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In this paper, a renewable-based integrated energy system is developed, analyzed, and optimized to achieve better peiformance. The present system is designed to be driven by concentrated solar thermal and biomass energies. Biomass fuel is used as the backup source of energy when the solar energy is not available. The system is designed to produce electricity, cooling, and hydrogen. The power output of the system is provided by solar-driven regenerative helium gas turbine during day time and from biomass gasification driven solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) unit at night time. The fuel cell stack number is estimated as to provide the same net power. The system operates at energy and exergy efficiencies of 39.99% and 27.47%, respectively, at the optiinal point selected based on the optimization analysis. The parametric studies on performance and environmental impact assessment are peiformed to investigate the effects of several operating parameters on the system peiformance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a high-pressure gas pipeline optimization, where the problem is to find the design properties of the pipelines and necessary compressor stations to satisfy customer requirements, using available supply gas and storage capacities. The considered objective function is the total annualized cost, including the investment and operating costs. The binary variables used to represent the flow direction of pipelines lead to a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem, solved by using the standard branch and bound solver in GAMS. The optimization strategy provides the main design parameters of the pipelines (diameters, pressures, and flow rates) and the characteristics of compressor stations (location, suction pressure, pressure ratio, station throughput, fuel consumption, and station power consumption) to satisfy customer requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a difficult technical challenge to design thermoelectric power generation systems that work optimally over a broad dynamic range of thermal input power. Conventional systems are designed to work optimally for a nominal operating condition, while maintaining the ability to operate at off nominal and extreme operating conditions without damage to the system. For systems that operate in a narrow range of thermal power conditions, thermoelectric waste heat recovery system design is simplified. However, for applications that do have a wide range of operating conditions, designs typically exhibit overall average efficiencies that are reduced by approximately 20% or more compared with that achievable for the thermoelectric material operating at peak efficiency Both cars and trucks consume significant fuel at low mass flow rates. Since the ultimate goal of waste heat recovery systems is to minimize fuel consumption, it is critical that the recovery system be designed to operate near peak efficiency over the range of mass flow rates that make a significant contribution to overall power recovery. Such performance capability is especially important in city driving, and in hybrid vehicle applications. This paper describes a design concept that maximizes the performance for thermoelectric power generation systems in which the thermal power to be recovered is from a fluid stream (e.g., exhaust gas) subject to varying temperatures and a broad range of exhaust flow rates. The device is constructed in several parts, with each part optimized for a specific range of operating conditions. The thermoelectric system characteristics, inlet mass flow rates and fluid temperatures, and load and internal electrical resistances are monitored and generator operation is controlled to maximize performance. With this design, the system operates near optimal efficiency for a much wider range of operating conditions. Application of the design concept to an automobile is used to show the benefits to overall system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]