Fundamental studies on thermodynamic properties of vanadium-containing oxides systems are essential to understand practical vanadium metallurgical process. The CALPHAD technique is here applied to the thermodynamic modelling of the V-O, Ca-V-O and Ti-V-O systems. The compound energy formalism is used for all the solution phases. All optimization processes and calculations are performed using the Thermo-Calc software package. The present work attempts to develop a self-consistent thermodynamic database of all phases in the studied systems. The obtained datasets can be used to calculate thermodynamic properties, stable as well as metastable phase equilibria and driving forces for oxidation etc. Steelmaking slag is an important secondary source for vanadium extraction. The phase relationships and vanadium distribution in the CaO-SiO2-MgO-V2O3-Al2O3 synthetic slags, whose compositions were chosen based on the relevance to the steel producers, are also studied. Phase equilibria in the temperature range of 1773 to 1823 K at oxygen partial pressure of 10-10 bar and 0.21 bar were characterized. An investigation of the volatilization of vanadium oxide was also carried out in the present work. Isothermal evaporation of vanadium pentoxide in the temperature range between 1723 and 1873 K was investigated by Thermogravimetric Analysis under different oxygen partial pressures, viz. oxygen, air or CO2. The Arrhenius activation energy for the evaporation reaction in various atmospheres was calculated from the experimental results. A mathematical model was developed to describe the kinetics of the evaporation process. Evaporation coefficients and enthalpies in various atmospheres were also estimated. The present results may have some implications in recovering vanadium from different vanadium-bearing sources. / <p>QC 20161202</p>

Les saumures naturelles sont des ressources en eau de plus en plus convoitées et utilisées par les industriels, que ce soit pour la production d’eau potable (dessalement de l’eau de mer…) ou pour la récupération de substances valorisables (le lithium, le potassium, le magnésium, la silice …). Les saumures industrielles sont aussi souvent utilisées dans différents procédés comme fluides caloporteurs ou lors d’extraction de minerai (phosphore, alumine…). Cependant, ces solutions aqueuses complexes présentent des propriétés thermodynamiques qui s’écartent de celles des solutions aqueuses diluées (dites idéales). Des approches de calcul spécifiques sont alors nécessaires pour pouvoir déterminer ces propriétés. Cette étude s’intéresse au calcul des propriétés thermodynamiques d’excès (coefficient osmotique, capacité calorifique, densité …) de ces systèmes. Celles-ci dépendent toutes de la dérivée de l’énergie libre de Gibbs d’excès (G^ex) par rapport à la concentration en sels dissous, à la température ou à la pression. Suite à une revue bibliographique des différents modèles thermodynamiques permettant de calculer l’énergie libre de Gibbs d’excès, le modèle de Pitzer a été sélectionné pour décrire les propriétés d’excès d’un système contenant c cations, a anions et n espèces neutres. Les propriétés thermiques et volumiques ont été, dans un premier temps, établies pour un système contenant des espèces neutres avant d’être implémentées dans le logiciel PhreeqC, logiciel de géochimie qui permettait déjà le calcul du coefficient osmotique, de l’activité de l’eau et du coefficient d’activité. Le logiciel issu de cette modification, PhreeSCALE, permet désormais, lorsque les paramètres d’interaction de Pitzer sont connus, de calculer les propriétés d’excès telles que le coefficient osmotique, la capacité calorifique ou la densité d’une saumure en tenant compte de la spéciation exacte de la solution. Dans le cas où les paramètres d’interaction sont à déterminer, PhreeSCALE peut être couplé à des logiciels d’optimisations pour établir de nouveaux jeux de paramètres, calés sur les propriétés mesurées des solutions. Les applications de cette étude s’appuient sur plusieurs systèmes qui sont soit des saumures industrielles, soit des saumures naturelles. Le système NaOH-H2O a été sélectionné en raison des salinités élevées dans l’eau (jusqu’à 29 mol.kgw-1 à 25°C). Pour représenter au mieux l’ensemble des propriétés sur toute la gamme de concentrations, la dissociation partielle de l’espèce NaOH a dû être prise en compte. Les autres systèmes étudiés sont des saumures chlorurées, plus caractéristiques des saumures naturelles. Une approche par étape a permis d’établir les paramètres d’interaction pour cinq systèmes binaires (NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 et BaCl2). Puis, des systèmes ternaires et un système quinquénaire composés de ces cinq électrolytes, ont été étudiés. Dans chaque cas, la capacité calorifique et la densité ont été déterminées. Finalement des abaques, tenant compte des conditions de température et de pression, ont pu être tracées pour le système NaCl-H2O. / Natural brines are water resources that are increasingly sought and used by industrialists both to produce drinking water (e.g. seawater desalinisation) or retrieve economically exploitable substances (lithium, potassium, magnesium, silica, etc.). Industrial brines are