A thermodynamic perspective on electrode poisoning in solid oxide fuel cells

A critical challenge to the commercialization of clean and high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC)technology is the insuf-ficient stack lifespan caused by a variety of degradation mechanisms,which are associated with cell components and chemical feedstocks.Cell components related degradation refers to thermal/chemical/electrochemical deterioration of cell materials under operating conditions,whereas the latter regards impurities in feedstocks of oxidant(air)and reductant(fuel).This article provides a thermodynamic perspective on the understanding of the impurities-induced degradation mechanisms in SOFCs.The discussion focuses on using thermodynamic ana-lysis to elucidate poisoning mechanisms in cathodes by impurity species such as Cr,CO_(2),H_(2)O,and SO_(2) and in the anode by species such as S(or H_(2)S),SiO_(2),and P_(2)(or PH_(3)).The author hopes the presented fundamental insights can provide a theoretical foundation for search-ing for better technical solutions to address the critical degradation challenges.

Air Pollution, Global Warming and Difficulties to Replace Fossil Fuel with Renewable Energy

Since the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have greatly increased with the increased use of fossil fuels, leading to air pollution and global warming. We present the researches on air pollution and the use of fossil fuels in north China, the economic zone of Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan and the economic zone of the Pearl River Delta region. Researches indicate that the use of fossil fuels has been the main source of air pollution in the three regions. We present researches on global mean surface temperature (GMST) with the rise of carbon dioxide concentration (CDC) and global fossil fuel consumption (GFFC);researches indicate that the rise in CDC can account for 91% of the rise in GMST, and GFFC can account for 90% of the rise in GMST. We analyse the factors that bring about air pollution and temperature rise, they are the use of fossil fuels and deforestation. It is critically important to replace fossil fuels with clean energy, but renewable energy has also disadvantages. The world faces difficulties in solving air pollution and global warming, so governments of the world should cooperate to solve the technologies of clean energy, and preserve the forests and the natural environment.

Study on Near Field Dispersal of Fuel Air Explosive

目的研究燃料空气炸药近区抛散过程和燃料近区抛散速度的计算方法．方法采用高速运动分析系统观测及建立力学模型，分析燃料空气炸药近区抛散过程．结果得到燃料抛散最大速度的计算方法，为中、远区抛散分析奠定了基础．结论燃料在中心药爆炸载荷作用下，首先是加速阶段，当燃料的抛速大于爆炸空腔中爆生气体流速时，燃料与空腔内爆炸气体分离，燃料抛速达到最大，加速阶段结束．此时燃料抛掷速度是抛散的最大速度，是燃料中。

Effect of metal powders on explosion of fuel-air explosives with delayed secondary igniters

In order to improve the energy level of fuel air explosive(FAE) with delayed secondary igniters, high energetic metal powders were added to liquid fuels mainly composed of ether and isopropyl nitrate.Metal powders’ explosive properties and reaction mechanisms in FAE were studied by high-speed video,pressure test system, and infrared thermal imager. The results show that compared with pure liquid fuels, the shock wave overpressure, maximum surface fireball temperature and high temperature duration of the mixture were significantly increased after adding high energetic metal powder. The overpressure values of the liquid-solid mixture at all measuring points were higher than that of the pure liquid fuels. And the maximum temperature of the fireball was up to 1700C, which was higher than that of the pure liquid fuels. After replacing 30% of aluminum powder with boron or magnesium hydride, the shock wave pressure of the mixture was further increased. The high heat of combustion of boron and the hydrogen released by magnesium hydride could effectively increase the blast effect of the mixture. The improvement of the explosion performance of boron was better than magnesium hydride. It shows that adding high energetic metal powder to liquid fuels can effectively improve the explosion performance of FAE.

