This study aims to provide a thermophysical characterization of a new economical and green mortar. This material is characterized by partially replacing the cement with recycled soda lime glass. The cement was partially substituted (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% in weight) by glass powder with a water/cement ratio of 0.4. The glass powder and four of the seven samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The thermophysical properties, such as thermal conductivity and volumetric specific heat, were experimentally measured in both dry and wet (water saturated) states. These properties were determined as a function of the glass powder percentage by using a CT-Meter at different temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C) in a temperature-controlled box. The results show that the thermophysical parameters decreased linearly when 60% glass powder was added to cement mortar: 37% for thermal conductivity, 18% for volumetric specific heat and 22% for thermal diffusivity. The density of the mortar also decreased by about 11% in dry state and 5% in wet state. The use of waste glass powder as a cement replacement affects the thermophysical properties of cement mortar due to its porosity as compared with the control mortar. The results indicate that thermal conductivity and volumetric specific heat increases with temperature increase and/or the substitution rate decrease. Therefore, the addition of waste glass powder can significantly affect the thermophysical properties of ordinary cement mortar.

This review provides an analysis of advancements in the design and performance assessment of Darrieus wind turbines over the past decade, with a focus on the contributions of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to this field. The primary objective is to present insights from studies conducted between 2014 and 2024, emphasizing the enhancement of Darrieus wind turbine performance through various technological innovations. The research methodology employed for this review includes a critical analysis of published articles related to Darrieus turbines. The focus on the period from 2014 to 2024 was considered to highlight recent parametric CFD studies on Darrieus turbines, avoiding overlap with previously published reviews and maintaining originality relative to existing review works in the literature. By synthesizing a collection of articles, the review discusses a wide range of recent investigations utilizing CFD modeling techniques, including both 2D and 3D simulations. These studies predominantly utilize the “Ansys-Fluent” V12.0 and “STAR CCM+” V9.02 solvers to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of Darrieus rotors. Technological advancements focus on modifying the geometry of Darrieus, including alterations to blade profiles, chord length, rotor diameter, number of blades, turbine height, rotor solidity, and the integration of multiple rotors in various configurations. Additionally, the incorporation of flow deflectors, the use of advanced blade shapes, such as V-shaped or twisted blades, and the application of an opening ratio on the blades are explored to enhance rotor efficiency. The review highlights the significant impact of these geometric modifications on key performance metrics, particularly the moment and power coefficients. A dedicated section presents CFD-derived visualizations, including vorticity fields, turbulence contours illustrated through the Q-criterion, velocity vectors, and dynamic pressure contours. These visualizations provide a description of the flow structures around the modified Darrieus rotors. Moreover, the review includes an analysis of the dynamic performance curves of Darrieus, which show improvements resulting from the modifications of the baseline design. This analysis covers the evolution of pressure coefficients, moment coefficients, and the increased power output of Darrieus.

This critical review delves into the impact of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling techniques, specifically 2D, 2.5D, and 3D simulations, on the performance and vortex dynamics of Darrieus turbines. The central aim is to dissect the disparities apparent in numerical outcomes derived from these simulation methodologies when assessing the power coefficient ($C_p$) within a defined velocity ratio ($\lambda$) range. The examination delves into the prevalent turbulence models shaping $C_p$ values, and offers insightful visual aids to expound upon their influence. Furthermore, the review underscores the predominant rationale behind the adoption of 2D CFD modeling, attributed to its computationally efficient nature vis-à-vis the more intricate 2.5D or 3D approaches, particularly when gauging the turbine’s performance within the designated $\lambda$ realm. Moreover, the study meticulously curates a compendium of findings from an expansive collection of over 250 published articles. These findings encapsulate the evolution of pivotal parameters, including $C_p$, moment coefficient ($C_m$), lift coefficient ($C_l$), and drag coefficient ($C_d$), as well as the intricate portrayal of velocity contours, pressure distributions, vorticity patterns, turbulent kinetic energy dynamics, streamlines, and Q-criterion analyses of vorticity. An additional focal point of the review revolves around the discernment of executing 2D parametric investigations to optimize Darrieus turbine efficacy. This practice persists despite the emergence of turbulent flow structures induced by geometric modifications. Notably, the limitations inherent to the 2D methodology are vividly exemplified through compelling CFD contour representations interspersed throughout the review. Vitally, the review underscores that gauging the accuracy and validation of CFD models based solely on the comparison of $C_p$ values against experimental data falls short. Instead, the validation of CFD models rests on time-averaged $C_p$ values, thereby underscoring the need to account for the intricate vortex patterns in the turbine’s wake—a facet that diverges significantly between 2D and 3D simulations. In a bid to showcase the extant disparities in CFD modeling of Darrieus turbine behavior and facilitate the selection of the most judicious CFD modeling approach, the review diligently presents and appraises outcomes from diverse research endeavors published across esteemed scientific journals.

