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At least 253 records · Page 14

The impact of gas purity on observed reactivity with NO using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry

Interference removal in inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) is strongly dependent on the gas selected for use within the collision/reaction cell. There has been little investigation on the effects that reaction gas impurities may have on the resulting spectra. The reactivity of 60 elements was evaluated using nitric oxide (NO 99.5%) with and without a gas purifier to reduce H 2 O impurities to <100 pptV. Experiments were performed using V, Ce, Tl and Th to investigate the effects of purified NO at various flowrates (0.22–1.49 mL min -1 ). Purified NO was shown to significantly mitigate oxy-hydride interferences, improve total ion sensitivity (notable at high gas flows), and shift product distributions advantageously. The reduction in oxy-hydride species results in a product distribution favoring the major expected products, where signals were shown to increase by an order of magnitude. Reduced background and increased signal for the major expected products provides avenues for improving various analytical applications of ICP-MS/MS.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Techno-economic Analysis of the Cryogenic Flux Capacitor Compared to Other forms of Hydrogen Production and Storage

The Cryogenic Flux Capacitor (CFC) is a cold, dense energy storage core that is being studied in the cryo-compressed, about 300 bar and 80K, region of gaseous hydrogen (GH2) storage and liquid hydrogen (LH2) region near the normal boiling point. The hydrogens storage is improved by physically bonding the molecules within the nanoscale pores of the aerogel composite blanket material. The process of bonding or debonding is governed by principles of physical adsorption (physisorption) and thermodynamics. The large surface area afforded by the nanoporous aerogel (~1,000 m2/g) allows its storage performance to easily exceed capacities of high-pressure GH2 storage for an equivalent volume. With the integrated aerogel, subscale tests have shown that storage is increased by about 49% over a simple tank filled with GH2 at the same operating temperature and pressure. For LH2 conditions, the CFC is shown to operate at equivalent densities. For the techno-economic analysis (TEA), the source of hydrogen is compared between onsite steam methane reforming (SMR) and onsite solar photovoltaic (PV) panels providing power to electrolyzers to produce GH2. The TEA compares pure hydrogen burning in a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) to hydrogen fuel cells with an overall net power output of 650 MW. The SMR system uses natural gas as an input and includes a carbon capture and storage (CCS) system. The levelized cost of electricity is developed based on the capital cost and operating cost of the systems. Sensitivities are discussed around the cost of natural gas, ranging from 1.93 USD per MMBTU to 6.75 USD per MMBTU, and carbon dioxide disposal, ranging from 7 USD per tonne to 10 USD per tonne. For comparison to the conventional CCGT baseline, a baseload scenario is adopted with 85% capacity factor. The results of the study show that onsite hydrogen generation from SMR is about 1 to 3 USD per kg over the life of the plant and the PV hydrogen production produces at 4 to 5 USD per kg. The cost of storage for CFC is compared to other systems, including high-pressure GH2 and atmospheric LH2. The system is shown to provide the lowest costs for all these options at the grid scale, due to its higher capacity than high-pressure GH2 and ability to operate at 80K, receiving refrigeration from liquid nitrogen systems reducing capital and operating costs when compared LH2 storage systems. SMR is competitive with CCGT at the gas prices, both of which have lower LCOE than the PV system. When accounting for variability in gas prices, the PV and electrolyzer system is less sensitive to these changes and provides the lowest LCOE across the whole range.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Heat transfer in directly-irradiated high-temperature solid–gas flows laden with polydisperse particles

Heat transfer in directly-irradiated high-temperature solid–gas flows laden with polydisperse particles is investigated using a novel transient three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model. The model couples particle–gas hydrodynamics of solid–gas flows laden with polydisperse particles, radiative heat transfer in non-grey absorbing, emitting and anisotropically-scattering multi-component participating media, conduction heat transfer in the gas phase, and interfacial convection heat transfer. The multiphase particle-in-cell method is used to predict high-fidelity solid–gas flow characteristics, such as the local discrete particle size distribution, with increased computational efficiency by combining the advantages of both Eulerian and Lagrangian methods. The multi-component radiative transfer model is implemented using an advanced collision-based Monte Carlo ray-tracing method. The number of the prescribed discrete particle components is found to be the key parameter affecting the computational accuracy and efficiency, which primarily depends on the size distribution of the particles. For the model particle–gas flow featuring free-falling Gamma-distributed ceramic particles exposed to concentrated solar irradiation, the particle volume fraction, radiative, fluid flow and thermal characteristics appear to converge with the increasing number of the discrete particle components. Five particle components are sufficient to obtain physically meaningful results. A further increase in the number of the particle components only slightly increases the accuracy of the numerical predictions at the expense of a rapidly increasing computational time. For five particle components, the particle vertical velocity at the receiver exit for particles with the diameter of 43.4 μm is 57% of that for the particles with the diameter of 202.8 μm. The temperatures of these two particle components increase from the initial ambient values by factors of 2 and 1.2, respectively, during the simulation time. In conclusion, the model developed allows for increased fidelity of particle–gas flow simulations with significant radiative effects.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Influence of Ink Formulation and Drying Conditions on Ionomer Distribution in High-Performance Roll-to-Roll-Coated Gas-Diffusion Electrodes

