Continuous Lithium-Ion Extraction From Seawater and Mine Water With a Fuel Cell System and Ceramic Membranes

The demand for electronic devices that utilize lithium is steadily increasing in this rapidly advancing technological world.Obtaining high-purity lithium in an environmentally friendly way is challenging by using commercialized methods.Herein,we propose the first fuel cell system for continuous lithium-ion extraction using a lithium superionic conductor membrane and advanced electrode.The fuel cell system for extracting lithium-ion has demonstrated a twofold increase in the selectivity of Li^(+)/Na^(+)while producing electricity.Our data show that the fuel cell with a titania-coated electrode achieves 95%lithium-ion purity while generating 10.23 Wh of energy per gram of lithium.Our investigation revealed that using atomic layer deposition improved the electrode's uniformity,stability,and electrocatalytic activity.After 2000 cycles determined by cyclic voltammetry,the electrode preserved its stability.

Experimental and Numerical Study on the Transient Flow Behavior in Gasoline Refueling System

Efficient and secure refueling within the vehicle refueling systems exhibits a close correlation with the issues concerning fuel backflow and gasoline evaporation.This paper investigates the transient flow behavior in fuel hose refilling and simplified tank fuel replenishment using the volume of fluid method.The numerical simulation is validated with the simplified hose refilling experiment and the evaporation simulation of Stefan tube.The effects of injection flow rate and injection directions have been discussed in the fuel hose refilling part.For both the experiment and simulation,the pressure at the end of the refueling pipe in the lower located nozzle case is 30%higher than that in the upper located nozzle case at a high flow rate,and the backflow phenomenon occurs at the lower filling mode.The fluid will directly flush into the first pipe elbow,changing the flow pattern from bubble flow to slug flow,which results in low-frequency and high-amplitude flowpressure fluctuations.Ahexane refueling system,consisting of a refueling pipe,fuel tank and a vapor return line,is analyzed,in which hexane evaporation is considered.At the early refueling period,a higher refueling rate will lead to more obvious splashing,which leads to a higher average mass of hexane vapor and pressure in the tank.Two optimized fuel tank designs are examined.The lower fuel tank filling port exhibits significantly lower vapor hexane in the fuel tank compared to the other design,resulting in a reduction of 200 Pa in the peak pressure in the tank,which contributes to a substantial reduction of gasoline loss during tank filling.

Evaluation of the impacts of adaptive cruise control system on improving fuel efficiency of urban road traffic

The impact of the adaptive cruise control（ ACC）system on improving fuel efficiency is evaluated based on the vehicle-specific power. The intelligent driver model was first modified to simulate the ACC system and it was calibrated by using empirical traffic data. Then, a five-step procedure based on the vehicle-specific power was introduced to calculate fuel efficiency. Five scenarios with different ACC ratios were tested in simulation experiments, and sensitivity analyses of two key ACC factors affecting the perception-reaction time and time headway were also conducted. The simulation results indicate that all the scenarios with ACC vehicles have positive impacts on reducing fuel consumption. Furthermore, from the perspective of fuel efficiency, the extremely small value of the perception-reaction time of the ACC system is not necessary due to the fact that the value of 0.5 and 0.1 s can almost lead to the same reduction in fuel consumption. Finally, the designed time headway of the ACC system is also proposed to be large enough for fuel efficiency, although its small value can increase capacity. The findings of this study provide useful information for connected vehicles and autonomous vehicle manufacturers to improve fuel efficiency on roadways.

Experimental Study of Diesel-NG Dual Fuel Electronic System for F6L912Q Engine

In order to improve the diesel engine emission performance and convert the diesel engine to dual fuel engine, a dual fuel (diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG)) electronic system was developed, in which electromagnetic valves were used to control multi point natural gas injection. The system was designed for type F6L912Q diesel engine and the function of the system was testified on test cell. The test results showed that the system had great advantages in power ability and emission performance. The average CNG substitution at rated load was over 80%. The dual fuel system was practical. To adopt dual fuel system was a good way to improve the engine's emission performance.

