Rapid hydrogen charging on metal hydride negative electrode of Fuel Cell/Battery (FCB) systems

The characteristics of rapid gaseous H₂ charging/electrochemical discharging of the metal hydride negative electrode were investigated for the application in Fuel Cell/Battery (FCB) systems. They were evaluated with the H₂ gas absorption, followed by the subsequent electrochemical discharging in the electrolyte solution (6M KOH). Then, the cyclability of charge–discharge was also examined. It was observed that more than 70% of the theoretical capacity was charged within 10 min with 0.3 MPa and 0.5 MPa of the initial H₂ pressures. The electrochemical discharge curve showed that more than 86% of the absorbed H₂ was discharged. Furthermore, the cycled charge–discharge process indicated that the H₂ gas charge and electrochemical discharge process is an effective way to rapidly charge and activate the metal hydride without degeneration.     

Availability of MCNP & MATLAB for reconstructing the water-vapor two-phase flow pattern in neutron radiography

The China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR) is scheduled to be operated in the autumn of 2008. In this paper, we report preparations for installing the neutron radiography instrument (NRI) and for utilizing it efficiently. The 2-D relative neutron intensity profiles for the water-vapor two-phase flow inside the tube were obtained using the MCNP code without influence of γ-ray and electronic-noise. The MCNP simulation of the 2-D neutron intensity profile for the water-vapor two-phase flow was demonstrated. The simulated 2-D neutron intensity profiles could be used as the benchmark data base by calibrating part of the data measured by the CARR-NRI. The 3-D objective images allow us to understand the flow pattern more clearly and it is reconstructed using the MATLAB through the threshold transformation techniques. And thus it is concluded that the MCNP code and the MATLAB are very useful for constructing the benchmark data base for the investigation of the water-vapor two-phase flow using the CARR-NRI.     

Developmental changes in the kinetics of glucose and urea in Holstein calves

Because weaning is the point when the nutrient composition of feed changes for the neonatal ruminant, the present experiment was conducted to assess the developmental changes in the kinetics of glucose and urea over this period, using stable isotopes of glucose and urea, at 4, 13, and 24 wk in calves. Plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, amino-N, urea-N, and insulin-like growth factor-I increased, but that of growth hormone decreased with age. The plasma glucose concentration increased at 13 wk of age and thereafter decreased at 24 wk of age. The glucose irreversible loss and recycling rates were significantly higher at 4 wk of age than at 13 and 24 wk of age. On the other hand, the irreversible loss and recycling rates of urea, as well as the urea pool size, were higher at 24 wk of age than at 4 and 13 wk. It is concluded that weaning at 6 wk is the pivotal time for the alteration of glucose kinetics. However, the aging process, but not weaning, is important for changes in the kinetics of urea in calves.     

Development of large diameter ECR plasma source

To develop ECR plasma source for industrial applications, we produced a large diameter ECR plasma and examined radial profiles of the ion saturation current as a function of pressure and power. It was found that ECR plasma uniform over 300 mm is produced for pressures higher than 1 mTorr and the electron temperature decreases with increasing pressures.     

Immobilization of lysozyme on the layered silicate RUB-15

Adsorption of lysozyme over layered silicate, denoted as RUB-15, and the modified compound RUB-15-nano have been studied. The amount of enzyme adsorbed onto RUB-15 or RUB-15-nano was smaller than that recently reported as being adsorbed onto mesoporous silicas such as MCM-41 or SBA-15. However, lysozyme adsorbed onto RUB-15-nano exhibits enzymatic activity. Lysozyme was found to be immobilized on RUB-15-nano, which was modified from the layered silicate RUB-15. RUB-15-nano may therefore be useful as an inorganic substrate to immobilize enzymes.     

Purification and characterization of an alkaline manganese peroxidase from Aspergillus terreus LD-1

We report that Aspergillus terreus LD-1 produces an extracellular ligninolytic enzyme, manganese peroxidase (MnP), that reacts under alkaline conditions. This MnP was purified 13.1-fold from the culture supernatant to elicit a single band upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weight of this MnP was estimated as either 43 kDa by SDS-PAGE or 44 kDa by gel permeation chromatography, suggesting a monomeric structure. The optimum pH and temperature of this MnP are 12.5 and 37 degrees C, respectively. This MnP is stable in the pH range 11.0 to 12.5 and also up to 40 degrees C. The K(m) values of this MnP for hydrogen peroxide, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP) and Mn2+ were 320 microM, 20 microM and 33 microM at pH 12.5, respectively. The activity of the MnP is completely inhibited by Hg2+, Pb2+, Ag+ and lactate. On the other hand, the MnP is activated by oxalate, maleate and fumarate. Maleate at 5 mM increased the MnP activity 5-fold. EDTA at 1 mM inhibited the MnP activity completely, but this inhibition was not observed in the presence of 1 mM Fe2+.     

Development of a diagnosis technique for failures of V-belts by a cross-spectrum method and a discriminant function approach

This paper describes the development of a failure diagnosis technique for V-belts through vibration monitoring. The V-belt vibration is monitored at a driven bearing body attached to a power transmission device. Seven basic causes of belt failure and their combinations are considered. Power spectra of the vibration data are calculated through noise reduction by a cross-spectrum method. Six parameters characterizing the vibration data are extracted, and 16 typical combinations of the basic causes and a normal belt state are diagnosed successfully by a Bayes' discriminant function approach. Two types of incorrect diagnosis are examined: Type I leaves a failed belt not repaired, and type II causes over-maintenance. A risk ratio for the Bayes' discriminant function is determined to minimize the two types of incorrect diagnosis. Moreover, the risk ratio is determined to minimize type I error.     

Postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula--surgical experience of a complicated case by renal dysfunction and congestive heart failure

Postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula is a rare complication. Twenty nine years after the left nephrectomy due to renal tuberculosis, a 71-year-old male who had suffered from heart and renal failure was diagnosed as postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula. Ligation of left renal artery and division of left renal vein were performed. Although CVP improved from 30 to 14 cmH2O after operation, cardiac function did not show remarkable improvement, and we were necessitated to introduce hemodialysis from the third week after operation. It is important to bear in mind this complication in order to make early diagnosis and treatment.     

Digital input filters for measurement,control and protection of electric power systems

Power system control and protection equipment has required higher sensitivity and operational reliability than conventional one. Studies of digital signal processing suitable for electric power systems fulfill this objective using fast sampling and digital filtering by a 32-bit floating point DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The sampling rate of 3 kHz is carefully selected in order to separate the power spectrums of the A-D conversion output errors from the signal bandwidth. The new 12-bit A-D conversion unit equipped with a recursive-type digital filter achieved the equivalent high resolution of 14-bit conversion. This paper describes the design concept and the characteristics showing applications to current differential relays, distance relays and power system controllers.     

A new large scale DAS in CEPCO

The Chubu Electric Power Company (CEPCO) has developed the distribution automation system (DAS) by using minicomputers which monitor and control large and complex distribution networks with maximum reliability and promptness. A significant curtailment of the restoration operation time due to the occurrence of faults is expected by the introduction of the DAS. The authors introduce the DAS that was installed at CEPCO's Kita Utility Office in December 1989 and report on its operation performance. The objectives of the DAS are to enhance the reliability of the power supply, to improve the service quality for customers, and to improve the efficiency in facility utilization. The DAS connects the utility office online with the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system at the control center and the total distribution management system at the head office, and it has unique functions that will contribute to integrated distribution automation