Thermodynamic performance experiment and cooling number calculation of a counter-flow spray humidifier in the HAT cycle

An experimental investigation of the thermodynamic performance of a counter-flow spray humidifier was conducted on the basis of theoretical analysis of the heat and mass transfer mechanism inside the humidifier. Critical parameters such as the temperature and relative humidity of air and the temperature of water at the inlet and outlet were measured. The influence of every measured parameter on the thermal performance of the humidifier was obtained under different experimental conditions. The cooling number, whose variation was also obtained, was calculated according to the measured data. The experimental results show that both the temperature and the temperature increment of outlet humid air and the temperature of outlet water increase with an increase of the water-gas ratio, whereas the cooling number decreases. Under all experimental conditions, the outlet humid air reaches or is close to the saturation level. The lower cooling number is favorable for the system, but it has an optimal value for a certain humidifier. __________ Translated from Journal of Power Engineering, 2006, 40(9): 1263–1267 [译自: 动力工程]     

低热值煤层气燃烧器结构优化的实验研究

对一种低热值煤层气燃烧器进行优化设计,在燃气管内设置导流叶片,并在旋流空气管和燃气管之间增加一根直流空气管,对此燃烧器进行冷态和热态实验,结果表明:改进后的燃烧器旋流强度沿中心轴线比原燃烧器下降平缓,在中心轴线相同位置处大于原燃烧器,改进后的燃烧嚣旋流强度最大值为0.53;改进后的燃烧器燃烧温度沿中心轴线比原燃烧器上升快,在中心轴线0.55 m处,温度达到最大值1 440 K;在相同热负荷下,温度峰值比原燃烧器更靠近喷口,且比原燃烧器大.原燃烧器火焰尾部温度高,火焰长,局部容积热强度低.     

Carbon dioxide emission from the Turkish electricity sector and its mitigation options

In this study, electricity generation associated CO₂ emissions and fuel-specific CO₂ emission factors are calculated based on the IPCC methodology using the data of fossil-fueled power plants that ran between 2001 and 2008 in Turkey. The estimated CO₂ emissions from fossil-fueled power plants between 2009 and 2019 are also calculated using the fuel-specific CO₂ emission factors and data on the projected generation capacity of the power plants that are planned to be built during this period. Given that the total electricity supply (planned+existing) will not be sufficient to provide the estimated demand between 2011 and 2019, four scenarios based on using different fuel mixtures are developed to overcome this deficiency. The results from these scenarios show that a significant decrease in the amount of CO₂ emissions from electricity generation can be achieved if the share of the fossil-fueled power plants is lowered. The Renewable Energy Scenario is found to result in the lowest CO₂ emissions between 2009 and 2019. The associated CO₂ emissions calculated based on this scenario are approximately 192 million tons lower than that of the Business As Usual Scenario for the estimation period.     

A review of integration strategies for solid oxide fuel cells

Due to increasing oil and gas demand, the depletion of fossil resources, serious global warming, efficient energy systems and new energy conversion processes are urgently needed. Fuel cells and hybrid systems have emerged as advanced thermodynamic systems with great promise in achieving high energy/power efficiency with reduced environmental loads. In particular, due to the synergistic effect of using integrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and classical thermodynamic cycle technologies, the efficiency of the integrated system can be significantly improved. This paper reviews different concepts/strategies for SOFC-based integration systems, which are timely transformational energy-related technologies available to overcome the threats posed by climate change and energy security.     

Development of a novel computational tool for optimizing the operation of fuel cells systems: Application for phosphoric acid fuel cells

Fuel cells offer a significant and promising clean technology for portable, automotive and stationary applications and, thus, optimization of their performance is of particular interest. In this study, a novel optimization tool is developed that realistically describes and optimizes the performance of fuel cell systems. First, a 3D steady-state detailed model is produced based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. Simulated results obtained from the CFD model are used in a second step, to generate a database that contains the fuel and oxidant volumetric rates and utilizations and the corresponding cell voltages. In the third step mathematical relationships are developed between the input and output variables, using the database that has been generated in the previous step. In particular, the linear regression methodology and the radial basis function (RBF) neural network architecture are utilized for producing the input–output “meta-models”. Several statistical tests are used to validate the proposed models. Finally, a multi-objective hierarchical Non-Linear Programming (NLP) problem is formulated that takes into account the constraints and limitations of the system. The multi-objective hierarchical approach is built upon two steps: first, the fuel volumetric rate is minimized, recognizing the fact that our first concern is to reduce consumption of the expensive fuel. In the second step, optimization is performed with respect to the oxidant volumetric rate. The proposed method is illustrated through its application for phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) systems.     

Thermodynamic and exergoeconomic analysis of energy recovery system of biogas from a wastewater treatment plant and use in a Stirling engine

The aim of this research it is to show how the biogas biomethanisation from primary and secondary treatment of activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), can be an alternative renewable energy option from fossil fuels, which offers competitive advantages and points out new horizons for the use of this fuel. This will allow to achieve some important priorities of energy plans in EU countries: to reduce the organic matter deposited in landfills and CO₂ emissions and to find viable solutions to minimize the environmental impact of sewage sludge (SS).This study analyses the biogas combustion and energy recovery processes from a thermodynamic, thermoeconomic and exergetic point of view.The results show that the boiler of the process is the main source of irreversibility and exergy destruction. Moreover, the energy and exergy economic value of exhaust gases from the combustion chamber, are significant and worthwhile to be exploited. For this reason, the present study explores the applicability and suitability of integrating a Stirling engine in such process. The study reveals that it is possible to create a small micro-cogeneration system which leads to sustainable waste management and energy savings in the treatment plant itself.