Christian Nnaemeka Egwim, H. Alaka, Eren Demir, Habeeb Balogun, Razak Olu-Ajayi, Ismail Sulaimon, Godoyon Wusu, Wasiu Yusuf, Adegoke A. Muideen
In recent years, there has been a surge in the global digitization of corporate processes and concepts such as digital technology development which is growing at such a quick pace that the construction industry is struggling to catch up with latest developments. A formidable digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), is recognized as an essential element within the paradigm of digital transformation, having been widely adopted across different industries. Also, AI is anticipated to open a slew of new possibilities for how construction projects are designed and built. To obtain a better knowledge of the trend and trajectory of research concerning AI technology application in the construction industry, this research presents an exhaustive systematic review of seventy articles toward AI applicability to the entire lifecycle of the construction value chain identified via the guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The review’s findings show foremostly that AI technologies are mostly used in facility management, creating a huge opportunity for the industry to profit by allowing facility managers to take proactive action. Secondly, it shows the potential for design expansion as a key benefit according to most of the selected literature. Finally, it found data augmentation as one of the quickest prospects for technical improvement. This knowledge will assist construction companies across the world in recognizing the efficiency and productivity advantages that AI technologies can provide while helping them make smarter technology investment decisions.
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in the Construction Industry: A Systematic Review of the Entire Construction Value Chain Lifecycle","authors":"Christian Nnaemeka Egwim, H. Alaka, Eren Demir, Habeeb Balogun, Razak Olu-Ajayi, Ismail Sulaimon, Godoyon Wusu, Wasiu Yusuf, Adegoke A. Muideen","doi":"10.3390/en17010182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010182","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, there has been a surge in the global digitization of corporate processes and concepts such as digital technology development which is growing at such a quick pace that the construction industry is struggling to catch up with latest developments. A formidable digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), is recognized as an essential element within the paradigm of digital transformation, having been widely adopted across different industries. Also, AI is anticipated to open a slew of new possibilities for how construction projects are designed and built. To obtain a better knowledge of the trend and trajectory of research concerning AI technology application in the construction industry, this research presents an exhaustive systematic review of seventy articles toward AI applicability to the entire lifecycle of the construction value chain identified via the guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The review’s findings show foremostly that AI technologies are mostly used in facility management, creating a huge opportunity for the industry to profit by allowing facility managers to take proactive action. Secondly, it shows the potential for design expansion as a key benefit according to most of the selected literature. Finally, it found data augmentation as one of the quickest prospects for technical improvement. This knowledge will assist construction companies across the world in recognizing the efficiency and productivity advantages that AI technologies can provide while helping them make smarter technology investment decisions.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"14 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139150772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This paper attempts to elucidate the transformative integration of computational techniques within power systems, underscoring their critical role in enhancing system modeling, control, and the efficient integration of renewable energy. It breaks down the two-sided nature of technological progress, highlighting both gains in operational efficiency and new challenges such as real-time processing, data management, and cybersecurity. Through meticulous analysis of query-based research patterns and mathematical frameworks, this study delves into the balancing act between specificity and breadth in scholarly inquiries while evaluating the impact and evolution of research trends through citation analysis. The convergence of interests and transient research trends is evident, particularly in Artificial Intelligence and optimization. This comprehensive narrative anticipates a sophisticated trajectory for power systems, advocating for continuous innovation and strategic research to foster sustainable, resilient, and intelligent energy networks.
