Development of a modular dual engine hybrid electric vehicle simulation model

Depleting resources of fossil fuel, climate change impacts, high oil prices, and strict emission requirements are leading to the research on efficient, environmentally friendly, and lowered fossil fuel dependent solutions in the transportation field. While a number of studies used computer modeling and simulation tools to investigate hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), very few attempted to model and simulate a dual-engine hybrid vehicle. Designing a vehicle engine to meet energy needs in the fully loaded condition is not an optimal solution for manufacturers and customers. The larger the engine, the higher the manufacturing costs for companies, and higher fuel consumption for customers. The integration of dual-engine hybrid technology can help to solve this problem. The objective of this study was to design and simulate a dual-engine hybrid electric vehicle (DE-HEV) model to investigate whether it can be a fuel efficient and environmentally friendly solution without sacrificing vehicle performance. The simulated DE-HEV uses two small engines instead of one large engine. In the simulated design, a smaller single engine supplies the power if the energy need is not more than a single engine can provide. The second engine turns on when the power demand is greater than the single engine can supply. Working models for the DE-HEV components, such as an electric motor, generator, battery, and the controller have been developed using the Matlab/Simulink™ simulation package. Each model was validated with test data from the literature. Appropriate power management strategy has been developed to accommodate the dual engine design. Fuel-efficiency, overall performance, and manufacturing cost for the simulated DE-HEV model have been compared against current commercial models. Simulation results showed that DE-HEV has between a 2% to 6% higher efficiency than comparable HEVs. Cost analysis results showed that the manufacturing cost of DE-HEV is 11% higher. Performance of the vehicle was tested with standard drive cycles. Test results are satisfactory; although there was significant increase in fuel-efficiency, because of its higher initial manufacturing cost, maintenance, and complexity, DE-HEVs may have challenges in the short term. However, with expected decreases in manufacturing costs of battery storage and power electronics technology, the implementation of DE-HEVs can be feasible transportation options in the near future

Effects of Dietary Cottonseed and/or Canola Oil Inclusion on the Growth Performance, FA Composition and Organ Histology of the Juvenile Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

This study aimed at demonstrating the effects of total and 50% dietary fish oil replacement by cotton seed and canola oils and a mixture of these vegetable oils (VOs) on growth, tissue fatty acid composition and histology of digestive organs in the juvenile rainbow trout for 84 days. Five iso-nitrogenous and lipidic diets were formulated to replace dietary fish oil (FO) totally by cotton seed oil (CSO), canola oil (CO) and an equal or 50% FO/ 50% VO mixture. Duplicate groups of 50 fish (similar to 15 g) were fed two times daily to apparent satiation. Growth performance, feed efficiency and viscerosomatic index were not influenced by dietary treatments (P>0.05). However, hepatosomatic index was significantly higher (P<0.05) in fish fed with CSO and CSO50/CO50 diets. Fish fed CSO or CO diets had significantly lower levels of n-3 highly unsaturated FAs and increased levels of 18:2n-6 in the whole body FA composition (P<0.05). Furthermore, liver had significantly higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid than those in the fish whole body. Results suggest that the 50% replacement of dietary fish oil by cotton seed oil and canola oils in equal amounts could be possible without compromising growth and overall well-being in the juvenile rainbow trout

The effects of fish oil replacement by vegetable oils on growth performance and fatty acid profile of rainbow trout: Re-feeding with fish oil finishing diet improved the fatty acid composition

The present study aimed to demonstrate the effects of feeding vegetable oil (VO)-based diets and their blends on growth, feed utilization and fatty acid (FA) profile in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Juveniles were fed five experimental diets in which dietary fish oil (FO diet containing anchovy oil) was totally or partially replaced by cottonseed oil (CSO), canola oil (CO), MIX1 (50% FO, 25% CSO and 25% CO) and MIX2 (50% CSO and 50% CO) in a grow-out period for 12 weeks. Afterwards, all fish were switched to a diet containing 100% FO diet for a further 12 weeks to determine the progressive recovery of fatty acid (FA) profile of rainbow trout. Results showed that total and/or partial replacement of FO did not negatively affect growth and feed utilization. Feeding VOs significantly reduced body contents of arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to a lower degree than their reduction in the diet. Re-feeding with FO-diet for 12 weeks led to significant (P < 0.05) improvements in highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA), with a full recovery in ARA contents of rainbow trout. Finally, FA profile in whole body of MIX1 fed fish had the closest resemblance to that of FO fed fish