Dry CH4 Research Articles

Seasonal Controls of CO2 and CH4 Dynamics in a Temporarily Flooded Subtropical Wetland

AbstractSubtropical and tropical wetlands play a prominent role in the global carbon (C) cycle; yet factors that influence their C fluxes remain uncertain. We collected measurements from a temporarily flooded subtropical wetland over 3 years to investigate environmental drivers impacting CO2 and CH4 fluxes. The wetland was a sink of CO2 (−469 to −380 g C‐CO2 · m−2 · year−1) and a source of CH4 (25.1 to 32.1 g C‐CH4 · m−2 · year−1) to the atmosphere. Dry season CH4 emissions represented 41 to 49% of the annual budget, reflecting the importance of continuous CH4 flux measurements. Gross primary productivity (GPP) increased with temperature and radiation, and the influence of VPD on GPP varied with soil inundation. Higher water tables decreased Reco and increased GPP, and a higher GPP in turn lead to enhanced Reco likely through enhancements of GPP on autotrophic respiration. This suggests that the impact of the water table on Reco depends on the cancelling effects of hydrology and GPP. Emissions of CH4 increased with soil temperature, water table, and GPP until soils were inundated at which point temperature and GPP became the main drivers. Water table and temperature influenced GPP and CH4 fluxes, and increases in GPP directly enhanced CH4 emissions. In addition to impacting C fluxes directly through water table depth, hydrology also determined the hierarchy of the dominance of factors controlling C fluxes and their response. The positive climate forcing of subtropical wetlands may be dictated by plant‐mediated and climate interactions, with hydrological factors playing a major role in determining the greenhouse gas sink or source strength of subtropical wetlands.

Geometric synergy of Steam/Carbon dioxide Co-electrolysis and methanation in a tubular solid oxide Electrolysis cell for direct Power-to-Methane

Power-to-methane (PtM) is a strategy for seasonal energy storage to enable wider energy share through the existing natural gas networks H2O/CO2 co-electrolysis and methanation reaction can synchronously occur in a single tubular solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) reactor to facilitate direct PtM. In this study, we aim to intensify the synergy between geometrical structure and complex physical–chemical processes in a tubular SOEC reactor for higher Electricity-to-CH4 efficiency. First, we divided the reactor into two parts: Electrolysis region and Methanation reaction (MR) region, and investigated their respective contribution and interaction. According to a self-developed multi-physics tubular SOEC model, we optimized the geometry of the reactor to synergistically regulate the field temperature of the Electrolysis and MR region. The results indicate that CH4 production ratio and Electricity-to-CH4 efficiency can be enhanced through the lengthening of either the Electrolysis region or the MR region. When fed with a cathode gas of 75%H2O + 20%CO2 + 5%H2 (20 mL min−1), an tubular SOEC reactor optimized with an Electrolysis region of 0.10 m and a MR region of 0.045 m can convert 91% of CO2 to CH4 at 1.5 V with an Electricity-to-CH4 efficiency of 49%. An improved synergy between pressure, operating voltage and gas flow can significantly improve CH4 production with less electricity. A tubular SOEC reactor with the optimized geometry can convert 95% of CO2 to CH4 at 1.2 V and 16 bar with an Electricity-to-CH4 efficiency of 81%, producing 52 vol% of dry CH4 at the cathode outlet. After optimization, tubular SOEC reactor can realize a more efficient PtM, thus, promote the combination of renewable power and natural gas networks.

Methane emissions from reproductive organs of pea plants exposed to multiple abiotic factors

Environmental stressors increase methane (CH4) emissions from plants. Few studies have investigated the interactive effects of multiple abiotic factors on CH4 emissions from plant vegetative organs and almost none from reproductive organs. We examined the combined effects of temperature, ultraviolet-B radiation, and watering regime on aerobic CH4 emissions from plant reproductive parts. Pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. 237J Sundance) plants were grown under two temperature regimes (22/18 °C and 28/24 °C; 16 h light/8 h dark), two levels of UVB radiation (0 and 5 kJ m− 2 day− 1), and two watering regimes (field capacity and wilting point) in controlled-environment growth chambers for over a month, after one week of initial growth under 22/18 oC. Then, CH4 emissions were measured from fully-opened flowers and pods (1-, 5-, and 10-day-old). Higher temperatures decreased flower dry mass, but significantly increased CH4 emissions from flowers. Other individual environmental factors did not affect flower and pod dry mass or CH4 emission. In some cases, however, interactions between or among factors significantly affected pod dry mass and CH4 emissions from flowers and pods, suggesting the synergistic effects of environmental factors on plant-derived CH4. In conclusion, stress factors increased flower and pod CH4 emissions, which had inverse relationships with dry mass of reproductive organs.

