Pub Date : 2024-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100103
P․Manoj Kumar
In the current scenario, the desalination of brackish water using an inactive solar still has been considered as a feasible, cost-effective solution to face the challenge of scarcity in freshwater. However, the insufficient productivity of such solar stills is hindering the practical, large-scale application of such stills. In this study, a solution for improving the productivity of a conventional solar still (CPSS) is analysed by modifying the design of the condensing glass. Two stills, one conventional (CPSS) and the other with arc-shaped condensing glass (AFSS), were investigated, and the results were compared. Further, the effect of water height on the performance of the solar stills is assessed. The results demonstrated that the modification of condensing cover augmented the productivity of the still by 11.9 % and 12.2 %, respectively, at 20 mm and 25 mm water heights. The daily efficacy of the CPSS and AFSS were recorded as 40 % and 44.5 % with 20 mm water heights. In addition, the stills with 20 mm water heights showcased better performance compared to the same stills with 25 mm water heights.
{"title":"Study on the comparative performances of the solar stills with two different condensing glass cover shapes","authors":"P․Manoj Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the current scenario, the desalination of brackish water using an inactive solar still has been considered as a feasible, cost-effective solution to face the challenge of scarcity in freshwater. However, the insufficient productivity of such solar stills is hindering the practical, large-scale application of such stills. In this study, a solution for improving the productivity of a conventional solar still (CPSS) is analysed by modifying the design of the condensing glass. Two stills, one conventional (CPSS) and the other with arc-shaped condensing glass (AFSS), were investigated, and the results were compared. Further, the effect of water height on the performance of the solar stills is assessed. The results demonstrated that the modification of condensing cover augmented the productivity of the still by 11.9 % and 12.2 %, respectively, at 20 mm and 25 mm water heights. The daily efficacy of the CPSS and AFSS were recorded as 40 % and 44.5 % with 20 mm water heights. In addition, the stills with 20 mm water heights showcased better performance compared to the same stills with 25 mm water heights.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143146498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-14DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100101
Sufyan Yakubu , Ravi Samikannu , Sidique Gawusu , Samuel Dodobatia Wetajega , Victor Okai , Abdul-Kadir Seini Shaibu , Getachew Adam Workneh
Understanding the drivers of photovoltaic system performance is very important in the backdrop of the increasingly significant role that solar energy plays in mitigating carbon emissions. Dust accumulation on surface of photovoltaic panel may result in a high degradation of PVs' efficiency with losses ranging from 10% in mild conditions to over 40% in arid regions. This review systematically explores the effects of dust deposition on PV performance, emphasizing the role of environmental factors such as wind speed, precipitation, humidity, and dust composition. Dust particles impede light transmission, raise cell temperatures, and increase resistive losses, leading to reduced output power. Notable efficiency reductions are linked to specific dust types, such as coal dust (up to 64% losses), fine sand (32%), and gypsum (30%), as highlighted by global case studies. This review further underlines how dust accumulation patterns are influenced by complex interactions of environmental factors such as wind precipitation and humidity. The installation characteristics, such as the height of the panels and their orientation, further exacerbate or mitigate the impact of soiling. This study has been designed to put a great deal of significance on the maximisation of solar PV efficiency, given the critical requirements for global renewable energy targets. It flags some promising cleaning methods and emphasises a holistic approach to the optimisation of PV system design and maintenance practices to empower the widespread adoption of this transformative clean energy solution.
