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AbstractA reactor for catalytically oxidizing liquid methanol has been developed for supplying heat to an automotive reformer. In the tests presented in this paper we show that it is possible to catalytically combust liquid methanol by dispersing the methanol and air by a nebulizer over the catalysts. In the experiments we tested several base and noble metals and found that either platinum or palladium was required at the ignition zone. The tests also showed that it was possible to achieve complete combustion when only 25 % of the catalyst bed contained a noble metal.

Abstract Social acceptance of innovative technologies is a key element of an effective transition towards more sustainable energy economies. However, innovative technologies like genetic modification also tend to spark controversy and backlash. So far, efforts to inform the public about any risks and benefits of novel technologies not only have struggled to foster acceptance but also neglect the interdependent foundations of consumer decision-making. Through a controlled experiment with German consumers (N = 322), we examine whether consumer support and rejection of genetic modification in bioenergy crops is influenced by the statements and actions of actors throughout the supply chain. In specific, we show that the decision of energy companies to sell and support GM bioenergy positively impacts consumer decisions to support. To ensure that decision outcomes were specifically impacted by the expressions of corporate actors, we controlled for the content and valence of information by random assignment to one of three treatments in which participants received positive, negative, or balanced (risks and benefits) information. We find that negative messaging diminished support and increased rejection relative to the other treatments. Lastly, the statements and actions of corporate actors also exerted an indirect influence on consumer decisions through their interactions with social trust and labels, e.g. greater support by farmers had a positive influence only for those who are more generally trustworthy. Given these results, we anticipate more attention to the importance of actors such as farmers and energy companies for the social acceptance of novel technologies in the energy sphere.

Chlorpropamide-alcohol flush (CPAF) tests were carried out in 15 male and 15 female Type 2 diabetics. Twelve subjects were CPAF-positive and 18 were -negative. The two groups did not differ in age or duration of diabetes, but the CPAF-positive subjects weighed less (mean difference 13 kg) and had higher plasma chlorpropamide levels. There was a negative correlation between plasma chlorpropamide and body weight, and a positive correlation between plasma chlorpropamide and the increase in facial skin temperature. Females had higher plasma chlorpropamide, a greater skin temperature increase and lower body weight than males; there were 11 females and only 1 male amongst the 12 CPAF-positive subjects. The findings confirm that plasma chlorpropamide is a major determinant of the CPAF reaction and also show that body weight strongly influences the chlorpropamide level and, consequently, the outcome of the CPAF test. The sex difference in body weight probably accounts for most, if not all, of the sex difference in the incidence of the CPAF.

Abstract This work compares some of the characteristic properties of peat, such as the degree of humification, calorific value and oxygen content of the organic matter, as criteria for selection of peat for liquefaction. It shows the priority of the calorific value over the currently used degree of humification as a criterion.

The cryogenic process is used for CO2 purification in oxy-fuel combustion power plant, and multi-stream heat exchanger is one of the most important components. Viscosity and thermal conductivity ar ...

In this paper the real analyticity of all conically self-similar free-vortex solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations is proven. Furthermore, it is mathematically established that such solutions are uniquely determined by the values of three derivatives on the symmetry axis, and hence a numerical method, invented and successfully used by Shtern & Hussain (1993,1996), is justified mathematically. In addition, it is proven that these results imply that for any conically self-similar free-vortex solution to the Navier--Stokes equations there exists a second order non-swirling correction term. For this term it is also shown that the second order contribution to the total axial flow force vanishes in the cases of the entire space and a half-space, but that it need not vanish for general conical domains. In doing so an old claim by Burggraf & Foster (1977) is established mathematically, however not for Long's problem but for Shtern & Hussain's (1996) extension of this problem to the full Navier-Stokes equations and the entire space.

Abstract In order to improve the accuracy, validity, reliability and reproducibility of reported power conversion efficiencies for solar cells, the journal, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (SOLMAT), wishes to define how power conversion efficiencies should be reported. This expands upon what is specified in our Guide for Authors. This editorial also serves as a guide on how efficiency data should be checked within the reporting laboratory before sending cells or materials for testing at an independent laboratory. The threshold where the accuracy of efficiency values is important to the journal is whenever power conversion efficiencies require external quantum efficiencies (EQE) values above 50% over a large range of wavelengths or when reported power conversion efficiencies exceed 2.5%. Extra care should be taken in submitted manuscripts to document the measurement's quality, relevance and independent verification.

Abstract We report the enhanced performance and stability of polymer solar cells based on regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and methanofullerene [6,6]-phenyl C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend using lithium benzoate (C 6 H 5 COOLi) as cathode buffer layer between the active layer and the Al cathode. The effects of the C 6 H 5 COOLi thickness on the performance of polymer solar cell are also investigated. Under 100 mW/cm 2 white light illumination, the device with 1 nm thick C 6 H 5 COOLi as cathode buffer layer exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 3.41±0.07% and the device stability is greatly extended. Compared to the solar cell with LiF/Al cathode, the PCE is increased ca. 9.4%. Introduction of C 6 H 5 COOLi buffer layer effectively increases the shunt resistance and improves the photo-generated charge collection. The improved performance may attribute to the dissociation of semi-conducting C 6 H 5 COOLi upon deposition to liberate Li with a low work function, which reduces the interface resistance of the active layer and the cathode and enhances the interior electric field that may result in efficient charge transportion. In addition, the C 6 H 5 COOLi layer may serve as an effective oxygen and moisture diffusion barrier for the organic solar cells. Therefore, C 6 H 5 COOLi is a promising candidate as an interlayer to improve the efficiency of electron collection and to reduce the ambience influence on the stability of polymer solar cells.

Capture of trace amounts (parts per trillion or ppt level) of 90Sr from highly Na+-rich (5 M or 115 000 parts per million) liquid wastes produced from reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods is crucial for continuous operation of nuclear power plants.