often used in various processes as coolants or in ore processing (phosphorus, alumina, etc.). However, the thermodynamic properties of these complex aqueous solutions differ somewhat from those of so-called "ideal" diluted aqueous solutions. Specific calculation methods must therefore be used to determine these properties. This study focuses on calculating the thermodynamic excess properties of these systems (osmotic coefficient, heat capacity, density, etc.). All of these depend on the derivative of the excess Gibbs free energy (G^ex) in relation to the concentration of dissolved salt, temperature or pressure. A literature survey of thermodynamic models capable of calculating excess Gibbs free energy was done and the Pitzer model was chosen to describe the excess properties of a system containing c cations, a anions and n neutral species. Thermal and volumetric properties were determined for a system containing neutral species and these were then added to PhreeqC, a geochemical model that makes it possible to calculate the osmotic coefficient, water activity, and the activity coefficient. The resulting model, PhreeSCALE, now makes it possible, when the Pitzer interaction parameters are known, to calculate excess properties such as the osmotic coefficient, the heat capacity, and the density of a brine, taking into account the precise speciation of the solution. If the interaction parameters must be determined, PhreeSCALE can be coupled with optimisation software to determine new parameter sets based on properties measured in solution. The applications of this study are based on several systems that are either industrial or natural brines. The NaOH-H2O system was chosen because of its high salinities in water (up to 29 mol.kgw-1 at 25 °C). To best represent all of the properties over the entire range of concentrations, the partial dissociation of the NaOH species had to be considered. The other systems studied are chloride brines, which are more like natural brines. A multi-step approach made it possible to determine the interaction parameters for five binary systems (NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, and BaCl2). Ternary systems and one quinary system made up of all five electrolytes were then studied. In each case, the heat capacity and the density were determined. Charts taking into account temperature and pressure conditions were drawn for the NaCl-H2O system.

The recent development of tool steels and high-speed steels has led to a significant increase in alloy additions, such as Co, Cr, Mo, N, V, and W. Knowledge about the phase relations in these multicomponent alloys, that is, the relative stability between different carbides or the solubility of different elements in the carbides and in the matrix phase, is essential for understanding the behaviour of these alloys in heat treatments. This information is also the basis for improving the properties or designing new alloys by controlling the amount of alloying elements. Thermodynamic calculations together with a thermodynamic database is a very powerful and important tool for alloy development of new tool steels and high-speed steels. By thermodynamic calculations one can easily predict how different amounts of alloying elements influence on the stability of different phases. Phase fractions of the individual phases and the solubility of different elements in the phases can be predicted quickly. Thermodynamic calculations can also be used to find optimised processing temperatures, e.g. for different heat treatments. Combining thermodynamic calculations with kinetic modelling one can also predict the microstructure evolution in different processes such as solidification, dissolution heat treatments, carbide coarsening, and the important tempering step producing secondary carbides. The quality of predictions based on thermodynamic calculations directly depends on the accuracy of the thermodynamic database used. In the present work new experimental phase equilibria information, both in model alloys containing few elements and in commercial alloys, has been determined and was used to evaluate and improve the thermodynamic description. This new experimental investigation was necessary because important information concerning the different carbide systems in tool steels and high-speed steels were lacking. A new thermodynamic database for tool steels and high-speed steels, TOOL05, has been developed within this thesis. With the new database it is possible to calculate thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria with high accuracy and good reliability. Compared with the previous thermodynamic description the improvements are significant. In addition the composition range of different alloying elements, where reliable results are obtained with the new thermodynamic database, have been widened significantly. As the available kinetic data did not always predict results in agreement with new experiments the database was modified in the present work. By coupling the new thermodynamic description with the new kinetic description accurate diffusion simulations can be performed for carbide coarsening, carbide dissolution and micro segregation during solidification. / QC 20100929

