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Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "J: Thermal Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 68700

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Paweł Ocłoń

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Energy Department, Faculty of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Krakow University of Technology, Al. Jana Pawła II, 31-864 Krakow, Poland
Interests: computational fluid dynamics; engineering thermodynamics; modeling and simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Piotr Cisek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Energy, Faculty of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, al. Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Kraków, Poland
Interests: heat storage; computational heat transfer; renewable energy sources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Guest Editors are inviting you to a Special Issue of Energies on the subject area of  ‘’Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering”. Energy and environmental engineering problems are attracting scientiffic attention these days. Through the development of numerical methods and optimization techniques, it is possible to solve increasingly complex scientific and technical problems. This Special Issue invites the authors to present original contributions on topics related to computational heat and mass transfer, computational energy, and environmental engineering. Manuscripts related to modeling and simulation within the following research areas are most welcome:

  • Heat Exchangers;
  • Renewable Energy Sources;
  • Solar, Wind and Geothermal Energy;
  • Sustainable Development;
  • Computational Thermal Fluid Dynamics;
  • Optimization of Energy, Environmental, and Electrical Systems;
  • Energy Storage;
  • Combined Heat and Power Plants;
  • Energy Savings;
  • Energy Efficiency;
  • Heat Transfer Enhancements;
  • Polution Transport Modeling;
  • Pollutant Transport Modeling;
  • Environmental Modeling;
  • Energy and Buildings;
  • District Heating and Cooling;
  • Other Relevant Topics.

Authors are encouraged to submit multidisciplinary papers. 

Prof. Dr. Paweł Ocłoń
Dr. Piotr Cisek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Computational heat and mass transfer
  • Environmental engineering
  • Energy
  • System optimization

Published Papers (32 papers)

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19 pages, 6299 KiB  
Article
A New Photovoltaic Emulator Designed for Testing Low-Power Inverters Connected to the LV Grid
by Przemysław Korasiak and Janusz Jaglarz
Energies 2022, 15(7), 2646; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15072646 - 04 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1806
Abstract
Assessing the performance of photovoltaic systems, particularly dedicated DC/AC inverter devices, requires the use of photovoltaic panels operating under natural environmental conditions, such as variations in solar radiation intensity, temperature and wind speed. Environmental testing is obviously very troublesome, inconvenient and limited. An [...] Read more.
Assessing the performance of photovoltaic systems, particularly dedicated DC/AC inverter devices, requires the use of photovoltaic panels operating under natural environmental conditions, such as variations in solar radiation intensity, temperature and wind speed. Environmental testing is obviously very troublesome, inconvenient and limited. An alternative solution is to use a device that emulates the output photovoltaic panel curves in variable weather conditions, which allows the carrying out of all necessary tests at the laboratory. This paper presents a new photovoltaic emulator (PVE), mimicking the output characteristics of the photovoltaic panels. The proposed PVE is designed and constructed at the renewable energy laboratory for testing low-power PV inverters connected to the LV grid. A novelty of this solution is the method for shaping emulated current–voltage characteristics I–V. The concept of this method assumes autonomous regulation of slopes and shapes of emulated curve fragments. This allows us to obtain the desired shapes of the output characteristics for a wide range of both voltages and currents. The proposed PVE is not a pulse device; it belongs to linear analogue circuits. In order to confirm the assumed concept, a prototype is designed and constructed, and laboratory tests are conducted. Satisfactory results are obtained, confirming the correctness of the adopted concept. High compliance of the emulated characteristics is found in comparison to the characteristics of the selected commercial photovoltaic module. Very good results of dynamic tests and energy efficiency measurements are achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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29 pages, 8089 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Efficiency of Thermopressor Application for Internal Combustion Engine
by Zongming Yang, Dmytro Konovalov, Mykola Radchenko, Roman Radchenko, Halina Kobalava, Andrii Radchenko and Victoria Kornienko
Energies 2022, 15(6), 2250; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15062250 - 19 Mar 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1872
Abstract
Contact cooling using thermopressor technologies is a promising direction for the development of energy-efficient technologies. This technology is based on the implementation of the thermo-gas-dynamic compression effect in special contact heat exchangers that consists of increasing the pressure while decreasing the temperature during [...] Read more.
Contact cooling using thermopressor technologies is a promising direction for the development of energy-efficient technologies. This technology is based on the implementation of the thermo-gas-dynamic compression effect in special contact heat exchangers that consists of increasing the pressure while decreasing the temperature during the evaporation of a finely dispersed liquid injected into a gas flow moving at a speed close to sound. Upon application of the thermopressor for charge air cooling of the engine, the following result was obtained: an increase in the air pressure after the turbocharger by 340 to 480 kPa. The thermopressor can be used as a boost stage after the turbocharger, resulting in the reduction of a basic turbocharger compression work and the increase of engine power output accordingly. Reducing the work allows for the same air flow rate on the internal combustion engine to reduce the compressor power by 10 to 12%. This increases the temperature of the exhaust gases at the inlet of the exhaust boiler by 10 to 15 °C and boiler steam capacity, resulting in an increase in the power output of the utilization turbine generator with a corresponding reduction in the fuel consumption of the diesel generator of the ship power plant by 2 to 3%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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18 pages, 3234 KiB  
Article
Gas Turbine Intake Air Hybrid Cooling Systems and a New Approach to Their Rational Designing
by Zongming Yang, Mykola Radchenko, Andrii Radchenko, Dariusz Mikielewicz and Roman Radchenko
Energies 2022, 15(4), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041474 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 1605
Abstract
Gas turbine intake air cooling (TIAC) by exhaust gas heat recovery chillers is a general trend to improve turbine fuel efficiency at increased ambient temperatures. The high efficiency absorption lithium–bromide chillers of a simple cycle are the most widely used, but they are [...] Read more.
