High Plant Efficiency Research Articles

Callus Induction and High Efficiency Plant Regeneration System Establishment of Pararuellia delavayana

Callus Induction and High Efficiency Plant Regeneration System Establishment of Pararuellia delavayana

The Case Study of an Innovative Small Scale Biomass Waste Gasification Heat and Power Plant Contextualized in a Farm

The use of biomass waste in high efficient low pollutants emissions micro-cogeneration plants overpasses the main biomass barriers: competition with the food and material uses, dispersion of a low energy density fuel and high emissions. Evaluations of present technical aspects, economic benefits and their future projections are very important to bring into focus the needs of the technological development of this energy application.This paper is focused on a small (250 kWth) steam gasification fluidized bed and hot gas conditioning system, contextualized in the case study of a farm situated near Rome. Since most of usable biomass waste comes from agriculture, appraisal of applicability to real rural contexts deserves closer examination, considering the necessity of a small size solution as well. A feasibility study of an actual employment of this energy system has included: biomass availability and energy consumption analysis, biomass and gasification tests, power plant sizing, using experimental data and chemcad simulation. Finally an economic analysis has been carried out by varying the main economic parameters. Olive pruning are confirmed as very suitable, and in this case, able to satisfy the farm energy consumption. Global electrical efficiency of 25% can be achieved without any auxiliary fuel consumption. Consumption of 60% of the heat generated are required, meanwhile investment and biomass costs up to 8000 €/kW and 100 €/t can be sustained, especially if the farm electricity cost are higher than 0.15 €/kWh.

HEAT PIPES APPLICATION IN ELECTRONICS THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEMS

This paper introduces separate-type heat pipe (STHP) based solar receiver systems that enable more efficient operation of concentrated solar power plants without relying on a heat transfer fluid. The solar receiver system may consist of a number of STHP modules that receive concentrated solar flux from a solar collector system, spread the high concentrated solar flux to a low heat flux level, and effectively transfer the received heat to the working fluid of a heat engine to enable a higher working temperature and higher plant efficiency. In general, the introduced STHP solar receiver has characteristics of high heat transfer capacity, high heat transfer coefficient in the evaporator to handle a high concentrated solar flux, non-condensable gas release mechanism, and lower costs. The STHP receiver in a solar plant may also integrate the hot/cold tank based thermal energy storage system without using a heat transfer fluid.

IDENTIFICATION OF BULBING HORMONE GENES IN ONION (Allium cepa)

<p>Initiation of onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb formation seems to require “bulbing hormone” which has been considered to be produced in leaf blades in response to the stimulus of long day conditions. But “bulbing hormone” is not yet identified. Previous study revealed a protein called Flowering locusT (FT) as flowering hormone, florigen. FT act for flowering by change on the day length on the higher plants. Objective of this study is identify”bulbing hormone” in onion plants. Method used in this study are cloning gene and gene expression analysis of the FT in onion plants.Full length of cDNA was cloned by the degenerate PCR and 5’­and 3’-RACE method.As a result, six kinds of full length cDNA clones for FThomologs in onion plants were obtained.These genes were named AcFT1 to6. By expression analysis of these genes, AcFT4, 5 and 6,expression increased as it got closer to a condition in long days in association with the bulbing of onion. Furthermore, in order to investigate the functions of these genes, we optimize transformation methods for onion plants. Medium containing 2,4-Dand kinetin showed high efficient plant regeneration from seed-derived callus of onion. Medium containing 2,4-D and kinetin as plant growth regulators is effective for induction of shoot-inducible callus, and advance shoots were developed from the callus on the shoot induction medium which contained thidiazuron, benzyl adenine or trans-zeatin as cytokinins. In conclusion, bulbing hormone in onion plants were possibly gene AcFT4, 5,6.</p><p><br /><strong>Keywords</strong> : Allium cepa L, bulbing hormone gene, Flowering locusT</p>

Performance of Multiple-Injection Dry Low-NOx Combustors on Hydrogen-Rich Syngas Fuel in an IGCC Pilot Plant

The successful development of coal-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology requires gas turbines capable of achieving the dry low nitrogen oxides (NOx) combustion of hydrogen-rich syngas fuels for low emissions and high plant efficiency. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) has been developing a “multiple-injection burner” to achieve the dry low-NOx (DLN) combustion of hydrogen-rich syngas fuels. The purposes of this paper are to present the test results of a multican combustor equipped with multiple-injection burners in an IGCC pilot plant, and evaluate combustor performance by focusing on the effects of flame shapes. The syngas fuel produced in the plant contained approximately 50% carbon monoxide, 20% hydrogen, and 20% nitrogen by volume. In the tests, the combustor with slenderer flames achieved lower NOx emissions of 10.9 ppm (at 15% oxygen), reduced combustor liner and burner plate metal temperatures, and lowered combustion efficiency at the maximum gas turbine load. The test results showed that the slenderer flames were more effective in reducing NOx emissions and liner/burner plate metal temperatures. A comparison with the diffusion-flame combustor demonstrated that the multiple-injection combustors achieved the dry low-NOx combustion of the syngas fuel in the plant.

