Energy evaluation of clay firing process and combustion gases in an intermittent kiln

The recording of temperatures in different positions in the firing process in an intermittent kiln to produce ceramic materials is presented, which led to the energy evaluation, determining the heat used for the clay firing process and the heat losses. In addition, a study of the emissions of pollutant gases released into the environment was carried out, as stipulated in the protocol of control, and monitoring of stationary source. In the energy balance, large energy losses were detected in heat accumulation in the masonry of 7.20×106 KJ of the energy supplied, representing 16.99%, and in the kiln walls of 5.20×10 KJ, representing 12.17%. As a result, it is necessary to make constructive and operative changes in the operation of the kilns, which will lead to the recovery of residual heat in the use of drying of parts, drying, and preheating of combustion air, reducing energy consumption and emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere. The average concentration of particulate matter released into the environment was 1056.60 mg/m3, 422% higher than the standard, affecting people’s health.

Numerical Simulation of the Evacuation Process in a Tunnel during Contraflow Traffic Operations

The purpose of this numerical research is to assess the evacuation process in a tunnel under the contraflow condition. Numerical simulations utilizing FDS+Evac codes associated with a fire dynamic simulator (FDS) model simulating a fire scenario are used to simulate evacuation and to predict the impact of a 100 MW fire scenario on the occupants inside the tunnel. Traffic and passenger conditions are based on real data from a tunnel in the UK. Two fire loads, 100 MW and 5 MW, are studied to represent an HGV and a passenger car fire. The 100 MW fire source, caused by an unexpected heavy good vehicle (HGV) catching fire, is located in the middle of the tunnel and at 20% of tunnel length to study the effect of fire source location on the usage of emergency exits and tenability thresholds. The dimensions and the inclination angle of the existing roadway tunnel are 1836 m (L) × 7.3 m (W) × 5 m (H) and 4%, respectively. It should be noted that the 4% inclination of the tunnel causes asymmetry propagation of smokes thus the visibility of the downstream and upstream from the fire behave differently. The maximum needed time to evacuate using all egress, the amount of fractional effective dose and visibility at the human’s height are analyzed. Simulation results indicate that when a realistic worst-case fire scenario is modeled, all evacuees can survive before the combustion gases and heat influence their survivability.

Mathematical Modelling for Furnace Design Refining Molten Aluminum

The design of an aluminium melting furnace has faced two challenges: mathematical modelling and simulative optimization. This paper first uses fluid dynamics to model the aluminium process mathematically. Then, the model is utilized to simulate a round shaped reverberatory furnace for melting aluminium alloys. In order to achieve the highest thermal efficiency of the furnace, modelling and simulation are performed to predict complex flow patterns, geometries, temperature profiles of the mixture-gas air through the main chamber, as well as the melting tower attached to the furnace. The results led to the establishment of optimal position and angle of the burner, which are validated through physical experiments, ensuring recirculation of the combustion gases through the melting chamber and the melting tower. Furthermore, a proper arrangement of refractory materials is derived to avoid heat losses through the outer surface of the furnace. Temperature profiles are also determined for the optimization to arrive at the final design of the furnace. Compared with manual designs previously practiced, the simulation-based optimal design of furnaces offers excellent guidance, an increase in the aluminium processing and magnesium removal for more refined alloys, and an increased processing rate of aluminium chip accession.

Numerical study of the physical processes of gas leakage in the compression ring in diesel engines

In this research, the construction of a numerical model is proposed for the analysis of the friction processes and the thickness of the lubrication film present in the compression ring of internal combustion engines. The model is built using MATLAB software, and three load conditions are used as reference (2 Nm, 4 Nm, and 6 Nm) with a rotation speed of 3600 rpm, which correspond to a stationary single-cylinder diesel engine. Comparison between model estimates and experimental results show that the development model could predict the actual engine conditions. The deviation between the numerical model and the experimental data was 17%. It was shown that the increase in engine load causes a 16% increase in the friction force of the compression ring, which implies a 50% increase in power loss due to friction processes. In general, the model developed allows the analysis of the friction processes in the compression ring and its effect on the lubrication film, considering the leakage of the combustion gases. In this way, the construction of a more complex mathematical model is achieved, which allows improving the precision in the analyzes related to the interaction between the compression ring and the cylinder liner.

Numerical assessment of a gas-fired condensing boiler model for residential buildings application

According to the official statistical reports, gas-fired boiler units still remain to be one of the main equipment types for meeting the space heating and daily hot water demand of the residential dwellings across the European Union. Due to the prevalence of the natural gas grid and performance stability, gas-fired boilers are considered to remain as one of the standard energy sources. On the other hand, even though gas-fired water heating technology is a well-known concept, existing numerical models found in the literature are often case-specific with poor reusability mostly reflected in fitted efficiencies. Algorithms behind these models usually require the input of large amount of hardly attainable design characteristics of the units. In this paper, a modelling method for acquiring the performance of a heating gas-fired condensing boiler unit will be shown. The model is based on the limited input data available in the official characteristics of the units issued by the relevant manufacturers. The simulations are programmed by using the programming language Modelica and the software tool Dymola. The model is based on the fixed natural gas intake which combusts into a stable mixture of the combustion gases that further heat the circulating water. During the heat transfer process inside the condensing boilers there is a possibility for condensate formation out of the water vapour of the combustion gases which increases the efficiency of the unit. The formation of condensate, however, is depending on the return water temperature of the unit which has to be lower than the dew point temperature of the combustion gasses. The goal of this research is to determine how accurate can performance indicators of gas-fired boilers be attained with the use of a limited amount of available input data together with clearly defined assumptions that follow the modelling methodology.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN SERBIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

This paper focuses on the use of renewable energy sources in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska and their impact on the environment and climate change. Renewable energy sources used in Serbia are hydropower, solar energy, wind energy, biomass, and biogas. Renewable energy sources used in the Republic of Srpska are hydropower, solar energy, biomass, and biogas. When using hydropower, the formed reservoirs often impact the microclimate of the environment in which they are located. Photothermal and photovoltaic solar radiation conversion installations are mostly stationary, do not emit harmful substances into the environment, and have no impact on climate change. The use of wind turbines has a certain influence on the flow of ambient air. When using biomass and biogas, combustion gases are released into the atmosphere, which has slightly negative impact on climate change. The paper concludes that the use of renewable energy sources in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska has a negligible negative impact on the environment and climate change.

Acidity of rainfall samples in close vicinity of coal-fired power plant with wet cooling tower with flue gas injection

The paper presents measurement data concerning the degree of acidification of precipitation collected during a 6-month measurement campaign carried out in an immediate vicinity of a power plant, where the cooling tower was used for discharging flue gases as a product of coal combustion. As reference, data obtained from parallel measurements carried out at a monitoring station considered as city background station were used. High acidity of precipitation was anticipated due to reactions of acid gases contained in the combustion gases with water, which already occur inside the cooling tower. The results have not confirmed this assumption. The pH value of the precipitation samples was significantly higher than the pH of rainwater at the background station located 18 km away from the power plant.

Control of Pollutant Emissions from a Boiler Through the Percentage of Oxygen

The goal of this paper is to obtain an automated system for the control of the quality of the combustion gases of a boiler. The concentration of oxygen present in the combustion gases is detected by means of a lambda sensor, and a proportional PID controller automatically regulates, through an actuator, the air inlet to the boiler, thus ensuring the emission of CO2 and other polluting gases into the atmosphere within the parameters established by the current environmental regulations. The control system has an HMI display and a modular PLC. The results achieved also ensure the reduction of fuel consumption of the boiler.