ES - Artigos em revistas internacionais
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- Parameter identification and uncertainty evaluation in quasi-dynamic test of solar thermal collectors with Monte Carlo methodPublication . Rodrigues, João Carlos Teixeira; Facão, Jorge; Carvalho, Maria JoãoABSTRACT: This work presents a comparison between two methods used for parameter identification and calculation of parameter uncertainty applied to the measured data of solar thermal collectors when tested according to ISO 9806:2017. One method is using a weighted least square (WLS) fit and the partial derivative approach described in the GUM (the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement). The second is using the Monte Carlo (MC) method, also described in GUM. Uncertainty evaluation by Monte Carlo method is based on a probabilistic approach and is an alternative way for identification of parameters and determination of the uncertainties. In this work the results were obtained according to Quasi-Dynamic Test (QDT) method for a flat plate collector and an evacuated tubular collector. The least squares (LS) method and a nonlinear regression method (MPFit) are used in the identification of parameters for each iteration of the MC method. For the implemented MC method computation times are also discussed. One disadvantage of the MC method is the computation time which depends on the number of samples in the experimental test quantity files, however with this study we think that the advantages of the MC method outweigh the disadvantages, and it is useful even as a complementary tool in QDT testing of collectors.
- Intercomparison of opto-thermal spectral measurements for concentrating solar thermal receiver materials from room temperature up to 800 °CPublication . Caron, Simon; Farchado, Meryem; San Vicente, Gema; Morales, Angel; Ballestrin, Jesus; Carvalho, Maria João; Páscoa, Soraia; Baron, Estelle; Disdier, Angela; Guillot, Emmanuel; Escape, Christophe; Binyamin, Yaniv; Baidossi, Mubeen; Sutter, Florian; Roger, Marc; Manzano-Agugliaro, FranciscoABSTRACT: An intercomparison of opto-thermal spectral measurements has been performed for some relevant receiver materials in concentrating solar thermal applications, from room temperature up to 800 degrees C. Five European laboratories performed spectral measurements at room temperature, while two laboratories performed infrared spectral measurements at operating temperature up to 800 degrees C. Relevant materials include Haynes 230 (oxidized, Pyromark 2500 and industrial black coating) and silicon carbide. Two key figures of merit were analyzed: i) solar absorptance alpha sol at room temperature, over the spectral range [0.3 - 2.5] mu m, ii) thermal emittance epsilon th(T), over the common spectral range [2-14] mu m, derived from spectral measurements performed from room temperature up to 800 degrees C. Oxidized H230 reached an alpha sol value of 90.9 +/- 1.0%. Pyromark 2500 reached an alpha sol value of 96.3 +/- 0.5%, while the industrial black coating achieved an alpha sol value of 97.0 +/- 0.4%. Silicon carbide reached an alpha sol value of 93.5 +/- 1.1%. Low standard deviations in alpha sol indicate reproducible measurements at room temperature. For oxidized H230, the epsilon th,calc(T) value varied from 55% at room temperature up to 81% at 800 degrees C. For Pyromark 2500 and the industrial black coating, epsilon th,calc(T) fluctuated between 90% and 95%, with a weak temperature dependence. For silicon carbide, epsilon th,calc(T) varied from 70% at room temperature up to 86% at 800 degrees C. The typical standard deviation among participating laboratories is about 3%. epsilon th,meas(T) values derived from spectral measurements at operating temperature were consistent within a few percentage points in comparison to epsilon th,calc(T) values derived from spectral measurements at room temperature.
- Solar Resource and Energy Demand for Autonomous Solar Cooking Photovoltaic Systems in Kenya and RwandaPublication . Cardoso, João P.; Couto, António; Costa, Paula; Rodrigues, Carlos; Facão, Jorge; Loureiro, David; Wambugu, Anne; Banda, Sandra; Da Silva, Izael; Simões, TeresaABSTRACT: The challenges associated with traditional cooking methods in African countries, particularly the use of firewood and charcoal, which have negative impacts on the environment, health and human and economic development and safety, are addressed in this work. Given the high annual solar irradiation on the African continent, photovoltaic-powered electric cooking alternatives, such as electric pressure cookers (EPCs), are identified as a potential efficient, clean and affordable cooking solution. This work focuses on the potential of standalone solar electric cookers for use in rural African locations, namely, if this type of solution can satisfy cooking demand. Surveys and experimental data from several households in two different countries (Rwanda and Kenya) were collected. Specifically, the researchers performed a survey regarding cooking habits and an experimental campaign to determine real energy consumption profiles of EPCs. The main results are analyzed and discussed in this work. An assessment of the solar power capability to directly supply the EPCs’ energy demand, as determined from the experimental data, is performed. The findings indicate that, for the most commonly prepared food types, using EPCs saves considerable time in comparison with traditional cooking methods. In Rwanda, time savings range from 55% to 84%, while in Kenya, the time saved varies from 9% to 64%. Results show that, even for scenarios with high installed solar capacity, storage solutions are required to enable the PV-powered EPC system to supply more than 50% of meal demand.
