Thermodynamic analysis, modelling and control of a novel hybrid propulsion system

Stringent emission regulations imposed by governments and depleting fossil fuel reserves have promoted the development of the automotive industry towards novel technologies. Various types of hybrid power plants for transport and stationary applications have emerged. The methodology of design and development of such power plants varies according to power producing components used in the systems. The practical feasibility of such power plants is a pre-requisite to any further development. This work presents thermodynamic analysis and modelling of such a novel power plant, assesses its feasibility and further discusses the development of a suitable control system. The proposed system consists of a hybrid configuration of a solid oxide fuel cell and IC engine as the main power producing components. A reformer supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell while the IC engine is supplied with a liquid fuel. The excess fuel from the fuel cell anode and the oxygen-depleted air from cathode of the fuel cell are also supplied to the engine. This gas mixture is aspirated into the engine with the balance of energy provided by the liquid fuel. The fuel cell exhaust streams are used to condition the fuel in the engine to ensure minimum pollutants and improved engine performance. Both, fuel cell and engine share the load on the system. The fuel cell operates on a base load while the engine handles majority of the transient load. This system is particularly suitable for a delivery truck or a bus cycle. Models of the system components reformer, solid oxide fuel cell, IC engine and turbocharger were developed to understand their steady state and dynamic behaviour. These models were validated against sources of literature and used to predict the effect of different operating conditions for each component. The main control parameters for each component were derived from these models. A first law analysis of the system at steady state was conducted to identify optimum operating region, verify feasibility and efficiency improvement of the system. The results suggested reduced engine fuel consumption and a 10 % improvement in system efficiency over the conventional diesel engines. Further, a second law analysis was conducted to determine the key areas of exergy losses and the rational efficiency of the system at full load operating conditions. The results indicate a rational efficiency of 25.4 % for the system. Sensitivity to changes in internal exergy losses on the system work potential was also determined. The exergy analysis indicates a potential for process optimisation as well as design improvements. This analysis provides a basis for the development of a novel control strategy based on exergy analysis and finite-time thermodynamics. A dynamic simulation of the control oriented system model identified the transient response and control parameters for the system. Based on these results, control systems were developed based on feedback control and model predictive control theories. These controllers mainly focus on air and fuel path management within the system and show an improved transient response for the system. In a hierarchical control structure for the system, the feedback controllers or the model predictive controller can perform local optimisation for the system, while a supervisory controller can perform global optimisation. The objective of the supervisory controller is to determining the load distribution between the fuel cell and the engine. A development strategy for such a top-level supervisory controller for the system is proposed. The hybrid power plant proposed in this thesis shows potential for application for transport and stationary power production with reduced emissions and fuel consumption. The first and second law of thermodynamics can both contribute to the development of a comprehensive control system. This work integrates research areas of powertrain design, thermodynamic analysis and control design. The development and design strategy followed for such a novel hybrid power plant can be useful to assess the potential of other hybrid systems as well

Energy economy analysis of the G-Wiz: a two-year case study based on two vehicles

This paper presents the data recorded from two G-Wiz Reva electric vehicles (EVs) over a period of two years and approximately 8000km on each vehicle. The analysis of the vehicle data demonstrates that the range of the vehicle obtained for a certain state-of-charge (SOC) drop was not consistent. The results show that the main factor affecting the available range was irregular vehicle usage. The recharge energy consumption patterns of the vehicle were identified and it was demonstrated that infrequent vehicle usage increased energy consumed by the vehicle. A maximum range of 66.8km was achieved when the vehicle was regularly used, but this fell to 42.8km when it was infrequently used. The energy economy when the vehicle was regularly used was 8.3 km/kWh. Additionally, the analysis results identify the need to determine discharge rate of the vehicle batteries to determine the precise effects on the available range and energy consumption of the vehicle

Photoinduced Electron-transfer Along Alpha-helical And Coiled-coil Metallopeptides

