Open‐cycle OTEC systems with freshwater product: Effects of noncondensable gases on performance of condenser

An open‐cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OC‐OTEC) system is one of the energy conversion methods used to generate electricity from ocean thermal energy. For the OC‐OTEC system, steam evaporated from the surface seawater due to flash evaporation drives the turbine. At that time, dissolved gas such as air is introduced into the low‐pressure system (OC‐OTEC system) as the noncondensable gas, which degrades the performance of condensation heat transfer. In this paper, a small‐scale OC‐OTEC experimental unit experimentally investigates the effect of noncondensable gas on the heat transfer performance in a condenser. The experimental results are discussed in comparison with theoretical estimation by the Sparrow–in method. It is shown that the condensation is occupied by heat and mass transfer near a condensation surface and that the condensation efficiency is affected by exhaust quantity of noncondensable gas at a relatively high concentration ratio of condensable gas. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 154(1): 29–35, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20179     

Water quality assessment of a recently refilled reservoir: The case of Bütgenbach Reservoir, Belgium

Bütgenbach Reservoir is situated in the High Ardennes plateau in eastern Belgium (50°25′N; 6°13′E). It is used principally for flood control and for production of hydroelectric energy. It has been subjected to a previous series of studies because of its eutrophication problems and their impacts on the local economy. Bütgenbach Reservoir was emptied during spring 2004 for dam restoration, being refilled in mid‐September of the same year. Selected physicochemical and biological parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, inorganic and organic nutrients, chlorophyll‐a) were measured fortnightly during the lake's productive season (mid‐April to mid‐October 2005) at three sampling sites throughout the water column. The water quality conditions after refilling of the lake were compared to previous studies accomplished at the same sampling sites (prior to emptying the lake). The actual trophic status was mesotrophic to eutrophic, based on the combination of total phosphorous and chlorophyll‐a concentrations, as well as water transparency. Bütgenbach Reservoir generally exhibits good water quality, based on the French water quality system SEQ‐eau. A longitudinal decrease in water quality was observed from upstream to downstream, because mainly of the differences in lake bottom morphology and water residence time, and their impacts on nutrient distribution in the lake.     

Effect of Channel Changes in the St. Clair River During the Present Century

Periodic man-made changes in the outlet of Lake Huron through the St. Clair River date back to the middle of the last century. These artificial channel changes have been well documented during the present century. They consist of dredging for commercial gravel removal in the upper river during 1908–25 and uncompensated navigation improvements for the 7.6-m (25-ft) and 8.2-m (27-ft) projects completed in 1933 and 1962, respectively. The total effect of these changes on the levels of Lakes Michigan and Huron (hydraulically one lake) and on the upper St. Clair River profile was determined with dynamic flow models. The ultimate effect of the above dredging was a permanent lowering of the Lake Michigan-Huron levels 0.27 m (0.89 ft), which represents a tremendous loss of freshwater resource [32 km³ (7.7 mi³)].     

辽宁省节水工作存在问题及对策

辽宁省是水资源严重短缺的省份之一，水资源不足已成为制约全省经济社会可持续发展的瓶颈。通过对全省大型取用水户的调查分析，找出了辽宁省节水工作中存在的问题，提出了节约用水工作的对策和建议。     

底水油藏射孔优化设计

为了优化底水油藏的生产参数，研究了不同产量时射孔长度的优化方法。采用球面流和径向流相结合的模型推导了临界产量和无水采油量的计算公式，分别以临界产量和无水采油量为标准，对胜利油田桩西区块底水油藏上6口油井的射孔长度进行了优化设计，优化结果表明，对于底水油藏应首先按照临界产量对射孔长度进行优化设计，如果得到的最大临界产量不符合实际生产的要求，就应按照无水采油量进行射孔优化设计。研究表明，当油井产量超过临界产量后，以临界产量为标准得到的优化射孔长度会减小油井的无水采油量。     

生态城市与水利现代化

对天津及其滨海新区生态城市水利建设进行了分析。研究了在淡水资源极度匮乏的条件下,有效开发利用非常规水资源的必要性、重要性和现实性。认为天津市对水资源应遵循节水、治污、高效配置,妥善处理生活、生产、生态之间的关系,力求平衡调配。供水水源应是多元的,增加非常规水资源(污水、海/咸水、雨/洪水)的利用,同时增加可用地下水,外调来水等,逐步进入可持续发展配置。     

Baseline assessment of metals and hydrocarbons in the sediments of Lake Mulwala, Australia

An assessment of hydrocarbon and metal/metalloids (arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, zinc) contamination in sediments from Lake Mulwala, Australia, was undertaken. The objectives of the study were: (i) to determine the extent of contamination in the lake sediments, compared to Australian and international sediment quality guidelines, and (ii) to attempt to identify the contaminant sources to the lake. With the exception of a few samples containing elevated levels of arsenic and/or mercury, the levels of all contaminants in the sediment samples taken from the lake were below the ‘lower trigger’ of the Australian Sediment Quality Guidelines that would warrant further investigation. High molecular weight hydrocarbons (up to 700 mg kg⁻¹) were found in most sediment samples. Non‐metric statistical analysis indicated that the contaminant distribution was different in different parts of the lake, with the lowest concentrations generally found at the influent to the lake. No definitive source(s) of contamination could be identified for either metalloids or hydrocarbons.     

Bacteriological Safety of Swine Carcasses Treated with Reconditioned Water

Swine carcass microflora were evaluated for selected foodborne pathogens after exposure to reconditioned water during scalding, dehairing, and polishing operations. Reused water had been reconditioned and chlorinated. Rodac plates applied to hams were used to assess carcass microflora. Water samples were enumerated using membrane filtration or spiral plating. Sampling was at mid-week throughout the year. Total aerobic plate counts on hams were unaffected by treating with potable or reconditioned waters. No differences were observed for staphylococci, enterics, fecal streptococci, Listeria monocytogenes, coliforms, and Aeromonas levels. A preevisceration potable water carcass wash reduced the bacterial load, regardless of initial treatment. Bacterial counts on carcasses paralleled those in water. Reuse is an alternative to potable water for initial slaughter operations without diminishing bacteriologic safety.     

Properties of Edible Films from Total Milk Protein

The mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of edible films made from various total milk proteins (TMPs) were investigated. Two TMPs obtained from nonfat dry milk (NDM) by removing lactose and three TMPs obtained from a commercial source were studied. Lactose was extracted from NDM by ultrafiltration or suspension in ethanol followed by filtration. TMP concentrate obtained by ultrafiltration (UF) produced films with the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP) and the highest tensile strength at break. Commercial TMP concentrates produced films more ductile than those from the UF-TMP or retentate from ethanol extraction. Further research is needed to improve mechanical properties of UF-TMP films without increasing the WVP.     

磁场处理水用于锅炉和冷却水处理

本文从理论和实践上综述了磁化水的特性、磁化机理、国内外的发展近况及其使用安装等。该法用于锅炉和各类冷却水处理有广泛的前景。