- Computational model of a Calcium-looping fluidized bed calcination reactor with imposed concentrated solar irradiancePublication . Rodrigues, Diogo; Rivero, Mayra Alvarez; Pinheiro, Carla I.C.; Cardoso, João P.; Mendes, Luís FilipeABSTRACT: The Calcium-looping process is a promising option for thermochemical energy storage in concentrating solar power plants. A crucial element of this process is the solar calcination reactor, where the endothermic reaction of CaCO3 calcination occurs with formation of CaO and CO2. The solar energy that is chemically stored in the reaction products can be retrieved by the exothermic reaction of CaO carbonation when needed. In this article, a new computational model is developed for the solar calcination reactor in this Calcium-looping process. The calcination reaction takes place in the riser of a continuous circulating fluidized bed that corresponds to an absorber tube exposed to concentrated solar radiation, which allows the reaction chamber to be indirectly heated. A core-annulus heat transfer model and a modified version of the Kunii-Levenspiel fluid dynamics model are used. In contrast to previous models found in the literature, the change in the mass flow rate of the species and in the density of the phases due to the reaction is considered. Simulation studies are performed with a fixed and imposed concentrated solar irradiance on the reactor wall, which varies in both the axial and angular directions. Wall conduction in the angular direction is also considered. The results show that nearly complete calcination can be achieved with a reactor of 4 m of height. A sensitivity analysis with respect to the model parameters and inlet conditions shows that the calcination conversion is mostly affected by the solids mass flow rate and the bed temperature at the inlet.
- Solid-gas reactors driven by concentrated solar energy with potential application to calcium looping: A comparative reviewPublication . Rivero, Mayra Alvarez; Rodrigues, Diogo; Pinheiro, Carla I.C.; Cardoso, João P.; Mendes, Luís FilipeABSTRACT: The calcium looping process, based on the reversible calcination-carbonation reaction cycle of CaCO3-CaO, is an emerging and promising technology for thermochemical energy storage in concentrating solar power plants. In this process, concentrated solar energy is used to carry out the endothermic solar-driven calcination of CaCO3 with formation of CaO and CO2 as products in a solid-gas reactor. In this review, a number of experimental studies of solid-gas reactors driven by concentrated solar energy are discussed, with a particular focus on solar reactors for calcination of CaCO3 or with that potential application. The solid-gas reactors for solar-driven calcination of CaCO3 reported in the literature achieved a total efficiency of 16.6%-88% for a mass flow rate up to 25 kg h(-1) and a power up to 55 kW. Also, a detailed comparison of the different types of solid-gas reactors driven by concentrated solar energy is provided by outlining their advantages and disadvantages according to several relevant criteria. This review is intended to be a valuable tool for the selection of a reactor configuration for future studies related to solar-driven calcination of CaCO3.
- Modelling a calcium-looping fluidised bed calcination reactor with solar-driven heat fluxPublication . Rivero, Mayra Alvarez; Rodrigues, Diogo; Pinheiro, Carla I.C.; Cardoso, João P.; Mendes, Luís FilipeABSTRACT: A new unidimensional computational model is developed to simulate a calcination reactor in a Calcium-looping process for thermochemical energy storage in concentrating solar power systems. The proposed reactor is an absorber tube exposed to concentrated solar radiation. This tube is also the riser of a circulating fluidised bed where the calcination reaction takes place. The proposed heat transfer process models are based on the core-annulus model and the hydrodynamic model is a modified version of the Kunii-Levenspiel model. The model considers the change in the mass flow rate of species and the density change of the phases in the axial direction of the reactor, usually considered constant in the models found in the literature. A higher calcination efficiency, up to 8 p.p., is obtained for the studied reference case when assuming constant density and mass flow rate. Simulations were performed by imposing a solar-driven non-uniform heat flux distribution on the reactor wall. The results show that a 6 m height reactor allows achieving a calcination efficiency of 66% for the reference conditions used. A sensitivity analysis shows that the solids mass flow rate and the inlet bed temperature are the parameters that most affect the calcination process efficiency.