Comparative studies on the hot corrosion behavior of air plasma spray and high velocity oxygen fuel coated Co-based L605 superalloys in a gas turbine environment

An improvement in the corrosion resistance of alloys at elevated temperature is a factor for their potential use in gas turbines. In this study, Co Ni Cr Al Y has been coated on the L605 alloy using air plasma spray(APS) and high-velocity oxygen fuel(HVOF) coating techniques to enhance its corrosion resistance. Hot corrosion studies were conducted on uncoated and coated samples in a molten salt environment at 850°C under cyclic conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the corrosion kinetics. The samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction for further investigation. In coated samples, the formation of Al2O3 and Cr2O3 in the coating acts as a diffusion barrier that could resists the inward movement of the corrosive species present in the molten salt. Coated samples showed very less spallation, lower weight gain, less porosity, and internal oxidation as compared to uncoated sample.HVOF-coated sample showed greater corrosion resistance and inferred that this is the best technique under these conditions.

Flame behavior, shock wave, and instantaneous thermal field generated by unconfined vapor-liquid propylene oxide/air cloud detonation

Energy output and heating effects are essential for vapor-liquid fuel/air cloud detonation in the fuel-air explosive(FAE) applications or explosion accidents. The purpose of this study is to examine the dynamic large-size flame behavior, shock wave propagation law, and instantaneous thermal field generated by unconfined vapor-liquid propylene oxide(PO)/air cloud detonation. Based on computational fluid dynamics(CFD) and combustion theory, a numerical simulation is used to study the detonation process of a PO/air cloud produced by a double-event fuel-air explosive(DEFAE) of 2.16 kg. The large-scale flame behavior is characterized. The flame initially spreads radially and laterally in a wing shape. Subsequently,the developed flame increases with a larger aspect ratio. Moreover, the propagation laws of shock waves at different heights are discussed. The peak pressure of 1.3 m height level with a stepwise decline is obviously different from that of the ground with an amplitude of reversed ’N’ shape. In the vast majority of the first 6.9 m, the destructive effect of the shock wave near the ground is greater than that of the shock wave at 1.3 m height. Furthermore, the dynamic instantaneous isothermal field is demonstrated.The scaling relationship of various isotherms in the instantaneous thermal field with the flame and initial cloud is summarized. The comprehensive numerical model used in this study can be applied to determine the overpressure and temperature distribution in the entire fuel/air cloud detonation field,providing guidance for assessing the extent of damage caused by DEFAE detonation.

Adaptive inverse control of air supply flow for proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems

To prevent the oxygen starvation and improve the system output performance, an adaptive inverse control （AIC） strategy is developed to regulate the air supply flow of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell （PEMFC） system in this paper. The PEMFC stack and the air supply system including a compressor and a supply manifold are modeled for the purpose of performance analysis and controller design. A recurrent fuzzy neural network （RFNN） is utilized to identify the inverse model of the controlled system and generates a suitable control input during the abrupt step change of external disturbances. Compared with the PI controller, numerical simulations are performed to validate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed AIC strategy.

Research on the Explosion Temperature Response of Fuel Air Explosive Measured by Colorimetric Pyrometer

An infrared colorimetric radiation thermometrical system was established based on the theory of optical radiation. The dynamic temperature history of fuel air explosive (FAE) was measured to obtain the temperature responses of primary initiation FAE and secondary initiation FAE in real time. And the characteristics of their temperature history curves were compared and analyzed. The results show that the primary initiation FAE has higher explosion temperature and longer duration compared to the secondary initiation FAE.

Effect of H_2S Flow Rate and Concentration on Performance of H_2S/Air Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

A solid state H2S/air electrochemical cell having the configuration of H2S, (MoS2+NiS+Ag)/YSZ/Pt,air has been examined with different H2S flow rates and concentrations at atmospheric pressure and 750-850℃.Performance of the fuel cell was dependent on anode compartment H2S flow rate and concentration. The cell open-circuit voltage increased with increasing H2S flow rate. It was found that increasing both H2S flow rate and H2S concentration improved current-voltage and power density performance. This is resulted from improved gas diffusion in anode and increased concentration of anodic electroactive species. Operation at elevated H2S concentration improved the cell performance at a given gas flow rate. However, as low as 5% H2S in gas mixture can also be utilized as fuel feed to cells. Highest current and power densities, 1750mA·cm^-2 and 200mW·cm^-2,are obtained with pure H2S flow rate of 50 ml·min^-1 and air flow rate of 100ml·min^-1 at 850℃.

