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We present the summary of several years of research about the inhibitor effect of NO2- on the corrosion of reinforcements. We have studied their inhibitor effect using galvanostatic and potentiodynamic polarization curves and we have measured the corrosion rates using the Polarization Resistance method (linear polarization). We have verified by this last technique, Rp, that the NO2- in concrete, if they are used in sufficient proportion, are a complete inhibitor when the Cl are added during the mixing (e.g. mixing whith sea water, CaCl2 as an accelerator in inbitor). Inssufficient amounts of NO2- have never provoked more corrosion in our experiments in concrete. The presence of NO2- always have produced a beneficial effect. The NO2- are also beneficial in carbonated concrete, suppressing or, at least, reducing the attacked area and the corrosion rate of the reinforcements.

In recent years, deregulation in the power generation market worldwide combined with significant variation in fuel prices and a need for flexibility in terms of power augmentation specially during periods of high electricity demand (summer months or noon to 6 PM) has forced electric utilities, cogenerators and independent power producers to explore new power generation enhancement technologies. In the last 5–10 years, inlet fogging approach has shown more promising results to recover lost power output due to increased ambient temperature compared to the other available power enhancement techniques. This paper presents the first systematic study on the effects of both inlet evaporative and overspray fogging on a wide range of combined cycle power plants utilizing gas turbines available from the major gas turbine manufacturers worldwide. A brief discussion on the thermodynamic considerations of inlet and overspray fogging including the effect of droplet dimension is also presented. Based on the analyzed systems, the results show that high pressure inlet fogging influences performance of a combined cycle power plant using an aero-derivative gas turbine differently than with an advanced technology or a traditional gas turbine. Possible reasons for the observed differences are discussed.

Abstract In this paper, we discuss a number of ways to define and measure the affordability of energy consumption, and we examine the emergence of energy poverty in Italy in the period from 1998 to 2011. The paper examines the eligibility criteria for claiming the benefits available to support energy consumption for vulnerable families and it identifies the potential beneficiaries. The study assesses the appropriateness of the eligibility criteria by comparing the population targeted by the policy with the population actually facing affordability problems. A simulation exercise, using the hypothetical scenario most likely to result in energy benefits being made available, shows that, regardless of the affordability index adopted, the provision of state energy benefits has little impact on fuel poverty.

This paper deals with wave energy conversion in shallow water, analyzing the performance of two different oscillating-body systems. The first one is a heaving float, which is a system known in the literature. The second one is obtained by coupling the heaving float with a surging paddle. In order to check the different behaviors of the multibody system and the single-body heaving float, physical models of the two systems have been tested in a wave flume, by placing them at various water depths along a sloping bottom. The systems have been tested with monochromatic waves. For each water depth, several tests have been performed varying the geometrical and mechanical parameters of the two systems, in order to find their best configurations. It has been found that the multibody system is more energetic when the float and the paddle are close to each other. Capture width ratio has been found to significantly vary with water depth for both systems: in particular, capture width ratio of the heaving float (also within the multibody system) increases as water depth increases, while capture width ratio of the paddle (within the multibody system) increases as water depth decreases. At the end, the capture width ratio of the multibody system is almost always higher than that of the heaving float, and it increases as water depth increases on average; however, the multibody advantage over single body is significant for water depth less than the characteristic dimension of the system, and decreases as water depth increases.

This paper presents the design of an extended Kalman filter (EKF) as a state-of-charge (SoC) estimator for a lithium–titanate (LTO) battery cell. The design is based on a Thevenin model of the equivalent battery electrical circuit with two parallel resistive-capacitive (RC) elements for the emulation of electrolyte polarization effects. The effectiveness of the proposed SoC estimator is verified through computer simulations on the comprehensive nonlinear battery simulation model featuring battery parameter vs. SoC variations, which is subject to highly dynamic loading regimes.

Abstract The kinetic characterization of the H 2 / CO system is of interest right now due mainly to its role in sustainable combustion processes. The aim of this paper is to revise and validate a detailed kinetic model of hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixture combustion with particular focus not only on NO x formation but also on interactions with nitrogen species. Model predictions and experimental measurements are discussed and compared across a wide range of operating conditions. This study moves from the detailed analysis of species profiles in syngas oxidation in flow reactor and laminar premixed flames to global combustion properties (ignition delay times and laminar flame speeds) by referring to a large set of literature data. According to recent literature, the validation of the kinetic scheme confirmed there was a need to slightly modify the kinetic parameters of two relevant CO 2 formation reactions ( CO + OH = CO 2 + H and CO + O + M = CO 2 + M ) and of reaction HONO + OH = NO 2 + H 2 O .

We have a system that is unable to keep students excited about their own learning and educational performance. In light of this situation it is the responsibility of educators to make a broad and global reflection on what must be changed and how this change may be managed. We believe that change is possible and there is no objective more necessary for society than investing in its future project. This paper proposes an exhaustive analysis of the current situation of the secondary school teachers and from there on justifies the change through the teaching practice based on innovation and with a better training in pedagogical and didactical issues.