Gas turbine intake air cooling (TIAC) by exhaust gas heat recovery chillers is a general trend to improve turbine fuel efficiency at increased ambient temperatures. The high efficiency absorption lithium–bromide chillers of a simple cycle are the most widely used, but they are unable to cool inlet air lower than 15 °C. A two-stage hybrid absorption–ejector chillers were developed with absorption chiller as a high temperature stage and ejector chiller as a low temperature stage to subcool air from 15 °C to 10 °C and lower. A novel trend in TIAC by two-stage air cooling in hybrid chillers has been substantiated to provide about 50% higher annual fuel saving in temperate climate as compared with absorption cooling. A new approach to reduce practically twice design cooling capacity of absorption chiller due to its rational distribution with accumulating excessive refrigeration energy at decreased thermal loads to cover the picked demands and advanced design methodology based on it was proposed. The method behind this is issued from comparing a behavior of the characteristic curves of refrigeration energy required for TIAC with its available values according to various design cooling capacities to cover daily fluctuation of thermal loads at reduced by 15 to 20% design cooling capacity and practically maximum annual fuel reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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14 pages, 35688 KiB  
Article
Energy Saving in Trigeneration Plant for Food Industries
by Andrii Radchenko, Mykola Radchenko, Dariusz Mikielewicz, Anatoliy Pavlenko, Roman Radchenko and Serhiy Forduy
Energies 2022, 15(3), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15031163 - 04 Feb 2022
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 1752
Abstract
The trigeneration plants for combined cooling, heating, and electricity supply, or integrated energy systems (IES), are mostly based on gas reciprocating engines. The fuel efficiency of gas reciprocating engines depends essentially on air intake temperatures. The transformation of the heat removed from the [...] Read more.
The trigeneration plants for combined cooling, heating, and electricity supply, or integrated energy systems (IES), are mostly based on gas reciprocating engines. The fuel efficiency of gas reciprocating engines depends essentially on air intake temperatures. The transformation of the heat removed from the combustion engines into refrigeration is generally conducted by absorption lithium-bromide chillers (ACh). The peculiarity of refrigeration generation in food technologies is the use of chilled water of about 12 °C instead of 7 °C as the most typical for ACh. This leads to a considerable cooling potential not realized by ACh that could be used for cooling the engine intake air. A refrigerant ejector chiller (ECh) is the simplest in design, cheap, and can be applied as the low-temperature stage of a two-stage absorption-ejector chiller (AECh) to provide engine intake air cooling and increase engine fuel efficiency as result. The monitoring data on gas engine fuel consumption and power were analyzed in order to evaluate the effect of gas engine cyclic air cooling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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20 pages, 11111 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study of the Erosion Process and Transport of Pulverized Coal–Air Mixture in the Mill-Duct System
by Bartłomiej Hernik
Energies 2022, 15(3), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15030899 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2142
Abstract
One of the main causes of damage to the elements of coal-fired boilers installations, leading to breakdowns and, consequently, a shutdown of the block, are erosive processes. Unfortunately, there is not much research conducted on dust erosion of the dust ducts supplying the [...] Read more.
One of the main causes of damage to the elements of coal-fired boilers installations, leading to breakdowns and, consequently, a shutdown of the block, are erosive processes. Unfortunately, there is not much research conducted on dust erosion of the dust ducts supplying the air–dust mixture to the burners. The problem of erosion of the dust ducts supplying the pulverized coal–air mixture to the burners was presented in this paper. This study was performed for the preliminary feasibility design. The destruction of the material of the dust ducts results in a failure due to erosion, resulting in the mill being shut down from an operation, which in turn may lead to the shutdown of the power plant unit. Therefore, it is important to identify places exposed to pulverized coal erosion. In order to perform calculations, numerical modeling in the commercial program Ansys.Fluent (Ansys Fluent, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Ansys Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA) was used. The parameters obtained as a result of laboratory tests were used in the erosion model. The places where erosion is expected are indicated. The highest erosive wear occurred for the M3 mill dust ducts for the case coal 1 and amounted to 45.6 mm/5200 h. On the other hand, the lowest erosive wear occurred for the M2 mill dust ducts powered by coal 3 and amounted to 20.9 mm/5200 h. The identification of places where erosion is expected can be used to protect these places from erosion adequately. Nevertheless, a dispersion threshold should also be placed where there is a high concentration of pulverized coal contributing to increased erosion. The numerical calculations provided information on the velocity of the medium and the behavior of the dust in the dust duct. The numerical calculations also provided information on where dust lacing has occurred. It was shown that coal dust particles with a diameter greater than 100 µm largely erode the dust duct’s wall. A model is presented for the calculation of the erosion process to be used in the dust ducts of the power plant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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13 pages, 3030 KiB  
Article
Mathematical Model of Steam Reforming in the Anode Channel of a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
by Lukasz Szablowski, Olaf Dybinski, Arkadiusz Szczesniak and Jaroslaw Milewski
Energies 2022, 15(2), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15020608 - 15 Jan 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1881
Abstract
The paper presents a mathematical model of a molten carbonate fuel cell with a catalyst in the anode channel. The modeled system is fueled by methane. The system includes a model of the steam reforming process occurring in the anode channel of the [...] Read more.
The paper presents a mathematical model of a molten carbonate fuel cell with a catalyst in the anode channel. The modeled system is fueled by methane. The system includes a model of the steam reforming process occurring in the anode channel of the MCFC fuel cell and the model of the cell itself. A reduced order model was used to describe the operation of the molten carbonate fuel cell, whereas a kinetic model describes the methane steam reforming. The calculations of the reforming were done in Aspen HYSYS software. Four values of the steam-to-carbon ratio (2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5) were used to analyze the performance of the reforming process. In the first phase, the reaction kinetics model was based on data from the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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11 pages, 5338 KiB  
Article
Influence of Longitudinal Fin Tubes Arrangement in LNG Ambient Air Vaporizers on the Wind Load
by Filip Lisowski and Edward Lisowski
Energies 2022, 15(2), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15020405 - 06 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1643
Abstract
The article presents the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the wind action on liquefied natural gas (LNG) ambient air vaporizers (AAVs). A study concerning AAV with a 6 × 6 tubes array is presented to demonstrate how the distribution of [...] Read more.
The article presents the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the wind action on liquefied natural gas (LNG) ambient air vaporizers (AAVs). A study concerning AAV with a 6 × 6 tubes array is presented to demonstrate how the distribution of longitudinal finned tubes and wind direction affect the average load and wind pressure acting on the vaporizer structure. The main goal of the study is to estimate the wind load on the structure and wind pressure on individual tubes depending on the pitch of the tubes arrangement. The above parameters are crucial for the strength analysis of the vaporizer structure. The derived analysis results provide important data on the variation of pressure on individual tubes, wind velocity inside AVV structure and indicate a significant increase in the average wind load acting on the structure for a wind direction of 45 degrees compared to a perpendicular direction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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13 pages, 2150 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation of Operating Parameters of the Ground Source Heat Pump
by Filip Bartyzel, Tomasz Wegiel, Magdalena Kozień-Woźniak and Marek Czamara
Energies 2022, 15(1), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010383 - 05 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4042
Abstract
Due to the growing demand for new ecological, low-emission heat sources, there is a need to develop new tools for simulating the operating parameters and costs of the implemented solutions. The article analyses the existing solutions for the simulation of heat pump operation [...] Read more.
