Studies 9 Energy Conversion

J. R.H., Koukou, M.K. and Papayannakos, N. (1997) Water gas shift membrane reactor for C02 control in IGCC systems Techno-economic feasibility study. Energy Conversion and Management, 38 (9999), S159-S164. 

Prasad, S. B., Biomass-fired steam power cogeneration system - A theoretical-study. Energy Conversion Manage 1995, 36 (1), 65-77. 

Thermodynamics Branch of physics that studies energy conversions. 

There is a large volume of contemporary literature dealing with the structure and chemical properties of species adsorbed at the solid-solution interface, making use of various spectroscopic and laser excitation techniques. Much of it is phenomenologically oriented and does not contribute in any clear way to the surface chemistry of the system included are many studies aimed at the eventual achievement of solar energy conversion. What follows here is a summary of a small fraction of this literature, consisting of references which are representative and which also yield some specific information about the adsorbed state. 

Much use has been made of micellar systems in the study of photophysical processes, such as in excited-state quenching by energy transfer or electron transfer (see Refs. 214-218 for examples). In the latter case, ions are involved, and their selective exclusion from the Stem and electrical double layer of charged micelles (see Ref. 219) can have dramatic effects, and ones of potential imfKntance in solar energy conversion systems. 

Evaluation of Phase 2 Conceptual Designs and Implementation Assessment Resultingfrom the Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), NASA TM X-73515, NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, Apt. 1977. 

Today microemulsions are used in catalysis, preparation of submicron particles, solar energy conversion, extraction of minerals and protein, detergency and lubrication [58]. Most studies in the field of basic research have dealt with the physical chemistry of the systems themselves and only recently have microemulsions been used as a reaction medium in organic synthesis. The reactions investigated to date include nucleophilic substitution and additions [59], oxidations [59-61], alkylation [62], synthesis of trialkylamines [63], coupling of aryl halides [64], nitration of phenols [65], photoamidation of fluoroolefins [66] and some Diels-Alder reactions. 

Despite this much-discussed theoretical background, the number of concrete studies comparing historical ideas and students conceptions is fairly low in chemistiy education. Furthermore, most studies cited deal with isolated topics. Systematic overviews concerning basic ideas like micro-macro thinking, chemical reaction, the particulate nature of matter, energy conversions etc. are mostly not available, except for van Driel et al. (1998) and the case of the chemical equilibrium. 

Liposomes have been widely used as model membranes and their physicochemical properties have therefore been studied extensively. More recently, they have become important tools for the study of membrane-mediated processes (e.g., membrane fusion), catalysis of reactions occurring at interfaces, and energy conversion. Besides, liposomes are currently under investigation as carrier systems for drugs and as antigen-presenting systems to be used as vaccines. 

Trigonal, metallic selenium has been investigated as photoelectrode for solar energy conversion, due to its semiconducting properties. The photoelectrochemistry of the element has been studied in some detail by Gissler [35], A photodecomposition reaction of Se into hydrogen selenide was observed in acidic solutions. Only redox couples with a relatively anodic standard potential could prevent dissolution of Se crystal. 

These new experimental approaches gave renewed motivation to the study of classical organic electrode reactions for direct electrochemical energy conversion. The present contribution intends to give a survey of the recent progress in the study of methanol oxidation attained by application of the above mentioned techniques. 

H. B. Gray We must remember that we are still in the initial stages of systematic study of inorganic oxidation-reduction photochemistry. Nature has indeed some slick ways to optimize photochemical energy conversion. I am confident that inorganic chemists will do as well or better, perhaps even before the turn of the century ... 

The utilization principles are shown in Figure 6, where the typical examples are enumerated. Hydrogen turbine has been studied by Japanese WE-NET project and the achieved energy efficiency was as high as about 60 %, which can be competitive with fuel cell system. One of the typical direct energy conversion systems, which have no movable parts and no noise, is fuel cell. Today topics of clean cars have been focused to the cars with PEMFC as was mentioned previously. 

Ghezell-Ayagh et al. (1999) Development of a stack simulatioin model for control study on direct reforming molten carbonate fuel cell power plant, IEEE Trans. Energy Conversion, Vol. 14, No. 4. 

F-ATPases (including the H+- or Na+-translocating subfamilies F-type, V-type and A-type ATPase) are found in eukaryotic mitochondria and chloroplasts, in bacteria and in Archaea. As multi-subunit complexes with three to 13 dissimilar subunits, they are embedded in the membrane and involved in primary energy conversion. Although extensively studied at the molecular level, the F-ATPases will not be discussed here in detail, since their main function is not the uptake of nutrients but the synthesis of ATP ( ATP synthase ) [127-130]. For example, synthesis of ATP is mediated by bacterial F-type ATPases when protons flow through the complex down the proton electrochemical gradient. Operating in the opposite direction, the ATPases pump 3 4 H+ and/or 3Na+ out of the cell per ATP hydrolysed. 

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