Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Solar Photovoltaic Performance Monitoring: A Bibliometric Review, Research Gaps And Opportunities, Javed Sayyad, Paresh Nasikkar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Electrical power generation has been revolutionized by growing demand and use of Renewable Energy (RE) sources such as Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) as the main electricity source in modern times. The main objective of this bibliometric analysis is to understand the scope of the literature available for SPV performance characterization. This detailed reviewed was performed on the documents related to SPV research considering all the subject categories from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. The patterns for the particular set of keywords were broke down with the recuperated outcomes from Scopus database in the language, publication type, year of publication, …

A Study On Latent Thermal Energy Storage (Ltes) Using Phase Change Materials (Pcms) 2020, Ritvij Dixit

Masters Theses

The significant increase in energy requirements across the world, provides several opportunities for innovative methods to be developed to facilitate the storage and utilization of energy. The major energy demand is in the form of electrical energy for domestic as well as industrial sectors, a large part of which are the heating and cooling requirements. Appropriate utilization of thermal energy storage can effectively aid in reducing the electrical demand by storage and release of this thermal energy during peak hours.

Thermal Energy Storage using Phase Change Materials (PCMs) is an attractive method of energy storage, with a wide variety of …

Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 7th Edition (2020) Vs. 2018 International Energy Conservation Code Residential Stringency Analysis, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report summarizes the review and evaluation activities carried out to make a determination whether the residential provisions of the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation meet or exceed those of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) code.

Geometry Optimization Of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Sunshade, Seyedsoroush Sadatifar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are one of the growing applications of PV technology. These approaches allow PV panels to perform additional functions for the building, such as regulating interior lighting and incoming heat. In this work, we explore a design framework for optimizing the configuration of BIPV shading devices to optimize a combination of power generation, daylighting conditions within the building, and heating and cooling loads.

We develop a generalizable computational model and apply it to a case study for the Cornerstone Architecture Building in London, Ontario. We optimize the configuration of static and dynamic BIPV shading devices in both …

Market Driven Residential Energy Codes: Comparing Performance In A Changing Technical Environment, Code Official Survey Results, Florida Solar Energy Center, Karen Fenaughty

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The DOE Code Survey conducted for this project was launched on 2/18/2020 and closed 3/20/2020. There were 907 participants responding to at least some portion of the 48 question survey, though some questions received poor attention. Note that the number of responses to each question varies by design and depends on answers to prior questions. Further, multiple answers are sometimes allowed.

An Improved Foam Modeling Technique And Its Application To Petroleum Drilling And Production Practice, Yanfang Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Foam is one of the most common used multiphase fluid in Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) and Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD). Because of its low density, high capacity of lifting and carrying cuttings, low cost and compatibility with formations, foam has become more superior than the conventional drilling mud when depleted reservoir pressure, severe lost circulation, or unstable borehole are encountered. In general, the success of foam applications rely on the understanding of the fundamentals of foam rheology in downhole conditions.

Foam rheology has been studied for decades. Conventional foam rheological models such as Power Law, Bingham Plastic, Herschel-Bulkley to explain foam …

Enhanced Kinetics And Modeling Of Pan-Based Carbon Felt Anodes In Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries, Michael Cyrus Daugherty

Doctoral Dissertations

All-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are a promising technology for grid-level energy storage, however, there are still several limitations in the forms of durability, efficiency, and overall costs, which are barriers to its commercial viability. With both bulk electrolyte flowing through its porous matrix and species flux at the solid-electrolyte interface, electrodes are the component of VRFB systems which host electrochemical reactions and facilitate contact between the liquid phase electrolyte and the electronically conductive solid phase. While the more limiting electrode in VRFB systems is dependent on the material, for polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon felts, the anode constitutes a larger portion …

Field Testing The Effects Of Low Reynolds Number On The Power Performance Of The Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center Small Wind Turbine, John B. Cunningham

Master's Theses

This thesis report investigates the effects of low Reynolds number on the power performance of a 3.74 m diameter horizontal axis wind turbine. The small wind turbine was field tested at the Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center to acquire its coefficient of performance, C­_p, vs. tip speed ratio, λ, characteristics. A description of both the wind turbine and test setup are provided. Data filtration and processing techniques were developed to ensure a valid method to analyze and characterize wind power measurements taken in a highly variable environment. The test results demonstrated a significant drop in the …

