N. Ahmed

Bio: N. Ahmed is an academic researcher from University of the Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thermal energy storage & Phase-change material. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 16 publications receiving 353 citations. Previous affiliations of N. Ahmed include Xi'an Jiaotong University.

Measured Performance of a 1.72 kW Rooftop Grid Connected Photovoltaic System in Ireland

Abstract: This paper presents results obtained from monitoring a 1.72 kWp photovoltaic system installed on a flat roof of a 12 m high building in Dublin, Ireland (latitude 53.4°N and longitude 6.3°E). The system was monitored between November 2008 and October 2009 and all the electricity generated was fed into the low voltage supply to the building. Monthly average daily and annual performance parameters of the PV system evaluated include: final yield, reference yield, array yield, system losses, array capture losses, cell temperature losses, PV module efficiency, system efficiency, inverter efficiency, performance ratio and capacity factor. The maximum solar radiation, ambient temperature and PV module temperature recorded were 1241 W/m2 in March, 29.5 °C and 46.9 °C in June respectively. The annual total energy generated was 885.1 kW h/kWp while the annual average daily final yield, reference yield and array yield were 2.41 kW h/kWp/day, 2.85 kW h/kWp/day and 2.62 kW h/kWp/day respectively. The annual average daily PV module efficiency, system efficiency and inverter efficiency were 14.9%, 12.6% and 89.2% respectively while the annual average daily performance ratio and capacity factor were 81.5% and 10.1% respectively. The annual average daily system losses, capture losses and cell temperature losses were 0.23 h/day, 0.22 h/day and 0.00 h/day respectively. Comparison of this system with other systems in different locations showed that the system had the highest annual average daily PV module efficiency, system efficiency and performance ratio of 14.9%, 12.6% and 81.5% respectively. The PV system’s annual average daily final yield of 2.4 kW h/kWp/day is higher than those reported in Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland. It is comparable to results from some parts of Spain but it is lower than the reported yields in most parts of Italy and Spain. Despite low insolation levels, high average wind speeds and low ambient temperature improve Ireland’s suitability.

Biochar-based materials and their applications in removal of organic contaminants from wastewater: state-of-the-art review

Abstract: As a class of famous carbon materials, biochars (BCs) and their derivative materials with excellent physicochemical properties and diversified functionalities present great potential in wastewater treatment fields. This review focuses on the latest development in reported biochar-based materials as superior adsorbents or catalysts for removing harmful organic contaminants from wastewater. The construction and properties of biochar-based materials are briefly introduced at the beginning. As one of the major factors affecting the properties of BCs, the wide diversity of feedstocks, such as agricultural and forest residues, industrial by-products as well as municipal wastes, endows BCs different chemical compositions and structures. Woody and herbaceous BCs usually have higher carbon contents, larger surface areas and strong aromaticity, which is in favor of the organic contaminant removal. Driven by the desire of more cost-effective materials, several types of biochar-based hybrid materials, such as magnetic BC composites (MBC), nanometal/nanometallic oxides/hydroxide BC composites and layered nanomaterial-coated BCs, as well as physically/chemically activated BCs, have also been developed. With the help of foreign materials, these types of hybrid BCs have excellent capacities to remove a wide range of organic contaminants, including organic dyestuff, phenols and chemical intermediates, as well as pharmaceutically active compounds, from aquatic solutions. Depending on the different types of biochar-based materials, organic contaminants can be removed by different mechanisms, such as physical adsorption, electrostatic interaction, π–π interaction and Fenton process, as well as photocatalytic degradation. In summary, the low cost, tunable surface chemistry and excellent physical–chemical properties of BCs allow it to be a potential material in organic contaminant removal. The combination of BCs with foreign materials endows BCs more functionalities and broader development opportunities. Considering the urgent demand of practical wastewater treatment, we hope more researches will focus on the applications and commercialization of biochar-based materials.