During combustion of biomass, particulate matter is emitted, which has severe health impacts on humans. The company ITK Envifront has developed a scrubber technology that cleans the flue gas while also recovering the flue gas energy, increasing the efficiency of the combustion plant. In this thesis, a simulation model was built in MATLAB according to the Finite Element Method. Validation of the model against 3 different facilities showed reasonable accuracy with a tendency to overestimate the scrubber heat recovery and a mean prediction deviation of approximately 7 %. The model was then used to make suggestions for process optimization. An increase of funnel height, and number of spray nozzles could increase the scrubbers heat recovery with up to 7 % and 8 %, respectively. Addition of moisture to the flue gas through evaporation of water droplets had the potential to increase scrubber efficiency with 10 %, and usage of the highest setting of the adjustable nozzle bank showed the potential to increase the efficiency with up to 5 % compared to the mid-setting. Furthermore, the process parameters of a scrubber with optimized running conditions, was compared to a scrubber with the current running conditions, through running of the developed model. The optimized running conditions showed an increase in scrubber efficiency with up to 14 %, resulting in an increase in scrubber heat recovery of approx. 90 kW at a boiler load of 3 MW. As a final conclusion, the developed model shows great potential to be used to as a toolbox to further investigate and optimize the scrubber design and operation. As a future work, it would be interesting to further model its performance regarding particle removal.

Biomass cookstoves are a significant source of various pollutants, such as CO2, CO, and particulate matter (PM). To mitigate the issues surrounding cookstoves, significant research has been undertaken on improved cookstoves (ICS). This research can be performed in a laboratory setting, in the field, or a combination of both. This work concentrates on the purely laboratory testing. Laboratory testing has both advantages and disadvantages when compared to field testing (e.g. decreased cost and increased consistency). However, field applications are variable, environments can be significantly different (for example wind and ambient temperature can be very different in the field vs. a controlled lab environment) and the personal preferences of the users of the cookstove can also be difficult to predict when only using laboratory testing. It is typically preferable to narrow down the possible cookstove choices by using laboratory results before heading to the field. This work concentrated on assessing the limitations of laboratory testing of cookstoves as presently constituted, as well as finding new ways to improve and expand upon the testing methodologies. Sources of error during testing was considered, leading to recommendations on how to adjust testing to decrease that error. Of note, it was found that higher thermal efficiencies led to increased propagated errors, which complicates the comparison of this efficiency among cookstoves. Additionally, a method for estimating the transient thermal efficiency was developed. Further, the effects of changing some of the key testing parameters were explored and the results showed that the overall thermal efficiency was minimally affected by parameter variations within the WBT or ISO 19867-1 guidelines. Finally, two methods were explored and compared for finding kinetic parameters associated with transforming food from the uncooked state to the cooked state. It was found that physical testing was more effective for samples that started in a harder physical state, whereas DSC testing was more effective with samples that had lower water content. This analysis was done with the intention of using transformation kinetics in future applications of cookstove models so that researchers could gain additional insights into which stoves may be best for their target market.

