Sharif Digital Repository

In this research, a new transient mathematical model based upon tanks-in-series configuration was developed to simulate the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas in a commercial-scale slurry bubble column reactor. A comparison between the simulation results and experimental data showed that the applied model might acceptably describe the behavior of the slurry reactor. Furthermore, simulation results in the heterogeneous bubble flow regime indicated that the proposed model with 10 tanks-in-series provided the optimum condition. Utilizing this transient model and considering catalyst deactivation, the effect of operating conditions on DME productivity and CO conversion were... 

Continuous adsorption in stirred reactors in the form of carbon in pulp (CIP) and resin in pulp (RIP) is an established process for the extraction of gold and uranium. Under the circumstance of intraparticle diffusion resistance, CIP and RIP have been accurately modeled by the Boyd's series (reversible adsorption) and shrinking core model (irreversible adsorption). The present study, in its first part, introduces an analytical formula that most closely approximates both models. Using such formula, the study addresses a basic algorithm for optimization of single-stage continuous adsorption systems through linking of the major process variables. Furthermore, this study is devoted to developing... 

Optimization of operational conditions for the preparation of Ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/Graphene nanocomposites with Ziegler-Natta catalyst was carried out via response surface methodology (RSM). This study deals with the optimization of process variables to optimize the productivity and molecular weight. A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design with temperature (X1), monomer pressure (X2), and [Al]/[Ti] molar ratio (X3) as the independent variables were selected for the study. The dependent variables were productivity and molecular weights of the final nanocomposites. It was developed by using the three parameters at three levels including 50, 60, and 70°C for... 

In this paper, a two-dimensional, two-phase, isothermal model is presented to investigate the water transport characteristic and water distribution in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with emphasis on exploring the water distribution in different layers of DMFC. The liquid-gas two-phase mass transport in the porous anode and cathode is formulated based on multi-fluid model in porous media and water and methanol crossover through the membrane are considered with the effect of diffusion, electro-osmotic drag, and convection. The modeling results agree well with the three different experimental data in an extensive range of operation conditions. A parametric study is also performed to examine... 

Different nonlinearities in micro-electro-mechanical resonators lead to various nonlinear behaviors such as chaotic motion which can affect the resonator performance. As a result, it is important to properly identify and analyze the chaotic regions in resonators. In this paper, a novel method is proposed for prediction of the chaos in the micro- and nano-electro-mechanical resonators. Based on the proposed method, first an accurate analytical solution for the dynamics behavior of the nano-resonators is derived using the multiple scales method up to the second order. The results obtained by this analytical solution are validated by comparing them with the numerical ones. Using the analytical... 

Photovoltaic-electrolyzer systems are one of the most promising alternatives for obtaining hydrogen from a renewable energy source. Determining size and the operational conditions are always a key issue while coupling directly renewable electricity sources to PEM electrolyzer. In this research, the multi objective optimization approach based on an imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA), which is employed to optimize the size and the operating conditions of a directly coupled photovoltaic (PV)-PEM electrolyzer. This allows the optimization of the system by considering two different objectives, including, minimization of energy transfer loss and maximization of hydrogen generation. Multi... 

In the context of sustainable clean hydrogen production pathways, photovoltaic-electrolyzer systems are one of the most promising alternatives for acquiring hydrogen from renewable energy sources. In fact, determining the optimal set of design and operating variables are always a key issue while coupling directly renewable electricity sources to PEM electrolyzers. Few previous studies have attempted to find the optimal size and operational condition of directly coupled photovoltaic-electrolyzer (PV/El) systems in order to maximize the hydrogen production or to minimize energy transfer loss between photovoltaic devices and the electrolyzer. Nevertheless an easy and efficient approach still... 

An acid treatment of the cordierite monolith followed by coating of the CNT onto it by means of catalytic decomposition of methane was performed. The resulting material utilized as the support for the CoMo catalyst. The characterization outcomes showed that the CNTs were distributed uniformly on the surface of the monolith leading to a high BET surface area and relatively good adhered mesoporous layer of CNTs. Moreover, the catalytic activity of the resulting catalysts determined in an HDS reaction of naphtha. It was concluded that the activity of the CoMo catalyst over the CNT coated monolithic support (FACNT) was higher than that of the CoMo deposited onto the acid-treated monolith and... 

This paper focuses on multi-objective optimisation (MOO) to optimise the planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks performance using a genetic algorithm. MOO problem does not have a single solution, but a complete Pareto curve, which involves the optional representation of possible compromise solutions. Here, two pairs of different objectives are considered as distinguished strategies. Optimisation of the first strategy predicts a maximum power output of 108.33 kW at a breakeven per-unit energy cost of 0.51 $/kWh and minimum breakeven per-unit energy cost of 0.30 $/kWh at a power of 42.18 kW. In the second strategy, maximum efficiency of 63.93%at a breakeven per-unit energy cost of 0.42... 

In this paper, we investigate the CO emission from an oil refinery gas incinerator both theoretically and experimentally. At the beginning of this research, our collected data from this incinerator showed that the CO contamination would be far exceeding the permissible environmental standards at the stack exhaust. Therefore, we decided to perform a combined theoretical-experimental study to find a reasonable solution to reduce the CO pollution suitably. Our theoretical study showed that a reliable solution would be to increase the incinerator operating temperature. However, we needed to collect some data from this incinerator to examine if our achieved analytical solution would work... 

