Pollutant emissions in common-rail diesel engines in extraurban cycle: rapeseed oils vs diesel fuel

The new energy strategy of EU (i.e., Directive 2009/28/EC) requires increasing the use of biofuels in transports up to at least 10% of the total fuel consumption. In the last years, the share of Diesel engines in automotive applications reached about 55% in EU market, thus trying to widen the alternatives to Diesel fuel is very important. In this framework straight vegetable oils (SVO) can represent one of the available possibilities at least in some specific applications (i.e., public transportation, hybrid or marine propulsion, etc.). SVO properties may be very different form Diesel fuel, thus operating a Diesel engine with SVO might result in some problems, especially in automotive configuration where the electronic unit acts as if it is working with Diesel fuel. This reflects in possible engine power and torque reduction, maintenance problems, and pollutant emissions during vehicles running. The latter aspect is the focus of the present paper. In this work, we used a turbocharged, four stroke, four cylinders, water cooled, commonrail multijet Diesel engine in automotive configuration to simulate the extraurban cycle according to the EU standard, comparing pollutant emissions in case of SVO and gasoil fuelling

Exhaust Energy Recovery with Variable Geometry Turbine to Reduce Fuel Consumption for Microcars

The objective proposed by EU to reduce by about 4%/year CO2 emission of internal combustion engines for the next years up to 2030, requires to increase the engine efficiency and accordingly improving the technology. In this framework, hybrid powertrains can have the possibility of a deep market penetration since they may recover energy during brake, allow the engine to operate in better efficiency conditions and with less transients, Moreover, they can recover a large amount of energy lost through the exhaust and use it to reduce fuel consumption. This paper concerns the modification of a conventional two in-line cylinders Diesel engine (440 cm3) adding a variable geometry turbine (VGT) coupled with a generator. The turbine is used to recover exhaust gas energy that otherwise would be lost. The generator, connected to the turbo shaft, converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and is used to charge the vehicle battery or the auxiliaries. The aim of this work is reducing fuel consumption by replacing the alternator with a kind of electric turbo-compounding system to drive vehicle auxiliaries. If the selected turbine recovers enough energy to power auxiliaries, the alternator, which usually has low efficiency, can be removed. Along these lines, fuel consumption savings can be achieved. At a later stage, a microcar has been tested on WLTC (Class 1) driving cycle. The results show fuel consumption reduction of 6 to 9%, depending on VGT size. Indeed, four different VGT sizes have been analyzed to choose the optimal configuration that reflects a compromise between energy recovery and fuel consumption reductions

Lo studio della vittimologia nell’Arma dei Carabinieri

La centralità delle teorie criminologiche è stata per lungo tempo sbilanciata sullo studio di comportamenti antisociali, privilegiando il fascino dell’immagine cruenta e del suo autore alla figura della vittima e ai riflessi psicologici del reato sulla persona offesa. Dalla nascita della vittimologia, quale branca della criminologia, in parallelo con l’evoluzione socio-culturale-giuridica che ne è seguita -anche attraverso una crescente attività normativa, soprattutto a livello extracodicistico e ad alcuni interventi internazionali di rilievo- si è assistito ad una progressiva promozione ed elevazione del profilo della vittima a una “key figure” degna delle dovute garanzie legislative. Anche l’Arma dei Carabinieri si è inserita in questo nuovo contesto -facilitata peraltro dalla capillare architettura della sua struttura- partecipando insieme agli altri attori istituzionali del settore sicurezza a quella che è stata definita una “rivoluzione culturale” nell’approccio alla vittima del reato. Espressione di tale nuovo orientamento è il concetto di polizia di prossimità che, nato dall’idea di essere più vicini alla gente, cerca di colmare il gap esistente tra sicurezza reale e sicurezza percepita, sfruttando quel tradizionale patrimonio motivazionale che aiuta il Carabiniere ad essere primario interlocutore capace di ascoltare, aiutare ed indirizzare. La formazione di base e la specializzazione dei Carabinieri di ogni ordine e grado a questa nuova cultura nell’approccio alla vittima del reato viene pertanto avvertita dall’Istituzione come esigenza primaria, al fine di umanizzare e valorizzare la persona offesa che –spesso violentata nella sua privacy e nei suoi affetti personali- deve trovare di fronte a sé un chiaro e qualificato punto di riferimento, un cittadino che opera a favore di altri cittadini, un professionista capace di aiutare e sostenere. Résumé Pendant longtemps, la recherche en criminologie s’est concentrée sur l’étude des comportements déviants, en privilégiant l’image de l’acte cruel de l’auteur plutôt que de se focaliser sur la victime, en particulier sur les conséquences psychologiques du crime sur cette dernière. Depuis la naissance de la victimologie (branche de la criminologie) et l’intervention des grands noms de la victimologie, puis avec l’évolution socioculturelle et juridique sans cesse croissante, on a assisté à la prise en compte du profil de la victime comme étant un « élément clé » devant faire l’objet d’une attention accrue. L’Arme des Carabiniers (en raison notamment de sa dispersion sur tout le territoire) s’inscrit dans ce nouveau contexte, en participant avec les autres acteurs institutionnels de la sécurité à cette « révolution culturelle », qui se traduit par une meilleure prise en compte de la victime. Expression d’une nouvelle orientation majeure du service, le concept de police de proximité est né de l’idée de rendre l’Arme plus visible et plus proche des citoyens. Ainsi, l’action de proximité s’efforce de combattre un fort sentiment d’insécurité, en exploitant les valeurs du Carabinier, étant généralement le premier interlocuteur des personnes en détresse. Pour une meilleure satisfaction des attentes de la population, le développement d’une culture de l’accueil des victimes constitue une priorité pour l’Institution et fait l’objet d’une attention particulière dans la formation de base et continue de l’ensemble des militaires de l’Arme, tous grades confondus. La victime (souvent physiquement et moralement traumatisée) doit trouver en face d’elle un militaire, véritable professionnel chargé de son soutien et de son assistance, et toujours capable d’apporter des réponses empreintes d’humanité. Abstract The focal point of criminal theories has been, for some time now, uneven in regards to the study of anti-social behavior, because the tendency is to privilege the fascination of a cruel act and of its author rather than giving adequate consideration to the victim of crime and the psychological effects that crime produces on the person who has suffered an assault. Since victimology began as part of the criminology branch, along with the social-cultural-juridical evolution that followed (due also to the growth in rules and special laws that extend beyond the law code and to some very considerable international involvement), we have witnessed the progressive rise of the victim profile, to a “key figure”, worthy of the required legislative assurances. The expression of this new orientation can be found in the concept of “community policing”. This policy derives from the idea of getting closer to the community’s citizens and of filling the gap existing between actual security and sense of security felt. This is a result of having exploited the traditional motivational heritage that helps the Carabiniere Serviceman be a primary interlocutor experienced in listening, providing assistance and advising. The basic training and the skills of the Carabiniere Serviceman, of any social and military rank, for this new way of approaching a victim of crime is therefore perceived by the Institution, as an essential need in order to make the person who suffered an abuse, feel more human and more important, (often his/her privacy and family affection are violated) and bring him/her, to rely on a clear and qualified point of reference, who is a citizen that acts for other fellow citizens and in the same time, an expert capable of providing aid and support

