Development of a Superconducting Claw-Pole Linear Test-Rig

Superconducting generators can help to reduce the cost of energy for large offshore wind turbines, where the size and mass of the generator have a direct effect on the installation cost. However, existing superconducting generators are not as reliable as the alternative technologies. In this paper, a linear test prototype for a novel superconducting claw-pole topology, which has a stationary superconducting coil that eliminates the cryocooler coupler will be presented. The issues related to mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal aspects of the prototype will be presented

Conceptual design and thermal analysis of a modular cryostat for one single coil of a 10 MW offshore superconducting wind turbine

Superconducting generators show the potential to reduce the head mass of large offshore wind turbines. A 10 MW offshore superconducting wind turbine has been investigated in the SUPRAPOWER project. The superconducting coils based on MgB2 tapes are supposed to work at cryogenic temperature of 20 K. In this paper, a novel modular rotating cryostat was presented for one single coil of the superconducting wind turbine. The modular concept and cryogen-free cooling method were proposed to fulfil the requirements of handling, maintenance, reliability of long term and offshore operations. Two stage Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers were used to provide cooling source. Supporting rods made of titanium alloy were selected as support structures of the cryostat in aim of reducing the heat load. The thermal performance in the modular cryostat was carefully investigated. The heat load applied to the cryocooler second stage was 2.17 W@20 K per coil. The corresponding temperature difference along the superconducting coil was only around 1 K.European Commision's FP

Review of magnetic gear technologies and their applications in marine energy

The marine energy industry is in its early stages but has a large potential for growth. One of the most significant challenges is the reduction of operation and maintenance costs. Magnetic gears (MGs) offer the potential for long periods between maintenance intervals due to their frictionless torque transmission which could reduce these costs. This study presents a summary of the state of the art in MG technology and then investigates its potential for marine energy applications. A brief overview is given of the state of the marine energy industry and the environment in which marine energy converters (MECs) operate. A short history of MG development over the past century is then presented followed by a discussion of the leading MG technologies and their relative advantages. In order to demonstrate the potential of MGs in marine applications, the current technologies, i.e. mechanically geared and direct drive machines, are examined in terms of sizing, reliability and economic value using previous studies on a similar technology, namely wind. MGs are applied to four types of MECs to demonstrate how the technology can be incorporated. The potential to deploy at scale and potential obstacles to this are then discussed

Hospital costs of managing deliberate self-poisoning in Turkey

Background: Most published data on the characteristics and direct hospital costs of deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) were collected from developed countries. This study was conducted to investigate hospital costs of DSP cases and relevant factors in a university-based emergency department (ED) in Turkey. Material/Methods: All patients referred to the ED due to DSP in the one-year period between October 1, 2005, and September 30, 2006, were investigated prospectively. Clinical and demographic features were analyzed. Results: The female-to-male ratio was 6.3 (189/30). Mean age of the patients was 24.5±5.7 years. Medical drugs comprised 93.6% (n=205) of the substances ingested in admissions due to DSP. The mean cost of patients with DSP was calculated to be $144.06±90.83. Treatment costs constituted 36.2$52.27). Total costs showed statistically significant differences with respect to sex, type of intoxicants, and location of treatment. Venipuncture, monitoring, nasogastric tube insertion, and gastric lavage were the procedures most commonly applied. Activated charcoal was administered to 66.9% (n=146) of the study sample. Conclusions: The study sample had many differences in demographic and clinical outcomes of patients with DSP as well as hospital costs compared with global reports. Gender, ingestion of non-medical substances, and treatment location affected the total hospital costs of these patients. Strategies focusing on high-risk subgroups and conditions may help to reduce unnecessary expenses. © Med Sci Monit, 2008