Closed-cycle System Research Articles

Effect of Temperature on Corrosion Resistance of Layered Double Hydroxides Conversion Coatings on Magnesium Alloys Based on a Closed-Cycle System

The effect of temperature on the corrosion resistance of layered double hydroxide (LDH) conversion coatings on AZ91D magnesium alloy, based on a closed-cycle system, was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffractometry (GAXRD) were used to study the surface morphology, chemical composition, and phase composition of the conversion coating. The corrosion resistance of the LDH conversion coating was determined through electropotentiometric polarisation curve and hydrogen evolution and immersion tests. The results showed that the conversion coating has the highest density and a more uniform, complete, and effective corrosion resistance at 50 °C. The chemical composition of the LDH conversion coating mainly comprises C, O, Mg, and Al, and the main phase is Mg6Al2(OH)16CO3·4H2O.

Solid-state MAS NMR at ultra low temperature of hydrated alanine doped with DNP radicals

Magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments at ultra low temperature (ULT) (≪ 100 K) have demonstrated clear benefits for obtaining large signal sensitivity gain and probing spin dynamics phenomena at ULT. ULT NMR is furthermore a highly promising platform for solid-state dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). However, ULT NMR is not widely used, given limited availability of such instrumentation from commercial sources. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of hydrated [U-13C]alanine, a standard bio-solid sample, from the first commercial 14.1 Tesla NMR spectrometer equipped with a closed-cycle helium ULT-MAS system. The closed-cycle helium MAS system provides precise temperature control from 25 K to 100 K and stable MAS from 1.5 kHz to 12 kHz. The 13C CP-MAS NMR of [U-13C]alanine showed 400% signal gain at 28 K compared with at 100 K. The large sensitivity gain results from the Boltzmann factor, radio frequency circuitry quality factor improvement, and the suppression of its methyl group rotation at ULT. We further observed that the addition of organic biradicals widely used for solid-state DNP significantly shortens the 1H T1 spin lattice relaxation time at ULT, without further broadening the 13C spectral linewidth compared to at 90 K. The mechanism of 1H T1 shortening is dominated by the two-electron-one-nucleus triple flip transition underlying the Cross Effect mechanism, widely relied upon to drive solid-state DNP. Our experimental observations suggest that the prospects of MAS NMR and DNP under ULT conditions established with a closed-cycle helium MAS system are bright.

Development of novel wet sublimation cascade refrigeration system with binary mixtures of R744/R32 and R744/R290

The use of carbon dioxide (R744) in refrigeration systems is usually limited by its triple point temperature of −56.5 °C; an objective of this study was to extend the range of this natural refrigerant to include low-temperature applications. A novel wet sublimation cascade refrigeration system was developed using low-GWP mixtures of R744 with hydrocarbons (HCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as low-temperature refrigerants. With propane (HC-290) and difluoromethane (HFC-32) serving as solvents for solid carbon dioxide, temperatures as low as −72 °C were obtained in a closed cycle system with mixtures containing 67% CO2 by mass. Visualisation experiments were performed to illustrate the crystallisation of a supersaturated carbon dioxide solution. The excess solute was visible as clouding or crystals, depending on the saturation level of the solution. High heat transfer rates, up to 3465 W m–2K−1, were obtained in the sublimator/evaporator section, resulting in low wall superheat values, indicating potential industrial applicability of the carbon dioxide-based slurry-like fluid. The pressure–mole fraction and temperature–mole fraction diagrams were constructed to study the system parameters working with binary mixtures. Moreover, vapour pressures of the binary mixtures of R744/R290 and R744/R32 at the temperature of –72.5 °C were experimentally obtained.

First Russian 220 kV Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) For Application in City Grid

The superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) for a nominal voltage of 220 kV and a rated current of 1200 A was developed by SuperOx company to be applied in high voltage substation in Moscow, Russia. The device is a three-phase dead-tank apparatus and is equipped with a closed-cycle cryocooling system. Liquid nitrogen serves simultaneously as a cooling and an insulating media. The device makes use of about 25 km of 12 mm wide high-performance 2G HTS wire with uniform properties along the length. High-voltage tests of the device were performed at Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) in accordance with the IEEE C37.302-2015 test guide and Russian national standards for high voltage electrical equipment. The installation of the SFCL at substation in parallel with the existing air core reactors was completed in 2019. Since then, the device is in a daily operation. Over this period, SFCL has fully confirmed its design specifications including transmitting over 80 million kWh to customers and experiencing three fault current events.

