Loss of the Bird Diverter Efficiency at a Medium Voltage Overhead Power Line – Example of the Aktobe Region (Republic of Kazakhstan)

This report presents the results of survey of a 46-kilometer section of the overhead line (OHL) powering the cathodic protection of the Bukhara – Ural Gas Pipeline within the Aktobe Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 7 kilometers of this section were previously equipped with bird protection devices (BPDs), which are now totally lost due to destruction of their fastening elements. Inspection of the 46-km section of this OHL has revealed deaths of 2 eagles (Aquilasp.), 1 Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), 1 Black Kite (Milvus migrans), and 3 Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus). The conclusion was made that the BPDs of this OHL needed renewal. It was also concluded that instead of OHLs laid along the pipeline route it was advisable to consider other options, including stations of cathodic protection fed from modular-packaged electrical power plants with self-contained micro-turbine units, such as used at the Beineu – Bozoy – Shymkent Gas Pipeline.

Experimental Characterization of an Adaptive Supersonic Micro Turbine for Waste Heat Recovery Applications

Micro turbines (<100 kWel) are commercially used as expansion machines in waste heat recovery (WHR) systems such as organic Rankine cycles (ORCs). These highly loaded turbines are generally designed for a specific parameter set, and their isentropic expansion efficiency significantly deteriorates when the mass flow rate of the WHR system deviates from the design point. However, in numerous industry processes that are potentially interesting for the implementation of a WHR process, the temperature, mass flow rate or both can fluctuate significantly, resulting in fluctuations in the WHR system as well. In such circumstances, the inlet pressure of the ORC turbine, and therefore the reversible cycle efficiency must be significantly reduced during these fluctuations. In this context, the authors developed an adaptive supersonic micro turbine for WHR applications. The variable geometry of the turbine nozzles enables an adjustment of the swallowing capacity in respect of the available mass flow rate in order to keep the upper cycle pressure constant. In this paper, an experimental test series of a WHR ORC test rig equipped with the developed adaptive supersonic micro turbine is analysed. The adaptive turbine is characterized concerning its off-design performance and the results are compared to a reference turbine with fixed geometry. To create a fair data basis for this comparison, a digital twin of the plant based on experimental data was built. In addition to the characterization of the turbine itself, the influence of the improved pressure ratio on the energy conversion chain of the entire ORC is analysed.

Knowledge-Driven Manufacturing Process Innovation: A Case Study on Problem Solving in Micro-Turbine Machining

Micromachining techniques have been applied widely to many industrial sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and precision instruments. However, due to their high-precision machining requirements, and the knowledge-intensive characteristics of miniaturized parts, complex manufacturing process problems often hinder production. To solve these problems, a systematic scheme for structured micromachining process problem solving and an innovation support system is required. This paper presents a knowledge-based holistic framework that enables process planners to achieve micromachining innovation design. By analyzing innovation design procedures and available knowledge sources, an open multi-source Machining Process Innovation Knowledge (MPIK) acquisition paradigm is presented, including knowledge units and a knowledge network. Further, a MPIK network-driven structured process problem-solving and heuristic innovation design method was explored. Subsequently, a knowledge-driven heuristic design system for machining process innovation was integrated in the Computer-Aided Process Innovation (CAPI) platform. Finally, a case study involving specific process problem-solving and innovation scheme design for micro-turbine machining was studied to validate the proposed approach.

A Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycle Micro Turbine for Waste Heat Conversion: Optimization Layout in Cogenerative Applications

Waste heat recovery (WHR) can represent a good solution to increase overall performance of energy systems, even more in case of small systems. The exhaust gas at the outlet of micro gas turbines (MGTs) has still a large amount of thermal energy that can be converted into mechanical energy, because of its satisfactory temperature levels, even though the typical MGT layouts perform a recuperated cycle. In recent studies, supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycle (sCO2 GT) turbines were studied as WHR systems whose thermal source was the exhausts from gas turbines. In particular, subject of this study is the 100 kW MGT Turbec T100. In this paper, the authors analyze innovative layouts, with comparison in terms of performance variations and cogenerative indices. The study was carried out through the adoption of a commercial software, Thermoflex, for the thermodynamic analysis of the layouts. The MGT model was validated in previous papers while the characteristic parameters of the bottoming sCO2 GT were taken from the literature. The combined cycle layouts include simple and recompression sCO2 bottoming cycles and different fuel energy sources like conventional natural gas and syngases derived by biomasses gasification. A further option of bottoming cycle was also considered, namely an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system for the final conversion of waste heat from sCO2 cycle into additional mechanical energy. Finally, the proposed plants have been compared, and the improvement in terms of flexibility and operating range have been highlighted.

