Combination of CO2 reforming and partial oxidation of methane to produce syngas over Ni/SiO2 and Ni–Al2O3/SiO2 catalysts with different precursors

Ni/SiO₂ and Ni–Al₂O₃/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation using citrate and nitrate precursors and tested with a reaction of combination of CO₂ reforming and partial oxidation of methane to produce syngas (H₂/CO). The catalytic activity of Ni/SiO₂ and Ni–Al₂O₃/SiO₂ greatly depended on interaction between NiO and support. NiO strongly interacted with support formed small nickel particles (about 4 nm for NiSC which is abbreviation of Ni/SiO₂ prepared with Nickel citrate precursor) after reduction. The small nickel particles over NiSC catalysts exhibited a good catalytic performance.     

New inorganic–organic proton conducting membranes based on Nafion and [(ZrO2)·(SiO2)0.67] nanoparticles: Synthesis vibrational studies and conductivity

In this report is described the preparation of six nanocomposite membranes of formula {Nafion/_[(ZrO_2)⋅(SiO_2)0.67]ΨZrO₂}$\{\text{Nafion}/{[(\text{Zr}{\text{O}}_2)\cdot {(\text{Si}{\text{O}}_2)}_{0.67}]}_{{\Psi }_{\text{Zr}{\text{O}}_2}}\}$ with ΨZrO₂${\Psi }_{\text{Zr}{\text{O}}_2}$ ranging from 0 to 1.79 based on Nafion^® and [(ZrO₂)·(SiO₂)_0.67] nanofiller. Morphology investigations carried out by SEM measurements indicate that the composition of membranes is asymmetric. Indeed, with respect to the direction of the films after casting procedure, the top side (A-side) and bottom side (B-side) present a different nanofiller concentration. The concentration of nanofiller increases gradually from A to B side. The membranes present thicknesses ranging from 170 to 350 nm and are studied by FT-IR ATR and micro-Raman measurements.     

Reversible hydrogenation/dehydrogenation performances of the Na2LiAlH6–Mg(NH2)2 system

Complex hydrides and Metal–N–H-based materials have attracted considerable attention due to their high hydrogen content. In this paper, a novel amide–hydride combined system was prepared by ball milling a mixture of Na₂LiAlH₆–Mg(NH₂)₂ in a molar ratio of 1:1.5. The hydrogen storage performances of the Na₂LiAlH₆–1.5Mg(NH₂)₂ system were systematically investigated by a series of dehydrogenation/hydrogenation evaluation and structural analyses. It was found that a total of ∼5.08 wt% of hydrogen, equivalent to 8.65 moles of H atoms, was desorbed from the Na₂LiAlH₆–1.5Mg(NH₂)₂ combined system. In-depth investigations revealed that the variable milling treatments resulted in the different dehydrogenation reaction pathways due to the combination of Al and N caused by the energetic milling. Hydrogen uptake experiment indicated that only ∼4 moles of H atoms could be reversibly stored in the Na₂LiAlH₆–1.5Mg(NH₂)₂ system perhaps due to the formation of AlN and Mg₃N₂ after dehydrogenation.     

Inorganic–organic membranes based on Nafion, [(ZrO2)·(HfO2)0.25] and [(SiO2)·(HfO2)0.28] nanoparticles. Part II: Relaxations and conductivity mechanism

Two classes of hybrid inorganic–organic proton-conducting membranes consisting of Nafion and either [(ZrO₂)·(HfO₂)_0.25] or [(SiO₂)·(HfO₂)_0.28] nanofiller are investigated to elucidate their relaxations and conductivity mechanism and are labeled [Nafion/(ZrHf)_x] and [Nafion/(SiHf)_x], respectively. The membranes are studied by dynamic mechanic analysis (DMA) and broadband electric spectroscopy (BES). The latter technique allows a determination of the direct current ionic conductivity (σ_DC) and the proton diffusion coefficient (DH₊)$\left(D_{{\text{H}}^{+}}\right)$. Pulse-field-gradient spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance experiments (PFGSE-NMR) are carried out to determine the water self-diffusion coefficients (DH₂O)$\left(D_{{\text{H}}_2\text{O}}\right)$. DH₊$D_{{\text{H}}^{+}}$ and DH₂O$D_{{\text{H}}_2\text{O}}$ are correlated to obtain insight on the conductivity mechanism of the proposed materials. Results indicate that the nanofiller particles play a major role in the proton conduction mechanism of the proposed materials. It is demonstrated that the basic [(ZrO₂)·(HfO₂)_0.25] nanoparticles form Nafion–nanofiller dynamic cross-links with high ionic character. These cross-links improve the mechanical properties and enhance the overall proton conductivity of the membranes at low humidification levels owing to an efficient delocalization of the protons. In [Nafion/(SiHf)_x] membranes, the dynamic cross-links occur due to dipole–dipole interactions between the side groups of the Nafion host polymer and the quasi-neutral [(SiO₂)·(HfO₂)_0.28] nanoparticles. These cross-links significantly reduce the delocalization of the protons, which decreases the overall conductivity of materials.     

