A preliminary study of target multiplicity for ADSRs

The Accelerator Driven Subcritical Reactor (ADSR) concept is based on the coupling of a particle accelerator to a subcritical reactor core by means of a neutron spallation target interface. This paper investigates the benefits of multiple spallation targets in ADSRs. The motivation behind this is, firstly, to improve the overall reliability of the accelerator-reactor system, and, secondly, to evaluate other potential advantages such as lower beam power requirements. The results show that a system containing two or three spallation targets, coupled to independent accelerators, offers better neutronic performance. This is demonstrated through the increased effective multiplication factor (keff) in the two- and three-target configurations and a more uniform neutron flux distribution. A multiple-target ADSR also proves effective in mitigating the impact of frequent beam interruptions, a pressing issue that needs to be addressed for the ADSR concept to advance. Assuming no simultaneous beam shutdowns, the two- and three-target configurations reduce the risk of fuel cladding failure due to thermal cyclic fatigue. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Asymmetrical low-voltage ride through of brushless doubly fed induction generators for the wind power generation

Compared with the Doubly fed induction generators (DFIG), the brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) has a commercial potential for wind power generation due to its lower cost and higher reliability. In the most recent grid codes, wind generators are required to be capable of riding through low voltage faults. As a result of the negative sequence, induction generators response differently in asymmetrical voltage dips compared with the symmetrical dip. This paper gave a full behavior analysis of the BDFIG under different types of the asymmetrical fault and proposed a novel control strategy for the BDFIG to ride through asymmetrical low voltage dips without any extra hardware such as crowbars. The proposed control strategies are experimentally verified by a 250-kW BDFIG. © 2012 IEEE.

A discretized proportional base driver for Silicon Carbide Bipolar Junction Transistors

Silicon Carbide Bipolar Junction Transistors require a continuous base current in the on-state. This base current is usually made constant and is corresponding to the maximum collector current and maximum junction temperature that is foreseen in a certain application. In this paper, a discretized proportional base driver is proposed which will reduce, for the right application, the steady-state power consumption of the base driver. The operation of the proposed base driver has been verified experimentally, driving a 1200V/40A SiC BJT in a DC-DC boost converter. In order to determine the potential reduction of the power consumption of the base driver, a case with a dc-dc converter in an ideal electric vehicle driving the new European drive cycle has been investigated. It is found that the steady-state power consumption of the base driver can be reduced by approximately 63 %. The total reduction of the driver consumption is 2816 J during the drive cycle, which is slightly more than the total on-state losses for the SiC BJTs used in the converter. © 2013 IEEE.

A novel modeling approach for design studies of brushless doubly fed induction generator based on magnetic equivalent circuit

Brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) has substantial benefits, which make it an attractive alternative as a wind turbine generator. However, it suffers from lower efficiency and larger dimensions in comparison to DFIG. Hence, optimizing the BDFIG structure is necessary for enhancing its situation commercially. In previous studies, a simple model has been used in BDFIG design procedure that is insufficiently accurate. Furthermore, magnetic saturation and iron loss are not considered because of difficulties in determination of flux density distributions. The aim of this paper is to establish an accurate yet computationally fast model suitable for BDFIG design studies. The proposed approach combines three equivalent circuits including electric, magnetic and thermal models. Utilizing electric equivalent circuit makes it possible to apply static form of magnetic equivalent circuit, because the elapsed time to reach steady-state results in the dynamic form is too long for using in population-based design studies. The operating characteristics, which are necessary for evaluating the objective function and constraints values of the optimization problem, can be calculated using the presented approach considering iron loss, saturation, and geometrical details. The simulation results of a D-180 prototype BDFIG are compared with measured data in order to validate the developed model. © 1986-2012 IEEE.

Shaping pulse transitions by active voltage control for reduced EMI generation

High-performance power switching devices (IGBT/MOSFET) realise high-performance power converters. Unfortunately, with a high switching speed of the IGBT or MOSFET freewheel diode chopper cell, the circuit has intrinsic sources of high-level EMI. Therefore, costly EMI filters or shielding are normally demanded on the load and supply side. Although an S-shaped voltage transient with a high order of derivation eliminates the discontinuity and could suppress HF spectrum of EMI emissions, a practical control scheme is still under development. In this paper, Active Voltage Control (AVC) is applied to successfully define IGBT switching dynamics with a smoothed Gaussian waveform so a reduced EMI can be achieved without extra EMI suppression devices. © 2013 IEEE.