Grootvlei Power Station’s thermal efficiency had been on a steady declining trend since it was re-commissioned in 2008, which had tremendous financial implications to the company at the time of writing. The main contributory factor to the thermal efficiency losses was identified to be the condenser backpressure losses that the station was experiencing. This loss was responsible for approximately 17% of the total efficiency losses. Therefore an investigation was conducted to determine the potential impact of the condenser backpressure loss on the thermal efficiency and the financial implications thereof. The deliverables were to determine the cause of the condenser backpressure loss and propose possible resolutions, to quantify the financial effect and to produce a cost benefit analysis in order to justify certain corrective actions. Grootvlei Power Station is one of the older power stations in South Africa and it was used as the first testing facility for dry-cooling in South Africa. It consists of six 200MW units, two of which are dry-cooled units. In 1990 it was mothballed and due to rising power demands in South Africa, it was re-commissioned in 2008. Thermal efficiency has been playing a great role due to the power constraints and therefore it was deemed necessary to conduct this study. The approach that was used was one of experimental and quantitative research and analyses, incorporating deductive reasoning in order to test various hypotheses of factors that could have been contributing to the backpressure losses. In order to do so, a logic diagram was designed which could be used to aid in the identification of possible causes of the condenser backpressure losses. The logic diagram was able to identify whether the problem had to do with the cooling tower or the condenser. It was able to identify which area on the condenser was defective i.e. whether the pumps were not performing, or whether the air ejectors were not performing. It was also able to indicate whether the inefficiency was due to air ingress or fouling. Alongside the logic diagram, a condenser efficiency analysis was used in order to strengthen and improve on the investigation. This analysis was able to identify whether the condenser was experiencing fouling conditions, air ingress, passing valves or low cooling water flow. After the investigation commenced, it was decided to focus on the two largest contributing units since the largest contributor was a dry-cooled unit and the second largest contributor was a wet-cooled unit, thus some comparison between the units was incorporated. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 3 (wet-cooled unit) indicated a low cooling water flow, fouling as well as air ingress. The logic diagram indicated poor cooling tower performance, high air ingress as well as fouling. Further tests and analyses as well as visual inspections confirmed these phenomena and condenser fouling was identified to be the largest contributor to the backpressure loss on this unit. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 6 indicated that air was entering the condenser. The logic diagram indicated that a segment of the backpressure loss was due to poor cooling tower performance. Inspection of the cooling tower indicated damage and leaks. A cooling tower performance test was conducted and the result of the test indicated that the tower was in need of cleaning. Further analyses according to the logic diagram indicated that the condenser was experiencing air ingress which concurred with the condenser efficiency analysis. A helium test, condensate extraction pump pressure test as well as a flood test was conducted on this unit and various air in-leakage points were identified. The financial implications of the backpressure losses were investigated and found to be costing millions each month. The condenser backpressure loss was contributing more than 2% to the thermal efficiency loss. The cost benefit analysis indicated that the cost of cleaning the condenser on Unit 3 would be made up within six months and a return on investment of 16,6% was calculated. The cost benefit analysis motivates for extended outage times for the purpose of cleaning the condensers from a financial perspective. Therefore, it was recommended to clean the condenser on Unit 3 and fix all known defects on the unit as well as on Unit 6. The cooling towers were recommended to be refurbished. Further investigation was recommended to determine the feasibility of installing an online cleaning system on the wet-cooled units’ condensers such as a Taprogge system. Alternative investigation methods were suggested such as smoke stick analyses for air ingress determination. It was also recommended to review the maintenance strategies that were being used since many of the defects were found to be maintenance related. If the identified problem areas are attended to, the condenser backpressure loss will decrease and the condensers transfer heat more efficiently which will lead to financial gains for Grootvlei Power Station as well as efficiency gains, plant reliability and availability gains. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Grootvlei Power Station’s thermal efficiency had been on a steady declining trend since it was re-commissioned in 2008, which had tremendous financial implications to the company at the time of writing. The main contributory factor to the thermal efficiency losses was identified to be the condenser backpressure losses that the station was experiencing. This loss was responsible for approximately 17% of the total efficiency losses. Therefore an investigation was conducted to determine the potential impact of the condenser backpressure loss on the thermal efficiency and the financial implications thereof. The deliverables were to determine the cause of the condenser backpressure loss and propose possible resolutions, to quantify the financial effect and to produce a cost benefit analysis in order to justify certain corrective actions. Grootvlei Power Station is one of the older power stations in South Africa and it was used as the first testing facility for dry-cooling in South Africa. It consists of six 200MW units, two of which are dry-cooled units. In 1990 it was mothballed and due to rising power demands in South Africa, it was re-commissioned in 2008. Thermal efficiency has been playing a great role due to the power constraints and therefore it was deemed necessary to conduct this study. The approach that was used was one of experimental and quantitative research and analyses, incorporating deductive reasoning in order to test various hypotheses of factors that could have been contributing to the backpressure losses. In order to do so, a logic diagram was designed which could be used to aid in the identification of possible causes of the condenser backpressure losses. The logic diagram was able to identify whether the problem had to do with the cooling tower or the condenser. It was able to identify which area on the condenser was defective i.e. whether the pumps were not performing, or whether the air ejectors were not performing. It was also able to indicate whether the inefficiency was due to air ingress or fouling. Alongside the logic diagram, a condenser efficiency analysis was used in order to strengthen and improve on the investigation. This analysis was able to identify whether the condenser was experiencing fouling conditions, air ingress, passing valves or low cooling water flow. After the investigation commenced, it was decided to focus on the two largest contributing units since the largest contributor was a dry-cooled unit and the second largest contributor was a wet-cooled unit, thus some comparison between the units was incorporated. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 3 (wet-cooled unit) indicated a low cooling water flow, fouling as well as air ingress. The logic diagram indicated poor cooling tower performance, high air ingress as well as fouling. Further tests and analyses as well as visual inspections confirmed these phenomena and condenser fouling was identified to be the largest contributor to the backpressure loss on this unit. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 6 indicated that air was entering the condenser. The logic diagram indicated that a segment of the backpressure loss was due to poor cooling tower performance. Inspection of the cooling tower indicated damage and leaks. A cooling tower performance test was conducted and the result of the test indicated that the tower was in need of cleaning. Further analyses according to the logic diagram indicated that the condenser was experiencing air ingress which concurred with the condenser efficiency analysis. A helium test, condensate extraction pump pressure test as well as a flood test was conducted on this unit and various air in-leakage points were identified. The financial implications of the backpressure losses were investigated and found to be costing millions each month. The condenser backpressure loss was contributing more than 2% to the thermal efficiency loss. The cost benefit analysis indicated that the cost of cleaning the condenser on Unit 3 would be made up within six months and a return on investment of 16,6% was calculated. The cost benefit analysis motivates for extended outage times for the purpose of cleaning the condensers from a financial perspective. Therefore, it was recommended to clean the condenser on Unit 3 and fix all known defects on the unit as well as on Unit 6. The cooling towers were recommended to be refurbished. Further investigation was recommended to determine the feasibility of installing an online cleaning system on the wet-cooled units’ condensers such as a Taprogge system. Alternative investigation methods were suggested such as smoke stick analyses for air ingress determination. It was also recommended to review the maintenance strategies that were being used since many of the defects were found to be maintenance related. If the identified problem areas are attended to, the condenser backpressure loss will decrease and the condensers transfer heat more efficiently which will lead to financial gains for Grootvlei Power Station as well as efficiency gains, plant reliability and availability gains. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Orientador: Pedro Magalhães Sobrinho / Resumo: A pesquisa desenvolvida visa a otimização do consumo de energia elétrica de torres de resfriamento a parir do controle de acionamento dos respectivos ventiladores e bombas de circulação, além da melhoria na instrução de trabalho dos operadores, os quais frequentemente são responsáveis pela gestão da temperatura e geralmente utilizam meios manuais para manter o processo estável. O método empregado consiste em avaliar três cenários com uma equipe multidisciplinar e, respeitando a limitação técnica e o ponto de vista de cada uma das áreas, desenvolver, validar e implementar soluções de eficiência energética e térmica de rápida configuração e com retornos mensuráveis. As alterações nas construções mecânicas dos equipamentos não são consideradas e as soluções propostas têm a automação e alteração nas instruções de operação como fontes de melhoria. O requisito básico para a implementação do método é a existência de um sistema de automação, nos casos avaliados, um Sistema Digital de Controle Distribuído (SDCD), os quais contemplam os sinais de instrumentos de medição instalados em campo e realizam o acionamento dos ventiladores e bombas nos modos manual e automático. Os resultados obtidos são controles eficientes para utilização dos ventiladores e bombas de circulação, levando em conta a possibilidade de economia de energia elétrica, diminuição das chances de um eventual desgaste mecânico natural e estabelecimento mais preciso das temperaturas de processo. Os resultados alcançados e... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The developed research aims electrical energy’s consumption optimization on cooling towers through fans and circulation pumps actuating controls, besides improvements on operators instructions forms that are the responsibles for temperature management and frequently use manual mode to keep the process estability. The used method consists in a multidisciplinar team assessment in three scenarios and, based on each area technical’s limitation, develop, validate and implement themal and energy eficient solutions with fast implementation and measurable results. It was not evaluated equipment’s mechanical improvement and the expected proposal were based on automation and operators instructions. The basic requirements for the method was the existance of a DCS (Distributed Control System) that was already in place in the evaluated scenarios. The DCS already manages the measurements from the installed instruments and acts fans and circulating pumps in manual and automatic mode. As results, it was developed eficient controls on fans and circulating pumps, electrical energy savings, reducing chances of natural mechanical detrition and optimize the process’ temperatures. The results evaluated on energy efficiency were promising without operation losses, saving up to 50% on fans usage and in extreme cases, avoiding the usage of circulating pumps. The implemented proposals had a low cost investment and relevant results where payback was less than one month. / Mestre

Submitted by Nara Lays Domingues Viana Oliveira (naradv) on 2015-06-12T22:36:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 000006AB.pdf: 9859828 bytes, checksum: 7298da927fa0f798beed1d1cb69fcb2a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-12T22:36:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 000006AB.pdf: 9859828 bytes, checksum: 7298da927fa0f798beed1d1cb69fcb2a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / CNPQ – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Neste trabalho, foi realizada a simulação do ciclo térmico da Usina Termoelétrica São Jerônimo – UTSJ. A Usina, muito antiga, possui caldeira do tipo grelha. Na mesma Usina foi instalada uma caldeira experimental de leito fluidizado, para funcionar em paralelo com a existente. O trabalho é iniciado com a modelagem de um ciclo de Rankine simples e segue evoluindo até se estabelecer a configuração mais adequada e representativa na tarefa de simular o modo de trabalho da Usina Termelétrica São Jerônimo – UTSJ. Desta forma, foram adotadas as considerações mais convencionais na prática de projeto de centrais termelétricas cujos sistemas térmicos baseiam-se no ciclo de Rankine. As simulações, que se caracterizam pela resolução simultânea das equações que modelam o ciclo e seus componentes, foram efetuadas através de programa IPSE-pro®. As simulações foram aplicadas para a obtenção dos resultados mais importantes na análise de sistemas térmicos, tais como rendimento térmico do ciclo, potência, vazões mássicas do sistema, calor trocado no gerador de vapor e no condensador, entre outros. Por fim, com objetivo de melhorar o rendimento térmico da planta, são apresentadas algumas alternativas ao sistema atual, tais como o aumento de eficiência da caldeira mediante substituição ou a adição de uma caldeira em paralelo à original. / In this work was made the simulation of the thermal cycle of São Jerônimo - UTSJ thermal power plant. The power plant, very old, has a grate boiler. In the same power plant was installed an experimental fluidized bed boiler, workingin parallel with the existing one. The work starts with the modeling of a simple Rankine cycle and evolves up to establish the most suitable and representative configuration to simulate the mode the work of São Jerônimo –UTSJ thermal power plant. Therefore, in this work it was adopted the more conventional considerations in the design practice for thermal power plants whose systems are based on the Rankine cycle. The simulations, which are characterized by the simultaneous solving of equations that model the cycle and its components, were made through the IPSE-pro® software. The simulations were applied to obtain the main results on the analysis of thermal systems such as, thermal efficiency of the cycle, power, system mass flow, heat exchanged in the steam generator and condenser, among others. Finally, in order to improve the thermal efficiency of the plant, some alternatives to the actual system were presented.