Energy Storage Capacity Expansion of Microgrids for a Long-Term

In this paper, we examine the microgrids and the long-term dynamic capacity expansion planning in their architecture. Many resources contribute towards the supply to microgrid such as energy, micro gas turbine, solar and wind storage system. Moreover the electric vehicle charging stations use these microgrids as a source of electricity. The electric vehicles that are used in charging stations are based on vehicle-to-grid wherein it is possible to regulate the charging rate and time and to transmit energy to the microgrid. Hence, these charging stations are found to be present in generating unit or flexible load. In the microgrid, the capacity expansion planning is initiated to expand the capacity of battery, wind turbine, solar and micro turbine energy storage system. We have elaborated a 6–year planning horizon, targeting a long term plan through capacity expansion. On the other hand, we have also conducted a short term plan simultaneously to improve the hourly operation of electric vehicle charging station, energy and micro turbine storage system. An expansion of about 200% on wind system is used such that expansion cost is about 53% and incorporation of further resources will increase it by 58% in terms of cost.

SYSTEMS FOR ACTIVE MONITORING OF ROTOR BEARING STATE IN TURBINE GENERATOR OF MICRO-TURBINE INSTALLATION

The paper is dedicated to the increase of reliability, life, resource and decrease of costs for maintenance of micro-turbine installations at the expense of rotor bearing timely maintenance and decrease of total work time of the installation in the mode of catastrophic wear. In the paper there is described a method for the active monitoring of rotor bearing state of the micro-turbine installation allowing timely notification of the workers in charge about essential turbine generator maintenance. The solution offered is fundamentally new in this field of investigations as it was not used earlier for the control of rotor bearing state of turbine generators. In the paper there are enumerated all components essential for the operation of the system and a method for their connection. A process for adjustment and updating the solution offered is described. As a basic component of the system for data collection there is used Arduino Uno controller. As a main software component is chosen Zabbix 5.0 monitoring system. The objects under investigation are described, and there are presented conclusions on effectiveness and economic purposefulness of the solution offered.

POWER BACKUP SUPPLY FOR CONSUMERS OF THE FIRST CATEGORY

The paper is dedicated to the methods of heat-power backup supply. A search for a solution to update a process of power backup supply to consumers of the first category is carried out. There is carried out a comparative analysis of all accessible systems for power backup supply including those which were not used earlier for the most significant consumers. As a solution in the paper there are offered micro-turbine installations as the most efficient and convenient in operation. The method is based on the principle of comparison allowing the choice of the most suitable solution. The investigation results are a fundamentally new solution for this field of researches as micro-turbine installations were not used earlier for power backup supply of consumers of the first category. Various versions of power backup supply are presented, problem setting is carried out taking into account the requirements made, the objects under investigations are described and conclusions on the best version for heat-power backup supply of the consumers of the first category are presented.

Innovative Solving Process Problems of Micro-Turbine Machining Using Computer-Aided Innovation Method

With the increasingly fierce competition in the global market, technological innovation is regarded as an important factor for manufacturing companies to ensure their future competitive advantages. Modern mechanical design and manufacturing technology has become the mainstream trend of the machinery industry, and the rise of micro-processing production technology is an unstoppable international trend. Therefore, the machinery manufacturing industry must increase its efforts to develop and update micro-processing production technology and keep up with the pace of upgrading of the machinery industry. At present, most of the processing technology innovation activities are highly dependent on the personal knowledge accumulated for a long time in the previous projects, and the success rate of the innovative methods is low. TRIZ theory (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) provides a systematic theory and method tool for people to discover and solve problems creatively, due to TRIZ theory is mainly applicable to product innovation design, it lacks specific parameters and principles for process innovation. In recent years, the Computer-Aided Process Innovation (CAPI) introduced on the basis of computer technology provides designers with an effective way to obtain process innovation inspiration and improve process technology innovation efficiency. This paper takes the innovative solution of the micro-turbine machining process problem as an example to verify the effectiveness of the computer-aided process innovation solution method.