We present a novel hybrid membrane system that operates as a heat engine capable of utilizing low-grade thermal energy, which is not readily recoverable with existing technologies. The closed-loop system combines membrane distillation (MD), which generates concentrated and pure water streams by thermal separation, and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO), which converts the energy of mixing to elect...

The thermal performance of a single pass solar air heater with five fins attached was investigated experimentally. Longitudinal fins were used inferior the absorber plate to increase the heat exchange and render the flow fluid in the channel uniform. The effect of mass flow rate of air on the outlet temperature, the heat transfer in the thickness of the solar collector, and the thermal efficien...

Perforated semiconductor neutron detectors are compact diode detectors that operate at low power and can be fashioned to have high thermal neutron detection efficiency. Fabricated from high-purity Si wafers, the perforations are etched into the diode surface with ICP-RIE and backfilled with LiF neutron reactive material. The intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency depends upon many facto...

At present, a major concern regarding data centers is their extremely high energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. However, because of the over-provisioning of resources, the utilization of existing data centers is, in fact, remarkably low, leading to considerable energy waste. Therefore, over the past few years, many research efforts have been devoted to increasing efficiency for the ...

The fin efficiency of a high-thermal-conductivity substrate coated with a low-thermalconductivity layer is considered, and an analytical solution is presented and compared to alternative approaches for calculating fin efficiency. This model is appropriate for frost formation on a round-tube-and-fin metallic heat exchanger, and the problem can be cast as conduction in a composite two-dimensional...

A critical review of air pollution emitted from thermal power plants has been carried out by considering several literatures. It is concluded that the disposal of fly ash generated in thermal power plants poses a problem, as it required a large amount of land for dumping, however if utilized properly, this may turn into a resource material for number of sectors for Indian economy. Also it is fo...

This article describes four studies conducted through the eViz project, which used a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, to investigate the impact that thermal images can have on householder retrofit behaviour. Results from thermal image investigations were benchmarked against carbon footprint audit and control cases, and ranged from simple generic letters on energy efficiency to m...

Large amounts of low-grade waste heat (temperatures <130 °C) are released during many industrial, geothermal, and solar-based processes. Using thermally-regenerative ammonia solutions, low-grade thermal energy can be converted to electricity in battery systems. To improve reactor efficiency, a compact, ammonia-based flow battery (AFB) was developed and tested at different solution concentration...

Building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems serve two purposes – generate electricity and heat ambient air using absorbed solar energy. High wind velocity reduces the efficiency of unglazed transpired solar collectors (UTC). Indeed, wind flow on the collector’s surface reduces the useful heat transferred to the plenum air by effectuating convection losses and suction in the pores;...