2012年4月27日金曜日
Nihon steel corp. raises a lawsuit against Posco on the reason of “grain-oriented magnetic steel sheet” patent infringement
2012年4月7日土曜日
Artificial-photosynthesis basis hydrogen generation system
- Light-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency is improved two times, 1.35% -
Writing of the "Technology Details" on this article has been completed. To read more, please feel free to contact us.
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H2 fuel cells still involve many problems to be solved. A typical problem of them is “hydrogen brittlement”. The fuel cells have been much developed and some types of them have entered the early market phase even under the situation, however. In Japan the residential PEFC CHP (combined heat & power cogenerations) systems having been sold are well over 10,000 units in number and installed at ordinary houses and being used for electricity and hot water supply. The CHP systems of the SOFC type have been introduced into the market recently, in addition to the PEFC type CHP systems. FCVs (fuel cell vehicles) will enter the early market phase worldwide in around 2015. Hydrogen is the fuel to those fuel cells. The problem confronting us is how to generate hydrogen as the fuel cleanly, effectively and cheaply.
A hydrogen generation technology is now attracting an attention. The technology is based on the artificial photosynthesis. It originated from Japan. Now, it is being actively investigated widely and worldwide. The hydrogen generation technology generates hydrogen and oxygen by using solar light rays (visible light rays) and a photoelectrode (oxide semiconductor in the technology developed anew, which will be described later), and through the water splitting process.
In the electrolysis conventionally and usually used, paired electrodes are put in an electrolytic solution, and voltage is applied to those electrodes. The voltage difference between the electrodes causes current to flow and to split water. Electric power for the voltage application is fed to the electrolysis system from outside.
On the other hand, the artificial photosynthesis basis hydrogen generation technology excites the photoelectrode by solar light rays and splits water by using current flowing out from the electrode.
A small auxiliary power source is used for assisting the current flow at the present stage of the technology.
In other words, the electrolysis system contains a power source means in itself.
The voltage required to split water is extremely lower than of the conventional electrolysis technology. The auxiliary power source could be reduced to almost zero if the technology further advances.
It is noted that where no auxiliary power source is used, hydrogen is cleanly generated at considerably low voltage.
AIST has recently developed (improved) an innovative artificial photosynthesis basis hydrogen generation technology. The new technology remarkably improves the light-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. The efficiency = 1.35%. The figure is two times of the conventional electrolysis technology.
A diagram showing a scheme of the artificial-photosynthesis basis hydrogen generation system developed this time is put on my site: http://www.fcpat-japan.com.
Writing of the "Technology Details" on this article has been completed. To read more, please feel free to contact us.
***********************
H2 fuel cells still involve many problems to be solved. A typical problem of them is “hydrogen brittlement”. The fuel cells have been much developed and some types of them have entered the early market phase even under the situation, however. In Japan the residential PEFC CHP (combined heat & power cogenerations) systems having been sold are well over 10,000 units in number and installed at ordinary houses and being used for electricity and hot water supply. The CHP systems of the SOFC type have been introduced into the market recently, in addition to the PEFC type CHP systems. FCVs (fuel cell vehicles) will enter the early market phase worldwide in around 2015. Hydrogen is the fuel to those fuel cells. The problem confronting us is how to generate hydrogen as the fuel cleanly, effectively and cheaply.
A hydrogen generation technology is now attracting an attention. The technology is based on the artificial photosynthesis. It originated from Japan. Now, it is being actively investigated widely and worldwide. The hydrogen generation technology generates hydrogen and oxygen by using solar light rays (visible light rays) and a photoelectrode (oxide semiconductor in the technology developed anew, which will be described later), and through the water splitting process.
In the electrolysis conventionally and usually used, paired electrodes are put in an electrolytic solution, and voltage is applied to those electrodes. The voltage difference between the electrodes causes current to flow and to split water. Electric power for the voltage application is fed to the electrolysis system from outside.
On the other hand, the artificial photosynthesis basis hydrogen generation technology excites the photoelectrode by solar light rays and splits water by using current flowing out from the electrode.
A small auxiliary power source is used for assisting the current flow at the present stage of the technology.
In other words, the electrolysis system contains a power source means in itself.
