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An optimal renewable energy model for various end-uses
07 Alternative energy sources (others, including development, economics) turn-on key cost of the power plant, size of wind turbines used -on the economic viability and attractiveness is extensively investigated, using a well-elaborated simple ‘expert system’ type numerical code. Finally, the prediction results are summarized in a representative sensitivity analysis map, including the most reasonable economic scenarios. Taking into account the analytical results of the proposed study along with the existence of high wind potential regions in Greece, a remarkable growth of the wind energy sector is expected in the near future, leading to considerable investment profits and offering a strong position (share) of the liberalized local power market.
Others, including development, economics
W/O0427 A simple method for production of pure silica from rice hull ash
Kalapathy, U. et al. Bioresource Technology, 2000, 73, (3), 257-262. Rice hull ash (RI-IA), a waste product of the rice industry is rich in silica. A simple method based on alkaline extraction followed by acid precipitation was developed to produce pure silica xerogels from RHA, with minimal mineral contaminants. The silica gels produced were heated to 80°C for 12 hours to obtain xerogels. Silica and mineral contents of xerogels were determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectrometers, respectively. Xerogels produced from RHA had 93% silica and 2.6% moisture. The major impurities of silica produced from RHA at an extraction yield of 91% were Na, K, and Ca. Acid washing prior to extraction resulted in silica with a lower concentration of Ca (~200 ppm). However, final water washing of the xerogel was more effective in producing silica with lower overall mineral content (Na ~200 ppm and K ~400 ppm). X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the amorphous nature of silica xerogel. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) data indicated the presence of siloxane and silanol groups.
Biomass conversion to mixed alcohol fuels using the MixAlco process
00/00430
Holtzapple, M.T. er al. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 1999, 77-79, 609631. The MixAlco process is a patented technology that converts any biodegradable material, including municipal solid waste, industrial biosludge, sewage sludge, manure, agricultural residues and energy crops into mixed alcohol fuels containing predominantly 2-propanol, but also higher alcohols up to 7-tridecanol. To increase the feedstock’s digestibility it is treated with lime. Then, it is fed into a fermentor in which a mixed culture of acid-forming micro-organisms produces carboxylic acids. Calcium carbonate is added to the fermentor to neutralize the acids to their corresponding carboxylate salt. The diluted (-3%) carboxylate salts are concentrated to 19% using an amine solvent that selectively extracts water. Multi-effect evaporators are used to complete the drying process. Finally, the dry salts are thermally converted to ketones, which are hydrogenated to alcohols. All the steps in the MixAlco process have been proven at the laboratory scale. This paper also provides a techno-economic model of the process.
00100421 Experimental investigation of paper mill sludge pyrolysis in the laboratory-scale rotary kiln
Li, s. et al. Gongcheng Rewuli Xuebao, 1999, 20, (3), 373-377. (In Chinese) From a point of view of pollution control and energy recovery, the pyrolysis which converts wastes to fuels and chemical products is a promising and practical alternative. This paper reports on the experimental study of the pyrolysis of paper mill sludge in the laboratory-scale, externally heated, rotary kiln. A discussion is also included on the correlation between the gas components and the temperature growth in addition to the heating value during pyrolysis. Meanwhile, the characteristics of semi-coke and the yields of gas, tar and semi-coke products varied with the pyrolysis final temperature A first-order apparent kinetic equation was successfully used to represent the gas release during the non-isothermal pyrolysis.
00/00432
Ignition behaviour of pulp and paper combustible
wastes
An analysis of alternative fuel credit provisions of US automotive fuel economy standards
00100428
Rubin, J. and Leiby, P. Energy Policy, 2000, 13, (9), 589-601. In the United States, alternative fuel vehicles are treated favourably in the calculations that are used to determine compliance with automotive fuel efficiency standards. It has been estimated that this favourable treatment is worth approximately $550-$1100 per alternative fuel vehicle in terms of avoided penalties. A dynamic simulation model must be used to examine the implications of this favourable treatment of alternative fuel vehicles for the goals of oil displacement contained in the United States Energy Policy Act. Welfare analysis demonstrates that the favourable treatment of alternative fuel vehicles costs $66 million or about 84 cents per gallon of gasoline displaced in the base case. Policy scenarios show greater costs. Whether this money is well spent depends on one’s views of the need to build alternative fuel and vehicle infrastructure and the goal of oil displacement.
Sun, C. L. and Kozinski, J. A. Fuel, 2000, 79, (13), 1587-1593. Ignition behaviour of combustible wastes from the pulp and paper industry was studied in a modified thermogravimetric furnace. Criteria for ignition and the ignition mechanism were developed. The ignition of combustible wastes was predominantly homogeneous. The influence of different factors, such as particle size, sample type, heating rate and oxygen concentratton, was studied. In general, no monotonic relationship between ignition temperature and particle size was observed. Different types of sample had different ignition temperatures (ranging from 203 to 227°C). The ignition temperature increased with heating rate but decreased with oxygen concentration. The combustible waste samples were collected and morphologically analysed at different stages of the heating process. No significant differences in morphology were observed just before and after ignition. The results obtained are useful in identifying the region for injection of combustible wastes into industrial combustors (e.g. boilers or fluidized beds).
