BIOACTIVE DEVICES AS SELF-SUFFICIENT SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION IN ARCHITECTURE

ABSTRACT Using bioenergy systems in architecture provides energy by means of negative emissions technologies (NETs). It plays an important role in stabilizing CO2 emissions at low levels. This depends on options of low life cycle emissions (for instance, a sustainable use of biomass residues), and on outcomes that are site-specific and rely on efficient integrated systems that convert biomass into bioenergy. The objective of this study is to develop self-sufficient systems that generate bioelectricity and offer safety, electricity generation efficiency, cost-effectiveness, waste treatment, integration in domestic use, ease of use, reproducibility and availability. The study also intends to elaborate a general design method of embedding and utilizing microorganisms into architectural elements to achieve design ecology, introducing a multidisciplinary research application through a design theory aspect. The study is based on previous experimental work conducted by the authors. Microbial fuel cell technology was applied to exploit the natural potential of a fungal strain that was identified and optimized to be implemented in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to generate electricity. The outcomes were included in the self-sufficient cluster design that meets the aforementioned conditions. The novelty of this study is the direct use of a bioreactor of MFCs in a design application for bioelectricity production. It aims to reduce the currently high global CO2 emissions that come from the energy supply sector (47%) and from the building sector (3%), as well as to eliminate the need for large-scale infrastructure intervention. This self-sufficient bio-electricity cluster therefore outweighs other abiotic renewable energy resources such as solar energy or wind power.

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Microbial Fuel Cells: An Alternate Approach for Bioelectricity Generation and Waste Management

Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology ◽

10.22207/jpam.15.4.74 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chennappa Gurikar ◽

H.B. Vandana ◽

B.P. Netravati ◽

B.P. Chaitra Kumari ◽

N.A. Nanje Gowda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Microbial Fuel Cells ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Large Scale ◽

Electrical Current ◽

Green Energy ◽

Renewable Energy Resources ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Wide Range ◽

Development And Utilization

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are the device that involves bacteria and organic matter, to generate electrical current via bacterial metabolism from a wide range of organic and inorganic substrates. MFCs are novel bioreactors, that convert chemical energy into electrochemical energy through bio-catalysis of various wastes (agriculture, food, households, food processing industries) using microorganisms. MFC is a promising approach that offers direct, clean, green energy generation, ease of waste recyclability, and by-product utilization of different sources. In recent, MFCs research advances related to electrode development and utilization of suitable different rural and urban wastes is a significant interest in the MFC application. Hence in a large-scale application, the MFC concept is one of the effective technologies for the management of different wastes and is simultaneously used for electricity generation to cater to the energy demand in rural or remote areas that are not linked to the electric grid. MFCs help reduce the global energy crisis and reduce the pressure on non-renewable energy resources.

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Exploration of Digital Twin Design Mechanism of the Deep in Situ Rock Insulation Coring Device

Geofluids ◽

10.1155/2020/8835085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Bo Yu ◽

Heping Xie ◽

Ling Chen ◽

Wu Zhao ◽

Zhiqiang He

Keyword(s):

Product Design ◽

Design Process ◽

Design Theory ◽

Large Scale ◽

Design Method ◽

High Fidelity ◽

Time Data ◽

Innovative Design ◽

Digital Twin

With the development of the resource exploration and environmental science drilling, strict and scientific requirements are put forward for the samples taken from drilling. It is significant to keep the original appearance of the core and obtain the in situ core for the analysis of deep geological fluid and the exploration of the law of geological disasters caused by large-scale geological exploitation. To achieve the high-fidelity in situ core of deep rock, the development of the corresponding deep in situ fidelity coring device should involve the insulation coring device. The development of deep in situ fidelity coring device is a typical sophisticated product design. There are many problems in the design process, such as multimodules, multidisciplinary, crossdomain, and high coupling, which makes it more difficult for users to participate in product design and understand the product design intention. Digital twin technology, such as time data collection, accelerated iterative optimization, and high-fidelity rendering, provides users with an immersive experience and deepens their understanding of the product design intention. The exploration of the novel design model combined digital twin technology with innovative design theory. Digital twin innovative design of the deep in situ insulation coring device is based on the innovative design method, which built a digital connection between the pre-research test platform and the corresponding simulation models. This digital twin to help users participate in product design and understand the product design process. Finally, the TOPSIS evaluation model was used to calculate the user’s score on the design scheme, which increased by 27.64%, which improves the overall efficiency of product design. This paper provides a practical design method and technical means for the design of the deep in situ insulation coring device based on the geological mechanism and control theory of thermal insulation core.

