The problem of distributing gas through a network of pipelines is formulated as a cost minimization subject to nonlinear flow-pressure relations, material balances, and pressure bounds. The solution method is based on piecewise linear approximations of the nonlinear flow-pressure relations. The approximated problem is solved by an extension of the Simplex method. The solution method is tested on real-world data and compared with alternative solution methods.

The gas transmission problem solved by an extension of the simplex algorithm

Clean and environment-friendly energy harvesting are of prime interest today as it is one of the key enablers in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as accelerates social progress and enhances living standards. India, the second-most populous nation with a population of 1.353 billion, is one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels in the world which is responsible for global warming. An ever-increasing population is projected until 2050, and consequently, the energy demand in the upcoming decades will be co-accelerated by the rapid industrial growth. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with the support of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog is working to achieve the Indian Government's target of attaining 175 GW through renewable energy resources. Many Indian states are currently increasing their renewable energy capacity in an objective to meet future energy demand. The review paper discusses in-depth about the three Indian states, namely Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, which pioneers the renewable energy production in India. The global energy scenario was discussed in detail with Indian contrast. Further, the barriers to the development of renewable energy generation and policies of the Indian government are discussed in detail to promote renewable energy generation throughout India as well as globally since the challenges are similar for other nations. This study analyzed various prospects of the country in renewable energy which has been done in a purpose to help the scholars, researchers, and policymakers of the nation, as it gives an insight into the present renewable energy scenario of the country.

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A Comprehensive Review on Renewable Energy Development, Challenges, and Policies of Leading Indian States With an International Perspective

Abstract A heterogeneous magnesium oxide catalyst is a good alternative for homogeneous catalysts for the transesterification of alkyl esters for the production of fine-chemicals as well as for the production of biodiesel. The transesterification of ethyl acetate with methanol was used as a model reaction to simulate fine-chemical production in a batch slurry reactor at industrial conditions. The transesterification of triolein with methanol to methyl oleate was chosen to simulate continuous production of biodiesel from rapeseed oil. A kinetic model based on a three-step ‘Eley–Rideal’ type of mechanism in the liquid phase was used in both process simulations. The transesterification reaction occurs between methanol adsorbed on a magnesium oxide free basic site and ethyl acetate or the glyceride from the liquid phase. Methanol adsorption is assumed to be rate-determining in both processes. Activity coefficients were required to account for the significant non-ideality of the reaction mixture in the simulations of both processes. The simulations indicate that a production of 500 tonnes methyl acetate per year can be reached at ambient temperature in a batch reactor of 10 m 3 containing 5 kg of MgO catalyst, and that a continuous production of 100,000 tonnes of biodiesel per year can be achieved at 323 K in a continuous stirred reactor of 25 m 3 containing 5700 kg of MgO catalyst. Although various assumptions and simplifications were made in these explorative simulations the assumptions concerning the reaction kinetics used, the results indicate that for both processes a heterogeneous magnesium oxide catalyst shows promising potential as a viable industrial scale alternative.

Heterogeneously MgO-catalyzed transesterification for fine-chemical and biodiesel industrial production

Review on transesterification of non-edible sources for biodiesel production with a focus on economic aspects, fuel properties and by-product applications

Prediction of mechanical properties of green concrete incorporating waste foundry sand based on gene expression programming.

The Cambay basin of Western India has been proved as the most prominent and promising basin for major shale oil and gas discoveries. The present work is an exploration study of shales of different tectonic blocks of Cambay basin, which characterizes it as potential source as well as a reservoir for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. Major experimental work was done on the Cambay shale of North tectonic block of Cambay basin and it was found that the shale has good to excellent organic richness, hybrid oil/gas bearing potential, mature shale potential, good hydrocarbon generation potential and good kerogen transformation. On the contrary, shales of south tectonic block are at the immature phase of hydrocarbon generation and may generate hydrocarbons upon thermal maturation and deep burial. The performed analysis and interpretation are explaining the true hydrocarbon potential of shales of Cambay basin and hence providing with a roadmap for the shale geochemical characterization which may be useful for development of shale plays at large scale.

