Fuel cell powered systems have low voltage and high current output characteristics. Therefore, the output voltage of the fuel cell must be stepped up by DC-DC converter. In this paper an integrated mathematical model for proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system with DC-DC converter is described by analyzing the working mechanism of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell and the boost DC-...

*Correspondence: Cherng-Yuan Lin, Department of Marine Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202, Taiwan e-mail: [email protected] Biodiesel is a renewable, clean, alternative energy source with advantages, such as excellent lubricity, superior biodegradability, and high combustion efficiency. Biodiesel is considered for mixing with fishing boat fuels to adjust their fuel cha...

Household air pollution from biomass fuel use affects 3 billion people worldwide; however, few studies have examined the relationship between biomass fuel use and blood pressure. We sought to determine if daily biomass fuel use was associated with elevated blood pressure in high altitude Peru and if this relationship was affected by lung function. We analyzed baseline information from a populat...

The greenhouse effect and limitations on carbon dioxide emissions concern engine maker and the future of the internal combustion engines should go toward substantially and improved thermal efficiency engine. Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is an alternative high-efficiency technology for combustion engines to reduce exhaust emissions and fuel consumption. However, there are still...

We have studied the ignition of fuel sprays and simulated solid rocket fuels (SRF) by the photoignition of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with an ordinary camera flash. Our investigation includes the effect of solid additives such as aluminum nano-particles and solid oxidizers such as ammonium perchlorate (AP) on the photoignition characteristics. We have shown that by mixing CNT with ot...

We have studied the ignition of liquid fuel and certain solid fuels by the photoignition of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Our investigation includes the effect of solid additives such as aluminum nano-particles and solid oxidizers such as ammonium perchlorate (AP) on the photoignition characteristics. We have shown that by mixing CNT with other nanoparticles and powdered material, the ...

The prediction of the auto-ignition delay time of fresh fuel in hot air is studied. This problem, encountered in many combustion systems, is in practice often calculated using a simple method, hereafter called homogeneous mixing ignition (HMI). This method however neglects transport effects and calculates local instead of global ignition properties. A second method is therefore studied called l...

The purpose of this project was to investigate fuel vapor suppression by aqueous film and foam layers. Immediately after application, aqueous film and foam layers have the effect of suppressing fuel evaporation, however this suppression is not constant over time. If enough time elapses, the fuel vapor concentration above the film and foam layers can reach levels characteristic of an uncovered f...

The production of synthetic fuels from alternative sources has increased in recent years as a cleaner, more sustainable source of transport fuel is now required. The European Commission has outlined renewable energy targets pertaining to transport fuel which must be met by 2020. In response to these targets Ireland has committed, through the Biofuels Obligation Scheme of 2008, to producing 3% o...

Accidental fuel spills on world heritage subantarctic Macquarie Island have caused considerable contamination. Due to the island's high latitude position, its climate, and its fragile ecosystem, traditional methods of remediation are unsuitable for on-site clean up. We investigated the tolerance of a subantarctic native tussock grass, Poa foliosa (Hook. f.), to Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) die...