bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional motion analysis – an exploratory study. Part 1: Assessment of facial movement
Authors: Popat H , Richmond S , Playle R , Marshall D , Rosin PL , Cosker D
Published: October 2008

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Popat H, Richmond S, Playle R, Marshall D, Rosin PL, Cosker D

Objectives –  To objectively quantify facial movement in response to facial expression and spoken word.

Design –  Experimental study.

Setting –  Department of Dental Health and Biological Sciences, University Dental Hospital, Cardiff, UK.

Experimental Variable –  Facial movement was assessed in response to a standardized smile expression and the utterance ‘puppy’. The sequences were recorded using a non‐invasive, three‐dimensional motion analysis image capture system (3dMDface™ Dynamic System) at 48 frames per second.

Outcome Variable –  To quantify the facial movement, sequential frames of a sequence were aligned to the baseline/reference frame three‐dimensionally using best fit on non‐moveable points in the upper half of the face. Accuracy of the alignment process for each sequence was tested using the percentage of stable points (i.e. within ±0.5 mm) within the upper half of the face.

Results –  Quantifiable changes in facial topology were seen during both the standardized smile expression and the utterance ‘puppy’. The mean percentage of points (SD) that remained stable within the upper half of the face during the utterance ‘puppy’ was 88.8% (4.7). During the standardized smile expression, there were a much lower percentage of stable points in the upper half of the face with a mean (SD) of 60.9% (3.2).

Conclusion –  The 3dMDface™ Dynamic System allows objective, three‐dimensional, non‐invasive assessment of facial movement. The utterance ‘puppy’ is a more appropriate measure of facial movement when compared with the standardized smile expression.
Three‐dimensional motion analysis – an exploratory study. Part 2: Reproducibility of facial movement
Authors: Popat H , Richmond S , Playle R , Marshall D , Rosin PL , Cosker D
Published: October 2008

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Popat H, Richmond S, Playle R, Marshall D, Rosin PL, Cosker D

Objectives –  To investigate the reproducibility of using spoken word as a measure of facial movement.

Design –  Experimental study.

Setting and Sample Population –  Department of Dental Health and Biological Sciences, University Dental Hospital, Cardiff. 22 normal subjects.

Experimental Variable –  Subjects were asked to say the word ‘puppy’ in a normal, relaxed manner twice within a 10‐second time interval. The sequence was recorded using a non‐invasive, three‐dimensional motion analysis image capture system (3DMDface™ Dynamic System) at 48 frames per second.

Outcome Variable –  Corresponding frames between the two utterances were aligned three‐dimensionally using best fit on non‐moveable points on the upper half of the face. Reproducibility was measured as the percentage point deviation between ± 0.5 mm between two corresponding frames.

Results –  Mean intrasessional reproducibility (SD) for the group was recorded at 86.2% (5.8). The reproducibility ranged from a minimum of 66.8% to a maximum of 97.5%. When the utterance was split into its two separate viseme segments (/p//u//p/ and /p//y/), the second part of the utterance was seen to be more reproducible than the first. The male group were more reproducible than the female group.

Conclusion –  Intrasessional reproducibility of the utterance ‘puppy’ shows high intra‐ and intersubject variability in this group of normal subjects and therefore further research needs to be conducted before being able to confidently use this word as a reproducible measure of facial movement.
QSTR with Extended Topochemical Atom Indices. 10. Modeling of Toxicity of Organic Chemicals to Humans Using Different Chemometric Tools
Authors: Roy Kunal , Ghosh Gopinath
Published: October 2008

In this communication, we have developed quantitative predictive models using human lethal concentration values of 26 organic compounds including some pharmaceuticals with extended topochemical atom (ETA) indices applying different chemometric tools and compared the extended topochemical atom models with the models developed from non‐extended topochemical atom ones. Extended topochemical atom descriptors were also tried in combination with non‐extended topochemical atom descriptors to develop better predictive models. The use of extended topochemical atom descriptors along with non‐extended topochemical atom ones improved equation statistics and cross‐validation quality. The best model with sound statistical quality was developed from partial least squares regression using extended topochemical atom descriptors in combination non‐extended topochemical atom ones. Finally, to check true predictability of the ETA parameters, the data set was divided into training (n = 19) and test (n = 7) sets. Partial least squares and genetic partial least squares models were developed from the training set using extended topochemical atom indices and the models were validated using the test set. The extended topochemical atom models developed from different statistical tools suggest that the toxicity increases with bulk, chloro functionality, presence of electronegative atoms within a chain or ring and unsaturation, and decreases with hydroxy functionality and branching. The results suggest that the extended topochemical atom descriptors are sufficiently rich in chemical information to encode the structural features for QSAR/QSPR/QSTR modeling.
Comparative QSAR Studies of CYP1A2 Inhibitor Flavonoids Using 2D and 3D Descriptors
Authors: Roy Kunal , Roy Partha Pratim
Published: October 2008

