Comparative study on different models for estimation of direct normal irradiance (DNI) over Egypt atmosphere

The results obtained by using seven-parameterization broadband models to estimate Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) along with two spectral models for four sites in Egypt atmosphere were compared with ground DNI measurements. Some statistical indicators (MBE, RMSE and R²) have been used to measure the performance of the used models. MBE for all dataset is <1% to both spectral models (SPCTRAL2, SMARTS2) and broadband models (MLWT1, MLWT2 and REST) while is equal to 1.2% to YANG model. However, RMSE are around 2% for spectral models and 3% to the broadband models. The error in prediction of DNI to such models is below experimental errors a part from the big number of observations. On the other hand, Louche, Dogniaux and Rodgers models provide relatively bad performance, RMSE are at most cases >4%. Determination coefficient (R²) results to all models are near 1.0. If we excluded spectral models, the broadband models MLWT1, MLWT2 and REST along with YANG models provide the best performance in all tests, therefore, those models can be used in Egypt atmosphere.     

Estimation of hourly direct normal from measured global solar irradiance in Spain

The availability of a good data set, registered in six Spanish locations, including several radiometric variables, has been used to test different approaches for estimating hourly direct normal irradiance by decomposition models. Models proposed by different authors have been tested. Following this preliminary study, to improve the k_b–k_t correlations, another geometric variable has been used as a predictor of hourly beam transmittance, k_b, by means of piecewise correlations. The new beam transmittance correlations, which include additional geometric information, reduce the root mean square deviation. In addition, they show a better performance in terms of the determination coefficient of the regression analysis of measured vs calculated values, providing an improved capture of the real world effects than models that are function of the clearness index only. A new model that uses only two ranges of clearness index is proposed. The proposed model shows seasonal dependence and thus we have developed a seasonal version of it. However, the performance of the seasonal version has proved to be similar to the corresponding annual model.     

Evaluation of decomposition models of various complexity to estimate the direct solar irradiance over Belgium

Solar energy production is directly correlated to the amount of radiation received at a given location. Appropriate information on solar resources is therefore very important for designing and sizing solar energy systems. Concentrated solar power projects and photovoltaic tracking systems rely predominantly on direct normal irradiance (DNI). However, the availability of DNI measurements from surface observation stations has proven to be spatially too sparse to quantify solar resources at most potential sites. Satellite data can be used to calculate estimates of direct solar radiation where ground measurements do not exist. Performance of decomposition models of various complexity have been evaluated against one year of in situ observations recorded on the roof of the radiometric tower of the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium in Uccle, Brussels. Models were first evaluated on a hourly and sub-hourly basis using measurements of global horizontal irradiance (GHI) as input. Second, the best performing ground-based decomposition models were used to extract the direct component of the global radiation retrieved from Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) images. Results were then compared to direct beam estimations provided by satellite-based diffuse fraction models and evaluated against direct solar radiation data measured at Uccle. Our analysis indicates that valuable DNI estimation can be derived from MSG images over Belgium regardless of the satellite retrieved GHI accuracy. Moreover, the DNI retrieval from MSG data can be implemented on an operational basis.     

Effects of atmospheric aerosol on the direct normal irradiance on the earth's surface

Direct normal irradiance (DNI) plays a key role on the quantity and rate of hydrogen production. The accurate calculation of DNI has very important significance for low-cost hydrogen economy and efficient utilization of solar energy. This study mainly takes account of the influence of atmospheric aerosol on DNI and the experimental tests. The main idea of this paper is: obtaining the distribution characteristics of aerosol particles in the atmosphere and the optical depth of aerosol spectrum based on inversion method of ground observation station data; calculating the attenuation coefficient of solar spectrum with classical Mie scattering theory and particle system radiation characteristics; calculating aerosol attenuation coefficient under full spectrum, namely the aerosol correction factor (defined as the ratio of the attenuation coefficient of aerosol atmosphere to standard atmosphere under full spectrum) with Planck model, Rosseland model and Planck–Rosseland model respectively; choosing with the theoretical calculation model of aerosol correction factor based on the solar spectrum radiation calculated by SMARTS software; verifying the accuracy of this theoretical model with experimental DNI in city Harbin. The results show that there is a good agreement with a minimum variation of 3.08% and a maximum variation of 9.97%.     

