Hydrodynamics of the Oscillating Wave Surge Converter in the open ocean

A potential flow model is derived for a large flap-type oscillating wave energy converter in the open ocean. Application of the Green's integral theorem in the fluid domain yields a hypersingular integral equation for the jump in potential across the flap. Solution is found via a series expansion in terms of the Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind and even order. Several relationships are then derived between the hydrodynamic parameters of the system. Comparison is made between the behaviour of the converter in the open ocean and in a channel. The degree of accuracy of wave tank experiments aiming at reproducing the performance of the device in the open ocean is quantified. Parametric analysis of the system is then undertaken. It is shown that increasing the flap width has the beneficial effect of broadening the bandwidth of the capture factor curve. This phenomenon can be exploited in random seas to achieve high levels of efficiency.Comment: Submitted to: EJMB/Fluids, 16/07/201

Resonant behaviour of an oscillating wave energy converter in a channel

A mathematical model is developed to study the behaviour of an oscillating wave energy converter in a channel. During recent laboratory tests in a wave tank, peaks in the hydrodynamic actions on the converter occurred at certain frequencies of the incident waves. This resonant mechanism is known to be generated by the transverse sloshing modes of the channel. Here the influence of the channel sloshing modes on the performance of the device is further investigated. Within the framework of a linear inviscid potential-flow theory, application of the Green theorem yields a hypersingular integral equation for the velocity potential in the fluid domain. The solution is found in terms of a fast-converging series of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. The physical behaviour of the system is then analysed, showing sensitivity of the resonant sloshing modes to the geometry of the device, that concurs in increasing the maximum efficiency. Analytical results are validated with available numerical and experimental data.Comment: Accepted for publicatio

Decision-making methods in engineering design: a designer-oriented approach

The use of decisional methods for the solution of engineering design problems has to be tackled on a "human" viewpoint. Hence, fundamental is the identification of design issues and needs that become a designer oriented viewpoint. Decision-based methods are systematically classified in MCDM methods, Structured Design methods and Problem Structuring methods. The results are organised in order to provide a first reference for the designer in a preliminary selection of decision-based methods. The paper shows the heterogeneous use of decision-based methods, traditionally expected to solve only some specific design problems, which have been used also in different design contexts. Moreover, several design issues, which emerged from the review process, have been pointed out and discussed accordingly. This review provided useful results for the enlargement of the state of the art on Decision Based Design methods in engineering design contexts

Propagating speed of primordial gravitational waves

Primordial gravitational waves, i.e., a background of metric perturbations sourced by the quantum inflationary fluctuations, if measured, could both provide substantial evidence for primordial inflation and shed light on physics at extremely high energy scales. In this work we focus on their propagating speed. Using an effective field theory approach we introduce a time-dependent propagating speed cT(t) showing that also small deviations from the general relativity (GR) prediction cT(t)=c can lead to testable consequences. We derive a set of equations that relate the propagating speed and its time dependence to the inflationary parameters and that generalize the usual slow roll consistency relations. Imposing the new generalized consistency relations and combining small and large scales data, we derive model-independent constraints on inflation with nontrivial primordial tensor speed. In particular, we constrain its scale dependence to be dlogcT/dlogk=0.082-0.11+0.047 at 68% C.L. while we only derive the lower bound cT>0.22c at 95% C.L. We also constrain the tensor-to-scalar ratio at the pivot scale k∗=0.05 Mpc-1 to be r<0.0599 at 95% C.L. in agreement with the result provided by the Planck Collaboration. Thanks to a proper small scale parametrization of the tensor spectrum we derive stringent constraints on the tensor tilt nT=-0.084-0.047+0.10 at 68% C.L. and on its runnings αT=dnT/dlogk=0.0141-0.021+0.0035 and βT=dαT/dlogk=-0.0061-0.0014+0.010 both at 68% C.L. Our results show a remarkable agreement with the standard slow roll predictions and prove that current data can significantly constrain deviations from GR on the inflationary energy scales

effect of the regenerator efficiency on the performance of a micro gas turbine fed with alternative fuels

Abstract In this paper a validated in-house MATLAB© model was used to assess the behaviour of the Turbec T100 MGT when operated with alternative low lower heating value (LHV) fuels; moreover, the effect of the cycle humidification is assessed. In both the aforementioned cases, the flow rates through the turbomachines, their operating points, and the effectiveness of the recuperator might change and determine performance losses. In particular, the recuperator in a MGT is a crucial component that allows to achieve good thermodynamic performance, also in presence of low compression ratios, and its performance can strongly influence the final output of the machine. Therefore, the aim of the work is to evaluate the effect of the variation of the operating conditions on the performance of the recuperator and, therefore, of the whole MGT. The use of alternative fuels with low LHV and of steam injection shifts the operative points of the turbomachines without strongly affecting their isentropic efficiency; in general, compression ratio is reduced and the flow rate of the compressor is reduced. Therefore, attention must be paid for the compressor stall limit. The recuperator shows a slight variation of the temperature of the fluids, but a higher efficiency is recorded as the flow rate are typically reduced and a better heat recovery performance can be obtained

