Typical Installation Research Articles

Influence of separation, collision and friction of rotating ring in sleeve on vibration characteristics of gas face seals

Purpose This study aims to understand how the assembly of rotating ring affects the axial forced vibration of gas face seals. Design/methodology/approach A three-mass kinematic model is established to investigate the axial movement of the rotating ring with bilateral constraints. The separation, collision and frictional sliding of the rotating ring in sleeve are discussed under rotor excitation. The effects of operating parameters and O-ring dynamic characteristics on the separation degree and film thickness disturbance are analyzed. A dimensionless axial characteristic force is defined to determine the critical conditions for the occurrence of separation. Several effective methods to eliminate the separation are proposed based on the adjustment of typical installation parameters. Findings Under rotor excitation, there may be two collisions between the rotating ring and the sleeve surfaces in one excitation period. This will cause self-excited vibration of the fluid film, increasing the risk of seal failure. The separation and collision can be prevented by increasing the equilibrium ratio, the installation radius of the O-ring on the outer surface of the rotating ring and the friction in the sleeve. Originality/value The results develop the modeling of multibody dynamics of gas face seals, enabling more accurate prediction of vibration characteristics.

Numerical and experimental analysis of thermal behaviour of high voltage power cable in unfilled ducts

The work addresses the topic of the thermal study of high-voltage power cables installed inside plastic pipes in the absence of filling. The presence of air inside the pipe creates an insulating layer that does not favor heat exchange and makes the calculation of the flow rate more complex, as it is necessary to take into account the thermal phenomena of natural convection and radiation between the surface of the cable and the internal surface of the tube. The numerical model based on the finite element calculation was compared with the experimental results obtained on a simulacrum in which the temperatures on the different layers of the cable were measured. After this validation, some typical installation configurations of single and double energy transport triads were analyzed.

5G as Communication Platform for Solar Tower Plants

Wiring of heliostat fields for solar tower plants is a cost factor that becomes more important as the overall cost target is decreasing. Wireless heliostats with radio communication and autarchic energy supply have therefore been proposed in the past. But none of the communication solutions investigated so far could realistically scale to commercial size plants with tens of thousands of heliostats. Moreover, the digitalization of CSP plants with numerous mobile and stationary sensor systems requires a suitable data communication, too. The new generation of mobile radio communication (5G) is capable of handling the heterogenous communication profile portfolio comprising large numbers of units with low data rates – like heliostats - and few units with very large data volume – like e.g. drone-based camera systems. The communication requirements of a typical solar tower installation are assessed in this work and a data traffic model is created for the most relevant communication channels. The various existing 5G implementations are assessed to find the most suitable solution. Different operator models for 5G are considered and their applicability in CSP target countries is discussed. A simulation test case is presented that models the radio communication traffic of a heliostat field control during a cloud passage. Finally, the experimental 5G campus network is introduced that is currently installed at the Solar Tower Jülich research plant and will be operated in the upcoming months to demonstrate the technical feasibility of 5G radio for communication in solar fields.

Installed nacelle aerodynamics at cruise and windmilling conditions

PurposeThe decrease in specific thrust achieved by Ultra-High Bypass Ratio (UHBPR) aero-engines allows for a reduction in specific fuel consumption. However, the typical associated larger fan size might increase the nacelle drag, weight and the detrimental interference effects with the airframe. Consequently, the benefits from the new UHBPR aero-engine cycle may be eroded. This paper aims to evaluate the potential improvement in the aerodynamic performance of compact nacelles for installed aero-engine configuration.Design/methodology/approachDrooped and scarfed non-axisymmetric compact and conventional nacelle designs were down selected from a multi-point CFD-based optimisation. These were computationally assessed at a set of installation positions on a contemporary wide-body, twin-engine transonic aircraft. Both cruise and off-design conditions were evaluated. A thrust and drag accounting method was applied to evaluate different aircraft, powerplant and nacelle performance metrics.FindingsThe aircraft with the compact nacelle configuration installed at a typical installation position provided a reduction in aircraft cruise fuel consumption of 0.44% relative to the conventional architecture. However, at the same installation position, the compact design exhibits a large flow separation at windmilling conditions that is translated into an overall aircraft drag penalty of approximately 5.6% of the standard cruise net thrust. Additionally, the interference effects of a compact nacelle are more sensitive to deviations in mass flow capture ratio (MFCR) from the nominal windmilling diversion condition.Originality/valueThis work provides a comprehensive analysis of not only the performance but also the aerodynamics at an aircraft level of compact nacelles compared to conventional configurations for a range of installations positions at cruise. Additionally, the engine-airframe integration aerodynamics is assessed at an off-design windmilling condition which constitutes a key novelty of this paper.