{"title":"A Review of Modern Computational Techniques and Their Role in Power System Stability and Control","authors":"Wilson Pavón, Manuel Jaramillo, Juan C. Vasquez","doi":"10.3390/en17010177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010177","url":null,"abstract":"This paper attempts to elucidate the transformative integration of computational techniques within power systems, underscoring their critical role in enhancing system modeling, control, and the efficient integration of renewable energy. It breaks down the two-sided nature of technological progress, highlighting both gains in operational efficiency and new challenges such as real-time processing, data management, and cybersecurity. Through meticulous analysis of query-based research patterns and mathematical frameworks, this study delves into the balancing act between specificity and breadth in scholarly inquiries while evaluating the impact and evolution of research trends through citation analysis. The convergence of interests and transient research trends is evident, particularly in Artificial Intelligence and optimization. This comprehensive narrative anticipates a sophisticated trajectory for power systems, advocating for continuous innovation and strategic research to foster sustainable, resilient, and intelligent energy networks.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"58 34","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139151039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Magnetic fields in transformer cores are typically assumed to be one-dimensional fields, thus allowing magnetization processes to be regarded as axial magnetization. However, in the core corners or T-joint points of medium- and high-power rating transformers, the magnetic lines have different directions with respect to the rolling direction. This paper describes a method that allows changes in the flux density of transformer steel sheets to be calculated for any magnetization direction. These changes are assumed to depend only on certain limiting hysteresis loops assigned separately to the rolling and transverse directions of a tested transformer sheet, where these loops depend on the magnetization direction on the sheet plane. The selection of coefficients that define the limiting hysteresis loops for several magnetization directions is described, and the condition for the flux density saturation is considered. The resultant flux density in a specified magnetization direction is the geometric sum of the corresponding flux densities assigned to both the rolling and transverse directions. The limiting and partial hysteresis loops determined based on the proposed method for several magnetization directions are compared with analogous measured loops. Additionally, a comparison of the calculated hysteresis loops with loops showing changes in the resultant flux density for several magnetization direction is presented.
变压器铁芯中的磁场通常被假定为一维磁场,因此可将磁化过程视为轴向磁化。然而,在中高功率等级变压器的铁芯角落或 T 型连接点,磁力线相对于滚动方向具有不同的方向。本文介绍了一种方法,它可以计算变压器钢板在任何磁化方向上的磁通密度变化。假定这些变化仅取决于分别分配给被测变压器钢板轧制方向和横向方向的某些极限磁滞环,而这些磁滞环取决于钢板平面上的磁化方向。本文介绍了如何选择系数来定义几个磁化方向的极限磁滞回线,并考虑了磁通密度饱和的条件。指定磁化方向上的磁通密度是滚动方向和横向方向上相应磁通密度的几何和。根据提出的方法确定的几个磁化方向的极限磁滞回线和部分磁滞回线与类似的测量磁滞回线进行了比较。此外,还将计算出的磁滞回线与显示几个磁化方向上结果磁通密度变化的回线进行了比较。
{"title":"Determination of Changes in Flux Density of Transformer Steel Sheets","authors":"W. Mazgaj, Michal Sierzega, Marcin Tomczyk","doi":"10.3390/en17010171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010171","url":null,"abstract":"Magnetic fields in transformer cores are typically assumed to be one-dimensional fields, thus allowing magnetization processes to be regarded as axial magnetization. However, in the core corners or T-joint points of medium- and high-power rating transformers, the magnetic lines have different directions with respect to the rolling direction. This paper describes a method that allows changes in the flux density of transformer steel sheets to be calculated for any magnetization direction. These changes are assumed to depend only on certain limiting hysteresis loops assigned separately to the rolling and transverse directions of a tested transformer sheet, where these loops depend on the magnetization direction on the sheet plane. The selection of coefficients that define the limiting hysteresis loops for several magnetization directions is described, and the condition for the flux density saturation is considered. The resultant flux density in a specified magnetization direction is the geometric sum of the corresponding flux densities assigned to both the rolling and transverse directions. The limiting and partial hysteresis loops determined based on the proposed method for several magnetization directions are compared with analogous measured loops. Additionally, a comparison of the calculated hysteresis loops with loops showing changes in the resultant flux density for several magnetization direction is presented.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"222 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139153079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Increased effectiveness of methane drainage from sealed post-mining goaves in hard coal mines contributes to reduced methane emission from goaves into the mine ventilation system. This paper focuses on issues concerning the assessment of the additional amount of methane released from the goaf into mine workings during periods of atmospheric pressure drops, which can be captured with a methane drainage system. Thanks to the solutions presented in the paper, it is possible to control the efficiency of the goaf drainage system, which in turn leads to the reduction of methane emission from the mine ventilation air into Earth’s atmosphere. These solutions are of great added value for both the environment and coal mines as they reduce the costs arising from greenhouse gas emissions that are incurred by mining companies, increasing the efficiency of methane capture and its use in gas engines or district heating systems. The paper uses relationships relating to the influence of atmospheric pressure changes on the process of gas release from the goaf according to the hysteresis loop of methane release during atmospheric pressure changes, which was developed based on conducted research. The analysis and conclusions presented in this paper may facilitate the development of strategies aimed at reducing methane emissions from a mine’s ventilated air into Earth’s atmosphere.