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-07-08T14:09:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniel dos Santos Silva.pdf: 1207479 bytes, checksum: a37801e7a4a9fabd110fb80d5c179a85 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-08T14:09:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniel dos Santos Silva.pdf: 1207479 bytes, checksum: a37801e7a4a9fabd110fb80d5c179a85 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-01-31 / Nenhuma / O uso da energia solar, como alternativa energética renovável, tem tomado um destaque fundamental no cenário mundial. Em especial, esse tipo de energia utilizado para aquecimento de água, tanto para uso doméstico como industrial representa um mercado mundial com crescimento em torno de 15% ao ano. No Brasil, esse crescimento deve-se, principalmente, aos programas habitacionais patrocinados pelo governo federal, além dos apelos cada vez mais fortes no sentido de buscar-se uma sustentabilidade energética e de economia através da diminuição do consumo de eletricidade e gás. Um sistema de aquecimento de água com energia solar é composto basicamente por coletor e reservatório térmico. Esses dois componentes representam quase a totalidade dos custos de instalação e isso ocorre principalmente em função dos materiais utilizados (cobre, alumínio e aço inoxidável) e dos processos de fabricação utilizados. Uma das formas para reduzir esses custos é a utilização de outros materiais mais baratos para a confecção de coletores e reservatórios e também de novos processos, mais ágeis e autômatos.Para contribuir com a solução desse problema, esse trabalho apresentará o desenvolvimento de uma ferramenta computacional que facilite a avaliação do rendimento térmico de diferentes composições de coletores solares de placa plana. Essa ferramenta foi desenvolvida sobre a plataforma EES (Engineering Equation Solver), pela sua facilidade de implementação, disponibilidade de funções de propriedades térmicas de fluidos, materiais e de escoamento. O programa segue um modelamento matemático baseado na teoria de Hottel-Bliss_Whillier e permite a entrada de dados relacionados aos parâmetros construtivos do coletor, como diâmetro dos tubos e espaçamento, espaçamento absorvedor-cobertura, material dos tubos, material da placa coletora e espessuras, material da cobertura e espessuras de isolamento, além de variáveis ambientais. Como dados de saída o programa fornece o desempenho térmico do coletor, calor útil, perdas térmicas, temperatura de estagnação, entre outros dados fundamentais de projeto. Os modelos matemáticos adotados na construção do programa foram validados através do confronto dos resultados calculados com dados obtidos experimentalmente em testes realizados pelo Test Center for Thermal Solar Systems do Fraunhofer Institut Solare Energie Systeme e pelo Institut für Thermodynamik und Wärmetechnik. Após a validação, a ferramenta é utilizada para avaliar o rendimento térmico de coletores com outros materiais construtivos, características óticas e termodinâmicas e também aspectos construtivos como a otimização do espaçamento de tubos, distanciamento entre cobertura e placa coletora, entre outros apresentados no capítulo quatro. / The use of solar energy as an alternative renewable energy, has taken a key highlight in the scene in different parts of the world. In particular, this type of energy used for heating water for domestic use becomes for a growing world market, mainly due to housing programs sponsored by the federal appeals beyond the increasingly strong in the sense of trying to achieve a sustainable energy and economy by reducing the consumption of electricity and gas. A system for heating water with solar energy is basically composed of collector and storage tank. These two components account for almost the entire cost of installation and this is mainly due to the materials (copper, aluminum and stainless steel) and the manufacturing processes used. One way to reduce these costs is the use of other cheaper materials for the manufacture of collectors. and reservoirs as well as new processes, more agile. To contribute to solving this problem, the present study the development of a software tool that facilitates the evaluation of the thermal efficiency of different compositions of flat plate solar collectors. This tool was developed on the platform EES (Engineering Equation Solver) for its ease of implementation, availability of functions of the thermal properties of fluids, materials and marketing.the program follows a mathematical model based on the theory of Hottel-Bliss_Whillier and allows entry of data related to the construction parameters of the collector, such as pipe diameter and spacing, spacing absorber-cover, the pipe material, the absorber material and thickness of material coverage and thickness of isolation and environmental variables. As output data the program provides the thermal performance of the collector, useful heat, thermal losses, stagnation temperature, and other fundamental data design.the mathematical models adopted in the construction of the program were validated by comparing the calculated results with data obtained experimentally by renowned research centers in Germany, as test center for thermal solar systems of Fraunhofer Institut Solare Systeme and Institut für Energie und Wärmetechnik Thermodynamik. After validation, the tool is used to evaluate the thermal performance of collectors with other building materials, optical characteristics and thermodynamic aspects of construction as well as the optimization of the spacing tubes, distance between absorber plate and cover, among others presented in chapter four.

