The maximum theoretical energy efficiency of fuel cells is much larger than those of the steam-power-turbine cycles that are currently used for generating electrical power. Similarly, direct hydrocarbon fuel cells, DHFCs, can theoretically be much more efficient than hydrogen fuel cells. Unfortunately the current densities (overall reaction rates) of DHFCs are substantially smaller than those of hydrogen fuel cells. The problem is that the exchange current density (catalytic reaction rate) is orders of magnitude smaller for DHFCs. Other work at the University of Ottawa has been directed toward the development of polymer electrolytes for DHFCs that operate above the boiling point of water, making corrosion rates much slower so that precious metal catalysts are not required. Propane (liquefied petroleum gas, LPG) was the hydrocarbon chosen for this research partly because infrastructure for its transportation and storage in rural areas already exists. In this work nickel based catalysts, an inexpensive replacement for the platinum based catalysts used in conventional fuel cells, were examined using density functional theory, DFT. The heats of propane adsorption for 3d metals, when plotted as a function of the number of 3d electrons in the metal atom, had the shape of a volcano plot, with the value for nickel being the peak value of the volcano plot. Also the C-H bond of the central carbon atom was longer for propane adsorbed on nickel than when adsorbed on any of the other metals, suggesting that the species adsorbed on nickel was less likely to desorb than those on other metals. The selectivity of the propyl radical reaction was examined. It was found that propyl radicals

abstract: Eighty-two percent of the United States population reside in urban areas. The centralized treatment of the municipal wastewater produced by this population is a huge energy expenditure, up to three percent of the entire energy budget of the country. A portion of this energy is able to be recovered through the process of anaerobic sludge digestion. Typically, this technology converts the solids separated and generated during the wastewater treatment process into methane, a combustible gas that may be burned to generate electricity. Designing and optimizing anaerobic digestion systems requires the measurement of degradation rates for waste-specific kinetic parameters. In this work, I discuss the ways these kinetic parameters are typically measured. I recommend and demonstrate improvements to these commonly used measuring techniques. I provide experimental results of batch kinetic experiments exploring the effect of sludge pretreatment, a process designed to facilitate rapid breakdown of recalcitrant solids, on energy recovery rates. I explore the use of microbial electrochemical cells, an alternative energy recovery technology able to produce electricity directly from sludge digestion, as precise reporters of degradation kinetics. Finally, I examine a fundamental kinetic limitation of microbial electrochemical cells, acidification of the anode respiring biofilm, to improve their performance as kinetic sensors or energy recovery technologies. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2020

The primary objectives of this research are: (1) use a hierarchical structure to study electrode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and (2) understand the fundamentals and utility of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with the addition of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) for battery applications. Understanding the fundamental principles of electrode and electrolyte materials allows for the development of high-performance LIBs. The contributions of this dissertation are described below. Encapsulated Si-VACNT Electrodes. Two hurdles prevent Si-based electrodes from mass production. First, bulk Si undergoes volume expansion up to 300%. Second, a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) forms between the interface of the electrolyte and electrode, which consumes battery capacity and creates more resistance at the interface. Si volume changes were overcome by depositing silicon on vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs). Encapsulating the entire Si-VACNT electrode surface with carbon was used to mitigate SEI formation. Although SEI formation was reduced by the encapsulation layer, capacity fade was still observed for encapsulated electrodes, indicating that SEI formation was not the primary factor affecting capacity fade. Additionally, the impact of the encapsulation layer on Li transport was examined. Two different transport directions and length scales were relevant””(1) radial transport of Li in/out of each Si-coated nanotube (~40 nm diameter) and (2) Li transport along the length of the nanotubes (~10 µm height). Experimental results indicated that the height of the Si-VACNT electrodes did not limit Li transport, even though that height was orders of magnitude greater than the diameter of the tubes. Simulation and experimental data indicated that time constant for Li diffusion into silicon was slow, even though the diffusion distance was short relative to the tube height. Other factors such as diffusion-induced stress likely had a significant impact on diffusion through the thin silicon layer. Solid Polymer Electrolytes. A thorough understanding of the relationships between physical, transport, and electrochemical properties was studied. HNT addition to polyethylene oxide (PEO) electrolytes not only improved the physical properties, such as reduction of the crystallinity of PEO, but also enhanced transport properties like the salt diffusivity. The processing steps were important for achieving enhanced properties. Moreover, HNTs were found to stabilize the interfacial properties of the SPE films during cycling. Specifically, HNT-containing SPE films were successfully cycled at room temperature, which may have important implications for SPE-based batteries.