{"title":"The Impact of Atmospheric Pressure Changes on Methane Emission from Goafs to Coal Mine Workings","authors":"Adam Duda","doi":"10.3390/en17010173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010173","url":null,"abstract":"Increased effectiveness of methane drainage from sealed post-mining goaves in hard coal mines contributes to reduced methane emission from goaves into the mine ventilation system. This paper focuses on issues concerning the assessment of the additional amount of methane released from the goaf into mine workings during periods of atmospheric pressure drops, which can be captured with a methane drainage system. Thanks to the solutions presented in the paper, it is possible to control the efficiency of the goaf drainage system, which in turn leads to the reduction of methane emission from the mine ventilation air into Earth’s atmosphere. These solutions are of great added value for both the environment and coal mines as they reduce the costs arising from greenhouse gas emissions that are incurred by mining companies, increasing the efficiency of methane capture and its use in gas engines or district heating systems. The paper uses relationships relating to the influence of atmospheric pressure changes on the process of gas release from the goaf according to the hysteresis loop of methane release during atmospheric pressure changes, which was developed based on conducted research. The analysis and conclusions presented in this paper may facilitate the development of strategies aimed at reducing methane emissions from a mine’s ventilated air into Earth’s atmosphere.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"341 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139152159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In the past few decades, Pulsed Power (PP) has been one of the fastest growing technologies, with more and more systems frequently emerging in domains such as civil, medical and military. These systems are based on high-voltage pulses, up to several hundreds of kilovolts, with temporal parameters ranging from microsecond levels to sub-nanosecond levels. One of the biggest challenges in this technology is the accurate and precise measurement of the generated PP. The PP measurement systems must possess high-voltage and wideband properties simultaneously, which is often conflicting. The central elements of a PP measurement system are a voltage divider and a termination load. The work presented in this article is dedicated to the second element of the PP measurement system. This paper describes the development of a 50 Ω coaxial termination load and its connectors for a high power ultrawideband (UWB) pulse measurement systems. The principle roles of these devices are to serve as a dummy matched load for the former and to facilitate the connections between different components of the pulse measurement system for the latter. These devices are designed to withstand pulse voltage amplitudes at least up to 500 kV with temporal parameters, such as rise time and pulse duration, varying from nanosecond to sub-nanosecond ranges. The main challenge in the development of a high-voltage UWB termination load is the tradeoff between the high-voltage and wideband characteristics, both of them requiring opposite dimensional aspects for the load device. This challenge is overcame by the special exponential geometry of the load device. The design employs a 30 cm long low-inductance tubular ceramic 50 Ω resistor, enclosed in a critically dimensioned shielding conductor of an exponential inner profile. This shrinking coaxial structure makes it possible to maintain a good level of matching all along the 50 Ω load. The results obtained through 3D electromagnetic modeling and vector network analyzer measurements show good agreement and confirm the reflection coefficient below −27 dB up to at least 2.5 GHz for the load device. Moreover, calculations demonstrate that the load device is very well adapted for nanosecond and sub-nanosecond pulses with voltage peaks as high as 500 kV. These results demonstrate the high-voltage and UWB properties of the developed load device and prove the utilization of this device in the measurement systems for the accurate and precise measurements of the PP.
