• Energy Research

This paper describes a multi-objective optimization method for the design of stall-regulated horizontal-axis wind turbines. Two modules are used for this purpose: an aerodynamic model implementing the blade-element theory and a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. The former provides a sufficiently accurate solution of the flow field around the rotor disc; the latter handles the decision variables of the optimization problem, i.e., the main geometrical parameters of the rotor configuration, and promotes function optimization. The scope of the method is to achieve the best trade-off performance between two objectives: annual energy production per square meter of wind park (to be maximized) and cost of energy (to be minimized). Examples of the best solutions found by the method are described and their performance compared with those of commercial wind turbines.

Abstract In this paper, the formulation of the constraint on heat transfer feasibility in the synthesis/design optimization of complex energy systems is discussed, with particular emphasis on the case in which the matching among the hot and cold thermal streams within the system is not defined a priori. The mathematical nature of the set of inequality constraints expressing the internal availability of thermal power at different temperature levels is examined and some examples are shown illustrating the way these constraints bound the feasible region of the search space and affect the hypersurface of the so-called optimum response surface, which results from considering a reduced number of degrees of freedom of the optimization problem. A brief discussion is also proposed about the choice of the algorithm and the variables for the optimization process.

This is the last part of a three-part paper regarding performance analysis and optimization of a centrifugal compressor used in a 100 kW microturbine. This part deals with the numerical constrained optimization of the diffuser apparatus (i.e. the radial and deswirl cascades) for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and pressure recovery. The optimization is accomplished through the application of a multiobjective Pareto evolutionary algorithm which is interfaced to a parametric code, that generates the geometries to be analyzed, and a Computational Fluid Dynamics code that measures the fitness of the candidate solutions. The variables of the optimization include the main dimensions of diffuser (with a constraint on the overall radial and axial size) and the profiles’ shape. The set of optimized configurations is illustrated and compared to the original one; the reason of improved performance are finally discussed.

Abstract This paper describes design and off-design behavior of a centrifugal compressor of a 100 kW gas turbine used for small scale power generation and establishes the guidelines to improve diffuser performance. The first part of the paper deals with the experimental and numerical tests on the overall machine: An extensive series of tests at different operating points and rotational speeds is performed using steady probe measurements at impeller exit and diffuser exit; the numerical model features a mixing plane at impeller–diffuser interface and therefore neglects the effect of unsteadiness due to rotor–stator interaction. In the second part of the paper, the true time-dependent rotor–stator interaction is investigated by means of a numerical model where a sliding mesh technique is adopted instead. The unsteady results are then processed and compared with the computed steady flow in the diffuser. Finally, the geometry of the compressor diffuser is optimized using an evolutionary algorithm coupled with a CFD code.

Energy system performance may differ from the expected one during actual operation because of the effects of faults, anomalies, and wear and tear due to normal use. One of the main issues of diagnosis, i.e., the procedure to discover the causes of malfunctions, is to find the way back from measured altered performance to the original cause. Several procedures were proposed in the literature to solve the diagnostic problem, usually based on the comparison between a reference nonmalfunctioning condition and an actual, possibly malfunctioning, condition. A different strategy is suggested in the paper. A direct search of the possible causes of malfunctions is performed by means of an evolutionary algorithm: a component fault is arbitrarily introduced in a model of the healthy system by substituting the reference characteristic curve with an altered one, and the algorithm is used to search for a combination of different kinds of performance modifiers that generates the same measured effects of the actual anomaly. A global and a local approach are proposed and applied to a real test case plant, also in presence of measurement noise. The local approach demonstrates to be more effective in terms of accuracy and computational effort.

Proper cooling of the hot components and an optimal temperature distribution at the turbine inlet are fundamental targets for gas turbine combustors. In particular, the temperature distribution at the combustor discharge is a critical issue for the durability of the turbine blades and the high performance of the engine. At present, CFD is a widely used tool to simulate the reacting flow inside gas turbine combustors. This paper presents a numerical analysis of a single can type combustor designed to be fed both with hydrogen and natural gas. The combustor also features a steam injection system to restrain the NOx pollutants. The simulations were carried out to quantify the effect of fuel type and steam injection on the temperature field. The CFD model employs a computationally low cost approach, thus the physical domain is meshed with a coarse grid. A full-scale test campaign was performed on the combustor: temperatures at the liner wall and the combustor outlet were acquired at different operating conditions. These experimental data, which are discussed, were used to evaluate the capability of the present CFD model to predict temperature values for combustor operation with different fuels and steam-fuel ratios.

Power gain is the main objective in any motorbike competition. Despite of the wide literature on theoretical and experimental methods for increasing engine power, there is a general lack of data ab ...

Abstract An essential strategy to lower energy and resources consumption is the development of highly integrated industrial sites including different kind of plants complementing one another. Sawmills are huge biomass suppliers to other industries, such as pulp and paper mills, pellet plants and CHP plants, and part of the biomass is also used for the internal heat requirement. In this paper the integration of a sawmill with a pellet plant and a CHP plant is investigated using advanced process integration techniques, so that the thermal energy and the electricity produced in the CHP plant by burning part of the sawmill biomass output are used for the heat and power requirements of the other two industries. The results show that up to 18% of the biomass by-products from the sawmill can be saved, but from the economic point of view the ratio between prices of the thermal energy sold for district heating and the low quality biomass has to be lower than the present one to make the integrated design solution more attractive than separate plant operation.

Abstract This paper investigates the possibility of combining different forest industries (a pulp and paper mill, its supply chain, and a wood-pellet plant) into an integrated industrial site in which they share a common heat and power utility. Advanced process integration and optimization techniques are used to study the site from both material and energy viewpoints. An existing pulp and paper mill is used as the site core plant and its pulp and paper production rates are kept fixed as they are in reality, while the other material flow links among the plants are based on the current industrial situation in Sweden. Different scenarios are evaluated in order to reflect the two main objectives that can be pursued (increased electricity production or biomass resource saving) and the two technologies that can be considered for the shared CHP system (boilers and product gas fired gas turbines). The corresponding non-integrated (standalone) configurations are compared to these scenarios to quantify the potential benefits of the integration. Investment opportunity is also calculated for the considered scenarios as an indicator of the economic convenience.