To enable mass production of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) catalyst layers production will require continuous roll-to-roll (R2R) coating processes. Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) are advantageous for mass production because the catalyst layer can be directely coated on the microporous layer of the gas diffusion media without the need for a decal-transfer process. It is known that the water-to-alcohol ratio in the catalyst ink influences the interactions of the ionomer with the catalyst leading to different distributions of ionomer in spray-coated catalyst layers. It is also known that during drying of colloidal mixtures, like fuel cell inks, factors such as drying rate, particle size, and agglomeration influence how the materials distribute themselves throughout the thickness of the dired film. Thus far there have only been limited studies to understand how process conditions such as ink formulation and drying temperature influence the distribution of ionomer and catalyst coated using scalable methods. This understanding is especially important for GDEs since it is known that having a sufficient amount of ionomer at the catalyst layer-membrane interface is critical for high performance. In this study we have focused on determining how the ratio of water to 1-propanol in the catalyst ink ink and drying temperature influence the distribution of ionomer throughout the thickness of the catalyst layer. Using a combination of Kelvin probe and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we show that an ionomer-rich surface is promoted by a higher drying rate and a water-rich catalyst ink. In contrast, a 1-propanol catalyst ink leads to a lower concentration of ionomer on the top surface. Using x-ray computed tomography, we are able to characterize the ionomer distribution throughout the thickness of the layer. We find that, in addition to promoting an ionomer-rich top surface, water-rich inks lead to a more homogenous distribution of ionomer, whereas a 1-propanol-rich ink leads to a more irregular distribution. It is found that MEA performance is improved by selecting conditions and ink formulations that promote ionomer enrichment at the top surface to facilitate a good interface with the membrane. MEAs prepared with a 75 wt% water catalyst ink with a 0.9 I/C have equivalent performance to spray-coated GDEs. Critically, these R2R-coated GDEs do not need an additional ionomer overlayer like the spray-coated GDEs do, reducing the number of processing steps in a manufacturing setting. This work shows that with the appropriate selection of materials, ink formulation, and processing conditions gas-diffusion electrodes are a viable pathway for fuel cell manufacturing.

ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION↗

Fuel cell system having enhanced CO2 capture

A carbon dioxide capture system for removing carbon dioxide from a flue gas produced by a combustion power plant. The system includes an electrolyzer cell configured to receive a flue gas comprising carbon dioxide and output a first exhaust stream comprising an enriched flue gas comprising carbon dioxide. The system further includes a fuel cell configured to receive the first exhaust stream and output a second exhaust stream comprising carbon dioxide. The second exhaust stream contains a higher concentration of carbon dioxide than the first exhaust stream.

Jahnke, Fred C.↗

Opposite polarity programs regulate asymmetric subsidiary cell divisions in grasses

Grass stomata recruit lateral subsidiary cells (SCs), which are key to the unique stomatal morphology and the efficient plant-atmosphere gas exchange in grasses. Subsidiary mother cells (SMCs) strongly polarise before an asymmetric division forms a SC. Yet apart from a proximal polarity module that includes PANGLOSS1 (PAN1) and guides nuclear migration, little is known regarding the developmental processes that form SCs. Here, we used comparative transcriptomics of developing wild-type and SC-less bdmute leaves in the genetic model grass Brachypodium distachyon to identify novel factors involved in SC formation. This approach revealed BdPOLAR, which forms a novel, distal polarity domain in SMCs that is opposite to the proximal PAN1 domain. Both polarity domains are required for the formative SC division yet exhibit various roles in guiding pre-mitotic nuclear migration and SMC division plane orientation, respectively. Nonetheless, the domains are linked as the proximal domain controls polarisation of the distal domain. In summary, we identified two opposing polarity domains that coordinate the SC division, a process crucial for grass stomatal physiology.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A gas dynamic perspective on particle lifting in electrostatic discharge-like devices using multiphase particle-in-cell approach