Rain erosion numerical modeling applied to multi-MW off-shore wind turbine

In this work, the authors present a numerical prediction of erosion on two different blade geometry of a 6 MW HAWT designed for different aerodynamic loading, with the aim of studying their sensitiveness to erosion. First, the fully 3D simulations are performed using an Euler-Lagrangian approach. Flow field simulations are carried out with the open-source code OpenFOAM, based on a finite volume approach, using Multiple Reference Frame methodology. Reynolds Averaged Navier- Stokes equations for incompressible flow were solved with a k-ε turbulence model. An in-house code (P-Track) is used to compute the rain drops transport and dispersion, adopting the Particle Cloud Tracking approach (PCT). The PCT was used by some of the authors in previous works (Corsini et al., 2012; Corsini et al., 2014) to predict erosion on both axial and centrifugal fans, obtaining satisfactory results. The PCT allows to simulate a huge number of transported phase tracking just few cloud trajectories, thus resulting in reduction of computational time comparing with single particle tracking approach. Erosion is modelled accounting for the main quantities affecting the phenomenon, which is impact velocity and angle, and material properties of the target surface. Results provide the regions of the two blades more sensitive to erosion, and the effect of the blade geometry on erosion attitude

Rain erosion numerical modeling applied to multi-MW off-shore wind turbine

In this work, the authors present a numerical prediction of erosion on two different blade geometry of a 6 MW HAWT designed for different aerodynamic loading, with the aim of studying their sensitiveness to erosion. First, the fully 3D simulations are performed using an Euler-Lagrangian approach. Flow field simulations are carried out with the open-source code OpenFOAM, based on a finite volume approach, using Multiple Reference Frame methodology. Reynolds Averaged Navier- Stokes equations for incompressible flow were solved with a k-ε turbulence model. An in-house code (P-Track) is used to compute the rain drops transport and dispersion, adopting the Particle Cloud Tracking approach (PCT). The PCT was used by some of the authors in previous works (Corsini et al., 2012; Corsini et al., 2014) to predict erosion on both axial and centrifugal fans, obtaining satisfactory results. The PCT allows to simulate a huge number of transported phase tracking just few cloud trajectories, thus resulting in reduction of computational time comparing with single particle tracking approach. Erosion is modelled accounting for the main quantities affecting the phenomenon, which is impact velocity and angle, and material properties of the target surface. Results provide the regions of the two blades more sensitive to erosion, and the effect of the blade geometry on erosion attitude

Development of improved blade tip endplate concepts for low-noise operation in industrial fans