Synthetic natural gas via integrated high-temperature electrolysis and methanation: Part II—Economic analysis

This part II work is built on the energy performance results of part I and focuses on the cost of producing synthetic natural gas and sensitivity scenarios around main economic variables.Capital costs for each plant section have been evaluated taking into account operational parameters such as pressure and temperature of the SOEC. The costing and financial methodology is based on a discounted cash flow analysis that was used to calculate the specific cost of synthetic natural gas (SNG) which ensures economic profitability of the investment.The co-electrolysis case has higher capital, operating and maintenance costs; however it shows a weaker dependence on the electricity cost due to its higher plant efficiency. The impact of key parameters such as electrolysis stack cost, cell degradation rate and carbon dioxide feedstock cost were further investigated. Both “state-of-the-art” and “target” scenarios were defined to account for the expected enhanced technological maturity of the SOEC technology that is expected to occur in the following decade.For the co-electrolysis case, break-even electricity prices (i.e., costs that yield an SNG cost comparable to that of fossil natural gas) of 8 $/MWh and 67 $/MWh were calculated for “state-of-the-art” and “target” scenarios, respectively.

Sensitivity Analysis for the Efficiency Improvement of a Light Integrated Gasification Fuel Cell Power Plant

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is recognized as one of high efficiency plants of electricity generation for a sustainable future system with low environmental effects. In term of fuel flexibility, SOFC is suitable for direct use of syngas from a coal gasification plant. The application of integrated SOFC in coal gasification based power plant, such as a light integrated gasification fuel cell (L-IGFC) power plant, could be one of the most promising coal energy conversions system providing high electrical efficiency with low CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. The system consists of a coal gasifier and intermediate temperature SOFC module on the top of a steam turbine. The syngas produced by pressurized coal gasifier is used in SOFC module after heat recovery units and cleaning processes. To minimize exergy loses in the plant, the dry gas desulfurization (DGD) unit which can operate at elevated operating temperature and pressure are adopted. The heat generated by SOFC module can be utilized by the heat recovery steam generator providing high quality steam for a steam turbine. In this work, thermodynamic analysis is carried out to develop process integration of the L-IGFC plant. The overall plant analysis of a baseline system design is performed by identifying the major factors effecting plant performance by using the Aspen Plus simulation. The Aspen plus simulation is then used to perform parametric analysis to identify optimum values for the maximum system efficiency. Modifications to the baseline system design are made in order to determine the most viable system designs based on maximizing total system efficiency.

Modelling of a solid oxide fuel cell for integrated coal gasification hybrid power plant simulation

Now and in the mid-term future, coal remains an important energy source for electricity generation for reasons of energy supply security and economics. The expectation for low CO2-emissions and high plant efficiencies make solid oxide fuel cells an essential part of numerous innovative power plant concepts. For that reason, simplified and flexible models for solid oxide fuel cells are needed, which can be implemented easily in complex power plant system simulations. A model for a tubular solid oxide fuel cell based on a semi-empirical approach has been developed. The created model is successfully validated with operating data of demonstration plants published in literature. A parametric study for the target application in a hybrid power plant with high temperature fuel cells of fuel gas composition, operating pressure and temperature, fuel utilization and electrical power density is presented. By means of these, the model of the fuel cell is qualified for implementation in hybrid power plants system models. Additionally, characteristic diagrams obtained by variation of the operating pressure and the fuel utilization are discussed. With the help of the diagrams, the electric and energetic performance of the SOFC over a wide range of these parameters is described by isolines for discrete values of the electrical efficiency and voltage of the fuel cell.

Sensitivity Analysis for the Efficiency Improvement of a Light Integrated Gasification Fuel Cell Power Plant

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is recognized as one of high efficiency plants of electricity generation for a sustainable future system with low environmental impact. In term of fuel flexibility, SOFC is suitable for direct use of syngas from a coal gasification plant. The application of integrated SOFC in coal gasification based power plant, such as a light integrated gasification fuel cell (L-IGFC) power plant, could be one of the most promising coal energy conversions system providing high electrical efficiency with low CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. The system consists of a coal gasifier and SOFC module on the top of a steam turbine. The sensitivity analyses of major operating parameters were performed using the developed model. The results indicated that the L-IGFC plant could achieve electrical efficiency in the range of 46.35- 60.32% in lower heating value.

