• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.648-653
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• 2012

Hybridization of dense ceramic membranes for hydrogen separation with an electronically conductive metallic phase is normally utilized to enhance the hydrogen permeation flux and thereby to increase the production efficiency of hydrogen. In this study, we developed a nickel and proton conducting oxide ($BaCe_{0.9}Y_{0.1}O_{3-{\delta}}$: BCY) based cermet (ceramic-metal composites) membrane. Focused on the general criteria in that the hydrogen permeation properties of a cermet membrane depend on its microstructural features, such as the grain size and the homogeneity of the mix, we tried to optimize the microstructure of Ni-BCY cermets by controlling the fabrication condition. The Ni-BCY composite powder was synthesized via a solid-state reaction using $2NiCO_3{\cdot}3Ni(OH)_2{\cdot}4H_2O$, $BaCeO_3$, $CeO_2$ and $Y_2O_3$ as a starting material. To optimize the mixing scale and homogeneity of the composite powder, we employed a high-energy milling process. With this high-energy milled composite powder, we could fabricate a fine-grained dense membrane with an excellent level of mixing homogeneity. This controlled Ni-BCY cermet membrane showed higher hydrogen permeability compared to uncontrolled Ni-BCY cermets created with a conventionally ball-milled composite powder.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2022

With rapid industrialization and population growth, fossil fuel use has increased, which has a significant impact on the environment. Hydrogen does not cause contamination in the energy production process, so it seems to be a solution, but it is essential to find an appropriate storage method due to its low efficiency. In this study, Mg-based alloys capable of ensuring safety and high volume and hydrogen storage density per weight was studied, and Mg₂NiH_x synthesized with Ni capable of improving hydrogenation kinetics. In addition, in order to improve thermal stability, a hydrogen storage composite material synthesized with CaO was synthesized to analyze the change in hydrogenation reaction. In order to analyze the changes in the metallurgical properties of the materials through the process, XRD, SEM, BET, etc. were conducted, and hydrogenation behavior was confirmed by TGA and hydrogenation kinetics analysis. In addition, in order to evaluate the impact of the process on the environment, the environmental impact was evaluated through "Material Life Cycle Assessments" based on CML 2001 and EI99' methodologies, and compared and analyzed with previous studies. As a result, the synthesis of CaO caused additional power consumption, which had a significant impact on global warming, and further research is required to improve this.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.2089-2092
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• 2007

Tantalum-containing metal oxides, well known for their efficiency in water splitting and H2 production, have never been used in visible light driven photodecomposition of H2S and H2 production. The present work is an attempt in this direction and investigates their efficiency. A mixed metal oxide, ZnFe2Ta2O9, with the inclusion of Fe2O3 to impart color, was prepared by the conventional ceramic route in single- and double-calcinations (represented as ZnFe2Ta2O9-SC and ZnFe2Ta2O9-DC respectively). The XRD characterization shows that both have identical patterns and reveals tetragonal structure to a major extent and a minor contribution of orthorhombic crystalline system. The UV-visible diffuse reflection spectra demonstrate the intense, coherent and wide absorption of visible light by both the catalysts, with absorption edge at 650 nm, giving rise to a band gap of 1.9 eV. Between the two catalysts, however, ZnFe2Ta2O9-DC has greater absorption in almost the entire wavelength region, which accounts for its strong brown coloration than ZnFe2Ta2O9-SC when viewed by the naked eye. In photocatalysis, both catalysts decompose H2S under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) and produce solar H2 at a much higher rate than previously reported catalysts. Nevertheless, ZnFe2Ta2O9-DC distinguishes itself from ZnFe2Ta2O9-SC by exhibiting a higher efficiency because of its greater light absorption. Altogether, the tantalum-containing mixed metal oxide proves its efficient catalytic role in H2S decomposition and H2 production process also.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.519-520
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• 2006

Research was performed to increase the efficiency of a plasma reactor for $H_2$ yield. In the preceding studies $H_2$ was increased by adding Ni as a transitional metal catalyst and $TiO_2$ as a photocatalyst. In these experiments, it was found that distilled water, discharge frequency, and electrode configuration had a significant impact on $H_2$ generation. A substantial amount of hydrogen yield was observed at 2 kHz of discharge frequency and 12 kV of applied voltage. Within this favorable discharge conditions, the weight rate of $TiO_2$ and Ni powders was investigated. Plasma phenomenon was measured by electrical, optical and acoustical devices. It was found that emitted light, electric current and acoustical signals acquired from the discharge demonstrated systematical correlation. Changing the electrode's configuration allowed discharge distribution along the perimeter of the electrode's tip, which increased the density of streamers and plasma energy loadings, as the value of inception voltage for the discharge propagation decreased.

