• Energy Research
• Closed Access close
• Restricted close
• ES close
• BE close
• UA close

This study is to our knowledge the first to describe the effect of a Gas-Gas Heater (GGH) of a coal fired power plant's has on (i) the H2SO4 concentration and (ii) the particle/aerosol number concentration and particle size distribution present in the flue gas. In the absence of a GGH, homogenous nucleation takes places inside the Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD) converting the gaseous H2SO4 into aerosol H2SO4. This leads to a high aerosol number concentration behind the WFGD with 80% of the aerosols being smaller than 0.02 μm. This implies that an amine based carbon capture (CC) installation treating this flue gas can suffer from amine mist formation due to the high amount of available nuclei (i.e., H2SO4 aerosols) resulting in high amine emissions. In contrast, in the presence of a GGH not only 70% of the H2SO4 is removed from the flue gas (measured at the Nijmegen powerplant), but also homogenous nucleation in the WFGD is prevented resulting in low particle number concentrations. The flue gas leaving the GGH will not create any mist formation issues in an amine based CC installation due to the low amount of nuclei present in the flue gas. It is not the reduction in H2SO4 concentration by 70% inside the GGH as such that prevents mist formation but absence of H2SO4 in its aerosol form. These results are most likely quite widely transformable to other power plants that burn low sulfur coal i.e., around 0.7 weight%. This information will serve future pilot and demo CC installation around the world; in particular when retrofitted on power plants that have a GGH.

Abstract Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is a growing reality worldwide and its development involves implementing techniques to log and estimate the solar resources available. In this paper an easy methodology for the pre-classification of facades in BIPV projects has been described. This step is previous to the calculation of the complete solar potential in a building, and don't include the shape and shading factors. The proposed methodology covers the development of a new model that allows the irradiation factor (IF) to be estimated on facades with only 2 input parameters: the latitude of the place and the azimuth angle of the photovoltaic generator. The necessary tools to assess the “Energetic Efficiency Rating” for BIPV facades are provided, as an initial stage to be applied by architects and engineers.

Abstract This paper presents a theoretical and experimental investigation about the modelling of a 1:45 scale prototype Wave Energy Converter (WEC). An analytical model is implemented to describe its behaviour in a wave tank. The aim is to provide a contribution to modelling tools used for WEC characterisation and design. Hydrodynamic characterisation software is avoided in favour of a simpler and more versatile design tool destined to a wider range of users. Therefore, an alternative approach is presented, based on mechanical analogies and the use of Matlab/Simulink/SimMechanics environment. This analytical model was constructed using linear wave theory, coupled with a non-linear model for the device and its power take-off system (PTO). Assumptions on incident waves and geometric properties of the device were required and implemented on the basis of literature of naval architecture, ships stabilization and control issues. Simulation results were compared and validated with those obtained in the same range of experimental tests of the prototype in wave tank. Trends and values of both investigation techniques show a good agreement, indicating the validity of the methodology adopted and leaving space for future improvements of the same. Finally, as example of application, the model was applied in a show case in order to estimate the energy yield by the WEC if scaled to real size, using Froude scaling. Results are encouraging and show the viability of the proposed design.

Abstract This paper presents some research activities conducted at the Centre Spatial de Liege (CSL) in the field of space solar arrays and concentration. With the new generation of high efficiency solar cells, solar concentration brings new insights for future high power spacecrafts. A trade-off study is presented in this paper. Two different trough concentrators, and a linear Fresnel lens concentrator are compared to rigid arrays. Thermal and optical behaviors are included in the analysis. Several technical aspects are discussed: • Off-pointing with concentrators induces collection loss and illumination non uniformity, reducing the PV efficiency. • Concentrator deployment increases the mission risk. • Reflective trough concentrators are attractive and already proven. Coating is made of VDA (Aluminum). A comprehensive analysis of PV conversion increase with protected silver is presented. • Solar concentration increases the heat load on solar cells, while the conversion efficiency is significantly decreasing at warm temperatures. To conclude, this paper will point out the new trends and the key factors to be addressed for the next generation of solar generators.

Abstract A series of Ultraviolet-B broadband solar irradiance, 280–315 nm, measured during the period 2002–2011 in Valladolid (Spain) is analysed. UV-B daily values follow the pattern of the solar elevation angle. Daily maximum value occurred in June, 50.29 kJ m −2 , and minimum, 0.88 kJ m −2 , in December. The total accumulated UV-B irradiation along a mean year reached 7.1 MJ m −2 . The elemental statistical characteristics of hourly and daily irradiation show that the inter-quartile range is small in winter and increases in spring; maximum stability in UV-B takes place at solar noon and around summer; it can be concluded that this maximum may be considered representative of the UV-B irradiance values. The monthly-integrated UV-B irradiation values show a large annual cycle with a maximum in July, when the influence of the annual ozone column diminishes and summer solstice occurs. The results show that the harmonic analysis permits constructing long-term monthly UV-B values under clear and all sky conditions and from low number of parameters. The UV-B percentage attenuated by the atmosphere increases from winter to summer, a maximum value of 8% is obtained in summer and a minimum of 2% in winter. The cloudiness effects on the surface solar UV-B radiation are strong during the winter months, being the cloud transmittance 0.7 in December and 0.94 in July.

Abstract In this study, the chemical interesterification of oil with methyl acetate using potassium hydroxide, methoxide and polyethylene glycolate as catalysts was investigated. The reactions were performed at 50 °C using the range methyl acetate 12 mol mol −1 of refined sunflower oil to a value of 100 mol mol −1 and the range of potassium methanolate to oil was 100–500 mmol mol −1 . The effect of methanol and water on the catalyst and reagents was to reduce the yield of triacetin, forming diacetin, monoacetin and glycerol instead. A compromise between the product yield, reaction kinetics and methyl acetate recovery was achieved with the conditions methyl acetate to oil 50 mol mol −1 and catalyst to oil 100 mmol mol −1 when potassium methoxide was used as a catalyst and the reagents were dehydrated. Under these conditions, equilibrium was reached within the first 15 min of the reaction. The mass fractions of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and triacetin in the product were 76.7% and 17.2%, respectively, with a mass fraction of 4.7% for the intermediate diacetinmonoglyceride. Diacetin, monoacetin and glycerol were also found at a mass fraction of 1.2%.

Ethanol is the most common human teratogen, and its consumption during pregnancy can produce a wide range of abnormalities in infants known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The major characteristics of FASD can be divided into: (i) growth retardation, (ii) craniofacial abnormalities, and (iii) central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. FASD is the most common cause of nongenetic mental retardation in Western countries. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms of ethanol neurotoxicity are not completely determined, the induction of oxidative stress is believed to be one central process linked to the development of the disease. Currently, there is no known effective strategy for prevention (other than alcohol avoidance) or treatment. In the present review we will provide the state of art in the evidence for the use of antioxidants as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment using whole‐embryo and culture cells models of FASD. We conclude that the imbalance of the intracellular redox state contributes to the pathogenesis observed in FASD models, and we suggest that antioxidant therapy can be considered a new efficient strategy to mitigate the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:163–177, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Isolated cobalt atoms with CoN4configuration are decorated into a multichannel carbon matrix for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction.