Operation of a stationary hydrogen energy system using TiFe-based alloy tanks under various weather conditions

We describe the operation of a bench-scale stationary hydrogen energy system comprising photovoltaic (PV) panels, a water electrolyzer (Ely), metal hydride tanks fabricated using an AB-type TiFe-based alloy (TiFe-based tanks), fuel cells (FC), and batteries under various weather conditions. The FC and TiFe-based tanks are thermally coupled to transfer heat when necessary to stabilize the output power, and automatic control is provided via a building energy management system (BEMS), which plans the operating schedule up to 48 h in advance based on the weather forecast and expected demands of the building. Experiments were conducted for 24-h operation on a fine day, 48-h operations on partly cloudy and partly cloudy days, and 48-h operations on partly cloudy and rainy days in order to verify the system. Each operation was performed as planned. Our results show that it is possible to operate the hydrogen system all year round without external heat sources.     

不锈钢表面阻氢涂层研究进展

不锈钢是高压氢系统的常用材料，在氢能储输技术中发挥重要作用，但高压氢环境引起的塑性降低、疲劳裂纹扩展速率加快等不锈钢氢脆问题，严重阻碍了氢能的产业化发展，在不锈钢材料表面制备阻氢涂层是解决不锈钢氢损伤问题的重要手段之一。本文首先综合介绍了典型涂层材料的应用特点及阻氢性能，探讨了制备工艺对涂层阻氢性能的影响、不同涂层材料的阻氢机理，并分析了涂层阻氢性能影响因素，之后总结了涂层阻氢性能评价方法及各种评价方法的优势与不足，并根据各种评价方法的技术特点，指出每种方法的适用范围。最后，基于阻氢涂层研究进展，文章提出以开发新型涂层结构为研究重点，同时加快新型涂层材料的探索，并重点关注涂层氢环境原位性能评价方法的研究。     

某油井P110油管腐蚀穿孔原因

西部油田某油井油管发生严重腐蚀甚至穿孔。通过宏观形貌和显微组织观察、化学成分分析、硬度测试、拉伸和冲击性能测试、腐蚀产物检测等方法对油管失效原因进行了分析。结果表明:油管在含Cl^-、H2S、CO2酸性环境下发生了均匀腐蚀和局部腐蚀。均匀腐蚀由H2S-CO2-H2O(Cl^-)体系引起的析氢腐蚀所致;而CaCO3沉积造成的微电偶效应以及Fe^2+与地层水中Cl^-的水合作用导致了油管的局部腐蚀穿孔。建议油井管材采用具有一定抗硫性的P110-3Cr钢或耐蚀性能更优的钢,并添加缓蚀阻垢剂进行防护。     

Using fuzzy MCDM technique to find the best location in Qatar for exploiting wind and solar energy to generate hydrogen and electricity

Hydrogen has been a promising energy carrier to meet the world's energy needs as well as reduce pollutant emissions. Although many countries have policies and programs to expand hydrogen production, the potential for hydrogen production in different regions of Qatar has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, this paper, for the first time, evaluates the possibility of an average annual cogeneration of 14 kWh of electricity and 85 kg/day of hydrogen by a home-scale solar-wind system connected to the grid in Qatar. NASA's 20-year average of meteorological data, the electricity tariff and gasoline price in 2018, along with annual real interest rate, were used as inputs to HOMER software. The techno-econo-enviro analysis was done over a one-year period hour by hour. From the results, it was found that the lowest prices of hydrogen and electricity generated, with $ 2.092/kg and $ 11.495/kWh, were related to Grid and PV-Wind-Grid scenarios, respectively. Also, results indicated that Ar-Ruways station and PV-Wind-Grid scenario were the most environmentally suitable options that resulted in a CO₂ emission rate of 1434 kg annually. To select just one station among five areas, a fuzzy method was deployed as a prioritization technique. Its results suggested that Doha Intl Airport site is the most suitable one for constructing solar-wind hybrid energy generation system.     

Effects of sintering in a high magnetic field on properties of vitrified bond and vitrified CBN composites

Vitrified bond CBN grinding wheels are being widely used due to their superior performance. Also, advantages of vitrified grinding wheels are high elastic modulus, stable chemical property, and low thermal expansion coefficient. Brittleness and low strength are key factors restricting the development of vitrified bond CBN grinding wheels. In this paper, the sintering in a high magnetic field was innovatively introduced into the manufacturing of vitrified bond CBN grinding wheels, and the effects of sintering in a high magnetic field on properties on vitrified bond and vitrified CBN composites were systematically investigated. Vitrified bond was characterized using three-point bending, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction. It was observed that microstructure of vitrified bond could be changed, grain orientation could be controlled and average grain size could be decreased in a high magnetic field, while vitrified bond strength could be simultaneously improved. High quality vitrified bond could be obtained by appropriately adjusting the strength and direction of high magnetic field. Results demonstrated that vitrified bond properties were improved when the magnetic field strength was 6?T. In order to highlight the high magnetic field effect on the vitrified CBN composites, the ordinary CBN abrasives and nickel plated CBN abrasives were used respectively. Microstructures, bending strengths of vitrified CBN composites were compared in different high magnetic fields. When the magnetic field strength was appropriate (less than 6?T), the binding characteristic of vitrified bond CBN composites with nickel plated CBN abrasives was greatly improved. The highest bending strength value of vitrified CBN composites was 79.5?MPa in 6?T high magnetic field.     

