Following an introduction, the author describes Texas A&M University and its utilities system. After that, the author presents how to construct simulation models for chilled water and heating hot water distribution systems. The simulation model was used in a $2.3 million Ross Street chilled water pipe replacement project at Texas A&M University. A second project conducted at the University of Texas at San Antonio was used as an example to demonstrate how to identify and design an optimal distribution system by using a simulation model. The author found that the minor losses of these closed loop thermal distribution systems are significantly higher than potable water distribution systems. In the second part of the report, the author presents the latest development of software called the Plant Optimization Program, which can simulate cogeneration plant operation, estimate its operation cost and provide optimized operation suggestions. The author also developed detailed simulation models for a gas turbine and heat recovery steam generator and identified significant potential savings. Finally, the author also used a steam turbine as an example to present a multi-regression method on constructing simulation models by using basic statistics and optimization algorithms. This report presents a survey of the author??s working experience at the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Texas A&M University during the period of January 2002 through March 2004. The purpose of the above work was to allow the author to become familiar with the practice of engineering. The result is that the author knows how to complete a project from start to finish and understands how both technical and nontechnical aspects of a project need to be considered in order to ensure a quality deliverable and bring a project to successful completion. This report concludes that the objectives of the internship were successfully accomplished and that the requirements for the degree of Degree of Engineering have been satisfied.

For industrial processes high availability and efficiency are important goals in plant operation. This thesis presents studies and development of tools for on-line treatment of process deterioration and model and sensor errors in order to achieve these goals. Deterioration of measurement devices, process components and process models has caused economical losses, plant failure and human losses. The development of on-line methods to prevent such losses is of special interest and has been conducted at The Department of Energy Technology, Mälardalen University. Important technological obstacles to implementing automatic on-line methods have been identified, such as data selection for adaptation and adaptation of data-driven models to new states. A new method has been developed for decision support by combining artificial intelligence methods and heat and mass balance models, and concepts are proposed for decision support in order to detect developing faults and to conduct appropriate maintenance actions. The methods have been implemented in simulation environment and evaluated on real process data when available. The results can be sumarised as successful development of a decision support method on a steam turbine by combining artificial neural networks and Bayesian networks, and identification of important obstacles for automation of methods for adaptation of heat and mass balance process models and data-driven models when they are subject to deterioration.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, May, 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Texas, May, 2008. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Prof° Dr. Marcelo Modesto da Silva / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Energia, 2015. / A matriz elétrica brasileira mostra a geração elétrica movida a biomassa com representatividade de 7,6%, terceira maior, em 2014. Apesar dos números favoráveis para a geração térmica, a tecnologia possui um limite no que diz respeito ao uso do energético. O bagaço de cana-de-açúcar constitui a biomassa com maior potencial de geração elétrica no Brasil. Visto a grande versatilidade da cana-de-açúcar, como oferta de alimento e energia (açúcar, etanol e insumo para energia elétrica), é preciso dimensionar o ciclo térmico para atender as demandas de vapor para o processo, energia elétrica para suprimento da planta e maior quantidade de excedente para venda de energia elétrica. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho estuda os principais elementos com o objetivo de desenvolver um módulo computacional para a simulação de sistemas de cogeração baseados no comportamento termodinâmico de sistemas de potência à vapor (Rankine). Para modelagem dos módulos e do ciclo termodinâmico do sistema de cogeração, foram considerados os conceitos termodinâmicos de balanço de massa, energia e exergia, baseados na Primeira e Segunda Lei da Termodinâmica, e conceitos de transferência de calor, baseados na diferença de temperatura média logarítmica. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a metodologia disponível na literatura, para os volumes de controles da caldeira, está dentro dos limites de operação de uma planta real, com eficiências de primeira lei em torno de 84% e de segunda lei de 30%. A modelagem do condensador, turbina e bomba foram realizadas de acordo com os conceitos teóricos destes equipamentos. / Brazil¿s electricity matrix presents electricity generated from biomass with a 7,6% share, third major. Regardless of the thermal generation¿s favorable numbers, there is a limit to the technology when it comes to the use of the fuel. The sugarcane bagasse represents the biomass with the highest potential for electricity generation in Brazil. In view of the great versatility of sugarcane, as food supply and energy (ethanol and electricity), it is necessary to properly design the thermal cycle in order to meet the process steam demand, the plant energy requirements, and a higher amount of surplus energy to sell. The present work approaches the main elements of a cogeneration system in a sugarcane plant with the aim of developing a computational tool for the simulation of cogeneration systems based on the thermodynamic behaviour of steam power systems (Rankine). For the modelling of the modules and the thermodynamic cycle of the cogeneration system the thermodynamic concepts of mass, energy and exergy balances, according to the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, and the heat transfer concepts, based on the logarithmic mean temperature difference approach, were taken into account. The results demonstrate that the methodology available in the literature, concerning the control volume for the boiler, is within the operational limits of an actual boiler, with first law efficiency of about 84% and second law efficiency of 30%. The modelling of the condenser, turbine and pump were carried out according to the theoretical concepts of each equipment.