Performance of a Direct Methane Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using Nickel-Ceria-Yttria Stabilized Zirconia as the Anode.

A nickel-ceria-yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-CYSZ) cermet material was synthesized and tested as the anode for the direct oxidation of methane in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with YSZ as the electrolyte and strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) as the cathode. Initially, the electrochemical behavior was investigated under several load demands in wet (3% H2O) CH4 at 850 °C during 144 h using I-V curves, impedance spectra, and potentiostatic measurements. Long-term tests were subsequently conducted under 180 mA·cm–2 in wet CH4 for 236 h and dry CH4 for 526 h at 850 °C in order to assess the cell stability. Material analysis was carried out by SEM-EDS after operation was complete. Similar cell performance was observed with wet (3% H2O) and dry CH4, and this indicates that the presence of water is not relevant under the applied load demand. Impedance spectra of the cell showed that at least three processes govern the direct electrochemical oxidation of methane on the Ni-CYSZ anode and these are related to charge transfer at high frequency, the adsorption/desorption of charged species at medium frequency and the non-charge transfer processes at low frequency. The cell was operated for more than 900 h in CH4 and 806 h under load demand, with a low degradation rate of ~0.2 mV·h–1 observed during this period. The low degradation in performance was mainly caused by the increase in charge transfer resistance, which can be attributed to carbon deposition on the anode causing a reduction in the number of active centers. Carbon deposits were detected mostly on the surface of Ni particles but not near the anode/electrolyte interface or the cerium surface. Therefore, the incorporation of cerium in the anode structure could improve the cell lifetime by reducing carbon formation.

Methane production and nitrogen balance of dairy heifers grazing palisade grass cv. Marandu alone or with forage peanut.

Livestock production systems are an essential agribusiness activity in Brazil, but a critical challenge of Brazilian farmers is to maintain the equilibrium of the ecosystem, using herbage resources efficiently with a minimum impact on the environment. Nitrogen (N) fertilization and the inclusion of forage legumes into tropical grass pastures are management strategies which increase the productivity and nutritive value of pastures and may also affect methane (CH4) production by ruminants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of either fertilizing palisade grass pastures with N or including the forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) into grass pastures on enteric CH4 emission, microbial protein production in the rumen via purine derivatives in the urine, and N balance. Twenty-one nonlactating crossbred dairy heifers were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments. The treatments consisted of pastures of palisade grass without N fertilization (control), fertilized with urea (fertilized), and palisade grass mixed with forage peanut (mixed). Seven animals (replications) were used to evaluate dry matter intake, digestibility, CH4 emission, urea, purine derivatives, and volume of urine, and N ingestion and excretion. Four paddocks (replications) were used to measure herbage mass; morphological, botanical, and chemical composition of herbage; and herbage allowance. The CH4 emissions were determined using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer gas technique. The efficiency of N utilization (ENU) was calculated using the N balance data. Crude protein (CP) concentration of herbage increased with fertilization or legumes inclusion (P < 0.0001) while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration decreased (P = 0.0355). The leaf allowance was higher in the fertilized treatment (P = 0.0294). Only uric acid excretion increased with N fertilization (P = 0.0204). The ENU was not affected by fertilized or mixed compared to control and averaged 55% (P = 0.8945). The enteric CH4 production was similar between treatments and averaged 129 g/d (P = 0.3989). We concluded that the changes in chemical composition of herbage provided by N fertilization or the inclusion of the legume showed no reduction in enteric CH4 emissions, but the ENU was more significant than previous studies with palisade grass, suggesting that different management strategies might alter the ENU under grazing conditions.

