Energy Production Cost Research Articles

Prospects of electricity generation through the use of alternative sources such as waste tires processing products

The object of this study is a hybrid energy system that integrates the processes of recycling used tires with the use of alternative energy sources to design a sustainable and environmentally safe power generation system. The problem addressed in this study is to find effective methods for recycling waste tires for electricity generation, as traditional recycling methods are energy-intensive and lead to the loss of valuable resources. Three methods of tire processing have been considered: pyrolysis, thermal degradation, and mechanical grinding. The method of electricity generation using pyrolysis has demonstrated high environmental performance due to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a high rate of renewable energy (80 %). According to the results of the study, the use of 5 MW pyrolysis furnaces in combination with 500 kW solar panels provides a reduction in dependence on fossil sources, reducing CO2 emissions to 50.0 kg/year. The method has high capital costs (NPC USD 4.2 million), but the cost of energy production (COE USD 0.18/kWh) makes this method competitive in the long run. Thermal degradation provides a balanced approach in terms of energy efficiency (75 %) and environmental performance. Although its CO2 emissions are higher than in pyrolysis, the method makes it possible to obtain additional products that could be used in other industries, thereby increasing economic efficiency. Mechanical shredding has the lowest average energy costs (USD 0.12/kWh) and the lowest CO2 emissions (30.0 kg/year), making it ideal for cost-conscious businesses. The study confirms the possibility of effective integration of renewable sources with tire recycling methods. The practical use of the research results is possible during the implementation of grant projects for the recycling of used tires, and in the work of relevant government structures for devising a policy for the disposal of used tires

Transactive energy management for CIES considering tri-level hybrid game-theoretic approaches with multiple weight allocation factors

In city integrated energy systems, to reduce the costs of energy production and usage, it is extremely important for different entities to design proper energy management approaches since they have diverse behaviours and benefits. The hierarchy of the system is naturally divided into three layers, and hybrid game theories are employed on the basis of the vertical master–slave and horizontal equal cooperation characteristics among energy providers, aggregators, and users. First, to reflect the interactions between different levels' entities, Stackelberg game theory is adopted vertically, and the model complexity is lessened by the KKT conditions. Then, for energy providers, the asymmetric bargaining game is improved by combining multiple weight allocation factors, which can help reduce renewable energy fluctuations and encourage the consumption of clean energy to reduce the carbon emissions of the system. Also, the results show that the proposed method can enhance the utility of renewable energy generation units by approximately 64 % to 69 %. Finally, the optimality and effectiveness of the proposed game theoretic approaches are verified in case studies and in strict mathematical proofs. In addition, the impact mechanisms on the demand response from the perspectives of the user load and price sensitivity are analysed. To explore pricing methods that are more suitable for user aggregators, two pricing strategies are designed for the user aggregator and compared in terms of computation time and revenue. The results show that a unified pricing strategy can increase the aggregator's revenue by 1.24 % and reduce the computation time by 24.47 %.

Augmenting a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plant With a Solar PV Plant

The search for enhanced dispatchability at decreased prices has led to a surge in research on hybrid renewable energy systems. This paper explores the integration of Photovoltaic (PV) technology with Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants to enhance energy generation and economic feasibility, focusing on optimising the size of PV augmentation for existing CSP facilities. The study considers CSP plants with both Time-of-Day (ToD) and single tariffs, employing modelling techniques to assess the synergies between these two technologies. The cost of PV technology has significantly reduced, making it a cost-effective choice for electricity generation compared to CSP. CSP-PV augmentation promises to reduce online and offline auxiliary consumption, resulting in enhanced energy generation and a subsequent reduction in energy production costs. This study aims to explore the advantages of combining solar PV with a CSP system and determine the ideal PV size to maximise return, building upon previous studies to assess the technological and economic potential of integrating solar PV with CSP, focusing on South Africa. It utilises a rigorous analysis, combining the System Advisory Model and PVSyst modelling tool within an MS Excel framework. This economic assessment and sizing exercise aims to maximise profits while adhering to the limitations imposed by the power purchase agreement of a 100 MW CSP facility. The optimal size is 15 MWp for the ToD tariff and 16 MWp for the flat tariff. This highlights the potential for CSP-PV augmentation to improve energy dispatchability and financial viability, making it a compelling solution for existing CSP plants.

