Implications of high efficiency power cycles for fusion reactor design

The implications of the High Efficiency Power Cycle for fusion reactors are examined. The proposed cycle converts most all of the high grade CTR heat input to electricity. A low grade thermal input (T approximately 100$sup 0$C) is also required, and this can be supplied at low cost geothermal energy at many locations in the U. S. Approximately 3 KW of low grade heat is required per KW of electrical output. The thermodynamics and process features of the proposed cycle are discussed. Its advantages for CTR's are that low Q machines (e.g. driven Tokamaks, mirrors) can operate with a high (approximately 80 percent) conversion of CTR fusion energy to electricity, where with conventional power cycles no plant output could be achieved with such low Q operation. (auth

Hydrogen--halogen energy storage system. Annual report, January--December 1977

Work at Brookhaven National Laboratory on the electrochemically regenerative hydrogen--chlorine energy storage system has included electrochemical investigations, materials studies, and technoeconomic assessment. Electrochemical studies have confirmed the reversibility of the cell reactions and the possibility of using the same cell in the electrolysis and fuel cell mode. The hydrogen--chlorine cell differs from most batteries in that the open circuit potential varies appreciably with temperature and depth of discharge. The temperature variation of the open circuit potential reflects the large negative entropy of formation of HCl. A detailed heat and mass balance analysis has been carried out for the H/sub 2//Cl/sub 2/ system for one method of reactant storage and two schemes of heat exchange between the hydrochloric acid storage subsystem and the reactant storage subsystems. Characterization of Nafion membranes in H/sub 2//Cl/sub 2/ cells is reported. From a cost comparison on a 20 MW/200 MWh electrochemically regenerative hydrogen--halogen system it was concluded that the use of either clorine or bromine or alternative methods of chlorine storage had an insignificant effect on the overall cost of the system. The most cost effective method of hydrogen storage is very dependent on the cost of activated metal hydrides

Electrolysis based hydrogen storage system. Semiannual report, January 1--June 30, 1977

The work described in this report was accomplished during the period January 1 to June 30, 1977 on an ERDA-sponsored program aimed at improving the cost and efficiency of electrolytic hydrogen production and at developing the technique of using metal-hydride hydrogen storage for stationary and transportation applications. The related work of organizations having subcontracts with BNL is included; and the effort on natural-gas supplementation, systems analysis, and project management of the ERDA Hydrogen Program by BNL are summarized. Work in the hydrogen production area includes hardware development and cell materials testing for both acid and alkaline water electrolyzers. Also reported is related work on development of the reversible H/sub 2/-Cl/sub 2/ electrochemical cell which is the key component in an electrical energy storage system proposed for utility use. In the area of Hydrogen Storage Subsystems, the progress is reported on solutions to the hydride expansion problem, design of the Hydrogen Technology Advanced Component Test System, design of two hydrogen reservoirs, improved Fe-Ti-based hydrides, and studies on the recovery of storage capacity following poisoning by impurities in the hydrogen

Aluminum and boron phosphates as possible proton conductors

The chemical stability and conductivity of boron and aluminum phosphates in steam are reported for P/B and P/A1 atomic ratios greater than unity at temperatures from 100/sup 0/ to 280/sup 0/C and steam pressures to 5 atmospheres. Al(PO/sub 3/)/sub 3/ and H/sub 2/ A1P/sub 3/O/sub 10/ undergo the reactions Al (PO/sub 3/)/sub 3/ + H/sub 2/) in equilibrium H/sub 2/AlP/sub 3/O/sub 10/ and H/sub 2/AlP/sub 3/O/sub 10/ ..-->.. AlPO/sub 4/ + H/sub 2/O.P/sub 2/O/sub 5/(g). At 280/sup 0/C and a steam pressure of 5 atmospheres gauge the product is mixture of AlPO/sub 4/ and H/sub 2/ALP/sub 3/O/sub 10/, while the conductivity of this solid is in the range of 10/sup -2/ ohm/sup -1/ cm/sup -1/. The boron phosphates lose material and exhibit poor conductivity under similar conditions due to the instability of the BPO/sub 4/ phase as a result of the reaction 2BPO/sub 4/ + 6 H/sub 2/O ..-->.. B/sub 2/O/sub 3/.3H/sub 2/O(g) + P/sub 2/O/sub 5/. 3H/sub 2/O(g). As a result of dehydration or hydrolytic reactions an increase in water vapor pressure does not always lead to increased conductivity even at higher temperature

Evaluating and selecting options for oil refit programs

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Oil Refit Program provides technical support for the US Department of Energy (DOE) Fuel Oil Conservation Marketing Demonstration Program implemented in several states (designed to accelerate the use of fuel saving devices and systems by homeowners). BNL assisted with the planning and implementation of the marketing and grants option phases for the New York State Pilot Marketing Demonstration Program and is monitoring the results. Additionally BNL planned, and is implementing, the Oil Refit Option Qualification Program involving procedures for evaluating refit options for selection, field testing, and quantifying fuel savings for the purpose of qualifying additional options for use in the DOE state and other marketing programs. The BNL approach for the evaluation of options on a comparative basis is shown and the potential for optimizing fuel savings by combining available single-choice refit options is examined. Also shown are the estimated fuel savings for each option installed