Effects of Hardwood Biochar on Methane Production, Fermentation Characteristics, and the Rumen Microbiota Using Rumen Simulation.

Biochar is a novel carbonized feed additive sourced from pyrolyzed biomass. This compound is known to adsorb gasses and carbon, participate in biological redox reactions and provide habitat biofilms for desirable microbiota proliferation. Therefore, biochar holds potential to modify rumen fermentation characteristics and reduce enteric CH4 emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hardwood biochar supplementation on fermentation parameters, methane (CH4) production and the ruminal archaeal, bacterial, and fungal microbiota using the in vitro RUSITEC (rumen simulation technique) system. Treatments consisted of a control diet (oaten pasture: maize silage: concentrate, 35:35:30 w/w) and hardwood biochar included at 400 or 800 mg per day (3.6 and 7.2% of substrate DM, respectively), over a 15-day period. Biochar supplementation had no effect (P ≥ 0.37) on pH, effluent (mL/d), total gas (mL/d), dry matter (DM) digestibility or CH4 production (mg/d). The addition of 800 mg biochar per day had the tendency (P = 0.10) to lower the % of CH4 released in fermentation compared to 400 mg/d biochar treatment. However, no effect (P ≥ 0.44) was seen on total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyric, branched-chain VFA, valerate and caproate production and the ratio of acetate to propionate. No effect (P > 0.05) was observed on bacterial, archaeal or fungal community structure. However, biochar supplementation at 800 mg/d decreased the abundance of one Methanomethylophilaceae OTU (19.8-fold, P = 0.046) and one Lactobacillus spp. OTU (31.7-fold, P < 0.01), in comparison to control treatments. Two fungal OTUs classified as Vishniacozyma victoriae (5.4 × 107 increase) and Sporobolomyces ruberrimus (5.4 × 107-fold increase) were more abundant in the 800 mg/d biochar samples. In conclusion, hardwood biochar had no effects on ruminal fermentation characteristics and may potentially lower the concentration of enteric CH4 when included at higher dosages by manipulating ruminal microbiota abundances.

Electricity generation in dry methane by a durable ceramic fuel cell with high-performing and coking-resistant layered perovskite anode

A novel A-site deficient ceramic oxide (PrBa)0.95(Fe0.9Nb0.1)2O5+δ with layered perovskite structure has been investigated as an anode material for a direct-hydrocarbon fueled solid oxide fuel cell. Promising performance of this anode is achieved by stabilizing the material with Nb doping at B sites, which shows excellent chemical stability and high catalytic activity in the reducing fuel condition. The button cell based on lanthanum gallate electrolyte exhibits peak power density of 1.05 W cm−2 in H2, 0.64 W cm−2 in CH4 (∼3% H2O) and 0.57 W cm−2 in dry CH4 at 800 °C, respectively. When the temperature is decreased to as low as 600 °C, the cell still reaches 0.18 W cm−2 in hydrogen. The anode is highly resistant against redox cycling with capability of rapid recovery from oxidizing condition. Based on a series of performance durability tests under various fuel conditions, this anode material has been demonstrated to be feasible for long-term operation in dry CH4 without observable degradation. The results demonstrate a new technical route to develop highly active and stable ceramic anode by doping high-valence rare-earth elements into B sites of perovskite material.

Is rumination time an indicator of methane production in dairy cows?

As long as large-scale recording of expensive-to-measure and labor-consuming traits, such as dry matter intake (DMI) and CH4 production (CH4P), continues to be challenging in practical conditions, alternative traits that are already routinely recorded in dairy herds should be investigated. An ideal indicator trait must, in addition to expressing genetic variation, have a strong correlation with the trait of interest. Our aim was to estimate individual level and phenotypic correlations between rumination time (RT), CH4P, and DMI to determine if RT could be used as an indicator trait for CH4P and DMI. Data from 343 Danish Holstein cows were collected at the Danish Cattle Research Centre for a period of approximately 3 yr. The data set consisted of 14,890 records for DMI, 15,835 for RT, and 6,693 for CH4P. Data were divided in primiparous cows only (PC) and all cows (MC), and then divided in lactation stage (early, mid, late, and whole lactation) to analyze the changes over lactation. Linear mixed models, including an animal effect but no pedigree, were used to estimate the correlations among traits. Phenotypic and individual level correlations between RT and both CH4P and DMI were close to zero, regardless of lactation stage and data set (PC or MC). However, CH4P and DMI were highly correlated, both across lactation stages and data sets. In conclusion, RT is unsuitable to be used as an indicator trait for either CH4P or DMI. Our study failed to validate RT as a useful indicator trait for both CH4P and DMI, but more studies with novel phenotypes can offer different approaches to select and incorporate important yet difficult to record traits into breeding goals and selection indexes.

