Onboard Water Research Articles

An investigation of the on-board microwave radiometer of satellite Altimetry for studying the atmosphere variability

Since its first launching, the ability of satellite Altimetry in providing reliable and accurate ocean geophysical information of the sea surface height (SSH), significant wave height (SWH), and wind speed has been proven by numerous researchers, as it was designed for observing the ocean dynamics through nadir range measurement between satellite and the sea surface. However, to achieve high level accuracy, environmental and geophysical effects on the range measurement must be accurately determined and corrected, particularly the effects from the atmospheric water vapor which can divert altimeter range up to 3–45 cm. Thus, satellite Altimetry is originally equipped with the on-board microwave radiometer to measure the water vapour content for correcting the range measurement. To our knowledge, no one has attempted to apply the on-board radiometer for atmospheric studies. In this present work, we attempt to optimize the on-board radiometer data for studying the atmosphere variability due to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomena. We convert the on-board water vapor data into the precipitable water vapour (PWV), and we then investigate whether the derived PWV can capture the variability of ocean–atmosphere phenomena due to ENSO as accurate as the conventional Altimetry-derived sea level anomaly (SLA). Based on our analysis using the empirical orthogonal function (EOF), the results show convincing argument that Altimetry-derived PWV are reliable in examining the atmospheric fluctuation as the correlation of its primary principal component time series (PC1) with Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) is higher (0.87) than SLA (0.80). These results may reinforce the confidence in the ability of satellite Altimetry for ocean–atmospheric studies.Graphical

Performance Assessment of the Heat Recovery System of a 12 MW SOFC-Based Generator on Board a Cruise Ship through a 0D Model

The present work considers a 12 MW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) power plant integrated with a heat recovery system installed on board an LNG-fuelled cruise ship of about 175,000 gross tonnes and 345 m in length. The SOFC plant is fed by LNG and generates electrical power within an integrated power system configuration; additionally, it provides part of the thermal energy demand. A zero-dimensional (0D) Aspen Plus model has been built-up to simulate the SOFC power plant and to assess the performances of the proposed heat recovery system. The model has been validated by comparing the results obtained with data from the literature and commercial SOFC modules. The integrated system has been optimized in order to maximize steam production since it is the most requested thermal source on board. The main design outcome is that the steam produced is made by the recovered water from the SOFC exhaust by about 50–60%, thus reducing the onboard water storage or production. Additionally, results indicate that such an integrated system could save up to about 14.4% of LNG.

Basin-Scale Underway Quantitative Survey of Surface Microplankton Using Affordable Collection and Imaging Tools Deployed From Tara

World ocean plankton quantitative biodiversity data are still severely limited due to the high cost and logistical constraints associated to oceanographic vessels and collection/analytic devices. Here, we report the first use of an affordable and open-source plankton collection and imaging kit designed for citizen biological oceanography, composed of a high-speed surface plankton net, the Coryphaena, together with a portable in-flux automated imaging device, the PlanktoScope. We deployed this kit in December 2020 along a latitudinal transect across the Atlantic Ocean on board the schooner Tara, during the first Leg of her ‘Mission Microbiomes’. The citizen-science instruments were benchmarked and compared at sea to state-of-the-art protocols applied in previous Tara expeditions, i.e. on-board water pumping and filtration system and the FlowCam to respectively sample and image total micro-plankton. Results show that the Coryphaena can collect pristine micro-plankton at speed up to 11 knots, generating quantitative imaging data comparable to those obtained from total, on-board filtered water, and that the PlanktoScope and FlowCam provide comparable data. Overall, the new citizen tools provided a complete picture of surface micro-plankton composition, biogeography and biogeochemistry, opening the way toward a global, cooperative, and frugal plankton observatory network at planetary scale.

Pseudo-Steady State of High-frequency Resistance for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell: Effect of In-Plane Heterogeneity

High frequency resistance (HFR) has become the most important input signal for the on-board water management of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) vehicles in practical applications, due to its close physical relation to the membrane water content. However, according to our latest experimental result, the paradox arises that HFR reaches a steady state regardless of continuous reduction in membrane water content, in other words, the pseudo-steady state of HFR is achieved. To investigate the triggering mechanism, for the first time, we combine current mapping technique with image difference technique to observe dynamic evolution of current in-plane distribution, and, furthermore, to analyze membrane water distribution. We can demonstrate that, the heterogeneity of membrane water in-plane distribution triggers the pseudo-steady HFR, and it can be distinguished by the distributed monitoring, to avoid the potential failure of water management.