O presente trabalho objetiva estudar a eficiência térmica do arco elétrico e de fusão para o processo de soldagem MAG, do inglês Metal Active Gas, em diferentes geometrias de juntas soldadas. As soldas foram feitas inicialmente em um calorímetro de fluxo contínuo de água, seguidas de deposição de cordão sobre chapa e soldagem de juntas em ângulo “T”, sempre em aço carbono. A metodologia de projeto de experimentos Box-Behnken foi empregada para a avaliação da influência da variação dos parâmetros de soldagem (tensão, velocidade de alimentação do eletrodo e velocidade de soldagem) nas eficiências, dentro do modo de transferência metálica por curto circuito. Diferentes equações propostas na literatura para o cálculo da eficiência de fusão são comparadas. Para a adequada aquisição da eficiência térmica pelo calorímetro, preliminarmente é avaliada a influência da vazão de água e da geometria na entrada de um calorímetro de fluxo contínuo sobre a eficiência térmica do arco. O procedimento experimental consiste em testar diferentes vazões de água e três configurações geométricas na região de entrada de água no calorímetro: com rolha reta, com difusor cônico e com obstáculo. Os experimentos foram planejados e os resultados avaliados com base na análise de variância estatística de um único fator, no caso, a vazão de água na entrada do calorímetro. A maior eficiência térmica média de 80,5% foi obtida para a vazão de 4 l/min, com baixo erro estatístico, utilizando rolha de entrada com geometria de difusor cônico. O modelo em que o fluxo entra diretamente no tubo apresentou todos os valores de eficiência térmica do arco com pequeno decréscimo numérico se comparados com o difusor cônico, enquanto a rolha com obstáculo apresentou elevado erro estatístico. Com base nos resultados descritos, a eficiência térmica do arco elétrico foi avaliada com a vazão de 4 l/min para o projeto de experimentos Box-Behnken, os valores obtidos estão na faixa de 72 a 82% conforme a combinação dos parâmetros de soldagem. A velocidade de soldagem e a tensão do arco se mostraram como os parâmetros de maior influência na eficiência térmica do arco. Os resultados relativos à eficiência de fusão indicam maiores valores nas soldas realizadas no calorímetro e por simples deposição sobre chapa. A junta T apresentou os menores valores de eficiência de fusão e de diluição para todos os casos. O parâmetro de maior influência na eficiência de fusão foi a corrente de soldagem. / The main aim of the present work is to study arc thermal efficiency and fusion efficiency to Gas Metal Arc Welding – GMAW, using different joint geometries. At first, the welds were performed in a continuous water flow calorimeter, followed by bead on plate and T – joint deposits. The Box-Behken design of experiments methodology was used to analyze the effect of welding parameters (arc voltage, wire feed speed and welding speed) on the efficiencies, when using short circuit metal transfer. The results of the fusion efficiency calculation were compared using different equations found in the literature. To correctly evaluate the thermal efficiency, it was necessary to analyze the influence of water flow rate and calorimeter inlet geometry. The experimental procedure consists of varying water flow rate and testing three different calorimeter inlet seal geometries: straight seal, conical diffuser seal and seal with water flux obstacle. The experiments were designed and the results evaluated based in a one-factor statistical analysis of variance, in this case the inlet calorimeter water flow. The highest average thermal efficiency is 80.5% to water flow of 4 l/min, with a low statistical error, using the conical diffuser seal inlet geometry. The inlet with straight seal model shown all the arc thermal efficiency values with slightly lower numerical values compared with conical diffuser, while the seal with flux obstacle exhibited high statistical error. Based on these results, the arc thermal efficiency was evaluated using 4 l/min water flow to the Box-Behnken Design, resulting values in the 72 to 82% range, depending on the welding parameters. The welding speed and arc voltage were the parameters that significantly affect arc thermal efficiency. The fusion efficiency results of the welds performed on the calorimeter and bead on plate were. The welds performed in T joints exhibit lowest fusion efficiency and dilution to each welding parameters combination tested. The fusion efficiency is strongly affected by the welding current.