Numerical study and optimization of the new concept of a solar air heater with a closed-cycle heat recovery system

The increased efficiency of solar air heaters has been of great importance in recent years. In this study, the effects of environmental parameters on the performance of a new generation of combined solar air heaters were investigated. Using a novel method in an optimization algorithm, the mixing ratio of fresh air and heated air from this type of heater’s reheat system was optimized. The differential equation was modified for this geometry and boundary conditions. As part of the study, the heat recovery system and the preheating of inlet air were applied to increase the efficiency of the air heater. A version of the air heater with a heat recovery system and a version without one were analyzed using Reynolds numbers in the range of 1000 to 8000. In addition, the recovery and preheating cycles were set to close and open, respectively. Note that an air heat exchanger is responsible for transferring the recovery system’s fluid energy to the air heater inlet fluid. The calculations of the numerical modeling of air heaters and closed-cycle recovery systems were independently performed in this study. The research study’s results showed that adding a recovery system to a solar air heater increased the efficiency and the Nusselt number by 15.23% and 7.8%, respectively. The mean temperature of the air heater was dependent on the mixing rate between fresh inlet air and heated air in the heat exchanger in the recovery cycle. In addition, the results indicated that through optimization, the Nu could be increased up to 23%.

Effect of Hybrid Controller on a Heat Exchanger for Enhancing Heat Transfer Rate of Al2O3 Nanofluid

In this research paper, a hybrid controller is designed and developed which maintains the outlet temperature of a shell and tube heat exchanger by varying the cold water flow rate in such a way that conform the desired set value. Al2O3 nanofluid is mixed with water is to be used as the cooling fluid to increase the rate of heat transfer. PID controller only is not suitable for precise and a wide range of temperature control requirement. So that hybrid controller is designed and implemented by combining methods of fuzzy logic and PID controller’s concepts using Labview. Experiments were done on parallel flow shell and tube heat exchanger in a closed cycle system. The performance of the heat exchanger system is improved by a hybrid controller and the heat transfer rate is enhanced by aluminum oxide nanofluid.

The Comparison of Solar-Powered Hydrogen Closed-Cycle System Capacities for Selected Locations

The exhaustion of fossil fuels causes decarbonized industries to be powered by renewable energy sources and, owing to their intermittent nature, it is important to devise an efficient energy storage method. To make them more sustainable, a storage system is required. Modern electricity storage systems are based on different types of chemical batteries, electromechanical devices, and hydrogen power plants. However, the parameters of power plant components vary from one geographical location to another. The idea of the present research is to compare the composition of a solar-powered hydrogen processing closed-cycle power plant among the selected geographical locations (Russia, India, and Australia), assuming the same power consumption conditions, but different insolation conditions, and thus the hydrogen equipment capacity accordingly. The number of solar modules in an array is different, thus the required hydrogen tank capacity is also different. The comparison of equipment requires building an uninterrupted power supply for the selected geographical locations, which shows that the capacity of the equipment components would be significantly different. These numbers may serve as the base for further economic calculations of energy cost.

A Computational Investigation of PPCI-Diffusion Combustion Strategy at Full Load in a Light-Duty GCI Engine

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">A two-stage PPCI-diffusion combustion process recently showed good potential to enable clean and fuel-efficient gasoline compression ignition (GCI) combustion at medium-to-high loads. By conducting closed-cycle 3-D CFD combustion analysis, a further step was undertaken in this work to evaluate and optimize the PPCI-diffusion combustion strategy at a full load operating point (2000rpm-23.5 bar IMEPcc) while keeping engine-out NOx below 1 g/kWh.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">The light-duty GCI engine used in this investigation featured a custom-designed piston bowl geometry at a 17.0 compression ratio (CR), a high pressure diesel fuel injection system, and advanced single-stage turbocharging. A split fuel injection strategy was used to enable the two-stage PPCI-diffusion combustion process.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">First, the injector spray pattern and swirl ratio effects were evaluated. In-cylinder air utilization and the PPCI-diffusion combustion process were notably influenced by the closed-cycle combustion system design. Among the different spray patterns at a swirl ratio of 0, the one with 120° spray inclusion angle, 8-hole, and 1.5 times total nozzle area (TNA) was favored due to enhanced late-stage fuel-air mixing and more rapid diffusion combustion. In the second step, a fuel injection strategy optimization campaign was performed through a space-filling Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. Overall, the optimized injector spray pattern and the optimized fuel injection strategy together were predicted to produce 5.1% lower ISFC and 50% soot reduction over the baseline. A competitive analysis showed the optimized PPCI-diffusion combustion strategy had the potential to generate substantially lower NOx and soot than a modern light-duty diesel engine at full load.</div></div>

