In this work, we developed a semianalytical model to compute three-phase capillary pressure curves and associated fluid configurations for gas invasion in uniformly wet rock images. The fluid configurations and favorable capillary entry pressures are determined based on free energy minimization by combining all physically allowed three-phase arc menisci. The model was first validated against analytical solutions developed in a star-shaped pore space and subsequently employed on an SEM image of Bentheim sandstone. The simulated fluid configurations show similar oil-layer behavior as previously imaged three-phase fluid configurations. The simulated saturation path indicates that the oil-water capillary pressure can be described as a function of the water saturation only. The gas-oil capillary pressure can be represented as a function of gas saturation in the majority part of the three-phase region, while the three-phase displacements slightly reduce the accuracy of such representation. At small oil saturations, the gas-oil capillary pressure depends strongly on two-phase saturations.
To satisfy the increasing demand for energy and potable water, large-scale cogeneration is widely integrated. However, in remote locations, the lack of power system infrastructure limits the integration of large-scale systems. Consequently, a large portion of inhabitants has no access to electricity and the pressure on groundwater resources increases drastically. To address this power and water scarcity, a distributed cogeneration system consisting of a solar-powered micro Gas Turbine and desalination system is considered. Since the integration of solar energy in distributed cogeneration systems is uncertain, we performed a feasibility study. This paper covers the modelling, sensitivity and exergy analysis and 3 desalination systems designs, each making a trade-off between smaller plant size and higher performance. Introducing solar energy in the micro gas turbine results in an increase in electrical efficiency by 3.2% absolute. The proposed designs achieve a levelized cost of water between 1.78$/(m3/d) and 1.92$/(m3/d), which is comparable with conventional solar-powered desalina-tion plants. Therefore, these designs demonstrate the feasibility of integrating solar energy in distributed cogeneration systems and provide a promising solution towards cost-efficient, renewable-based power and water cogeneration in remote locations. The future work will enhance the economic analysis by including an intermittent solar energy supply.
In recent years, microplastics (MPs), normally defined as plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 mm, are emerging contaminants ubiquitously present in all the compartments of the aquatic ecosystem from surface water to benthic sediment, including aquatic biota [1, 2]. In the marine environment, MPs can be originated from two sources: manufactured products that contain microplastics, e.g. cosmetic products, and fragments released form larger plastic debris through photooxidation, mechanical action and biodegradation [3].