This review provides a comprehensive examination of CFD modeling procedures for SCPP, with an emphasis on the detailed methodologies and a case study of the Manzanares prototype in Spain. The introduction delineates the historical context and physical modeling principles of solar chimneys, while highlighting their potential in industrial applications. The governing equations are meticulously discussed, covering assumptions in both 2D and 3D CFD modeling, the continuity and momentum equations, and the selection and accuracy of turbulence models, particularly the k-$\epsilon$ equations. The review also delves into heat transfer modeling, encompassing the energy equation and radiation modeling. Analytical evaluations of turbine pressure drop ratios and performance metrics for power generation efficiency are critically analyzed. The establishment of boundary conditions in solar chimney applications, including sky temperature assessments and distinctions between 2D and 3D boundary conditions, is extensively explored. Mesh generation techniques for both 2D and 3D CFD models are presented, supported by case studies. Parametric studies and experimental investigations are scrutinized to elucidate their impact on the performance of solar chimneys. The temperature–entropy diagram for an idealized Brayton cycle is introduced as a conceptual framework for efficiency analysis. Validation of the CFD codes, both 2D and 3D, against experimental data is performed to ensure model accuracy. The review further examines energy balance approaches in modeling solar chimneys, presenting state-of-the-art CFD results and discussing their implications in both 2D and 3D contexts. The synthesis of these findings culminates in a comprehensive conclusion, offering insights into the future directions and potential advancements in the CFD modeling of solar chimneys. This work aims to serve as a definitive reference for researchers and practitioners in the field, providing a robust foundation for the development and optimization of SCPP technology.

The aim of this study was to measure the thermophysical properties (thermal conductivity, volumetric thermal capacity, thermal diffusivity, and thermal effusivity) of red earth stabilized with cement and substituted with waste glass powder. Several samples (red earth) were stabilized with 6% and 12% cement and incorporated with different percentages of waste glass powder, which varied from 10% to 30%. The bulk density of the 12 samples was measured in the dry state and at room temperature. All samples were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The thermal conductivity and specific heat of the composite materials were measured experimentally with a thermal conductivity device (CT meter) in the dry state and at ambient temperature. The experimental results showed a decrease in the thermophysical parameters of stabilized red earth containing 12% cement and substituted by 30% glass powder. The following results were obtained: 53.97% for thermal conductivity, 45.42% for volumetric specific heat, 15.66% for thermal diffusivity, and 49.88% for thermal effusivity. The bulk density of the red earth also decreased by 13.66% in the dry state at ambient temperature. Stabilization with 6% and 12% cement played an important role in the compactness of the material and, consequently, improved its thermophysical performance. The composition of this new ternary material significantly affected the thermophysical properties of the red earth.

In this work, we study the variability of the lithological composition and organic matter content of samples were taken from the different layers M, X and Y of the Timahdit oil shale in Morocco, in order to experimentally analyze the impact of this variability on petrophysical measurements. The objective of this study is to predict the properties of the layers, including their thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, porosity and P and S wave velocities. The results of the study of the impact of the organic matter content of the samples on the petrophysical measurements show that, regardless of the organic matter content, thermal conductivity and diffusivity remain insensitive, while P and S wave velocities decrease linearly and porosity increases with increasing organic matter content. On the other hand, the study of the organic matter variability content is consistent with the velocity ratio, so can be used as an organic matter indicator of the layers. Conductivity and thermal diffusivity are almost invariant to the variability of the organic matter.