Solar assisted method for recovery of bitumen from oil sand

A novel concept for the recovery of bitumen from oil sands in a natural gas limited environment with and without CO₂ constraints is presented. We suggest a feasible method for the recovery of unconventional oil in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way that has the potential of eliminating the need of natural gas as a process fuel. The proposed concept involves mid temperature steam generation for stimulating an oil sand formation. The steam is generated by utilizing solar radiation. The method uses the thermal mass of the oil sand formation to allow for cyclic steam injection during solar availability while still yielding continuous bitumen recovery. Feasibility assessments of the concept from both a thermodynamic and financial point of view are presented for a scenario of development in the Athabasca region in Alberta, Canada.     

Wastes as co-fuels: the policy framework for solid recovered fuel (SRF) in Europe, with UK implications

European Union (EU) member states are adopting the mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) of municipal solid waste (MSW) to comply with EU Landfill Directive (LD) targets on landfill diversion. We review the policy framework for MSW-derived solid recovered fuel (SRF), composed of paper, plastic, and textiles, in the energy-intensive industries. A comparatively high calorific value (15-18 MJ/ kg) fuel, SRF has the potential to partially replace fossil fuel in energy-intensive industries, alongside MSW in dedicated combustion facilities. Attempts by the European standards organization (CEN) to classify fuel properties consider net calorific value (CV) and chlorine and mercury content. However, the particle size, moisture content, and fuel composition also require attention and future studies must address these parameters. We critically review the implications of using SRF as a co-fuel in thermal processes. A thermodynamic analysis provides insight into the technical and environmental feasibility of co-combusting SRF in coal-fired power plants and cement kilns. Results indicate the use of SRF as co-fuel can reduce global warming and acidification potential significantly. This policy analysis is of value to waste managers, policy specialists, regulators, and the waste management research community.     

Direct three dimensional tomography of flames using maximization of entropy technique

Presently, there are numerous applications for non-destructive techniques like emission tomography, laser based methods and particle image velocimetry that are used to study flame characteristics. Reconstruction of the flame intensity field using emission tomography has the advantage over other technologies that it gives accurate results but at the same time requires relatively inexpensive equipment, and therefore, has numerous industrial applications. In the present paper, a new algorithm performing Direct-3D reconstruction using the maximization of entropy (MENT) methodology has been introduced. Through detailed studies using a mathematical object, it has been shown that the Direct-3D algorithm shows significantly reduced errors as compared to 2D slice-by-slice reconstruction algorithms. Secondly, the major features of the proposed algorithm, for e.g., effect of orientation, effect of number of views, and robustness have been discussed. Finally, a few qualitative results from actual flames have been presented using a candle and a gas fired burner, and the results match well with the actual flame geometry and intensity distribution.     

Allergenic responses of red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv chitra) polypeptides in BALB/c mice recognized by bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis patients

Allergenicity potential of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris cv chitra) was assessed and attempts were made to identify the responsible proteins by pepsin digestibility assay and IgE immunoblotting. To evaluate allergenic potential, BALB/c mice were sensitized with red kidney bean proteins and levels of specific immunoglobulin, histamine, mast cell protease-1, cytokines and CCL-2 were measured. To confirm our findings in BALB/c, the studies were also extended to human subjects. Human sera collected from control subjects and allergic patients after skin prick test were used for IgE immunoblotting, measuring the levels of total and specific IgE and determining cross reactivity of red kidney bean with other legumes. Red kidney bean allergenic potential was evident by significant increase in specific IgE, IgG1, histamine, mast cell protease-1 and Th2 cytokine levels in comparison to control. Enhanced level of eosinophils in jejunum, prominent anaphylactic symptoms, and eruptive histopathological changes give indication towards red kidney beans allergenicity. IgE immunoblotting detected five protein components with molecular weights of approximately 170, 100, 43, 34 and 20 kDa. Red kidney bean proteins showed cross reactivity with peanut, soybean, chickpea and black gram. Finally, this work demonstrated that red kidney beans may induce allergic response in mice similar to human subjects, with identification of five clinically relevant allergenic protein components.     

Response of growing Japanese quails to dietary concentration of L‐threonine

The influence of dietary levels of L ‐threonine (Thr) on growth and immune response was investigated in growing (0–5 weeks of age) Japanese quails (n = 288). Three dietary treatments were formulated using three levels of Thr [9.6, 10.2 and 11.2 kg^?1 diet dry matter (DM)] at a fixed protein level of 233 g kg^?1 and an energy level of 12.15 MJ (2900 kcal) metabolizable energy (ME) kg^?1 feed dry matter. A metabolism trial with a 3‐day collection period was conducted at the third week of age employing all the birds. The cell‐mediated (using PHA‐P) and humoral (SRBC response) immune responses were measured at the fourth week of age. Carcass traits were assessed at the end of fifth week of age. Body weight gain was lower (P < 0.01) in birds received 9.6 g Thr kg^?1 DM than in groups fed 10.2 g or 11.2 g kg^?1 DM in the diet, but there was no significant difference in gain between the groups fed 10.2 or 11.2 g Thr kg^?1 DM in the diet. Feed intake differed significantly owing to Thr levels being lowest (P < 0.05) at 9.6 g Thr kg^?1 DM in the diet. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency and energy efficiency improved at the 11.2 g kg^?1 level from 0 to 3 weeks of age; however, from 3 to 5 weeks of age, better FCR emanated from a diet with 9.6 g Thr kg^?1 DM. The nitrogen balance did not differ (P > 0.05) with Thr level. Carcass traits, relative weight of immune organs and cell‐mediated (PHA‐P) and humoral (SRBC response) immune responses did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) as a result of the dietary treatments. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Transient free convective flow through a vertical cylinder filled with a porous material

