Search results for "Thermal"

ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBROUS MATS IN FIBRE REINFORCED EPOXY LAMINATES

Hydrothermal aging of carbon reinforced epoxy laminates with nanofibrous mats as toughening interlayers

2016

Electrospun mats have been applied as toughening interlayers in high performance carbon fiber epoxy composites. While the toughening mechanism exerted by the mat at the interface is the subject of several recent studies, no investigations are reported on the aging behaviour of laminates comprising these nanostructured elements. This work investigates the influence of the combined effect of water and temperature (90 °C) on laminates with Nylon 6,6 electrospun membranes placed either at the middle plane only or at each interlayer. The water-uptake behaviour is modelled by a two-stage diffusion model and compared with the behaviour of the neat resin and of the laminate without mats. Interestin…

Review of sustainable solar hydrogen production using photon fuel on artificial leaf

2017

Abstract Energy conversion from the renewable energy sources with suitable energy storage plays a vital role in the sustainable development. Sustainable hydrogen production from the solar energy is well suited for energy storage applications because of inherent high mass energy density of hydrogen. This manuscript reviewing the techniques required for the sustainable solar hydrogen production using photon fuel on artificial leaf, i.e. solar cell. The designing and assembling of artificial solar leaf, which is the replica of natural leaf and capable of harnessing full solar spectrum, are deliberated. This technology for sustainable solar hydrogen production will overlay a viable way for more…

Hidden energy and environmental loads of solar thermal collectors: A case study.

2001

The general aim of this work was to investigate a solar thermal collector and the energetic and environmental impacts related to this renewable technology. It was realised an eco-profile of an exemplary equipment, calculating the Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) and the Cumulative Emissions related to the production and use of a collector and the energy (or emissions) saved employing the renewable technology.

Early-stage thermal performance design of thermo-active walls implemented in underground infrastructures

2022

Abstract Energy geostructures (EGs) represent an innovative technology in the sustainable energy agenda and are useful for satisfying the energy needs of the built environment. They are usually involving geostructures such as piles, walls, tunnels, shafts, and sewers. The application of such technology to infrastructure projects may have considerable thermal potential because of the large surfaces that can be thermally activated. This study focuses on thermo-active walls (energy walls, EWs), which are retaining structures used to sustain the sides of excavations. Key features related to their thermal design are examined, and a design methodology is proposed. The heat-exchange modes involvin…

Experimental analysis of a thermoactive underground railway station

2022

Little is known about the real energy potential of thermoactive underground infrastructures, such as railway stations, that can act as a heating/cooling provider for the built environment. This study presents the results of thermomechanical full-scale in situ testing and numerical analysis of a thermoactive underground train station. The thermal performance and related geostructural impact of a portion of the new underground energy infrastructure (UEI) installed at the Lancy-Bachet train station in Geneva (Switzerland) are analyzed. Heating and cooling tests simulating real operative geothermal conditions are considered. Particular attention is given to ((i) the monitored wall-tunnel hydrot…

Reconfiguration strategies to reduce mismatch effects on PV array: An Arduino-based prototype

2014

Today, solar energy represents a widespread source of electricity among all the renewable energies. One of the major problems concerning the photovoltaic (PV) arrays is the partial shading, that is the non-uniform irradiance on its parts. The partial shading leads to several undesired effects, such as mismatch between modules and a reduction of the production of electric energy. In order to alleviate the partial shading effects, different methods can be employed. Among them, the reconfiguration of the electrical connections between modules represents an alternative solution. In this paper, an algorithm of reconfiguration for a small-scale PV plant is proposed and experimental results showin…

A novel renewable polygeneration system for a small Mediterranean volcanic island for the combined production of energy and water: Dynamic simulation…

2014

Abstract This paper investigates the integration of solar and geothermal energy in a novel polygeneration system producing simultaneously: electricity, thermal energy, cooling energy and fresh water. The polygeneration system under analysis includes concentrating photovoltaic/thermal solar collectors (CPVT), a Geothermal Well (GW) a multi-effect distillation (MED) system for seawater desalination, a single-stage LiBr–H2O absorption chiller and additional components, such as: storage tanks, heat exchangers and balance of plant devices. The CPVT produces simultaneously electrical energy and thermal energy, at a maximum temperature of about 100 °C. The electrical energy is delivered to the gri…

Performance evaluation of hybrid RO/MEE systems powered by a WTE plant

2008

Abstract The solid waste management is, in different contexts, a very critical issue. The use of landfills can no longer be considered a satisfactory environmental solution, therefore new methods have to be chosen and waste-to-energy (WTE) plants would provide an answer. Today's WTE plants are a far cry from their polluting predecessors. Using modern combustion and pollution control technology, WTE plants are able to retrieve considerable amounts of energy from waste combustion while minimizing emissions. As we know, is possible to recover thermal energy by combusting municipal solid waste (MSW) for electricity generation and district heating. However, with everincreasing population and rap…

Vegetation and Thermal comfort in temperate areas: proposal of an integrated methodology for urban and building retrofit

2014

The paper points out the main outcomes of a doctoral research carried out at the Department of Architecture of the University of Palermo, aimed at investigating the issues of environmental, social and economic sustainability related to the recovery of the existing building stock with focus on social housing. In particular, starting from the analysis carried out on a real case of the city of Palermo, through the use of specific simulation tools, the research provides a new methodology for the design and the assessment of the effectiveness of plants and Building-Integrated Vegetation systems used as a cost-effective solutions for urban and building retrofit, contributing to new knowledge and …