Comparative Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) analyses have been performed with 21 naturally occurring flavonoids for their inhibitory effects on cytochrome P450 1A2 enzyme using two‐dimensional (topological, structural, and thermodynamic) and three‐dimensional (spatial) descriptors. The chemometric tools used for the analyses are stepwise multiple linear regression, partial least squares, genetic function approximation, and genetic partial least squares. The data set was divided into a training set (n = 15) and test set (n = 6), based onK‐means clustering technique applied on standardized two‐dimensional descriptor matrix, and models were developed from the training set compounds. The best model (genetic partial least squares model using two‐dimensional descriptors) was selected based on the highest external predictiveR2() value (0.840) and the lowest root mean square error of prediction value (0.351). The developed QSAR equations suggest the importance of the double bond present at 2 and 3 positions and requirement of absence of hydroxyl substituent or glycosidic linkage at 3 position of the 1,4‐benzopyrone nucleus. Furthermore, the phenyl ring present at 2 position of the 1,4‐benzopyrone ring should not be substituted with hydroxyl group. Moreover, hydroxyl groups present at 5 and 7 positions of the benzopyran nucleus should not be glycosylated for good cytochrome P450 1A2 enzyme inhibitory activity.
ETHICAL GOVERNANCE
Authors: Casement Ann
Published: October 2008

abstract  This article, updated in June 2008, explores issues related to ethical governance as an integral part of the increasing professionalization of the mental health field as psychotherapists and counsellors move towards statutory regulation in the United Kingdom (UK). The Health Professions Council (HPC) continues to meet with the numerous interested parties who are working to achieve regulation by 2011. It is important to note that this is a rapidly evolving process so that some of the information related to it may have changed by the time the article is published. The author suggests that the points made in the article may be relevant not only to the UK but to the mental health field worldwide. Legal issues are looked at that pertain to judicial review, data protection, anti‐discriminatory legislation, human rights, and confidentiality with regard to patient material. Transparency and accountability are the twin pillars of ethical governance not only in the mental health field but in the socio‐political‐economic life of much of today's world.
GENEROSITY OF HEART: SOURCE OF SANITY
Authors: Symington Neville
Published: October 2008

abstract  The component parts of love are generosity, gratitude and forgiveness, and the focus of the paper is on generosity, arguing that the source of sanity lies in generosity of heart. Madness as a condition springs from the absence of love. Psychoanalysis itself can promote either mean‐minded or generous responses to the patient, and I give clinical vignettes to illustrate this belief. Scientific and religious approaches to ‘the real’ are discussed, and I emphasize the idea of the mind as an active power in grasping reality. Religion safeguards the creative power of the mind, in particular the world's mystical traditions. I consider the relationship between inner autonomy and creativity, and make links with Bion's concept of O, emphasizing that the spiritual is woven into the very fabric of what we do as psychoanalysts and psychotherapists.
THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF PETS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE
Authors: Sacks Anita
Published: October 2008

abstract  The therapeutic use of pets has usually involved institutional visitation. Noting Freud's comments on the discovery of the profound connection between himself and his dogs, and recent research on the regulatory functioning sustained by a libidinal pair‐bond, this paper reports the therapeutic uses of the clinician's companion animal, a Labrador retriever, in a psychoanalytically oriented private practice. Patients were sitting up and seen once or twice a week. I argue that the containment of the treatment setting, attachment theory and a number of Winnicott's concepts – the good enough mother, the True and False Self, and the development of concern – are pertinent to an understanding of this approach to treatment, and that the right companion animal may contribute to the emergence of a True Self. The companion animal has the qualities of ‘devotion’, offers expressions of love and acceptance, tactile opportunity and responsiveness. I make a distinction between a ‘corrective object relationship’ and a ‘corrective emotional experience’, and take into account analytic debates about the ‘corrective emotional experience’. Through clinical vignettes I demonstrate the value of a trained companion animal as a psychotherapeutic addition in a private practice.
Flow Through a Solar Chimney Power Plant Collector-to-Chimney Transition Section
Authors: Kirstein Carl F. , von Backstro¨m Theodor W. , Kro¨ger Detlev G.
Published: October 2008

A solar chimney power plant consists of a large greenhouse type collector surrounding a tall chimney. The air, heated within the collector, passes through an inlet guide vane (IGV) cascade and then through a transition section to a turbine that powers a generator. The transition section contains the turbine inlet guide vanes that support the whole chimney and guides the flow entering the turbine. The primary objective of the study was to determine the loss coefficient of this section as dependent on IGV stagger angle and collector roof height. Very good agreement was found between experimental values measured in a scaled model and commercial CFD code predictions of flow angles, velocity components and internal and wall static pressures. The agreement between measured and predicted total pressure loss coefficient was reasonable. The CFD code served to extend the predictions to a proposed full-scale geometry.
Hydrogen From Solar Via Light-Assisted High-Temperature Water-Splitting Cycles
Authors: T-Raissi Ali , Muradov Nazim Z. , Huang Cunping , Adebiyi Olawale , Taylor Robin W. , Davenport Roger L.
Published: October 2008

