Drying of salted silver jewfish in a hybrid solar drying system and under open sun: Modeling and performance analyses

This study investigated the thin-layer drying kinetics of salted silver jewfish in a hybrid solar drying system and under open sun. Ten drying models were compared with experimental data of salted silver jewfish drying. A new model was introduced, which is an offset linear logarithmic (offset modified Page model). The fit quality of the models was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), and sum of squared absolute error (SSAE). The result showed that Midilli et al. model and new model were comparable with two or three-term exponential drying models. This study also analyzed energy and exergy during solar drying of salted silver jewfish. Energy analysis throughout the solar drying process was estimated on the basis of the first law of thermodynamics, whereas exergy analysis during solar drying was determined on the basis of the second law of thermodynamics. At an average solar radiation of 540 W/m² and a mass flow rate of 0.0778 kg/sec, the collector efficiency and drying system efficiency were about 41% and 23%, respectively. Specific energy consumption was 2.92 kWh/kg. Moreover, the exergy efficiency during solar drying process ranged from 17% to 44%, with an average value of 31%. The values of improvement potential varied between 106 and 436 W, with an average of 236 W.     

Simulation and validation of a suitable model for thin layer drying of ginger rhizomes in an induced draft dryer

Variation in drying material and their biological differences, coupled with heat supply method in different dryers, makes mathematical modeling of drying complicated. Attempt was made to simulate a drying process and to identify best suitable model out of six selected drying models, for drying of ginger slices in a solar-biomass integrated drying system designed and developed for spice drying. Moisture content data were converted into the moisture ratio (MR) expressions and curve fitting with drying time for the selected drying models was analyzed. Sigma Plot software was used for nonlinear regression to the data obtained during drying and for modeling of drying curves. The suitability of the models was evaluated in terms of statistical parameters such as coefficient of determination (R²), mean percentage error (P), and standard error estimate. Drying air temperature was in the range of 47–55°C and air velocity was between 1.0 and 1.3 m s^?1. Ginger slices were dried from 88.13% to 7.65 ± 0.65% (wb) in 16 h. Trays were interchanged in a predetermined matrix sequence from 4 h onwards when moisture content was reduced to 60–70% (wb), for uniformity in drying. Highest value of R² (0.997), lowest value of SEE (0.020), and P value < 0.0001 established Page model as the best suitable model for the developed drying system. The predicted MRs were in good agreement with the experimental values and the effective moisture diffusivity for ginger was found to be 2.97 × 10^–7 m² s^?1.     

Experimental Investigation of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient of Various Agricultural Products Under Open Sun Drying

Abstract

In this article, the convective heat transfer coefficients of various agricultural products were investigated under open sun drying conditions. Data obtained from open sun drying experiments for eight agricultural products, namely, mulberry, strawberry, apple, garlic, potato, pumpkin, eggplant, and onion were used to determine values of convective heat transfer coefficient. The value of convective heat transfer coefficient was determined as 1.861 W/m²°C for mulberry, 6.691 W/m²°C for strawberry, 11.323 W/m²°C for apple, 1.136 W/m²°C for garlic, 8.224 W/m²°C for potato, 8.613 W/m²°C for pumpkin, 6.981 W/m²°C for eggplant, and 6.767 W/m²°C for onion. The experimental error in terms of percent uncertainty was also calculated.     

Growth management of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) under Mediterranean conditions

