A review of fuel additives' effects and predictions on internal combustion engine performance and emissions

<abstract> <p>In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in additives for fuel research in the field of internal-combustion engine. Many studies have been conducted to improve the performance and emissions of the engine. Many kinds of additives in the form of solid, liquid, and gas have been used. The objective of this review is to examine the effects of having additives on the performance and emission of internal combustion engine. Additives such as alcohol, hydrogen, and metal oxides are proven to be successful to improve performance or reduce emission. Results from selected papers are discussed and summarised in a table. With the new development in nanotechnology, many researchers have shown an increased interest in carbon-based. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in additives for fuel research in the field of internal-combustion engines. Many studies have been conducted to improve the performance and emissions of the engine. Many kinds of additives in the form of solids, liquids, and gases have been used. The objective of this review is to examine the effects of having additives on the performance and emissions of an internal combustion engine. Additives such as alcohol, hydrogen, and metal oxides are proven to be successful in improving performance or reducing emissions. Results from selected papers are discussed and summarised in a table. With the new developments in nanotechnology, many researchers have shown an increased interest in carbon-based nanoparticles such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). Lately, with the discovery of graphene production techniques, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) have also been applied as fuel additives. In addition to understanding the effects of the additives on the engine performance and emissions, researchers extended the research to predict the outcome of the performance and emissions. nanoparticles such as multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Lately, with the discovery of graphene production techniques, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) also has also been applied as fuel additives. In addition to the understanding the effects of the additives to the engine performance and emissions, researchers extended the research to predict the outcome of the performance and emissions. The experiments involving the predictions efforts are summarised in a table. From the summary, it is found that the prediction of the GNP as fuel additive effects to the performance and emissions has not yet been explored. This gap is an opportunity for researchers to explore further.</p> </abstract>

Two cases studies of Model Predictive Control approach for hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

<abstract><p>This work presents a load frequency control scheme in Renewable Energy Sources(RESs) power system by applying Model Predictive Control(MPC). The MPC is designed depending on the first model parameter and then investigate its performance on the second model to confirm its robustness and effectiveness over a wide range of operating conditions. The first model is 100% RESs system with Photovoltaic generation(PV), wind generation(WG), fuel cell, seawater electrolyzer, and storage battery. From the simulation results of the first case, it shows the control scheme is efficiency. And base on the good results of the first case study, to propose a second case using a 10-bus power system of Okinawa island, Japan, to verify the efficiency of proposed MPC control scheme again. In addition, in the second case, there also applied storage devices, demand-response technique and RESs output control to compensate the system frequency balance. Last, there have a detailed results analysis to compare the two cases simulation results, and then to Prospects for future research. All the simulations of this work are performed in Matlab®/Simulink®.</p></abstract>

Parametric design analysis of elliptical shroud profile

<abstract> <p>Parametric design analysis for Eccentric Rotated Ellipsoid (ERE) shroud profile is conducted whereas the design model is validated experimentally. A relation between shroud inlet, length and exit diameter is established, different ratios related to the wind turbine diameter are introduced, and solution for different ERE family curves that passes on the inlet, throat, and exit points is studied. The performance of the ERE shroud is studied under different wind velocities ranging from 5–10 m/s.</p> <p>The method used in creating the shroud profile is by solving the ERE curve equations to generate large family of solutions. The system is modeled as axisymmetric system utilizing commercial software package. The effect of the parameters; shroud length, exit diameter, inlet diameter, turbine position with respect to the shroud throat, and wind velocity are studied. An optimum case for each shroud length, exit diameter and location of the shroud with respect to the wind turbine throat axis are achieved.</p> <p>The simulation results show an increase in the average wind velocity by 1.63 times of the inlet velocity. This leads to a great improvement in the wind turbine output power by 4.3 times of bare turbine. One of the achieved optimum solutions for the shroud curves has been prototyped for experimental validation. The prototype has been manufactured using 3D printing technology which provides high accuracy in building the exact shape of shroud design curve. The results show very good agreement with the experimental results.</p></abstract>

Overview of hydropower resources and development in Uganda

<abstract> <p>Even though hydropower plants are currently the most dominant source of electricity in Uganda, the rate of development of these resources for power generation remains low. Using a semi-systematic review approach, this paper seeks to understand why there is a slow rate of hydropower development in Uganda (challenges) and thereby provide potential solutions to these challenges. With current total capacity of about 1011 MW, findings indicate that there is a higher future prospect for hydropower generation in Uganda, with an estimated potential of over 4500 MW. In terms of number of projects, small-scale hydropower plants dominate power plants in Uganda, currently accounting for 19 out of 35 grid-connected power plants. However, with 855 MW installation capacity, large hydropower plants dominate the power generation plants landscape in Uganda. This study found that the challenges to hydropower development in this country are multi-dimensional including technical, economic, environmental, and social factors, and shows that the cross-cutting challenge is lack of human capacity that possess adequate skills to handle hydropower projects in the country. Furthermore, this study discussed practical solutions to address the identified problems facing hydro power in Uganda.</p> </abstract>