Hydrogen production from solar-driven thermochemical water splitting cycles (TCWSCs) provides an approach that is energy efficient and environmentally attractive. Of particular interest are TCWSCs that utilize both thermal (i.e. high temperature) and light (i.e. quantum) components of the solar resource, boosting the overall solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency compared to those with heat-only energy input. We have analyzed two solar-driven TCWSCs: 1) carbon dioxide (CO2)/carbon monoxide cycle; and 2) sulfur dioxide (SO2)/sulfuric acid cycle. The first cycle is based on the premise that CO2 becomes susceptible to near-ultraviolet and even visible radiation at high temperatures (greater than 1300K). The second cycle is a modification of the well-known Westinghouse hybrid cycle, wherein the electrochemical step is replaced by a photocatalytic step. At the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a novel hybrid photo-thermochemical sulfur-ammonia (S-A) cycle has been developed. The main reaction (unique to FSEC’s S-A cycle) is the light-induced photocatalytic production of hydrogen and ammonium sulfate from an aqueous ammonium sulfite solution. Ammonium sulfate product is processed to generate oxygen and recover ammonia and SO2 that are then recycled and reacted with water to regenerate the ammonium sulfite. Experimental data for verification of the concept are provided.
Impact of Motor Slip and Belt Slip on Fan Airflow Station for VAV AHU Systems
Authors: Liu Guopeng , Liu Mingsheng , Joo Ik-Seong
Published: October 2008

Fan airflow measurement is critical for HVAC systems operation and control. The fan airflow station measures the airflow using measured fan speed, fan head, and fan curve. The fan speed can be measured by a tachometer, and the fan head can be measured by a differential pressure transducer. In a typical building automation system, the controller knows the desired fan speed and gives the speed command to the variable frequency drive (VFD). Motor slip occurs in the direct drive fan. Belt slip also occurs in a belt drive fan besides the motor slip. If the motor and belt slip can be calculated by the VFD speed, the control command can be used to represent the actual fan speed. Consequently the tachometer can be eliminated from the fan airflow station. This modification will simplify the system, reduce the cost, and improve the system’s reliability. To validate the theory, theoretical and experimental studies were conducted. The experiments were conducted with a full size air handling unit (AHU) in a 50,000 square foot building. The theoretical analyses and experiments prove that the control command can be used to represent the actual fan speed. No tachometer is needed for the fan airflow station. The experiment also shows that the fan airflow station can maintain positive building pressure at most of time and prevent unstable return air fan operation under all weather conditions.
Optimal Pump Design and Control of Bypass Blending Station Systems
Authors: Liu M.
Published: October 2008

Previous investigation found that the bypass blending station (BBS) system can potentially reduce in-building pump power by 48% to 97% of the design pump power. However, the BBS pump may work in an unstable zone when it has 100% of the building design flow. This paper investigates the impacts of pump flow capacity and pump control on the pump operation stability and power savings using analytical and numerical methods. The investigation found that the optimal pump design flow depends primarily on the building load and recirculation flow rate requirements. The optimal pump size should be determined based on the re-circulation rate requirements under typical building load conditions. An identical pump should be installed as a backup pump. Under typical load conditions, one pump is used. Under low building load conditions, both pumps should be activated. Optimal pump design and operation control can ensure stable, efficient pump operation. The pump power saving varies from 70% to 97% of the building pump design power depending on the building load.
Zero Energy House for the Southern Nevada Area
Authors: Wilkinson Elena , Boehm Robert
Published: October 2008

Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the country’s most rapidly growing cities. To accommodate this growth, a great deal of home building takes place in Clark County, where the city is located. Builders can sell virtually as many houses as they can construct. All of these houses require utility services that, in general, have to be developed. These, of course, include water, electrical power and natural gas. With the high cooling loads required in this environment, the summer demand peaks for electricity are particularly severe. The emphasis of this paper was placed on the energy conservation methods for a planned zero energy residential home for the Southern Nevada area, which would enable net zero electric energy consumption from the local utilities over a year period. Although also important, the cost outcome of the project was considered a secondary issue. The energy analysis was arranged in three principal parts: • Reduction of heating and cooling loads through implementation of sound envelope construction. • Use of highly energy efficient A/C, gas furnace, and lights. • Solar control and utilization. The computer simulation package Energy 10 version 1.6 is employed during the envelope, A/C, furnace and energy-efficient light analysis. The software allows modeling and simulating of a buildings performance based on inputs such as geographical location, building type, orientation, construction materials used and others. The model selected for this study is reflective of the local construction practices, is a single-family one story, 1,610 ft residential house with north facing fac¸ade and an attached two-car garage, which in this paper is called the “Base Case”. As a result of the energy analysis performed in this paper, the low-energy house (Modified Case) was created. The Modified Case has the identical orientation and floor plan. Implementation of the full spectrum of energy conserving features yielded a dramatic 105% saving on the annual electrical energy consumption by the Modified Case house when compared to the house built according to the local practices. In addition, the space heating and space cooling energy consumptions were reduced by 96% and 72% respectively. Details of the simulations and the final design details are given in the paper.
Analysis of Accelerated Exposure Testing of Thin-Glass Mirror Matrix
Authors: Kennedy C. E. , Terwilliger K. , Jorgensen G. J.
Published: October 2008

