• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.405-414
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• 2011

Recently, the development of several hundreds of kW scale PCS for fuel cell generation is required as commercialization process of distributed generation systems using high temperature fuel cells such as MCFC begins. This paper proposes and optimized topology suitable for MCFC fuel cell generation system and LCL filter design method considering voltage quality of local loads such as MBOP. An interleaving technique is applied to step-up DC-DC converter, optimized number of phases is determined considering efficiency and volume. Also, a LCL filter design method is proposed considering quality of current injected to the grid as well as that of voltage across the local load. The proposed PCS system is validated through reduced 1kW prototype.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.67-95
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• 2024

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) have gained much attention as promising energy conversion devices due to their ability to utilize alcohol as a fuel source. In this regard, Molybdenum-based electrocatalysts (Mo-ECs) have emerged as a substitution for expensive Pt and Ru-based co-catalyst electrode materials in DAFCs, owing to their unique electrochemical properties useful for alcohol oxidation. The catalytic activity of Mo-ECs displays an increase in alcohol oxidation current density by several folds to 1000-2000 mA mg_Pt^-1, compared to commercial Pt and PtRu catalysts of 10-100 mA mg_Pt^-1. In addition, the methanol oxidation peak and onset potential have been significantly reduced by 100-200 mV and 0.5-0.6 V, respectively. The performance of Mo-ECs in both acidic and alkaline media has shown the potential to significantly reduce the Pt loading. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the bifunctional mechanism involved in the oxidation of alcohols and factors affecting the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohol, such as synthesis method, structural properties, and catalytic support materials. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects of Mo-ECs for DAFCs anode materials are discussed. This in-depth review serves as valuable insight toward enhancing the performance and efficiency of DAFC by employing Mo-ECs.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.678-699
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• 2015

Although the harsh space environment imposes many severe challenges to space pioneers, space exploration is a realistic and profitable goal for long-term humanity survival. One of the viable and promising options to overcome the harsh environment of space is nuclear propulsion. Particularly, the Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) is a leading candidate for nearterm human missions to Mars and beyond due to its relatively high thrust and efficiency. Traditional NTR designs use typically high power reactors with fast or epithermal neutron spectrums to simplify core design and to maximize thrust. In parallel there are a series of new NTR designs with lower thrust and higher efficiency, designed to enhance mission versatility and safety through the use of redundant engines (when used in a clustered engine arrangement) for future commercialization. This paper proposes a new NTR design of the second design philosophy, Korea Advanced NUclear Thermal Engine Rocket (KANUTER), for future space applications. The KANUTER consists of an Extremely High Temperature Gas cooled Reactor (EHTGR) utilizing hydrogen propellant, a propulsion system, and an optional electricity generation system to provide propulsion as well as electricity generation. The innovatively small engine has the characteristics of high efficiency, being compact and lightweight, and bimodal capability. The notable characteristics result from the moderated EHTGR design, uniquely utilizing the integrated fuel element with an ultra heat-resistant carbide fuel, an efficient metal hydride moderator, protectively cooling channels and an individual pressure tube in an all-in-one package. The EHTGR can be bimodally operated in a propulsion mode of $100MW_{th}$ and an electricity generation mode of $100MW_{th}$, equipped with a dynamic energy conversion system. To investigate the design features of the new reactor and to estimate referential engine performance, a preliminary design study in terms of neutronics and thermohydraulics was carried out. The result indicates that the innovative design has great potential for high propellant efficiency and thrust-to-weight of engine ratio, compared with the existing NTR designs. However, the build-up of fission products in fuel has a significant impact on the bimodal operation of the moderated reactor such as xenon-induced dead time. This issue can be overcome by building in excess reactivity and control margin for the reactor design.

• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 2020

Methanol synthesized from renewable hydrogen and captured CO2 has recently attracted great interest as a sustainable energy carrier for large-scale renewable energy storage. In this study, molten carbonate fuel cell's performance was investigated with the direct conversion of methanol into syngas inside the anode chamber of the cell. The internal reforming of methanol may significantly improve system efficiency since the heat generated from the electrochemical reaction can be used directly for the endothermic reforming reaction. The porous Ni-10 wt%Cr anode was sufficient for the methanol steam reforming reaction under the fuel cell operating condition. The direct supply of methanol into the anode chamber resulted in somewhat lower cell performance, especially at high current density. Recycling of the product gas into the anode gas inlet significantly improved the cell performance. The analysis based on material balance revealed that, with increasing current density and gas recycling ratio, the methanol steam reforming reaction rate likewise increased. A methanol conversion more significant than 90% was achieved with gas recycling. The results showed the feasibility of electricity and syngas co-production using the molten carbonate fuel cell. Further research is needed to optimize the fuel cell operating conditions for simultaneous production of electricity and syngas, considering both material and energy balances in the fuel cell.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.415-424
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• 2017

