Thermodynamic Analysis of Negative CO2 Emission Power Plant Using Aspen Plus, Aspen Hysys, and Ebsilon Software

The article presents results of thermodynamic analysis using a zero-dimensional mathematical models of a negative CO2 emission power plant. The developed cycle of a negative CO2 emission power plant allows the production of electricity using gasified sewage sludge as a main fuel. The negative emission can be achieved by the use this type of fuel which is already a “zero-emissive” energy source. Together with carbon capture installation, there is a possibility to decrease CO2 emission below the “zero” level. Developed models of a novel gas cycle which use selected codes allow the prediction of basic parameters of thermodynamic cycles such as output power, efficiency, combustion composition, exhaust temperature, etc. The paper presents results of thermodynamic analysis of two novel cycles, called PDF0 and PFD1, by using different thermodynamic codes. A comparison of results obtained by three different codes offered the chance to verify results because the experimental data are currently not available. The comparison of predictions between three different software in the literature is something new, according to studies made by authors. For gross efficiency (54.74%, 55.18%, and 52.00%), there is a similar relationship for turbine power output (155.9 kW, 157.19 kW, and 148.16 kW). Additionally, the chemical energy rate of the fuel is taken into account, which ultimately results in higher efficiencies for flue gases with increased steam production. A similar trend is assessed for increased CO2 in the flue gas. The developed precise models are particularly important for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) energy system, where relatively new devices mutually cooperate and their thermodynamic parameters affect those devices. Proposed software employs extended a gas–steam turbine cycle to determine the effect of cycle into environment. First of all, it should be stated that there is a slight influence of the software used on the results obtained, but the basic tendencies are the same, which makes it possible to analyze various types of thermodynamic cycles. Secondly, the possibility of a negative CO2 emission power plant and the positive environmental impact of the proposed solution has been demonstrated, which is also a novelty in the area of thermodynamic cycles.

Design of a Real-Time Wireless Sensing Monitoring System Based on Acoustic Emission Power GIS Equipment

In this paper, real-time monitoring of acoustic emission power GIS equipment is studied and analyzed, and a real-time wireless sensing monitoring system is designed. The overall design of the wireless sensing monitoring system for acoustic emission power GIS equipment is as follows: the model of the system is constructed, the design of the system module function is proposed, the platform of the system is built, the hardware and software solutions are configured, the operating system is optimized, the graphics and data are input into the GIS distribution network system, the editing function is optimized, the fast positioning function of the equipment is improved, and the automatic generation of the system diagram is improved. By using ZigBee technology to establish a wireless sensor network and realize wireless transmission of monitoring signals, it can avoid many disadvantages, such as cumbersome cable laying, troublesome changes, inconvenient expansion, and daily maintenance in wired transmission, and save various resources and reduce monitoring costs, which is well worth promoting in the system. In this paper, for the actual situation of GIS equipment, combined with the characteristics of the wireless sensor network structure and the design needs of the monitoring system (the overall design of the monitoring system, OFS maximum response amplitude of 19.9 mV, to be reached 40 dB), the signal will be uploaded to the high-speed collection system, and the efficiency is increased by more than 10%. The feasibility test of the monitoring system, the test results, and the related data show that the UHF sensor can accurately collect the UHF signal, the wireless network formed by ZigBee can reliably transmit the signal, the monitoring interface is correctly displayed, and the whole monitoring system operates stably and meets the requirements of the initial design.

Microalgal Production of Biofuels Integrated with Wastewater Treatment

Human civilization will need to reduce its impacts on air and water quality and reduce its use of fossil fuels in order to advance towards a more sustainable future. Using microalgae to treat wastewater as well as simultaneously produce biofuels is one of the approaches for a sustainable future. The manufacture of biofuels from microalgae is one of the next-generation biofuel solutions that has recently received a lot of interest, as it can remove nutrients from the wastewater whilst capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The resulting biomass are employed to generate biofuels, which can run fuel cell vehicles of zero emission, power combustion engines and power plants. By cultivating microalgae in wastewater, eutrophication can be prevented, thereby enhancing the quality of the effluent. Thus, by combining wastewater treatment and biofuel production, the cost of the biofuels, as well as the environmental hazards, can be minimized, as there is a supply of free and already available nutrients and water. In this article, the steps involved to generate the various biofuels through microalgae are detailed.