Condensation System Research Articles

Enhancing the collectivity of water vapor in a plastic film tunnel using an improved underground condensation system

Enhancing the collectivity of water vapor in a plastic film tunnel using an improved underground condensation system

Cotton Ginners Handbook – Packaging Lint Cotton

Bale packaging is the final step in processing cotton at the gin. Bale packaging is critical to protecting and preserving the quality of the ginned lint during shipping and storage before consumption at the textile mill. Smooth operation of the bale press and associated systems is required for the efficient operation of the ginning plant. Properly shaped bales are important to the safe and efficient handling and storage of bales. The bale press, condenser, and hydraulic systems must be sized to match the design capacity of the ginning plant in order to maximize capacity. Bale presses may be designed to produce Universal Density bales or High Density bales, although only Universal Density bales are currently approved by USDA. Proper maintenance of the bale press and related systems translates into reduced downtime for the ginning plant. All bale packaging, including the bale covering and strapping or ties, must be approved by the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee in order for the bales to be eligible for collateral in the Commodity Credit Corporation loan program. This manuscript discusses the individual components of a cotton gin bale packaging system and settings to ensure the consistent production of uniform bales of cotton lint.

Design and operational features of an active condensation system for enhanced energy efficiency in a biomass-fired district heating plant

The study addresses the design and operational features of an active condensation (AC) system aimed at improving the energy efficiency of a 3rd generation district heating (DH) plant. Several similar biomass-utilizing plants have recently been built in the Republic of Serbia. The plant is equipped with biomass-fired boilers totaling 2 MW capacity, utilizing varying qualities of wet wood chips. The goals are: (i) to determine optimal constant and variable quench temperatures; (ii) to calculate the electricity consumption of ancillary devices and assess their impact on AC system performance; (iii) to evaluate the effect of biomass moisture variations on system size and performance; (iv) to assess the economic viability of integrating the AC system; and (v) to establish selection and design criteria for the heat pump (HP). For a given commercial HP, an optimal quench temperature exists, dependent on the minimal temperature lift required by the HP. This temperature can be calculated simply by subtracting the minimal HP lift from the lowest possible temperature that the HP can supply to a DH system at the average outdoor temperature. Consequently, an optimal variable quench temperature exists that should be adjusted to enable the HP to operate with its minimal temperature lift.

Fault Diagnosis of an Excitation System Using a Fuzzy Neural Network Optimized by a Novel Adaptive Grey Wolf Optimizer

As the excitation system is the core control component of a synchronous condenser system, its fault diagnosis is crucial for maximizing the reactive power compensation capability of the synchronous condenser. To achieve accurate diagnosis of excitation system faults, this paper proposes a novel adaptive grey wolf optimizer (AGWO) to optimize the initial weights and biases of the fuzzy neural network (FNN), thereby enhancing the diagnostic performance of the FNN model. Firstly, an improved nonlinear convergence factor is introduced to balance the algorithm’s global exploration and local exploitation capabilities. Secondly, a new adaptive position update strategy that enhances the interaction capability of the position information is proposed to improve the algorithm’s ability to jump out of the local optimum and accelerate the convergence speed. In addition, it is demonstrated that the proposed AGWO algorithm has global convergence. By selecting real fault waveforms of the excitation system for case validation, the results show that the proposed AGWO has a better convergence performance compared to the grey wolf optimizer (GWO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), whale optimization algorithm (WOA), and marine predator algorithm (MPA). Specifically, compared to the FNN and GWO-FNN models, the AGWO-FNN model improves average diagnostic accuracy on the test set by 4.2% and 2.5%, respectively. Therefore, the proposed AGWO-FNN effectively enhances the accuracy of fault diagnosis in the excitation system and exhibits stronger diagnostic capability.

Exergy analysis of hybrid air-conditioning systems with different evaporative-cooling condensers under hot-humid climates

Evaporative cooling (EC) technology can effectively improve the energy efficiency of the mechanical vapor compression (MVC) system by enhancing the heat exchange capacity of its condenser. However, the current evaporative-cooling condenser system is usually only equipped with a single-stage evaporative cooler as the precooling unit, and these designs are mainly suitable for hot-dry conditions. In this study, three hybrid air-conditioning systems with different two-stage evaporative-cooling condenser configurations were proposed, one is single-condenser type and the other two are dual-condenser type, which are used to improve the exergy performance and adaptability of the evaporative condenser system under hot-humid climates. Then, the all systems were modeled via the distributed parametric method and analyzed comparatively based on the exergy method. A suitable exergy reference temperature at air saturation was discussed. Finally, the effect of four key parameters (ambient temperature and relative humidity, outdoor airflow rate and room heat load) was studied. The results showed that under the high temperature, relative humidity or room heat load conditions, the hybrid systems have a low exergy efficiency ratio (EXR) and high exergy efficiency (ηx,OEC). Among them, the newly countercurrent dual-condenser configuration (MVC-TSEC(C)) exhibits the best exergy performance under most hot-humid conditions. Compared to the conventional MVC system, the EXR and ηx,OEC of MVC-TSEC(C) increased by at most 35.0 % and 78.2 %, respectively. Moreover, its components like compressor, condenser and expansion valve have the maximum reduction rates of exergy destruction of 43.5 %, 17.2 % and 55.3 %, respectively.