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Assessment of bioenergy development potential in agricultural enterprises

Regional Economy ◽

10.36818/1562-0905-2020-1-18 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 165-171

Author(s):

Iryna Hryhoruk

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Large Scale ◽

Agricultural Waste ◽

General Structure ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Economic Assessment ◽

Energy Resources ◽

Industrial Complex ◽

Renewable Energy Resources ◽

Energy Potential

Exhaustion of traditional energy resources, their uneven geographical location, and catastrophic changes in the environment necessitate the transition to renewable energy resources. Moreover, Ukraine's economy is critically dependent on energy exports, and in some cases, the dependence is not only economic but also political, which in itself poses a threat to national security. One of the ways to solve this problem is the large-scale introduction and use of renewable energy resources, bioenergy in particular. The article summarizes and offers methods for assessing the energy potential of agriculture. In our country, a significant amount of biomass is produced every year, which remains unused. A significant part is disposed of due to incineration, which significantly harms the environment and does not allow earning additional funds. It is investigated that the bioenergy potential of agriculture depends on the geographical distribution and varies in each region of Ukraine. Studies have shown that as of 2019 the smallest share in the total amount of conventional fuel that can be obtained from agricultural waste and products suitable for energy production accounts for Zakarpattya region - 172.5 thousand tons. (0.5% of the total) and Chernivtsi region - 291.3 thousand tons. (0.9%). Poltava region has the greatest potential - 2652.2 thousand tons. (7.8%) and Vinnytsia - 2623.7 thousand tons. (7.7%). It should be noted that the use of the energy potential of biomass in Ukraine can be called unsatisfactory. The share of biomass in the provision of primary energy consumption is very small. For bioenergy to occupy its niche in the general structure of the agro-industrial complex, it is necessary to develop mechanisms for its stimulation. In addition, an effective strategy for the development of the bioenergy sector of agriculture is needed. The article considers the general energy potential of agriculture, its indicative structure. The analysis is also made in terms of areas. In addition, an economic assessment of the possible use of existing potential is identified.

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Estimating CO2 Emissions from Large Scale Coal-Fired Power Plants Using OCO-2 Observations and Emission Inventories

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12070811 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 811

Author(s):

Yaqin Hu ◽

Yusheng Shi

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Co2 Emissions ◽

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽

Power Plants ◽

Large Scale ◽

Global Climate ◽

Gaussian Model ◽

Point Sources ◽

Emission Inventories ◽

Bottom Up

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased rapidly worldwide, aggravating the global greenhouse effect, and coal-fired power plants are one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in China. However, efficient methods that can quantify CO2 emissions from individual coal-fired power plants with high accuracy are needed. In this study, we estimated the CO2 emissions of large-scale coal-fired power plants using Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite data based on remote sensing inversions and bottom-up methods. First, we mapped the distribution of coal-fired power plants, displaying the total installed capacity, and identified two appropriate targets, the Waigaoqiao and Qinbei power plants in Shanghai and Henan, respectively. Then, an improved Gaussian plume model method was applied for CO2 emission estimations, with input parameters including the geographic coordinates of point sources, wind vectors from the atmospheric reanalysis of the global climate, and OCO-2 observations. The application of the Gaussian model was improved by using wind data with higher temporal and spatial resolutions, employing the physically based unit conversion method, and interpolating OCO-2 observations into different resolutions. Consequently, CO2 emissions were estimated to be 23.06 ± 2.82 (95% CI) Mt/yr using the Gaussian model and 16.28 Mt/yr using the bottom-up method for the Waigaoqiao Power Plant, and 14.58 ± 3.37 (95% CI) and 14.08 Mt/yr for the Qinbei Power Plant, respectively. These estimates were compared with three standard databases for validation: the Carbon Monitoring for Action database, the China coal-fired Power Plant Emissions Database, and the Carbon Brief database. The comparison found that previous emission inventories spanning different time frames might have overestimated the CO2 emissions of one of two Chinese power plants on the two days that the measurements were made. Our study contributes to quantifying CO2 emissions from point sources and helps in advancing satellite-based monitoring techniques of emission sources in the future; this helps in reducing errors due to human intervention in bottom-up statistical methods.