The Master’s thesis deals with the renewable source of energy, namely with the biomass, and its utilisation in the Czech Republic. The thesis is divided in to two parts. The first part of thesis is theoretical. It summarises in form of literature search the general problems concerning the biomass, closely burning biomass. The second part focuses on practical utilisation of biomass and it´s burning in small scale boilers, designated for heating buildings. Boilers are detailed described. Attention is focused on machinery with automatic fuel supply. Four possibilities of improving them are described in last part of thesis. Automatic ignition, air supply, preheating of air and continuous regulation of process.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND SCIENCE. / Vita. / Bibliography: Ref 1-Ref 7. / by Walter Herbert Strohmayer. / Ph.D.

The capacity expansion of a district heating system is studied with the objective of evaluating the investment decision timing and type of capacity expansion. District energy is an energy generation system that provides energy, such as heat and electricity, generated at central locations and distributed to the surrounding area. The study develops an optimization framework to find the optimal investment schedule over a 30 year horizon with the options of investing in traditional heating sources (boilers) or a next-generation combined heat and power (CHP) plant that can provide heat and electricity. In district energy systems, the investment decision on the capacity and type of system is dependent on demand-side requirements, energy prices, and environmental costs. The main contribution of this work is to formulate the capacity planning over a time horizon asa dynamic optimal control problem. In this way, an initial system configuration can be modified by a 'controller' that optimally applies control actions that drive the system from an initial state to an optimal state. The optimal control is a model predictive control (MPC) formulation that not only provides the timing and size of the capacity investment, but also guidance on the mode of operation that meets optimal economic objectives with the given capacity.

This study was conducted at the Virginia Tech Power Plant to measure and compare stack emissions while firing coal alone and coal mixed with shredded tires. The coal-tire mixtures consisted of 10 and 20 percent tire chips. Modified EPA method 5 sampling train was used to determine particulate emissions. CO emissions were determined with an ENERAC 2000 gas analyzer. Supelco XAD-2 resin was used in the modified method 5 sampling train to adsorb nonpolar, vapor phase hydrocarbons. The XAD-2 resin was extracted and the wash concentrated before High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the presence of benzene, chrysene, phenol, and benzo(a)pyrene. Particulate emissions resulting from the combustion of 0, 10 and 20 percent tire mixtures with coal were 0.88, 2.32, and 2.13 lb/10⁶ Btu, respectively. For carbon monoxide, the emissions were 0.17,0.22, and 0.33 1b/10⁶ BTU for 0, 10, and 20 percent tire mixtures, respectively. Large variations in polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions were observed. Therefore, only trends in the PAH data can be discussed. Phenol emissions appeared to increase with the addition of shredded tires to the combustion process. Benzene and benzo(a)pyrene emissions appeared to decrease with the addition of shredded tires to the combustion process. An increase in chrysene emissions for 20% addition of shredded tires was observed. A larger data base is needed in order to develop stronger conclusions regarding PAH emissions resulting from coal/tire shred combustion in a conventional spreader stroker. / Master of Science

This master´s thesis proposal addresses the heating from the perspective of primary energy in the object. The building is located in Brno and is used as a villa with a pool hall. The object of this work is the selection of appropriate variants of three heat sources (gas boiler, pellet and electric) in terms of primary energy. The project is design of the heating system chosen mode of heat, which is a pellet boiler. The theoretical part is focused on the pellets and their history, classification, properties, production, storage and transport.