Production and characterization of two-step condensation bio-oil from pyrolysis

The goal of this project is to investigate the potential of fuel production directly from slow pyrolysis of straw pellets without further refining. A two-step condensation was used to separate liquids from the volatiles. The thermal process chosen is slow pyrolysis at 500°C to couple the fuel production with carbon capture by maximizing the char production alongside bio-oils collection. Condensation parameters were tuned to improve the pyrolysis oil quality. To assess the oil quality some requirements on marine fuels, bio-oils and boiler fuels were taken as reference. Three condensation conditions were inspected: the best pyrolysis overall process was repeated three times for a total of five pyrolysis processes (lately referred to as runs). As expected, the bio-oil characteristic changed with the condensation temperature. As a result of lowering the bio-oil condensation temperature, the bio-oil results less viscous, less dense, with lower heating value and with higher water content. The final bio-oil produced was almost compliant to ISO 8217:2017 for residual marine fuels K 380, apart from water content and acid number, while it was almost compliant for the standard EN 16900:2017 for industrial boilers fuels, apart for the kinematic viscosity. It was assessed that the char is produced with an average yield of 27 w% on dry basis, while bio-oil has a yield between 5 and 10 w%. It is possible to recover an average of 72 % of the total energy contained in the straw in the valuable products, gas, char and bio-oil. The carbon captured with charcoal was around 49 w% of the total present in straw. The pyrolysis experiments were performed using an innovative semi-batch, packed-bed reactor with gas re-circulation and a new two-fraction condensation appliance that is DTU patented. The innovation is both in the reactor, where the gas is directly heated and flushed back into the pyrolyser, and in the condensation section, where the bio-oil is separated from the water fraction during the pyrolysis. The company Stiesdal SkyClean A/S showed interest in further development and scale up of this pyrolysis and condensation system.

Chemical engineering perspective of pyrolysis reactor and condenser system for biomass valorisation

The manuscript investigates the design, operating, and economic parameters of components in a biomass pyrolysis system. It covers two key components, the pyrolysis reactor and condenser, with plans to discuss other components in future publications. The study relies on experimental data from a fixed-bed reactor, bio-oil retention experiments using various vials, and computational modeling of the pyrolysis process using a lumped model. The experimental data were thoroughly analysed, considering different types of pyrolysis reactors and heating methods. Dimensionless numbers were employed to predict the impact of changing feed characteristics during pyrolysis. The second part of the study focuses on the operation of conventional condensers and how Bio-oil deposition on their surfaces affects efficiency and cost. Experimental estimation of Bio-oil film thickness on stainless steel and glass surfaces is presented, along with its effects. Finally, a hybrid condenser, combining stainless steel with a glass lining, is proposed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs based on operational requirements.

Redefining the Criteria and Testing for Gas Hydrate Slurry Transportability with an Anti-Agglomerant in Condensate Systems

Redefining the Criteria and Testing for Gas Hydrate Slurry Transportability with an Anti-Agglomerant in Condensate Systems

Nonequilibrium phases of a biomolecular condensate facilitated by enzyme activity.

Biomolecular condensates represent a frontier in cellular organization, existing as dynamic materials driven out of equilibrium by active cellular processes. Here we explore active mechanisms of condensate regulation by examining the interplay between DEAD-box helicase activity and RNA base-pairing interactions within ribonucleoprotein condensates. We demonstrate how the ATP-dependent activity of DEAD-box helicases-a key class of enzymes in condensate regulation-acts as a nonequilibrium driver of condensate properties through the continuous remodeling of RNA interactions. By combining the LAF-1 DEAD-box helicase with a designer RNA hairpin concatemer, we unveil a complex landscape of dynamic behaviors, including time-dependent alterations in RNA partitioning, evolving condensate morphologies, and shifting condensate dynamics. Importantly, we reveal an antagonistic relationship between RNA secondary structure and helicase activity which promotes condensate homogeneity via a nonequilibrium steady state. By elucidating these nonequilibrium mechanisms, we gain a deeper understanding of cellular organization and expand the potential for active synthetic condensate systems.