• Clean Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.271-277
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• 2015

A photocatalyst which mixed by the commercialized P25-TiO₂ and a synthesized Ag_xO was used in an appropriate weight ratio to effectively produce hydrogen gas in this study. The Ag_xOs were synthesized with the conventional sol-gel method, and tetramethylammonium hydroxides were added at the synthesis process in order to stabilize the solutions, and then the solutions were heat-treated at the temperatures of -5, 25, and 50 ℃, resulted to obtain the three types of silver oxides. Physicochemical properties of the synthesized Ag_xOs were identified through X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning emission microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the photolysis results of water/methanol (weight ratio 1:1) solution, the mixture of P25-TiO₂/Ag_xO exhibited a significantly higher hydrogen gases evolution, compared to that of pure P25-TiO₂. Additionally, the addition of H₂O₂ as an supplement oxidant and in Ag_xO synthesized at 50 ℃ improved the hydrogen production efficiency. In particular, the emitted hydrogen gases reached to 13,000 μmol during 8 hours when a mixed catalyst, Ag_xO of 0.1 g and P25-TiO₂ of 0.9 g, were used.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.17-25
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• 2020

Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology has constructed a large scale Dust Thermal Vacuum Chamber to simulate extreme lunar terrestrial environments and to study the Moon as an outposts for space development and exploration. Although a large amount of KLS-1 (Korean Lunar Simulant-1) is required for research, its massive production is practically difficult. This paper describes semi-automatic manufacturing system for massive production of KLS-1 in detail, which is seven times more efficient than manual production. In addition, to increase the similarity with lunar regolith, hydrogen reduction reaction using ilmenite which is one of the minerals was also conducted to simulate nanophase Fe(0) which is the unique property of lunar regolith. As a result, it was found that np-Fe(0) was formed at a temperature of 700℃ or higher, and increased in proportion to the temperature until 900℃.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2017

Although most electricity production contributes to air pollution, the vehicle organizations and environmental agency categorizes all EVs as zero-emission vehicles because they produce no direct exhaust or emissions. Currently available EVs have a shorter range per charge than most conventional vehicles have per tank of gas. EVs manufacturers typically target a range of 160 km over on a fully charged battery. The energy efficiency and driving range of EVs varies substantially based on driving conditions and driving habits. Extreme outside temperatures tend to reduce range, because more energy must be used to heat or cool the cabin. High driving speeds reduce range because of the energy required to overcome increased drag. Compared with gradual acceleration, rapid acceleration reduces range. Additional devices significant inclines also reduces range. Based on these driving modes and climate conditions, this paper discusses the performance characteristics of EVs on energy efficiency and driving range. Test vehicles were divided by low / high-speed EVs. The difference of test vehicles are on the vehicle speed and size. Low-speed EVs is a denomination for battery EVs that are legally limited to roads with posted speed limits as high as 72 km/h depending on the particular laws, usually are built to have a top speed of 60 km/h, and have a maximum loaded weight of 1,400 kg. Each vehicle test was performed according to the driving modes and test temperature ($-25^{\circ}C{\sim}35^{\circ}C$). It has a great influence on fuel efficiency amd driving distance according to test temperature conditions.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.768-774
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• 2014

SI process is a thermochemical process producing hydrogen by decomposing water while recycling sulfur and iodine. Various technologies have been developed to improve the efficiency on Section III of SI process, where iodine is separated and recycled. EED(electro-electrodialysis) could increase the efficiency of Section III without additional chemical compounds but a substantial amount of $I_2$ from a process stream is loaded on EED. In order to reduce the load, a crystallization technology prior to EED is considered as an $I_2$ removal process. In this work, $I_2$ particle sinking behavior was modeled to secure basic data for designing an $I_2$ crystallizer applied to $I_2$-saturated $HI_x$ solutions. The composition of $HI_x$ solution was determined by thermodynamic UVa model and correlation equations and pure properties were used to evaluate the solution properties. A multiphysics computational tool was utilized to calculate particle sinking velocity changes with respect to $I_2$ particle radius and temperature. The terminal velocity of an $I_2$ particle was estimated around 0.5 m/s under considered radius (1.0 to 2.5 mm) and temperature (10 to $50^{\circ}C$) ranges and it was analyzed that the velocity is more dependent on the solution density than the solution viscosity.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.85-92
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• 2016

Since the power density of the VHTR(Very High Temperature Reactor) is lower, there is less possibility of core melt. VHTR has no risk of explosion caused by hydrogen generation when the loss of coolant accident occurs, which is another advantage. Along with safety benefit, it can be used as a process heat supplier near demand facilities because coolant temperature is very high enough to be used for industrial purpose. In this paper, we designed the primary system using VHTR and the secondary system providing electricity and process heat. Based on that 350 MW thermal reactor proposed by NGNP(Next Generation Nuclear Part), we developed conceptual model that the IHX(Intermediate Heat Exchanger) loop transports 300 MW thermal energy to the secondary system. In addition, we analyzed thermodynamic behavior and performed the efficiency analysis and optimization study depending on major parameters.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.636-644
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• 2008

The objective of this paper is to investigate characteristics of an autothermal reformer at various operating conditions. Numerical method has been used, and simulation model has been developed for the analysis. Pseudo-homogeneous model is incorporated because the reactor is filled with catalysts of a packed-bed type. Dominant chemical reactions are Full Combustion reaction, Steam Reforming(SR) reaction, Water-Gas Shift(WGS) reaction, and Direct Steam Reforming(DSR) reaction. Simulation results are compared with experimental results for code validation. Operating parameters of the autothermal reformer are inlet temperature, Oxygen to Carbon Ratio(OCR), Steam to Carbon Ratio(SCR), and Gas Hourly Space Velocity(GHSV). Temperature at the reactor center, fuel conversion, species at the reformer outlet, and reforming efficiency are shown as simulation results. SR reaction rate is improved by increased inlet temperature. Reforming efficiency and fuel conversion reached the maximum at 0.7 of OCR. SR reaction and WGS reaction are activated as SCR increases. When GHSV is increased, reforming efficiency increases but pressure drop from the increased GHSV may decrease the system efficiency.