Petroleum geochemical characterization of the shales from tertiary formation of Western Cambay Basin, India

A natural gas flow network consists of city gate station, district regulator, pipelines, compressors and valves. The performance of such a complex system cannot be studied by analysing individual constituents. Simultaneous performance of integrated system can be expressed using non-linear equations to simulate and forecast operational behaviour. The operational behaviour is subject to various alternative operational conditions also. Nodal analysis is performed to calculate the flow capacity of each network segment and the pressure at each node. Two conditions are evaluated, namely, keeping flow capacity unknown or by making nodal pressure primary unknown. The resulting set of governing equations are then solved simultaneously. Genetic algorithm method is applied to solve the desired target unknown. Compressor governs the energy supply required to transport gas from one end to another. The compressor equation is also incorporated in city gas network simulation. The simulations are performed by straight gas ducts and complex gas ducts. Boundary conditions are dependent on the form in which gas duct is fed. It is assumed that the gas duct takes gas from City Gate Station at x = 0 and supplies the gas to a consumer located at x = L according to a time variable curve demand Qn (L, t). The capacity of the compressor is also changed and it is observed that the demand is usually periodic in nature. Flow demand at individual node of a gas pipeline network is calculated. Pressures at various nodes are also calculated and matched with original pressure at nodes. Percentage deviation error suggest a range between 0 and 1.02%. The aim of this paper is to optimise certain parameters of a gas transmission pipeline network namely flow rate, mass, cost and pressure. This optimization is performed to gas transmission pipeline network of Gandhinagar, district, where Gujarat State Petronet Limited (GSPL) and Sabarmati Gas Limited (SGL) are the major players. The network which has been chosen for pipeline network consists of 10 CNG stations and 10 DRS.

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Optimization of city gas network: a case study from Gujarat, India

Summary The Natural Gas Demand is expected to increase significantly at a CAGR of 7 % from 226.7 MMSCMD in 2012–13 to 713 MMSCMD in 2009–30. India is having number of sedimentary basins with high potential of commercially producible formations. It also has potential of producing Shale Gas which can fulfill the increasing demand of natural gas and energy. Thick Cambay Shale of Cambay Basin has been proved as the good hydrocarbon bearing source rock having high thermal maturity and organic matter content. A pilot study which includes Petrophysical and geomechanical analysis have been done on the shale samples of Cambay Shale to understand its Petrophysical and mechanical properties. This study can help in constructing fairway map for the whole basin if data from other blocks is available. The constructed map may be used to exploit the basin in more efficient and economical way.

Integrated Petrophysical and Geomechanical Characterization of Cambay Shale, Cambay Basin, India

Shale formations have laminated structures with significant variations in mechanical properties along the orientations of the bedding plane. This results in anisotropy, which is an important issue in exploration. The goal of the study is to analyse the physical properties of two core samples from Cambay basin, Gujarat (phase composition, crystallographic preferred orientation, crystal structure and texture) and to compute the Thomsen parameters using synchrotron X-ray diffraction method. To analyse complicated diffraction images resulting from different clay minerals (illite and smectite, kaolinite, quartz, siderite, feldspar), Rietveld refinement method was used. Our results show that elastic anisotropy resulting from crystallographic preferred orientation of the clay particles can be determined quantitatively. This study also provides a possible way to measure anisotropy mathematically.

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Evaluation of Cambay shale Cambay basin, India using geo-mechanical properties

A surface functionalized nano magnetic catalyst was prepared by loading Calcium Oxide (CaO) onto maghemite by chemical precipitation followed by impregnation method. This work focuses on the synthesis, improved size control, enhanced active sites and characterization of nano particles. The parameters like molar ratio of precursors, pH, reaction temperature and time were investigated. The surface modified magnetic catalyst was produced by imbuing of calcium hydroxide on maghemite continued by calcining process. Physicochemical analysis of synthesized catalyst was done by using TGA, SEM-EDX, XRD and BET. Furthermore, the catalytic activity was determined for biodiesel production by transesterification reaction. An effective conversion of 97.3% was achieved for this catalyst under optimum conditions. Recoverability, reusability and regenerability of the catalyst were also studied. From these results, it can be concluded that the catalyst is economically viable and eco friendly.

Anirbid Sircar

Papers

Petroleum geochemical characterization of the shales from tertiary formation of Western Cambay Basin, India

Optimization of city gas network: a case study from Gujarat, India

Integrated Petrophysical and Geomechanical Characterization of Cambay Shale, Cambay Basin, India

Evaluation of Cambay shale Cambay basin, India using geo-mechanical properties

Synthesis and Characterization of Surface Functionalized Maghemite Nano Particle for Biofuel Applications