Thermofluids on Renewable Energy, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Flame and Combustion

Increasingly limited sources of fossil energy are driving people to seek alternative energy resources. The use of photovoltaic (PV) and biogas for electric power generation continues to be accompanied by efforts to improve their system performance. Electrical ratings on PV systems, and the design of the digester in the biogas combustion process, are two of the relevant issues presented in this edition. Absorption cooling systems for buildings with solar power is one type of environmentally friendly system. In addition, the use of the natural refrigerant propane and a small channel can provide a higher heat transfer coefficient. In the heating and cooling process, the heat transfer characteristics are changed due to the phase change of the working fluids or material. Therefore, research on phase change material or working fluids has become an important way to support energy savings. Adsorption cooling systems that work with certain materials have shown better system performance, are environmentally friendly, and are energy-saving. System performance is determined by the properties of the material or the working fluid; it can be improved by modifying the serial or parallel stages of the process, which can be implemented in the dehumidification process. The pyrolysis process is another example of an application of thermofluids that uses flame and combustion; here, a carbonaceous solid is thermally degraded via heat in the absence of oxygen. For safety in flame and combustion, controlling the oxygen concentration can reduce the propensity for ignition and lower the fire propagation rate. Related applications on the engine and controlling the conditions of combustion in the engine room can improve engine performance.