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Processes
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CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems
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CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 7624

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Omar Dario Lopez Mejia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota 111711, Colombia
Interests: CFD; RANS and hybrid RANS-LES turbulence modelling; computational aerodynamics; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Santiago Lain

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Energetics and Mechanics, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Cali 760030, Colombia
Interests: CFD; numerical methods; turbulence; two-phase flow; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Renewable energy systems play a major role in the solution to global problems such as the energy crisis and climate change. The need for better and more efficient renewable energy systems requires state-of-the-art techniques and tools for their design and analysis. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is one of those tools that have become a standard in the design process of thermal fluid systems. This Special Issue is focused on the application of CFD to the design, analysis, and optimization of renewable energy systems. The following topics are of interest for this Special Issue (but are not limited to them):

Wind energy:

  • Wind turbine (WT) aerodynamics.
  • WT aerodynamics and control.
  • WT aeroelasticity.
  • WT aeroacoustics.
  • Wind farm modeling.
  • Modeling of wake dynamics.
  • Reduced-order models for WT aerodynamics.
  • Multiscale modeling and coupling for WT aerodynamics.

Hydrogen:

  • Generation (electrolysis) modeling.
  • Compression and storage modeling.
  • Transport modeling.
  • Fuel cell modeling.
  • Combustion modeling.

Hydropower:

  • Turbine modeling.
  • Pump modeling.
  • Cavitation modeling.

Ocean energy:

  • Turbine for tidal energy modeling.
  • Wave energy converter modeling
  • Unsteady flow modeling.
  • Cavitation modeling.

Solar energy:

  • Solar radiation modeling.
  • Solar collector modeling.
  • Photovoltaic and thermal systems modeling.

Bioenergy:

  • Biomass combustion modeling.
  • Pyrolysis processes modeling.
  • Gasification modeling.
  • Chemical kinetics coupling and modeling.

Dr. Omar Dario Lopez Mejia
Prof. Dr. Santiago Lain
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. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2400 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

  • renewable energy system simulation and modeling
  • computational fluid dynamics
  • unsteady flow and system simulation
  • solar radiation modeling
  • turbulence modeling
  • biomass combustion modeling
  • hydrogen combustion modeling
  • hydrogen production and use modeling