Semi-empirical models for the estimation of clear sky solar global and direct normal irradiances in the tropics

This paper presents semi-empirical models for estimating global and direct normal solar irradiances under clear sky conditions in the tropics. The models are based on a one-year period of clear sky global and direct normal irradiances data collected at three solar radiation monitoring stations in Thailand: Chiang Mai (18.78°N, 98.98°E) located in the North of the country, Nakhon Pathom (13.82°N, 100.04°E) in the Centre and Songkhla (7.20°N, 100.60°E) in the South. The models describe global and direct normal irradiances as functions of the Angstrom turbidity coefficient, the Angstrom wavelength exponent, precipitable water and total column ozone. The data of Angstrom turbidity coefficient, wavelength exponent and precipitable water were obtained from AERONET sunphotometers, and column ozone was retrieved from the OMI/AURA satellite. Model validation was accomplished using data from these three stations for the data periods which were not included in the model formulation. The models were also validated against an independent data set collected at Ubon Ratchathani (15.25°N, 104.87°E) in the Northeast. The global and direct normal irradiances calculated from the models and those obtained from measurements are in good agreement, with the root mean square difference (RMSD) of 7.5% for both global and direct normal irradiances. The performance of the models was also compared with that of other models. The performance of the models compared favorably with that of empirical models. Additionally, the accuracy of irradiances predicted from the proposed model are comparable with that obtained from some rigorous physical models.     

Prediction of direct and global solar irradiance using broadband models: Validation of REST model

In the present paper, three parametric models Yang, CPCR2 and REST (without considering transmittance due to nitrogen dioxide) have been analyzed for four Indian stations, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Jaipur over the period of 1995–2002, under cloudless conditions. These stations have different climatic conditions. The beam radiation at normal incidence as well as global solar radiation at horizontal surface was computed for these locations during all seasons except monsoon (June to September). The computed values of beam and global irradiance was compared with reference values in case of beam and measured values in case of global solar radiation on the basis of percentage root mean square error (RMSE) and mean bias error (MBE). The maximum RMSE is 6.5% in REST model, as compare to 15% in Yang and 11% in CPCR2 model for predicting direct normal irradiance. The predicted global radiation at horizontal is showing maximum RMSE 7% in REST model, 13.4% in Yang and 25.9% in CPCR2 model. This shows that REST model has good agreement with measured data for these Indian stations as compare to other two models.     

A case study to prepare for the utilization of aerosol forecasts in solar energy industries

Precise aerosol information is indispensable in providing accurate clear sky irradiance forecasts, which is a very important aspect in solar facility management as well as in solar and conventional power load prediction. In order to demonstrate the need of detailed aerosol information, direct irradiance derived from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) ground based measurements of aerosol optical depth (AOD) was compared in a case study over Europe to irradiance calculated using a standard aerosol scenario. The analysis shows an underestimation of measurement-derived direct irradiance by the scenario-derived direct irradiance for locations in Northern Europe and an overestimation for the Mediterranean region.Forecasted AOD of the European Dispersion and Deposition Model (EURAD) system was validated against ground based AERONET clear sky AOD measurements for the same test period of February 15th to 22nd, 2004. For the time period analyzed, the modelled AOD forecasts of the EURAD system slightly underestimate ground based AERONET measurements. To quantify the effects of varying AOD forecast quality in their impact on the application in solar energy industry, measured and forecasted AOD were used to calculate and compare direct, diffuse, and global irradiance. All other influencing variables (mainly clouds and water vapour) are assumed to be modelled and measured correctly for this analysis which is dedicated to the specific error introduced by aerosol forecasting. The underestimated AOD results in a mean overestimation of direct irradiance of +28 W/m² (+12%), whereas diffuse irradiance is generally underestimated (−19 W/m² or −14%). Mean global irradiance values where direct and diffuse irradiance errors compensate each other are very well represented (on average +9 W/m² or +2%).     

