Installation Area Research Articles

Verification of Construction Method for Smart Liners to Prevent Oil Spill Spread in Onshore

Onshore oil spills are directly related to soil contamination and significantly impact groundwater, vegetation, and human life. Immediate cleanup work is carried out when an oil spill occurs, but the currently used preventive measures are insufficient. Therefore, this study independently developed a smart liner that allows general groundwater flow but blocks groundwater in the event of a spill to prevent further spread, and aims to verify the excellence of the product through verification. Because the verification of the smart liner performance in real-life conditions is difficult for various reasons, large-scale experiments were simulated using a container. The Roll Spreading and Inserting Method (RSIM) and Panel Injecting Method (PIM) were used as installation methods due to the properties of the material employed. Through rainfall simulations, the discharge amount and groundwater levels before and after an oil spill were measured, and a reaction diagram was created following the smart liner’s demolition. From the results, it was found that both installation methods successfully blocked more than 99% of the drainage, and soil contaminants were not detected outside the installation area. These results confirm the effectiveness of the smart liner. Additionally, the reaction diagram indicated that the RSIM and PIM installation reaction areas were identical, validating the suitability of both methods. By conducting this study, the performance of the smart liner was verified, demonstrating its potential as an effective preventive measure against the spread of oil contamination in soil.

Design and Application of a Lightweight Plate-Type Acoustic Metamaterial for Vehicle Interior Low-Frequency Noise Reduction

To reduce the low-frequency noise inside automobiles, a lightweight plate-type locally resonant acoustic metamaterial (LRAM) is proposed. The design method for the low-frequency bending wave bandgap of the LRAM panel was derived. Prototype LRAM panels were fabricated and tested, and the effectiveness of the bandgap design was verified by measuring the vibration transmission characteristics of the steel panels with the installed LRAM. Based on the bandgap design method, the influence of geometric and material parameters on the bandgap of the LRAM panel was investigated. The LRAM panel was installed on the inner side of the tailgate of a traditional SUV, which effectively reduced the low-frequency noise (around 34 Hz) during acceleration and constant-speed driving, improving the subjective perception of the low-frequency noise from “very unsatisfactory” to “basically satisfactory”. Furthermore, the noise reduction performance of the LRAM panel was compared with that of traditional damping panels. It was found that, with a similar installation area and lighter weight than the traditional damping panels, the LRAM panel still achieved significantly better low-frequency noise reduction, exhibiting the advantages of lightweight, superior low-frequency performance, designable bandgap and shape, and high environmental reliability, which suggests its great potential for low-frequency noise reduction in vehicles.

Current status of wastewater treatment through large-scale treatment wetlands in the State of Veracruz, Mexico

The use of treatment wetlands has increased globally in the last twenty years. In the State of Veracruz, Mexico, CONAGUA has only registered six wetland-based treatment plants. However, recent research has revealed the existence of additional wetland treatment systems in operation that were not listed in the CONAGUA inventory. The main objective of this study is to diagnose the current situation of wastewater treatment in the State of Veracruz, Mexico, and identify the large-scale treatment wetlands that exist in the region. The study will focus on the design and implementation characteristics of these wetlands. The research is qualitative and descriptive, based on publications between 2000 and 2023 from Google Scholar and databases published by CONAGUA. The information review process used a content analysis technique to identify the geographical location of the wetlands, their installation area, the type of wetland, the type and volume of treated water, the vegetation used, and the year of installation. The results identified 12 large-scale treatment wetlands currently in operation in the State of Veracruz, Mexico, which have different design characteristics. The main variations are in the type of plants used. Some of these wetlands have been in operation for periods ranging from 1 to 17 years, but there is no updated information regarding their current functioning. Thus, future research is suggested to focus on the situational diagnosis of these systems years after their installation.