Concentrating solar power (CSP) companies have deployed thin-glass mirrors produced by wet silver processes on ∼1-mm-thick, relatively lightweight glass. These mirrors have been bonded to metal substrates in commercial installations. Initial hemispherical reflectance is ∼93% to 96%, and the cost is ∼$16.1/m2 to $43.0/m2. These mirrors have the confidence of the CSP industry. However, corrosion was observed in mirror elements of operational solar systems deployed outdoors for 2 years. NREL’s advanced optical materials team was assigned to investigate the problem. First, it was noted that this corrosion is very similar to the corrosion bands and spots observed on small (45 mm × 67 mm) thin-glass mirrors laminated to metal substrates with several different types of adhesives and subjected to accelerated exposure testing (AET) at NREL. These samples exhibited corrosion at the unprotected edges and along cracks, and the choice of adhesive affected the performance of weathered thin-glass mirrors. Secondly, two significant changes in mirror manufacture have occurred in the wet-chemistry process because of environmental concerns. The first is the method of forming a copper-free reflective mirror, and the second is the use of lead-free paints. A test matrix of 84 combinations of sample constructions (mirror type / back protective paint / adhesive / substrate) was devised for AET as a designed experiment to identify the most promising mirrors, paints, and adhesives for use with concentrator designs. Two types of accelerated exposure were used: an Atlas Ci5000 WeatherOmeter (WOM) and a damp-heat chamber. Based on an analysis of variance (ANOVA), the various factors and interactions were modeled. These samples now have almost 24 months of accelerated exposure. Analysis of the thin-glass mirror matrix indicated that the Glaverbel mirror with a copperless formulation demonstrates slightly better performance compared to the Naugatuck standard copper-containing mirror and new copperless constructions although most results are within experimental uncertainty. Analysis of the thin-glass mirror matrix indicates commercial (non-mirror) back-protective paint applied after mirror manufacturing is not beneficial. Degradation of the samples exposed to date in the damp-heat chamber is similar, but at a rate 10 times faster than observed for samples in the WOM. We will discuss the results of the continued exposure testing of these mirror samples. Although glass mirrors with copper back-layers and heavily leaded paints have been considered robust for outdoor use, the new copperless back-layer and lead-free paint systems were designed for interior mirror applications and the outdoor durability must be determined.
Renewable Energy and Disaster-Resistant Buildings
Authors: Young William
Published: October 2008

Hurricanes, floods, tornados and earthquakes create natural disasters that can destroy homes, businesses and the natural environment. Such disasters can happen with little or no warning, leaving hundreds or even thousands of people without medical services, potable water, sanitation, communications and electrical services for up to several weeks. The 2004 hurricane season ravaged the State of Florida, U.S.A., with four major hurricanes within a 6-week timeframe. Over nine million people evacuated their homes and damage to property was extensive. One proactive strategy to minimize this type of destruction and disruption to lives is the implementation of disaster-resistant buildings that are functional and operational. This approach uses the best energy-efficient buildings, fortified to the latest codes, and incorporates renewable energy systems. Businesses, government facilities and homes benefit from using photovoltaics to power critical items. This concept is a mitigation tool to reduce damage and cost of the destructive forces of hurricanes and other disasters. This past season’s experience showed that buildings designed and built to the latest standards with photovoltaic and solar thermal systems survived with little damage and continued to perform after the storm passed. Even following a disaster, energy conservation and use of renewables promotes energy assurance while allowing occupants to maintain some resemblance of a normal life.
Feasibility Study of Solar Adsorption Technologies for Automobile Air-Conditioning
Authors: Abdullah M. O. , Leo S. L.
Published: October 2008

An adsorption system driven by solar heat or waste heat can help to eliminate the use of ozone depletion substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). In recent years, adsorption system has witnessed an increasing interest in many fields due to the fact that this system is quiet, long lasting, cheap to maintain and environmentally benign. Although adsorption system is not commonly used for automobile air conditioning, adsorption-cooled mini-refrigerators have been marketed for recreational transports (motor homes, boats, etc). Hence, there exists a need for a creative design and innovation to allow adsorption technology to be practical for air conditioning in automobile. The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive review on the past efforts in the field of solar adsorption refrigeration systems and also the feasibility study of this technology for automobile airconditioning purpose. It is a particularly an attractive application for solar energy because of the near coincidence of peak cooling loads with the available of solar power.
An Alternative Approach to PV System Life Cycle Cost Analysis (PV LCC): Phase II
Authors: Larsen Chris , Szaro Jennifer , Wilson William , Lynn Kevin
Published: October 2008

