Environmental and Exergetic Aspects of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is already in the form of heat, and from the thermodynamic point of view, work is more useful than heat because not all heat can be converted to work. Therefore, geothermal resources should be classified according to their exergy, which is a measure of their ability to do work. In recent years there has been a remarkable growth of interest in environmental issues—sustainability and improved management of development in harmony with the environment. Environmental impact assessment is one of the most widely used tools in environmental management. In this study, the environmental and exergetic aspects of geothermal energy, namely the rapid impact assessment matrix method, and, specific exergy index, were studied first. They were then applied to the Tuzla geothermal field in Canakkale and Balcova geothermal field in Izmir, Turkey, respectively. Finally, the results obtained are given and discussed.     

Concentrated O/W emulsions formulated by binary and ternary mixtures of sodium caseinate,xanthan and guar gums: rheological properties,microstructure, and stability

Food Science and Biotechnology - The effects of xanthan gum (XG) (0, 0.3, 0.6 wt%), guar gum (GG) (0, 0.3, 0.6 wt%) and XG:GG mixtures (0.3–0.3, 0.3–0.6, 0.6–0.3 and 0.6–0.6...     

Control of a solution copolymerization reactor using multi-model predictive control

We study the control of a solution copolymerization reactor using a model predictive control algorithm based on multiple piecewise linear models. The control algorithm is a receding horizon scheme with a quasi-infinite horizon objective function which has finite and infinite horizon cost components and uses multiple linear models in its predictions. The finite horizon cost consists of free input variables that direct the system towards a terminal region which contains the desired operating point. The infinite horizon cost has an upper bound and takes the system to the final operating point. Simulation results on an industrial scale methyl methacrylate vinyl acetate solution copolymerization reactor model demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to rapidly transition the process between different operating points.     

Electropolymerization of a new 4‐(2,5‐Di‐2‐thiophen‐2‐yl‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)‐tetra substituted nickel phthalocyanine derivative

A new tetrakis 4‐(2,5‐di‐2‐thiophen‐2‐yl‐pyrrol‐1‐yl) substituted nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc‐SNS) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR), and UV–vis spectroscopies. The electrochemical polymerization of this newly synthesized NiPc‐SNS was performed in dichloromethane (DCM)/tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) solvent/electrolyte couple. An insoluble film was deposited on the electrode surface, both during repetitive cycling and constant potential electrolysis at 0.85 V. Resulting polymer film, P(NiPc‐SNS), was characterized utilizing UV–vis and FT‐IR spectroscopic techniques and its electrochemical behavior was investigated via cyclic voltammetry (CV). Spectroelectrochemical behavior of the polymer film on indium tin oxide (ITO) working electrode was investigated by recording the electronic absorption spectra, in situ, in monomer‐free electrolytic solution at different potentials and it is found that the P(NiPc‐SNS) film can be reversibly cycled between 0.0 and 1.1 V and exhibits electrochromic behavior; dark olive green in the neutral and dark blue in the oxidized states with a switching time of 1.98 s. Furthermore, the band gap of P(NiPc‐SNS) was calculated as 2.27 eV from the onset of π–π* transition of the conjugated backbone. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Exergetic performance assessment of solar photovoltaic cell (PV) assisted earth to air heat exchanger (EAHE) system for solar greenhouse cooling

An experimental system was developed and tested in order to investigate the exergetic performance of a solar photovoltaic system (PV) assisted earth-to-air heat exchanger (under ground air tunnel) that is used for greenhouse cooling at the Solar Energy Institute, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. This system was under operational conditions successfully during the 2010 summer cooling season. This paper provides the experimental results obtained between 18th of August and 26th of August of in 2010. Exergy destruction in the system was calculated and presented in this paper using a reference temperature of 15 °C. Results are discussed and interpreted in the paper for various performance metrics, such as the effect of climatic conditions and operating conditions on the system performance. Results show that the system may be satisfactorily used for greenhouse cooling in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey.     

Early therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome in individual and family therapy for adolescent behavior problems.

The impact of early therapeutic alliance was examined in 100 clients receiving either individual cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT) or family therapy for adolescent substance abuse. Observational ratings of adolescent alliance in CBT and adolescent and parent alliance in family therapy were used to predict treatment retention (in CBT only) and outcome (drug use, externalizing, and internalizing symptoms in both conditions) at post and 6-month follow-up. There were no alliance effects in CBT. In family therapy, stronger parent alliance predicted declines in drug use and externalizing. Adolescents with weak early alliances that subsequently improved by midtreatment showed significantly greater reductions in externalizing than adolescents whose alliances declined. Results underscore the need for ongoing developmental calibration of intervention theory and practice for adolescent clinical populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sulfonation degree determination of polystyrene ionomers by using adiabatic bomb calorimeter

Sulfonation degree determination of sulfonated polystyrene and the corresponding ionomers are performed by adiabatic bomb calorimeter. The theoretical calculations from the band energies for the combustion enthalpy values (calorific values) and the experimental values are compared, and a linear relation between the values is found. Sulfonation and neutralization processes are examined by elemental sulfur analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). It was obvious that increasing sulfonation degree yields a decrease in the combustion enthalpy values, as it is expected from the theoretical calculations. In addition, metal ion incorporation to the structure deviates the experimental combustion enthalpy values especially for the ionomers which have higher sulfonation degrees. This is due to the formation of a higher degree aggregation. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4684–4688, 2006     

Nanofibrous wound dressing material by electrospinning method

Abstract

Wound dressings are very useful materials for accelerating the wound healing process. In this study, nanofibrous wound dressings were produced from blending solution of Poly-lactic acid(PLA)/Chitosan(C)/Starch(S)/Zinc oxide(Z) by electrospinning method. Morphology, chemical interaction, mechanical, water uptake and weight loss tests were performed on each samples. Moreover, the biocompatibility of primary dermal fibroblast (ATCC, PCS-201-012) on prepared wound dressings was investigated with MTT assays in vitro, and the samples were found suitable for cell viability and proliferation. These results suggest that produced nanofibrous wound dressings can be promising candidate for wound dressing applications.     

Exergetic assessment of EAHEs for building heating in Turkey: A greenhouse case study

The present study undertakes an exergy analysis of earth to air heat exchanger (EAHE) and applies to a local one in Turkey. Namely, the exergy performance of an EAHE has been evaluated in a demonstration in Solar Energy Institute of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. Exergetic efficiencies of the system components are determined as an attempt to assess their individual performances. The daily maximum heating coefficient of performance (COP) value for the system is obtained to be 6.18. The total average COP in the experimental period is found to be 4.74.     

Thermodynamics and exergoeconomic analysis of geothermal power plants

Fossil fuel reserves (coal, oil, natural gas, etc.) diminish day by day. In addition, rapid advancement of technology causes an increase in the amount of energy needed. This emerging situation resulted in ever increasing importance of renewable energy sources, and various systems are being developed to utilize these renewable energy sources effectively.In this study, information about Ayd?n–Salavatli geothermal field’s features and working principles of the 2 power plants (DORA 1 and DORA 2) in the region are given. Power plants’ energy and exergy efficiencies were calculated with the emphasis on the effects of thermal fluids used in power plants. Also, in this study, some correlations were developed.Power plants’ sections which cause exergy losses were identified. Accordingly, improvement suggestions were presented in this study. Additionally, exergoeconomic analyses were conducted while power plants’ investment costs and equipment maintenance costs were taken into consideration.