Direct Solar Absorption Nanoparticle Doped Membranes For A Hybrid Membrane Distillation And Photovoltaic Cell, Alejandro Espejo Sanchez

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The growing demand for clean water supplies is driving the need for an innovative approach of water desalination. Developing a method for treating water with high salinities is possible with membrane distillation (MD). Additionally, MD is very attractive for pairing with solar energy due to the low temperature requirements. The integration of a membrane distillation system with a photovoltaic (PV) system will result in the co-production of electricity and clean water, thereby improving the economics of MD. Such a hybrid system will directly absorb thermal energy in the membrane for desalination while taking advantage of the spectrally selective nature of …

Numerical Analysis Of A Roadway Piezoelectric Harvesting System, Abdul Rahman Badawi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Highways, streets, bridges, and sidewalks with heavy traffic dissipate a considerable amount of waste mechanical energy every day. Piezoelectric energy harvesting devices are a very promising technology that can convert the waste mechanical energy to clean and renewable energy to enhance the sustainability of infrastructures. Research efforts in large-scale energy harvesting have led to the advancement of piezoelectric devices to the point that large-scale implementation is starting to become more feasible. The energy harvested by these devices can be used in many ways such as providing heating or cooling, melting ice, monitoring structural conditions in bridges and tunnels, and powering …

Numerical Modeling And Conjugate Heat Transfer Analysis Of Single U-Tube Vertical Borehole Heat Exchangers, Talha Khan

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this thesis was to develop a design for improving the efficiency of the vertical type single u-tube borehole heat exchanger. A thorough literature review of the various existing analytical and numerical models of the borehole heat exchanger (BHEs) was performed and numerical modeling of the BHE was conducted to solve the conjugate heat transfer problem in the BHE in 3D using ANSYS Fluent 2019 R1. A comparison between the results obtained using various mesh sizes, types, different turbulence models showed the independence of the parameters on the numerical simulation results.

From the numerical simulation, it was …

The Energy Efficiency Of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (Mass), Dang Cuong Nguyen

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Application Of Renewable Energy Supply In A Port Container Terminal : Bandar Abbas Port Container Terminal Case Study, Zhila Gordani

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Analytical And Computational Modelling Of The Ranque-Hilsch Vortex Tube, Nolan J. Dyck

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) is a simple mechanical device with no moving parts capable of separating a supply of compressed fluid into hot and cold streams through a process called temperature separation. The overall aim is to develop models which can be used to assess the temperature separation mechanisms in the RHVT, leading to a better overall understanding of the underlying physics. The introductory chapter contains a thermodynamic analysis and introduction to the flow physics, alongside three miniature literature reviews and critiques identifying research gaps.

The body of the thesis contains three articles. The first article studies the flow …

The Energy And Exergy Of Light With Application To Societal Exergy Analysis.Pdf, Matthew K. Heun, Zeke Marshall, Emmanuel Aramendia, Paul E. Brockway

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Lighting provides an indispensable energy service, illumination. The field of societal exergy analysis considers light (andmany other energy products) to be enablers of economic growth, and lighting contributes a non-negligible proportion of total useful exergy supplied to modern economies. In societal exergy analysis, the exergetic efficiency of electric lamps is central to determining the exergy contribution of lighting to an economy. Conventionally, societal exergy practitioners estimate the exergetic efficiency of lamps by an energy efficiency, causing confusion and, sometimes, overestimation of exergetic efficiency by a factor as large as 3. In response, we use recent results from the fields of …

Sustainable Smouldering For Waste-To-Energy: Scale, Heat Losses, And Energy Efficiency, Tarek L. Rashwan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Applied smouldering combustion is emerging as a highly energy efficient approach towards waste-to-energy. This thesis aims to better understand this potential by addressing a critical knowledge gap between laboratory scale smouldering research and large-scale applications. Altogether, new understanding in provided on the complex and dynamic interactions between the reaction zone (smouldering front) and the cooling zone (treated inert porous media) by integrating theory, experiments, analytical modelling, and global energy balance calculations. The experiments spanned a range of reactor sizes and smouldering conditions (from weak to robust) with dry (carbon) and wet (sludge) fuels mixed in sand. This work revealed that …