Growth and feed utilization by F-4 human growth hormone transgenic carp fed diets with different protein levels

The F-4 generation of human growth hormone (hGH) transgenic red common carp Cyprinus carpio had significantly higher growth rates than the non-transgenic controls. Protein and energy intakes were significantly higher in the transgenic carp than in the controls fed the 20% protein diet, but were not different between the two strains fed diets with 30 and 40% protein. Faecal protein loss, as a proportion of protein intake, was significantly lower in the transgenics than in the controls fed diets with 20 and 30% protein, but was not different between the two strains Fed diet with 40% protein. Faecal energy loss, as a proportion of energy intake, was significantly lower in the transgenics than in the controls fed diet with 20% protein, but was not different between the two strains fed diets with 30 and 40% protein. Recovered protein, as a proportion of protein intake, was significantly higher in the transgenics than in the controls fed all diets, whereas recovered energy was significantly higher in the transgenic fish fed the 40% protein diet. For fish fed each diet, the transgenics had significantly higher body contents of dry matter and protein, but lower contents of lipid than the controls. It was concluded that transgenics were more efficient in utilizing dietary protein than the controls. it a lower dietary protein level; transgenics achieved higher growth rates mainly by increasing feed intake; at higher levels of dietary protein, transgenics achieved higher growth rates mainly through a higher energy conversion efficiency. (C) 1998 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Effect of ultraviolet light on hybrid zinc oxide polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells

Compared to conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5- (3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) solar cells, bulk heterojunction solar cells composed of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals and MDMO-PPV have a better energy conversion efficiency, However, ultraviolet (UV) light deteriorates the performance of solar cells composed of ZnO and MDMO-PPV. We propose a model to explain the effect of UV illumination on these ZnO:MDMO-PPV solar cells. According to this model, the degradation from UV illumination is due to a decrease of exciton dissociation efficiency, Our model is based on the experimental results such as the measurements of current density versus voltage, photoluminescence, and photocurrent.

Calculation of the hourly and daily radiation incident on three step tracking planes

Mathematical formulas for estimating the hourly and daily radiation incident on planes of azimuth three step tracking and hour angle three step tracking have been derived in this paper. Based on the hourly solar radiation data of an average day in each month at Er-Lian-Hao-Te city, the hourly and monthly radiation received by planes of these two kinds of tracking have been calculated. The results show that in this district, one axis azimuth three step tracking and hour angle three step tracking could, respectively, obtain 66.5% and 63.3% higher radiation than that on the horizontal surface all year. Moreover, a two axis azimuth three step tracking plane could receive 72% more radiation than the horizontal surface. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) incorporated into silicon matrix grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD)

Hybrid composites composed of zinc phthalocyanine embedded in silicon matrixes have attracted attention because of the potential for solar energy conversion. We produce hybrid composites by thermal evaporation for the plithalocyanine and PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) for the silicon matrix. Deposition of ZnPc/a-Si(amorphous silicon) composites was achieved in a sequential manner. The compound films were characterized by optical transmittance spectra and photoconductivity measurement. The optical transmittance measurements were carried out in the visible region (500 - 800 nm). Compared to pure silicon film, the photosensitivity of compound functional films was enhanced by one order of magnitude. This demonstrates the Si sensitized by adding ZnPc.

Electropolymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) film on ITO glass and its application in photovoltaic device

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiopliene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films have been electrochemically polymerized in situ on ITO glass substrate in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate electrolyte (BFEE). Cyclic voltammograms show good redox activity and stability of the PEDOT films. These films had been directly used to fabricate organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells with the structure of ITO/PEDOT/ZnO:MDMC-PPV/Al. The solar cells made of electrochemically polymerized films exhibit higher energy conversion efficiencies compared with that prepared by the spin-coating method, and the highest value is 0.33%. This in-situ electropolymerized method effectively simplifies fabricating procedures and may blaze a facile and economical route for producing high-efficiency solar cells.