Design development of condenser system for condensing smoke produced by carbonization process

Design development of condenser system for condensing smoke produced by carbonization process

Methodological Solutions for Predicting Energy Efficiency of Organic Rankine Cycle Waste Heat Recovery Systems Considering Technological Constraints

Solving strategic IMO tasks for the decarbonization of maritime transport and the dynamics of its controlling indicators (EEDI, EEXI, CII) involves the comprehensive use of renewable and low-carbon fuels (LNG, biodiesel, methanol in the mid-term perspective of 2030, ammonia, and hydrogen to achieve zero emissions by 2050) and energy-saving technologies. The technology of regenerating secondary heat sources of the ship’s power plant WHR in the form of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is considered one of the most promising solutions. The attractiveness of the ORC is justified by the share of the energy potential of WHR at 45–50%, almost half of which are low-temperature WHR (80–90 °C and below). However, according to DNV GL, the widespread adoption of WHR-ORC technologies, especially on operating ships, is hindered by the statistical lack of system prototypes combined with the high cost of implementation. Developing methodological tools for justifying the energy efficiency indicators of WHR–ORC cycle implementation is relevant at all stages of design. The methodological solutions proposed in this article are focused on the initial stages of comparative evaluation of alternative structural solutions (without the need to use detailed technical data of the ship’s systems, power plant, and ORC nodes), expected indicators of energy efficiency, and cycle performance. The development is based on generalized results of variation studies of the ORC in the structure of the widely used main marine medium-speed diesel engine Wärtsilä 12V46F (14,400 kW, 500 min−1) in the operational load cycle range of 25–100% of nominal power. The algorithm of the proposed solutions is based on the established interrelationship of the components of the ORC energy balance in the P-h diagram field of thermodynamic indicators of the cycle working fluid (R134a was used). The implemented strategy does allow, in graphical form, for justifying the choice of working fluid and evaluating the energy performance and efficiency of alternative WHR sources for the main engine, taking into account the design solutions of the power turbine and the technological constraints of the ORC condensation system. The verification of the developed methodological solutions is served by the results of comprehensive variation studies of the ORC performed by the authors using the professionally oriented thermoengineering tool “Thermoflow” and the specification data of Wärtsilä 12V46F with an achieved increase in energy efficiency indicators by 21.4–7%.

Protein Condensate Atlas from predictive models of heteromolecular condensate composition

Biomolecular condensates help cells organise their content in space and time. Cells harbour a variety of condensate types with diverse composition and many are likely yet to be discovered. Here, we develop a methodology to predict the composition of biomolecular condensates. We first analyse available proteomics data of cellular condensates and find that the biophysical features that determine protein localisation into condensates differ from known drivers of homotypic phase separation processes, with charge mediated protein-RNA and hydrophobicity mediated protein-protein interactions playing a key role in the former process. We then develop a machine learning model that links protein sequence to its propensity to localise into heteromolecular condensates. We apply the model across the proteome and find many of the top-ranked targets outside the original training data to localise into condensates as confirmed by orthogonal immunohistochemical staining imaging. Finally, we segment the condensation-prone proteome into condensate types based on an overlap with biomolecular interaction profiles to generate a Protein Condensate Atlas. Several condensate clusters within the Atlas closely match the composition of experimentally characterised condensates or regions within them, suggesting that the Atlas can be valuable for identifying additional components within known condensate systems and discovering previously uncharacterised condensates.

A comprehensive review on the Dynamical behavior of heat and fluid flow mechanism: Thermal performance across different geometries

