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Solar energy can provide a viable alternative energy source to meet the special energy demands that are typically required to operate mobile robots. Conventional energy sources cannot fulfil these demands as satisfactorily as solar energy can, given the disfavour that conventional energy sources find in an eco-conscious world, and also given the practical limitations associated with conventional energy sources which cannot conveniently be accessed in places where mobile robots are normally put to use which are often inaccessible and beyond human reach. This study seeks to demonstrate that solar energy can be harnessed and stored using hydrogen as a medium to store an otherwise intermittent supply of energy that is characteristic of solar energy. In this study, an Industrial Mobile Robot Platform (IMRP) was designed to run on fuel cells using a low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage system which would store more energy on board than a rechargeable battery could. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the impacts of aviation on global climate change, and shows attempts by the aviation industry to mitigate those impacts by means of alternative fuels. Special respect in this paper is given to the use of hydrogen as aviation fuel. Examples of practical and theoretical research projects on the application of hydrogen are presented and the current outlook towards an introduction of hydrogen into practice is presented. From a technological point of view, hydrogen as an aircraft fuel is feasible. However, in the current attempts by the aviation industry to improve environmental friendliness, hydrogen is not included as a measure within the foreseeable timeframe due to large financial and technical efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fuel Cell Laboratory at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) originally founded to support a research funded by the US Department of Energy under the leading author΄s supervision during 1996-1997 period [1]. In sequel, the laboratory has been upgraded with several industrial funding supports, including Teledyne Inc., Enerfuel Inc, in addition to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and FAU internal research funds. With the continuing support of local FC industries, the laboratory is considered a focal point for the research and educational activities pertaining to proven fuel cell testing technology. In this paper, an overview of several research and instructional activities of FAU Fuel Cell Laboratory are briefly presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we discuss challenges and opportunities facing PEM fuel cell systems in three levels: system architecture, control, and diagnostics. In the system architecture context, we analyze various realizations for the fuel cell system as well as the hybrid system. In the control context, we discuss the optimal control strategy for flow, humidity, temperature, and power subsystems. In the diagnostic context, we discuss diagnostic tools based on the stage in the product lifecycle where they are required, i.e., research, development, manufacturing, and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the introduction to this book, and to this chapter in particular, the polymer engineering process is presented from a holistic point of view, i.e., with all of its material sources and ramifications. In the sections that follow, this point of view will be demonstrated on the basis of a number of examples of structural component development from the recent past; some of these projects extend into the future as well. Following an introductory text, each example of component development will be supplemented by a qualitative evaluation table with explanations as required. These tables are also qualitative checklists for avoiding future errors based on the example of the specific application considered in each case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standalone power systems for telecommunications are becoming an emergent need, due to environmental problems and their current tendency to be localized in remote places. Along with photovoltaic and wind generators, fuel cells are one of the most mature technologies to be employed in this kind of systems. As they are expensive and complex systems, it is important to simulate their behaviour to study different operating modes. This paper intends to propose a simulation of a fuel cell system with a voltage-fed full-bridge converter in the Matlab-Simulink© environment fulfilling the strict telecommunications equipment requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes with a diameter of 10–50 nm was obtained by methane pyrolysis over a Fe/MgO catalyst and investigated as supports for Pt clusters for elaboration of electrocatalysts for fuel cells [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High porous carbon material was prepared by template synthesis. Ni-carbon materials were formed by deposition of Ni2+ salts into the carbon supporter pores and by following reducing of adsorbed Ni2+ to Ni. The structure peculiarities of nickel– carbon materials were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering methods. Obtaining Ni-carbon materials used as electrodes in proton pump were enabled to raise its power and to reduce the price. The Ni-nanocarbon electrodes in proton pump have shown the high catalytic activity in electrode processes of hydrogen ionization. It was demonstrated the influence of proton current on the rate of some catalytic reactions such as propene hydration, isopropyl alcohol dehydration, synthetic gas to dimethyl ether conversion and isopropylbenzene hydrocracking. The use of Ni-carbon nanostructured materials as electrodes and proton current increases essentially the hydrogenating function of industrial catalysts in isopropylbenzene hydrocracking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we reveal the optimum conditions supposing the design of ethanol steam-reforming reactors. Experiments are conducted for two types of catalysts; namely, Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 and Ru/Al2O3. Using a household-use-scale reactor with well-controlled thermal distributions, we specify the effect of steam-carbon molar ration S/C on the hydrogen concentration CH2, and the effect of the reaction temperature T on CH2, for each catalyst, and we compare such results with chemical-equilibrium theory. As a result, the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst shows rather high performance at low T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We has successfully developed a small and simple steam-reforming reactor for n-dodecane as a heavy-hydrocarbons fuel. The reactor satisfied the target thermal conditions. Under the conditions, we have measured the inside temperature profile and the reaction performance. The reaction becomes more active at the position where the temperature T>600°C. At steam-to-carbon S/C≥5.0, hydrogen-molecule ratio RH2 is nearly-constant to about 70%. From a practical point of view, the best operating condition is at S/C ≥ 5 for present reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuji Electric Group has delivered 100kW phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) power systems since 1998 as commercial base. The first commercial type (FP-100E) has achieved the initial development goal of cell life, 40, 000 hours. The second commercial type (FP-100F), which has been delivered since 2001, was reduced the cost lower than FP-100E. And we had improved the durability more and more. Since 2006, we have offered the improved FP-100F, which is set a goal of cell life of 60, 000 hours, has been operated satisfactorily. We report these systems and operating results at the hospital using city gas and at the sewage disposal plants using digester gas. And we introduce about the current status and the future prospect of the PAFC power system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of the new technologies for electricity generation such as fuel cell makes it an excellent option which does not make any pollution. The solid oxide fuel cell has the ability for the application in CHP system due to its΄ high temperature operation. In this paper, the components of system such as mixer, preheater, reformer, fuel cell stack and after-burner are modeled. This model is used to obtain valuable information about system efficiency and its΄ economical situation. The economic evaluation is based on the calculation of cost of electricity (COE) using this technology and comparison of it with the other conventional technologies cost. Also, the effects of various parameters on the cost of electricity are investigated. The results have shown that the fuel cell technology is not economical at present and it can not compete with the conventional technologies. However, this option will be an economical and suitable alternative in comparison with the other conventional technologies for power generation with respect to the near future fuel cells mass production, capital cost reduction, lifetime increase, emission importance and fossil fuel price increase. This technology can be an attractive option especially for the regions far away from power network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]