A peptide-based electron-transfer system has been designed in which the specific positions of redox-active metal complexes appended to either an a-helix, or an a-helical coiled-coil, can be reversed to test the effect of the helix dipole in controlling photoinduced electron-transfer rates. Two 30-residue apopeptides were prepared having the following sequences: (1) Ac-K-(IEALEGK)(ICALEGK)(IEALEHK)-(IEALEGK)-G-amide, and (II) Ac-K-(IEALEGK)(IHALEGK)-(IEALECK)(IEALEGK)-G-amide. Each apopeptide was reacted first with [Ru(bpy)(2)(phen-ClAc)](2+), where bpy = 2,2\u27-bipyridine and phen-ClAc = 5-chloroacetamido-1,10-phenanthroline, to attach the ruthenium polypyridyl center to the cysteine side-chain of the polypeptide. The isolated products were then reacted with [Ru(NH3)(5)(H2O)](2+) to yield the binuclear electron-transfer metallopeptides ET-I and ET-II. In these systems, electron-transfer occurred from the photoexcited ruthenium polypyridyl donor to the pentammine ruthenium (111) acceptor such that the electron-transfer occurred toward the negative end of the helix dipole in ET-I, and toward the positive end in ET-II. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that both peptides exist as dimeric alpha-helical coiled-coils in 100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7, and as monomeric a-helices in the lower dielectric solvents 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of CH2Cl2 and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol. The peptides were predominately (i.e., 65-72%) alpha-helical in these solvents. The emission lifetime behavior of ET-I was seen to be identical to that of ET-II in each of the three solvents: no evidence for directional electron-transfer rates was observed. Possible reasons for this behavior are discussed

Supramolecular assemblies of proteins in the galleries of alpha-zirconium phosphonates

Understanding the role of surface functions in promoting the structure, activities, and thermal stabilities of immobilized proteins and enzymes is important in the area of biotechnology and for assessing structure-function relationships. The applications of enzymes in biotechnology and organic chemistry are growing but a fundamental basis for the role of the surface groups in directing the protein structure and function is lacking. In an attempt to characterize the role of protein-surface interactions in promoting the physical and catalytic properties of immobilized enzymes, this work focuses on the intercalation of several proteins (myoglobin (Mb), hemoglobin (Hb), lysozyme (Lys), chymotrypsin (CHT), glucose oxidase (GO), cytochrome c (Cyt c), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the galleries of layered Zr(IV) metal phosphonates (α-ZrRP). The binding of the proteins in the α-ZrRP galleries was investigated by varying the surface functions from hydroxyl (α-Zr(HPO 4)2.2H2O, α-ZrP) to acetate (α-Zr(O 3PCH2COOH)2.nH2O, α-ZrCMP) and propionate (α-Zr(O3PCH2CH2COOH) 2.nH2O, α-ZrCEP). Whereas in α-ZrP the OH group is orthogonal to the layer planes, in α-ZrCMP, the OH of the carboxylate groups is oriented parallel to the matrix plane and in α-ZrCEP the OH group is oriented weakly. ^ Protein intercalation in the α-ZrP galleries was the most favorable with binding constants in the order of 104–10 7/M and stoichiometries in the range of 250 to 1400 (phosphates per protein). The protein size (tertiary structures) and conformations (secondary structures) were retained as evidenced from the diffraction and spectroscopic studies. The substrate selectivities of Mb/α-ZrP were altered in the galleries whereas Hb/α-ZrP Cyt c/α-ZrP, and HRP/α-ZrP, exhibited unusual activity and stability at 100°C. Enhanced selectivities of Hb/α-ZrP for metal complexes was indicated in thermal cleavage and gel electrophoresis studies. The surface functions of α-ZrCMP and α-ZrCEP, however, directed the renaturation of Hb and GO whereas α-ZrP did not. H-bonding and interlayer amidation reactions between the proteins and the α-ZrRP matrix were critical factors in promoting efficient protein folding. ^ Adjunct studies conducted with metal ion fluorophores and dyes exemplified the effect of the α-ZrRP surface functions in directing self-assembly in the galleries. Energy transfer efficiencies between Fl/RhB in SAZrP were ten-fold greater than in solution whereas artificial antenna effects were observed in the UO22+/Eu3+/α-ZrCEP composites. The advantages of intercalation of the fluorophores in the α-ZrRP galleries are critically evaluated in light of the effects of specific surface functions.