国内外海洋热能转换概况

一、前言海洋热能转换(Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion OTEC)这一概念早在1881年法国物理学家 D~1 Arsonval 就提出来了。他设想在热带海洋表面温海水与深层冷海水之间，设置闭式朗肯循环，把海洋中所储存的太阳热能转换为电能。为实现这一设想，D~1Arsonval 的学生，法国工程师 G.Claude 于1926年在一个海水温差发电的模拟装置上使

Design and operation of integrated pilot-scale dimethyl ether synthesis system via pyrolysis/gasification of corncob

The integrated pilot-scale dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis system from corncob was demonstrated for modernizing utilization of biomass residues. The raw bio-syngas was obtained by the pyrolyzer/gasifier at the yield rate of 40-45 Nm(3)/h. The content of tar in the raw bio-syngas was decreased to less than 20 mg/Nm(3) by high temperature gasification of the pyrolysates under O-2-rich air. More than 70% CO2 in the raw bio-syngas was removed by pressure-swing adsorption unit (PSA). The bio-syngas (H-2/CO approximate to 1) was catalytically converted to DME in the fixed-bed tubular reactor directly over Cu/Zn/Al/HZSM-5 catalysts. CO conversion and space-time yield of DME were in the range of 82.0-73.6% and 124.3-203.8 kg/m(cat)(3)/h, respectively, with a similar DME selectivity when gas hourly space velocity (GHSV, volumetric flow rate of syngas at STP divided by the volume of catalyst) increased from 650 h(-1) to 1500 h(-1) at 260 degrees C and 4.3 MPa. And the selectivity to methanol and C-2(+) products was less than 0.65% under typical synthesis condition. The thermal energy conversion efficiency was ca. 32.0% and about 16.4% carbon in dried corncob was essentially converted to DME with the production cost of ca. (sic) 3737/ton DME. Cu (111) was assumed to be the active phase for DME synthesis, confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization.

Efficient Simulation of Freak Waves in Random Oceanic Sea States

Numerical simulations of freak wave generation are studied in random oceanic sea states described by JONSWAP spectrum. The evolution of initial random wave trains is numerically carried out within the framework of the modified four-order nonlinear Schroedinger equation (mNLSE), and some involved influence factors are also discussed. Results show that if the sideband instability is satisfied, a random wave train may evolve into a freak wave train, and simultaneously the setting of the Phillips parameter and enhancement coefficient of JONSWAP spectrum and initial random phases is very important for the formation of freak waves. The way to increase the generation efficiency of freak waves though changing the involved parameters is also presented.

Synthesis Gas Generation by Chemical-Looping Reforming Using Ce-Based Oxygen Carriers Modified with Fe, Cu, and Mn Oxides

Chemical-looping reforming (CLR) is a technology that can be used for partial oxidation and steam reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. It involves the use of a metal oxide as an oxygen carrier, which transfers oxygen from combustion air to the fuel. Composite oxygen carriers of cerium oxide added with Fe, Cu, and Mn oxides were prepared by co-precipitation and investigated in a thermogravimetric analyzer and a fixed-bed reactor using methane as fuel and air as oxidizing gas. It was revealed that the addition of transition-metal oxides into cerium oxide can improve the reactivity of the Ce-based oxygen carrier. The three kinds of mixed oxides showed high CO and H-2 selectivity at above 800 degrees C. As for the Ce-Fe-O oxygen carrier, methane was converted to synthesis gas at a H-2/CO molar ratio close to 2:1 at a temperature of 800-900 degrees C; however, the methane thermolysis reaction was found on Ce-Cu-O and Ce-Mn-O oxygen carriers at 850-900 degrees C. Among the three kinds of oxygen carriers, Ce-Fe-O presented the best performance for methane CLR. On Ce-Fe-O oxygen carriers, the CO and H-2 selectivity decreased as the Fe content increased in the carrier particles. An optimal range of the Ce/Fe molar ratio is Ce/Fe > 1 for Ce-Fe-O oxygen carriers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the microstructure of the Ce-Fe-O oxides was not dramatically changed before and after 20 cyclic reactions. A small amount of Fe3C was found in the reacted Ce-Fe-O oxides by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.

Development of a self-thermal insulation miniature combustor

A novel miniature cylindrical combustor, whose chamber wall is made of porous material, has been designed and experimented for reducing heat loss and enhancing flame stability. The combustor has the function of reducing wall heat loss, extending residence time and avoiding radical chemical quenching with a self-thermal insulation concept in which heat loss reduction is obtained by the opposite flow directions between thermal energy transfer and mass flow. The methane/air mixture flames formed in the chamber are blue and tubular in shape. Between the flames and the porous wall, there is a thin unburned film that plays a significant role in reducing the flames' heat loss and keeping the flames stable. The porous wall temperature was 150-400 degrees C when the temperatures of the flames and exhaust gas were more than 1200 degrees C. When the equivalence ratio phi < 1.0, the methane conversion ratio was above 95%; the combustion efficiency was near 90%; and the overall sidewall heat loss was less than 15% in the 1.53 cm(3) chamber. Moreover, its combustion efficiency is stable in a wider combustion load (input power) range.