Higher-efficiency for combined photovoltaic-thermoelectric solar power generation

Solar energy application in a large spectrum has the potential for high-efficiency energy conversion. Though, solar cells can only absorb photon energy of the solar spectrum near their band-gap energy, and the remaining energy will be converted into thermal energy. The use of the thermoelectric generator becomes a necessity for convert this thermal energy dissipated so as to increase efficiency conversion.

This paper analyses the feasibility of photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system and reviews their performance in order to optimize harvested energy. Regarding the thermoelectric effect, a new method of the ambient energy harvesting is presented. This method combines thermoelectric generators and the effects of heat sensitive materials associated to photovoltaic cells in phase change for generating both energy day and night. Experimental measures have been conducted primarily in laboratory conditions for a greater understanding of hybridization phenomena under real conditions and to test the actual performance of devices made. Results show that the hybrid system can generate more power than the simple PV and TEG in environmental conditions. This hybrid technology will highlight the use of renewable energies in the service of the energy production.     

微波强化CWPO工艺CuO_x-CeO_2/GAC催化剂的制备及其对二甲亚砜的降解

以颗粒活性炭(GAC)为载体、铜为活性组分、铈为助剂组分、草酸钠为沉淀剂,采用浸渍焙烧法制得CuO_x-CeO_2/GAC催化剂。以H_2O_2为氧化剂,微波强化催化湿式过氧化氢氧化(CWPO)处理二甲亚砜(DMSO)初始质量浓度为1 000 mg/L的废水,处理3 min后DMSO去除率达93.8%。催化剂第7次使用时DMSO去除率仍保持在75%以上。初始废水pH在3~9范围内,DMSO去除率均在85%以上。助剂Ce的加入提高了催化剂表面活性组分的分散性和稳定性,使催化剂的活性稳定性和使用寿命显著提高。     

连续流双室微生物燃料电池处理工业废水

以实际中药废水作为阳极基质、实际含镉废水作为阴极电解液,构建了连续流双室微生物燃料电池(MFC),考察了其产电性能及对两种废水的处理效果。78 d的运行数据表明:系统可实现最大输出电压417mV、最大体积功率密度11.8 W/m3,最大体积功率密度运行条件下的库伦效率为18.5%;在阳极进水有机物浓度变化较大的情况下,实现了阳极对中药废水中有机物的有效去除,平均COD去除率为81.5%;阴极对含镉废水中Cd2+的去除率为79.4%～84.8%。这表明MFC同步处理中药废水及重金属废水具有一定的可行性。     

Mitochondrial toxicity and in vitro biological effects of ambient PM2.5 from an urban site in China

Abstract

The roles of PM_2.5-induced mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress on mast cell degranulation were examined in vitro. Mast cells were treated with suspensions of PM_2.5 in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium at concentrations from 25 to 200?mg/L in the absence or presence of 10?mmol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Biological effects and mitochondrial function were assessed by determining cell viability, β-hexosaminidase release, interleukin-4 secretion, reactive oxygen species generation, adenosine triphosphate production, potential alteration of mitochondrial membrane, and activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes I and III. Exposure of mast cells to PM_2.5 induced reduction of adenosine triphosphate production, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibition of the activity of complex III. Co-treatment of mast cells exposed to PM_2.5 with N-acetyl-L-cysteine attenuated cytotoxicity and the production of reactive oxygen species, and decreased the release of β-hexosaminidase and interleukin-4. Evidently, PM_2.5-induced oxidative stress plays an essential role in mitochondrial toxicity and mast cell activation.     

钻屑法测定煤层H_2S含量

为了测定煤层硫化氢(H2S)含量,防治矿井H2S涌出,提出一种通过钻屑法测定煤层H2S含量的方法。在未受采动影响的新鲜煤壁,采用钻屑法取样,通过测定煤样H2S解吸量、取样过程损失量和H2S残存量确定煤层H2S含量。根据溶于水中H2S的p H值和色谱分析解吸气体中H2S体积分数,确定H2S解吸量;根据煤样解吸规律和气样H2S体积分数,确定H2S损失量;根据色谱分析残存气体中H2S体积分数,确定其残存量。用此方法,对山西某矿H2S涌出煤层进行现场和实验室测定。研究表明,该矿H2S含量为(4.465~6.701)×10-3m3/t。钻屑法测定煤层H2S含量是可行的,可以为矿井H2S治理提供基础数据。     