Synergizing autothermal reforming hydrogen production and carbon dioxide electrolysis: Enhancing the competitiveness of blue hydrogen in sustainable energy systems

With the global energy paradigm shifting towards renewable and sustainable systems, hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a promising energy carrier. In this transition, blue hydrogen is often considered a bridge solution to green hydrogen due to its economic vulnerability to carbon costs and environmental regulations related to life-cycle emissions. To expand the role of blue hydrogen, it is essential to enhance hydrogen yield, reduce production costs, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions during the production phase. This study proposes an integrated process for blue hydrogen production and CO2 electrolysis to enhance the competitiveness of blue hydrogen in sustainable energy systems. The focus of this study was to integrate autothermal reforming hydrogen production with solid oxide CO2 electrolysis and to determine the optimal configuration and operating conditions of the integrated process. The proposed process demonstrated superior performance in terms of energy efficiency, production cost, and environmental impact compared with conventional blue hydrogen production. Furthermore, considering the intermittency of renewable electricity and the uncertainties in CO2 electrolysis technology, the industrial feasibility of the proposed process was validated. The integration of autothermal reforming blue hydrogen production and CO2 electrolysis has four clear advantages: (i) the costly air separation and carbon capture units, which pose significant financial burdens in autothermal reforming blue hydrogen production, can be eliminated; (ii) the downstream separation, which is indispensable in a standalone CO2 electrolysis system, can be removed; (iii) utilization pathways for captured CO2 from blue hydrogen production have been proposed; and (iv) guidelines have been provided for the industrial utilization of CO2 electrolysis.

Analysing the Performance of Large-Scale Rooftop Solar PV System Using Helioscope, PVsyst and PV*SOL Photovoltaic Simulation Software: As a Renewable Energy Strategy

In Malaysia, government initiatives and policymakers play significant role in creating effective strategies aiming at enhancing the usage of residential, industrial and commercial solar PV systems. However, the most significant barrier to the widespread adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems is their high installation costs; as a result, numerous studies on PV system modification are now being conducted. Several simulation tools are available for the efficient and extensive integration of solar energy. To predict energy output using climate data and assess performance ration in accordance, such software can be optimized in terms of parameters like PV module number, inverter, tilt angle, and module design structure. The accuracy of these figures fluctuates, though, because climate factors affect how productive photovoltaic systems are. In this current paper, the simulation and design of a 6.9 MW solar power plant in University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, have been investigated using three popular software PVsyst v5.06, Helioscope and PV*SOL. This study's main objective is to assess the potential of solar renewable energy sources to produce electrical energy under the Supply Agreement of Renewable Energy (SARE) program using flexible solar system design modelling tools, PVsyst, Helioscope, and PV *SOL. The comparison results showed that Helioscope and PVsyst are considered to be the most dependable software. PVsyst appraised the definite energy production cost with lowermost relative error of 0.12 % and Helioscope estimated performance ratio with lowest relative error of 4.74%. In terms of energy losses, environmental element contributing to the most energy losses where PVsyst recorded 11.1% photovoltaic (PV) loss caused by irradiation and temperature changes. Whereby Helioscope clearly shows that environmental power loss of 8.4% represents the largest portion caused by irradiation and temperature changes. PV*SOL recorded an energy loss of 7.3% due to shading, temperature and reflection on module interface.

