Payback Period Research Articles

Thermal performance analysis of a domestic-size absorption cooling system incorporating nanofluid with thermal insulation in hot climate of Algeria

The increased demand for energy consumption for air conditioning, due to rising temperatures, has created challenges related to thermal comfort in residential environments .In the present study, a simulation of an air conditioning system for a small building was conducted, considering various absorption cooling scenarios to assess system performance through dynamic and economic analysis. The proposed system employs a parabolic trough collector in conjunction with a storage tank, designed to cool a 12 m² room in Adrar, Algeria. The study aims to identify the optimal scenario based on temperature, heat, and system coefficient of performance indicators. A computer program was developed using characteristic equations and finite difference methods to analyze the system's behavior with different nanofluid concentrations and thermal insulation. Simulation results show that scenario with nanofluid and insulation the best performance is achieved with a 4% nanofluid concentration, a 9 m² solar collector, a 0.3 m³ storage tank, and 0.05 m thick polystyrene insulation. The system can operate for 9 h, maintaining an indoor temperature of 27°C with a peak cooling load of 3 kW. The economic analysis estimates an investment cost of 4535.4$ and Net Present Value 3,370.40$ with a payback period of 12 years and 3 months.

A novel PEMFC-GT-ST power generation system employing supercritical water gasification of coal for enhanced hydrogen production

This study presents an innovative coal-fired power generation system that integrates a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), Gas Turbine (GT), and Steam Turbine (ST) with a supercritical water gasification (SCWG) process designed to efficiently convert coal into hydrogen. A pivotal feature of this system is the first-time integration of advanced two-step SCWG technology with PEMFC, which significantly boosts hydrogen yield, thereby elevating overall efficiency. By effectively addressing the thermodynamic limitations of the Carnot cycle, the proposed system achieves an impressive coal-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 51.61%. Economic viability is demonstrated through a competitive levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.052 per kWh and a rapid payback period of approximately 2.87 years. Furthermore, the study analyzes the impact of various operational parameters—such as coal feed capacity, water-to-coal ratio, operating temperatures of the PEMFC, fuel utilization rates, airflow, and hydrogen bypass flow—on system performance. The findings not only advance the efficiency of coal-to-electricity conversion but also contribute valuable insights to the evolution of sustainable coal-fueled power generation technologies.

Biomass-Driven Polygeneration Coupled to Power-to-X: An Energy and Economic Comparison Between On-Site Electric Vehicle Charging and Hydrogen Production

The power-to-X strategy for passenger car applications offers a viable solution for using the surplus electrical power from renewable energy sources instead of exporting it to the grid. The innovative system proposed in this study allocates surplus electrical power from a building-integrated biomass-based Combined Cooling Heating and Power (CCHP) system to on-site applications and evaluates the energetic and economic benefits. The system comprises two key components: a 50 kW electric vehicle (EV) charging station for EVs and a 50 kW alkaline electrolyzer system for on-site hydrogen production, which is later dispensed to fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The primary goal is to decrease the surplus of electricity exports while simultaneously encouraging sustainable transportation. The system’s economic viability is assessed through two scenarios of fuel (e.g., biomass) supply costs (e.g., with and without fuel market costs) and compared to the conventional approach of exporting the excess power. The key findings of this work include a substantial reduction in surplus electricity exports, with only 3.7% allocated for EV charging and 31.5% for hydrogen production. The simple payback period (SPB) is notably reduced, enhancing economic viability. Sensitivity analysis identifies the optimal hydrogen system, featuring a 120 kW electrolyzer and a 37 kg daily hydrogen demand. The results underscore the importance of prioritizing self-consumed energy over exports to the national grid, thereby supporting integrated renewable energy solutions that enhance local energy utilization and promote sustainable transportation initiatives.

Sustainability assessment of educational approaches as food waste prevention measures in school catering

A large proportion of school meals are wasted, leading to missed opportunities to nourish pupils, environmental impacts, and economic losses. This intervention study evaluated the long-term efficacy of three educational approaches (giving feedback to guests via plate waste tracker, pedagogic meals, and kitchen workshops) in reducing plate waste in school canteens across Europe (Austria, Germany, and Sweden). Following the intervention, a sustainability assessment was conducted, including environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The results showed that the plate waste tracker significantly reduced plate waste, by 17% (4 g/guest) from an already lower baseline level of 23 g/guest, while demonstrating long-term efficacy with sustained waste reduction up to 15 months post-implementation. This reduction lowered the environmental impacts (by 212 kg carbon dioxide equivalents per school & year) and nutrient losses (1018 MJ, 12 kg protein, and 4 kg fiber per school & year), while proving cost-effective with a payback period of only 1-2 years. Therefore, despite upfront costs and implementation barriers, food waste reduction measures in school canteens provide substantial long-term benefits across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, making them a valuable investment for sustainable school meal programs.

