According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), about 100 million rock anchors were installed in the USA mining industry during 1999 (Dolinar, 2000). The rock bolt usage in US coal mining industry fell from 85 million in the year 1988 to 68 million by 2005 (Tadolini, 2006), and is assumed to be close to that number of rock anchors consumed currently since, the tonnage from underground is almost the same. Most underground coal mines have conditions such as moisture in the atmosphere, ground water with different chemical contents that are conducive for corrosion of rock anchors and ancillaries (such as plates), and the effects of this on the performance of the anchors had been researched in the US to an extent from the past research at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). In addition to the general corrosion like pitting and crevice, stress corrosion adds to the process a potentially serious threat and results in material failure underground due to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) yet the effects are not fully understood in the USA. The results of this research therefore will have a positive and direct effect on rock related safety. During this research project in situ specific tests were conducted with bolts to try and determine the corrosion potential in a specific coal-mining region. The coal mining areas were divided into three regions and were named as East, Mid-West and West respectively. To enhance the value/importance of the field data collected from the mines, a metal mine and a salt mine (two non-coal mines) were included in the plan and the data analysis proved that the methodology developed for determining the corrosion potential underground is applicable to any underground mines. The Insitu studies include water samples collection and analysis and open circuit potential (OCP/Eoc) testing and analysis. Open Circuit Potential (OCP) data were recorded to estimate probability of active corrosion. Hypothetically, probability of active corrosion is lower if the actual OCP of roof bolts in the mine is less than the characteristic OCP of the steel grade, and vice versa. The effects of certain factors such as the roof condition, reference distance (distance between bolt and reference electrode) on the open circuit potential data during the measurements were studied to ensure its impact on the corrosion potential determination technique developed. The findings from this research helps standardize the corrosion potential determination methodology. The preliminary study of stress corrosion cracking of the subject test sample (Grade 60 rebar roof bolt) was conducted in this research work. The experimental study invloves testing a complete roof bolt in the mine simulated environment. The mine simulated environment in the test cell consists of the roof strata material collected from the mine site with continuous flow of water at slower and varaible flow rate (0 to 3 ml/minute) with pH in the range of 7.5 to 9.0. The results showed that stress corrosion could be very serious problem when it comes to long term mining applications. The stress corrosion test cell developed and tested was proved to be significant in conducting the long term stress corrosion tests. The strength results of the Grade 60 rebar roof bolt tested had a significant strength loss after 3 months of testing in the stress corrosion cell. Hence, more SCC studies are deemed necessary to evaluate the seriousness of the problem and if possible eliminate it.

The performance of non-fullerene acceptor (NFA)- based organic solar cells (OSC) has shown continuous increase in recent years, reaching power-conversion efficiencies up to 17% through the design and synthesis of efficient acceptor materials. Recent research is directed towards achieving higher efficiency of OSC, which is limited by the open-circuit voltage (Voc) which is lower than the Voc values achieved in inorganic or perovskites solar cells with comparable bandgaps. In this work, voltage losses in NFA based OSC were calculated by investigating charge-transfer state energy (ECT) using electroluminescence spectroscopy and sensitive external quantum efficiency in three polymer:non-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells. PCE10:ITIC device acquired the highest ECT with a Voc of 0.82V, and a a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.91%. While PCE10:O-IDTBR obtained the highest Voc of 1.03V, a PCE of 8.02% compared to PCE10:O-IDTBCN solar cell that has a lower Voc of 0.73V with a PCE of 7.98%. Both radiative and non-radiative voltage losses were calculated. In this thesis, the high open circuit voltage of PCE10:O-IDTBR is explained by the low non-radiative voltage losses compared to PCE10:O-IDTBCN and PCE10:ITIC devices.

No description available.