A system combining microbial fuel cell with photobioreactor for continuous domestic wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation

A coupled system consisting of an upflow membrane-less microbial fuel cell (upflow ML-MFC) and a photobioreactor was developed, and its effectiveness for continuous wastewater treatment and electricity production was evaluated. Wastewater was fed to the upflow ML-MFC to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus and nitrogen with simultaneous electricity generation. The effluent from the cathode compartment of the upflow ML-MFC was then continuously fed to an external photobioreactor for removing the remaining phosphorus and nitrogen using microalgae. Alone, the upflow ML-MFC produces a maximum power density of 481 mW/m 3 , and obtains 77.9% COD, 23.5% total phosphorus (TP) and 97.6% NH4+-N removals. When combined with the photobioreactor, the system achieves 99.3% TP and 99.0% NH4+-N total removal. These results show both the effectiveness and the potential application of the coupled system to continuously treat domestic wastewater and simultaneously generate electricity and biomass.

Recent studies on potential accident-tolerant fuel-cladding systems in light water reactors

Accident-tolerant fuel(ATF)has attracted considerable research attention since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.To improve the accident tolerance of the fuel-cladding systems in the current light-water reactors,it is proposed to develop and deploy(1)an enhanced Zrbased alloy or coated zircaloy for the fuel cladding,(2)alternative cladding materials with better accident tolerance,and(3)alternative fuels with enhanced accident tolerance and/or a higher U density.This review presents the features of the current UO2-zircaloy system.Different techniques and characters to develop coating materials and enhanced Zr-based alloys are summarized.The features of several selected alternative fuels and cladding materials are reviewed and discussed.The neutronic evaluations of alternative fuel-cladding systems are analyzed.It is expected that one or more types of ATF-cladding systems discussed in the present review will be implemented in commercial reactors.

Fuel Spray Dynamic Characteristics of GDI High Pressure Injection System

In order to improve the fuel consumption and exhaust emission for gasoline engines,gasoline direct injection（GDI） system is spotlighted to solve these requirements.Thus,many researchers focus on the investigation of spray characteristics and the fuel formation of GDI injector.This paper presents a complete numerical and experimental characterization of transient gasoline spray from a high pressure injection system equipped with a modern single-hole electric controlled injector in a pressurized constant volume vessel.The numerical analysis is carried out in a one-dimensional model of fuel injection system which is developed in the AVL HYDSIM environment.The experimental analyses are implemented through a self-developed injection rate measurement device and spray evolution visualization system.The experimental results of injection rate and spray dynamics are taken to tune and validate the built model.The visualization system synchronize a high speed CMOS camera to obtain the spray structure,moreover,the captured images are taken to validate the injector needle lift process which is simulated in the model.The reliability of the built model is demonstrated by comparing the numerical results with the experimental data.The formed vortex structure at 0.8 ms is effectively disintegrated at 6.2 ms and the spray dynamics become rather chaotic.The fuel flow characteristics within injector nozzle extremely influence the subsequent spray evolution,and therefore this point should be reconsidered when building hybrid breakup GDI spray model.The spray tip speed reach the maximum at 1.18 ms regardless of the operation conditions and this is only determined by the injector itself.Furthermore,an empirical equation for the spray tip penetration is obtained and good agreement with the measured results is reached at a certain extent.This paper provides a methodology for the investigation of spray behavior and fuel distribution of GDI engine design.

Moisture content thresholds for ignition and rate of fire spread for various dead fuels in northeast forest ecosystems of China

Fuel moisture content is one of the important factors that determine ignition probability and fire behaviour in forest ecosystems.In this study,ignition and fire spread moisture content thresholds of 40 dead fuel were performed in laboratory experiments,with a focus on the source of ignition and wind speed.Variability in fuel moisture content at time of ignition and during fire spread was observed for different fuels.Matches were more efficient to result in ignition and spread fire with high values of fuel moisture content compared to the use of cigarette butts.Some fuels did not ignite at 15%moisture content,whereas others ignited at 40%moisture content and fire spread at 38%moisture content in the case of matches,or ignited at 27%moisture content and spread fire at 25%moisture content using cigarette butts.A two-way ANOVA showed that both the source of ignition and the wind speed affected ignition and fire spread threshold significantly,but there was no interaction between these factors.The relationship between ignition and fire spread was strong,with R2=98%for cigarette butts,and 92%for matches.Further information is needed,especially on the density of fuels,fuel proportion(case of mixed fuels),fuel age,and fuel combustibility.

