Saving energy while maintaining a high-quality internal environment is an increasingly important scientific and technological challenge in the building sector. This paper presents the results from a long-term study on thermal comfort in a passive house situated in the south of Poland. The building was constructed in 2010 with the use of prefabricated, lightweight technology. The main energy source is a ground source heat pump which powers the floor heating and DHW. The building is also equipped with a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery and a ground source heat exchanger. A lightweight building structure which has active systems with limited capabilities (especially for cooling) is a combination which increases the difficulty of maintaining a proper inner environmental condition. Extensive experimental investigations on hygrothermal performance and energy use have been carried out in the building for several years. The measurement results, such as inner air temperature and... [more]

A variety of mathematical models are available to estimate the thermal performance of buildings. Nevertheless, mathematical models predict the thermal performance of buildings that might differ from the actual performance. The hot box is a widely-used test apparatus to assess the actual thermal performance of various building envelope components (walls, roofs, windows) in the laboratory. This paper presents the process of designing, constructing, and calibrating a unique small-scale hot box apparatus. Despite its smaller metering area (1.0 m × 1.0 m), this apparatus met the key requirements (below ±0.25 °C fluctuations in chambers’ air temperature, and below 2.0% variation from the point-to-point temperature in reference to the temperature difference across the specimen) as prescribed in the ASTM C1363 and ISO 8990 standards. The walls of this apparatus are uniquely constructed using vacuum insulation panels or VIPs. The efficient and novel use of VIPs and workmanship during the constr... [more]

This paper describes the simulative approach to calibrate an already extremely highly turbocharged industrial diesel engine for higher low-speed torque. The engine, which is already operating at its cylinder-pressure maximum, is to achieve close to 30 bar effective mean pressure through suitable calibration between the compression ratio, piston-bowl shape and injection strategy. The basic idea of the study is to lower the compression ratio for even higher injection masses and boost pressures, with the resulting disadvantages in the area of emissions and fuel consumption being partially compensated for by optimizations in the areas of piston shape and injection strategy. The simulations primarily involve the use of the 3D CFD software Converge CFD for in-cylinder calibration and a fully predictive 1D full-engine model in GT Suite. The simulations are based on a two-stage turbocharged 1950 cc four-cylinder industrial diesel engine, which is used for validation of the initial simulation.... [more]

The last decade has seen an exponential interest in conventional and unconventional energy issues. This trend has also extended to road transport issues and is driven by expectations to minimize fuel and/or energy consumption and negative environmental impact. In the global literature, much attention is focused on the work of autonomous transport, both passenger and trucks, and on the phenomena of platooning. The paper presents original aerodynamic and aeroacoustic tests of heterogeneous vehicle columns. In the work, models of a car, a van and a truck were built, followed by heterogeneous columns with different distances between the vehicles. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods and two turbulence models, k−ω shear stress transport (SST) and large eddy simulation (LES), were used in this study. The study enabled the determination of drag coefficients and lift force. Application of the Ffowcs Williams−Hawkings (FW-H) analogy allowed for the determination of the distributions of so... [more]

Based on the Reynolds time mean N-S equation and standard k-ε turbulence model and using Computational Fluid Dynamics technology, this study aims to integrate the brake pump to carry out numerical simulation. Through the adoption of different arrangements of impending height and spacing, the hydraulic characteristics of the full tubular pump unit are analyzed. The two-dimensional streamline, velocity and pressure distribution, and three-dimensional streamline, axial velocity and vorticity distribution of the front pool of each scheme are displayed. The results show that the recommended pump installation height is 0.8 Dd, the maximum limit value of the pump station design specification; in the dual-pump mode, the recommended pump spacing is 2.00 Ds.

The management of the global energy resources has stimulated the emergence of various agreements in favor of the environment. Among the most famous are the Conference of Parties (COP) and Route 2030, which aim to limit global warming to 1.5 °C by reducing the energy consumption and global emission levels. In order to comply with the international standards for energy consumption and pollutant emissions, the Brazilian government has been promoting the expansion of biofuels in the national energy matrix. Considering this scenario, the development of a novel internal combustion engine for the exclusive use of ethanol as a fuel, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and employing modern design concepts, consists of an innovative and promising pathway for future Brazilian mobility, from both environmental and technological outlooks. In this sense, this work presents a method to determine the main engine dimensions as part of the initial process for a new ethanol prototype engine devel... [more]

This Special Issue contains successful submissions as an answer to the invitation to bring together research on advances in design, modeling, and performance of novel combustion techniques for clean energy [...]