The main objective of this research was to develop efficient CuIn1-xGaxS2 (CIGS2)/CdS thin film solar cells for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting to produce very pure hydrogen and oxygen. Efficiencies obtained using CIGS2 have been lower than those achieved using CuInSe2 and CuIn1-xGaxSe2. The basic limitation in the efficiencies is attributed to lower open circuit voltages with respect to the bandgap of the material. Presently, the main mechanism used to increase the open circuit voltage of these copper chalcopyrites (CuInSe2 and CuInS2) is the addition of gallium. However, addition of gallium has its own challenges. This research was intended to (i) elucidate the advantages and disadvantages of gallium addition, (ii) provide an alternative technique to the photovoltaic (PV) community to increase the open circuit voltage which is independent of gallium additions, (iii) develop highly efficient CIGS2/CdS thin film solar cells and (iv) provide an alternative material in the form of CIGS2/CdS thin film solar cells and an advanced technology in the form of a multiple bandgap tandem for PEC water splitting. High gallium content was achieved by the incorporation of a highly excess copper composition. Attempts to achieve high gallium content produced reasonable but not the best solar cell performance. Few solar cells developed on a molybdenum back contact and an ITO/MoS2 transparent conducting back contact showed a PV conversion efficiency of 7.93% and 5.97%, respectively. The solar cells developed on the ITO/MoS2 back contact form the first generation CIGS2/CdS thin film solar cells and 5.97% is the first ever reported efficiency on an ITO/MoS2 transparent back contact. Reasons for the moderate performance of these solar cells were attributed to significant porosity and remnants of unsulfurized CuGa alloy in the bulk of CIGS2. This was the first attempt to a detailed study of materials and device characteristics of CIGS2/CdS thin film solar cells prepared starting with a highly excess copper content CIGS2 layer. Next, excess copper composition of 1.4 (equivalent to gallium content, x = 0.3) was chosen with the aim to achieve the best efficiency. The open circuit voltage was enhanced by depositing an intermediate layer of intrinsic ZnO between CdS and ZnO:Al layers. The systematic study of requirements for such a layer and further optimization of its thickness to achieve a higher open circuit voltage (which is the greatest challenge of the scientific community) forms an important scientific contribution of this research. The PV parameters for CIGS2/CdS thin film solar cell as measured officially at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory were: open circuit voltage of 830.5 mV, short circuit current density of 21.88 mA/cm2, fill factor of 69.13% and photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 11.99% which sets a new world record for CIGS2 cells developed using sulfurization and the open circuit voltage of 830.5 mV has become the "Voc champion value". New PEC setups with the RuS2 and Ru0.99Fe0.01S2 photoanodes were developed. RuS2 and Ru0.99Fe0.01S2 photoanodes were more stable in the electrolyte and showed better I-V characteristics than the RuO2 anode earlier used. Using two CIGS2/CdS thin film solar cells, a PEC efficiency of 8.78% was achieved with a RuS2 anode and a platinum cathode. Results of this research constitute a significant advance towards achieving practical feasibility and industrially viability of the technology of PEC hydrogen generation by water splitting.

In this paper, an algorithm for estimating lead-acid battery state of charge (SOC) is implemented. The algorithm, named “Improved Coulomb Counting Algorithm”, was developed within a master thesis project (M. M. Samolyk & J. Sobczak, “Development of an algorithm for estimating Lead-acid Battery State of Charge and State of Health”, M.S. thesis, Dept. Signal Processing, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden, 2013) with cooperation of a Swedish company – Micropower – Research and Development department.  Currently used method at Micropower is Coulomb Counting; implemented algorithm compares coulomb counting method with open circuit voltage method and uses current, terminal voltage and temperature measurements to finally produce improvement for the very same coulomb counting method and get a better estimation of SOC.  The algorithm was implemented on Micropower Access Battery Monitoring Unit (BMU) using C programming language, so that it can be tested in real time application of the regular battery operation. In the end specific gravity measurements were also presented to comparing the methods.

