Research Article
Experimental Assessment of Energy Potentials from Tea Wastes as a Source of Energy: A Case of Itona Tea Factory in Tanzania
Andrew Stephen Mwampulo*,
Arthur Mngoma Omari,
Duncan Mwakipesile
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2024
Pages:
63-66
Received:
10 November 2023
Accepted:
1 December 2023
Published:
30 August 2024
Abstract: Tea processing is an energy-intensive process. However, high agricultural productivity and subsequently the growth of the green revolution have been made possible only by a large amount of energy inputs, especially those from fossil fuels, wood fuels, and electricity. With recent price rise and scarcity of these fuels there has been a trend towards use of alternative energy sources such as waste (agricultural waste) to energy that could solve both energy and environment issues. Moreover, these energy resources have not been able to provide an economically viable solution for agricultural applications so long as they seem to contain amount of energy which can be source of energy to be used in various factories in rural areas through gasification process. A gasifier is normally fuel specific system and it is tailored around a fuel rather than the other way round. Hence, this paper presents an experimental assessment of energy potentials from tea wastes available at Itonaa Tea Factory for tea drying processes as important data for agricultural wastes. The experimental measurement of energy potential from tea wastes was done using bomb calorimeter, muffle furnace and energy balances to determine calorific value moisture content and energy potentials of tea waste respectively. The findings indicate that the combined energy potential of factory and garden tea waste was found to be 2.78x108kWh, and corresponding electrical energy was estimated to be 2.78x107kWh which is enough for tea drying process in tea manufacturing plant. The total energy used in the production of tea was discovered to be equal 3.5 - 7.5 kWh/kg of made tea. Thus, total energy consumption (4.5 kWh/kg of made tea) for processing of 9.6 x 106 kg of tea from 4.5 x 103 hectares of tea plantation in Mufindi for the period of 2021-2022 was 4.32x107 kWh. Thus, with the proper utilization of energy conversion technology of tea waste, part of the energy requirement in processing of tea could be met reducing environmental challenges associated with both wood fuel burning and tea waste disposal.
Abstract: Tea processing is an energy-intensive process. However, high agricultural productivity and subsequently the growth of the green revolution have been made possible only by a large amount of energy inputs, especially those from fossil fuels, wood fuels, and electricity. With recent price rise and scarcity of these fuels there has been a trend towards...
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Research Article
Improvements in Transient Testing Reactor (TREAT) with a Choice of Filter
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2024
Pages:
67-72
Received:
22 May 2023
Accepted:
7 June 2023
Published:
29 September 2024
Abstract: The safe and reliable operation of nuclear reactors has always been one of the topmost priorities in the nuclear industry. Transient testing allows us to understand the time-dependent behavior of the neutron population in response to either a planned change in the reactor conditions or unplanned circumstances. These unforeseen conditions might occur due to sudden reactivity insertions, feedback, power excursions, instabilities, and accidents. To study such behavior, we need transient testing, which is like car crash testing to estimate the durability and strength of a car design. In nuclear designs, such transient testing can simulate a wide range of accidents due to sudden reactivity insertions and helps study the feasibility and integrity of the fuel used in certain reactor types. This testing involves a high neutron flux environment and real-time imaging technology with advanced instrumentation with appropriate accuracy and resolution to study the fuel slumping behavior. With the aid of transient testing and adequate imaging tools, it is possible to test the safety basis for reactor and fuel designs that serves as a gateway in licensing advanced reactors in the future. To that end, it is crucial to fully understand advanced imaging techniques both analytically and via simulations. This paper presents an innovative method of supporting real-time imaging of fuel pins and other structures during transient testing. The major fuel-motion detection device that is studied in this dissertation is the Hodoscope which requires collimators. This paper provides 1) an MCNP model and simulation of a TREAT core with a central fuel element replaced by a slotted fuel element that provides an open path between test samples and a hodoscope detector, and 2) a choice of good filter to improve image resolution.
Abstract: The safe and reliable operation of nuclear reactors has always been one of the topmost priorities in the nuclear industry. Transient testing allows us to understand the time-dependent behavior of the neutron population in response to either a planned change in the reactor conditions or unplanned circumstances. These unforeseen conditions might occu...
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