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Appl. Sci., Volume 2, Issue 4 (December 2012) – 9 articles , Pages 682-830

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Research

Jump to: Review

1878 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation of a Lithium-Chloride Absorption Refrigeration and an Assessment of Its Suitability for Biomass Waste Heat
by Sacha Oberweis and Tariq Al-Shemmeri
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 709-725; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040709 - 10 Oct 2012
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7317
Abstract
This paper presents a computer model that will evaluate the performance of a thermo-chemical accumulator. The model is based on operational data such as temperatures and flow rates. The ultimate goal for this model is to estimate the coefficient of performance (COP) of [...] Read more.
This paper presents a computer model that will evaluate the performance of a thermo-chemical accumulator. The model is based on operational data such as temperatures and flow rates. The ultimate goal for this model is to estimate the coefficient of performance (COP) of this unit when run on hot water from biomass combustion as the heat source. The outputs of the model are verified by comparing the simulation of the actual machine with published experimental data. The computed results for cooling COP are within 10% of the measured data. The simulations are all run for heat load temperatures varying between 80 °C and 110 °C. As expected, simulation results showed an increase in COP with increased heat source temperatures. The results demonstrate that the potential of combined solar and biomass combustion as a heat source for absorption cooling/heating in climates with low solar radiation can be coupled with biomass waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy)
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225 KiB  
Article
Feasibility Study of Energy Storage Systems in Wind/Diesel Applications Using the HOMER Model
by Andrew Stiel and Maria Skyllas-Kazacos
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 726-737; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040726 - 18 Oct 2012
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 9379
Abstract
With an increased focus on solutions to the ensuing “climate crisis”, the need for energy storage systems is becoming increasingly important as a means to increase the penetration of renewable technologies such as wind energy. The Vanadium Redox Battery is one such energy [...] Read more.
With an increased focus on solutions to the ensuing “climate crisis”, the need for energy storage systems is becoming increasingly important as a means to increase the penetration of renewable technologies such as wind energy. The Vanadium Redox Battery is one such energy storage system showing considerable potential owing to its flexibility in power output and capacity, high efficiency and long operating life. This study models the use of the Vanadium Redox Battery as an integration technology in realistic large-scale remote wind/diesel power systems using the HOMER Micropower Optimization Model computer program developed by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Results from this modelling demonstrate the significant financial and environmental benefits to be gained in installing energy storage in a wind farm. The storage system considered here was a Vanadium Redox Battery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy)
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301 KiB  
Article
Ethanol Production from Waste Potato Mash by Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
by Gulten Izmirlioglu and Ali Demirci
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 738-753; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040738 - 22 Oct 2012
Cited by 77 | Viewed by 14364
Abstract
Bio-ethanol is one of the energy sources that can be produced by renewable sources. Waste potato mash was chosen as a renewable carbon source for ethanol fermentation because it is relatively inexpensive compared with other feedstock considered as food sources. However, a pretreatment [...] Read more.
Bio-ethanol is one of the energy sources that can be produced by renewable sources. Waste potato mash was chosen as a renewable carbon source for ethanol fermentation because it is relatively inexpensive compared with other feedstock considered as food sources. However, a pretreatment process is needed: specifically, liquefaction and saccharification processes are needed to convert starch of potato into fermentable sugars before ethanol fermentation. In this study, hydrolysis of waste potato mash and growth parameters of the ethanol fermentation were optimized to obtain maximum ethanol production. In order to obtain maximum glucose conversions, the relationship among parameters of the liquefaction and saccharification process was investigated by a response surface method. The optimum combination of temperature, dose of enzyme (α-amylase) and amount of waste potato mash was 95 °C, 1 mL of enzyme (18.8 mg protein/mL) and 4.04 g dry-weight/100 mL DI water, with a 68.86% loss in dry weight for liquefaction. For saccharification, temperature, dose of enzyme and saccharification time were optimized and optimum condition was determined as 60 °C-72 h-0.8 mL (300 Unit/mL) of amyloglucosidase combination, yielded 34.9 g/L glucose. After optimization of hydrolysis of the waste potato mash, ethanol fermentation was studied. Effects of pH and inoculum size were evaluated to obtain maximum ethanol. Results showed that pH of 5.5 and 3% inolculum size were optimum pH and inoculum size, respectively for maximum ethanol concentration and production rate. The maximum bio-ethanol production rate was obtained at the optimum conditions of 30.99 g/L ethanol. Since yeast extract is not the most economical nitrogen source, four animal-based substitutes (poultry meal, hull and fines mix, feather meal, and meat and bone meal) were evaluated to determine an economical alternative nitrogen source to yeast extract. Poultry meal and feather meal were able to produce 35 g/L and 32.9 g/L ethanol, respectively, which is higher than yeast extract (30.8 g/L). In conclusion, waste potato mash was found as a promising carbon source for ethanol fermentation with alternate nitrogen sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy)
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866 KiB  
Article
Use of Residual Biomass from the Textile Industry as Carbon Source for Production of a Low-Molecular-Weight Xylanase from Aspergillus oryzae
by Gilvan Caetano Duarte, Leonora Rios de Souza Moreira, Diana Paola Gómez-Mendoza, Félix Gonçalves de Siqueira, Luís Roberto Batista, Lourdes Isabel Velho do Amaral, Carlos André Ornelas Ricart and Edivaldo Ximenes Ferreira Filho
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 754-772; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040754 - 23 Oct 2012
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7290
Abstract
Pretreated dirty cotton residue (PDCR) from the textile industry was used as an alternative carbon source for the submerged cultivation of Aspergillus oryzae and the production of xylanases. The filtered culture supernatant was fractionated by ultrafiltration followed by three chromatographic steps, which resulted [...] Read more.