{"title":"Design, Simulation, and Fabrication of a 500 kV Ultrawideband Coaxial Matched Load and Its Connectors for Fast Transient Pulse Measurement Systems","authors":"Mohammad Saif Khan, M. Agazar, Yann Le Bihan","doi":"10.3390/en17010166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010166","url":null,"abstract":"In the past few decades, Pulsed Power (PP) has been one of the fastest growing technologies, with more and more systems frequently emerging in domains such as civil, medical and military. These systems are based on high-voltage pulses, up to several hundreds of kilovolts, with temporal parameters ranging from microsecond levels to sub-nanosecond levels. One of the biggest challenges in this technology is the accurate and precise measurement of the generated PP. The PP measurement systems must possess high-voltage and wideband properties simultaneously, which is often conflicting. The central elements of a PP measurement system are a voltage divider and a termination load. The work presented in this article is dedicated to the second element of the PP measurement system. This paper describes the development of a 50 Ω coaxial termination load and its connectors for a high power ultrawideband (UWB) pulse measurement systems. The principle roles of these devices are to serve as a dummy matched load for the former and to facilitate the connections between different components of the pulse measurement system for the latter. These devices are designed to withstand pulse voltage amplitudes at least up to 500 kV with temporal parameters, such as rise time and pulse duration, varying from nanosecond to sub-nanosecond ranges. The main challenge in the development of a high-voltage UWB termination load is the tradeoff between the high-voltage and wideband characteristics, both of them requiring opposite dimensional aspects for the load device. This challenge is overcame by the special exponential geometry of the load device. The design employs a 30 cm long low-inductance tubular ceramic 50 Ω resistor, enclosed in a critically dimensioned shielding conductor of an exponential inner profile. This shrinking coaxial structure makes it possible to maintain a good level of matching all along the 50 Ω load. The results obtained through 3D electromagnetic modeling and vector network analyzer measurements show good agreement and confirm the reflection coefficient below −27 dB up to at least 2.5 GHz for the load device. Moreover, calculations demonstrate that the load device is very well adapted for nanosecond and sub-nanosecond pulses with voltage peaks as high as 500 kV. These results demonstrate the high-voltage and UWB properties of the developed load device and prove the utilization of this device in the measurement systems for the accurate and precise measurements of the PP.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"24 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139148575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this paper, a light-emitting diode (LED) driver with a high power factor (PF) and low-frequency current ripple suppression over a wide input range is presented, and a flyback converter is designed to operate in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), with a digital controller used to keep the duty cycle constant for half of the utility cycle under a fixed load and input voltage. This method ensures that the input current is in phase with the universal input voltage, thus achieving a high power factor without utilizing feedforward control. Furthermore, on the secondary side, the time of the zero point of the utility voltage can be attained so that the duty cycle can be updated at this time. In addition, a simple auxiliary circuit is connected parallel to the output side to absorb the excess output current of the flyback converter or to release the current to the load to make up for the shortage of the output current of the flyback converter so that the low-frequency ripple of the output current can be inhibited. There are only two current-detecting resistors used in this study: one is the output current-sensing resistor of the flyback converter, and the other is the output current-sensing resistor of the auxiliary circuit.
{"title":"Universal Input Single-Stage High-Power-Factor LED Driver with Active Low-Frequency Current Ripple Suppressed","authors":"Kuo-Ing Hwu, J. Shieh, Chien-Ting Lin","doi":"10.3390/en17010183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010183","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, a light-emitting diode (LED) driver with a high power factor (PF) and low-frequency current ripple suppression over a wide input range is presented, and a flyback converter is designed to operate in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), with a digital controller used to keep the duty cycle constant for half of the utility cycle under a fixed load and input voltage. This method ensures that the input current is in phase with the universal input voltage, thus achieving a high power factor without utilizing feedforward control. Furthermore, on the secondary side, the time of the zero point of the utility voltage can be attained so that the duty cycle can be updated at this time. In addition, a simple auxiliary circuit is connected parallel to the output side to absorb the excess output current of the flyback converter or to release the current to the load to make up for the shortage of the output current of the flyback converter so that the low-frequency ripple of the output current can be inhibited. There are only two current-detecting resistors used in this study: one is the output current-sensing resistor of the flyback converter, and the other is the output current-sensing resistor of the auxiliary circuit.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139149733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pengju Li, Hao Tian, Dawei Li, Qingguo Wen, Zhengkai Zhang, Hong Hu
Compressed-air energy storage and other energy storage technologies play crucial roles in the use of renewable energy sources. As a key component in energy storage technology, the throttle valve plays an important role in throttling and reducing the pressure. The proposed method incorporates a throttle valve without relative motion based on the auxetic tubular structure. The fundamental principle of the method is to exploit the elastic deformation characteristics of the auxetic tubular structure to achieve flow control. When the structure is subjected to tension or compression, its diameter changes, thereby altering the dimensions of the valve, and regulating the flow rate. To assess the efficacy of the proposed method, a geometrical analysis is conducted. A prototype of the flow control device, incorporating an auxetic tubular structure, is fabricated using 3D printing technology. Experimental tests substantiate the performance of the proposed flow control method, demonstrating excellent linearity and repeatability. The results of this study indicate the potential applications of this method in throttling, further highlighting the importance and feasibility of the utilization of elastic deformation in auxetic structures as a method to achieve predictable motion.