<p> The MIS tunnel solar cell has recently attracted most of the attention in the solar energy conversion field. Construction is very simple and eliminates the costly diffusion of dopants. As in the Schottky type, a metal of proper work function is chosen to induce an inversion layer at the surface of the semiconductor (Al in the case of p type Si). An ultra thin (< 1.5 nm) oxide between the semiconductor and the metal passivates the surface by reducing surface states while permitting tunneling from the semiconductor to the metal.</p> <p> Good fill factors (> .7) have been obtained but high reflectivity of the Al has reduced the current output. Open circuit voltages greater than .61 volts and short circuit current density of 21 ma/cm^2 have been measured. Experimental evidence of the presence of an oxide different from SiO2 within 1.4 nm of the surface will be given and related to the thickness variation of the open circuit voltage. A maximum in VOC around 1.4 nm was found. A maximum efficiency of 7% was achieved without anti reflexion coating and a curve factor of .81 was observed in one of the cells. A slight variation in efficiency with the cell area was also observed.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Increasing modernization of the world has brought about a human component to natural disasters, which are exacerbated by the growing threat of climate change. The Western United States and Australia have witnessed some of the deadliest, costliest, and destructive wildfires in the recent past with downed electric power lines being a significant factor amongst the causes. The relationship between wildfires and powerlines is not a newly discovered phenomenon, however, utilities across the globe are struggling to find an optimal solution to this problem. While existing regulations allow utilities to schedule power shutdowns, they are often accompanied by massive financial losses and discomfort to consumers. Utilities also need to factor in the climatic conditions in the region of their service and the flammability of the vegetation surrounding their lines while making decisions pertaining to system planning, load shedding, and protection. This multi-faceted problem can be dealt with in multiple ways – one such technique involves detection of a falling line into sensitive vegetation before it encounters the earth. This approach essentially boils down the problem into detecting a single line open circuit fault. The open circuit is momentary and hence, speed is of the essence in such a protection scheme. In this thesis, detection of an open circuit is carried out in two different ways, viz., with and without communication support between the various elements of the system, with the latter technique being a novel proposal with the aim of achieving a secure protection scheme with minimal additional infrastructural requirements. / Master of Science / The contact of a live wire with the earth is a fault. While most faults can be cleared using traditional protection techniques, there is a higher risk associated with power lines that come in contact with dry surfaces, flammable plants, and bushes, which cannot be detected that easily. These surfaces offer very high resistance to the flow of current and are hence termed high impedance faults. These high impedance faults have the potential to spark and cause a fire, which can snowball into a wildfire depending on the geography and climatic conditions of the area. For years, this has been a major problem in places like Australia and California leading to loss of lives, power, and money, but the optimal solution is evasive. While several techniques to combat this problem exist, the focus of this thesis is essentially what is known as the Open Circuit Fault. The technique revolves around the detection of the fault while the falling conductor is midair. Given the short time frame, high-speed detection is of the essence. This thesis will focus on achieving open circuit detection without the need for any communication support and is a novel contribution to this field.

Tesis por compendio / [EN] For many years energy needs of ruminants have tried to be known to formulate rations adjusted, but it has been found that there are a variety of factors that affect them. Therefore, lots of studies are needed for evaluating the effect of these factors. Consequently, the main objective of this Thesis was to design and validate a respirometry system based on indirect calorimetry, which would allow assessing energy needs of small ruminants accurately. It was intended from the beginning it was a mobile system and of relatively low cost. Furthermore, a methane gas analyzer was incorporated to this system, which allowed the measurement of emissions of this greenhouse gas and quantification of energy losses in the form of methane. Initially