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Abstract Protection devices are designed to provide high sensitivity to transients produced by undesirable conditions like lightning stroke, avoiding their operation under all tolerable events like switching operations. The problem of incorrect operation due to transient phenomena can be handled by two means, one is to allow the transients and provide additional logics in the relay, other means is to damp the oscillation from source side. Protection relays’ not always must trip or send a trip signal and sometimes, only an alarm is necessary. In this context, this research presents a fast and reliable formulation for transmission lines (TLs) switching operations and lightning strokes detection and identification. The proposed methodology is based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Euclidean Norm (EN); by using PCA it is possible to determine that normal operation signals describe a very well defined Ellipsoidal Pattern (EP). In this manner, by calculating the Euclidean Norm (EN) among Principal Components (PCs) for each sample and the origin of the reference Ellipsoidal Pattern, switching operations and lightning strokes are detected and identified. Test results show that the proposed algorithm presents high success on phenomena detection and identification, presenting a high potential for online applications.

Micro hydro power plants (µHPP) are typically used to supply electric energy to microgrids outside the national power grids taking care of the frequency control of the isolated system. A conventional way to maintain the load balance in the system is to use thyristor switched AC-AC converters controlled dump loads. A disadvantage of the AC-AC converters is their reactive power consumption decreasing the power factor at the generator output. To avoid this problem the authors have earlier proposed two converter topologies utilizing symmetrical switching scheme resulting to zero reactive power consumption. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the frequency regulation loop performance of the dump load controlled single generator system by using the symmetrically switched converter structures. Evaluation is carried out by analyzing the performances of different converter structures in a simulator representing the operation of a Cuban µHPP “Los Gallegos”. The results showed that the frequency regulation loop performance using each proposed converter structure satisfied the Cuban standard of frequency regulation, but with the symmetrically switched structures reactive power consumption was reduced resulting to reduced losses and improved effective current delivery capacity of the generator.

Abstract Thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCM) provides high storage capacities in small temperature intervals. For the design of storage systems, the enthalpy curve of the used PCM has to be known with high precision. The T-History method has evolved to a widely used method for the measurement of the enthalpy as a function of temperature of PCM because of its simplicity and the advantage to be able to investigate larger sample volumes than typically used for differential scanning calorimeters. In order to ensure isothermal specimen during the measurement a thermal insulation is often mounted around the sample holder, but this insulation material is not considered in the evaluation model. In this work a new evaluation model for insulated T-History setups is developed by an analytical heat balance. This model is validated by numerical simulations of insulated T-History measurements and experimentally. By the use of the new model for the evaluation of the enthalpy a significant increase of accuracy can be achieved.

The aim of the present work was to develop 3D discrete element models capable of simulating the observed flow of glass beads (simple glass spheres) and maize grains (represented as a combination of spheres) during their discharge from a small model silo. A preliminary model for each material was constructed based on values for variables measured in the laboratory or taken from the literature. The ability of the models to predict the flow of these materials was then tested by comparing their results with observed discharge flows. Three variables were recorded for this: the mean bulk density at the end of the filling phase, the discharge rate and the flow pattern. The comparison of the results for the last of these variables required the discharge process be filmed using a high speed camera in order to more easily recognise the details of the flow. The preliminary model for the glass beads made very reasonable predictions, but that for the maize grains required calibration. This involved modifying the values of the friction properties of the material until a model capable of making acceptable predictions was obtained. The results obtained highlighted the influence of friction properties on the characteristics of the discharge flow. Finally, some of the numerical results provided by the models were analysed in order to describe the flow characteristics and the behaviour of the discharge rate in more detail.

9 Figuras, 4 Tablas.-- Material suplementario disponible en línea en la página web del editor. Co-pyrolysis of grape seeds and polystyrene was conducted in a fixed-bed reactor, followed by an analysis of the organic phase for possible further application as a drop-in fuel. Significant positive synergistic effects were found with the addition of polystyrene (5–40 wt%) to the conventional pyrolysis of grape seeds. There was a considerable improvement in the organic phase yield, in particular, reaching values over 80 wt%, markedly higher than those obtained from conventional pyrolysis (61 wt%). Fuel properties of the bio-oil were also upgraded, with a decrease in oxygen content and an increase in the heating value. An organic bio-oil fraction with pH values ranging from 5.4 to 6.2 was obtained, reducing the issues associated with handling bio-oils obtained from common pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, usually ranging pH between 2 and 3. Finally, an increment in the desired compounds, mainly aromatics, was also attained, while at the same time achieving a low content of undesired compounds, such as phenols. It was demonstrated that polystyrene can act as a H2-donor, favoring oligomerization, cyclation and hydrodeoxygenation reactions into aromatic compounds. The authors would like to thank MINECO and FEDER for their financial support (Project ENE2015-68320-R). O.S.P acknowledges the FPI fellowship (BES-2016-077750) funded by MINECO. The authors would also like to thank the Regional Government of Aragon (DGA) for the support provided under the research groups support programme. Peer reviewed

This Special Issue is intended to foster much needed research on tools and procedures to address challenging analysis and operations problems concerning electric energy systems working in a market environment. It is also intended to increase the visibility of such relevant problems, which interest power engineers, economists and operations research professionals.