This thesis seeks to improve our understanding of the processes involved in continental collision zones, with a particular focus on subduction-exhumation. The main objective of this work has been to define the tectonometamorphic evolution of the deeply subducted Seve Nappe Complex (SNC) in the Scandinavian Caledonides. I utilize mineralogy, petrology and geochronology to constrain the P-T-t paths of the SNC rocks in Sweden. The research has focused on the high grade rocks of the SNC and resulted in the discovery of metamorphic diamonds within the gneisses in west-central Jämtland and southern Västerbotten. Microdiamonds provided evidence for the ultra-high pressure metamorphism (UHPM) and subduction of continental rocks to mantle depths. The UHPM in these rocks was confirmed by calculations of the P-T conditions. The UHPM is further recorded by eclogites and garnet pyroxenites from northern Jämtland and eclogites from Norrbotten. All these findings provide compelling evidence for regional UHPM of vast parts of the SNC (at least 400 km along the strike of this allochthonous unit). The SNC rocks followed nearly isothermal decompression paths and paragneisses have locally experienced partial melting during exhumation. Formation of the peculiar Ba- and Ti-enriched dark mica in the Tväråklumparna metasediments is related to the latter stage. In-situ monazite dating of the diamond-bearing gneisses from west-central Jämtland supports previous geochronological data inferring that the peak of metamorphism is probably Middle Ordovician and was followed by Early Silurian partial melting. The exact timing of the UHPM here still remains to be resolved. The Lu-Hf garnet and U-Pb zircon dating of eclogite and gneiss from northern Jämtland confirms the Middle Ordovician age of the UHP-HP metamorphism of the SNC rocks. The chemical dating of monazite from the Marsfjället gneiss suggests an earlier UHP history of the Seve rocks in southern Västerbotten as a post-UHP uplift is dated to ca. 470 Ma. Based on the P-T-t data obtained in this thesis, particularly on the evidence for Middle Ordovician UHPM and subsequent Silurian exhumation, a new tectonic model for the Scandinavian Caledonides has been proposed. The outcomes of this thesis therefore improve our understanding of the tectonometamorphic history of the Caledonides.

Durant ce travail, la réactivité des dioxydes du groupe IVb (TiO2, ZrO2, HfO2) en contact avec du carbone turbostratique a été étudiée afin de comprendre les mécanismes réactionnels de la réduction carbothermique. Cette voie de synthèse a également permis d’obtenir des phases oxycarbures sous forme pulvérulente afin d’étudier les différents domaines de stabilité des solutions solides en fonction de la température de traitement thermique. L’ajout d’oxygène à la structure cristalline des carbures modifie le comportement de ces matériaux au frittage ainsi que leurs propriétés macroscopiques. Par conséquent, la détermination des limites des différentes solutions solides requiert l’utilisation d’une méthodologie précise. En couplant les différentes techniques de caractérisation (analyse chimique élémentaire, DRX, dosage de phases, MET), les compositions des phases oxycarbures synthésisées ont ainsi pu être déterminées. Afin de compléter cette étude, la réactivité de monolithes de carbure de titane en contact avec du dioxyde de titane a été étudiée lors de traitements thermiques de recuit sous charge en atmosphère confinée. L’identification des phases en équilibre constituent des données diagrammatiques nécessaires aux première tentatives de modélisation thermodynamique des diagrammes de phases ternaires Me-C-O (ou Me = Ti, Zr, Hf) par la méthode semi-empirique CALPHAD. / During this work, the reactivity of group IVb dioxides (TiO2, ZrO2, HfO2) in contact with turbostractic carbon has been investigated in order to understand the reactional mechanisms of the carbothermal reduction. This way of synthesis has also allowed us to obtain oxycarbides phases in powder form to study the different stability domains of solids solutions with respect to the temperature of heat treatment. The addition of oxygen within the crystalline structure modifies the sintering behaviour of these materials and also their macroscopic properties. Consequently, the determination of solid solution boundaries requires an accurate methodology. A broad panoply of characterization techniques are coupled (Elemental analysis, XRD, Quantification of phases, TEM) to determine the compositions of oxycarbide phases. In order to complete this study, the reactivity of titanium carbide monoliths in contact with titanium dioxide has been studied during heat treatments of annealing under pressure in confined atmosphere. The identification of phases in equilibrium constitutes diagrammatic data which are necessary for the preliminary attempts of thermodynamic modeling of ternary phases diagrams Me-C-O (where Me = Ti, Zr, Hf) using the semi-empirical CALPHAD method.