This article aims to explore the impressive impact of emerging parameters on transient fully evolved free convective flow inside a vertical cylinder containing a porous material. The mathematical formulation of the model related to the considered physical circumstance is presented under compatible boundary conditions. Closed‐form solutions are received for the velocity field, the temperature distribution, mass flux, skin friction, and the Nusselt number in terms of Bessel functions and modified Bessel functions of the first kind. Impressive effects of parameters such as the Darcy number $Da$, Prandtl number $\text{Pr}$, viscosity ratio $M$, and also time $t$ on both the velocity and temperature distribution have been explored employing graphs and tables. It is irradiated by analysis that flow erection, heat transfer rate, skin friction, and mass flux are admirably impacted by the Prandtl number, the Darcy number, viscosity ratio parameter, and time. It is found that both the velocity and temperature field profiles rise with the rising value of time and ultimately attain their steady state. Moreover, the Prandtl number and the viscosity ratio parameter reduce the velocity profiles, while the reverse phenomenon occurs with the Darcy number.     

Analysis and assessment of a nanoparticle seeded small scale absorption refrigeration system driven by a low‐grade waste heat source

The thermoeconomic behaviour of a nanoparticle seeded single effect LiBr‐H₂O absorption refrigeration system (ARS) is investigated for a small scale application. In the proposed method, alumina nanoparticles with volume concentrations of 3%, 5%, and 7% are dispersed into an aqua lithium bromide solution. The multiobjective heat transfer search algorithm is employed to examine the design trade‐off between the coefficient of performance (COP) and total annualized cost (TAC). To analyze the overall performance of the system, the influence of five design parameters, namely the temperatures of the generator, absorber, evaporator, condenser and heat exchanger pipe diameter, are studied. It is found that with an increase in the COP, the TAC of the system is initially raised marginally, and after that, raised rigorously with further increment. The comparative results indicate that the COP and TAC of the nanofluid based ARS system are increased by about 7% and decreased by about 3.2%, respectively, corresponding to the Pareto points of the base ARS system. A lower break‐even point of about 2.6 years is achieved for the ARS system containing nanoparticles compared to the base ARS system. Overall, the ARS system containing 5% nanoparticles is the best solution from a thermodynamic and economic point of view.     

Effect of Newtonian heating/cooling on free convection in an annular permeable region in the presence of heat source/sink

The influence of Newtonian heating/cooling in the presence of heat source/sink has been investigated on laminar free convective flow in a vertical annular permeable region. The mathematical model for the problem has been considered as a boundary value problem consisting of two simultaneous ordinary differential equations. The boundary value problem has been transformed to nondimensional form. This has given rise to a number of parameters representing both geometrical and physical features of the problem. Closed‐form analytical solutions of the governing equations have been obtained for two different cases of internal heat generation/absorption. To assess the effects of governing parameters on the fluid velocity and temperature, a number of profiles of these field variables have been presented. The efficacy of the distinct processes on the field variables has been discussed extensively. The main outcome obtained in this study is that the velocity as well as temperature is enhanced in the case of the Newtonian heating while the opposite behavior occurs in the Newtonian cooling for both cases of source and sink. Furthermore, the influence of the governing parameters has been shown on the skin friction, volume flow rate, and the Nusselt number.     

Smart antenna design for high‐speed moving vehicles with minimum return loss

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a connection amongst people and applications to another dimension of machine‐to‐machine communication. IoT scenario is unequivocally related with the development of the advancement of wireless sensor systems (WSNs) and radio‐frequency identification (RFID) frameworks. Owing to the technological advances around the world, energy demand is increasing exponentially. Energy proficiency has turned out to be one of the real worries in the present life that essentially influence every single human action. In communication system, return loss is a major issue for transmission process. Owing to return loss, a huge amount of power consumption occurs. This phenomenon is contemporary with transmission process, and it will initiate a serious problem for high‐speed moving substance like aircraft, rockets, and spaceship. To overcome this problem, a four‐element cylindrical antenna (conformal) array with better axial radiation is proposed. The four U‐shaped slots are uniformly wrapped around on a cylindrical surface, which produces tilted radiation. To enhance the axial radiation, four conformal elements are reefed by a one‐ to four‐microstrip feed network. The proposed conformal design has a bandwidth of 200 MHz (narrow bandwidth) at the center frequency of 3.9 GHz, covering the range of 3 to 3.9 GHz, with the gain of 4.9 dBic, and can be suitable for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), wireless avionics intra‐communication (WAIC), and so forth. The proposed design is low profile and can be used for high‐speed avionic applications. Finally, machine learning technique is explored to design a model for a smart antenna with optimistic parameters to reduce return loss and enhance the transmission rate.