TY - GEN A1 - Dorneanu, Bogdan A1 - Heinzelmann, Norbert A1 - Schnitzlein, Klaus A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - A novel approach to modelling trickle bed reactors T2 - Computer Aided Chemical Engineering N2 - In this contribution, the development of a toolbox for the simulation of trickle bed reactors based on a model able to account for the local properties of the liquid and gas flow in a packed bed at particle scale is introduced. The implementation uses a modular and flexible setup, with local liquid distribution considered as a function of the operating conditions and the physical properties of the three phases. Moreover, the impact of the local incomplete wetting on the conversion, as well as the mass transport and kinetics at both particle and reactor scale are accounted for. Furthermore, different particle geometries are considered, and the model is able to reliably predict the performance of the catalytic trickle bed reactors. Y1 - 2022 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323958790500473?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95879-0.50047-3 SN - 1570-7946 VL - 51 SP - 277 EP - 282 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Campos, Jean C. A1 - Manrique-Silupú, José A1 - Ipanaqué, William A1 - Dorneanu, Bogdan A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - Mechanistic modelling for thrips incidence in organic banana T2 - Computer Aided Chemical Engineering N2 - This contribution introduces a data acquisition and modelling framework for the prediction of banana pests’ incidence. An IoT sensors-based system collects weather and micro-climate variables, such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed, which are uploaded in real time to a cloud storage space. The incidence of the red rust thrips (Chaetanaphothrips signipennis) is collected “manually” by periodic inspection. The mathematical model is adapted from population growth functions and a model of insect species development and allows predictions to be made at various time intervals with an accuracy greater than 80%, improving decision-making capacity for agro-producers and enabling the improvement of pest management actions. Y1 - 2022 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323958790500461?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95879-0.50046-1 SN - 1570-7946 VL - 51 SP - 271 EP - 276 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Ketabchi, Elham A1 - Ramirez Reina, Tomas A1 - Dorneanu, Bogdan A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - An identification approach to a reaction network for an ABE catalytic upgrade T2 - Computer Aided Chemical Engineering N2 - This contribution presents a kinetic study for the identification of the complex reaction mechanism occurring during the ABE upgrading, and the development of a kinetic model. Employing graph theory analysis, a directed bipartite graph is constructed to reduce the complexity of the reaction network, and the reaction rate constants and reaction orders are calculated using the initial rate method, followed by the calculation of the activation energy and frequency factor for an Arrhenius-type law. Subsequently, using general mass balancing a proposed mathematical model is produced to determine the apparent reaction rates, which are successfully in line with the experimental results. Y1 - 2021 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323885065501029?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-88506-5.50102-9 SN - 1570-7946 VL - 50 SP - 643 EP - 648 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Clarke, Fiona A1 - Dorneanu, Bogdan A1 - Mechleri, Evgenia A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - Optimal design of heating and cooling pipeline networks for residential distributed energy resource systems T2 - Energy N2 - This paper presents a mixed integer linear programming model for the optimal design of a distributed energy resource (DER) system that meets electricity, heating, cooling and domestic hot water demands of a neighbourhood. The objective is the optimal selection of the system components among different technologies, as well as the optimal design of the heat pipeline network to allow heat exchange between different nodes in the neighbourhood. More specifically, this work focuses on the design, interaction and operation of the pipeline network, assuming the operation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, thermal and cold storage, transfer of thermal energy, and pipelines for transfer of cold and hot water to meet domestic hot water demands are additions to previously published models. The application of the final model is investigated for a case-study of a neighbourhood of five houses located in the UK. The scalability of the model is tested by also applying the model to a neighbourhood of ten and twenty houses, respectively. Enabling exchange of thermal power between the neighbours, including for storage purposes, and using separate hot and cold pipeline networks reduces the cost and the environmental impact of the resulting DER. Y1 - 2021 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544221016789?