Transient Air-Fuel Ratio Control in a CNG Engine Using Fuzzy Neural Networks

The fuzzy neural networks has been used as means of precisely controlling the air-fuel ratio of a lean-burn compressed natural gas (CNG) engine. A control algorithm, without based on engine model, has been (utilized) to construct a feedforward/feedback control scheme to regulate the air-fuel ratio. Using fuzzy neural networks, a fuzzy neural hybrid controller is obtained based on PI controller. The new controller, which can adjust parameters online, has been tested in transient air-fuel ratio control of a CNG engine.

Air flow control based on optimal oxygen excess ratio in fuel cells for vehicles

Air flow control is one of the most important control methods for maintaining the stability and reliability of a fuel cell system, which can avoid oxygen starvation or oxygen saturation. The oxygen excess ratio （OER） is often used to indicate the air flow condition. Based on a fuel cell system model for vehicles, OER performance was analyzed for different stack currents and temperatures in this paper, and the results show that the optimal OER was affected weakly by the stack temperature. In order to ensure the system working in optimal OER, a control scheme that includes an optimal OER regulator and a fuzzy control was proposed. According to the stack current, a reference value of air flow rate was obtained with the optimal OER regulator and then the air compressor motor voltage was controlled with the fuzzy controller to adjust the air flow rate provided by the air compressor. Simulation results show that the control method has good dynamic and static characteristics.

Numerical Investigation of Fuel Dilution Effects on the Performance of the Conventional and the Highly Preheated and Diluted Air Combustion Furnaces

这数字研究调查使用冲淡的燃料的效果(在在常规燃烧(有在 300 和 1273 K 的21% O 2的空气)和高度预热并且冲淡的空气的几个案例下面的一个工业炉子的50%天然气和50% N 2)(有10% O 2的 1273 K 并且用一台内部计算机的90% N 2)燃烧( HPDAC )条件编程序。由使用联合冲淡的燃料和氧化剂而不是他们的自由或未经冲淡的状态，最好的条件为 HPDAC 的主要唯一的特征的建立被获得，这被发现。这些特征是低吝啬、最大的煤气的温度和高放射 / 总数热转移到气体和试管；象他们的更多的一致性一样，导致的分布在没有 在炉子效率或精力节省的 x 污染物质形成和增加。而且，许多化学火焰形状，过程液体和试管围温度侧面，要求的改革者效率并且最后，集中和速度模式有也是学习的品质上 / 份量上。

Adaptive Air-Fuel Ratio Control with MLP Network

This paper presents an application of adaptive neural network model-based predictive control (MPC) to the air-fuel ratio of an engine simulation. A multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network is trained using two on-line training algorithms: a back propagation algorithm and a recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm. It is used to model parameter uncertainties in the nonlinear dynamics of internal combustion (IC) engines. Based on the adaptive model, an MPC strategy for controlling air-fuel ratio is realized, and its control performance compared with that of a traditional PI controller. A reduced Hessian method, a newly developed sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method for solving nonlinear programming (NLP) problems, is implemented to speed up nonlinear optimization in the MPC. Keywords Air-fuel ratio control - IC engine - adaptive neural networks - nonlinear programming - model predictive control Shi-Wei Wang PhD student, Liverpool John Moores University; MSc in Control Systems, University of Sheffield, 2003; BEng in Automatic Technology, Jilin University, 2000; Current research interests automotive engine control, model predictive control, sliding mode control, neural networks.Ding-Li Yu obtained B.Eng from Harbin Civil Engineering College, Harbin, China in 1981, M.Sc from Jilin University of Technology, Changchun, China in 1986 and PhD from Coventry University, U.K. in 1995, all in control engineering. He is currently a Reader in Process Control at Liverpool John Moores University, U.K. His current research interests are in process control, engine control, fault detection and adaptive neural nets. He is a member of SAFEPROCESS TC in IFAC and an associate editor of the IJMIC and the IJISS.

