Energy Generation Purposes Research Articles

Soft, hyper-elastic and highly-stable silicone-organo-clay dielectric elastomer for energy harvesting and actuation applications

Abstract A new type of soft composite is syntetized by the use of two grade of commercially available Pt-catalyzed silicone elastomers and organic nanoclays (montmorillonite). A complete characterization underlines their attractive performances: lower Young modulus, higher dielectric permittivity, but without compromising important properties such as low dielectric losses and lower viscous losses, higher dielectric breakdown strength, and thereby maintaining the mechanical integrity of the elastomers. A figure of merit is introduced to compare all the innovative synthesized soft composites, characterized by a bimodal network. These achievements can be exploited for both the actuation and the energy generation purposes.

Effect of zeolite catalysts on pyrolysis liquid oil

The aim of this study was to determine the quality and applications of liquid oil produced by thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of polystyrene (PS) plastic waste by using a small pilot scale pyrolysis reactor. Thermal pyrolysis produced maximum liquid oil (80.8%) with gases (13%) and char (6.2%), while catalytic pyrolysis using synthetic and natural zeolite decreased the liquid oil yield (52%) with an increase in gases (17.7%) and char (30.1%) production. The lower yield but improved quality of liquid oil through catalytic pyrolysis are due to catalytic features of zeolites such as microporous structure and high BET surface area. The liquid oils, both from thermal and catalytic pyrolysis consist of around 99% aromatic hydrocarbons, as further confirmed by GC-MS results. FT-IR analysis further showed chemical bonding and functional groups of mostly aromatic hydrocarbons, which is consistent with GC-MS results. The produced liquid oils can be suitable for energy generation and heating purposes after the removal of acid, solid residues and contaminants. Further upgrading of liquid oil and blending with diesel is required for its potential use as a transport fuel.

Gaseous pollutants in the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang: spatial and temporal trends, sources and implications

Nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NOx), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) and ammonia (NH3) were determined in ambient air in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang in NW China, from 2010 to 2012 by applying the diffusive sampling approach. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the major contributions to atmospheric pollution. Four extensive measurement campaigns were performed in the city, where very few investigations had been made on ambient pollution. The impacts of pollutants in four city districts were assessed. Considerably high mean annual concentrations were observed in Urumqi for all toxicants; these latter ranged between 46 and 158 μg m−3 (SO2), 33–126 μg m−3 (NO2), 83–141 μg m−3 (NOx), and 46–82 μg m−3 (BTEX). Nitrogen oxides and BTEX were overall released by industrial plants and motor vehicles. Huge consumption of fossil fuels for energy generation and domestic heating purposes looked as the principal factors causing the high pollution levels recorded. In the winter, coal burning in houses was recognized as a major contributor to SO2 and BTEX budgets. Important ammonia loads were found in the district hosting slaughter and meat treatment facilities. Other primary factors influencing the pollution patterns were variously related to diffusion of chemicals across the atmosphere, i.e.: wind speed and direction, air stagnation and occurrence of inversion events; besides, important roles were played by relevant emission sources (especially for BTEX and NOx), seasonality and photochemistry.

Production of Particleboards from Hevea brasiliensis Clones and Castor Oil-based Polyurethane Resin

The economic exploitation of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) usage is primarily directed toward latex extraction. After the productive life of the rubber tree forest, the managed area is harvested for planting reformulation. The harvested wood is most often used for energy generation purposes. The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of using rubberwood waste and castor oil-based polyurethane resin in the production of particleboards. Homogeneous and heterogeneous panels were made with nominal dimensions of 500 x 500 mm and thicknesses of 10 mm using particles from GT1 and RRIM600 clones of the rubber tree and 12% castor oil-based polyurethane adhesive. The panels were pressed at 140 °C for 12 min with 40 kgf/cm2 specific pressure. Density, moisture content, thickness swelling, water absorption for 2 and 24 h, static bending, and internal bonding determinations were performed according to the Brazilian Standard (NBR) 14810-3 (2006) for the physical-mechanical panel characterization. The results show that using Hevea brasiliensis in particleboard production is viable. However, multilayer boards exhibited better results.