Bilevel low-carbon coordinated operation of integrated energy systems considering dynamic tiered carbon pricing methodology

The coordinated operation and management of energy and carbon emissions in an integrated energy system (IES) can effectively promote overall energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. However, allocating carbon emission responsibilities between transmission-level integrated energy system (TIES) and regional integrated energy system (RIES) is difficult. On the basis of carbon emission flow theory, a model for allocating carbon emission responsibility for IES is developed in this paper. Moreover, the Shapley value method is adopted to obtain the carbon emissions responsibility intervals at the RIES. A dynamic tiered carbon pricing methodology is proposed for the RIES on the basis of equitable carbon emission responsibility intervals. In addition, a bilevel coordinated operation model that imposes carbon price to more fully excavate the low-carbon benefits obtained from operating an IES is proposed. The upper-level model, namely, the TIES, explores the optimal low-carbon schedule for energy networks by imposing fixed carbon price on the energy production costs. The lower-level model, namely, the RIES, investigates the optimal low-carbon energy supply scheme of multienergy coupling equipment and imposes dynamic tiered carbon pricing to adjust the amount of electricity and natural gas consumed. After the whole bilevel model is solved iteratively, equilibrium is reached. Case studies verify the potential and efficacy of the proposed bilevel model, demonstrating superior effectiveness in reducing carbon emissions compared with existing methods.

The superiority of feasible solutions-moth flame optimizer using valve point loading

The optimal power flow (OPF) problem deals with large-scale, nonlinear, and non-convex optimization challenges, often accompanied by stringent constraints. Apart from the primary operational objectives of an energy system, ensuring load bus voltages remain within acceptable ranges is essential for providing high-quality consumer services. The Moth-Flame Optimizer (MFO) method is inspired by the unique night flight characteristics of moths. Moths, much like butterflies, undergo two distinct life stages: larval and mature. They have evolved the ability to navigate at night using a technique called transverse orientation. This article presents a methodology for determining the optimal energy transmission system configuration by integrating power producers. The MFO, Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), Success-history-based Parameter Adaptation Technique of Differential Evolution - Superiority of Feasible Solutions (SHADE-SF), and Superiority of Feasible Solutions-Moth Flame Optimizer (SF-MFO) algorithms are applied to address the OPF problem with two objective functions: (1) reducing energy production costs and (2) minimizing power losses. The efficiency of MFO, SF-MFO, SHADE-SF, and GWO for the OPF challenge is evaluated using IEEE 30-feeder and IEEE 57-feeder systems. Based on the collected data, SF-MFO demonstrated the best performance across all simulated instances. For instance, the electricity production costs generated by SF-MFO are $845.521/hr and $25,908.325/hr for the IEEE 30-feeder and IEEE 57-feeder systems, respectively. This represents a cost savings of 0.37 % and 0.36 % per hour, respectively, compared to the lowest values obtained by other comparative methods.

Decoding the zeolite cage effect in one-step ethylene purification from CO2/C2H2/C2H4 mixtures

Utilizing physical adsorption for ethylene purification from complex mixtures can significantly reduce the energy cost for production. The purification of multi-component systems through a single adsorption process presents a considerable challenge, largely stemming from the absence of customized strategies and thorough investigations into adsorption behaviours. We aim to understand adsorbents through a unique cage recognition approach and leverage these insights to develop an effective purification adsorbent, with the successful synthesis of SSZ-16 zeolite meeting requirements for multi-component purification. This zeolite, featuring a long aft supercage and a narrow gme cage construct two adsorption cages. The dense π-electron cloud of C2H2 enables a stronger interaction in aft cage, while CO2 is selectively captured within the environmentally compatible gme cage, demonstrating significantly higher C2H2 and CO2 adsorption capacity. The separation experiments reveal that SSZ-16 exhibits exceptional performance, with an unprecedented polymer-grade C2H4 productivity of 2099.16 L/kg from the CO2/C2H2/C2H4 mixture.

