Presentations
The new technologies research projects were presented as a group in one single session. You can download a PDF of the combined presentations.
Projects
Investigations of Downward Vertical Concurrent Air-Water Annular Flows: Development of Disturbance Waves
Student: Alexandre Quignard
Supervisor(s): Dr Christos Markides (Department of Chemical Engineering), Dr Ivan Zadrazil (Department of Chemical Engineering)
Poster: #38 Download PDF
Annular flows are defined as a flow of gas in the core of a pipe, and of liquid in the annulus between the pipe wall and the gas phase. These flows display high reaction, heat and mass transport rates and therefore find numerous applications in the field of energy ranging from reactors, coolers/refrigerators, oil and gas extraction and CCS. Annular flows exhibit complex interfacial wave behaviour at the interface between the liquid and gas phases. The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to study the characteristics of these misunderstood waves (velocity and frequency) from two different points of view: stationary and dynamic.
3D Printing of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Student: Chenying Li
Supervisor(s): Professor Nigel Brandon (Sustainable Gas Institute), Dr Billy Wu (Dyson School of Design Engineering)
Poster: #39 Download PDF
Solid oxide fuel cells are high temperature electrochemical conversion devices which are clean, highly efficient and capable of running on many potential fuels. They offer a possible solution for a low carbon future integrated with intermittent power supplies. Key aims are to increase cell efficiencies and power densities, this can be achieved through the ability to design better electrodes. A new approach is to harness cutting-edge 3D printing or additive manufacturing techniques to 3D print a metal scaffold with well-defined porosity which can then be functionalised to form the anode. This project focuses on optimising the design of the porous metal scaffold and understanding its 3D printing process.
3D Imaging and Characterisation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anodes Fabricated by a Selective Laser Sintering Method
Student: Daniel Burke
Supervisor(s): Professor Nigel Brandon (Sustainable Gas Institute), Dr Paul Boldrin (Department of Earth Science & Engineering), Dr Farid Tariq (Department of Earth Science & Engineering), Dr Billy Wu (Dyson School of Design Engineering)
Poster: #40 Download PDF
Fuel cells are electrochemical engines that convert fuel and air into electricity and heat, with the highest efficiency of any energy conversion device currently known. They can have an important role in meeting policy targets for emission reductions, as they provide little to no greenhouse gas emissions. A solid oxide fuel cell generates electricity when oxide ions produced in a cathode move across an electrolyte to an anode, where reactions with the fuel produce electrons. This project uses X-ray computed tomography to investigate the suitability of a modern 3D printing technique—selective laser sintering—for fabrication of such an anode, with principle focus on microstructural fluid flow of the fuel.
Assessment of alternative technology options for winter heating system in Beijing-A system to replace the coal-fired heating-only boilers
Student: Jianfei Ren
Supervisor(s): Dr Judith Cherni (Centre for Environmental Policy)
Poster: #41 Download PDF
Toxic air pollution has been associated with increasing health issues in Beijing. It is reported that the increasing trend of premature death and cardiovascular disease has a direct correlation with the air pollution. Winter heating is one of the main contributors to Beijing’s environmental issue. The Chinese government has emphasized the importance of pollution control in Beijing. The policy “heating to electricity”, which encourages a move from a wet central heating system to an electricity heating system, has been adopted by the local government of Beijing. The number of coal heating plants could be reduced and this also provides an opportunity for sustainable solutions.
Designing a smart metering system to promote behavioral change in UK universities
Student: Quentin Coutellier
Supervisor(s): Dr Kaveh Madani (Centre for Environmental Policy), Sarah Noyé (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), Dr Mirabelle Muuls (Imperial College Business School)
Poster: #42 Download PDF
The threat of water scarcity compromises future generations access to this vital resource. This research project attempts to assess how smart-metering technologies dedicated to water resource management can bring about societal and technologic changes. Based on previous research conducted at Imperial West halls of residence, this project examines the design of an entire smart water metering system to determine whether universities should deploy a fleet of smart meters in students’ halls of residence to encourage occupants to adopt sustainable behaviour towards water consumption.