Financial feasibility: developing and commercializing Turmeric Kombucha with the business model canvas

Turmeric Kombucha, a fermented drink combining the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, represents a promising product of functional beverage market. In order to successfully bring Turmeric Kombucha to market, it is essential to evaluate its commercialization potential. This involves assessing the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and financial feasibility metrics. This study aims to determine the feasibility and strategies for successfully commercializing Turmeric Kombucha for development a business plan with scale up the production of Turmeric Kombucha. The result indicate that Turmeric Kombucha has a viable business model with 9 elements. Based on financial shows that Net Present Value (NPV) of $ 13,405,417.62, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 71.42 %, a Payback Period (PP) of 0.59 years, and Break-Even Point (BEP) metrics of 3,173 units and $ 4,914.46. The analysis shows strong financial viability and significant growth potential for Turmeric Kombucha, supported by sustainable and efficient supply chain partnerships. The features and characteristics of the obtained results in this study, namely: a) high consumer interest from health-conscious individuals over 18 years old; b) health benefits of Turmeric Kombucha include hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties; c) key resources include efficient production processes, user-friendly equipment, and adequate human and financial resources. The practical application of these results involves strategies for scale up of market expansion, quality standardization, and supply chain enhancement. Customer relationships are fostered through direct and indirect distribution channels such as marketplaces, word-of-mouth, and retail stores.

ENHANCING EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY: GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR WATER SUPPLY COMPANIES

Water supply enterprises significantly impact local communities by providing essential services. These companies face high electricity costs for water extraction, purification, and transportation, affecting efficiency and reliability. Therefore, implementing innovative technologies to enhance sustainability in the water supply sector is crucial. This article explores the opportunities and strategies for renewable energy transition at water supply companies. Using investment, sensitivity, and strategic analyses, as well as a case study approach, the research examines technologies, conceptual frameworks, mechanisms, and approaches to integrate green power into water supply operations, addressing high energy costs and promoting sustainability. The article identifies solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal energy technologies as the most prominent renewable power solutions for water supply enterprises. The developed conceptual framework for implementing these technologies includes needs assessment and goal setting; resource assessment and technology selection; system design and integration; financing and investment; regulatory compliance and permitting; stakeholder engagement and capacity building; and monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement. The mechanisms and approaches to integrate green energy solutions within the developed framework can involve on-site renewable energy generation, power purchase agreements, energy storage and microgrid systems, energy efficiency and demand management, and collaborative and community-based models. As a case study, the article examines a 120-kW solar power plant project for a water supply enterprise, demonstrating profitability with a net present value of 60,370 USD and an internal rate of return exceeding 21%. The project's payback period is estimated at 8.38 years, acceptable within industry standards. Sensitivity analysis indicates the project's financial resilience. Increasing electricity prices will boost profitability, justifying the solar power plant investment amid inflation and economic instability. Additionally, the project ensures reliable water transport and environmental benefits by reducing CO2 emissions through solar energy use. Thus, transitioning to renewable energy at water supply enterprises is feasible and essential for long-term sustainability, transforming operations to be more resilient, efficient, and environmentally friendly.

FINANCING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HR ENGINEERING IN MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COUNTRY'S DIGITAL ECONOMY FORMATION

