Advanced Configuration Research Articles

Recent Advances in Flexible Zn-Air Batteries: Materials for Electrodes and Electrolytes.

Flexible Zn-air batteries (ZABs) draw much attention due to the merits of high energy density, stability, and safety, and show potential applications for wearable devices. However, the development of flexible ZABs with great energy density, high round-trip efficiency, and long cycle life for practical applications is highly restricted by the lack of highly active oxygen catalysts, high ion-conducting solid-state electrolytes, appropriate Zn anodes, and advanced battery configuration. Promising oxygen catalysts should possess both, superior oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction performance and can be directly used as self-supporting cathodes without loading catalysts on support materials such as carbon cloth. In addition, electrolytes play an important role in ZABs; a good electrolyte should be in all-solid state with high ion conductivity. Moreover, for an excellent Zn anode, it is required to stably contact the electrolyte interface during the bending process. Therefore, in this review, recent advances in ZABs are summarized, including: i) the powder and 3D self-supporting oxygen catalysts, ii) the species of solid-state electrolytes, and iii) the rational design of Zn anodes. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of this promising field are presented.

Comparison of private flux region instability in conventional and super-X divertor configurations

Understanding turbulence in the divertor leg of tokamaks is essential to predict the heat deposition profile on the divertor plate. This in turn is important for evaluating advanced divertor configurations, such as the super-X divertor. Within the divertor region, the private flux region is of interest because it is relatively unaffected by turbulence extending from the outboard midplane, so instabilities in this region could have a particularly pronounced effect on transport. These instabilities are modeled using the Arbitrary Topology Equation Reader (ArbiTER) eigenvalue code. Eigenmodes are examined further by comparing physics models to determine the fundamental mechanisms behind their formation and quantifying the effect of individual terms. This analysis is conducted on both conventional and super-X divertors to compare these effects. The resulting analysis reveals the presence of a geodesic curvature driven instability that is significantly more pronounced in the super-X configuration.

Sentiment Classification for Film Reviews by Reducing Additional Introduced Sentiment Bias

Film business and its individual reviews cannot be separated and film review sites such as IMDb is a credible source of reviews posted in public forums. With IMDb site reviews being unstructured and bias-heavy, classification methods by reducing additional sentiment bias is needed to create a balanced classification with lower polarity bias. Elimination of additional sentiment bias will improve the model as polarity is defined by non-bias method, resulting in models correctly defined which sequences of words is either positive or negative. This research limits the dataset by 50.000 rows of randomly extracted reviews from the IMDb website using dataset preparation methods such as Preprocessing, POS-Tagging, and Word Embeddings. Then preprocessed data is used in classification methods such as ANN, SWN, and SO-Cal. This paper also used bias processing methods such as Hyperparameter Tuning and BPM, with outputs evaluated using Accuracy and PBR metrics. This research yields 77.39 % for ANN, 66.32% for BPM, 75.6% for SO-Cal, and 76.26% for Hybrid classification. Best PBR resulted in two lexicon-based methods on 0.0009 for BPM, and 0.00006 for SO-Cal. More advanced model configuration in ANN can improve the model, and much complex lexicon models will be a future in the research topic.

Thermodynamic cycles for solar thermal power plants: A review

AbstractSolar thermal power plants for electricity production include, at least, two main systems: the solar field and the power block. Regarding this last one, the particular thermodynamic cycle layout and the working fluid employed, have a decisive influence in the plant performance. In turn, this selection depends on the solar technology employed. Currently, the steam Rankine cycle is the most widespread and commercially available option, usually coupled to a parabolic trough solar field. However, other configurations have been implemented in solar thermal plants worldwide. Most of them are based on other solar technologies also coupled to a steam Rankine cycle, although integrated solar combined cycles have a significant level of implementation. In the first place, power block configurations based on conventional thermodynamic cycles—Rankine, Brayton, and combined Brayton–Rankine—are described. The achievements and challenges of each proposal are highlighted, for example, the benefits involved in hybrid solar source/fossil fuel plants. In the second place, proposals of advanced power block configurations are analyzed, standing out: supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles, advanced organic Rankine cycles, and innovative integrated solar combined cycles. Each of these proposals shows some advantages compared to the conventional layouts in certain power or source temperature ranges and hence they could be considered attractive options in the medium term. At last, a brief review of proposals of solar thermal integration with other renewable heat sources is also included.This article is categorized under: Concentrating Solar Power > Systems and Infrastructure Energy Efficiency > Systems and Infrastructure Energy Research & Innovation > Systems and Infrastructure

