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Abstract: This paper proposes a hybrid solar cooking system where the solar energy is brought to the kitchen. The energy source is a combination of the solar thermal energy and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) that is in common use in kitchens. The solar thermal energy is transferred to the kitchen by means of a circulating fluid. The transfer of solar heat is a twofold process wherein the energy from the collector is transferred first to an intermediate energy storage buffer and the energy is subsequently transferred from the buffer to the cooking load. There are three parameters that are controlled in order to maximize the energy transfer from the collector to the load viz. the fluid flow rate from collector to buffer, fluid flow rate from buffer to load and the diameter of the pipes. This is a complex multi energy domain system comprising energy flow across several domains such as thermal, electrical and hydraulic. The entire system is modeled using the bond graph approach with seamless integration of the power flow in these domains. A method to estimate different parameters of the practical cooking system is also explained. Design and life cycle costing of the system is also discussed. The modeled system is simulated and the results are validated experimentally. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper proposes a hybrid solar cooking system where the solar energy is transported to the kitchen. The thermal energy source is used to supplement the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) that is in common use in kitchens. Solar energy is transferred to the kitchen by means of a circulating fluid. Energy collected from sun is maximized by changing the flow rate dynamically. This paper proposes a concept of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the solar thermal collector. The diameter of the pipe is selected to optimize the overall energy transfer. Design and sizing of different components of the system are explained. Concept of MPPT is validated with simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Accurate mass flow measurement is very important in various monitoring and control applications. This paper proposes a novel method of fluid flow measurement by compensating the pressure drop across the ends of measuring unit using a compensating pump. The pressure drop due to the flow is balanced by a feedback control loop. This is a null-deflection type of measurement. As the insertion of such a measuring unit does not affect the functioning of the systems, this is also a non-disruptive flow measurement method. The implementation and design of such a unit are discussed. The system is modeled and simulated using the bond graph technique and it is experimentally validated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Obtaining drinking water from seawater is usually done through the process of desalination. The conventional desalination processes at present are centralized, require huge capital cost, and enormous amount of concentrated energy from fossil fuel. Issues like optimal chamber pressure, pressure control and energy savings for desalination are not adequately addressed. This paper proposes a novel pressure control method by means of dynamic pressure modulation within the evaporation chamber. A performance index is proposed that results in a dynamic optimal external pressure and maximum energy saving for a specific flow rate. Experimental results from the laboratory setup that validate the proposed concepts are presented in the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A desalination system is a complex multi energy domain system comprising power/energy flow across several domains such as electrical, thermal, and hydraulic. The dynamic modeling of a desalination system that comprehensively addresses all these multi energy domains is not adequately addressed in the literature. This paper proposes to address the issue of modeling the various energy domains for the case of a single stage flash evaporation desalination system. This paper presents a detailed bond graph modeling of a desalination unit with seamless integration of the power flow across electrical, thermal, and hydraulic domains. The paper further proposes a performance index function that leads to the tracking of the optimal chamber pressure giving the optimal flow rate for a given unit of energy expended. The model has been validated in steady state conditions by simulation and experimentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Induction motor is a typical member of a multi-domain, non-linear, high order dynamic system. For speed control a three phase induction motor is modelled as a d–q model where linearity is assumed and non-idealities are ignored. Approximation of the physical characteristic gives a simulated behaviour away from the natural behaviour. This paper proposes a bond graph model of an induction motor that can incorporate the non-linearities and non-idealities thereby resembling the physical system more closely. The model is validated by applying the linearity and idealities constraints which shows that the conventional ‘abc’ model is a special case of the proposed generalised model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A methodology for developing a simple theoretical model for calculating global insolation on a horizontal surface is described in this paper. The input parameters to the model are the latitude of the desired location and the amount of total precipitable water content in the vertical column at that location. Both the parameters are easily measurable with inexpensive instrument such as global positioning system (GPS). The principal idea behind the paper is to have a model that could be used for designing a photovoltaic system quickly and within reasonable accuracy. The model in this paper has been developed using measured data from 12 locations in India covering length and breadth of the country over a period of 9–22 years. The model is validated by calculating theoretical global insolation for five locations, one in north (New Delhi), one in south (Thiruvanandapuram), one in east (Kolkata), one in west (Mumbai) and one in central (Nagpur) part of India and comparing them with the measured insolation values for these five locations. The measured values of all these locations had been considered for developing the model. The model is further validated for a location (Goa) whose measured data is not considered for developing the model, by comparing the calculated and measured values of the insolation. Over the range of latitudes covering most parts of India, the error is within 20% of the measured value. This gives the credibility of the model and the methodology used for developing the model for any region in the world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper proposes a novel way of generating high voltage for electric discharge plasma in controlling NO x emission in diesel engine exhaust. A solar powered high frequency electric discharge topology has been suggested that will improve the size and specific energy density required when compared to the traditional repetitive pulse or 50 Hz AC energization. This methodology has been designed, fabricated and experimentally verified by conducting studies on real diesel engine exhaust. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]