The article is devoted to the study of possible prospects for financing the implementation of HR engineering at manufacturing enterprises in the conditions of the formation of a digital economy. In the process of research, the authors considered the possibilities of implementing HR engineering at production enterprises and focused attention on the main directions of implementation. The principles of financing enterprises that implement changes and transform are revealed. Approaches and strategies aimed at optimizing human capital management in the company are proposed. The authors noted the following main tools of HR engineering for the development and improvement of HR processes, which are key to building effective human capital management strategies in the organization and require funding: organizational management structure, strategic maps, creation of a portrait of personnel competencies, modelling of the human resources management process resources, development of a goal tree, increased flexibility of HR management processes, implementation of a balanced system of indicators. The authors' comprehensive analysis of the implementation of digital HR solutions by manufacturing enterprises in previous years made it possible to identify the most important obstacles to the successful implementation and financing of innovations and digital solutions, the main of which are: insufficient financial resources for the implementation of innovative projects; lack of sufficient financial assistance and stimulation from the state; large financial costs associated with changes in the infrastructure and introduction of new technologies; low interest of investors, which may limit access to external sources of financing; some innovations may require a long payback period, which becomes a challenge for companies; high interest rates on loans can make it difficult to finance innovative projects. Considering these financial factors, it is important to develop comprehensive strategies and tools to overcome obstacles and stimulate the innovative and digital development of manufacturing enterprises.

The Sharing Energy Storage Mechanism for Demand Side Energy Communities

Energy storage (ES) units are vital for the reliable and economical operation of the power system with a high penetration of renewable distributed generators (DGs). Due to ES’s high investment costs and long payback period, energy management with shared ESs becomes a suitable choice for the demand side. This work investigates the sharing mechanism of ES units for low-voltage (LV) energy prosumer (EP) communities, in which energy interactions of multiple styles among the EPs are enabled, and the aggregated ES dispatch center (AESDC) is established as a special energy service provider to facilitate the scheduling and marketing mechanism. A shared ES operation framework considering multiple EP communities is established, in which both the energy scheduling and cost allocation methods are studied. Then a shared ES model and energy marketing scheme for multiple communities based on the leader–follower game is proposed. The Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) condition is used to transform the double-layer model into a single-layer model, and then the large M method and PSO-HS algorithm are used to solve it, which improves convergence features in both speed and performance. On this basis, a cost allocation strategy based on the Owen value method is proposed to resolve the issues of benefit distribution fairness and user privacy under current situations. A case study simulation is carried out, and the results show that, with the ES scheduling strategy shared by multiple renewable communities in the leader–follower game, the energy cost is reduced significantly, and all communities acquire benefits from shared ES operators and aggregated ES dispatch centers, which verifies the advantageous and economical features of the proposed framework and strategy. With the cost allocation strategy based on the Owen value method, the distribution results are rational and equitable both for the groups and individuals among the multiple EP communities. Comparing it with other algorithms, the presented PSO-HS algorithm demonstrates better features in computing speed and convergence. Therefore, the proposed mechanism can be implemented in multiple scenarios on the demand side.

Design analysis of a sustainable techno-economic hybrid renewable energy system: Application of solar and wind in Sigulu Island, Uganda

Sustainable energy is central to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in electrifying underserved communities. This study examines Sigulu Island, which lacks grid electricity and relies on costly, polluting diesel generators. On-site assessments revealed a daily load demand of 1,455.705 kWh. This study designed and analyzed a Sustainable Techno-economic Hybrid Renewable Energy System (STHRES) combining solar photovoltaics and wind turbines, with battery backup, to meet the island's energy needs. The research adopted both qualitative and quantitative methods, gathering atmospheric weather conditions specific to Sigulu Island. Solar panels and wind turbines were identified as the most viable options, with the system incorporating 677 units of 1 kW solar panels and 27 units of 1 kW wind turbines, generating 839.97 kW and 640.08 kW daily, respectively. Additionally, 527 Li-ion batteries were used to store approximately 1480.05 kW of surplus energy demand to manage fluctuations capable of sustaining the island for 8 hours during a total blackout. The initial installation costs are estimated at $90,393.04 for solar PV, $27,729.82 for wind turbines, $159,169.81 for batteries, and $92,407.00 for the inverter. The STHRES is projected to save $56,917.93 annually, covering 15.4 % of the installation costs compared to diesel operations. Moreover, this system will reduce Uganda's carbon footprint by 436,035.6 kgCO₂ annually, equivalent to a 0.01 % reduction in national emissions. The proposed system decreases the Net Present Cost (NPC) from $426,617.60 to $369,699.67 and the Cost of Energy (COE) from $32.12/kWh to $ 27.79/kWh. With a 9 % Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and a 3 % Return on Investment (ROI), STHRES has a payback period of 8.2 years, demonstrating its financial and environmental benefits for Sigulu Island.

