Projects
MFC Fuel Cell Program, program funded by ONR, $450K (3 years), 2009-12
Hydrogen has been proposed as a clean and efficient energy carrier of the future, but current renewable hydrogen production processes are limited by high energy requirement or low hydrogen yield. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) represent a new concept and method for efficient hydrogen recovery. This project is directed toward the investigation of using innovative carbon nano-materials to improve hydrogen production in MECs, as well as understanding the microbial activities and electrochemical responses for waste-to-hydrogen production.
Turbine Engine Alternative Fuel Testing Program, program funded by ONR-USNA, Phase I and 2, $49K, 2009-10
The USNA-CU Denver gas turbine fuel development program utilizes two Rolls-Royce Model 250 C20B split shaft gas turbine engines which are mounted on Superflow 902 water brake dynamometers. Blends of diesel #2 and a synthetic FT (simulating JP-8) are mixed in ratios from 0 to 50 percent of the FT fuel. Blends are also mixed with JP-5 and up to 50 percent synthetic FT fuel. Performance is evaluated by recording the shaft horsepower produced and the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). Emissions data for carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (THC), nitrous oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) are obtained by a 5-gas analyzer.