Cold pre-compression of membrane electrode assembly for PEM fuel cells

Direct compression from the land structure of bipolar plate in a PEM fuel cell is considered as an important factor for the higher performance under the land than under the channel areas. Therefore the objective of this study is to determine if a cold pre-compression treatment on the whole membrane electrode assembly (MEA) area may have a significant positive effect on the overall performance of the cell. Five different levels of cold pre-compression have been applied and the experimental results show that the overall performance of the cell first increases with the level of compression to a maximum, and then decreases. These results clearly show that cold pre-compression of the MEA can significantly enhance the performance of the entire cell and there exists an optimal level of compression. Results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) show that the cold pre-compression results in a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance, especially in the high current density region. Further study by the cyclic voltammetry (CV) shows that the electro-chemical area (ECA) is changed with the different cold pre-compressed MEAs and there exists an optimal compression that results in the maximum ECA.     

Experimental based full process simulation of alumina selective laser processed parts densified by cold isostatic pressing and solid state sintering

The compound process of cold isostatic pressing (CIP) of alumina selective laser processed (SLP) parts and solid state sintering (SSS) and its full process simulation were realized in this paper, focusing on studying the overall deformation, relative density distribution, grain growth and sintering stress variation during the process. Especially, correlation was established between the macroscopic deformation and microscopic evolution. Model parameters for alumina are presented, which were optimized in accordance with the experimental results. CIPed part still exhibited density inhomogeneity, of which SSS tended to increase the overall density and homogenize density distribution. The sintering behavior was studied with the employment of dilatometer experiments. Furthermore, compared with conventional heating strategy, fast firing turned out to decrease sintering production time as well as drive the matter diffusion and densification process. The master sintering curve (MSC) moves upward a little under the condition of fast firing.     

Optimisation of method for reducing residual stresses after cold bar drawing

Abstract

A new method to reduce the residual stresses after cold bar drawing has been proposed and optimised. This new method addresses the disadvantages of previous methods proposed by the authors, and needs neither the use of an extra finishing die nor an intricate die geometry. The application of axial tension to the bar or wire after drawing is all that is required, and by adjusting the magnitude of the tension it is possible to control the residual stresses in the final product. Axisymmetric elastic-plastic finite element analysis was carried out to examine quantitatively the influence of tension, followed by laboratory experiments using a thick, not thin, bar for convenience of measurement of residual stresses. The optimum value of tension was then determined. The applicability of the proposed method is discussed in the present paper. The new method is especially effective when applied to high speed cold drawing of an extremely thin wire, because the tension applied to the wire after finishing can be readily controlled simply by adjusting the peripheral speed of the rollers/pulleys.     

Residual stress influence on material properties and column behaviour of stainless steel SHS

The paper describes the influence of forming-induced residual stresses in stainless steel SHS (Square Hollow Sections) on both the material itself and the behaviour of compressed members. The residual stress contribution to the stress–strain diagram concerning the initial modulus of elasticity and non-linearity is shown by the comparison of as-delivered and stress-relieved material. An analytical model covering the influence of residual stresses on material behaviour was developed and verified numerically. The FE study using the Abaqus software determines the influence of residual stresses in compressed members both on local and global buckling. Finally, the study on behaviour of member includes the influence of a varying degree of material non-linearity as an independent parameter representing the behaviour of various steels in long and stub columns with residual stresses.     

Estimation of the mass of powder trapped at collision during ball milling from the kinetics of the mechanically activated decomposition of Ag oxalate

The present work aims at providing a direct experimental estimate of the amount of powder trapped at each collision during the mechanical processing by ball milling. Attention has been focused on the mechanochemical reactivity of anhydrous Ag oxalate powders, prepared by mixing Ag nitrate and Na oxalate aqueous solutions, and then filtering and drying the white precipitate formed. Suitable amounts of such powders were mechanically processed with a single milling ball. The mechanical processing induced the gradual decomposition of Ag oxalate into Ag and carbon dioxide. The process was followed by gravimetric analyses, and its kinetics related to individual collisions. It is shown that the decomposition process follows a simple exponential kinetics, which allows the identification and evaluation of an apparent rate constant. This can be regarded as a measure of the amount of powder trapped at each collision, which is roughly equal to 0.41 mg.     

