Experimental and computational study on the separation performance of an electrostatic precipitator with curved transvers collecting plates

Aiming at the problems of low collection efficiency of fine particulate matter and large area occupied by existing electrostatic precipitators (ESP), a new type of horizontal electrode ESP is proposed. It has the advantages of accelerating turbulent coalescence, increasing the effective dust collecting area and increasing the particle driving speed. The performance of the new type of ESP is systematic studied through simulation and experiment at the same time, and the results matches well. By comparing the dust removal effect of the horizontal electrode ESP and the conventional ESP, it can be concluded that the horizontal electrode ESP has a better dust removal efficiency, and can still maintain a better dust removal effect under high air velocity. The dust removal efficiency of new ESP can reach above 98% under the experimental conditions.     

Qualitative analysis of fluid dynamics and heat transfer characteristics in porous structures towards aqueous phase reforming hydrogen production

Porous structure is commonly used as a catalytic support in the field of fixed-bed reactor for hydrogen production from methanol aqueous phase reforming. The fluid dynamics and heat transfer characteristics of the fluid in a specific porous structure are considered profound influences for catalytic reactions. This study presented a qualitative investigation on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of fluids in variable porous structures. Specifically, the discrete average interpolation method was employed to obtain the value of a continuous structure. From the results, using the area-average temperature equation was 11% (±1.5%) larger and precise than that from the previous work using traditional hydrodynamic equation. The proposed variable porous structure could not only increase the turbulence intensity of the fluid which could further enhance reaction mass transfer but also enhance the convective heat transfer of the fluidic reactants. Some of these findings could inspire the reactor design for improving catalytic efficiency of hydrogen production.     

Two-step pyrolytic engineering to form porous nitrogen-rich carbons with a 3D network structure for Zn-air battery oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

It is of great urgency to design inexpensive and high-performance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts derived from biowastes as substitutes for Pt-based materials in electrochemical energy-conversion devices. Here we propose a strategy to synthesize three-dimensional (3D) porous nitrogen-doped network carbons to catalyze the ORR from two-step pyrolysis engineering of biowaste scale combined with the use of a ZnCl₂ activator and a FeCl₂ promotor. Electrochemical tests show that the synthesized network carbons have exhibited comparable ORR catalytic activity with a half-wave potential (~0.85 V vs. RHE) and outstanding cyclical stability in comparison to the Pt/C catalyst. Beyond that, a high electron transfer number (~3.8) and a low peroxide yield (<7.6%) can be obtained, indicating a four-electron reaction pathway. The maximum power density is ~68 mW cm^?2, but continuous discharge curves (at a constant potential of ~1.30 V) for 12 h are not obviously declined in Zn-air battery tests using synthesized network carbons as the cathodic catalyst. The formation of 3D porous structures with high BET surface area can effectively expose the surface catalytic sites and promote mass transportation to boost the ORR activity. This work may open a new idea to prepare porous carbon-based catalysts for some important reactions in new energy devices.     

Homogeneously dispersed cobalt/iron electrocatalysts with oxygen vacancies and favorable hydrophilicity for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Rational design of highly conductive and hydrophilic electrocatalysts are extremely important to promote their oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, a homogeneously dispersed carbon-based cobalt/iron catalyst (Co/Fe–C) with abundant oxygen vacancies and favorable hydrophilicity is fabricated via a facile metal-polyphenol complexes strategy. The tannic acid (TA) and fulvic acid (FA) derived 0.3 Co/Fe–C catalysts show greatly similar morphologies, as well as the performance optimization process of electrocatalytic OER. Specifically, the TA-derived 0.3 Co/Fe–C catalyst exhibits an overpotential of 284 mV at 10 mA cm^?2 for OER in alkaline electrolyte. Combined a series of characterization techniques suggest that abundant oxygen vacancies and favorable surface hydrophilicity can improve electronic conductivity of the catalyst and accelerate reactant adsorption and charge transfer rate on the catalyst surface, thus promoting OER activity of the catalysts. This study might provide a new perspective to construct advanced electrocatalysts with oxygen vacancies and hydrophilic surface for electrocatalytic applications.     