the system had connected a mask, which was placed on the animal's face. A sample of exhaled gas was stored in a gas collection bag which was connected to the analyzer, and it measured the concentration of O2, CO2 and CH4 from the air. The proper functioning of the system was checked by a pilot experiment with dry Murciano-Granadina breed goats fed at maintenance level. Later this system was improved. Some of the most important changes were the replacement of the mask by a head hood in which the animal introduced the whole head, and the development of software that recorded and kept automatically concentrations of O2, CO2 and CH4 in exhaled air. This improvement allowed gas measurements during longer periods of time and recording more data. These changes were also validated through a pilot test with dry Manchega breed sheep. Subsequently, three experiments were performed. One of them with dry Guirra ewes and the other two with Murciano-Granadina goats during mid lactation. Diets were mixed rations that differed in the inclusion of cereal or fibrous by-products. In these experiments the effect of diet was studied on digestibility, energy balance and carbon-nitrogen, oxidation of nutrients, rumen parameters and methane production; in the case of lactating goats, also on milk performance. The determination of the calibration factor for O2 (1.005 ± 0.0101) confirmed the proper functioning of equipment. Moreover, small differences between the heat production obtained by indirect calorimetry and the carbon-nitrogen balance (2% in sheep and 1% in goats) demonstrated that this system allows determining the heat production of the animals reliably and accurately. In the experiments of this Thesis have been estimated maintenance energy needs of two Spanish native sheep breeds, such as the sheep from the Guirra and Manchega breeds; net maintenance requirements were 270 kJ/kg BW0.75, on average. In the case of Murciano-Granadina breed goats, in the middle of lactation, the average utilization efficiency of metabolizable energy for lactation was 0.61. / [ES] Desde hace años se ha tratado de conocer las necesidades energéticas de los rumiantes con el fin de formular raciones ajustadas, pero se ha comprobado que hay una gran variedad de factores que les afectan; por ello son necesarios estudios que evalúen el efecto de estos factores. Como consecuencia, el principal objetivo de esta tesis fue diseñar y validar un equipo de respirometría, basado en calorimetría indirecta, que permitiese evaluar las necesidades en energía de pequeños rumiantes de forma precisa. Se pretendió desde el inicio que fuese un sistema móvil y de relativo bajo coste. Además, a este sistema también se le incorporó un analizador de gas metano, que permitía la medición de las emisiones de este gas de efecto invernadero y la cuantificación de las pérdidas energéticas en forma de metano. Inicialmente el equipo tenía conectada una máscara que se colocaba en la cara del animal. Una muestra del gas espirado era almacenada en una bolsa de recogida de gases que era conectada al analizador, el cual medía la concentración de O2, CO2 y CH4 del aire. Se comprobó el correcto funcionamiento del sistema mediante una prueba piloto con cabras de raza Murciano-Granadina secas, alimentadas a nivel de mantenimiento. Posteriormente este sistema fue mejorado. Algunos de los cambios más importantes fueron la sustitución de la máscara por una urna en la que el animal introducía la cabeza entera, y el desarrollo de un software que registraba y guardaba de forma automática las concentraciones de O2, CO2 y CH4 del aire espirado. Esta mejora permitía medidas de gases durante periodos de tiempo más largos y el registro de muchos más datos. Estas modificaciones también fueron validadas mediante una prueba piloto con ovejas de raza Manchega secas. Posteriormente se realizaron tres experimentos. Uno de ellos con ovejas de raza Guirra secas y los otros dos con cabras Murciano-Granadinas en mitad de lactación. Las dietas fueron raciones mixtas que diferían en la inclusión de cereal o subproductos fibrosos. En estos experimentos se estudió el efecto de la dieta sobre la digestibilidad, balances de energía y carbono-nitrógeno, oxidación de los nutrientes, parámetros del rumen y producción de metano; en el caso de las cabras en lactación, también sobre los rendimientos productivos. La determinación del factor de calibrado para el O2 (1,005 ± 0,0101) confirmó el buen funcionamiento del equipo. Por otro lado, las pequeñas diferencias entre la producción de calor obtenida mediante calorimetría indirecta y el balance de carbono-nitrógeno (2% en ovejas y 1% en cabras) demostraron que este sistema permite determinar la producción de calor de los animales de forma fiable y precisa. En los trabajos de esta Tesis se han estimado las necesidades energéticas