Development of alternative ceramic oxide anode materials is a key step for direct hydrocarbon solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Several lanthanide based layered perovskite-structured oxides demonstrate outstanding oxygen diffusion rate, favorable electronic conductivity, and good oxygen surface exchange kinetics, owing to A-site ordered structure in which lanthanide and alkali-earth ions occupy a...

Fuel cell systems (FCS) are considered to be upcoming technology for electrical power generation. They can be used for portable, stationary and transportation applications. Fuel cells are run on hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced either by electrolysis using electricity from renewable energy or by converting conventional hydrocarbons into a hydrogen rich gas. Among others, a FCS incorporates tw...

Micro-scale aqueous steam reforming of glucose is suggested as a novel method of H2 production for micro fuel cells. Compact fuel cell systems are a viable alternative to batteries as a portable electrical power source. Compared with conventional lithium polymer batteries, hydrocarbon powered fuel cells are smaller, weigh less, and have a much higher energy density. The goal of this project is ...

This paper presents the experimental assessment of a free elastic-piston compressor (FEPC) equipped with a separated combustion chamber. The FEPC is a proposed device that utilizes combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel to compress air into a high-pressure supply tank, thus potentially serving as a portable power supply candidate for untethered pneumatic systems of human-scale power output. The desig...

Experiments were designed to evaluate biodegradation of plantand petroleum-based fuels and blends exposed to seawater under anaerobic conditions. The experimental set-up included natural aerobic seawater, fuel and unprotected carbon steel coupons, simulating a potential fuel storage situation. Corrosion was due to microbiologically produced sulfides reacting with carbon steel. There were few di...

Efficient liquid-liquid separations are an integral part of many industrial processes. Water entrained in oil and other hydrocarbon products can impede quality specifications. Entrained oil in process water streams puts additional demands on effluent treatment systems. Under the present economic environment, processing production demands push plants and existing equipment beyond the original de...

We apply a cubic-plus-association equation of state (CPA-EOS) to study the asphaltene precipitation in live oils from temperature, pressure, and composition effects. The live oils are characterized by considering the pure components, the pseudo-hydrocarbon components, and the hydrocarbon residue. The hydrocarbon residue is further divided into the “heavy” component and asphaltenes. The asphalte...