• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2023

This study shows the summary of the economic performance of excess electricity conversion to hydrogen as well as methane and returned conversion to electricity using a fuel cell. The methane production process has been examined in a previous study. Here, this study focuses on the conversion of methane to electricity. As a part of this study, capital expenditure (CAPEX) is estimated under various sized plants (0.3, 3, 9, and 30 MW). The study shows a method for economic optimization of electricity generation using a fuel cell. The CAPEX and operating expenditure (OPEX) as well as the feed cost are used to calculate the discounted cash flow. Then the levelized cost of returned electricity (LCORE) is estimated from the discounted cash flow. This study found the LCORE value was ¢10.2/kWh electricity when a 9 MW electricity generating fuel cell was used. A methane production plant size of 1,500 Nm³/hr, a methane production cost of $11.47/mcf, a storage cost of $1/mcf, and a fuel cell efficiency of 54% were used as a baseline. A sensitivity analysis was performed by varying the storage cost, fuel cell efficiency, and excess electricity cost by ±20%, and fuel cell efficiency was found as the most dominating parameter in terms of the LCORE sensitivity. Therefore, for the best cost-performance, fuel cell manufacturing and efficiency need to be carefully evaluated. This study provides a general guideline for cost performance comparison with LCORE.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1133-1153
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• 2016

In this article, an additive performance ratio method using structural analysis of both 2D and 3D is introduced to mitigate the complexity of work evaluating structural performances of numerous steel outrigger alternatives in multi-story buildings, especially high-rise buildings. The combined structural analysis process enables to be the design of economic, safe, and as constructional demanding structures by exploiting the advantages of steel, namely: excellent energy dissipation and ductility. First the approach decides the alternative of numerous steel outriggers by a simple 2D analysis module and then the alternative is evaluated by 3D analysis module. Initial structural analyses of outrigger types are carried out through MIDAS Gen 2D modeling, approximately, and then the results appeal structural performance and lead to decide some alternative of outrigger types. ETABS 3D modeling is used with respect to realization and evaluation of exact structural behaviors. The approach reduces computational burden in compared to existing concepts such as full 3D analysis methods. The combined 2D and 3D tools are verified by cycle and displacement tests including comprehensive nonlinear dynamic simulations. The advantages and limitations of the Additive Performance Ratio Approach are highlighted in a case study on a high rise steel-composite building, which targets at designing the optimized alternative to the existing original outrigger for lateral load resisting system.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.365-380
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• 2021

Although traditional steel-concrete composite beams have excellent structural characteristics, it cannot meet the requirement of quick assembly and repair in the engineering. This paper presents a study on static behavior of bolt connected steel-concrete composite beam without post-cast zone. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed with its accuracy and reliability validated by available experimental results. The analysis results show that in the normal service stage, the bolt is basically in the state of unidirectional stress with the loss of pretightening can be ignored. Parametric studies are presented to quantify the effects of the post-cast zone, size and position of splicing gap on the behavior of the beam. Based on the studies, suggested size of gap and installation order were proposed. It is also confirmed that optimized concrete slab in mid-span can reduce the requirement of construction accuracy.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2023

This study aims to introduce a biowaste processing system that uses spent coffee grounds and implement a real options method to evaluate the proposed process. Energy systems based on eco-friendly fuels lack sufficient data, and thus along with conventional approaches, they lack the techno-economic assessment required for great input qualities. On the other hand, real options analysis can estimate the different costs of options, such as continuing or abandoning a project, by considering uncertainties, which can lead to better decision-making. This study investigated the feasibility of a biowaste processing method using spent coffee grounds to produce biofuel and considered three different valuation models, which were the net present value using discounted cash flow, the Black-Scholes and binomial models. The suggested biowaste processing system consumes 200 kg/h of spent coffee grounds. The system utilizes a tilted-slide pyrolysis reactor integrated with a heat exchanger to warm the air, a combustor to generate a primary heat source, and a series of condensers to harness the biofuel. The result of the net present value is South Korean Won (KRW) -225 million, the result of the binomial model is KRW 172 million, and the result of the Black-Scholes model is KRW 1,301 million. These results reveal that a spent coffee ground-related biowaste processing system is worthy of investment from a real options valuation perspective.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2022

In the structural analysis of steel frames, joints are generally considered as rigid or hinged considering their moment transfer ability. However, the first studies conducted with the beginning of the 20th century showed that the joints do not actually fit these two definitions. In reality, a joint behaves between these two extreme points and is called semi-rigid. Including the actual state of the joint in the structural analysis provides significant economic advantages, so the subject is an intense field of study today. However, it does not find enough application area in practice. For this reason, a large-scale literature published from the first studies on the subject to the present has been examined within the scope of the study. Three important points have been identified in order to examine a joint realistically; modelling the load-displacement relationship, performing the structural analysis and how to design. Joint modelling methods were grouped under 7 main headings as analytical, empirical, mechanical, numerical, informational, hybrid and experimental. In addition to the moment-rotation, other important external load effects like axial force, shear and torsion were considered. Various evaluations were made to expand the practical application area of semi-rigid connections by examining analysis methods and design approaches. Dynamic behaviour was also included in the study, and besides column-beam connections, other important connection types such as beam-beam, column-beam-cross, base connection were also examined in this paper.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.427-434
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• 2019

