Doctoral Dissertations

Keywords and Phrases

Artificial neural networks; Genetic algorithm; Life cycle assessment; Microgrids; Optimization; Techno-economic

Abstract

"This dissertation focuses primarily on techno-economic optimization and environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of sustainable energy generation technologies. This work is divided into five papers. The first paper discusses the techno-economic optimization and environmental life cycle assessment of microgrids located in the USA using genetic algorithm. In this paper, a methodology was developed that assessed the techno-economic and environmental performance of a small scale microgrid located in US cities of Tucson, Lubbock and Dickinson. Providing uninterrupted power the microgrid was composed of seven components -- solar photovoltaics, wind-turbines, lead acid batteries, biodiesel generators, fuel cells, electrolyzers and H2 tanks. The second paper is an extension of first paper and utilizes Artificial Neural Networks to predict energy demand while also incorporating social costs. With an aim to incorporate LCA methodology, the third paper discusses the upstream biodiesel production process which is a vital fuel source for the microgrid. In this paper, a supercritical biodiesel production process from waste cooking oil (WCO) using methanol in the presence of propane as a co-solvent was technically analyzed using Aspen Plus software. In the fourth paper, a system dynamics model of the cast iron foundry process was developed and validated with the actual energy consumption data based on which recommendations were made to reduce energy consumption by 26% or $2.6 million. In the fifth paper, an assessment of the threats to the aquatic resources due to rapid growth in the extraction of Shale gas in the US was performed with an application to the Kurdistan region of Iraq"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Smith, Joseph D.

Committee Member(s)

Ludlow, Douglas K.
Luks, Christi Patton
Barua, Dipak
Gelles, Gregory M.

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Missouri University of Science and Technology. Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Wayne and Gayle Laufer Endowment Fund
Caterpillar Inc

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2019

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

  • Techno-economic optimization and environmental life cycle assessment of microgrids located in the US using genetic algorithm
  • Techno-economic optimization and social costs assessment of microgrid using genetic algorithm and artificial neural networks
  • Techno-economic assessment of the supercritical biodiesel production process plant located in the Midwest region of the US
  • Improving process sustainability and profitability for a large US gray iron foundry
  • An assessment of the threats to the aquatic resources due to rapid growth in the extraction of shale gas in the USA: An application to the Kurdistan region of Iraq

Pagination

xxii, 214 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographic references.

Rights

© 2019 Prashant Suresh Nagapurkar, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 11545

Electronic OCLC #

1105154977

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