Exergy performance of different space heating systems: A theoretical study

Three space heating systems (floor heating with different floor covering resistances, radiator heating with different working temperatures, warm-air heating with and without heat recovery) were compared using a natural gas fired condensing boiler as the heat source. For the floor heating systems, the effects offloor covering resistance on the whole system performance were studied using two heat sources; a natural gas fired condensing boiler and an air-source heat pump. The heating systems were also compared in terms of auxiliary exergy use for pumps and fans.The low temperature floor heating system performed better than other systems in terms of exergy demand. The use of boiler as a heat source for a low-exergy floor heating system creates a mismatch in the exergy supply and demand. Although an air-source heat pump could be a better heat source, this depends on the origin of the electricity supplied to the heat pump. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump has a critical value (2.57 in this study); it is beneficial to use a heat pump instead of a boiler only when the COP is above this critical value.The floor covering resistance should be kept to a minimum, in order not to hinder the performance of the floor heating and the whole system. The exergy input to auxiliary components plays a significant role in the overall exergy performance of systems, and its effects become even more significant for low temperature heating systems

Užmirštasis Paleckis

The article includes discussion on controversial personality of Justas Paleckis and his activities: the question is how did J. Paleckis manage to avoid getting into the Soviet camp for his counter-revolutionary activities and the support of the international bourgeoisie, and it also attempts to have a better observation of the backstage of Lithuanian occupation. It is revealed that becoming the Prime Minister J. Paleckis had to calm the society. His talks did not indicate that the People's Seimas will face fundamental constitutional problems. It is stated that not only the government kept silent, but it also using words and symbolic gestures had rejected the possibility of loss of independence, which means that voting for the People's Seimas people had been giving their voice for independent country and, in a Marxist point of view, modest reforms, but not for the incorporation and transformation of the country on a communist basis. Therefore, from the Soviet law point of view and taking into account only rhetoric and publicly announced programmes, the government of Paleckis and the Union of Lithuanian Working People were counter-revolutionary organizations. Even though it is impossible to determine what people were thinking at the time, what they understood and what they did not understand, the Soviets themselves show that according to their calculation neither the Soviet system nor their annexation plans receive more noticeable approval in Lithuania. It is assumed that a pre-made performance was prepared realizing that the real Soviet programme will not receive a lot of support. Three different versions of the possible role of J. Paleckis are distinguished: the goodwilled Paleckis who came to rescue Lithuania; the weak Paleckis seen by the Soviets as the best one to be manipulated; and left-minded Paleckis moderately implementing the programme of the Sovietisation

Can one live well without citizen philosophers?

Demokratinėse santvarkose pagrindines gaires nustato ne elitas, bet eiliniai piliečiai. Daugelis visuomenę skaldančių klausimų yra filosofinio pobūdžio ir juos spręsti reikia su piliečiais, turinčiais filosofinį išsilavinimą. Piliečiams specialybės neužtenka: kuo plačiau piliečiai išsilavinę, tuo geriau.In democratic systems the fundamental guidelines are set not by the elite but by ordinary citizens. Many of the issues dividing society are philosophical in nature; they can be solved only by citizens with some philosophical learning. Specialized training in one field is not enough: the broader the education that citizens have received, the better it is for them