Search

In times of increasing awareness of sustainability and the need for efficient business processes, this study explores the integration of business process reengineering with circular economy principles within Serbian manufacturing organizations. Addressing the need for sustainable development, the research aims to propose and validate a model that harmonizes business process reengineering with the circular economy to improve environmental and organizational performance. The study conducted an extensive survey and analysis across 135 manufacturing organizations in Serbia, assessing their readiness and current practices in adopting circular economy strategies through business process reengineering, utilizing the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model. The findings reveal a moderate level of integration, with an average implementation score of 44.70% across surveyed organizations. Notably, organizations with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications demonstrated higher levels of model implementation. The study highlights the potential of integrating business process reengineering with circular economy principles as a path to sustainable manufacturing. It also highlights the need for targeted strategies to improve management commitment, resource allocation, and participation in sustainable practices. The research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academic discourse, advocating for a more systematic approach to embedding circular economy principles within organizational processes for a sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Archimedean spiral coil made of a transversely corrugated pipe represents the radiant heat absorber of a parabolic dish solar concentrator. The main advantage of the considered design is the coupling of two passive methods for heat transfer enhancement: coiling the flow channel and changing the surface roughness. The aim of this numerical study is to assess the capability of RANS models of different complexity (realizable k-ε, SST k-ω, and RSM linear pressure-strain) to adequately represent the heat transfer phenomena in the considered complex flow geometry for wide ranges of Reynolds and Prandtl numbers. The obtained results indicate that the realizable k-e model with enhanced wall treatment is inadequate to simulate the heat transfer for all flow conditions, while both SST and RSM slightly overestimate experimental data in the turbulent region and are able to predict laminarisation at low Reynolds numbers. The SST model predictions are more accurate in the transitional and at the beginning of the turbulent region, irrespective of the curvature ratio. The RSM predictions are generally more accurate in the turbulent region. Numerically obtained circumferential distributions of local Nusselt number reveal that considered turbulence models are unable to completely anticipate the interactions between the complex flow in the basic section of the pipe and the vortex flow within the corrugations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the optimum dust removal performance of an electrostatic precipitator, the flue gas should be distributed uniformly over its vertical cross-section. The flow in the upstream flue gas ducts has a significant influence on the downstream gas distribution in the chamber of the precipitator. This paper presents the results of homogeneity assessment of velocity distribution in the ducts and vertical cross-sections of the electrostatic precipitator of Unit A1 at the Nikola Tesla thermal power plant in Obrenovac. The measurements confirmed that the reconstruction of the vertical chamber at the front of the precipitator, which was carried out during the overhaul in 2020, effectively solved the problem of the original asymmetric arrangement of the vertical flue gas ducts. Nevertheless, the analysis revealed poor homogeneity of the flow field through the chambers. Therefore, additional measures must be taken to increase the dust removal efficiency of the precipitator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewaters from power plants is a major concern for environmental protection. After the water is used in thermal power plant, the heated effluent is again discharged in the same water body from where it is taken. This not only disturbs the aquatic life but also affects the balance of the ecosystem. This paper presents the background of the thermal pollution, modelling approach and analysis methods for prediction of thermal pollution. A 2-D model of Sava River is discussed. The thermal power plant Nikola Tesla B was considered. Analysis of thermal discharge into the Sava River for the twelve-year period has been carried out. It was done a comparative analysis of the results obtained using mathematical (Electricity of France - EDF) method and numerical analysis using the CFD software package ANSYS FLUENT. A comparison of these two methods was made in order to show that it is possible to predict thermal pollution precisely and that it is possible to apply these methods in the design of industrial plants and not only in large thermal power plants. Finally, the results showed the matching of the obtained values at greater distances from the water outlet of the thermal power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In engineering practice exergy can be used for technical and economic optimization of energy conversion processes. The problem of increasing energy consumption suggests that heating plants, i.e. hot water boilers, as energy suppliers for household heating should be subjected to exergy and energy analysis. Heating plants are typically designed to meet energy demands, without the distinguished difference between quality and quantity of the produced heat. In this paper, the energy and exergy analysis of a gas fired hot water boiler is conducted. Energy analysis gives only quantitative results, while exergy analysis provides an insight into the actually available useful energy with respect to the system environment. In this paper, a hot water boiler was decomposed into control volumes with respect to its functional components. Energy and exergy of the created physical model of the hot water boiler is performed and destruction of exergy and energy loss in each of the components is calculated. The paper describes the current state of energy and exergy efficiency of the hot water boiler. The obtained results are analyzed and used to investigate possibilities for improvement of availability and reliability of the boiler. A comparison between the actual and the proposed more reliable solution is made.

