Assessment of solar radiation on diversely oriented surfaces and optimum tilts for solar absorbers in Malaysian tropical latitude

Abstract

This study describes the results of a "well-to-wheel" life cycle assessment (LCA) carried out to determine the potential greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emission reductions that could be achieved by converting associated flare gas directly to synthetic fuels at oil wellheads in the US and globally. A Greyrock Flare Gas-to-Fuels™ conversion process at an Ohio oil well was used as the base case for this LCA. The liquid fuel produced directly from associated gas is comprised primarily of premium synthetic diesel with a small amount of synthetic gasoline. In this LCA scenario, the synthetic diesel and synthetic gasoline are blended at 20 and 10 vol% with petroleum diesel and gasoline, respectively. While the synthetic diesel fuel can be used as is (100%), the 20 vol% synthetic diesel blend (with petroleum diesel) was found to significantly improve engine performance, increase fuel economy, and reduce emissions. The direct conversion of associated gas to synthetic diesel fuels globally could reduce emissions of CO 2 and CH 4 by up to 356 and 5.96 million metric tons/year, respectively, resulting in the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by about 113.3 and 92.2% (20 year global warming potential) and 73.8 and 50.7% (100 year global warming potential) for synthetic diesel and gasoline fuels when compared to petroleum-derived gasoline fuels, respectively. Likewise, diesel criteria emissions could be reduced globally by up to 23.3, 0.374, 42.4, and 61.3 million metric tons/year globally for CO, particulates, NOx, and hydrocarbons, respectively. The potential economic benefit of this approach is that up to 5.30 and 71.1 billion liters of synthetic fuels could be produced each year in the US and globally from associated gas, respectively.Keywords Associated flare gas · Direct synthetic fuel production · Flare emissions · Vehicle emissions · Greenhouse gas emissions · Criteria pollutant emissions · Well-to-wheel life cycle assessments (WTW-LCA) · Economic benefits

Optimum tilt and azimuth angles for fixed solar collectors in South Africa using measured data

“…Optimum fixed-collector positions based on mathematical models of solar resource are available for countries such as Lesotho [4], Cyprus [5], Egypt [6], Brunei Darussalam [7], China [8], Iran [9], the western Himalayas [10], India [11] and Malaysia [12]. Estimation and optimization of the incident solar radiation on tilted surfaces can also be determined using different empirical models [13][14].…”

“…Christensen and Barker [24] presented such contour plots for different locations in the United States of America using solar data based on mathematical models. Ng et al [12] presented similar contour plots based on mathematical models for Malaysia. Li and Lam [25] also presented contour plots for Hong Kong, but these were based on measured solar data.…”

Optimum Tilt Angle at Tropical Region

“…So, the results of this work are in a good agreement with those of Uba & Sarsah (2013) for the first and third periods while the result of Uba & Sarsah (2013) should be corrected for the second period because 1) the solar collector should be orientated to the North during April -August period and 2) the proposed value is too high. Ng et al (2014) found, for Bangi, Malaysia (L = 3° N), that Bopt,m = 22, 16, 5, -8, -18, -22, -21, -11, 0, 11, 19, 24 for January to December respectively. When calculating Bopt,m for theses months using the proposed methodology of this work one obtains that Bopt,m = 33.5°, 23.1°, 7.2°, -11.9°, -25.5°, -31.2°, -28.5°, -17.4°, -5.6° (12) Table 6) it was found that the results of (O) set of equations are not compatible with other results and they could not be justified.…”

“…Oko and Nnamchi (2012) studied theoretically the optimum tilt angle for low latitudes, 4.86-13.02 o N, spanning the territory of Nigeria and expressions for the optimum tilt angles with respect to the low latitudes were also provided. Ng et al (2014) found that the optimum angles for seasonal south-and north-facing surfaces are 14.4° and 14.8°, respectively. Kamanga et al (2014) mentioned that for Zomba district there are only two seasonal adjustments that are needed for PV solar panels and these should be carried out at the end of February and at the end of September.…”

Methods for modelling and analysis of bendable photovoltaic modules on irregularly curved surfaces

“…Many studies exist on the topic of placement and orientation of PV panels on roofs, facades or the ground, but solely taking into account flat modules on planar surfaces [1][2][3][4][5]. With the increased availability of flexible thin-film PV panels in recent years, the application of PV panels on curved surfaces becomes feasible, thus broadening the application potential of photovoltaic modules.…”