A real-time simulating non-isothermal mathematical model for the passive feed direct methanol fuel cell

In order to understand the complex transport phenomena in a passive direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), a theoretical model is essential. The analytical model provides a computationally efficient framework with a clear physical meaning. For this, a non-isothermal, analytical model for the passive DMFC has been developed in this study. The model considers the coupled heat and mass transport along with electrochemical reactions. The model is successfully validated with the experimental data. The model accurately describes the various species transport phenomena including methanol crossover and water crossover, heat transport phenomena, and efficiencies related to the passive DMFC. It suggests that the maximum real efficiency can be achieved by running the cell at low methanol feed concentration and moderate current density. The model also accurately predicts the effect of various operating and geometrical parameters on the cell performance such as methanol feed concentration, surrounding temperature, and polymer electrolyte membrane thickness. The model predictions are in accordance with the findings of the other researchers. The model is rapidly implementable and can be used in real-time simulation and control of the passive DMFC. This comprehensive model can be used for diagnostic purpose as well.     

Identifying and modeling key trade-offs between hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles

Through a sensitivity analysis, the trade-off between vehicle range and CO₂ emissions is investigated as a function of electric emissions coefficient. Various powertrains were analysed for use in a small crossover sport utility vehicle. Gasoline, gasoline electric hybrid, diesel, fuel cell and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were considered. Using various upstream fuel pathways and a model for vehicle performance, emissions and energy use were estimated. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was found preferable to BEVs under conditions of high CO₂ emissions per kW-hr and a high vehicle range requirement. The BEV was preferable for all other conditions.     

Sustainability of silicon feedstock for a low-carbon society

We need to ensure the sustainable management of advanced materials, such as purified silicon, that contribute to a low-carbon society. Because a drastic increase in the demand for photovoltaic (PV) systems is tightening the supply of silicon for PV cells, the sustainability of silicon feedstock needs to be explored. For this purpose, a material flow analysis of silicon in Japan from 1996 to 2006 is presented in this paper. Our analysis finds that rapid growth in demand for polycrystalline silicon (pc-silicon) and single crystalline silicon (sc-silicon) has changed the structure of the purified silicon supply. The strong demand for purified silicon for solar cells is responsible for this change. While off-grade silicon obtained as a by-product of electronic-grade silicon (EG-Si) covered the demand for solar sells before 2000, pc-silicon is currently produced independently for solar cells via an energy-intensive process. Analysis of the resource effective-use index (REI), which indicates how effectively purified silicon is used, shows progress in the effective use of pc- and sc-silicon. REI analysis indicates that the effective use of pc-silicon is reaching a maximum, while the effective use of sc-silicon is advancing, with a corresponding increase in price. To ensure a sustainable supply of silicon feedstock, this paper proposes four solutions: (1) production of solar-grade pc-silicon by a less costly and less energy-consuming method; (2) reduction in the amount of crystalline silicon per watt in solar cells; (3) acceleration of the development and deployment of other solar cell types; and (4) reuse and recycling of solar cells in the future.     

模拟车用工况下5kW燃料电池尾气净化系统

模拟了车用工况下燃料电池发动机脉冲式排氢的特点,设计开发了一套质子交换膜燃料电池的尾气净化系统,并以5 kW燃料电池的尾气排放为例,研究其净化效果。研究了电池阳极排放氢气缓冲前后尾气中氢气浓度的变化,以及不同空速条件下氢气的去除效果。结果表明：电堆阳极排放氢气经过缓冲处理后,尾气中氢气浓度趋于平稳,大部分工况下处在2%以下,达到了安全处理的要求;尾气中氢气的去除效果与空速密切相关。对自制的整体式催化剂而言,当空速低于20000 h^-1时,氢气的去除率能达到约95%,而当空速达到39270 h^-1时,氢气的去除率仅为10.9%。鉴于这一问题,提出通过采用尾排空气的分流手段调整催化燃烧反应器对空速的要求,以提高尾气中氢气的去除率。     