Thermodynamic, economical and environmental performance evaluation of a 330 MW solar-aided coal-fired power plant located in Niger

The integration of solar thermal energy into a coal-fired power plant is one of the best ways to reduce the environmental impact of the latter linked to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. In this paper, solar energy is used before the boiler, just after the first high-pressure feed water heater via a solar preheater (Water/Heat Transfer Fluid exchanger). It should be noted that in this study, there is no feed water heater displacement, and so the plant will operate in pure fuel-saving mode. To carry out an analysis of the integration of solar thermal energy in a coal-fired power plant, a 330 MW Solar Aided Coal Power Plant (SACPP) in northern Niger was studied. The results bring out that the annual solar energy production is 208 GWh, and solar energy can contribute up to approximately 15 % in the production of electricity. The considered SACPP significantly reduces the environmental impact of coal-fired power plants, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions of around 381358 tons/year. In addition, the annual energy production cost from solar energy in the hybrid system is obtained as 0.0357 $/kWh and the investment payback period is around 12 months.

Effects of different corrugated rolls on the performance of BTW1/Q345R composite plate

Abstract BTW1/Q345R composite plate not only has the advantages of high strength and high wear resistance, but also helps to reduce energy consumption and production cost. This paper proposes a novel rolling process based on corrugated rolls for the preparation of wear-resistant steel BTW1/Q345R composite plates. In order to analyze and study the microstructure, and mechanical properties of BTW1/Q345R composite plates after rolling, techniques such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used. The results indicate that the composite plate obtained through rolling with the corrugated roll of 72 cycles (3# corrugated roll) exhibits a yield strength of 550 MPa, tensile strength of 705 MPa, elongation at break of 17.57%, and shear strength of the composite interface at 242 MPa. Notably, the rolling process with a 3# corrugated roll yields the best combination of tensile mechanical performance and interface bonding performance for the composite plate.

Murmansk Marine Biological Institute of Kola Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The authors assess the wind potential indicators and the scale of its use for power supply of hard-to-reach off-grid settlements in the eastern Russian Arctic. The primary challenge facing autonomous power plants is fuel delivery due to long distances and underdeveloped transport infrastructure. The use of wind power plants will reduce fuel consumption and cut the cost of energy production. The researchers use ground-based measurement data and the characteristics of existing autonomous power plants as initial data when assessing the rational capacity of wind power plants. They employ authoring research methods. Via Wind-MCA program they estimate wind potential indicators: average wind speed, capacity factor, and coefficient of wind speed variation. The research results are presented in cartographic form. The rational capacities of wind power plants as part of hybrid energy systems are determined using the generalized dependencies method based on the maximum load of a populated area and calculated wind potential indicators, taking into account the characteristic intra-annual distribution of wind speeds. The best conditions for the development of wind energy are observed on the coast of the Arctic seas in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Chukot Autonomous Area. The rational capacity of wind power plants in zones of high wind potential in hard-to-reach areas of eastern Russian Arctic is estimated at 12,5 MW.

Prediction of dynamic behaviors of vibrational-powered electromagnetic generators: Synergies between analytical and artificial intelligence modelling

The electric efficiency of vibrational electromagnetic generators is highly dependent on their ability to ensure effective adaptability to uncertain and irregular dynamics of mechanical energy sources. Such adaptive ability demands a planning operation considering future information of the highly nonlinear dynamics of these generators and mechanical excitations patterns. High accurate energy predictions are then mandatory for high energy generation efficiencies. However, on the one hand, high prediction accuracy by analytical modelling from first principles requires high modelling complexity; on the other hand, artificial intelligence models ensuring high prediction accuracy have not yet been explored to enhance the performance of these generators, even though their pre-training holds potential to significantly reduce the energy production costs. We here provide a multifaceted study highlighting the synergies between analytical and artificial intelligence modelling for optimizing the efficiency of vibrational-powered electromagnetic generators. Two main innovations are introduced: (1) development and experimental validation of a time-series forecasting artificial intelligence model based on the deep deterministic policy gradient method; (2) validation of a pre-training scenario by analytical modelling ⟶ artificial intelligence modelling synergy. Both the analytical and artificial intelligence models were able to provide high prediction accuracies to periodic and random 3D motions combining translations and rotations. Moreover, the pre-training scenario, using simulation training data sets, ensures prediction accuracies within the ±20% absolute error surfaces, profiling approximately normal distributions centered at approximately null error. These are impacting results in the scope of vibrational electromagnetic generation, holding potential to be extended to innovative self-adaptive electromagnetic generators, including those with ability to absorb complex 6 DOF external mechanical excitations. Besides, it can support the implementation of high-performance AI modelling⟶analytical modelling synergies, aiming to re-parameterize the high complex analytical models throughout the EMG operation, such that a superior controllability of the adaptive systems can be achieved.

