The Taguchi optimization method was used to optimize waste and natural different components such as waste marble dust, expanded perlite, perlite aggregate size, cement, and molten tragacanth in the production of new insulation composite material. Compressive strength, thermal conductivity, abrasion loss, and water adsorption properties of the developed composite material were investigated. Taguchi’s standard L18 array was chosen for optimization of these four components with different levels. Response plots were created using the Taguchi and the optimum test condition was determined. The insulation composite material with the best thermal and mechanical properties was obtained under the condition of waste marble dust (1), expanded perlite (1), perlite aggregate size (1) and molten tragacanth (1). In addition, using the anova (Analysis of Variance), percentage impacts on the mechanical and thermal properties of the test parameters were determined. Statistical values obtained from anova and mathematical models are developed by using multi-linear regression method. It was found that the mathematical model and the experimental results were quite compatible. The optimum test conditions detected were verified by confirmation experiments. Confirmation experiment results were obtained between 99.9 % confidence interval values.

This study?s primary purpose is to optimize the multistage refrigeration system with statistical methods. Taguchi optimization and ANOVA methods were applied to statistically determine the effects of components on system performance. The best operational conditions were defined for the maximum COP and exergy efficiency. Critical parameters have been determined to maximize the system?s performance. The evaporator temperature was defined as the most vital parameter (46.32%), and it is followed by condenser temperature (32.65%) for the maximum COP. The most important two parameters are determined as evaporator temperature with 29.14% and condenser temperature with 20.34% for maximum exergetic performance. As a result of 27 tests, the highest COP of the system was calculated as 2.67 and exergy efficiency as 55.22%. By using the optimum levels determined by Taguchi, it was ensured that the system?s COP was increased to 3.326 and its exergy efficiency to 71.23%. The ANOVA analyses indicate that the results? confidence level is relatively high, to be 99.9%. Another parameter examined in this study is the inter-stage level determination method and its effect on system performance. The method of determining the optimum inter-stage level may vary according to the objective function and system conditions.

This paper presents a micro hydro power generation hardware setup, established via a research project at Gebze Institute of Technology (GIT), Turkey. This project is founded by the government and aims to increase utilization of potential for small, local hydro power generation. The hardware setup consists of a newly designed cross flow type hydro turbine, two different generators (asynchronous and synchronous up to 20 kW power range) and all equipment necessary for grid connected operation and islanding. The setup can be used for two purposes: primarily performance tests of newly designed micro hydro turbines, and research and development studies to provide new regulations and technical guidelines regarding to energy management and grid connected and island (stand-alone) operation which concern for distributed generation versatility. The hardware setup offers a similar environment to that of real site which can easily be adapted to the clients test and turbine evaluation requirements.