Engineering and environmental aspects of offshore soil mixing

The increasing number of near-shore and offshore projects for commercial, residential or energy-generation purposes has led to the accelerated development of marine construction technologies. Some of these methods have been conceived to improve the geotechnical properties of soft seabed deposits. Cutter soil mixing (CSM) is a recent deep mixing method for the stabilisation of soils. This mixing procedure was initially developed for on-shore projects, but a few near-shore applications have been carried out. The research in this paper is on the possible use of CSM as an environmentally friendly offshore ground improvement technique. A specific full-scale trial was performed simulating offshore conditions. The complete process and the main production parameters were continuously monitored during the installation sequence. A comprehensive monitoring and sampling campaign was conducted at the site, and laboratory analyses were carried out on the collected water samples to investigate the water quality throughout the test. Finally, unconfined compression tests were undertaken to determine the geomechanical performance of the improved soil achieved after 28 curing days. The results suggest how CSM may be regarded as a valid technology for improving the physical properties of seabed soils, limiting the risk of negative environmental impact on the surrounding water.

Characteristics of water level fluctuations in Polish lakes – a review of the literature / Charakterystyka wahań poziomu wody w jeziorach polskich – przegląd piśmiennictwa

Abstract Water level fluctuations (WLF) in lakes are a natural feature that can be modified by human activities. The article presents a review of literature on the water level fluctuation in Polish lakes, their amplitude, periodicity and trends. WLF controlled by natural conditions and also those induced by human activity were considered. Although anthropogenic water level fluctuations in most Polish lakes seem to fall within the range of natural fluctuations, in some cases economic activities (e.g. the use of lakes for energy generation purposes) can lead to strong disturbances of the hydrological regime, causing an ecological instability that makes it impossible to maintain/achieve good ecological status. This, in turn, makes it necessary to define good ecological potential, being an environmental objective for such water bodies, which is less rigorous compared with good ecological status. The article indicates the need to expand the methods for the assessment of lakes in the country with new biological indicators to assess, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive requirements, the impact of hydrological alterations on biota

Multi-objective method for energy purpose redevelopment of brownfield sites

Redevelopment of brownfields has gained significant attention in recent years due to political, social and financial reasons. A special field of such redevelopment is, when the investor aims to reutilise the property for energy generation purposes. To make such investments feasible, extensive analysis of the conditions of the brownfield and the potential of different energy sources has to be performed. Present paper introduces a multi-objective examination and evaluation method, which provides a basis for the business analysis of an energy purpose redevelopment project. A case study is also presented to illustrate the process; the site of a gas power plant is examined, and the key findings concerning the conditions and the potential utilisation of the site are listed. The authors have prepared a recommendation to the investor, detailing the advantages and disadvantages of several different power generation technologies, and also proposing ideas for converting part of the existing infrastructure to reinterpret the operation. Technologies that might draw the interest for further examination and/or are feasible enough to perform an in-detail business analysis have been selected as well. The results of the study have confirmed that the proposed multi-objective method can be applied to arbitrary brownfield sites, while a further extension of the analysis criteria is possible if environmental aspects are also necessary to be handled.

Evaluation of Water-Use Needs in the Electricity Generation Sector of Greece

Water conservation needs encourage ‐ among others‐ the investigation of water use in the electricity generation sector. To this end, we currently determine the amounts of water used in thermal electricity generation for both cooling and energy generation purposes, presenting at the same time the respective water needs of renewable energy sources (RES) plants. Furthermore, special attention is given to the country of Greece, for which we evaluate the local power stations’ performance in relation to the local fresh water potential. The study is concluded by realizing that promotion of RES power generation will ensure ‐apart from the satisfaction of other energy and environment‐related targets‐ conservation of valuable water resources in some of the most vulnerable areas of the Greek region.

