The article presents results of thermodynamic analysis using a zero-dimensional mathematical models of a negative CO2 emission power plant. The developed cycle of a negative CO2 emission power plant allows the production of electricity using gasified sewage sludge as a main fuel. The negative emission can be achieved by the use this type of fuel which is already a “zero-emissive” energy source. Together with carbon capture installation, there is a possibility to decrease CO2 emission below the “zero” level. Developed models of a novel gas cycle which use selected codes allow the prediction of basic parameters of thermodynamic cycles such as output power, efficiency, combustion composition, exhaust temperature, etc. The paper presents results of thermodynamic analysis of two novel cycles, called PDF0 and PFD1, by using different thermodynamic codes. A comparison of results obtained by three different codes offered the chance to verify results because the experimental data are currently not available. The comparison of predictions between three different software in the literature is something new, according to studies made by authors. For gross efficiency (54.74%, 55.18%, and 52.00%), there is a similar relationship for turbine power output (155.9 kW, 157.19 kW, and 148.16 kW). Additionally, the chemical energy rate of the fuel is taken into account, which ultimately results in higher efficiencies for flue gases with increased steam production. A similar trend is assessed for increased CO2 in the flue gas. The developed precise models are particularly important for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) energy system, where relatively new devices mutually cooperate and their thermodynamic parameters affect those devices. Proposed software employs extended a gas–steam turbine cycle to determine the effect of cycle into environment. First of all, it should be stated that there is a slight influence of the software used on the results obtained, but the basic tendencies are the same, which makes it possible to analyze various types of thermodynamic cycles. Secondly, the possibility of a negative CO2 emission power plant and the positive environmental impact of the proposed solution has been demonstrated, which is also a novelty in the area of thermodynamic cycles.

The study targeted towards drying of cantaloupe slices with various thicknesses in a microwave dryer. The experiments were carried out at three microwave powers of 180, 360, and 540 W and three thicknesses of 2, 4, and 6 mm for cantaloupe drying, and the weight variations were determined. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) were exploited to investigate energy and exergy indices of cantaloupe drying using various afore-mentioned input parameters. The results indicated that a rise in microwave power and a decline in sample thickness can significantly decrease the specific energy consumption (SEC), energy loss, exergy loss, and improvement potential (probability level of 5%). The mean SEC, energy efficiency, energy loss, thermal efficiency, dryer efficiency, exergy efficiency, exergy loss, improvement potential, and sustainability index ranged in 10.48–25.92 MJ/kg water, 16.11–47.24%, 2.65–11.24 MJ/kg water, 7.02–36.46%, 12.36–42.70%, 11.25–38.89%, 3–12.2 MJ/kg water, 1.88–10.83 MJ/kg water, and 1.12–1.63, respectively. Based on the results, the use of higher microwave powers for drying thinner samples can improve the thermodynamic performance of the process. The ANFIS model offers a more accurate forecast of energy and exergy indices of cantaloupe drying compare to ANN model.

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In the present study, the vacuum drying process of an apple slice is numerically modeled based on a control volume method. Transient two‐dimensional Navier–Stokes, energy, moisture, and Luikov equations are solved by numerical coding (Fortran) to simulate the simultaneous heat and mass transfer in the ambient and apple slice, respectively. The privilege of using Luikov's model is that the capillary forces are considered, and a differentiation between air, vapor, liquid, and solid is made. Luikov described the two phenomena associated with the transport of air, vapor, and liquids through the porous media as molecular transport and molar transport. The ambient pressure linearly reduced within a minute until it reached a constant value. One of the intellectually demanding preoccupations among researchers is how to simulate the sample and its surroundings with high accuracy of boundary conditions, which enables to avoid the use of empirical transfer coefficients. This study can be scrutinized from various dimensions, among which nonuse of boundary condition between a porous sample and its surroundings is the most conspicuous novelty. Results showed that although at 50 s, isothermal and iso‐moisture lines inside the sample are symmetric, they are not symmetric at 100, 200, and 400 s. In addition, at first minute, pump operation leads to vary the density of the isothermal and iso‐moisture lines around the sample, but at 100, 200, and 400 s, higher temperature and moisture gradients have been achieved at the right and top of the sample surface. Practical Applications Drying is the main technique of food preservation, so that it reduces the humidity of crops and is the most crucial procedure for safeguarding agricultural crops because it has a considerable impact on the condition of parched goods. In this study, some assumptions of drying including using empirical transfer coefficients between sample and its surrounding and vacuum drying under constant pressure have been eliminated. To achieve this goal, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), plays a crucial role to simulate the parameters inside the sample and its ambient without using boundary condition.