The shortage of energy sources and the global climate change crisis have become critical issues. Solving these problems with clean and sustainable energy sources (solar, wind, tidal, and so on) is a promising solution. In this regard, energy storage techniques need to be implemented to tackle with the intermittent nature of the sustainable energies. Among the next-generation energy storage systems, lithium sulfur batteries has gained prominence due to the low cost, high theoretical specific-capacity of sulfur. Extensive research has been conducted on this battery system. Nevertheless, several issues including the “shuttle effect” and the growth of lithium dendrites still exist, which could cause rapid capacity loss and safety hazards. Several methods are proposed to tackle the challenges in this dissertation, including cathode engineering, interlayer design, and lithium metal anode protection. An asymmetric cathode structure is first developed by a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The asymmetric cathode comprises a nanoporous matrix and ultrathin and dense top layer. The top-layer is a desired barrier to block polysulfides transport, while the sublayer threaded with cationic networks facilitate Li-ions transport and sulfur conversions. In addition, a conformal and ultrathin microporous membrane is electrodeposited on the whole surface of the cathode by an electropolymerization method. This strategy creates a close system, which greatly blocks the LiPS leakage and improves the sulfur utilization. A polycarbazole-type interlayer is deposited on the polypropylene (PP) separator via an electropolymerization method. This interlayer is ultrathin, continuous, and microporous, which defines the critical properties of an ideal interlayer that is required for advanced Li–S batteries. Meanwhile, a self-assembled 2D MXene based interlayer was prepared to offer abundant porosity, dual absorption sites, and desirable electrical conductivity for Li-ions transport and polysulfides conversions. A new 2D COF-on-MXene heterostructures is prepared as the lithium anode host. The 2D heterostructures has hierarchical porosity, conductive frameworks, and lithiophilic sites. When utilized as a lithium host, the MXene@COF host can efficiently regulate the Li+ diffusion, and reduce the nucleation and deposition overpotential, which results in a dendrite-free and safer Li–S battery.

This thesis deals with the concept of propulsion for ultralight plane with using fuel cells technology. Here are described the individual kinds of fuel cells and possible fuel. Furthermore it is listed the calculation of low-temperature fuel cell H2 - O2 with polymeric membrane (PEM). The thesis includes also a part with the design drawings of the proposed solutions.

No description available.

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) is one of the important parameters in wastewater treatment technology,  it normally takes five days to get the result. Using MFC (Microbial Fuel Cell) to build up a small on-line system to measure BOD will reduce to operating time to 20 minutes. In this report, the MFC BOD on-line measurement was processed in order to test if this rapid way would work in practical usage. The experiment used secondary sedimentation sludge as the bacteria source on the MFC anode pattern with GGA (Glucose and Glutamic Acid solution) as an electron producer, and the 30 minutes voltage value changing curves was gotten by measuring the voltage. At the end the curve was analyzed and compared with the real BOD value in order to get the conclusion. The BOD on-line measurement is quite promising and efficient when multi-samples are needed to be tested.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(人間・環境学) / 甲第23288号 / 人博第1003号 / 新制||人||236(附属図書館) / 2020||人博||1003(吉田南総合図書館) / 京都大学大学院人間・環境学研究科相関環境学専攻 / (主査)教授 内本 喜晴, 教授 高木 紀明, 教授 中村 敏浩 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Human and Environmental Studies / Kyoto University / DFAM

Aqueous zinc ion storage system has been deemed as one of the most promising alternatives due to its high capacity of zinc metal anode, low cost, and high safety characteristics. Recently, significant attempts have been made to produce highperformance aqueous Zn batteries. (AZBs) and great progress has been achieved. Yet there are a lot of issues still exist and need to be further optimized. In this thesis, we proposed several strategies to tackle these challenges and finally optimize the overall battery performance, including metal anode protection, cathode structural engineering, and rational electrolyte design. In the present thesis, we first developed the ZnF2 layer coated Zn metal anode via a simple plasma treatment method. The plasma treated Zn anode leads to dendrite-free Zn electrodeposition with lower overpotential. Density function theory calculation results demonstrate that the Zn diffusion energy barrier can be greatly reduced on the ZnF2 surface. Benefiting from these merits, the symmetric cell and full cell exhibited much improved electrolchemical performance and stability. Afterthen, We synthesised a layered Mg2+-intercalated V2O5 as the cathode material for AZBs. The large interlayer spacing reachs up to 13.4 A, allowing for efficient Zn2+ (de)insertion. As a result, the porous Mg0.34V2O5・nH2O cathodes can provide high capacities as well as long-term durability. We then recongnized that most of the parasitic side reactions are related to the aqueous electrolyte. We therefore further designed a hybrid electrolyte to realize the anode-free Zn metal batteries. It is demonstrated that in the presence of propylene carbonate, triflate anions are involved in the Zn2+ solvation sheath structure. The unique solvation structure results in the reduction of anions, thus forming a hydrophobic solid electrolyte interphase. Consequently, in the hybrid electrolyte, both Zn anodes and cathodes show excellent stability and reversibility. More importantly, we design an anode-free Zn metal battery, which exhibits good cycling stability (80% capacity retention after 275 cycles at 0.5 mA cm–2).

No description available.