Experimental Determination of the Influence of the Peeling Machine Constructive and Operating Parameters on the Criteria of the Peeling Process Efficiency

Introduction. The determination of the optimal technological efficiency of the peeling process, in terms of the number of detached casings and unit costs of the process, is an important task. The purpose of the study is to give reasons for a comprehensive evaluation criterion of the technological efficiency of peeling wheat grain and choose the optimal values of the parameters of grain peeling, taking into account the energy intensity of the process. Materials and Methods. To quantify the technological efficiency of peeling wheat grain, we used the following local efficiency criteria: the relative yield of peeling by-products, the relative decrease in grain ash content, the increase in the number of cracked grains, and a comprehensive criterion of efficiency taking into account local criteria and the specific power consumption. Results. The experiments have shown that the technological feasibility of the peeling process is ensured at the percentage of the flap opening at the outlet of the machine 60‒70%. In this case, the relative yield of waste husk is 3.2‒2.8%, the relative decrease in grain ash content is 0.32‒0.20%, and the increase in the number of cracked grains does not exceed 0.85%. With increasing the degree of the flap opening at the outlet of the machine from 50 to 100%, the specific power consumption decreases from 8.7 to 3.5 kW∙h/t. Discussion and Сonclusion. To assess the technological efficiency of wheat grain peeling a generalized efficiency criterion, which includes local criteria, is proposed. It has been experimentally proved their dependence on the intensity of grain processing in the machine. The optimum combination of the flap opening degree at the outlet of the machine at 67% (productivity 0.7 t/h) and the specific power consumption of 5.8 kW∙h/t was defined. In this case, the efficiency complex criterion, taking into account the process energy intensity of, is 4.5 kg/kW∙h.

The concept of an integrated system of energy efficiency control of artifical oil lift

THE PURPOSE. To consider the problems of controlling the energy efficiency of artificial oil lift. To conduct a comparative analysis of the approaches used to assess the level of energy efficiency and the possibility of energy saving. To submit to a modern possible energy efficiency control system. To identify an effective method for verifying energy efficiency indicators. To propose a concept of an automated control system for energy efficiency of artificial oil lift based on intelligent methods of data analysis. METHODS. When solving the problem, the method of factor analysis of specific power consumption, implemented in a model, was used.RESULTS. The article describes the relevance of the topic, considers the features of the use of various indicators of energy efficiency. A model of factors for specific power consumption has been developed. In this article, a concept of an automated energy efficiency control system based on intelligent methods has been proposed. CONCLUSION. Using the indicator of specific electricity consumption for artificial oil lift, as an indicator of energy efficiency, makes it possible to assess the current level of energy efficiency and identify the potential for further energy saving. To control the specific consumption of electricity at the mechanized stock of production wells, it is necessary to implement systemic energy metering, additional factor analysis of deviations from the planned values. Using of intelligent methods of data analysis selects the factors of deviation of the specific power consumption and ensures the reliability of energy efficiency control.

Optimization and Experiment of Straw Back-Throwing Device of No-Tillage Drill Using Multi-Objective QPSO Algorithm

Reducing operation energy consumption is the development demand of conservation tillage equipment. In order to solve the problems of high power consumption and the easy blockage of the no-tillage drill under full straw retention, the key parameters of the straw back-throwing device were optimized in this study. The Box–Behnken central combination test method was used to analyze the influence of the impeller rotating speed, feed quantity and cross-sectional area of the throwing pipe on the specific power consumption and throwing speed, the mathematical models of which were built with the aid of the least square method. In addition, the mathematical models were optimized by using a multi-objective quantum behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) with an improved target weighting coefficient. The optimization results indicated that, when the impeller rotating speed was 2287 r/min, the feed quantity was 1.1 kg/s and the cross-sectional area of the throwing pipe was 506.997 cm2, the specific power consumption and throwing speed by the models were 7528 m2/s2 and 11.73 m/s, respectively. The models were verified by comparing the optimization results with the measured data in the simulation filed tests, which proved that the multi-objective QPSO algorithm was feasible to optimize the working and structural parameters of the straw back-throwing device of the no-tillage drill under full straw retention. The results provide references for the parameter optimization of similar no-tillage drills under straw retention.

Performance Analysis of Solar Thermal Powered Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle Assisted Low-Temperature Multi Effect Desalination Coupled with Mechanical Vapor Compression

Power and freshwater demand are increasing as populations around the world keep growing. Due to the environmental impact of using fossil fuels and limited resources, using solar thermal in desalination application is a valuable option. In this paper, an innovative new design of low temperature multi-effect desalination coupled with mechanical vapor compression (LT-MED-MVC) powered by supercritical organic Rankine cycle utilizing a low-grade solar heat source using evacuated tube collectors is analyzed. The proposed design has the potential to desalinate water of high salt concentrations or brine with high salinity more than 100,000 ppm or effluent streams from a power plant with low energy consumption and high efficiency when compared to the previously discussed systems. The performance of the LT-MED-MVC was found to be better than similar systems found in the literature. The specific power consumption for MVC is lower than 4 kWh/m3 for seawater feed salinity of 100,000 ppm, 14 forward feed effects, and a recovery rate of 50%. The overall system efficiency is about 14%. The impact of increasing the number of effects, motive steam temperature, pressure of supercritical-ORC and salt concentration on the specific power consumption, solar collector area, and the system efficiency are also analyzed.