Review of recent trends of advancements in multilevel inverter topologies with reduced power switches and control techniques

AbstractCurrently, multilevel inverters (MLI) are comprehensively used to integrate renewable energy sources with the grid or high‐power applications. MLI has outstanding properties such as high‐level output voltage with tremendous power quality and negligible harmonics distortion. General MLI topologies have a more complex circuit, high overall cost and installation area. Due to a large number of power switches and isolation of control circuit, fewer power electronic switches and DC source along with its suitable control logic is the need of the hour. Therefore, a lot of research scope exists in this area. Here, some of the topologies with a fewer number of power switches are reviewed and scrutinized. An extensive analysis of the topologies, control strategy and applications are presented here, suggesting suitable multilevel inverter solutions to the known industrial application or new research.

Uncertainty propagation from crustal geologies to rock-site ground motion with a Fourier Neural Operator

Seismic hazard analyses in the area of a nuclear installation must account for a large number of uncertainties, including limited geological knowledge. Combining the accuracy of physics-based simulations with the expressivity of deep neural networks can help to quantify the influence of crustal geological uncertainties on surface ground motion. This work uses a Factorised Fourier Neural Operator (F-FNO) to learn the relationship between 3D crustal heterogeneous geologies and time-dependent wavefields at the Earth’s surface up to a 5 Hz maximal frequency. The F-FNO is pretrained on a generic database and then, fine-tuned with only 250 samples targeted to the Le Teil region (South-Eastern France). The F-FNO correctly predicts the wave arrival times and the main wavefronts. As quantified by Goodness-Of-Fit (GOF) criteria, 83% of predictions have excellent phase GOF and 75% have very good envelope GOF. The Peak Ground Velocity and Pseudo-Spectral Acceleration are also accurate, especially for geologies with low-to-moderate heterogeneities. Thanks to the F-FNO speed, ground motion distributions can be easily computed and provide safety margins compared to 1D simulations. These results show that the F-FNO is an efficient surrogate model to quantify the range of ground motion a nuclear installation could face in the presence of geological uncertainties.

Integrating thermoelectric devices in pyrolysis reactors for biochar and electricity co-production

This study proposed an innovative approach to integrating thermoelectric devices with small-scale pyrolysis reactors by using Mizunara (Japanese oak) as the feedstock for biochar production. The primary objective of the study was to enhance the energy efficiency and carbon sequestration potential of the biochar production process by converting waste heat into electricity through thermoelectric devices. Comprehensive steady-state thermal balance analysis revealed that although covering the entire reactor surface with thermoelectric devices can result in excessive heat loss and reduced biochar yield, strategically limiting the installation area allows efficient power generation without considerably compromising biochar production. This balance between electricity generation and biochar yield is critical for optimizing the system’s efficiency. Historically, small-scale waste-heat power generation has been underdeveloped, but our studies have demonstrated that incorporating naturally cooled thermoelectric devices allows the generation of kilowatt-hour (kWh)-scale electricity from waste heat, which would otherwise be discarded. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that with optimized conditions, the CO2 equivalent values of the sequestered carbon can be substantially increased, providing a viable solution for long-term carbon storage. The results highlight the potential of this integrated approach to improve the energy efficiency of biochar production and provide a solution for waste-heat management. Moreover, we assessed the implementation effects by assigning reasonable values for the thermoelectric device performance and provide a robust framework for biomass utilization, waste-heat recovery, and CO2 sequestration.

Optimizing the photovoltaic-assisted electric bus network with rooftop energy supply

As a clean and renewable resource, solar energy has demonstrated its potential to alleviate the energy vulnerability and grid strain for electric bus systems. In this study, we investigate the optimal design of an electric bus network in which rooftop solar panels are equipped to provide en-route photovoltaic assistance. A continuous-based model is proposed to optimize critical network design variables, including time-varying headway, stop spacing, and deployment of depot chargers. Introducing rooftop solar photovoltaics can significantly reduce range anxiety for electric buses. Compared with conventional electric bus systems, 4.2%–7.8 % daily in-operation time can be extended, while at most 5.7 % fleet size can also be saved per day. The proposed system demonstrates much more advantages in regions where hourly solar irradiance exceeds 1000 W/m2. Sensitivity tests indicate that (1) with a 10 % improvement in energy conversion efficiency, 1.2 % daily fleet size and 7.5 % depot chargers can be reduced; (2) every 50-kWh increase in bus battery capacity would bring a 1.8 % increment in system cost. Increasing the installation area of solar panels can help reduce battery capacity and lower the system cost. A real-world-based case in Panjin City, China is further designed to validate the application of the proposed system.

