Innovative Energy-Saving Propulsion System for Low-Speed Biomimetic Underwater Vehicles

This paper describes research on a unique propulsion system design for a low-speed Biomimetic Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (BUUV). It is biomimetic in the sense that it mimics the movement of aquatic organisms. The undulating propulsion system has numerous advantages over the rotary impeller and is becoming more popular in underwater robotics. The analysis of an artificial seal’s propulsion system with two tail fins is described here. The contrast between the previous undulating propulsion system and the new one is detailed using mathematical analysis and experimental data. The experimental comparison was carried out on a laboratory test stand equipped with specialist sensor equipment to determine the energy efficiency of various types of propulsion systems. Due to a patent procedure, the innovative propulsion system presented in this work has never been published previously. The fins have extra joints, which is the subject of patent claims. The extra joint is intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce fatigue wear on the fins.

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Innovative Energy-Saving Propulsion System for Low-Speed Biomimetic Underwater Vehicles

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14248418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (24) ◽

pp. 8418

Author(s):

Paweł Piskur ◽

Piotr Szymak ◽

Michał Przybylski ◽

Krzysztof Naus ◽

Krzysztof Jaskólski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Underwater Vehicle ◽

Underwater Vehicles ◽

Propulsion System ◽

Forward Movement ◽

Propulsion Systems ◽

Low Speed ◽

Structure Interaction ◽

Fluid Velocities ◽

Different Types ◽

Oscillation Frequencies

This article covers research on an innovative propulsion system design for a Biomimetic Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (BUUV) operating at low speeds. The experiment was conducted on a laboratory test water tunnel equipped with specialised sensor equipment to assess the Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) and energy consumption of two different types of propulsion systems. The experimental data contrast the undulating with the drag-based propulsion system. The additional joint in the drag-based propulsion system is intended to increase thrust and decrease energy input. The tests were conducted at a variety of fins oscillation frequencies and fluid velocities. The experiments demonstrate that, in the region of low-speed forward movement, the efficiency of the propulsion system with the additional joint is greater.

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Optimization of the Emissions Profile of a Marine Propulsion System Using a Shaft Generator with Optimum Tracking-Based Control Scheme

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse8030221 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 221 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joel R. Perez ◽

Carlos A. Reusser

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Co2 Emissions ◽

Fuel Efficiency ◽

Propulsion System ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Propulsion Systems ◽

Marine Propulsion ◽

Diesel Cycle ◽

Energy Efficiency Design Index ◽

Carbon Dioxide Co2

Nowadays, marine propulsion systems based on thermal machines that operate under the diesel cycle have positioned themselves as one of the main options for this type of applications. The main comparative advantages of diesel engines, compared to other propulsion systems based on thermal cycle engines, are the low specific fuel consumption of residual fuels, and their higher thermal efficiency. However, its main disadvantage lies in the emissions produced by the combustion of the residual fuels, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxide (SOx), and nitrogen oxide (NOx). These emissions are directly related to the operating conditions of the propulsion system. Over the last decade, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a series of regulations to reduce CO2 emissions based on the introduction of an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and an Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator (EEOI). In this context, adding a Shaft Generator (SG) to the propulsion system favoring lower EEDI and EEOI values. The present work proposes a selective control system and optimization scheme that allows operating the shaft generator in Power Take Off (PTO) or Power Take In (PTI) mode, ensuring that the main engine operates, always, at the optimum fuel efficiency point, thus ensuring minimum CO2 emissions.

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Are Cross-Border Classes Feasible for Students to Collaborate in the Analysis of Energy Efficiency Strategies for Socioeconomic Development While Keeping CO2 Concentration Controlled?

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13031584 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1584

Author(s):

Roberto Araya ◽

Pedro Collanqui

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Socioeconomic Development ◽

Concept Maps ◽

Research Question ◽

Co2 Concentration ◽

Asia Pacific ◽

School Students ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Cross Border ◽

Science Classes

Education is critical for improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 concentration, but collaboration between countries is also critical. It is a global problem in which we cannot isolate ourselves. Our students must learn to collaborate in seeking solutions together with others from other countries. Thus, the research question of this study is whether interactive cross-border science classes with energy experiments are feasible and can increase awareness of energy efficiency among middle school students. We designed and tested an interactive cross-border class between Chilean and Peruvian eighth-grade classes. The classes were synchronously connected and all students did experiments and answered open-ended questions on an online platform. Some of the questions were designed to check conceptual understanding whereas others asked for suggestions of how to develop their economies while keeping CO2 air concentration at acceptable levels. In real time, the teacher reviewed the students’ written answers and the concept maps that were automatically generated based on their responses. Students peer-reviewed their classmates’ suggestions. This is part of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education project on energy efficiency using APEC databases. We found high levels of student engagement, where students discussed not only the cross-cutting nature of energy, but also its relation to socioeconomic development and CO2 emissions, and the need to work together to improve energy efficiency. In conclusion, interactive cross-border science classes are a feasible educational alternative, with potential as a scalable public policy strategy for improving awareness of energy efficiency among the population.