This analysis expands the photovoltaic (PV) life cycle cost (LCC) results presented at ASES 2004. That paper presented the model and concept used to develop PV LCC, and it showed the results of the analysis of over one hundred systems monitored by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). FSEC began tracking cost, performance and reliability data for systems installed in Florida in 1998, with data now available through a web-accessible database. For the majority of the 124 systems, installed cost information was collected as part of the state’s PV rebate and PV for schools programs. Results presented previously [1] indicated that over an assumed 20–30 system life time a PV system will have a positive life cycle cost. That is, a negative total return on investment. These results were based on actual cost, performance, maintenance, and reliability data. In the baseline case, average total system costs over the lifetime were 32.4¢/kWh while electricity savings totaled 3.7¢/kWh netting a life cycle cost of 28.7¢/kWh. While based on actual data from over 100 installed systems — some installed for over 6 years — a number of conservative assumptions also drove the analysis, such as the exclusion of the state’s rebate programs (varying from $2 to $5 per DC Watt) which impacted nearly all of the systems in the analysis. Since the first presentation of these results the PV LCC model has been further developed to incorporate additional performance information and expands the sample of systems incorporated. This paper will thus provide further insight into the relative importance of various up-front and on-going costs to the overall lifetime economics of a system. The paper will also address additional sensitivity analysis performed. Particular attention is paid to inverter mean time between failure (MTBF), the impact of incentives, and basic financial assumptions used in the model such as the discount rate and electricity rates. Various scenarios are considered in asking the question of what is necessary for the system LCC to break-even.
Comparison of Photovoltaic Module Performance Measurements
Authors: Fanney A. Hunter , Davis Mark W. , Dougherty Brian P. , King David L. , Boyson William E. , Kratochvil Jay A.
Published: October 2008

Computer simulation tools used to predict the energy production of photovoltaic systems are needed in order to make informed economic decisions. These tools require input parameters that characterize module performance under various operational and environmental conditions. Depending upon the complexity of the simulation model, the required input parameters can vary from the limited information found on labels affixed to photovoltaic modules to an extensive set of parameters. The required input parameters are normally obtained indoors using a solar simulator or flash tester, or measured outdoors under natural sunlight. This paper compares measured performance parameters for three photovoltaic modules tested outdoors at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). Two of the three modules were custom fabricated using monocrystalline and silicon film cells. The third, a commercially available module, utilized triple-junction amorphous silicon cells. The resulting data allow a comparison to be made between performance parameters measured at two laboratories with differing geographical locations and apparatus. This paper describes the apparatus used to collect the experimental data, test procedures utilized, and resulting performance parameters for each of the three modules. Using a computer simulation model, the impact that differences in measured parameters have on predicted energy production is quantified. Data presented for each module include power output at standard rating conditions and the influence of incident angle, air mass, and module temperature on each module’s electrical performance. Measurements from the two laboratories are in excellent agreement. The power at standard rating conditions is within 1% for all three modules. Although the magnitude of the individual temperature coefficients varied as much as 17% between the two laboratories, the impact on predicted performance at various temperature levels was minimal, less than 2%. The influence of air mass on the performance of the three modules measured at the laboratories was in excellent agreement. The largest difference in measured results between the two laboratories was noted in the response of the modules to incident angles that exceed 75°.
Solar Sea Power: Over a Century of Invention
Authors: Tomayko James E.
Published: October 2008

Solar Sea Power is one of the unusual technologies in history, in that it did not progress in capability much since its first invention by Jacques d’Arsonval in 1881. It has been reinvented several times since then (at least 14 instances, probably more), which is not unusual by itself, as explained in the paper, however, the lack of progress in technological sophistication is unusual, unless the design is dominated by an established, older, paradigm. Some of these repeated inventions were need-based, such as Claude’s, intended for French colonial Africa; few or none matched periods of increased interest in solar power. Even though individual inventors developed Solar Sea Power (SSP), governments were considered likely to advance the technology and apply it for the first 90 years or so of its existence. Recently, this task has been abandoned by deep-pocket governments and left to small, specialized companies such as Anderson’s. Examples of the former are the plant design intended for a lake in northern Italy and the mega-plant with identical technology designed under the Energy Research and Development Agency (ERDA) sponsorship by TRW, a government contractor since sold to an aerospace firm. SSP plants do not produce much electricity, but since a portion of the output is used for operation, it is free to operate, and constantly renewable. It is even more reliable than wind power, in that the temperature differences in suitable water are always there, but wind, a product of many factors, is not blowing at all times.
Fermentative Biohydrogen Production by Mixed and Pure Bacterial Culture: Designing of Processes and Engineering Control
Authors: Li Yong-Feng , Ren Nan-Qi , Hu Li-Jie , Zheng Guo-Xiang , Zadsar Maryam
Published: October 2008

