Aspects Of Energy Conservation Research Articles

Life cycle and economic assessment of multi-stage blast furnace slag waste heat recovery system

Abstract In order to utilize the waste heat of blast furnace slag more effectively, the multi-stage slag waste heat recovery system was proposed. This study employed the life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental performance of the proposed system. Meanwhile, the economic feasibility of the system was analyzed in terms of capital cost and return analysis. Based on the current status of the environment, CO2 tax was also referred in the net explicit profit and net implicit profit calculation of the system. The energy consumption and resource consumption of the system were 268.84 kg coal-eq/tslag and 1213.60 kg/tslag, respectively. The main environmental impact came from the slag production process. Under the consideration of CO2 tax, the net explicit profit and net implicit profit of the proposed method were 13.40 $/tslag and 135.14 $/tslag when the CO2 tax were 33.00 $ per ton. In this process, the evaluations of the proposed system were done in comparison with the conventional water quenching method-open circuit process and latest dry slag granulation method by the main energy, environmental and economic indicators. As results suggested, the multi-stage slag waste heat recovery system had a good application potential in the aspect of energy conservation and emission reduction for iron and steel industry.

Transformer Energy Conservation and Reconstruction Methods and Technologies in Low-voltage Area of Distribution Network

New types of energy-saving transformers have been applied in many Chinese corporations, under this background, it’s essential to study energy conservation and reconstruction methods and techniques of distribution transformers for individual line enterprises. A brief review was made on domestic and abroad energy conservation and reconstruction methods and techniques, including transformer material optimization, life-cycle management, structure modification, condition-based maintenance, reasonable capacity selection, economic operation and reactive power compensation devices application, etc. Moreover, the economic switch method of transformer operation modes is given by a case study, and compared with conventional means. Corresponding operation losses are made in contrast, which shows large energy conservation potential exists in conventional operation modes. Another actual case is studied on transformer energy efficiency diagnosis via reactive power compensation. Finally, weak links in current transformer energy conservation and reconstruction methods are discussed. It’s concluded that new-type energy-saving transformers should be promoted vigorously in Chinese enterprises. Hence, it can fully dig energy conservation potentials and improve productive benefits for transformers, as well as give certain reference and guidance for the management departments in aspect of energy conservation and reconstruction.

Sustainable Energy Transition, Gender and Modernisation in Rural Sarawak

In the past two decades policy-makers have highlighted the need for societies to use energy in a more sustainable way. In support of a general trend towards evidence based, policy-making academic research in sustainable energy related fields has gathered pace. In particular, research has concentrated largely on technologies, energy economics and broad concepts of smart energy system. Research focusing on the social sciences of sustainable energy, including topics such as human behaviour change, gender impacts, household scale studies etc. - have tended to receive limited attention from research sponsors and until recently assumed to have limited impact on a transition to a sustainable energy future. Yet recent research in these topics has shown to have great potential in achieving positive social and environmental impact. In line with increasing interest in the social science of sustainable energy transitions, this study examines social behaviour and energy practices of rural communities without access to twenty-four hour electricity in Sarawak, East Malaysia. The research aims to understand the impact of modernity in influencing rural communities' energy transition with a particular focus on the role women play in energy behaviour at the household level. Five case studies was undertaken in the villages of Kampung Sibu Laut, Mersan, Telaga Air, Boyan and Gersik. Through purposive sampling 25 households in total were selected from these five villages. Consistent with triangulation methodological approaches the fieldwork involved a number of research methods such as a household energy survey, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and ethnographic style methods (i.e. participant observation). Investigating multiple data sources allows a deeper understanding and increased reliability of findings. Initial findings reveals women across the village play a key role in managing the household's energy needs, and specifically, energy efficiency and energy conservation aspects. Household income also influenced the behaviour of householders with regards to energy saving. For instance, wealthier families owned more electric goods and gadgets as compared with poorer families; thus, energy demand is assumed higher in the former households. Meanwhile, villages without twenty-four hour access to affordable electricity have less energy demand while it is also noted that many of the younger generation have migrated to the town. The research also reveals that besides geographical challenges in rural Sarawak, villages close to protected ecosystems, such as Ramsar sites, have limited development. In this way, electrical appliances were far fewer as compared with villages where there is more consistent electricity supply.