Influence of Pre-injection Control Parameters on Main-injection Fuel Quantity for an Electronically Controlled Double-valve Fuel Injection System of Diesel Engine

A simulation model of an electronically controlled two solenoid valve fuel injection system for a diesel engine is established in the AMESim environment.The accuracy of the model is validated through comparison with experimental data.The influence of pre-injection control parameters on main-injection quantity under different control modes is analyzed.In the spill control valve mode,main-injection fuel quantity decreases gradually and then reaches a stable level because of the increase in multi-injection dwell time.In the needle control valve mode,main-injection fuel quantity increases with rising multi-injection dwell time;this effect becomes more obvious at high-speed revolutions and large main-injection pulse widths.Pre-injection pulse width has no obvious influence on main-injection quantity under the two control modes;the variation in main-injection quantity is in the range of 1 mm3.

Open-Type Ferry Safety System Design for Using LNG Fuel

In this feasibility study, we investigate the viability of using Liquefied Natural Gas （LNG） fuel in an open type Ro-Ro passenger ferry and the associated potential challenges with regard to the vessel safety systems. We recommend an appropriate methodology for converting existing ships to run on LNG fuel, discuss all the necessary modifications to the ship’s safety systems, and also evaluate the relevant ship evacuation procedures. We outline the basic requirements with which the ship already complies for each safety system and analyze the additional restrictions that must be taken into consideration for the use of LNG fuel. Appropriate actions are recommended. Furthermore, we carry out a hazard identification study. Overall, we clearly demonstrate the technical feasibility of the investigated scenario. Minimal modifications to the ship’s safety systems are required to comply with existing safety rules for this specific type of ship.

Fuel cell performance assessment for closed-loop renewable energy systems

Fuel cells and electrolysis are promising candidates for future energy production from renewable energy sources. Usually, polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems run on hydrogen and air, while the most of electrolysis systems vent out oxygen as unused by-product. Replacing air with pure oxygen, fuel cell electrochemical performance, durability and system efficiency can be significantly increased with a further overall system simplification and increased reliability. This work, which represents the initial step for pure H;/O;polymer electrolyte fuel cell operation in closed-loop systems, focuses on performance validation of a single cell operating with pure H;/O;under different relative humidity（RH） levels, reactants stoichiometry conditions and temperature. As a result of this study, the most convenient and appropriate operative conditions for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack integrated in a closed loop system were selected.

Sealing Glass of Barium-Calcium-Aluminosilicate System for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Glass-ceramic materials were developed as a sealant in the solid oxide fuel cell （SOFC） in the temperature range of 800 -850 ℃. The glass materials were based on the glass and glass-ceramic in the BaO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-La2O3-B2O3 system. The thermal expansion coefficient （TEC） decreased with lower Ba^2＋ content and higher Ca^2＋ content, but the glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature increased greatly with an increase in Ca^2＋ content and a decrease in Ba^2＋ content, when the other components in the sealant were invariable. The TEC of the sealant with Ba^2＋ content of 25.4% was 10.8 × 10^-6 K^- 1（temperature range from 25 to 850℃）, and its softening temperature was 950 ℃. The TEC of the sealant accorded well with that of La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.5Mg0.2o3- 6（LSGM） with a mismatch of only 3%. The sealant had superior stability and compatibility with the LSGM electrolyte during the process of operation in SOFC. The weight loss of the sealant with Ba^2＋ content of 25.4% was approfimately zero after heat-treated at 800℃ for 500 h in H2 and O2 atmosphere, respectively.

Semiconductor,molecular and hybrid systems for photoelectrochemical solar fuel production

The paper shortly reviews the basic direct approaches applied in searching for viable solutions to solar fuel production. These are generally distinguished in molecular and semiconductor(non-molecular)systems, however, hybrid strategies, proposed recently, have also been included. The most promising efforts are considered, highlighting key aspects and emerging critical issues. Special attention is paid to aspects such as electrode architecture, device design, and main differences in the scientific vision and challenges to directly produce solar fuels. This overview could be useful to orientate the readers in the wide panorama of research activities concerning water splitting, natural and artificial photosynthesis, and solar fuel production through the identification of common aspects, specialties and potentialities of the many initiatives and approaches that are developing worldwide in this field with the final aim to meet world energy demand.