A scanning quantum cryogenic atom microscope at 6 K

The Scanning Quantum Cryogenic Atom Microscope (SQCRAMscope) is a quantum sensor in which a quasi-1D quantum gas images electromagnetic fields emitted from a nearby sample. We report improvements to the microscope. Cryogen usage is reduced by replacing the liquid cryostat with a closed-cycle system and modified cold finger, and cryogenic cooling is enhanced by adding a radiation shield. The minimum accessible sample temperature is reduced from 35~K to 5.7~K while maintaining low sample vibrations. A new sample mount is easier to exchange, and quantum gas preparation is streamlined.

Resonant Excitation and Purcell Enhancement of Coherent Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers Coupled to a Fabry-Perot Microcavity

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond has been established as a prime building block for quantum networks. However, scaling beyond a few network nodes is currently limited by low spin-photon entanglement rates, resulting from the NV center's low probability of coherent photon emission and collection. Integration into a cavity can boost both values via the Purcell effect, but poor optical coherence of near-surface NV centers has so far prevented their resonant optical control, as would be required for entanglement generation. Here, we overcome this challenge, and demonstrate resonant addressing of individual, fiber-cavity-coupled NV centers, and collection of their Purcell-enhanced coherent photon emission. Utilizing off-resonant and resonant addressing protocols, we extract Purcell factors of up to 4, consistent with a detailed theoretical model. This model predicts that the probability of coherent photon detection per optical excitation can be increased to 10% for realistic parameters - an improvement over state-of-the art solid immersion lens collection systems by two orders of magnitude. The resonant operation of an improved optical interface for single coherent quantum emitters in a closed-cycle cryogenic system at T $\sim$ 4 K is an important result towards extensive quantum networks with long coherence.

Modeling and analysis of the compressor for the closed cycle system on anti-surge process

In order to study the interaction mechanism of the pipe network, the compressor and the control system in the process of the anti-surge regulation, the simulation model of the overall Closed Cycle System (CCS) is established in this paper. By comparing the simulation results with the target values at the Design Operation and the Maximum Mach Operation, the calculation deviation is less than 1%, which verifies the accuracy of the model. At the Maximum Mach Operation, the analysis of the CCS during the quasi steady process and the dynamic process is carried out respectively. According to the result of quasi steady state analysis, the effectiveness of the designed anti-surge circuit during the normal operating process of the CCS is verified. By opening the Anti-Surge Valve, additional 38.5% surge margin is provided. And the surge margin at the simulation process would be slightly higher than the design value for the variation of the inlet condition from the different operations. Through the dynamic analysis, the changes of the different performance parameters are studied in the process of sudden blockage in the pipe network, and during this process the compressor surge could be induced easily due to the sharp decline of the inlet pressure. To ensure the safety of the compressor during the acceleration and deceleration process, the moving trajectory of the operation point on the Compressor Characteristic Map should be studied by considering the effect of the resistance characteristics of the CCS pipe network. In addition, the anti-surge system should have a high response frequency to deal with the sudden blockage.

