The article shows the methodology and calculation procedures based on Lagrange polynomial interpolation which were used to determine standard performance characteristics of the Polish production engine, type ANDORIA 4CTi90-1BE6. They allow to simplify the experimental research by maintaining a minimum number of measurement points and estimating the remaining data in an analytical way. The methods presented are convenient when it comes to the practical side because they eliminate the need for exploration of mathematical equations describing the various curves, which can be cumbersome and time consuming in the case of nonautomated accounts. The results of analysis were applied to actual experimental results, indicating sufficient accuracy of the resulting approximations. As a result, procedures may be used in bench testing of a similar profile, especially with repeated cycles of the experiment, such as optimization of operating parameters of combustion engines.

Predicting the aging process of residential buildings carried out using traditional technologies is necessary when planning refurbishment works in these buildings. The article presents a picture of the changes in the technical condition of a not refurbished building constructed in traditional technology, in the form of a function describing the aging process according to the PRRD (Prediction of Reliability according to Rayleigh Distribution) model developed by the author. The results of analyses of the relationships between the function of the intensity of damage and the function of unreliability, as well as the function of changes in the performance characteristics of a building which had not undergone refurbishment during the entire course of its use are presented. Three levels of damage intensity during subsequent years of using the building were determined: safe, critical and unacceptable intensity.

Accordingly to recommendations set out by standards, degradation curves which will serve as a tool facilitating decision-making regarding renovation works ought to be developed. The article presents the proposal of a model for predicting the aging of a residential building. The proposed PRRD (Prediction of Reliability According to Rayleigh Distribution) model determines the performance characteristics of a building over the full period of its use. PRRD accounts for the life spans of individual building components. Additionally introduced in the model were supplements accounting for the intensity of changes in the building and its surroundings. The developed method of the non-linear degradation process of a building accounts for the role and weights of individual building components as well as the intensity of significant factors influencing the aging process. The presented methodology of the description of changes in the performance characteristics over the course of using a building will be a diagnostic process of predicting the technical state of a building. The proposed predictions can serve as the basis for making the right strategic decisions when planning renovation works in residential buildings.

The effects of water-side operating conditions (mass flow rates and inlet temperatures) of both evaporator and gas cooler on the experimental as well as simulated performances (cooling and heating capacities, system coefficient of performance (COP) and water outlet temperatures) of the transcritical CO2 heat pump for simultaneous water cooling and heating the are studied and revised. Study shows that both the water mass flow rate and inlet temperature have significant effect on the system performances. Test results show that the effect of evaporator water mass flow rate on the system performances and water outlet temperatures is more pronounced (COP increases by 0.6 for 1 kg/min) compared to that of gas cooler water mass flow rate (COP increases by 0.4 for 1 kg/min) and the effect of gas cooler water inlet temperature is more significant (COP decreases by 0.48 for given range) compared to that of evaporator water inlet temperature (COP increases by 0.43 for given range). Comparisons of experimental values with simulated results show the maximum deviation of 5% for cooling capacity, 10% for heating capacity and 16% for system COP.

The self-consistent optical-electrical-thermal-gain model of the oxide-confined edge-emitting diode laser has been used to simulate the room-temperature operation of the long-wavelength 1.3-µm quantum-dot (InGa)As/GaAs diode laser. The validityof the model has been verified using some experimental results for comparison. An impact of quantum-dot densityon laser operation characteristics as well as on temperature dependence of lasing threshold have been discussed.