Comparative study on pressure swing adsorption system for industrial hydrogen and fuel cell hydrogen

In order to improve the design of PSA system for fuel cell hydrogen production,a non-isothermal model of eight-bed PSA hydrogen process with five-component(H_(2)/N_(2)/CH_(4)/CO/CO_(2)=74.59%/0.01%/4.2%/2.5%/18.7%(vol))four-stage pressure equalization was developed in this article.The model adopts a composite adsorption bed of activated carbon and zeolite 5 A.In this article,pressure variation,temperature field and separation performance are stimulated,and also effect of providing purge(PP)differential pressure and the ratio of activated carbon to zeolite 5 A on separation performance in the process of producing industrial hydrogen(CO content in hydrogen is 10μl·L^(-1))and fuel cell hydrogen(CO content is 0.2μl·L^(-1))are compared.The results show that Run 3,when the CO content in hydrogen is 10μl·L^(-1),the hydrogen recovery is 89.8%,and the average flow rate of feed gas is 0.529 mol·s^(-1);When the CO content in hydrogen is 0.2μl·L^(-1),the hydrogen recovery is 85.2%,and the average flow rate of feed gas is 0.43 mol·s^(-1).With the increase of PP differential pressure,hydrogen recovery first increases and then decreases,reaching the maximum when PP differential pressure is 0.263 MPa;With the decrease of the ratio of activated carbon to zeolite 5 A,the hydrogen recovery increases gradually.When the CO content in hydrogen is 0.2μl·L^(-1) the hydrogen recovery increases more obviously,from 83.96%to 86.37%,until the ratio of activated carbon to zeolite 5 A decreases to 1.At the end of PP step,no large amount of CO_(2) in gas or solid phase enters the zeolite 5 A adsorption bed,while when the CO content in hydrogen is 10μl·L^(-1),and the ratio of carbon to zeolite 5 A is less than 1.4,more CO_(2) will enter the zeolite 5 A bed.

Elimination of Fuel Pressure Fluctuation and Multi-injection Fuel Mass Deviation of High Pressure Common-rail Fuel Injection System

The influence of fuel pressure fluctuation on multi-injection fuel mass deviation has been studied a lot,but the fuel pressure fluctuation at injector inlet is still not eliminated efficiently.In this paper,a new type of hydraulic filter consisting of a damping hole and a chamber is developed for elimination of fuel pressure fluctuation and multi-injection fuel mass deviation.Linear model of the improved high pressure common-rail system（HPCRS）including injector,the pipe connecting common-rail with injector and the hydraulic filter is built.Fuel pressure fluctuation at injector inlet,on which frequency domain analysis is conducted through fast Fourier transformation,is acquired at different target pressure and different damping hole diameter experimentally.The linear model is validated and can predict the natural frequencies of the system.Influence of damping hole diameter on fuel pressure fluctuation is analyzed qualitatively based on the linear model,and it can be inferred that an optimal diameter of the damping hole for elimination of fuel pressure fluctuation exists.Fuel pressure fluctuation and fuel mass deviation under different damping hole diameters are measured experimentally,and it is testified that the amplitude of both fuel pressure fluctuation and fuel mass deviation decreases first and then increases with the increasing of damping hole diameter.The amplitude of main injection fuel mass deviation can be reduced by 73%at most under pilot-main injection mode,and the amplitude of post injection fuel mass deviation can be reduced by 92%at most under main-post injection mode.Fuel mass of a single injection increases with the increasing of the damping hole diameter.The hydraulic filter proposed by this research can be potentially used to eliminate fuel pressure fluctuation at injector inlet and improve the stability of HPCRS fuel injection.

Daily Operation Optimization of a Residential Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Power System Using Genetic Algorithm

To decrease the cost of electricity generation of a residential molten carbonate fuel cell （MCFC） power system, multi-crossover genetic algorithm （MCGA）, which is based on ＂multi-crossover＂ and ＂usefulness-based selection rule＂, is presented to minimize the daily fuel consumption of an experimental 10kW MCFC power system for residential application. Under the operating conditions obtained by MCGA, the operation constraints are satisfied and fuel consumption is minimized. Simulation and experimental results indicate that MCGA is efficient for the operation optimization of MCFC power systems.

