Capital Cost Research Articles

4E analysis of novel waste heat-driven combined cooling and power (CCP) systems based on modified Kalina-ejector refrigeration cycles

Global warming and environmental pollution are becoming increasingly severe problems due to the excessive use of fossil fuels. Recovering and utilizing waste heat from different energy systems can considered a sustainable solution to this destructive trend. This study proposes two modified Kalina cycle structures that use ejector refrigeration for combined cooling and power (CCP) generation in low-temperature waste heat. While to recover energy from a lean ammonia solution uses a two-phase expander. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the modified Kalina cycles E and F operate with a thermal efficiency of 0.3066 and 0.2557, respectively, representing a significant improvement of more than 123% and 86%, respectively, compared to the base cycle. Also, the exergy efficiency of the improved configurations E and F has been calculated as 0.083 and 0.089, respectively, showing an improvement of 53.8% and 64.8%, respectively, compared to the base cycle. The exergoeconomic analysis also revealed that the total capital cost rate for improved cycles E and F is estimated at 2.62 and 2.76 $/h, respectively. In addition, from an environmental perspective, the improved Kalina cycle F has proven to have a more eco-friendly performance with a pollution index of 0.2281 mPts/s. Moreover, a parametric study is conducted to investigate and analyze the effect of changes in significant performance parameters such as ammonia concentration, evaporator temperature, turbine inlet temperature and pressure, and turbine back-pressure for both presented modified cycles.

Emulation tests of dynamics and control for a turbocharged SOFC system

This work regards experimental emulation activities for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) pressurized by a turbocharger, focusing attention on the control system validation. The SOFC-based plant considered here was developed to couple high efficiency (due to pressurization) with reasonable capital costs. In detail, significant cost decrease (against SOFC hybrid plants including a microturbine) can be obtained with a turbocharger, due to large mass manufacturing process for these machines. Moreover, to pursue the zero emission target, the system was sized to operate with a renewable source fuel (biogas).Since this system has integration problems due to critical dynamic and control aspects, the University of Genoa designed and installed an experimental facility based on the coupling between a pressure vessel with a commercial turbocharger. The fuel cell is emulated equipping the vessel with a burner (to obtain the SOFC temperature range) and with inert ceramic material (to generate the same dynamic response).The tests presented in this work were obtained with this emulation rig operated in cyber-physical mode: the hardware interacted in real-time mode with previously validated software for components not physically included in the rig. The results demonstrated the system feasibility for load changes and validated the proposed control system, showing robustness and good prevention of critical conditions, such as SOFC thermal stress.

Unique Approach To The Use Of Complex Optimization Within The Conceptual Design Of Field Development

Abstract This article proposes an approach with application of complex optimization algorithms, which allow to automate routine operations related to the clustering of wells and optimizing the design of communication systems in promising assets. The result of algorithm’s work can be presented as a set of options that provide minimum capital costs for the construction of surface infrastructure facilities, taking into account required costs for well construction.

Prioritisation of Specific Wheat Sowing Technologies Based on AnalyticHierarchy Process and Farmers’ Perceptions

Selection of an appropriate wheat-sowing technology in the combine harvested paddy fields is essential for the timely sowing of wheat after harvesting paddy. The importance of parameters that affect farmers' decisions in selection of wheat sowing technology (WST) in the combine harvested paddy fields is assessed in the present work by implementing an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique. AHP is the most comprehensive approach for making judgements with many criteria since it supports a hierarchical structure and quantitative and qualitative features. The suitability of four most commonly used wheat sowing technologies, namely, happy seeder (T1 ), super seeder (T2 ), smart seeder (T3 ) and roto seeder (T4 ), was assessed based on the importance given to six criteria, namely, ease of use (C1 ), machine capital cost (C2 ), fuel consumption (C3 ), machine field capacity (C4 ), crop yield (C5 ), and crop germination (C6 ). Based on farmers’ perceptions and using the analytical hierarchy process approach, criteria C5 was assigned a maximum criteria priority weights of 3.21 and 3.87 for selection of T1 and T2 , respectively; while criteria C6 was assigned a maximum criteria priority weights of 3.56 and 3.63 for selection of T3 and T4 , respectively. The results showed that farmers were less concerned with machine field capacity and more focused on crop output (yield) while selecting a wheat sowing technology. Besides crop yield, crop germination and ease of use were other important factors that farmers considered highly while prioritising and selecting a wheat sowing technology for a combine harvested paddy field.