Motion-resonant modes of large articulated damped oscillators in waves

Using a semi-analytical approach, we show that an articulated system of large damped oscillators in the open ocean can be resonated by incoming waves at multiple frequencies. As an application, energy extraction from the system is modelled when the oscillators are used as flap-type wave energy converters. A new parameter – the absorption efficiency – is introduced to analyse the performance of the system at resonance. This allows us to identify the occurrence of detrimental processes near the resonant frequencies, which reduce the sustainability of the energy conversion process. This result challenges the diffused belief that large flap-type wave energy converters must be designed to resonate, which is based on the use of inappropriate performance descriptors

Injection and combustion analysis of pure rapeseed oil methyl ester (Rme) in a pump-line-nozzle fuel injection system

none3noThis work suggests an interpretation to the quantitatively higher formation of NOx in a compression ignition (CI) engine when fueled with pure biodiesel (B100). A comparative study about the use of rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) and diesel fuel mixtures on injection timing, in-chamber pressure, heat release rate, and NOx emissions were carried out using a diesel engine equipped with a pump-line-nozzle injection system. Such engines are still widely adopted mainly in agriculture, as the fleet of agricultural machinery is particularly old (often over 20 years) and the use of biofuels can reduce the environmental footprint of the sector. This work aims to supply some general explanations and figures useful to interpret the phenomena occurring within the fuel line and in the combustion process when using biodiesel, as well as in engines with different construction characteristics and fueling systems. Given the contradictory results available in the literature, the so-called “biodiesel NOx effect” cannot be explained solely by the different physical properties of biodiesel (in particular, a higher bulk modulus). Experimental results show that, with the same pump settings, the start of injection with the RME is slightly advanced while the injection pressure values remain almost the same. With the RME, the pressure in the injection line increases faster due to its greater bulk modulus but the pressure rise starts from a lower residual pressure. The start of combustion takes place earlier, the heat release during the premixed phase is steeper, and a higher peak is reached. The NOx emissions with the RME are at least 9% higher when compared to mineral diesel fuel. The greater amount of the RME injected per cycle compensates for its minor lower heating value, and the brake torque at full load is similar to the two analyzed fuels. Finally, a variation of the pump line timing is evaluated in order to assess the effect of the delay and the advance of the injection on the performance of the engine and on the emissions. A viable and simple solution in the variation of the injection strategy is suggested to counterbalance the biodiesel NOx effect.openCaresana F.; Bietresato M.; Renzi M.Caresana, F.; Bietresato, M.; Renzi, M

Hydro-acoustic precursors of gravity waves generated by surface pressure disturbances localised in space and time

We consider the mechanics of coupled underwater-acoustic and surface-gravity waves generated by surface pressure disturbances in a slightly compressible fluid. We show that pressure changes on the ocean surface, localised in space and time, can induce appreciable underwater compression waves which are precursors of the surface gravity waves. Although the physical properties of acoustic-gravity waves have already been discussed in the literature, such dynamics was not investigated in previous studies. We derive new results for the underwater compression wave field and discuss the dynamics of its generation and propagation. This work could lead to the design of innovative alert systems for coastal flooding management

Torque Prediction Model of a CI Engine for Agricultural Purposes Based on Exhaust Gas Temperatures and CFD-FVM Methodologies Validated with Experimental Tests

A truly universal system to optimize consumptions, monitor operation and predict maintenance interventions for internal combustion engines must be independent of onboard systems, if present. One of the least invasive methods of detecting engine performance involves the measurement of the exhaust gas temperature (EGT), which can be related to the instant torque through thermodynamic relations. The practical implementation of such a system requires great care since its torque-predictive capabilities are strongly influenced by the position chosen for the temperature-detection point(s) along the exhaust line, specific for each engine, the type of installation for the thermocouples, and the thermal characteristics of the interposed materials. After performing some preliminary tests at the dynamometric brake on a compression-ignition engine for agricultural purposes equipped with three thermocouples at different points in the exhaust duct, a novel procedure was developed to: (1) tune a CFD-FVM-model of the exhaust pipe and determine many unknown thermodynamic parameters concerning the engine (including the real EGT at the exhaust valve outlet in some engine operative conditions), (2) use the CFD-FVM results to considerably increase the predictive capability of an indirect torque-detection strategy based on the EGT. The joint use of the CFD-FVM software, Response Surface Method, and specific optimization algorithms was fundamental to these aims and granted the experimenters a full mastery of systems’ non-linearity and a maximum relative error on the torque estimations of 2.9%