Identification of Existing Office Buildings Potential to Become Green Buildings in Energy Efficiency Aspect

The rise of the issue of climate change and the energy crisis makes the building must perform energy saving measures in order to reduce the adverse effects on the environment. Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) has set the criteria named Greenship for Green Building, including on aspects of Energy Efficiency and Conservation that with regard to energy consumption savings. High-rise office buildings located in major cities, like in Jakarta, are encouraged to meet that criterion. Three hypothetical office building models are created and simulated to obtain the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) and then classified into intensive, standard, and efficient cases. Alternative savings are then applied in simulation to meet the Greenship which is divided into two categories, namely saving alternatives without cost such as changing room temperature setpoint, air conditioning operating schedule, and chilled-water setpoint and alternative savings with cost such as replacement of lamp, glass, and chiller, window film installation. These efforts can produce big savings of EEI up to 40% with the attainment of maximum Greenship score of 36.

Teaching energy using an integrated science approach

Despite its relevance to all scientific domains, the debate surrounding the teaching of energy is still open. The main point remains the problems students have in understanding some aspects of the energy concept and in applying their knowledge to the comprehension of natural phenomena. In this paper, we present a research-based interdisciplinary approach to the teaching of energy in which the first and second laws of thermodynamics were used to interpret physical, chemical and biological processes. The contents of the three disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology) were reconstructed focusing on six basic aspects of energy (forms, transfer, transformation, conservation, degradation, and entropy) and using common teaching methodologies. The module was assessed with 39 secondary school students (aged 15–16) using a 30-question research instrument and a treatment/control group methodology. Analysis of students’ learning outcomes suggests a better understanding of the energy concept, supporting the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary approach in the teaching of energy in physics and science in general. Implications for the teaching of energy are briefly discussed.

An adaptive fuzzy logic system for residential energy management in smart grid environments

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems represent a significant portion of total residential energy consumption in North America. Programmable thermostats are being used broadly for automatic control of residential HVAC systems while users initialize their everyday schedules and preferences. The main aim of smart grid initiatives such as time-varying prices is to encourage consumers to reduce their consumption during high electricity demand. However, it is usually a hassle to residential customers to manually re-programme their thermostats in response to dynamic electricity prices or environmental conditions that vary over time. In addition, the lack of energy management systems such as thermostats capable of learning autonomously and adapting to users’ schedule and preference changes are major obstacles of existing thermostats in order to save energy and optimally benefit from smart grid initiatives. To address these problems, in this paper an adaptable autonomous energy management solution for residential HVAC systems is presented. Firstly, an autonomous thermostat utilizing a synergy of Supervised Fuzzy Logic Learning (SFLL), wireless sensors capabilities, and dynamic electricity pricing is developed. In the cases that the user may override the decision made by autonomous system, an Adaptive Fuzzy Logic Model (AFLM) is developed in order to detect, learn, and adapt to new user’s preferences. Moreover, to emulate a flexible residential building, a ‘house energy simulator’ equipped with HVAC system, thermostat and smart meter is developed in Matlab-GUI. The results show that the developed autonomous thermostat can adjust the set point temperatures of the day without any interaction from its user while saving energy and cost without jeopardizing user’s thermal comfort. In addition, the results demonstrate that if any change(s) occurs to user’s schedules and preferences, the developed AFLM learns and adapts to new modifications while not ignoring energy conservation aspects.

Energy conservation properties of Ritter solution for idealized dam break flow

ABSTRACTWe examine different aspects of energy conservation in the case of the analytical solution of Ritter for idealized dam break flow in a horizontal frictionless and dry channel. We detail the application of the unsteady Bernoulli equation in this case and highlight that the inertial effects cancel out when averaged over the whole flow region. We also show that the potential and kinetic contributions to the total mechanical energy in the flow region have a distinct and constant relative importance: potential energy accounts for 60%, and kinetic energy for 40% of the total mechanical energy. These properties of Ritter solution are rarely emphasized while they may be of practical relevance, particularly for the verification of numerical schemes with respect to their ability to ensure energy conservation.