In this paper the research about applied bio-hydrogen production engineering is introduced. The advantages, disadvantages and characteristics of bio-hydrogen production systems and some technical issues on anaerobic fermentative bio-hydrogen producing systems will be discussed and focused on the schematic processing, designing strategies and engineering control of fermentation parameters and also the technical means to increase the evolved hydrogen and hydrogen evolution rate. The technology of bio-hydrogen production based on ethanol-type fermentative theory has been established. The mixed continuous culture and pure batch culture processes were proposed for hydrogen production.
Biological Hydrogen Production In China: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Ren Nanqi , Li Yongfeng , Zadsar Maryam , Hu Lijie , Li Jianzheng
Published: October 2008

As a new clean energy source and important material, the use and demand of hydrogen are increasing-rapidly. So that bio-hydrogen producing technology moves toward cutting down the operation costs in recent years. Biohydrogen production capacity improvement and cost reduction are two key points for industrialization of the process. Biohydrogen production has been studied in China for over 20 years in both photosynthetic hydrogen production and fermentative processes fields. The anaerobic process of fermentative hydrogen production has been developing in China since 1990s. The isolation and identification of high efficient bio-hydrogen production anaerobic bacteria is an important foundation of fermentative bio-hydrogen production process by anaerobic digestion of organic wastewater. The paper focuses on: (1) Fermentative biohydrogen production system, (2) Laboratory experiments and pilot scale tests for continued hydrogen production, (3) Fermentation types and their engineering control, (4) isolation, culture media and characterization of anaerobes, (5) Applications of pure bacteria, (6) Fundamental researches including ecology, genetics and improvements, (7) Development of two-phase anaerobic process of H2-producing and methanogenic phases as, and (8) the integrated processes with bioengineering and wastewater treatments. Recently, the first pilot factory has been costructedin Harbin, China by hydrogen production rate of more than 1200m3/d which located in northeast of China. In photosynthetic hydrogen production filed, study is focused on the fundamentals, engineering application and microbiology. Detailed discussion comes later.
Wave Power for U.S. Coast Guard First District Lighthouses
Authors: Walker Andy , Kandt Alicen , Heimiller Donna
Published: October 2008

Lighthouses and other navigational aids are situated near tumultuous seas and thus may be good candidates for early applications of wave energy conversion technologies. The U.S. Coast Guard First District is converting lighthouses’ electrical systems to solar power to divest itself of electrical submarine cables and overhead costs associated with cable maintenance. However, in some lighthouses solar conversion is impractical or may compromise historic preservation. Unless alternative energy sources become available for these locations, they will continue to use submarine cables to run on shore power. Lighthouse sites for which shoreline and wave characteristics are suitable would be good candidates for a wave energy demonstration project. This paper describes gravity wave physics and the characteristics of mechanical radiation (growth, propagation, diffraction, and shoaling). A simple expression for energy content of a wave train with a two-parameter Bretschneider spectrum is applied to spectral wave density data collected from 15 buoys to evaluate wave energy resource potential at 31 candidate lighthouse sites in New England. Annual average wave power per meter of wavecrest varied from 3.9 to 21.7 kW/m at the buoys, and from 3.9 to 9.2 kW/m (with an average of 5.0 kW/m) at the lighthouses (buoys with maximum wave power are far out to sea, but still influence the correlation). The performance characteristics of two types of wave energy conversion technologies are used to calculate annual energy delivery by way of example. The paper concludes with a discussion of economics and environmental and permitting issues. It identifies Seguin Island light off a point in Maine and Nauset Beach, Chatham, Nantucket, and Sankaty Head lights (on Nantucket Island and along the outer shore of Cape Cod) as the best sites to begin more detailed evaluations, based on a comparison of wave power and utility rates. Subsequent studies would include demand profile for lighthouses, supply profiles, and resulting storage requirements.
Use of Solar Desiccant Air-Conditioning Systems in Commercial Buildings
Authors: Calderone Anthony Domenic , Hessami Mir-Akbar , Brey Stefan
Published: October 2008

Desiccant air conditioning systems provide an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional methods of conditioning a building’s internal environment. Whilst conventional air conditioning systems rely on electrical energy to drive the cooling cycle, desiccant cooling is a heat driven cycle. As such, desiccant cooling provides an opportunity to be coupled with solar thermal collectors to reduce energy demands. This paper discusses the potential for a desiccant cooling cycle utilising solar thermal energy as the sole source of heat for regeneration of the desiccant. The study demonstrates that under the assumed design conditions this system will theoretically not require a regeneration heater. Installation of such a system in a commercial building would be extremely beneficial in reducing building’s energy consumption and therefore greenhouse gas emission.
Numerical Study of Convective Heat Transfer of Multiple Internal Isolated Blocks in an Enclosure
Authors: Zhang Xutao , Zhao Jianing , Gao Fusheng , Gao Jun , Wang Songling
Published: October 2008