Establishment of high frequency shoot regeneration system in Himalayan poplar (Populus ciliata Wall. ex Royle) from petiole explants using Thidiazuron cytokinin as plant growth regulator

Populus species are important resources for industry and in scientific study on biological and agricultural systems. Our objective was to enhance the frequency of plant regeneration in Himalayan poplar (Populus ciliata wall. ex Royle). The effect of TDZ alone and in combination with adenine and NAA was studied on the regeneration potential of petiole explants. The explants were excised from Himalayan poplar plants grown in glass-houses. After surface sterilization the explants were cultured on shoot induction medium. High percentage shoot regeneration (86 %) was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 0.004 mg L−1 TDZ and 79.7 mg L−1 adenine. The regenerated shoots for elongation and multiplication were transferred to MS + 0.5 mg L−1 BAP + 0.2 mg L−1 IAA + 0.3 mg L−1 GA3. Root regeneration from shoots developed in vitro was observed on MS medium supplemented with 0.10 mg L−1 IBA. Himalayan poplar plantlets could be produced within 2 months after acclimatization in a sterile mixture of sand and soil. We developed a high efficiency plant regeneration protocol from petiole explants of P. ciliata.

Plant invasive success associated with higher N-use efficiency and stoichiometric shifts in the soil–plant system in the Minjiang River tidal estuarine wetlands of China

The tidal estuarine wetlands of China are rich in plant diversity, but several human-driven processes, such as species invasion, can affect the biogeochemical cycles of these ecosystems, and by changing soil conditions can inhibit the regeneration of native vegetation. We seasonally analyzed the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in soils and in leaves, stems and roots of the invasive species Spartina alterniflora and of the native species Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius Boeckeler. This latter species was analyzed both in natural non-invaded stands and in stands that had been invaded by Spartina but from which it had been removed and replaced by Cyperus. The aim was to investigate the effect of plant invasion, subsequent removal and replanting with a native species on C, N and P stoichiometry of the plant–soil system in the tidal wetlands of the Minjiang River. C and N concentrations averaged across seasons did not differ significantly among the plant species. P concentration was lower in the stems of Spartina than in the stems of the native species Cyperus but was not significantly different in the roots of the two species. The soil C and N concentrations were higher in the Spartina stand than in the Cyperus stand, whereas the soil P concentrations were not significantly different. The invasive species had a higher N-resorption capacity, N:P ratios in stem and roots, biomass, absolute growth and biomass N and had a lower relative growth rate and litter production than the native species. After the removal of the invasive plants, the regenerating native plants have a higher capacity to resorb N and lower relative growth rates. All these traits show that a conservative strategy and a high N-use efficiency and internal plant control of the N in the ecosystem underlie the invasive success of Spartina in this N-limited wetland. Relative growth rate was associated with lower plant N:P ratios, whereas absolute growth rate was associated with higher nutrient-use efficiency and lower C and N turnover and storage capacities in the biomass. Changes in soil properties produced by the establishment of an invasive plant can condition the later regeneration of native plants.

High-efficiency direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf base explants of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

This study describes for the first time a simple and quick direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration protocol for turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) using leaf base explants. Preincubation of explants was carried out on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4.49 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid for 20 days under continuous dark condition. Subsequently transfer of the explants for 2 weeks to MS liquid medium containing 1.32 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) under illuminated condition resulted in the highest percentage of somatic embryo (91.1 %) induction. Secondary somatic embryos which originated from primary somatic embryos were also observed in the same medium supplemented with 2.20 and 2.64 μM BA. Thereafter, mature somatic embryos germinated readily and the maximal plantlet development (87 %) was achieved on 1/2-strength MS medium containing gibberellic acid (GA3) under dark condition. Histological analysis revealed that the proembryogenic masses were initiated directly from the area near the vascular tissues of the leaf base explants. Presence of clear protoderm in the globular structure and procambial strands in the matured stage of somatic embryos confirmed that these structures were true somatic embryos. Somatic embryos were successfully acclimatized ex vitro at a survival rate of 72.9 % and they were normal phenotypes.

Inside out: high-efficiency plant regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of upland and lowland switchgrass cultivars.