{"title":"Application of Auxetic Tubular Structure in Flow Control of the Throttle Valve","authors":"Pengju Li, Hao Tian, Dawei Li, Qingguo Wen, Zhengkai Zhang, Hong Hu","doi":"10.3390/en17010160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010160","url":null,"abstract":"Compressed-air energy storage and other energy storage technologies play crucial roles in the use of renewable energy sources. As a key component in energy storage technology, the throttle valve plays an important role in throttling and reducing the pressure. The proposed method incorporates a throttle valve without relative motion based on the auxetic tubular structure. The fundamental principle of the method is to exploit the elastic deformation characteristics of the auxetic tubular structure to achieve flow control. When the structure is subjected to tension or compression, its diameter changes, thereby altering the dimensions of the valve, and regulating the flow rate. To assess the efficacy of the proposed method, a geometrical analysis is conducted. A prototype of the flow control device, incorporating an auxetic tubular structure, is fabricated using 3D printing technology. Experimental tests substantiate the performance of the proposed flow control method, demonstrating excellent linearity and repeatability. The results of this study indicate the potential applications of this method in throttling, further highlighting the importance and feasibility of the utilization of elastic deformation in auxetic structures as a method to achieve predictable motion.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"58 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139151081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Climate change and the energy crisis forced industrialized countries to contain CO2 emissions and use indigenous renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy undoubtedly has great potential, particularly thermal energy, given that 48% of the final energy consumption in the EU20 countries in 2021 was related to heating and cooling systems. The present study verifies and compares the feasibility of realizing district heating systems in two different contexts: (i) depleted hydrocarbon fields with the repurposing of existing hydrocarbon wells into geothermal wells and (ii) areas with documented geothermal resources. The two selected case studies are located, respectively, near Romentino (Northern Italy, province of Novara) and Tuscania (Central Italy, province of Viterbo). Following an assessment of the geothermal resources in the two selected case studies, specific methodological tools have been developed to evaluate the energy demand in the municipalities and determine the projects’ economics. Both case studies show positive economic indices assuming heat tariffs aligned with the values recorded in the 2020–2021 period. However, our results show how reusing hydrocarbon wells in geothermal wells constitutes an excellent opportunity to access geothermal resources, significantly reducing the necessary investment and the mining risk and strongly improving the economics of the projects.
{"title":"Reuse of Oil Wells in Geothermal District Heating Networks: A Sustainable Opportunity for Cities of the Future","authors":"C. Alimonti, Fabio Vitali, Davide Scrocca","doi":"10.3390/en17010169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010169","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change and the energy crisis forced industrialized countries to contain CO2 emissions and use indigenous renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy undoubtedly has great potential, particularly thermal energy, given that 48% of the final energy consumption in the EU20 countries in 2021 was related to heating and cooling systems. The present study verifies and compares the feasibility of realizing district heating systems in two different contexts: (i) depleted hydrocarbon fields with the repurposing of existing hydrocarbon wells into geothermal wells and (ii) areas with documented geothermal resources. The two selected case studies are located, respectively, near Romentino (Northern Italy, province of Novara) and Tuscania (Central Italy, province of Viterbo). Following an assessment of the geothermal resources in the two selected case studies, specific methodological tools have been developed to evaluate the energy demand in the municipalities and determine the projects’ economics. Both case studies show positive economic indices assuming heat tariffs aligned with the values recorded in the 2020–2021 period. However, our results show how reusing hydrocarbon wells in geothermal wells constitutes an excellent opportunity to access geothermal resources, significantly reducing the necessary investment and the mining risk and strongly improving the economics of the projects.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"25 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139151697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Keyuan Yang, R. Yang, Pang Zhang, W. Shi, Chunyu Hu, W. Shi
Similar to a Doherty power amplifier (DPA), a sequential power amplifier (SPA) is mainly composed of a main amplifier, an auxiliary amplifier and a combiner. However, SPA breaks the bandwidth limitation of the impedance inverter in the DPA, and also simplifies the design procedure. Since the main amplifier has no load modulation, it is easy for the SPA to realize broadband operation and improve the output back-off (OBO) power range. Therefore, SPA has great advantages and potential in expanding bandwidth, improving drain efficiency and expanding the back-off range of a power amplifier simultaneously. This paper describes the evolution and classification of the SPA. First, the basic theory of the SPA is reviewed. Then, some two-way SPAs using coupler and circulator as a power combiner are discussed. Thirdly, the latest popular sequential load modulated balanced amplifier is overviewed.