An Interactive Expert System Based Decision Making Model for the Management of Transit System Alternate Fuel Vehicle Assets

Traditionally, the process used by public transportation entities to determine the acquisition strategy for new vehicle asset is based upon a broad range of criteria. Vehicle cost has been cited as one of the more critical factors which decision makers consider. It is currently a common practice to consider other factors (life-cycle cost, fuel efficiency, vehicle reliability, environmental effects, etc.) that contribute to a more comprehensive approach. This study investigates the next generation of advancements in decision making tools in the area of the application of methods to quantify and manage uncertainty. In particular, the uncertainty comes from the public policy arena where future policy and regulations are not always based upon logical and predictable processes. The fleet decision making process in most governmental agencies is a very complex and interdependent activity. There are always competing forces and agendas within the view of the decision maker. Rarely is the decision maker a single person although, within the transit environment, there is often one person charged with the responsibility of fleet management. The focus of this research examines the decision making of the general transit agency community via the development of an expert systems prototype tool. A computer-based prototype system is developed which provide an expert knowledge-based recommendation, based upon variable user inputs. The results shown in this study show that a decision making tool for the management of transit system alternate fuel vehicle assets can be modeled and tested. The direct users of this research are the transit agency administrations. The results can be used by the management teams as a reliable input to inform their urban transit buses expansion decision making process.

STRUCTURE PARAMETERS DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE TEST OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Based on the numerical simulation analysis, structure parameters of the high pressure fuel pump and common rail as well as flow limiter are designed and the GD-1 high pressure common rail fuel injection system is self-developed. Fuel injection characteristics experiment is performed on the GD-1 system. And double-factor variance analysis is applied to investigate the influence of the rail pressure and injection pulse width on the consistency of fuel injection quantity, thus to test whether the design of structure parameters is sound accordingly. The results of experiment and test show that rail pressure and injection pulse width as well as their mutual-effect have no influence on the injection quantity consistency, which proves that the structure parameters design is successful and performance of GD-1 system is sound.

Assessment on Energy Self-Sufficiency Rate for Building Integrated Photovoltaics and Fuel Cell System in Japan

A building integrated photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell (FC) system is proposed for assessment of the energy self-sufficiency rate in a city in Japan. The electricity consumed in the building is mainly supplied by solar panels, while the gap between the energy demand and supply is solved by the FC that is powered by the H2 produced by water electrolysis with surplus power of PV. A desktop case study of using the proposed system in Tsu city which is located in central part of Japan, has been conducted. The results found that the self-sufficiency rates of PV system to electricity demand of households (RPV) during the daytime in April and July are higher than those in January and October. The results also reveal that the self-sufficiency rate of FC system to the electricity demand (RFC) is 15% - 38% for the day when the mean amount of horizontal solar radiation is obtained in January, April, July and October. In addition, it is found the optimum tilt angle of solar panel installed on the roof of the buildings should be 0 degree, i.e., placed horizontally.

Study and performance test of 10 kW molten carbonate fuel cell power generation system

The use of high-temperature fuel cells as a power technology can improve the efficiency of electricity generation and achieve near-zero emissions of carbon dioxide.This work explores the performance of a 10 kW high-temperature molten carbonate fuel cell.The key materials of a single cell were characterized and analyzed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The results show that the pore size of the key electrode material is 6.5 lm and the matrix material is a-LiAlO_(2).Experimentally,the open circuit voltage of the single cell was found to be 1.23 V.The current density was greater than 100 mA/cm^(2)at an operating voltage of 0.7 V.The 10 kW fuel cell stack comprised 80 single fuel cells with a total area of 2000 cm^(2)and achieved an open circuit voltage of greater than 85 V.The fuel cell stack power and current density could reach 11.7 kW and 104.5 mA/cm2 at an operating voltage of 56 V.The influence and long-term stable operation of the stack were also analyzed and discussed.The successful operation of a 10 kW high-temperature fuel cell promotes the large-scale use of fuel cells and provides a research basis for future investigations of fuel cell capacity enhancement and distributed generation in China.