Photosensitivity of p Si- n (GaSb)1 ? x ? y (Si2) x (GaAs) y , p Si- n (GaSb)1 ? x ? y (Si2) x (GaAs) y ,- n (GaSb) structures

Two-stage buffer n(GaSb)_{1 − x − y} (Si₂) _x (GaAs) _y and perfect n(GaSb) layers are grown on an pSi substrate by liquid-phase epitaxy from a tin solution-melt. It is shown that the photosensitivity of the pSi−n(GaSb)_{1 − x − y} (Si₂) _x (GaAs) _y structures is in the spectral range 1.0-1.6 eV, and that of the pSi − n (GaSb)_{1 − x − y} (Si₂) _x (GaAs) _{y − n} (GaSb) structures is in the range 0.62-1.15 eV. Original Russian Text ? A.S. Saidov, M.S. Saidov, Sh.N. Usmonov, D. Saparov, K.T. Kholikov, 2008, published in Geliotekhnika, 2008, No. 3, pp. 56–58.     

Metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells with in-situ sintered (Bi2O3)0.7(Er2O3)0.3–Ag composite cathode

Metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) containing porous 430L stainless steel support, Ni-YSZ anode and YSZ electrolyte were fabricated by tape casting, laminating and co-firing in a reduced atmosphere. (Bi₂O₃)_0.7(Er₂O₃)_0.3–Ag composite cathode was applied by screen printing and in-situ sintering. The polarization resistances of the composite cathode were 1.18, 0.48, 0.18, 0.09 Ω cm² at 600, 650, 700 and 750 °C, respectively. A promissing maximum power density of 568 mW cm⁻² at 750 °C was obtained of the single cell. Short-term stability was measured as well.     

GC-MS determination of low hydrocarbon species (C1–C6) from a diesel partial oxidation reformer

The partial oxidation (POx) reforming of Ultra Low Sulphur-Diesel (ULSD), rapeseed methyl ester (RME) - biodiesel and Fischer–Tropsch synthetic diesel fuels (SD) were studied by using a fixed-bed reactor. The ease of reforming the three fuels was first examined at different O/C feed ratios at constant gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 35 k h⁻¹ over a prototype monolith catalyst (1%Rh/CeO₂–ZrO₂). The hydrocarbon species (C₁–C₆) produced in the reformer were analyzed using direct gas injection gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Under the same O/C ratios for 35 k h⁻¹ the fuels conversion and process efficiency was dependent on the fuel type, and followed the general trend: SD > biodiesel > ULSD. The GC-MS analysis shows that both, biodiesel and ULSD diesel produced significantly higher amounts of alkenes compared to SD fuel. Fuel with relatively high aromatics content such diesel can be efficiently reformed to syngas over the catalyst used in this study but the reformer operating range (e.g. O/C ratio and space velocity) is limited compared to paraffinic fuels such as FT-SD. At increased GHSV of 45 k h⁻¹ and O/C = 1.75, the diesel fuel conversion efficiency to syngas (H₂ and CO) was improved significantly and the formation of intermediate species such as methane, ethylene, and propylene was reduced considerably as a result of the increased peak reaction temperatures. The reduced HC species and increased H₂ concentration in the reactor product gas from the reforming of FT-SD fuel can provide significant advantages to the IC engine applications.     

Inorganic–organic membranes based on Nafion, [(ZrO2)·(HfO2)0.25] and [(SiO2)·(HfO2)0.28]. Part I: Synthesis,thermal stability and performance in a single PEMFC