AN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR SOLAR-POWERED AQUAPONICS SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Aquaponics system is an alternative solution for food generation in urban areas where there is a scarcity of land for food production. With the advent of solar energy technologies, the energy requirement of the system will not be added to the existing power consumption of the house hold. This paper presents an expert system for solar-powered aquaponics that provides users the aquaponics system dimensions, power requirements, bills of materials, cost-benefit analysis and payback period given land area available and the type of plants and fishes to culture.

Sustainability assessment of products of the tropical tree moringa in Ghana with a focus on small-scale producers

With their numerous products and uses, multifunctional crops offer an attractive means for improving smallholder farmer livelihoods. This study applies a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) to Moringa oleifera (moringa), a multifunctional crop with diverse applications in nutrition, cosmetics, and water treatment. The LCSA includes an Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (ELCA), Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA), and Life Cycle Costing (LCC). Surveys were conducted with 58 smallholder farmers and five moringa processors in Ghana. The ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method was used for the ELCA. The 10-year Net Present Value (NPV) and Payback Period (PBP) were calculated for farmers and processors in the LCC. The SLCA focused on the Worker stakeholder category, particularly smallholder farmer impacts, including indicators for Next Generation Farming, Inclusiveness, Access to Services, Food Security, and Livelihood. A composite sustainability score was calculated from the ELCA, SLCA, and LCC results using the Characteristic Objects Method (COMET), a multi-criteria decision analysis method resistant to rank-reversal. The study compared five supply chains: leaf-only, leaf-and-seed, leaf-and-seed with seedcake reuse, seed-only, and seed-only with seedcake reuse. Environmental hotspots were identified in leaf and seed collection. Economically, leaf-only cultivation provided the highest 10-year NPV for farmers, while seed-only with seedcake reuse yielded the highest NPV for processors. The leaf-only supply chain had the best PBP for both farmers and processors. Socially, leaf-only cultivators outperformed reference points across all indicators, making it the most socially sustainable supply chain. Our findings highlight that improving market access, organizing seed cultivators into farmer-based groups, and optimizing farm gate product collection can enhance the sustainability of moringa supply chains, offering a model for other multifunctional crops in rural development. This study is the first to integrate LCSA with COMET, a promising approach that could be adopted in other sustainability assessment case studies.

Design, optimization, and performance analysis of a solar-wind powered compression chiller with built-in energy storage system for sustainable cooling in remote areas

This study aims to develop a sustainable cooling solution for refrigeration in remote areas, utilizing solely wind and solar power. Ensuring that the power generated aligns with consumption throughout the day is a critical challenge. The investigation centers on the integration of an energy storage and a compression cooling cycle to attain the desired objective. This system integrates refrigerant storage on both the evaporator and condenser sides. The storage tanks' volume is variable by time and should be adjusted automatically. The sustainability of the cooling capacity depends on the amount of input power and the type of refrigerant. Moreover, additional heat is extracted to produce hot water. The analysis includes the coefficient of performance, exergy efficiency, cooling capacity, total heating capacity, and environmental impacts for six refrigerants R134a, R22, R717, R125, R500, and R407c. The system is configured to offer a cooling capacity of 15 kW while maintaining a temperature difference of 38K. The best performance is achieved using R717 as the refrigerant with a coefficient of performance of 5.26, an exergy efficiency of 36 %, and a payback period of 2.267 in Sabzevar. Furthermore, R717 does not contribute to ozone depletion or global warming.

Integration of renewable energy-powered cold storage solutions for reducing post-harvest food waste in rural agricultural areas

Post-harvest food loss remains a critical challenge in rural agricultural areas, exacerbated by inadequate storage facilities and unreliable energy access. This study develops and optimizes an advanced renewable energy-powered cold storage system tailored for rural settings, integrating solar and wind energy with phase change materials (PCMs) for efficient energy storage. The system incorporates Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensors and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven energy management to maintain optimal storage conditions and enhance energy efficiency. Field trials conducted in Lincolnshire, UK, and Appalachian regions of the US demonstrated significant reductions in post-harvest food loss by an average of 43.5%, extensions in produce shelf-life by up to 300%, and increased income for smallholder farmers by approximately 43%. The system also achieved an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered systems. Economic analyses revealed a shorter payback period and higher return on investment, confirming the system's viability. High user satisfaction and adoption rates indicate the system's practicality and potential for widespread implementation. The findings suggest that integrating renewable energy with smart technologies in cold storage solutions offers a scalable and sustainable approach to enhancing food security, promoting economic growth in rural areas, and supporting environmental objectives globally.