Effects of structural characteristics on microwave dielectric properties of low-loss (Zn1-xNix)ZrNbTaO8 ceramics

Low-loss (Zn_1-xNi_x)ZrNbTaO₈ (0.02?≤?x?≤?0.10) ceramics possessing single wolframite structure are initiatively synthesized by solid-state route. Based on the results of Rietveld refinement, complex chemical bond theory is used to establish the correlation between structural characteristics and microwave performance in this ceramic system. A small amount of Ni²⁺ (x?=?0.06) in A-site with the fixed substitution of Ta⁵⁺ in B-site can effectually raise the Q?×?f value of ZnZrNb₂O₈ ceramic, embodying a dense microstructure and high lattice energy. The dielectric constant and τ_f are mainly affected by bond ionicity and the average octahedral distortion. The (Zn_0.94Ni_0.06)ZrNbTaO₈ ceramic sample sintered at 1150?°C for 3?h exhibits an outstanding combination of microwave dielectric properties: ε_r =?27.88, Q?×?f?=?128,951?GHz, τ_f =?–39.9?ppm/°C. Thus, it is considered to be a candidate material for the communication device applications at high frequency.     

Synergistic reinforcement of surface modification on improving the bonding of veneering ceramics to zirconia

Veneering ceramics should be strongly bonded to zirconia core in order to achieve successfully long-term clinical practice. Indeed, to pursue the high zirconia core–veneering ceramic bonding is still a concerned issue. In this regard, this study was to treat zirconia surface using a 3?wt% Si₃N₄ solution in 4?M NaOH and to investigate the effect of soaking time (5, 10, and 20 days) on the surface properties of zirconia and shear bond strength between zirconia and veneering ceramics. The residual veneering ceramics on zirconia surfaces and failure modes were also examined after fracture. The results showed that the phase composition of zirconia before and after surface modification was not changed. The elemental mapping and depth profiling consistently revealed the soaking-time-dependent Si content on the zirconia surface. The surface roughness of zirconia was significantly (P?<?0.05) increased with the increasing soaking time. When zirconia was treated for 10 days, the shear bond strength value of 27.4?MPa was significantly (P?<?0.05) higher than the control (18.6?MPa), associated with greater remaining amounts of veneering ceramics on the zirconia surface. The failure mode of the treated zirconia was almost the mixed failure. On the basis of the data, surface modification using Si₃N₄ in NaOH solution for zirconia core could be a simple and effective method for enhancing the veneering ceramic–zirconia bonding.     

CuInS2/SiNWs/Si composite material for application as potential photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation

This work aims at developing a new composite material based on nanosized semiconducting CuInS₂ (CIS) particles combined with silicon nanowires grown on a silicon substrate (SiNWs/Si) for photoelectrochemical (PEC)-splitting of water. The CIS particles were prepared via a colloidal method using N-methylimidazole (NMI) as the solvent and an annealing treatment. The SiNWs were obtained by chemical etching of silicon (100) substrates assisted by a metal. The CIS/SiNWs/Si composite material was obtained by deposition of an aliquot of a suspension of CIS particles onto the SiNWs/Si substrate, using spin coating followed by a drying step. The XRD pattern demonstrated that CuInS₂ grows in the tetragonal/chalcopyrite phase, while SiNWs/Si presents a cubic structure. The SEM images show semi-spherical particles (～10 nm) distributed on the surface of silicon nanowires (～10 μm). The EIS measurements reveal n-type conductivity for CIS, SiNWs/Si and CIS/SiNWs/Si materials, which could favour the oxidation reaction of water molecules.     

In-situ preparation of cross-linked hybrid anion exchange membrane of quaternized poly (styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) covalently bonded with graphene

Introducing graphene into polymer matrix is an effective way to enhance performances of anion exchange membrane (AEM). However, utilizing the advantages of graphene by physical approach is limited due to the weak interface interaction between graphene and polymer matrix. Herein, we report an effective strategy to covalently bond graphene with polymer matrix to improve the interface interaction and further to improve the properties of AEM. A series of cross-linked quaternized graphene-based hybrid AEM were fabricated by covalently bonding poly (vinylbenzyl chloride) grafted graphene (GN-g-PVBC) copolymer with chloromethyl functionalized poly (styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS) through the cross-linker (N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine) by in-situ synthetic approach. The interface interaction between graphene and QSIBS is greatly enhanced according to micromorphology characterization of the hybrid membrane. The cross-linked quaternized hybrid AEM containing 0.55 wt% of GN-g-PVBC exhibits obviously improved dynamical mechanical properties (storage modulus: 418 MPa), ion conductivity (1.81 × 10² S cm^?1), methanol barrier property (5.19 × 10^?7 cm² s^?1), selectivity (3.49 × 10⁴ S s cm^?3) at 60 °C and especially a comparably excellent chemical stability to that of Nafion 115 due to the enhanced interface interaction between graphene and the polymer matrix.     

Study of the catalytic combustion of lean hydrogen-air mixtures in a monolith reactor

This paper presents an experimental study of catalytic hydrogen combustion that used commercial catalysts containing Pt in a honeycomb monolith reactor in a plug flow configuration. The emphasis is on determining global kinetics in the case of low hydrogen content. Measurements of the temperature and composition of the reaction product at the outlet in the steady state condition at the different initial compositions of hydrogen and total volumetric feed rates were performed. The conversion of hydrogen was determined in parallel to the composition of the reaction product at the outlet using GC as well as by means of the thermodynamic approach using material and energy balances. The influence of the flow rate and initial molar fraction of hydrogen on hydrogen conversion is shown. A kinetic expression of the Arrhenius type is proposed with the reaction first order in hydrogen and zero order in oxygen for the overall process of the oxidation of hydrogen in lean hydrogen-air mixtures. The determined activation energy was in good agreement with the desorption activation energy for O₂ from graphene-covered Pt(111) surfaces using temperature-programmed desorption. This result shows transport-limitations for heterogeneous hydrogen conversion in catalytic hydrogen combustion.