Hydrothermal flames for subaquatic, terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications

Hydrothermal flames are formed in supercritical water in the presence of a fuel and an oxidant (usually air or oxygen). Integrating hydrothermal flames as the heat source for supercritical water oxidation helps to minimize the reaction time (to milliseconds), improve the reaction kinetics and reduce the chances of corrosion and reactor plugging. This review outlines state-of-the-art research on hydrothermal flames including the impacts of process parameters on flame ignition. The ignition and sustainability of hydrothermal flames are dependent on several factors such as the type of fuel and its concentration, type of oxidant (air and oxygen) as well as the temperatures and flow rate of the feed and oxidant. The article describes some novel applications of hydrothermal flames for clean energy production, geothermal energy recovery, deep well spallation, wastewater treatment, degradation of recalcitrant nitrogen-containing compounds and heavy oil upgrading. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of hydrothermal flame applications are discussed. This review also highlights some technical considerations relating to hydrothermal flames such as the choice of organic solvent and its characteristics, preheating, ignition mechanism, flame stability and propagation, advanced reactor configurations, mixing with subcritical and supercritical components, recirculation zones, cooling mechanisms, corrosion and salt precipitation.

Advanced adsorption-based osmotic heat engines with heat recovery for low grade heat recovery

Efficiently utilizing the low-grade heat contributes to improving energy consumption structure and energy utilization efficiency, as well as preventing environmental deterioration. To harvest low-grade heat below 80 °C, advanced adsorption-based osmotic heat engines are constructed, which consist of an adsorption-based desalination module for thermally separating the salt solution into concentrated and diluted streams, and a reverse electrodialysis module for converting produced salinity gradient into electricity. Two different heat recovery configurations are employed to improve the heat-to-electricity performance: one is that the cooling power generated in the evaporator is used to cool the condenser and the other is that evaporator is coupled inside the condenser. The transient responses are analyzed and the effects of adsorption/desorption time, switching time, working concentration and heat source temperature on the heat-to-electricity performance are discussed. The efficiency with respect to Carnot efficiency is also presented to provide information on effectively utilized level of the available exergy. Compared with original configuration, the reduced effective condensing temperature in Configuration I and the pressurization effect in Configuration II significantly elevate the working capacity, thus to boost the work extracted. At lower working concentrations and adsorption times, the electric efficiency can be improved via Configuration II, while at higher working concentrations and adsorption times, the advanced configurations hinder the electrical efficiency. In Configuration II, compared with original configuration, the electric power and efficiency are improved by 68.3% and 15.2%, respectively, at a heat source temperature of 333.15 K with 2 mol/kg NaCl solution. While with 7 mol/kg NaCl solution, the electric power is augmented by 11.8% while the electric efficiency is decreased by 19.8%. This study may contribute to designing advanced adsorption-based osmotic heat engines to achieve an upgraded heat-to-electricity performance.

