Fuel Cells Articles
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Combination of a novel electrode material and artificial mediators to enhance power generation in an MFC
This study focuses on two main aspects: developing a novel cost-effective electrode material and power production from domestic wastewater using three different mediators. Methylene blue (MB), neutral red (NR) and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ) were selected as electrode mediators with different concentrations. A tin-coated copper mesh electrode was tested as anode electrode. Maximum power ...
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New life for the artificial leaf?
Research in laboratories around the world is moving the promise of artificial photosynthesis closer to reality Sandwiched between rows of bottled chemicals and racks of drying glassware on the third floor of Harvard University’s Mallinckrodt laboratory, four thumbnail-size bits of pinstriped silicon hang from a thin metal wire like T-shirts on a clothesline. For something with the ...
By Ensia
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Controlling methanogenesis and improving power production of microbial fuel cell by lauric acid dosing
Methanogens compete with anodophiles for substrate and thus reduce the power generation and coulombic efficiency (CE) of the microbial fuel cell (MFC). Performance of a baked clayware membrane MFC inoculated with mixed anaerobic sludge pretreated with lauric acid was investigated in order to enhance power recovery by controlling methanogenesis. In the presence of lauric acid pretreated ...
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A Cleaner Energy Future
As renewable energy plays an increasingly important role in the world’s energy portfolio, the standards of ASTM International Committee E44 are helping to pave the way for innovation in clean energy sources. A growing population and improving living standards around the world are causing significant increases in energy demand and competition for fossil fuels. These escalating energy ...
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Non-isolated high step-up interleaved boost converter
The output voltage available from renewable sources like photovoltaic panels, fuel cells and battery banks are too low to be practically utilised. Therefore, the available voltage must be stepped up considerably before connecting to the load. In this paper, a novel topology, which consists of two interleaved stages and five voltage multiplier cells, is presented. The topology is derived from a ...
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Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)-functionalised silica composite membranes for applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and its composites are explored as potential alternatives for Nafion in fuel cell applications. In this work, we investigate the effects of the silica functionalisation route on the thermal, mechanical and structural properties of SPEEK-Silica composite membranes. We compare two different methods – direct sulfonation and ...
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SnO 2 -Nafion ® nanocomposite polymer electrolytes for fuel cell applications
Fuel cells are capable to exploit the combustion of hydrogen to convert chemical energy into electricity. Polymer electrolyte fuel cells based on Nafion membranes are able to work in a relatively low temperature range (70–90ºC) but require operating relative humidity (RH) close to 100%. To develop proton-exchange membranes with adequate performances at low RH, an attractive strategy ...
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Effect of various micro-porous layer preparation methods on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been widely studied and discussed in the field of energy owing to their high energy efficiency and low waste emissions. A PEMFC uses hydrogen gas as a fuel, and works by causing hydrogen ions to link up with oxygen, producing liquid water as its sole by-product. The design of a PEMFC's micro-porous layer (MPL) can not only enhance cell ...
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Solar powered solid oxide fuel cell with thermoelectric generator
Durable, location independent, environmental–friendly sources of energy which allow for modular, few moving parts, low operating noise, high electricity generation efficiency and compact technology are highly desirable. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising for such energy system development, since they are energy efficient and, if pure hydrogen is used, have virtually no emissions of ...
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Biogas cleaning / conditioning - A requirement for optimal functioning of CHP systems
Biogas is obtained through the anaerobic decomposition (putrefaction) of organic matter. It contains methane (CH4) in varying proportions, ranging from 35% to 70%, a proportion which largely depends on production methods and the materials involved in the process. This methane concentration is what enables biogas to be used as fuel. The release of methane into the atmosphere contributes to an ...
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Exergoeconomic based multi–objective optimisation of a solid oxide fuel cell system
In this study, the multi–objective optimisation of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system by defining the objective functions to maximise the power output, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency, and minimise the cost under various constraints is conducted. In this regard, energy, exergy and exergoeconomic analyses are performed. Some specific cases are considered and studied parametrically by ...
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Wastewater as anolyte for bioelectricity generation in graphite granule anode single chambered microbial fuel cell: effect of current collector
Single chambered microbial fuel cell (sMFC) could be used for wastewater treatment as well as to generate electricity. Bioelectrochemical treatment of synthetic acetate based wastewater with simultaneous power generation was studied in tubular type air cathode sMFC. In order to improve the efficacy of MFC, three different anodic systems were considered such as graphite granules with graphite rod ...
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Performance of air cathode earthen pot microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater treatment with bioelectricity generation
Air cathode earthen pot microbial fuel cell (ACEMFC) was made using low cost earthen pots as a separator coated with conductive carbon black on the exterior to work as a cathode. ACEMFC was operated in fed–batch mode with synthetic wastewater containing acetate as anolyte (0.40 L) at a fixed external resistance of 100 Ω. Carbon cloth (projected surface area of 32 cm2) was used as anode. Sludge ...
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Different types of carbon nanotube-based anodes to improve microbial fuel cell performance
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative technology for producing electricity directly from biodegradable organic matter using bacteria. Among all the influenceable factors, anode materials play a crucial role in electricity generation. Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have exhibited promising properties as electrode material due to their unique structural, and physical and chemical ...
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Development of LabVIEW–based multilevel inverter with reduced number of switches
In the present scenario, the development of multilevel inverter is becoming popular for industrial applications and higher scale renewable green power technologies such as fuel cell, PV cell and wind turbine systems connected to the load. But the traditional multilevel topologies have large components and complex Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller leading to reduced harmonics and voltage ...
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Batteries Are the Heart of Renewable Energy
US researchers have made a vital step ahead in the pursuit to amass electricity from irregular energy resources like solar energy and wind energy. A Harvard University group has turned up with a technique to cut down the expenditure of flow battery technology that is competent of storing energy on big scales within an electrical power grid. Grid-scale storage for renewable resources could be a ...
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Car Makers Show off New Developments in Storing Solar Energy
On cloudy days and once the sundown is down, either a homeowner with solar panels to harness power is conserving their usage of electricity or they are back online with their utility providers. Carmakers claim to have an answer to this dilemma of storing solar energy in batteries for later use. Experimental Technologies in Homes A leader in the automobile industry, Honda, unveiled their ...
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Simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal using a litre-scale upflow microbial fuel cell
A 10 L upflow microbial fuel cell (UMFC) was constructed for simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal. During the 6-month operation, the UMFC constantly removed carbon and nitrogen, and then generated electricity with synthetic wastewater as substrate. At 5.0 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen, 100 Ω external resistance, and pH 6.5, the maximum power density (Pmax) and nitrification rate for ...
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Performance of microbial fuel cells on removal of metronidazole
The microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are the focus of extensive investigation as one of the promising technologies for renewable energy generation and wastewater treatment. Two-chambered MFCs were designed to investigate the removal of metronidazole and to quantify the effect of antibiotic on the efficacy of energy generation. Using 1,000 mg glucose L−1 containing different concentrations of ...
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7 Different type of alternative energy
There are different types of clean energy technologies that are available today for electricity generation. Most of these have a number of benefits that different communities can explore and put into good use. Here are some clean sources of energy. Biomass Energy Biomass energy is an alternative source of renewable and clean energy that is one of the oldest and most effective sources of green ...
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