Irreversible ecosystem change, species competition, and shifting cultivation 00100433
OO~Wu~2C~ An optimal renewable energy model for various _
Iniyan, S. and Sumathy, K. Energy, 2000, 25, (6), 563-575. Renewable energy sources are likely to play a significant role in meeting the future energy requirement of a developing country like India. The effect of introducing renewable energy sources on the commercial energy scene may have to be analysed carefully. In this paper, we present an optimal renewable energy model that minimizes the cost/efficiency ratio and determines the optimum allocation of different renewable energy sources for various end-uses. The potential of renewable energy sources, energy demand, reliability of renewable energy systems and their acceptance level will determine the pattern of renewable energy distribution and are used as constraints in the model. The model allocates the renewable energy distribution pattern for the year 2020-21 in India, which would be helpful for policy makers in commercializing the renewable energy sources to the greatest extent. The results indicate that solar energy systems can be utilized for lighting, pumping, heating and cooling to an extent of 6%, 16%, 2%, and 12% of total renewable energy demand in India, respectively. Similarly, the bio-energy systems can be utilized, 9% of lighting, 18% of cooking, 1% of pumping, 17% of heating and 14% of transportation of the total renewable energy demand. It is also observed that wind energy can be utilized for pumping end-use to an extent of 4% of total renewable energy demand. The scenario for different potential limits is presented in this paper. A sensitivity analysis has also been carried out to validate the model.
Albers, H. J. Goldbach, M. J. Resource and Energy Economics, 2000, 22, (3), 261-280. This paper explores the impact of resource use on species competition and the resulting effect on the regeneration of a renewable resource. In the case of shifting cultivation, agricultural activities alter the subsequent recovery of biomass during fallow upon which agricultural fertility depends. This paper introduces a model of agriculture’s impact on species competition and discontinuous ecological change, identifies conditions under which it is economically efficient to induce an ecological irreversibility, and compares these cases for farmers with and without land tenure security.
00100434 Method and apparatus for thermal decomposition-carbonization of combustible wastes by reduction Ishikawa, K. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 11 293,254 [99 293,254] (Cl. ClOB53/00), 26 Ott 1999, Appl. 1998/130,945, 6 Apr 1998. 5. (In Japanese) The apparatus for the thermal decomposition-carbonization of combustible wastes using a reduction method, consists of a reduction chamber having a structure of an entrance door and an exit door for transporting and discharging the wastes. The reduction chamber is filled with nitrogen for carbonization under the oxygen-free state and because the two doors of the reduction chamber are not opened simultaneously, the flowing of outside atmosphere is prevented.
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
January 2001
45
Others, including development, economics
W/O0427 A simple method for production of pure silica from rice hull ash
Kalapathy, U. et al. Bioresource Technology, 2000, 73, (3), 257-262. Rice hull ash (RI-IA), a waste product of the rice industry is rich in silica. A simple method based on alkaline extraction followed by acid precipitation was developed to produce pure silica xerogels from RHA, with minimal mineral contaminants. The silica gels produced were heated to 80°C for 12 hours to obtain xerogels. Silica and mineral contents of xerogels were determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectrometers, respectively. Xerogels produced from RHA had 93% silica and 2.6% moisture. The major impurities of silica produced from RHA at an extraction yield of 91% were Na, K, and Ca. Acid washing prior to extraction resulted in silica with a lower concentration of Ca (~200 ppm). However, final water washing of the xerogel was more effective in producing silica with lower overall mineral content (Na ~200 ppm and K ~400 ppm). X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the amorphous nature of silica xerogel. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) data indicated the presence of siloxane and silanol groups.
Biomass conversion to mixed alcohol fuels using the MixAlco process
00/00430
Holtzapple, M.T. er al. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 1999, 77-79, 609631. The MixAlco process is a patented technology that converts any biodegradable material, including municipal solid waste, industrial biosludge, sewage sludge, manure, agricultural residues and energy crops into mixed alcohol fuels containing predominantly 2-propanol, but also higher alcohols up to 7-tridecanol. To increase the feedstock’s digestibility it is treated with lime. Then, it is fed into a fermentor in which a mixed culture of acid-forming micro-organisms produces carboxylic acids. Calcium carbonate is added to the fermentor to neutralize the acids to their corresponding carboxylate salt. The diluted (-3%) carboxylate salts are concentrated to 19% using an amine solvent that selectively extracts water. Multi-effect evaporators are used to complete the drying process. Finally, the dry salts are thermally converted to ketones, which are hydrogenated to alcohols. All the steps in the MixAlco process have been proven at the laboratory scale. This paper also provides a techno-economic model of the process.