Network Automation using Ansible for EIGRP Network

Network automation has evolved into a solution that emphasizes efficiency in all areas. Furthermore, communication and computer networks rely on a platform that provides the necessary technological infrastructure for packet transfer through the Internet using routing protocols. The Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) is a hybrid routing protocol that combines the properties of both distance-vector and link-state routing methods. The traditional technique to configure EIGRP is inefficient and requires repeated processes compared to the network automation concept. Network automation helps to assist network administrators in automating and verifying the EIGRP configuration using scripting. This paper implemented network automation using Ansible to configure EIGRP routing and advanced configuration in the GNS3 environment. This study is focused on automated scripting to configure IP Addresses to the interfaces, EIGRP routing protocol, a default static route and advanced EIGRP configurations. Ansible ran the scripting on Network Automation Docker and pushed the configurations to the routers. The network automation docker communicated with other routers via SSH. In the testing phase, the running configuration between the traditional approach and automation scripting in the Ansible playbook was compared to verify EIGRP configurations' accuracy. The findings show that Ansible has successfully deployed the configuration to the routers with no errors. Ansible can help network administrators minimized human mistakes, reduce time-consuming and enable device visibility across the network environment. Implementing EIGRP authentication and hardening process can enhance the network security level for future study.

Dissipative particle dynamics simulations of H-shaped diblock copolymer self-assembly in solvent

We examine the self-assembly of H-shaped block-copolymers as the function of the middle block to branch length ratio and interaction between the middle and branch blocks differing in their solvophobicity. The work shows that the examined H-shaped polymers readily transition from uniform mixing of the polymer species to domain formation and a variety of advanced assembly configurations including vesicles, onion-like, and multicompartment aggregates. We identify the polymer conformational and packing changes involved to extract governing interactions and molecule features giving rise to the different assembly structures. The findings are discussed in terms of the H-shaped polymer architecture and polymer assemblies. We conclude that the assembly structure is governed by the molecular level local curvature induced by the varying conformations of the polymers. The findings highlight that for H-shaped polymers the degree of polymerization and polymer chemistries in terms of solvation and mixing characteristics of the blocks are keys to controlling the assembling structures.

Carbon-negative hydrogen: Exploring the techno-economic potential of biomass co-gasification with CO2 capture

The hydrogen economy is receiving increasing attention as a complement to electrification in the global energy transition. Clean hydrogen production is often viewed as a competition between natural gas reforming with CO2 capture and electrolysis using renewable electricity. However, solid fuel gasification with CO2 capture presents another viable alternative, especially when considering the potential of biomass to achieve negative CO2 emissions. This study investigates the techno-economic potential of hydrogen production from large-scale coal/biomass co-gasification plants with CO2 capture. With a CO2 price of 50 €/ton, the benchmark plant using commercially available technologies achieved an attractive hydrogen production cost of 1.78 €/kg, with higher CO2 prices leading to considerable cost reductions. Advanced configurations employing hot gas clean-up, membrane-assisted water-gas shift, and more efficient gasification with slurry vaporization and a chemical quench reduced the hydrogen production cost to 1.50–1.62 €/kg with up to 100% CO2 capture. Without contingencies added to the pre-commercial technologies, the lowest cost reduces to 1.43 €/kg. It was also possible to recover waste heat in the form of hot water at 120 °C for district heating, potentially unlocking further cost reductions to 1.24 €/kg. In conclusion, gasification of locally available solid fuels should be seriously considered next to natural gas and electrolysis for supplying the emerging hydrogen economy.

Electrocoagulation as a revived wastewater treatment method‐practical approaches: a review

AbstractThis review paper aims to demonstrate electrocoagulation (EC) as a revived technology and introduce recent steps of advanced configurations, along with hybrid approaches for the efficient electrochemical treatment of multi‐sourced wastewaters. A brief theoretical background is also provided. Moreover, the practical applications of the process are presented, while no previous research has ever attempted to do so. Through online‐based data research, it was found that there are 75 manufacturers of EC systems internationally. Industrial case studies reveal actual process conditions and economical data. America holds 33% of global EC systems' manufacturing share and it is considered the leader in EC innovative designs with a percentage of almost 59%. In America and Europe, composite schemes are nearly equivalent to EC autonomous systems, with respective percentages of 41% and 47%. The performance of a two‐stage process combining electro‐coagulation (EC) and electro‐oxidation (EO) has been proven to be the most successful combination in industrial wastewater treatment, representing 54% of hybrid systems available globally. Most of the commercialized EC systems are of small‐medium sizes, accounting for 88% of all systems available worldwide. The latest trends on new reactor and electrode configurations are also presented. EC has great potential for further improvement as there is strong academic background to support water treatment companies for industrial scale ups. Cylindrical type reactors tend to dominate due to the ease of their use and maintenance; meanwhile, hybrid systems of EC with EO, membranes and/or adsorption will continue to expand on the market due to the mature level of these technologies and their ease of adaptation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Simultaneous sludge minimization, pollutant and nitrogen removal using integrated MBBR configuration for tannery wastewater treatment

