Theoretical power density from salinity gradients using Reverse Electrodialysis

Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is a technology to generate power from mixing waters with different salinity. The net power density (i.e. power per membrane area) is determined by 1) the membrane potential, 2) the ohmic resistance, 3) the resistance due to changing bulk concentrations, 4) the boundary layer resistance and 5) the power required to pump the feed water. Previous power density estimations often neglected the latter three terms. This paper provides a set of analytical equations to estimate the net power density obtainable from RED stacks with spacers and RED stacks with profiled membranes. With the current technology, the obtained maximum net power density is calculated at 2.7 W/m2. Higher power densities could be obtained by changing the cell design, in particular the membrane resistance and the cell length. Changing these parameters one and two orders of magnitude respectively, the calculated net power density is close to 20 W/m

Finite-precision measurement does not nullify the Kochen-Specker theorem

It is proven that any hidden variable theory of the type proposed by Meyer [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 83}, 3751 (1999)], Kent [{\em ibid.} {\bf 83}, 3755 (1999)], and Clifton and Kent [Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A {\bf 456}, 2101 (2000)] leads to experimentally testable predictions that are in contradiction with those of quantum mechanics. Therefore, it is argued that the existence of dense Kochen-Specker-colorable sets must not be interpreted as a nullification of the physical impact of the Kochen-Specker theorem once the finite precision of real measurements is taken into account.Comment: REVTeX4, 5 page

Mixing layers in open channel flow with abrupt bed roughness changes

Hydraulic roughness is a key factor in modeling open channel flow. The frictional effects of roughness elements are generally parameterized by a roughness coefficient, representative for the roughness of a grid cell in a model. Bed roughness can be very heterogeneous in practical situations. Especially in floodplains, the roughness height can differ an order of magnitude over a small distance. This roughness heterogeneity impacts the shear stress distribution and the effective friction exerted on the flow. Previous research showed that the effective friction was 20% more than the theoretically weighted average value (Jarquín, 2007) in a flume with a parallel smooth-to-rough bed. Another calculation showed even 80% additional effective friction (Jarquín, 2007; Vermaas et al., 2007). New measurements and a detailed Large Eddy Simulation model described in this report were used to investigate the underlying mixing layer processes and the corresponding development length scales. This may provide the basis to parameterize roughness heterogeneity. Measurements in a developed flow over a parallel smooth-to-rough bottom show a secondary circulation in vertical planes across the flow. This circulation causes a transverse momentum transport from the smooth to the rough side. The momentum transport by this mechanism has nearly the same order of magnitude as the transverse momentum exchange by turbulent mixing. The transverse momentum exchange enhances the effective friction. An example with a 2D model shows that this can not explain the entire increase in effective friction; additional friction is probably also caused by extra turbulence production near the smooth-to-rough interface, and bed shear stress in the spanwise direction. In the transition from a uniform flow to a compound flow over parallel roughness lanes, transverse volume transport occurs mainly in the first 4 meter (twice the width of the flume), with a maximum velocity at the start of the parallel roughness section. The development length of the velocity profiles can be scaled to the depth of flow. The vertical profiles outside the mixing layer develop in about 25 times the water depth; the mixing layer at mid depth in about 50 water depths. The secondary circulation was estimated to be fully developed after 80 water depths, but has already a significant momentum transport at half of this distance. Furthermore, the depth averaged transverse mass transport causes a gradient in the advected longitudinal momentum and therefore the water level slope is even more increased above the start of a parallel rough bottom. As a typical example of repetitive changing roughness, the flow over a roughness pattern resembling an elongated checkerboard pattern was tested. The flow appeared to develop much slower in each section than over a single parallel (infinitely long) roughness. The maximum velocity remains close to the smooth-to-rough interface and no secondary flow is observed in this configuration. Turbulent mixing is neither very effective since the vortices are changing direction not before 1 meter after a roughness change. Nevertheless, the effective friction is seriously increased by this configuration; about 30% additional friction is observed in comparison with a developed parallel flow without transverse interaction. This can be explained by the large adaptation length of the flow relative to the size of the checkerboard fields. The flow velocity is relatively large over the rough fields, and slow over the smooth fields, causing the additional drag.Hydrology and Quantitative Water ManagementWater ManagementCivil Engineering and Geoscience

Early detection of preferential channeling in reverse electrodialysis

Membrane applications often experience fouling, which prevent uniform flow distribution through the feed water compartments, i.e. preferential channeling may occur. This research shows the effect of preferential channeling on energy generation from mixing salt water and fresh water using reverse electrodialysis (RED). The experimentally obtained power density, electrical resistance and pressure drop are evaluated for artificially controlled preferential channeling. The obtained power density decreases significantly when part of the feed water compartment is inaccessible for flow; a blockage of only 10% of the feed water compartments decreases the net power density by approximately 20%. When 80% of the feed water channels is inaccessible, the net power densities are only marginally positive. This decrease in power density is due to an increase in non-ohmic resistance, which is related to the concentration changes in the feed water compartments when ions are transported from the seawater to the river water side. Chronopotentiometric measurements show that the typical response time to establish a non-ohmic overpotential is an even more sensitive and easily scalable parameter to detect preferential channeling (and the presence of possible fouling) in an early stage. In practical applications, this response time can thus be used as an indicator for preferential channeling and serve to decide on and selectively apply cleaning in RED and other applications

Electrochemical CO₂ capture can finally compete with amine-based capture

Electrochemical CO2 capture is promising for closing the carbon cycle but needs technological advances. In a recent issue of Nature Energy, a novel chemistry for electrochemical CO2 capture is presented, demonstrating low energy consumption and high purity with virtually no degradation. This finally allows competition with amine-based capture technology.reen Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.ChemE/Transport PhenomenaLarge Scale Energy Storag

Capacitive Electrodes for Energy Generation by Reverse Electrodialysis

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