In spite of the advantages of Vetiver grass in light of environmental aspects, this plant is not used in the Mediterranean region. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to elucidate growth parameters and establishment of Vetiver under Mediterranean conditions suitable for its various environmental applications; and (ii) to develop management practices for growing vetiver under Mediterranean conditions. In greenhouse experiments conducted under controlled conditions it was found that, in general, increasing the minimum/maximum temperatures to 21-29 degrees C significantly increased plant height. In the Mediterranean region, this range of air temperatures is obtained mainly during the summer, from June to September. For air temperatures up to 15-23 degrees C the effect of day length on plant height was insignificant, whereas in air temperature >15-23 degrees C, the plant heights under long day conditions were significantly higher than under short day. The number of sprouts per plant increased exponentially with increasing air temperature, and was not significantly affected by the day length at any air temperature range. In open fields, the heights of irrigated vetiver plants were significantly higher than those of rain-fed plants. It was concluded that, once they were established, vetiver plants could survive the dry summer of the Mediterranean region under rain-fed conditions, but they would be shorter than under irrigation. Cutting or burning of the plant foliage during the spring did not improve the survival of vetiver during the dry summer. In order to obtain fast growth of vetiver and to increase the possibility of its using the rainwater, the plants should be planted in the winter, during February and March. However, under this regime, the vetiver plant cannot be used as a soil stabilizer during the first winter, because the plant is still small. In contrast, under irrigation it is advantageous to plant vetiver at the beginning of the summer; the plant then has sufficient time to grow and develop before the beginning of the winter, so that its effect as a soil stabilizer in the following wet winter could be maximal. It was found that vetiver could grow in a wide range of substrates, such as: sandy soil, loamy sand, clay soil, crushed limestone, sandy clay loam, and tuff/peat mixture.     

宁夏近51年气候变化特征分析

利用宁夏10个气象站1960-2010年日气温和降水资料,对宁夏气温和降水的时空变化特征进行了分析.结果显示:①宁夏整体呈现暖干化趋势,但存在区域间差异.②近51年来宁夏年平均气温呈上升趋势,冬季升温幅度大,秋季升温幅度最小.③年平均降水量总体呈现减小趋势,春季微弱增加,冬季降水量显著增加,夏季降水微弱减少,秋季降水减少明显.④通过Kriging空间差值法分析表明,年平均气温总体呈现由西南向西北递增的趋势,中、北部增温较明显;平均年总降水量总体呈现由西南向西北递减的规律,中、北部降水量减小最为明显.     

芜湖市城市化气候变化特征分析

运用R/S(Rescaled Range Analysis)方法,对芜湖市1953—2006年共54年间的气温、降水、相对湿度、日照等气象要素资料的年平均、冬季、夏季进行了分析计算。计算表明,各指标的Hurst指数均大于0.5,说明4个气象指标存在明显的Hurst现象,反映出芜湖市气候变化的特征与趋势,并预测了芜湖市气候未来的发展趋势,证明城市化已经对芜湖市气候变化产生了显著影响。     

SENSITIVITY OF A PRAIRIE WETLAND TO INCREASED TEMPERATURE AND SEASONAL PRECIPITATION CHANGES1

ABSTRACT: We assessed the potential effects of increased temperature and changes in amount and seasonal timing of precipitation on the hydrology and vegetation of a semi-permanent prairie wetland in North Dakota using a spatially-defined, rule-based simulation model. Simulations were run with increased temperatures of 2°C combined with a 10 percent increase or decrease in total growing season precipitation. Changes in precipitation were applied either evenly across all months or to individual seasons (spring, summer, or fall). The response of semi-permanent wetland P1 was relatively similar under most of the seasonal scenarios. A 10 percent increase in total growing season precipitation applied to summer months only, to fall months only, and over all months produced lower water levels compared to those resulting from the current climate due to increased evapotranspiration. Wetland hydrology was most affected by changes in spring precipitation and runoff. Vegetation response was relatively consistent across scenarios. Seven of the eight seasonal scenarios produced drier conditions with no open water and greater vegetation cover compared to those resulting from the current climate. Only when spring precipitation increased did the wetland maintain an extensive open water area (49 percent). Potential changes in climate that affect spring runoff, such as changes to spring precipitation and snow melt, may have the greatest impact on prairie wetland hydrology and vegetation. In addition, relatively small changes in water level during dry years may affect the period of time the wetland contains open water. Emergent vegetation, once it is established, can survive under drier conditions due to its ability to persist in shallow water with fluctuating levels. The model's sensitivity to changes in temperature and seasonal precipitation patterns accentuates the need for accurate regional climate change projections from general circulation models.     