Evaluation of self-cleaning mechanisms for improving performance of roof-mounted solar PV panels: A comparative study.

Solar panel installation is generally exposed to dust. Therefore, soiling on the surface of the solar panels significantly reduces the effectiveness of solar panels. Accumulation of dust also shortens their lifespan and reduces efficiency by about 15% to 20%. A significant reduction in the efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels has been observed due to inadequate insulation and dust deposition or shading. To harness maximum solar energy from solar panels up to their rated capacity, they need to be cleaned periodically. Therefore, the current study focuses on the comparative performance analysis of two distinct types of self-cleaning mechanisms, namely self-cleaning wiper (SCW) and nano-coating method. These methods are economical and sustainable for the standard atmospheric conditions of Pakistan. Solar panels (reference, nano-coated, and self-cleaning wiper mechanism) were placed on the roof of the Mechanical Engineering Department MUST Mirpur AJK for five weeks. Solar irradiance, dust density & performance parameters of these three panels were recorded on weekly basis. It was observed that an increase in the rate of dust deposition negatively affects the conversion efficiency of solar panels. When dust density was increased from 7.5 to 18.15 (g/m2), the percentile drops in rated power (50W) for reference, nano-coated, and self-cleaning wiper mechanisms are 37%, 33% and 23%, respectively. Moreover, the payback period of nano-coated and SCW is 1.07 years and 2.79 years, respectively.

Impact of Rural Finance Institution Building Programme on Socioeconomic Condition of Beneficiaries in Anambra State, Nigeria

Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) was established to improve the income, food security and general living conditions of poor rural households with financial services that will be improved in terms of quality, quantity and access to deposit, loan and transfer services. It is expected that the intervention of RUFIN should result in positive changes in the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries. The study evaluated the impact of RUFIN on the socioeconomic condition of RUFIN beneficiaries in Anambra State, Nigeria. Multistage, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 60 RUFIN beneficiaries (RB) and 60 non-RUFIN beneficiaries (NRB) for the study. Data were collected using structured interview schedule and personal observations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data generated. The average amount of loan obtained by RB was N67,266.70 at an average payback period of one year. Sex (t=-5.61) and years of farming experience (t=2.25) significantly (p≤0.05) influenced the amount of loan obtained while age (t=2.36) significantly (p≤0.05) influenced the number of loans obtained. RUFIN resulted in positive but not significant changes on 12(52.2%) of 23 items used in assessing the impact of the programme on the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries. The study recommended that RUFIN should enhance the loanable amount and payback duration which may in a long run, positively affect the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries. Also, farmers should be educated by extension agents on all sources of agricultural loans, use of loans, loans repayment plans, and how to diversify agricultural income for lasting impact on livelihood.

Optimization of Steam Boiler Airflow Control System in a Typical Oil Refinery Power Plant

This paper presents optimization of Steam Boiler Airflow Control System in a Typical Oil Refinery Power Plant. The power plant is equipped with four steam boilers using a damper-louvers airflow control system. Analysis has revealed significant energy wastage due to inefficiency and over-air supply, with the system requiring 59,904,436 kWh annually at a financial cost of N1, 093,255,884. The existing system's inefficiency results in an annual electrical energy waste of 8,502,302 kWh. This inefficiency is attributed to the Force Draft Fan (FDF) motor operating at maximum speed continuously, regardless of the steam profile or airflow requirements. This study aimed at optimizing the steam boiler airflow control system in a typical oil refinery power plant for improved power efficiency, energy conservation, and cost savings citing Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) at Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria. To address this, the damper-louvers system was replaced with a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), which would adjust the motor speed to match the required airflow, thereby reducing energy wastage. The process was simulated and VFD/FDF motor analyzed in MATLAB Simulink, determining the optimal speed, airflow, and power requirements. Results obtained show that the VFD control system improves the FDF motor's power efficiency from 47.7% to 85%, with an annual energy saving of 8,502,302 kWh (8.5 GWh). This results in a total cost benefit of N478.18 million annually, representing a 43.8% cost saving. The implementation cost of the VFD infrastructure was estimated at N111, 440,000, with a payback period of approximately eleven months. The findings suggest deployment of higher FDF motor speed ratings to enhance speed control and energy efficiency in Oil refinery power plant.