This work reports the preparation, characterization and test in a single fuel cell of two families of hybrid inorganic-organic proton-conducting membranes, each based on Nafion and a different “core-shell” nanofiller. Nanofillers, based on either a ZrO₂ “core” covered with a HfO₂ “shell” (ZrHf) or a HfO₂ “core” solvated by a “shell” of SiO₂ nanoparticles (SiHf), are considered. The two families of membranes are labelled [Nafion/(ZrHf)_x] and [Nafion/(SiHf)_x], respectively. The morphology of the nanofillers is investigated with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electron diffraction (ED) measurements. The mass fractions of nanofiller x used for both families are 0.05, 0.10 or 0.15. The proton exchange capacity (PEC) and the water uptake (WU) of the hybrid membranes are determined. The thermal stability is investigated by high-resolution thermogravimetric measurements (TGA). Each membrane is used in the fabrication of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) that is tested in single-cell configuration under operating conditions. The polarization curves are determined by varying the activity of the water vapour (a_H2O) and the back pressure of the reagent streams. A coherent model is proposed to correlate the water uptake and proton conduction of the hybrid membranes with the microscopic interactions between the Nafion host polymer and the particles of the different “core–shell” nanofillers.     

Performance and durability of an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell with a PdO/ZrO2 engineered (La0.8Sr0.2)0.95MnO3-δ-(Y2O3)0.08(ZrO2)0.92 composite cathode

PdO/ZrO₂ co-infiltrated (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_0.95MnO_3-δ-(Y₂O₃)_0.08(ZrO₂)_0.92 (LSM-YSZ) composite cathode (PdO/ZrO₂+LSM-YSZ), which adsorbs more oxygen than equal amount of PdO/ZrO₂ and LSM-YSZ, is developed and used in Ni-YSZ anode-supported cells with YSZ electrolyte. The cells are investigated firstly at temperatures between 650 and 750 °C with H₂ as the fuel and air as the oxidant and then polarized at 750 °C under 400 mA cm^?2 for up to 235 h. The initial peak power density of the cell is in the range of 438–1207 mW cm^?2 at temperatures from 650 to 750 °C, corresponding to polarization resistance from 1.04 to 0.35 Ω cm². This result demonstrates a significant performance improvement over the cells with other kinds of LSM based cathode. The cell voltage at 750 °C under 400 mA cm^?2 decreases from initial 0.951 to 0.89 V after 170 h of current polarization and remains essentially stable to the end of current polarization. It is identified that the self-limited growth of PdO particles is responsible for the cell voltage decrease by reducing the length of triple phase boundary affecting the high frequency steps involved in oxygen reduction reaction in the cathode.     

A numerical study on the effects of H2 addition in non-premixed turbulent combustion of C3H8–H2–N2 mixture using a steady flamelet approach

This study has been implemented in two sections. At first, the turbulent jet flame of DLR-B is simulated by combining the k–ε turbulence model and a steady flamelet approach. The DLR-B flame under consideration has been experimentally investigated by Meier et al. who obtained velocity and scalar statistics. The fuel jet composition is 33.2% H₂, 22.1% CH₄ and 44.7% N₂ by volume. The jet exit velocity is 63.2 m/s resulting in a Reynolds number of 22,800. Our focus in the first part is to validate the developed numerical code. Comparison with experiments showed good agreement for temperature and species distribution. At the second part, we exchanged methane with propane in the fuel composition whilst maintaining all other operating conditions unchanged. We investigated the effect of hydrogen concentration on C₃H₈–H₂–N₂ mixtures so that propane mole fraction extent is fixed. The hydrogen volume concentration rose from 33.2% up to 73.2%. The achieved consequences revealed that hydrogen addition produces elongated flame with increased levels of radiative heat flux and CO pollutant emission. The latter behavior might be due to quenching of CO oxidation process in the light of excessive cold air downstream of reaction zone.     

Ca(OH)2化学解吸固定TEA富液中的CO2

为探究TEA富液在投加Ca(OH)₂的化学解吸方式下的解吸性能,通过单因素法探究不同因素对TEA、TEA+MDEA和MDEA富液的解吸效果,再通过多次吸收-解吸实验对TEA富液的再生性能进行研究。结果表明：n(Ca)/n(C)、pH值等因素对TEA、TEA+MDEA和MDEA富液解吸效果均具有一定的影响,TEA富液的解吸效果最好,TEA+MDEA次之,MDEA最差;在n(Ca)/n(C)=1∶1、pH值为10、温度为20℃、CO₂负荷为0.4 mol/L、搅拌速率为800 r/min以及搅拌时间为10 min的条件下,TEA的解吸率可达82.85%;在5次吸收-解吸实验中TEA的解吸率均保持在80%左右,说明其在投加Ca(OH)₂的化学解吸方式下具有良好的解吸性能。     

