Rohini College of Engineering and Technology is an ISO-certified college located in Palkulam, Anjugramam, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is affiliated with Anna University, Chennai, approved by the All India Council for Technical Education..
The worldwide endeavour for net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) requires the effective and robust incorporation of renewable energy systems. Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technologies are pivotal to this transition; however, their efficacy in tropical regions such as South India is frequently compromised by high module temperatures. This research looks at employing a passive thermal management method through the use of the Glauber salt, a phase change material, Sodium Sulphate Decahydrate (Na₂SO₄·10 H₂O), integrated into a BIPV module. A comparative experimental study was done using two (2) 70 W PV modules, one with the PCM (BIPV-PCM), and the other without the PCM (BIPV-Ref) both installed in the same location in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu; 11°N; 77°E) and under actual weather conditions. The collected data shows that the module with the PCM (BIPV-PCM) exhibited the greatest surface temperature reduction (2.2 °C) at peak solar radiation hours (14:00). The overall efficiency of the BIPV-PCM module was approximately 1.5
The rapid evolution of Smart Grid (SG) technologies necessitates robust control and monitoring systems. This study introduces an effective SG energy monitoring system utilizing Type 2 Fuzzy Logic Controller (T2FLC), enhanced with the Mayfly Optimization Algorithm (MOA). The MOA plays a crucial role, drawing inspiration from the natural mating behavior of mayflies to perform an efficient search space exploration, thus optimizing the T2FLC parameters including membership functions and rule weights. The system utilizes a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) at its core for real-time data acquisition of key electrical parameters. The system comprehensively manages both Photovoltaic (PV) systems and Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS), ensuring stable power output using the innovative Mayfly Algorithm optimized Type 2 Fuzzy Logic Controller (MF-T2FLC). Its primary function is to compute and generate reference power for the associated DC-DC and AC-DC converters connected to the PV system and WECS, respectively. The efficacy of the MF-T2FLC is thoroughly verified through both laboratory prototype implementations and MATLAB simulations, particularly under variable environmental conditions. The MF-T2FLC showcases remarkable performance through improvements in settling times and steady-state errors, with zero overshoot, outperforming conventional controllers. Moreover, the real-time energy monitoring system is instrumental in enhancing SG performance, contributing to power delivery optimization and resource utilization.
Double perovskite materials present significant advantages in terms of stability, environmental safety, tunability, charge dynamics and efficiency, making them a promising avenue for future solar cell technologies. In the present study, the numerical simulation for the photovoltaic performance of lead-free halide double perovskites (HDPs) X2AgBiI6 (where X = Rb, K) estimated using the one-dimensional solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D) package is discussed in detail. A range of electron transport layers (ETLs) such as zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium oxide (TiO2), fullerene (C60), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), tin oxide (SnO2) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric-acid methyl ester was varied to identify the best fit. Similarly, the hole transport layers (HTLs), namely cuprous oxide (Cu2O), cuprous thiocyanate (CuSCN), copper antimony sulphide (CuSbS2), nickel oxide (NiO), poly(3-hexylthiophene), PEDOT: PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulphonate), spiro-MeOTAD (2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis[N,N-di (4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9′-spirobifluorene), CuI (copper iodide), CuO (cupric oxide), V2O5 (vanadium pentoxide), CBTS (copper-barium-tin-sulphide) and CFTS (copper ferrous tin sulphide), respectively, were extensively studied in solar device configuration. The influence of various physical parameters, such as different layers, thickness of ETL and HTL and temperature, was investigated. The performance of the proposed HDPs improved with increases in layer thickness and decreases in temperature. The proposed studies may pave the way towards more stable and efficient HDPs for futuristic photovoltaics.
Emerging technologies for wastewater contaminants removal are discussed. AOPs, bioremediation, chemical precipitation coagulation are advanced methods. Hybrid systems are most effective way to treat wastewater in the future. Innovative technique can achieve water quality, suitable for safe reuse. Human civilization cannot exist without water, and as the population increases, water consumption has also increased. However, the water has been contaminated in various anthropogenic causes’ like discharge of agriculture run-off, household waste, textile effluents, nuclear waste etc. into water-bodies resulting in global environmental issues. It is evident that biomolecules, fluoride, heavy metals, organic dyes, and other substances are the main contaminants in the water system. Certainly, the presence of heavy metals viz. Ag+, Cd2+, Cr3+/6+, Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Hg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Pd2+, and Zn2+ in the water bodies leads to their accumulation in the food chain, posing a threat to human health. Notably, many of such contaminants persist in the environment and bio-accumulate within the food chain, thereby causing potential risks to both ecological systems and human health over the long term. The lack of thorough toxicological data has left many contaminants and their health impacts raising concerns about public safety. Because of their environmental endurance and tendency to bio-accumulate in the food chain, the prolonged exposure may have a negative impact on human health. Therefore, treating these polluted water bodies is essential to save the environment and life. In this regard, advanced wastewater treatment technologies, and the generation of regulatory frameworks to control the release of contaminants should be addressed to diminish such issues. Hence, this review focuses on certain currently available wastewater contaminants removal methods mainly via Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP), bioremediation, chemical precipitation and coagulation, membrane filtration technologies, physical adsorption-based technique and phytoremediation.
The integration of ethanol into gasoline presents compatibility challenges for automotive fuel-system materials. In this study, the degradation of NBR-PVC fuel hoses exposed to ethanol-gasoline blends (E30, E50, E70, and E100) was investigated under dynamic flow conditions. A custom-designed test rig simulates real-time fuel circulation for 1,200 h. FESEM, ATR-FTIR, and elemental mapping analyses revealed ethanol-induced degradation, including dehydrochlorination, plasticizer leaching, and filler detachment. Among the blends, E30 exhibited the least material degradation, whereas E100 showed significant surface damage and chemical alteration. This study recommends multilayered fuel hose structures with ethanol-resistant inner linings for enhanced durability.
