Browsing by Author "Soni, Manoj Kumar"

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Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, algae, and cow dung for biogas yield enhancement as a prospective approach for environmental sustainability
(Elsevier, 2022-08) Soni, Manoj Kumar
The enduring economic and environmental concerns have prompted extensive research in bioenergy in recent decades. Biogas is an effective carbon-free, sustainable energy source generated by the anaerobic digestion of biological wastes. Biogas production is promoted globally to decrease carbon emissions and maximize resource recycling from various wastes. The extant work examines biogas production in an anaerobic digester using co-digestion, which uses food wastes, algae, chicken, and fish mixed with cow manure. A physicochemical pre-treatment is used to change the lignocellulosic structure of the mixture of the wastes prior to the anaerobic co-digestion. The response surface technique is used to optimize the co-digestion factors, like pH, F/I ratio, organic loading rate, temperature, and concentration of the wastes. The optimal values of cumulative CO2, methane, and biogas have been obtained as 30.18 ml, 1345.97 ml, and 2244.58 ml, respectively.
Analysis of Course Content Development using Pedagogic Framework – A Case Study
(IEOM Society International, 2019) Soni, Manoj Kumar
The article delineates a scaffold for analyzing the outcome based course objectives and ascertain the variance among unit, module and course level objectives with reference to the Bloom’s taxonomy using pedagogic framework. It also investigates the correlation across the objectives at the course, module and unit levels. The key emphasis of the study is to develop a methodology to help the developer write objectives in an appropriate manner in engineering education system.
Analysis of Water Cooling of CPV Cells Mounted on Absorber Tube of a Parabolic Trough Collector
(Elsevier, 2016-12) Soni, Manoj Kumar
In the present paper, an analytical approach has been developed and presented to estimate the thermal performance of multi-junction solar panel under high concentration with liquid cooling on both sides of the panel. For such system, the receiver of parabolic collector is modified to incorporate solar cells. A long panel of flexible solar cells is mounted on the outer side of circular receiver. The water is allowed to flow from inside as well as outside of receiver, thus reducing the temperature of the panel significantly. Analytical model is developed and thermal analysis has been carried out using MATLAB (vR2012a). The thermal model predicts the temperature variation of the cell along its length, which given the improved efficiency of the panel. To validate the proposed model, the simulation is performed in COMSOL (v5.1). The results show that temperature of the liquid can be maintained up-to 85̊C, thus reducing the temperature of panel from initial temperature (without liquid cooling) of above 134̊C, under stagnant air in the annulus conditions. The results obtained are within the close approximation. The future scope would include the experimental validation of the proposed system.
Comparative Performance Assessment of a Hybrid Solar-Coal Power Plant
(Springer, 2018-09) Soni, Manoj Kumar
The focus of present study is to investigate technical, environmental and economic aspects of integrating concentrated solar energy into an existing 210-MW coal-based power plant for feed water heating. A possible alternative for such systems is a hybrid system (an integration of concentrating solar power (CSP) technology and fossil fuel based power plants), referred as solar thermal hybrid technology (STHT). The present investigation proposes integration of existing coal-fired power plant with concentrated solar energy. In this study, the steam extracted from first stage of turbine is replaced by solar energy; thereby reducing amount of heat input from the boiler considerably. This hybridization of existing coal-fired power plant with solar energy reduces coal consumption and CO2 emissions in fuel saving mode. The power output of hybrid solar-coal plant is augmented in power boosting mode when first-stage extraction steam replaced by solar energy is allowed to expand further in Rankine cycle. This study also compares the performance of hybrid solar-coal power plant in fuel saving and power boosting mode. An algorithm based upon this STHT plant is developed in MATLAB. Based upon this algorithm useful heat input and thermal losses that occur in the tubes of the solar collector have also been discussed in this paper.
Concentrating solar power – Technology, potential and policy in India
(Elsevier, 2011-12) Soni, Manoj Kumar
The global demand for energy is growing and conventional energy sources like coal and petroleum are depleting, and renewable resources will play a crucial role in the future. The development of clean and sustainable energy technology is imperative to avert the impending climatic crisis. A worthy investment option is concentrating solar power (CSP) technology which has the capacity to provide for about 7% of the total electricity needs projected for the world by 2030 and 25% by 2050 (considering a high-energy-saving, high-energy-efficiency scenario) [1]. In the present study, the various concentrators available have been explored. Countries all over the world have recognized the potential for CSP and numerous plants are being planned and constructed with incentives offered by the governments. In India, the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat have the potential for widespread application of CSP technology to harness the solar resource. The launch of The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in 2008 by the Indian Government and its initiatives, complemented by state solar policy passed by the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, will go a long way in the establishment of CSP to supply a segment of India's upcoming energy needs.