Investigation of Performance and Emission Parameters of Hydroxygen (HHO)-Enriched Diesel Fuel with Water Injection in the Compression Ignition Engine

The development of engine technologies and research on combustion processes are focused on finding new generation CI engines with simple control of the combustion process while efficiently maintaining desirable engine performance and meeting emission regulations. This comprehensive study on the relatively low hydrogen energy fraction (0.65–1.80%), supplied by onboard water electrolysers and on water injection, was performed on the performance and emission parameters of the CI engine. The article presents results of both experiment and simulation about the effect of hydroxygen and water injection on the combustion process, auto-ignition delay, combustion intensity, the temperature of the mixture and engine performance at BMEP of 0.2 MPa, 0.4 MPa, 0.6 MPa, and 0.8 MPa at a speed of 1900 rpm. For the first part, the test engine operated with diesel fuel with 3.5 L/min of hydroxygen gas supplied with an external mixture formation. The HHO has an effect on the combustion process at all range of BMEP. A decrease in BTE and increase in BSFC were noticed during tests. The peak pressure and the rate of heat release decreased, but the NOx decreased as well. The second part of experiment was performed with the injection of a substantial amount of water, 8.4–17.4 kg/h (140–290 cm3/min), and the same amount of hydroxygen. The injection of water further decreased the NOx; therefore, HHO and WI can be used to meet emission regulations. A simulation of the combustion process was carried out with the AVL BOOST sub-program BURN. The AVL BOOST simulation provided a detailed view of the in-cylinder pressure, pressure-rise, combustion intensity shape parameter and SOC.

Model-Based Control of a Robotic Fish to Enable 3D Maneuvering Through a Moving Orifice

Three-dimensionally (3D) maneuverable robotic fish are highly desirable due to their ability to explore and survey the underwater environment. Existing depth control mechanisms are typically focused on using either compressed air or a piston to generate changes in volume. However, this often makes the system bulky and therefore impractical for use in small size underwater robots. In this letter, a small and compact 3D maneuverable robotic fish is developed. Instead of using a compressed air tank, the robot is equipped with an on-board water electrolyzer that generates gases in the required amount, in order to achieve changes in depth. The fabricated robotic fish demonstrates fast diving and rising performance. A servo motor is used to generate asymmetric flapping motion on the caudal fin for two-dimensional (2D) planar motion. A 3D dynamic model is derived for the fabricated robotic fish. This 3D model is then embedded into a relative velocity framework, to develop a guidance and control scheme that enables the robotic fish to maneuver through underwater orifices. These underwater orifices may be either stationary or moving. Simulations are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the developed algorithm.

The PERSEO Experience: A Water-Filled Garment Prototype for Personal Radiation Protection of Astronauts Successfully Tested on Board the International Space Station

The PERSEO project (PErsonal Radiation Shielding for intErplanetary missiOns), funded by the Italian Space Agency, has led to the development of a first technological demonstrator of a radiation shielding garment, to be used in a pressurized space habitat, that can be filled at need with on-board water and used for personal protection in case of solar particle events. The collaboration, including academic partners and companies active in space research and technology development, designed and manufactured the prototype that has been successfully tested on board the International Space Station by the European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli in November 2017, during the VITA mission. The effectiveness of the garment in terms of reduction of the radiation dose to sensitive organs (subject to the occurrence of short-term non-cancer effects following acute exposure) has been evaluated with Monte Carlo simulations with an anthropomorphic phantom. The successful outcome of the experimental session on board has demonstrated the practicality of use and wearability of the prototype, and, in perspective, the feasibility of a personal radiation shielding strategy, complementary to habitat shielding and based on the use of available resources, of fundamental importance also in view of future manned interplanetary missions.