Selection of pre-embryogenic callus from a core structure from mature seed-derived callus is the key for high-efficiency plant regeneration and transformation of switchgrass different cultivars. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been identified as a dedicated biofuel crop. For its trait improvement through biotechnological approaches, we have developed a highly efficient plant regeneration and genetic transformation protocol for both lowland and upland cultivars. We identified and separated a pre-embryogenic "core" structure from the seed-derived callus, which often leads to development of highly regenerative type II calluses. From the type II callus, plant regeneration rate of lowland cultivars Alamo and Performer reaches 95%, and upland cultivars Blackwell and Dacotah, 50 and 76%, respectively. The type II callus was also amenable for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transformation efficiency of 72.8% was achieved for lowland cultivar Alamo, and 8.0% for upland cultivar Dacotah. PCR, Southern blot and GUS staining assays were performed to verify the transgenic events. High regenerative callus lines could be established in 3 months, and transgenic plants could be obtained in 2 months after Agrobacterium infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report on successful plant regeneration and recovery of transgenic plants from upland switchgrass cultivars by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The method presented here could be helpful in breaking through the bottleneck of regeneration and transformation of lowland and upland switchgrass cultivars and probably other recalcitrant grass crops.

Accumulation of Trace Metals by Mangrove Plants in Indian Sundarban Wetland: Prospects for Phytoremediation

The work investigates on the potential of ten mangrove species for absorption, accumulation and partitioning of trace metal(loid)s in individual plant tissues (leaves, bark and root/pneumatophore) at two study sites of Indian Sundarban Wetland. The metal(loid) concentration in host sediments and their geochemical characteristics were also considered. Mangrove sediments showed unique potential in many- fold increase for most metal(loid)s than plant tissues due to their inherent physicochemical properties. The ranges of concentration of trace metal(loid)s for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in plant tissue were 0.006–0.31, 0.02–2.97, 0.10–4.80, 0.13–6.49, 4.46–48.30, 9.2–938.1, 0.02–0.13, 9.8–1726, 11–5.41, 0.04–7.64, 3.81–52.20 μg g −1respectively. The bio- concentration factor (BCF) showed its maximum value (15.5) in Excoecaria agallocha for Cd, suggesting that it can be considered as a high-efficient plant for heavy metal bioaccumulation. Among all metals, Cd and Zn were highly bioaccumulated in E. agallocha (2.97 and 52.2 μg g −1 respectively. Our findings suggest that the species may be classified as efficient metal trap for Cd in aerial parts, as indicated by higher metal accumulation in the leaves combined with BCF and translocation factor (TF) values.

Thidiazuron Induces High Frequency Shoot Regeneration in Leaf and Petiole Explants of Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea L. Var. Capitata)

We have studied the effect of thidiazuron on shoot regeneration from leaf and petiole explants of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata cv. Pride of India). Different concentrations and combinations of thidiazuron (alone), thidiazuron+ Adenine, thidiazuron+ NAA and thidiazuron+ IAA were used in MS medium to optimize in vitro shoot regeneration from leaf and petiole explants of cabbage (Brassica Oleracea L. var. capitata cv. Pride of India). Leaf and petiole explants procured from 20-25 days old glasshouse grown seedlings of cabbage. Out of 40 combinations and concentrations tried separately for leaf and petiole explants, the high frequency shoot regeneration from leaf (91.11%) and petiole (88.88%) explant was obtained on MS medium supplemented with0.220mg/l thidiazuron + 0.02 mg/l NAA and 0.330 mg/l thidiazuron + 0.02 mg/l NAA respectively. High percentage root regeneration (100%) in in vitro developed shoots was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.10mg/l NAA. The regenerated complete plantlets were transferred to pots containing sterilized coco peat and acclimatized. A high efficiency and reliable plant regeneration protocol has been developed using thidiazuron. This regenerated protocol would be useful for genetic transformation studies in cabbage.

Development Trend of Chinese Hydroelectric Generation Technology of Hydro Power Plant (HPP)

Water power is a renewable energy which is economically cheap, clean and reliable. Theoretical hydropower resources of China amounted to 680 million kW, the greatest in the world. For the water maintains circulating according to a certain hydrologic cycle continuously and uninterruptedly, the water resources are considered to be a renewable energy. Therefore Hydropower is low cost due to firstly, the energy carried by the water flow is the only energy required for the power generation in the hydropower station. Secondly, the applied equipment is simpler than that of thermal power plant, thus costing less in maintenance and overhaul. If taking the fuel consumption into consideration, the annual operation cost of thermal power plant is 10~15 times higher than that of hydropower plant. Beside hydropower is clean during the course of hydropower generation, neither harmful gas, smoke, dust, ash will nor nuclear pollution will be caused. Hydropower generation has a high efficiency and conventional hydropower plant can make use of 80% water resources, while the heat efficiency of thermal power plant only reaches 30%~50%. In this paper, the study is established in the necessary Engineering development of hydropower plants and hydroelectric generation technology in China. The Chinese model base of hydropower plants features, functions, flow analysis chart and ecologic Issues are also discussed in this paper.