The Elasticity of Aggregate Output with Respect to Capital and Labor

It is often assumed that the elasticity of GDP with respect to capital is one-third, but this assumes zero markups and an aggregate production function. I estimate the elasticity allowing markups to vary by industry and with a rich input-output structure. Assumptions about capital costs provide bounds on elasticity. In the United States from 1948–1995, the capital elasticity ranged from 0.19–0.32 and shifted to 0. 24–0.37 by 1996–2018. Excluding housing or decapitalizing intellectual property lowers bounds to as low as 0. 11–0.26. Based on these elasticities, common estimates of total factor productivity growth represent a lower bound. (JEL E13, E22, E23, E25, N12)

Организация работы терминала при хранении контейнеров на полуприцепах

Purpose: development of a method for determining the configuration of a container terminal that will help in the terminal design process to determine the number of gantry cranes, terminal trucks, and the number and location of storage areas. Methods: materials from open sources are used in the work. A systematic approach to the design of a container terminal is applied. Results: a method for determining the configuration of a container terminal is developed, the difference being the storage of a container on a semi-trailer. Practical importance: the developed method will allow estimation of container terminal performance and capital costs before design.

Dynamics of Corporate Finance Research in Global Scientific Literature

This study explores the dynamics of corporate finance research in global scientific literature from 2000 to 2024 using a bibliometric approach. By analyzing keyword co-occurrence and citation data, the research identifies key themes, emerging trends, and influential contributors in corporate finance. Core topics such as capital structure, cost management, and debt remain central, reflecting traditional corporate finance priorities. However, newer areas, including corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate cash holdings, and behavioral finance, have gained prominence, signaling a shift towards integrating non-financial factors into corporate strategies. The study also highlights the lasting impact of global financial crises, particularly the 2008 crisis, on shaping research in financial distress, risk management, and institutional roles. These insights provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of corporate finance research and offer directions for future studies.

Hydrogen Refueling Stations: A Review of the Technology Involved from Key Energy Consumption Processes to Related Energy Management Strategies

Over the last few years, hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution for problems related to energy sources and pollution concerns. The integration of hydrogen in the transport sector is one of the possible various applications and involves the implementation of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs). A key obstacle for HRS deployment, in addition to the need for well-developed technologies, is the economic factor since these infrastructures require high capital investments costs and are largely dependent on annual operating costs. In this study, we review hydrogen’s application as a fuel, summarizing the principal systems involved in HRS, from production to the final refueling stage. In addition, we also analyze the main equipment involved in the production, compression and storage processes of hydrogen. The current work also highlights the main refueling processes that impact energy consumption and the methodologies presented in the literature for energy management strategies in HRSs. With the aim of reducing energy costs due to processes that require high energy consumption, most energy management strategies are based on the use of renewable energy sources, in addition to the use of the power grid.

Integrating policy incentives and risk management for effective green finance in emerging markets

Integrating policy incentives and risk management is pivotal for driving the growth of green finance in emerging markets. The transition to sustainable finance necessitates an alignment between government policies and financial institutions to mitigate the risks associated with green investments. This abstract explores how policy incentives, such as tax breaks, subsidies, and regulatory frameworks, can encourage financial institutions to channel investments into green projects while addressing market-specific challenges like underdeveloped financial infrastructure and regulatory gaps. In emerging markets, the perceived risks of green investments, such as uncertain returns and regulatory volatility, often deter private sector engagement. However, integrating robust risk management strategies—including diversification, public-private partnerships, and risk-sharing mechanisms—can significantly reduce these risks, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of green finance. Additionally, government-backed incentives can lower capital costs for green projects, enabling financial institutions to provide more favorable lending terms. Regulatory frameworks that standardize green finance criteria and reporting are also critical for fostering transparency and accountability, which in turn build investor confidence. The interplay between policy incentives and risk management is further highlighted through case studies from emerging markets that demonstrate successful implementation of green finance initiatives. These examples illustrate how policy-driven support mechanisms and comprehensive risk management frameworks can unlock significant investment potential in green infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. By fostering a supportive policy environment and addressing risk factors through innovative financial instruments, emerging markets can enhance green finance flows, promote sustainable development, and contribute to global climate goals. This integrated approach is essential for bridging the financing gap in green projects, ensuring that environmental sustainability is aligned with economic growth and risk mitigation.