Study on a Closed-Loop Air-Fuel Control System of Gasoline Engines by Simulation

In order to study the factors that influence the air fuel ratio(A/F), the amplitude and frequency of A/F fluctuation, to reform the control strategy, and to improve the efficiency of three way catalyst(TWC), a model of closed loop control system including the engine, air fuel mixing and transportation, oxygen sensor and controller, etc., is developed. Various factors that influence the A/F control are studied by simulation. The simulation results show that the reference voltage of oxygen sensor will influence the mean value of A/F ratio, the controller parameters will influence the amplitude of A/F fluctuation, and the operating conditions of the engine determine the frequency of A/F fluctuations, the amplitude of A/F fluctuation can be reduced to within demanded values by logical selection of the signal acquisition method and controller parameters. Higher A/F fluctuation frequency under high speed and load can be reduced through software delay in the controller. The A/F closed loop control system based on the simulation results, accompanied with a rare earth element TWC, gives a better efficiency of conversion against harmful emissions.

A new equivalent method to obtain the stoichiometric fuel-air cloud from the inhomogeneous cloud based on FLACS-dispersion

The fuel-air cloud resulting from an accidental discharge event is normally irregular in shape and varying in concentration. Performance of dispersion simulations using the computational fluid dynamics （CFD）-based tool FLACS can get an uneven and irregular cloud. For the performance of gas explosion study with FLACS, the equivalent stoichiometric fuel-air cloud concept is widely applied to get a representative distribution of explosion loads. The Q9 cloud model that is employed in FLACS is an equivalent fuel-air cloud representation, in which the laminar burning velocity with first order SL and volume expansion ratio are taken into consideration. However, during an explosion in congested areas, the main part of the combustion involves turbulent flame propagation. Hence, to give a more reasonable equivalent fuel-air size, the turbulent burning velocity must be taken into consideration. The paper presents a new equivalent cloud method using the turbulent burning velocity, which is described as a function of SL, deduced from the TNO multi- energy method.

Assessment of Health Effects Related to the Use of Biomass Fuel and Indoor Air Pollution in Kapkokwon Sub-Location, Bomet Country, Kenya

Biomass Fuel (BMF) refers to burned plant or animal material;wood, charcoal, dung and crop residues which account for more than half of domestic energy in most developing countries and for as much as 95% in low income countries. It is estimated that about 3 billion people in the world rely on biomass fuel for cooking, heating and lighting. The biomass fuel chain includes gathering, transportation, processing and combustion. These processes are predominantly managed by women where they work as gatherers, processors, carriers or transporters and also as end-users or cooks. Thus, they suffer health hazards at all stages of the biomass fuel chain. The main objective was to assess health effects related to the use of Biomass fuel and indoor air pollution in Kapkokwon Sub-location, Kericho County, Kenya from March to May, 2013. The study area was Kapkokwon sub location, Bomet County, Kenya. The study population was 202 households. Primary females of the household were the target group as they managed the biomass chain. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to assess the health effects associated to the use of biomass fuel and indoor air pollution. The research revealed that women suffer different type of physical ailments due to the biomass fuel chain. Physical exhaustion (86%), neck aches (78%), headaches (34%), knee aches (30%) and back aches (16%) were reported as the principal health effects associated with the third stage of the biomass fuel chain. Irritation of the mucus membrane of the eyes, nose and throat (100%), coughing (100%), burns (42%), shortness of breath (38%) and exacerbation of asthma (2%) were identified as principal health effects associated with the fourth stage of the biomass fuel chain (cooking). As a result of the detrimental impact of indoor air pollution (IAP) on health and mortality, many governments, non-governmental organization and international organizations should develop strategies aimed at reducing indoor air pollution. The strategies to include subsidization of cleaner fuel technologies, development, promotion and subsidization of improved cooking stoves, use of solar thermal cookers and solar hot water heaters, processing biomass fuel to make them cleaner, modifying user behavior and improved household design.