The prominent novelty of current review is to exhibit the fluctuating and oscillatory convective heat transfer properties along various geometries with magnetic force, variable density, Prandtl number, buoyancy force and magnetic Prandtl number effects. The significance of present work is to illustrate a comprehensive review on transient convective heat transfer. Transient convective heat transfer plays an essential role in various technological and environmental applications, including climate control, structure safety, engines, thermal control, computer heating and cooling, and energy safety. The literature primarily focuses on steady temperature and velocity domains, with few studies exploring time-varying fluid flow in forced, natural, or mixed convective mechanisms with different methods. In current review, justification of results was performed by using oscillating stokes conditions directly in partial differential models. The similarity variables and stream functions are used in literature but in current review, the primitive variable transformation is used with implicit form of finite difference method and Gaussian elimination technique through FORTRAN and Tecplot-360 programming tools. The governing model is reduced into steady, real and imaginary form to explore steady and oscillating convective heat transmission. Transient flows have gained significance due to their ability to achieve large oscillating convective heat transfer rates. Compared with steady movement, oscillating flows exhibit higher velocity variations along the heated surface. Periodic flow produces an improved transient surface heat transmission rate than steady flow. Predicting and controlling transients in thermal exchangers requires a concept of transient forced convection heat transport. Transient convective thermal transmission solutions are important for ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of electrical components, nuclear and thermal power stations, heat-generating engines, steam turbines, condensation systems, catalytic converters, heat shielding for spacecraft, electrical devices, internal combustion engines, air conditioning and refrigerator components, cooling networks for batteries, generators, and transformers. It is found that the frequency of convective heat transport enhances through periodic and oscillating stokes variables. It was depicted that the higher amplitude in convective heat transfer was displayed for each choice of magnetic force parameter around two angles π/4 and π of circular magnetized surface. It was depicted that the maximum transient convective heat transmission was reported along vertical angle π/2 with buoyancy force, Prandtl and magnetic Prandtl values.

Strengthening Power Systems for Net Zero: A Review of the Role of Synchronous Condensers and Emerging Challenges

System strength is both supplied and demanded in a power system during normal operations and in the presence of disturbances. This is characterised by stable voltage and frequency, supporting renewable generation such as wind and solar. Because the retirement of synchronous generators reduces system strength supply, and the connection of new inverter-based resource (IBR) generators increases demand, there is an urgent need for new sources of system strength. This paper provides an overview of the challenges brought about by grid modernisation. It highlights tangible solutions provided by synchronous condensers (SCs) to bolster grid strength, stability, and reliability while accommodating the rising influx of renewable energy sources (RESs). Furthermore, this paper examines the role of SCs in improving weak grids, voltage control, power quality, short-circuit levels, and inertia management. It introduces the role of innovative hybrid synchronous condenser (HSC) systems to boost grid reliability and resilience. It also elaborates on the optimisation strategies for SC sizing, placement, and control and outlines economic aspects of their deployment. The review also highlights future directions and challenges in SC technology, emphasising the need for ongoing research and development to enhance system design and operation.

STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE APPLICATION OF COMPLEX GEOLOGICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES ON THE EXAMPLE OF GAS-CONDENSATE GENERATION IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE PRIAXIAL ZONE OF THE DNIPROV-DNETZ BASIN

The field development system is the basis of hydrocarbon production, as it ensures the achievement of the necessary technical and economic indicators. Therefore, a high-perfor- mance development system is necessary to ensure maximum profit in the shortest possible time. Empirical studies, analysis and assessment of the effect of implementing a complex of geological and technological measures on the operational facility of a gas condensate field in the central part of the peri-axial zone of the Dnieper-Donets Basin were carried out in order to find methods for improving the existing gas and gas condensate field development systems and increasing gas extraction rates. It is shown that due to hydraulic fracturing, drilling and transfer of wells to the production facility during the five years of production of the produced gas, it is 7.8 % more than in the previous 21 hours, the rate of development of the field from 2015 to 2019 increased from 2.52 %. to 7.9 %, the average well yield increased by 83 % with an increase in the operational fund by 55 %. The results of studies of the effect of the application of geo- logical-technological measures are shown in the form of graphical dependences of the change in the rate of sampling on the number of production wells over time, the rate of daily gas sampling on the number of conducted geological-technological measures on the researched operational object over time. It has been determined that the main driver of the increase in gas production is the hydraulic fracturing of the formation in most of the operational wells, thanks to which the average increase in the output of the wells is 425 %. According to the results of geological and industrial data processing and analysis of changes in the rate of daily gas extraction over time, the effect of the performed operations is divided into three time segments lasting 15–18 months. The decrease in the duration of the effect from the increase in the fund of production wells and the conduct of hydraulic fracturing of the reservoir is due to the decrease in the volume of reservoir energy, therefore the investigated complex of measures will have the greatest effect when implemented at the initial stage of the development of a reservoir with similar geological parameters.

Improving metrology with quantum scrambling in a spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensate coupled to a cavity

Spinor Bose-Einstein condensate is an ideal candidate for implementing the many-body entanglement, quantum measurement and quantum information processing owing to its inherent spin-mixing dynamics. Here we present a system of an 87Rb atomic spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensate coupled to an optical ring cavity, in which cavity-mediated nonlinear interactions give rise to saddle points in the semiclassical phase space, providing a general mechanism for exponential fast scrambling and metrological gain augment. We theoretically study metrological gain and fidelity out-of-time-ordered correlator based on time-reversal protocols and demonstrate that exponential rapid scrambling dynamics can enhance quantum metrology. In addition, we use the out-of-time-ordered correlator to probe dynamical phase transitions. This work is useful to understand the intrinsic relation between the concepts from different subfields of quantum science.