Design and Development of Game Based Evaluation and Learning (GABEL) for Applied Thermodynamics course for Active Learning
(IEOM Society International, 2019-03) Soni, Manoj Kumar
This article describes the application of Game based Evaluation and Learning in the classroom for formative assessment. The author caters large class of 194 second year students in Applied Thermodynamics course and evidence showed that this game enhances students’ attendance and learning in the course. The students got motivated to learn the course as it is active learning which much better as compared to the regular rote learning. The amalgamation of gamification as part of evaluation tasks is a complex process in active learning. It takes into attention not only the surrounding or motivational aspects of the activity, but also the quality criteria that are compulsory from the evaluation perspective. In the course, the Stock Market game was designed and customized for the active learning and evaluation in a structured fashion. In order to assess the effectiveness of it a survey was conducted. This activity received accolade from the students.
Design and Simulation of Solar Thermal Based Trigeneration System with 520 m2 Dish Collector
(Springer, 2020-07) Soni, Manoj Kumar
Use of solar thermal devices has proved a viable option for power generation in many countries that have abundant solar radiation throughout the year. Power Tower and Parabolic Trough collectors are the most common and commercially proven technologies in such solar thermal power plants. This paper presents the design and simulation of 1 MWe solar thermal power plant in which the steam is generated by Australian Nation University’s (ANU) 520 m2 solar parabolic dish concentrators. The plant also powers a vapour absorption-chilling unit that uses steam extracted from the turbine to produce a cooling effect. This paper discusses the design of the power cycle, and through the simulation, estimates the annual power generation from the power block and tonnes of refrigeration produced by vapour absorption chiller. Apart from the design of the power cycle, the layout of dishes is also designed for maximum steam generation from the solar field. The waste heat from the vapour absorption system may be used for low-grade heating applications.
Development of transfer chute design through Discrete Element Modelling for using Refused Derived fuel in Indian cement plants
(Elsevier, 2022-10) Soni, Manoj Kumar
The Indian Cement Industry is on its path to achieve net-zero CO2 emission by 2070, for which alternative fuels have been identified as one of the levers. Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) has emerged as a potential alternative fuel; however, its use comes with technical challenges like transfer chute jamming. The study investigated the causes of chute jamming while handling RDF in an Indian cement plant and proclaimed the methods to overcome the same. The chute designing issues in handling RDF have not been addressed in the available literature, and this study provides parameters to design transfer chute satisfying the RDF handling challenges. Application of Discrete Element Modelling is suitable to simulate and analyze the current design issues and their improvement. It is observed that the physical & flow properties of RDF and its variation should be taken into consideration while designing the chute and the guidelines of available literature related to chute design parameters like chute cross-sectional area, width, inclination, exit opening, etc. are suitable for conventional bulk materials, but these need to be optimized for RDF.
Effect of inlet flap obstruction on thermohydraulic characteristics in a smooth circular tube in the transitional flow regime
(Springer, 2021-04) Soni, Manoj Kumar; Bhattacharyya, Suvanjan
Heat transfer and pressure drop in a uniformly heated circular tube with a flap obstruction in the transitional flow regime is studied experimentally. Air (Pr = 0.707) is taken as the working medium. The Reynolds number (Re) is varied from 500 to 7037. Two heat flux conditions, 0.5 kW/m2 and 1 kW/m2, are considered. The height ratio (h) is varied from 0.15-0.25 and the width ratio (w) is varied from 0.25-0.75. Early onset of laminar to turbulent transition is noticed when flap obstruction is placed at the inlet. The earliest onset of transition is Re = 1918 and the latest is at Re = 3800 for the case of h=0.25 and w=0.25 and 0.5 kW/m2. The transition length for a heat flux of 0.5 kW/m2 case is more than twice the length for a plain channel. At higher heat fluxes, transition begins earlier. The presence of a flap obstruction disturbs the boundary layer resulting in early beginning of transition.
