Fuel cells and flow batteries are promising technologies to address climate change and air pollution problems. An understanding of the complex multiscale and multiphysics transport phenomena occurring in these electro...Fuel cells and flow batteries are promising technologies to address climate change and air pollution problems. An understanding of the complex multiscale and multiphysics transport phenomena occurring in these electrochemical systems requires powerful numerical tools. Over the past decades, the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method has attracted broad interest in the computational fluid dynamics and the numerical heat transfer communities, primarily due to its kinetic nature making it appropriate for modeling complex multiphase transport phenomena. More importantly, the LB method fits well with parallel computing due to its locality feature, which is required for large-scale engineering applications. In this article, we review the LB method for gas-liquid two-phase flows, coupled fluid flow and mass transport in porous media, and particulate flows. Examples of applications are provided in fuel cells and flow batteries. Further developments of the LB method are also outlined.展开更多
Transportation fuels derived from imported fossil fuels are subjected to the price fluctuations of the global marketplace, and constitute a major expense in the operation of a vehicle. Emissions from the evaporation a...Transportation fuels derived from imported fossil fuels are subjected to the price fluctuations of the global marketplace, and constitute a major expense in the operation of a vehicle. Emissions from the evaporation and combustion of these fuels contribute to a range of environmental and health problems, causing poor air quality and emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Alternative fuel created from domestic sources has been proposed as a solution to these problems, and many fuels are being developed based on biomass and other renewable sources. Natural State Research, Inc. proposes a different alternative hydrocarbon fuel which is produced from abundant waste plastic materials. This fuel burns more efficiently and cleaner than commercial gasoline and diesel. The process exists to efficiently convert waste plastic into a reliable low cost source of fuel.展开更多
There are many reports of devices and fuel additives being able to enhance the performance of automobiles and other forms of transportation that rely upon the combustion of gasoline or diesel fuels. The claims extend ...There are many reports of devices and fuel additives being able to enhance the performance of automobiles and other forms of transportation that rely upon the combustion of gasoline or diesel fuels. The claims extend from increased mileage and power to significant reductions in toxic exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons. Progress towards more widespread applications of means of improving fuel efficiency has been impeded by the lack of a coherent explanation of the mechanism of action. Fuel combustion allows for the conversion of much of the available chemical energy in volatile hydrocarbons to mechanical energy, which moves the pistons within an engine. It is proposed that the amount of chemical energy in hydrocarbons can be increased by the absorption of an environmental force termed KELEA (kinetic energy limiting electrostatic attraction). In addition to providing greater mechanical energy with relatively less heat output, the combustion of KELEA activated fuels proceeds further with less toxic emissions of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons from incomplete combustion. KELEA activation of fuels should become standard practice in the transportation industry, with potential additional benefits in slowing the rate of global warming.展开更多
Department of Energy of Philippines statistics reveal that from 2000 to 2010, the road transport fuel consumption and corresponding CO2 emissions have grown modestly with an annual growth rate of 0.5%. This modest gro...Department of Energy of Philippines statistics reveal that from 2000 to 2010, the road transport fuel consumption and corresponding CO2 emissions have grown modestly with an annual growth rate of 0.5%. This modest growth is in contrast to the rapid increase in vehicle numbers, economic activity and in absence of implementation of comprehensive sustainable transport policies and options. The main objective of this research is to correlate official fuel consumption data (i.e. top-down) with bottom up quantifications and provide relevant policy recommendations. Based on the assessment of transport demand variables and review of policies and strategies, fuel consumption in transport sector was found to be growing at a much faster rate when compared to official estimates. Use of official data on fuel consumption in road transport sector may lead to serious errors. This has huge implications on policies and investments.展开更多
This paper provides a comprehensive review on the research and development in multi-scale numerical modeling and simulation of PEM fuel cells. An overview of recent progress in PEM fuel cell modeling has been provided...This paper provides a comprehensive review on the research and development in multi-scale numerical modeling and simulation of PEM fuel cells. An overview of recent progress in PEM fuel cell modeling has been provided. Fundamental transport phenomena in PEM fuel cells and the corresponding mathematical formulation of macroscale models are analyzed. Various important issues in PEM fuel cell modeling and simulation are examined in detail, including fluid flow and species transport, electron and proton transport, heat transfer and thermal management, liquid water transport and water management, transient response behaviors, and cold-start processes. Key areas for further improvements have also been discussed.展开更多
基金supported by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Grant 623313)
文摘Fuel cells and flow batteries are promising technologies to address climate change and air pollution problems. An understanding of the complex multiscale and multiphysics transport phenomena occurring in these electrochemical systems requires powerful numerical tools. Over the past decades, the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method has attracted broad interest in the computational fluid dynamics and the numerical heat transfer communities, primarily due to its kinetic nature making it appropriate for modeling complex multiphase transport phenomena. More importantly, the LB method fits well with parallel computing due to its locality feature, which is required for large-scale engineering applications. In this article, we review the LB method for gas-liquid two-phase flows, coupled fluid flow and mass transport in porous media, and particulate flows. Examples of applications are provided in fuel cells and flow batteries. Further developments of the LB method are also outlined.