Os aproveitamentos de energia solar em aplicações térmicas ou para a produção de energia elétrica são cada vez mais importantes, por se tratarem de fontes de energia. Os estudos acerca dessas fontes estão se intensificando, a fim de melhorar seus desempenhos e suas aplicações para as condições atuais de desenvolvimento pelo mundo. Uma dessas tecnologias que utilizam como fonte a energia solar, desenvolvida nos últimos 30 anos, é o coletor híbrido térmico fotovoltaico. Esse coletor converte a energia proveniente da radiação solar em energia térmica e elétrica, simultaneamente, com a superposição de um módulo fotovoltaico a um coletor solar de placa plana, podendo ser promissor no progresso de novas tecnologias. Um coletor híbrido térmico fotovoltaico tem sua eficiência térmica menor que um coletor térmico convencional, decorrente de uma maior perda de calor para o meio, pois, em geral, o coletor não tem proteção contra o vento, como a cobertura transparente em um coletor convencional. A eficiência elétrica desses coletores híbridos é maior quando comparada a um sistema fotovoltaico convencional, pois há um resfriamento devido à passagem do fluido na parte posterior desses módulos. Para uma avaliação dessas eficiências, no presente trabalho, foram instalados três tipos de tecnologias que utilizam a energia solar como fonte, (um módulo fotovoltaico, um coletor híbrido térmico fotovoltaico e um coletor solar de placa plana) a fim de comparar os resultados de seus rendimentos, separadamente, atribuindo as mesmas condições meteorológicas em todos eles. A eficiência térmica máxima do coletor híbrido térmico fotovoltaico teve seu valor 3 vezes menor que o do coletor de placa plana utilizado. Já a eficiência elétrica de cada módulo teve um aumento de 5,5% comparando a diferença de energia elétrica gerada ao longo de um ano. Com esses resultados, pode-se dizer que melhorias na parte térmica do coletor híbrido térmico fotovoltaico poderiam ser feitas, de forma a aumentar seu desempenho térmico sem comprometer o rendimento das suas células fotovoltaicas. / The use of solar energy for thermal application and production of electric energy is becoming more important, because it is a form of clean and renewable energy. The studies of these sources are intensifying to improve the performance of these technologies and their applications for the current conditions of the development around the world. One of this technologies using as a source solar energy, developed in the last 30 years is the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector. This collector simultaneously converts the solar radiation into thermal and electrical energy, with the superposition of a photovoltaic module on a flat plate solar collector, may be promising in the progress of new technologies. That a photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector has a lower thermal efficiency than a conventional thermal collector, due a greater loss of heat to the environment, because in general the collector has no protection from the wind, as the transparent cover in a conventional collector. The electrical efficiency of these hybrid collectors is higher compared to a conventional photovoltaic, because their cells are cooled by the water passing in the back of the photovoltaic plate. For an evaluation of efficiencies, it were installed three types of technologies that use solar energy as energy source (a photovoltaic module, a thermal hybrid collector and a flat plate solar collector) to separately compare the results of their performance, exposing them all of the same meteorological conditions. The maximum thermal efficiency of the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector was determined being three times lower value than the flat plate collector one. The electrical efficiency of each module was increased by 5.5 % comparing the difference of the electrical energy generated over a whole year. These results indicate that improvements in the thermal part of the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector could be made, increasing the thermal performance without compromise their solar cells efficiency.

Lietuvoje nėra didelių iškastinio kuro išteklių (akmens anglies, gamtinių dujų ar naftos), galinčių patenkinti šalies energetinius poreikius. Todėl Lietuvai yra ypač svarbus tinkamas vietinių ir atsinaujinančių energijos išteklių galimybių išnaudojimas. Didžiausią potencialą Lietuvoje turi biomasė ir biokuras. Taip pat ne mažiau reikšmingas bioenergijos gamybos ir naudojimo privalumas yra mažesnis neigiamas poveikis aplinkai bei klimatui. Magistrantūros baigiamojo darbo tikslas yra išanalizuoti Lietuvos medienos išteklius bei jų atsinaujinimą. Išanalizuoti biokuro katilinių parametrus esant skirtingam šiluminiam našumui ir sudaryti bandymų lentelę remiantis energetiniame objekte sumontuota pakura. Darbe atliekama kietojo biokuro sudėties ir charakteristikų analizė. Aprašomas technologinio proceso automatinis valdymas, katilinės sandara ir t.t. / Lithuania there are no significant fossil fuel resources (coal, natural gas or oil) that can meet the country's energy needs. Therefore, the country is vital to the local and renewable energy opportunities. Lithuania has the highest potential of biomass and biofuels. It is also no less important bioenergy production and use of the advantage of a lower negative impact on the environment and climate. Master's thesis is to analyze the Lithuanian wood resources and their regeneration. Also consider biofuel combustion process using the latest technology of biofuels through the regime of the test results table. The work carried out in the solid biofuel composition and characteristics of the analysis. Chosen object and the regime carried out research and calculations to determine the biomass boiler parameters at different thermal performance. Describe the process automatic control, boiler structure.