Optimalization of afterburner channel in biomass boiler using CFD analysis

This contribution presents the results of parametrical studies focused on the mixing process in a small rectangular duct within a biomass boiler. The first study investigates the influence of a local narrowing located in the central part of the duct. This narrowing works as an orifice with very simple rectangular geometry. Four different free cross sections of the orifice were considered in the center of the duct, namely 100 %, 70 %, 50 %, 30 % of free cross section area in the duct. The second study is focused on the investigation of the influence of secondary air distribution pipe diameter on the mixing process in a flue gas duct without a narrowing

Beech Leaves Briquettes’ and Standard Briquettes’ Combustion: Comparison of Flue Gas Composition

Biomass stoves are not only popular, widespread and important sources of heat but are also not negligible sources of pollutants. The present study had two objectives in this field of research. The first one was to determine the difference between standard wooden and beech leaves briquettes flue gas composition during similar, standard home combustion conditions. The second objective was to determine the possibility of decreasing the mass concentration of pollutants contained in the flue gas produced by standard and alternative fuel combustion, i.e. wooden briquettes and beech leaves briquettes, by an oxidation catalyst. Significantly higher mass concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx), almost 2.5 times higher, in the flue gas was observed during the beech leaves combustion. Both fuels reached the edge of actual legislation limit (European Standard Commission regulation [EU] 2015/1185) in case of mass concentration of carbon monoxide (CO). This issue was solved by a palladium-based catalyst with average degree of conversion around 82%. The catalyst also influences flue gas composition from mass concentration of propane point of view with average degree of conversion around 15%. The mass fraction of sulphur, occurring in the beech leaves briquettes, did not cause any issue to the catalyst in terms of its degree of CO conversion. Due to the test results from the beech leaves briquettes, i.e. high mass fraction of ash and high mass concentration of NOx in the flue gas, it is appropriate to use this kind of fuel as secondary fuel during the co-combustion process.This work was supported by the Doctoral grant competition VŠB TU-Ostrava, reg. no. CZ.0 2.2.69/0.0./0.0/19_073/0016945 within the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education, under project DGS/TEAM/2020-035 "Determination of oxidation catalysts characteristics during the flue gas purification"

Chemical Etching of Silicon Assisted by Graphene Oxide in an HF–HNO₃ Solution and Its Catalytic Mechanism

Chemical etching of silicon assisted by various types of carbon materials is drawing much attention for the fabrication of silicon micro/nanostructures. We developed a method of chemical etching of silicon that utilizes graphene oxide (GO) sheets to promote the etching reaction in a hydrofluoric acid–nitric acid (HF–HNO₃) etchant. By using an optimized composition of the HF–HNO₃ etchant, the etching rate under the GO sheets was 100 times faster than that of our HF–H₂O₂ system used in a previous report. Kinetic analyses showed that the activation energy of the etching reaction was almost the same at both the bare silicon and GO-covered areas. We propose that adsorption sites for the reactant in the GO sheets enhance the reaction frequency, leading to a deeper etching in the GO areas than the bare areas. Furthermore, GO sheets with more defects were found to have higher catalytic activities. This suggests that defects in the GO sheets function as adsorption sites for the reactant, thereby enhancing the etching rate under the sheets

Can air quality gas sensors be used for emission monitoring of small-scale local air pollution sources? Pilot test evaluation

In recent years we have seen a growing number of applications that use various sensory measurements of physicochemical features. Within the research project “Research on the identification of combustion of unsuitable fuels and systems of self-diagnostics of boilers combustion solid fuels for domestic heating”, the authors tested and evaluated the possible use of an air quality monitoring sensor unit for the measurement of operating parameters of solid fuel burning boilers and stoves. In the Czech Republic, programs to support citizens in the replacement of domestic boilers of poor combustion quality have been subsidized for several years. Unfortunately, no assessment of the impact of subsidies on air quality has been carried out. However, the increased pollutant emissions due to improper use of domestic boilers are supposed to be one of the greatest problems with domestic boilers. Hence, providing users with real-time feedback may lead to changes in combustion conditions and consequently to a reduction in air pollution. We focus on sensory measurements of CO, CO2 , NO, and VOCs as compounds that correspond to the operating conditions of the combustion process. The research included sampling, construction of the flue gas dilution duct, and the influence of direct measurement on the service life of the sensors.Web of Science142art. no. 24

Johns Hopkins University News-letter, Volume 38, Number 16 (1933 November 24)

Digital content from the Johns Hopkins University News-letter records, RG.14.050

Automated Transit Networks (ATN): A Review of the State of the Industry and Prospects for the Future, MTI Report 12-31