An advanced operational configuration of anoxic-aerobic moving bed biofilm reactors (AMOMOX process) was experimentally demonstrated to achieve simultaneous sludge yield minimization, pollution and nitrogen removal. The AMOMOX experimentation witnessed considerable variation in process parameters while feed operation changed from synthetic wastewater to real tannery influent. The strict maintenance of operational strategies resulted prominent removal of TCOD, SCOD, ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen higher upto 93.5%, 94.8%, 95.2% and 88.7% respectively. The nourishment of filamentous microbiota and purposeful promotion of cell-lysis effectively sustained sludge yield restriction. Here, the sludge yield (Yobs) lowering upto 0.51 gVSS/gCOD ultimately turned an overall sludge minimization of 46.8% compared with a parallel-run conventional activated sludge treatment. The observations were further supported by sophisticated instrumental imaging, thermogravimetric analysis and batch digestion test of the sludge pool. The experimental Yobs and corresponding solids retention showed consensus with the reported correlation model and, thus, a modified correlation was tested.

High-Speed Area-Efficient Processor for Elliptic Curve Point Multiplication Over Prime Field Along with RSA Comparison

Creating a high-speed elliptic curve cryptographic (ECC) processor capable of performing fast point Multiplication with low hardware utilisation is a critical requirement in cryptography and network security. This paper describes the implementation of a high-speed, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in this paper. A high-security digital signature technique is implemented using Edwards25519, a recently approved twisted Edwards’s curve. For point addition and point doubling operations on the twisted Edwards curve, advanced hardware configurations are developed in which each task involves only 516 and 1029 clock cycles, respectively. As an observation the ECC processor presented in this paper begins with the process which takes 1.48 ms of single-point multiplication to be performed. The comparison of key size and its ratio which shows the impact on processing of each processor is shown for ECC processor and RSA processor. The delay and number of slices used for the ECC processor is shown and this is a developed solution saves time by providing rapid scalar multiplication with low hardware consumption without compromising on security.

Numerical Analysis of Heat Transfer and Flow Field for CFETR Divertor

Nuclear fusion is now the ultimate need for energy, tokamak is one of the possible devices for controlled nuclear fusion. Based on the advanced tokamak magnetic confinement configuration and the research results of fusion physics in recent decades at home and abroad, Chinese Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) will carry out innovative physical design to achieve the international requirements. Divertor is an essential component of the magnetic confinement fusion device, which directly sustains the strong particle flow and high heat load. The cooling system of divertor will directly affect whether divertor can function properly. In this paper, a new structure of divertor suitable for CFETR is designed and simulated, both the flow field analysis and the heat transfer analysis of the model were verified. The results show that the designed divertor structure can meet the system requirements.

Prepatching Reduces Paramedic In-Hospital Time for Emergent Interfacility Transfers of Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation or Vasopressors: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveRegionalization of specialty medical services may necessitate an interfacility transfer. Prepatching is a model of care adopted by critical care transport organizations to reduce the transfer time to specialty care. In this model, paramedics communicate with a transport medical physician before arrival at the sending hospital to discuss a patient's condition and management plan, allowing paramedics to focus solely on packaging the patient when he or she arrives at the sending hospital. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of prepatching on paramedic in-hospital time for emergent interfacility transfers of patients requiring mechanical ventilation or vasopressor support. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of all emergent interfacility transfers by Ornge, the provincial critical care transport organization in Ontario, Canada, over a 4-year period. All patients over 18 years old who were either intubated or on vasopressor medications were included in the study population. Quantile regression was used to evaluate the impact of prepatching as well as patient and paramedic characteristics on paramedic in-hospital time. ResultsA total of 4,466 emergent interfacility transports were included. Of these, 1,898 were completed with prepatching, and 2,568 were not. Vasopressor use was associated with significantly higher prepatching rates. Overall, prepatching reduced in-hospital time by 9 minutes at the 90th quantile across all patients. Increased in-hospital time was noted for patients on mechanical ventilation, on vasopressor medications, and transported by a fixed wing vehicle by 38, 29, and 49 minutes at the 90th quantile, respectively (P < .05). Conversely, patients transported by a critical care paramedic crew configuration were associated with a 27-minute decrease in in-hospital time at the 90th quantile compared with transport by an advanced care paramedic crew configuration (P < .05). ConclusionPrepatching reduced paramedic in-hospital time for emergent interfacility transports for patients who were mechanically ventilated or require vasopressors. These results suggest that prepatching can reduce the overall time to definitive care in high-risk patients, potentially improving patient outcomes in critically ill patients.

