Thermodynamic Optimization of Electrical and Thermal Energy Production of PV Panels and Potential for Valorization of the PV Low-Grade Thermal Energy into Cold

In the present study, the evaluation of potential improvement of the overall efficiency of a common PV panel, valorizing the heat extracted by a heat exchanger that is integrated on its back side, either into work using an endoreversible Carnot engine or into cold by using an endoreversible tri-thermal machine consisting of a heat-driven refrigeration machine operating between three temperature sources and sink (such as a liquid/gas absorption machine), was carried out. A simplified thermodynamic analysis of the PV/thermal collector shows that there are two optimal operating temperatures and of the panels, which maximize either the thermal exergy or the overall exergy of the PV panel, respectively. The cold produced by the endoreversible tri-thermal machine during the operating conditions of the PV/thermal collector at is higher with a coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.24 thanks to the higher heat recovery potential. In the case of using the cold produced by a tri-thermal machine to actively cool of an additional PV panel in order to increase its electrical performances, the operating conditions at the optimal temperature provide a larger and more stable gain: the gain is about 12.2% compared with the conventional PV panel when the operating temperature of the second cooled panel varies from 15 to 35 °C.

Photosynthetic metabolism and antioxidant in Ormosia arborea are modulated by abscisic acid under water deficit?

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on gas exchange and the activity of antioxidant enzymes of Ormosia arborea (Vell.) Harms seedlings under water deficit and its influence on the recovery potential of the seedlings. The experiment was conducted using four treatments, being daily irrigation or water restriction without and with 10 μM ABA. Seedlings under water deficit + ABA showed greater adjustment to drought, and when re-irrigated, they restored photosynthetic metabolism and water potential. ABA minimizes the reduction in the photosynthetic metabolism and water potential of the leaf, however, it does not increase the antioxidant activity of the O. arborea seedlings under water deficit. These results suggest that this species exhibits plasticity, which enables it to survive also in environments subjected to temporary water deficit regardless of the supplementation of ABA. We suggest that other doses of ABA be researched to expand the beneficial effect of ABA on this species.

Life Cycle Assessment of Industrial Building Construction and Recovery Potential. Case Studies in Seville

In Spain, most businesses are medium to small size enterprises, representing 90% of the total, but there is a lack of studies of the types of building this sector uses. The main objective of this paper is to present a method for the evaluation of small industrial construction projects to facilitate the introduction of eco-efficient solutions. For this, it is necessary to identify the most representative buildings and the aspects of these which have the most environmental impact. A methodology in place for the evaluation of dwelling construction is adapted, for the first time, to evaluate industrial buildings. The construction solutions characterized are those traditionally used in the sector, as identified through 87 surveys. A standardized classification of work units is proposed to enable the use of environmental product information, such as eco-labels and/or EPD, and LCA databases. The carbon footprint (CF) and water footprint (WF) are the indicators selected because of their straightforward message. Finally, a comparative analysis is performed showing the high recycling potential of concrete and cement which, along with metals and aggregates, control the impact in terms of CF. With respect to the WF indicator, plastic substitute aggregates are among the materials with the greatest impact.

Assessment of the Consequences of Forest Fires in 2020 on the Territory of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve

The article presents the consequences of fires that occurred on the territory Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve in April 2020. Research shows that the results of these events characterized as catastrophic. The condition of forests after fires was assessed using satellite data and field trips to review the condition of forests affected by wildfires. The total area affected by the fire in 4 foci was 51,806.5 hectares. The total area of fires in the exclusion zone is 66,222.5 hectares. About 25% of the territories affected by the fires have changed. To preserve the landscape diversity and mosaic of areas covered and not covered with forest vegetation, it is impractical to conduct afforestation (afforestation of fallows) on the territory of the reserve. Among the forests affected by fires, the majority has a high ecological and forestry potential and, accordingly, a high potential for natural recovery (81.6%). In dead forests, the share with a high potential for natural reforestation is slightly lower and amounts to 66.8%. The share of forests with low natural recovery potential is low and amounts to 1.9% and 4.8% in forests affected by fires and dead, respectively. Significantly damaged, and sometimes destroyed, were a number of rare settlements, which are not only important for nature conservation, but also classified by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (Resolution 4) as particularly valuable settlements, as well as the “Green Book of Ukraine” (2009). 2 groups were marked as excessively damaged on the territory of the reserve. It should be noted that there is a slight general violation of the protected core of this object of the nature reserve fund, which will allow it to preserve its environmental potential and the functions of protecting and reproducing biodiversity. Most of the areas of the reserve affected by fires have a high forestry potential and are able to recover independently, so they do not require intervention in natural processes for reforestation. The degree of transformation of the ground cover in pine and oak-pine forests of the reserve under the influence of pyrogenic factor is determined by the intensity of the fire. Reforestation in areas with low forest potential should be carried out with clear planning

Self-care deficit versus the potential to improve self-care: explanation of the nurse's clinical judgments

Background: people who become functionally dependent due to serious illness and/or the worsening of a chronic illness have different recovery paths. The attribution of the nursing diagnosis of self-care deficit versus potential to improve self-care requires, on the part of the nurse, a rigorous clinical judgment, for which a set of diagnostic activities is necessary. Objectives: the present study sought to identify the assumptions used by expert nurses when formulating the clinical judgment of self-care deficit versus the potential to improve self-care Methodology: qualitative design. Data were generated in two focus group meetings that included eleven nurses experienced in caring for persons with functional dependence and self-care defict. Previously prepared structured questions were used to facilitate discussion. The focus group meetings were recorded in audio and transcribed. Inductive content analysis was used to identify emerging themes. The checklist Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was also used. Results: nurses` decision-making depends: the factors of influencing the potential to improve self-care abilities of a person with functional dependence, the domain of influence of these factors, and three fundamental aspects to consider when evaluating a person with functional dependence. Conclusions: the absence of recovery potential can rarely be deduced. People without cognitive impairment or with mild cognitive impairment present highest potential for recovery.

Modelling an Electrically Turbocharged Engine and Predicting the Performance Under Steady-State Engine

This paper discusses the evaluation of the energy recovery potential of turboshaft separated (decoupled) electric turbocharger and its boosting capability in a spark-ignition engine through simulation-based work and comparing it to a conventional turbocharged engine in terms of fuel consumption. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the amount of energy that can be recovered over a steady state full-load operating conditions and boosting capabilities from a decoupled electric turbocharger of an SI engine using a 1-D engine simulation software. The electric turbocharged system includes two motors and a battery pack to store the recovered electrical energy. Gt-Power engine simulation software was used to model both engines and utilizes each of the components described earlier. The conventional turbocharged engine is first simulated to obtain its performance characteristics. An electric turbocharger is then modelled by separating the turbine from the compressor. The turbine is connected to the generator and battery, whereas the compressor is connected to the motor. This electrically turbocharged engine was modelled at full load and controlled to produce the same brake power (kW) and brake torque (Nm) properties as the similarly sized conventional turbocharged engine. This step was necessary to investigate the effect an electrical turbocharger without a wastegate has on the engine’s BSFC and determine the energy that can be recovered by the electrical boosting components, and cycle-averaged fuel consumption was evaluated. The evaluation of energy recovered from the electrically turbocharged engine from the analysis can assessed in full-load steady state conditions that can be useful for research in part-load and transient studies involving the decoupled electrical turbocharger. The study revealed that a maximum of 21.6 kW of electrical power can be recovered from the decoupled electrical turbocharger system, whereas 2.6% increase in fuel consumption can be observed at 5000 rpm engine speed.