The voltage required to split water is extremely lower than of the conventional electrolysis technology. The auxiliary power source could be reduced to almost zero if the technology further advances.
It is noted that where no auxiliary power source is used, hydrogen is cleanly generated at considerably low voltage.
AIST has recently developed (improved) an innovative artificial photosynthesis basis hydrogen generation technology. The new technology remarkably improves the light-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. The efficiency = 1.35%. The figure is two times of the conventional electrolysis technology.
A diagram showing a scheme of the artificial-photosynthesis basis hydrogen generation system developed this time is put on my site: http://www.fcpat-japan.com.
2012年2月7日火曜日
Another magnesium fuel cell, developed anew
A magnesium fuel cell (Mg FC) has been developed additionally.
The Mg FC specifications are: electric capacitor = 60 Ah, and size = 26cm×17cm×10cm. In structure, a negative electrode (active material) = incombustible magnesium, a positive electrode (active material) = oxygen gas, and electrolytic solution = saline solution. The prototype successfully charged 120 mobile phones at 360 W as its output. In use, the saline solution is set to the FC body.
The FC body is normally operable at its rated output power even after it is left for several tens years in a state that the solution not set to the FC body.
The Mg FC is resistant to disasters.
In the case of the hydrogen-based fuel cells currently used, for example, the residential CHP (ENEFARM) reforms city gas to produce hydrogen and uses the produced hydrogen for its fuel. In disaster situation, if the pipe- line feeding city gas is damaged, it is substantially impossible to operate the CHP even in case where the CHP itself is not damaged and could normally operate. On the other hand, the Mg FC is normally operable if the electrolytic solution is available, with its long durability of several tens years.
lytic solution is available and since the durability of the FC is very long, several tens years.
>> More
The Mg FC specifications are: electric capacitor = 60 Ah, and size = 26cm×17cm×10cm. In structure, a negative electrode (active material) = incombustible magnesium, a positive electrode (active material) = oxygen gas, and electrolytic solution = saline solution. The prototype successfully charged 120 mobile phones at 360 W as its output. In use, the saline solution is set to the FC body.
The FC body is normally operable at its rated output power even after it is left for several tens years in a state that the solution not set to the FC body.
The Mg FC is resistant to disasters.
In the case of the hydrogen-based fuel cells currently used, for example, the residential CHP (ENEFARM) reforms city gas to produce hydrogen and uses the produced hydrogen for its fuel. In disaster situation, if the pipe- line feeding city gas is damaged, it is substantially impossible to operate the CHP even in case where the CHP itself is not damaged and could normally operate. On the other hand, the Mg FC is normally operable if the electrolytic solution is available, with its long durability of several tens years.
lytic solution is available and since the durability of the FC is very long, several tens years.
>> More
2012年1月26日木曜日
Next generation solar cell turns the doorknob to real commercialization
“Organic thin-film solar cells” have been known. It is the next (third) generation solar cell. The cell efficiency of the solar cell reached about 10%. This figure indicates a rough standard for its real commercialization. The products based on the organic thin-film solar cells will be launched in this and next years, although those products /sales will be trially done. The writing of the detailed description on this title has been completed and if interested, visit here.
2011年12月22日木曜日
TOSHIBA completes new ENEFARM
* March 2012: will be delivered the products to OSAKA gas (gas dealer)
* Price: around 260 man-yen
* Target number of products in 2012: 6,000 units (double of the number of products sold in 2011)
* Overall efficiency = 94% (city gas for primary fuel, LHV (lower heating value) base)
* Installation space: 22% reduced (compared to the current product)
* ENEFARM = home-use micro-CHP
If any, feel free to contact us.
Source >> here
* Price: around 260 man-yen
* Target number of products in 2012: 6,000 units (double of the number of products sold in 2011)
* Overall efficiency = 94% (city gas for primary fuel, LHV (lower heating value) base)
* Installation space: 22% reduced (compared to the current product)
* ENEFARM = home-use micro-CHP
If any, feel free to contact us.
Source >> here
2011年12月10日土曜日
Magnesium, fuel to metal fuel cell
Magnesium has attracted attention recently in the fuel cell field. It has many attractive features when it is applied as the fuel to the metal fuel cell. The magnesium resource is almost limitless. It is recyclable, relatively high safety, and good storageability.