Commonly cation exchange membranes have been used for vanadium redox flow batteries. However, a severe vanadium ion cross-over causes low energy efficiency. Thus in this study, we prepared 3 different anion exchange membranes to investigate the effect on the membrane properties such as vanadium ion cross-over and long term stability. The base membranes were prepared by an electrolyte pore filling technique using vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC), divinylbenzene (DVB) within a porous polyethylene (PE) substrate. Then 3 different functional amines were introduced into the base membranes, respectively. These resulting membranes were evaluated by physico-chemical properties such as ion exchange capacity, dimensional stability, vanadium ion cross-over and membrane area resistance. Conclusively, TEA-functionalized membrane showed longest term stability than other membranes although all the membranes are similar to coulombic efficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.97-105
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• 2007

This study was conducted to compare the performances of acidogenic fermentation and hydrogen fermentation using bench-scale leaching-bed reactors for organic solid waste. Acidogenic fermenters were operated with dilution rates (D) of 2.0, 3.0 and $4.0d^{-1}$ after employing anaerobic sludge and hydrogen fermenters were operated with D of 2.0, 4.0 and $6.0d^{-1}$ after employing heat-treated anaerobic sludge. The highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) conversion efficiency (56.2%) was obtained in acidogenic fermentation with D of $3.0d^{-1}$. Only volatile fatty acid (VFA) was produced as a metabolite. On the other hand, hydrogen fermentation did not show higher COD conversion efficiency (49.3%) than acidogenic fermentation, but it produced hydrogen gas (5.1% of total COD) which was a clean and environmentally friendly fuel with a high energy yield. Therefore, either acidogenic fermentation or hydrogen fermentation could be applied to organic solid waste depending on the purpose of treatment, which could maximize the economics of anaerobic treatment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.265-275
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• 1993

A vapor explosion has been a concern in nuclear reactor safety due to its potential for a destructive mechanical energy release. In order to properly assess the hazard of a vapor explosion, it is necessary to accurately estimate the conversion efficiency of the thermal energy to mechanical energy. In the absence of a complete model to determine the explosive energy yield, one may have to rely on a simpler upper bound estimate such as a thermodynamic model. This paper discusses various thermodynamic models and presents a clarification of each model in their mathematical formulation and the thermodynamic work conversion. It is shown that the work release in the shock adiabatic model of Board and Hall is essentially equal to that of Hicks-Menzies thermodynamic model. The effect of coolant void fraction on the explosion efficiency is also predicted based on these thermodynamic models. Finally, the Hicks-Menzies model is modified to account for the chemical reaction between a metallic fuel and water and the resultant effects on the explosion expansion work are discussed.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.214-225
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• 2016

Gasification is one of the important contribution to resource recycling by conversion of biomass to a variety of energy sources such as alcohol, SNG etc., and to global warming prevention by reduction of green house gases such as $CO_2$. The aim of this study is to draw the optimal operation condition of dual fluidized-bed gasifier with biomass fuel, to verify SNG production efficiency and to establish the basis for the domestic commercialization of dual fluidized bed gasification. As a result, dual fluidized-bed gasifier has the optimal conditions at $826^{\circ}C$ with steam input 1,334 g/hr, air input 5.56 L/min. The carbon conversion is 81% and SNG production efficiency was $CH_4$ 92%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.49-55
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• 2014

Design criterion for the size of micro Pt-catalytic combustor is investigated in terms of heat release rate. One-dimensional plug flow model is applied to determine the surface reaction constants using the experimental data at stoichiometric butane-air mixture. With these reaction constants, the mass fraction of butane and heat release rate predicted by the plug flow model are in good agreement with the experimental data at the combustor exit. The relationship between the size of micro catalytic combustor and mixture flowrate is introduced in the form of product of two terms-the effect of fuel conversion efficiency, and the effect of chemical reaction rate and mass transfer rate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.403.2-403.2
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• 2016

Porous materials play a significant role in energy storage and conversion applications such as catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. In particular, hierarchical porous materials with both micropores (poresize, ${\delta}$ < 2 nm) and regularly arranged mesopores (2 nm < ${\delta}$ < 50 nm) are known to greatly enhance the efficiency of catalytic reactions by providing enormous surface area as well as fast mass transport channels for both reactants and products from/to active sites. Although it is generally agreed that the microscopic structure of the porous materials directly affects the performance of these catalytic reactions, neither detailed mechanisms nor fundamental understanding are available at hand. In this study, we propose an atomistic model of hierarchical nanostructured porous carbons (HNPCs) in molecular dynamics simulations. By performing a systematic study, we found that structural features of the HNPC can be independently altered by tuning specific synthesis parameters, while remaining other structures unchanged. In addition, we show some structure-property relations including mechanical and gas transport properties.