{"title":"A holistic review of the effects of dust buildup on solar photovoltaic panel efficiency","authors":"Sufyan Yakubu , Ravi Samikannu , Sidique Gawusu , Samuel Dodobatia Wetajega , Victor Okai , Abdul-Kadir Seini Shaibu , Getachew Adam Workneh","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100101","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100101","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the drivers of photovoltaic system performance is very important in the backdrop of the increasingly significant role that solar energy plays in mitigating carbon emissions. Dust accumulation on surface of photovoltaic panel may result in a high degradation of PVs' efficiency with losses ranging from 10% in mild conditions to over 40% in arid regions. This review systematically explores the effects of dust deposition on PV performance, emphasizing the role of environmental factors such as wind speed, precipitation, humidity, and dust composition. Dust particles impede light transmission, raise cell temperatures, and increase resistive losses, leading to reduced output power. Notable efficiency reductions are linked to specific dust types, such as coal dust (up to 64% losses), fine sand (32%), and gypsum (30%), as highlighted by global case studies. This review further underlines how dust accumulation patterns are influenced by complex interactions of environmental factors such as wind precipitation and humidity. The installation characteristics, such as the height of the panels and their orientation, further exacerbate or mitigate the impact of soiling. This study has been designed to put a great deal of significance on the maximisation of solar PV efficiency, given the critical requirements for global renewable energy targets. It flags some promising cleaning methods and emphasises a holistic approach to the optimisation of PV system design and maintenance practices to empower the widespread adoption of this transformative clean energy solution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143145706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100099
Edward Dodzi Amekah , Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde , David Ato Quansah , Elvis Twumasi , Stefanie Meilinger , Thorsten Schneiders
The shift towards renewable energy sources has heightened the interest in solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems, particularly in grid-connected configurations, to enhance energy security and reduce carbon emissions. Grid-tied SPVs face power quality challenges when specific grid codes are compromised. This study investigates and upgrades an integrated 90 kWp solar plant within a distribution network, leveraging data from Ghana's Energy Self-Sufficiency for Health Facilities (EnerSHelF) project. The research explores four scenarios for SPV placement optimization using dynamic programming and the Conditional New Adaptive Foraging Tree Squirrel Search Algorithm (CNAFTSSA). A Python-based simulation identifies three scenarios, high load nodes, voltage drop nodes, and system loss nodes, as the points for placing PV for better performance. The analysis revealed 85 %, 82.88 %, and 100 % optimal SPV penetration levels for placing the SPV at high load, voltage drop, and loss nodes. System active power losses were reduced by 72.97 %, 71.52 %, and 70.15 %, and reactive power losses by 73.12 %, 71.86 %, and 68.11 %, respectively, by placing the SPV at the above three categories of nodes. The fourth scenario applies to CNAFTSSA, achieving 100 % SPV penetration and reducing active and reactive power losses by 72.33 % and 72.55 %, respectively. This approach optimizes the voltage regulation (VR) from 24.92 % to 4.16 %, outperforming the VR of PV placement at high load nodes, voltage drop nodes, and loss nodes, where the voltage regulations are 5.25 %, 9.36 %, and 9.64 %, respectively. The novel CNAFTSSA for optimal SPV placement demonstrates its effectiveness in achieving higher penetration levels and improving system losses and VR. The findings highlight the effectiveness of strategic SPV placement and offer a comprehensive methodology that can be adapted for similar power distribution systems.
{"title":"Optimal placement and upgrade of solar PV integration in a grid-connected solar photovoltaic system","authors":"Edward Dodzi Amekah , Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde , David Ato Quansah , Elvis Twumasi , Stefanie Meilinger , Thorsten Schneiders","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The shift towards renewable energy sources has heightened the interest in solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems, particularly in grid-connected configurations, to enhance energy security and reduce carbon emissions. Grid-tied SPVs face power quality challenges when specific grid codes are compromised. This study investigates and upgrades an integrated 90 kWp solar plant within a distribution network, leveraging data from Ghana's Energy Self-Sufficiency for Health Facilities (EnerSHelF) project. The research explores four scenarios for SPV placement optimization using dynamic programming and the Conditional New Adaptive Foraging Tree Squirrel Search Algorithm (CNAFTSSA). A Python-based simulation identifies three scenarios, high load nodes, voltage drop nodes, and system loss nodes, as the points for placing PV for better performance. The analysis revealed 85 %, 82.88 %, and 100 % optimal SPV penetration levels for placing the SPV at high load, voltage drop, and loss nodes. System active power losses were reduced by 72.97 %, 71.52 %, and 70.15 %, and reactive power losses by 73.12 %, 71.86 %, and 68.11 %, respectively, by placing the