Solution combustion synthesis, structure and luminescence of Y3Al5O12 : Tb3+ phosphors

The synthesis and optical properties of Y3Al5O12:Tb3+ phosphors are reported in this paper. Y3Al5O12:Tb3+ phosphors were synthesized by a facile solution combustion method. Citric acid traps the constituent cations and also acts as a fuel. Y3Al5O12 (YAG) phase can crystallize through sintering at 900 degrees C for 2 h, and there were no intermediate phases such as YAlO3 (YAP) and Y4Al2O9 (YAM) in the sintering process. The excitation spectra of crystalline Y3Al5O12:Tb3+ are different from that of amorphous one due to the crystal field effect. The emission spectra mainly show D-5(4) -> F-7(6) transition under UV excitation. The higher concentration quenching in Y3Al5O12:Tb3+ nanophosphors may be due to the confinement effect on resonant energy transfer of nanocrystalline. It is also indicated that the solution combustion synthesis method provides a good distribution of Tb3+ activators in Y3Al5O12 host. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Eu:Y2O3 nano-phosphor prepared by novel energy-saving solution combustion method

A novel energy- and time-saving solution combustion method has been developed to prepare Eu:Y2O3 nano-crystal line phosphor. This novel method employs anhydrous ethanol as solvent and fuel. The prepared nano-crystals after heat-treatment own narrow size distribution, well dispersibility and sinterability, confirmed by XRD, TEM and FTIR. The emission spectra of nano-Eu:Y2O3 Samples show clear nano-size related phenomena. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modeling of a compact plate-fin reformer for methanol steam reforming in fuel cell systems

The characteristics of a compact plate-fin reformer (PFR) which integrates endothermic and exothermic reactions into one unit have been investigated by experiment as well as by numerical simulation. One reforming chamber was integrated with two vaporization chambers and two combustion chambers to constitute a single unit of PFR. In the PFR, which is based on a plate-fin beat exchanger, catalytic combustion of the reforming gas is used to simulate the fuel cell anode off gas (AOG) which supplies the necessary heat for the methanol steam reforming. Temperature distributions in all chambers and composition distribution in reforming chamber have been studied, and the effect of the ratio of H2O/CH3OH on the performance of the PFR has also been investigated. A model of the PFR was derived using a three-dimensional numerical model for a cross-current flow arrangement. Theoretical predictions of the temperature distributions in the PFR were in good agreement with experimental values. In addition, the numerical model was able to accurately predict the methanol conversion and the reformate composition in reforming chamber. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Methanol steam reforming in a compact plate-fin reformer for fuel-cell systems

A compact plate-fin reformer (PFR) consisting of closely spaced plate-fins, in which endothermic and exothermic reactions take place in alternate chambers, has been studied. In the PFR, which was based on a plate-fin heat exchanger, catalytic combustion of the reforming gas, as a simulation of the fuel cell anode off gas (AOG), supplied the necessary heat for the reforming reaction. One reforming chamber, which was for hydrogen production, was integrated with two vaporization chambers and two combustion chambers to constitute a single unit of PFR. The PFR is very compact, easy to be placed and scaled up. The effect of the ratio of H2O/CH3OH on the performance of the PFR has been investigated, and temperature distributions in different chambers were studied. Besides, the stationary behavior of the PFR was also investigated. Heat transfer of the reformer was enhanced by internal plate-fins as well as by external catalytic combustion, which offer both high methanol conversion ratio and low CO concentration. In addition, the fully integrated reformer exhibited good test stability. Based on the PFR, a scale-up reformer was designed and operated continuously for 1000 h, with high methanol conversion ratio and low CO concentration. (c) 2004 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of kerosene combustion characteristics with pilot hydrogen in model supersonic combustors

Experimental investigations on the ignition and combustion stabilization of kerosene with pilot hydrogen in Mach 2.5 airflows were conducted using two test combustors, with cross sections of 30.5 x 30 and 51 x 70 mm, respectively. Various integrated modules, including the combinations of different pilot injection schemes and recessed cavity flameholders with different geometries, were designed and tested. The stagnation pressure of vitiated air varied within the range of 1.1-1.8 NiPa, while the stagnation temperature varied from 1500 to 1900 K. Specifically, effects of the pilot hydrogen injection scheme, cavity geometry, and combustor scaling on the minimally required pilot hydrogen equivalence ratio were systematically examined. Results indicated that the cavity depth and length had significant effects on the ignition and flameholding, whereas the slanted angle of the aft wall was relatively less important. Two cavities in tandem were shown to be a more effective flameholding mechanism than that with a single cavity. The minimally required pilot hydrogen equivalence ratio for kerosene ignition and stable combustion was found to be as low as 0.02. Furthermore, combustion efficiency of 80% was demonstrated to be achievable for kerosene with the simultaneous use of pilot hydrogen and a recessed cavity to promote the ignition and global burning.

Study of Gas Combustion in a Vented Cylindrical Vessel

Complicated interaction of a flame front with a turbulent flow induced by venting is studied during combustion of the stoichiometric propane/air mixture in a relatively large vented cylindrical vessel. Flame position, its shape, and combustion pressure were measured as a function of time and vent parameters. The experimental data were used to verify numerical simulation of the combustion process. The proposed numerical model satisfactorily simulates the main features of combustion in a closed and vented vessel such as flame configuration, flow and temperature fields, and pressure variation pattern. Simulated velocity and temperature distribution are very useful pieces of information because they are not available from experiments.

Numerical Simulation of Nox Formation in Coal Combustion with Inlet Natural Gas Burning

A full two-fluid model of reacting gas-particle flows and coal combustion is used to simulate coal combustion with and without inlet natural gas added in the inlet. The simulation results for the case without natural gas burning is in fair agreement with the experimental results reported in references. The simulation results of different natural gas adding positions indicate that the natural gas burning can form lean oxygen combustion enviroment at the combustor inlet region and the NOz concentration is reduced. The same result can be obtained from chemical equilibrium analysis.

Oxyhydrogen combustion and detonation driven shock tube

The performance of combustion driver ignited by multi-spark plugs distributed along axial direction has been analysed and tested. An improved ignition method with three circumferential equidistributed ignitors at main diaphragm has been presented, by which the produced incident shock waves have higher repeatability, and better steadiness in the pressure, temperature and velocity fields of flow behind the incident shock, and thus meets the requirements of aerodynamic experiment. The attachment of a damping section at the end of the driver can eliminate the high reflection pressure produced by detonation wave, and the backward detonation driver can be employed to generate high enthalpy and high density test flow. The incident shock wave produced by this method is well repeated and with weak attenuation. The reflection wave caused by the contracted section at the main diaphragm will weaken the unfavorable effect of rarefaction wave behind the detonation wave, which indicates that the forward detonation driver can be applied in the practice. For incident shock wave of identical strength, the initial pressure of the forward detonation driver is about 1 order of magnitude lower than that of backward detonation.