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The Tso Morari terrane within the Himalayan orogenic belt underwent ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) coesite-eclogite metamorphism due to northward subduction of the Indian continent under the Eurasian continent during the early Eocene. In this study we optimized a best protocol for thermodynamically modelling pressure-temperature (P-T) paths of high-grade metabasites using the Tso Morari eclogite as a case study through evaluating the effects of employing commonly used thermodynamic modeling techniques (e.g., programs, thermodynamic datasets, a-X relations). A “fishhook” shaped clockwise P-T path was obtained with a peak pressure of ~28.5 kbar at ~563 °C, followed by a peak temperature of ~613 °C at ~24.5 kbar. The peak pressures predicted by modelling protocols are consistent with the conventional thermobarometry results and petrographic observations from the Tso Morari eclogites. Secondly, thermodynamic modelling using P-M(H2O) pseudosections on Tso Morari UHP rocks indicates three distinct fluid events during the prograde and retrograde metamorphism. Fluid Event 1 caused the fluid-assisted homogenization of prograde garnet cores in eclogite at ~18.5 kbar and ~555 °C; Fluid Event 2 is evidenced by the formation of poikiloblastic epidote (~23.5 kbar and ~610 °C, at the expense of lawsonite) and amphibole (from ~19.0 to ~14.5 kbar at ~610 °C, at the expense of omphacite and talc), and symplectite association (~8.7 kbar and ~625 °C) in the eclogite matrix without external fluid supply. Fluid Event 3 was determined through modelling the amphibolitization of eclogites with external fluid infiltration at ~9.0–12.5 kbar and ~608 °C. This fluid phase most likely derived from the mixing of dehydrated host orthogneiss and/or metasediments during exhumation through the amphibolite-facies zone in the subduction channel. This study demonstrates the need for using careful petrographic observations in parallel with thermodynamic modelling to achieve realistic results. / 2023-12-02

Inputs of the major element potassium into the ocean from rivers and on-axis high temperature hydrothermal systems have likely varied on geological timescales. Variable uptake of potassium into lavas altered in low-temperature, off-axis, hydrothermal systems could keep the potassium concentration in seawater within the narrow range (~9.5 to 11 mmol L-1) observed in the Phanerozoic. To test this hypothesis a better understanding of the timing of alteration, and of the role of changing environmental conditions on seawater/basalt reactions is required. The age of 69 samples of the secondary, potassium-rich, phyllosilicate mineral celadonite from lavas in the Troodos ophiolite were determined using Rb-Sr radiometric dating to test whether potassium uptake occurs within a specific time interval. Measurements used tandem quadrupole ICP-MS/MS. Combined with published radiometric ages the dataset revealed regional differences in the duration of celadonite formation in the Troodos ophiolite lavas. In one area, where significant hydrothermal sediments were deposited on the lavas, celadonite formed as much as ~40 Myr after the crust accreted, whereas in an area with rare hydrothermal sediments celadonite formation was largely limited to the first ~20 Myr after crustal accretion. These differences in duration of celadonite formation in the upper oceanic crust are interpreted as reflecting differences in distribution of hydrothermal sediments that act as a source of labile Fe that is needed for celadonite formation. To test if there are significant variations of duration and timing of celadonite formation on various scales in the upper oceanic crust I measured the first in-situ Rb-Sr ages of celadonite in lavas from DSDP and ODP drill cores. These ages show that ~80% of celadonite formed from pervasive fluid flow within the first ~20 Myr after the oceanic crust accreted. All celadonite ages roughly correlate with the cumulative heat flow removed from the oceanic lithosphere in the same time interval. In combination the >100 new celadonite ages presented here provide strong evidence that most celadonite forms in the first ~20 Myr after crustal accretion and environmental conditions could be significant in controlling potassium uptake. To determine whether the potassium sink from seawater into altered seafloor lavas varied over time I compile a dataset of the potassium content of lavas from DSDP and ODP drill cores (0 to 180 Myr age range). Estimates of the average potassium content of individual holes reveal that this varies with age. However, holes of similar age show a similar magnitude of variability to that which occurs over this time. To investigate the source of the variability of potassium in altered lavas I modelled the effects of bottom seawater temperature and pH using PHREEQC. The models indicate that if the fluid is in equilibrium with K-feldspar, Na-beidellite and calcite, an increase in bottom seawater temperature and/or decrease in pH would lead to the potassium concentration in the off-axis fluid to increase significantly. This emphasizes the need for future studies to investigate feedback mechanisms between low-temperature hydrothermal alteration in response to changing environmental conditions. / Graduate / 2022-07-12