Physiological recovery after bottom trawling as a method to manage discards: The case study of Nephrops norvegicus and Squilla mantis

The European Fisheries Policy aims at a progressive elimination of discards. An exception from this regulation includes the release of species with high survival rates after capture. In south-western Atlantic waters of Europe, Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and spottail mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis) are amongst the most important crustacean species captured by bottom trawling. We evaluated their short-term survival probability, survival rates and recovery capacities after being trawled by an oceanographic vessel. Seasonal differences were considered by sampling in spring and autumn. In order to characterise the full recovery after capture, physiological responses were also analysed along a time-course of 24 h. Our results confirm that bottom trawling is a stressful process to these crustacean species, as seen by changes in plasma and muscle metabolites, hemocyanin and immune system parameters. However, maintaining captured animals in onboard water tanks evidenced the full physiological recovery of survivors after 6 h and before 24 h. Survival in Norway lobster and spottail mantis shrimp varied according to the season, being higher in spring (68.4 ± 7.1% and 87.0 ± 4.7%, respectively) than in autumn (33.8 ± 7.8% and 63.8 ± 9.3%, respectively), probably due to the higher temperatures registered after summer months. The employment of the presented techniques for the evaluation of other crustaceans, fishing gears and geographical areas can be contemplated. Fisheries stakeholders might use this approach to better manage discards in Europe.

Development of an autonomous mobile plant irrigation robot for semi structured environment

Abstract The aim of this research is to develop an autonomous mobile plant irrigation robot. The system uses an Xbee Series 1wireless communication to communicate between the mobile robot and a moisture sensing module which is fully adaptive to a semi-structured environment taking into account the watering needs of the plants. Other components are microcontroller, an on-board water reservoir and an attached water pump. The performance evaluation of the autonomous irrigation robot was based on the analysis of the water carrying capacity, distance of watering per cycle, and time requirements to water a given area of land. It shows that 5 litres of water can be maintained for 150 seconds by the robot. The soil moisture data at different times of the day deduced that the moisture content during the day was lower than after irrigation was carried out. The efficiency of the irrigation robot was also examined by the relationship between volume of water carried and the speed of the mobile robot. It shows that 0.38 N torque would permit the movement of the robot by 1 m at a water carrying capacity of less or equal to 3. 5 litres. The autonomous plant irrigation robot system constructed based on ZigBee overcomes the limitations of the fixed sprinkler system and avoids large space consumption.

A water-filled garment to protect astronauts during interplanetary missions tested on board the ISS

As manned spaceflights beyond low Earth orbit are in the agenda of Space Agencies, the concerns related to space radiation exposure of the crew are still without conclusive solutions. The risk of long-term detrimental health effects needs to be kept below acceptable limits, and emergency countermeasures must be planned to avoid the short-term consequences of exposure to high particle fluxes during hardly predictable solar events. Space habitat shielding cannot be the ultimate solution: the increasing complexity of future missions will require astronauts to protect themselves in low-shielded areas, e.g. during emergency operations. Personal radiation shielding is promising, particularly if using available resources for multi-functional shielding devices. In this work we report on all steps from the conception, design, manufacturing, to the final test on board the International Space Station (ISS) of the first prototype of a water-filled garment for emergency radiation shielding against solar particle events. The garment has a good shielding potential and comfort level. On-board water is used for filling and then recycled without waste. The successful outcome of this experiment represents an important breakthrough in space radiation shielding, opening to the development of similarly conceived devices and their use in interplanetary missions as the one to Mars.

Multi-parametric polymer-based potentiometric analytical microsystem for future manned space missions