Enhanced hydrogen reversibility of nanoconfined LiBH4–Mg(BH4)2

This study shows the hydrogen desorption kinetics and reversible hydrogen storage properties of 0.55LiBH₄–0.45Mg(BH₄)₂ melt-infiltrated in different nanoporous carbon aerogels with different BET surface areas of 689 or 2660 m²/g and pore volumes of 1.21 or 3.13 mL/g. These investigations clearly show a significantly improved hydrogen storage capacity after four cycles of hydrogen release and uptake for bulk 0.55LiBH₄–0.45Mg(BH₄)₂ and infiltrated in carbon aerogel and the high surface area scaffold, where 22, 36 and 58% of the initial hydrogen content remain after four cycles of hydrogen release and uptake, respectively. Nanoconfinement in high surface area carbon aerogel appears to facilitate hydrogen release illustrated by release of 13.3 wt% H₂ (93%) and only 8.4 wt% H₂ (58%) from bulk hydride in the first cycle using the same physical condition. Notably, nanoconfinement also appear to have a beneficial effect on hydrogen uptake, since 8.3 wt% H₂ (58%) is released from the high surface area scaffold and only 3.1 wt% H₂ (22%) from the bulk sample during the fourth hydrogen release.     

(La0.74Bi0.10Sr0.16)MnO3−δ–(Bi2O3)0.7(Er2O3)0.3 composite cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

(La_0.74Bi_0.10Sr_0.16)MnO_3−δ (LBSM)–(Bi₂O₃)_0.7(Er₂O₃)_0.3(ESB) composite cathodes were fabricated for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells with Sc-stabilized zirconia as the electrolyte. The performance of these cathodes was investigated at temperatures below 750 °C by AC impedance spectroscopy and the results indicated that LBSM–ESB had a better performance than traditional composite electrodes such as LSM–GDC and LSM–YSZ. At 750 °C, the lowest interfacial polarization resistance was only 0.11 Ω cm² for the LBSM–ESB cathode, 0.49 Ω cm² for the LSM–GDC cathode, and 1.31 Ω cm² for the LSM–YSZ cathode. The performance of the cathode was improved gradually by increasing the ESB content, and the performance was optimal when the amounts of LBSM and ESB were equal in composite cathodes. This study shows that the sintering temperature of the cathode affected performance, and the optimum sintering temperature for LBSM–ESB was 900 °C.     

Thermal dehydrogenation behaviors and mechanisms of Mg(BH4)2∙6NH3-xLiH combination systems

A reactive composite of Mg(BH₄)₂⋅6NH₃-xLiH is prepared, and the effects of the LiH content on the dehydrogenation/hydrogenation properties of the material are investigated. The results show that the presence of LiH with x = 3 reduces the onset dehydrogenation temperature of Mg(BH₄)₂⋅6NH₃ from 130 °C to 80 °C in TPD mode. Approximately 14.3 wt% hydrogen is released from the Mg(BH₄)₂⋅6NH₃-6LiH composite with distinctly reduced ammonia evolution while heating to 340 °C. Upon heating, Mg(BH₄)₂⋅6NH₃ first reacts with LiH to form Mg(NH₂)₂, Li₃BN₂H₈ and LiBH₄ with the release of H₂ and the evolution of a minor amount of NH₃. The newly formed Mg(NH₂)₂ then reacts with LiH to produce H₂ and Li₂Mg(NH)₂. Further elevating the operating temperature induces chemical reactions between Li₂Mg(NH)₂, LiBH₄ and Li₃BN₂H₈, causing the release of additional H₂ and production of Li₃BN₂, LiMgBN₂ and LiH. The dehydrogenated sample at 210 °C absorbs 2.2 wt% of hydrogen, exhibiting partial reversibility for hydrogen storage.     

Reversible hydrogen storage behavior of LiBH4–Mg(OH)2 composites

The dehydrogenation/hydrogenation properties of LiBH₄-xMg(OH)₂ were systematically investigated. The results show that the LiBH₄-0.3Mg(OH)₂ composite possesses optimal dehydrogenation properties: approximately 9.6 wt% of hydrogen is released via a stepwise reaction with an onset temperature of 100 °C. In the range of 100–250 °C, a chemical reaction between LiBH₄ and Mg(OH)₂ first occurs to give rise to the generation of LiMgBO₃, MgO and H₂. From 250 to 390 °C, the newly developed LiMgBO₃ reacts with LiBH₄ to form MgO, Li₃BO₃, LiH, B₂O₃ and Li₂B₁₂H₁₂ with hydrogen release. From 390 to 450 °C, the decomposition of LiBH₄ and Li₂B₁₂H₁₂ proceeds to release additional hydrogen and to form LiH and B. A further hydrogenation experiment indicates that the dehydrogenated LiBH₄-0.3Mg(OH)₂ sample can take up 4.7 wt% of hydrogen at 450 °C and 100 bar of hydrogen with good cycling stability, which is superior to the pristine LiBH₄.     

