Abstract: A method of determining a fouling location of a shell and tube heat exchanger is provided. Under the method, a simulation model of the heat exchanger is partitioned into multiple segments. Each segment corresponds to a different one of multiple operating scenarios of the heat exchanger. For each operating scenario, temperature data and pressure drop data are generated from the simulation model of the heat exchanger. The fouling location of the heat exchanger corresponds to a respective segment in each of the multiple operating scenarios. The temperature data and the pressure drop data are classified based on the multiple segments of the simulation model by inputting the temperature data and the pressure drop data to one or more machine learning classification algorithms. The fouling location and a value of accumulated fouling at the fouling location are determined based on the classified temperature data and the classified pressure drop data.

Abstract: A solar-powered two-bed adsorption chiller which can operate after sunset when the solar radiation intensity becomes zero. Rechargeable solar-powered batteries (SPBs) are connected to a flat-plate solar collector (FPSC). The photoelectric charges are directed from FPSC to a solar charge controller (SCC) which acts as a charge amplifier thus magnifying the total charge before it is finally collected inside the SPB for future use. The SPB is in turn connected to a resistance heating wire (RHW) which is immersed inside the HWST.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and systems of controlling a counter flow double pipe heat exchanger (DPHE) that includes a hot fluid pipe and a cold fluid pipe. In a method, a temperature error between a reference temperature and a temperature at an outlet of the hot fluid pipe of the counter flow DPHE is determined. A cold fluid mass flow rate is determined from an output of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller based on the temperature error being input to the PID controller. The cold fluid mass flow rate is used for a cold fluid in the cold fluid pipe of the counter flow DPHE. The temperature error is controlled within a predefined range by utilizing parameters of the PID controller that are set by using a harmony search algorithm (HSA) to obtain a minimization of a cost function.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for low-CO2 emission combustion of liquid fuel with a gas-assisted liquid fuel oxygen reactor. The system comprises an atomizer that sprays fuel and CO2 into an evaporation zone, where the fuel and CO2 is heated into a vaporized form. The system comprises a reaction zone that receives the vaporized fuel and CO2. The system includes an air vessel having an air stream, and a heating vessel adjacent to the air vessel that transfers heat to the air vessel. The system comprises an ion transport membrane in flow communication with the air vessel and reaction zone. The ion transport membrane receives O2 permeating from the air stream and transfers the O2 into the reaction zone resulting in combustion of fuel. The combustion produces heat and creates CO2 exhaust gases that are recirculated in the system limiting emission of CO2.

Abstract: In-pipe leak detection systems and related methods are disclosed for detecting in-pipe leaks while fluid is actively flowing through the pipe. The system can include a sensing element coupled to a membrane that are disposed parallel to or in-line with an axial direction of a fluid flow. The membrane is configured to be drawn into contact with the inner wall in response to a suction force caused by a leak. The leak is detected based on a transient output from the sensing element indicative of a stretch or strain on the membrane. The sensing element and the membrane is coupled to a support structure configured to position the membrane adjacent to an inner wall of a pipe. The support structure can include a mechanism that couples the membrane and the sensing element to the support structure and is configured to help in discriminating between leaks and false detections.

Abstract: A solar-powered two-bed adsorption chiller which can operate after sunset when the solar radiation intensity becomes zero. Rechargeable solar-powered batteries (SPBs) are connected to a flat-plate solar collector (FPSC). The photoelectric charges are directed from FPSC to a solar charge controller (SCC) which acts as a charge amplifier thus magnifying the total charge before it is finally collected inside the SPB for future use. The SPB is in turn connected to a resistance heating wire (RHW) which is immersed inside the HWST.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: In-pipe leak detection systems and related methods are disclosed for detecting in-pipe leaks while fluid is actively flowing through the pipe. The system can include a sensing element coupled to a membrane that are disposed parallel to or in-line with an axial direction of a fluid flow. The membrane is configured to be drawn into contact with the inner wall in response to a suction force caused by a leak. The leak is detected based on a transient output from the sensing element indicative of a stretch or strain on the membrane. The sensing element and the membrane is coupled to a support structure configured to position the membrane adjacent to an inner wall of a pipe. The support structure can include a mechanism that couples the membrane and the sensing element to the support structure and is configured to help in discriminating between leaks and false detections.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for low-CO2 emission combustion of liquid fuel with a gas-assisted liquid fuel oxygen reactor. The system comprises an atomizer that sprays fuel and CO2 into an evaporation zone, where the fuel and CO2 is heated into a vaporized form. The system comprises a reaction zone that receives the vaporized fuel and CO2. The system includes an air vessel having an air stream, and a heating vessel adjacent to the air vessel that transfers heat to the air vessel. The system comprises an ion transport membrane in flow communication with the air vessel and reaction zone. The ion transport membrane receives O2 permeating from the air stream and transfers the O2 into the reaction zone resulting in combustion of fuel. The combustion produces heat and creates CO2 exhaust gases that are recirculated in the system limiting emission of CO2.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A CO2 adsorbent that includes MIL-100(Fe) and various amounts of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed therein, and a method of capturing CO2 with a CO2 adsorbent that includes an adsorbent matrix of a zeolite and/or a metal organic framework and carbon nanotubes that are dispersed within the adsorbent matrix. Various embodiments of the CO2 adsorbent and the method of capturing CO2 are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for low-CO2 emission combustion of liquid fuel with a gas-assisted liquid fuel oxygen reactor. The system comprises an atomizer that sprays fuel and CO2 into an evaporation zone, where the fuel and CO2 is heated into a vaporized form. The system comprises a reaction zone that receives the vaporized fuel and CO2. The system includes an air vessel having an air stream, and a heating vessel adjacent to the air vessel that transfers heat to the air vessel. The system comprises an ion transport membrane in flow communication with the air vessel and reaction zone. The ion transport membrane receives O2 permeating from the air stream and transfers the O2 into the reaction zone resulting in combustion of fuel. The combustion produces heat and creates CO2 exhaust gases that are recirculated in the system limiting emission of CO2.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A fire tube boiler system including a plurality of oxygen transport reactors that heats a working fluid. Each oxygen transport reactor has a first inner tube with an ion transport membrane that receives air from a first supply line, extracts oxygen from the air, and evacuate oxygen depleted air through a first exhaust line, a second inner tube that surrounds the first inner tube that receives the oxygen from the ion transport membrane and a mixture of fuel and carbon dioxide from a second supply line and produces a oxy-combustion, and an peripheral tube that surrounds the second inner tube and evacuates the exhaust gases produced by the oxy-combustion and transfer heat from exhaust gases to the working fluid and the ion transport membrane.