Due to the growing demand for new ecological, low-emission heat sources, there is a need to develop new tools for simulating the operating parameters and costs of the implemented solutions. The article analyses the existing solutions for the simulation of heat pump operation parameters, describes the requirements for a modern building—nZEB and proposes a simulation tool based on thermodynamic parameters of the refrigerant. The script allows for deriving simple linear equations that can be used for the overall simulation of a system in which the heat pump is a key part and the efficiency of the entire system depends on its performance. The developed numerical script allows for reproducing the Linde refrigeration cycle and the parameters of its characteristic points. To calibrate the simulation, historical data obtained from the SOPSAR system were used. These data were pre-cleaned (peaks and other obvious measurement errors were removed). The obtained numerical model in combination with ground and air temperatures, anticipated hot water consumption and energy losses of the building can be used to simulate the annual performance and energy consumption of the heat pump. The obtained linear models have an RSMD error of 8% compared to historical data from SOPSAR system for all sets of simulated temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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14 pages, 12141 KiB  
Article
Influence of Fins Number and Frosting on Heat Transfer through Longitudinal Finned Tubes of LNG Ambient Air Vaporizers
by Filip Lisowski and Edward Lisowski
Energies 2022, 15(1), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010280 - 01 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1908
Abstract
The use of cryogenic liquefied gasses in industry is constantly increasing both for process purposes and for power supply needs. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) is stored at cryogenic temperature and its immediate use in gaseous form requires its evaporation. The heat needed [...] Read more.
The use of cryogenic liquefied gasses in industry is constantly increasing both for process purposes and for power supply needs. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) is stored at cryogenic temperature and its immediate use in gaseous form requires its evaporation. The heat needed to cause a phase change is usually delivered by means of vaporizers. This paper presents a numerical analysis of the influence of the fins number and frost accumulated within the fins surface on the heat transferred through the aluminum finned tubes of LNG ambient air vaporizers. The calculations were carried out applying finite element thermal analysis within Ansys software as well as using an analytical approach. As a result, the heat rate per unit length of the finned tube was obtained. The results were compared for different numbers of longitudinal fins both without frost and for total frosting of the tubes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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16 pages, 4896 KiB  
Article
Cooling Cyclic Air of Marine Engine with Water-Fuel Emulsion Combustion by Exhaust Heat Recovery Chiller
by Victoria Kornienko, Roman Radchenko, Mykola Radchenko, Andrii Radchenko, Anatoliy Pavlenko and Dmytro Konovalov
Energies 2022, 15(1), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010248 - 30 Dec 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 1960
Abstract
The fuel efficiency of marine diesel engine as any combustion engine falls with raising the temperature of air at the suction of its turbocharger. Therefore, cooling the engine turbocharger intake air by recovering exhaust gas heat to refrigeration capacity is a very perspective [...] Read more.
The fuel efficiency of marine diesel engine as any combustion engine falls with raising the temperature of air at the suction of its turbocharger. Therefore, cooling the engine turbocharger intake air by recovering exhaust gas heat to refrigeration capacity is a very perspective trend in enhancing the fuel efficiency of marine diesel engines. The application of water-fuel emulsion (WFE) combustion enables the reduction of a low-temperature corrosion, and, as a result, provides deeper exhaust gas heat utilization in the exhaust gas boiler (EGB) to the much lower temperature of 90–110 °C during WFE instead of 150–170 °C when combusting conventional fuel oil. This leads to the increment of the heat extracted from exhaust gas that is converted to refrigeration capacity by exhaust heat recovery chiller for cooling engine turbocharger sucked air accordingly. We experimentally investigated the corrosion processes on the condensation surfaces of EGB during WFE combustion to approve their intensity suppression and the possibility of deeper exhaust gas heat utilization. The fuel efficiency of cooling intake air at the suction of engine turbocharger with WFE combustion by exhaust heat recovery chiller was estimated along the voyage line Mariupol–Amsterdam–Mariupol. The values of available refrigeration capacity of exhaust heat recovery chiller, engine turbocharger sacked air temperature drop, and corresponding reduction in specific fuel consumption of the main low-speed diesel engine at varying actual climatic conditions on the voyage line were evaluated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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17 pages, 5241 KiB  
Article
Testing of Heat Transfer Coefficients and Frictional Losses in Internally Ribbed Tubes and Verification of Results through CFD Modelling
by Sławomir Grądziel, Karol Majewski, Marek Majdak, Łukasz Mika, Karol Sztekler, Rafał Kobyłecki, Robert Zarzycki and Małgorzata Pilawska
Energies 2022, 15(1), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010207 - 29 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1503
Abstract
This paper presents experimental determination of the heat transfer coefficient and the friction factor in an internally rifled tube. The experiment was carried out on a laboratory stand constructed in the Department of Energy of the Cracow University of Technology. The tested tube [...] Read more.
This paper presents experimental determination of the heat transfer coefficient and the friction factor in an internally rifled tube. The experiment was carried out on a laboratory stand constructed in the Department of Energy of the Cracow University of Technology. The tested tube is used in a Polish power plant in a supercritical circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler with the power capacity of 460 MW. Local heat transfer coefficients were determined for Reynolds numbers included in the range from ~6000 to ~50,000, and for three levels of the heating element power. Using the obtained experimental data, a relation was developed that makes it possible to determine the dimensionless Chilton–Colburn factor. The friction factor was also determined as a function of the Reynolds number ranging from 20,000 to 90,000, and a new correlation was developed that represents the friction factor in internally ribbed tubes. The local heat transfer coefficient and the friction factor obtained during the testing were compared with the CFD modelling results. The modelling was performed using the Ansys Workbench application. The k-ω, the k-ε and the transition SST (Share Stress Transport) turbulence models were applied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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17 pages, 6018 KiB  
Article
Capture of Pollutants from Exhaust Gases by Low-Temperature Heating Surfaces
by Zongming Yang, Victoria Kornienko, Mykola Radchenko, Andrii Radchenko, Roman Radchenko and Anatoliy Pavlenko
Energies 2022, 15(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010120 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2162
Abstract
One of the most effective methods towards improving the environmental safety of combustion engines is the application of specially prepared water-fuel emulsions (WFE). The application of WFE makes it possible to reduce primary sulfur fuel consumption and reveals the possibility of capturing the [...] Read more.