This article considers the distribution of the pressure coefficient on the surface of a modular house model in order to further assess the possibility of operation of a thermosyphon solar collector integrated into the external protection. The experiment was planned to estimate the factors influencing the value of the aerodynamic coefficient. The results of experimental studies conducted in a wind tunnel are presented. The obtained graphical dependences were compared with the results of computer simulations and convergence was evaluated.

In the process of coal mining, the canopy and column play an important role in the safety support of hydraulic support. However, due to the complex and changeable coal seam conditions, the hydraulic support is significantly affected by the impact load. This paper aims to reveal the dynamic characteristics of canopy and column under impact load. Firstly, the dynamic model of hydraulic support is established, and the impact response of each hinge point of the canopy is analyzed. Secondly, based on the fluid−structure interaction (FSI) theory, the two-way FSI model of the column is established, and the structural change of the column and the flow field characteristics in the cylinder under the impact load are analyzed. The results show that the front column hinge is more prone to impact failure under impact load. The impact load has a significant impact on the two-level cylinder, the pressure in the cylinder increases, and an eddy current occurs on both sides of the bottom of the cylinder... [more]

Aiming at the problems of the high switch numbers, complex working mechanisms, and complicated real-time simulation of modular multilevel converters (MMCs) composed of dual-port submodules, in this study, we designed a unified equivalent model of the multiple submodule network by analyzing the combination of parallel submodules in the bridge arm. The proposed model decouples the submodules that do not affect each other in the subnetwork calculation process, thereby reducing the number of prestored parameters in the subnetwork simulation. In the Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA VC709 (Xilinx Corporation, San Jose, CA, USA) development board, we replaced the inline computation combined with the prestorage of parameters with the proposed equivalent model to optimize the execution unit structure and redesigned the FPGA-Based Real-Time Digital Solver (FRTDS). Taking the P-FBSM-based MMC−HVDC system as the simulation object, we performed a real-time simulation with a step size of 10 μs, which verified t... [more]

The building sector represents approximately 40% of the global energy consumption, of which 18 to 73% is represented by heating and ventilation. One focus of research for reducing energy consumption is to study the interaction between the heating system, the occupant’s behaviour, and the building’s thermal mass. For this purpose, a new experimental facility was developed. It consists of a real accommodation in which the thermal performance of the envelope, the heating system, the room’s layout, the weather conditions, and the occupant’s activity are variable parameters. A simulation model of the experimental facility, built in TRNSYS, was used to characterise the experimental facility. This article details the development of the experimental facility and then compares results for two different types of building inertia (low and high thermal masses). Results show the accuracy of the thermal inertia reproduction in the experimental facility and highlight the possibilities of improvements... [more]

The rotor overtemperature caused by losses is one of the important issues for the high-speed electrical machine. This paper focuses on the rotor loss analysis and CFD-thermal coupling evaluation for 105 kW, 36,000 r/min HSPMSM. Three types of sleeve materials as carbon-fiber, Titanium alloy, and stainless steel are introduced in this paper, researching the effects of sleeve conductivity, thickness and rotational speed on rotor eddy current loss, balancing rotor mechanical strength. The sleeve made of titanium alloy material with a thickness of 3.5 mm is chosen to effectively suppress the rotor eddy current loss in high-speed motors in the paper. The air friction loss becomes significant based on the PM motor at high rotational speed. The roundness error of the rotor sleeve has the important impact on the air friction loss of the rotor and the rotor temperature of the motor, which leads to the over temperature of the rotor. Therefore, based on the CFD fluid model, the influence of round... [more]

The protection of high voltage direct current (HVDC) grids is a challenge considering that the protection system must detect, locate, and interrupt large fault currents in a few milliseconds. Resistive type superconducting fault current limiters (R-SFCL) can help solve that difficult task, reducing the extremely demanding ratings of HVDC circuit breakers. This paper presents different approaches to model R-SFCLs in order to analyze their suitability for assessing the performance of HVDC grid protection, including the step model, the exponential model, the RQ model, and the magneto-thermal model. In the first instance, the R-SFCL models are evaluated in a test grid to analyze their parameterisation and select the most adequate model for the study of HVDC grids. The RQ model is finally chosen for its simplicity but closer behavior to the magneto thermal model in terms of fault resistance dependency and resistance evolution curve. Then, the performance of an RQ type R-SFCL model in conjun... [more]