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3326 KiB  
Article
Study on Oxidation Activity of Hydrogenated Biodiesel–Ethanol–Diesel Blends
by Jianbo Zhou, Lyu Chen, Rui Zhang and Weidong Zhao
Processes 2024, 12(3), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12030462 - 24 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 525
Abstract
In the pursuit of understanding the oxidation mechanisms of hydrogenated biodiesel fuels and elucidating the combustion behavior of biomass fuels when blended with diesel, this study presents a comprehensive investigation into the reaction mechanism of hydrogenated biodiesel–ethanol–diesel mixtures. We develop a comprehensive reaction [...] Read more.
In the pursuit of understanding the oxidation mechanisms of hydrogenated biodiesel fuels and elucidating the combustion behavior of biomass fuels when blended with diesel, this study presents a comprehensive investigation into the reaction mechanism of hydrogenated biodiesel–ethanol–diesel mixtures. We develop a comprehensive reaction mechanism encompassing 187 components and 735 reactions for hydrogenated biodiesel–ethanol–diesel mixtures. Through kinetics analysis under varied conditions, including 1.0 MPa pressure, an equivalence ratio of 1.0, and temperatures of 900 K and 1400 K, we explore the impact of cross-reactions and changing fuel blend ratios on low- and high-temperature oxidation. Our findings indicate that oleic and stearic acid methyl esters serve as better substitutes for representing hydrogenated biodiesel kinetics than methyl decanoate. At lower temperatures, increased hydrogenated biodiesel and ethanol content leads to reduced OH generation, impacting reactivity. Conversely, higher temperatures result in enhanced OH production with increased hydrogenated biodiesel and ethanol concentrations, promoting reactivity. A cross-reaction analysis reveals CH2O as a prominent product, with the CH2O→HCO→CO pathway playing a pivotal role. In summary, our research unveils the intricate oxidation mechanisms of hydrogenated biodiesel–ethanol–diesel mixtures, providing insights into their combustion characteristics and offering implications for optimizing fuel blends for cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems)
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29 pages, 16874 KiB  
Article
Influence of Surface Roughness Modeling on the Aerodynamics of an Iced Wind Turbine S809 Airfoil
by Leidy Tatiana Contreras Montoya, Adrian Ilinca and Santiago Lain
Processes 2023, 11(12), 3371; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11123371 - 05 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1775
Abstract
Ice formation on structures like wind turbine blade airfoils significantly reduces their aerodynamic efficiency. The presence of ice on airfoils causes deformation in their geometry and an increase in their surface roughness, enhancing turbulence, particularly on the suction side of the airfoil at [...] Read more.
Ice formation on structures like wind turbine blade airfoils significantly reduces their aerodynamic efficiency. The presence of ice on airfoils causes deformation in their geometry and an increase in their surface roughness, enhancing turbulence, particularly on the suction side of the airfoil at high angles of attack. An approach for understanding this phenomenon and assessing its impact on wind turbine operation is modeling and simulation. In this contribution, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study is conducted using FENSAP-ICE 2022 R1 software available in the ANSYS package. The objective was to evaluate the influence of surface roughness modeling (Shin et al. and beading models) in combination with different turbulence models (Spalart–Allmaras and k-ω shear stress transport) on the estimation of the aerodynamic performance losses of wind turbine airfoils not only under rime ice conditions but also considering the less studied case of glaze ice. Moreover, the behavior of the commonly less explored pressure and skin friction coefficients is examined in the clean and iced airfoil scenarios. As a result, the iced profile experiences higher drag and lower lift than in the no-ice conditions, which is explained by modifying skin friction and pressure coefficients by ice. Overall, the outcomes of both turbulence models are similar, showing maximum differences not higher than 10% in the simulations for both ice regimes. However, it is demonstrated that the influence of blade roughness was critical and cannot be disregarded in ice accretion simulations on wind turbine blades. In this context, the beading model has demonstrated an excellent ability to manage changes in roughness throughout the ice accretion process. On the other hand, the widely used roughness model of Shin et al. could underestimate the lift and overestimate the drag coefficients of the wind turbine airfoil in icy conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems)
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17 pages, 8987 KiB  
Article
A Database Extension for a Safety Evaluation of a Hydrogen Refueling Station with a Barrier Using a CFD Analysis and a Machine Learning Method
by Hyung-Seok Kang, Ji-Won Hwang and Chul-Hee Yu
Processes 2023, 11(10), 3025; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11103025 - 20 Oct 2023
Viewed by 868
Abstract
A methodology is proposed to extend datasets in a database suitable for use as a reference tool to support an evaluation of damage mitigation by a barrier wall in a hydrogen refueling station (HRS) during a vapor cloud explosion (VCE) accident. This is [...] Read more.
A methodology is proposed to extend datasets in a database suitable for use as a reference tool to support an evaluation of damage mitigation by a barrier wall in a hydrogen refueling station (HRS) during a vapor cloud explosion (VCE) accident. This is realized with a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis and machine learning (ML) technology because measured data from hydrogen explosion tests with various installed barrier models usually require considerable amounts of time, a secured space, and precise measurements. A CFD sensitivity calculation was conducted using the radXiFoam v1.0 code and the established analysis methodology with an error range of approximately ±30% while changing the barrier height from that was used in an experiment conducted by the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) to investigate the effect of the barrier height on the reduction in peak overpressures from an explosion site to far fields in an open space. The radXiFoam code was developed based on the open-source CFD software OpenFOAM-v2112 to simulate a VCE accident in a humid air environment at a compressed gaseous or liquefied HRS. We attempted to extend the number of datasets in the VCE database through the use of the ML method on the basis of pressure data predicted by a CFD sensitivity calculation, also uncovering the possibility of utilizing the ML method to extend the VCE database. The data produced by the CFD sensitivity calculation and the ML method will be examined to confirm their validity and applicability to hypothetical VCE accident simulations if the related test data can be produced during experimental research. The database constructed using core data from the experiment and extended data from the CFD analysis and the ML method will be used to increase the credibility of radXiFoam analysis results for VCE accident scenarios at HRSs, ultimately contributing to safety assurances of HRSs in Republic of Korea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems)