Boilers are one of the most used units for both heat generation plants and industry systems. Their operation is subjected to different working loads and maintenance requirements. Exploitation experience points out critical boiler zones where failures and break downs typically occur. This paper analyzes critical zones in hot water fire-tube boiler. Experimental procedure was performed on the model of this type of boilers and its critical element. The tube plate of hot water boiler was identified as the most critical one. Experimental analysis and numerical model verification were performed using Aramis system based on 3-D digital image correlation method. Numerical analysis was done in ANSYS software package and verification of results was done based on measurements obtained by strain gauges and local measurements performed by the Aramis system. Stress-strain analysis indicates the critical zones of boiler tube plate. The character of change parameters such as strain and stress occurring in the critical zones can be verified both by experimental and numerical data. The paper presents a novel approach in experimental and numerical analyses that can be conducted in similar units and used for existing unit optimization, as well as for new product testing on different loads and provide opportunity for further development and improvement for practical industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polygeneration system is an energy system capable of providing multiple energy outputs to meet local demands, by application of high process integration. In this paper, optimal configuration and capacity of a polygeneration system for an indoor swimming pool building is determined by application of a method based on TRNSYS simulation and GenOpt optimization software. Based on the applicability, a superstructure of the polygeneration system is integrated, consisting of the following polygeneration modules: an internal combustion engine cogeneration module, a vapor compression chiller, and adsorption chiller, a ground source heat pump, flat plate solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic collectors, and heat storage. Annual behavior of energy loads of the public swimming pool building during a typical meteorological year and the polygeneration system are modeled and simulated using TRNSYS software, whereas techno-economic optimization is performed by GenOpt optimization. The results indicated the optimal configuration of the polygeneration system for the modelled energy demands, as well as the optimal capacity of the polygeneration modules, thus defining the optimal capacity of the polygeneration system for the energy demands of the public swimming pool building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploitation experience of hot water boiler plants indicates relatively frequent and permanent breakdowns resulting from the accident state of various elements of the boiler. In addition to the damages caused by the corrosion processes and inadequate management of the plant, the phenomena of fatigue of boiler elements exposed to high pressures and temperatures can occur. Due to high pressure and temperature certain boiler elements are exposed to, high strain and stress of these elements can eventually lead to breakdowns. In this paper, a hot water fire tube boiler, produced by "Minel-Kotlogradnja" Belgrade, type TE110V, installed within the plant "Technical Faculties" at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Nis, Serbia, is analyzed. Thermomechanical stress-strain analysis is performed with loads typically occurring during operation. Finite element analysis is performed using ANSYS Workbench 17 Software package, while the CAD model is formed using SOLID WORKS 2015. The results were used to investigate and to give recommendations for the thickness of tube plate of the first reversing chamber based on determined functional dependence of equivalent stress in the tube plate from the thickness of the plate. The noted functional dependence was determined by Kriging response surface based on results of virtual numerical experiment with different thicknesses of the tube plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is a key energy source in each country and an important condition for economic development. It is necessary to use modern methods and tools to predict energy consumption for different types of systems and weather conditions. In every industrial plant, electricity consumption presents one of the greatest operating costs. Monitoring and forecasting of this parameter provide the opportunity to rationalize the use of electricity and thus significantly reduce the costs. The paper proposes the prediction of energy consumption by a new time-series model. This involves time series models using a set of previously collected data to predict the future load. The most commonly used linear time series models are the AR (Autoregressive Model), MA (Moving Average) and ARMA (Autoregressive Moving Average Model). The AR model is used in this paper. Using the AR (Autoregressive Model) model, the Monte Carlo simulation method is utilized for predicting and analyzing the energy consumption change in the considered tobacco industrial plant. One of the main parts of the AR model is a seasonal pattern that takes into account the climatic conditions for a given geographical area. This part of the model was delineated by the Fourier transform and was used with the aim of avoiding the model complexity. As an example, the numerical results were performed for tobacco production in one industrial plant. A probabilistic range of input values is used to determine the future probabilistic level of energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Archimedean spiral coil made of a transversely corrugated tube was exposed to radiant heating in order to represent a heat absorber of the parabolic dish solar concentrator. The main advantage of the considered innovative design solution is a coupling effect of the two passive methods for heat transfer enhancement - coiling of the flow channel and changes in surface roughness. The curvature ratio of the spiral coil varies from 0.029 to 0.234, while water and a mixture of propylene glycol and water are used as heat transfer fluids. The unique focus of this study is on specific boundary conditions since the heat flux upon the tube external surfaces varies not only in the circumferential direction, but in the axial direction as well. Instrumentation of the laboratory model of the heat absorber mounted in the radiation field includes measurement of inlet fluid