SPV at the above three categories of nodes. The fourth scenario applies to CNAFTSSA, achieving 100 % SPV penetration and reducing active and reactive power losses by 72.33 % and 72.55 %, respectively. This approach optimizes the voltage regulation (VR) from 24.92 % to 4.16 %, outperforming the VR of PV placement at high load nodes, voltage drop nodes, and loss nodes, where the voltage regulations are 5.25 %, 9.36 %, and 9.64 %, respectively. The novel CNAFTSSA for optimal SPV placement demonstrates its effectiveness in achieving higher penetration levels and improving system losses and VR. The findings highlight the effectiveness of strategic SPV placement and offer a comprehensive methodology that can be adapted for similar power distribution systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100099"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143101352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100098
Nitin Sharma, Namrata Sengar
Solar dryers are solar thermal devices which increase the drying temperature and aid in moisture removal from the load, leading to faster drying of the agri-product as compared to the open sun drying. Conversion of grapes to raisins can be effectively achieved through solar dryers, and efforts are ongoing to improve the efficiency and further reduce the drying time. Usually in order to reduce the drying time for the conversion of grapes to raisins several pre-treatment methods with the use of chemicals are employed. In the present work pre-treatment in the form of blanching of grapes is adopted without the use of any chemicals to study the effect on the drying time in the solar dryer. The experimental results have been compared with the study of conversion of grapes to raisins with the same solar dryer without blanching. It is found that pre-treatment in the form of blanching resulted in a reduction in drying time to almost half. Experimental observations for the temperature profile studies relating to ambient temperature, air temperature inside the dryer, base plate temperature and solar radiation are presented in the form of graphs and calculations have been carried out for the estimation of drying rate and efficiency.
{"title":"Experimental study on conversion of blanched grapes to raisins without chemicals through solar dryer to reduce drying time","authors":"Nitin Sharma, Namrata Sengar","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solar dryers are solar thermal devices which increase the drying temperature and aid in moisture removal from the load, leading to faster drying of the agri-product as compared to the open sun drying. Conversion of grapes to raisins can be effectively achieved through solar dryers, and efforts are ongoing to improve the efficiency and further reduce the drying time. Usually in order to reduce the drying time for the conversion of grapes to raisins several pre-treatment methods with the use of chemicals are employed. In the present work pre-treatment in the form of blanching of grapes is adopted without the use of any chemicals to study the effect on the drying time in the solar dryer. The experimental results have been compared with the study of conversion of grapes to raisins with the same solar dryer without blanching. It is found that pre-treatment in the form of blanching resulted in a reduction in drying time to almost half. Experimental observations for the temperature profile studies relating to ambient temperature, air temperature inside the dryer, base plate temperature and solar radiation are presented in the form of graphs and calculations have been carried out for the estimation of drying rate and efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100098"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143101334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100100
Antônia Sônia Alves Cardoso Diniz , Gisele Mol da Silva , Raphaela E. Alves Nunes , Vinícius Augusto Camatta Santana , Daniel Sena Braga , Cristiana Brasil Maia
Renewable energy leads Brazil's energy mix at about 82 % of its total, with solar photovoltaics (PV) now the second largest contribution to the electric power sector. The country's target to eliminate carbon emissions provides a significant role for higher-education institutions that shape and influence future societies through energy and education leadership. This paper focuses on the improvement of the sustainability level of the PUC Minas university campus in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, through the assessment and design of a PV system into the existing engineering building structures. The student-led case study provides an implementation roadmap that includes a coordinated methodology of evaluating the campus power and energy consumption, documenting the seasonal solar irradiance, evaluating the solar-available rooftop areas, simulating the daily and seasonal shadowing effects from existing surrounding structures, determining the panel placements following Brazil's codes and standards, and calculating the contributions of the PV to displacing grid-supplied electricity and potential lowering of the University's energy bills. The result is a realistic PV system design that meets the emission and electricity-cost reduction objectives, with a value-added aspect is that the lead team interfaced with ongoing Energy-Engineering course participants for real-time exposure to the research and photovoltaics technology. Additionally, the value analysis of the project is aimed at improving the University's Times Higher Education Ranking by addressing the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) that correlate with the clean energy solar installation.