Conversion steps in bioenergy production – analysis of the energy flow from photon to biofuel

The overall goal for bioenergy systems is to transfer as much solar energy as possible into the desired product (i.e. biofuel). While the energy flow from photon to biomass is relatively well documented in algae, the energy conversion efficiency in higher plants is less well understood. In addition to the efficiency losses defined by nature, inevitable losses occur due to the technical processing steps necessary to convert the biomass into a biofuel. Against this background the aim of the following explanations is the assessment of the energy flow from solar insulation to a technically usable and storable biofuel (here: biomethane from maize and algae; bioethanol from wheat grains); this is similar to the flow of organic carbon from the ambient air via the plant to the bioenergy carrier (CH4, C2H5OH). To allow for a critical review the results are compared with the use of photovoltaics and the subsequent conversion of the electricity to a storable fuel with similar characteristics.

Solid oxide fuel cell technology coupled with methane dry reforming: A viable option for high efficiency plant with reduced CO2 emissions

Nowadays the control of greenhouse gas is probably the most challenging environmental policy issue. Since CO2 is considered the major greenhouse gas (GHG) that contributes to the global warming, enforcing technological strategies aiming to avoid or reuse CO2 emissions becomes crucial, in order to mitigate GHG environmental impact. Currently, solutions conventionally adopted to this purpose are carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.In this context, instead, the followed strategy aims to further improvements in energetic conversion efficiency with related reduced specific CO2 emissions (per produced kWhe). Therefore, with particular reference to the electric power generation, this paper proposes an innovative energy conversion system, based on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), characterized by higher efficiency and reduced CO2 emission factor respect to an analogous conventional energy plant. In particular, the innovative solution consists of combining SOFC to methane dry reforming technology, while the conventional system refers to steam methane reforming-SOFC coupling. The innovative system performance up to 65% electric efficiency as cited in the paper, was validated through simulations carried out in Aspen Plus environment.

Modeling of a pressurized entrained-flow coal gasifier for power plant simulation

Now and in the mid-term future, coal remains an important energy source for electricity generation for reasons of energy supply security and economics. The expectation to get low CO2-emissions and high plant efficiencies, particularly independently of coal quality, makes coal gasification an essential part of numerous innovative power plant concepts. For that reason, simplified and flexible models for coal gasifiers are needed, which can be implemented easily in complex power plant system simulations. A model for an entrained-flow coal gasifier, the Prenflo coal gasification process, based on an equilibrium approach is developed. The created model is validated with operation data published in literature of a demonstration plant in Furstenhausen (Germany). For all published plant parameters, the calculated values of the model reproduce the operating data fairly precisely. Parametric study for the target application in a hybrid power plant including high temperature fuel cells regarding the gasification temperature and pressure as well as the mass flow ratios of the gasifying agent to coal is presented. Influences of these parameters on product gas composition and efficiency of gasification are investigated. By means of these, the model of the coal gasifier is qualified for implementation in system models such as those of integrated gasification combined cycle and hybrid power plants including high temperature fuel cells.

NGCC post-combustion CO2 capture with Ca/carbonate looping: Efficiency dependency on sorbent properties, capture unit performance and process configuration

This paper evaluates the potential of post-combustion CO2 capture from a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) through the use of solid sorbents at high temperatures. Experimental deactivation and residual sorption capacity parameters for various sorbents reported in the literature, as well as from own lab, are reviewed and the performance of three different Ca-based sorbents is studied in more detail: natural CaCO3, natural dolomite and synthetic CaO. Results from steady-state simulations of the Ca/carbonate looping unit show how the energy requirement for sorbent regeneration varies with sorbent properties, sorbent make-up ratio, internal heat recuperation and CO2 recirculation temperature. Net electric efficiency for a reference NGCC power plant without CO2 capture is 58.1% on a lower heating value basis and 49.5% for 90% CO2 capture rate with MEA. In comparison, an NGCC combined with looping of synthetic CaO sorbent and an advanced secondary steam cycle reaches a net electric efficiency of 53.1% for a capture rate above 90%. It is concluded that in addition to improved sorbent capacity and stability, heat recuperation in the solid streams between the carbonator and calciner as well as high CO2 recycle temperature are important for obtaining the high overall power plant efficiency.