Techno-economic analysis in the service of traditional ceramic industry. The first review

The traditional ceramics industry uses large amounts of raw materials and energy while significantly contributing to the CO2 footprint. The improvements, primarily in the first two areas, will contribute to sustainable development and answer the emerging questions of decreasing a gas-release footprint. These are topics of high importance considering European Union goals, and thus, on the contrary, there is yet only scarce available literature on the subject. This paper describes the state and future perspectives of the traditional ceramics industry through the techno-economic lens. Many options are detected that save resources (waste materials), energy consumption (reparation or modification of kilns, usage of dry pressing in ceramic tiles production, etc.), and control of flue gas composition (changing the fuel, etc.). Further intensified research is needed to widen the knowledge and compare the results. In the first place, the composition of flue gas should be determined by the same methods and presented using unified units. The lowest energy consumption and flue gas composition are determined in ceramic tiles production by the dry route. Using a downdraft gasifier of biomass in brick manufacturing increases the internal rate of return if a longer tunnel kiln is applied. The expected payback period is from 4 to 8 years.

Techno-economic viability of sustainable solar co-generation using CPV cells in parabolic dish concentrators: A 20-year perspective

Solar co-generation is a cutting-edge technology that enables the instantaneous production of electricity and heat energy by employing concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. This study presents the development and experimental analysis of a novel small-scale solar co-generation system, utilizing concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells integrated into a solar paraboloidal dish concentrator (SPDC) for simultaneous electricity and heat production. The system, designed with a high concentration ratio, employs a CPV module composed of four 1 cm × 1 cm cells mounted on a flat receiver of a parabolic dish concentrator with an aperture area of 12.6 m2. Experimental results, obtained over three consecutive days, demonstrate that the CPV module achieves an electric power output ranging from 480 to 645 W daily, while the SPDC system generates thermal energy between 395 and 725 W. The economic analysis indicates a cost of ₹10.75 per unit of electricity, with a payback period of approximately 13.5 years, assuming a 20-year system lifespan. Additionally, the reliability of the CPV module and the impact of varying encapsulation materials were critically assessed, providing insights into potential improvements and long-term performance. The findings underscore the viability and economic potential of solar co-generation systems employing CPV technology, contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.

Waste heat utilization: Energy and economic benefits from multi-ejector chiller sub-cooling R744 supermarket refrigeration systems

This study investigated the energy and economic benefits of a novel sub-cooling technique using a heat-driven multi-ejector chiller (HDEC) in R744 supermarket refrigeration systems. Two configurations were evaluated: a conventional booster system with HDEC (CBEC) and a parallel compression system with HDEC (PCEC). Among various natural refrigerants, R717 was identified as most suitable for the HDEC. Various multi-ejector combinations were examined to assess the potential for waste heat utilization and energy savings in the R744 refrigeration system. The CBEC system provided effective operation only at ambient temperatures above 31 °C, whereas the PCEC system was effective above 24 °C. Performance of the proposed configurations were compared with a conventional R744 booster system (CB) and a parallel compression system (PC) both devoid of HDEC. The PCEC system showed improvements in the coefficient-of-performance ranging from 4.2 % to 23.9 % at ambient temperatures between 28 °C and 40 °C compared to the baselines. In various warm-climatic zones, including India, the Middle East, Thailand, and the USA, energy savings of approximately 2.1 %–9.5 % were observed compared to the PC system. Economic analysis indicated a reasonable payback period of 2.1–2.7 years for the additional investment required for deploying the PCEC system in Phoenix.

FranchiseGlobal.com Business Development Strategy: Analysis Using Financial Planning at FranchiseGlobal.com

This research aims to analyze the business development strategy of FranchiseGlobal.com through a comprehensive financial planning approach. As a digital platform offering franchise and business opportunities, FranchiseGlobal.com aspires to become the leading and innovative online franchise media. The research analyzes short-, medium-, and long-term financial planning to achieve profitability and business sustainability. A qualitative descriptive method and thematic analysis were employed for data analysis. The study examines key financial planning elements, including revenue planning, cost management, capital requirements, and five-year financial projections. The results show that sound financial planning can help the company achieve profitability targets within five years, indicated by a positive NPV, IRR above 10%, and a payback period of less than four years. The company's projected revenue growth is expected to remain stable through diversification of revenue streams and efficient capital management. The study concludes that appropriate financial strategies will be a crucial foundation for FranchiseGlobal.com to become Indonesia's leading digital franchise platform.