Hydrogen storage properties and mechanisms of the Mg(BH4)2–NaAlH4 system

Hydrogen storage properties and mechanisms of the combined Mg(BH₄)₂–NaAlH₄ system were investigated systematically. It was found that during ball milling, the Mg(BH₄)₂–xNaAlH₄ combination converted readily to the mixture of NaBH₄ and Mg(AlH₄)₂ with a metathesis reaction. The post-milled samples exhibited an apparent discrepancy in the hydrogen desorption behavior with respect to the pristine Mg(BH₄)₂ and NaAlH₄. Approximately 9.1 wt% of hydrogen was released from the Mg(BH₄)₂–2NaAlH₄ composite milled for 24 h with an onset temperature of 101 °C, which is lowered by 105 and 139 °C than that of NaAlH₄ and Mg(BH₄)₂, respectively. At initial heating stage, Mg(AlH₄)₂ decomposed first to produce MgH₂ and Al with hydrogen release. Further elevating operation temperatures gave rise to the reaction between MgH₂ and Al and the self-decomposition of MgH₂ to release more hydrogen and form the Al_0.9Mg_0.1 solid solution and Mg. Finally, NaBH₄ reacted with Mg and partial Al_0.9Mg_0.1 to liberate all of hydrogen and yield the resultant products of MgAlB₄, Al₃Mg₂ and Na. The dehydrogenated sample could take up ∼6.5 wt% of hydrogen at 400 °C and 100 atm of hydrogen pressure through a more complicated reaction process. The hydrogenated products consisted of NaBH₄, MgH₂ and Al, indicating that the presence of Mg(AlH₄)₂ is significantly favorable for reversible hydrogen storage in NaBH₄ at moderate temperature and hydrogen pressure.     

Enhanced hydrogen desorption from the Co-catalyzed LiBH4–Mg(BH4)2 eutectic composite

Co-based catalyst can significantly improve the dehydrogenation kinetics of the eutectic composite of LiBH₄–Mg(BH₄)₂ (1/1 M ratio). The onset hydrogen desorption temperature of the composite is at about 155 °C, which is ca. 245, 110 or 27 °C lower than that of LiBH₄, Mg(BH₄)₂ or pristine LiBH₄–Mg(BH₄)₂, respectively. Upon holding the samples at 270 °C, the Co catalyzed composite can release hydrogen at a rate 1.6 times faster than that of the pristine one. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) characterization evidenced that Co was in a reduced state of Co⁺ which may serve as the functional species in catalyzing the dehydrogenation of the composite.     

Improved dehydrogenation properties of the combined Mg(BH4)2·6NH3–nNH3BH3 system

A combined strategy via mixing Mg(BH₄)₂·6NH₃ with ammonia borane (AB) is employed to improve the dehydrogenation properties of Mg(BH₄)₂·6NH₃. The combined system shows a mutual dehydrogenation improvement in terms of dehydrogenation temperature and hydrogen purity compared to the individual components. A further improved hydrogen liberation from the Mg(BH₄)₂·6NH₃–6AB is achieved with the assistance of ZnCl₂, which plays a crucial role in stabilizing the NH₃ groups and promoting the recombination of NH^δ+?HB^δ−. Specifically, the Mg(BH₄)₂·6NH₃–6AB/ZnCl₂ (with a mole ratio of 1:0.5) composite is shown to release over 7 wt.% high-pure hydrogen (>99 mol%) at 95 °C within 10 min, thereby making the combined system a promising candidate for solid hydrogen storage.     

Releasing 9.6 wt% of H2 from Mg(NH2)2–3LiH–NH3BH3 through mechanochemical reaction

Ball milling the mixture of Mg(NH₂)₂, LiH and NH₃BH₃ in a molar ratio of 1:3:1 results in the direct liberation of 9.6 wt% H₂ (11 equiv. H), which is superior to binary systems such as LiH–AB (6 equiv. H), AB–Mg(NH₂)₂ (No H₂ release) and LiH–Mg(NH₂)₂ (4 equiv. H), respectively. The overall dehydrogenation is a three-step process in which LiH firstly reacts with AB to yield LiNH₂BH₃ and LiNH₂BH₃ further reacts with Mg(NH₂)₂ to form LiMgBN₃H₃. LiMgBN₃H₃ subsequently interacts with additional 2 equivalents of LiH to form Li₃BN₂ and MgNH as well as hydrogen.