- Performance indicators for benchmarking solar thermochemical fuel processes and reactorsPublication . Bulfin, Brendan; Miranda, Miguel; Steinfeld, AldoABSTRACT: Concentrated solar energy offers a source for renewable high-temperature process heat that can be used to efficiently drive endothermic chemical processes, converting the entire spectrum of solar radiation into chemical energy. In particular, solar-driven thermochemical processes for the production of fuels include reforming of methane and other hydrocarbons, gasification of biomass, coal, and other carbonaceous feedstock, and metal oxide redox cycles for splitting H2O and CO2. A notable issue in the development of these processes and their associated solar reactors is the lack of consistent reporting methods for experimental demonstrations and modelling studies, which complicates the benchmarking of the corresponding technologies. In this work we formulate dimensionless performance indicators based on mass and energy balances of such reacting systems, namely: energy efficiency, conversion extent, selectivity, and yield. Examples are outlined for the generic processes mention above. We then provide guidelines for reporting on such processes and reactors and suggest performance benchmarking on four key criteria: energy efficiency, conversion extent, product selectivity, and performance stability.
- On differential temperature controller setpoint selection for active photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) systemsPublication . Magalhães, Pedro; Martins, João F.; Joyce, AABSTRACT: Active photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) systems for solar heating and electricity generation are likely to employ the same differential temperature pump controllers as equivalent non-hybrid solar thermal (ST) systems. However, the typical controller setpoint selection methods for cost-effective and stable pump operation fail to consider the effect on photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation taking place in PV-T systems. Analytical relations for the same goals were derived to anticipate this influence using the steady-state Florschuetz PV-T collector model and compared with equivalent numerical methods relying on an extension of the Perers model designed to encompass PV-T collectors, namely by modelling electricity generation and the associated thermal performance reduction. Both methods indicate the minimum turn-on and turn-off setpoints for cost-effective and stable operation increase and decrease, respectively, relative to those for non-hybrid operation of PV-T systems or equivalent non-hybrid systems, and more so at higher irradiance levels, though the variations are shown not to be significant for a range of PV-T systems represented and can be reasoned to be inflated or of limited practical relevance. In conclusion, the effect of pump operation on electricity generation is not predicted to be a determining factor for differential temperature controller setpoint selection in PV-T systems.
- A review of solar thermochemical CO2 splitting using ceria-based ceramics with designed morphologies and microstructuresPublication . Pullar, Robert C.; Novais, Rui M.; Caetano, Ana P. F.; Barreiros, M. Alexandra; Abanades, Stéphane; Oliveira, Fernando Almeida CostaABSTRACT: This review explores the advances in the synthesis of ceria materials with specific morphologies or porous macro- and microstructures for the solar-driven production of carbon monoxide (CO) from carbon dioxide (CO2). As the demand for renewable energy and fuels continues to grow, there is a great deal of interest in solar thermochemical fuel production (STFP), with the use of concentrated solar light to power the splitting of carbon dioxide. This can be achieved in a two-step cycle, involving the reduction of CeO2 at high temperatures, followed by oxidation at lower temperatures with CO2, splitting it to produce CO, driven by concentrated solar radiation obtained with concentrating solar technologies (CST) to provide the high reaction temperatures of typically up to 1,500 degrees C. Since cerium oxide was first explored as a solar-driven redox material in 2006, and to specifically split CO2 in 2010, there has been an increasing interest in this material. The solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency is influenced by the material composition itself, but also by the material morphology that mostly determines the available surface area for solid/gas reactions (the material oxidation mechanism is mainly governed by surface reaction). The diffusion length and specific surface area affect, respectively, the reduction and oxidation steps. They both depend on the reactive material morphology that also substantially affects the reaction kinetics and heat and mass transport in the material. Accordingly, the main relevant options for materials shaping are summarized. We explore the effects of microstructure and porosity, and the exploitation of designed structures such as fibers, 3-DOM (three-dimensionally ordered macroporous) materials, reticulated and replicated foams, and the new area of biomimetic/biomorphous porous ceria redox materials produced from natural and sustainable templates such as wood or cork, also known as ecoceramics.
- Thermal resistance of solar volumetric absorbers made of mullite, brown alumina and ceria foams under concentrated solar radiationPublication . Oliveira, Fernando Almeida Costa; Fernandes, Jorge Cruz; Galindo, José; Rodríguez, José; Cañadas, Inmaculada; Rosa, Luís GuerraABSTRACT: Three semi-closed open cell ceramic foams, namely mullite, brown alumina and ceria-based materials, were subjected to thermal cycles by direct concentrated solar irradiation to study their thermal resistance in view of their potential application as photothermal devices, such as volumetric solar absorbers. After cycling, the extent of the damage in the samples was determined by measuring the retained crushing (compressive) strength. The extent of the damage was found to depend on the composition, the applied surface temperature difference (Delta T) of thermal cycling and the temperature gradient across the foams. It was found that the retained crushing strength gradually decreased with an increase in Delta T and was independent of the number of thermal cycles in the range investigated. The ceria foams displayed the poorest thermal shock resistance. Experimental data fit the Gibson-Ashby model for the thermal shock resistance of ceramic foams, for a constant C = 0.65.