Composition-tunable PtCu porous nanowires as highly active and durable catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

To accelerate the commercialization of fuel cells, many efforts have been made to develope highly active and durable Pt-based catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, PtCu porous nanowires (PNWs) with controllable composition are synthesized through an ultrasound-assisted galvanic replacement reaction. The porous structure, surface strain, and electronic property of PtCu PNWs are optimized by tuning composition, which can improve activity for ORR. Electrochemical tests reveal that the mass activity of Pt_0.5Cu_0.5 PNWs (Pt/Cu atomic ratio of 1:1) reaches 0.80 A mg_Pt^?1, which is about 5 times higher than that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Notably, the improved activity of the porous nanowire catalyst is also confirmed in the single-cell test. In addition, the large contact area with the carrier and internal interconnection structure of Pt_0.5Cu_0.5 PNWs enables them to exhibit much better durability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst and Pt_0.5Cu_0.5 nanotubes in accelerated durability test.     

Sn-induced CuO–CeO2 catalysts with improved performance for CO preferential oxidation in H2-rich streams

Sn modified CuO–CeO₂ catalysts with different Sn loadings were prepared by a facile, green and solvent-free method. The effect of Sn/Ce ratio over Sn–Cu–Ce-x (x = 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5) samples on CO activity and O₂ selectivity was investigated. The samples were characterized by various techniques using N₂-adsorption/desorption, XRD, H₂-TPR, XPS, Raman and in-situ DRIFTS. It was revealed that stronger interaction between acitve sites and support, higher amounts of Sn²⁺ and Ce³⁺, associated with increased amount of oxygen vacancies, were observed on the catalyst of Sn–Cu–Ce-5. As a result, the optimized catalyst displayed an excellent catalytic performance even in the presence of CO₂ and H₂O. In this sense, probing the Sn modified CuO–CeO₂ catalyst can elucidate some useful keys for the development of high CO₂ and H₂O-resistance catalyst during CO-preferential oxidation in H₂-rich streams.     

Low velocity impact resistance of ceramic/polyurea composite plates: experimental study

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Laminated and segmented ceramic/polyurea composite plates were fabricated by coating bulk ceramic plate and bonding ceramic tablets with polyurea,...     

Nymphoides peltatum as a novel feedstock for biomethane production via anaerobic co-digestion with waste sludge

Nymphoides peltatum (NP) is exploited as a novel feedstock for biomethane production via anaerobic co-digestion with waste sludge (WS). Batch experiments are conducted under mesophilic condition at NP/WS of 1/3, 2/2, 3/1, 0/4 and 4/0 based on volatile solids (VS). Prior to anaerobic digestion (AD), NP undergoes only natural drying and grinding. The maximum net cumulative methane yield (265.16 mL CH₄·g VS_added^?1) and the highest gross VS removal rate (56.12%) are obtained at NP/WS of 1/3. The kinetic analysis by the modified Gompertz model fit hinted that 28 days is adequate for methane recovery and co-digestion significantly accelerates the digestion rate. Synergetic effect is corroborated to exist in co-digestion due to amiable conditions in term of total ammonia nitrogen, free ammonia, pH, volatile fatty acids and total alkalinity. High-throughput 16S rRNA pyrosequencing reveals that Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta are conducive to AD of NP.     

一种远程控制智能防坠楼窗户设计

针对传统窗户和现有的智能窗户进行分析,设计了一种远程控制智能防坠楼窗户,包括基本窗体、电动控制中心、电磁锁、压力传感器、雨滴传感器、烟雾传感器、温湿度传感器等作为系统的信号收集与处理源.电动控制中心通过电机控制窗户左右平移开合,电机作用使窗户停止;通过压力传感器和电磁锁的控制使安全防护网张开;结合App控制窗户开合及环境信息反馈;按下紧急按钮有警示灯光并自动报警.这些对于高空防坠楼、提高生活品质等都有重要意义.