Resonant edge-state switching across topological bulk bands

We propose a physical mechanism allowing topological excitations with the same Bloch momentum belonging to distinct gaps to be resonant switched. This offers an opportunity to observe both intra-gap and inter-gap resonant edge-state switching. Increasing modulation depth significantly accelerates the resonant switching, while frequency de-tuning inhibits the switching. However, for the same set of parameters, the inter-gap conversion is always faster and more efficient than the intra-gap conversion. Furthermore, weak nonlinearity nearly completely hinders intra-gap switching, but it has almost no effect on inter-gap switching. This fact indicates that inter-gap resonant edge-state switching is more applicable for the nonlinear polaritons system. Additionally, we found that the dependence of switching time on the Bloch momentum qualitatively differed for these two different types of resonant edge-state switching. The results can be applied to a Bose Einstein condensate system to realize cold-atom resonant edge-state switching.

Design and Performance Analysis of a Small-Scale Prototype Water Condensing System for Biomass Combustion Flue Gas Abatement

This article outlines the design and performance of a flue gas condensation system integrated with a biomass combustion plant. The system comprises a biomass plant fuelled by wood chips, generating flue gases. These gases are condensed via a double heat exchanger set-up, extracting water and heat to reduce concentrations of CO, CO2, and NOx while releasing gases at a temperature close to ambient temperature. The 100 kW biomass plant operates steadily, consuming 50 kg of wood chips per hour with fuel energy of 18.98 MJ/kg. Post combustion, the gases exit at 430 °C and undergo two-stage cooling. In the first stage, gases are cooled in a high-temperature tube heat exchanger, transferring heat to air. They then enter the second stage, a flue gas/water heat exchanger, recovering sensible and latent thermal energy, which leads to water condensation. Flue gas is discharged at approximately 33 °C. Throughout, parameters like the flue gas temperatures, mass flow, fuel consumption, heat carrier temperatures, and water condensation rates were monitored. The test results show that the system can condense water from flue gas at 75 g/min at 22 °C while reducing pollutant emissions by approximately 20% for CO2, 19% for CO, 30% for NO, and 26% for NOx.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling of the Temperature Distribution in Power Plant's Cooling Canal

Seawater used as a heat exchanger in the coal-fired power plant condenser system has a higher water temperature than the natural temperature of seawater. There was an increase in the temperature of the waters around the coal-fired power plant due to the discharge of boiling water reaching 6.50C. According to the regulations in force in Indonesia, the hot water temperature at the water discharge outlet should not be more than 20C of the natural temperature of seawater. The purpose of this study is to predict the pattern of temperature decrease in the temperature of the boiling water along the cooling line. The method used to predict temperature drop patterns along the cooling line uses a 3-dimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) modelling approach with the Ansys Fluent 2023 RI application. The K-Epsilon turbulence model was chosen to describe the effect of flow turbulence on temperature changes. The modelling results were validated by comparing the actual measurements of the water temperature field data representing along the cooling line. The results showed that the performance of reducing the temperature of the water increased when passing through the cascade aeration downstream of the channel. The flow of water along the channel tends to be on the lower side, and downstream, the flow is on the left–middle side. The error calculation using MAPE resulted in 9.49%.

Size Scaling of Condensates in Multicomponent Phase Separation.

Constant proportionalities between cells and their intracellular organelles have been widely observed in various types of cells, known as intracellular size scaling. However, the mechanism underlying the size scaling and its modulation by environmental factors in multicomponent systems remain poorly understood. Here, we study the size scaling of membrane-less condensates using microdroplet-encapsulated minimalistic condensates formed by droplet microfluidics and mean-field theory. We demonstrate that the size scaling of condensates is an inherent characteristic of liquid-liquid phase separation. This concept is supported by experiments showing the occurrence of size scaling phenomena in various condensate systems and a generic lever rule acquired from mean-field theory. Moreover, it is found that the condensate-to-microdroplet scaling ratio can be affected by the solute and salt concentrations, with good agreement between experiments and predictions by theory. Notably, we identify a noise buffering mechanism whereby condensates composed of large macromolecules effectively maintain constant volumes and counteract concentration fluctuations of small molecules. This mechanism is achieved through the dynamic rearrangement of small molecules in and out of membrane-free interfaces. Our work provides crucial insights into understanding mechanistic principles that govern the size of cells and intracellular organelles as well as associated biological functions.