Performance of a large-scale greenhouse solar dryer integrated with phase change material thermal storage system for drying of chili

ABSTRACT

Large-scale greenhouse solar dryers have been used for drying various products and this type of dryer is usually equipped with LPG burner as auxiliary heater, which creates more operating cost. To overcome this problem, phase change material (PCM) thermal storage was proposed to substitute for the LPG burner. In this work, the performance of a large-scale greenhouse solar dryer integrated with a PCM as a latent heat storage for drying of chili was investigated. Experimental studies were conducted to compare the performance of this dryer with that of another large-scale greenhouse solar dryer without the PCM thermal storage and open sun drying. Chili with an initial moisture content of 74.7% (w.b.) was dried to a final moisture content of 10.0% (w.b.) in 2.5 days, 3.5 days, and 11 days using the solar dryer integrated with the PCM thermal storage, the solar dryer without the PCM thermal storage and the open sun drying, respectively. The performance of the solar dryer integrated with the PCM thermal storage was also evaluated using exergy analysis. The exergy efficiency of the drying room of the solar dryer integrated with the PCM thermal storage and the solar dryer without the PCM thermal storage for drying of chili was found to be 13.1% and 11.4%, respectively and the thermal storage helps to dry chili during adverse weather conditions. The results of exergy analysis implied that the exergy losses from the dryer with the PCM should be reduced.     

Effect of Climate Warming and Drought on Urban Stream Temperatures in a Semiarid,Seasonal System

Stream temperatures are key indicators for aquatic ecosystem health, and are of particular concern in highly seasonal, water‐limited regions such as California that provide sensitive habitat for cold‐water species. Yet in many of these critical regions, the combined impacts of a warmer climate and urbanization on stream temperatures have not been systematically studied. We examined recent changes in air temperature and precipitation, including during the recent extreme drought, and compared the stream temperature responses of urban and nonurban streams under four climatic conditions and the 2008–2018 period. Metrics included changes in the magnitude and timing of stream temperatures, and the frequency of exceedance of ecologically relevant thresholds. Our results showed that minimum and average daily air temperatures in the region have increased by >1°C over the past 20 years, warming both urban and nonurban streams. Stream temperatures under drought warmed most (1°C–2°C) in late spring and early fall, effectively lengthening the summer warm season. The frequency of occurrence of periods of elevated stream temperatures was greater during warm climate conditions for both urban and nonurban streams, but urban streams experienced extreme conditions 1.5–2 times as often as nonurban streams. Our findings underscore that systematically monitoring and managing urban stream temperatures under climate change and drought is critically needed for seasonal, water‐limited urban systems.     

秦皇岛湿润生态环境变化

利用线性倾向分析、滑动平均和计算干燥度等方法对秦皇岛市1954-2005年降水、气温、相对湿度、蒸发量、干燥度等变化进行分析研究，结果表明：近50年秦皇岛地区气温逐渐升高，降水减少，气候干燥度普遍增大，生态环境呈干旱化趋势，南部干旱化进程较北部大，90年代后干旱化趋势增大。     

济南市大气污染时空特征研究

为不断改善济南市大气环境质量,在广泛收集与整理相关资料和数据基础上,基于综合污染指数评价法及Arc-GIS平台空间插值法研究并表征了济南市“十一五”期间大气主要污染物的时、空变化特征及发展趋势;研究结果表明：济南市“十一五”期间大气环境质量变化较大,2007～2009年污染较为严重,之后有所改善;大气污染物浓度呈明显的季节变化特征,冬季污染最严重,夏季空气质量最好;首要污染物为PM10;污染较严重区域集中在济南市东北部地区;其变化原因受地理气候条件、产业结构和能源结构影响较大.该研究方法及结论对其他大中城市大气环境质量时空变化研究具有一定借鉴价值.     

黄姜皂素产业生态化初步研究

当前黄姜皂素产业的发展面临严苛的环境约束与国家政策调控风险,整个产业处于不可持续的发展状态中。论文首先分析了黄姜皂素产业活动的环境影响,然后从概念、特征路径等方面初步探讨了黄姜皂素产业的生态化问题,提出基于黄姜皂素副产糖液制精制乳酸产业链以及黄姜皂素抽余渣制有型燃料产业链的产业共生系统。最后指出,黄善皂素产业的生态化转型必须依靠政府的技术创新制度安排与资金投入。     

Impacts of 21st‐Century Climate Change on Hydrologic Extremes in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America

