Investigating the overload capacity of a direct‐driven synchronous permanent magnet wind turbine generator designed using high‐voltage cable technology

Utilization of wind energy to maximum permissible limits for generating electrical power has become necessary to meet the global energy demands. Under such circumstances the present day conventional wind turbine generators pose a limitation regarding the overload capability, specifically significant when they need to operate in high‐energy wind conditions. It is proposed that by employing a completely different generator winding concept, based on high‐voltage cable technology, to a specific generator, it is possible to increase the generator overload capabilities and thereby making it operationally efficient in high wind speed situations. Therefore, the possibility of extracting more energy is predicted to increase. Simulations, based on finite‐element methods combined with external circuit models for the generator, have been performed. The results demonstrate that under given thermal and electrical restrictions, a direct‐driven permanent magnet synchronous wind turbine generator, based on high‐voltage cable windings, is capable of being overloaded more than twice the rated power, thus making it very suitable for strong wind situations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental study of exhaust‐gas energy recycling efficiency of hybrid pneumatic power system

A hybrid pneumatic power system (HPPS) comprises an internal combustion engine (ICE), an air compressor, a high‐pressure air storage tank, and a turbine, which stores the flow work instead of a battery's electrochemical energy; moreover, this system can recycle the exhaust‐gas energy and make the ICE operate at its optimal point. Therefore, it can be viewed as a promising solution to increase a system's thermal efficiency and greatly improving exhaust emissions. This paper presents experimental study results concerning the operating capabilities of the HPPS and the effect of the contraction of the cross‐sectional area (CSA) at the merging region of the energy merger pipe for the change in the compressed airflow pressure (P_air) on the exhaust‐gas energy recycling of the HPPS. The experiments were performed on an HPPS that uses an innovative energy merger pipe with a total length of 530 mm, a diameter of 34 mm, and an angle between the two pipes of 30°, and the CSA was adjusted for the change in P_air. The experimental results show that the exhaust‐gas energy recycling and the merger flow energy are significantly dependent on the CSA adjustment for the change in P_air. The optimum conditions for the best merging process can be achieved at a CSA of around 5–35% in the full range of P_air. Under these conditions, the exhaust‐gas energy recycling efficiency reached approximately 75–81%; therefore, a vehicle equipped with an HPPS can achieve efficiency that is approximately 40% higher than that of conventional vehicles. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of electric vehicles on a future renewable energy‐based power system in Europe with a focus on Germany

Electric mobility is expected to play a key role in the decarbonisation of the energy system. Continued development of battery electric vehicles is fundamental to achieving major reductions in the consumption of fossil fuels and of CO₂ emissions in the transport sector. Hydrogen can become an important complementary synthetic fuel providing electric vehicles with longer ranges. However, the environmental benefit of electric vehicles is significant only if their additional electricity consumption is covered by power production from renewable energy sources. Analysing the implications of different scenarios of electric vehicles and renewable power generation considering their spatial and temporal characteristics, we investigate possible effects of electric mobility on the future power system in Germany and Europe. The time horizon of the scenario study is 2050. The approach is based on power system modelling that includes interchange of electricity between European regions, which allows assessing long‐term structural effects in energy systems with over 80% of renewable power generation. The study exhibits strong potential of controlled charging and flexible hydrogen production infrastructure to avoid peak demand increases and to reduce the curtailment of renewable power resulting in reduced system operation, generation, and network expansion costs. A charging strategy that is optimised from a systems perspective avoids in our scenarios 3.5 to 4.5 GW of the residual peak load in Germany and leads to efficiency gains of 10% of the electricity demand of plug‐in electric vehicles compared with uncontrolled loading.     

