scholarly journals Zapote Seed (Pouteria mammosa L.) Valorization for Thermal Energy Generation in Tropical Climates

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4284
Author(s):  
Miguel-Angel Perea-Moreno ◽  
Quetzalcoatl Hernandez-Escobedo ◽  
Fernando Rueda-Martinez ◽  
Alberto-Jesus Perea-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽  
Heating Value ◽  
Biomass Boiler ◽  
Residual Biomass ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
Elemental Chemical Analysis ◽  
Tropical Climates

According to the Law for the Use of Renewable Energies and the Financing of Energy Transition, Mexico’s goal for 2024 is to generate 35% of its energy from non-fossil sources. Each year, up to 2630 tons of residual biomass from the zapote industry are dismissed without sustainable use. The main purposes of this study were to determine the elemental chemical analysis of the zapote seed and its energy parameters to further evaluate its suitability as a solid biofuel in boilers for the generation of thermal energy in a tropical climate. Additionally, energy, economic, and environmental assessments of the installation were carried out. The results obtained show that zapote seed has a higher heating value (18.342 MJ/kg), which makes it appealing for power generation. The Yucatan Peninsula is the main zapote-producing region, with an annual production of 11,084 tons. If the stone of this fruit were used as biofuel, 7860.87 MWh could be generated and a CO2 saving of 1996.66 tons could be obtained. Additionally, replacing a 200 kW liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boiler with a biomass boiler using zapote seed as a biofuel would result in a reduction of 60,960.00 kg/year of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, an annual saving of $7819.79 would be obtained, which means a saving of 53.19% relative to the old LPG installation. These results pave the way toward the utilization of zapote seed as a solid biofuel and contribute to achieving Mexico’s energy goal for 2024 while promoting sustainability in universities.

Optimum torrefaction range for Macaw husks aiming its use as a solid biofuel

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Robson L Silva ◽  
Omar Seye ◽  
Paulo P. S. Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Residence Times ◽  
Biomass Feedstock ◽  
Severity Factor ◽  
Optimization Criteria ◽  
Residual Biomass ◽  
Solid Biofuel

Abstract Biomass feedstock is broadly available in many countries and a significant amount of residual biomass comes from agriculture and forest crops. This study aims to identify a consistent criteria for optimize Macaw husks torrefaction process maximizing the energy content and minimizing the mass loss. The optimization criteria is based on the Severity Factor (SF), HHVTorrified and ηSolid-Yield. The energy density (ρEnergy) does not provide consistent and indisputable evidence as an optimization criteria; the same applies to Energy-Mass Co-benefit Index (EMCI) and ηEnergy-Yield. This investigation combined few temperatures (180°C, 220°C, and 260°C) with different residence times (20, 40, and 60 min) and found that the optimum torrefaction range for Macaw husk is 220

scholarly journals Formation and Continuation of Thermal Energy Community Systems: An Explorative Agent-Based Model for the Netherlands

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javanshir Fouladvand ◽  
Niek Mouter ◽  
Amineh Ghorbani ◽  
Paulien Herder
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Agent Based Model ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Energy Community ◽  
Community Systems

Energy communities are key elements in the energy transition at the local level as they aim to generate and distribute energy based on renewable energy technologies locally. The literature on community energy systems is dominated by the study of electricity systems. Yet, thermal energy applications cover 75% of the total energy consumption in households and small businesses. Community-driven initiatives for local generation and distribution of thermal energy, however, remain largely unaddressed in the literature. Since thermal energy communities are relatively new in the energy transition discussions, it is important to have a better understanding of thermal energy community systems and how these systems function. The starting point of this understanding is to study factors that influence the formation and continuation of thermal energy communities. To work towards this aim, an abstract agent-based model has been developed that explores four seemingly trivial factors, namely: neighborhood size, minimum member requirement, satisfaction factor and drop-out factor. Our preliminary modelling results indicate correlations between thermal community formation and the ’formation capability’ (the percentage of households that joined) and with the satisfaction of households. No relation was found with the size of the community (in terms of number of households) or with the ‘drop-out factor’ (individual households that quit after the contract time).

scholarly journals FP-TES: A Fluidisation-Based Particle Thermal Energy Storage, Part I: Numerical Investigations and Bulk Heat Conductivity

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4298
Author(s):  
David Wünsch ◽  
Verena Sulzgruber ◽  
Markus Haider ◽  
Heimo Walter
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Heat Conductivity ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Fluidised Bed ◽  
Regenerative Heat ◽  
Numerical Investigations