Photovoltaics Energy Potential in the Largest Greek Cities: Atmospheric and Urban Fabric Effects, Climatic Trends Influences and Socio-Economic Benefits

This comprehensive study explores the influence of aerosols and clouds on solar radiation in the urban environments of nine of Greece’s largest cities over the decade from 2014 to 2023. Utilizing a combination of Earth Observation data, radiative transfer models, and geographic information systems, the research undertook digital surface modeling and photovoltaic simulations. The study meticulously calculated the optimal rooftop areas for photovoltaic installation in these cities, contributing significantly to their energy adequacy and achieving a balance between daily electricity production and demand. Moreover, the research provides an in-depth analysis of energy and economic losses, while also highlighting the environmental benefits. These include a reduction in pollutant emissions and a decrease in the carbon footprint, aligning with the global shift towards local energy security and the transformation of urban areas into green, smart cities. The innovative methodology of this study, which leverages open access data, sets a strong foundation for future research in this field. It opens up possibilities for similar studies and has the potential to contribute to the creation of an updated, comprehensive solar potential map for continental Greece. This could be instrumental in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, thereby promoting sustainable urban development and environmental preservation.

The Effect of Preoperative Oral Glucose Administration on Blood Glucose Levels in Diabetes Mellitus Patients in General Anesthesia Surgery

Background The administration of general anesthesia during surgery can trigger the body’s stress response causing changes in regular metabolic patterns that result in hyperglycemia and ketosis. The goal of this study is to investigate how preoperative oral glucose and non-glucose administration affect patients with diabetes mellitus with blood glucose levels during surgery under general anesthesia. Methods This is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) being carried out by the Central Surgical Installation and postoperative recovery area at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Medan. The study sample consists of 38 patients with diabetes mellitus who underwent electively scheduled laparotomies under general anesthesia and met inclusion/exclusion criteria. For treatment group participants, mineral water containing 50 grams of glucose was administered with 400 cc. Research hypotheses were assessed using the t-test, and significant findings had p-values equal to or less than 0.05 within a confidence interval of 95%. Results The study sample had a mean age of 50.1 ± 12.73 and showed a significant effect between glucose levels before (178.47) and after (163.78) administration of maltodextrin, with a P value (0.001). No side effects were observed during or after the post-operative evaluation process conducted in this study's participants. Conclusions Patients with diabetes mellitus experience a preoperative oral glucose-induced impact on blood glucose levels.

Experimental investigations on prefabricated interlocking prestressed tendon composite joint and its application to beam-column connection

This study proposes an interlocking prestressed tendon composite joint (I-PTCJ) that can be applied to a beam–column connection of the multi-story structure. First, the main structure and prefabrication process of the I-PTCJ were introduced. Next, three beam–column specimens using local and integral I-PTCJs (named specimens PT1 and PT2) and a traditional interlocking joint (I-J, specimen named TG1) were designed and manufactured. Furthermore, quasi-static experiments were performed on these three specimens to evaluate their seismic performance. In addition, the influence of the prestressed tendons (PTs) and the arrangement mode (local or integral) of the I-PTCJs were investigated in detail. Finally, a preliminary comparative analysis between the experimental and simulated results was carried out. The results showed that the introduction of the PTs reduced the degree of damage within the PT installation area, delayed the cracking of the interlocking interface, and improved the bond performance of the longitudinal rebar. However, it also aggravated the degree of damage outside the PT installation area and reduced the displacement ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the specimen. Compared with TG1 (using the traditional I-J), PT1 (using the local I-PTCJ) had a higher peak load, lower displacement ductility, higher shear deformation, gentler rigidity deterioration, and lower cumulative energy dissipation. Compared with PT1, PT2 (using the integral I-PTCJ) had a higher peak load, lower displacement ductility, lower shear deformation, lower cumulative energy dissipation, and better bond performance of the longitudinal rebar. Both the yield displacement angle and ultimate displacement angle met the deformability requirement of the existing building design codes. Thus, the proposed I-PTCJ can be applied to the beam-column connection of multi-story structures.