Three-dimension simulation of two-phase flows in a thin gas flow channel of PEM fuel cell using a volume of fluid method

This study investigates the two-phase flow in a thin gas flow channel of PEM fuel cells and wall contact angle's impact using the volume of fluid (VOF) method with tracked two-phase interface. The VOF results are compared with experimental data, theoretical solution and analytical data in terms of flow pattern, pressure drop and water fraction. Stable film flow is predicted, as observed experimentally, for the contact angle ranging from 5° to 40° including varying contact angles at different walls of a channel. The contact angle is found to have small impact on the gas pressure drop for the stratified flow regime, but it determines the meniscus of the two-phase interface, which affects the optical detection of the liquid thickness in experiment. The work is important to study of two-phase flow dynamics, multichannel design, experimental design and control of two-phase flows in thin gas flow channels for PEM fuel cells.     

Power generation characteristics of a sandwich‐type self‐heating thermoelectric generator with spatially varying embedded heat source

Power generation characteristics of a sandwich‐type thermoelectric generator in which the heat source is embedded into thermoelectric elements are investigated. Our previous work on a similar concept only considered a uniform heat source distribution inside thermoelectric elements. In this work, the effect of the spatial distribution of a heat source is examined. In particular, the effect of the concentration of heat source near the one end, that is, the hot end, is intensively studied as a potential means of improving the efficiency of the device. Although the effects of heat source concentration in impractical cases without heat transfer limitations on the cold side remain ambiguous, it become clear that heat source concentration indeed has positive effects in more realistic cases with finite heat transfer coefficients imposed on the cold side. Because of the relatively low efficiency of typical thermoelectric generation, a significant amount of heat must be dissipated from the cold end of the thermoelectric element. Greater heat source concentration near the hot end leads to more effective utilization of available heat source, reduces the amount of heat rejected at the cold end, and lowers the hot end temperature of the thermoelectric element. Overall, it is suggested that heat source concentration can be used as a method to achieve more efficient operation and better structural integrity of the system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetized squeezed flow of time‐dependent Prandtl‐Eyring fluid past a sensor surface

The present numerical investigation describes the influence of a transverse magnetic field on the heat and mass transfer characteristics of time‐dependent squeezed flow of Prandtl‐Eyring fluid past a horizontal sensor surface. The current physical problem is modeled based on the considered flow configuration. Also, the present problem is analyzed under the influence of Lorentz forces, to explore the impact of a magnetic field on the flow behaviour. The considered physical problem in the present study gives highly nonlinear coupled time‐dependent, two‐dimensional partial differential equations. The governing flow equations are reduced to the system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by imposing the suitable similarity transformations on the laws of motion. Due to the inadequacy in the analytical methods, the present problem is solved by using the Runge‐Kutta fourth order integration scheme with shooting method. The flow and heat transfer behaviour of various control parameters are studied and presented in terms of graphs and tables. From the current investigation it is noticed that, the increasing magnetic parameter enhances the velocity field and diminishes the temperature profile in the flow region. Also, the magnifying permeable velocity parameter decreases the temperature field. The present similarity solutions are found to be in good agreement with previously published results.     

Influence of cooling water temperature on the efficiency of a pressurized‐water reactor nuclear‐power plant

In this study, the influence of the cooling water temperature on the thermal efficiency of a conceptual pressurized‐water reactor nuclear‐power plant is studied through an energy analysis based on the first law of thermodynamics to gain some new insights into the plant performance. The change in the cooling water temperature can be experienced due to the seasonal changes in climatic conditions at plant site. It can also come into the question of design processes for the plant site selection. In the analysis, it is considered that the condenser vacuum varies with the temperature of cooling water extracted from environment into the condenser. The main findings of the paper is that the impact of 1°C increase in temperature of the coolant extracted from environment is predicted to yield a decrease of ～0.45 and ～0.12% in the power output and the thermal efficiency of the pressurized‐water reactor nuclear‐power plant considered, respectively. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of activation energy and thermal radiation on convective flow of a power‐law fluid under convective heating and chemical reaction