{"title":"Evaluation of solar photovoltaics on university buildings: A case study toward campus sustainability","authors":"Antônia Sônia Alves Cardoso Diniz , Gisele Mol da Silva , Raphaela E. Alves Nunes , Vinícius Augusto Camatta Santana , Daniel Sena Braga , Cristiana Brasil Maia","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Renewable energy leads Brazil's energy mix at about 82 % of its total, with solar photovoltaics (PV) now the second largest contribution to the electric power sector. The country's target to eliminate carbon emissions provides a significant role for higher-education institutions that shape and influence future societies through energy and education leadership. This paper focuses on the improvement of the sustainability level of the PUC Minas university campus in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, through the assessment and design of a PV system into the existing engineering building structures. The student-led case study provides an implementation roadmap that includes a coordinated methodology of evaluating the campus power and energy consumption, documenting the seasonal solar irradiance, evaluating the solar-available rooftop areas, simulating the daily and seasonal shadowing effects from existing surrounding structures, determining the panel placements following Brazil's codes and standards, and calculating the contributions of the PV to displacing grid-supplied electricity and potential lowering of the University's energy bills. The result is a realistic PV system design that meets the emission and electricity-cost reduction objectives, with a value-added aspect is that the lead team interfaced with ongoing Energy-Engineering course participants for real-time exposure to the research and photovoltaics technology. Additionally, the value analysis of the project is aimed at improving the University's Times Higher Education Ranking by addressing the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) that correlate with the clean energy solar installation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143101351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100096
Andy Hira , Prasanna Krishnan
New solar energy generation is drastically needed as a source of clean electricity as the U.S. and the globe make the transition away from fossil fuels. Yet, even as solar costs have dramatically declined, solar sources still provide less than 5% of global electricity. We examine issues in solar policy leading to this low adoption rate. Examining the variables of cost, baseload power and intermittency, and land use, we evaluate the tradeoffs among policy support for utility-scale, commercial and residential solar systems. We argue that utility-scale solar power makes far more sense if there is adequate grid integration, so that such installations can be placed in locations that minimize land use tradeoffs. By focusing policy support on a few large solar installations, governments can vastly increase the solar contribution to electricity generation.
{"title":"The macro view of solar policy: The case for supporting utility-scale power","authors":"Andy Hira , Prasanna Krishnan","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>New solar energy generation is drastically needed as a source of clean electricity as the U.S. and the globe make the transition away from fossil fuels. Yet, even as solar costs have dramatically declined, solar sources still provide less than 5% of global electricity. We examine issues in solar policy leading to this low adoption rate. Examining the variables of cost, baseload power and intermittency, and land use, we evaluate the tradeoffs among policy support for utility-scale, commercial and residential solar systems. We argue that utility-scale solar power makes far more sense if there is adequate grid integration, so that such installations can be placed in locations that minimize land use tradeoffs. By focusing policy support on a few large solar installations, governments can vastly increase the solar contribution to electricity generation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100096"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100097
Kodwo A. Budu , Joseph O. Akowuah , Emmanuel Y.H. Bobobee , Kojo A. Aikins , Albert K. Arkoh , Eric A. Asante