Sensitivity Analysis of Entropy Generation in Nanofluid Flow inside a Channel by Response Surface Methodology

Nanofluids can afford excellent thermal performance and have a major role in energy conservation aspect. In this paper, a sensitivity analysis has been performed by using response surface methodology to calculate the effects of nanoparticles on the entropy generation. For this purpose, the laminar forced convection of Al2O3-water nanofluid flow inside a channel is considered. The total entropy generation rates consist of the entropy generation rates due to heat transfer and friction loss are calculated by using velocity and temperature gradients. The continuity, momentum and energy equations have been solved numerically using a finite volume method. The sensitivity of the entropy generation rate to different parameters such as the solid volume fraction, the particle diameter, and the Reynolds number is studied in detail. Series of simulations were performed for a range of solid volume fraction 0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.05 , particle diameter 30 nm ≤ d p ≤ 90 ​ nm , and the Reynolds number 200 ≤ Re ≤ 800. The results showed that the total entropy generation is more sensitive to the Reynolds number rather than the nanoparticles diameter or solid volume fraction. Also, the magnitude of total entropy generation, which increases with increase in the Reynolds number, is much higher for the pure fluid rather than the nanofluid.

Influence of the Heating and Cooling Rate on Thermal Performance of Cement-Lime Plaster with PCM Admixture

Thermal energy storage represents an important aspect of building energy conservation. Unfortunately, modern buildings with lightweight building envelopes not provide sufficient heat storage capacity and indoor overheating is a common problem, mostly solved by high performance air conditioning that leads to the higher electricity consumption. Here, Phase Change Materials (PCMs) that allow significant heat storage or release when undergo phase transition can find use. On this account, a detailed testing of a new type of cement-lime plaster modified by PCM admixture with respect to the temperature change rate is presented in the paper. The studied material is based on commercial dry plaster mixture that is modified by microencapsulated polymer PCM admixture. For characterization of the developed material, measurement of basic physical and mechanical properties is done. Within the DSC analysis, the researched material is exposed to the temperature loading ranging from 0 °C to 40 °C, with the temperature change rate of 1, 5 and 10 °C/min respectively. On the basis of DSC tests, temperature of phase change and its corresponding enthalpy are determined. The obtained data show the effect of heating and cooling mode on materials performance in the form of a significant shift of DSC curves. This effect is evaluated and applicability of incorporated PCM admixture for the use in thermal energy storage plasters is discussed.

Optimization of BLDC Motor for Submersible Motor Pump-sets Application

Optimization of the conventional Special Electrical Machines is one of the recent research areas. In terms of energy conservation aspects, the conventional Special Electrical Machines require optimization in stator and rotor design. In this paper, optimization of Brushless DC Motor (BLDC) for submersible pump-set suitable for agriculture and irrigation applications is carried out. The major factor of Efficiency in BLDC Motor is associated with iron loss of core material and cogging torque. In this paper, the efficiency of BLDC Motor is increased by optimal selection of electrical steel sheet, to reduce the iron loss and various pole embrace technique of permanent magnet is considered to optimize the cogging torque. A 5-HP, 2 pole, 24 slots BLDC Motor is considered for submersible pump-set application. The various types of electrical steel sheets like those that M15 to M43 and various magnetic grades are considered for analysis and optimization. The Electromagnetic analysis has been done with the help of finite element method using Ansys/Maxwell 2D.