Pretreated dirty cotton residue (PDCR) from the textile industry was used as an alternative carbon source for the submerged cultivation of Aspergillus oryzae and the production of xylanases. The filtered culture supernatant was fractionated by ultrafiltration followed by three chromatographic steps, which resulted in the isolation of a homogeneous low-molecular-weight xylanase (Xyl-O1) with a mass of 21.5 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) co-polymerized with 0.1% oat spelt xylan. Enzyme catalysis was the most efficient at 50 °C and pH 6.0. The Km values (mg·mL−1) for the soluble fraction of oat spelt and birchwood xylans were 10.05 and 3.34, respectively. Xyl-O1 was more stable in the presence of 5,5-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT), l-cysteine or β-mercaptoethanol, which increased the rate of catalysis by 40%, 14%, 40% or 37%, respectively. The enzyme stability was improved at pH 7.0 in the presence of 20 mM l-cysteine, with the retention of nearly 100% of the activity after 6 h at 50 °C. Xyl-O1 catalyzed the cleavage of internal β-1,4 linkages of the soluble substrates containing d-xylose residues, with a maximum efficiency of 33% for the hydrolysis of birchwood xylan after 12 h of incubation. Identification of the hydrolysis products by high-performance anion exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) indicated the predominance of the hydrolysis products X2-X6 during the first 12 h of incubation and the accumulation of higher xylooligomers after the elution of the last xylooligomer standard, xylohexaose. Full article
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367 KiB  
Article
Host–Guest Complex of β-Cyclodextrin and Disulfide Form of 4-Aminothiophenol
by Taylor A. Cappadona, Lee M. Daniels and Tasneem A. Siddiquee
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 773-779; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040773 - 25 Oct 2012
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8206
Abstract
An inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin and 4-aminothiophenol was assembled by hydrophobic interaction of the host (β-cyclodextrin) and guest (4-aminothiophenol). The complex was isolated as crystalline solid and studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction method along with NMR and IR spectroscopy. Two cyclodextrin rings [...] Read more.
An inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin and 4-aminothiophenol was assembled by hydrophobic interaction of the host (β-cyclodextrin) and guest (4-aminothiophenol). The complex was isolated as crystalline solid and studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction method along with NMR and IR spectroscopy. Two cyclodextrin rings each containing one disulfide form of 4-aminothiophenol were found to pair up by hydrogen bonding of the outer rim -OH groups. The phenyl disulfide moiety of 4-aminophenyl disulfide molecule was found in the core of β-cyclodextrin, while the amino functional groups were positioned to the exterior of the cyclodextrin ring. Phenyl rings of the guest molecule from each partner of the paired cyclodextrin complex were found parallel to each other, indicating possible π-π stacking interaction between them. Full article
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2595 KiB  
Article
A Design Fuzzy Logic Controller for a Permanent Magnet Wind Generator to Enhance the Dynamic Stability of Wind Farms
by Marwan Rosyadi, S. M. Muyeen, Rion Takahashi and Junji Tamura
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 780-800; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040780 - 22 Nov 2012
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 15644
Abstract
In this paper, a design fuzzy logic controller for a variable speed permanent magnet wind generator connected to a grid system through a LC-filter is proposed. A new current control method of grid side conversion is developed by integrating the fuzzy controller, in [...] Read more.
In this paper, a design fuzzy logic controller for a variable speed permanent magnet wind generator connected to a grid system through a LC-filter is proposed. A new current control method of grid side conversion is developed by integrating the fuzzy controller, in which both active and reactive power, delivered to a power grid system, is controlled effectively. The fuzzy logic controller is designed to adjust the gain parameters of the PI controllers under any operating conditions, so that the dynamic stability is enhanced. A new simple method, based on frequency response of the bode diagram, is proposed in the design of the fuzzy logic controller. To evaluate the controller system capabilities, simulation analyses are performed on a small wind farm model system including an induction wind generator connected to an infinite bus. The simulations have been performed using PSCAD/EMTDC. Simulation results show that the proposed control scheme is more effective for enhancing the stability of wind farms during temporary and permanent network disturbances and randomly fluctuating wind speed, compared with that of a conventional PI controller. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy)
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496 KiB  
Article
Power Management System for Load Banks Supplied by Pitch Controlled Wind Turbine System
by Adel Merabet, Raquel Keeble, Vigneshwaran Rajasekaran, Rachid Beguenane, Hussein Ibrahim and Jogendra S. Thongam
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 801-815; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040801 - 28 Nov 2012
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 9436
Abstract
An automatic power management system, to monitor the distribution of power to a set of load banks, is presented in this paper. The required power is generated from a laboratory-size pitch-controlled wind turbine experimental workstation. The management system is a sequence of logic [...] Read more.
An automatic power management system, to monitor the distribution of power to a set of load banks, is presented in this paper. The required power is generated from a laboratory-size pitch-controlled wind turbine experimental workstation. The management system is a sequence of logic expressions, based on the generated power, a profile of the banks’ states provided by the supervisor and the banks’ priorities, to obtain an optimal behavior of the system and to ensure the load requirement. A modified PI pitch angle control is proposed to regulate the generated power for tracking the power reference in order to maintain a consistent brilliance of the load’s LEDs, to reduce the activity of the pitch actuator and to deal with fluctuation problems. Experimental results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed automatic power management system for load banks supplied by a pitch controlled wind turbine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy)
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1113 KiB  
Article
Broadband Spectral Amplitude Control in High-Order Harmonic Generation
by Carles Serrat
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 816-830; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040816 - 19 Dec 2012
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6080
Abstract
A technique for broadband spectral amplitude control of light pulses produced in high-order harmonic generation (HHG) is presented. It has been shown elsewhere that broadband spectral phase control in HHG is achievable using a computerized feedback loop scheme by coherently adding a filtered [...] Read more.
A technique for broadband spectral amplitude control of light pulses produced in high-order harmonic generation (HHG) is presented. It has been shown elsewhere that broadband spectral phase control in HHG is achievable using a computerized feedback loop scheme by coherently adding a filtered region of the HHG emission to the intense IR driving pulse with optimal attenuation and time delay parameters. In the present study, further computational evidence of the capabilities of this control scheme is provided by considering the spectral amplitude in a broadband region of the HHG spectrum as the control target for the production of isolated attosecond pulses. Different spectral widths and central photon energies are examined, such as a spectral width of 30 eV centered at 36 eV, well in the plateau, and a width of 20 eV centered at 60 eV in the cutoff region. An iterative procedure of the method is implemented and optimal isolated single cycle pulses at a central photon energy of 36 eV are obtained. This control scheme is a fundamental tool that can be implemented for amplitude and phase shaping of any suitable spectral region in HHG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultraintense Ultrashort Pulse Lasers)
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Review

