460 research outputs found
Thermo-electrochemical production of compressed hydrogen from methane with near-zero energy loss
[EN] Conventional production of hydrogen requires large industrial plants to minimize energy losses and capital costs associated with steam reforming, water-gas shift, product separation and compression. Here we present a protonic membrane reformer (PMR) that produces high-purity hydrogen from steam methane reforming in a single-stage process with near-zero energy loss. We use a BaZrO3-based proton-conducting electrolyte deposited as a dense film on a porous Ni composite electrode with dual function as a reforming catalyst. At 800 degrees C, we achieve full methane conversion by removing 99% of the formed hydrogen, which is simultaneously compressed electrochemically up to 50 bar. A thermally balanced operation regime is achieved by coupling several thermo-chemical processes. Modelling of a small-scale (10 kg H-2 day-1) hydrogen plant reveals an overall energy efficiency of >87%. The results suggest that future declining electricity prices could make PMRs a competitive alternative for industrial-scale hydrogen plants integrating CO2 capture.This work was supported by the Research Council of Norway (grant 256264) and the Spanish Government (SEV-2016-0683 grant).Malerød-Fjeld, H.; Clark, D.; Yuste Tirados, I.; Zanón González, R.; Catalán-Martínez, D.; Beeaff, D.; Hernández Morejudo, S.... (2017). Thermo-electrochemical production of compressed hydrogen from methane with near-zero energy loss. Nature Energy. 2(12):923-931. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-017-0029-4S923931212Morejudo, S. H. et al. Direct conversion of methane to aromatics in a catalytic co-ionic membrane reactor. Science 353, 563–566 (2016).Chu, S. & Majumdar, A. Opportunities and challenges for a sustainable energy future. Nature 488, 294–303 (2012).Logan, B. E. & Elimelech, M. Membrane-based processes for sustainable power generation using water. Nature 488, 313–319 (2012).Rostrup-Nielsen, J. R. 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Recent activity in the development of proton-conducting oxides for high-temperature applications. RSC Adv. 6, 73222–73268 (2016).Yamazaki, Y. et al. Proton trapping in yttrium-doped barium zirconate. Nat. Mater. 12, 647–651 (2013).Kjølseth, C. et al. Space-charge theory applied to the grain boundary impedance of proton conducting BaZr0.9Y0.1O3-δ . Solid State Ion. 181, 268–275 (2010).Coors, W. G A stoichiometric titration method for measuring galvanic hydrogen flux in ceramic hydrogen separation membranes. J. Membr. Sci. 458, 245–253 (2014).Zeppieri, M., Villa, P. L., Verdone, N., Scarsella, M. & De Filippis, P. Kinetic of methane steam reforming reaction over nickel- and rhodium-based catalysts. Appl. Catal. A 387, 147–154 (2010).Wang, B., Zhu, J. & Lin, Z. A theoretical framework for multiphysics modeling of methane fueled solid oxide fuel cell and analysis of low steam methane reforming kinetics. Appl. Energy 176, 1–11 (2016).Overview of Electricity Production and Use in Europe (European Environment Agency, 2016).Edwards, R., Larive, J.-F., Rickeard, D. & Weindorf, W. Well-To-Wheels Analysis of Future Automotive Fuels and Powertrains in the European Context, Well-to-Tank Report Version 4.a, JEC Well-to-Wheels Analysis (Joint Research Centre, 2014).Cho, V. H., Hamilton, B. A. & Kuehn, N. J. Assessment of Hydrogen Production with CO 2 Capture Volume 1: Baseline State-of-the-Art Plants (National Energy Technology Laboratory, 2010).Schjølberg, I. et al. Small-Scale Reformers for On-Site Hydrogen Supply (International Energy Agency-Hydrogen Implementing Agreement, 2012).de Visser, E. et al. Dynamis CO2 quality recommendations. Int. J. Greenhouse Gas Control 2, 478–484 (2008).Bertucciolo, L. et al. Development of Water Electrolysis in the European Union (Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, 2014).Edwards, R. et al. 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Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds during Inflammation Induced by TNF-α in Ventilated Rats
Systemic inflammation alters the composition of exhaled breath, possibly helping clinicians
diagnose conditions such as sepsis. We therefore evaluated changes in exhaled breath of rats given
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned
to three groups (n = 10 each) with intravenous injections of normal saline (control), 200 µg·kg−1
bodyweight TNF-α (TNF-α-200), or 600 µg·kg−1 bodyweight TNF-α (TNF-α-600), and were observed
for 24 h or until death. Animals were ventilated with highly-purified synthetic air to analyze exhaled
air by multicapillary column–ion mobility spectrometry. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were
identified from a database. We recorded blood pressure and cardiac output, along with cytokine
plasma concentrations. Control rats survived the 24 h observation period, whereas mean survival
time decreased to 22 h for TNF-α-200 and 23 h for TNF-α-600 rats. Mean arterial pressure decreased in
TNF-α groups, whereas IL-6 increased, consistent with mild to moderate inflammation. Hundreds of
VOCs were detected in exhalome. P-cymol increased by a factor-of-two 4 h after injection of TNF-α-600
compared to the control and TNF-α-200. We found that 1-butanol and 1-pentanol increased in both
TNF-α groups after 20 h compared to the control. As breath analysis distinguishes between two doses
of TNF-α and none, we conclude that it might help clinicians identify systemic inflammatio
