Currently, electrical generation from solid carbon (biomass, coal) is conducted at low efficiency (~35 %) compared to other power sources. The Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (DCFC) is a technology capable of electro-oxidising elemental carbon for the production of electricity at a projected 80 % efficiency. This improvement has significant benefits for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The research status of the DCFC technology is in early stages, with no practical continuous or stacked designs having been established. The sole concept for a continuous anode has been based on particulate carbons, these designs suffer from poor carbon polarisation and a lack of fuel versatility. This work focusses on the development of a continuous, monolithic anode for a direct carbon fuel cell. A monolithic anode has the benefit of acting both as fuel and current collector. This concept achieves improved fuel polarisation and also avoids the pumping of hot molten carbonate mixtures, and the corrosion issues associated with a separate metallic anode. In this regard, a parallel was drawn with the aluminium production industry in the Söderberg electrode. This technology allows for the continuous pyrolysis and extrusion of carbonaceous mixtures into solid carbon anodes. This project simulated the process of Söderberg electrodes through isostatic compression of pine sawdust in a novel, bespoke heated press, designed and built in-house. This apparatus also allowed for the live monitoring of resistance during heating. The formation factors of pyrolysis temperature, applied load and particle size were studied. The anodes formed in these processes were subjected to various characterisation methods and a practicality assessment made. The electrochemical properties of each anode were also assessed in a novel, bespoke DCFC apparatus, again designed and built in-house. It was found that the anodes formed were of a suitable BET surface area (300 – 450 m2 g-1), possessed high microporosity and were of a tensile strength comparable to industrial Söderberg electrodes. Electrochemical tests found the anodes to produce OCV values near the theoretical value for carbon electro-oxidation (1.01 V). A maximal power of 7.87 mW cm-2, at 0.58 V was achieved using an anode formed at 620°C, 12.3 N applied load and with a mixed particle size.

Fei, Fei. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-106). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

The main purpose of this research is to design a thermal energy conversion device, which is aimed to collect unused heat produced by nature. In order to achieve high-efficiency conversion, some novel devices will be studied to convert heat energy into mechanical power. A simple heat exchanger as well as heat engine device is proposed in this study. Dichloromethane is used as an important factor due to its physical properties. Finally, the concept of a tubular linear generator will be adopted to generate electric power. The feature of the proposed simple thermal energy conversion device is that we can use unused heat sources as input, such as solar energy and waste heat from car engines. Besides, the system is capable to work under the condition of low-temperature difference

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-65). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-65). Also available on the Internet.

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

abstract / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

No description available.