One of the most effective methods towards improving the environmental safety of combustion engines is the application of specially prepared water-fuel emulsions (WFE). The application of WFE makes it possible to reduce primary sulfur fuel consumption and reveals the possibility of capturing the pollutants from exhaust gases by applying condensing low-temperature heating surfaces (LTHS). In order to realize such a double effect, it is necessary to investigate the pollution processes on condensing LTHS of exhaust gas boilers (EGB), especially the process of low-temperature condensing a sulfuric acid vapor from exhaust gases to investigate the influence of condensing LTHS on the intensity of pollutants captured from the exhaust gases. The aim of this research is to assess the influence of the intensity of pollutants captured from exhaust gases by condensing LTHS in dependence of water content in WFE combustion. Investigations were carried out at a special experimental setup. The processing of the results of the experimental studies was carried out using the computer universal statistical graphic system Statgraphics. Results have shown that in the presence of a condensing heating surface, the degree of capture (purification) of pollutants from the exhaust gas flow is up to 0.5–0.6. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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19 pages, 8722 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Local Anti-Smog Resolution in Cracow (Poland) on the Concentrations of PM10 and BaP Based on the Results of Measurements of the State Environmental Monitoring
by Agnieszka Flaga-Maryańczyk and Katarzyna Baran-Gurgul
Energies 2022, 15(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010056 - 22 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3274
Abstract
As a result of conducted air quality policy, including recent legal regulations (the local anti-smog resolution), the number of individual solid fuel heating devices in Cracow (Poland) gradually decreased. Reports on air quality in the city indicate that the concentration of pollutants in [...] Read more.
As a result of conducted air quality policy, including recent legal regulations (the local anti-smog resolution), the number of individual solid fuel heating devices in Cracow (Poland) gradually decreased. Reports on air quality in the city indicate that the concentration of pollutants in Cracow’s air shows a downward trend. However, a similar tendency in terms of improving air quality is also observed in the entire voivodeship, where, as a result of analogous although less radical measures, the number of individual solid fuel heating devices is also decreasing. The paper discusses the impact of legal regulations in Cracow on the improvement of air quality in the context of changes taking place in nearby cities. Trends in changes in PM10 and BaP (PM10) concentrations are analyzed. The rate of decline of the analyzed pollutants concentrations is estimated with the use of nonparametric linear regression. Analysis showed that the rate of decline in the average annual concentrations of PM10 and BaP (PM10) in Cracow is always higher than for the analyzed cities of the Malopolskie Voivodeship. The difference is more pronounced with regard to the months of the heating season. The rate of changes for the average annual BaP (PM10) concentrations in Cracow, compared to other analyzed cities of the Malopolskie Voivodeship, is more intensive than in the case of PM10 concentrations (1.5 times stronger with regard to the months of the heating season). Since the concentration of BaP (PM10) is a better indicator of the effects of liquidation of high-emission furnaces than the concentration of PM10, it can be concluded that the impact of actions related to the improvement of air quality in Cracow in the context of changes taking place in selected cities of the Malopolskie Voivodeship is more visible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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19 pages, 1804 KiB  
Article
Combined NOx and NH3 Slip Reduction in a Stoker Boiler Equipped with the Hybrid SNCR + SCR System FJBS+
by Robert Wejkowski, Sylwester Kalisz, Przemysław Garbacz and Izabella Maj
Energies 2021, 14(24), 8599; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248599 - 20 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
The application of secondary NOx control methods in medium to low-capacity furnaces is a relatively new topic on the energy market and thus requires further research. In this paper, the results of full-scale research of SNCR and hybrid SNCR + SCR methods [...] Read more.
The application of secondary NOx control methods in medium to low-capacity furnaces is a relatively new topic on the energy market and thus requires further research. In this paper, the results of full-scale research of SNCR and hybrid SNCR + SCR methods applied into a 29 MWth solid fuel fired stoker boiler is presented. The tests were performed for a full range of boiler loads, from 33% (12 MWth) to 103% (30 MWth) of nominal load. A novel SNCR + SCR hybrid process was demonstrated based on an enhanced in-furnace SNCR installation coupled with TiO2-WO3-V2O5 catalyst, which provides extra NOx reduction and works as an excess NH3 “catcher” as well. The performance of a brand-new catalyst was evaluated in comparison to a recovered one. The emission of NOx was reduced below 180 mg NOx/Nm3 at 6% O2, with ammonia slip in flue gas below 10 mg/Nm3. Special attention was paid to the analysis of ammonia slip in combustion products: flue gas and fly ash. An innovative and cost-effective method of ammonia removal from fly ash was presented and tested. The main idea of this method is fly ash recirculation onto the grate. As a result, ammonia content in fly ash was reduced to a level below 6.1 mg/kg. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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19 pages, 6174 KiB  
Article
Increasing the Performance of an Adsorption Chiller Operating in the Water Desalination Mode
by Karol Sztekler and Łukasz Mika
Energies 2021, 14(22), 7743; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227743 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1288
Abstract
The intensive development of the world economy and the expected population growth mean that demand for cooling and water will continue to rise. The use of conventional technologies to meet this demand is associated with an enormous expenditure of electricity, which still comes [...] Read more.
The intensive development of the world economy and the expected population growth mean that demand for cooling and water will continue to rise. The use of conventional technologies to meet this demand is associated with an enormous expenditure of electricity, which still comes mainly from non-renewable sources. With the increasing demand for energy, the increasing scarcity of drinking water, and the negative impact of humankind on the environment due to global warming and ozone depletion, intensive research has been carried out to find modern desalination technologies Most of the technologies use electricity for the process of desalination, and over 6% of the world’s electricity is generated from non-renewable sources, thus increasing the emissions of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. One possibility to reduce emissions is the use of adsorption chillers with desalination function, which allow the production of cooling simultaneously with the process of water desalination. These systems can be powered by low-temperature waste heat from industrial processes or from renewable sources (solar panels) and require little electricity to operate. This paper presents options to improve their performance and increase the production of condensate in the process of desalination of saline water. Moreover, also presented are the results of tests carried out on a two-bed adsorption chiller with desalination function. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of cycle time on the cooling coefficient of performance (COP) and on the production of condensate from water desalination. The obtained results confirmed that increasing the adsorption and desorption cycle time leads to an increase in the COP value of the adsorption chiller, but the efficiency of the desalination process and condensate production decreases with increasing cycle time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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33 pages, 9056 KiB  
Article
A Validation Study for RANS Based Modelling of Swirling Pulverized Fuel Flames
by Ali Cemal Benim, Cansu Deniz Canal and Yakup Erhan Boke
Energies 2021, 14(21), 7323; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217323 - 04 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1658
Abstract
A swirling pulverized coal flame is computationally investigated. A Eulerian–Lagrangian formulation is used to describe the two-phase flow. Turbulence is modelled within a RANS (Reynolds averaged numerical simulation) framework. Four turbulence viscosity- (TV) based models, namely the standard k-ε model, realizable k-ε model, [...] Read more.