Hybrid H2/Al dust explosions in Siwek sphere

Explosion indices and explosion behaviour of Al dust/H₂/air mixtures were studied using standard 20 l sphere. The study was motivated by an explosion hazard occurring at some accidental scenarios considered now in ITER design (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). During Loss-of-Vacuum or Loss-of-Coolant Accidents (LOCA/LOVA) it is possible to form inside the ITER vacuum vessel an explosible atmosphere containing fine Be or W dusts and hydrogen. To approach the Be/H₂ explosion problem, Be dust is substituted in this study by aluminium, because of high toxicity of Be dusts. The tested dust concentrations were 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1200 g/m3; hydrogen concentrations varied from 8 to 20 vol. % with 2% step. The mixtures were ignited by a weak electric spark. Pressure evolutions were recorded during the mixture explosions. In addition, the gaseous compositions of the combustion products were measured by a quadruple mass-spectrometer. The dust was involved in the explosion process at all hydrogen and dust concentrations even at the combination ‘8%/100 g/m3’. In all the other tests the explosion overpressures and the pressure rise rates were noticeably higher than those relevant to pure H₂/air mixtures and pure Al dust/air mixtures. At lower hybrid fuel concentrations the mixture exploded in two steps: first hydrogen explosion followed by a clearly separated Al dust explosion. With rising concentrations, the two-phase explosion regime transits to a single-phase regime where the two fuel components exploded together as a single fuel. In this regime both the hybrid explosion pressures and pressure rise rates are higher than either H₂ or Al ones. The two fuels compete for the oxygen; the higher the dust concentration, the more part of O2 it consumes (and the more H₂ remains in the combustion products). The test results are used to support DUST3D CFD code developed at KIT to model LOCA or LOVA scenarios in ITER.     

氢安全研究现状及面临的挑战

氢能具有储运便捷、来源多样、洁净环保等突出优点,许多国家把发展氢能作为重要的能源战略。氢安全是氢能大规模商业化应用的重要保障。在分析国内外氢安全领域近年来最新研究进展的基础上,依次从氢泄漏与扩散、氢燃烧与爆炸、氢与金属材料相容性及氢风险评价等方面,系统总结了国内外氢安全研究面临的挑战,并对我国氢安全的发展提出了建议。     

Characteristics of stable biodiesel emulsion fuel with the aid of lipophilic surfactant,polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)

ABSTRACT

Biodiesel emulsion fuel is reported as one of the most feasible options capable of generating lower NOx emission than that from fossil fuels. However, oil and water in the emulsion fuel are easily separated and unstable. The aim of the present study is to consider the production and stability of biodiesel emulsion fuel by using tetraglycerin ester (CR-310), i.e., one of lipophilic surfactant, polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) and biodiesel, i.e., Waste cooking Oil Methyl Ester (WOME) produced based on waste cooking oil. The corresponding heat rate, water content, and viscosity are measured. Emphasis is placed on the effects of water content and surfactant on biodiesel emulsions. It is found that: (i) stable emulsion fuel is obtained by adding at least 2.0% of CR-310 and is maintained over 1 month, (ii) there is no effect of water content on stable emulsion fuel if CR-310 is used over 2.0%, and (iii) the viscosity of emulsion fuels is higher than that of the biodiesel fuel and is gradually increased with an increase in the water content.     

Low‐concentration hydrogen peroxide decontamination for Bacillus spore contamination in buildings

Remediation and recovery efforts after a release of Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spores may be difficult and costly. In addition, response and recovery technologies may be focused on critical resources, leaving the small business or homeowner without remediation options. This study evaluates the efficacy of relatively low levels of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) delivered from off‐the‐shelf equipment for the inactivation of Bacillus spores within an indoor environment. Decontamination evaluations were conducted in a house using both Bacillus atrophaeus var. globigii (Bg; as surrogates for B. anthracis) inoculated on the carpet and galvanized metal as coupons and Geobacillus stearothermophilus (Gs) as biological indicators on steel. The total decontamination time ranged from 4 to 7 days. Using the longer exposure times, low concentrations of HPV (average levels below 20 parts per million) effectively inactivated Bg and Gs spores on the materials tested. The HPV was generated with commercial humidifiers and household‐strength hydrogen peroxide solutions. The presence of home furnishings did not have a significant impact on HPV efficacy. This simple, inexpensive, and effective decontamination method could have significant utility for remediation following a B. anthracis spore release, such as following a terrorist attack.     

MCM-41分子筛负载铁铈催化降解甲基橙

采用等体积浸渍法制备了负载型有序介孔Fe-Ce/MCM-41催化剂。研究了该催化剂降解甲基橙的适宜工艺条件,并采用XPS,XRD,TEM技术对该催化剂进行了表征。实验结果表明,该催化剂Fenton氧化降解甲基橙的较适宜工艺条件为:溶液pH 5.0、甲基橙溶液初始质量浓度100 mg/L、催化剂加入量2.0 g/L、H_2O_2浓度20 mmol/L,在此适宜条件下反应120 min时,甲基橙去除率接近100%。表征结果显示:Fe-Ce/MCM-41催化剂主要由铁、铈、氧、碳4种元素组成;铁与铈的摩尔比接近3∶1;铁和铈主要以Fe_3O_4和CeO_2的形态存在于催化剂表面。