Abstract The vortex-induced forces on an extruded cylinder with a span of two diameters representative of a finite segment of a non-tapered wind turbine tower at a very high Reynolds number (Re = 8.0×106) are numerically investigated using an incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver with an Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES) turbulence model and correlation-based boundary layer transition modelling. The solution shows spanwise correlated structured vortex shedding with the Strouhal number St = 0.48. The boundary layer transition is found to occur at θ transition = 70 ◦ , and boundary layer separation is found to occur at θ separation = 120 ◦ . Results from the grid dependency study strongly imply that when using IDDES, the Strouhal number converges to higher values than previously reported by the literature as the grid is refined, with results ranging from St ∼ 0.44 using a grid with 4.2 × 106 cells, to St = 0.48 for the finest considered grid with 33 × 106 cells. This behaviour is not seen for URANS, where St = 0.33 for the finest grid.

Nail polish, in particular gel nail polish, is the most used cosmetic product. The components of the gel polish, which determine both toxicity and consumer color properties, are pigments. Zn-Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with anionic food dyes are promising pigments for use in gel polish. The parameters of the samples of Orange Yellow S-intercalated Zn-Al (Zn:Al=4:1 and Zn:Al=2:1) hydroxides synthesized at pH=8 and pH=11 were studied. The crystal structure of the samples was studied by X-ray phase analysis and thermogravimetry, and the pigment properties – by the method of measuring and calculating color characteristics in the CIELab and XYZ systems. The color characteristics of gel nail polish samples prepared using synthesized pigments were studied in a similar way. X-ray phase analysis and thermogravimetry showed that Zn-Al-Orange Yellow S pigments synthesized at both Zn:Al ratios and pH were layered double hydroxides with the α-Zn(OH) 2 structure. The phenomenon of the decomposition of Zn-Al LDH to ZnO during the synthesis was revealed. As a result, all Zn-Al-Orange Yellow S pigment samples contained both layered double hydroxide and zinc oxide. It was shown that all samples of the Zn-Al-Orange Yellow S pigment obtained at pH 8 and 11 and the ratios Zn:Al=4:1 and Zn:Al=2:1 had high pigment characteristics and are promising for use in gel polish. The samples of gel nail polish with synthesized pigments have a red-orange color (сolor tone 595–604 nm) with high monochromaticity (color purity 63–75 %) and color saturation (48.7–58.3)

The increasing depletion of natural resources, combined with a wider set of pressures on the environment, has, in recent years, highlighted the need for a more efficient use of energy and a development process that involves alternative energy sources. Energy efficiency has received much attention as a solution, implying both monetary and emissions savings. However, the latter may be partially offset by the income and demand effects of the former, both in more efficient sectors and in spreading to the wider economy. This is the problem of rebound effects. Taking Spain as a case study, and introducing an energy-related CGE model that develops the inclusion of renewables, this paper evaluates a combination of efficiency initiatives to deliver both reduced energy use by households and a more sustainable supply of energy. Our findings suggest that a package aimed at improving efficiency in household electricity and petroleum use, combined with a more competitive supply of energy from renewable sources, may be the only way to get reductions in all energy use, and thus benefit the economy. Specifically, we consider how this package may lead to positive economic impacts and associated rebound effects, where the latter are focused on a greener energy supply.

The hygrothermal behaviour of an internally insulated historic wall is still hard to predict, mainly because the physical characteristics of the materials composing the historic wall are unknown. In this study, the hygrothermal assessment of an internally thermal insulated masonry wall of an historic palace located in Ferrara, in Italy, is shown. In situ non-destructive monitoring method is combined with a hygrothermal simulation tool, aiming to better analyse and discuss future refurbishment scenarios. In this context, the original U-value of the wall (not refurbished) is decreased from 1.44 W/m2K to 0.26 W/m2K (10 cm stone wool). Under the site specific conditions of this wall, not reached by the sun or rain, it was verified that even in the absence of vapour barrier, no frost damage is likely to occur and the condensation risk is very limited. Authors proposed further discussion based on simulation. The results showed that the introduction of a second gypsum board to the studied technology compensated such absence, while the reduction of the insulation material thickness provides a reduction of RH peaks in the interstitial area by 1%; this second solution proved to be more efficient, providing a 3% RH reduction and the avoidance of further thermal losses.