English

This study aimed to investigate and compare knowledge, attitudes and participating behaviors of students who participated in a training session. A training manual based on the participatory process was used. The sample consisted of 30 grade 5 students and 30 grade 6 students using a voluntary sampling technique. Research instruments included 1) a training manual for participation in environmental conservation, 2) a test on knowledge about environment, 3) scale on attitudes towards participation in environmental conservation, and 4) a questionnaire about participatory behaviors in environmental conservation. The major findings revealed that the developed training manual had an effectiveness index of 0.586. The students as a whole and as classified according to sex and grade level showed gains in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors before participating in the training session. The female students indicated more knowledge as a whole and in 3 aspects: garbage and sewage disposal, water conservation, and chemical usage than the male students. The grade 6 students evidenced more knowledge in the aspect of energy conservation than the grade 5 students. But these two groups of the students did not indicate attitudes and behaviors differently. Also, the statistical interactions of sex with grade level on knowledge and behaviors were found to be significant. Key words: Participation in environmental conservation, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors.

Energy conservation and CO2 mitigation potentials in the Chinese pulp and paper industry

China's paper production accounted for nearly a quarter of the world's total paper production in 2010. In this study, 23 energy saving technologies applicable to the pulping and papermaking process in China are identified and analyzed. The conservation supply curve (CSC) method is employed to assess the technical and economic aspects of energy conservation. The fuel CSC for Chinese pulp and paper industry shows the cost-effective and technical fuel conservation potential is 180PJ and 254PJ, accounting for 27% and 38% of total fuel used in 2010, respectively. The CO2 mitigation potential related to the cost-effective fuel efficiency is 17Mt CO2 and the technical potential is 24Mt CO2. The electricity CSC shows the technical electricity conservation potential is 2316GWh, representing 4% of total electricity consumption. All of the electricity efficiency measures are shown to be cost-effective in this study. The CO2 mitigation resulted from electricity efficiency is around 2Mt CO2. In addition, sensitivity analyses for the parameters of penetration rate, discount rate, and energy price are conducted to assess their influence on the final results.

On Some Aspects of Energy Conservation in Industries

Energy demand has increased continuously due to advancement in technology and living standards of a large section of people resulting in a wide gap between supply and demand. One of the approaches to reduce this gap would be the adoption of measures of energy conservation in general and the efficient use of energy particularly in motor. This paper presents a review of the research activity in the field of efficiency optimization of three-phase induction motor drive. The approach is analyzed and the better option of energy conservation are identified.

Data Transmission Strategy for Wireless Sensor Network Based on Vir-tual MIMO

Virtual multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology has been widely researched in the aspect of energy conservation for wireless sensor network (WSN) communication. In this this paper, data transmission for the entire network based on virtual MIMO WSN structure is studied, combined with clustering and multi-hop transmission mode. Each cluster head (CH) is formed according to the clustering algorithm, and the data is transmitted to the adjacent CH by cooperative communication mode. The circuit energy consumption and the transmission energy consumption are both considered in our model, so the minimum inter-cluster transmission energy consumption is obtained, and the optimal path to the sink node is obtained. The proposed strategy does not need the receiver’s collaboration to avoid the complexity of the receiver; meanwhile more energy consumption of the network is saved from the perspective of the network life cycle. The simulation results show that the proposed strategy can reduce more energy consumption and prolong the network life cycle.

Energy and Exergy Optimization of Hydrocarbon Recovery (HCR) Plant Considering Potential Environmental Impact and Economics

Process energy integration and continuous improvement of process technology are one of the increasing issues to ensure profitability of chemical productions. The energy conservation, process economics and environmental aspects are integrated at the early stage of the process development, the easier and less expensive to improve the process design. In this work different distillation process design alternatives have been considered with respect to evaluations of process economics and potential environmental impacts. The concept of exergy distribution has also been used as a tool to identify exergy loss profiles in each distillation unit. A multi-criteria decision making technique such as (Analytic Hierarchy Process) AHP is applied for ranking the alternatives. This method reveals that the heat pump distillation unit which has the highest score of 52 % is the best alternative when compare with the base case. In terms of the effluent streams, the base case has a less potential environmental impact (PEI) compared to heat pump. The lower total PEI/kg (7.45E-01) of the base case illustrates that the material utilization efficiency of the base case is better than that of the heat pump which PEI/kg is 8.14E-01.