Combustion Characteristics of Inedible Vegetable Oil Biodiesel Fuels

Energy crisis and environmental issues related to fossil fuel consumption have emerged as a concern for scientific societies. Biodiesel has been introduced as an acceptable source of energy to substitute fossil fuels. In general, vegetable oils and their derivatives known as biodiesel have been applied successfully in energy generation purposes. Technically, biodiesel provides some advantages in terms of pollutant formation and power generation in comparison with conventional diesel fuel. In addition to being an indigenous and renewable supply, biodiesel reduces toxic emissions, and majority of engine performance and fuel consumption are comparable with the use of conventional fuels. In this paper various aspects of inedible oil utilization in engine and energy generation is studied. Economy, combustion characteristics and pollution formation of some inedible oil namely Jatropha, Karanja, Jojoba, Cottonseed, Mahua Oil and Rice bran Oil are investigated.

Energy Harvesting Implementing Embedded Piezoelectric Generators – The Potential for the Attiki Odos Traffic Grid

The purpose of this research is to analyze and present the benefits of the exploitation of a piezoelectric generator (PEG) energy harvesting system as well as to study and identify its usage in ‘Attiki Odos’ Highway traffic grid for energy generation and storage purposes. The research is focused initially on the study of the available technology and evaluation of the produced energy, if this technology is used at specific sites on Greek roads. For this purpose, based on experiments and taking into account the scientific experience of foreign countries where this technology has been tested, final propositions will be made on how and where to exploit this new technology. For the purposes of the study, strategically selected urban areas are used, where steadily heavy traffic load is present. Taking into account statistical data concerning the mobility of vehicles (vehicle per hour rates) in various urban areas in ‘Attiki Odos’ Highway, and the scientific experience of foreign countries in similar PEG applications, calculations in order to estimate the electric energy that could be produced if piezoelectric generators were embedded in the asphalt are performed using the simulation tool of IPEGTM. Major factors in this process are:The length of the road used for the implementation of this technologyThe number of vehicles per hour passing from the specific under study areaThe kWh of electric energy that can be produced by implementing the piezoelectric generators energy harvesting systems of the specific under study areaCalculations and an assessment of the potential electric energy generated in these urban areas will also be presented in this research providing very useful results for an early implementation of this technology.

Review on measurement techniques of transport properties of nanowires.

Physical properties at the nanoscale are novel and different from those in bulk materials. Over the last few decades, there has been an ever growing interest in the fabrication of nanowire structures for a wide variety of applications including energy generation purposes. Nevertheless, the study of their transport properties, such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity or Seebeck coefficient, remains an experimental challenge. For instance, in the particular case of nanostructured thermoelectrics, theoretical calculations have shown that nanowires offer a promising way of enhancing the hitherto low efficiency of these materials in the conversion of temperature differences into electricity. Therefore, within the thermoelectrical community there has been a great experimental effort in the measurement of these quantities in actual nanowires. The measurements of these properties at the nanoscale are also of interest in fields other than energy, such as electrical components for microchips, field effect transistors, sensors, and other low scale devices. For all these applications, knowing the transport properties is mandatory. This review deals with the latest techniques developed to perform the measurement of these transport properties in nanowires. A thorough overview of the most important and modern techniques used for the characterization of different kinds of nanowires will be shown.

Technical and Economical Feasibility of Biomass Use for Power Generation in Sicily

Biomass can provide a reliable support for production of biofuels while contributing to sustainable management of natural resources. Many countries, including Italy, have introduced important incentive schemes to support the use of biomass for electricity, heat and transportation. This has raised considerable interest towards the use of biomass for energy generation purposes. Nonetheless, the design and installation of biomass-fuelled power plants present several critical issues, such as choice and availability of biomass, choice of technology, power plant localization and logistics. The case study tackled in this paper evaluates the economies originated by a 1MWel Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbine coupled with a biomass fuelled boiler, installed in an area close to Palermo (Italy). A Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to localize the power plant and to optimize logistics. The thermodynamics of the plant as a whole were also analyzed. Finally, two different scenarios were simulated for project financial evaluation.