Food provides most of the needed energy by humans to carry out their daily activities, but the issue of post-harvest losses is having an adverse effect on its production. In order to mitigate some of these post-harvest challenges, farmers in some of the developing countries have turned their attention on cassava production as the crop can provide food security. Cassava is also a drought resistant crop and can be left in the soil for a long time. However, cassava is equally one of the tuber crops with a very high deterioration rate. Numerous researches have been conducted in a way to find means of reducing these quick post-harvest losses with the emphases on drying. However, little information exists to show how wide variety of cassava sliced at different thicknesses perform when they are being dried, and how the principal dimensions of these dried chips can influence effective packaging. This study investigated the drying performance of seven cassava varieties sliced at three different thicknesses, and how their principal dimensions influenced effective packaging. The results obtained show that there was no obvious linear drying pattern for any of the cassava varieties. Again, CRI-Abrabopa had the highest drying time of 300 min., 240 min., and 210 min., for the 10 mm, 8 mm and 5 mm thick cassava slices, respectively. CRI-Dudzi was found to have been the variety to have lost more moisture with the highest drying rates of 0.0088 kg/min. for the 10 mm thick cassava slice, and 0.009 kg/min. for the 8 mm thick cassava slice. Moreover, Afisiafi obtained the lowest geometric mean diameter of 15.57 mm, 18.23 mm and 22.33 mm, accordingly for the 5 mm and 10 mm thick cassava slices, which made it easier for it to be packaged effectively
{"title":"Determination of drying performance of different slice thicknesses from different cassava varieties using hybrid dryer","authors":"Kodwo A. Budu , Joseph O. Akowuah , Emmanuel Y.H. Bobobee , Kojo A. Aikins , Albert K. Arkoh , Eric A. Asante","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food provides most of the needed energy by humans to carry out their daily activities, but the issue of post-harvest losses is having an adverse effect on its production. In order to mitigate some of these post-harvest challenges, farmers in some of the developing countries have turned their attention on cassava production as the crop can provide food security. Cassava is also a drought resistant crop and can be left in the soil for a long time. However, cassava is equally one of the tuber crops with a very high deterioration rate. Numerous researches have been conducted in a way to find means of reducing these quick post-harvest losses with the emphases on drying. However, little information exists to show how wide variety of cassava sliced at different thicknesses perform when they are being dried, and how the principal dimensions of these dried chips can influence effective packaging. This study investigated the drying performance of seven cassava varieties sliced at three different thicknesses, and how their principal dimensions influenced effective packaging. The results obtained show that there was no obvious linear drying pattern for any of the cassava varieties. Again, CRI-Abrabopa had the highest drying time of 300 min., 240 min., and 210 min., for the 10 mm, 8 mm and 5 mm thick cassava slices, respectively. CRI-Dudzi was found to have been the variety to have lost more moisture with the highest drying rates of 0.0088 kg/min. for the 10 mm thick cassava slice, and 0.009 kg/min. for the 8 mm thick cassava slice. Moreover, Afisiafi obtained the lowest geometric mean diameter of 15.57 mm, 18.23 mm and 22.33 mm, accordingly for the 5 mm and 10 mm thick cassava slices, which made it easier for it to be packaged effectively</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100097"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142704072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar still desalination (SD) offers a sustainable method for purifying contaminated water, despite its productivity limitations. This study proposes an effective treatment process for culinary wastewater (CWW), multilayer-filtered culinary wastewater (MFCWW), and borewell water. We conducted a comprehensive experimental analysis comparing key SD characteristics, including evaporative heat transfer, efficiency, productivity, exergy, and water quality parameters, across these water sources. Our findings reveal that integrating multilayer filtration with CWW significantly improves efficiency, productivity, turbidity reduction, and hardness removal compared with untreated CWW. Notably, MFCWW has emerged as the most promising modification, demonstrating enhanced solar still performance over conventional SD processes. This study highlights the potential of combining multilayer filtration with solar desalination as an innovative approach to improve water purification outcomes, particularly for culinary wastewater treatment.