de mantenimiento en dos razas de ovejas autóctonas españolas, como son las razas Guirra y Manchega; las necesidades netas de mantenimiento fueron 270 kJ/kg PV0,75, de media. En el caso del ganado caprino de raza Murciano-Granadina, en mitad de lactación, la eficacia media de utilización de la energía metabolizable para la lactación fue de 0,61. / [CA] Des de fa anys s'ha tractat de conèixer les necessitats energètiques dels remugants a fi de formular racions ajustades, però s'ha comprovat que hi ha una gran varietat de factors que els afecten; per això són necessaris estudis que avaluen l'efecte d'estos factors. Com a conseqüència, el principal objectiu d'aquesta Tesi va ser dissenyar i validar un equip de respirometría, basat en calorimetria indirecta, que permetera avaluar les necessitats en energia de menuts remugants de forma precisa. Es va pretendre des de l'inici que fóra un sistema mòbil i de relatiu baix cost. A més, a este sistema també se li va incorporar un analitzador de gas metà, que permetia el mesurament de les emissions d'este gas d'efecte hivernacle i la quantificació de les pèrdues energètiques en forma de metà. Inicialment l'equip tenia connectada una màscara que es col·locava en la cara de l'animal. Una mostra del gas expirat era emmagatzemada en una bossa d'arreplega de gasos que era connectada a l'analitzador, el qual mesurava la concentració d'O2, CO2 i CH4 de l'aire. Es va comprovar el funcionament correcte del sistema per mitjà d'una prova pilot amb cabres de raça Murciano-Granadina seques, alimentades a nivell de manteniment. Posteriorment este sistema va ser millorat. Alguns dels canvis més importants van ser la substitució de la màscara per una urna en què l'animal introduïa el cap sencera, i el desenrotllament d'un programari que registrava i guardava de forma automàtica les concentracions d'O2, CO2 i CH4 de l'aire expirat. Esta millora permetia mesures de gasos durant períodes de temps més llargs i el registre de moltes més dades. Estes modificacions també van ser validades per mitjà d'una prova pilot amb ovelles de raça Manxega seques. Després es van realitzar tres experiments. Un d'ells amb ovelles de raça Guirra seques i els altres dos amb cabres Murciano-Granadinas en mitat de lactació. Les dietes van ser racions mixtes que diferien en la inclusió de cereal o subproductes fibrosos. En estos experiments es va estudiar l'efecte de la dieta sobre la digestibilitat, balanços d'energia i carboni-nitrogen, oxidació dels nutrients, paràmetres del rumen i producció de metà; en el cas de les cabres en lactació, també sobre els rendiments productius. La determinació del factor de calibrat per a l'O2 (1,005 ± 0,0101) va confirmar el bon funcionament de l'equip. D'altra banda, les xicotetes diferències entre la producció de calor obtinguda per mitjà de calorimetria indirecta i el balanç de carboni-nitrogen (2% en ovelles i 1% en cabres) van demostrar que este sistema permet determinar la producció de calor dels animals de forma fiable i precisa. En els treballs d'esta Tesi s'han estimat les necessitats energètiques de manteniment en dos races d'ovelles autòctones espanyoles, com són les races Guirra i Manxega; les necessitats netes de manteniment van ser 270 kJ/kg PV0,75, de mitja. En el cas del bestiar caprí de raça Murciano-Granadina, en mitat de lactació, l'eficàcia mitjana d'utilització de l'energia metabolitzable per a la lactació va ser de 0,61. / López Luján, MDC. (2015). Development of a mobile open-circuit system based on indirect calorimetry for energetic metabolism studies in small ruminants [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/50430 / Compendio

Apesar de toda a atenção dada à eletro-oxidação do íon boroidreto, pela possibilidade de seu uso em células a combustível, pouco se tem discutido a respeito das instabilidades cinéticas associadas a esse processo. A maioria das pesquisas tem como foco o estudo da cinética dos processos na região de baixos sobrepotenciais, numa região relativamente próxima ao estado de equilíbrio termodinâmico. Em uma região afastada do equilíbrio, diferentes mecanismos regem o sistema e desta forma diferentes informações podem ser obtidas. O objetivo da presente dissertação consiste na investigação sistemática da cinética complexa associada aos processos de adsorção, oxidação e interação do íon boroidreto em superfícies policristalinas de platina. As investigações foram realizadas em condições afastadas do equilíbrio utilizando-se técnicas eletroquímicas convencionais, incluindo: voltametria cíclica, cronoamperometria, experimentos quase estacionários sob controle potenciostático utilizando diferentes valores de resistência total e transientes de circuito aberto. Dentre os resultados obtidos pode-se destacar: a alta velocidade na redução dos óxidos de platina em transientes de circuito