In situ removal of copper from sediments by a galvanic cell

This study dealt with in situ removal of copper from sediments through an electrokinetic (EK) process driven by a galvanic cell. Iron (Fe) and carbon (C) were placed separately and connected with a conductive wire. Polluted sediments were put between them and water was filled above the sediments. The galvanic cell was thus formed due to the different electrode potentials of Fe and C. The cell could remove the pollutants in the sediments by electromigration and/or electroosmosis. Results showed that a weak voltage less than 1V was formed by the galvanic cell. The voltage decreased with the increase of time. A slight increase of sediment pH from the anode (Fe) to the cathode (C) was observed. The presence of supernatant water inhibited the variation of sediment pH because H(+) and OH(-) could diffuse into the water. The removal of copper was affected by the sediment pH and the distribution of electrolyte in sediment and supernatant water. Lower pH led to higher removal efficiency. More electrolyte in the sediment and/or less electrolyte in the supernatant water favored the removal of copper. The major removal mechanism was proposed on the basis of the desorption of copper from sediment to pore solution and the subsequent electromigration of copper from the anode to the cathode. The diffusion of copper from sediment to supernatant water was negligible.     

用电解锰阳极泥和含SO_2工业尾气制备硫酸锰

以电解锰阳极泥与电解锌生产中产生的含SO_2尾气为原料,经过反应、浸出、浸出液两次净化和浓缩结晶制备硫酸锰,考察了反应时间、含SO_2尾气的流量及反应温度对Mn~(4+)转化率的影响.实验结果表明:在反应时间45 min、反应温度20～30 ℃、含SO_2尾气流量16 L/min的条件下,Mn~(4+)转化率达90%以上;尾气中SO_2利用率随尾气流量增加而降低;所得MnSO_4·H_2O产品质量达到GB1622-86<工业级硫酸锰标准>.     

电解铝企业阳极残渣、阳极残极浸出毒性鉴别及管理建议

对电解铝企业产生的阳极残渣、阳极残极浸出毒性进行了鉴别。鉴别结果表明：电解铝企业产生阳极残渣浸出液中氟化物（不含氟化钙）平均质量浓度为140 mg／L,最高达244 mg／L,且超标试样数达到《危险废物鉴别标准浸出毒性鉴别》中相应规定,鉴别该废物属于危险废物,应按照危险废物进行管理;阳极残极浸出液中氟化物（不含氟化钙）平均质量浓度为74 mg／L,无超标试样数,该废物不属于具有氟化物浸出毒性的固体废物,建议仍按一般固体废物进行管理。     

微生物-光-电化学耦合技术降解污染物和回收能源的研究进展

微生物电化学技术能同时实现污染物去除和能量回收,但存在污染物去除种类有限及产能效率低的局限,近几年将可再生的太阳能引入微生物电化学技术的微生物-光-电化学耦合技术应运而生。本文简要介绍了微生物-光-电化学耦合技术的发展背景和研究现状,对该技术现有的耦合形式进行分类,并对各种形式的耦合机理进行详细的阐释,最后对其未来的发展进行了展望。     

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。     

Development of a fuel cell propulsion system for the existing Mercedes B-Class 160 of petrol driven car

This paper presents a theoretical comparison between fuel cell (FC) power train and conventional petrol driven propulsion system. FC has potential to reduce the CO₂-emissions from road. However, FC power trains require energy storing device, to meet the peak power during extreme drive situations and also able to recover the kinetic energy of the vehicle during break operation. The proposed system includes a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) based drive train and a super capacitor connected in parallel. The system is designed and dimensioned for a conventional petrol driven propulsion system of the Mercedes B-Class160. The feasibility study also includes comparison between the existing conventional systems. It is shown that although FC power train is heavier compared to existing system, urban performance is better and produces no CO₂ and other harmful emissions.