Hydroxyl-Functionalized Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity and Dual-Functionalized Blends for High-Performance Membrane-Based Gas Separations.

Membrane technology has shown significant growth during the past two decades in the gas separation industry due to its energy-savings, compact and modular design, continuous operation, and environmentally benign nature. Robust materials with higher permeability and selectivity are key to reduce capital and operational cost, pushing it forward to replace or debottleneck conventional energy-intensive unit operations such as distillation. Recently designed ladder polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) and polyimides of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-PI) with pores <20 Å have demonstrated excellent gas permeation performance. Here, a series of plasticization-resistant PIM-based membrane materials is reported, including the first example of a hydroxyl-functionalized triptycene- and Tröger's base-derived ladder PIM and two PIM-PI homopolymers and a series of dual-functionalized polyimide blends containing hydroxyl- and carboxyl-functionalized groups. Specifically, 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA)-based PIM-PI blends demonstrated extremely high selectivity for a variety of industrially important applications. An optimized polyimide blend containing ─OH and ─COOH groups showed permselectivity values of 136 for CO2/CH4, 11.4 for O2/N2 and 636 for H2/CH4. Such extreme size-sieving capabilities are attributed to physical crosslinking induced by strong hydrogen bonding forming tightly structured polymer networks. The study provides a new general strategy for developing plasticization resistant, robust, and highly-selective PIM-based membrane materials.

Novel Recuperated Power Cycles for Cost-Effective Integration of Variable Renewable Energy

The ongoing transition to energy systems with high shares of variable renewables motivates the development of novel thermal power cycles that operate economically at low capacity factors to accommodate wind and solar intermittency. This study presents two recuperated power cycles with low capital costs for this market segment: (1) the near-isothermal hydrogen turbine (NIHT) concept, capable of achieving combined cycle efficiencies without a bottoming cycle through fuel combustion in the expansion path, and (2) the intercooled recuperated water-injected (IRWI) power cycle that employs conventional combustion technology at an efficiency cost of only 4% points. The economic assessment carried out in this work reveals that the proposed cycles increasingly outperform combined cycle benchmarks with and without CO2 capture as the plant capacity factor reduces below 50%. When the cost of fuel storage and delivery by pipelines is included in the evaluation, however, plants fired by hydrogen lose competitiveness relative to natural gas-fired plants due to the high fuel delivery costs caused by the low volumetric energy density of hydrogen. This important but uncertain cost component could erode the business case for future hydrogen-fired power plants, in which case the IRWI concept powered by natural gas emerges as a promising solution.

Techno-Economic evaluation and multi-objective optimization of a filter equipped solar chimney system

Urban air pollution has recently become a pressing challenge, and innovative solutions are needed to reduce it. The current study proposes and investigates the performance of integrating a solar chimney system with an air filtration unit to mitigate urban air pollution and generate electricity simultaneously. A comprehensive computational fluid dynamics model coupled with optimization techniques is proposed to analyze and optimize the design parameters from system performance and cost perspectives. A multi-objective optimization is performed to determine the optimal placements of the air filter and geometric parameters of the hybrid solar chimney to maximize power output and filtration efficiency while minimizing the capital cost. Results indicated that placing the filter in the middle of the chimney resulted in optimal configuration with a power output of 18.83 kW, and filter efficiency of 53.73 % at a cost of $ 4.83 million, whereas placing the filter close to the inlet of the collector achieved the highest output power of 100.4 kW, a filter efficiency of 89.67 % at a capital cost of $ 7.35 million. It is concluded that placing the filter on the collector side is more beneficial in terms of performance and cost per unit of power produced.