The purpose of the present article is to explore the influence of activation energy in the mixed convective flow of a power‐law fluid over a permeable inclined plate. The energy expression is incorporated with thermal radiation effect. Additionally, the suction/injection effect and convective thermal conditions are considered at the surface of the inclined plate. The convection along with a nonlinear Boussinesq approximation (i.e., quadratic or nonlinear convection) and usual boundary‐layer assumptions are used in the mathematical formulation. A combined local non‐similarity and successive linearization techniques are used to evaluate the highly complicated governing equations. The effect of pertinent parameters on the fluid flow characteristics and its solutions are conferred using this study with the help of graphs. This kind of investigation is useful in the mechanism of combustion, aerosol technology, high‐temperature polymeric mixtures, and solar collectors, which operate at moderate to very high temperatures.     

Modelling of the fluid dynamic processes in a high‐recirculation airlift reactor

This paper describes the creation of two models of the steady‐state fluid dynamic processes occurring in a high‐recirculation airlift reactor. The new models were created to provide information to assist in the design of a reactor, in particular considering the selection of parameters to adjust in order to achieve a steady state solution. The modelling of two‐phase flow of air and water in small‐scale airlift bioreactors is considered. This modelling was applied to the high‐recirculation airlift reactor process. New computer simulations were created and tests performed to evaluate the new models. The results of this evaluation are presented. The evaluation showed that variation of the superficial gas velocity or the simultaneous variation of the downcomer and riser diameters could be used to produce a steady‐state design solution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of convection‐based energy systems using supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid

Carbon dioxide is the best retrofit to meet the future demand on long‐term environmental friendly working fluids. The volumetric efficiency of supercritical carbon dioxide is very high, which makes it a promising working fluid in convection‐based energy systems with high efficiency and small volume. Here, the natural convection of supercritical carbon dioxide driven only by temperature difference is studied in circulation loops. The Reynolds number of the flow is about 10⁴ when the temperature difference is only 20 K, about two orders of magnitude greater than that of water. Furthermore, the heat transfer rate is about 3 times as great as that of water. These results demonstrate the potential of carbon dioxide as a working fluid in solar thermal conversion, nuclear power and waste heat utilization, etc. The influence of the tube diameter on the flow and heat transfer characteristics is discussed. Both the velocity and the Nusselt number are greater in the loop with a larger tube diameter where flow reversal occurs periodically. It is found that flow reversal degrades the system efficiency of the natural circulation loop. Therefore, the optimization about the geometric configuration of convection‐based energy systems using carbon dioxide as a working fluid does exist and is very important for their safe and effective operation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Integrated Feasibility Analysis of a Stand‐alone Wind Power System,including No‐energy Fulfillment Cost

Autonomous wind power systems are among the most interesting and environmentally friendly technological solutions for the electrification of remote consumers. However, the expected system operational cost is quite high, especially if the no‐load rejection restriction is applied. This article describes an integrated feasibility analysis of a stand‐alone wind power system, considering, beyond the total long‐term operational cost of the system, the no‐energy fulfilment (or the alternative energy coverage) cost of the installation. Therefore the impact of desired system reliability on the stand‐alone system configuration is included. Accordingly, a detailed parametric investigation is carried out concerning the influence of the hourly no‐energy fulfilment cost on the system dimensions and operational cost. Thus, by using the proposed method, one has the capability–in all practical cases–to determine the optimum wind power system configuration that minimizes the long‐term total cost of the installation, considering also the influence of the local economy basic parameters. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steady‐state model of a variable speed vapor compression system using R134a as working fluid

This paper presents a steady‐state physical model for a variable speed vapor compression system. Its development and validation for a wide range of operating conditions are presented. The model requires as input parameters: compressor speed, static superheating degree and volumetric flow rates and temperatures of secondary fluids at the evaporator and condenser inlet. Using these input parameters, which can be easily obtained in this kind of facility, the model predicts the operating pressures, the temperature of secondary fluids at the evaporator and condenser outlet, the evaporator and condenser thermal capacities, the electric power consumed by the compressor and the coefficient of performance, COP. The experimental validation of the model has been carried out with 177 tests using R134a as working fluid, concluding that the model can predict the energetic performance of a variable speed vapor compression chiller with an error lower than ±10%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mixed convective heat and mass transfer on a peristaltic flow of a non‐Newtonian fluid in a vertical asymmetric channel

