Pyrolysis characteristics of Oriental white oak: Kinetic study and fast pyrolysis in a fluidized bed with an improved reaction system

The kinetic parameters for the pyrolysis of Oriental white oak were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The white oak was pyrolyzed in a fluidized bed reactor with a two-staged char separation system under a variety of operating conditions. The influence of the pyrolysis conditions on the chemical and physical characteristics of the bio-oil was also examined. TGA showed that the Oriental white oak decomposed at temperatures ranging from 250 to 400 °C. The apparent activation energy ranged from 160 to 777 kJ mol^− 1. The optimal pyrolysis temperature for the production of bio-oil in the fluidized bed unit was between 400 and 450 °C. A much smaller and larger feed size adversely affected the production of bio-oil. A higher fluidizing gas flow and higher biomass feeding rate were more effective in the production of bio-oil but the above flow rates did not affect the bio-oil yields significantly. Recycling a part of the product gas as a fluidizing medium resulted the highest bio-oil yield of 60 wt.%. In addition, high-quality bio-oil with a low solid content was produced using a hot filter as well as a cyclone. With exception of the pyrolysis temperature, the other pyrolysis conditions did not significantly affect the chemical and physical characteristics of the resulting bio-oil.     

Graphene nanosheets for enhanced lithium storage in lithium ion batteries

Graphene nanosheets were synthesized in large quantities using a chemical approach. Field emission electron microscope observation revealed that loose graphene nanosheets agglomerated and crumpled naturally into shapes resembling flower-petals. High resolution transmission electron microscope analysis, Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurements confirmed the graphitic crystalline structure of the graphene nanosheets. The nanosheets exhibited an enhanced lithium storage capacity as anodes in lithium-ion cells and good cyclic performance.     

Development and characterization of covalently cross-linked SPEEK/Cs-TPA/CeO2 composite membrane and membrane electrode assembly for water electrolysis

Covalently cross-linked SPEEK/Cs-TPA/CeO₂ composite membrane was prepared for the polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis. Tungstophosphoric acid (TPA) with a cesium was added to the SPEEK to increase proton conductivity. CeO₂ was used to scavenge free radicals which attack the membrane in the water electrolysis and to improve the durability of the membrane. The composite membrane featured the electrochemical characteristics, such as 0.130 S/cm of proton conductivity at 80 °C, and 2.324 meq./g-dry-memb. of ion-exchange capacity. Pt(NH₃)₄Cl₂, Pd(NH₃)₄Cl₂, RhCl₃ and Co(NH₆)₄Cl₃ were used to prepare a variety of the membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) as electrocatalytic precursors. Electrochemical activity surface area (ESA) of the Pt–Pd electrode prepared with 2 mM Pt(NH₃)₄Cl₂ and 2 mM Pd(NH₃)₄Cl₂ showed the best properties of 26.2 m²/g with CL-SPEEK/Cs-TPA/CeO₂ membrane. In water electrolysis performance, the cell voltage of Pd/PEM/Pt–Pd MEA with CL-SPEEK/Cs-TPA/CeO₂(1%) composite membrane showed cell property of 1.82 V at 1 A cm⁻² and 80 °C.     

Effect of the micro porous layer design on the dynamic performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

The mass transport characteristics of a gas diffusion layer (GDL) predominantly affect the performance of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. However, studies examining the transient response related to the GDL are insufficient, although the dynamic behavior of a PEM fuel cell is an important issue. In this study, the effects of the design of a micro porous layer (MPL) on the transient response of a PEM fuel cell are investigated. The MPL slurry density and multiple functional layers are treated as the variable design parameter. The results show that the transient response is determined by the capillary pressure gradient through the GDL. The trade-off relation for the PEM fuel cell performance under low and high humidity conditions due to the hydrophobic GDL is mitigated by designing a reverse capillary pressure gradient in the MPL.     

Economic comparison between coal-fired and liquefied natural gas combined cycle power plants considering carbon tax: Korean case

Economic growth is main cause of environmental pollution and has been identified as a big threat to sustainable development. Considering the enormous role of electricity in the national economy, it is essential to study the effect of environmental regulations on the electricity sector. This paper aims at making an economic analysis of Korea's power plant utilities by comparing electricity generation costs from coal-fired power plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) combined cycle power plants with environmental consideration. In this study, the levelized generation cost method (LGCM) is used for comparing economic analysis of power plant utilities. Among the many pollutants discharged during electricity generation, this study principally deals with control costs related only to CO₂ and NO₂, since the control costs of SO₂ and total suspended particulates (TSP) are already included in the construction cost of utilities. The cost of generating electricity in a coal-fired power plant is compared with such cost in a LNG combined cycle power plant. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis with computer simulation is performed according to fuel price, interest rates and carbon tax. In each case, these results can help in deciding which utility is economically justified in the circumstances of environmental regulations.     