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121430 SN - 1873-6785 SN - 0360-5442 VL - 235 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Sidnell, Tim A1 - Dorneanu, Bogdan A1 - Mechleri, Evgenia A1 - Vassiliadis, Vassilios S. A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - Effects of Dynamic Pricing on the Design and Operation of Distributed Energy Resource Networks T2 - Processes N2 - This paper presents a framework for the use of variable pricing to control electricity im-ported/exported to/from both fixed and unfixed residential distributed energy resource (DER) network designs. The framework shows that networks utilizing much of their own energy, and importing little from the national grid, are barely affected by dynamic import pricing, but are encouraged to sell more by dynamic export pricing. An increase in CO2 emissions per kWh of energy produced is observed for dynamic import and export, against a baseline configuration utilizing constant pricing. This is due to feed-in tariffs (FITs) that encourage CHP generation over lower-carbon technologies. Furthermore, batteries are shown to be expensive in systems receiving income from FITs and grid exports, but for the cases when they sell to/buy from the grid using dynamic pricing, their use in the networks becomes more economical. Keywords: distributed energy resource (DER); dynamic pricing; mixed-integer linear programming (MILP); renewable heat incentive (RHI); feed-in tariff (FIT); electricity storage in batteries. Y1 - 2021 UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/9/8/1306 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9081306 SN - 2227-9717 VL - 9 IS - 8 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Sidnell, Tim A1 - Clarke, Fiona A1 - Dorneanu, Bogdan A1 - Mechleri, Evgenia A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - Optimal design and operation of distributed energy resources systems for residential neighbourhoods T2 - Smart Energy N2 - Different designs of distributed energy resources (DER) systems could lead to different performance in reducing cost, environmental impact or use of primary energy in residential networks. Hence, optimal design and management are important tasks to promote diffusion against the centralised grid. However, current operational models for such systems do not adequately analyse their complexity. This paper presents the results of a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model of distributed energy systems in the residential sector which builds up on previous work in this field. A superstructure optimisation model for design and operation of DER systems is obtained, providing a more holistic overview of such systems by including the following novel elements: a) Design and utilisation of a network with integrated heating/cooling pipelines and microgrid connections between neighbourhoods; b) Exploration of use of feed-in tariffs (FITs), renewable heat incentives (RHIs) and the ability to buy/sell from/to the national grid. It is shown that the (DER network mitigates around 30–40% of the CO2 emissions per household, compared with “traditional generation”. Money from FITs, RHIs and sales to the grid, as well as reduced grid purchases, make DER networks far more economical, and even profitable, compared to the traditional energy consumption. Y1 - 2021 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666955221000496?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segy.2021.100049 SN - 2666-9552 VL - 4 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Anagnostopoulos, Argyrios A1 - Sebastia-Saez, Daniel A1 - Campbell, Alasdair N. A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - Finite element modelling of the thermal performance of salinity gradient solar ponds T2 - Energy N2 - Solar ponds are a promising technology to capture and store solar energy. Accurate, reliable and versatile models are thus needed to assess the thermal performance of salinity gradient solar ponds. A CFD simulation set-up has been developed in this work to obtain a fully versatile model applicable to any practical scenario. Also, a comparison between the results obtained with an existing one-dimensional MATLAB model and the two- and three-dimensional CFD models developed in this work has been carried out to quantify the gain in accuracy and the increase in computational resources needed. The two and three-dimensional models achieve considerably higher accuracy than the 1-D model. They are subsequently found to accurately evaluate the heat loss to the surroundings, the irradiance absorbed by the solar pond and the thermal performance of the pond throughout the year. Two geographic locations: Bafgh (Iran) and Kuwait City, have been evaluated. Y1 - 2020 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544220309683?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.117861 SN - 1873-6785 SN - 0360-5442 VL - 203 ER - TY - GEN A1 - De Mel, Ishanki A1 - Demis, Panagiotis A1 - Dorneanu, Bogdan A1 - Klymenko, Oleksiy A1 - Mechleri, Evgenia A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - Global Sensitivity Analysis for Design and Operation of Distributed Energy Systems T2 - Computer Aided Chemical Engineering N2 - Distributed Energy Systems (DES) are set to play a vital role in achieving emission targets and meeting higher global energy demand by 2050. However, implementing these systems has been challenging, particularly due to uncertainties in local energy demand and renewable energy generation, which imply uncertain operational costs. In this work we are implementing a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model for the operation of a DES, and analysing impacts of uncertainties in electricity demand, heating demand and solar irradiance on the main model output, the total daily operational cost, using Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA). Representative data from a case study involving nine residential areas at the University of Surrey are used to test the model for the winter season. Distribution models for uncertain variables, obtained through statistical analysis of raw data, are presented. Design results show reduced costs and emissions, whilst GSA results show that heating demand has the largest influence on the variance of total daily operational cost. Challenges and design limitations are also discussed. Overall, the methodology can be easily applied to improve DES design and operation. Y1 - 2020 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128233771502548?