{"title":"Experimental investigation of single slope solar still for culinary wastewater treatment","authors":"Karthick Uthappan , Subramanian Murugesan , Ganesh Karuppasamy , Karthickmunisamy Thangavel","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solar still desalination (SD) offers a sustainable method for purifying contaminated water, despite its productivity limitations. This study proposes an effective treatment process for culinary wastewater (CWW), multilayer-filtered culinary wastewater (MFCWW), and borewell water. We conducted a comprehensive experimental analysis comparing key SD characteristics, including evaporative heat transfer, efficiency, productivity, exergy, and water quality parameters, across these water sources. Our findings reveal that integrating multilayer filtration with CWW significantly improves efficiency, productivity, turbidity reduction, and hardness removal compared with untreated CWW. Notably, MFCWW has emerged as the most promising modification, demonstrating enhanced solar still performance over conventional SD processes. This study highlights the potential of combining multilayer filtration with solar desalination as an innovative approach to improve water purification outcomes, particularly for culinary wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100095"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142573514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thermal power cycles using sCO2 as a working fluid place extreme demands on their turbomachinery components and their electric motors/generators. In this paper, new system topologies for sCO2 turbomachinery are proposed which take advantage of “bearingless” electric machine technology to improve performance. Bearingless motors/generators are a new type of electric machine which integrate the functionality of active magnetic bearings into the existing hardware of an electric motor/generator. The existing electromagnetic surfaces and materials are reused to enable controllable production of radial forces on the machine shaft. This is envisioned to improve hermetic direct-drive turbomachinery systems by either augmenting existing bearings (i.e., bearing assist) or replacing existing bearings (i.e., bearing removal). The state-of-the-art technologies for several bearing types (gas foil bearings, externally pressurized porous (EPP) gas bearings, and active magnetic bearings) and electric machines are reviewed to motivate the introduction of bearingless technology. Two system designs using bearingless machines are proposed and compared against existing commercial solutions in terms of maximum shaft weight, number of passthroughs into the hermetic environment, cost, and complexity. A case-study bearingless motor/generator is assessed via simulations and a hardware prototype to investigate practical considerations for using bearingless technology in sCO2 turbomachinery. The proposed bearingless solutions have potential to enable a new generation of sCO2 turbomachinery with improved reliability, reduced complexity, and lower cost. This paper shows that by transforming the motor/generator already present in turbomachinery into a bearingless motor/generator, the technical challenges involved with sCO2 can be overcome without adding significant cost.
{"title":"Opportunities to Enhance sCO2 Power Cycle Turbomachinery with Bearingless Motor/Generators","authors":"Takahiro Noguchi , WaiYan Chan , Nathan Petersen , Logan Rapp , Eric Severson","doi":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thermal power cycles using sCO<sub>2</sub> as a working fluid place extreme demands on their turbomachinery components and their electric motors/generators. In this paper, new system topologies for sCO<sub>2</sub> turbomachinery are proposed which take advantage of “bearingless” electric machine technology to improve performance. Bearingless motors/generators are a new type of electric machine which integrate the functionality of active magnetic bearings into the existing hardware of an electric motor/generator. The existing electromagnetic surfaces and materials are reused to enable controllable production of radial forces on the machine shaft. This is envisioned to improve hermetic direct-drive turbomachinery systems by either augmenting existing bearings (i.e., bearing assist) or replacing existing bearings (i.e., bearing removal). The state-of-the-art technologies for several bearing types (gas foil bearings, externally pressurized porous (EPP) gas bearings, and active magnetic bearings) and electric machines are reviewed to motivate the introduction of bearingless technology. Two system designs using bearingless machines are proposed and compared against existing commercial solutions in terms of maximum shaft weight, number of passthroughs into the hermetic environment, cost, and complexity. A case-study bearingless motor/generator is assessed via simulations and a hardware prototype to investigate practical considerations for using bearingless technology in sCO<sub>2</sub> turbomachinery. The proposed bearingless solutions have potential to enable a new generation of sCO<sub>2</sub> turbomachinery with improved reliability, reduced complexity, and lower cost. This paper shows that by transforming the motor/generator already present in turbomachinery into a bearingless motor/generator, the technical challenges involved with sCO<sub>2</sub> can be overcome without adding significant cost.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101173,"journal":{"name":"Solar Compass","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100094"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142446148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2024.100093
Hussein A. Kazem , Miqdam T. Chaichan , Ali H.A. Al-Waeli , K. Sopian , Naser W. Alnaser , Waheeb E. Alnaser
In urban areas with limited space, harnessing renewable energy, especially solar energy, can be a challenge. However, we can overcome this obstacle by using building facades to generate energy. Buildings significantly contribute to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. They require energy for various processes, both electrical and thermal. To address this, we can use photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems, which can simultaneously produce electrical and thermal energies. By circulating a working fluid within the system, the surface temperatures of PV panels can be reduced, improving electrical efficiency. Integrating PV/T systems into building facades, known as building-integrated PV/T (BIPV/T) systems, enables efficient energy production and enhances the overall energy consumption of buildings.
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