With the depletion of fossil energy and increasingly serious environmental problems, demand-side resources play an increasingly prominent role in peak shaving and valley filling, energy conservation, and emission reduction. Under the background of further promotion of the “double carbon” goal in China, considering the possible double uncertainty factors in the process of unit and demand response resources participating in the scheduling and the goal of minimum carbon emission, the uncertainty models of unit output and demand-side resource response are respectively constructed based on the sequential stochastic production simulation algorithm and the method of additional random variables. In the model, the influence of random forced outage on unit output and the uncertain influence of response deviation caused by the limitation of demand response resource information processing and response aging characteristics are considered, respectively. By analyzing the power supply and demand, con... [more]

Mapping the subsurface temperatures can efficiently lead to identifying the geothermal distribution heat flow and potential hot spots at different depths. In this paper, an advanced adaptive multitask deep learning procedure for 3D spatial mapping of the subsurface temperature was proposed. As a result, predictive 3D spatial subsurface temperatures at different depths were successfully generated using geolocation of 494 exploratory boreholes data in Catalonia (Spain). To increase the accuracy of the achieved results, hybridization with a new modified firefly algorithm was carried out. Subsequently, uncertainty analysis using a novel automated ensemble deep learning approach for the predicted temperatures and generated spatial 3D maps were executed. Comparing the accuracy performances in terms of correct classification rate (CCR) and the area under the precision−recall curves for validation and whole datasets with at least 4.93% and 2.76% improvement indicated for superiority of the hyb... [more]

This study summarises research progress to identify appropriate quality methodologies for representing, interpreting, and modelling complex contexts such as the Claudian Aqueduct in the Appian Way Archaeological Park. The goal is to intrinsically integrate (embed) geometric survey (Laser scanning and photogrammetric) with the materials and construction techniques (Stratigraphic Units—SU), semantic models in order to support the design with a better understanding of the artefact considered, and also to give indications that can be implemented in the future in a continuous cognitive process. Volume stratigraphic units in the form of architectural drawings, heritage building information modelling (HBIM) and extended reality (XR) environments have been oriented to comparative analyses based on the research case study’s complex morphology. Analysis of geometries’ intersection, construction techniques and materials open up new cognitive scenarios, self-feeding a progressive knowledge and mak... [more]

Bidirectional DC−DC converters are key devices in the DC distribution system and the energy storage system (ESS). It is important to consider the safety of the elements in the converter for rapid conversion of the power direction. Damages may occur to the power-related components in the circuit if the direction of the inductor current or the capacitor voltage changes instantaneously. To make the power flow change smoothly and quickly, this research proposed a bidirectional DC−DC converter with rapid energy transition technology implemented in the circuit architecture. The rapid energy bidirectional transition technology added a resonance path based on the LC resonant circuit, allowing rapid energy conversion through the resonance path. Therefore, the energy in the energy storage element could be quickly converted without causing circuit surges. Analyses of the converter operating in the step-up mode, the step-down mode, and the transition operation mode are presented. The proposed circ... [more]

Biomass gasification is a versatile thermochemical process that can be used for direct energy applications and the production of advanced liquid and gaseous energy carriers. In the present work, the results are presented concerning the H2 production at a high purity grade from biomass feedstocks via steam/oxygen gasification. The data demonstrating such a process chain were collected at an innovative gasification prototype plant coupled to a portable purification system (PPS). The overall integration was designed for gas conditioning and purification to hydrogen. By using almond shells as the biomass feedstock, from a product gas with an average and stable composition of 40%-v H2, 21%-v CO, 35%-v CO2, 2.5%-v CH4, the PPS unit provided a hydrogen stream, with a final concentration of 99.99%-v and a gas yield of 66.4%.

In order to study the effect of a high twist rate propeller on the flow field characteristics of pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluids, the numerical simulation method was used to analyze the mixing flow field of pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluids at different concentrations in this paper. By changing the rotational speed and the blade installation height, the vorticity, turbulent energy, mixing power consumption, mixing time and mixing energy of the flow field were analyzed. By analyzing and comparing the research results, it was found that increasing the mixing propeller speed can effectively improve the mixing effect. Single-layer arrangement of mixing propeller is not suitable to be placed close to the bottom of the tank, and the mixing of the upper flow field is weaker. Under the same conditions, when the viscosity of pseudoplastic non-Newtonian fluid is increased, the high vorticity and high turbulence energy area is reduced to the mixing propeller area, and the time required for mi... [more]