浅析改善电控组合泵柴油机冷起动冒烟的途径

主要是以电控组合泵柴油发动机为例,介绍了影响电控组合泵柴油机的冷起动冒烟的主要因素及改善方法。     

Electrical resistivity distribution of silicon ingot grown by cold crucible continuous melting and directional solidification

A multicrystalline silicon ingot was grown by cold crucible continuous melting and directional solidification. The electrical resistivity, shallow level impurities׳ concentrations and microstructure of the ingot were measured, and their relationships were studied and discussed. The results show that in the vertical direction the electrical resistivity gets its maximum value at the height of 90 mm and then decreases toward both sides. In the horizontal direction, it is distributed uniformly in the inner area and increases slightly in the peripheral area. The electrical resistivity of the silicon ingot is affected by its shallow level impurities׳ concentrations and its microstructure. Among these impurities the effect of Al is less than those of B and P, since Al tends to form complex precipitates with other elements.     

Improvement of Palm Oil Biodiesel Filterability by Adsorption Methods

Palm oil biodiesel (POB) is characterized by a very high cold soak filtration time (CSFT), which places the acceptability of this biofuel at risk. Therefore, the effect of four adsorbents, namely diatomaceous earth, natural silicate (NS), neutral bleaching earth (NBE), and acid activated bleaching earth (AABE), at two levels of addition (1 and 5 wt%) or two temperatures (25 and 110 °C) on the precipitate content and CSFT of POB was investigated. The impact on total glycerin content, moisture content, and oxidative stability was also examined. All treatments significantly decreased the precipitate content, total glycerin content, and moisture content, but only treatments with NS, NBE, and AABE at 5 wt% and 25 °C achieved acceptable filterability. The OSI value was also decreased; however, it remained above the ASTM limit. Operational conditions of treatment with AABE were further optimized in a two‐factor, five‐level center composite design. The combination of 0.65 wt% AABE and 10 min at 25 °C decreased CSFT to below the ASTM limit. Lower adsorbent concentrations could be effective down to 0.44 wt%, given a corresponding increase in the contact time up to 30 min.     

Cold chain database development and application as a tool for the cold chain management and food quality evaluation

Cold chain management can optimize freshness and safety to the consumer end. Within FRISBEE European project (http://frisbee-project.eu) a web-based platform was developed for temperature conditions data collection throughout the chilled and frozen food supply chain. Data including all cold chain stages (industry, distributors, retailers and consumers), were collected. This extensive database comprising more than 14,000 time-Temperature (t–T) profiles can serve as a valuable Cold Chain Management tool. The user can define a sequence of cold chain stages for selected food products. The Cold Chain Predictor (CCP) software based on the Cold Chain Database (CCD) allows calculation of product shelf-life status at different cold chain stages based on existing or user defined kinetic data. Conducted field tests expanded the Cold Chain Database and validated the software. The developed tools offer the potential to run simulation scenarios based on real cold chain data and contribute to effective cold chain improvement and management.     

Large sized cubic BN reinforced nanocomposite with improved abrasive wear resistance deposited by cold spray

In this work, large sized cubic BN (cBN) reinforced nanocomposites are prepared by cold spray deposition of blended powder mixtures of mechanically alloyed 40 vol.% cBN–NiCrAl nanocomposite particles and large sized cBN particles. Deposition behavior of the blended powders, microstructure and mechanical properties including hardness, fracture toughness and two-body dry abrasive wear behavior of the sprayed composites, are investigated. Results show that dense composites with large cBN particle content of 13–20 vol.%, depending on composition of the spray powders, can be obtained. Declining deposition efficiency is detected as increasing large cBN content due to the gradually enhanced sand blasting effect. Increasing content of large cBN in spray powder results in an increment in hardness and a decrement in fracture toughness. Abrasive wear resistance of the 40 vol.% cBN–NiCrAl nanocomposite is doubled by incorporating 20 vol.% of the large cBN particles. Worn surface morphology observation indicates that the improvement is due to the shielding effect of the large protruding cBN particles against SiC abrasive. Material removal mechanism of the sprayed composites during abrasive wear test is also studied.