{"title":"Development Review of Highly Efficient Sequential Power Amplifier with Extended Back-Off Range for Broadband Application","authors":"Keyuan Yang, R. Yang, Pang Zhang, W. Shi, Chunyu Hu, W. Shi","doi":"10.3390/en17010161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010161","url":null,"abstract":"Similar to a Doherty power amplifier (DPA), a sequential power amplifier (SPA) is mainly composed of a main amplifier, an auxiliary amplifier and a combiner. However, SPA breaks the bandwidth limitation of the impedance inverter in the DPA, and also simplifies the design procedure. Since the main amplifier has no load modulation, it is easy for the SPA to realize broadband operation and improve the output back-off (OBO) power range. Therefore, SPA has great advantages and potential in expanding bandwidth, improving drain efficiency and expanding the back-off range of a power amplifier simultaneously. This paper describes the evolution and classification of the SPA. First, the basic theory of the SPA is reviewed. Then, some two-way SPAs using coupler and circulator as a power combiner are discussed. Thirdly, the latest popular sequential load modulated balanced amplifier is overviewed.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"324 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139152477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oday Daghagheleh, Johannes Schenk, M. Zarl, Markus Lehner, M. Farkas, Heng Zheng
The imperative to achieve a climate-neutral industry necessitates CO2-free alternatives for H2 production. Recent developments suggest that plasma technology holds promise in this regard. This study investigates H2 production by methane pyrolysis using a lab-scale plasma furnace, with the primary objective of achieving a high H2 yield through continuous production. The plasma furnace features a DC-transferred thermal plasma arc system. The plasma gas comprises Ar and CH4, introduced into the reaction zone through the graphite hollow cathode. The off-gas is channeled for further analysis, while the plasma arc is recorded by a camera installed on the top lid. Results showcase a high H2 yield in the range of up to 100%. A stable process is facilitated by a higher power and lower CH4 input, contributing to a higher H2 yield in the end. Conversely, an increased gas flow results in a shorter gas residence time, reducing H2 yield. The images of the plasma arc zone vividly depict the formation and growth of carbon, leading to disruptive interruptions in the arc, hence declining efficiency. The produced solid carbon exhibits high purity with a fluffy and fine structure. This paper concludes that further optimization and development of the process are essential to achieve stable continuous operation with a high utilization degree.
{"title":"Feasibility of a Plasma Furnace for Methane Pyrolysis: Hydrogen and Carbon Production","authors":"Oday Daghagheleh, Johannes Schenk, M. Zarl, Markus Lehner, M. Farkas, Heng Zheng","doi":"10.3390/en17010167","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010167","url":null,"abstract":"The imperative to achieve a climate-neutral industry necessitates CO2-free alternatives for H2 production. Recent developments suggest that plasma technology holds promise in this regard. This study investigates H2 production by methane pyrolysis using a lab-scale plasma furnace, with the primary objective of achieving a high H2 yield through continuous production. The plasma furnace features a DC-transferred thermal plasma arc system. The plasma gas comprises Ar and CH4, introduced into the reaction zone through the graphite hollow cathode. The off-gas is channeled for further analysis, while the plasma arc is recorded by a camera installed on the top lid. Results showcase a high H2 yield in the range of up to 100%. A stable process is facilitated by a higher power and lower CH4 input, contributing to a higher H2 yield in the end. Conversely, an increased gas flow results in a shorter gas residence time, reducing H2 yield. The images of the plasma arc zone vividly depict the formation and growth of carbon, leading to disruptive interruptions in the arc, hence declining efficiency. The produced solid carbon exhibits high purity with a fluffy and fine structure. This paper concludes that further optimization and development of the process are essential to achieve stable continuous operation with a high utilization degree.","PeriodicalId":11557,"journal":{"name":"Energies","volume":"311 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139149306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}