This thesis analyses long term and short term environmental effects on geothermal power plant performance and discusses adaptive ways to improve performance. Mokai 1 geothermal power plant has been used as a case study for this investigation. Mokai 1 is a combined cycle plant where the binary cycles are air-cooled. The plant performance of an air-cooled binary cycle geothermal power plant is dependent on the environment (resource characteristics as well as weather conditions). For modelling such a power plant, two time scales are of interest: the yearly basis for aggregate plant performance for design and operations; and the daily basis for hourly plant performances for an accurate dispatch prediction. Adaptive methodology for long term performance improvement has been introduced in this work which would save money and effort in the future by keeping the provisions to adapt to changes in resource characteristics based on geothermal reservoir modelling. The investigation was carried out using a steady state computer simulator of Mokai 1 geothermal power plant. The steady sate simulator was built specifically for this work. The deviation in performance of various components is less than 5% compared to the original plant design. The model is very generic and it can be used for other plants with simple adaptation or can be used for future plant design. One of the main contributions of this work is an iterative method for modelling the environmental effect on short term performance on the air-cooled organic Rankine cycle. The ambient temperature is identified as the most influencing parameter on short term performance which influences the performance of the whole cycle in two ways. Firstly, by changing the equilibrium pressure inside the condenser, the turbine outlet pressure changes and hence, the turbine pressure ratio also changes. The turbine pressure ratio is a major parameter determining power generated by a turbine; therefore, the plant output is affected. Secondly, by changing the condenser outlet temperature with the ambient temperature, the pump inlet and outlet condition and consequently vaporizer equilibrium temperature and pressure are influenced. The developed method sought the equilibrium conditions of both condenser and vaporizer iteratively. In short, ORC cycle shifts on the T-s plane depending on the ambient temperature. This method iteratively seeks the shifted ORC on the T,s plane. Two case studies have been carried out to demonstrate the method. The developed method shows robustness and converges exponentially. The model is effective for cycles that use saturated vapour as well as superheated vapour. The model essentially assumes steady state operation of the power cycle. The possible unit time where this model can be applied is bounded by the time required by a system to come into steady state. The saturated vapour cycle yielded average error 4.20% with maximum error 9.25% and the superheated vapour cycle yielded average error 2.12% with maximum error 5.60%. The main advantage of the developed method is that it requires a minimum number of inputs: condenser (p,T), vaporizer (p,T), condenser heat load, turbine efficiency (overall), pump work and the extremum conditions of all the components. These inputs should represent typical operating conditions of a plant. The model can predict the appropriate plant performance depending on the system heat input (geothermal fluid flow in this case) and the heat sink temperature. As the method is based on basic thermodynamics rather than empirical or semi-empirical approaches, this method is widely applicable. The main focus of this work is on the ORC but the developed method is applicable to any closed Rankine cycle. In addition, application of the developed iterative method to predict plant performance based on mean yearly weather data is also discussed in the thesis. Water-augmented cooling system and optimization of plant operating point parameters have been proposed as adaptive measures to improve short term performance. Developed iterative method has been used for the short term performance analysis. The water-augmented cooling system is specifically suitable to mitigate the reduced power output during the summer. The simulated average gain in power during the summer (Jan, Feb, Nov and Dec) of an ORC of Mokai 1 geothermal power plant by incorporating a water-augmented cooling system was 2.3% and the average gain for the whole year was 1.6% based on the weather data of Taupo for the year 2005. A cost benefit analysis showed that water-augmented cooling system is more economical compared to other alternative renewable energies considered to meet summer peak demand. From the green house gas emissions perspective, water-augmented cooling is a better option than the gas fired peaking plants. Adaptive approach for short term performance improvement by optimizing operating point parameters of an air-cooled binary cycle has huge potential with possible maximum improvement in power output by about 50%. The optimization takes in to account the effects of the geothermal resource characteristics and the weather conditions. The optimization is achieved by manipulating cycle mass flow rate and vaporizer equilibrium condition. Further study on the optimizing operating points to achieve improved short term performance has been recommended for future work.

