Coflow jets with large velocity difference - a new aerodynamic principle of flame stabilization and combustion intensification

A new aerodynamic principle of flame stabilization and combustion intensification, the coflow jets with large velocity difference, is described. One or more small high-velocity jets of air or steam, injected off the axis and in the same direction as the low-velocity main fuel-air flow into the combustor, create a large recirculation zone of high turbulence intensity in which the combustibles and high temperature gases are effectively mixed, so that stable and intensive combustion can be maintained even for fuels with poor ignition. A pulverized coal combustor based on the principle mentioned above is shown to be characteristic of excellent combustoom and a simple structure. A number of precombustors of this type are in operation at some power stations and industrial boilers of China. Using such precombustor, successtul startups and part-load operation of the boilers have become available under conditions of unpreheated air and low-grade coal with volatiles as low as 15% and ash content as high as 30%. This principle shows good promise as an attractive new technology of combustion.

Income risk of EU coal-fired power plants after Kyoto

Coal-fired power plants may enjoy a significant advantage relative to gas plants in terms of cheaper fuel cost. Still, this advantage may erode or even turn into disadvantage depending on CO2 emission allowance price. This price will presumably rise in both the Kyoto Protocol commitment period (2008-2012) and the first post-Kyoto years. Thus, in a carbon-constrained environment, coal plants face financial risks arising in their profit margins, which in turn hinge on their so-called "clean dark spread". These risks are further reinforced when the price of the output electricity is determined by natural gas-fired plants' marginal costs, which differ from coal plants' costs. We aim to assess the risks in coal plants' margins. We adopt parameter values estimated from empirical data. These in turn are derived from natural gas and electricity markets alongside the EU ETS market where emission allowances are traded. Monte Carlo simulation allows to compute the expected value and risk profile of coal-based electricity generation. We focus on the clean dark spread in both time periods under different future scenarios in the allowance market. Specifically, bottom 5% and 10% percentiles are derived. According to our results, certain future paths of the allowance price may impose significant risks on the clean dark spread obtained by coal plants.

促进剂对高碳数碳氢燃料点火特性的影响

在JP-10和煤油点火特性激波管实验基础上,进行了促进剂CH_3NO_2、CH_2Cl_2对JP-10和煤油点火特性影响的实验.在预加热激波管上采用缝合运行技术,获得了近7ms的实验时间.采用单色仪和光电倍增管记录点火过程中OH自由基在306.5nm发射谱强度变化作为点火发生的判据.当促进剂加入量约为JP-10的10%～20%(摩尔比),质量比为5%～12%时,实验观测到明显的点火促进作用.在1100K时,添加10%(摩尔比)CH_3NO_2使JP-10的点火延时时间缩短了70%.当CH_3NO_2的加入量占煤油的10%～15%(摩尔比),质量比约为5%～6%时,对煤油点火有明显的促进作用,在1000K时使煤油点火延时时间缩短了50%.

硅烷对JP10和煤油点火特性影响的激波管研究

在JP10和煤油点火特性激波管实验的基础上,实验研究了硅烷对这两种典型高碳数碳氢燃料点火特性的影响.在预加热到70℃的激波管上,采用缝合运行条件获得了近7ms的实验时间,将实验延伸至低温区.采用气相色谱分析和高精度真空仪直接测定压力相结合的方法,确定了燃料气相浓度,解决了高碳数碳氢燃料点火激波管实验时由于管壁吸附影响燃料气相浓度确定的困难.实验记录了点火过程中OH自由基发射强度变化,并作为判断点火发生的标志.实验温度范围880～1 800K,压力范围0.16～0.53MPa.当硅烷加入量约为燃料的10%～15%(摩尔比),质量比为2%～3%,观测到明显的点火促进作用.该研究对超燃研究中发动机设计、燃料选择等方面具有直接的工程意义,也可用于检验燃烧化学动力学模型的合理性.