On the Correlation of Kramers-Kronig (KK) Analysis and Non-Linear Harmonic Analysis (NHA)

Primary lithium batteries are known for their elevated volumetric and gravimetric energy densities and production cost efficiency. Within this category, lithium thionyl chloride (Li/SOCl2) batteries exhibit a constant discharge voltage (~3.6 V) and a broad operational temperature range (-50ᵒC to 80ᵒC). Moreover, forming a LiCl passivation layer on the metallic Li anode can extend its shelf-life up to 20 years at optimal storage temperature. These characteristics render lithium thionyl chloride batteries applicable in military and security applications, microcomputers, measurement devices, and medical instruments. Therefore, the characterization of lithium thionyl chloride batteries accurately has the utmost importance. Understanding the critical electrochemical processes that occur inside the battery without damaging or disassembling the cell requires delicate techniques.EIS has emerged as a non-destructive and in-situ measurement technique with increasing popularity. Essential battery properties can be derived from EIS data. The credibility of EIS data, considering linearity, causality, and stability, can be verified through Kramers-Kronig relations. The obtained spectrum is fitted with an optimal number of Voigt elements (RC components in parallel)[1]. Given the linearity and stability of these individual Voigt elements, the entire spectrum should exhibit linearity if it is Kramers-Kronig compatible[2].Non-linear harmonic analysis (NHA) is a complementary technique to EIS, wherein the response signal undergoes conversion from the time domain to the frequency domain through Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). While EIS employs a single-phased pure sinusoidal signal as the input, the response includes a fundamental frequency and harmonics at integer frequencies of this fundamental response signal. NHA can be utilized in the diagnosis of non-linear, non-stationary situations alongside the identification of drift and initial transients.This study first explains a new EIS measurement method for Li/SOCl2 batteries and Li/SOCl2/SO2Cl2 mixture batteries. The new method describes the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) stability of the batteries and the modifications needed to get KK-compatible results. After that, the equivalent circuit fits applied to the acquired spectra. Essential battery parameters such as solution resistance, charge transfer resistance, and double-layer capacitance were calculated. Kramers-Kronig analysis of the batteries was conducted, and the residuals of the fits were investigated. Subsequently, the NHA of the batteries was examined and compared to the Kramers-Kronig residuals. A correlation between the residuals and NHA of the batteries was extended based on the terms "KK-compatible" and "non-KK-compatible" in comparing KK-residuals and NHA results.[1] Boukamp, B. A. , Journal of the Electrochemical Society 142.6 (1995): 1885.[2] Agarwal, et al., Journal of the Electrochemical Society 142.12 (1995): 4159. Figure 1

Scaling and Commercializing Continuous Supercritical Hydrothermal Single Crystal Cathode Active Material Manufacturing

Current polycrystalline cathode active materials (CAMs) in the market face a significant challenge during charge-discharge cycles. The lithiation and de-lithiation processes induce volume changes within the CAMs, leading to strain along grain boundaries. This strain, arising from the expansion of crystals in different orientations, often results in material pulverization, creating void fractions. Such deterioration leads to increased impedance, capacity degradation, and shorter cycle life.Addressing these challenges, there is an emerging demand for single crystal (SC) CAMs, which promise enhanced performance by eliminating internal void fractions and grain boundaries. The continuous supercritical hydrothermal process, invented at Argonne National Laboratory, offers an innovative and cost-effective method to produce SC CAMs. This method effectively reduces energy consumption and production costs, while also lowering carbon emissions.In this presentation, we provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements in scaling up and commercializing continuous supercritical hydrothermal process for SC CAM manufacturing. Our focus is on the efforts undertaken by ACT-ion Battery Technologies, the industry commercialization partner, highlighting the significant strides made towards implementing this promising solution on a practical level.