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Design of a Variable-Stiffness Compliant Skin for a Morphing Leading Edge

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11073165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 3165

Author(s):

Zhigang Wang ◽

Yu Yang

Keyword(s):

Composite Laminate ◽

Large Scale ◽

Design Method ◽

Leading Edge ◽

Variable Stiffness ◽

Manufacturing Constraints ◽

Aircraft Wing ◽

Noise Abatement ◽

Civil Aircraft ◽

Final Profile

A seamless and smooth morphing leading edge has remarkable potential for noise abatement and drag reduction of civil aircraft. Variable-stiffness compliant skin based on tailored composite laminate is a concept with great potential for morphing leading edge, but the currently proposed methods have difficulty in taking the manufacturing constraints or layup sequence into account during the optimization process. This paper proposes an innovative two-step design method for a variable-stiffness compliant skin of a morphing leading edge, which includes layup optimization and layup adjustment. The combination of these two steps can not only improve the deformation accuracy of the final profile of the compliant skin but also easily and effectively determine the layup sequence of the composite layup. With the design framework, an optimization model is created for a variable-stiffness compliant skin, and an adjustment method for its layups is presented. Finally, the deformed profiles between the directly optimized layups and the adjusted ones are compared to verify its morphing ability and accuracy. The final results demonstrate that the obtained deforming ability and accuracy are suitable for a large-scale aircraft wing.

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Optimal Design of Novel Blade Profile for Savonius Wind Turbines

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14123484 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 3484

Author(s):

Tai-Lin Chang ◽

Shun-Feng Tsai ◽

Chun-Lung Chen

Keyword(s):

Wind Energy ◽

Drag Force ◽

Wind Turbines ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Large Scale ◽

Design Method ◽

Angular Position ◽

Vertical Axis ◽

Blade Profile ◽

Main Concept

Since the affirming of global warming, most wind energy projects have focused on the large-scale Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs). In recent years, the fast-growing wind energy sector and the demand for smarter grids have led to the use of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) for decentralized energy generation systems, both in urban and remote rural areas. The goals of this study are to improve the Savonius-type VAWT’s efficiency and oscillation. The main concept is to redesign a Novel Blade profile using the Taguchi Robust Design Method and the ANSYS-Fluent simulation package. The convex contour of the blade faces against the wind, creating sufficient lift force and minimizing drag force; the concave contour faces up to the wind, improving or maintaining the drag force. The result is that the Novel Blade improves blade performance by 65% over the Savonius type at the best angular position. In addition, it decreases the oscillation and noise accordingly. This study achieved its two goals.

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Dynamic variations in salinity and potassium grade of a potassium-rich brine deposit in Lop Nor basin, China

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82958-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lichun Ma ◽

Kai Wang ◽

Yu Zhang ◽

Qingfeng Tang ◽

Hui Yan

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Potassium Sulfate ◽

Middle Pleistocene ◽

Underground Brine ◽

Average Decrease ◽

Rational Development ◽

Mining History ◽

Before And After ◽

Lop Nor

AbstractThe Quaternary Lop Nor playa is the largest production base of potassium sulfate in the world. It has a mining history of more than 10 years, and its share in the Chinese potassium sulfate market is about 50% to-date. In this basin, the high-salinity potassium-rich brines are mainly contained in Middle Pleistocene–Holocene glauberite strata. Based on the monitoring of the underground brine table and geochemical analysis, this study reveals variations in the underground brine table and potassium-bearing grade before and after large-scale mining in the Lop Nor potash deposit. The results showed that the underground brine table and potassium sulfate grade decreased by varying degrees over sub-mineral areas after large-scale mining. The underground brine table declined by 8.5 m, on average, in the Luobei depression, by 6.4 m in the Tenglong platform and by 1.9 m in the Xinqing platform. However, the potassium-bearing grade showed the different trend. The Tenglong platform had the largest decline with average decreases in layers W1, W2 and W3 of 18.2%, 13.0% and 24.8%, respectively. In the Xinqing platform, the average decrease in layersW2 and W3 were 17.4% and 16.0% respectively. The Luobei depression decreases were relatively small (W1, W2 and W3 decreased 4.3%, 4.2% and 3.1%, respectively). This research provides a theoretical basis for the rational development and sustainable use of the potassium-rich brines in the Lop Nor basin.