Energy Farming—A Green Solution for Indian Cement Industry
(Springer, 2020-10) Soni, Manoj Kumar
Cement sector in India is playing an important role in overall development and infrastructure. Coal is the main fuel for the manufacture of cement in India, given the high cost and inadequate availability of oil and gas. Another fuel required to operate the cement plant is diesel. It is required for drilling machine (in mines for blasting), for earth moving machines and in clinker production process for diesel generator to generate emergency power, kiln initial light up, various material handling vehicles, etc. Lot of research is being done to reduce coal consumption in cement plant by replacing the coal through alternative fuels like shredded tyre chips, plastic waste, refused derived fuel (RDF) from MSW, agrowaste, etc. Research for reducing the energy consumption is also in advance stage where Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has made the scheme for Mandatory Energy Audit of cement plants. Cement industry still has not focused on saving of diesel consumption as the consumption of diesel is less as compared to main fuel (Coal). However, it is well relevant to specify here the rise in diesel cost in India in last five years is alarming for the cement industry. This paper highlights the saving in diesel cost by introducing energy farming (EF) concept in place of green belt area which is statuary requirement for obtaining environmental clearance for cement plant and mines area.
Evaluating the heat transfer and pressure drop in the transitional flow regime for a horizontal circular tube fitted with wavy-tape inserts
(Elsevier, 2024-02) Bhattacharyya, Suvanjan; Soni, Manoj Kumar
Much research is available to support the thermo-hydraulic characteristics of heat exchanger tubes in laminar and turbulent flow regimes. However, very little work is available to support the thermohydraulic characteristics of heat exchangers in transition flow regimes, especially in turbulators. Therefore, this research experimentally evaluated the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of a circular tube fitted with wavy-tape inserts in the transition flow regime. Experiments were conducted in a circular tube having an internal diameter of 20 mm and a length of 2000 mm and the Reynolds number varied from 533 to 7002. The Nusselt number and friction factor for a smooth tube are validated by comparison with published research works in the laminar and turbulent flow regimes. A total of nine wavy tape inserts with different wave and width ratios were investigated. To determine the variation of Nusselt number and friction factor, three constant heat fluxes ( 1, 2, and 3 kW/m2) were applied to the test section. The laminar, transition, and turbulent regimes were marked and identified by using the linear best-fit line method for all the cases considered during the investigation. The results obtained from the study showed a shift in the boundaries of laminar, transition, and turbulent flow regimes. For smooth tube with 1 kW/m2 heat flux, the transition starts and ends at Reynolds number 2202 and 3 804, respectively. It was also revealed that the onset of transition occurred further earlier when tapes were used. The boundaries of transition also shifted with a change in the constant heat flux condition. For wavy tape having w = 0.75, d = 0.8, the transition begins at Reynolds number 2 193, 2 021, 2029 and ends at 4 016, 3 997, 3989 for heat flux 1, 2 and 3 kW/m2, respectively. The transition began earlier for lower values of heat flux, while for higher values, the transition limit was delayed compared with that of lower heat flux. The boundary of transition also shifted with wave ratio and width ratio. An increase in wave and width ratios altogether delayed the start and end of the transition. Correlations were also developed to predict the Nusselt number and friction factor in laminar and turbulent flow regime.
Exergoeconomic and environmental performance assessment of the solar-assisted thermal power plant
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-11) Soni, Manoj Kumar
At a time when global climate change is imposing a mounting challenge to the economy of the world, conventional coal-fired steam power plants are under tremendous pressure to meet severe climatic protocols for achieving the set sustainable development goals. Therefore, this research work investigates the energetic, exergetic, economical and environmental performance of a 330 MWe sub-critical coal-fired thermal power plant integrated with solar thermal energy. The results of energetic and exergetic analyses show that the highest energy efficiency of 38.04% and the highest exergy efficiency of 36.22% are attained for Option 3. The environmental analysis performed using the fuel-saving approach shows that the maximum reduction in coal consumption and CO2 emissions also corresponds to Option 3. The economic analysis showed that for all three replacement options, the levelised cost of electricity is 4.52, 4.47, and 4.63 (Cents/kWh) and the simple payback period is 3.4, 3.3 and 3.6 (years), respectively.