The concept of Automated Transit Networks (ATN) - in which fully automated vehicles on exclusive, grade-separated guideways provide on-demand, primarily non-stop, origin-to-destination service over an area network – has been around since the 1950s. However, only a few systems are in current operation around the world. ATN does not appear “on the radar” of urban planners, transit professionals, or policy makers when it comes to designing solutions for current transit problems in urban areas. This study explains ATN technology, setting it in the larger context of Automated Guideway Transit (AGT); looks at the current status of ATN suppliers, the status of the ATN industry, and the prospects of a U.S.-based ATN industry; summarizes and organizes proceedings from the seven Podcar City conferences that have been held since 2006; documents the U.S./Sweden Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Transport; discusses how ATN could expand the coverage of existing transit systems; explains the opportunities and challenges in planning and funding ATN systems and approaches for procuring ATN systems; and concludes with a summary of the existing challenges and opportunities for ATN technology. The study is intended to be an informative tool for planners, urban designers, and those involved in public policy, especially for urban transit, to provide a reference for history and background on ATN, and to use for policy development and research

Taster responses to acidity in white wines

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL / Universitá degli Studi di UdineThe aim of this study was to evaluate the responses of a panel of tasters trained to acidity in white wines. The training of tastes and sensations of the mouth was performed in relation to the acidity, sweetness, bitterness and astringency. Next, the tasters were segmented according to vinotype, sensitivity to PROP (6-n-propylthiouracil) and saliva flow. This panel was used to determine the detection and recognition thresholds of tartaric, malic and lactic acids in white wine with 4.2 g / L of total acidity. The detection and recognition thresholds were 1.05 g/L and 1.32 g/L for tartaric acid, 0.85 g/L and 1.06 g/L for malic acid and 1.12 g/L and 1.30 g/L for lactic acid, respectively. These acids were added to an Arinto wine at concentrations 1.5 times higher than the recognition threshold, obtaining responses regarding the flavor effect considering intensity, persistence, salinity and appreciation. There were no differences (p<0.05) in relation to the first 3 parameters, while the appreciation was higher in relation to lactic and malic acids. The statistical treatment of the responses according to the segmentation revealed relationships (p<0.05) between saliva flow and sensitivity to PROP, and between saliva flow and the tartaric acid recognition threshold. The acidity appreciation was higher in men than in women. The results obtained can be used by the wine industry in the sense of adapting the white wines to the preference of the consumers, taking into account the recent trend towards the consumption of cold climate wines.N/

Early decline of asparagus in the Netherlands : etiology, epidemiology and management

Asparagus plants on fields cropped with asparagus before establish well but economic life of the crop is only half of that on fresh land. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. asparagi was identified as the main cause of this early decline. Autotoxic compounds were detected in residues of asparagus roots even 11 years after the crop was finished but evidence for a role of these compounds in the etiology of the disease was not obtained. The pathogen was found on asparagus seed, on one-year-old crowns used as planting material and was isolated from soil, frequently even from fields without an asparagus history. In inoculation experiments, the pathogen caused severe root rot in asparagus, mild root rot occasionally in pea and lupin, and it colonized the roots of many plant species that did not show symptoms. Twenty-four isolates of the pathogen were assigned to 18 vegetative compatibility groups indicating the large genetical diversity of the population in the Netherlands. The potential of nonpathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum to reduce severity of Fusarium root rot was shown in growth chamber and greenhouse tests but not when plants were grown in the field for one year. A new method for reducing soil infestation with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. asparagi and other soilborne pathogens was developed. It is based on induction of fermentative soil conditions. When fresh broccoli or grass was incorporated into soil that was subsequently irrigated and covered with plastic mulch, oxygen in soil was rapidly depleted and redox potential (Eh) reached values as low as -200 mV. After 15 weeks, populations of F. oxysporum f.sp. asparagi , Rhizoctonia solani , Verticillium dahliae , and Globodera pallida were strongly reduced in inoculum samples buried in soil demonstrating the potential of this approach to control a range of soilborne pathogens

Reduction of nitrogen oxides from the flue gas stream on catalysts under non-standard conditions

Cílem této diplomové práce je snižování oxidů dusíku z proudu spalin na katalyzátorech při nestandardních podmínkách. Důraz je kladen na popis vybraných znečišťujících látek ve spalinách (zejména oxidů dusíku), legislativních požadavků na ochranu ovzduší a technologií pro odstraňování oxidů dusíku, hlavně metody selektivní katalytické a nekatalytické redukce. Experimentální část se věnuje snižování oxidů dusíku pomocí selektivní katalytické redukce na poloprovozní jednotce INTEQ II v laboratoři NETME Centre. Předmětem zájmu je stanovení účinnosti redukce NOx v závislosti na teplotě pro vybrané katalyzátory. Konec praktické části se zabývá porovnáním výsledků měření a jejich vyhodnocením.The objective of the presented diploma thesis is reduction of nitrogen oxides from the flue gas stream on catalyst under non-standart conditions. Emphasis is places on the description of selected pollutants in flue gas (especially nitrogen oxides), legislative requirements for air protection and technologies for removal of nitrogen oxides, expecially methods of selective catalytic and non-catalytic reduction. The practical part is devoted to the reduction of nitrogen oxides by selective catalytic reduction on a pilot plant INTEQ II in the laboratory NETME Center. The subject of interest is the determination of the NOx reduction efficiency depend on the temperature for selected catalyst. The end of the practical part pursues with comparison of measurement results and their evaluation.