Climate change projections for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of North America include warmer temperatures (T), reduced precipitation (P) in summer months, and increased P during all other seasons. Using a physically based hydrologic model and an ensemble of statistically downscaled global climate model scenarios produced by the Columbia Basin Climate Change Scenarios Project, we examine the nature of changing hydrologic extremes (floods and low flows) under natural conditions for about 300 river locations in the PNW. The combination of warming, and shifts in seasonal P regimes, results in increased flooding and more intense low flows for most of the basins in the PNW. Flood responses depend on average midwinter T and basin type. Mixed rain and snow basins, with average winter temperatures near freezing, typically show the largest increases in flood risk because of the combined effects of warming (increasing contributing basin area) and more winter P. Decreases in low flows are driven by loss of snowpack, drier summers, and increasing evapotranspiration in the simulations. Energy‐limited basins on the west side of the Cascades show the strongest declines in low flows, whereas more arid, water‐limited basins on the east side of the Cascades show smaller reductions in low flows. A fine‐scale analysis of hydrologic extremes over the Olympic Peninsula echoes the results for the larger rivers discussed above, but provides additional detail about topographic gradients.     

Meadow Restoration Increases Baseflow and Groundwater Storage in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California

In mountains of the western United States, channel incision has drawn down the water table across thousands of square kilometers of meadow floodplain. Here climate change is resulting in earlier melt and reduced snowpack and water resource managers are responding by investing in meadow restoration to increase springtime storage and summer flows. The record‐setting California drought (2012–2015) provided an opportunity to evaluate this strategy under the warmer and drier conditions expected to impact mountain water supplies. In 2012, 0.1 km² of meadow floodplain was reconnected by filling an incised channel through Indian Valley in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Despite sustained drought conditions after restoration, summer baseflow from the meadow increased 5–12 times. Before restoration, the total summer outflow from the meadow was 5% more than the total summer inflow. After restoration, total summer outflow from the meadow was between 35% and 95% more than total summer inflow. In the worst year of the drought (2015), when inflow to the meadow ceased for at least one month, summer baseflow was at least five times greater than before restoration. Groundwater levels also rose at four out of five sites near the stream channel. Filling the incised channel and reconnecting the meadow floodplain increased water availability and streamflow, despite unprecedented drought conditions.     

Management and Limnology Interact to Drive Water Temperature Patterns in a Middle Rockies River‐Reservoir System

This study seeks to improve understanding of temperature patterns in reservoir outflows. We examined water temperatures in an irrigation storage reservoir, Island Park Reservoir, and its outflow, Henry’s Fork of the Snake River in eastern Idaho. Our objectives were to (1) quantify the extent to which daily temperature ranges in the reservoir outflow deviated from other reaches of the Henry’s Fork, and (2) test whether the reservoir’s net volume change during the summer — expressed as the volume of water remaining in the reservoir on September 1 — predicted mean summer temperature in the outflow. Two years of temperature data showed dampened diel temperature cycles in the reservoir outflow. Model selection with 17 years of climatic, hydrologic, and reservoir management variables found mean summer temperature in the outflow was best predicted by September 1 reservoir volume and average summer air temperature. Two years of weekly reservoir thermal profiles indicated large changes in reservoir volume eliminated cool hypolimnetic water and encouraged mixing, allowing warm epilimnetic water to be discharged into the outflow. Increases in future drought frequency and severity and increases in summer air temperatures could increase the frequency of occurrence of high mean summertime water temperatures in the outflow. Our study provides important information for local managers by quantifying influences on outflow temperatures and the downstream river ecosystem.     

