期刊
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
卷 163, 期 -, 页码 74-85出版社
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2018.02.046
关键词
Probabilistic performance assessment; Artificial neural network; Nano Membrane Toilet; Reinvent the Toilet Challenge; Energy recovery
资金
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
A probabilistic modelling approach was developed and applied to investigate the energy and environmental performance of an innovative sanitation system, the Nano-membrane Toilet (NMT). The system treats human excreta via an advanced energy and water recovery island with the aim of addressing current and future sanitation demands. Due to the complex design and inherent characteristics of the system's input material, there are a number of stochastic variables which may significantly affect the system's performance. The non-intrusive probabilistic approach adopted in this study combines a finite number of deterministic thermodynamic process simulations with an artificial neural network (ANN) approximation model and Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) to assess the effect of system uncertainties on the predicted performance of the NMT system. The joint probability distributions of the process performance indicators suggest a Stirling Engine (SE) power output in the range of 61.5-73 W with a high confidence interval (CI) of 95%. In addition, there is high probability (with 95% CI) that the NMT system can achieve positive net power output between 15.8 and 35 W. A sensitivity study reveals the system power performance is mostly affected by SE heater temperature. Investigation into the environmental performance of the NMT design, including water recovery and CO2/NOx emissions, suggests significant environmental benefits compared to conventional systems. Results of the probabilistic analysis can better inform future improvements on the system design and operational strategy and this probabilistic assessment framework can also be applied to similar complex engineering systems.
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