Biogas Upgrading Technology: Conventional Processes and Emerging Solutions Analysis

The purpose of this research is to investigate a variety of approaches to the conversion of biomass, with a particular emphasis on employing anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading systems. An analysis of the existing technologies is performed, with a focus on highlighting the benefits and downsides of each alternative. In order to assess the effects of nitrogen and oxygen in the biogas on the cryogenic distillation process, an investigation is being carried out. The findings suggest that the presence of these two chemical species in the biogas necessitates the final condensation of methane in order to separate them from one another. In conclusion, a qualitative economic analysis is carried out in order to ascertain the most cost-effective strategy that can be implemented in a typical Italian installation. According to the assumptions that were used, membrane separation is the solution that offers the most cost-effectiveness.

The Influence of Nusselt Correlation on Exergy Efficiency of a Plate Heat Exchanger Operating with TiO2:SiO2/EG:DI Hybrid Nanofluid

This paper studies how the correlation with the Nusselt number affects the final result of the efficiency, ε, and exergy efficiency, ηex, of a chevron-type gasketed plate heat exchanger, which is installed in a typical small solar installation dedicated to single-family housing; the solar fluid is a TiO2:SiO2/EG:DI hybrid nanofluid with concentrations from 0% to 1.5% vol. The experimental model assumes constant flow of the solar fluid and varies on the domestic hot water side—from 3 lpm to 6 lpm. The inlet temperatures are 30 °C and 60 °C on the cold and hot sides of the heat exchanger, respectively. Of the six analysed correlations that showed similar trends, it is concluded that for the assumed flow conditions, geometry, and chevron angle of the plate heat exchanger, one model is the most accurate. The largest difference between the ηex values for a given concentration is 3.4%, so the exergy efficiency is not affected by the chosen Nusselt model by very much. However, the choice of correlation with the Nusselt number significantly affects the efficiency, ε; the difference between the values obtained within a given concentration is more than 40% and depends on the Reynolds number and flow. Most research discusses the scenario with the nanofluid as a coolant. This paper considers the opposite situation in which the solar fluid is a hotter working medium that transfers heat to domestic hot water installation.

Comparison of Foiled and Non-Foiled Twisted-Wire Pairs Characteristics due to Coiling Stresses using the Feature Selective Validation Method

This paper presents a technique to evaluate the impact of coiling stresses on foiled and non-foiled twisted pair cables using the Feature Selective Validation Method. The use of twisted pair cables for Internet of Things (IOT) continues to grow due increasing demand for such applications. One of the ways devised by cable designers to minimize electromagnetic interference is the use of foils which comes with additional costs. However, in typical installations, cables could be subjected to repeated coiling and uncoiling stresses which affect performance. There is limited knowledge in literature on the evaluation of the impact of foils on the performance of unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables when subjected to coiling stresses anticipated during installation, hence the need to conduct this research. In this paper, four UTP cables (foiled and non-foiled) were subjected to three rounds of coiling and uncoiling tests to mimic handling stress expected in typical installations. The Feature Selective Validation (FSV) method was used to assess the impact of the coiling stress test on major performance parameters like return loss, crosstalk and impedance of the four twisted pair cables. The result of the assessment shows that the foiled cables gave the highest resilience to the coiling stress tests in all the pairs for crosstalk, while for return loss and impedance it is in two pairs. The approach presented can be used by cable installers and engineers to undertake an evaluation of cables selected for deployment.