The parameter extraction of parameters for Li-ion batteries is regarded as a critical topic for assessing the performance of battery energy storage systems (BESSs). The supply−demand algorithm (SDA) is used in this work to identify a storage system’s unknown parameters. The parameter-extracting procedure is represented as a nonlinear optimization task in which the state of charge (SOC) is approximated using nonlinear features related to the battery current and the initial SOC condition. Furthermore, the open-circuit voltage is approximated using the resulting SOC, which is performed in a nonlinear formula, as well. When used in the dynamic nonlinear BESS model, the SDA was used to verify the fitness values and standard deviation error. Furthermore, the results that were acquired using SDA are compared to recently developed approaches, which are the gradient-based, tuna swarm, jellyfish, heap-based, and forensic-based optimizers. Simulated studies were paired with experiments for the 40... [more]

In this article the improved sampled average modulation technique is proposed, this technique has 2N + 1 levels in the output voltage waveform of MMC and it is considered as of low complexity of implementation for any number of submodules per arm. For that, characteristics such as dynamic response, implementation complexity, inverter output voltage waveform levels, and switching frequency are considered to evaluate and validate the proposed modulation technique. The proposed technique is compared with other three previously proposed techniques, its considering parameters such as the THD and the fundamental value of the output voltage, and also the peak-to-peak variation of the submodule capacitor voltage. Several simulations were performed in the Matlab/Simulink software and with these results, it was validated the proposed modulation technique, and also it is verified that the proposed technique is computationally more efficient. This last one shows its potential for multiphase multil... [more]

Turbulences in energy prices have a major effect on the energy industry. These disturbances should allow more efficient operation and the optimisation of technologies, leading to more versatile operation with model-based methods. In our study, a coke oven gas purification system was examined. The system consists of three columns, which interact and are modelled in Aspen Plus. After identifying the steady-state model, sensitivity analyses were conducted to obtain more information on the effects of the parameters that can and cannot be influenced by operating circumstances. Finally, the model was used to carry out optimisation studies to find the most beneficial operating conditions under the gas composition requirements. Two optimisation strategies were examined. In the case when only the purity was concerned, 0.54 g/Nm3, 0.01 g/Nm3, and 0.03 g/Nm3 concentrations were found for H2S, NH3, and HCN, respectively. However, when the washing water temperature was included, the concentrations... [more]

The increasing deployment of new technologies to contribute to the decarbonization of power systems is imposing new challenges in terms of system dynamics and stability. To deal with different operating and control issues in this sense, and support actual needs, advanced tools and solutions are required. Therefore, this paper presents a digital twin of a dynamic hardware emulator that can be used for controller hardware in the loop (CHIL) testing and is based on a small-scale laboratory system. To build the simulation model, the parameters of involved synchronous machines, excitation systems, prime movers and transmission lines have been identified and then compared to laboratory measurements to assess the accuracy of the digital twin. Static and dynamic accuracy have been investigated and an overall good accuracy can be shown with the help of quantification of errors. Furthermore, a case study is presented where the digital twin was used to design a controller to damp inter-area oscil... [more]

External humidification has been used as a flexible water management strategy for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). To study the anode inlet relative humidity (ARH) effect on the performance of PEMFC, the anode inlet water content (AIWC) model is established, including condensation rates and water activity. A comparable analysis between the AIWC model, Fluent model and experiment is conducted at 60 °C operating temperature, four different anode relative humidities (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), and 100% cathode relative humidity (CRH). The species distributions of water content and hydrogen concentration are presented and analyzed. The results show the relative error of the voltage results derived from the AIWC model has been reduced by 3.2% (the original is 4.6% in the Fluent model) especially at 240 mA·cm−2 for 50% ARH. An increase in hydrogen humidity can improve the PEMFC output at low ARH (25% and 50%). Meanwhile, at high ARH (100%), the excess water produced does not pla... [more]

To increase combustion efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions, this study presents an online closed-loop optimization method and its application in a boiler combustion system. To begin with, three adaptive dynamic models are established to predict NOx emission, the carbon content of fly ash (Cfh), and exhaust gas temperature (Teg), respectively. In these models, the orders of the input variables are considered to enable them to reflect the dynamics of the combustion system under load changes. Meanwhile, an adaptive least squares support vector machine (ALSSVM) algorithm is adopted to cope with the nonlinearity and the time-varying characteristics of the combustion system. Subsequently, based on the established models, an economic model predictive control (EMPC) problem is formulated and solved by a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm to calculate the optimal control variables satisfying the constraints on the control and control moves. The closed-loop optimization syste... [more]