Thermal evaluation of an indirect air heating system using solar collectors

One of the current problems is the use of energy obtained from fossil fuels, especially due to the emission of greenhouse gases. An option to replace fossil fuels is the use of alternative energies such as solar or wind energy. The objective of this work is to carry out a thermal and energy analysis of an indirect air heating system that receives energy through solar collectors that operate with water as the thermal fluid used in a food dehydration system, in order to know the efficiency of the system and therefore, make improvements to the circuit, in addition to the characterization of the water storage tank of the system, obtain the amount of energy that can be provided and the behavior of temperatures at different operating flows. According to the methodology, the temperature profile was obtained inside the hot water tank in two modes of operation (heating and energy extraction) reaching temperatures of 50 to 70 ° C, where the optimum temperature for drying is found and in turn reaching an efficiency 84%, compared to a conventional drying system that uses LP gas.

Experimental Analysis of Passive Strategies in Houses with Glass Façades for the Use of Natural Light

The main objective of this research was to analyze the passive solutions that help to reduce energy consumption through the use of natural light in buildings. In this case, the analysis focused on the use of natural light in buildings with all façades made of glass. Buildings designed with the criterion of regenerative sustainability, such as glass buildings, consider not only energy efficiency and the use of renewable and/or alternative energies, but also the improvement of the health and well-being of users—very important factors during an era in which the time spent at home has been increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic (disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus). This experimental research was based on the analysis of data collected during a full year of monitoring of two scale models of Farnsworth House, a house with glass façades in all of its orientations. The results allowed us to conclude that these passive elements must be taken into account in the initial design of a building; a solar control sheet is also advisable in this type of glass building because it greatly reduces the illuminance inside the spaces, and the use of overhangs distributes the illuminance inside the rooms more evenly. In addition, the use of scale models provides a more accurate view of the parameters related to light energy.

Techno Economic Studies on the Effective Utilization of Non-Uniform Biowaste Generation for Biogas Production

Environmental effects from traditional energy sources and government regulations, necessitate the use of alternative energies like biogas for many uses including drying and refrigeration. Biowaste produced in educational institutions will not be uniform over the year. The non-uniform supply of biowastes, the absence of studies on bio digestion of likelihood biomass, the unreliability of energy from such conversion and the profitability of its usage in most applications are some of the factors to be considered while implementing this technology. In this regard, theoretical and experimental evaluations were carried out to accurately forecast biogas generation capabilities in educational campuses for obtaining biofuels with quantity and efficiency. It is observed that biogas generation with 52 to 58% methane content can be possible during an academic year. The quality of biogas shows that it is appropriate for almost any application. A broader analysis on different types of biogas digesters was conducted for their suitability in academic institutions. The economic benefits are analyzed for incorporating three biogas digesters namely KVIC, Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) type and JANATA. There are some encouraging results to confirm the economic feasibility of biogas plants including positive net present value. Biogas generation with digesters of capacities varying between 25 and 450 cubic meter shows payback periods varies from 3.18 to 7.59 years, which confirms that it is profitable to use digesters in this range of capacities.

NEUTRONIC MODELING OF A FAST CORE WITH MODERATING MATERIALS USING APOLLO3R CODE

In order to improve passive safety of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has proposed a new core design called CADOR - an SFR core with enhanced Doppler reactivity feedback. One of its most important design features is the introduction of solid moderating materials inside each fuel assemblies to slightly decrease the average neutron energy. The article focuses on development and validation of a neutronics calculation scheme able to produce accurate results in case of CADOR and other fast cores with moderating materials. The study uses two different fuel assembly models moderated by metallic beryllium and zirconium hydride (ZrH2) respectively The study includes discussion of neutron scattering treatment and different ways of spatial homogenization and energy condensations. The results indicate that the accurate scattering treatment leads to much better estimation of Doppler constant, especially in case of ZrH2 moderated core. By using combined deterministic-Monte Carlo calculation scheme we are able to quantify the biases on global reactivity, reactivity feedbacks and control rod worth. We demonstrate that spatial homogenization plays a more important role in case of moderated CADOR assemblies and thus preserving certain level of heterogeneity within fuel assemblies can lower the calculation bias significantly.