An application of sensitivity and representativity approach for the design of a 100%MOX BWR experimental program in ZPR

A multiparameter representativity approach for the design of Advanced full MOX BWR core physics experimental programs in ZPR was developed. The approach is based on sensitivity analysis of integral parameters to nuclear data, and correlations among different integral parameters, largely used for Fast Reactor Applications, in particular by Salvatores et al at the French Atomic and Alternative Energies Commission. The approach was applied to the design of 100%MOX advanced BWR configurations in the so-called BASALA program conducted in the EOLE critical facility, based on PWR MOX fuel pins available in the facility. The adopted scheme proposes an original approach to the problem, going from the initial “microscopic” pin-cells integral parameters to the whole “macroscopic” assembly integral parameters for both “cold” and “hot and voided” BWR situations. The proposed approach, in particular including the representativity extension to power distributions demonstrated the need, not pointed out by a “basic” k-eff analysis”, to provide few more PWR-type MOX fuel pins to achieve a global representativity target value for BWR-types MOX lattices.

Graph-based configuration optimization for S-CO2 power generation systems

Configuration optimization for energy conversion systems is still under-researched compared with that in the chemical process area. As the basis of design and operation optimization, configuration optimization helps generate more advanced thermodynamic configurations and dramatically promotes the efficiency of thermal systems. However, the variable in configuration optimization involves discrete variables to make optimization more complicate when mixed with continuous design variables. Current configuration optimization research focuses on task-orient methods, superstructure, and heuristic algorithms. These methods tend to screen out candidates based on high levels of knowledge from researchers. In this paper, we first developed a graph-based configuration representation with minimum thermodynamic knowledge requirements. Therefore, the searching space shrinks without losing any possible optimum point. The representation is embedded in a simulated annealing-based optimizer. This optimization framework was validated by optimizing the S-CO2 power generation system's configurations with simple and complex component number limitations. This framework has an over 99% generation rate of feasible configurations. The simple and complex case study results show that the optimization framework converges to a recuperated system with an efficiency of 38% and a recompression system with 44% under maximum and minimum temperature of 850 K and 310 K. Moreover, the result of the simple case study was further justified with an exhaust search. Moreover, both case studies' convergence stabilities are confirmed by multiple and independent framework executions. Finally, the initial configuration's influence shows that the best configuration on lower volume searching space will significantly help with computational efficiency and whole converge process on high volume search space problem.

Advanced Configuration Parameters of Post Processor Influencing Tensile Testing PLA and Add-Mixtures in Polymer Matrix in the Process of FDM Technology

The present paper focuses on the configuration possibilities of post -processor influencing mechanical properties of a given test sample produced by the FDM printer from different materials. The research consists of assessing the composite material configurations through a static tensile test conducted on 80 samples produced. The samples were produced based on ISO 527-2 standard, type 1A, with a horizontal position and a layer height of 0.2 mm. The individual samples consisted of four basic groups of materials—the pure Polylactic acid (PLA) plastic (reference sample), and three composite samples with admixtures—PLA matrix with a copper admixture, PLA matrix with an iron admixture, and PLA matrix with a steel admixture. The static tensile test was conducted at a test speed of 5 mm/min. During the research, reference samples (pure PLA) were assessed in five orientations. Samples made of the PLA composite materials with admixtures were manufactured, tested, and evaluated only in the 0° orientation. The paper concludes by comparing the results of measurement with the original material, free from additives, and with the researched influence of the orientation of the prints on the resulting mechanical properties of shear samples and their surface structure. In the conducted experiments, the lowest tensile strength has been demonstrated in test samples the orbital transitions and the upper surface layers of which were parallel to the infill.

