Retrofittable Solutions Capability for Gas Turbine Compressors

The increasing introduction of renewable energy capacity has changed the perspective on the operation of conventional power plants, introducing the necessity of reaching extreme off-design conditions. There is a strong interest in the development and optimization of technologies that can be retrofitted to an existing power plant to enhance flexibility as well as increase performance and lower emissions. Under the framework of the European project TURBO-REFLEX, a typical F-class gas turbine compressor designed and manufactured by Ansaldo Energia has been studied. Numerical analyses were performed using the TRAF code, which is a state-of-the-art 3D CFD RANS/URANS flow solver. In order to assess the feasibility of lower minimum environmental load operation, by utilizing a reduction in the compressor outlet mass-flow rate, with a safe stability margin, two different solutions have been analyzed: blow-off extractions and extra-closure of Variable Inlet Guide Vanes. The numerical steady-state results are compared and discussed in relation to an experimental campaign, which was performed by Ansaldo Energia. The purpose is to identify the feasibility of the technologies and implementation opportunity in the existing thermal power plant fleet.

THE USE OF PHOTOCATALYTIC CONCRETES IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION

The article discusses the possibility of reducing the atmospheric environmental load of highways by applying compositions with photocatalytic properties to acoustic screens. It is found that the amount of nitrogen oxides on the territory of the city of Moscow exceeds the MPC norms. Therefore, a potential way to reduce the level of the average daily and maximum one-time MPC of nitrogen oxides is proposed, when using coatings of traditional acoustic screens with photocatalytic compositions. Titanium dioxide in anatase form is considered as a photocatalytic agent. To reduce the density and increase the porosity of cement compositions, a cellulosic suspension obtained by saturation in an aqueous medium with subsequent homogenization is introduced. The effect of cellulose in the considered cement systems in combination with a photocatalytic agent has been investigated. By the method of mathematical planning, a two-factor compositional experiment is compiled. In result, the degrees of influence of titanium dioxide and cellulose additives on the strength, density and water absorption of the composites under study are established. The study of the structure of the obtained composites shows that TiO2 is mainly located on the surface of cellulose fibers, which theoretically increases the useful surface for photocatalytic reactions and, as a consequence, the final efficiency of the compositions.

Environmental assessment of the estimated dredging volumes on the Ob River

The object of the study is the impact of dredging in the Ob riverbed on individual components of the environment, in particular, ichthyofauna. The volumes of transit and capital dredging in the river channel on the crossing sections that are difficult for navigation have been determined and substantiated. To calculate the damage, a method to determine the loss of ichthyofauna was used, taking into account the death of benthic and planktonic organisms in turbidity plumes and on the bottom areas subjected to development by dredgers and buried under dumped fills. It has been established that the greatest losses of ichthyomass will occur in the sections of the Upper Ob (up to the Novosibirsk reservoir) and the Middle Ob (up to the mouth of the Tom River), which is explained by the presence of numerous crossovers that impede navigation and require constant dredging. In the Lower Ob, the negative impact on benthos, plankton and ichthyofauna will be insignificant due to the small number of small crossovers. The volumes of dredging in the fairway required to maintain guaranteed depths and dimensions have a certain environmental load, the level of which is not critical for the ecosystems of a large river. However, when creating large-scale capital bypass channels, it can increase sharply in certain years. By reducing the load, a stable shipping lane can be created and the frequency of dredging operations at each of the crossover sections can be reduced. The advantages and disadvantages of the used damage assessment method are noted.

Study on the Choice of Wastewater Treatment Process Based on the Emergy Theory

With the increase in industrialization and urbanization, water pollution has become increasingly serious, and wastewater treatment has become a common step in preventing this. For a greater understanding of the sustainability of different wastewater treatment systems, two processes, Anaerobic Baffled Reactor + Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxic and Anaerobic Baffled Reactor + Cyclic Activated Sludge System, were selected, and their sustainability was evaluated based on three indicators, namely emergy yield ratio, environmental load rate, and emergy sustainability development index, according to emergy theory. The results show that the emergy yield ratio and environmental load rate of the ABR + CASS process were lower than those of the ABR + A2/O process, and the emergy sustainability development index of the ABR + CASS process was higher than that of the ABR + A2/O process, showing better sustainability. The research methods and findings of this study play an important role for decision makers in selecting sustainable wastewater treatment processes.

USE OF WATER CATHOLYTES TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL LOAD

For washing use substances that give water "alkaline" properties and definitely increase the pH and reduce the surface tension, specifically they increase the extraction of pollutants from tissues. Surfactants in these solutions, which enter the environment after washing, promote to the growth of blue-green algae. This leads to decrease in oxygen in water, which is necessary for aquatic organisms (fish, amphibians, etc.). We propose to find methods and devices that reduce the use of surfactants for washing by attracting catholytes instead of ordinary water.

Numerical Investigation of Dynamics of the Flexible Riser by Applying Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation

In this paper, the dynamics of the flexible riser are investigated based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF). The stiffness, generalized elastic force, external load, and mass matrixes of the element are deduced based on the principle of energy conversion and assembled with the finite element method. The motion equation of the flexible riser is established. The influence of the environmental load conditions on the flexible riser model is studied in the MATLAB environment. Moreover, the accuracy and reliability of the programs are verified for a beam model with theoretical solutions. Finally, the static and dynamic characteristics of the flexible riser are analyzed, systematically adopting the ANCF method, which in turn proves the effectiveness and feasibility of the ANCF. Therefore, the proposed method is a powerful scheme for investigating the dynamics of flexible structures with large deformation in ocean engineering.

Theoretical and Methodological Approach to the Study of Residual Value

The purpose of this article is to expand the understanding of the negative environmental load from production activities. It is based on the theoretical foundations relating to residual value. It also makes use of environmental and economic accounting introduced for deep analyses of hidden residual values, in particular in discussing concluding terminal costs and remedial costs in the context of dynamics of environmental sustainability. A complex understanding of the hidden residual value is suggested on macroeconomic in the capital concept and global levels. The macroeconomic measures (indicators) are considered in accounting the hidden environmental impact resulting from production activity.