Thermodynamic analysis of solar photovoltaic cell systems

The thermodynamic characteristics of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells are investigated from a perspective based on exergy. A new efficiency is developed that is useful in studying PV performance and possible improvements. Exergy analysis is applied to a PV system and its components, and exergy flows, losses and efficiencies are evaluated. Energy efficiency is seen to vary between 7% and 12% during the day. In contrast, exergy efficiencies, which incorporate the second law of thermodynamics and account for solar irradiation exergy values, are lower for electricity generation using the considered PV system, ranging from 2% to 8%. Values of “fill factors” are determined for the system and observed to be similar to values of exergy efficiency.     

Energy Saving in Industrial Wood Drying Addressed by a Multiscale Computational Model: Board, Stack, and Kiln

This article proposes a multiscale computational model able to calculate energy consumption in a batch lumber kiln. A dual-scale computational model of wood drying deals with the boards/stack interaction and serves as a basis for the present work. A new module was added here that calculates heat losses through kiln walls (convection, condensation) and the energy used by each kiln component (fans, heating elements, humidifier, vacuum pump, etc.). The corresponding mathematical formulation is presented and then theoretical results are compared to those collected in an industrial vacuum kiln. As application example, the effect of air reversal, air velocity, and kiln insulation are exhibited, which depicts the great potential and prospects of this new tool for energy savings in relation to the product quality.     

The development of MHD cold wall channels in the oil-fired condition

The durability of a cold wall MHD generator consisting of metal electrodes and alumina-coated peg insulators was experimentally examined in the oil-fired MHD condition with the additive of SO₂ corresponding to S = 0.54 wt%. The structure of the electrode wall and various anode and cathode materials were tested, with particular reference to developing long-life electrodes. It was clarified that Pt, SHOMAC (28.8 Cr−1.9 Mo) and SUS-304 as anodes and W---Cu (70 W−30 Cu) and WC---Ag (60 WC−40 Ag) alloys as cathodes were promising for durability and that the structure of an anode divided into two elements connected to each other with an SnO₂ resistor was very useful for uniformity of the anode corrosion pattern and the inter-anode voltages. It is reasonable to expect, from the test results, that the lifetime of a cold wall MHD generator in an oil-fired commercial plant will be over 4000 h, and therefore, a foundation for its commercial use has been established.     

A new method of characterization for stratified thermal energy stores

A new method for characterization of stratified thermal energy stores (TES) that integrates both the first law and the second law concerns is presented here. The first law concern is incorporated into a quantity called energy response factor and the second law concern into an entropy generation ratio. A product of these two quantities is at the heart of the TES efficiency definitions. This approach removes the overemphasis of the existing methods either on the first or the second law of thermodynamics which often biases the characterization results. The information about the evolution of the temperature field of the system in time is the prerequisite of the new method. It may be obtained from experiments or from suitable numerical simulations. The current method can be easily integrated into computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and thus facilitate CFD-based design analysis. As an example of such CFD-integrated analysis, a large-scale hot water seasonal heat store is numerically studied to identify the effects of aspect ratio, containment shape, internal structures, and containment size on their efficiency. The results suggest the effectiveness of the new method in deriving useful design insights.     

Energy conservation in the industrial sector of developing countries

This paper begins by examining the most energy-intensive industries and methods by which fuel efficiency can be improved. Next the author analyses the economics of energy conservation using specific case studies drawn from India. It is shown that investing in energy efficiency is more economical Btu per Btu than investing in the enhancement of domestic energy resources. The author also assesses changes in the economics of conservation for private firms when there are government incentives. Finally government policies that can overcome economic and non-economic disincentives for investing in energy conservation are examined.     

Energy absorption in splitting square metal tubes

This paper presents an investigation into the energy absorbing behaviour of axially splitting square metal tubes. Tubes 50 mm square with a variable thickness were pushed slowly against rigid pyramid shaped dies, which had various semi-angles. By pre-cutting 5 mm long slits at the four corners, the tube splits along the corners and curls outward with a certain radius at a constant force. In this energy dissipating system, there are three components: tearing energy, plastic deformation energy and frictional energy. Theoretical analysis of the three energy components is presented. Curl radius is also studied in detail. Good agreement between experiments and theory is obtained. The results show that tubes which both split and curl may be used as efficient, long stroke energy absorbing devices.     

关于空调水系统节能的探讨

以空调冷冻水系统的节能为例 ,探讨空调系统节能的途径、存在的问题及解决办法     

关于统一冶金矿山采矿工序能耗指标的看法

对原有的冶金矿山设计和生产不同能耗指标，提出统一为一个指标体系的设想，并提出了指标体系的计算公式以及各系数的选取意见。     

Development of an integrated model for airflow in building spaces

In building energy simulation, an integrated modelling of airflow in the building needed. Therefore, in this paper two approaches are used for building energy simulation: zonal network for modelling of the building segments and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for modelling of the airflow. It is noted that a synchronize solution process is needed for the building and the CFD equation-sets. For this purpose an iterative procedure is used to corresponding solution of these equations.     

烟气轮机长周期高负荷运行的途径和方法

北京燕山分公司2000kt/a催化裂化装置的烟气轮机机组,在投运的几年内,存在电仪故障多、气轮机轴振动大及回收率低等一系列问题。通过技术攻关及操作优化,烟气轮机的轴振动值最大不超过70μm,发电量提高至13000kW·h以上,每年停机检修的时间可控制在15天以内,全年的净收效益将达到5460万元,每年可提高效益1620万元。与装置同步运转率由2004年的87%提高到96%,显著提高了经济效益和社会效益。