Catalytic steam reforming of ethanol to produce hydrogen and acetone

Steam reforming of ethanol over CuO/CeO2 was studied. Acetaldehyde and hydrogen were mainly produced at 260degreesC. At 380degreesC, acetone was the main product, and 2 mol of hydrogen was produced from 1 mol of ethanol. The formation of hydrogen accompanied by the production of acetone was considered to proceed through the following, consecutive reactions: dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. aldol condensation of the acetaldehyde, and the reaction of the aldol with the lattice oxygen [O(s)] on the catalyst to form a surface intermediate, followed by its dehydrogenation and decarboxylation. The overall reaction was expressed by2C(2)H(5)OH + H2O --> CH3COCH3 + CO2 + 4H(2). Ceria played an important role as an oxygen supplier. The addition of MgO to CuO/CeO2 resulted in the production of hydrogen at lower temperatures by accelerating aldol condensation. (C) 2004 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.

Dynamic soil–structure interaction of monopile supported wind turbines in cohesive soil.

Offshore wind turbines supported on monopile foundations are dynamically sensitive because the overall natural frequencies of these structures are close to the different forcing frequencies imposed upon them. The structures are designed for an intended life of 25 to 30 years, but little is known about their long term behaviour. To study their long term behaviour, a series of laboratory tests were conducted in which a scaled model wind turbine supported on a monopile in kaolin clay was subjected to between 32,000 and 172,000 cycles of horizontal loading and the changes in natural frequency and damping of the model were monitored. The experimental results are presented using a non-dimensional framework based on an interpretation of the governing mechanics. The change in natural frequency was found to be strongly dependent on the shear strain level in the soil next to the pile. Practical guidance for choosing the diameter of monopile is suggested based on element test results using the concept of volumetric threshold shear strain.

THE STEAM-JET AEROSOL COLLECTOR

A new principle of sampling aerosol particles by means of steam injection with the consequent collection of grown droplets has been established. An air stream free of water-soluble gases is rapidly mixed with steam. The resulting supersaturation causes aerosol particles to grow into droplets. The droplets containing dissolved aerosol species are then collected by two cyclones in series. The solution collected in the cyclones is constantly pumped out and can be on- or off-line analysed by means of ion chromatography or flow injection analysis. On the basis of the new sampling principle a prototype of an aerosol sampler was designed which is capable of sampling particles quantitatively down to several nanometres in diameter. The mass sampling efficiency of the instrument was found to be 99\%. The detection limit of the sampler for ammonium, sulphate, nitrate and chloride ions is below 0.7 mu g m(-3). By reduction of an already identified source of contamination, much lower detection limits can be achieved. During measurements the sampler proved to be stable, working without any assistance for extended periods of time. Comparison of the sampler with filter packs during measurements of ambient air aerosols showed that the sampler gives good results.

Life Around the Turbines

Life around the Turbines is an outreach project developed by the Marine Biological Association of the UK (MBA) funded by COWRIE (Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the Environment). The project was designed to promote the need for renewable energy, raise awareness of marine biodiversity and generate discussions about offshore wind farms particularly with school children around Great Britain. The project has run from 2008 – 2014 and has involved workshops with schools all around Great Britain; production of online resources and a series of training events and tools for marine educators. All of the resources and workshops were developed to correlate with the national curricula for England, Scotland and Wales and cover a range of topics including science, citizenship and technology. Combining charismatic marine wildlife with technology and interactive, hands-on workshop activities has proved a successful and popular combination, received well by students and teachers. We present the methods of engagement used and some of the information received through a basic activity evaluation process. We will also share information about how conference participants can obtain and utilise free resources to support their own outreach and teaching at www.mba.ac.uk/education.