Photovoltaic Panel Orientation Study for Tube-Enclosed Transportation Systems

The Hyperloop is a new transportation concept that involves high-speed transportation of passengers and cargo through a tube-enclosed system. Photovoltaic (PV) panels are located on the top of the tube to provide energy for the Hyperloop system. To develop this system, various configurations of PV panels arranged on the tube are studied and evaluated in terms of power and energy performance. This paper examines different cardinal direction orientations of the tube and six different PV configuration cases. Various performance metrics, such as peak power, total energy, power variation over a day are assessed. Based on this analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of each case are discussed in order to select the most effective PV configuration

One-pot microwave synthesis of Pd modified titanium dioxide nanocrystals for 3D aerogel monoliths with efficient visible-light photocatalytic activity in a heated gas flow reactor

Harvesting solar energy and efficiently converting it into a chemical energy carrier like hydrogen (H-2) is an important topic in photocatalysis. Here, we present a fast and simple approach for the one-pot synthesis of crystalline semiconductor nanoparticles modified with co-catalysts that can be used as nanobuilding blocks for nanoparticle-based aerogels with excellent visible-light photocatalytic activity. The microwave-assisted nonaqueous sol-gel method allows titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles to be synthesized and modified with palladium (Pd) ions and Pd metal nanoparticles in a single step. Their assembly into aerogel monoliths preserves the modified properties of the TiO2 nanobuilding blocks, resulting in morphological properties that are advantageous for the photocatalytic H-2 production from methanol (CH3OH) oxidation. By controlling the amount of Pd doping and Pd nanoparticle loading, the nanoparticle-based aerogels showed significantly improved photoexcited charge generation and separation efficiency under visible light. In addition, we present a novel reactor design specifically developed for 3D aerogel monoliths that allows control of light intensity, gas flow, reactant concentration, and temperature, enabling the study of all key experimental parameters to optimize photocatalytic H-2 production. The visible light absorbed by the aerogels was found to be the driving force behind the efficient photocatalytic activity. Our Pd modified TiO2 nanoparticle-based aerogels achieved H-2 production rate of 117.5 mmol g(-1) h(-1) with good stability for 3 days under visible light thanks to the prevention of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The simultaneous optimization of the material composition and the matching photoreactor form the decisive basis for getting the most out of monolithic 3D photocatalysts.ISSN:2050-7488ISSN:2050-749

Experimental study of photovoltaic panel mounting configurations for tube-shaped structures

Traditionally, solar photovoltaic panels have been installed on the top of buildings and oriented in a specific direction based on latitude. In modern structures, photovoltaic panels are being installed on different parts of buildings, resulting in panels mounted at various angles. This work investigates various photovoltaic panel mounting configurations on tube-shaped structures intended for emerging high-speed transportation systems operating in the north-south direction. The photovoltaic panel cases are compared in terms of power profile, total energy capture, energy storage system capacity, and equipment cost. Results are based on experimental data taken in Ulsan, Korea. Analysis and results indicate that the photovoltaic mounting case with one panel on the top of the tube at 0?? two adjacent panels at 45?? and two subsequent panels on the side of the tube at 90?? yields the highest energy per investment cost

Gas-Phase Nitrogen Doping of Monolithic TiO2 Nanoparticle-Based Aerogels for Efficient Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic H2 Production

The development of visible light-active photocatalysts is essential for increasing the conversion efficiency of solar energy into hydrogen (H2). Here, we present a facile method for nitrogen doping of monolithic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle-based aerogels to activate them for visible light. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at low temperature enables efficient incorporation of nitrogen into preformed TiO2 aerogels without compromising their advantageous intrinsic characteristics such as large surface area, extensive porosity, and nanoscale properties of the semiconducting building blocks. By balancing the dopant concentration and the defects, the nitridation improves optical absorption and charge separation efficiency. The nitrogen-doped TiO2 nanoparticle-based aerogels loaded with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles show a significant enhancement in visible light-driven photocatalytic H2 production (3.1 mmol h–1 g–1) with excellent stability over 5 days. With this method, we introduce a powerful tool to tune the properties of nanoparticle-based aerogels after synthesis for a specific application, as exemplified by visible light-driven H2 production.ISSN:1944-8244ISSN:1944-825