Experimental study of jet impingement heat transfer with microencapsulated phase change material slurry

Based on the heat dissipation requirement of high heat flux for electronic chips, this paper establishes a closed-cycle experimental system and investigates jet impingement heat transfer characteristics with a microencapsulated phase change material (MEPCM) slurry as the working fluid. The phase change properties of the MEPCM particles and the thermal properties of the MEPCM slurry are analysed. The effects of several key parameters on the heat transfer and pressure drop of jet impingement are also discussed. Experimental results show that a 10% mass fraction of MEPCM slurry may enhance jet heat transfer by 32.8% compared with water because of the latent heat absorption of the PCM core. The heat transfer enhancement will be limited for higher mass fractions of slurry. The slurry exhibits a high heat transfer efficiency when the jet distance is ΔL/D = 4–9.3. The convective heat transfer coefficient of the slurry first increases and then decreases as the jet inlet temperature increases, and the optimum jet inlet temperature is approximately 12.1 °C lower than the melting peak temperature. Jet temperatures that are too high or too low will lead to deterioration of heat transfer for the slurry. These findings can provide guidance for the design of heat dissipation systems using MEPCM slurries.

Flow-Controlled Spray Cooling Approaches for Dynamic Thermal Management

Abstract Two-phase spray cooling is considered as one of the most promising thermal management techniques characterized by high heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and critical heat flux (CHF), as well as near-uniform temperatures on target surface. Normally, spray cooling systems feature steady flow rate and continuous spray, and are designed to satisfy the maximum expected heat load. However, if the heat load varies due to operating conditions, such as cold starts and pulsing power cycles, a spray cooling system uses excessive coolant most of the time, and causes low cooling efficiencies because of lower utilization of phase-change heat transfer and higher pumping power. This study aimed to investigate variable and intermittent flow spray cooling characteristics for dynamic thermal management. Variable flow spray cooling scheme requires control of pump input voltage (or speed), and intermittent flow spray cooling scheme requires control of solenoid valve duty cycle and frequency. Tests were conducted on a closed-cycle system with HFE-7100 dielectric coolant at varying liquid flow rate and subcooling conditions, and using smooth and enhanced heat transfer surfaces. Results, compared to a baseline performance from steady flow case, indicated that the variable flow spray cooling conditions achieve similar cooling performance at low and moderate heat fluxes, while the intermittent flow spray conditions result in high temperature penalty and much lower CHF.

Circular economy as a new state of the economic system

This study reviews the circular economy as a new field of economic knowledge, which involves the transformation of production and consumption systems by managing the cost of production and consumption waste generation and the development of new product units. Cost management is based on the principles of renewal and reuse of production and consumption waste. Thus, the object of research is the waste of production and consumption, as an inevitable result of social activity. The subject of the study is closed-cycle economic systems, the basis of which is: the renewal of resources, the consistency of processes and the circularity of production and consumption cycles. The purpose of the study is to reveal the content of the circular economy as a new field of economic and ecosystem knowledge. The research methodology involves the use of generally recognized methods of scientific cognition of an extraspectual nature. The results of the study are an assessment of the development and trends of the retrospective and forecast period of the implementation of the principles of the circular economy in Russia. &nbsp

Feasibility of a Helium Closed-Cycle Gas Turbine for UAV Propulsion

When selecting a design for an unmanned aerial vehicle, the choice of the propulsion system is vital in terms of mission requirements, sustainability, usability, noise, controllability, reliability and technology readiness level (TRL). This study analyses the various propulsion systems used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), paying particular focus on the closed-cycle propulsion systems. The study also investigates the feasibility of using helium closed-cycle gas turbines for UAV propulsion, highlighting the merits and demerits of helium closed-cycle gas turbines. Some of the advantages mentioned include high payload, low noise and high altitude mission ability; while the major drawbacks include a heat sink, nuclear hazard radiation and the shield weight. A preliminary assessment of the cycle showed that a pressure ratio of 4, turbine entry temperature (TET) of 800 °C and mass flow of 50 kg/s could be used to achieve a lightweight helium closed-cycle gas turbine design for UAV mission considering component design constraints.

New Start-up Method for a Closed-Cycle Compression System with Gas Bearings and Its Characteristics

Gas bearings, which have the advantages of low frictional resistance and power loss, high rotational speed and high temperature operation, and long life, are more suitable than are traditional liquid lubricated bearings because of their high precision, high rotational speed, and special condition support. However, the problem of starting a closed-cycle compression system with gas bearings still needs to be solved for practical application. Thus, a new start-up method for a closed-cycle compression system with aerostatic gas bearings is proposed in this paper. Further, this paper presents a numerical simulation and experimental investigation of the method’s feasibility and characteristics during the start-up process when the gas tank’s initial pressure is fixed. The results show that the gas tank volume is approximately directly proportional to the start-up time allowable, and a gas tank volume sufficiently small, which not only ensures the feasibility of start-up, but also affects other components only slightly, can be obtained. A perfect combination of radial and axial loads also can be achieved to make the start-up time allowable as long as possible. R134a is a better choice for the working medium than is air, as the start-up time allowable is longer, which leads to a smaller gas tank. This research proposes a new start-up method for a closed-cycle compression system with aerostatic gas bearings which has sufficient load capacity to support system during the start-up method.

