Geothermal and solar energy–based multigeneration system for a district

In this study, parabolic trough collector with an integrated source of geothermal water is used with regenerative Rankine cycle with an open feedwater heater, an electrolyzer, and an absorption cooling system. The absorption fluids used in the solar collectors were Al₂O₃‐ and Fe₂O₃‐based nanofluids. Detailed energetic and exergetic analyses are done for the whole system including all the components. A comparative analysis of both the used working fluids is done and plotted against their different results. The parameters that are varied to change the output of the system are ambient temperature, solar irradiance, the percentage of nanofluids, the mass flow rate of the geothermal well, the temperature gradient of the geothermal well that had an effect on the net power produced, and the outlet temperature of the solar collector overall energetic and exergetic efficiencies. Other useful outputs by this domestic integrated multigeneration system are the heating of domestic water, space heating (maintaining the temperature at 40°C‐50°C), and desalination of seawater (flash distillation). The hydrogen production rate for both the fluids diverges with each other, both producing average from 0.00490 to 0.0567 g/s.     

On stratified variable thermal conductivity stretched flow of Walter-B material subject to non-Fourier flux theory

The objective here is to examine the characteristics of non-Fourier flux theory in flow induced by a nonlinear stretched surface. Constitutive expression for an incompressible Walter-B liquid is taken into account. Consideration of thermal stratification and variable thermal conductivity characterizes the heat transfer process. The concept of boundary layer is adopted for the formulation purpose. Modern methodology for the computational process is implemented. Surface drag force is computed and discussed. Salient features of significant variables on the physical quantities are reported graphically. It is explored that velocity is enhanced for a larger ratio of rate constants. The increasing values of thermal relaxation factor correspond to less temperature.

     

Numerical modeling of an umbrella arch as a pre-support system in difficult geological conditions: a case study

In order to prevent the collapse of ceilings and walls of large tunnels, especially in difficult geological conditions, either a sequential excavation method (SEM) or ground reinforcing method, or a combination of both, can be utilized. The first part of the adit tunnel in northwestern Iran is being drilled in alluvium material with very weak geotechnical parameters. Despite applying an SEM in constructing this tunnel, analyzing the numerical modeling done using FLAC3D, as well as observations during drilling, indicate tunnel instability. To increase operational safety and to prevent collapse, a pre-support system was designed and implemented. The results of the numerical modeling accompanied by monitoring during operation, as well as the results of instrumentation, indicate the efficacy of this method for preventing collapse in alluvium material along the tunnel route. Modeling the behavior of the umbrella arch shows that the location of the maximum compressive force will change with a change in the tunnel arc location. Moreover, displacement, force and moment exerted on the pipes will change during drilling steps according to a certain pattern.     

Transportation of hydrogen atom and molecule through X12Y12 nano-cages

Hydrogen technology provides efficient, clean and environment friendly alternative to fossil fuel. A major challenge in use of hydrogen fuel is effective storage and release of hydrogen. Therefore, information regarding the barrier for encapsulation and decapsulation are very vital for understanding the phenomenon. A number of reports describe exo(endo)hedral binding of H₂ to inorganic X₁₂Y₁₂ fullerenes; however, the information regarding the barrier for en(de)capsulation are very scarce. In this study, the barriers for encapsulation and release of hydrogen atom and hydrogen molecule through X₁₂Y₁₂ nano-cages (where X = Al, B, Y = N, P) are studied. The translation of H/H₂ through the surface of nano-cages (permeability) is studied through density functional theory calculations with M05-2X method. The kinetic barriers for en(de)capsulation are obtained through scanning potential energy surface along the motion through hexagon of the nano-cage. The size of the nano-cage plays significant role in determining the barrier for en(de)capsulation. The relative stability of exohedral and endohedral complexes of H₂/H with X₁₂Y₁₂ nano-cages is obtained through binding energy calculations. Distortion energies are also calculated and the results show that encapsulation of H₂/H does not distort the nano-cage. Moreover, important minima along PES are also fully characterized. Electronic structures of nano-cages including HOMO–LUMO gap, TDOS, PDOS and excitation energies are analyzed. The H–L gap analysis shows that exohedral complexes have minimal effect on the electronic nature of the nano-cage whereas the endohedral complexes have marked effect on the H–L gap.     