Physical and electrochemical properties of spherical Li1+x(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)1−xO2 cathode materials

A (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)CO₃ precursor with an uniform, spherical morphology was prepared by coprecipitation using a continuously stirred tank reactor method. The as-prepared spherical (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)CO₃ precursor served to produce dense, spherical Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) cathode materials. These Li-rich cathodes were also prepared by a second synthesis route that involved the use of an M₃O₄ (M = Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3) spinel compound, itself obtained from the carbonate (Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)CO₃ precursor. In both cases, the final Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ products were highly uniform, having a narrow particle size distribution (10-μm average particle size) as a result of the homogeneity and spherical morphology of the starting mixed-metal carbonate precursor. The rate capability of the Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ electrode materials, which was significantly improved with increased lithium content, was found to be better in the case of the denser materials made from the spinel precursor compound. This result suggests that spherical morphology, high density, and increased lithium content were key factors in enabling the high rate capabilities, and hence the power performances, of the Li-rich Li_1+x(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)_1−xO₂ cathodes.     

Effect of succinic anhydride as an electrolyte additive on electrochemical characteristics of silicon thin-film electrode

The effect of an electrolyte additive, succinic anhydride (SA), on the electrochemical performances of a silicon thin-film electrode, which is prepared by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, is investigated. The introduction of SA into a liquid electrolyte consisting of ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate/1 M LiPF₆ significantly enhances the capacity retention and coulombic efficiency of the electrode. This improvement in the electrochemical performance of the electrode is attributed to modification of the solid/electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer by the introduction of SA. The differences in the characteristic properties of SEI layers, with or without SA, are explained by analysis with scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Optimization of resonance‐type fatigue testing for a full‐scale wind turbine blade

Fatigue testing of a 48.3 m wind turbine blade needs to utilize the blade's oscillation range of 8.4 m along the flapwise direction for one million cycles. Control of such a remarkable oscillation range makes flapwise fatigue testing difficult and requires a large supply of energy. This study minimized the actuating force required for flapwise fatigue testing using an on‐board‐type resonance exciter with constant amplitude. Constraints related to the exciter's stroke and capacity and the maximum error between target loads and test loads were also considered. Based on a new algorithm suggested in this study, first, we found test setup candidates minimizing the maximum error under a given testing frequency and then found more candidates having slightly larger maximum errors as the exciter's location moved toward the blade's tip. Next, using damping ratio equations for the test blade, a required actuating force of the exciter at each test setup candidate was calculated. Considering the exciter's capacity, we found an optimum test setup that requires a minimum actuating force in the vicinity of the minimum of the maximum error between target loads and test loads. To conclude, the approach suggested in this study was able to conclusively achieve the required fatigue testing of the test blade, avoiding the adverse increase of fatigue testing time possible to happen due to a required actuating force larger than the exciter's capacity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Absorption of NOx in packed column (II)

An absorption efficiency of packed column removing nitrogen oxides with water and NaOH solution under atmospheric pressure was studied. The efficiency and the acidity produced by absorption of NO, were measured in a packed column. The model developed that was based on the mass-transfer information for packed column and absorption mechanism accompanying the chemical reaction was compared with experimental results. Predictions using the model presented by the previous paper (part 1) was shown well to agree with from the experimental results (part II). The efficiency of NO_x, absorption is largely dependent on the height of packing material and the partial pressure of NO_x in the feed gas. The efficiency of NO_x absorption decreases with the increase of the acidity produced by recycling of water as a scrubber liquid. For the recycle mode with an aqueous NaOH solution as a scrubber liquid, NO_x absorption efficiency is shown to be constant until all of the C_OH- in the scrubber liquid are converted into C_H+.     

Water-soluble copolymers. XI. Selectivity in the graft copolymerization of acrylamide/N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxybutyl)acrylamide comonomers onto dextran by Ce(IV)-induced initiation

Characteristic behavior in the graft copolymerization of acrylamide/N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxybutyl)acrylamide (AM/DAAM) comonomers onto dextran by Ce(IV)-induced initiation was investigated. From a preliminary study, it was found that ceric ammonium nitrate polymerized AM/DAAM comonomer mixtures and diacetone acrylamide, but not acrylamide alone in the aqueous solution. The effect of grafting conditions on the graft copolymerization product was studied with the aid of aqueous size exclusion chromatography and the anthrone reagent. The selectivity of formation of the graft copolymer over random copolymer was found to increase as the reaction temperature and AM/DAAM ratio increased and as both the Ce(IV)/Dextran molar ratio and HNO₃ concentration decreased. After establishing optimum grafting conditions, graft copolymer samples were prepared, and their aqueous solution behavior studied as functions of structure, temperature, and added salts.