To reduce the greenhouse effect, the use of renewable fuel has to be increased. As renewable fuel has different characteristics compared to fossil fuel regarding content of trace metals, alkali, chlorine and sulphur, the corrosion characteristics in high temperature energy processes have to be evaluated. This thesis concerns high temperature corrosion in the superheater region of a boiler and the syngas cooler area of a gasifier. For the superheater region, laboratory exposures were performed. The methods included a salt dip exposure, where samples were dipped in an equimolar solution of ZnCl2 and KCl, and two salt bed exposures with different chlorine concentrations, 10 and 20 wt%. Ranking of the materials showed that a Ni content above 10 wt% and Cr above 20 wt% reduced corrosion rates in the salt dip and in the 10% Cl salt bed exposure. For exposure in the 20% Cl bed, even higher alloying was needed. An alumina forming austenitic steel showed future potential in sulphidising-chlorinating environments. For the gasifier region, the effect of HCl in a simulated gasifier atmosphere was studied and also samples exposed in the syngas section of a biomass gasifier were investigated. Metal loss was low for all exposures and it was observed that chlorine had minor influence. For the plant exposed samples, a difference compared to that reported for coal gasifiers was the absence of FeS for the lowest alloyed steel. Instead, a deposit with pronounced content of Zn, Ca, S and O was present on the surface. Zinc was suggested to mitigate corrosion. Thermodynamic modelling was used to explain phases present and to predict the nitridation behaviour of an alumina forming austenitic steel. Equilibrium and kinetic modelling of the nitridation showed good coherence with the observed microstructures. However, the kinetic modelling resulted in larger nitridation depths than observed experimentally which was attributed to the presence of a thin oxide layer on the surface of the samples. / <p>QC 20160510</p>

The UK domestic sector accounts for more than a quarter of total energy use. This energy use can be reduced through more efficient building operations. The energy efficiency can be improved through better control of heating in houses, which account for a large portion of total energy consumption. The energy consumption can be lowered by using renewable energy systems, which will also help the UK government to meet its targets towards reduction in carbon emissions and generation of clean energy. Building control has gained considerable interest from researchers and much improved ways of control strategies for heating and hot water systems have been investigated. This intensified research is because heating systems represent a significant share of our primary energy consumption to meet thermal comfort and indoor air quality criteria. Advances in computing control and research in advanced control theory have made it possible to implement advanced controllers in building control applications. Heating control system is a difficult problem because of the non-linearities in the system and the wide range of operating conditions under which the system must function. A model of a two zone building was developed in this research to assess the performance of different control strategies. Two conventional (On-Off and proportional integral controllers) and one advanced control strategies (model predictive controller) were applied to a solar heating system combined with a heat pump. The building was modelled by using a lumped approach and different methods were deployed to obtain a suitable model for an air source heat pump. The control objectives were to reduce electricity costs by optimizing the operation of the heat pump, integrating the available solar energy, shifting electricity consumption to the cheaper night-time tariff and providing better thermal comfort to the occupants. Different climatic conditions were simulated to test the mentioned controllers. Both on-off and PI controllers were able to maintain the tank and room temperatures to the desired set-point temperatures however they did not make use of night-time electricity. PI controller and Model Predictive Controller (MPC) based on thermal comfort are developed in this thesis. Predicted mean vote (PMV) was used for controlling purposes and it was modelled by using room air and radiant temperatures as the varying parameters while assuming other parameters as constants. The MPC dealt well with the disturbances and occupancy patterns. Heat energy was also stored into the fabric by using lower night-time electricity tariffs. This research also investigated the issue of model mismatch and its effect on the prediction results of MPC. MPC performed well when there was no mismatch in the MPC model and simulation model but it struggled when there was a mismatch. A genetic algorithm (GA) known as a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA II) was used to solve two different objective functions, and the mixed objective from the application domain led to slightly superior results. Overall results showed that the MPC performed best by providing better thermal comfort, consuming less electric energy and making better use of cheap night-time electricity by load shifting and storing heat energy in the heating tank. The energy cost was reduced after using the model predictive controller.