Design and Key Technology of Oil-Free Centrifugal Air Compressor for Hydrogen Fuel Cell

For a 120 kW hydrogen fuel cell system,a centrifugal air compressor with fixed power of 22 kW fuel cell is designed.Firstly,the theoretical calculation is carried out for the aerodynamic characteristics of a ultra-high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor,an air compressor,and an aerodynamic foil bearing.Then,a prototype is trial-produced and a related test bench is built for test verification.Finally,both the simulation and test results indicate that the designed centrifugal air compressor meets the overall requirements of the hydrogen fuel cell system,and the relevant conclusions provide both theoretical and experimental references for the subsequent series development and design of the centrifugal air compressor.

喷油特性对F-T煤制油压力振荡影响规律研究

为了减小燃烧噪声,确定影响柴油机高频压力振荡的关键因素,在某型电控高压共轨柴油发动机上燃用的清洁代用燃料Fischer-Tropsch(F-T)煤制油,选取柴油机典型运行工况,研究不同喷油特性条件下柴油机燃烧压力振荡的时域和频域特性。结果表明:推后主喷提前角和提前预喷提前角会使放热率降低,压力振荡幅值减小,气缸压力级也有明显减小的趋势;减小预喷油量会使压力升高率和放热率降低,气缸声压级减小,压力振荡现象减缓,使燃烧更加柔和;提高喷射压力,会使喷油速率增大,燃油雾化效果增强,混合气放热率提升,放热率曲线也随之上升,气缸声压级增大,发动机缸内燃烧压力振荡幅值增大。喷射压力是影响压力振荡的最显著的参数,喷射压力从85MPa上升至115MPa时,压力振荡幅值增加一倍以上;预喷油量对F-T煤制油发动机的燃烧压力振荡影响不显著;同时压力振荡的产生与放热率的变化呈现出较强的相关性。

Lower fuel consumption model and air-flow segregation feeding system for sintering

In order to utilize the spontaneous accumulation of heat (SAH) reasonably and obtain the high quality sinter with low energy consumption, a lower fuel consumption modeling based on raw materials of a certain steel works was built. An air-flow segregation feeding (ASF) experimental equipment was designed to simulate strand feeding process and calculate the lower fuel consumption quantity. Compared with baseline test, the ASF experimental equipment was adopted. The results of sinter pot tests show that the solid fuel consumption is lower than that in baseline test, which is decreased by 5.8%. Meanwhile, other sinter indexes, such as pan yeild, tumbler strength and strand productivity are improved. The mineralogical examination indicates that the mineral compositions and micostructures are improved in sinter.

C4F7N/CO2、C5F10O/C6F12O/Air的环保绝缘气体特性研究及应用

研究环保绝缘气体具有深远的社会意义。C4F7N、C5F10O混合气体是最有希望替代高温室效应SF6的环保绝缘气体。对C4F7N/CO2、C5F10O/C6F12O/Air混合气体的GWP值、液化性能和绝缘性能进行了详细研究。C4F7N/CO2(总压7 bar,C4F7N分压0.466 bar)的GWP值503,是SF6的2.13%;C5F10O/C6F12O/Air(总压8 bar,C5F10O分压0.285 bar,C6F12O分压0.100 bar)的GWP值0.33,是SF6的0.001%。C4F7N、C5F10O气体沸点较高,C4F7N气体在-25℃环境,其饱和蒸气压为0.466 bar;C5F10O气体在-5℃环境,其饱和蒸气压为0.285 bar。C4F7N/CO2、C5F10O/Air混合气体属于正协同效应气体,具有冲击特性,对负极性冲击电压更为敏感。420 k V GIS用母线在雷电冲击耐受电压1425 kV下,最大电场强度为20.4 kV/mm;可以选择C4F7N/CO2(C4F7N分压0.466 bar,最低功能充气总压7 bar)作为绝缘介质,满足户外GIS-25℃的低温环境要求;也可以选择C5F10O/C6F12O/Air(C5F10O分压0.285 bar,C6F12O分压0.100 bar,最低功能充气总压8 bar)混合气体作为绝缘介质,满足户内GIS-5℃的低温环境要求。研究结果为进一步研发环保型GIS提供参考。