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Industrial steam heating is a significant aspect of energy consumption in China, playing a crucial role in industrial energy efficiency. Historically, demand response research has predominantly focused on the electricity sector, with limited emphasis on steam supply. This study explores a novel Time-of-Use pricing approach for steam heating systems, anchored in the demand response theory of price incentives. It develops a peak-valley segmentation method by considering both the load differences between supply and demand and the thermal storage capacity of the pipeline system. Additionally, the paper delves into user response characteristics to formulate an optimized Time-of-Use pricing model for steam heating systems. Implemented in a Jiangsu-based case study, the model demonstrates significant efficiency improvements: it reduces the peak-valley load difference by up to 68.3% and cuts steam purchasing costs by ¥135,000. Furthermore, the alignment between the users' total steam load curve and the heat source's steam supply is enhanced by 18.8%, illustrating the model's effectiveness in balancing demand and supply. • Cluster analysis to extract steam user load characteristics. • Divide peak/valley times based on network storage and user traits. • Create a multi-objective Time-of-Use model for steam pricing optimization. • Carry out a case validation in an actual industrial park in Jiangsu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanol is a promising alternative fuel for the spark-ignition engines. This paper experimentally investigated the performance of a hydrogen-blended methanol engine at lean and various load conditions. The test was conducted on a four-cylinder commercial spark-ignition engine equipped with an electronically controlled hydrogen port injection system. The test was conducted under a typical city driving speed of 1400 rpm and a constant excess air ratio of 1.20. Two hydrogen volume fractions in the intake of 0 and 3% were adopted to investigate the effect of hydrogen addition on combustion and emissions performance of the methanol engine. The test results showed that brake thermal efficiency was improved after the hydrogen addition. When manifolds absolute pressure increased from about 38 to 83 kPa, brake thermal efficiencies after the hydrogen addition were increased by 6.5% and 4.2%. The addition of hydrogen availed shortening flame development and propagation periods. The peak cylinder temperature was raised whereas cylinder temperature at the exhaust valve opening was decreased after the hydrogen addition. The addition of hydrogen contributed to the dropped hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide. However, nitrogen oxides were slightly raised after the hydrogen enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]