Investment Strategies and Financing Approaches in Emerging Enterprises

Investment activities are arguably the most crucial factor in the development and sustenance of an enterprise, especially in emerging markets. While there have been numerous studies on the financing structure, there is a substantial gap in the literature regarding the impact of capital structure and cost of capital on investment efficiency in transitional economies. This research seeks to address this gap, using a mixed-method approach that combines qualitative case studies and quantitative financial analysis. The research involved conducting case studies with five enterprises from the technology, manufacturing, and services sectors. In addition, the researcher used secondary data obtained from the websites of the Bucharest Stock Exchange and the Romanian National Registry of Financial Statements. The data was used to calculate the Return on Investment, debt-to-equity ratio, and cost of capital. The analysis shows that businesses that adopt the optimal capital structure perform better, relative to their counterparts, in the aspect of profitability and market value. They also have a lower cost of capital, as well as greater financial sustainability. On the other hand, businesses with higher leverage perform poorly, with their failing market position forcing them to adopt measures such as providing discounts to customers and investing in motor vehicles to reduce operational costs. This research shows that even in the current state, some of the basic principles that have traditionally applied still have bearing. However, there are some underlying problems, some of which have been highlighted in Nenite-Petrescu et al.’s case study of three Romanian companies. Some of the factors which have been identified as contributing to the negative performance of the three companies include poor return on assets, return on capital employed, and return on investment; low levels of liquidity; low sales and profits; and high cost of Sales, as well as low purchase and employment of personnel. All these factors represent significant inefficiencies in the aspect of capital unproductivity for the businesses. Some of the lessons learnt from the analysis include the non-recognition of business risks and their mitigation. A business should consider the various events and circumstances that may impact negatively on their ability to meet obligations toward obligations taken by such businesses. In conclusion, enterprises need to manage their financing strategies to ensure that they minimize their risk, while maximizing their long-term growth potential. This research will prove important for future researchers and business enterprises in transitional economies.

Oriented Titanium-MOF Membrane for Hydrogen Purification.

Precise hydrogen sorting from purge gas (H2/N2) and coke gas (H2/CH4), commonly carried out by cryogenic distillation, still suffers from low separation efficiency, high energy consumption, and considerable capital cost. Though still in its infancy, membrane technology offers a potential to achieve more efficient hydrogen purification. In this study, an optimum separation of hydrogen towards both methane and nitrogen via a kinetically-driven mechanism is realized through preferred orientation control of a MOF membrane. Relying on the 0.3 nm-sized window aligned vertical to the substrate, b-oriented Ti-MOF membrane exhibits ultra-high hydrogen selectivity, surpassing the upper bound limit of separating H2/N2 and H2/CH4 gas pairs attained so far by inorganic membranes. This spectacular selectivity is combined with a high H2 permeability owing to the synergistic effect of the 1 nm-sized MOF channel.

Oriented Titanium‐MOF Membrane for Hydrogen Purification

Precise hydrogen sorting from purge gas (H2/N2) and coke gas (H2/CH4), commonly carried out by cryogenic distillation, still suffers from low separation efficiency, high energy consumption, and considerable capital cost. Though still in its infancy, membrane technology offers a potential to achieve more efficient hydrogen purification. In this study, an optimum separation of hydrogen towards both methane and nitrogen via a kinetically‐driven mechanism is realized through preferred orientation control of a MOF membrane. Relying on the 0.3 nm‐sized window aligned vertical to the substrate, b‐oriented Ti‐MOF membrane exhibits ultra‐high hydrogen selectivity, surpassing the upper bound limit of separating H2/N2 and H2/CH4 gas pairs attained so far by inorganic membranes. This spectacular selectivity is combined with a high H2 permeability owing to the synergistic effect of the 1 nm‐sized MOF channel.

A comprehensive techno-eco-environmental investigation of an efficient biodiesel generation procedure through hydrodynamic cavitation

The growth of cleaner biodiesel generation associated with hydrodynamic cavitation from canola oil via transesterification is acquiring prominence owing to considerably descending energy needs and time. In this work, the conversion of canola oil into biodiesel and glycerol was achieved through the process of transesterification with methanol, employing sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. The newly offered process was investigated from technical, economic, and environmental points of view, and the precision of the results was verified and accepted compared to previously published works. The technical results revealed that the maximum exergy destruction rates as well as exergy efficiency belonged to the transesterification process. The economic study showed that the capital cost of the process was 638.7 MUSD/year. Also, the return period was computed less than 4 years. Moreover, comparison analysis proved that Canola oil proved to be a more advantageous primary material for the production of biodiesel and was more appropriate from the exergoeconomic point of view in comparison to Jatropha oil and other materials. Finally, by increasing the conversion percentage of the reactor, the value of the exergo-environmental index and the factor of exergy stability increased significantly, which was considered as an advantage from an environmental standpoint.

