The article presents results of thermodynamic analysis using a zero-dimensional mathematical models of a negative CO₂ emission power plant. The developed cycle of a negative CO₂ emission power plant allows the production of electricity using gasified sewage sludge as a main fuel. The negative emission can be achieved by the use this type of fuel which is already a “zero-emissive” energy source. Together with carbon capture installation, there is a possibility to decrease CO₂ emission below the “zero” level. Developed models of a novel gas cycle which use selected codes allow the prediction of basic parameters of thermodynamic cycles such as output power, efficiency, combustion composition, exhaust temperature, etc. The paper presents results of thermodynamic analysis of two novel cycles, called PDF0 and PFD1, by using different thermodynamic codes. A comparison of results obtained by three different codes offered the chance to verify results because the experimental data are currently not available. The comparison of predictions between three different software in the literature is something new, according to studies made by authors. For gross efficiency (54.74%, 55.18%, and 52.00%), there is a similar relationship for turbine power output (155.9 kW, 157.19 kW, and 148.16 kW). Additionally, the chemical energy rate of the fuel is taken into account, which ultimately results in higher efficiencies for flue gases with increased steam production. A similar trend is assessed for increased CO₂ in the flue gas. The developed precise models are particularly important for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) energy system, where relatively new devices mutually cooperate and their thermodynamic parameters affect those devices. Proposed software employs extended a gas–steam turbine cycle to determine the effect of cycle into environment. First of all, it should be stated that there is a slight influence of the software used on the results obtained, but the basic tendencies are the same, which makes it possible to analyze various types of thermodynamic cycles. Secondly, the possibility of a negative CO₂ emission power plant and the positive environmental impact of the proposed solution has been demonstrated, which is also a novelty in the area of thermodynamic cycles.

Microchannel heat sink on one hand enjoys benefits of intensified several folds heat transfer performance but on the other hand has to suffer aggravated form of trifling limitations associated with imperfect hydrodynamics and heat transfer behavior. Flow maldistribution is one of such limitation that exaggerates temperature nonuniformity across parallel microchannels leading to increase in maximum base temperature. Recently, variable width channels approach had been proposed by the current authors to mitigate the flow maldistribution in parallel microchannels heat sinks (MCHS), and in the current numerical study, variable height approach is opted for flow maldistribution mitigation. It is found that variable height microchannels heat sinks (VHMCHS) approach mitigates flow maldistribution rapidly in comparison to variable width microchannels heat sinks (VWMCHS) approach, almost 50% computational time can be saved by VHMCHS approach. Average fluid–solid interface temperature fluctuation across parallel microchannels reduces 3.3 °C by VHMCHS in comparison to VWMCHS approach. The maximum and average temperatures of the base of the heat sink are further reduced by 5.1 °C and 2.7 °C, respectively, for the VHMCHS. It is found that overall heat transfer performance of the heat sink improves further by 3.8% and 5.1% for the VWMCHS and VHMCHS, respectively. The pressure drop penalty of the VHMCHS is found to be 7.2% higher than VWMCHS.

The aim of this review is to present the recent developments in heat pipe production, which respond to the current technical problems related to the wide implementation of this technology. A novel approach in HP manufacturing is to utilise hi-tech additive manufacturing techniques where the most complicated geometries are fabricated layer-by-layer directly from a digital file. This technology might be a solution to various challenges that exist in HP production, i.e., (1) manufacturing of complex or unusual geometries HPs; (2) manufacturing complicated and efficient homogenous wick structures with desired porosity, uniform pore sizes, permeability, thickness and where the pores are evenly distributed; (3) manufacturing a gravity friendly wick structures; (4) high customisation and production time; (5) high costs; (6) difficulties in the integration of the HP into a unit chassis that enables direct thermal management of heated element and decrease its total thermal resistance; (7) high weight and material use of the part; (8) difficulties in sealing; (9) deformation of the flat shape HPs caused by the high pressure and uneven distribution of stress in the casing, among others.