Accurate modelling of the bifacial gain potential of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems

Bifacial solar modules have emerged as a promising technology in utility-scale photovoltaic systems, experiencing significant growth and capturing a substantial market share worldwide, as reported by the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) 2023. Despite this progress, the potential of bifacial modules in rooftop applications remains largely unexplored. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive study utilizing Monte Carlo Ray Tracing techniques coupled with detailed electrical modelling. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the viability of implementing bifacial solar modules on rooftops by examining the potential energy yield gains. By conducting a detailed analysis on a representative rooftop in Canberra, Australia, real-world conditions, and variations are incorporated, providing a more accurate assessment of the energy yield gains achievable in such settings. The simulation results reveal that the implementation of bifacial solar modules on rooftops within Australia can result in energy yield gains of up to 22.6%. These findings demonstrate the considerable potential of bifacial technology in maximizing solar energy production in rooftop applications. The analysis shows significant implications of module and system design on the potential gain. For example, electrical optimisation of individual modules in a system accounted for 1.4% of the bifacial gain. The analysis considers full annual time-step simulation, typical mechanical mounting components, installation orientations and module characteristics, ensuring practical relevance and reliability of the results.

МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ ЕЛЕКТРОТЕПЛОВИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ В УСТАНОВЦІ ІНДУКЦІЙНОЇ ТЕРМООБРОБКИ АЛЮМІНІЄВИХ ЗЛИВКІВ І ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ШЛЯХІВ ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЇЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ПРИ ПРЕСУВАННІ КАТАНКИ ДЛЯ СИЛОВИХ КАБЕЛІВ

A computer mathematical model is presented for the study of electrothermal processes in the installation of induction heat treatment of cylindrical aluminum ingots during pressing of wire rod for the manufacture of aluminum wire for power cables. The model makes it possible to determine energetically and technologically appropriate electromagnetic and thermal modes of induction heat treatment of ingots at a given voltage on the inductor. The results of the study of a typical installation for heating aluminum blanks for the purpose of their subsequent gradient pressing using a single-phase single-layer cylindrical inductor made of a rectangular copper tube are presented. Temperature distributions along the length of the aluminum blanks, as well as in the cross-sections of the billets at the output of the inductor, were obtained. A slight difference in the calculated electromagnetic and thermal parameters from the similar parameters of the operating installation confirmed the adequacy of the developed model. Ways to increase the efficiency of the induction heating installation by optimizing the profile of the inductor turns are considered. The influence of the thickness of the wall of the copper tube of the inductor close to the workpiece on the efficiency of the installation was determined and it was shown that its optimal thickness is at the level of the depth of penetration of the electromagnetic field into the metal. The possibility of using a three-phase power supply of the inductor was also investigated and it was shown that in this case it is most appropriate to use a phase angle shift between voltages of 60 el. degree. References 10, tables 2, figures 7.

Automated Classification of the Phases Relevant to Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injury Risks in Residential Roof Shingle Installation Operations Using Machine Learning

Awkward kneeling in sloped shingle installation operations exposes roofers to knee musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks. To address the varying levels of risk associated with different phases of shingle installation, this research investigated utilizing machine learning to automatically classify seven distinct phases in a typical shingle installation task. The classification process relied on analyzing knee kinematics data and roof slope information. Nine participants were recruited and performed simulated shingle installation tasks while kneeling on a sloped wooden platform. The knee kinematics data were collected using an optical motion capture system. Three supervised machine learning classification methods (i.e., k-nearest neighbors (KNNs), decision tree (DT), and random forest (RF)) were selected for evaluation. The KNN classifier provided the best performance for overall accuracy. The results substantiated the feasibility of applying machine learning in classifying shingle installation phases from workers’ knee joint rotation and roof slope angles, which may help facilitate method and tool development for automated knee MSD risk surveillance and assessment among roofers.