Assessing the potential of concentrating solar photovoltaic generation in Brazil with satellite-derived direct normal irradiation

With the declining costs of flat plate and concentrating photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar PV generation in many sunny regions in Brazil will eventually become cost competitive with conventional and centralized power generation. Detailed knowledge of the local solar radiation resource becomes critical in assisting on the choice of the technology most suited for large-scale solar electricity generation. When assessing the energy generation potential of non-concentrating, fixed flat plate versus concentrating PV, sites with high levels of direct normal irradiation (DNI) can result in cost-competitive electricity generation with the use of high concentrating photovoltaic systems (HCPV). In large countries, where the transmission and distribution infrastructure costs and associated losses typical of centralized generation must be taken into account, the distributed nature of solar radiation should be perceived as a valuable asset. In this work we assess the potential of HCPV energy generation using satellite-derived DNI data for Brazil, a large and sunny country with a continental surface of 8.5 million km². The methodology used in the study involved the analysis of global horizontal, latitude-tilt, and direct normal solar irradiation data resulting from the Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA) Project, and an estimate of the resulting electricity production potential, based on a review of HCPV generators operating at other sites. The satellite-derived solar irradiation data, with 10 km × 10 km spatial resolution, were analysed over the whole country, in order to identify the regions where HCPV might present a considerable advantage over fixed plate PV on an annual energy generation basis. Our results show that there is a considerable fraction of the national territory where the direct normal solar irradiation resource is up to 20% higher than the latitude-tilt irradiation availability. Furthermore, these sites are located in the most industrially-developed region of the country, and indicate that with the declining costs of this technology, distributed multi-megawatt HCPV can be a good choice of technology for solar energy generation at these sites in the near future.     

A method for estimating direct normal solar irradiation from satellite data for a tropical environment

In order to investigate a potential use of concentrating solar power technologies and select an optimum site for these technologies, it is necessary to obtain information on the geographical distribution of direct normal solar irradiation over an area of interest. In this work, we have developed a method for estimating direct normal irradiation from satellite data for a tropical environment. The method starts with the estimation of global irradiation on a horizontal surface from MTSAT-1R satellite data and other ground-based ancillary data. Then a satellite-based diffuse fraction model was developed and used to estimate the diffuse component of the satellite-derived global irradiation. Based on this estimated global and diffuse irradiation and the solar radiation incident angle, the direct normal irradiation was finally calculated. To evaluate its performance, the method was used to estimate the monthly average hourly direct normal irradiation at seven pyrheliometer stations in Thailand. It was found that values of monthly average hourly direct normal irradiation from the measurements and those estimated from the proposed method are in reasonable agreement, with a root mean square difference of 16% and a mean bias of −1.6%, with respect to mean measured values. After the validation, this method was used to estimate the monthly average hourly direct normal irradiation over Thailand by using MTSAT-1R satellite data for the period from June 2005 to December 2008. Results from the calculation were displayed as hourly and yearly irradiation maps. These maps reveal that the direct normal irradiation in Thailand was strongly affected by the tropical monsoons and local topography of the country.     

基于改进CNN的光热电场太阳直接法向辐射预测研究

为了在实际运行中更好地利用光热电站,文章建立了一种基于改进卷积神经网络的光热电场太阳直接法向辐射的预测模型。首先,通过分析光热发电系统的运行机理,得到影响光热发电系统出力的主要因素是太阳直接法向辐射,并根据太阳直接法向辐射特点选用卷积神经网络对其进行预测;然后,针对卷积神经网络在实际应用过程中存在的预测精度较低和训练时间较长的问题,引入带有稀疏约束的损失函数和自适应学习率思想,并提出一种改进卷积神经网络;最后,利用改进卷积神经网络建立了光热电场太阳直接法向辐射的预测模型。模拟结果表明:文章提出的改进卷积神经网络能够解决一般卷积神经网络在实际应用中存在的预测精度较低和训练速度较慢的问题;基于改进卷积神经网络的预测模型可以较准确地预测出太阳直接法向辐射的变化趋势及其数值。     

The effect of the initial charge temperature under various injection timings on the second law terms in a direct injection SI hydrogen engine

In this study, the effect of the initial charge temperature on the second law terms under the various injection timings in a direct injection spark ignition hydrogen fuelled engine has been performed theoretically during compression, combustion and expansion processes of the engine cycle. The first law analysis is done by using the results of a three dimensional CFD code. The results show a good agreement with the experimental data. Also for the second law analysis, a developed in house computational code is applied. The results reveal that the indicated work availability is more affected by varying hydrogen injection timing in comparison with other second law terms. Also increasing the initial charge temperature causes the heat loss availability and exhaust gas availability be increased and indicated work availability, combustion irreversibility and entropy generation be decreased.     

