• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2022

Preparing various types of thin films of oxide semiconductors is a promising approach to fabricate efficient photoanodes and photocathodes for hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of an efficient photocathode for PEC water reduction of a p-type oxide semiconductor cupric oxide (CuO) thin film prepared via a facile method combined with sputtering Cu metallic film on fluorine-doped thin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate and subsequent thermal oxidation of the sputtered Cu metallic film in dry air. Characterization of the structural, optical, and PEC properties of the CuO thin film prepared at various Cu sputtering powers reveals that we can obtain an optimum CuO thin film as an efficient PEC photocathode at a Cu sputtering power of 60 W. The photocurrent density and the optimal photocurrent conversion efficiency for the optimum CuO thin film photocathode are found to be -0.3 mA/cm² and 0.09% at 0.35 V vs. RHE, respectively. These results provide a promising route to fabricating earth-abundant copper-oxide-based photoelectrode for sunlight-driven hydrogen generation using a facile method.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.87-95
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• 2003

Although extensive studies were conduced on hydrogen fermentation of organic wastewaters, little is known about biohydrogen production from organic solid wastes. The leaching-bed reactor treating food waste by heat-shocked anaerobic sludge was, therefore, operated at D of 2.1, 3.6, 4.5 and $5.5d^{-1}$ to find optimal D for hydrogen production. Successful operation of a reactor can be accomplished when it is operated at proper dilution rate (D). Operation at high D leads to the washout of biomass in the reactor while operation at low D leads to product inhibition due to the accumulation of excess VFA. These appear to limit the production of hydrogen to reach a higher level. All the reactors showed that, on day 1-3, hydrogen production was dominant and VFA concentration was higher than ethanol. Butyrate and acetate were major components of VFAs over the whole operation, though lactate was very high on day 1-2. Compared with other D values, D of $4.5d^{-1}$, resulted in higher butyrate/acetae (B/A) ratios during the fermentation. The trend of B/A ratios was similar to the hydrogen production, suggesting that butyrate formation favored hydrogen production. Ethanol increased significantly from day 4 when hydrogen Production stopped. It indicated that heat-shocked sludge was able to induce a metabolic flow from hydrogen-and acid-producing pathway to solvent-producing pathway. Operation at D of $4.5d^{-1}$ led to higher fermentation efficiency (58%) than those (51.5, 55.3 and 53.7%) at 2.1, 3.6 and $5.5d^{-1}$. The COD removed was convened to hydrogen (10.1%), VFA (30.9%), and ethanol (17.0%).

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2015

Pollution emission control of the 20th century, for transportation energy, are being enhanced, and then as alternative to this, because hydrogen emit only water gas emissions to be environmentally friendly energy, so hydrogen as a sustainable clean energy is in the limelight. Used in compressed natural gas engines to mix hydrogen and natural gas in both domestic and international technology development and demonstration is being carried out. The hydrogen-compressed natural gas(HCNG) charging infrastructure can be used to build a hydrogen infrastructure in the transitional aspects of a future hydrogen economy society. In this paper, for a demonstration of HCNG charging infrastructure we made and operated a $30Nm^3/h$ hydrogen generating unit and analyzed the result of the operation. We was identified the operating conditions of a reforming reactor and water gas shift reactor from an analysis result, the thermal efficiency was calculated according to the operating conditions of the total hydrogen production process.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.534-540
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• 2022

Liquid hydrogen has the best storage capacity per unit mass and is economical among storage methods for using hydrogen as fuel. As the demand for hydrogen increases, the need to develop a storage and supply system of liquid hydrogen is emphasizing. In order to liquefy hydrogen, it is necessary to pre-cool it to a maximum inversion temperature of -253℃. The Gifford-McMahon (GM) refrigerator is the most reliable and commercialized refrigerator among small-capacity cryogenic refrigerators, which can extract high-efficiency hydrogen through liquefied hydrogen production and boil of gas re-liquefaction. Therefore, in this study, the optimal conditions for liquefying gas hydrogen were sought using the GM cryocooler. The process was simulated by PRO/II under various cooling capacities of the GM refrigerator. In addition, the flow rate of hydrogen was calculated by comparing with specific refrigerator capacity depending on the pressure and flow rate of a refrigerant medium, helium. Simulations were performed to investigate the optimal values of the liquefaction flow rate and compression pressure, which aim for the peak refrigeration effect. Based on this, a liquefaction system can be selected in consideration of the cycle configuration and the performance of the refrigerator.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.243-247
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• 2009

