Possibility Of Energy Production Research Articles

A Game Changer: Microfluidic Technology for Enhancing Biohydrogen Production—Small Size for Great Performance

One of the approaches widely used today to intensify processes is their miniaturization. Small, compact, portable devices that can be used directly in the field will become popular in the near future. The use of microstructured devices is becoming more widespread in diagnostics, analytics, and production, so there is no doubt that the same approach is being applied to energy production. The question is whether it is possible to create an energy production system that has all the external characteristics of a miniaturized device but is sustainable, durable, environmentally friendly, based on renewable sources, and cost-effective. The first challenge is to choose a production route, an energy source that has the required characteristics, and then to adapt this production on a microscale. Among the different energy sources, biohydrogen meets most of the requirements. The carbon emissions of biohydrogen are much lower, and its production is less energy-intensive than conventional hydrogen production. Moreover, it can be produced from renewable energy sources. The challenge today is to make this process sustainable due to the low substrate conversion, production rate, and yield. Microfluidic systems are one of the technologies that could address the above shortcomings of the current biohydrogen production processes. The combination of microdevices and biohydrogen production opens up new possibilities for energy production. Although this area of research is growing, the focus of this review is on the possibility of using microfluidics for biohydrogen production.

Using waste heat of ship as energy source for an absorption refrigeration system

This work presents a steady-state thermodynamic model for absorption refrigeration cycles with water-LiBr and ammonia-water working pairs for purpose of application on a ship. The coefficient of performance was studied with different generator and evaporator temperatures in ISO and tropical conditions. Absorption refrigeration systems were examined using exhaust gases, jacket water, and scavenge air as energy sources. Optimal generator temperatures for different refrigerant temperatures were found using different waste heat sources and for the absorption cycle itself. Critical temperature values (where the refrigeration power drops to zero) were defined. All of these values were used in order to evaluate the cooling power and energy production possibilities in a bulk carrier. The process data of exhaust gases and cooling water flows in two different climate conditions (ISO and tropical) and operation profiles of a B. Delta37 bulk carrier were used as initial data in the study. With the case ship data, a theoretical potential of saving of 70% of the electricity used in accommodation (AC use) compressor in ISO conditions and 61% in tropical conditions was recognized. Those estimates enable between 47 and 95tons of annual fuel savings, respectively. Moreover, jacket water heat recovery with a water-LiBr system has the potential to provide 2.2–4.0 times more cooling power than required during sea-time operations in ISO conditions, depending on the main engine load.

Degasification possibilities evaluation in Socotá coal mines (Boyacá, Colombia)

In the Socotá area in Boyacá, Colombia, high contents of coalbed methane have been reported. In order to prove it, additional gas measurements were done and different possibilities of degassing were considered. To measure the gas content, the canisters desorption system were used, with control of pressure and temperature, according to the USBM and GRI methodology. Lost, desorbed and residual gases were determined separately, and proximate analyses were also carried out. In some samples the content of gas reached the 100-200 SCF/t. These gas contents have good possibilities for energy production (CBM) by drilling vertical wells to extract it.Those wells would not only produce gas, but would also degas the future underground mining areas. The combination of degasification and ventilation would considerably allow a decrease in the explosions risk. The high coalbed methane content in the area could produce energy for the mining company or commercial gas for the natural gas distribution network. The Socotá area has the ideal conditions for a pilot project, which could be a model for other degasification projects in Colombia.

Energy Generation Potential in Greece From Agricultural Residues and Livestock Manure by Anaerobic Digestion Technology

