Browsing by Subject "Fuel Cell"
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Item Design considerations for DC-DC converters in fuel cell systems(2009-05-15) Palma Fanjul, Leonardo ManuelRapidly rising fossil fuel costs along with increased environmental awareness has encouraged the development of alternative energy sources. Such sources include fuel cells, wind, solar and ocean tide power. Among them, fuel cells have received increased interest in the recent years. This is mainly due to their high efficiency, modularity, and simple construction. However, due to their low output voltage and wide variation from no load to full load, a power electronics converter is required to interface the fuel cell with its loads. This dissertation focuses on developing a set of considerations that will assist designers of the power electronics converter in the design and optimization of the system. These design considerations are obtained analytically and verified experimentally and allow obtaining an efficient and stable fuel cell ? power converter system. In addition to the design guidelines this dissertation presents new power converter topologies that do not require the use of transformers to achieve a large voltage gain. Further a new modular fuel cell power converter system that divides the fuel cell stack to optimize power generation is proposed. It is shown by means of mathematical analysis and experimental prototypes that the proposed solutions contribute to the reduction of size and cost of the power converter as well to increase the efficiency of the system.Item Surface Characterization of Heterogeneous Catalysts Using Low Energy Ion Scattering Spectroscopy Combined with Electrochemistry(2010-07-14) Axnanda, Stephanus R.Fundamental studies of heterogeneous catalysis were performed and presented in this dissertation to gain a better understanding of heterogeneous catalytic reactions at a molecular level. Surface science techniques were employed in achieving the goal. Low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS) is the main surface science technique which will be used in all the studies discussed throughout this dissertation. The main objectives of LEISS measurements are to: 1) obtain the information of surface composition of heterogeneous catalysts from the topmost layer; 2) observe the effects of reaction conditions on the surface composition of heterogeneous catalysts. The surface composition and morphology of Au-Pd clusters bimetallic model catalysts supported on SiO2 were characterized using LEISS, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). It is observed that relative to the bulk, the surface of the clusters is enriched in Au. Ethylene adsorption and dehydrogenation show a clear structure-reactivity correlation with respect to the structure/composition of these Au-Pd model catalysts. Fundamental studies of heterogeneous catalysis were performed and presented in this dissertation to gain a better understanding of heterogeneous catalytic reactions at a molecular level. Surface science techniques were employed in achieving the goal. Low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS) is the main surface science technique which will be used in all the studies discussed throughout this dissertation. The main objectives of LEISS measurements are to: 1) obtain the information of surface composition of heterogeneous catalysts from the topmost layer; 2) observe the effects of reaction conditions on the surface composition of heterogeneous catalysts. The surface composition and morphology of Au-Pd clusters bimetallic model catalysts supported on SiO2 were characterized using LEISS, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). It is observed that relative to the bulk, the surface of the clusters is enriched in Au. Ethylene adsorption and dehydrogenation show a clear structure-reactivity correlation with respect to the structure/composition of these Au-Pd model catalysts.