scholarly journals Ethanol as an alternative to water vapor for saving energy and fossil fuels in thermoelectric plants

Author(s):  
José Juan Hernández-Medina ◽  
René Pérez-Martínez ◽  
Hilario López-Xelo

This article proposes the use of ethanol in a 96% azeotropic mixture as an alternative to water vapor in thermoelectric generators with notable advantages in saving fuel. As is known, water is a cheap resource, available everywhere in a liquid state. However, water has an unusually high heat of vaporization and an equally high boiling point, so converting water to steam requires consuming large amounts of fossil fuels to break the hydrogen bonds in this substance. In contrast, evaporating ethanol requires only 37 percent of the fuel needed to evaporate water. In addition, water, before turning into steam, needs to be softened and treated with chemicals to prevent oxidation and scale deposits in pipes. If quality ethanol is used, this process of adjusting the water would not be necessary, which represents another saving. On the other hand, it is possible to resort to the use of solar heaters to raise the temperature of the ethanol to around 70ºC to later heat it to 80ºC or more, if necessary, with fossil fuels, making more significant savings. Objectives: To propose the replacement of water vapor by ethanol vapor as a working fluid to move the turbines of thermoelectric plants to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. Methodology: Analyze the physical properties of water and compare them with those of ethanol to know the advantages and disadvantages of one and the other as working fluids Contribution: Through small modifications in thermoelectric plants it is possible to reconvert them to operate with ethanol vapor and save on fossil fuels.

The main methods (pressing and winding) of the processing of hybrid polymer composites to obtain items were examined. Advantages and disadvantages of the methods were noted. Good combinations of different-module fibers (carbon, glass, boron, organic) in hybrid polymer materials are described, which allow one to prepare materials with high compression strength on the one hand, and to increase fracture energy of samples and impact toughness on the other hand.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 3811
Author(s):  
Zhongbao Liu ◽  
Jiayang Gao ◽  
Xin Qi ◽  
Zhi Zhao ◽  
Han Sun

In this study, the hydrothermal method was used to synthesize MIL-101(Cr), and activated carbon (AC) with different content was incorporated in to MIL-101(Cr), thereby obtaining AC-MIL-101(Cr) composite material with a huge specific surface area. The physical properties of MIL-101(Cr) and AC-MIL-101(Cr) were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption and desorption and specific surface area testing, and ethanol vapor adsorption performance testing. The results show that with the increase of activated carbon content, the thermal stability of AC-MIL-101(Cr) is improved. Compared with the pure sample, the BET specific surface area and pore volume of AC-MIL-101(Cr) have increased; In the relative pressure range of 0–0.4, the saturated adsorption capacity of AC-MIL-101(Cr) to ethanol vapor decreases slightly. It is lower than MIL-101(Cr), but its adsorption rate is improved. Therefore, AC-MIL-101(Cr)/ethanol vapor has a good application prospect in adsorption refrigeration systems. The exploration of AC-MIL-101(Cr) composite materials in this paper provides a reference for the future application of carbon-based/MOFS composite adsorbent/ethanol vapor working fluid in adsorption refrigeration.


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 812
Author(s):  
Hoang Chinh Nguyen ◽  
My-Linh Nguyen ◽  
Chia-Hung Su ◽  
Hwai Chyuan Ong ◽  
Horng-Yi Juan ◽  
...  

Biodiesel is a promising alternative to fossil fuels and mainly produced from oils/fat through the (trans)esterification process. To enhance the reaction efficiency and simplify the production process, various catalysts have been introduced for biodiesel synthesis. Recently, the use of bio-derived catalysts has attracted more interest due to their high catalytic activity and ecofriendly properties. These catalysts include alkali catalysts, acid catalysts, and enzymes (biocatalysts), which are (bio)synthesized from various natural sources. This review summarizes the latest findings on these bio-derived catalysts, as well as their source and catalytic activity. The advantages and disadvantages of these catalysts are also discussed. These bio-based catalysts show a promising future and can be further used as a renewable catalyst for sustainable biodiesel production.


Proceedings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Naciye Güliz Uğur

The extraordinary and tragic conditions that humanity has not experienced before in the modern period have become ordinary, namely, a “new normal” with the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has had frightening consequences for human health and has caused one million deaths as of September 2020. On the other hand, it has set a new standard of good habits, approaches, and benefits. Due to its global and long-term impact, this unique virus has laid the groundwork for unprecedented helping and sharing behaviors between people and countries. In this study, findings are compiled from the open-ended responses of 626 individuals, all of whom live in Turkey. Within the study’s scope, individuals were asked about the unique advantages and disadvantages of the restrictions imposed under COVID-19. While the categories of economy, social distance, and health came to the fore among the harms, the strengthening of family ties, adoption of technology, and the spread of solidarity culture were mentioned among the advantages.