A swirling pulverized coal flame is computationally investigated. A Eulerian–Lagrangian formulation is used to describe the two-phase flow. Turbulence is modelled within a RANS (Reynolds averaged numerical simulation) framework. Four turbulence viscosity- (TV) based models, namely the standard k-ε model, realizable k-ε model, renormalization group theory k-ε model, and the shear stress transport k-ω model are used. In addition, a Reynolds stress transport model (RSM) is employed. The models are assessed by comparing the predicted velocity fields with the measurements of other authors. In terms of overall average values, the agreement of the predictions to the measurements is observed to be within the range 20–40%. A better performance of the RSM compared to the TV models is observed, with a nearly twice as better overall agreement to the experiments, particularly for the swirl velocity. In the second part of the investigation, the resolution of the discrete particle phase in modelling the turbulent particle dispersion (TPD) and particle size distribution (SD) is investigated. Using the discrete random walk model for the TPD, it is shown that even five random walks are sufficient for an accuracy that is quite high, with a less than 1% mean deviation from the solution obtained by thirty random walks. The approximation of the measured SD is determined by a continuous Rosin–Rammler distribution function, and inaccuracies that can occur in its subsequent discretization are demonstrated and discussed. An investigation on the resolution of the SD by discrete particle size classes (SC) indicates that 12 SC are required for an accuracy with a less than 1% mean deviation from the solution with 18 SC. Although these numbers may not necessarily be claimed to be sufficiently universal, they may serve as guidance, at least for SD with similar characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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24 pages, 6529 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hard Coal Combustion in Water Steam Environment on Chemical Composition of Exhaust Gases
by Bartosz Ciupek, Karol Gołoś, Radosław Jankowski and Zbigniew Nadolny
Energies 2021, 14(20), 6530; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206530 - 12 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1328
Abstract
This academic paper revolves around the results of research on the change in emission parameters of the used heating boiler following the introduction of the overheated water stream, which had an impact on different emission parameters. The research results provide an insight into [...] Read more.
This academic paper revolves around the results of research on the change in emission parameters of the used heating boiler following the introduction of the overheated water stream, which had an impact on different emission parameters. The research results provide an insight into the hard coal combustion process, which had a significant impact on the change in the chemical composition of exhaust gases: it contributed to the lower mass concentration of the emitted dust and black carbon (PM) as well as nitric oxides (NOx) while, at the same time, playing a significant role in increasing the mass concentration of the emitted carbon oxide (CO). Two types of devices were used for the purposes of conducting the research at hand: a boiler with an automatic fuel feeding system with one combustion chamber and a boiler with a combustion chamber and an afterburning chamber fitted over it. Apart from the measurements of mass concentration of the emitted harmful substances, the research also focused on measurements of temperature inside the combustion and afterburning chambers, as well as the temperature of exhaust gases and their oxygen content. As part of the research, water steam was introduced to the combustion and afterburning chambers at the flow rate of 0.71 kg/h and 3.60 kg/h for boilers operating at a minimum power of 30% and a nominal power of 100%. An original steam generator with an overheated water steam production range from 0.71 kg/h to 3.60 kg/h was used to create and feed the water steam. The efficiency of the combustion process was calculated using the obtained results for each operating configuration of a given boiler. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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17 pages, 5243 KiB  
Article
Multifrequency Impedance Tomography System for Research on Environmental and Thermal Processes
by Jan Porzuczek
Energies 2021, 14(19), 6366; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196366 - 05 Oct 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1320
Abstract
The possibility for spatial and temporal monitoring of environmental, chemical or thermal processes is of high importance for their better understanding thus control and optimization. Therefore, measurement methods that enable such opportunities might be especially valuable for researchers and process engineers. For this [...] Read more.
The possibility for spatial and temporal monitoring of environmental, chemical or thermal processes is of high importance for their better understanding thus control and optimization. Therefore, measurement methods that enable such opportunities might be especially valuable for researchers and process engineers. For this reason, in this paper the novel Electrical Impedance Tomography system is proposed that enables the visualization of the processes in which the electrical conductivity of material is changing. The proposed EIT system is based mostly on general purpose equipment. It consists of three laboratory-grade devices: a signal generator, a switching device and a data acquisition card for voltage measurement. In addition to those devices, the current source was constructed to complete the system. The EIT system was designed to have the ability of sourcing the current of frequency up to 250 kHz. A set of validation experiments were carried out to verify the EIT system accuracy. The validation tests consisted of object detection, distinguishing between objects of different conductivity, multifrequency imaging and visualization of slow-changing processes. The obtained results were also compared with the numerical simulations. The proposed system was proven to have the ability of correct imaging of irregularity inside the area of the sensor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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22 pages, 4029 KiB  
Article
Integration of Safety Aspects in Modeling of Superheated Steam Flash Drying of Tobacco
by Robert Adamski, Dorota Siuta, Bożena Kukfisz, Michał Frydrysiak and Mirosława Prochoń
Energies 2021, 14(18), 5927; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185927 - 18 Sep 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2084
Abstract
Knowledge of the drying properties of tobacco in high temperatures above 100 °C and its dust are crucial in the design of dryers, both in the optimization of the superheated-steam-drying process and in the correct selection of innovative explosion protection and mitigation systems. [...] Read more.
Knowledge of the drying properties of tobacco in high temperatures above 100 °C and its dust are crucial in the design of dryers, both in the optimization of the superheated-steam-drying process and in the correct selection of innovative explosion protection and mitigation systems. In this study, tobacco properties were determined and incorporated into the proposed model of an expanding superheated steam flash dryer. The results obtained from the proposed model were validated by using experimental data yielded during test runs of an industrial scale of a closed-loop expansion dryer on lamina cut tobacco. Moreover, the explosion and fire properties of tobacco dust before and after the superheated steam-drying process at 160, 170, 180, and 190 °C were experimentally investigated, using a 20 L spherical explosion chamber, a hot plate apparatus, a Hartmann tube apparatus, and a Godbert–Greenwald furnace apparatus. The results indicate that the higher the drying temperature, the more likely the ignition of the dust tobacco cloud, the faster the explosion flame propagation, and the greater the explosion severity. Tobacco dust is of weak explosion class. Dust obtained by drying with superheated steam at 190 °C is characterized by the highest value of explosion index amounting to 109 ± 14 m·bar·s−1, the highest explosion pressure rate (405 ± 32 bar/s), and the maximum explosion pressure (6.7 ± 0.3 bar). The prevention of tobacco-dust accumulation and its removal from the outer surfaces of machinery and equipment used in the superheated steam-drying process are highly desirable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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24 pages, 11956 KiB  
Article
High-Temperature Fluidized Bed Processing of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) as a Way to Recover Raw Materials
by Witold Żukowski, Amelia Kowalska and Jan Wrona
Energies 2021, 14(18), 5639; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185639 - 08 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1442
Abstract
This paper explores the effectiveness of metal recovery and values of gaseous emissions during thermal e-waste processing followed by magnetic separation. The thermal process of conversion of this kind of waste is difficult due to the uncertainty of the operation when compared to [...] Read more.