Experimental Investigation of Crack Propagation Mechanism and Load-bearing Characteristics for Anti-slide Pile

Reinforced concrete anti-slide pile is a typical anti-slide installation under horizontal load. Its stress is essentially the cantilever beam working under the combined action of bending moment and shear force. In the process of loading, concrete is accompanied by the generation and expansion of different forms of cracks. In order to reveal the bearing characteristics and crack propagation law of anti-slide pile, the 1:10 scale model of the anti-slide pile in Majiagou landslide treatment project was taken as the object. The mechanical mechanisms of three kinds of the anti-slide piles with different pile lengths were studied. The bending moment and deformation law of three anti-slide piles were obtained. The results show that the pile is easy to crack in the range of 0.5 m above and below the sliding surface. With the increase of cantilever length, the bending moment increases. The development of the maximum crack length and width presents the crack initiation stage, stable stage, and failure mutation stage. Through the monitoring of the length and width of the crack and the judgment of its stage, the working state of the pile can be obtained. The results can provide reference for the optimal design of anti-slide pile in landslide treatment engineering.

Determination of the Physical Integrity of Ethernet Cables by Obtaining their Transmission Line Parameters from Measured Impedance Profiles

A method of determining the physical integrity of Ethernet cables by obtaining their transmission line parameters (resistance, inductance, capacitance, and conductance) from their measured impedance profiles are presented. The transmission line parameters were extracted across the cable lengths rather than frequencies used in most research. The method can be used to examine the physical integrity of Ethernet cables before their deployment. The study of the physical integrity of Ethernet cables is very important because, in typical installations, cables can be manipulated in the form of repeated coiling and uncoiling. The installation handling stress can adversely affect the signal integrity especially if they are substandard Ethernet cables. In this paper, four Ethernet cables were subjected to three coiling and uncoiling tests to represent installation handling stress. The impedance profiles of the four cables across their lengths were measured for the three handling stress test conducted. The computation of the transmission line parameters of the Ethernet cables using measured impedance profiles was implemented with the aid of Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB). The outcome of the research showed that the method presented will be very useful to cable installers and contractors in making objective decisions in the choice of cables for deployment.

Low-cost rapid-installation data monitoring and analysis system for operating status of refrigeration plant

For refrigeration plants without building automation systems (BAS), a low-cost rapid-installation data monitoring and analysis system has been developed that can be installed without affecting the normal operation of the refrigeration system. Typical installation time is two days, and the hardware and installation cost for a canonical set of systems is approximately 5600 Chinese Yuan (780 US Dollar). Temperature data were collected from low-cost wireless measurement points on the equipment and piping of the refrigeration plant and then stored, pre-processed, and analyzed to extract parameters related to the operating status of the plant. This paper describes the methods and rules for pre-processing the data and the methods for identifyingAuthor Statement the system operating state using algorithms, including algebraic operations, statistical parameter identification based on empirical rules, and curve similarity identification. The low-cost, rapid-installation data monitoring and analysis system was applied to several refrigeration plants, and the relevant data were analyzed. The rapid data monitoring and analysis system successfully calculated and identified the energy consumption, Coefficient of Performance, Water Transport Factor, ON/OFF status, and other operating status and energy efficiency-related parameters of each item of refrigeration equipment. It also identified fault information, such as frequent start-stop and water bypass, which are common in refrigeration plants. The system costs 10% less than a traditional monitoring system. It is expected to help refrigeration plants without BAS to take the first step in establishing a monitoring system, allowing operations and maintenance personnel to better understand the operating status of the refrigeration system from a remote location, discover faults and energy-consuming behaviors in a timely manner, and improve the overall energy efficiency of the system.

Application of in-situ blocked forces for characterising structure borne vibration of heavy industrial machinery

Industrial machinery can generate excessive vibration, potentially reducing their productivity and disturbing their surroundings. Thus, it is essential to control vibration in industrial environments and accurate predictions are required to adopt mitigation measures in the initial design stages. It is first necessary to perform measurements on the vibration source to characterise its operational behaviour, and the obtained properties can be expressed in terms of its blocked forces according to ISO 20270:2019. The data can be obtained from the source mounted on a specific receiver, but still deliver intrinsic quantities that remain valid for any different receiver structures. Although good agreements have already been achieved between predictions and on-board validations from light weight structures, proving the theory is well understood, it has not yet been applied effectively to heavier assemblies which will be the focus of this work. A source characterisation case study is presented in this paper for a typical heavy industrial installation known as a press softly mounted on an inertia block isolated from the surrounding factory floor. A description of how the passive properties of the press were obtained and vibration predictions at different positions of the coupled assembly will also be given.