In this research an analytical model for performance prediction of centrifugal compressors is developed. The loss mechanisms are investigated in impeller, diffuser and volute separately for wide operating rotational speeds of the compressor. The contributions of compressor components in total entropy generation are further studied using different experimental correlations and methods. The results are verified using experimental test results, carried out at Sharif University of technology Turbocharger laboratory which has been designed to derive performance curves of turbocharger compressors. The test rig is equipped to measure static and stagnation pressures at inlet and outlet of each... 

The aim of this paper is to develop the technical knowledge, especially the optimum geometries, for the design and manufacturing of a supersonic gas-gas ejector for a wasteheat driven vehicle cooling system. Although several studies have been performed to investigate the effects of geometrical configurations of gas-gas ejectors, a progressive design methodology of an ejector compressor for application to a vehicle cooling system has not yet been described. First, an analytical model for calculation of the ejector optimum geometry for a wide range of operating conditions is developed, using R134a as the working fluid with a rated cooling capacity of 2.5 kW. The maximum values of entrainment... 

Performance degradation remains as one of the primary limitations for practical applications of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The performance of a PEM fuel cell stack is affected by many internal and external factors, such as fuel cell design and assembly, degradation of materials, operational conditions, and impurities or contaminants. Performance degradation is unavoidable, but the degradation rate can be minimized through a comprehensive understanding of degradation and failure mechanisms. In present work, a single PEM fuel cell for stationary applications is investigated. Membrane and catalyst layers (anode and cathode electrodes) are considered as critical components that... 

In the context of stationary power generation, fuel cell based systems are being predicted as a valuable option to tabernacle the thermodynamic cycle based power plants. In this paper, multi objective optimization approach is used to optimize the planer solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks performance using genetic algorithm technique. Multi objective optimization generates the most attractive operating conditions of a SOFC system. This allows performing the optimization of the system regarding to two different objectives. Two pairs of different objectives are considered in this paper as distinguished strategies. In the first strategy, minimization of the breakeven per-unit energy cost... 

The performance characteristics of an axisymmetric inlet at its design and off-design operational conditions are experimentally investigated. The model is tested for wide ranges of free stream Mach numbers, M∞ = 1.5-2.5, and mass flow rates. For each test, the pressure recovery, the mass flow passing through the inlet and the pressure distribution over the spike and the cowl are measured. In addition, the shock wave formed in front of the inlet is visualized. The characteristic curve of the inlet is then obtained for each free stream Mach number. As the Mach number is increased, the pressure recovery is reduced, but the maximum value of the mass flow rate grows up. Variations of the mass... 

In the present study a comprehensive thermoeconomic modelling of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for a typical 4MW class gas turbine is performed. Usually, the thermoeconomic analyses involve a thermodynamic model of the HRSG and an economic model dedicated to assess the cost. In this study, different configurations of single and dual pressure level HRSGs are optimized and afterward compared to find the economical design. For these configurations thermodynamic model calculates the performance and the energy balance of systems at the optimal operating conditions which are derived from optimization model, and economic model estimates total cost per unit of produced energy. Finally,... 

The FT reaction involves the conversion of syngas which is derived from natural gas or coal to different kinds of products according to the operating conditions and the type of the catalyst. In other words, it is a practical way to convert solid fuel (coal) and natural gas to various hydrocarbons (C1-C60) and oxygenates such as alkanes, alkenes etc. The main products of the reaction are naphtha and gasoline. This paper deals with developing a proper product distribution model for FT process using the appropriate kinetic model, optimizing the respective rate constants while applying them in product distribution equations. The results revealed only 8.09% deviations from the olefin experimental... 

In this article effects of sleepers defect on rail vehicle vibration have been investigated. Two parallel rails of the track have been modeled as Euler-Bernoulli beams on elastic points as rail pads. Also sleepers have been modeled as visco-elastic Euler-Bernoulli beams. It is assumed that, some sleepers under the rail track have been fractured and modeled by two beams. The wheelset has 5 DOF which are longitudinal, vertical and lateral movements plus roll and axial rotations. To determine normal contact force between wheel and rail, relative position of wheel and rail has been determined at each instant. Using the coordinate of each wheel points in rail coordinate system, the penetration of... 

In this study, mathematical modelling of oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) to C 2 hydrocarbons (C 2H 6 and C 2H 4) over La 2O 3/CaO catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor operated under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions was investigated using the MATLAB program. In this process, methane and acetylene were the inputted feed and ethane, ethylene, propylene, propane, i-butane and n-butane were the output products. The amount of methane conversion obtained was 12.7% for the former feed however; if pure methane was inputted this conversion rose to 13.8%. Furthermore, the plasma process would enhance the conversion, selectivity towards desired product and process yield. A comparison between the... 

In this paper, a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell power system including burner, steam reformer, heat exchanger, and water heater has been considered. A PEM fuel cell system is designed to meet the electrical, domestic hot water, heating, and cooling loads of a residential building located in Tehran. Operating conditions of the system with consideration of the electricity cost has been studied. The cost includes social cost of the environmental pollutants (e.g. CO 2, CO and NO). The results show that the maximum energy needs of the building can be met by 12 fuel cell stacks with nominal capacity of 8.5 kW. Annual average electricity cost of thissystem is equal to 0.39 US$/kWh and...