Exergy analysis of a photovoltaic thermal system with earth water heat exchanger cooling system based on experimental data
(Inder Science, 2017-08) Soni, Manoj Kumar
In this paper, an attempt has been made to evaluate the experimental exergetic assessment of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system with novel cooling technology termed as earth water heat exchanger (EWHE) cooling. The exergetic efficiency is calculated by considering of exergy destructions and exergy losses. It was observed that the total exergetic efficiency of PV/T is the function of mass flow rate of cooling water for a given solar radiation. The exergetic efficiency of the PV/T system is calculated in three ways, Case I: excluding exergy losses, Case II: including both exergy losses and exergy destructions and Case III: considering only exergy destructions. The results of all the cases were compared and it was found out that the exergetic efficiency of PV/T in Case III was more than the other two cases and it lies between 24.95% to 25.85% and 24.30% to 25.57% for the flow rate of 0.017 kg/s and 0.025 kg/s respectively.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of glazed tube-and-sheet photovoltaic/thermal system with earth water heat exchanger cooling
(Elsevier, 2017-12) Soni, Manoj Kumar
In the present paper, an attempt has been made to investigate the theoretical and practical performances of the photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system coupled with earth water heat exchanger (EWHE) cooling system for the conditions of semi-arid region of Pilani, Rajasthan. The experimental studies have been performed for different flow rates of cooling water (0.033 kg/s, 0.025 kg/s and 0.017 kg/s) for a typical day climatic conditions. An electrical efficiency comparison was made for two scenarios when the PV panel was connected or disconnected with the thermal collector and found out that the average electrical efficiency of PV/T panels is higher than the normal PV efficiency. The results of the experimental study showed that the maximum PV panel temperature goes up to 73 °C without any cooling. On the other hand, the PV panel temperature drops in the range of 43.68–49.64 °C with the flow rate of 0.033 kg/s. It has been estimated that the electrical and thermal efficiencies of the PV/T system with cooling are in the range of 8.26–8.52% and 44.06–55.45% respectively for flow rate of 0.033 kg/s. The EWHE pipe length of 38 m found to be sufficient for the proposed system. The experimental results are validated with the theoretical model by using basic energy balance equations and found in good agreement with percentage error of 0.91–12.09%.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of hybrid concentrated photovoltaic/thermal system using parabolic trough collector
(Elsevier, 2020-05) Soni, Manoj Kumar
In the current work, a hybrid concentrated photovoltaic thermal system was designed and coupled with a parabolic trough collector and investigated theoretically and experimentally for combined heat and power output. In the design, a photovoltaic module was mounted on a flat surface of parabolic trough absorber tube having semi cylindrical shape. A provision was made to cool photovoltaic panel from both the surfaces by flowing water through the absorber tube as well as the annulus of between absorber tube and glass cover. The model was developed using first law of the thermodynamics and then validated using experimental data generated through the fabricated setup. During the experimentation, the annulus flow rate was varied from 0.008 kg/s, 0.017 kg/s and 0.025 kg/s and inner flow rate was varied from 0.075 kg/s, 0.083 kg/s and 0.091 kg/s. The field testing results showed the mean overall efficiency of system obtained as 61.42%, 64.61% and 66.36% for inner tube flow rate of 0.075 kg/s, 0.083 kg/s and 0.091 kg/s respectively for annulus flow rate of 0.008 kg/s. The theoretical results of hybrid system obtained from the simulation are in good agreement with the experimental data. In the end environmental cost analysis was also carried out for the proposed system.
Experimental investigation of exergy performance of a water cooled hybrid photovoltaic thermal collector
(Inder Science, 2020-05) Soni, Manoj Kumar
In this paper, the performance of a water cooled hybrid photovoltaic thermal collector is evaluated by carrying out experimental exergy analysis by designing and fabricating a hybrid system to provide combined heat and power. The experimentation was carried out for mass flow rates, collectively ranging from 0.083 kg/s to 0.116 kg/s in different configurations. Along with losses and exergy destruction, the exergy efficiency was calculated using three different scenarios, i.e., by excluding exergy losses, by taking exergy losses and destruction and by considering exergy destruction only. On comparison, exergy efficiency for last scenario was observed on higher side and ranged between 48.55% to 61.36%, 41.44% to 55.85% and 35.09% to 48.16% for fixed inner tube flow rate of 0.091 kg/s and varying annulus mass flow rate of 0.008 kg/s, 0.017 kg/s and 0.025 kg/s, respectively. Such hybrid system may provide combined heat and power for semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, India.