Regulatory Significance of Plastic Manufacturing Air Pollution Discharged into Terrestrial Environments and Real-Time Sensing Challenges.

Cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) is an onsite plastic manufacturing technology used in the U.S. and has not been evaluated for regulatory compliance with federal air pollution laws. The practice involves the discharge of manufacturing waste into the environment. The study goal was to estimate the magnitude of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) discharged into the atmosphere for styrene and nonstyrene composite manufacture and examine low-cost air monitoring sensor reliability. Time-resolved emission analysis revealed that VOC emission was not only isolated to the thermal curing period but also occurred before and after curing. In addition to the styrene monomer, other gas-phase hazardous air pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act were also emitted. Based on typical CIPP installations, 0.9 to 16.6 U.S. tons of emitted VOCs were estimated for styrene CIPPs, and 0.09 to 1.6 U.S. tons of emitted VOCs were estimated for nonstyrene CIPPs. Because the number and size of CIPPs manufactured in a single community can vary, the total air pollution burden will significantly differ across communities. Low-cost VOC sensors commonly utilized near CIPP manufacturing activities did not accurately quantify styrene and should not be relied upon for that purpose. Up to several thousand-fold detection differences were observed. Regulatory evaluation of CIPP air pollution and PID sensor reliability assessments are recommended.

Numerical study on aerodynamic resistance reduction of high-speed train using vortex generator

Vortex generator (VG) is one of the potential technical tools to reduce the aerodynamic resistance of high-speed trains. The passive control resistance reduction research of a high-speed train is carried out by using VG. Three typical installation locations, including flow separation point, boundary layer mutation and streamline transition location, and several nearby locations were selected to study the effect of VG location on the train aerodynamic characteristics. The results show that the tail car drag is significantly reduced when the VG is arranged at the boundary layer mutation, the tail car’s resistance can be reduced by 15.42%. The tail car reduces resistance by 3.87% when VG is set at the flow separation point. By analyzing the flow field structure, we found that the VG arranged in front of the separation point triggers the flow separation, which destroys the balance between the separation and longitudinal vortex. It effectively reduces the strength of the separation vortex, thereby reducing the tail car’s aerodynamic drag. The research provides a new thought for the aerodynamic resistance reduction of high-speed trains, and is of great significance to break the limitations of traditional aerodynamic drag reduction technology of trains.

Design of an Optimized Asymmetric Multilevel Inverter with Reduced Components Using Newton‐Raphson Method and Particle Swarm Optimization

Multilevel inverters have great scope in current developments of grid‐connected solar PV systems. Two‐level inverters are the simplest kind of multilevel inverter available (MLI). As the number of output levels is raised, the total harmonic distortion decreases. In classic MLI topologies, more electronic components are utilized to get higher‐level outputs, which raise the cost, complexity, and volume of typical MLI installations. By reducing the design components, the cost of the system will be reduced. Furthermore, the two‐ and three‐level inverters produce constant dv/dt output, which increases the stress on the power switches. This research proposes an asymmetric MLI topology that is suitable for PV applications and utilizes less number of DC sources and switches. The proposed inverter is controlled by selective harmonic elimination‐based pulse width modulation (SHEPWM) to eliminate the lower‐order dominant harmonics. The nonlinear equations produced by the SHEPWM are solved for the switching angles of the proposed inverter using the Newton‐Raphson (NR) method and particle swarm optimization (PSO) method for various modulation indexes. The performance of the proposed inverter is analyzed based on the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output for different operating levels of the inverter by comparing similar topologies in the literature. The THD obtained by the NR method is 7.3% and by using PSO is 4.23% at 0.9 modulation index.