The treatment of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficients (CHTCs) in an enclosure has a significant impact on the thermal design of electronic appliance, especially the CHTCs in an enclosure with internal isolated blocks. The CHTCs of the isolated blocks for pure natural convection are usually used, while it may not be applicable to any practice. Combined convective heat transfer, even forced convective heat transfer, is sometime more applicable in reality. In our present work, first of all, validation of the turbulence model for CFD simulation of natural convective flows in a square enclosure is performed. The values of CHTCs for vertical walls obtained by using a low Reynolds k-ε model agree well with the existed correlations. The simulation also indicates that the distance from the first grid to the wall has a significant impact on the CHTCs. Using this low Reynolds k-ε model, computer simulations of natural and forced convective heat transfer within a square enclosure containing ten isolated blocks are performed. For both the natural and forced convection, the dimensionless Nusselt numbers are derived by the obtained results. For the case of mixed convection, the CHTCs are established by blending those for natural and forced convection using the Churchill-Usagi approach, which is a general expression combines the asymptotic solutions of independent CHTCs into the mixed convection by using a Churchill-Usagi blending coefficient.
Hydrogen Production Through Two-Step Water Splitting Using YSZ (Ni,Fe) System for Solar Hydrogen Production
Authors: Ishihara Hideyuki , Kaneko Hiroshi , Yokoyama Tsutomu , Fuse Akinori , Hasegawa Noriko , Tamaura Yutaka
Published: October 2008

The two-step water splitting with the solid solution of YSZ (Yttrium stabilized Zirconia) and Ni-ferrite (NiFe2O4) was studied for solar hydrogen production. The sample of YSZ/Ni-ferrite solid solution was prepared by calcination of the mixture of the YSZ balls and Ni-ferrite (NiFe2O4) powder. The two-step water splitting process composed of O2-releasing reaction (T = 1773K) in Ar gas flow and H2-generation reaction (T = 1473K) in Ar gas and steam flow with the YSZ/Ni-ferrite solid solution were repeated ten times, and the molar ratio of the released O2 gas and the generated H2 gas was nearly equal to 1:2 in each cycle, indicating that the two-step water splitting process proceeded stoichiometrically. The lattice constants of the YSZ/Ni-ferrite solid solution products after each step of the water splitting process were varied, therefore it was assumed that the oxidation and reduction of the iron ions proceeded in the YSZ phase. It is confirmed that the YSZ/Ni-ferrite was the solid solution and reactive ceramics of high thermal stability. The contents of iron ions determined by the atomic absorption spectroscopy indicated that the YSZ/Ni-ferrite solid solution heated at 1773K contained the only 36% of iron loaded initially. The generated O2 gas was 42% of the theoretical yield. These suggest that YSZ/Ni-ferrite solid solution is more effective reactive ceramics which has the ability to split water with concentrated solar heat than Ni-ferrite.
Production of Solar Hybrid Fuels of DME, Methanol and H2 in Australia and Shipping to Japan
Authors: Tamaura Yutaka , Kaneko Hiroshi , Fuse Akinori , Ishihara Hideyuki
Published: October 2008

Solar hybrid fuel production from natural gas using concentrated solar thermal energy in Australia was studied, assuming that 54.6MW/(one unit of solar farm) of the concentrated solar thermal energy is used for the endothermic process of stream reforming (solar steam reforming; SSR) with total solar energy conversion efficiency of 45.5% (120MW of heliostat field; one unit of solar farm). With 23 units of the solar farm, natural gas of 2516t/d can be reformed by the SSR. To ship the product fuel to Japan by existing tankers, the syngas (CO + 3H2) produced by the SSR is separated into one mole of H2 (375t/d) and the mixed gas of one mole of CO and two moles of H2 which is converted to one mole of methanol (6000t/d) to be shipped by existing tankers. The one mole of H2 will be used in Australia as the H2 fuel with 25% solar share (CO2 reduction). To improve cost barrier between oil and the methanol produced by SSR, the CO2 zero emission process of the combined process of SSR and AT (auto-thermal process) is proposed as the one whose methanol cost can be competitive with oil, when carbon tax is introduced. By shipping the methanol produced by the CO2 zero emission process of the combined process of SSR-AT (economically feasible), we can reduce CO2 emission by co-firing coal and methanol at coal-firing power stations in Japan. In this system, an excess H2 fuel with solar energy is produced, and can be used in Australia.
Natural Convection Effects on Freezing in Vertical Cylinders
Authors: Subrahmaniyam S. , Pavan Sai Kumar A. , Namuduri Divya
Published: October 2008