Land Use and Energy Comparison of grid-connected Monocrystalline, and Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer Solar Technologies using advanced PVsyst Software (A Case Study in Kabul Province, Afghanistan)

This study aims to compare the performance and land use requirements of grid-connected monocrystalline and heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer (HIT) solar technologies in Kabul Province, Afghanistan, using advanced PVsyst software. A 3 kWp PV system was designed and simulated for both technologies. The results show that HIT panels outperform monocrystalline panels in terms of annual energy production and performance ratio (PR). HIT panels generated 6108 kWh annually with a PR of 85.49%, while monocrystalline panels produced 5969.5 kWh with a PR of 83.56%. Additionally, HIT panels required approximately 8.1% less installation area compared to monocrystalline panels, making them more space-efficient. The findings suggest that the adoption of HIT solar technology can lead to improved energy output and more efficient use of available land, contributing to more sustainable and effective solar energy solutions in the region. Despite potentially higher initial costs, HIT panels can provide better long-term benefits through higher efficiency and lower land use requirements. Further research is recommended to explore the cost-benefit analysis, long-term performance evaluation, sensitivity analysis, grid integration, and policy frameworks related to HIT solar technology in Afghanistan. By addressing these areas, a more comprehensive understanding of the practical implementation and long-term sustainability of HIT solar technology can be achieved, ultimately supporting the transition towards more efficient and environmentally-friendly renewable energy solutions in the country.

Application of autogenous dentinal block to increase alveolar bone volume: a clinical case

Introduction. Materials based on extracted teeth in various studies have been radiographically and histologically proven to be effective in osteoplastic operations. These materials can be used in the form of crushed dentin matrix, a fragment of the tooth’s root and an autogenous dentin block. The purpose of this clinical case was to evaluate the effectiveness of using an autogenous dentin block to increase the alveolar process of the jaws in the preimplantation period.Description of a clinical case. Patient F., 30 years old, applied to the clinic of the Clinical Center of Maxillofacial, Plastic Surgery and Dentistry Russian University of Medicine with a complaint of a missing tooth in the frontal region of the lower jaw. At the time of treatment, the patient was already undergoing orthodontic treatment in another medical institution in Moscow. The patient underwent a clinical and radiological examination together with a prosthodontst. A diagnosis of «partial secondary adentia», «atrophy of the alveolar ridge in the frontal part of the lower jaw» and «dystopia of teeth 1.8, 2.8, 3.8, 4.8» was established. A comprehensive treatment plan has been drawn up. At the first stage, the patient underwent extraction of teeth 1.8, 2.8, 3.8, 4.8 for orthodontic indications with simultaneous bone grafting of the alveolar ridge in the area of the missing tooth 3.1. At the second stage, the patient underwent a trephine biopsy in the area of augmentation and installation of a dental implant in the area of missing tooth 3.1. The third stage was rational prosthodontic treatment on a dental implant in the department of prosthodontics.Results. The present study showed that autogenous dentinal block can serve as an alternative material for alveolar ridge augmentation.

A new wide input voltage DC-DC converter for solar PV systems with hybrid MPPT controller

The present working conventional power generation systems utilization is reducing day by day because of their demerits are more functioning cost, high carbon dioxide emission, more complexity in handling, and required high installation area. So, the current power generation company focuses on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) which are wind, tidal, and solar. Here, the solar power network is utilized for supplying electricity to the electrical vehicle battery charging system. The Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules supply nonlinear power which is not useful for automotive systems. To maximize the supply power of the solar PV system, an Adaptive Step Genetic Algorithm Optimized (ASGAO) Radial Basis Functional Network (RBFN) is utilized for tracking the working point of the solar PV module thereby enhancing the operating efficiency of the overall system. The features of this proposed hybrid Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller are quick system dynamic response, easy operation, quick convergence speed, more robustness, and high operating efficiency when equalized with the basic MPPT controllers. The major issue of solar PV modules is low supply voltage which is increased by introducing the wide input voltage DC-DC converter. The merits of this introduced converter are low-level voltage stress on diodes, good quality supply power, high voltage gain, plus low implementation cost. Here, the introduced converter along with the AGAO-RBFN controller is analyzed by selecting the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Also, the proposed converter is tested with the help of a programable DC source.

Validation of Excess Energy in the H2 Loaded Palladium System

The depletion of conventional energy resources necessitates the exploration of alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and bio-gas. However, these renewable options have limitations in different climatic conditions and require large land areas for installation, while their output efficiency remains comparatively low. To address this challenge, the study of Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR) presents a promising avenue for green, clean, portable, and sustainable energy. The Centre for Energy Research (CER) at S-VYASA University, Bangalore, India, has actively pursued LENR research for the past 9 years. Research groups have observed that the absorption of hydrogen into metal lattices is a crucial condition for LENR to occur. Various research groups, including CER, have explored metals like nickel, platinum, titanium, and palladium for high levels of hydrogen loading at controlled temperatures and pressures. In this study, two identical reactors were fabricated, one with an active fuel component and the other serving as a control unit. Both reactors underwent identical processes and hydrogen loading protocols. The active reactor consistently exhibited higher skin temperatures compared to the control reactor under the same power input, indicating the generation of excess heat. The experiment ran continuously for three months, showcasing sustained excess temperatures.

Optimizing Solar Heating for Thangka Exhibition Halls: A Case Study in Malkang Cultural Village

With the continuous development of rural revitalization and urbanization in China, the sustainable transformation of traditional rural architecture has become increasingly important. This study takes the Thangka exhibition hall in rural Malkang, Sichuan Province, as the research object and proposes a Thangka exhibition hall architectural design centered around solar heating and aiming for near-zero energy consumption. The research method involves establishing a solar energy system model on the roof of the exhibition hall and utilizing solar angle and area calculation formulas along with simulation software to calculate the optimal installation angle and area of solar panels, with the aim of achieving indoor temperatures that meet Thangka protection requirements while achieving zero-energy heating. Preliminary results indicate that this solar-centric near-zero energy architectural design can effectively promote the increase in indoor temperature through solar thermal conversion. Additionally, through calculation and simulation, the optimal installation angle for the solar panels achieving zero-energy heating is determined to be 24.25 with an azimuth angle of −1.2. The optimum installation area for solar panels is 8.2 square meters in the showroom and 2.7 square meters in the storeroom. Among these, the solar panel area for the Thangka exhibition hall constitutes 4.12% of the total area and is required for maintaining Thangka protection temperature requirements throughout the year, while the solar panel area for the storage room constitutes 1.88% and is also needed for the same purpose. Studying the optimal installation angle and area of solar panels can transform the exhibition hall into a near-zero-energy building, meeting the temperature requirements for Thangka preservation and human thermal comfort, while also achieving optimal economic benefits. This provides guidance and a reference for promoting near-zero-energy buildings in rural areas.

Dimensioning Method for PVT Collectors as Heat Source of Heat Pumps for Residential Buildings

Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors are an emerging technology that is increasingly being used as a heat source for heat pump systems in residential buildings. However, a suitable standard methodology for sizing the PVT collectors for these systems is still not available. This paper initially provides a framework for the sizing of a PVT-heat pump system for small houses according to the German guideline VDI 4645. The dimensioning method of VDI 4645 and the sizing method for PVT collectors are incorporated in a web-based tool that is aimed to assist planners (or homeowners) during the preliminary planning of a heat pump system in single and multi-family houses. The methodology also covers the planning of systems with backup/additional heaters (e.g. gas boiler and heating rod), e.g. for buildings with limited roof areas for PVT installations. Different heat pump operation modes, i.e. monovalent, bivalent-alternative, or bivalent-parallel are also considered. A model of the IEA SHC Task44 SFH100, an existing single-family house with radiators, has been chosen as an example case to demonstrate the methodology. For the evaluation of the performance of the designed system, yearly simulations of the system are done in TRNSYS. The results show that the developed methodology provides plausible sizes for the example case. However, further development and validation are necessary to provide flexibility in system dimensioning.