Analysis of a sustainable system for energy recovery from municipal waste in Croatia

PurposeThis paper seeks to focus on energy recovery from municipal solid waste (MSW) in Croatia. The state strategy is based on the mechanical and biological treatment of waste in the future waste management centers (WMC). Left over after the treatment is waste that can be used as fuel (e.g. RDF).Design/methodology/approachStarting from the geographical distribution of waste generation (quantities and transport distances), taking into account the costs of collection, transfer and thermal treatment, recommendations on optimal number and size of the dedicated waste‐to‐energy (WtE) plants in Croatia as well as their potential locations are given. The opportunity of the cement industry to utilize ash from thermal treatment of waste in the process of the cement production and the RDF as a substitute fuel is also examined.FindingsBy varying the number of WMCs, the minimal specific cost of waste collection of €33 is obtained, for maximal number of WMCs, which is 21. The optimal capacity of WtE facility is approximately 300,000 t/year, for expected quantity of 600,000 t/year of waste available for energy recovery. However, the geographical shape of Croatia and traffic connections suggest that its area could be better covered by four WtE facilities, each with the capacity of 150,000 t/year. The alternative solution could include the existing cement industry. In this case one bigger WtE plant (preferably near the city of Zagreb) could be built, with the capacity of 400,000 t/year, while the rest of the waste would be used in the cement industry, which capacity amounts to 167,000 tons of RDF annually.Originality/valueThis analysis gives another view of a possible system for energy recovery from MSW in Croatia. MSW has never been used in Croatia for the purpose of energy generation on a wider scale.

Geographic Record of Human Impact Conformance to Different Water Relationships Along a Coastal River (The Łupawa Catchment)

Geographic Record of Human Impact Conformance to Different Water Relationships Along a Coastal River (The Łupawa Catchment) The purpose of this paper is to answer the following two questions: Can one infer the type of human impact found in the northern Pomorze region from the current state of the Łupawa basin? Did regional water relationships determine the type of human impact found in the area? A good place to search for an answer to these two questions is the Łupawa River drainage basin. The entire upper section of the river, upstream from the Bukowina, is characterized by a lack of substantial changes in the hydrographic network, resulting from man's apparent disinterest in the area. The middle section of the river is characterized by human impact in the form of the use of water resources for energy generation purposes (sawmills, gristmills, power plants). The lower section of the Łupawa that includes Lake Gardno is characterized by significant changes in water relationships associated with difficult discharge conditions. Finally, the mouth section of the river, given its location, has been adapted as a port facility.

Conditions of Biomass Production for Energy Generation Purposes in Poland

Conditions of Biomass Production for Energy Generation Purposes in PolandThe issue of production of raw materials for energy generation on agricultural areas is a multileveled issue (the economic, social, environmental and other aspects should be considered). Plantations of energetic plants that represent an important component in satisfying the increasing demand for biomass resulting from the requirement of increasing the use of renewable energy sources in Poland and the European Union will be an important aspect in production of agricultural biomass during the nearest future. Agroenergetics should result in a significant development of agriculture. This paper aims at presenting the legal-economic and technological conditions of biomass production for energy generation purposes as concerns liquid biofuels (as a substitute for fuels produced on the base of crude oil) and solid biomass (used in heat and power generation). This is a consequence of high emissions of greenhouse gases from transport end heat and power generation sectors.

Risk assessment of distribution coefficient from 137Cs measurements

Classically distribution coefficient is defined as the ratio of solid total element concentration to surface water total concentration. This coefficient is obtained from the ion measurements in the Keban Dam, Turkey, which supplies water for domestic, irrigation and hydroelectric energy generation purposes. The measurements of 137Cs are carried out in 40 different sites and the general risk formulation and application is achieved for the distribution coefficient. The models are of exponential type and the spatial independence of the data is considered. Various charts are prepared for a set of risk levels as 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, and 50%.

Acidification of forest soils in Slovakia - causes and consequences

In Slovakia, soil acidification remains an environmental and forestry related issue despite a sharp decrease in the S02. Recent monitoring of critical acid loads of Slovak forests show that around one third of Slovak forests are directly affected by acidification. In this situation, an increased biomass extraction from forests for energy generation purposes, considered by some decision-makers, poses a serious threat to geobiochemical cycles and may further aggravate the effect of the emissions on soils. In other parts of the country however, the drop in pH value means a soil degradation in sense of soil forming processes rather than in reference to forest production. This fact is also confirmed with the values of growing stock in Slovak forests, continually increasing since 1920.

