Thermophysical Parameters of a Semi-Finished Watermelon Product as an Object of Dehumidification

Introduction. Pectin-based protective coatings can produce a perfect biodegradable edible film. Secondary watermelon raw materials are a promising resource for this type of food coating as it contains 13.4% of pectin components, of which 8.1% is protopectin. The present research objective was to find the density and thermophysical characteristics of the pectin extract in order to optimize the drying process. Study objects and methods. The research featured a pectin extract from watermelon rind. Its thermophysical properties were defined according to the thermocouple inertia method. The calorimetric method was used to change the aggregation state, while the pycnometric method was applied to calculate the density. The method of criterion equations helped to define the heat transfer coefficient. Results and discussion. The average density of the final film material was 652 kg/m3 and that of the liquid semi-finished product was 1,028 kg/m3. The research also revealed the dependence of physical density and humidity W, heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity. For different W, averaged were 3393, 3225, 3137, and 3113, respectively. The study also provided the criterion dependence for determining the heat transfer coefficient and modified α on the speed of the air coolant for artificial convection at conventional coolant temperature (≈ 100°C) in contact with the food product surface (≈ 80°C). Conclusion. The article introduces the thermophysical characteristics and physical density of watermelon gel for various humidity and thermal agent parameters, as well as a modified criterion dependence for determining the heat transfer coefficient. The research results can be used to design dehydration operations, other thermophysical processes, and their equipment.

Cascade control of «smart home» heating

The article discusses the issues of implementing the conversion of input signals of «smart» sensors for automation of the heating system, an algorithm for calculating the parameters of measuring circuits with a nonlinear element and an operational amplifier is developed. The issues of modeling cascade control of residential building heating systems are investigated. The results of the analysis and selection of parameters of the cascade control system are presented. An algorithm implementing the operation of a virtual object is given. The structures of management of residential building objects are proposed. The method of calculating the adjustment of the controller for cascade control is given. For the heating system stand, the procedure for setting the parameters of the process of PID control of the coolant temperature is considered. The results confirming the achievability of the proposed structural changes are obtained. The results of experimental studies are presented.

Study of the thermal characteristics of the aluminum radiator ROYAL Thermo Evolution

The use of aluminum radiators in heating systems began with the foreign companies products such as Fondital Group, Global Radiatori, Ferroli, etc. There are now Russian aluminum radiators companies that adhere to European standards, for example ROYAL Thermo, Rifar. The thermal characteristics of radiators are usually specified by the manufacturer. However, they are not always confirmed in practice. This is due to the fact that radiator connecting method is not taken into account. In some technical data sheets, the power reduction factors are given depending on the difference between the average coolant temperature and the air temperature in the room. Therefore, the study of the influence of aluminium heating appliances connecting on its thermal characteristics is an actual task. The article presents the results of research of radiator of the ROYAL Thermo Evolution type, it was made on request from company specialising in heating systems design. It was found that the actual thermal power of one section varies in the range of 135 … 225 W, depending on the connection method of the radiator, the thermal power of the section declared by the manufacturer corresponds only to the diagonal «top-bottom» connection, the thermal power of the eight-section radiator with one-sided «top-bottom» connection is 12% higher than with a diagonal one. Studies show, when designing heating systems, it is necessary to take into account the connection method and the number of device sections.

Electronic Systems Design for Driver Alertness

Automotive systems are getting more responsive and giving feedback to the driver and passengers with the help of electronic systems ensuring safety. As seen the growth towards electric mobility engineers are more indulged in electronic systems and presenting innovative ideas for future developments. The presented simulation model of an electronic system combines the engine coolant temperature sensor, oxygen sensor, and seat belt warning system. The system is proposed using TINKERCAD software and the software is designed through Arduino. The driver will be able to see the temperature of the coolant and also can find out whether the air and the fuel mixture is rich or lean as well as be alerted for wearing a seatbelt. Keywords: Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor, Oxygen Sensor, Seat Belt Warning System, Electronics System for Vehicle, Arduino, Software Design using Arduino, Passive Safety System.

INVESTIGATION OF THE UNCERTAINTY VALUE AT MEASURING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COOLANT IN THE PIPELINES WITH OUTSIDE SURFACE MOUNTED TEMPERATURE SENSORS