Renewables should become more continuously available, reliable and cost-efficient to manage the challenges caused by the energy transition. Thus, analytic and numerical investigations for the layout of a pilot plant of a concept called Fluidisation-Based Particle Thermal Energy Storage (FP-TES)—a highly flexible, short- to long-term fluidised bed regenerative heat storage utilising a pressure gradient for hot powder transport, and thus enabling minimal losses, high energy densities, compact construction and countercurrent heat exchange—are presented in this article. Such devices in decentralised set-up—being included in energy- and especially heat-intensive industries, storing latent or sensible heat or power-to-heat to minimise losses and compensate fluctuations—can help to achieve the above-stated goals. Part I of this article is focused on geometrical and fluidic design via numerical investigations utilising Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics (CPFD). In the process a controlled transient simulation method called co-simulation of FP-TES is developed forming the basis for test bench design and execution of further co-simulation. Within this process an advanced design of rotational symmetric hoppers with additional baffles in the heat exchanger (HEX) and internal pipes to stabilise the particle mass flow is developed. Moreover, a contribution bulk heat conductivity is presented to demonstrate low thermal losses and limited needs for thermal insulation by taking into account the thermal insulation of the outer layer of the hopper.

scholarly journals USE OF CASTOR OIL PLANT PIE FOR SOLID BIOFUEL PRODUCTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Martucheli Amaral ◽  
Luciano Donizeti Varanda ◽  
Gabriela Tami Nakashima ◽  
Pâmela Beatriz Moreira De Oliveira ◽  
Luis Ricardo Oliveira Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Castor Oil ◽  
Mechanical Test ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Residual Oil ◽  
Heating Value ◽  
High Heating Value ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
High Heating ◽  
Oil Plant

The objective of this study was the characterization, analysis and compaction of residues from castor oil plant pie extraction to verify its potential as solid biofuel. The chemical analysis, the mechanical test and the gross calorific value had satisfactory results. With the extraction of residual oil of the material there was a decrease on the high heating value. The produced briquettes presented good longitudinal expansion as well as mechanical strenght, however the presence of residual oil had influence on their strenght. In conclusion, the castor oil plant pie possesses  energetic characteristics suitable for solid biofuel production, in addition it contributes with the reduction of industrial waste amount.

scholarly journals Increasing LPG production by adding volatile hydrocarbons to reduce import gap in Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 3733-3750
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Shahin ◽  
Ayat O. Ghallab ◽  
Ahmed Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Dimethyl Ether ◽  
Production Cost ◽  
Liquid Fuel ◽  
Critical Properties ◽  
Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽  
Heating Value ◽  
Volatile Hydrocarbons ◽  
Fuel Demand ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) becomes popular in the twentieth century as source of energy, since it is economically feasible to be produced, transported, sold and stored as a liquid fuel. LPG in Egypt is considered one of the most important domestic fuels. Egypt imports half of its LPG fuel demand. Many researches have been developed to increase the production of LPG in Egypt by increasing the productivity of the refineries. The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of adding other relatively volatile hydrocarbons as ethane, n-pentane and pentanes’ isomers (iso-pentane and neo-pentane) and/or utilizing relatively volatile oxi-hydrocarbons [mainly dimethyl ether (DME) or dimethyl propane (DMP)] to increase LPG production without affecting its specifications, in order to reduce the import gap of LPG in Egypt. The new LPG mixture is adjusted to meet the Egyptian specifications of LPG (2020). Due to ethane critical properties, it is recommended not to add ethane to LPG since the behavior of ethane cannot be predicted at 50 °C and will be separated inside the LPG bottle. In addition, it will necessitate the increase in LPG butane content. In summer, it is recommended to add i-C5 or 2,2DMP or a mixture of both to LPG (depending on the cost). In winter, it is recommended to add 2,2DMP or a mixture of 2,2DMP with i-C5 to LPG (depending on the cost). Adding DME to LPG with any percentage will decrease the heating value below the Egyptian heating value specifications (2020). Adding neo-pentane to LPG is more preferable than DME, since the heating value of neo-pentane is higher than that of DME. Also, the production cost of the neo-pentane is lower than that of DME.

scholarly journals Agent-Based Modeling of a Thermal Energy Transition in the Built Environment

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graciela Nava Guerrero ◽  
Gijsbert Korevaar ◽  
Helle Hansen ◽  
Zofia Lukszo
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Residential Neighborhood ◽  
Energy Transitions

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, an energy transition is taking place in the European Union. Achieving these targets requires changes in the heating and cooling sector (H&C). Designing and implementing this energy transition is not trivial, as technology, actors, and institutions interact in complex ways. We provide an illustrative example of the development and use of an agent-based model (ABM) for thermal energy transitions in the built environment, from the perspective of sociotechnical systems (STS) and complex adaptive systems (CAS). In our illustrative example, we studied the transition of a simplified residential neighborhood to heating without natural gas. We used the ABM to explore socioeconomic conditions that could support the neighborhoods’ transition over 20 years while meeting the neighborhoods’ heat demand. Our illustrative example showed that through the use of STS, CAS, and an ABM, we can account for technology, actors, institutions, and their interactions while designing for thermal energy transitions in the built environment.

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