This study is purposed to analyze thermodynamic properties on the hydrogen production by ethylene glycol steam reforming. Various reaction conditions of temperatures(300~1,600 K), feed compositions(steam/carbon= 0.5~4.5), and pressures(1~30 atm) were applied to investigate the effects of the reaction conditions on the thermodynamic properties of dimethyl ether steam reforming. An endothermic steam reforming competed with an exothermic water gas shift reaction and an exothermic methanation within the applied reaction condition. Hydrogen production was initiated at the temperature of 400 K and the production rate was promoted at temperatures exceeding 500 K. An increase of steam to carbon ratio(S/C) in feed mixture over 1.0 resulted in the increase of the water gas shift reaction, which lowered the formation of carbon monoxide. The maximum hydrogen yield with minimizing loss of thermodynamic conversion efficiency was achieved at the reaction conditions of a temperature of 900 K and a steam to carbon ratio of 3.0.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.346-351
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• 2006

When metallic alloys are reacted to hydrogen, heat transfer of storage tank effects hydrogen storage rate and capacity. If pulsating heat pipe are used to improve heat transfer efficiency, production of hydrogen storage tank can be more simple and economical. Experiment of heat pipe was conducted by varying working fluids and heat flux. According to supply heat flux, test indicate that R-22 and R-l42b were found lower temperature difference between evaporator and condenser than R-134a and Ethanol. Thermal resistances of R-22 and R-142b were also lower than others. Using R-142b as a working fluid, heat pipe type hydrogen storage tank is tested in absorption and desorption processes.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.2753-2760
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• 2021

This paper proposes using sodium-cooled fast reactor technologies for use in hydrogen vapor methane (SMR) modification. Using three independent energy rings in the Russian BN-600 fast reactor, steam is generated in one of the steam-generating cycles with a pressure of 13.1 MPa and a temperature of 505 ℃. The reactor's second energy cycles can increase the gas-steam mixture's temperature to the required amount for efficient correction. The 620 ton/hr 540 ℃ steam generated in this cycle is sufficient to supply a high-temperature synthesis current source (700 ℃), which raises the steam-gas mixture's temperature in the reactor. The proposed technology provides a high rate of hydrogen production (approximately 144.5 ton/hr of standard H₂), also up to 25% of the original natural gas, in line with existing SMR technology for preparing and heating steam and gas mixtures will be saved. Also, exergy analysis results show that the plant's efficiency reaches 78.5% using HTR heat for combined hydrogen and power generation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.85-91
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• 2015

As the interest in hydrogen energy is being increased, it is a widely issue to develop a lot of hydrogen technologies in the field of production, storage, transportation, application and others. In the aftermath, there is a hydrogen town in Ul San, which is expected to expand application fields of hydrogen energy, as a demonstration project. The hydrogen town in Ul San can consist of high and low pressure part by the gas pressure. The high pressure part is managed by 'the high pressure gas safety control act'. And, low pressure part is managed by 'the guideline for the safety management of demonstration project of hydrogen town'. In this paper, to improve efficiency of safety management, the direction of safety management is reviewed by an analysis of low pressure hydrogen facility and safety management items. And then, some improvement directions are suggested. In the end, it is expected that the results of this study could help to activate construction of hydrogen town and improve efficiency of safety management as well.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.648-653
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• 2018

Bran of barley causes high viscosity in bioethanol production due to the large amount of ${\beta}$-glucans and fiber. High viscosity is the main cause of decreased productivity and decreased facility efficiency in ethanol production. In order to prevent high viscosity, this study investigated the possibility of bioethanol from barley by debranning. As a result, it was able to reduced the viscosity (22.8 cP to 17.5 cP). And the fermentation speed and yield were improved as the activity of the enzyme and activity of yeast was also increased was improved due to the removal of non-fermentable components. In conclusion, debranning was advantageous in two ways. Firstly, bran removal increased the starch content of the feedstock and decreased viscosity of mash, improving ethanol fermentation. Secondly, by-products produced by debranning can use valuable products. It was remarkable results to the feasibility of bioethanol production from debranned barley.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2010

Trends of the automotive market require the application of new engine technologies, which allows for the use of different types of fuel. Since ethanol is a renewable source of energy and it contributes to lower $CO_2$ emissions, ethanol produced from biomass is expected to increase in use as an alternative fuel. It is recognized that for spark ignition (SI) engines ethanol has advantages of high octane number and high combustion speed. In spite of the advantages of ethanol, fuel supply system might be affected by fuel blends with ethanol like a wear and corrosion of electric fuel pumps. So the on-board hydrogen production out of ethanol reforming can be considered as an alternative plan. This paper investigates the influence of ethanol fuel on SI engine performance, thermal efficiency and emissions. The results obtained from experiments have shown that specific fuel consumption has increased by increasing ethanol amount in the blend whereas decreased by the use of hydrogen-enriched gas. The combustion characteristics with hydrogen-enriched gaseous fuel from ethanol reforming are also examined.