2001 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Joutsensaari ◽  
P. Vaattovaara ◽  
M. Vesterinen ◽  
K. Hämeri ◽  
A. Laaksonen

Abstract. A novel method to characterize the organic composition of aerosol particles has been developed. The method is based on organic vapor interaction with aerosol particles and it has been named an Organic Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (OTDMA). The OTDMA method has been tested for inorganic (sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate) and organic (citric acid and adipic acid) particles. Growth curves of the particles have been measured in ethanol vapor and as a comparison in water vapor as a function of saturation ratio. Measurements in water vapor show that sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate as well as citric acid particles grow at water saturation ratios (S) of 0.8 and above, whereas adipic acid particles do not grow at S <  0.96. For sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate particles, a deliquescence point is observed at S = 0.75 and S = 0.79, respectively. Citric acid particles grow monotonously with increasing saturation ratios already at low saturation ratios and no clear deliquescence point is found. For sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate particles, no growth can be seen in ethanol vapor at saturation ratios below 0.93. In contrast, for adipic acid particles, the deliquescence takes place at around S = 0.95 in the ethanol vapor. The recrystallization of adipic acid takes place at S < 0.4. Citric acid particles grow in ethanol vapor similarly as in water vapor; the particles grow monotonously with increasing saturation ratios and no stepwise deliquescence is observed. The results show that the working principles of the OTDMA are operational for single-component aerosols. Furthermore, the results indicate that the OTDMA method may prove useful in determining whether aerosol particles contain organic substances, especially if the OTDMA is operated in parallel with a hygroscopicity TDMA, as the growth of many substances is different in ethanol and water vapors.


Popular Music ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Christianen

With the publication of the article ‘Cycles in symbol production’ (Peterson and Berger 1975) a discussion started concerning the advantages and disadvantages of the production of cultural goods under market conditions. The analysis by Peterson and Berger showed a negative correlation between concentration in the recording industry, on the one hand, and the diversity and innovativeness of the music, on the other. Repetition of the analysis using data from the 1980s (Burnett 1990; Lopes 1992) has shown that for this period Peterson and Berger's hypotheses should be rejected. Is there a connection between concentration and diversity and innovation? Are there cycles in symbol production? There seems to be no conclusive answer. In this article, I will attempt to clear up this matter. First, I will repeat the analysis of the relation between concentration and diversity/innovation, using the same model as Peterson and Berger, but with different definitions for the variables concentration, diversity and innovation. Then I will suggest a new model, which can be helpful in uncovering other factors influencing diversity and innovation in the music industry. I will come to that later. Let me first give the reader a brief overview of previous research.


1991 ◽  
Vol 23 (7-9) ◽  
pp. 1703-1712 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Booker ◽  
D. Keir ◽  
A. J. Priestley ◽  
C. B. Ritchie ◽  
D. L. Sudarmana ◽  
...  

A new approach to sewage treatment which involves rapid clarification of raw sewage with fine magnetite particles is described. The process, which is essentially a greatly accelerated chemical coagulation, provides a quick separation of the sewage into two liquid streams, one clarified, the other highly concentrated. Development of the process up to and including operation of a fully continuous pilot is outlined and potential advantages and disadvantages identified.


Author(s):  
Ragnhild E. Ulfsnes ◽  
Olav Bolland ◽  
Kristin Jordal

One of the concepts proposed for capture of CO2 in power production from gaseous fossil fuels is the semi-closed O2/CO2 gas turbine cycle. The semi-closed O2/CO2 gas turbine cycle has a near to stoichiometric combustion with oxygen, producing CO2 and water vapor as the combustion products. The water vapor is condensed and removed from the process, the remaining gas, primarily CO2, is mainly recycled to keep turbine inlet temperature at a permissible level. A model for predicting transient behavior of the semi-closed O2/CO2 gas turbine cycle is presented. The model is implemented in the simulation tool gPROMS (Process System Enterprise Ltd.), and simulations are performed to investigate two different issues. The first issue is to see how different cycle performance variables interact during transient behavior; the second is to investigate how cycle calculations are affected when including the gas constant and the specific heat ratio in compressor characteristics. The simulations show that the near to stoichiometric combustion and the working fluid recycle introduce a high interaction between the different cycle components and variables. This makes it very difficult to analytically predict the cycle performance during a transient event, i.e. simulations are necessary. It is also found that, except for the shaft speed calculation, the introduction of gas constant and specific heat ratio dependence on the compressor performance map will have only a minor influence on the process performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. F11-F18
Author(s):  
S.M. Vaneev ◽  
V.S. Martsynkovskyy ◽  
A. Kulikov ◽  
D.V. Miroshnichenko ◽  
Ya.І. Bilyk ◽  
...  

The creation of energy-saving turbogenerators is an essential component of the development of small energy systems. The gradual growth of interest in distributed electricity generation necessitates the constant improvement of these units. Moreover, they implement a more environmentally friendly generation method than when using microturbine units that use fuel to carry out the work process. Nowadays, turbogenerators are created based on different types of expansion machines, which have their advantages and disadvantages, given in this article. Compared to competitors, vortex expansion machines have good prospects and the necessary potential to expand their research and produce turbogenerators. An experimental vortex expansion machine with a peripheral-lateral channel and ability to change the geometric parameters of its flowing part was created to meet these needs. Experimental studies of the machine were performed on a special stand with air as a working fluid. As a result of the tests, the data were successfully obtained and processed. They are presented in the form of tables and graphical dependencies. The nature of the influence of thermodynamic parameters and geometric parameters of the flow part on the efficiency of the vortex expansion machine and turbogenerator based on it to further improve and create new turbogenerators is clarified.


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