The Low Emission Oil and Gas Open reference platform—An off‐grid energy system for renewable integration studies

AbstractThis article introduces and describes the integrated energy system of the Low Emission Oil and Gas Open reference platform. It is a hypothetical case meant to represent a typical oil and gas installation in the North Sea. The aim of this detailed specification is to serve as an open reference case where all the information about it can be publicly shared, facilitating benchmarking and collaboration. The relevance of this reference case of an off‐grid energy system is not limited to the oil and gas industry, since it can also be seen as a special kind of electrical micro grid. The remote offshore location makes it especially relevant for studying offshore wind power and ocean energy sources like wave power. The specification has an emphasis on the energy system and electrical configuration, but also includes a basic description of the oil field and processing system. The intention is that it will serve as a basis for energy system studies and relating power system stability analyses regarding the integration of renewable energy sources. This allows for comparisons of a base case with different design modifications, new operational planning methods, power management strategies and control concepts. Examples of possible modifications are the replacement of gas turbines by wind turbines, addition of energy storage systems, a more variable operation of loads etc. The last part of the article demonstrates the behaviour of the reference platform implemented in two software tools: one for operational planning and one for dynamic power system analyses.

A Combined Computer Vision and Deep Learning Approach for Rapid Drone-Based Optical Characterization of Parabolic Troughs

Abstract Optical accuracy is a primary driver of parabolic trough concentrating solar power (CSP) plant performance, but can be damaged by wind loads, gravity, error during installation, and regular plant operation. Collecting and analyzing optical measurements over an entire operating parabolic trough plant is difficult, given the large scale of typical installations. Distant Observer, a software tool developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, uses images of the absorber tube reflected in the collector mirror to measure both surface slope in the parabolic mirror and offset of the absorber tube from the ideal focal point. This technology has been adapted for fast data collection using low-cost commercial drones, but until recently still required substantial human labor to process large amounts of data. A new method leveraging advanced deep learning and computer vision tools can drastically reduce the time required to process images. This new method addresses the primary analysis bottleneck, identifying featureless, reflective mirror corner points to a high degree of accuracy. Recent work has shown promising results using computer vision methods. The combined deep learning and computer vision approach presented here proved highly effective and has the potential to further automate data collection and analysis, making the tool more robust. The method presented in this paper automatically identified 74.3% of mirror corners within 2 pixels of their manually marked counterparts and 91.9% within 3 pixels. This level of accuracy is sufficient for practical Distant Observer analysis within a target uncertainty. A commercial drone collected video of over 100 parabolic trough modules at an operating CSP plant to demonstrate the deep learning and computer vision method’s usefulness in processing large amounts of data. These troughs were successfully analyzed using Distant Observer, paired with the new deep learning and computer vision algorithm, and can provide plant operators and trough designers with valuable insight about plant performance, operating strategies, and plant-wide optical error trends.

Development and Tests of the Water Cooling System Dedicated to Photovoltaic Panels

Among all the energy production technologies based on renewables, the photovoltaic panels are the ones with the highest rate of development and applications worldwide. In this context, significant efforts are put into research on innovative materials in order to improve the performance of photovoltaic cells. Nevertheless, possibilities available to enhance the energy yield of existing technologies also exist and are explored, such as the cooling of photovoltaic modules. This approach can decrease the mean operation temperature of photovoltaic cells, leading to an increase in efficiency and energy produced. In the present paper, this method is investigated by developing and testing a dedicated water cooling system for photovoltaic panels. In order to investigate the performance of the cooling system, two market-available monocrystalline photovoltaic panels with a power of 50 and 310 Wp were tested under laboratory and real operation conditions, respectively. Based on the results obtained under laboratory conditions, the most promising variant of the cooling system was selected and assessed under real operation conditions. For this system, the maximum temperature of the water-cooled 310 Wp panel was lower by approx. 24 K compared to an uncooled panel, as pointed out by a measurement performed during a typical sunny day when solar irradiation was approximately 850 W/m2. This improvement of the cell temperature led to a 10% increase in power generated by the water-cooled photovoltaic panel compared to the uncooled one. The economic analysis revealed that the estimated simply payback time for installing the cooling system in typical domestic photovoltaic installations can be less than 10 years, while from the point of view of net present value, the introduction of the water cooling system can be a profitable option for a 10-year period when a discount rate of 5% is considered.