Engineering Science and Materials Commons^™

The Effects Of The Transient And Performance Loss Rates On Pv Output Performance, Chibuisi Chinasaokwu Okorieimoh, Brian Norton, Michael Conlon

Conference papers

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels experience long-term performance degradation as compared to their initial performance, resulting in lower like-per-like efficiencies and performance ratios. Manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules normally guarantee a lifespan of more than 20 years. To meet such commitments, it is important to monitor and mitigate PV module degradation during this period, as well as beyond, to recognize maintenance and repair needs. Solar PV modules degrade over time, becoming less effective, less reliable, and eventually unusable. The effects of transient and performance loss rates on the output performance of polycrystalline silicon (p-Si) solar PV modules are the focus of …

Long-Term Durability Of Solar Photovoltaic Modules, Chibuisi Chinasaokwu Okorieimoh, Brian Norton

Conference papers

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels experience long-term performance degradation resulting in lower like-per-like efficiencies and performance ratios when compared with their initial performance. Manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules usually guarantee the life span for more than 20 years. It is therefore necessary to track and mitigate degradation of PV modules over this period to satisfy such guarantees and beyond this period to identify maintenance and repair requirements. Degradation of solar PV modules makes them less efficient, less reliable and, ultimately, inoperative. This paper reviews relevant literature to discuss:

• Causes of efficiency reductions in photovoltaic cells

• Ways to achieve long-term durability of …

Modelling The Addition Of Limestone In Cement Using Hydcem, Niall Holmes, Denis Kelliher, Mark Tyrer

Conference papers

Hydration models can aid in the prediction, understanding and description of hydration behaviour over time as the move towards more sustainable cements continues.

HYDCEM is a new model to predict the phase assemblage, degree of hydration and heat release over time for cements undergoing hydration for any w/c ratio and curing temperatures up to 450C. HYDCEM, written in MATLAB, complements more sophisticated thermodynamic models by predicting these properties over time using user-friendly inputs within one code. A number of functions and methods based on up to date cement hydration behaviour from the literature are hard-wired into the code along with …

Investigation Of Electrical Defects Arising From Excessive Sidewall Force And Excessive Tensile Strain On Power Cables, Darren Mcconnon, Joseph Kearney, Tom Looby, James O'Shaughnessy

Conference papers

The study includes a comprehensive review of the existing literature and guidelines regarding the effects of sidewall force and tensile strain on power cables during installation. The most appropriate diagnostic test methods required to analyse these effects are also assessed. The results of tests and analysis of the existing literature are then combined in an attempt to determine a realistic basis for guidelines and recommendations relevant to cable installation forces.

A Review Of Control Methodologies For Dynamic Glazing, Eoin D. Mclean, Brian Norton, Derek Kearney, Philippe Lemarchand

Conference papers

With adaptive building façade technologies, a building envelope can provide a comfortable indoor environment under varying external conditions with minimal additional heating or cooling. The control strategy applied to the adaptation of the façade is a key determining factor in the successful integration of these technologies into a building. The building envelope plays a key role in regulating light, heat and mass transfer from the outdoor environment to the indoor. Dynamic glazing can be used to adjust the amount of solar radiation entering a building. The control strategies that ultimately determine the success of these switchable technologies to affect a …

Preliminary Investigation Into The Rate Of Carbonation Of Concrete Blocks Under Normal Production Yard Conditions, Aimee Byrne, Eanna Nolan

Conference papers

The release of CO2 from calcination during the manufacture of cement can be partially or fully offset by the CO2 it naturally absorbs during its lifetime. This paper reports results from a preliminary investigation into the rate of carbonation in concrete blocks stacked in a production yard over a period of 6 months. The blocks were stacked in a normal manner under natural exposure conditions. Carbonation progress was determined by splitting the blocks and spraying the freshly exposed surface with a phenolphthalein solution at intervals over the test period. It was found that the rate of the carbonation front progression …

An Overview Of The Development Of Cement-Based Batteries For The Cathodic Protection Of Embedded Steel In Concrete, Aimee Byrne, Niall Holmes, Brian Norton

Conference papers

This paper presents an overview of the cement-based batteries developed in DIT for use in the cathodic protection of embedded steel in reinforced concrete undergoing chloride-induced corrosion. Cathodic protection delivers an external current (approximately 20mA per m2 of embedded steel) which effectively polarises the internal current generated during corrosion. The batteries developed in DIT comprise of a cement-based electrolyte containing different additives including sand, aggregate, salts, carbon black and plasticiser with protruding anode and cathode metal plates. These batteries produced an initial electrical output of 1.5V and 23mA through a 10 resistor as measured using data acquisition units and a …

Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of An Aid For The Development Of The Kinetic Skills Required For T.I.G. Welding, Maurice Collins, Robert Morris

Conference papers

This action research project was carried out in the Technological University Dublin, Ireland. The authors are both Lecturers of Engineering in this college and have a keen interest in providing the best possible aids to their students learning. Three groups of engineering apprentices and one group of part time students took part in this project. At the time these students were taking a third level Tungsten Inert Gas welding (T.I.G.) training module. Qualified T.I.G. welders are in very high demand worldwide and as such can demand a very high rate of pay for their services. The kinetic skills applicable to …

Calculation Of Colouration Voltage For A Multifunctional Glazing Powered By Photovoltaic, Aritra Ghosh, Brian Norton, Aidan Duffy

Conference papers

Multifunctional glazing is a combination of various glazing systems and can comprise permutations of vacuum glazing, aerogel glazing, PV double glazing and Electrochromic (EC) glazing. It controls solar heat gain, improves thermal conductivity and can generate small scale electricity, in a variety of climates. The objective of this research is to investigate the switching voltage of multifunctional glazing, with respect to orientation, time of day and temperature of the system. We report a relation between temperature and voltage required for the switching condition.