The effect of Nafion content in a graphitized carbon nanofiber-based anode for the direct methanol fuel cell

The performance and stability of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) using different Nafion^® contents (30, 50 and 70 wt% or MEA30, MEA50 and MEA70, respectively) and graphitized carbon nanofiber (GNF) supported PtRu catalyst at the anode was investigated by a constant current measurement of 9 days (230 h) in a DMFC and characterization with various techniques before and after this measurement. Of the pristine MEAs, MEA50 reached the highest power and current densities. During the 9-day measurement at a constant current, the performance of MEA30 decreased the most (−124 μV h⁻¹), while the MEA50 was almost stable (−11 μV h⁻¹) and performance of MEA70 improved (+115 μV h⁻¹). After the measurement, the MEA50 remained the best MEA in terms of performance. The optimum anode Nafion content for commercial Vulcan carbon black supported PtRu catalysts is between 20 and 40 wt%, so the GNF-supported catalyst requires more Nafion to reach its peak power. This difference is explained by the tubular geometry of the catalyst support, which requires more Nafion to form a penetrating proton conductive network than the spherical Vulcan. Mass transfer limitations are mitigated by the porous 3D structure of the GNF catalyst layer and possible changes in the compact Nafion filled catalyst layers during constant current production.     

Numerical investigation of the effect of injection timing under various equivalence ratios on energy and exergy terms in a direct injection SI hydrogen fueled engine

In the present article, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method and a home-made FORTRAN code have been utilized to investigate the effects of injection timing under various equivalence ratios on the first and second laws of thermodynamics terms in a hydrogen fueled Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) engine. The results show a good agreement with the experimental data. Exergy terms such as exergy transfer with work, exergy transfer with heat, exergy transfer with exhaust gas and fuel chemical exergy were computed based on principles of the second law. Also Entropy generation per cycle is calculated. Special attentions are given to recognize and quantify the irreversibility of combustion process basing on the different injection timings and equivalence ratios. The obtained results indicated that combustion irreversibilities and exhaust gas availability are more affected by varying the equivalence ratio and amount of fuel availability that transfers to environment with exhaust gases increased by increasing the equivalence ratio. Varying the equivalence ratio had different effect on the accumulated work availability reduced to fuel availability at the late and early injection strategies. Also, entropy generation reduced by retarding the hydrogen injection timing and decreasing the equivalence ratio. Changing in injection timing has its maximum effect on Φ = 0.6 equivalence ratio.     

Studies on the direct liquefaction of protein-contained biomass: The distribution of nitrogen in the products

In studies of the direct aqueous liquefaction of protein-contained biomass such as sewage sludge, nitrogen derived from proteins is distributed in both the oil and aqueous phases. The nitrogen in the oil is very difficult to remove by hydrotreatment over nickel/molybdenum catalysts. Egg albumin was used as a model protein in direct liquefaction studies of the nitrogen distribution in the products. The oil yield from albumin (10%) was much less than that obtained from actual feedstocks (typically in the range 30–40%). The nitrogen content of the oil (9%) represented less than 5% of the total nitrogen, while in the liquefaction of actual feedstocks, 30–50% of the nitrogen in the feedstock was found in the oil. No distribution of nitrogen to oil under 150°C occurred because of no oil yield. The majority of the nitrogen in albumin (80%) was distributed to the aqueous phase above 200°C. The distribution of nitrogen to oil was completed by 250°C. Sodium carbonate, used as a catalyst, prevented the distribution of nitrogen to oil. Albumin was decomposed to ammonia, not to amino acids.     

Numerical study of the effect of the GDL structure on water crossover in a direct methanol fuel cell

A two-dimensional two-phase non-isothermal mass transport model is developed to numerically investigate the behavior of water transport through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a direct methanol fuel cell. The model enables the visualization of the distribution of the liquid saturation through the MEA and the analysis of the distinct effects of the three water transport mechanisms: diffusion, convection and electro-osmotic drag, on the water-crossover flux through the membrane. A parametric study is then performed to examine the effects of the structure design of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) on water crossover. The results indicate that the flow-channel rib coverage on the GDL surface and the deformation of the GDL can cause an uneven distribution of the water-crossover flux along the in-plane direction, especially at higher current densities. It is also found that both the contact angle and the permeability of the cathode GDL can significantly influence the water-crossover flux. The water-crossover flux can be reduced by improving the hydrophobicity of the cathode GDL.     