Effects of feeding wheat or corn and of rumen fistulation on milk production and methane emissions of dairy cows

There has been little research that has quantified methane (CH4) yields when dairy cows consume diets containing wheat grain. Furthermore, although rumen-fistulated animals have been used in many experiments concerned with measuring CH4 emissions, no research has examined the effect of rumen fistulation on in vivo CH4 emissions and yield. This experiment examined the effects of including either wheat or corn grain in the diet and the effects of rumen fistulation on yields of milk and milk components, CH4 emissions, yields, and intensities. Eight rumen-fistulated and six non-fistulated Holstein dairy cows in late lactation were offered a wheat-based diet (WHT) and a corn-based diet (CRN) in a crossover design. For the WHT diet, cows were offered daily, 22.4 kg DM containing 45.5% lucerne hay, 8.9% canola meal, 0.5% mineral mix, 0.5% molasses powder and 44.6% rolled wheat. The CRN diet was similar to the WHT diet except that rolled corn replaced the wheat. There was no difference between the WHT and CRN diets on mean milk yields (27.8 vs 27.9 kg/day), but the WHT diet substantially reduced milk fat concentration (2.76 vs 4.23%) and milk fat yield (0.77 vs 1.18 kg/day). Methane emissions (218 vs 424 g/day), CH4 yield (11.1 vs 19.5 g/kg dry matter intake) and CH4 intensity (7.6 vs 15.7 g/kg milk) were all reduced ~45% by the WHT diet compared with the CRN diet. Rumen fistulation did not affect dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition or CH4 emissions, but decreased CH4 yield and intensity. Including wheat in the diet of dairy cows has the potential to be an effective strategy to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, rumen fistulation was associated with a small reduction in CH4 yield and intensity, and this should be considered when using rumen-fistulated cows in research concerned with CH4 emissions.

Influence of Pr6O11 on oxygen electroreduction kinetics and electrochemical performance of Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ based cathode

Oxygen electroreduction kinetics and electrochemical performance of the Pr6O11-impregnated Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ – Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SFM–SDC) cathode have been first studied. By means of distribution of relaxation times and non-linear least squares analysis of impedance spectra were shown that the addition of Pr6O11 into the cathode leads to the increase in the rate of the low-frequency step. It is suggested that the observed phenomenon is associated with the increase in the rate of surface oxygen exchange. It is shown that the introduction of praseodymium oxide into the cathode results in a decrease in the area specific polarization resistances of the cathode at equilibrium potentials from 0.23 to 0.06 Ω cm2 at 800 °C in air. The maximum power density of symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with impregnated SFM–SDC electrodes and supporting 760 μm La0.85Sr0.15Ga0.85Mg0.15O3-δ electrolyte without buffer/barrier and collector layers under air/wet hydrogen (dry CH4) condition was about 0.5 (0.26) W cm−2 at 800 °С. The overvoltage of the cathode was higher than that of the anode under air/wet hydrogen and vice versa when methane was supplied to the anode. The obtained results elucidate that the impregnated SFM–SDC is a promising cathode for SOFC application.

Effect of Sn addition on improving the stability of Ni-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 anode material for solid oxide fuel cells fed with dry CH4

Sn-NiO-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) is synthesized as an anode material for solid oxide fuel cells with H2 and dry methane as fuels. Sn-Ni alloy is formed after reduction. The performances of anode-supported single cells with a configuration of Sn-Ni-SDC|SDC|Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ are investigated in the range of 600–700 °C. With increasing Sn content of the anode, the performances of the cells fed with H2 and dry methane both decrease slightly, indicating a reduced anodic catalytic activity. However, the stability of the cell with dry methane as fuel improves remarkably with the addition of Sn due to the suppression of carbon deposition on the anode.

