AB 132 Renewable Energy for AB Applications

Introduction to Renewable Energy

Exercises

1.7.1 Carbon Dioxide Required to Make Carbohydrates

P1.1 Determine the amount of carbohydrates or glucose produced (in tonnes) for every tonne
of carbon dioxide used using Equation 1.2.

1.7.2 Kinetic Energy of a Mass of Wind

P1.2 Determine the kinetic energy available from 100 kg of air moving at a speed of 12 m/s.
Report the answer in units of Joules and in Btu.

1.7.3 Carbon Dioxide Production during Ethanol Fermentation

P1.3 Determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced (kg) for every kg of glucose consumed
in its conversion into ethanol. Use Equation 1.4 shown below in your calculations. Convert these
units into English units of lbs CO2 per lb glucose.

C6H12O6 + yeast → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + heat

1.7.4 Theoretical and Actual Power from Water Stream

P1.4 Determine the theoretical and actual power that can be derived from a water stream with
a volumetric flow rate of 55 L/s and with a dynamic head of 2.0 m. Assume an overall
conversion efficiency of 45%.

1.7.5 Theoretical Thermal Conversion Efficiency of Rankine Cycle

P1.5 Determine the theoretical thermal conversion efficiency of a Rankine Cycle with the
following data: (a) Wout = 650 kJ/kg, (b) Win = 3.5, and (c) the Qin = 2,500 kJ/kg. The mass flow
rate of the steam is around 22,000 kg/hr.

1.7.6 Fuel Cell Efficiencies

P1.6 Calculate the actual electrical energy efficiency of converting hydrogen and oxygen into
electrical energy via fuel cell technology using the following data: (a) the electricity produced
was 180 kJ/mol, and (b) the heating value of hydrogen was 285.8 kJ/mol. Compare this
efficiency with the practical electricity production from a hydrogen fuel cell having an electrical
output of only 130 kJ/mol.

1.7.7 Tidal Power Calculations

P1.7 Residents of a household living near the shore would like to build a reservoir that could
generate tidal power for their needs. The yearly average tide height is about 1.5 meters. The
owner built a reservoir that can contain 8,000 cubic meters of sea water and plans to drop
about 35 L/s of this water when the tide is lowest, with an average head of 1 meter for about 12
hours. Estimate the amount of actual power generated during that period if the overall
conversion efficiency is 60%. Assume the density of seawater to be about 1.03 kg/L. How much
energy was produced during this period?
1.7.8 Solar Water Heater Conversion Efficiency
P1.8 Determine the efficiency of converting solar energy received through a solar water heater
if the average incoming solar radiation for an hour was measured to be 900 W/m2. The water
was heated from 25°C to 75°C for this period with an average mass flow rate of 4 kg/s on a 1 m 2
collector area.