Optimal Process Design of Small Scale SMR Process for LNG Vessel

Recently, due to regulations on emissions of vessels, fuel is changing to liquefied natural gas (LNG). When using LNG as fuel, it is advantageous in terms of fuel saving and boil-off gas control if a small-scale liquefaction process is installed on the ship. However, due to the limited space, the small-scale liquefaction process for ships has to consider not only efficiency but also simplicity and compactness. In this respect, it is different from the process in onshore liquefaction plants, and research on this is insufficient. Therefore, this paper performs a comparative analysis in terms of efficiency by simplifying the composition of the mixed refrigerant in the liquefaction process. Additionally, a single mixed refrigerant process is used to pursue the compactness of the process. For comparative analysis, the liquefaction process is designed and simulated, and the specific power consumption calculated as the power required to liquefy the unit LNG is used as the objective function to optimize. As a result, it is confirmed that when the number of refrigerants is reduced from 5 to 4, the efficiency is only about a 1% difference, but when it is reduced to 3, the efficiency decreases by 23%, resulting in a decrease in performance.

On the issue of increasing operational energy efficiency of eight-axle passenger DC electric locomotives

Mass of a passenger train and, accordingly, number of cars in its composition is selected based on the amount of passenger traffic on the section, determined by the seasonal demand for transportation in each direction. In one direction of the section serviced by an electric locomotive, the mass of a passenger train may differ several times from the opposite direction, which depends on the destination station of the train and the period of its circulation. At present, in addition to 6-axle electric locomotives of the ChS2T and EP2K series, more powerful 8-axle electric locomotives of the ChS7 series operate in the same schedule for traction of passenger trains on railway sections electrified with direct current with a voltage of 3 kV catenary. All three series of the considered electric locomotives are designed for a maximum operating speed of up to 160 km/h. In this regard, there is a situation with the underutilization of the maximum speed and excess power of the ChS7 electric ocomotives, especially when operating with passenger trains of medium and low weight and a limited speed of 120 km/h. The comparative data on the specific power consumption of the EP2K 6-axle electric locomotives and the ChS7 8-axle electric locomotives operating in the same schedule, presented in the article, indicate the need to find additional reserves for saving the specific power consumption when servicing passenger trains of medium and low weight with ChS7 electric locomotives. The electric locomotive power system includes traction and auxiliary electric machines. The article discusses ways to turn off part of traction motors, which can be carried out with a standard electric locomotive circuit. However, when one section of the electric locomotive is turned off, the power of the four traction motors remaining in operation is not always sufficient to drive a passenger train according to the schedule. Therefore, a variant of improving the power circuit of an electric locomotive in the process of carrying out its overhaul is proposed. This option represents the modernization of the power circuit of the ChS7 electric locomotive when operating on a series-parallel connection with a pair of traction motors disconnected. As a result, the power circuit of the 8-axle electric locomotive operates similarly to the circuit of 6-axle DC electric locomotives with a collector traction drive. The expected savings in specific power consumption can reach 15% in comparison with the operation of an 8-axle electric locomotive ChS7 in normal mode. Switching off one section of the electric locomotive and further running the train on four traction electric motors will reduce the specific power consumption by up to 25%.

Innovative approaches and methods to the implementation of energy-saving measures and technologies at mining enterprises

The paper presents the evaluation of the implementation of innovative methods of energy savings in electric drive and power supply systems at mining enterprises. The evaluation involves mathematical simulation and instrumental monitoring of the defined indicators that allow obtaining a multiplier economic benefit through the appropriate approach to the implementation and subsequent exploitation of energy-saving technologies. For this purpose, the potential of energy savings in industry in general, and at mining enterprises in particular, is shown. Such indicators as power consumption in mining, the dynamics of power losses in public grids, specific power consumption for lighting and household needs, specific power consumption for lifting and supplying water, as well as for sewage treatment were evaluated. As an example, such measures as reactive power compensation, the introduction of frequency-controlled electric drive systems, the development and implementation of the systems for continuous monitoring of power quality indicators were considered pointwise (at some sites of enterprises). The mathematical simulation method was implemented using the MatLab software package. The instrumental monitoring was carried for 7 days with a ten-minute interval. As a result of the assessment of such measures, the total economic benefit approaching to 9.0 million rubles a year was obtained.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF THE FIBER SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCT GRINDING PROCESS

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the process of grinding fiber semi-finished products, the specific power consumption for its implementation with different refining disks in the production of fiberboard.

Influence of voltage difference on energy characteristics of ventilation plants

Deviation of voltage from the nominal value leads to losses that have an electromagnetic and technological component. Due to the voltage deviation, the angular velocity of the motor changes, which causes a change in the technological characteristics of the fan. However, no studies have been conducted on the effect of voltage deviation on the energy performance of ventilation systems. The purpose of the study is to establish the effect of voltage deviation on energy characteristics of ventilation systems. When the voltage deviates, the constant and variable losses in the asynchronous motor are change. It is proposed to conduct an energy assessment of the ventilation unit for the specific power consumption. Theoretical and experimental researches of influence of voltage deviation on power characteristics of ventilating installations are carried out. The dependences of productivity, power of the ventilation installation and specific consumption of electricity on voltage are obtained. It is established that when the voltage is reduced by 20 %, the productivity of the ventilation system is reduced to 3 %, power - up to 8 %, and the specific power consumption increases by 15%.