可燃气体中激波聚焦的点火特性

数值模拟了二维平面激波从抛物面上反射在可燃气体中聚焦的过程，研究了形成爆轰波的点火特性,对理想化学当量比氢气／空气混合气体，在初始压强20kPa的条件下，马赫数2．6-2．8的激波聚焦能产生两个点火区：第1个点火区是反射激波会聚引起的，第2个点火区是由入射激波在抛物面上发生马赫反射引起的．这种条件下流场中会出现爆燃转爆轰，起爆点分别分布在管道壁面、抛物反射面和第2点火区附近．起爆机理分别为激波管道壁面反射、点火诱导激波的抛物面反射和点火诱导的激波与第2点火区产生的爆燃波的相互作用,不同的点火和起爆过程导致了不同的流场波系结构，同时影响了爆轰波传播的波动力学过程．

Dinámica de las Redes Virtuales de Fabricación Global en la Industria Aeronáutica

[ES] Las redes virtuales de fabricación global (RVFGs) están formadas por empresas independientes las cuales establecen entre sí relaciones de tipo horizontal y vertical, pudiendo incluso ser competidores, donde no es necesario mantener internamente grandes recursos fabriles sino gestionar y compartir eficientemente los recursos de la red.

STREAM Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp 1-19. April-June 2003

CONTENTS: Livelihoods and languages: a SPARK-STREAM learning and communications process, by Kath Copley and William Savage. Towards broader contextual understandings of livelihoods, by Elizabeth M. Gonzales, Nguyen Song Ha, Rubu Mukherjee, Nilkanth Pokhrel and Sem Viryak. Using tools to build shared understandings, using a sustainable livelihoods framework to learn, by Nuchjaree Langkulsane. Learning about rattan as a livelihood, by Mariel de Jesus and Christine Bantug. Meanings of “community-managed area,” by Arif Aliadi. Lessons learnt about processes for learning and communicating, by Graham Haylor and Ronet Santos.

Investigation of High-Speed Combustible Gas Ignited by a Hot Gas Jet Produced in the Shock Tube

The high-speed combustible gas ignited by a hot gas jet, which is induced by shock focusing, was experimentally investigated. By use of the separation mode of shock tube, the test section of a single shock tube is split into two parts, which provide the high-speed flow of combustible gas and pilot flame of hot gas jet, respectively. In the interface of two parts of test sections the flame of jet was formed and spread to the high-speed combustible gas. Two kinds of the ignitions, 3-D "line-flame ignition" and 2-D "plane-flame ignition", were investigated. In the condition of 3-D "line-flame ignition" of combustion, thicker hot gas jet than pure air jet, was observed in schlieren photos. In the condition of 2-D "plane-flame ignition" of combustion, the delay time of ignition and the angle of flame front in schlieren photos were measured, from which the velocity of flame propagation in the high-speed combustible gas is estimated in the range of 30-90m/s and the delay time of ignition is estimated in the range of 0.12-0.29ms.

Experimental Studies on Model Scramjet in a Mach 6 High Enthalpy Free-Jet Wind Tunnel

A side-wall compression scramjet model with different combustor geometries has been tested in a propulsion tunnel that typically provides the testing flow with Mach number of 5.8, total temperature of 1800K, total pressure of 4.5MPa and mass flow rate of 4kg/s. This kerosene-fueled scramjet model consists of a side-wall compression inlet, a combustor and a thrust nozzle. A strut was used to increase the contraction ratio and to inject fuels, as well as a mixing enhancement device. Several wall cavities were also employed for flame-holding. In order to shorten the ignition delay time of the kerosene fuel, a little amount of hydrogen was used as a pilot flame. The pressure along the combustor has an evident raise after ignition occurred. Consequently thrust was observed during the fuel-on period. However, the thrust was still less than the drag of the scramjet model. For this reason, the drag variation produced by different strut and cavities was tested. Typical results showed that the cavities do not influence the drag so much, but the length of the strut does.

Experimental Studies on Scramjet Tested in a Freejet Facility

Two different type scramjet models with side-wall compression and top-wall compression inlets have been tested in HPTF (Hypersonic Propulsion Test Facility) under the experimental conditions of Mach number 5.8, total temperature 1700K, total pressure 4.5MPa and mass flow rate 3.5kg/s. The liquid kerosene was used as main fuel for the scramjets. In order to get fast ignition in the combustor, a small amount of hydrogen was used as a pilot. A strut with alternative tail was employed for increasing the compression ratio and for mixing enhancement in the side-wall compression case. Recessed cavities were used as a flameholder for combustion stability. The combustion efficiency was estimated by one dimensional theory. The uniformity of the facility nozzle flow was verified by a scanning pitot rake. The experimental results showed that the kerosene fuel was successfully ignited and stable combustion was achieved for both scramjet models. However the thrusts were still less than the model drags due to the low combustion efficiencies.

U.S. Caribbean fish trap fishery costs and earnings study

Executive Summary: This study describes the socio-economic characteristics of the U.S. Caribbean trap fishery that encompasses the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In-person interviews were administered to one hundred randomly selected trap fishermen, constituting nearly 25% of the estimated population. The sample was stratified by geographic area and trap tier. The number of traps owned or fished to qualify for a given tier varied by island. In Puerto Rico, tier I consisted of fishermen who had between 1-40 fish traps, tier II was made up of fishermen who possessed between 41 and 100 fish traps, and tier III consisted of fishermen who held in excess of 100 fish traps. In St. Thomas and St. John, tier I was composed of fishermen who held between 1 and 50 fish traps, tier II consisted of fishermen who had between 51-150 fish traps and tier III was made up of fishermen who had in excess of 150 fish traps. Lastly, in St. Croix, tier I was made up of fishermen who had less than 20 fish traps and tier II consisted of fishermen who had 20 or more fish traps. The survey elicited information on household demographics, annual catch and revenue, trap usage, capital investment on vessels and equipment, fixed and variable costs, behavioral response to a hypothetical trap reduction program and the spatial distribution of traps. The study found that 79% of the sampled population was 40 years or older. The typical Crucian trap fisherman was older than their Puerto Rican and St. Thomian and St. Johnian counterparts. Crucian fishermen’s average age was 57 years whereas Puerto Rican fishermen’s average age was 51 years, and St. Thomian and St. Johnian fishermen’s average age was 48 years. As a group, St. Thomian and St. Johnian fishermen had 25 years of fishing experience, and Puerto Rican and Crucian fishermen had 30, and 29 years, respectively. Overall, 90% of the households had at least one dependent. The average number of dependents across islands was even, ranging between 2.8 in the district of St. Thomas and St. John and 3.4 in the district of St. Croix. The percentage utilization of catch for personal or family use was relatively low. Regionally, percentage use of catch for personal or family uses ranged from 2.5% in St. Croix to 3.8% in the St. Thomas and St. John. About 47% of the respondents had a high school degree. The majority of the respondents were highly dependent on commercial fishing for their household income. In St. Croix, commercial fishing made up 83% of the fishermen’s total household income, whereas in St. Thomas and St. John and Puerto Rico it contributed 74% and 68%, respectively. The contribution of fish traps to commercial fishing income ranged from 51% in the lowest trap tier in St. Thomas and St. John to 99% in the highest trap tier in St. Croix. On an island basis, the contribution of fish traps to fishing income was 75% in St. Croix, 61% in St. Thomas and St. John, and 59% in Puerto Rico. The value of fully rigged vessels ranged from $400 to $250,000. Over half of the fleet was worth $10,000 or less. The St. Thomas and St. John fleet reported the highest mean value, averaging $58,518. The Crucian and Puerto Rican fleets were considerably less valuable, averaging $19,831 and $8,652, respectively. The length of the vessels ranged from 14 to 40 feet. Fifty-nine percent of the sampled vessels were at least 23 feet in length. The average length of the St. Thomas and St. John fleet was 28 feet, whereas the fleets based in St. Croix and Puerto Rico averaged 21 feet. The engine’s propulsion ranged from 8 to 400 horsepower (hp). The mean engine power was 208 hp in St. Thomas and St. John, 108 hp in St. Croix, and 77 hp in Puerto Rico. Mechanical trap haulers and depth recorders were the most commonly used on-board equipment. About 55% of the sampled population reported owning mechanical trap haulers. In St. Thomas and St. John, 100% of the respondents had trap haulers compared to 52% in Puerto Rico and 20% in St. Croix. Forty-seven percent of the fishermen surveyed stated having depth recorders. Depth recorders were most common in the St. Thomas and St. John fleet (80%) and least common in the Puerto Rican fleet (37%). The limited presence of emergency position indication radio beacons (EPIRBS) and radar was the norm among the fish trap fleet. Only 8% of the respondents had EPIRBS and only 1% had radar. Interviewees stated that they fished between 1 and 350 fish traps. Puerto Rican respondents fished on average 39 fish traps, in contrast to St. Thomian and St. Johnian and Crucian respondents, who fished 94 and 27 fish traps, respectively. On average, Puerto Rican respondents fished 11 lobster traps, and St. Thomian and St. Johnian respondents fished 46 lobster traps. None of the Crucian respondents fished lobster traps. The number of fish traps built or purchased ranged between 0 and 175, and the number of lobster traps built