Quantitative risk assessment using a Japanese hydrogen refueling station model

Although hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) are becoming widespread across Japan and are essential for the operation of fuel cell vehicles, they present potential hazards. A large number of accidents such as explosions or fires have been reported, rendering it necessary to conduct a number of qualitative and quantitative risk assessments for HRSs. Current safety codes and technical standards related to Japanese HRSs have been established based on the results of a qualitative risk assessment and quantitative effectiveness validation of safety measures over ten years ago. In the last decade, there has been much development in the technologies of the components or facilities used in domestic HRSs and much operational experience as well as knowledge to use hydrogen in HRSs safely have been gained through years of commercial operation. The purpose of the present study is to conduct a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of the latest HRS model representing Japanese HRSs with the most current information and to identify the most significant scenarios that pose the greatest risks to the physical surroundings in the HRS model. The results of the QRA show that the risk contours of 10^?3 and 10^?4 per year were confined within the HRS boundaries, whereas the risk contours of 10^?5 and 10^?6 per year are still present outside the HRS. Comparing the breakdown of the individual risks (IRs) at the risk ranking points, we conclude that the risk of jet fire demonstrates the highest contribution to the risks at all of the risk ranking points and outside the station. To reduce these risks and confine the risk contour of 10^?6 per year within the HRS boundaries, it is necessary to consider risk mitigation measures for jet fires.     

The method of double averaging: an approach for modeling power-factor-correction switching converters

This paper describes the modeling of power-factor-correction converters under average-current-mode control, which are widely used in switch-mode power supply applications. The objective is to identify stability boundaries in terms of major circuit parameters for facilitating design of such converters. The approach employs a double averaging procedure, which first applies the usual averaging over the switching period and subsequently applies generalized averaging over the mains period. The resulting model, after two averaging steps and application of a harmonic balance procedure, is nonlinear and capable of describing the low-frequency nonlinear dynamics of the system. The parameter ranges within which stable operation is guaranteed can be accurately and easily found using this model. Experimental measurements are provided for verification of the analytical results.     

Synthesis and photosensitivity of acryloylmorpholine copolymers with a pendant (meth)acryloyl group

We have developed new photopolymers that have superior waterproof properties and that can easily interact with polyfunctional acrylate compounds, thus serving as hydrophobic photocrosslinking reagents. Acryloylmorpholine monomers whose homopolymers were less moisture absorbing than the usual water‐soluble polymers but were still water soluble to a good degree, were copolymerized with other acryloyl monomers. We then introduced the photosensitive (meth)acryloyl group to side chains of the resulting polymers. Among six copolymers examined, the copolymers composed of acryloyl morpholine, hydroxyethyl acrylate, ethyl, or methyl methacrylate, and methacryloyl isocyanate were found to have nicely balanced hydrophilicity and waterproof properties, in addition to good compatibility with hydrophobic photocrosslinking reagents. The composite polymers thus obtained were confirmed to be promising photopolymers usable even in a highly humid environment. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 684–692, 2003     

A unified analysis of resonant converters

The general method of analysis for resonant power converters is presented. This analytical method generalizes the idea of state-space-averaging technique to overcome the limitations of the conventional state-space-averaging method. As the result, the characteristics of resonant power converters are clarified so that transfer functions and stability conditions are revealed. In addition, a computer program of analysis based on the proposed method is developed. The program can be applied to various resonant power converters, even when they have parasitic losses and higher-order resonant circuits     

Characteristics of a-Si solar cells prepared by the super chamber at a high substrate temperature

A new approach to high-performance a-Si solar cells was studied. a-Si films prepared at a high substrate temperature (> 250°C) have a higher absorption coefficient and a low Si H₂ bond density. the effect of deposition temperature on the open-circuit voltage (V_oc) has been investigated systematically for glass/SnO2 Ipin/metal and glass/metal/nip/indium tin oxide (ITO) structure a-Si solar cells. The V_oc is found to depend strongly on the thermal history of the p/i interface. A short-circuit current of 19.5 mA/cm⁻⁻² was achieved for an a-Si solar cell using an a-Si i-layer with a thickness of 4000 Å, which was prepared at a substrate temperature of 270°C.     

Study of crater formation and sputtering process with large gas cluster impact by molecular dynamics simulations

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of large argon clusters impacting on silicon solid targets were performed in order to study the transient process of crater formation and sputtering. The MD simulations demonstrate that the initial momentum of incident cluster is transferred to target surface atoms through multiple collision mechanism, where the initial momentum, which is along to the surface normal before impact, is deflected to lateral direction. This momentum transfer process was analyzed by the calculation of the velocity at the crater edge (the interface between cluster and target). In the case of Ar₁₀₀₀ cluster impact on Si(1 0 0) target at low energy per atom less than 40 eV/atom, the maximum value of lateral velocity of the crater edge increases in proportional to the velocity of incident cluster atoms. On the other hand, the crater edge velocity saturates over 40 eV/atom of incident energy per atom. In this case, the whole of constituent cluster atoms are implanted into the target and expand in both lateral and reflective directions at the subsurface region of the target. These MD simulations demonstrated that this collisional process result in the high yield sputtering of the target atoms.     

Direct Observation of Pure Cu and Cu-Ag Anode Passivation in H2SO4-CuSO4 Aqueous Solution by Channel Flow Double Electrode and Optical Microscopy

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - The dissolution and passivation of pure Cu and Cu-5 wt pct Ag anodes in H2SO4-CuSO4 electrolyte were investigated by a direct...     

Corrosion characteristics of reduced activation ferritic steel, JLF-1 (8.92Cr–2W) in molten salts Flibe and Flinak

Static corrosion tests were performed in molten salts, LiF–BeF₂ (Flibe) and LiF–NaF–KF (Flinak), at 500 °C and 600 °C for 1000 h. The purpose is to investigate the corrosion characteristics of reduced activation ferritic steels, JLF-1 (8.92Cr–2W) in the fluids. The concentration of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the fluids was measured by slurry pH titration method before and after the exposure. The HF concentration determined the fluoridation potential. The corrosion was mainly caused by dissolution of Fe and Cr into the fluids due to fluoridation and/or electrochemical corrosion. Carbon on the surface might be dissolved into the fluids due to the corrosion, and this resulted to the decrease of carbide on the surface. The corrosion depth of the JLF-1 specimen, which was obtained from the weight losses, was 0.637 μm in Flibe at 600 °C and 6.73 μm in Flinak at 600 °C.