博乐市空气质量时空变化特征分析

以2001—2008年博乐市空气污染物的监测数据和统计年鉴资料为依据,对其平均浓度的时空变化特征进行分析。结果表明:博乐市空气总体良好,博乐市空气污染物的时空变化特征比较明显,SO2、NO2月变化曲线呈"U"字型,且冬春季节重于夏秋季节,这主要是由冬季取暖和不利气象条件造成的。2006年以来,博乐市TSP浓度呈现明显的空间转化特征,文教区的浓度略高于混合区,应引起环保部门的重视。     

Energy conservation and thermal comfort in a New York city high rise office building

Detailed analysis of an energy conservation program implemented on a 46 story government building is presented. Conservation was achieved by reduced lighting, changes in building operating hours, thermostat settings of 20C (68F) in the winter and 27C (80F) in the summer, and the elimination of air conditioning reheat. As a result, energy consumption in the summer was reduced by 54 percent. A survey of the occupants' thermal comfort and the insulating value of thei r clothing was taken. In the summer 68 percent were comfortable compared with 80 percent in the winter. The insulating value of the clothing worn by the women was consistently less than that of the men; the difference was largest in the summer. Though the temperatures in the occupied spaces were not as cold or as warm as the thermostat settings, the survey indicates that comfort could be improved if occupants dressed more appropriately for the expected thermal environment of the work place.An energy analysis with a building simulation program (NBSLD) was also undertaken. The simulated energy consumption was within 5 percent of the measured values. Additional large savings may be achieved in this and similar buildings through a reduction in the energy cost of transporting air and chilled and hot water around the building for the environmental control systems.     

EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC CHANGE ON THE THORNTHWAITE MOISTURE INDEX1

ABSTRACT: The Thornthwaite moisture index is a useful indicator of the supply of water (precipitation) in an area relative to the demand for water under prevailing climatic conditions (potential evapotranspiration). This study examines the effects of changes in climate (temperature and precipitation) on the Thornthwaite moisture index in the conterminous United States. Estimates of changes in mean annual temperature and precipitation for doubled-atmospheric CO₂ conditions derived from three general circulation models (GCMs) are used to study the response of the moisture index under steady-state doubled-CO₂ conditions. Results indicate that temperature and precipitation changes under doubled-CO₂ conditions generally will cause the Thornthwaite moisture index to decrease, implying a drier climate for most of the United States. The pattern of expected decrease is consistent among the three GCMs, although the amount of decrease depends on which GCM climatic-change scenario is used. Results also suggest that changes in the moisture index are related mainly to changes in the mean annual potential evapotranspiration as a result of changes in the mean annual temperature, rather than to changes in the mean annual precipitation.     

Performance analysis of different orc power plant configurations using solar and geothermal heat sources

ABSTRACT

Energy optimization is performed on hybrid solar-geothermal power plant working according to Organic Rankine Cycle and installed in southern Tunisia. The performances of four different configurations of the power plant are studied. Mass and energy balances are established for the different compounds. The effects of the main operating parameters such as the geothermal water temperature, ambient temperature and direct normal irradiation on the power plant performances are analyzed. A code is established using Engineering Equation Solver software (EES) to perform the required calculations. Obtained results show that the hybrid solar-geothermal power plant with a heat recovery system is the most suitable configuration design giving a better overall energy efficiency of 15.77 and13.11% and a maximum net power of 1089 and 1882 kW in winter and summer, respectively. However, in the summer season, using a heat recovery system can valuable only when the water temperature is higher than 66°C. For air-cooled condenser, the suitable condensing pressure is 1 bar in winter and 1.9 bars in summer.     

Thermal analysis of tilted wick solar distillation-cum-drying system

The performance of the designed tilted wick solar water distillation-cum-drying unit has been tested at water flow rates of 50 and 65 ml/min in the distillation unit. Effect of water flow rates on the heat transfer coefficients of distillation and drying unit for drying ginger has been evaluated. The energy and exergy efficiency of the distillation system have also been evaluated. Average distillates of 2.36 and 2.2 l/m² were collected from the tilted wick solar still at flow rates of 50 and 65 ml/min, respectively. Large variation in convective and evaporative heat transfer coefficients of distillation unit has been observed at given water flow rates. Water flow rate in the distillation unit significantly affects the performance of the drying unit. Average convective heat transfer coefficients of 6.56 and 3.75 W/m^{2 o}C have been observed for drying ginger at flow rates of 50 and 65 ml/min, respectively. Energy and exergy efficiency of the distillation unit have been found to be nearly 19% and 0.9%, respectively. Experimental uncertainty has also been evaluated for distillation and drying units. The distillate cost for the developed distillation-cum-drying unit is calculated as $0.03729/l along with dried ginger of about 2.5 kg/m²/day.