Prospects of Integrated Photovoltaic-Fuel Cell Systems in a Hydrogen Economy: A Comprehensive Review

From MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-10-08, pub-electronic 2021-10-19Publication status: PublishedFunder: Petroleum Technology Development Fund Nigeria; Grant(s): PTDF/ED/PHD/OC/1078/17Integrated photovoltaic-fuel cell (IPVFC) systems, amongst other integrated energy generation methodologies are renewable and clean energy technologies that have received diverse research and development attentions over the last few decades due to their potential applications in a hydrogen economy. This article systematically updates the state-of-the-art of IPVFC systems and provides critical insights into the research and development gaps needed to be filled/addressed to advance these systems towards full commercialization. Design methodologies, renewable energy-based microgrid and off-grid applications, energy management strategies, optimizations and the prospects as self-sustaining power sources were covered. IPVFC systems could play an important role in the upcoming hydrogen economy since they depend on solar hydrogen which has almost zero emissions during operation. Highlighted herein are the advances as well as the technical challenges to be surmounted to realize numerous potential applications of IPVFC systems in unmanned aerial vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, agricultural applications, telecommunications, desalination, synthesis of ammonia, boats, buildings, and distributed microgrid applications

Sea Almond as a Promising Feedstock for Green Diesel: Statistical Optimization and Power Rate Law Based Chemical Kinetics of Its Consecutive Irreversible Methanolysis

For successful industrial scale-up and effective cost analysis of transesterification process, presentation of complimentary research data from process optimization using statistical design techniques, chemical kinetics and thermodynamics are essential. Full factorial central composite design (FFCCD) was applied for the statistical optimization of base methanolysis of sea almond (Terminalia catappa) seed oil using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with desirability function analysis on quadratic model. Reaction time had the most significant impact on the biodiesel yield. Optimum conditions for biodiesel yield of 93.09 wt% validated at 92.58 wt% were 50.03°C, 2.04 wt% catalyst concentration, 58.5 min and 4.66 methanol/oil molar ratio with overall desirability of 1.00. Ascertained fuel properties of the FAME were in compliance with international limits. GC–MS, FTIR and NMR characterizations confirmed unsaturation and good cold-flow qualities of the biodiesel. Based on power rate law, second-order kinetic model out-performed first-order kinetic model. Rate constants of the triglyceride (TG), diglycerides (DG) and monoglycerides (MG) hydrolysis were in the range of 0.00838–0.0409 wt%/min while activation energies were 12.76, 15.83 and 22.43 kcal/mol respectively. TG hydrolysis to DG was the rate determining step. The optimal conditions have minimal error and would serve as a springboard for industrial scale-up of biodiesel production from T. catappa seed oil

Extraction of Nigerian Beef Tallow by Wet Rendering Process and its Characterization

Nigeria has relied for several decades on the importation of tallow fat for her industries despite its inconsistency in availability and price in the market The above challenges and the recent soaring value of Dollars to Naira have made it highly necessary for Nigeria to consider the quantum of about 9 tonnes/day of tallow fat sent down the drain in each Nigerian slaughterhouse. Therefore, this research work has investigated the Physico-chemical quality of Nigerian beef tallow fat obtained by wet rendering of slaughterhouse waste from Obosi in Anambra State of Nigeria. It was analyzed using AOAC procedures (1990, 1993). The slaughter waste gave 15% yield of tallow fat with 199.5 mg/gkOH, 0.40%, 2.05% of saponification value, unsaponifable matter and Free Fatty Acid (FFA), respectively. The Gas Chromatography (GC) revealed the following fatty acids: 46.65% stearic acid, followed by 41.33% palmitic acid and 9.0% oleic acid. The results were found to be agreement with ISO and CODEX-STAN 211(1999) standards. To this end, the quality and usefulness of Nigerian beef tallow has been validated. Hence, investment in this area would help reposition Nigerian slaughterhouse waste matter control strategy, economy and industry