The construction and evaluation of a Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC)-based continuous flow potentiometric microanalyzer to simultaneously monitor potassium, chloride and nitrate ions in samples from an on-board water recycling process expected to be installed in future manned space missions is presented. The main goals accomplished in this work address the specific required characteristics for a miniaturized on-line monitoring system to control water quality in such missions. To begin with, the integration of three ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) and a reference electrode in a compact microfluidic platform that incorporates a simple automatic autocalibration process allows obtaining information about the concentration of the three ions with optimal analytical response characteristics, but moreover with low reagents consumption and therefore with few waste generation, which is critical for this specific application. By a simple signal processing (signal removal) the chloride ion interference on the nitrate electrode response can be eliminated. Furthermore, all fluidics management is performed by computer-controlled microvalves and micropumps, so no manual intervention of the crew is necessary. The analytical features provided by the microsystem after the optimization process were a linear range from 6.3 to 630 mg L−1 and a detection limit of 0.51 mg L−1 for the potassium electrode, a linear range from 10 to 1000 mg L−1 and a detection limit of 1.58 mg L−1 for the chloride electrode and a linear range from 10 to 1000 mg L−1 and a detection limit of 3.37 mg L−1 for the nitrate electrode with a reproducibility (RSD) of 4%, 2% and 3% respectively. Sample throughput was 12 h−1 with a reagent consumptions lower than 2 mL per analysis.

Development of Onboard Water Jet Impact Acoustic Testing Device

Development of Onboard Water Jet Impact Acoustic Testing Device

NAVY HYGIENIST YU. N. PETROV: THE CALL OF DUTY AND THE COURSE OF CREATIVITY

The paper sheds light on several episodes in the life of Yuri Nikolayevich Petrov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, navy doctor, radiation hygienist, veteran of the Department of Navy and Radiation Hygiene of S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, the author of dozens of inventions and innovation proposals. Many of navy hygienists in Russia esteem Yu. N. Petrov as their tutor. The principal features of his personality have ever been independence in thought, invariable adherence to principles, exclusive modesty, and outstanding benevolence. His life-long motto is the following phase taken from his autobiographic essay: «In any routine, it is possible and essential to find its interesting aspects and thus make it fascinating. Ever since, the routine turns into pleasure and life becomes wonderful». The highlights of his professional activities include involvement in the liquidation of the consequences of K-8 submarine wreck (13.10.1960), the detection of radioactive cloud after nuclear tests in China (1968), the discovery of a foreign nuclear submarine beneath the aircraft-carrying cruiser Minsk, involvement in radiation control during the first trips of soviet nuclear submarines and in associated studies of internal irradiation in humans, involvement in developing and implementing of systems for environmental radiation control at facilities having terrestrial nuclear reactors, studies of on-board water decontamination, and, after retirement, fifteen years of practice in the sphere of consumer rights protection.

Approaches for On-board Water Provision for Water Injection

Approaches for On-board Water Provision for Water Injection

The County/Metro research into fire-fighting suppressive capacity and the impact on building fire damage at >5000 UK building fires, 2009–2012

This paper describes research by Glasgow Caledonian University into fire-fighting water flow-rates as actually deployed to control and suppress >5000 building fires that occurred in two fire authority jurisdictions in the UK between 2009 and 2012. One fire service covered a large county suburban risk area with low to medium populated areas, whilst the other covered a large metropolitan region with heavily populated inner city areas included. Using data from the national IRS fire reporting framework (UK Fire & Rescue Service National Incident Recording System), it was demonstrated that there are critical links between the amounts of water used/required for effective fire-fighting in relation to the occupancy type, the density of the fire load, the estimated heat release from compartment fires and the extent of fire damage that may impact on the building and its contents.Comparisons are made to similar research undertaken previously in the UK that estimated water carried to the scene by fire engines (1800l in the literature) was generally adequate in dealing with building fires on 86% of occasions. Interestingly, some fifty years later, the County/Metro research reported in this paper demonstrates that just 64% of fires are currently dealt with using the 1800l on-board water provision provided by a single fire response vehicle, although the source of data representation may be different. A deployed flow-rate between 6 and 12LPM/m2per100m2 of fire involvement was generally observed in the current study and the variance was mainly relative to occupancy type.An existing design methodology for fire-fighting water provisions is then held in comparison to the County/Metro flow-rate data, demonstrating close correlations with this extensive empirical research.

Emissions performance of a hybrid hydrogen–gasoline engine-powered passenger car under the New European Driving Cycle

This paper investigated the emissions performance of a passenger car powered by the hybrid hydrogen–gasoline engine under the New European Driving Cycle. The hydrogen was produced from an onboard water electrolysis hydrogen generator fixed in the trunk. The test results demonstrated that, when the engine was started with pure hydrogen for the first 7s and fueled with the pure gasoline after 11s from the onset of the cold start, CO and HC emissions were reduced by 62.1% and 64.1%, respectively. The vehicle emissions performance could be improved from the Euro-II emissions standard of the original vehicle to the Euro-IV emissions standard of the hybrid hydrogen–gasoline engine-powered vehicle.

