The regression model for the evaluation of the quality parameters for pellets.

Abstract. In Latvia no European legislation concerning the quality of the production of pellets is adopted. Since the market is not regulated by any governmental regulations, biofuel testing is not compulsory. This aspect leads to a situation where pellets of various qualities are available on the market. The main objective of this paper is to compare the characteristics of the pellets which are produced in various regions of Latvia. The second goal is to develop a regression model which describes the influence of the independent aspects (physical parameters, price, trading form, transportation distance etc.) on the pellet quality. The quality parameters for the solid biofuels were determined according to the methods described in the Technical Specifications of the European Commission for Standardization. The regression model for the pellet quality has been implemented using the software STATGRAPHICS Centurion 16.1.15. The results of the research emphasize that the physical parameters of the pellets vary widely. Three regression models were built in order to describe the influence of the various parameters on the indicator (price per net calorific value) and on the mechanical quality of the pellets. The fitted Models were described by the regression equation given in the paper

Thermal Performance Analysis of Solar Collectors Installed for Combisystem in the Apartment Building

Thermal Performance Analysis of Solar Collectors Installed for Combisystem in the Apartment Building The paper focuses on the application of wood pellet and solar combisystem for space heating and hot water preparation at apartment buildings under the climate of Northern Europe. A pilot project has been implemented in the city of Sigulda (N 57° 09.410 E 024° 52.194), Latvia. The system was designed and optimised using TRNSYS - a dynamic simulation tool. The pilot project was continuously monitored. To the analysis the heat transfer fluid flow rate and the influence of the inlet temperature on the performance of solar collectors were subjected. The thermal performance of a solar collector loop was studied using a direct method. A multiple regression analysis was carried out using STATGRAPHICS Centurion 16.1.15 with the aim to identify the operational and weather parameters of the system which cause the strongest influence on the collector's performance. The parameters to be used for the system's optimisation have been evaluated.</jats:p