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Future Power Train Solutions for Long-Haul Trucks

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13042225 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 2225

Author(s):

Ralf Peters ◽

Janos Lucian Breuer ◽

Maximilian Decker ◽

Thomas Grube ◽

Martin Robinius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Co2 Emissions ◽

Value Chain ◽

Large Scale ◽

New Technology ◽

Co2 Reduction ◽

Road Transport ◽

Transport Sector ◽

Long Distance ◽

Production Of Hydrogen

Achieving the CO2 reduction targets for 2050 requires extensive measures being undertaken in all sectors. In contrast to energy generation, the transport sector has not yet been able to achieve a substantive reduction in CO2 emissions. Measures for the ever more pressing reduction in CO2 emissions from transportation include the increased use of electric vehicles powered by batteries or fuel cells. The use of fuel cells requires the production of hydrogen and the establishment of a corresponding hydrogen production system and associated infrastructure. Synthetic fuels made using carbon dioxide and sustainably-produced hydrogen can be used in the existing infrastructure and will reach the extant vehicle fleet in the medium term. All three options require a major expansion of the generation capacities for renewable electricity. Moreover, various options for road freight transport with light duty vehicles (LDVs) and heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) are analyzed and compared. In addition to efficiency throughout the entire value chain, well-to-wheel efficiency and also other aspects play an important role in this comparison. These include: (a) the possibility of large-scale energy storage in the sense of so-called ‘sector coupling’, which is offered only by hydrogen and synthetic energy sources; (b) the use of the existing fueling station infrastructure and the applicability of the new technology on the existing fleet; (c) fulfilling the power and range requirements of the long-distance road transport.

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Electric Toothbrushes–For Whom are They Designed?

Advances in Dental Research ◽

10.1177/154407370201600103 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 6-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sebastian Ciancio

Keyword(s):

Clinical Studies ◽

Large Scale ◽

Economic Status ◽

New Technology ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Special Populations ◽

Gingival Health

Powered toothbrushes were first introduced on a large scale in the early 1960s. However, because of a clear lack of superiority compared with manual brushes, and problems with mechanical breakdowns, their sales decreased significantly. However, recommendation for their use continued in special populations with dexterity and cognition problems. The 1990s ushered in an era of new technology, and studies began to suggest superiority of some powered brushes, particularly those using oscillating-rotating or counter-rotational actions. Some studies have shown interproximal cleansing abilities superior to those of manual brushes and yielding results similar to those achieved with the use of a manual brush and floss. Both controlled and open-labeled studies have suggested that electric brushes improve gingival health with patients who routinely used manual brushes prior to using these new powered brushes, and safety has been clearly established. In recommending powered toothbrushes, practitioners should familiarize themselves with the products available, with the clinical studies supporting their benefits compared with manual brushes, their safety and ease of use, and the patient's economic status.

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Structural topology optimization of bridge girders in cable supported bridges

IABSE Conference, Kuala Lumpur 2018: Engineering the Developing World ◽

10.2749/kualalumpur.2018.0975 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Mads Baandrup ◽

Ole Sigmund ◽

Niels Aage

Keyword(s):

Topology Optimization ◽

Large Scale ◽

Design Method ◽

Optimization Method ◽

Bridge Girders ◽

Structural Topology ◽

Box Girders ◽

Box Girder ◽

Fine Mesh ◽

Further Development

This work applies a ultra large scale topology optimization method to study the optimal structure of bridge girders in cable supported bridges.The current classic orthotropic box girder designs are limited in further development and optimiza tion, and suffer from substantial fatigue issues. A great disadvantage of the orthotropic girder is the loads being carried one direction at a time, thus creating stress hot spots and fatigue problems. Hence, a new design concept has the potential to solve many of the limitations in the current state of-the-art.We present a design method based on ultra large scale topology optimization. The highly detailed structures and fine mesh-discretization permitted by ultra large scale topology optimization reveal new design features and previously unseen eff ects. The results demonstrate the potential of gener ating completely different design solutions for bridge girders in cable supported bridges, which dif fer significantly from the classic orthotropic box girders.The overall goal of the presented work is to identify new and innovative, but at the same time con structible and economically reasonable, solutions tobe implemented into the design of future cable supported bridges.

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