Although particle–laden electrostatic discharges are widely used in laboratories as well as in industrial applications, the mechanism of particle lifting for particles initially at rest in such highly unsteady systems is not well understood. A multiphase gas–particle solver is developed using the multiphase particle-in-cell (MP-PIC) approach to emulate the interaction of a compressible shock-dominated gas phase with the dense particle phase. First, the two-way coupled solver is initially used to study the interaction of a planar traveling shock with a vertical curtain of particulates. The gas and particle phase evolution was found to be in good agreement with a similar experimental study in Ling et al. [Phys. Fluids 24, 113301 (2012)]. Second, the MP-PIC code is used to study the interaction of an expanding blast wave with a thick bed of particles. The simulation considered forces such as quasi-steady drag, pressure-gradient, added-mass, Saffman, and Magnus forces. We observe that the vertical liftoff particles close to the shock impingement point in this configuration are associated with the quasi-steady drag, pressure gradient, and added-mass forces. Also, the Saffman lift and Magnus forces contribute to lifting particles located radially farther away from the shock impingement point. In addition, the study finds a decrease in particle lifting efficiency with decreasing plasma kernel length and shock strength.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Oxygen Reduction on Platinum-Nickel and Platinum-Cobalt Alloy Based Catalysts for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Catalyst layers, with commercial PtNi/TKK (TECNiE52; platinum 46.5 wt%), PtCo/TKK (TEC36E52; platinum 45.8 wt%) catalysts, and an in-house catalyst PtNi-NC (platinum 38.4 wt%), synthesised using acoustic mixer and a tube furnace, are prepared using three different ionomers: 20 wt% Nafion®, 60 wt% polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and an in-house 5 wt% ionomer (‘Ionomer X’). These inks are bar-coated onto carbon paper gas diffusion layers (GDLs), which are cut into 3 cm × 5 cm pieces. The coated layers are tested for oxygen reduction in a commercial gas diffusion electrode (GDE) test cell, FlexCell® (Gaskatel GmbH, Germany), using 85 wt% phosphoric acid at both room temperature and at 155°C. This study evaluates the polynorbornene (PNB)-based in-house ionomer performance as binder and in-house catalyst oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in comparison to commercial products. The catalyst layers are characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). Among the catalyst layers prepared with PTFE ionomer and tested at 155°C, the in-house catalyst demonstrates the highest ORR activity. Ionomer X proves to be a good candidate to be used as a per- and polyfluoroalkyl-free binder for high-temperature (HT) proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications.

85 wt% phosphoric acid↗

Methods for producing hydrocarbon products and hydrogen gas through electrochemical activation of methane

A method of forming a hydrocarbon product and hydrogen gas comprises introducing CH 4 to a positive electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a proton-conducting membrane between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The proton-conducting membrane comprises an electrolyte material having an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 10 −2 S/cm at one or more temperatures within a range of from about 150° C. to about 600° C. A potential difference is applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrochemical cell to produce the hydrocarbon product and the hydrogen gas. A CH 4 activation system and an electrochemical cell are also described.

Ding, Dong↗

Improving the bulk gas transport of Fe-N-C platinum group metal-free nanofiber electrodes via electrospinning for fuel cell applications

To overcome transport limitations associated with thicker platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrodes, it's essential to investigate and tailor alternative electrode architectures to maximize the bulk electrode transport properties, whilst not significantly impeding electrocatalyst active site accessibility and electrode proton resistance. In this work, PGM-free nanofiber electrode mats, prepared by electrospinning a mixture of pyrolyzed Fe-N-C catalyst, Nafion ionomer and a carrier polymer Poly Acrylic acid (PAA), were compared to traditionally prepared electrodes. The morphological properties and elemental distribution of the fabricated nanofiber electrodes showed that the exterior surface of the PGM-free nanofibers was conformally covered with a thin ionomer film. Electrochemical diagnostics performed utilizing cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and H 2 -limiting current measurements, revealed an increase in electric double layer capacitance, reduction in electrode proton transport and a significant improvement in bulk-electrode gas transport properties for the nanofiber electrodes, supporting the observed performance increase from electrochemical polarization data obtained in H 2 -O 2 /Air fuel cells. At 100% RH in H2/Air, the power density of the nanofiber electrodes increased ca. 50% vs. the traditionally prepared electrodes (ca. 260 vs 175 mW cm -2 ), which was attributed to a less tortuous molecular diffusion pathway and an associated reduction in the pressure dependent and independent gas transport resistances in the nanofiber electrodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Operando Topography and Mechanical Property Mapping of CO 2 Reduction Gas-Diffusion Electrodes Operating at High Current Densities

Electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) enables measurement of electrode topography and mechanical properties during electrochemical reactions. However, for aqueous-based reactions that make gas products, such as CO 2 reduction and water splitting into CO/H 2 , current densities below 1 mA cm −2 have been necessary to prevent formation of bubbles at the electrode; such bubbles can stick to the AFM probe and prevent further AFM imaging. Here, we demonstrate a novel cell design with a gas-diffusion electrode (GDE) to exhaust the gas products, thereby enabling high current density EC-AFM measurements at 1, 10, and 100 mA cm −2 that are not disturbed by bubble formation at the electrode surface. These experiments revealed a stable morphological structure of Cu catalysts deposited on GDEs during high current density operation. Systematic spatially resolved maps of deformation and adhesion showed no signs of a gas-liquid interface between catalyst particles of the GDE.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Molecular Modeling of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells

Disruption in weather patterns, increase in the average global temperature due to the over-utilization of fossil fuels and global warming, has involuntarily shifted our focus towards clean energy production. Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) can generate H2 gas (clean energy) with highest efficiency. This poster includes modeling and challenges related to the electrolyte material used the SOECs.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Operando Analysis of Gas Evolution in TiNb 2 O 7 (TNO)-Based Anodes for Advanced High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries under Fast Charging

TiNb 2 O 7 (TNO) is regarded as one of the promising next-generation anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high rate capabilities, higher theoretical capacity, and higher lithiation voltage. Furthermore, this enables the cycling of TNO-based anodes under extreme fast charging (XFC) conditions with a minimal risk of lithium plating compared to that of graphite anodes. Here, the gas evolution in real time with TNO-based pouch cells is first reported via operando mass spectrometry. The main gases are identified to be CO 2 , C 2 H 4 , and O 2 . A solid–electrolyte interphase is detected on TNO, which continues evolving, forming, and dissolving with the lithiation and delithiation of TNO. The gas evolution can be significantly reduced when a protective coating is applied on the TNO particles, reducing the CO 2 and C 2 H 4 evolution by ~2 and 5 times, respectively, at 0.1C in a half-cell configuration. The reduction on gas generation in full cells is even more pronounced. The surface coating also enables 20% improvement in capacity under XFC conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Improved CO 2 Capture Performance of Electrochemically Mediated Amine Regeneration Processes with Ionic Surfactant Additives

For the effective reduction of global CO 2 emissions, it is essential to develop and deploy efficient and cost-effective technologies for CO 2 capture, especially from large point sources. We recently developed an electrochemically mediated amine regeneration (EMAR) system to replace traditional thermal desorption for the capture of CO 2 from post-combustion flue gases. Despite EMAR effectiveness on a laboratory scale, concerns regarding the high gas-to-liquid ratio in the electrochemical cell and long-term instability of the electrodes need to be addressed before further scale-up of the process to a pilot plant and beyond can be entertained. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an anionic surfactant and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) as a cationic surfactant on the process operation. It was found that it is advantageous to use an anionic surfactant for a system such as EMAR that contains hydrophilic electrodes and a positively charged electrochemically active species. The overall cell resistance was notably reduced when SDS anionic surfactant was used. The precipitation of copper particles observed in the anode outlet when no surfactant was used was effectively avoided when SDS was added to the electrolyte, resulting in electrode stability. In addition, smaller gas bubbles were produced in the presence of the SDS surfactant, which resulted in less blockage of the electrode by the gas with a resultant lower cell potential under constant current conditions, driving more efficient CO 2 desorption. This led to an ~25% reduction in the electrochemical energy requirement, the lowest ever achieved experimentally for the EMAR process. Altogether, the addition of a very low concentration of SDS resulted in the successful circumvention of the important problems faced by the EMAR system regarding further scale-up.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Energy storage using an REP with an engine

An energy storage system includes a power plant configured to generate an exhaust gas comprising carbon dioxide. The energy storage system further includes a first fuel cell configured to operate in reverse as an electrolyzer. The first fuel cell is configured to receive at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the power plant. An anode is configured to receive carbon dioxide via the exhaust gas and methane from a separate feed, and the anode is configured to output a hydrogen-containing gas mixture. The energy storage system further includes a reformer configured to methanate the hydrogen-containing gas mixture to convert substantially all of the carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas mixture to methane. The energy storage system further includes a second fuel cell operating in reverse as a hydrogen pump, the second fuel cell configured to separate hydrogen from a gas mixture output by the reformer.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Multi-Constituent Airborne Contaminants Capture with Low Cost Oxide Getters and Mitigation of Cathode Poisoning in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

