Setup and experimental validation of a 5 kW HT-PEFC stack

This paper presents a performance analysis of a 5 kW_el high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (HT-PEFC) stack. Stack design and sizing is adapted to auxiliary power unit (APU) applications assuming the use of middle distillates. The parameter study comprises the variation of the fuel type (reformate, with pure hydrogen as a reference), the stoichiometry on the anode (1.3–2.7) and cathode (1.25–4.0) sides and the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration (0.9–3.5%) in the reformate. At 0.5 A cm^?2, a coolant inlet temperature of 160 °C, stoichiometric factors of 1.3 on the anode and 2 on the cathode side and reformate operation, two interconnected full stacks produced 5 kW of electric power. The focus of the present work is an examination of the robustness of the full stacks through an analysis of the 70 single cell voltages. By comparison to other published operational parameter studies, this paper makes a significant contribution to the application of the methodology not to single cells or short stacks, but to a stack with technical relevance in the high power class.     

Model projections for household energy use in developing countries

The residential sector plays an important role in the energy system of developing countries. In this paper we introduce a bottom up simulation model for household energy use. The model describes energy demand for several end-use functions based on a set of physical drivers, such as floor space and heating degree days. The model also recognizes different population groups: i.e. urban and rural households, each distinguishing five income quintiles. The model is applied to analyze possible future developments of residential energy use in five developing world regions: India, China, South East Asia, South Africa and Brazil. We find that in each of these regions cooking is currently the main end-use function, but that other functions, such as space heating, cooling and appliances become more important. At the same time, energy consumption slowly shifts towards modern fuels. The model also shows that climate policy can reduce residential energy emissions, but could also slow down the energy transition away from traditional fuels in low income classes.     

Fate of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals in landfills

One component of preparedness for a chemical attack is planning for the disposal of contaminated debris. To assess the feasibility of contaminated debris disposal in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, the fate of selected chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in MSW landfills was predicted with a mathematical model. Five blister agents [sulfur mustard (HD), nitrogen mustard (HN-2), lewisite (L), ethyldichloroarsine (ED), and phosgene oxime (CX)], eight nerve agents [tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), GE, GF, VX, VG, and VM], one riot-control agent [CS], and two TICs [furan and carbon disulfide] were studied. The effects of both infiltration (climate) and contaminant biodegradability on fate predictions were assessed. Model results showed that hydrolysis and gas-phase advection were the principal fate pathways for CWAs and TICs, respectively. Apart from CX and the TICs, none of the investigated compounds was predicted to persist in a landfill for more than 5 years. Climate had little impact on CWA/TIC fate, and biodegradability was only important for compounds with long hydrolysis half-lives. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to assess the influence of uncertainty in model input parameters on CWA/TIC fate predictions. Correlation analyses showed that uncertainty in hydrolysis rate constants was the primary contributor to variance of CWA fate predictions, while uncertainty in the Henry's Law constant and landfill gas-production rate accounted for most of the variance of TIC fate predictions. CWA hydrolysates were more persistent than the parent CWAs, but limited information is available on abiotic or biotic transformation rates for these chemicals.     

Water-gas shift reactor for fuel cell systems: Stable operation for 5000 hours

The water-gas shift reactor in the fuel processing unit of a fuel cell system has the vital function of reducing the concentration of CO in the reforming reactor's product gas to values of between 1.0 and 1.5 vol% in order to protect the anodic catalyst from becoming irreversibly poisoned. This paper presents Jülich's recent development in this field, specifically the WGS 6 in the 5 kW_e class. The WGS 6 is characterized by a fundamentally new concept for arranging high temperature and low temperature shift stages. Both stages are now coaxially integrated in one joint casing to provide higher values for the power density and specific power, whereas in earlier reactor generations, these stages are arranged in two separate, parallel housings. In addition, this contribution presents results from a long-term experiment for 5000 h on stream with WGS 6 and discusses the temporal trends of the product gas composition and reactor temperatures across this timespan. For this experiment, the inlet gas stream is produced by an autothermal reformer, which is installed upstream of the WGS 6.     

Untersuchungen zur Herabsetzung der Brennbarkeit von Vollholz durch Imprägnierung mit Siliziumdioxid-Solen

The aim of this project was the improvement of the fire-resisting properties of solid wood by impregnation with SiO₂-sols. With achieving positive results these should be transferred and applicated to wood-based and building products to open new applications for these modified and therefore improved products.     

Analyse des Erdbeeraromas - Quantifizierung der flüchtigen Komponenten in Kulturerdbeervarietäten und der Walderdbeere

The volatile components of thirteen strawberry varieties and of a wild strawberry were evaluated in the freon-extract of fresh and frozen fruits. With the aid of GC/MS about 120 volatile substances could be identified. The determination of the substantial sensory qualities resulted from AEDA with sniffing technique. In this way 17 key compounds could be attached. The analysis of the key compounds point out significient variety differences.     

Photocatalytic reactors for treating water pollution with solar illumination. III: a simplified analysis for recirculating reactors

A solar photoreactor operated in the batch, recirculating mode is analyzed in terms of very simple observable variables such as the impinging photon flux, the incident area, the initial concentration, the flow rate, the reactor volume and a property defined as the Observed Photonic Efficiency. The proposed equipment is made of a tubular reactor, a tank, a pump and the connecting pipes. The analysis is formulated in terms of the photon input corresponding to an equivalent batch system that is derived as a new reaction coordinate for photoreactions. Employing several plausible approximations, the pollutant concentration evolution in the tank is cast in terms of very simple analytical solutions.Process photonic efficiencies are defined for the system operation and calculated with respect to the maximum achievable yield corresponding to the differential operation of the solar recirculating reactor.     

Photokatalytische Systeme. XXI. Zum Mechanismus der Photoreduktion von Kaliumchromat in Alkoholen

Photocatalytic Systems. XXI. On the Mechanism of the Photoreduction of Potassium Chromate in Alcohols The photolysis of crown ether complexes of potassium chromate in several alcohols has been investigated by e.s.r.-spectroscopy. Two different relatively long-lived Cr(V) intermediates formed by different reaction pathways have been observed. Radicalic oxidation products of the alcohols (alkoxy and hydroxyalkyl radicals as well as fragmentation products) and of the crown ether have been detected by spin trapping.