The effect of flow type patterns in a novel thermally coupled reactor for simultaneous direct dimethyl ether (DME) and hydrogen production

Dimethyl ether (DME) has gained wide interest in chemical industry regarding its use as a multi-source, multi-purpose fuel either for diesel engines or as a clean alternative for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The direct synthesis of DME from syngas would be more economical and beneficial in comparison to the indirect process via methanol dehydration. In this study, one type of the multifunctional auto-thermal reactors (the recuperative one) is selected in which the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) is coupled with the catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to benzene in a two fixed bed reactor separated by a solid wall, where heat is transferred across the surface of tube. Steady-state, heterogeneous, one-dimensional model has been used to describe the performance of this novel configuration. Both co-current and counter-current operating modes are investigated and the simulation results are compared with the available data of a pipe-shell fixed bed reactor for direct DME synthesis which operates at the same feed conditions. In addition, the influence of the molar flow rate of exothermic and endothermic stream on the reactor performance is also investigated. The results suggest that coupling of these reactions could be feasible and beneficial and the co-current mode has got better performance in DME and hydrogen production. In order to establish the validity and safety handling of the new concept, an experimental proof is required.     

The possible failure mode and effect analysis of membrane electrode assemblies and their potential solutions in direct methanol fuel cell systems for portable applications

One of the major challenges in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is to design reliable and stable FC systems that satisfy the very high dynamic demand in various environmental conditions for portable devices. This paper provides an overview of several failure modes and effect analyses (FMEAs) which can have significant consequences on the durability and stability of DMFCs, including high and sub-zero temperature storage, dry and high humidification atmospheres, and fuel/oxidation starvation by breakdown of fuel/air supply components. Firstly, some characterization methods are discussed to investigate changes of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in terms of their physiochemical and electrochemical properties after testing in various simulated failure modes. Secondly, possible mitigating solutions to minimize the hazards associated with them are suggested through a fundamental understanding and scientific approach. The relationship between the causes and symptoms in DMFC systems is determined by examining a variety of failure sources.     

Numerical investigations of effect of membrane electrode assembly structure on water crossover in a liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell

A two-phase mass-transport model is employed to investigate the water transport behaviour through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a liquid-feed direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Emphasis is placed on examining the effects of each constituent component design of the MEA, including catalyst layers, microporous layers and membranes, on each of the three water crossover mechanisms: electro-osmotic drag, diffusion, and convection. The results show that lowering the diffusion flux of water or enhancing the convection flux of water (termed as the back-flow flux) through the membrane are both feasible to suppress water crossover in DMFCs. It is found that the reduction in the diffusion flux of water can be mainly achieved through optimum design of the anode porous layers, as the effect of the cathode porous region on water crossover by diffusion is relatively smaller. On the other hand, the design of the cathode porous layers plays a more important role in increasing the back-flow flux of water from the cathode to anode.     

The effect of acetaldehyde and acetic acid on the direct ethanol fuel cell performance using PtSnO2/C electrocatalysts

PtSnO₂/C with Pt:SnO₂ molar ratios of 9:1, 3:1 and 1:1 prepared by an alcohol-reduction process were evaluated as anodicelectrocatalysts for direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). Acetaldehyde, acetic acid and mixtures of them with ethanol were also tested as fuels. Single cell tests showed that PtSnO₂/C electrocatalysts have a superior electrical performance for ethanol and acetaldehyde electro-oxidation when compared to commercial Pt₃Sn/C_(alloy) and Pt/C electrocatalysts. For all electrocatalysts, no electrical response was observed when acetic acid was used as a fuel. For ethanol electro-oxidation, the main product was acetaldehyde when Pt₃Sn/C_(alloy) and Pt/C electrocatalysts were employed. Besides, PtSnO₂/C electrocatalysts led to the formation of acetic acid as the major product. CO₂ was formed in small quantities for all electrocatalysts studied. A sharp drop in electrical performance was observed when using a mixture of ethanol and acetaldehyde as a fuel, however, the use of a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid as a fuel did not affect the DEFC performance.