In the present analysis we discuss the effects of mixed convective heat and mass transfer on the peristaltic flow of a non‐Newtonian fluid in a vertical asymmetric channel. The flow is investigated in a wave frame of reference moving with the velocity c away from the fixed frame. The governing equations for the present flow problem are first modeled and then discussed. The analytical solution of the present flow problem is discussed using regular perturbation technique. The graphical results are discussed to see the effects of various physical parameters of interest. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.21020     

Experimental investigation of a new thermal energy storage system using thermo‐sensitive magnetic fluid and porous medium

In this paper, a novel thermal energy storage (TES) system based on a thermo‐sensitive magnetic fluid (MF) in a porous medium is proposed to store low‐temperature thermal energy. In order to have a better understanding about the fluid flow and heat‐transfer mechanism in the TES system, four different configurations, using ferrofluid as the basic fluid and either copper foam or porous carbon with different porosity (90 and 100 PPI, respectively) as the packed bed, are investigated experimentally. Furthermore, two thermal performance parameters are evaluated during the heat charging cycle, which are thermal storage velocity and thermal storage capacity of the materials under a range of magnetic field strength. It is shown that heat conduction is the primary heat‐transfer mechanism in copper foam TES system, while magnetic thermal convection of the magnetic fluid is the dominating heat‐transfer mechanism in the porous carbon TES. In practical applications in small‐scale systems, the 90‐PPI copper foam should be selected among the four porous materials because of its cost efficiency, while porous carbon should be used in industrial scale systems because of its sensitivity to magnetic field and cost efficiency.     

Features of Cattaneo‐Christov heat flux model for Stagnation point flow of a Jeffrey fluid impinging over a stretching sheet: A numerical study

The present work focuses on a two‐dimensional steady incompressible stagnation point flow of a Jeffery fluid over a stretching sheet. The Cattaneo‐Christov heat flux model is incorporated into this study. Simulation is conducted via the Runge‐Kutta fourth‐order cum shooting method for the transformed system of nonlinear equations. The influence of the governing parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, skin friction, streamlines, and isotherms is incorporated. A significant outcome of the current investigation is that an increase in the relaxation time parameter uplifts temperature; however, a gradual decrease is observed in the velocity field. Another important outcome of the present analysis is that the momentum boundary layer augments due to an increase in the Deborah number; however, a decrease is observed in the temperature. Furthermore, it is also observed that the skin friction coefficient escalates with an increase in the relaxation time parameter for the assisting flow, but a reverse trend is observed for the opposing flow.     

依托高楼的太阳能热气流电站系统的CFD模拟

设计了一种依托高楼的太阳能热气流电站,建立了相应的数学模型。利用Fluent软件对该系统的流场及温度场进行了数值模拟,并对电站结构进行了优化设计。模拟结果表明:随着烟囱高度的增加,烟囱内气流的温度不断上升,在出口处由于回流的影响温度稍有下降,气流速度不断增大,气流的压力分布先减小后增加。由于平板集热器的加热作用使烟囱内气流的温度分布不均匀,设计中可将平板型储热器换为带有肋片扩展表面的储热器,并对烟囱与扩压管联接处采用流线形联接进行过渡,以减少此处的流动阻力。同时,设计一个收缩型的烟囱出口,以保证电站系统产生较大的抽力,从而提高电站系统的能量转换率。     

MHD rotating flow of a Maxwell fluid with Arrhenius activation energy and non‐Fourier heat flux model