or bought ranged between 0 and 200. Puerto Rican fishermen on average built or purchased 30 fish traps and 14 lobster traps, and St. Thomian and St. Johnian fishermen built or bought 30 fish traps and 11 lobster traps. Crucian fishermen built or bought 25 fish traps and no lobster traps. As a group, fish trap average life ranged between 1.3 and 5 years, and lobster traps lasted slightly longer, between 1.5 and 6 years. The study found that the chevron or arrowhead style was the most common trap design. Puerto Rican fishermen owned an average of 20 arrowhead traps. St. Thomian and St. Johnian and Crucian fishermen owned an average of 44 and 15 arrowhead fish traps, respectively. The second most popular trap design was the square trap style. Puerto Rican fishermen had an average of 9 square traps, whereas St. Thomian and St. Johnian fishermen had 33 traps and Crucian fishermen had 2 traps. Antillean Z (or S) -traps, rectangular and star traps were also used. Although Z (or S) -traps are considered the most productive trap design, fishermen prefer the smaller-sized arrowhead and square traps because they are easier and less expensive to build, and larger numbers of them can be safely deployed. The cost of a fish trap, complete with rope and buoys, varied significantly due to the wide range of construction materials utilized. On average, arrowhead traps commanded $94 in Puerto Rico, $251 in St. Thomas and St. John, and $119 in St. Croix. The number of trips per week ranged between 1 and 6. However, 72% of the respondents mentioned that they took two trips per week. On average, Puerto Rican fishermen took 2.1 trips per week, St. Thomian and St. Johnian fishermen took 1.4 trips per week, and Crucian fishermen took 2.5 trips per week. Most fishing trips started at dawn and finished early in the afternoon. Over 82% of the trips lasted 8 hours or less. On average, Puerto Rican fishermen hauled 27 fish traps per trip whereas St. Thomian and St. Johnian fishermen and Crucian fishermen hauled 68 and 26 fish traps per trip, respectively. The number of traps per string and soak time varied considerably across islands. In St. Croix, 84% of the respondents had a single trap per line, whereas in St. Thomas and St. John only 10% of the respondents had a single trap per line. Approximately, 43% of Puerto Rican fishermen used a single trap line. St. Thomian and St. Johnian fishermen soaked their traps for 6.9 days while Puerto Rican and Crucian fishermen soaked their traps for 5.7 and 3.6 days, respectively. The heterogeneity of the industry was also evidenced by the various economic surpluses generated. The survey illustrated that higher gross revenues did not necessarily translate into higher net revenues. Our analysis also showed that, on average, vessels in the trap fishery were able to cover their cash outlays, resulting in positive vessel income (i.e., financial profits). In Puerto Rico, annual financial profits ranged from $4,760 in the lowest trap tier to $32,467 in the highest tier, whereas in St. Thomas and St. John annual financial profits ranged from $3,744 in the lowest tier to $13,652 in the highest tier. In St. Croix, annual financial profits ranged between $9,229 and $15,781. The survey also showed that economic profits varied significantly across tiers. Economic profits measure residual income after deducting the remuneration required to keep the various factors of production in their existing employment. In Puerto Rico, annual economic profits ranged from ($9,339) in the lowest trap tier to $ 8,711 in the highest trap tier. In St. Thomas and St. John, annual economic profits ranged from ($7,920) in the highest tier to ($18,486) in the second highest tier. In St. Croix, annual economic profits ranged between ($7,453) to $10,674. The presence of positive financial profits and negative economic profits suggests that higher economic returns could be earned from a societal perspective by redirecting some of these scarce capital and human resources elsewhere in the economy. Furthermore, the presence of negative economic earnings is evidence that the fishery is overcapitalized and that steps need to be taken to ensure the long-run economic viability of the industry. The presence of positive financial returns provides managers with a window of opportunity to adopt policies that will strengthen the biological and economic performance of the fishery while minimizing any adverse impacts on local fishing communities. Finally, the document concludes by detailing how the costs and earnings information could be used to develop economic models that evaluate management proposals. (PDF contains 147 pages)

Learning and communicating about livelihoods: a process guide. Draft 23 June 2005

The process helps to build shared understandings through three phases: Defining the Conversation Group, Sharing Meanings and Sharing Understandings. (PDF contains 42 pages)

Adiabatic shear localization: occurrence, theories, and applications