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48 pages, 32536 KiB  
Article
Design, Multi-Perspective Computational Investigations, and Experimental Correlational Studies on Conventional and Advanced Design Profile Modified Hybrid Wells Turbines Patched with Piezoelectric Vibrational Energy Harvester Devices for Coastal Regions
by Janani Thangaraj, Senthil Kumar Madasamy, Parvathy Rajendran, Safiah Zulkifli, Rajkumar Rajapandi, Hussein A. Z. AL-bonsrulah, Beena Stanislaus Arputharaj, Hari Prasath Jeyaraj and Vijayanandh Raja
Processes 2023, 11(9), 2625; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11092625 - 02 Sep 2023
Viewed by 955
Abstract
This work primarily investigates the performance and structural integrity of the Wells turbines for power production in coastal locations and their associated unmanned vehicles. An innovative design procedure is imposed on the design stage of the Wells turbine and thus so seven different [...] Read more.
This work primarily investigates the performance and structural integrity of the Wells turbines for power production in coastal locations and their associated unmanned vehicles. An innovative design procedure is imposed on the design stage of the Wells turbine and thus so seven different models are generated. In the first comprehensive investigation, these seven models underwent computational hydrodynamic analysis using ANSYS Fluent 17.2 for various coastal working environments such as hydro-fluid speeds of 0.34 m/s, 1.54 m/s, 12 m/s, and 23 m/s. After this primary investigation, the best-performing Wells turbine model has been imposed as the second comprehensive computational investigation for three unique design profiles. The imposed unique design profile is capable of enhancing the hydro-power by 15.19%. Two detailed, comprehensive investigations suggest the best Wells turbine for coastal location-based applications. Since the working environments are complicated, additional advanced computational investigations are also implemented on the best Wells turbine. The structural withstanding capability of this best Wells turbine model has been tested through coupled computational hydro-structural analysis for various lightweight materials. This best Wells turbine also enforces the vibrational failure factors such as modal and harmonic vibrational analyses. Finally, advanced and validated coupled engineering approaches are proposed as good methodology for coastal location-based hydropower applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems)
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27 pages, 12009 KiB  
Article
Thermal Performance Evaluation for Two Designs of Flat-Plate Solar Air Heater: An Experimental and CFD Investigations
by Mahmoud S. El-Sebaey, Asko Ellman, Sh. Shams El-Din and Fadl A. Essa
Processes 2023, 11(4), 1227; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11041227 - 16 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1234
Abstract
The main objective of this research was to create two different configurations of a flat-plate solar air heater, namely, Conventional-Case A and Modified-Case B, and develop a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model using ANSYS R15.0. The purpose of the CFD model was [...] Read more.
The main objective of this research was to create two different configurations of a flat-plate solar air heater, namely, Conventional-Case A and Modified-Case B, and develop a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model using ANSYS R15.0. The purpose of the CFD model was to simulate the heat transfer behavior of the proposed solar air heaters under unsteady conditions. The RNG k-ε turbulence model was employed for this CFD study. The experiments were conducted on sunny days, under the same conditions as the Egyptian climate. The results of the experiments show that the simulated CFD model and the measured outlet airflow temperatures, relative humidity, and velocities of the two tested solar air heaters were compared. The developed model made very satisfactory predictions. Moreover, the deviations between the average CFD outlet air temperatures and the experimental results were 7% and 7.8% for Case B and Case A, respectively. The CFD-simulated average relative humidity was reduced by 31.6% when using Case B compared with Case A, and it was reduced by 28.8% when comparing the experimental data to Case B. Additionally, the average CFD thermal efficiencies obtained for Case B and Case A were 28.7% and 21.6%, respectively, while the average experimental thermal efficiencies for the cases were 26.4% and 18.2%, respectively. The proposed model can be used to design and simulate other solar air heater designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems)
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16 pages, 6763 KiB  
Article
Particle Deposition Pattern on an Automotive Diesel Filter Using an Eulerian Probability Density Function Method
by Luis Valiño, Radu Mustata, Juan Hierro, Juan Luis Hernández, María José García, Carlos Blasco, Yi-Tung Chen, Lung-Wen Chen and Prosun Roy
Processes 2023, 11(4), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11041100 - 04 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1029
Abstract
A full 3D numerical simulation of the two-phase flow made up of (bio)diesel and particles, has been carried out to reproduce the deposition pattern of particles in a BOSCH automotive filter. From a probability density function (PDF), a simple Eulerian-Eulerian two-phase model is [...] Read more.
A full 3D numerical simulation of the two-phase flow made up of (bio)diesel and particles, has been carried out to reproduce the deposition pattern of particles in a BOSCH automotive filter. From a probability density function (PDF), a simple Eulerian-Eulerian two-phase model is proposed for diesel and particles. The proposed formulation allows for a detailed description of the relationship between the velocity and size of the particles. A Brinkman-Darcy approximation has been considered for the flow through the filtering paper and is proved to be sufficient for the typical filter working conditions. The new tool is able to reproduce the deposition pattern shown by the used filters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CFD Applications in Renewable Energy Systems)
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