Prediction of the elastic properties of syntactic perforated hollow sphere structures

This work investigated the elastic properties of a new type of hollow sphere structures. For this new type, the sphere shell is perforated by several holes in order to open the inner sphere volume for a matrix material. The effective elastic properties of syntactic (i.e. spheres completely embedded in a matrix) perforated hollow sphere structures in a primitive cubic (PC) arrangement of unit cell models are numerically evaluated for different hole diameters, matrix volume fractions and different base materials. The results are compared to typical configurations without perforation. In the scope of this paper, three-dimensional finite element analysis is used in order to investigate these unit cell models.     

Study of carbon dioxide condensation in chevron plate exchangers; heat transfer analysis

The experimental investigation of carbon dioxide condensation in brazed plate heat exchangers is the main objective of this study. The current level of concern for the environment is at an all time high, therefore, it is important to look into methods and resources that lead to a cleaner and healthier future for the planet. This study details one such effort to reach this goal, focusing on condensation of carbon dioxide as a natural refrigerant in refrigeration systems. Three brazed plate heat exchangers with different geometry, each consisting of three channels, are tested. This paper focuses on the two-phase analysis, where carbon dioxide was the working fluid, flowing through the middle channel, and dynalene brine, the cooling fluid, flowed through the side channels of each geometry. Condensation of carbon dioxide occurred at saturation temperatures ranging from ?17.8 °C to ?34.4 °C and heat fluxes spanning 2.5–15.7 kW/m². An in-depth dimensional analysis was completed on the two-phase data yielding heat transfer correlations. Relationships of the two-phase heat transfer characteristics are presented, the data are compared with related studies, and conclusions are made from the two-phase data.     

Experimental investigation of single phase convective heat transfer coefficient in a corrugated plate heat exchanger for multiple plate configurations

Corrugated plate heat exchangers have larger heat transfer surface area and increased turbulence level due to the corrugations. In this study, experimental heat transfer data are obtained for single phase flow (water-to-water) configurations in a commercial plate heat exchanger for symmetric 30°/30°, 60°/60°, and mixed 30°/60° chevron angle plates. Experiments were carried out for Reynolds number ranging from 500 to 2500 and Prandtl number from 3.5 to 6.5. Experimental results show significant effect of chevron angle and Reynolds number on the heat transfer coefficient. Based on the experimental data, a correlation to estimate Nusselt number as a function of Reynolds number, Prandtl number and chevron angle has been proposed.     

Molecular Identification of the G-Protein Genes and Their Expression Profiles in Response to Nitrogen Deprivation in Brassica napus

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein (G-protein) consisting of Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits is one of the key signal transducers in plants. Recent studies indicated that G-protein has been proposed as an important mediator of nitrogen responses in rice, wheat, and Arabidopsis. However, little is known about these G-proteins in Brassica napus (B. napus), except for three identified G-proteins, BnGA1, BnGB1, and BnGG2. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to characterize the members of the G-protein gene family in allotetraploid B. napus and to analyze their expression profiles in response to nitrogen deprivation. In total, 21 G-protein family members were identified in B. napus, encoding two Gα, six Gβ, and 13 Gγ. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that although genome-wide triploid events increased the number of genes encoding Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits, the gene structure and protein properties of the genes encoding each G-protein subunit were extremely conserved. Collinearity analysis showed that most G-protein genes in B. napus had syntenic relationships with G-protein members of Arabidopsis, Brassica rape (B. rapa), and Brassica oleracea (B. oleracea). Expression profile analysis indicated that Gα and C-type Gγ genes (except BnGG10 and BnGG12 were highly expressed in flower and ovule) were barely expressed in most organs, whereas most Gβ and A-type Gγ genes tended to be highly expressed in most organs. G-protein genes also showed various expression patterns in response to nitrogen-deficient conditions. Under nitrogen deficiency, Gα and five C-type Gγ genes were upregulated initially in roots, while in leaves, Gα was downregulated initially and five C-type Gγ genes were highly expressed in different times. These results provide a complex genetic dissection of G-protein genes in B. napus, and insight into the biological functions of G-protein genes in response to nitrogen deficiency.