This paper explores the effectiveness of metal recovery and values of gaseous emissions during thermal e-waste processing followed by magnetic separation. The thermal process of conversion of this kind of waste is difficult due to the uncertainty of the operation when compared to the processing of homogeneous materials. This is due to their complex and heterogeneous structure. The adoption of the fluidized bed reactor makes the process feasible, stabilizing it significantly and limiting emissions of harmful gases. Mobile cellphones were used as the raw input material of 450 g total mass. During the thermal transformation, the exhaust gases such as: CO, CO2, NOx, SO2, HCI, HBr, HCN, NH3, phenol, hydrocarbons, HF and COCI2 were analysed. The thermal treatment resulted in 333.6 g of solids in the fluidized bed. They were fragmented into grains smaller than 1 mm and 0.5 mm. The process of magnetic enrichment was used next on grains greater than 1 mm and smaller than 0.5 mm. The process was carried out using a neodymium magnet for particles >1 mm and a plate electromagnetic separator (powered by a three-phase current) together with a 1-disc tape-type separator, which was used for particles <1 mm. Such an approach resulted in the recovery of 81.9% of cobalt, 96.6% of iron and 99.2% of neodymium. The most efficient method of magnetic enriching (MS) proved to be the use of the electromagnetic plate separator. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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15 pages, 4092 KiB  
Article
A New Solar Assisted Heat Pump System with Underground Energy Storage: Modelling and Optimisation
by Paweł Ocłoń, Maciej Ławryńczuk and Marek Czamara
Energies 2021, 14(16), 5137; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14165137 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2188
Abstract
The objectives of this work are: (a) to present a new system for building heating which is based on underground energy storage, (b) to develop a mathematical model of the system, and (c) to optimise the energy performance of the system. The system [...] Read more.
The objectives of this work are: (a) to present a new system for building heating which is based on underground energy storage, (b) to develop a mathematical model of the system, and (c) to optimise the energy performance of the system. The system includes Photovoltaic Thermal Hybrid Solar Panels (PVT) panels with cooling, an evacuated solar collector and a water-to-water heat pump. Additionally, storage tanks, placed underground, are used to store the waste heat from PVT panels cooling. The thermal energy produced by the solar collectors is used for both domestic hot water preparation and thermal energy storage. Both PVT panels and solar collectors are assembled with a sun-tracking system to achieve the highest possible solar energy gain. Optimisation of the proposed system is considered to achieve the highest Renewable Energy Sources (RES) share during the heating period. Because the resulting optimisation problem is nonlinear, the classical gradient-based optimisation algorithm gives solutions that are not satisfying. As alternatives, three heuristic global optimisation methods are considered: the Genetic Algorithm (GA), the Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) algorithm, and the Jaya algorithm. It is shown that the Jaya algorithm outperforms the GA and PSO methods. The most significant result is that 93% of thermal energy is covered by using the underground energy storage unit consisting of two tanks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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21 pages, 8786 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the Beef Drying Process in a Heat Pump Chamber Dryer
by Tomasz P. Olejnik, Tymoteusz Mysakowski, Paweł Tomtas and Radosław Mostowski
Energies 2021, 14(16), 4927; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164927 - 11 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2972
Abstract
Uneven air distribution in chamber dryers is a common and serious technological challenge. A study using CFD (Computer Fluid Dynamics) simulation, supported by measurements in a heat pump chamber dryer, confirmed irregular airflows. Performing simulations with modified settings and additional chamber modifications enabled [...] Read more.
Uneven air distribution in chamber dryers is a common and serious technological challenge. A study using CFD (Computer Fluid Dynamics) simulation, supported by measurements in a heat pump chamber dryer, confirmed irregular airflows. Performing simulations with modified settings and additional chamber modifications enabled the airflows to be visualized and optimized. It was shown that a modification of the chamber where a rotating disc had been used had a positive effect on the uniform distribution of air flows in the drying chamber. The modification significantly improves the energy balance of the beef drying process. Optimization of the process resulted in obtaining a high quality final product-beef jerky. This investigation proves that appropriate drying process control and introduced modifications enable high product quality and a safe level of water activity without the preservatives supplementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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20 pages, 6227 KiB  
Article
Validation of Modified Algebraic Model during Transitional Flow in HVAC Duct
by Konrad Nering and Krzysztof Nering
Energies 2021, 14(13), 3975; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14133975 - 02 Jul 2021
Viewed by 1661
Abstract
Airflow occurring in a ventilation duct is characterized by low velocity and hence low Reynolds number. In these conditions, either a laminar, transitional or turbulent flow will occur. Different flow conditions result in different values of the friction coefficient. To achieve the transitional [...] Read more.
Airflow occurring in a ventilation duct is characterized by low velocity and hence low Reynolds number. In these conditions, either a laminar, transitional or turbulent flow will occur. Different flow conditions result in different values of the friction coefficient. To achieve the transitional flow in numerical simulation, a modified algebraic model for bypass transition (modified k−ω) was used. Numerical simulation was validated using Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) in the circular channel. The modified algebraic model consists of only two partial differential equations, which leads to much faster calculation than the shear stress transport model. Results of the modified algebraic model are largely consistent with either the measurement and shear stress transport model considering laminar and transitional flow. Consistency slightly decreased in turbulent flow in relation to the model using shear stress transport method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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13 pages, 1995 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Low-Power Boilers Work on Real Heat Loads: A Case of Poland
by Bartosz Ciupek, Wojciech Judt, Karol Gołoś and Rafał Urbaniak
Energies 2021, 14(11), 3101; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113101 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1781
Abstract
The paper presents the methods of determination of the actual operation of solid fuel heating boilers in Poland. The analysis was based on an average annual distribution of the actual power outputs of the solid fuel heating boilers operated in four selected locations [...] Read more.