00100421 Experimental investigation of paper mill sludge pyrolysis in the laboratory-scale rotary kiln
Li, s. et al. Gongcheng Rewuli Xuebao, 1999, 20, (3), 373-377. (In Chinese) From a point of view of pollution control and energy recovery, the pyrolysis which converts wastes to fuels and chemical products is a promising and practical alternative. This paper reports on the experimental study of the pyrolysis of paper mill sludge in the laboratory-scale, externally heated, rotary kiln. A discussion is also included on the correlation between the gas components and the temperature growth in addition to the heating value during pyrolysis. Meanwhile, the characteristics of semi-coke and the yields of gas, tar and semi-coke products varied with the pyrolysis final temperature A first-order apparent kinetic equation was successfully used to represent the gas release during the non-isothermal pyrolysis.
00/00432
Ignition behaviour of pulp and paper combustible
wastes
An analysis of alternative fuel credit provisions of US automotive fuel economy standards
00100428
Rubin, J. and Leiby, P. Energy Policy, 2000, 13, (9), 589-601. In the United States, alternative fuel vehicles are treated favourably in the calculations that are used to determine compliance with automotive fuel efficiency standards. It has been estimated that this favourable treatment is worth approximately $550-$1100 per alternative fuel vehicle in terms of avoided penalties. A dynamic simulation model must be used to examine the implications of this favourable treatment of alternative fuel vehicles for the goals of oil displacement contained in the United States Energy Policy Act. Welfare analysis demonstrates that the favourable treatment of alternative fuel vehicles costs $66 million or about 84 cents per gallon of gasoline displaced in the base case. Policy scenarios show greater costs. Whether this money is well spent depends on one’s views of the need to build alternative fuel and vehicle infrastructure and the goal of oil displacement.
Sun, C. L. and Kozinski, J. A. Fuel, 2000, 79, (13), 1587-1593. Ignition behaviour of combustible wastes from the pulp and paper industry was studied in a modified thermogravimetric furnace. Criteria for ignition and the ignition mechanism were developed. The ignition of combustible wastes was predominantly homogeneous. The influence of different factors, such as particle size, sample type, heating rate and oxygen concentratton, was studied. In general, no monotonic relationship between ignition temperature and particle size was observed. Different types of sample had different ignition temperatures (ranging from 203 to 227°C). The ignition temperature increased with heating rate but decreased with oxygen concentration. The combustible waste samples were collected and morphologically analysed at different stages of the heating process. No significant differences in morphology were observed just before and after ignition. The results obtained are useful in identifying the region for injection of combustible wastes into industrial combustors (e.g. boilers or fluidized beds).
Irreversible ecosystem change, species competition, and shifting cultivation 00100433
OO~Wu~2C~ An optimal renewable energy model for various _
Iniyan, S. and Sumathy, K. Energy, 2000, 25, (6), 563-575. Renewable energy sources are likely to play a significant role in meeting the future energy requirement of a developing country like India. The effect of introducing renewable energy sources on the commercial energy scene may have to be analysed carefully. In this paper, we present an optimal renewable energy model that minimizes the cost/efficiency ratio and determines the optimum allocation of different renewable energy sources for various end-uses. The potential of renewable energy sources, energy demand, reliability of renewable energy systems and their acceptance level will determine the pattern of renewable energy distribution and are used as constraints in the model. The model allocates the renewable energy distribution pattern for the year 2020-21 in India, which would be helpful for policy makers in commercializing the renewable energy sources to the greatest extent. The results indicate that solar energy systems can be utilized for lighting, pumping, heating and cooling to an extent of 6%, 16%, 2%, and 12% of total renewable energy demand in India, respectively. Similarly, the bio-energy systems can be utilized, 9% of lighting, 18% of cooking, 1% of pumping, 17% of heating and 14% of transportation of the total renewable energy demand. It is also observed that wind energy can be utilized for pumping end-use to an extent of 4% of total renewable energy demand. The scenario for different potential limits is presented in this paper. A sensitivity analysis has also been carried out to validate the model.
Albers, H. J. Goldbach, M. J. Resource and Energy Economics, 2000, 22, (3), 261-280. This paper explores the impact of resource use on species competition and the resulting effect on the regeneration of a renewable resource. In the case of shifting cultivation, agricultural activities alter the subsequent recovery of biomass during fallow upon which agricultural fertility depends. This paper introduces a model of agriculture’s impact on species competition and discontinuous ecological change, identifies conditions under which it is economically efficient to induce an ecological irreversibility, and compares these cases for farmers with and without land tenure security.
00100434 Method and apparatus for thermal decomposition-carbonization of combustible wastes by reduction Ishikawa, K. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 11 293,254 [99 293,254] (Cl. ClOB53/00), 26 Ott 1999, Appl. 1998/130,945, 6 Apr 1998. 5. (In Japanese) The apparatus for the thermal decomposition-carbonization of combustible wastes using a reduction method, consists of a reduction chamber having a structure of an entrance door and an exit door for transporting and discharging the wastes. The reduction chamber is filled with nitrogen for carbonization under the oxygen-free state and because the two doors of the reduction chamber are not opened simultaneously, the flowing of outside atmosphere is prevented.
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
January 2001
45