Jump to: Research

444 KiB  
Review
Fluorinated and Non-Fluorinated Electro-Optic Copolymers: Determination of the Time and Temperature Stability of the Induced Electro-Optic Coefficient
by Alessandro Belardini
Appl. Sci. 2012, 2(4), 682-708; https://doi.org/10.3390/app2040682 - 09 Oct 2012
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7244
Abstract
Organic fluorinated materials demonstrate their excellent electro-optic properties and versatility for technological applications. The partial substitution of hydrogen with fluorine in carbon-halides bounds allows the reduction of absorption losses at the telecommunication wavelengths. In these interesting compounds, the electro-optic coefficient was typically induced [...] Read more.
Organic fluorinated materials demonstrate their excellent electro-optic properties and versatility for technological applications. The partial substitution of hydrogen with fluorine in carbon-halides bounds allows the reduction of absorption losses at the telecommunication wavelengths. In these interesting compounds, the electro-optic coefficient was typically induced by a poling procedure. The magnitude and the time stability of the coefficient is an important issue to be investigated in order to compare copolymer species. Here, a review of different measurement techniques (such as nonlinear ellipsometry, second harmonic generation, temperature scanning and isothermal relaxation) was shown and applied to a variety of fluorinated and non-fluorinated electro-optic compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers)
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