Semi Open Partitions: A Defense Strategy For Airborne Disease, Kerrie Marshall, Arik Palileo, Eric A. Schiff

SyracuseCoE Research Brief Series

This brief summarizes research on two measures that reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 from an infected person to a virus-free individual. Semi-partitioned spaces can reduce airborne disease transmission when combined with a proper ventilation flow pattern in a room. With advanced displacement ventilation risk can be reduced by at least 4 times.

Modeling, Simulation, And Testing Of Sweeping Convection, Amir Kiaee

Mechanical Engineering Research Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the new convection heat transfer concept of sweeping convection, using large particles flowing with a fluid in a channel, is considered. This novel concept is inspired by the gas exchange process in alveolar capillaries, where red blood cells (RBCs) flow with blood plasma, yielding very high gas transfer efficiency. An important characteristic of alveolar capillary blood flow, believed to be related to the high efficiency of the lungs, is the snug fitting of the RBCs into the capillaries. This tight fitting sets the RBCs (particles) acting like pistons as they flow downstream with the plasma (fluid), facilitating …

Development Of An Optical Guide For Parabolic Dish Solar Collectors, Zane Charran

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

With the possibility of a global energy crisis on the horizon, the need for renewable energy processes is more crucial than ever before. Solar energy, specifically solar concentrated collectors can provide a green alternative to fossil fuel consumption, but several factors need to be considered to improve their efficiency and make them viable. The present research is aimed at the development of a novel “Optical Guide” to improve performance of traditional thermal receivers in Parabolic Dish Solar Collectors for use in a domestic solar water heater with PCM latent heat storage integration. Two ray trace programs, SolTrace and Tracer were …

Fsec Energy Research Center Highlights 2020, Brochure, Florida Solar Energy Center, Sherri Shields

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This 5-page "brochure" provides an overview of capabilities at the FSEC Energy Research Center. As Florida's statewide energy research center, FSEC has a 45-year history of basic and applied research excellence, which has grown in scope to include all aspects of renewable energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency technologies. FSEC's education and outreach programs have trained thousands of energy practitioners and informed energy consumers. This document was originally created to inform City of Cocoa Council members about FSEC during their external visit to the Center in June 2020, during COVID-19. FSEC Art#: PIO-104

Robust And Sustainable Energy Pathways To Reach Mexico’S Climate Goals, Rodrigo Mercado Fernandez

Doctoral Dissertations

As countries set climate change goals for adaptation and mitigation efforts, there are many questions regarding to how to reach these targets. These efforts will necessitate the transition of our electricity infrastructure from relying on conventional electricity generation technologies including natural gas, coal and oil, to clean energy generation with renewables. Through the three essays presented in this dissertation, we explore various pathways of development for the electricity system to reach long term climate change goals. We are interested in identifying: Is there a unique optimal development option or are there various? How do different mixes of electricity generation technologies …

Optimization Of Thermal Energy Storage Sizing Using Thermodynamic Analysis, Andrew Villanueva

Masters Theses

The aim of this thesis is to examine the effect that Thermal Energy Storage (TES) sizing has on a building’s ability to meet heating and cooling demands in an energy and cost efficient manner. The focus of the research is the quantification the effects of TES for system sizing and boiler cycling. Research is accomplished by modelling TES systems with various storage capacities using thermodynamic analysis. Energy costs are subject to increase during peak usage periods due to a limited supply of energy. Peak heating and cooling periods also force thermal systems to be sized for loads that are only …

Ventilation & Masks: Reducing Airborne Transmission Of Covid-19 In A Classroom, Eric A. Schiff

SyracuseCoE Research Brief Series

We've calculated the number of COVID-19 infections that will be spread from a single COVID-19 "superspreader" to students and teachers in a classroom shared for 4 hours in different ventilation and masking conditions.