Analysis of height variations of sodar-derived wind speeds in Northern Spain

The Weibull distribution has been widely used in wind speed analysis. Ten-min averages from a sodar placed in an extensive plateau in the North of Spain were considered. The measuring period was April 2001. Daily wind speed evolution has been analysed and a sharp contrast between day and night has been obtained. Contrasting behaviour between surface and more distant levels has also been seen. The strong convection during the day and the stratification stability during the night were responsible for this well-defined pattern. Four wind speed intervals for a typical wind turbine were considered. Low wind speeds showed no directional character, although moderate winds came from two prevailing directions due to the synoptic weather systems affecting the Iberian Peninsula with a 5–6 day period. Ground influence was present only at lowest levels. As a result, the behaviour of wind speed derived from surface data must be avoided. Although moderate winds were frequent, a persistence analysis revealed the low number of lasting runs. The wind speed power law was also analysed and the usual one-seventh expression was proved not to be valid. The Weibull parameters were calculated by four methods: linear regression by cumulative frequency, moments, maximum likelihood and quartiles. The equivalence was in general clear. Finally, height analysis revealed that the shape parameter was around two whereas major differences were reached for the scale factor. A successful fit with the height was proved for the latter. Finally, a well-defined daily evolution was obtained, indicating that selection of a site for energy generation purposes must be preceded by a temporal study based on direct height measurements.

Brazilian waste potential: energy, environmental, social and economic benefits

The potential energy that could be produced from solid wastes in Brazil tops 50 TWh. Equivalent to some 17% of the nation's total power consumption at costs that are competitive with more traditional options, this would also reduce greenhouse gases emissions. Moreover, managing wastes for energy generation purposes could well open up thousands of jobs for unskilled workers. Related to power generation and conservation, energy use requires discussions on the feasibility of each energy supply option, and comparison between alternatives available on the market. Power conservation is compared to projects implemented by the Federal Government, while power generation is rated against thermo-power plants fired by natural gas running on a combined cycle system. Although the operating costs of selective garbage collection for energy generation are higher than current levels, the net operating revenues of this scheme reach some US$ 4 billion/year. This underpins the feasibility of garbage management being underwritten by energy uses and avoided environmental costs. The suggested optimization of the technical, economic, social and environmental sustainability of the expansion of Brazil's power sector consists of compatibilizing the use of fossil and renewable fuels, which is particularly relevant for hybrid thermo-power plants with null account on greenhouse gases emissions.

The linear oxidation of formaldehyde to CO2 as the proper energy generating sequence for the assimilation of methanol in Acetobacter methanolicus MB58

Acetobacter methanolicus MB58 can grow on methanol. Since this substrate exhibits to be energy deficient there must be a chance to oxidize methanol to CO2 merely for purpose of energy generation. For the assimilation of methanol the FBP variant of the RuMP pathway is used. Hence methanol can be oxidized cyclically via 6-phosphogluconate. Since Acetobacter methanolicus MB58 possesses all enzymes for a linear oxidation via formate the question arises which of both sequences is responsible for generation of the energy required. In order to clarify this the linear sequence was blocked by inhibiting the formate dehydrogenase with hypophosphite and by mutagenesis inducing mutants defective in formaldehyde or formate dehydrogenase. It has been shown that the linear dissimilatory sequence is indispensable for methylotrophic growth. Although the cyclic oxidation of formaldehyde to CO2 has not been influenced by hypophosphite and with mutants both the wild type and the formaldehyde dehydrogenase defect mutants cannot grown on methanol. The cyclic oxidation of formaldehyde does not seem to be coupled to a sufficient energy generation, probably it operates only detoxifying and provides reducing equivalents for syntheses. The regulation between assimilation and dissimilation of formaldehyde in Acetobacter methanolicus MB58 is discussed.