Experimental investigation of twisted tape-induced mixed convection for optimized thermofluidic performance in transitional flow regimes
(Elsevier, 2025-05) Bhattacharyya, Suvanjan; Soni, Manoj Kumar
The current study aims to experimentally investigate the thermohydrodynamics coaction in a solar air heater tube equipped with twisted tape turbulators, specifically focusing on laminar and transitional flow regimes. This study uses air with Reynolds numbers (Rea) from 563 to 10,240. Wall heat flux (q) is uniform on heat exchanger tube. On the tube surface, “2, 3, and 4” kW-m−2 heat fluxes are used. Twisted tapes with twist ratios (y) “3, 4 and 5” were used as passive heat transfer enhancement devices. The results of heat transfer are presented in terms of Nusselt number (Nua) and Colburn j-factor (j) while the pressure drop is presented as friction factor (f). The results revealed changes in the transition boundary. For plain channel being subjected to uniform heat flux of 3 kW-m−2, the transition begins at Rea equals to 2595 and ends at Rea 3833. For twisted tape having twist ratio 3 at 4 kW-m−2 heat flux, the improvement in the heat transfer was highest. Similar results were obtained for f. Four empirical correlations were developed for predicting the Nusselt number (Nua) and friction factor (f), achieving deviations as low as ±0.75 % from experimental data. These correlations provide highly reliable guidance for optimizing heat exchanger design and performance.
Experimental Studies and Analysis for Performance Assessment of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Systems
(IOP, 2024) Mittal, Ravi Kant; Jha, Shibani Khanra; Singh, Ajit Pratap; Soni, Manoj Kumar
The Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) systems are expected to perform relatively at a higher efficiency level as compared to ground mounted PV systems. The major factor affecting the operating efficiency of a solar panel is the operating temperature of the PV panel which is relatively lower as compared to ground mounted PV system. To accomplish this, an experiment setup of FSPV system has been developed which consists of solar panels operating at different heights above water surface. The findings indicate that FSPV modules can reduce the module temperature by up to 4°C – 7°C. The performance of FSPV has been analysed under diurnal conditions. The performance has been assessed in terms of power output by utilising module parameters. The results highlight the power output from solar panel under varying heights help to optimize the operating heights of the solar panels over the water bodies to achieve maximum power output. Therefore, it is also advised for FSPV to raise the PV modules to their optimal height. The FSPV systems at 500 mm height provided 1.8-3.78% higher power output than ground mounted PV systems, maximum of all the panels above water.
Experimental study of thermohydraulic characteristics and irreversibility analysis of novel axial corrugated tube with spring tape inserts
(EDP Sciences, 2020-11) Soni, Manoj Kumar; Bhattacharyya, Suvanjan
The current study experimentally investigates the heat transfer augmentation on the novel axial corrugated heat exchanger tube in which the spring tape is introduced. Air (Pr = 0.707) is used as a working fluid. In order to augment the thermohydraulic performance, a corrugated tube with inserts is offered. The experimental study is further extended by varying the important parameters like spring ratio (y = 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) and Reynolds number (Re = 10 000–52 000). The angular pitch between the two neighboring corrugations and the angle of the corrugation is kept constant through the experiments at β = 1200 and α = 600 respectively, while two different corrugations heights (h) are analyzed. While increasing the corrugation height and decreasing the spring ratio, the impact of the swirling effect improves the thermal performance of the system. The maximum thermal performance is obtained when the corrugation height is h = 0.2 and spring ratio y = 1.5. Eventually, correlations for predicting friction factor (f) and Nusselt number (Nu) are developed.
Field investigations to determine the thermal performance of earth air tunnel heat exchanger with dry and wet soil: Energy and exergetic analysis
(Elsevier, 2018-07) Soni, Manoj Kumar
Earth air tunnel heat exchanger (EATHE) systems are inadequate to meet the thermal comfort requirements in semi-arid regions as they require large pipe lengths. The effectiveness and performance of such system can be increased by increasing soil moisture content, making as wet soil configuration. In the present work, the thermal performance of the EATHE system with dry and wet soil has been evaluated during the peak summer season. Further, the thermal behavior of these two EATHE systems has been compared on the basis of temperature of air flowing through buried pipes at different sections along the length. For the same a theoretical model is developed and validated with experimental results and found in good agreement with an error ranging from 2.44% to 10.85%. Moreover, the exergetic analysis has been carried outto investigate the work potential and scope of maximum utilization of energy. Results reveal that thepipe length can be reduced by 12–14 m with wet EATHE system as compared to dry EATHE system for the same cooling performance. The second law analysis shows that the maximum exergetic efficiency is 52.25% and 53.18% for dry and wet soil EATHE systems respectively.