• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.591-598
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• 2017

Power overshoot phenomenon was observed in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) used non-catalyzed graphite felt as cathode. Voltage loss in MFCs was mainly caused by cathode potential loss. Cheap stainless steel scrubber, which has high conductivity, and Pt/C coated graphite felt as cathode were used for overcoming power overshoot and reducing the cathode potential loss in MFCs. The MFCs used stainless steel scrubber showed no power overshoot even slow catholyte flow rate and produced 29% enhanced maximum current density ($23.9A/m^3$) than MFCs used non-catalyzed graphite felt while the power overshoot phenomenon was existed in Pt/C coated MFCs. Increasing catholyte flow rate resulted in disappearing power overshoot of MFCs used non-catalyzed graphite felt. In addition, maximum power density and current density of both MFCs used non-catalyzed graphite felt and stainless steel scrubber increased by 2-3.5 times. Cathode potential losses in all region of activation loss, ohmic loss, and mass transport loss were reduced according to increase of catholyte flow rate. Therefore, stainless steel scrubber has advantages that are economical materials as electrode and prevents power overshoot, leading to enhance electricity generation. In addition, increasing catholyte flux is one of great solution when power overshoot caused by cathodic overpotential is observed in MFCs.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.466-474
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• 2021

A wet type scrubber for merchant vessel uses super austenitic stainless steels with pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) of 40 or higher for operation in a harsh corrosive environment. However, it is expensive due to a high nickel content. Thus, electrochemical behavior and cavitation erosion characteristics of UNS S32750 as an alternative material were investigated. Microstructure analysis revealed fractions of ferritic and austenitic phases of 48% and 52%, respectively, confirming the existence of ferritic matrix and austenitic island. Potentiodynamic polarization test revealed damage at the interface of the two phases because of galvanic corrosion due to different chemical compositions of ferritic and austenitic phases. After a cavitation test, a compressive residual stress was formed on the material surface due to impact pressure of cavity. Surface hardness was improved by water cavitation peening effect. Hardness value was the highest at 30 ㎛ amplitude. Scanning electron microscopy revealed wave patterns due to plastic deformation caused by impact pressure of the cavity. The depth of surface damage increased with amplitude. Cavitation test revealed larger damage caused by erosion in the ferritic phase due to brittle fracture derived from different strain rate sensitivity index of FCC and BCC structures.