The problem we have to solve before it is used as the fuel to the metal fuel cell is how to reduce MgO (raw and/or produced after Mg is used). The reducing process currently used is expensive since it needs the burning of a large amount of coal that is done while emitting a great amount of CO2, and further needs the catalyst for the reaction promotion.
Prof. Yabe (Tokyo Institute of Technology) has provided a good solution to the MgO reduction problem. The proprietary solar pumped laser is used for smelting magnesium. A 1 kW solar pumped laser was completed. Another challenger for the MgO-reduction problem solution appeared recently. The challenger is Prof. Kohama (Tohoku University) et al. He uses a solar furnace with a concave mirror. The mirror concentrates the solar rays to a single point to form a super high temperature spot of at least about 1,200 degrees of C.
Prof. Kohama has revealed a prototype of a new Mg fuel cell recently. I wrote an article on this new Mg fuel cell. For details, please visit here, if interested. As well known, Mg is almost limitless as its resources. Mg fuel cell is resistance to disasters. The Mg FC does not need the gas infrastructure which is required for the fuel cells (PEFC, SOFC) currently used. And if the infrastructure is damaged in disasters, the Mg FC is operable.
The problem we have to solve before it is used as the fuel to the metal fuel cell is how to reduce MgO (raw and/or produced after Mg is used). The reducing process currently used is expensive since it needs the burning of a large amount of coal that is done while emitting a great amount of CO2, and further needs the catalyst for the reaction promotion.
Prof. Yabe (Tokyo Institute of Technology) has provided a good solution to the MgO reduction problem. The proprietary solar pumped laser is used for smelting magnesium. A 1 kW solar pumped laser was completed. Another challenger for the MgO-reduction problem solution appeared recently. The challenger is Prof. Kohama (Tohoku University) et al. He uses a solar furnace with a concave mirror. The mirror concentrates the solar rays to a single point to form a super high temperature spot of at least about 1,200 degrees of C.
Prof. Kohama has revealed a prototype of a new Mg fuel cell recently. I wrote an article on this new Mg fuel cell. For details, please visit here, if interested. As well known, Mg is almost limitless as its resources. Mg fuel cell is resistance to disasters. The Mg FC does not need the gas infrastructure which is required for the fuel cells (PEFC, SOFC) currently used. And if the infrastructure is damaged in disasters, the Mg FC is operable.
2011年9月29日木曜日
New electrolytic cell for hydrogen generation, developed by Toshiba
Toshiba has developed a new electrolytic cell for hydrogen generation.
It is used in a high temperature steam atmosphere.
Toshiba has already developed the electrolytic cell for hydrogen generation, which is operable at 900°C in the high temperature steam electrolysis process.
The electrolytic cell developed this time will operate at temperatures below 900°C.
It is a ceramic electrolytic element having a three-layer structure, which consists of a zirconia electrolyte and two electrodes layered on both major sides of the electrolyte. The structure of the electrolytic cell is substantially the same as that of the cell unit of the SOFC.
In operation, the ceramic electrolytic element is placed in a high temperature steam atmosphere, and voltage is applied to between the electrodes. Steam is electrolyzed at one electrode into H2 and oxygen ion (O2-). The O2- immigrates to the other electrode where it is released outside in the form of O2.
To learn mode, visit here.
It is used in a high temperature steam atmosphere.
Toshiba has already developed the electrolytic cell for hydrogen generation, which is operable at 900°C in the high temperature steam electrolysis process.
The electrolytic cell developed this time will operate at temperatures below 900°C.
It is a ceramic electrolytic element having a three-layer structure, which consists of a zirconia electrolyte and two electrodes layered on both major sides of the electrolyte. The structure of the electrolytic cell is substantially the same as that of the cell unit of the SOFC.
In operation, the ceramic electrolytic element is placed in a high temperature steam atmosphere, and voltage is applied to between the electrodes. Steam is electrolyzed at one electrode into H2 and oxygen ion (O2-). The O2- immigrates to the other electrode where it is released outside in the form of O2.
To learn mode, visit here.
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