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Dimensionless Analysis on the Characteristics of Pneumatic Booster Valve with Energy Recovery

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2016/2804816 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Fan Yang ◽

Kotaro Tadano ◽

Gangyan Li ◽

Toshiharu Kagawa

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Energy Efficiency ◽

Energy Recovery ◽

Operational Parameters ◽

Local Pressure ◽

Air Power ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Dimensionless Analysis ◽

Air Supply ◽

Save Energy

Factories are increasingly reducing their air supply pressures in order to save energy. Hence, there is a growing demand for pneumatic booster valves to overcome the local pressure deficits in modern pneumatic systems. To further improve energy efficiency, a new type of booster valve with energy recovery (BVER) is proposed. The BVER principle is presented in detail, and a dimensionless mathematical model is established based on flow rate, gas state, and energy conservation. The mathematics model was transformed into a dimensionless model by accurately selecting the reference values. Subsequently the dimensionless characteristics of BVER were found. BVER energy efficiency is calculated based on air power. The boost ratio is found to be mainly affected by the operational parameters. Among the structural ones, the recovery/boost chamber area ratio and the sonic conductance of the chambers are the most influential. The boost ratio improves by 15%–25% compared to that of a booster valve without an energy recovery chamber. The efficiency increases by 5%–10% depending on the supply pressure. A mathematical model is validated by experiment, and this research provides a reference for booster valve optimisation and energy saving.

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Dynamic channel access with asynchronous sleep-wake scheduling to improve energy efficiency in CRSNs

2017 International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Control (I2C2) ◽

10.1109/i2c2.2017.8321843 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S Akhila ◽

K P Priya

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Channel Access ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Dynamic Channel

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Opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for a cogeneration plant

2010 IEEE International Energy Conference ◽

10.1109/energycon.2010.5771787 ◽

2010 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

H. Moradi ◽

I. Gerami Moghaddam ◽

M. Parsa Moghaddam ◽

M. R. Haghifam

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Cogeneration Plant ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency

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Technological Energy Efficiency Improvements in Cement Industries

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13073810 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 3810

Author(s):

Alessandra Cantini ◽

Leonardo Leoni ◽

Filippo De Carlo ◽

Marcello Salvio ◽

Chiara Martini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Cement Industry ◽

Cement Plant ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Energy Needs ◽

Industrial Energy ◽

Industrial Energy Consumption ◽

Alternative Solutions

The cement industry is highly energy-intensive, consuming approximately 7% of global industrial energy consumption each year. Improving production technology is a good strategy to reduce the energy needs of a cement plant. The market offers a wide variety of alternative solutions; besides, the literature already provides reviews of opportunities to improve energy efficiency in a cement plant. However, the technology is constantly developing, so the available alternatives may change within a few years. To keep the knowledge updated, investigating the current attractiveness of each solution is pivotal to analyze real companies. This article aims at describing the recent application in the Italian cement industry and the future perspectives of technologies. A sample of plant was investigated through the analysis of mandatory energy audit considering the type of interventions they have recently implemented, or they intend to implement. The outcome is a descriptive analysis, useful for companies willing to improve their sustainability. Results prove that solutions to reduce the energy consumption of auxiliary systems such as compressors, engines, and pumps are currently the most attractive opportunities. Moreover, the results prove that consulting sector experts enables the collection of updated ideas for improving technologies, thus giving valuable inputs to the scientific research.

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Energy-Efficient Hybrid Routing Protocol for IoT Communication Systems in 5G and Beyond

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21020537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 537

Author(s):

Mohammad Baniata ◽

Haftu Tasew Reda ◽

Naveen Chilamkurti ◽

Alsharif Abuadbba

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Network Lifetime ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Multiple Input Multiple Output ◽

Sensor Nodes ◽

Clustering Methods ◽

Mimo Antenna ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Art Research

One of the major concerns in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is most of the sensor nodes are powered through limited lifetime of energy-constrained batteries, which majorly affects the performance, quality, and lifetime of the network. Therefore, diverse clustering methods are proposed to improve energy efficiency of the WSNs. In the meantime, fifth-generation (5G) communications require that several Internet of Things (IoT) applications need to adopt the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems to provide an improved capacity over multi-path channel environment. In this paper, we study a clustering technique for MIMO-based IoT communication systems to achieve energy efficiency. In particular, a novel MIMO-based energy-efficient unequal hybrid clustering (MIMO-HC) protocol is proposed for applications on the IoT in the 5G environment and beyond. Experimental analysis is conducted to assess the effectiveness of the suggested MIMO-HC protocol and compared with existing state-of-the-art research. The proposed MIMO-HC scheme achieves less energy consumption and better network lifetime compared to existing techniques. Specifically, the proposed MIMO-HC improves the network lifetime by approximately 3× as long as the first node and the final node dies as compared with the existing protocol. Moreover, the energy that cluster heads consume on the proposed MIMO-HC is 40% less than that expended in the existing protocol.

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