Smart building using IoT

With the growing urbanization that is taking place in every major city in the world, most people are opting to relocate to communities without gates. Therefore, there is a need to develop an android app that will monitor people's activities and times so as to give them safety in this fast-altering world. This application will keep track of all the activities happening in the building and will also make daily activities easy and fast such as by providing guest code verification, daily helps registration, parcel monitoring and etc. In today's technology department, the user expects automation that makes a particular task easier, safer and more effective. The idea is to upgrade our old-style garden irrigation structure to an automatic intelligent system by means of Internet of Things (IoT) features. In this program, we have used a soil moisture sensor, a temperature sensor and a moisture sensor installed in the root zone. We have proposed to create an application that will send a notification about fraud at the gate and the owner will inspect it. The automation of garden irrigation will be supervised by a public guard and secretary

Effect of iron source on iron deficiency induced chlorosis in groundnut

Not AvailableIn a field study, the effect of iron source through foliar as well as basal application was studied on lime induced iron-deficiency chlorosis (LIIC), chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase activity, available Fe and micronutrients in groundnut. The visual chlorotic rating screen of various Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient cultivars clearly identified Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient. Tirupati-4 was showing symptoms of chlorosis and was Fe-inefficient. Fe absorption capacity varied among cultivars. Applications of iron increased active Fe content in LGN-2 by 5.6 % and 163.18% in CSMG-84-1 respectively. A significant increase in chlorophyll content (10%) and nitrate reductase (110%) was observed with foliar spray of FeSO4. A significant damage of lipid peroxidation was observed in absence of iron which was improved by 37% in Tirupati-4 and 16.67% in CSMG-84-1 by foliar and basal supplementation of Fe, respectively. A strong correlation among the Fe, Mn, Zn and K depicted ionomic interaction with different treatments. Based on the ion absorption capacity and the level of chlorosis, the groundnut genotypes were grouped as tolerant, moderately tolerant and sensitive to iron chlorosis.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableIn a field study, the effect of iron source through foliar as well as basal application was studied on lime induced iron-deficiency chlorosis (LIIC), chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase activity, available Fe and micronutrients in groundnut. The visual chlorotic rating screen of various Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient cultivars clearly identified Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient. Tirupati-4 was showing symptoms of chlorosis and was Fe-inefficient. Fe absorption capacity varied among cultivars. Applications of iron increased active Fe content in LGN-2 by 5.6 % and 163.18% in CSMG-84-1 respectively. A significant increase in chlorophyll content (10%) and nitrate reductase (110%) was observed with foliar spray of FeSO4. A significant damage of lipid peroxidation was observed in absence of iron which was improved by 37% in Tirupati-4 and 16.67% in CSMG-84-1 by foliar and basal supplementation of Fe, respectively. A strong correlation among the Fe, Mn, Zn and K depicted ionomic interaction with different treatments. Based on the ion absorption capacity and the level of chlorosis, the groundnut genotypes were grouped as tolerant, moderately tolerant and sensitive to iron chlorosis.Not Availabl

Dielectric study of ethanol-ethylene glycol mixtures using time domain technique

180-183<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">Time domain spectroscopy in reflection mode has been used to determine complex reflection coefficient <span style="font-size:14.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:fd884270-identity-h;="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">for <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">e<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:fd884270-identity-h;="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">th<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">anol ethyl<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:fd884270-identity-h;="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">e<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">ne glycol mixtures at 15, 25, 35 and 45°C, in frequency range 10 MHz-10 GHz.. Further, Fourier transform, bilinear calibration method and least squares fit methods have been used to determine the static dielectric constant, dielectric constant at microwave frequency and relaxation time. By using these parameters the Kirkwood correlation factor, excess permittivity, excess relaxation time and activation energy are calculated.</span