Modelling food security: Bridging the gap between the micro and the macro scale
Achieving food and nutrition security for all in a changing and globalized world remains a critical challenge of utmost importance. The development of solutions benefits from insights derived from modelling and simulating the complex interactions of the agri-food system, which range from global to household scales and transcend disciplinary boundaries. A wide range of models based on various methodologies (from food trade equilibrium to agent-based) seek to integrate direct and indirect drivers of change in land use, environment and socio-economic conditions at different scales. However, modelling such interaction poses fundamental challenges, especially for representing non-linear dynamics and adaptive behaviours. We identify key pieces of the fragmented landscape of food security modelling, and organize achievements and gaps into different contextual domains of food security (production, trade, and consumption) at different spatial scales. Building on in-depth reflection on three core issues of food security – volatility, technology, and transformation – we identify methodological challenges and promising strategies for advancement. We emphasize particular requirements related to the multifaceted and multiscale nature of food security. They include the explicit representation of transient dynamics to allow for path dependency and irreversible consequences, and of household heterogeneity to incorporate inequality issues. To illustrate ways forward we provide good practice examples using meta-modelling techniques, non-equilibrium approaches and behavioural-based modelling endeavours. We argue that further integration of different model types is required to better account for both multi-level agency and cross-scale feedbacks within the food system.</p
A physical organogel electrolyte: Characterized by in situ thermo-irreversible gelation and single-ion-predominent conduction
Electrolytes are characterized by their ionic conductivity (??i). It is desirable that overall ??i results from the dominant contribution of the ions of interest (e.g. Li+ in lithium ion batteries or LIB). However, high values of cationic transference number (t+) achieved by solid or gel electrolytes have resulted in low ??i leading to inferior cell performances. Here we present an organogel polymer electrolyte characterized by a high liquid-electrolyte- level ??i (???101 mS cm-1) with high t+ of Li+ (>0.8) for LIB. A conventional liquid electrolyte in presence of a cyano resin was physically and irreversibly gelated at 60 ??C without any initiators and crosslinkers, showing the behavior of lower critical solution temperature. During gelation, ??i of the electrolyte followed a typical Arrhenius-type temperature dependency, even if its viscosity increased dramatically with temperature. Based on the Li + -driven ion conduction, LIB using the organogel electrolyte delivered significantly enhanced cyclability and thermal stability.open5
Morphology of supported polymer electrolyte ultra-thin films: a numerical study
Morphology of polymer electrolytes membranes (PEM), e.g., Nafion, inside PEM
fuel cell catalyst layers has significant impact on the electrochemical
activity and transport phenomena that determine cell performance. In those
regions, Nafion can be found as an ultra-thin film, coating the catalyst and
the catalyst support surfaces. The impact of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic
character of these surfaces on the structural formation of the films has not
been sufficiently explored yet. Here, we report about Molecular Dynamics
simulation investigation of the substrate effects on the ionomer ultra-thin
film morphology at different hydration levels. We use a mean-field-like model
we introduced in previous publications for the interaction of the hydrated
Nafion ionomer with a substrate, characterized by a tunable degree of
hydrophilicity. We show that the affinity of the substrate with water plays a
crucial role in the molecular rearrangement of the ionomer film, resulting in
completely different morphologies. Detailed structural description in different
regions of the film shows evidences of strongly heterogeneous behavior. A
qualitative discussion of the implications of our observations on the PEMFC
catalyst layer performance is finally proposed
Molecular origin of enhanced proton conductivity in anhydrous ionic systems
YesIonic systems with enhanced proton conductivity are widely viewed as promising electrolytes in fuel cells and batteries. Nevertheless, a major challenge toward their commercial applications is determination of the factors controlling the fast proton hopping in anhydrous conditions. To address this issue, we have studied novel proton-conducting materials formed via a chemical reaction of lidocaine base with a series of acids characterized by a various number of proton-active sites. From ambient and high pressure experimental data, we have found that there are fundamental differences in the conducting properties of the examined salts. On the other hand, DFT calculations revealed that the internal proton hopping within the cation structure strongly affects the pathways of mobility of the charge carrier. These findings offer a fresh look on the Grotthuss-type mechanism in protic ionic glasses as well as provide new ideas for the design of anhydrous materials with exceptionally high proton conductivity
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