Large-scale ion generation for precipitation of atmospheric aerosols

Artificial rain is explored as a remedy for climate change caused farmland drought and bushfires. Increasing the ion density in the open air is an efficient way to generate charged nuclei from atmospheric aerosols and induce precipitation or eliminate fog. Here we report on the development of a large commercial-installation-scale atmospheric ion generator based on corona plasma discharges, experimental monitoring, and numerical modeling of the parameters and range of the atmospheric ions, as well as the application of the generated ions to produce charged aerosols and induce precipitation at the scale of a large cloud chamber. The coverage area of the ions generated by the large corona discharge installation with the 7.2 km long wire electrode and applied voltage of −90 kV is studied under prevailing weather conditions including wind direction and speed. By synergizing over 300 000 localized corona discharge points, we demonstrate a substantial decrease in the decay of ions compared to a single corona discharge point in the open air, leading to large-scale (30 m ×23 m ×90 m) ion coverage. Once aerosols combine with the generated ions, charged nuclei are produced. Higher wind speed has led to larger areas covered by the plasma-generated ions. The cloud chamber experiments (relative humidity 130±10 %) suggest that charged aerosols generated by ions with a density of ∼104 cm−3 can accelerate the settlement of moisture by 38 %. These results are promising for the development of large-scale installations for the effective localized control of atmospheric phenomena.

Large-scale ion generation for precipitation of atmospheric aerosols

Artificial rain is explored as a remedy to climate change caused farmland drought and bushfires. Increasing the ion density in the open air is an efficient way to generate charged nuclei from atmospheric aerosols and induce precipitation or eliminate fog. Here we report on the development of the large commercial installation scale atmospheric ion generator based on corona plasma discharges, experimental monitoring and numerical modeling of the parameters and range of the atmospheric ions, and application of the generated ions to produce charged aerosols and induce precipitation at a scale of a large cloud chamber. The coverage area of the ions generated by the large corona discharge installation with the 7.2 km long wire electrode and applied voltage of −90 kV is studied under prevailing weather conditions including wind direction and speed. By synergizing over 300 000 localized corona discharge points, we demonstrate a substantial decrease of the decay of ions compared to a single corona discharge point in the open air, leading to a large-scale (30 m × 23 m × 90 m) ion coverage. Once aerosols combine with the generated ions, charged nuclei are produced. The higher wind speed has led to the larger areas covered by the plasma generated ions. The cloud chamber experiments (relative humidity 130 ± 10 %) suggest that the charged aerosols generated by ions with the density of ~ 104/cm3 can accelerate the settlement of moisture by 38 %. These results are promising for the development of large-scale installations for the effective localized control of atmospheric phenomena.

Optimum Enhance Time of Use (ETOU) for Demand Side Electricity Pricing in Regulated Market: An Implementation Using Evolutionary Algorithm

<p>The energy growth in Malaysia is rapidly increasing as the country moves forward with the advancement of industrial revolution. Peak hours require more energy generation, thus cost is also more expensive than during off-peak. Due to this reason, Demand Side Management (DSM) through Demand Response (DR) technique is introduced to modify the demand profile by implementing different strategies of measures. The objective of this study is to optimize the energy profile for commercial sector, as well as analyse the significance of electricity cost reduction by using the optimization technique. A Meta-heuristic technique called as Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) has been implemented in this study to optimize the load profile of a commercial installation. Significant testing shows that the proposed optimization technique has the ability to reform the Maximum Demand from peak zone to off-peak zone to reduce electricity cost. The test results have been validated through 4 cases, which are conventional method for C1 ETOU, C2 ETOU, and C1 ETOU with Optimization technique, and C2 ETOU with optimization technique tariff, respectively. The impact of the EP has been analysed, while the performance of six-time segmentation of C1 and C2 ETOU tariff indicate that the electricity cost for the medium voltage of installation has been reduced. It is hoped that the results from this study can benefit consumers by giving them the flexibility to rearrange their own energy consumption profile, so that the demand side will enjoy significant reduction of electricity cost in the future.</p><p> </p>

Investigating the Quality of Power Supply to a Large Commercial Installation

The paper investigates the quality of power supply to the Corporate Headquarters of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), PLC, Maitama, Abuja. This was facilitated by the measurements conducted using the harmonitor 3000 power analyzer on the secondary terminals of the two (2) 1000kVA, 11kV three-phase transformers serving the Company. The data on the network consisting of voltages, currents, power factor and harmonic distortion were acquired by the Harmonitor. Analysis of these data shows that there is significantly high variation between the minimum and the maximum voltage and that the phase loads are unbalanced. There is low power factor and the total harmonic distortions (THD) on the phases and neutral are high. The causes of the poor quality of power supply were identified and recommendations proposed taking into cognizance the complexity and sensitivity of the equipment in the network.

Biomass-Gasifier/Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Combined Cycles: Part B—Performance Calculations and Economic Assessment

Gas turbines fueled by integrated biomass gasifiers are a promising option for base-load electricity generation from a renewable resource. Aeroderivative turbines, which are characterized by high efficiencies in small units, are of special interest because transportation costs for biomass constrain conversion facilities to relatively modest scales. Part A of this two-part paper reviewed commercial development activities and major technological issues associated with biomass integrated-gasifier/gas turbine (BIG/GT) combined cycle power generation. Based on the computational model also described in Part A, this paper (Part B) presents results of detailed design-point performance calculations for several BIG/GT combined cycle configurations. Emphasis is given to systems now being proposed for commercial installation in the 25–30 MWe, power output range. Three different gasifier designs are considered: air-blown, pressurized fluidized-bed gasification; air-blown, near-atmospheric pressure fluidized-bed gasification; and near-atmospheric pressure, indirectly heated fluidized-bed gasification. Advanced combined cycle configurations (including with intercooling) with outputs from 22 to 75 MW are also explored. An economic assessment is also presented, based on preliminary capital cost estimates for BIG/GT combined cycles and expected biomass costs in several regions of the world.

The development and exploitation of gas-fired rapid-heating furnaces for metal heating

Gas-fired rapid-heating furnaces are being applied in the metal reheating industry. They produce substantial energy savings, together with improvements in product quality, productivity and the working environment. These benefits are derived from the use of convection as the dominant mode of heat transfer, rather than radiation as in conventional furnaces. Laboratory experiments and trials of prototype rapid heating furnaces have been undertaken in industrial situations. Together with physical and mathematical modelling techniques, they have enabled design procedures to be produced which allow rapid heaters to be individually specified to suit a wide variety of metal reheating processes. The technology is sold through licensees and more than 300 units have already been installed. It is estimated that the cumulative energy savings from the date of the first commercial installation to the current time are in excess of 1.9 PJ with a current value of about £6 M.

Design and Performance Features of the Marine LM1600 Gas Turbine

The GE LM1600 gas turbine is a lightweight, efficient prime mover for commercial and military marine applications. This gas turbine is a derivative of the F404 fighter jet engine whose mission objectives strongly emphasize reliability and ease of maintenance in an austere marine environment. These objectives were important to the U.S. Navy because the F/A-18 fighter jets powered by this engine are based on aircraft carriers where parts warehousing and maintenance capabilities are limited. To achieve these objectives, component designs were simplified and the total number of components was substantially reduced. These features and its modular construction make the LM1600 attractive for marine applications. Numerous marine propulsion system configurations are possible, including various combinations with diesel engines and steam gas turbines as well as options for shaft or electric drive. The first commercial installation of the marine LM1600 gas turbine is in progress and sea trials will commence in late 1990. This paper describes the design, performance, installation, and maintenance features of the marine LM1600 gas turbine.