Design and optimisation of hybrid solar PV energy system for rural areas in the Narmada Valley, India

This study aims to design and select an optimal hybrid photovoltaic (PV) energy system for rural areas in the Narmada Valley (21.68°N, 74.92°E), Madhya Pradesh (MP) state, India. Two case studies in Narmada Valley (farmhouse and healthcare) were analysed for technical, economic, environmental, and reliability parameters, using MATLAB/Simulink and HOMER Pro software. The result indicates that the PV/BB/DG farmhouse energy system has capital cost of ₹2643200 (CC), an operating cost (OC) of ₹955763, fuel cost (FC) of ₹7240725, net present cost (NPC) of ₹3496135, an annualized cost (AC) of ₹257246 and cost of energy (COE) of ₹12.05. The PV/BB/DG healthcare energy system is CC ₹528640, OC ₹221191, FC ₹1979132, NPC ₹802055, AC ₹53213 and COE ₹12.34. The failure rate, expected energy not supplied (EENS) and loss of load probability (LOLP) of the farmhouse hybrid PV/BB/DG system are 0.0501/yrs, 0.0927 hrs/yrs, 0.4356 kWh/hrs and 1.05822E-05, respectively. The healthcare hybrid PV/BB/DG system failure rate (0.0117199), interruption duration (0.09009), system unavailability (2.16 hours.), EENS (0.234234 kWh/yrs), and LOLP (1.02842E–05) are all much lower than those of other configurations. Hybrid solar PV/BB/DG energy systems provide reliable, cost-effective, reduced environmental impact, sustainability, and job creation in rural areas.

Impact of climate change risks on equity capital: Evidence-based on Chinese markets

The economic consequences of climate change at the enterprise level have received considerable attention. This study examines the positive effects of climate change risk on equity capital costs, which are realized through firms' operational risk, financial constraints, and the government's service environment. A higher corporate ESG rating enhances the positive effect of climate change risk on equity capital costs. We also find that the Paris Agreement has a benign policy effect on equity capital costs. Finally, expanding upon this groundwork, a thorough heterogeneity analysis has been conducted, encompassing three distinct dimensions—enterprise risk system, industry environmental attributes, and operational ecosystem.

Development of an e-Mudharabah Website Using the System Usability Scale (SUS) Method

At present there is no definite data regarding the number of MSMEs that utilize the Mudharabah scheme from both the East Java Cooperative Office and BPS because the provision of Mudharabah services is the right of MSMEs to provide capital, which is mostly provided by Islamic banks. Problems faced by MSME business actors include limited capital costs, deepening information technology and marketing. So it is necessary to develop a website-based e-Mudharabah system using the waterfall method and the system usability scale (SUS) testing method. The results of research on the e-Mudharabah website using the SUS testing method, obtained the results of respondents from investors, consultants, and MSME actors. The average conversion result was obtained with a result of 81,125 with the description “Excellent” with a B value scale where the conversion results were applied using the SUS method. Keywords: website, e-Mudharabah, UMKM, waterfall method, system usability scale

Porous Iron Electrodes Reduce Energy Consumption During Electrocoagulation of a Virus Surrogate: Insights into Performance Enhancements Using Three-Dimensional Neutron Computed Tomography.

Electrocoagulation has attracted significant attention as an alternative to conventional chemical coagulation because it is capable of removing a wide range of contaminants and has several potential advantages. In contrast to most electrocoagulation research that has been performed with nonporous electrodes, in this study, we demonstrate energy-efficient iron electrocoagulation using porous electrodes. In batch operation, investigation of the external pore structures through optical microscopy suggested that a low porosity electrode with sparse connection between pores may lead to mechanical failure of the pore network during electrolysis, whereas a high porosity electrode is vulnerable to pore clogging. Electrodes with intermediate porosity, instead, only suffered a moderate surface deposition, leading to electrical energy savings of 21% and 36% in terms of electrocoagulant delivery and unit log virus reduction, respectively. Neutron computed tomography revealed the critical role of electrode porosity in utilizing the electrode's internal surface for electrodissolution and effective delivery of electrocoagulant to the bulk. Energy savings of up to 88% in short-term operation were obtained with porous electrodes in a continuous flow-through system. Further investigation on the impact of current density and porosity in long-term operation is desired as well as the capital cost of porous electrodes.