Legionella pneumophila på Sjøforsvarets fartøyer

Little is known about the occurrence of Legionella pneumophila in water supply systems on board ships. Our aim was to study the occurrence of L. pneumophila in the water supply system on board Norwegian naval vessels as the basis for framing preventive strategies against Legionella infection. Water samples were collected from technical installations and from the water distribution network on board 41 vessels and from ten water filling (bunkering) stations, the sampling taking place in two rounds separated by a one-year interval. The samples were subjected to analysis, including serotyping and genotyping, with a view to identifying the presence of L. pneumophila and of free-living amoebae. L. pneumophila was found in 20 out of a total of 41 vessels in the first round of sampling, and live L. pneumophila serogroup 1 was isolated in seven of the 20 vessels. Free-living amoebae were found in the water supply system in most of the vessels, including all the vessels with L. pneumophila. The same genotype of L. pneumophila was identified in the water in bunkering stations and in the water on board the vessels. L. pneumophila was not present in all the vessels, but all the vessels where the bacterium was found were also contaminated with free-living amoebae. We have demonstrated the probability of the fresh water from bunkering stations being the source of the contamination. In framing preventive strategies, importance should therefore be attached to identifying the source of contamination and the presence of free-living amoebae, as a premise for the establishment and growth of L. pneumophila in onboard water supply systems.

Plant Watering Autonomous Mobile Robot

Now days, due to busy routine life, people forget to water their plants. In this paper, we present a completely autonomous and a cost-effective system for watering indoor potted plants placed on an even surface. The system comprises of a mobile robot and a temperature-humidity sensing module. The system is fully adaptive to any environment and takes into account the watering needs of the plants using the temperature-humidity sensing module. The paper describes the hardware architecture of the fully automated watering system, which uses wireless communication to communicate between the mobile robot and the sensing module. This gardening robot is completely portable and is equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) module, a microcontroller, an on-board water reservoir and an attached water pump. It is capable of sensing the watering needs of the plants, locating them and finally watering them autonomously without any human intervention. Mobilization of the robot to the potted plant is achieved by using a predefined path. For identification, an RFID tag is attached to each potted plant. The paper also discusses the detailed implementation of the system supported with complete circuitry. Finally, the paper concludes with system performance including the analysis of the water carrying capacity and time requirements to water a set of plants. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijra.v1i3.1305

Modeling and Simulation of a PEM Fuel Cell System for Aircraft Applications

A dynamic polymer electrolyte fuel cell system model including reformer, compressor, turbine and balance of pant models as wells as a heuristic control concept has been developed within MATLAB/Simulink. Within this paper emphasis is given to the model validation and dynamic system behavior. In addition the on-board water production and the system water balance were evaluated. The results point out an effective water gain if high effort for cooling is introduced and the load demand is higher than 65% of the nominal fuel cell stack power output. Moreover a response time of approximately 50s regarding load changes was derived from the simulation.

Osmotic dispense pump for operation at different temperatures and pressures

Three different osmotic pumping devices are designed, developed and tested. These devices are intended for an application, wherein a constant flow rate of 1 μL/h is required for a period of 1 year with capability to operate at different pressures and different temperatures. The devices are completely self-sustaining and self-contained, with a pressurized solvent supply to avoid phase changes that inhibit functionality of the devises, and to allow operation in any orientation. The designs of the osmotic devices utilize unique methods for: (i) membrane retention and (ii) onboard water reservoir containment. During development, two different semi-permeable materials are considered, polyimide and porous glass. The devices using polyimide as the semi-permeable membrane are capable of operation at temperatures up to and including 75 °C, and at pressures up to 1.03 MPa. The devices using porous glass operate at temperatures in excess of 121 °C, unless pressures above 172.4 kPa are applied, in which case, operation is limited to temperatures less than 50 °C.