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823377-1.50254-8 SN - 1570-7946 VL - 48 SP - 1519 EP - 1524 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Yusuf, Ifrah A1 - Flagiello, Fabio A1 - Ward, Niel I. A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey A1 - Avignone-Rossa, Claudio A1 - Felipe-Sotelo, Monica T1 - Valorisation of banana peels by hydrothermal carbonisation: Potential use of the hydrochar and liquid by-product for water purification and energy conversion T2 - Bioresource Technology Reports N2 - Banana peels were used as feedstock to produce a carbon dense hydrochar for the removal of toxic metals from wastewater. Compared to the biomass feedstock (41.3% mass C), the banana peel hydrochar possesses higher carbon (54–72% mass C) and lower ash contents. The carbonised banana peels treated between 150 and 300 °C (1−2h) demonstrated an excellent ability to remove Cd²⁺ (5–100 mg L⁻¹), achieving 99% removal, in comparison with 75% for the raw peel. The liquid by-product generated in the carbonisation process was tested as feedstock in microbial electrochemical devices, showing significant reduction in the chemical oxygen demand levels (initially 10–25 10³ mg L⁻¹), associated with the production of electrical outputs; 81–85% reduction with microbial communities from compost, and 53–85% with anaerobic sludge. The results demonstrate the complete utilization of waste from mass cultivation of banana, providing a full-cycle solution for the pollution associated to this important crop. Y1 - 2020 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589014X20302048?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2020.100582 SN - 2589-014X VL - 12 ER - TY - GEN A1 - De Carvalho Miranda, Julio Cesar A1 - Flores Ponce, Gustavo Henrique Santos A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey A1 - Maciel Filho, Rubens A1 - Wolf Maciel, Maria Regina T1 - Process design and evaluation of syngas-to-ethanol conversion plants T2 - Journal of Cleaner Production N2 - Synthesis gas (syngas) is mostly known by its use on ammonia (Harber-Bosch process) and hydrocarbons (Fischer-Tropsch process) production processes. However, a less explored route to produce chemical products, among them alcohols and other oxygenates, from syngas has been gaining attention over the last few years. In this route, an initial feedstock as biomass is firstly gasified to synthesis gas, which is reformed, cleaned, compressed and finally catalytically converted into a mixture of alcohols and oxygenated products. After separation steps, these products attain sufficient purity to be sold. In this work, the thermochemical route, is used aiming ethanol production from syngas. Using the commercial simulator ASPEN Plus, were proposed four study cases using 3 different categories of catalysts in 4 different process layouts. All the cases were evaluated regarding their productivity, energy consumption, and aspects of economic importance. The results show the technical viability to produce ethanol from syngas, proving an energy surplus of all processes and a reasonable production of the main product. Y1 - 2020 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652620321259?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122078 SN - 0959-6526 VL - 269 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Gonzalez-Castaño, Miriam A1 - Gonzalez-Arias, Judith A1 - Bobadilla, Luis F. A1 - Ruiz-Lopez, E. A1 - Odriozola, Jose Antonio A1 - Arellano-García, Harvey T1 - In-Situ Drifts Steady-State Study of Co2 and Co Methanation Over Ni-Promoted Catalysts T2 - Fuel N2 - Promoting the performance of catalytic systems by incorporating small amount of alkali has been proved effective for several reactions whilst controversial outcomes are reported for the synthetic natural gas production. This work studies a series of Ni catalysts for CO2 and CO methanation reactions. In-situ DRIFTS spectroscopy evidenced similar reaction intermediates for all evaluated systems and it is proposed a reaction mechanism based on: i) formate decomposition and ii) hydrogenation of lineal carbonyl species to methane. Compared to bare Ni, the enhanced CO2 methanation rates attained by NiFe/Al and NiFeK/Al systems are associated to promoted formates decomposition into lineal carbonyl species. Also for CO methanation, the differences in the catalysts’ performances were associated to the relative concentration of lineal carbonyl species. Under CO methanation conditions and opposing the CO2 methanation results where the incorporation of K delivered promoted catalytic behaviours, worsened CO methanation rates were discerned for the NiFeK/Al system. Y1 - 2023 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236122040650?via%3Dihub U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.127241 SN - 1873-7153 VL - 338 ER -