A Comparative Study on the Performance of Fiber-Based Biosorbents in the Purification of Biodiesel Derived from Camelina sativa
Pages 123-132

Jie Yang, Quan (Sophia) He, Haibo Niu, Kenneth Corscadden and Claude Caldwell

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-6002.2016.05.04.2

Published: 02 January 2017

Abstract: Biodiesel has received great interest as a promising substitute for petrodiesel. Biodiesel purification which follows the transesterification process is typically carried out using a wet washing process that generates large amounts of wastewater. Consequently, alternative methods are emerging as sustainable options for biodiesel purification. One of such methods is a dry washing process. In this paper, the performance of three dry washing media (commercially available BD-Zorb, sawdust and wood shavings) were evaluated as potentially suitable options for the purification of biodiesel derived from Camelina sativa. The results indicate that for the crude camelina biodiesel with an initial soap content of 9007 ppm, BD-Zorb exhibited the best purification performance. The soap removal capacity of BD-Zorb, sawdust, and wood shavings was 51.1 mL/g, 24.4 mL/g, and 9.4 mL/g respectively. The primary mechanism of soap removal using sawdust and wood shavings media was physical filtration and adsorption. While for adsorbent BD-Zorb, soap removal mechanism included adsorption and ion exchange due to the existence of a small amount of resins. The ion exchange led to a high acid number (1 mg KOH/g) of the purified biodiesel, and failed to meet the ASTM D6751 specifications (<0.5 mg KOH/g).

Quantitative Analytical Model of the Formation Damage by Gel Particles
Pages 133-147

Mahmoud Elsharafi, Laila Saleh and Baojun Bai

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-6002.2016.05.04.3

Published: 02 January 2017

Abstract: Formation damage by gel particles has become one of the most important problems in mature reservoirs. The objective of the quantitative analytical model is to identify an analytical model to the best fit of the preformed particle gels (PPGs) filtration test results. This work will analyze the experiments results of low permeability core samples to evaluate the effect of various brine concentrations and particle sizes. This study used a linear analytical model relationship between cumulative volumes versus filtration time with a good fits result. Linear curve equations for the best fitting equation was obtained. According to quantitative analytical model for all of our filtration tests, the cumulative filtration test volume (Vcf) was explained in this paper. Quantitative analytical model results showed the value of the slop m increases as the injection pressure increases. Compared with the experiments, the results show that, if the value of the intercept b > 2 the damage occurred because the gel particles invasion started into the core surface. Results from the quantitative analytical model were indicated to have a good fitting with almost all of the experimental results. It is the first time to use quantitative analytical model to analysis the formation damage by the PPGs. The results can be used to select the best gel treatment design.

Toward Resilient, Inclusive and Vital Technological Infrastructures for the Energies of the Landscape
Pages 148-158

Filippo Angelucci

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-6002.2016.05.04.4

Published: 02 January 2017

Abstract: Today, the implementation of energy infrastructure needs a complex “dialogue” between two apparently different aspects: technical aspects that characterize the processes of production and transformation of energy for the territory, and socio-ecological aspects related to the biological, organizational, and economic variables for cultural, creative, and productive energies of the territory.

This new dimension of designing and building the energy infrastructures replaces to the classic esthetical idea of the landscape an integrated vision of human habitat in which innovations play a key role for the redefinition of relationships between téchne, bios and oikos.

On these subjects, this article proposes a reflection on a methodological approach to re-think energy infrastructures as technological-environmental interfaces between land resources, energy needs, living dynamics, and inhabiting practices of territories and cities. Four possible scenarios are presented starting from some research experiences developed on Italian Abruzzo region. Through these experiences, emerges a new strategic, tactic and operational framework for the design of energy infrastructures. A new design framework in which energy infrastructures can contribute to re-build relations and connections between the acceptance/correlation of technological innovations and resilience, inclusiveness and vitality of the landscape.

Computational Assessment of a Modular Composite Wind Turbine Blade Joint
Pages 76-90

Norimichi Nanami and Ozden O. Ochoa

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-6002.2016.05.03.1

Published: 07 November 2016

Abstract: Wind energy is one of the most promising and mature alternatives to satisfy the global demand for energy as the world population and the economic activity surge. The wind energy market has grown rapidly in the last couple of decades, boosting up the size of wind turbines to generate higher power output. Typically, the larger/longer blade designs rely on hybrid material systems such as carbon and/or glass fiber (CF/GF) reinforced polymers to improve specific stiffness/strength and damage tolerance.

Herein, we propose a computational design concept for a modular hybrid composite wind turbine blade that maintains its structural integrity and serviceability requirements. The modular configuration will simplify manufacturing-assembly processes and reduce expenses both in transportation and facilities requirements. The 80 m blade in this study is composed of two sections that are joined together with an innovative compression joint. Our results when compared to a single continuous blade, showed no significant alterations to its structural response. It is concluded that the proposed computational design concept that allow two modular blades to create full-length blade with robust joints is achievable. This modular concept can be easily extended for further multi-section modular blade configurations.

Numerical and Experimental Test on an Innovative Device Based on Multiple Rotors in Line to Tap Clean Energy from Tidal and River Current
Pages 91-98

D.P. Coiro, F. Scherillo, G. Troise, N. Bizzarrini and G.Calise

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-6002.2016.05.03.2

Published: 07 November 2016

Abstract: The main object of this paper is to present the design and the results of an experimental test campaign on an innovative device for the exploitation of marine and river currents. The basic idea is to lay together one or more series of horizontal axis turbines in rows, each one connected to a generator placed on board a ship or a float. The whole system is sustained by a series of buoys, in this way is possible to avoid expensive submarine installations. All the work has been carried out at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Naples “Federico II” and the test campaign has been first performed in the naval towing tank belonging to the same Department and then in real conditions in Messina Strait between Sicily island and mainland. This location is the only one in Italy suitable as test site thanks to a highly regular tidal current reaching a maximum speed of 3 m/s. The turbine’s blade was first carefully designed with particular care for the cavitation problems. Two different series of experimental tests on a reduced scale model in the naval tank aimed to optimize the general layout of the device and the tests performed in Messina Strait mainly aimed to confirm the feasibility of the system and to evaluate its response in real operating conditions. The tests have confirmed the good dynamic behavior of the whole system and its feasibility to be scaled up to real scale.