Modelling of a photovoltaic heat recovery system and its role in a design decision support tool for building professionals

A numerical model has been created to simulate the performance of a residential-scale building integrated photovoltaic (BiPV) cogeneration system. The investigation examines the combined heat and power system in the context of heat transfer. The PV cogeneration system will be based on existing BiPV roofing technology with the addition of a modular heat recovery unit that can be used in new or renovation construction schemes. The convection of the air behind the panels will serve to cool the PV panels while providing a heat source for the residence. This model was created in the Engineering Equation Solver software package (EES), from a series of highly coupled non-linear partial differential equations that are solved iteratively. The model's ability to utilize climatic data to simulate annual performance of the system will be presented along with a comparison to experimental data. A graphical front-end has been added to the model in order to facilitate its use as a predictive tool for building professionals. It will thus become a decision support tool used in identifying areas for implementation of a PV cogen system.     

Strong photo-response in a flip-chip nanowire p-Cu2O/n-ZnO junction

Cu(2)O nanoneedles are synthesized on a copper substrate by a simple anodization and reducing ambient annealing protocol. ZnO nanorods are grown on ITO coated glass by a low temperature chemical route. The electronic and photo-response properties of the p-Cu(2)O/n-ZnO flip-chip heterojunction are then studied and analyzed. We show that the I-V characteristic is rectifying and the junction exhibits a good photoresponse (～120% under 1 V reverse bias) under AM 1.5 (1 Sun) illumination. This nano-heterojunction photo-response is far stronger as compared to that of a pulsed laser deposited thin film p-Cu(2)O/n-ZnO heterojunction, which can be attributed to higher junction area in the former case.     

Biological removal of arsenic pollution by soil fungi

Fifteen fungal strains were isolated from arsenic contaminated (range 9.45-15.63 mg kg^− 1) agricultural soils from the state of West Bengal, India. Five fungal strains were belonged to the Aspergillus and Trichoderma group each, however, remaining five were identified as the Neocosmospora, Sordaria, Rhizopus, Penicillium and sterile mycelial strain. All these fungal strains were cultivated on medium supplemented with 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 mg l^− 1 of sodium arsenate. After 30-day cultivation under laboratory conditions, radial growth of these strains was determined and compared with control. Toxicity and tolerance of these strains to arsenate were evaluated on the basis of tolerance index. Out of fifteen, only five fungal strains were found resistant and survived with tolerance index pattern as 0.956 (sterile mycelial strain) > 0.311 (Rhizopus sp.) > 0.306 (Neocosmospora sp.) > 0.212 (Penicillium sp.) > 0.189 (Aspergillus sp.) at 10,000 mg l^− 1 of arsenate. The arsenic removal efficacy of ten fungal strains, tolerant to 5000 mg l^− 1 arsenate, was also assayed under laboratory conditions for 21 days. All these strains were cultivated individually on mycological broth enriched with 10 mg l^− 1 of arsenic. The initial and final pH of cultivating medium, fungal biomass and removal of arsenic by each fungal strain were evaluated. Fungal biomass of ten strains removed arsenic biologically from the medium which were ranged from 10.92 to 65.81% depending on fungal species. The flux of biovolatilized arsenic was determined indirectly by estimating the sum of arsenic content in fungal biomass and medium. The mean percent removal as flux of biovolatilized arsenic ranged from 3.71 to 29.86%. The most effective removal of arsenic was observed in the Trichoderma sp., sterile mycelial strain, Neocosmospora sp. and Rhizopus sp. fungal strains. These fungal strains can be effectively used for the bioremediation of arsenic-contaminated agricultural soils.     

Characterization and Potential Utilization of the Asphalt Ridge Tar Sand Bitumen I. Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry and Pyrolysis-Mass Spectrometry Analyses

ABSTRACT

The native Asphalt Ridge bitumen was separated into several boiling range fractions for detailed analysis and characterization. The lighter fraction (477–617 K) was evaluated for use as an aviation turbine fuel and the residue (>617 K) was evaluated for use as an asphalt. The 477–617 K fraction appeared to meet most of the specifications for high density aviation turbine fuels. The 617 K plus residue from the Asphalt Ridge bitumen can be classified as a viscosity grade AC-30 asphalt. Several physical properties were also measured to evaluate the potential of the 477–617 K fraction as high density-energy aviation turbine fuel after mild hydrotreating. The detailed structure of the low molecular weight fractions of the Asphalt Ridge bitumen (477–617 K and 617–711 K) was determined by combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Additional insight regarding the chemical structure of the bitumen was also obtained by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The tentative identification of saturated and aromatic components in the 477–711 K fractions indicated that these can be related to biologically-derived compounds which are found in coal, petroleum, oil shale, and tar sand.     