The paper presents the methods of determination of the actual operation of solid fuel heating boilers in Poland. The analysis was based on an average annual distribution of the actual power outputs of the solid fuel heating boilers operated in four selected locations in Poland. Based on said data, three characteristic percent shares have been estimated of the nominal power outputs, at which the heating boilers in Poland operate throughout the year (divided into four characteristic portions—the seasons of the year). Additionally, for the analysis, the authors took into account the average annual temperature amplitude and the annual air quality information for the discussed locations and analyzed 30 solid fuel heating boilers in terms of their performance in the laboratory certification tests. In the final stage of the investigations, the authors initiated laboratory tests on the application of the combustion quality analyzers and their potential benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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18 pages, 2678 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Thermodynamic Parameter Variability in a Chamber of a Furnace for Thermo-Chemical Treatment
by Magda Joachimiak
Energies 2021, 14(10), 2903; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14102903 - 18 May 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1477
Abstract
This paper presents results of research on unevenness of cylinder heating in a furnace for thermo-chemical treatment. Experimental research was conducted with respect to nitriding. Various heating speeds and settings of the fan operation in the furnace were considered. Boundary conditions were calculated [...] Read more.
This paper presents results of research on unevenness of cylinder heating in a furnace for thermo-chemical treatment. Experimental research was conducted with respect to nitriding. Various heating speeds and settings of the fan operation in the furnace were considered. Boundary conditions were calculated in the form of temperature and the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on the cylinder boundary in four planes along the cylinder length. Calculations were performed with the use of the inverse problem for non-linear and unsteady heat conduction equations. Boundary conditions from individual planes were compared with the mean value of them all. The variability of the calculated boundary conditions (temperature and HTC) along the cylinder length was investigated based on values of the absolute and relative differences for temperature and HTC. Estimates: mean value, mean value from the absolute value and the maximum values for the absolute and the relative differences of temperature and HTC were also calculated. Estimates were the measurements of the unevenness of cylinder heating in a furnace for thermo-chemical treatment. Based on the results of our research, it was found that an increase of the fan rotational speed from 50% to 100%, with the same heating speed, resulted in a significant leveling of temperature in the analyzed planes. The difference in temperature along the cylinder length was reduced from 6.8 °C to 3.3 °C. The increase of the heating speed from 5 °C/min to 10 °C/min resulted in an increase of the unevenness of the cylinder heating. Values of the absolute differences of temperature in the analyzed planes with reference to the mean temperature changed from an interval from −2.7 °C to 2.3 °C to a range from −4 °C to 5 °C. In processes with a heating speed greater than 5 °C/min, more intensive heating in the end part of the cylinder (close to the cylinder) was achieved than it was in other planes. It was proven by temperature values, which were higher, even, by 5.4 °C, and by HTC values, higher by 11.4 W/m2K, when compared with mean values. Obtained results can form the basis for nitriding process optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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15 pages, 17329 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical-Driven Prediction of Automotive Shredder Residue Pyrolysis Pathways toward Gaseous Products
by Rafał Ślefarski, Joanna Jójka, Paweł Czyżewski, Michał Gołębiewski, Radosław Jankowski, Jarosław Markowski and Aneta Magdziarz
Energies 2021, 14(6), 1779; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061779 - 23 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1989
Abstract
There has been a gradual increase in the field of parts recovery from cars that are withdrawn from use. However, the disposal of automotive shredder residue (ASR) still remains a significant problem. ASR is refuse derived fuel (RDF), which contains mainly plastics, fiber [...] Read more.
There has been a gradual increase in the field of parts recovery from cars that are withdrawn from use. However, the disposal of automotive shredder residue (ASR) still remains a significant problem. ASR is refuse derived fuel (RDF), which contains mainly plastics, fiber sponges, and rubbers in different proportions, and therefore a thermal treatment of selected waste samples is applied. The presented research includes thermogravimetry (TG) analysis and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis, as well as a proximate and an ultimate analysis of the ASR samples. The obtained results were processed and used as an input for modelling. The numerical calculations focused on the identification of the ASR’s average composition, the raw pyrolysis process product, its dry pyrolytic gas composition, and the combustible properties of the pyrolytic gases. The TGA analysis with three heating rate levels covered the temperature range from ambient to 800 °C. The thermal decomposition of the studied samples was in three stages confirmed with three peaks observed at the temperatures 280, 470, and 670 °C. The amount of solid residue grew with the heating rates and was in the range of 27–32 wt%. The numerical calculation of the pyrolysis process showed that only 0.46 kg of dry gas were formed from 1 kg of ASR. The gas yield increased with the rising temperature, and, at the same time, its calorific value decreased from 19.22 down to 14.16 MJ/m3. This is due to the decomposition of C6+ hydrocarbons and the promotion of CO formation. The thermodynamic parameters of the combustion process for a pyrolytic gas air mixture, such as the adiabatic flame temperature and laminar flame speed, were higher than for methane and were, respectively, 2073 °C and 1.02 m/s. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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14 pages, 6627 KiB  
Article
Bench Tests and CFD Simulations of Liquid–Gas Phase Separation Modeling with Simultaneous Liquid Transport and Mechanical Foam Destruction
by Paweł Tomtas, Amadeusz Skwiot, Elżbieta Sobiecka, Andrzej Obraniak, Katarzyna Ławińska and Tomasz P. Olejnik
Energies 2021, 14(6), 1740; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061740 - 21 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2089
Abstract
This paper presents simulation and bench test results for a special type of centrifugal pump that enables the transport of dispersive foaming liquids and simultaneous separation of the liquid phase. During the design phase, CFD (Computer Fluid Dynamics) simulations were performed using Ansys [...] Read more.
This paper presents simulation and bench test results for a special type of centrifugal pump that enables the transport of dispersive foaming liquids and simultaneous separation of the liquid phase. During the design phase, CFD (Computer Fluid Dynamics) simulations were performed using Ansys Fluent. The simulations covered changing the operating parameters of the pump (mass/volume flow rate), pressure analysis for the first impeller, and structural optimization of the pump components. In the second stage of the research, the pump and a measuring station were constructed to validate the results of the numerical simulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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15 pages, 2035 KiB  
Article
The Power Losses in Cable Lines Supplying Nonlinear Loads
by Bartosz Rozegnał, Paweł Albrechtowicz, Dominik Mamcarz, Monika Rerak and Maciej Skaza
Energies 2021, 14(5), 1374; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14051374 - 03 Mar 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3031
Abstract
This paper presents the skin effect impact on the active power losses in the sheathless single-core cables/wires supplying nonlinear loads. There are significant conductor losses when the current has a distorted waveform (e.g., the current supplying diode rectifiers). The authors present a new [...] Read more.
