relation. This kind of electrolyte possessed good properties is a promising candidate material for solid-state thin-film lithium batteries.     

Thermal decay of an initially hot isothermal water body with application to thermal energy storage

The thermal decay of an initially hot isothermal water body contained in a tank was studied. Analytical solutions (including a group-theoretic solution) were obtained for the one-dimensional heat conduction equation with heat loss from the sides of the tank. The convective heat transfer coefficient was assumed not to be constant over the surface of the tank but to vary with space and time. A very good agreement was obtained between the group-theoretic solution and a numerical solution using the Crank-Nicholson finite difference scheme. The analytical results are discussed in terms of the underlying physical mechanisms.     

Hydrogenation study of suction-cast Ti40Zr40Ni20 quasicrystal

Suction casting was predicted to be an usable method for improving the hydriding kinetics of Ti/Zr-based icosahedral quasicrystals (IQCs) in our previous work. To further determine it, a suction-cast Ti₄₀Zr₄₀Ni₂₀ IQC alloy was used for hydrogenation studies by Pressure Composition Isotherm (PCI) and Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) techniques. The results showed that, this alloy absorbed hydrogen rapidly with obvious hydrogen pressure plateau and some reversibility, however, displayed very limited hydrogen capacity (about 0.7 wt.%) and low equilibrium pressure. After several hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycles, the IQC structure transformed into two hydride phases, ZrH_2−x and one unknown, both of which decomposed at above 600 °C, suggesting high thermo-stability for them. On the whole, indeed the suction-casting method can increase the hydrogen absorption rate of Ti/Zr-based IQCs, however, the hydrogenation properties of the Ti₄₀Zr₄₀Ni₂₀ IQC alloy still need a mighty advancement.     

Optimization of hydrogen stations in Florida using the Flow-Refueling Location Model

This paper develops and applies a model that locates hydrogen stations to refuel the maximum volume of vehicle flows. Inputs to the model include a road network with average speeds; the origin–destination flow volumes between each origin and destination; a maximum driving range between refueling stops; and the number of stations to build. The Flow-Refueling Location Model maximizes the flow volumes that can be refueled, measured either in number of trips or vehicle-miles traveled. Geographic Information Systems and heuristic algorithms are integrated in a spatial decision support system that researchers can use to develop data, enter assumptions, analyze scenarios, evaluate tradeoffs, and map results. For the Florida Hydrogen Initiative, we used this model to investigate strategies for rolling out an initial refueling infrastructure in Florida at two different scales of analysis: metropolitan Orlando and statewide. By analyzing a variety of scenarios at both scales of analysis, we identify a robust set of stations that perform well under a variety of assumptions, and develop a strategy for phasing in clustered and connecting stations in several stages or tiers.     

秸秆燃烧中温度对钾转化与释放的影响

通过对稻秆原料进行常规特性分析和EDX元素含量分析,发现钾在稻秆无机元素中占有重要地位。参考原料化学分馏法和土壤中钾的分类与测试方法,给出了对生物质原料及其燃烧产物中钾的定性与定量简易方法。通过程序控温型固定床对稻秆先进行缓慢氧化,然后以100℃为间隔从400～900℃进行成灰,并分别测试其成灰率、有效钾和全钾的份额。结合稻秆原料及其灰中钾的份额分析,进行了稻秆灰中有效钾转化与释放的计算,发现有效钾在700～800℃之间有快速的释放和形态转变。稻秆灰的XRD分析结果表明秸秆灰中钾主要以KCl、K_2SO_4形式存在,得到了钾以盐的形式进行转化与释放的机理。该文中燃烧温度对钾转化与释放的影响规律对设计秸秆电厂时的炉型选择和燃烧参数确定有一定参考价值。     

Exergetic analysis of solid oxide fuel cell and biomass gasification integration with heat pipes

This paper presents an exergetic analysis of a combined heat and power (CHP) system, integrating a near-atmospheric solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with an allothermal biomass fluidised bed steam gasification process. The gasification heat requirement is supplied to the fluidised bed from the SOFC stack through high-temperature sodium heat pipes. The CHP system was modelled in AspenPlus™ software including sub-models for the gasification, SOFC, gas cleaning and heat pipes. For an average current density of 3000 A m⁻² the proposed system would consume 90 kg h⁻¹ biomass producing 170 kW_e net power with a system exergetic efficiency of 36%, out of which 34% are electrical.     

Hydrogen production from ethanol steam reforming over core–shell structured NixOy–, FexOy–, and CoxOy–Pd catalysts

The present work focused on the investigation of the hydrogen generation through the ethanol steam reforming over the core–shell structured Ni_xO_y–, Fe_xO_y–, and Co_xO_y–Pd loaded Zeolite Y catalysts. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of Ni_xO_y–Pd represented a very clear core–shell structure, but the other two catalysts, Co_xO_y– and Fe_xO_y–Pd, were irregular and non-uniform. The catalytic performances differed according to the added core metal and the support. The core–shell structured Co_xO_y–Pd/Zeolite Y provided a significantly higher reforming reactivity compared to the other catalysts. The H₂ production was maximized to 98% over Co_xO_y–Pd(50.0 wt%)/Zeolite Y at the conditions of reaction temperature 600 °C, CH₃CH₂OH:H₂O = 1:3, and GHSV (gas hourly space velocity) 8400 h⁻¹. In the mechanism that was suggested in this work, the cobalt component played an important role in the partial oxidation and the CO activation for acetaldehyde and CO₂ respectively, and eventually, cobalt increased the hydrogen yield and suppressed the CO generation.     

Water-soluble poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) stabilized ruthenium(0) and palladium(0) nanoclusters as highly active catalysts in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia–borane

Water-soluble poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid), PSSA-co-MA, stabilized ruthenium(0) and palladium(0) nanoclusters were for the first time prepared in situ from the reduction of ruthenium(III) chloride and potassium tetrachloropalladate(II), respectively, by ammonia–borane during its hydrolysis at room temperature. PSSA-co-MA stabilized ruthenium(0) and palladium(0) nanoclusters having average particle size of 1.9 ± 0.5 and 3.5 ± 1.6 nm, respectively, were isolated from the reaction solution and characterized by TEM and UV–visible electronic absorption spectroscopy. PSSA-co-MA stabilized ruthenium(0) and palladium(0) nanoclusters are highly active catalysts for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia–borane at low temperature. PSSA-co-MA stabilized ruthenium(0) and palladium(0) nanoclusters provide 51,720 and 8720 turnovers, respectively, in the hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia–borane at 25 °C before deactivation. Catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia–borane is first order with respect to the catalyst concentration, but zero order with respect to the substrate concentration in the case of both ruthenium(0) and palladium(0) nanoclusters. Activation energies for the hydrolysis of ammonia–borane in the presence of PSSA-co-MA stabilized ruthenium(0) or palladium(0) nanoclusters (54 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ and 44 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively) are smaller than most of the values reported for the same reaction in the presence of other catalyst systems.