During performing technological and production processes and monitoring the modes of their operation, the problem of determining the temperature of various media transported through pipelines is solved without incut temperature sensors (TS) in them, i.e. with using outside surface mounted TS (SMTS). This method is allowing to measure mechanical values at technological processes without structure broken and without influence to physicochemical properties of measured media. Using of SMTS possible to register heat losses on sections of heating mains, pollution degree of pipelines internal walls, to control serviceability of measurement channels of temperature of the coolant in heat meters, etc. In the article authors presents results of research the uncertainty values for measuring of the coolant temperature in heating systems pipelines under different modes of its flow. First of all, the uncertainty value of the measurements results was estimated, which was determined by the results of the study for the calculation model and field tests at existing district heating systems. Emphasis is paid on estimating the difference between the registration of temperature in the middle of the pipeline, determined by mortise transducers and the temperature measured by outside surface mounted temperature transducers, taking into account the temperature gradient across the pipeline and the quality of its insulation. It is determined that: the temperature measured by temperature transducers on the surface of the pipeline at different points of its perimeter, with proper installation and sufficient thermal insulation does not depend on their location; the average temperature on the surface of the pipeline, measured using the developed method of installation of PT, slightly differs (ΔT ≈- 0.3⁰C) from the average temperature of the coolant in the middle of the flow; temperature transducers have high reproducibility of measurements and small difference in readings between channels at parallel measurements (»0,03⁰С). It is substantiated that high metrological performances of temperature transducers allow to use them for solving other tasks: measuring the distribution of heat fluxes in heating systems of residential buildings to perform hydraulic balancing of heating systems and increase their efficiency; estimate of contamination of pipelines and heat exchange equipment to determine the need for their washing; determination of thermal resistance of buildings protective structures to assess their energy efficiency; determination of large pumps efficiency by calorimetric method; checking the correct of operation the temperature measuring channels of heat meters and cold meters; in other technology areas where measurements of small temperature differences with high accuracy are required.

Electrical Power Generation System: Optimal Design for Medium-Load Industries with High-Rated Generators

The demand for electrical power is rapidly increasing due to the rise of industries in developing countries. Power generation stations are having troubles to strike a balance between demand and generation. In this situation, it is urged that appropriate remedial action be taken. Rising power demand can be met by designing an efficient electric power generation system which will also help lowering the generation cost. It is shown that while high rated electric power generators are connected in parallel the value of neutral current is rising and the cooling temperature is also increased. Here, the goal of this experimental work is to present a new model for designing an efficient power production system for average-load (ranging up to 8000 Amp, 440 V) industries to minimize the demand on centralized interconnected grid. A scheme is proposed with four generators (2500 kVA, 2000 kVA, 2000 kVA and 1250 KVA) in parallel and enough cooling arrangement is provided with minimal cost. The coolant temperature is maintained 61 °C to 61.5 °C and at that time diesel temperature is not more than 38.5 °C. The amount of neutral-current is also optimized (up to 8.5 Amp.) which was more than 12 Amp. At the morning and afternoon, the neutral current is almost constant, but it is bit fluctuating between 7.5 Amp to 8.2 Amp at mid-day. The final outcome shows, the suggested system is efficiently stable with the change of load and generates optimal electricity.

Enhanced production from an Air Gap Membrane Distillation Desalination system by varying the feed entry angle

The membrane distillation (MD) process is an evaporative metho driven by the partial pressure difference between two different temperature solutions, namely the hot feed and the coolant. The hot feed evaporates, and the vapour gets condensed to the cooler side. A hydrophobic membrane maintains the evaporating surface. Air Gap Membrane Distillation(AGMD) separates the hot feed from the coolant by a narrow air gap and a coolant plate. The condensate forms on the coolant plate, and the air gap works as an insulation for the heat loss through the membrane. The salient parameters like feed temperature, coolant temperature, and air gap thickness have already been identified through research in previous years. In this study, an innovative technique has been tested to minimize the polarization and increase the production from an AGMD lab-scale unit. The effect of the feed flow entry angle has been investigated. Also, the combined effect of inclined flow entry and a finned coolant surface has been studied. It has been found from the experiments that with a feed flow entry angle of 60°, the system shows an average of 10% to 14% boost in performance. When 60° inlet flow angle and finned coolant plate work in combination, an average of 69% to 78% increase of distillate flux was observed with the same energy input.

Optimization of the TiO2 nanofluid as a coolant in the VVER-1000 nuclear reactor based on the thermal reactivity feedback coefficients via the genetic algorithm

The purpose of this study is to display the neutronic simulation of nanofluid application to reactor core. The variations of VVER-1000 nuclear reactor primary neutronic parameters are investigated by using different volume fraction of nanofluid as coolant. The effect of using nanofluid as coolant on reactor dynamical parameters which play an important role in the dynamical analysis of the reactor and safety core is calculated. In this paper coolant and fuel temperature reactivity coefficients in a VVER-1000 nuclear reactor with nanofluid as a coolant are calculated by using various volume fractions and different sizes of TiO2 (Titania) nanoparticle. For do this, firstly the equivalent cell of the hexagonal fuel rod and the surrounding coolant nanofluid is simulated. Then the thermal hydraulic calculations are performed at different volume fractions and sizes of the nanoparticle. Then, using WIMS and CITATION codes, the reactor core is simulated and the effect of coolant and fuel temperature changes on the effective multiplication factor is calculated. For doing optimization, an artificial neural network is trained in MATLAB using the observed data. The different sizes and various volume fractions are inputs, fuel and coolant temperature reactivity coefficients are outputs. The optimal size and volume fraction is determined using the neural network by implementing the genetic algorithms. In the optimization, volume fraction of 7% and size 77 nm are optimal values.