title: A Portable Generator Incorporating Mini-Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

authors: Hyde, Andrew Justin

subjects: portable

abstract: Modern society has become reliant on battery powered electronic devices such as cell phones and laptop computers.  The standard way of recharging these devices is by connecting to a reticulated electricity supply.  In situations with no electricity supply some other recharging method is required.  Such a possibility is a small, portable, generator based on fuel cell technology, specifically mini-tubular solid
oxide fuel cells (MT-SOFC).  MT-SOFCs have been developed since the 1990s but there is limited analysis, discussion or research on developing and constructing a portable generator based on MT-SOFC technology.  Such a generator, running on a portable gas supply, requires combining the key aspects of cell performance, a heating and fuel reforming system, and cell manifolds.  Cell design, fuel type, fuel flow rate, current-collection method and operating temperature all greatly affected MT-SOFCs performance. Segmenting the cathode significantly increased the power output. Maximum power density from an electrolyte supported MT-SOFC was 140 mW/cm2.  The partial oxidation reactor (POR) developed provided the required heat to maintain the MT-SOFCs at an operating temperature suitable for generating electricity.  The exhaust gas from the POR was a suitable fuel for MT-SOFCs, having sufficient carbon monoxide and hydrogen to generate electricity.  Various manifold materials were evaluated including solid metal blocks and folded sheet metal.  It was found that manifolds made from easily worked alumina fibre board decreased the thermal stresses and therefore the fracture rate of the MT-SOFCs.  The final prototype developed comprised a partial oxidation reactor and MT-SOFCs mounted in alumina fibre board manifolds within a well-insulated enclosure, which could be run on LPG.  Calculated efficiency of the final prototype was 4%.  If all the carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by the partial oxidation reactor were converted to electrical energy, efficiency would increase to 39%. Under ideal conditions, efficiency would be 78%.  Efficiency of the prototype can be improved by increasing the fuel and oxygen utilisation ratios, ensuring heat from the exhaust gases is transferred to the incoming gases, and improving the methods for collecting current at both the anode and cathode.

text: A Portable Generator Incorporating Mini-Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Modern society has become reliant on battery powered electronic devices such as cell phones and laptop computers.  The standard way of recharging these devices is by connecting to a reticulated electricity supply.  In situations with no electricity supply some other recharging method is required.  Such a possibility is a small, portable, generator based on fuel cell technology, specifically mini-tubular solid
oxide fuel cells (MT-SOFC).  MT-SOFCs have been developed since the 1990s but there is limited analysis, discussion or research on developing and constructing a portable generator based on MT-SOFC technology.  Such a generator, running on a portable gas supply, requires combining the key aspects of cell performance, a heating and fuel reforming system, and cell manifolds.  Cell design, fuel type, fuel flow rate, current-collection method and operating temperature all greatly affected MT-SOFCs performance. Segmenting the cathode significantly increased the power output. Maximum power density from an electrolyte supported MT-SOFC was 140 mW/cm2.  The partial oxidation reactor (POR) developed provided the required heat to maintain the MT-SOFCs at an operating temperature suitable for generating electricity.  The exhaust gas from the POR was a suitable fuel for MT-SOFCs, having sufficient carbon monoxide and hydrogen to generate electricity.  Various manifold materials were evaluated including solid metal blocks and folded sheet metal.  It was found that manifolds made from easily worked alumina fibre board decreased the thermal stresses and therefore the fracture rate of the MT-SOFCs.  The final prototype developed comprised a partial oxidation reactor and MT-SOFCs mounted in alumina fibre board manifolds within a well-insulated enclosure, which could be run on LPG.  Calculated efficiency of the final prototype was 4%.  If all the carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by the partial oxidation reactor were converted to electrical energy, efficiency would increase to 39%. Under ideal conditions, efficiency would be 78%.  Efficiency of the prototype can be improved by increasing the fuel and oxygen utilisation ratios, ensuring heat from the exhaust gases is transferred to the incoming gases, and improving the methods for collecting current at both the anode and cathode.

year: 2008

title: Understandings and social practices of medications for Zimbabwean households in New Zealand

authors: Kamutingondo, Stanley

subjects: healthy communities

abstract: Medications are a central part of health care. How medications are understood and used by people in everyday life remains unclear. This study looks at understanding and social practices of medications in everyday life for Zimbabwean households in New Zealand. This project investigates understandings of medications and their use, taking account of all forms of medications, medical drugs, alternative medicines, traditional medicines and dietary supplements. Four Zimbabwean migrant families who all reside in Hamilton took part in this study. Data were collected using a variety of methods which included individual interviews with the families, household discussions, photographs, diaries, material objects, and media content to capture the complex and fluid nature of popular understandings and use of medications. This research provides insight into the cultural values and practices of these four families pertaining to how they acquired, used, shared, and stored indigenous and biomedical medications. Four key themes were identified: the preference of biomedical over traditional medications, storage, sharing and safety of medications; availability and affordability of medications; and the influence of the media in making decisions to purchase medications. Knowledge of how meanings are linked to the things people do with medications will inform strategies for ensuring that medication use is safe and effective.

text: Understandings and social practices of medications for Zimbabwean households in New Zealand Medications are a central part of health care. How medications are understood and used by people in everyday life remains unclear. This study looks at understanding and social practices of medications in everyday life for Zimbabwean households in New Zealand. This project investigates understandings of medications and their use, taking account of all forms of medications, medical drugs, alternative medicines, traditional medicines and dietary supplements. Four Zimbabwean migrant families who all reside in Hamilton took part in this study. Data were collected using a variety of methods which included individual interviews with the families, household discussions, photographs, diaries, material objects, and media content to capture the complex and fluid nature of popular understandings and use of medications. This research provides insight into the cultural values and practices of these four families pertaining to how they acquired, used, shared, and stored indigenous and biomedical medications. Four key themes were identified: the preference of biomedical over traditional medications, storage, sharing and safety of medications; availability and affordability of medications; and the influence of the media in making decisions to purchase medications. Knowledge of how meanings are linked to the things people do with medications will inform strategies for ensuring that medication use is safe and effective.

year: 2011

title: La gouvernance des rivières en Nouvelle-Zélande : une solution élégante ?

authors: Te Aho, Linda

subjects: Water governance,

abstract: Governance of Water in New Zealand: An Elegant Solution? This chapter is grounded in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand while drawing on larger references, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, the Rio+20 Declaration and constitutional provisions for Rights of Nature. The chapter analyses a proposed new model for the contentious issue of freshwater governance in New Zealand based on responsible use which also addresses the complex world of state-Māori relations.

text: La gouvernance des rivières en Nouvelle-Zélande : une solution élégante ? Governance of Water in New Zealand: An Elegant Solution? This chapter is grounded in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand while drawing on larger references, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, the Rio+20 Declaration and constitutional provisions for Rights of Nature. The chapter analyses a proposed new model for the contentious issue of freshwater governance in New Zealand based on responsible use which also addresses the complex world of state-Māori relations.

year: 2018