Design and Experimental Study on a New Closed-Cycle Desalination System Based On Ambient Temperature

The use of seawater desalination technology to solve water shortages in energy- and resource-scarce regions has attracted widespread attention worldwide. In this paper, the performance of a closed-cycle humidification–dehumidification desalination system with a heat pump was experimentally investigated. The system is a closed-cycle system, which includes humidifiers, a heat pump, dehumidifiers, and an air heat exchanger. The heat pump is used by the system to carry energy. The effects of different parameters on the system performance were studied. Scale and economic analyses of the system were conducted to explore the application prospects of the system. The maximum gained output ratio of the system was 4.82. The maximum freshwater production was 960 kg/h, and the cost per kilogram of freshwater was USD 0.03, which are more considerable compared with other systems. This system provides an effective way to save energy in remote areas with energy shortages and freshwater resource shortages.

Combined evaporator and condenser for sorption cooling systems: A steady-state performance analysis

The main obstacles that prevent wide commercialization of sorption cooling/heat pump systems are their bulky size (weight), cost, and low efficiency. Combining two main cycle components, namely, evaporator and condenser, is a potential solution that can reduce the complexity, mass, and cost of such systems. Capillary-assisted low-pressure evaporators (CALPEs) are used in closed-cycle sorption systems including heat pumps, heat transformers, desalination, and thermal energy storage systems. This paper investigates the feasibility of a combined evaporator and condenser (CEC). A custom-built testbed for evaluating performance of CEC is used to test four types of commercially available finned-tube heat exchangers with a range of fin geometries. Tests were performed with water vapor pressure of 0.61–5.63 kPa and 0–35 °C heat transfer fluid (HTF) inlet temperature. Comparing tubes with different fins indicates that tubes with 1.42 mm parallel fins, 40 fins per inch (FPI), have a higher overall heat transfer coefficient as an evaporator (40 W/K) and those with 0.9 mm cross head fins (40 FPI) marginally outperformed the other tubes as a condenser (47 W/K). Therefore, the capacity of the custom-built CEC is reported within practical operating temperature range.

Reliability Evaluation of Power Systems Containing Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Power Plants

Ocean thermal energy conversion system uses from water in surface of the ocean as high temperature source and water in the depth of the ocean as low temperature source. Three types of ocean thermal energy conversion systems including close cycle, open cycle and hybrid systems are available. In a close cycle system, working fluid through a thermodynamic cycle based on the Rankine cycle can rotate the turbine and generate electricity. Due to the variation in the ocean surface temperature, the output power of the ocean thermal energy conversion system is not fixed and controllable and so this uncertainty nature results in the numerous states in the generated power of this plant. Thus, in integrating ocean thermal energy conversion systems to the power system, many aspects of power system such as reliability may be affected and so new approaches must be developed for investigation these effects. In this regard, in this paper for the first time, the reliability of power system containing ocean thermal energy conversion system is evaluated and the valuable indices such as loss of load expectation, expected energy not supplied and peak load carrying capability that can be used for generation expansion planning of power system, are calculated.

A simple system for neutron diffraction at 4 K and elevated pressures.

We describe a unique cryogen-free closed-cycle refrigerator system using a beryllium-copper VX1 variant of the Paris-Edinburgh press, which enables approximately 3 GPa to be generated on a sample volume of 66 mm3, over the temperature range of 4 K-300 K. The main advantage of this system is its versatility; it has been designed to be fully compatible with the PEARL neutron powder-diffraction instrument at the ISIS facility, but is also compatible with several other instruments at the facility with minor modifications. We provide a full description of the system, along with representative data collected on PEARL from MnF2 at 13 K and 2.4 GPa.