文摘Transportation fuels derived from imported fossil fuels are subjected to the price fluctuations of the global marketplace, and constitute a major expense in the operation of a vehicle. Emissions from the evaporation and combustion of these fuels contribute to a range of environmental and health problems, causing poor air quality and emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Alternative fuel created from domestic sources has been proposed as a solution to these problems, and many fuels are being developed based on biomass and other renewable sources. Natural State Research, Inc. proposes a different alternative hydrocarbon fuel which is produced from abundant waste plastic materials. This fuel burns more efficiently and cleaner than commercial gasoline and diesel. The process exists to efficiently convert waste plastic into a reliable low cost source of fuel.
文摘There are many reports of devices and fuel additives being able to enhance the performance of automobiles and other forms of transportation that rely upon the combustion of gasoline or diesel fuels. The claims extend from increased mileage and power to significant reductions in toxic exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons. Progress towards more widespread applications of means of improving fuel efficiency has been impeded by the lack of a coherent explanation of the mechanism of action. Fuel combustion allows for the conversion of much of the available chemical energy in volatile hydrocarbons to mechanical energy, which moves the pistons within an engine. It is proposed that the amount of chemical energy in hydrocarbons can be increased by the absorption of an environmental force termed KELEA (kinetic energy limiting electrostatic attraction). In addition to providing greater mechanical energy with relatively less heat output, the combustion of KELEA activated fuels proceeds further with less toxic emissions of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons from incomplete combustion. KELEA activation of fuels should become standard practice in the transportation industry, with potential additional benefits in slowing the rate of global warming.
文摘Department of Energy of Philippines statistics reveal that from 2000 to 2010, the road transport fuel consumption and corresponding CO2 emissions have grown modestly with an annual growth rate of 0.5%. This modest growth is in contrast to the rapid increase in vehicle numbers, economic activity and in absence of implementation of comprehensive sustainable transport policies and options. The main objective of this research is to correlate official fuel consumption data (i.e. top-down) with bottom up quantifications and provide relevant policy recommendations. Based on the assessment of transport demand variables and review of policies and strategies, fuel consumption in transport sector was found to be growing at a much faster rate when compared to official estimates. Use of official data on fuel consumption in road transport sector may lead to serious errors. This has huge implications on policies and investments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10972197)
文摘This paper provides a comprehensive review on the research and development in multi-scale numerical modeling and simulation of PEM fuel cells. An overview of recent progress in PEM fuel cell modeling has been provided. Fundamental transport phenomena in PEM fuel cells and the corresponding mathematical formulation of macroscale models are analyzed. Various important issues in PEM fuel cell modeling and simulation are examined in detail, including fluid flow and species transport, electron and proton transport, heat transfer and thermal management, liquid water transport and water management, transient response behaviors, and cold-start processes. Key areas for further improvements have also been discussed.