Massive Solar PV Potential in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is facing an energy crisis due to insufficient exploitation of renewable energy resources and high reliance on imported fossil fuels. Building-integrated PV (BIPV) systems are one approach that provides various benefits in countries with limited land areas and congested metropolitan regions for ensuring energy security. This study was conducted to evaluate the rooftop solar PV capacity and yearly electricity generation potential in selected provinces in Sri Lanka. The study found 115 km2 of rooftop area for solar PV installation in four Sri Lankan provinces; Sabaragamuwa, Western, Northern, and North Central with approximately 25 GW of solar PV installation capacity could lead to annual electricity generation of 45 TWh which could reduce carbon emissions by 20 million tCO2 per year.

Automatic assembly of prefabricated components based on vision-guided robot

On-site assembly of prefabricated components is crucial for the construction efficiency and quality of prefabricated buildings. In this process, a prefabricated component is first lifted and transported to the vicinity, where it will be installed using a crane. Subsequently, multiple workers collaborate to align the components with the target installation area. However, this manual installation method is time-consuming and unreliable in accuracy. A vision-based robot-assisted component installation system is proposed in this study. After the initial alignment using a crane, the two robots cooperate to adjust the position and orientation of the component accurately. This automated assembly method consists of the following tasks: (1) The target installation pose of the component, which can be used as a guide for the movements of robots, is extracted from the building information model (BIM) based on the industry foundation class standard. (2) An optical-marker-based method is applied to position the robots in the coordinate system of the site and identify the pose of the reserved hole in the lifting prefabricated component. Based on this pose, the robot is manipulated to thread the end effector into the reserved hole. (3) A planned working path of the end effector in Cartesian space combined with the current pose of the end effector and the target installation pose is obtained. (4) The end effector moves along a predetermined path to drive the component precisely. Finally, the accuracy, feasibility, and effectiveness of the robotic automated construction method are verified through installation tests on a precast panel.

Offshore wind power plant site selection in the Baltic Sea

The selection of suitable sites for offshore wind power plants is an important marine spatial planning problem in the Baltic Sea. The application of multiple and different decision support tools (DSTs) can facilitate site selection. This study employs a geographical information system (GIS) integrated with the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) model, and GIS with multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) using an analytical hierarch process (AHP), fuzzy logic, weighted linear combination (WLC), and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) as an extension of MCDA. The core novelty of the study is the use of several concurrent state-of-the art techniques to quantify the detailed spatial pattern of suitability of different sea areas for offshore wind power plant installations for the entire Baltic Sea at an unprecedented, for such a large sea area, resolution. Important parameters were identified and data from the Global Wind Atlas, HELCOM, and EMODnet portals were used. The most appropriate areas exhibit LCOE values between 42 and 58 €/MWh, MCDA values in the range of 0.78–0.92, and capacity factor values from 0.52 to 0.55. The areas identified as the least appropriate were characterized by LCOE values ranging from 107 to 210 €/MWh, MCDA values between 0.34 and 0.59, and capacity factor values within the range of 0.30–0.43. The outcomes using both methodologies were similar. The decision preferred are mostly locations close to shore in shallow water and with a high capacity factor. The largest suitable areas are in the south-west Baltic Sea whereas some suitable locations are identified further to the north and east.

Experimental Study of Fluid Flow Losses at Several Turning Angles

This research, entitled Experimental Study of Fluid Flow Losses at Turns 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°, is a review of fluid (water) flow in closed channels. Fluid (water) flow in opened and closed channels is influenced by the condition of the container in which the fluid flows. One form of this influence is the occurrence of a condition which is generally known as flow loss. This condition is certainly undesirable because it will cause problems, technically the manifestation is a decrease in pressure including the speed of fluid flow. To find out the real conditions of flow losses, it is necessary to carry out research stages. The research stages were carried out in the form of system design, measurement, testing and data analysis. The system is designed with a pump device, where the fluid is pumped from a holding container, then flows into the installation area or closed channel which is made using ½" PVC pipe and is equipped with a Pressure Gauge measuring instrument to measure pressure and a Flow meter to measure flow discharge, placing bends. with angles of 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees. Indication of loss is indicated by a decrease in pressure measured at the pressure gate, while indication of a decrease in flow velocity is calculated using an equation with the flow input variable measured from the flow meter.