The application of improved blade tip geometries is studied with the aim of identifying an effective design concept for industrial fan passive noise control. The concept developed optimizes a datum blade by means of profiled endplates at the tip, reducing fan noise by changing the tip leakage flow behaviour. Experimental and computational investigations have been carried out on a family of axial fans, in fully ducted configuration, to establish the aerodynamic merits of the proposed blade tip design concept. The flow mechanisms in the fan tip region are correlated to specific blade design features that promote a reduction of the fan aero-acoustic signature in both tonal and broadband noise components. The tip vortical flow structures are characterized, and their role in creation of overall stage acoustic emissions clarified. The reported research identifies modification of tip geometry as markedly affecting the multiple vortex behaviour of blade tip leakage flow by altering the near-wall fluid flow paths on both blade surfaces. Blade tip endplates were also demonstrated to influence the rotor loss behaviour in the blade tip region. Improvement of rotor efficiency was correlated to the control of tip leakage flows

Numerical study on active and passive trailing edge morphing applied to a multi-MW wind turbine section

A progressive increasing in turbine dimension has characterized the technological evelopment in offshore wind energy utilization. This aspect reflects on the growing in blade length and weight. For very large turbines, the standard control systems may not be optimal to give the best performance and the best vibratory load damping, keeping the condition of maximum energy production. For this reason, some new solutions have been proposed in research. One of these is the possibility of morphs the blade surface in an active way (increasing the performance in low wind region) or passive (load reduction) way. In this work, we present a numerical study on the active and passive trailing edge morphing, applied to large wind turbines. In particular, the study focuses on the aerodynamic response of a midspan blade section, in terms of fluid structure interaction (FSI) and driven surface deformation. We test the active system in a simple start-up procedure and the passive system in a power production with turbulent wind conditions, that is, two situations in which we expect these systems could improve the performance. All the computations are carried out with a FSI code, which couples a 2D-CFD solver, a moving mesh solver (both implemented in OpenFOAM library) and a FEM solver. We evaluate all the boundary conditions to apply in the section problem by simulating the 5MW NREL wind turbine with the NREL CAE-tools developed for wind turbine simulation

Social Emotional Learning in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often focus on reducing negative behaviors or increasing the frequency of positive behaviors. Little discussion, however, focuses on the underlying mental health and developmental factors or ancillary skill deficits that may be contributing to problem behaviors. With social emotional standards built into the educational system, schools are uniquely positined to provide social emotional support and instruction to students with disabilities, especially children with ASD. Often, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of preschool and early elementary school children with ASD focus on state academic standards rather than the social-emotional needs often associated with the underlying core symptoms of ASD that are the true driver of “educational need” in the school setting. This manuscript provides a framework for incorporating social emotional learning (SEL) goals into the IEPs of young children with ASD. The family- school partnership approach, including effective relational (i.e., communication, collaboration, parent-teacher relationship/alliance) and structural (i.e., behavioral supports, home-based involvement) components (Sheridan et al., 2019) will be emphasized to meet the mental health and developmental needs of children with ASD via pivotal SEL goals across home and school environments. We conclude with a case study of the COMPASS parent-teacher consultation intervention for improving SEL outcomes through shared parent-teacher decision making and collaboration for SEL goal selection, individualized intervention planning, teacher coaching, and outcomes-based monitoring

Vegetable Oils as Fuels in Diesel Engine. Engine Performance and Emissions

AbstractThe EU new energy strategy represents a challenge and a boost for industries and researchers pushing them to find new solutions to supply the energy demand complying with new environmental requests. The transport sector is one of the most addicted to oil product and then pollutant. A new bio-fuels generation is being studied, but the use of the ones already available should be increased. The use of vegetable oils (VO) and waste cooking oils (WCO) could represent interesting alternative fuels for Diesel engines in some specific applications (i.e., public transportation, hybrid or marine propulsion, etc.). Moreover, VO can be produced almost everywhere in the world in relatively small plants, and WCO would represent the use of a waste material which otherwise should be disposed. However, operating a Diesel engine (DE) with a different fuel might results in some problems. Indeed VO and WCO have different characteristics compared to Diesel fuel (i.e, a smaller heating value, a larger density and viscosity), and this can affect the operation of a DE. In particular the DE is expected to have some problem at the injection system and power loss.In this work different vegetable oils (both straight and waste) are used to fuel a DE in automotive configuration and study its behavior. Tests are performed using a turbocharged, four stroke, four cylinders, water cooled, common-rail multijet DE. The influence of fuel used on engine power, specific consumption, efficiency, and exhaust opacity, are compared with those obtained fuelling with Diesel fuel

Assessment of Natural Resources Use for Sustainable Development - DPSIR Framework for Case Studies in Portsmouth and Thames Gateway, U.K.

This chapter reports on the uses of the DPSIR framework to assess the sustainability of the intertidal environments within the two UK case study areas, Portsmouth and Thames Gateway. It focuses on statutory conservation areas dominated by intertidal habitats. Two are located in Portsmouth (Portsmouth and Langstone Harbours) and four in the Thames Gateway (Benfleet Marshes, South Thames Estuary, Medway Estuary and the Swale in the Thames Gateway). Based on the reduction of a number of pressures and impacts observed in recent decades and the improvement of overall environmental quality, all six SSSIs are considered to be sustainable in the short and medium term. In the future, it is possible that the impacts of climate change, especially sea-level rise, might result in further reduction in the area and/or quality of intertidal habitats. Further integration between conservation and planning objectives (both for urban development and management of flood risk) at local level is needed to support the long-term sustainability of intertidal habitats