Freezing is an important thermal process with solar applications. The Phase Change Material (PCM) undergoes freezing process and the rate of freezing is influenced by natural convection in the melt if it is above the melting point. Experimental study was conducted on two PCMs namely Paraffin wax (m.p 63–65°C) and n-octadecane (m.p 27.7 °C). Steel and copper containers with insulation at both bottom and top by thermocol (1 cm thick) and acrylic plates (1 cm thick) are used to allow only radial heat flux. The PCMs were separately heated in a container to a known superheat and placed in an isothermal bath (± 1°C) containing the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). Water is used as HTF in this case. The temperature distributions in the PCM were measured using PT100 sensors with digital indicator to cover 10–16 points in radial and axial locations. In another separate set of experiments, the PCM under identical initial conditions of superheat is placed in the cylindrical metal container without any temperature sensors. Separating the frozen mass and unfrozen liquid at different time intervals and weighing, generate the frozen mass vs. time data following Sparrow et al (International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 24, 273–284,1981). The range of parameters studied are given below: • Container L/D ratio: 0.6–5.4; • Initial Superheat of PCM: 5–35 °C; • Range of water temperature: 5–25 °C; • Volume of PCMs: 35–500 ml. From the experimental data of temperature distributions, frozen mass vs. time data were generated following El Dessouky et al (Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Transactions of ASME, 121, 98–109, 1999), whose data pertains to melting outside tubes. The data of melt separation and weighing of n-octadecane and paraffin wax are compared with temperature-based data. A tentative correlation of entire data is presented.
Influence of Additives on Thermal Conductivity of Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Material
Authors: Ding Jianhong , Zhang Yinping , Wang Xin , Lin Kunping , Yang Rui
Published: October 2008

Shape-stabilized phase change material (PCM) is a kind of novel thermal energy storage material. Its thermal conductivity is low, which tends to be bottleneck of applying it in many conditions. In this paper, additives with high thermal conductivities were doped in it to improve its thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity was measured by a thermal probe. The experimental results show that the thermal conductivity of the shape-stabilized PCM can be improved greatly by adding exfoliated graphite. An empirical equation was got for calculating the effective thermal conductivity of the shape-stabilized PCM with different mass fraction of graphite additive. By using the so-called numerical element method, a theoretical equation was obtained for predicting the effective thermal conductivity, which agrees well with the experimental results. The empirical equation and the theoretical prediction are useful for “designing” and controlling the thermal conductivity of the shape-stabilized PCM.
Non-Isothermal, Flat-Plate Liquid-Desiccant Regenerators: A Numerical Study
Authors: Mesquita L. C. S. , Harrison S. J.
Published: October 2008

Solar energy can play a significant role in increasing the environmental sustainability of air-conditioning systems and a number of thermally-driven solar air-conditioning technologies are available. Among these technologies, liquid-desiccant systems have the potential to operate efficiently at lower regeneration temperatures, allowing for better use of flat plate collectors. In these systems, air to be conditioned is dehumidified through direct contact with a desiccant solution. This solution is then heated at the regenerator and water is evaporated into a scavenging air stream. This paper presents an analysis of the heat and mass transfer in a parallel-plate internally-heated liquid-desiccant regenerator. Using a finite-difference technique, a numerical analysis was performed to solve the species and energy equations. The influence of regenerator hot water parameters (temperature and mass flow), and solar collector efficiency on regeneration capacity and specific energy consumption was evaluated.
Preparation and Characterization of Thin CIGSS Solar Cells on Mo Coated Glass Substrates
Authors: Jahagirdar Anant H. , Kadam Ankur A. , Dhere Neelkanth G.
Published: October 2008

The aim of this study is to review issues related to the requirement of thin CIGSS absorber layers, prepare and characterize thin CIGSS films on molybdenum coated glass, improve understanding of material properties, and further enhance solar cell performance. This paper presents the preparation and properties of thin (∼1 μm thick) CuIn1−xGaxSe2−ySy (CIGSS) solar cells on molybdenum coated glass substrate. CIGSS films of thickness ∼1 μm were prepared in two steps. Step one involved the deposition of Cu-In-Ga metallic precursors on molybdenum coated glass substrate and step two involves the selenization/sulfurization of these metallic precursors using diluted diethylselenide (DESe) as selenium source and diluted H2S as sulfur source respectively. Thin film solar cells were completed by the deposition of n-type CdS layer by chemical bath deposition, ZnO/ZnO:Al transparent conducting window bilayer by RF magnetron sputtering and Ni-Al front contact fingers by e-beam evaporation technique through a metal mask. This paper presents the preliminary results obtained on very thin (∼ 1 μm) absorber layer.
Ru/Mi-Mg-O Catalyzed SiC-Foam Absorber for Solar Reforming Receiver-Reactor
Authors: Kodama Tatsuya , Moriyama Takuya , Shimoyama Takehiro , Gokon Nobuyuki
Published: October 2008

High-temperature solar reforming of methane with CO2 is investigated using a directly solar-irradiated absorber subjected to a solar mean flux level above 400kWm−2 (the peak flux of about 700kWm−2). The new type of catalytically-activated ceramic foam absorber — an Ru/Ni-Mg-O catalyzed SiC foam absorber — was prepared and its activity was tested in a laboratory-scale volumetric receiver-reactor with a transparent (quartz) window by using a sun-simulator. Compared to conventional Rh/Al2O3 catalyzed SiC foam absorber, this new catalytic absorber is more cost-effective and is found to exhibit a superior reaction performance at the high solar flux or at high temperatures, especially above 950 °C. This new absorber will be applied in solar receiver-reactor systems for converting concentrated high solar fluxes to chemical fuels via endothermic natural-gas reforming at the high temperatures.