Self-Assembled Molecular Layers as Interfacial Engineering Nanomaterials in Rechargeable Battery Applications.

Rechargeable batteries have transformed human lives and modern industry, ushering in new technological advancements such as mobile consumer electronics and electric vehicles. However, to fulfill escalating demands, it is crucial to address several critical issues including energy density, production cost, cycle life and durability, temperature sensitivity, and safety concerns is imperative. Recent research has shed light on the intricate relationship between these challenges and the chemical processes occurring at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Consequently, a novel approach has emerged, utilizing self-assembled molecular layers (SAMLs) of meticulously designed molecules as nanomaterials for interface engineering. This research provides a comprehensive overview of recent studies underscoring the significant roles played by SAML in rechargeable battery applications. It discusses the mechanisms and advantageous features arising from the incorporation of SAML. Moreover, it delineates the remaining challenges in SAML-based rechargeable battery research and technology, while also outlining future perspectives.

Intelligent optimal sitting and sizing of distributed resources in presence of renewable energy and fuel cells based on reliability and emission factors

As the integration of renewable energy sources—such as wind, solar, and fuel cells—into power systems increases, challenges related to system reliability and cost efficiency become paramount. This paper examines the reliability of a standard power network composed of diverse energy sources including wind turbines, solar panels, fuel cells, batteries, and diesel generators. This paper proposes a novel hybrid optimization approach utilizing a Grey Wolf Optimizer combined with another advanced algorithm to minimize the total cost of energy production, inclusive of emission penalties for CO2, NO2, and SO2. The proposed approach is tested on IEEE 57-bus and IEEE 118-bus systems, demonstrating significant improvements over existing algorithms. Quantitative results show that our method reduces the total cost by up to 18 % and enhances system reliability by reducing voltage deviations in various scenarios by 12 %. The paper also provides insights into the optimal sizing and placement of wind turbines, photovoltaics, diesel generators, and fuel cells under different emission constraints (15000, 25000, and 45000 kg), further emphasizing the flexibility and effectiveness of our method in addressing environmental and economic challenges in modern power systems.

Towards Sustainable Energy Communities: Integrating Time-of-Use Pricing and Techno-Economic Analysis for Optimal Design—A Case Study of Valongo, Portugal

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of optimal energy community design, leveraging time-of-use pricing mechanisms and techno-economic parameters. Focusing on a case study of Valongo, Portugal, this study explores the intricate interplay between energy infrastructure planning, economic considerations, and pricing dynamics. Through a systematic approach, various factors, such as renewable energy integration, demand–response strategies, and investment costs, are evaluated to formulate an efficient and sustainable energy community model. Time-of-use pricing schemes are incorporated to reflect the dynamic nature of energy markets and consumer behavior. By integrating techno-economic analyses, this study aims to optimize energy resource allocation while ensuring cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. The influence of optimized sizes of photovoltaics (PV), battery storage, and electrical vehicles (EVs) on self-sufficiency rates, self-consumption rates and CO2 savings is analyzed. The findings offer valuable insights into the design and implementation of energy communities in urban settings, highlighting the importance of adaptive strategies in the transition towards a resilient and low-carbon energy future. The novelty of this paper lies in its comprehensive approach to energy community design, which integrates time-of-use pricing mechanisms with techno-economic parameters. By focusing on the specific case of Valongo, Portugal, it addresses the unique challenges and opportunities present in urban settings. Additionally, the analysis considers the interaction between renewable energy production, demand profiles and investment costs, providing valuable insights for optimizing resource allocation and achieving both cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.

Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Intensification Using Lattice Structures in Heat Exchangers

Heat exchangers make it possible to utilize energy efficiently, reducing the cost of energy production or consumption. For example, they can be used to improve the efficiency of gas turbines. Improving the efficiency of a heat exchanger directly affects the efficiency of the device for which it is used. One of the most effective ways to intensify heat exchange in a heat exchanger without a significant increase in mass-dimensional characteristics and changes in the input parameters of the flows is the introduction of turbulators into the heat exchangers. This article investigates the increase in efficiency of heat exchanger apparatuses by introducing turbulent lattice structures manufactured with the use of additive technologies into their design. The study is carried out by numerical modeling of the heat transfer process for two sections of the heat exchanger: with and without the lattice structure inside. It was found that lattice structures intensify the heat exchange by creating vortex flow structures, as well as by increasing the heat exchange area. Thus, the ratio of convection in thermal conductivity increases to 3.03 times. Also in the article, a comparative analysis of the results obtained with the results of heat transfer intensification using classical flow turbulators is carried out. According to the results of the analysis, it was determined that the investigated turbulators are more effective than classical ones, however, the pressure losses in the investigated turbulators are much higher.

Bipolar membranes electrodialysis of lithium sulfate solutions from hydrometallurgical recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries

This study investigates the use of bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) for recovering LiOH and H2SO4 from lithium sulfate (Li2SO4) solutions, aiming to establish a closed-loop hydrometallurgical recycling process for spent lithium-ion batteries. A 2.2 mol/L LiOH and 1.3 mol/L H2SO4 were recovered from a 1.1 mol/L Li2SO4 solution. Experiments were conducted under constant current conditions, and the effects of current density, number of cell pairs, and flow rates on performance were analyzed. Key findings include that BMED is an environmentally-friendly and energy-saving method for recovering Li+ as LiOH. The voltage loss across the bipolar membrane (1 V) is a major component of the total voltage drop (1.27 V) in the cell. Increasing the number of cell pairs enhances production efficiency and reduces energy consumption per cell pair, with theoretical energy costs for LiOH production in a 100-pair stack reduced to 1.57 kWh/kg. Durability tests and SEM analysis showed structural changes and highlighted the importance of maintaining high cleanliness in pre-treated solutions to extend membrane lifespan. This study provides insights into optimal BMED operation and design, demonstrating its potential for industrial-scale applications. Adjusting the Li+ recovery rate to around 80 % and using multiple cycles can further reduce energy consumption and improve the purity of recovered solutions.

Thermodynamic and thermoeconomic evaluation of integrated hybrid solar and geothermal power generation cycle

The present investigation examines geothermal and solar energy for electricity generation. The proposed cycle can generate electricity independently or jointly using geothermal and solar sources. Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs) have been employed due to their positive effects, including improved efficiency, comprehensive performance and economic analysis, adaptability, and the benefits of using ORCs with refrigerants in the hybrid power generation system. The proposed system is designed to include two evaporators, each working at distinct temperature levels, with one running at a high temperature and the other at a low temperature. Consequently, the system is outfitted with a pair of turbines functioning at elevated and moderate pressures. The analysis of the performance of the suggested cycle was conducted considering both energy and exergy perspectives; this leads to the determination of the efficiency of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. As a result, the exergy loss amount was calculated, and the exergy utilization efficiency for each component was determined. To assess the financial implications of the end product, a comprehensive study including electricity and exergy economic factors was conducted. A sensitivity analysis for many different aspects of the design factors and a parametric study, such as the difference in temperature at the pinch point and the temperature of the evaporator and their effects on energy and exergy performance, as well as the cost, are done. Findings revealed that the high-pressure turbine is directly related to the highest second-law efficiency. In contrast, the low-pressure turbine had the highest value for the exergy economic component. The average cost of energy production, obtained by evaluating power generation through low-pressure and high-pressure turbines, was calculated as 27.23 S/Gj. The system presented in this article can expand and adapt to diverse case analyses and can be effectively applied under various climatic conditions.