Plant Landscape Design Research of Urban Residential Area Based on Low-Carbon Concept

This paper analyzes urban plant landscape in the aspect of energy and water conservation, microclimate regulation based on the concept of low carbon. The experimental data shows that the scientific and effective carbon sink design make the low carbon residential construction feasible. And the results verify that plant landscape play an important role in the construction of urban low-carbon living area.

Earth–air tunnel heat exchanger for building space conditioning: a critical review

India is one of the largest developing countries across the world, and currently, real estate sector (in residential and commercial building’s area) is growing approximately by 10% annually. The energy demand is increasing in space heating and cooling field because of not only on the growing real estate but also due to high variation between peak seasonal temperatures. The passive heating and cooling system play an important role to meet such energy demand. Earth–air tunnel heat exchanger (EATHE) is one of the passive systems, which utilizes the undisturbed earth temperature to heat and cool the buildings. Authors feel its importance for space heating and cooling of the building, and rigorously reviewed the energy conservation aspect of EATHE. The mathematical modeling, optimization and economic viability are presented in this article. The review also focuses on the design and layout of EATHE for a residential building.

Energy metabolism regulates clathrin adaptors at thetrans-Golgi network and endosomes

Glucose is a master regulator of cell behavior in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It acts as both a metabolic substrate and a potent regulator of intracellular signaling cascades. Glucose starvation induces the transient delocalization and then partial relocalization of clathrin adaptors at the trans-Golgi network and endosomes. Although these localization responses are known to depend on the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway, the molecular mechanism of this regulation is unknown. Here we demonstrate that PKA and the AMP-regulated kinase regulate adaptor localization through changes in energy metabolism. We show that genetic and chemical manipulation of intracellular ATP levels cause corresponding changes in adaptor localization. In permeabilized cells, exogenous ATP is sufficient to induce adaptor localization. Furthermore, we reveal distinct energy-dependent steps in adaptor localization: a step that requires the ADP-ribosylation factor ARF, an ATP-dependent step that requires the phosphatidyl-inositol-4 kinase Pik1, and third ATP-dependent step for which we provide evidence but for which the mechanism is unknown. We propose that these energy-dependent mechanisms precisely synchronize membrane traffic with overall proliferation rates and contribute a crucial aspect of energy conservation during acute glucose starvation.

ライフサイクルに基づく地域熱供給システムの省エネルギー評価

District Heating and Cooling (DHC) has been introduced as a countermeasure against air pollution. Recently, the purposes of DHC have been diversified such as measures for energy conservation, urban disaster prevention, and global environment protection. As the construction of environment-friendly social systems is becoming one of the most important tasks of our time, DHC can be expected to play a significant role in energy conservation in the consumer sector. There have been many papers published from the aspect of energy conservation in DHC, and most of those studies are based on energy consumption during the operation. However, as DHC is an urban infrastructure and considering the difficulty of demolition, it is important to evaluate DHC based on Life-Cycle Energy (LCE), which considers overall energy consumption including every step from construction, operation, and repair to disposal. Therefore, in this study, the LCE of the DHCs in commercial districts were calculated based on the Input-Output table (I-O table), and the LCE parametric study was performed to conduct an energy conservation assessment of DHC in terms of LCE.

China’s Voluntary Mitigation Target and Road of Low-carbon Development

Abstract China is going through a rapid development stage of industrialization and urbanization. Although tremendous achievements have been made in the aspects of energy conservation, improvement of energy effectiveness and development of new and renewable energies, because of the rapid development of economy, it is difficult to change the huge total amount and fast increase of CO2 emission in the near future. China has to confront the tough challenge to address global climate change. China plans to reduce carbon intensity, that is, CO2 emissions per unit GDP, by 40 to 45% by 2020 compared with the 2005 level. It is a strategic option to coordinate domestic sustainable development with coping with global climate change on the basis of China’s national circumstances, representing the core content and key measures for transforming development pattern and realizing low-carbon development. To achieve the target, more capital and technology inputs are required for energy conservation and low-carbon development...