Ring hydroxylation of p-chlorophenylacetate by an arthrobacter strain

Resting cell suspensions of a strain of Arthrobacter grown on phenylacetate converted p-chlorophenylacetate to two products. One of the products was identified as 4-chloro-3-hydroxyphenylacetate.     

Fluid flow and mass transfer in simultaneous mixing,separation and teeming (Simset) reactor

Fluid flow in a simultaneous mixing, separation and teeming (Simset) reactor used for continuous desulphurization of hot metal is studied. Analytical solution for the vertical down flow has been provided in terms of Bessel functions. The results of analytical and numerical solution using fully implicit finite difference method are compared. Mass transfer coefficient is evaluated using experimental data and from theoretical considerations. The magnitude of mass transfer coefficient is similar to that in powder injection experiments but the treatment times in Simset reactor are much shorter, making it suitable for fast desulphurization.     

Proteomic Analysis of Methylglyoxal Modifications Reveals Susceptibility of Glycolytic Enzymes to Dicarbonyl Stress

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a highly reactive cellular metabolite that glycates lysine and arginine residues to form post-translational modifications known as advanced glycation end products. Because of their low abundance and low stoichiometry, few studies have reported their occurrence and site-specific locations in proteins. Proteomic analysis of WIL2-NS B lymphoblastoid cells in the absence and presence of exogenous MGO was conducted to investigate the extent of MGO modifications. We found over 500 MGO modified proteins, revealing an over-representation of these modifications on many glycolytic enzymes, as well as ribosomal and spliceosome proteins. Moreover, MGO modifications were observed on the active site residues of glycolytic enzymes that could alter their activity. We similarly observed modification of glycolytic enzymes across several epithelial cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes, with modification of fructose bisphosphate aldolase being observed in all samples. These results indicate that glycolytic proteins could be particularly prone to the formation of MGO adducts.     

A novel scheduling model for computational grid using quantum genetic algorithm

The Computational Grid (CG) provides a wide distributed platform for high end computing intensive applications. Scheduling on Computational grid is known to be NP-Hard problem and requires an efficient solution. Recently, quantum inspired computing has been introduced in the literature to solve such a complex combinatorial optimization problem efficiently. Combination of Genetic Algorithm (GA) and quantum concept evolves a new meta-heuristic technique known as Quantum Genetic Algorithms (QGA). QGA is a search procedure based on evolutionary computation and Quantum Computing (QC). This paper proposes a novel technique of scheduling in computational grid using QGA. The work simulates the model to study its performance. It also makes a comparative study with a GA-based scheduling model. Simulation results reveal the effectiveness of the model.     

Nutritional analysis and sensory evaluation of ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Loz) grown in New Zealand

Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Loz) is an Andean crop that has recently been reintroduced into New Zealand. Nutritional analysis and sensory evaluation were undertaken using standard methods. Ulluco contained high carbohydrate and fibre levels, moderate protein and low fat. Panellists were asked to assess the overall acceptability of raw and cooked ulluco and to state their preferences for colour, bitterness, sweetness and mealiness of cooked ulluco. Red was the most preferred skin and tissue colour of ulluco over plain yellow and mixtures of yellow, green and red. There were no significant differences in panellists' preferences for taste between ulluco cultivars, although panellists disliked the appearance of the multicoloured cultivars. The successful cultivation of this crop in New Zealand in the future will depend on optimising growing conditions and educating consumers about the aesthetic appeal of the different skin and tissue colours. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Examples of successful architectural integration of PV: Australia

An abundance of solar energy resources in Australia and the application of remote area power systems (RAPS) are well known. Numerous locations, isolated from the electricity grid have benefited from photovoltaic energy supply with economic justification and provided a platform from which the scientific knowledge and expertise has grown over 30 years. Of current global relevance is the transition and growth of photovoltaic applications in the urban environment through building‐integrated PV (BiPV) and its use as a clever building material. Energy market dynamics in Australia and low‐priced fossil fuels limit the present market potential for BiPV. Showcase projects and government programmes have provided the much needed impetus to develop and introduce BiPV products to the building industry and, importantly, experiment with architectural design solutions that strive to offer added benefits to the built environment. This paper discusses examples of successful integration of PV and lessons learnt in the process. The importance of high ambient temperature conditions, thermal performance and smart electrical configurations to minimise shading influences, are considered to be particularly relevant. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.