The technical effort and scientific findings, discussed in this report, documents operational barriers and associated long term performance stability challenges posed by the presence of trace airborne multi-constituent contaminants present in high-temperature electrochemical systems, including Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs), Ion Transport Membranes, and Gas Separation systems. Above systems, offering promises for cleanliness and energy efficiency, face challenges with electrode poisoning stemming from the presence of trace contaminants including gaseous Cr/B/Si vapors in the presence of intrinsic contaminants SO 2 /CO 2 /H 2 O gases. The study indicates that the long-term electrical performance degradation in SOFC systems can be traced to electrochemical, structural, and mechanical changes across cell, stack, and balance of plant components resulting from interactions with trace contaminants leading to increase in both ohmic and non-ohmic polarizations. The degradation primarily results from solid-state and gas-phase materials migration, electrode poisoning, and interactions at the cell and stack levels. Cathode degradation emerges as a significant factor impacting overall SOFC performance, especially related to the presence of intrinsic and extrinsic airborne impurities such as SOx, CrOx(OH)y, SOx, Si(OH)x, and HBOx. Although at trace levels, prolong systems operation at higher airflow (3-10X stoichiometric) allow the accumulation of contaminants within the cell components leading to electrical performance degradation through poisoning and electrode deactivation.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Direct utilization of gaseous fuels in metal supported solid oxide fuel cells

Direct utilization and internal reforming of gaseous fuels is investigated on symmetric-architecture metal supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) with thin ceramic electrolyte and scaffold backbone layers, and low cost ferritic stainless steel supports on both sides. Infiltrated Pr-oxide and Ni/samarium-doped ceria catalysts are added to the cathode and anode electrodes, respectively. Initial performance and durability is evaluated for MS-SOFCs operating with natural gas, propane, ammonia, and dimethyl ether at 700 °C. Cells for natural gas and propane utilize a novel high entropy alloy (HEA) catalyst for internal reforming with performance and degradation rates similar to H 2 (0.5W cm -2 and ~12%/100 h). In conclusion, initial testing with sulfur shows reversible degradation for levels found in natural gas and irreversible degradation for higher levels found in commercial propane. Overall, MS-SOFCs show successful fuel flexibility.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Modeling Single and Two-Phase Transport in Thin Porous Layers Using a Composite Continuum-Pore Network Formulation

In this work, a composite continuum-pore network formulation is presented to model single and two-phase transport thin porous layers, such as gas diffusion layers in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) and active electrodes in redox flow batteries (RFBs). The formulation can be integrated into CFD codes, thus combining the ease of implementation of continuum-based modeling and the computational power of pore-network modeling. The composite model includes a control volume (CV) mesh at the layer scale, which embeds a cubic pore network [1,2]. The pore-network model is used to determine analytically local anisotropic effective transport properties (local effective diffusivity and permeability), which are mapped onto the CV mesh to simulate transport in the porous transport layer [3,4]. Good agreement is found between the predicted global effective transport properties (global effective diffusivity and permeability) under dry and wet conditions and previous experimental data reported in the literature for Toray TGP-H series carbon paper. Water saturation distributions are also compared with results obtained using X-ray computed tomography [4]. [1] P.A. García-Salaberri, I.V. Zenyuk, J.T. Gostick, A.Z. Weber, Modeling Gas Diffusion Layer in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Using a Continuum-Based Pore-Network Formulation, ECS Trans. 97 (2020) 615. [2] P.A. García-Salaberri, Modeling diffusion and convection in thin porous transport layers using a composite continuum-network model: Application to gas diffusion layers in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Int J. Heat Mass Transf. (2020), submitted. [3] P.A. García-Salaberri, J.T. Gostick, G. Hwang, A.Z. Weber, M. Vera, Effective diffusivity in partially-saturated carbon-fiber gas diffusion layers: Effect of local saturation and application to macroscopic continuum models, J. Power Sources 296 (2015) 440–453. [4] P.A. García-Salaberri, G. Hwang, M. Vera, A.Z. Weber, J.T. Gostick, Effective diffusivity in partially-saturated carbon-fiber gas diffusion layers: Effect of through-plane saturation distribution, Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. 86 (2015) 319–333.

Garcia-Salaberri, Pablo↗