Teaching-learning self-study approach for optimal retrofitting of dual mixed refrigerant LNG process: Energy and exergy perspective

This study unfolds the advanced process configuration modification in the evolution of a dual mixed refrigerant (DMR) process for natural gas liquefaction, followed by its optimization through a unique approach i.e., teaching–learning self-study optimization (TLSO). The DMR process is improved by replacing Joule Thomson valves with the isentropic cryogenic turbines. To ensure the maximum possible thermodynamic performance of the retrofitted DMR process, the TLSO paradigm is used and evaluated. The energy, exergy, coefficient of performance, and figure of merit are determined and compared with conventional bench-scale DMR process to find the performance improvement opportunities in the proposed cryogenic turbine-retrofitted DMR process. The performance analysis revealed that the proposed optimal retrofitted DMR process could produce LNG using 28.57% less energy than the base case. The detailed thermodynamic evaluation revealed that the proposed DMR process has 64.68% exergy efficiency, 2.42 coefficient of performance, and 41.6% figure of merit, which are 13.37%, 19%, and 11.9%, higher than the conventional DMR process, respectively. This study would significantly help process engineers overcome the challenges of relating energy efficiency of the LNG plants for both onshore and offshore applications.

Conventional and advanced PV array configurations to extract maximum power under partial shading conditions: A review

Occurrence of partial shading and its high impact on the performance of photovoltaic (PV) system have received considerable attention during the last few years. It has forced the researchers to explore more novel PV array configurations to sustain under partial shading conditions (PSCs). To diminish the effects of PSCs, this paper presents an overview of the state-of-the-art developments of various PV array configuration models for PV systems. Different modelling approaches are analyzed while emphasizing their benefits and inadequacies. Different models available in the recent state-of-the-art literatures are studied and categorized according to vital configurations and features. Mainly, various PV array configurations such as advanced, futuristic configurations are also compared with the existing configurations. In this paper, recent research developments (that deserve further examination) are acknowledged and deliberated for the future researchers working in this domain.

Advanced configurations for post-combustion CO2 capture processes using an aqueous ammonia solution as absorbent

In this work, we have developed advanced process configurations for solvent-based CO2 capture processes that use aqueous ammonia as absorbent. In total, ten different advanced configuration concepts have been optimized and analysed, aiming at: (i) achieving in spec NH3 emissions in a controlled way; (ii) minimizing capital costs by avoiding redundant process components; (iii) minimizing the energy demand of the capture process by minimizing the requirements of high temperature steam and by maximizing the possibilities for the use of excess heat from the CO2 point source. As a result, we propose a new benchmark configuration for NH3-based capture processes that, with proper tuning of the process operating conditions, allows to minimize the specific energy consumption while enhancing the flexibility of the capture process with respect to the type and to the features of the electricity and steam available at the CO2 point source, at the minimum consumption of chemicals and process water. This new benchmark configuration for NH3-based capture processes is built upon the Chilled Ammonia Process, avoids the formation of solids and includes: (i) a multi-pressure desorber with recycled vapour compression that is able to decrease the high temperature steam requirements for solvent regeneration, i.e. at ca. 140–160 °C, to values as low as 1.1 MJthkgCO2captured−1, (ii) a vacuum integrated stripper for the recuperation of the solvent that is able to use low temperature steam instead, i.e. below 100 °C, and (iii) a flue gas water-wash column that is able to reduce the NH3 concentration in the CO2-depleted flue gas to values below 10 ppmv without the need of an acid-wash column before the stack.