Who's Leading: The Dance Between Mini-Splits And Existing Hvac Systems, Florida Solar Energy Center, Cheryn Metzger

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Recently, many utilities across the U.S. have provided incentives for ductless mini-split heat pumps due to their relatively high efficiencies. However, when these ductless mini-splits are installed in existing homes, utilities and researchers find that they are not living up to their energy saving potential, due to a lack of coordinated controls with the existing HVAC system. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), and The Levy Partnership are all leading projects across the country to address this problem. The goal for this body of work is to determine which control strategies provide the most …

Characterization Of Mechanical Ventilation Systems In New Us Homes: What Types Of Systems Are Out There And Are They Functioning As Intended?, Florida Solar Energy Center, Eric Martin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

As the airtightness of homes improves to meet energy efficiency goals, it becomes more important for mechanical ventilation systems to help maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor air environment. ASHRAE Standard 62.2 provides national guidance for mechanical ventilation system design and installation, however adoption of those guidelines into local building codes has occurred at different rates. Once provisions for mechanical ventilation are adopted in a local code, are mechanical ventilation systems properly designed, installed, commissioned and operated according to code or above-code program requirements? This paper presents results from field studies that include characterization of whole house mechanical ventilation (WHMV) …

Targeting The Best Performing Home Efficiency Programs With Advanced Metering Evaluation Supplemented By Simulation, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The authors investigated the impacts of seven residential rebate energy efficiency programs offered by a municipal utility. The evaluation examined energy use pre and post retrofit using the Advanced Mete1ing Infrastructure (AMI) data, disaggregated by major end-use and weather-adjusted; and also by detailed simulations. Residences modeled were representative of typical participants for that measure based on factors such as year built, conditioned square feet and number of bedrooms.

Our analysis found the residential rebate programs to be of highly varied effectiveness, but important differences surfaced between the simulation and the AMI data evaluation. Not surprisingly, programs with larger samples tended …

Measured Cooling Energy Savings From Reflective Wall Finishes: Evaluation As An Efficiency Measure Across Climates, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In past research, reflective roofs have shown significant potential to reduce cooling in buildings. However, there have been few empirical evaluations of cooling reductions from changing wall reflectance. In the reported study, several experiments with instrumented scale test buildings are used to provide validation for a detailed simulation analysis across varied North American climates. The simulations establish the potential of reflective walls as an efficiency measure in existing buildings against climate.

This paper was published in the 2020 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

Analysis Techniques For Evaluating Energy Conservation Programs Using Utility Ami Data, Florida Solar Energy Center, Richard Raustad

FSEC Energy Research Center®

With the evolution of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) electric meters, utility companies now have direct access to whole building electricity use at a granular time scale. AMI data can be used for a variety of purposes beyond billing, for example, to evaluate the efficacy of energy conservation (EC) programs. Historical methods for calculating EC program savings include building simulation models and laboratory and/or field testing. With big data now available, which analysis methods are more likely to yield quality results?

In a recent project, the Orlando Utility Commission provided monitored AMI data from Oct 1, 2015 - Sep 27, 2018 …

Improving Energy Savings And Peak Demand Reduction Estimates Using Ami Data For Utility Commercial Rebate Programs, Florida Solar Energy Center, Karen Fenaughty

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Solar reflective, or cool roofs, are a demonstrated method of reducing air conditioning energy, particularly in cooling-dominated climates. Similarly, efficient lighting or mechanical equipment replacement programs have a reputation for achieving large savings in c01mnercial buildings. Savings estimates for such measures have historically used monthly utility bills, which only provide a macroscopic view of utility program savings. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is commonly used in the U.S. by utilities for residential and commercial customers and provides not only a valuable record of changing premise energy use and demand profiles but in much greater detail than utility bills, if desired.

Partnering …

Measured Energy And Moisture Performance Impacts From Vented And Unvented Attic With Insulation On Top Of Ceiling In The Hot Humid Climate Zone, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Sealing attic vents helps decrease house air leakage and may reduce some moisture issues in attics in hot humid climates. new code-approved unvented attics can use different types of insulation materials, however, there are specific requirements that vary by materials used and climate zone. These requirements may be complex and may increase construction and operational energy costs.

This paper was published in the 2020 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.