Tadeusz SKOCZKOWSKI, Sławomir BIELECKI
Measures to improve energy efficiency in industry and their evaluation
Shown is an attempt to have a look on the problem of energy efficiency from the side of proposed actions and measures serving the improvement of energy efficiency (so-called EEIM) based on a formal and legal points of view presented by the EU and its energy policy. Mentioned is the range of EEIM measures predestined for big industrial plants. Proposed is implementation of EEIM evaluation methodology that could enable taking into account, through a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), a number of the hitherto ignored factors as the presently applied evaluations are based mainly on some simple economic indicators. Comprised are also some recommendations concerning planning of national energy policy in the context of energy efficiency.
Keywords: energy eficiency, actions and measures of improvement, EU energy policy
Stefan POSTRZEDNIK
The use of firedamps for energy generation
On the hard coal mining areas two main colliery gases containing flammable components (mainly methane CH4) can be found: seam gas, coming from coal seams methane drainage, and ventilation gas emitted to the atmosphere by ventilation shafts. Utilization of these gases for energy generation purposes is an important technical and ecological (emission of greenhouse gases) problem resulting mainly from the content of CH4 in every one of them. Indicated is advisability of mixing coal seam and ventilation gases only without taking any additional air stream (O2) from the atmosphere. For the evaluation of such combustible mixture usability for energy generation purposes a factor Ω was proposed with the consequent estimation and analysis of its value.
Keywords: firedamps, utilization of seam and ventilation gases, gas mixing
Rafał CZAPAJ-ATŁAS, Bogumił DUDEK
Development of drones and their application in power engineering
Presented is the current state of progress in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles called „drones”) advanced applications. A special attention is paid to practical applications in the fields of monitoring and inspections in the broadly defined power engineering supplemented by authors’ propositions to use drones in the process of installations and networks maintenance. Described are additionally new potential fields of application, progress in drones production in Poland and hazards that can result from drones misuse. Taken is also an attempt to answer the question whether the current perception of drones can be altered by expanding the knowledge concerning their practical applications in non-military actions.
Keywords: UAV, drones, monitoring, inspection, power installations operation
Waldemar DOŁĘGA
Thermal capacity of 400, 220 and 110 kV overhead power lines
Presented are selected aspects concerning thermal capacity of 400, 220 and 110 kV overhead power lines. Discussed is the problem of permissible current-carrying capacity with special attention paid to static and dynamic capacities. Analysed are various aspects concerning 400, 220 and 110 kV overhead power lines modernization enabling the increase of their thermal capacity and consisting in realization of measures like utilization of high-temperature conductors of small sags, construction of new lines or an additional paths in the already existing corridors on the ground, application of a line current-carrying capacity monitoring systems as well as execution of certain modernization operations.
Keywords: thermal capacity, overhead power line, development, planning
Krzysztof BILLEWICZ
A concept of „the tragedy of the commons” and limitations in electric power supply
In microeconomics we can find a term „the tragedy of the commons” that describes the situation when people have got an unlimited access to scarce resources. Such a situation can lead to destruction or depletion of these resources. An attempt is made to determine whether the definition is adequate to situation occurring when the electric power supply must be ensured for all the end users.
Keywords: power shortfall, „tragedy of the commons”, electric energy supply, supply limitations
Marek SZADKOWSKI, Andrzej WARACHIM
Methods of reduction of electric arc flash shock hazard
The article is the continuation [1, 2] of issues already described by the Authors and concerning hazards and methods to reduce the causes and results of arc faults. Presented are basic principles of an arc flash hazard analysis and selected are methods to reduce hazard categories.
Keywords: electric arc flash shock hazard, arc faults causes and results
Mateusz KOZAK, Kamil SROKOSZ, Dariusz WAWRZYŃCZAK, Izabela MAJCHRZAK-KUCĘBA
Investigation of CO2 concentration and feed gas stream impact on the recovery rate and CO2 concentration in the product with the use of VPSA swing adsorbtion method
Emission of greenhouse gases caused by human activity has been one of the most common problems of today’s world during the last years. Special attention is paid to the carbon dioxide coming from fossil fuels combustion. Directives implemented by the European Parliament leave no doubt that methods of emission reduction of this gas should be searched not only in energy industry but also in industrial sectors like refining, cement, chemical and other industries. In order to meet requirements concerning reduction of greenhouse gases emission Częstochowa Technical University proposed a CO2 capture adsorbtion method and, more specifically, the Vacuum-Pressure Swing Adsorption (VPSA) method. The CO2 separating material is a solid sorbent adsorbing CO2 in its pores and the gas is subsequently removed from the pores with the use of vacuum method. First investigation results in energy sector proved to be promising as they allowed to achieve CO2 concentration in the product on the level of 95% and the recovery rate of up to 90%. The achieved values depend of course on the type of sorbent used (activated carbon, zeolite, molecular sieve etc.), concentration of incoming gas (different for every industrial sector), stream of the feed gas and other process parameters (e.g. temperature, pressure) or configurations (application of recirculation, rinse gas). The obtained results have been presented in the form of graphs. Investigations were conducted at a fixed time of every process stage, at a constant adsorbion pressure as well as with different values of feed gas stream (3 m3/h and 4 m3/h) and different CO2 concentrations. CO2 contents in flue gases emitted by various industrial sectors was established on basis of technical literature data. The research was conducted at Częstochowa Technical University in its Instytut Zaawansowanych Technologii Energetycznych with the use of a 4-column VPSA installation.
Keywords: CO2 capture adsorbtion method, VPSA swing adsorbtion method
Jerzy KUBOWSKI
Nuclear power stations and global warming. About causes and consequences of global warming
Presented are views of climatologists on problems concerning the so-called global warming and possibilities to cushion its impact by building nuclear power stations. Most climate experts share the view that global warming reaches worrying dimensions and, on the basis of research results, they claim that with the almost 100% probability it is due to human activities. Many of them also think that the warming can be slowed down on global scale in the way of building nuclear power stations. But the results of analyses conducted at the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and in the IEER (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research) show that such idea, because of great costs, long realization cycle and a threat of nuclear accident occurrence, is unrealistic. So the climate researchers set their hopes rather in renewable energy development.
Keywords: global warming, supporters’ ideas, nuclear power stations impact on global warming