Greece is an agricultural country producing a significant amount of crop residues as well as livestock manure. The use of agricultural waste as a major component of renewable energy is suitable for improving energy security. Thus, studying the energy generation potential of these wastes is important. The theoretical annual potential of agro-industrial residues (such as wheat products, industrial plants, potatoes, vegetables, olives, fruits, nuts, dairy products etc.) was estimated equal to 19,005,490 t/y, taking into consideration their annual production and their respective residue production in Greece. Accordingly, the theoretical annual potential of livestock manure, including the residues from animal husbandry in Greece (cattle, chicken, goats, pigs, sheep etc.) was estimated equal to 26,952,500 t/y. In this study, the possibility of energy production through anaerobic digestion was investigated. Taking into account the biodegradability of the residues, it was estimated that the total 45,957,990 t/y residues may produce 330,000 t/y fertilizer and 1.97 × 109 m3/y methane. Taking advantage of the energy content of biogas by co-generation of energy and heat, 4.9–7.9 ΤWh/y of electrical energy and 6.9–12.8 ΤWh/y of thermal energy could be produced. Given the annual electrical energy consumption in Greece, about 39 % of this energy need could be replaced by electrical energy produced from agricultural residues and livestock manure. Conclusively, crop residues and livestock manure may stand as an energy source with significant contribution to the Greek energy balance.

Assessing the potential for food and energy self-sufficiency on the island of Kauai, Hawaii

Food and energy security are major concerns in the Pacific and around the world. They are key planning priorities in the state of Hawaii as well. Approximately 90% of energy and food resources are imported to Hawaii from the continental USA or other parts of the world. While food and energy independence is a goal in many jurisdictions, assessment of the potential for local food and energy production is lacking. Research is needed to examine how agricultural lands can be used to meet food and energy demands, particularly on islands where land is limited. The contribution of this paper is the development of a community-orientated method for evaluating and prioritizing lands for food and energy self-sufficiency, based on local preferences and production possibilities. Based on a review of the literature, community meetings, and expert interviews, three scenarios were developed to assess food and energy production possibilities on Kauai. The first scenario considers maximum food production, the second assigns equal importance to food and energy production, and the third scenario maximizes energy production. Our analysis shows that while currently zoned agricultural lands on Kauai are capable of meeting the energy and nutritional needs of the current population under some conditions, it is not possible under the strictest definition of “important agricultural lands”. Some aspect or interpretation of the criteria will always have to be relaxed in order to fulfill energy and food-self sufficiency goals. This work broadens policy discussions regarding the preservation of agricultural lands on small islands.

How Reactive are Metal Surfaces in Solution? A Comparison of the Electrochemical Adsorption of Organic Molecules on Pt At Low Potentials

IntroductionTransition metal surfaces are widely employed as catalysts ofchemical reactions, both at the metal/gas [1] and at the metal/solution [2] interfaces. Well-known examples are ceramic-supportedcatalystsusedingasexhaustsofvehiclestooxidizepartially burnt fuels [3] and metal-based catalysts used in fuelcell devices to promote electrochemical oxidation of organicmolecules for direct conversion of chemical energy into elec-trical energy with high efficiency [4].In this context, the electrochemical oxidation of alcoholshasbeenextensivelystudiedinthelastdecades[5]duetotheirpotentialfor practical applicationsinfuelcells.Directalcoholfuelcell(DAFC),especiallydirectethanolfuelcell(DEFC),isbecominga veryattractivealternative energysourcefor fossilfuel combustion engines due to several advantages, includingits high theoretical efficiency, high energy density of alcohols(comparable to gasoline) [6], and the possibility of energyproduction from renewable sources [7]. However, for theDEFC to become commercially attractive, a few issues mustbeovercome.Oneofthedifficultiesisthatthecurrentstate-of-the-art anodes are not capable of fully oxidizing ethanol toCO

03/01862 New possibilities for energy production from renewable low-potential sources: Samkhan, I. I. Applied Energy, 2003, 74, (1–2), 203–209

03/01862 New possibilities for energy production from renewable low-potential sources: Samkhan, I. I. Applied Energy, 2003, 74, (1–2), 203–209

New possibilities for energy production from renewable low-potential sources

We examine an opportunity for increasing cyclic process efficiency at the expense of taking into account speeds and times of running processes. We consider dynamic equilibrium systems, in which the equations of state include both parameters of the system and environment. At low flow speeds, conventional quasi-static methods apply. At high speeds, new regenerative cycles become possible. This requires the introduction of an extended interpretation of the second law of thermodynamics. This involves specifying the performance of a cycle by the relative difference of temperatures of the working fluid (but not of thermal sources) at the upper and lower temperature levels of the cycle.