aberto (i.e. 0,5 s), sendo esta mais alta do que para álcoois ou hidrogênio; dois processos auto-catalíticos no perfil de potencial de circuito aberto, que podem ser relacionadas com uma biestabilidade do sistema; as oscilações de corrente obtidas em experimentos quase estacionários utilizando diferentes valores de resistência externa; e as oscilações de baixa frequência obtidas na ausência de resistência externa presentes em uma ampla faixa de potencial. Estes resultados apresentam aspectos tecnológicos, como a relação direta entre o baixo tempo de redução de óxido e a perda de desempenho de células a combustível por conta de difusão de combustível, e fundamentais, como a emergência de oscilações e a caracterização do sistema como N-NDR, que podem contribuir para um maior entendimento sobre o uso deste combustível. Esses são resultados ainda não explorados na literatura e o presente trabalho propõe o preenchimento desta lacuna. / Despite all attention given to the electro-oxidation of the ion borohydride, for its applicability in fuel cells, few discussions have been made on the kinetical instabilities possibly present on this process. Most researches focuses on the kinetical study of these processes at a low overpotential range, relatively close to the thermodynamic equilibrium. Under far from thermodynamic condition, different mechanisms rule the system and different information can be obtained. The present dissertation aims at a systematic investigation of the complex kinetic associated to the adsorption, oxidation and interaction processes of the borohydride ion over polycrystalline platinum surface. The investigations were realized under far from thermodynamic equilibrium conditions using conventional electrochemical techniques, including: cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, quasi-steady experiments under potentiostac control using different values of external resistance and open circuit transients. Among the results it is possible to highlight: the fast reduction of platinum oxides in open circuit transients (i.e. 0.5s), which is faster than when alcohol or hydrogen is used; two auto-catalytic processes in the open-circuit profile, which can be related to a bistability of the system; current oscillations in quasi-steady experiments using different values of external resistances; and the low frequency oscillations obtained without external resistance under a large potential range. These results show technological aspects, such as the direct relationship of the short time for oxide reduction and the performance loss of a fuel cell by crossover, and fundamental, such as the emergency of oscillations and the characterization of the system as a N-NDR, which can contribute to a better understanding of this fuel. These are yet not explored results in literature and the present research propose filling the gap.

Foi construída uma nova versão de um sistema para medidas de correntes termo-estimuladas em circuito aberto (DTE). Mostrou-se que no Teflon FEP, carregado com corona negativa, os ruídos que aparecem nas curvas de DTE , que são devidos a micro rupturas elétricas na amostra, causam uma variação de potencial considerável na mesma. Verificou-se também que a corrente anômala originada pelo deslocamento de cargas na camada de ar entre a amostra e a placa sensora pode perturbar as medidas de DTE com amostras virgens carregadas positivamente. A inversão de polaridade da corrente nas medidas de DTE na região próxima a temperatura ambiente, foi explicado como sendo devido a variação da capacitância da amostra em função da temperatura. Medidas de DTE, realizadas com o polímero PETP (Mylar), mostraram que o processo de transporte que dá origem ao pico de corrente acima de 100 C é devido a uma condutividade intrínseca originária da geração de portadores em centros neutros de ionização. Essa geração possui uma dependência com o campo elétrico do tipo Poole-Frenkel e a mobilidade dos portadores livres, depende do volume livre o qual tem valor maior que o de equilíbrio abaixo da temperatura da transição vítrea / A new version of thermo stimulated current setup (DTE) in open circuit was built. It was shown in measurements electric noise is present in the DTE curve in Tefon FEP negatively charged which is due to micro electric breakdown in the sample. It was also found that the electric current in air gap between the sample surface and the sensor plate can disturb DTE measurements performed in positively charged samples. The polarity inversion on the DTE curves at room temperature range is due to the capacitance variation with the temperature. DTE measurements on PETP (Mylar) showed that the charge transport gives a current peak at 100 C due to an intrinsic conductivity generated by carriers from ionization centers. This process is described by a Poole-Frenkel