flow rate, pressure drop, inlet and outlet fluid temperature and 35 type K thermocouples welded to the coil surface. A thermal analysis of the experimentally obtained data implies taking into consideration the externally applied radiation field, convective and radiative heat losses, conduction through the tube wall and convection to the internal fluid. The experimental results have shown significant enhancement of the heat transfer rate compared to spirally coiled smooth tubes, up to 240% in the turbulent flow regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polygeneration system is an energy system capable of providing multiple utility outputs to meet local demands by application of process integration. This paper addresses the problem of pinpointing the optimal polygeneration energy supply system for the local energy demands of a livestock farm in terms of optimal system configuration and optimal system capacity. The optimization problem is presented and solved for a case study of a pig farm in the paper. Energy demands of the farm, as well as the super-structure of the polygeneration system were modelled using TRNSYS software. Based on the locally available resources, the following polygeneration modules were chosen for the case study analysis: a biogas fired internal combustion engine co-generation module, a gas boiler, a chiller, a ground water source heat pump, solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic collectors, and heat and cold storage. Capacities of the polygeneration modules were used as optimization variables for the TRNSYS-GenOpt optimization, whereas net present value, system primary energy consumption, and CO2 emissions were used as goal functions for optimization. A hybrid system composed of biogas fired internal combustion engine based co-generation system, adsorption chiller solar thermal and photovoltaic collectors, and heat storage is found to be the best option. Optimal heating capacity of the biogas co-generation and adsorption units was found equal to the design loads, whereas the optimal surface of the solar thermal array is equal to the south office roof area, and the optimal surface of the PV array corresponds to the south facing animal housing building rooftop area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to numerically investigate the heat transfer in spiral coil tube in the laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow regimes. The Archimedean spiral coil was exposed to radiant heating and should represent heat absorber of parabolic dish solar concentrator. Specific boundary conditions represent the uniqueness of this study, since the heat flux upon the tube external surfaces varies not only in the circumferential direction, but also in the axial direction. The curvature ratio of spiral coil varies from 0.029 at the flow inlet to 0.234 at the flow outlet, while the heat transfer fluid is water. The 3-D steady-state transport equations were solved using the Reynolds stress turbulence model. Results showed that secondary flows strongly affect the flow and that the heat transfer is strongly asymmetric, with higher values near the outer wall of spiral. Although overall turbulence levels were lower than in a straight pipe, heat transfer rates were larger due to the curvature-induced modifications of the mean flow and temperature fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trajectory tracking has been an extremely active research area in robotics in the past decade. In this paper, a kinematic model of two wheel mobile robot for reference trajectory tracking is analyzed and simulated. For controlling the wheeled mobile robot PID controllers are used. For finding the optimal parameters of PID controllers, in this work particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used. The proposed methodology is shown to be a successful solution for solving the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isothermal pressure drop experiments were carried out for the steady Newtonian fluid flow in Archimedean spiral tube with transverse corrugations. Pressure drop correlations and stability criteria for distinguishing the flow regimes have been obtained in a continuous Reynolds number range from 150-15000. The characterizing geometrical groups which take into account all the geometrical parameters of Archimedean spiral and corrugated pipe has been acquired. Before performing experiments over the Archimedean spiral, the corrugated straight pipe having high relative roughness e/d = 0.129 of approximately sinusoidal type was tested in order to obtain correlations for the Darcy friction factor. Insight into the magnitude of pressure loss in the proposed geometry of spiral solar receiver for different flow rates is important because of its effect upon the efficiency of the receiver. Although flow in spiral and corrugated geometries has the advantages of compactness and high heat transfer rates, the disadvantage of greater pressure drops makes hydrodynamic studies relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings with indoor swimming pools have a large energy footprint. The source of major energy loss is the swimming pool hall where air humidity is increased by evaporation from the pool water surface. This increases energy consumption for heating and ventilation of the pool hall, fresh water supply loss and heat demand for pool water heating. In this paper, a mathematical model of the swimming pool was made to assess energy demands of an indoor swimming pool building. The mathematical model of the swimming pool is used with the created multi-zone building model in TRNSYS software to determine pool hall energy demand and pool losses. Energy loss for pool water and pool hall heating and ventilation are analyzed for different target pool water and air temperatures. The simulation showed that pool water heating accounts for around 22%, whereas heating and ventilation of the pool hall for around 60% of the total pool hall heat demand. With a change of preset controller air and water temperatures in simulations, evaporation loss was in the range 46-54% of the total pool losses. A solar thermal sanitary hot water system was modelled and simulated to analyze it's potential for energy savings of the presented demand side model. The simulation showed that up to 87% of water heating demands could be met by the solar thermal system, while avoiding stagnation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Facta Universitatis, Series: Mechanical Engineering is the property of University of Nis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)