This study investigates the structural integrity of the amphibious tour bus under the rollover condition. The multi-purpose bus called Dual Mode Tour Bus (DMTB) which explores on land and water has been designed on top of a truck platform. Prior to the fabrication of new upper body and sailing equipment of DMTB, computational analysis investigates the rollover protection of the proposed structure including superstructure, wheels, and axles. The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) of the whole vehicle model is meshed and preprocessed under high performance using the Altair HyperMesh to attain the best mesh model suited for finite element analysis (FEA) on the proposed system. Meanwhile, the numerical model is analyzed by employing LS-DYNA to evaluate the superstructure strength. The numerical model includes detail information about the microstructure and considers wheels and axles as rigid bodies but excludes window glasses, seats, and interior parts. Based on the simulation analysis and proper modifications especially on the rear portion of the bus, the local stiffness significantly increased. The vehicle is rotated to the contact point on the ground based on the mathematical method presented in this study to save computational cost. The results show that the proposed method of rollover analysis is highly significant not only in bus rollover tests but in crashworthiness studies for other application. The critical impartments in our suggested dual-purpose bus accepted and passed "Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) R66".

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.3
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• pp.339-351
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• 2020

Earthquakes are natural disasters that cause serious social disruptions and economic losses. In particular, they have a significant impact on critical lifeline infrastructure such as urban water transmission networks. Therefore, it is important to predict network performance and provide an alternative that minimizes the damage by considering the factors affecting lifeline structures. This paper proposes a probabilistic reliability approach for post-hazard flow analysis of a water transmission network according to earthquake magnitude, pipeline deterioration, and interdependency between pumping plants and 154 kV substations. The model is composed of the following three phases: (1) generation of input ground motion considering spatial correlation, (2) updating the revised nodal demands, and (3) calculation of available nodal demands. Accordingly, a computer code was developed to perform the hydraulic analysis and numerical modelling of water facilities. For numerical simulation, an actual water transmission network was considered and the epicenter was determined from historical earthquake data. To evaluate the network performance, flow-based performance indicators such as system serviceability, nodal serviceability, and mean normal status rate were introduced. The results from the proposed approach quantitatively show that the water network is significantly affected by not only the magnitude of the earthquake but the interdependency and pipeline deterioration.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2023

In developing countries, solid waste is typically disposed of inappropriately, which has a negative impact on the environment and healthcare. One of the most serious environmental issues is the management of municipal solid waste because of the huge increase in waste generation brought on by industrialization, economic development, urbanization, and the exponential growth of Gurugram City's population. Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) handles solid waste collection, transportation, and disposal. The city generates over 1100 tons of solid waste per day. In consideration of this, the current study employed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats framework called SWOT analysis to critically examine the city's current methods for the management of municipal solid waste to provide more effective policy solutions. For conducting the analysis, the questionnaires and other interviews were conducted to gather information from households and officials in the city, and the observation made during field visits were recorded. The analysis shows that the waste management issue is getting worse for a variety of causes, including a lack of regulatory enforcement, insufficient technical and financial resources, insufficient people's participation, inadequate execution of policies, a lack of political priorities, and poor coordination between authorities.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.35-46
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• 2017

This study analyzed the role of innovation intermediaries on the performance of technology-based firms in Korea. Technology-based firms are important to the economy because they contribute to regional economic development and national competitiveness. In Korea, various types of intermediaries, such as Techno-parks and incubators have been established to foster technology-based firms. Researchers analyzed various factors influencing the performance of technology-based firms. On the other hand, there have been few studies on the relationship between the innovation intermediaries and the performance of technology-based firms in Korea. This study identified the firms' capabilities, institutional and environmental factors in the light of the literature. A total of 2,313 technology-based firms in Techno-parks, business incubator of public institutes and universities were surveyed. Of these, 110 respondents were used for empirical analysis. OLS techniques were applied to analyze the data. The empirical results showed that the marketing competence, R&D capacity, which is a firms' innovation capacity, have a positive effect on the performance. The support of intermediaries positively affects the performance of technology-based firms. The economic aspects of regional innovation infrastructure, and cooperation with the customer has a positive effect on the performance of technology-based firms.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2014

This paper's aim is to do a global evaluation (considering four dimensions: technical-economic, environmental, social and political) in the ways of natural gas transportation (gas pipelines, GNL and GTL) and electric transmission, in order to supply the energy demands of Mato Grosso do Sul, a brazilian state. The transport ways had been compared between itself using a software of decision taking (Decision Lens Suite), which determined a better way for transporting natural gas in this case. In a generalized manner the gas pipeline is the best way of transporting natural gas, therefore it takes advantage in the majority of the analyzed dimensions.