Evaluating the effectiveness of eco-driving courses based on car-GPS tracking data in the itinerary tracking device to reduce fuel consumption of vehicles in urban areas

According to the current issue of resource shortage, the reduction of fuel consumption or using alternative energies which has an environmentally friendly effect is the priority of governments in many countries. Besides, many studies mentioned that driver behaviors play an essential role to reduce fuel use and decrease vehicle exhaust emissions. On the other hand, the carGPS tracking data in itinerary monitoring equipment is typically using in navigation, positioning, and vehicle management. Thus, this study aims to analyze the correlation between driver behaviors and fuel consumption based on the velocity, acceleration, fuel sensors data collected from car-GPS trackers device in association with Geographic Information System (GIS) to find out the solution to evaluate the effectiveness of ecodriving courses as well as assess the usability of using car-GPS tracking data from the GPS tracking device to analyze and adjust driver behavior in urban areas to save energy and protect the urban environment

CEA-JSI Experimental Benchmark for validation of the modeling of neutron and gamma-ray detection instrumentation used in the JSI TRIGA reactor

Constant improvements of the computational power and methods as well as demands of accurate and reliable measurements for reactor operation and safety require a continuous upgrade of the instrumentation. In particular, nuclear sensors used in nuclear fission reactors (research or power reactors) or in nuclear fusion facilities are operated under intense mixed neutron and gamma-ray fields, and need to be calibrated and modeled to provide selective and accurate neutron and gamma-ray measurements. The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) and the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) have started an experimental program dedicated to a detailed experimental benchmark with analysis using Monte Carlo particle transport calculations and a series of neutron and gamma-ray sensor types used in the JSI TRIGA Mark II reactor. CEA has setup a simplified TRIPOLI-4® modeling scheme of the JSI TRIGA reactor based on the information available in the IRPhEP benchmark in order to facilitate analysis of future neutron and gamma-ray measurements. These allow the CEA to perform a TRIPOLI-4 instrumentation calculation scheme benchmarked with the JSI MCNP model. This paper presents the main results of this CEA calculation scheme application and the analysis of their comparison to the JSI results obtained in 2012 with the MCNP5 & ENDF/B-VII.0 calculation scheme. This paper will conclude with some information about the new experimental program to be carried out in 2022 in the TRIGA reactor core.

Tuning intrinsic catalytic activities of oxygen-evolution catalysts by doping: a comprehensive review

Electrochemical water splitting produces clean hydrogen fuel as one of the pivotal alternative energies for fossil fuels in the near future. However, anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a significant...

Influences of Marine Environment to the Characteristics of Palm Oil Biodiesel during Storage

Biodiesel from palm oil is one of the alternative energies developed in Indonesia and has been implemented since 2018 for marine transportation, especially for ships. However, there are pertinent cases that experienced many obstacles related to the occurrence of gels, engine power reduction, blocking filters, and injection in the engine. The occurrence of those cases is due to the prolonged storage of biodiesel onboard of ships. During a significant storage process, periodic biodiesel monitoring is required which is difficult to do onboard. In this paper, a study on the physical/chemical characteristics of biodiesel and microbiological growth had been carried out in a controlled effect of the marine environment. Samples of biodiesel blends B20 were placed in locations near the sea and land base areas. It was found that there were significant changes in some chemical parameters of the biodiesel, such as flash point, viscosity, and acid number after 30 days. Microbiological growth, specifically bacteria, appeared on the 45th day of the outdoor-land sample. On the other hand, fungus growth on the out-door-sea was also detected on the same day. It suggested that the growth of microorganisms, growth of fungus and change in characteristics of the marine environment causes the degradation of biodiesel.