In the present work, the effects of the transfer of heat, as well as the mass phenomenon of a Maxwell fluid in revolving flow over a unidirectional stretching surface are discussed. The result of the magnetic field within the boundary layer is considered. In the energy equation, the heat flux model of non‐Fourier Cattaneo–Christov is employed. The customized Arrhenius function for energy activation is used. By using the transformation strategy, nondimensional expressions are achieved. To predict the highlights of the current effort, the result of the emerging nonlinear differential structure is calculated with the aid of the shooting procedure as well as the Runge–Kutta Fehlberg procedure. The influence of velocity and temperature along with concentration profiles for various physical parameters is analyzed. The involvement of fluid relaxation and thermal retardation phenomena is unequivocally mentioned. The evolution of heat transfer, as well as the rate of mass in the flow of fluids, is illustrated by the use of graphs in addition to tables. Furthermore, the current effort is confirmed by examination with previously published results, which establishes a strategy for the execution of a numerical approach. It is observed that the concentration of a solute in dual combination is relative to both rotation parameters along with activation energy. Besides this, a diminishing pattern in the distribution of temperature is described within the existence of the Cattaneo–Christov flux law by association with the rate of heat transfer because of Fourier's law. The present investigation can be applied in numerous engineering and technical procedures including the development of thin sheets, modeling of plastic sheets, in the lubrication system industry related to polymers, compression, and injection shaping in the area of chemical production and bimolecular reactions. Inspired by those applications, the present work is undertaken.     

Mixed convective peristaltic flow of Eyring‐Prandtl fluid with chemical reaction and variable electrical conductivity in a tapered asymmetric channel

The influence of inconstant electrical conductivity and chemical reaction on the peristaltic motion of non‐Newtonian Eyring‐Prandtl fluid inside a tapered asymmetric channel is investigated. The system is concerned by a uniform external magnetic field. The heat and mass transfer are considered. The problem is controlled mathematically by a system of nonlinear partial differential equations which describe the velocity, temperature, and nanoparticle concentration of the fluid. By means of long wavelength and low Reynolds numbers, our system is simplified. It is explained by using the multi‐step differential transform method as a semi‐analytical technique. The distributions of velocity, temperature, nanoparticle concentration, as well as pressure gradient and pressure rise are obtained as a function of the physical parameters of the problem. The effects of these parameters on these distributions are deliberated numerically and illustrated graphically through a set of figures. The results indicate that the parameters play a significant role in controlling the velocity, temperature, nanoparticle concentration, pressure gradient, and pressure rise.     

A methodology for detection and classification of power quality disturbances using a real‐time operating system in the context of home energy management systems

Demand‐side management comprises a portfolio of actions on the consumers' side to ensure reliable power indices from the electrical system. The home energy management system (HEMS) is used to manage the consumption and production of energy in smart homes. However, the technology of HEMS architecture can be used for the detection and classification of power quality disturbances. This paper presents low‐voltage metering hardware that uses an ARM Cortex M4 and real‐time operating system to detect and classify power quality disturbances. In the context of HEMS, the proposed metering infrastructure can be used as a smart meter, which provides the service of power quality monitoring. For this type of application, there is a need to ensure that the development of this device has an acceptable cost, which is one of the reasons for the choice of an ARM microprocessor. However, managing a wide range of operations (data acquisition, data preprocessing, disturbance detection and classification, energy consumption, and data exchange) is a complex task and, consequently, requires the optimization of the embedded software. To overcome this difficulty, the use of a real‐time operating system provided by Texas Instruments (called TI‐RTOS) is proposed with the objective of managing operations at the hardware level. Thus, a methodology with low computational cost has been defined and embedded. The proposed approach uses a preprocessing stage to extract some features that are used as inputs to detect and classify disturbances. In this way, it was possible to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of the embedded algorithm when applied to synthetic and real power quality signals. Consequently, it is noted that the results are significant in the analysis of power quality in a smart grid scenario, as the smart meter offers low cost and high accuracy in both detecting (an accuracy rate above 90%) and classifying (an average accuracy rate above 94%) disturbances.