This paper presents the skin effect impact on the active power losses in the sheathless single-core cables/wires supplying nonlinear loads. There are significant conductor losses when the current has a distorted waveform (e.g., the current supplying diode rectifiers). The authors present a new method for active power loss calculation. The obtained results have been compared to the IEC-60287-1-1:2006 + A1:2014 standard method and the method based on the Bessel function. For all methods, the active power loss results were convergent for small-cable cross-section areas. The proposed method gives smaller power loss values for these cable sizes than the IEC and Bessel function methods. For cable cross-section areas greater than 185 mm2, the obtained results were better than those for the other methods. There were also analyses of extra power losses for distorted currents compared to an ideal 50 Hz sine wave for all methods. The new method is based on the current penetration depth factor calculated for every considered current harmonics, which allows us to calculate the precise equivalent resistance for any cable size. This research is part of our work on a cable thermal analysis method that has been developed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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19 pages, 4174 KiB  
Article
Emission Characteristics for Swirl Methane–Air Premixed Flames with Ammonia Addition
by Joanna Jójka and Rafał Ślefarski
Energies 2021, 14(3), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030662 - 28 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2588
Abstract
This paper details the experimental and numerical analysis of a combustion process for atmospheric swirl burners using methane with added ammonia as fuel. The research was carried out for lean methane–air mixtures, which were doped with ammonia up to 5% and preheated up [...] Read more.
This paper details the experimental and numerical analysis of a combustion process for atmospheric swirl burners using methane with added ammonia as fuel. The research was carried out for lean methane–air mixtures, which were doped with ammonia up to 5% and preheated up to 473 K. A flow with internal recirculation was induced by burners with different outflow angles from swirling blades, 30° and 50°, where tested equivalence ratio was 0.71. The NO and CO distribution profiles on specified axial positions of the combustor and the overall emission levels at the combustor outlet were measured and compared to a modelled outcome. The highest values of the NO emissions were collected for 5% NH3 and 50° (1950 ppmv), while a reduction to 1585 ppmv was observed at 30°. The doubling of the firing rates from 15 kW up to 30 kW did not have any great influence on the overall emissions. The emission trend lines were not proportional to the raising share of the ammonia in the fuel. 3D numerical tests and a kinetic study with a reactor network showed that the NO outlet concentration for swirl flame depended on the recirculation ratio, residence time, wall temperature, and the mechanism used. Those parameters need to be carefully defined in order to get highly accurate NO predictions—both for 3D simulations and simplified reactor-based models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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15 pages, 5639 KiB  
Article
Modified Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm under Time-Varying Solar Irradiation
by Mehmet Ali Yildirim and Marzena Nowak-Ocłoń
Energies 2020, 13(24), 6722; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13246722 - 20 Dec 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3229
Abstract
Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of the most viable renewable energy sources, considered less polluting than fossil energy. However, the average power conversion efficiency of PV systems is between 15% and 20%, and they must operate with high efficiency. Photovoltaic cells have [...] Read more.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of the most viable renewable energy sources, considered less polluting than fossil energy. However, the average power conversion efficiency of PV systems is between 15% and 20%, and they must operate with high efficiency. Photovoltaic cells have non-linear voltage–current characteristics that are dependent on environmental factors such as solar irradiation and temperature, and have low efficiency. Therefore, it becomes crucial to harvest the maximum power from PV panels. This paper aims to study and analyze the most common and well-known maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, perturb and observe (P&O) and incremental conductance (IncCond). These algorithms were found to be easy to implement, low-cost techniques suitable for large- and medium-sized photovoltaic applications. The algorithms were tested and compared dynamically using MATLAB/Simulink software. In order to overcome the low performance of the P&O and IncCond methods under time-varying and fast-changing solar irradiation, several modifications are proposed. Results show an improvement in the tracking and overall system efficiencies and a shortened response time compared with original techniques. In addition, the proposed algorithms minimize the oscillations around the maximum power point (MPP), and the power converges faster. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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18 pages, 3949 KiB  
Article
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Heat Transfer for Solid Fuels Combustion in Fixed Bed Conditions
by Wojciech Judt
Energies 2020, 13(22), 6141; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13226141 - 23 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1858
Abstract
The paper concerns the analysis of the heat transfer process that occurred during solid fuel burning in fixed bed conditions. The subject of the analysis is a cylindrical combustion chamber with an output of 12 kW heating power equipped with a retort burner [...] Read more.
The paper concerns the analysis of the heat transfer process that occurred during solid fuel burning in fixed bed conditions. The subject of the analysis is a cylindrical combustion chamber with an output of 12 kW heating power equipped with a retort burner for hard coal and biomass combustion. During the research, a numerical and experimental study is performed. The analysis is prepared for various heat load of the combustion chamber, which allowed for the reconstruction of real working conditions for heating devices working with solid fuels combustion. The temperature distribution obtained by the experimental way is compared with results of the numerical modeling. Local distribution of principal heat transfer magnitudes like a heat flux density and a heat transfer coefficient that occurred on the sidewall of the combustion chamber is analyzed. The analysis showed, that the participation of convection and radiation in the overall heat transfer process has resulted from the heat load of the heating device. Research results may be used for improving an analytical approach of design process taking place for domestic and industrial combustion chambers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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28 pages, 3463 KiB  
Review
Analysis of Designs of Heat Exchangers Used in Adsorption Chillers
by Tomasz Bujok, Piotr Boruta, Łukasz Mika and Karol Sztekler
Energies 2021, 14(23), 8038; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14238038 - 01 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1935
Abstract
In the face of increasing demands with regard to the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix, adsorption chillers are becoming a potentially important part of the energy transition. A key component of this type of equipment is the heat exchanger [...] Read more.
In the face of increasing demands with regard to the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix, adsorption chillers are becoming a potentially important part of the energy transition. A key component of this type of equipment is the heat exchanger in the adsorption bed, the design of which affects both heat and mass transfer. This study includes an analysis of the geometry and materials used to manufacture such heat exchangers. The geometry analysis is mainly based on the evaluation of the impact of the different dimensions of the exchanger components on heat and mass transfer in the bed. The second part of the study focuses on material-related issues where the main emphasis is on the analysis of the thermal inertia of the exchanger. The paper analyses the latest research on the design of exchangers in adsorption beds, mainly from 2015–2021. Currently, the commonly used SCP and COP coefficients and various test conditions do not provide sufficient information for comparative analysis of adsorption bed heat exchangers, so the authors propose to introduce a new index for the evaluation of heat exchangers in terms of the effect of the design parameters on the energy efficiency of an adsorption chiller. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Thermal, Energy, and Environmental Engineering)
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