Coke-tolerant La2Sn2O7-Ni-Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95 composite anode for direct methane-fueled solid oxide fuel cells

Direct CH4-fueled solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been studied for a few decades, but carbon depositions on the Ni-based anodes are still remained as a major problem. In order to enhance coke tolerances and durability of SOFCs, La2Sn2O7 nano-powders are prepared by co-precipitation. The SOFCs with the different amounts of the La2Sn2O7 nano-powders in the Ni-GDC anodes are tested under dry CH4, and the 0.3 wt.% La2Sn2O7-Ni-GDC (0.3LNG) anodes show the highest cell performances of all anodes. The maximum power density of the cell is approximately 0.55 W cm−2 at 650 °C. The durability of the 0.3LNG cell is significantly enhanced without any carbon formations, showing approximately 0.69 V over 600 h at 0.3 A cm−2, whereas the conventional Ni-GDC cell is stopped only after 90 h. It suggests that the 0.3LNG is a promising anode material to enhance coke-tolerances and durability of direct-methane fuel cells.

Electrode design for direct-methane micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (MT-SOFC)

Herein, a micro-structured electrode design has been developed via a modified phase-inversion method. A thin electrolyte integrated with a highly porous anode scaffold has been fabricated in a single-step process and developed into a complete fuel cell for direct methane (CH4) utilisation. A continuous and well-dispersed layer of copper-ceria (Cu-CeO2) was incorporated inside the micro-channels of the anode scaffold. A complete cell was investigated for direct CH4 utilisation. The well-organised micro-channels and nano-structured Cu-CeO2 anode contributed to an increase in electrochemical reaction sites that promoted charge-transfer as well as facilitating gaseous fuel distribution, resulting in outstanding performances. Excellent electrochemical performances have been achieved in both hydrogen (H2) and CH4 operation. The power density of 0.16 Wcm−2 at 750 °C with dry CH4 as fuel is one of the highest ever reported values for similar anode materials.

Nickel-doped sodium zirconate catalysts for carbon dioxide storage and hydrogen production through dry methane reforming process

NiO-doped sodium zirconate ceramics with different amounts of NiO (between 0 and 10wt%) were synthetized and characterized by powder XRD, SEM-EDS and N2 physisorption. Structural and microstructural characteristics of a Na2ZrO3 based-ceramic were maintained in all NiO-containing samples. These materials were tested for CO2 capture (TGA), desorption processes (TPD) and dry CH4 reforming (DMR, catalytic tests). Initially, samples were dynamically tested for CO2 chemisorption; these tests showed a slight inhibition for CO2 capture due to the presence of NiO, which partially blocked Na2ZrO3 surface sites where CO2 can be chemisorbed. Then, NiO-doped samples were carbonated and exposed to a CH4 flow in order to perform DMR reaction, using carbonate samples as CO2 source. In all cases, NiO addition resulted in greater production of H2 than that of pure Na2ZrO3. Additionally, a drastic reduction in the reaction temperature was observed, especially for NiO-doped Na2ZrO3 containing 10wt% of NiO. Additionally, regeneration and cyclic behavior showed that it is possible to accomplish consecutive cycles of CO2 capture-DMR with considerable Na2ZrO3 regeneration. On the other hand, cyclability was affected due to a partial NiO reduction after DMR steps. However, if a pre-oxidation step was performed, the catalytic activity and H2 production were recovered. Hence, it was established that NiO-doped Na2ZrO3 materials can be used as bifunctional materials as (i) CO2 captors and then as (ii) catalytic materials during DMR reaction.

Direct-methane solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with Ni-SDC anode-supported cell

The performance of a Ni-SDC anode-supported cell operating with a dry CH4 feed stream and the effectiveness of exposing the anode to H2 as a method of removing carbon deposits are evaluated. This has involved the continuous monitoring of the outlet gas composition during CH4 operation and H2 exposure. A degradation rate in the cell voltage (∼1.33 mV h−1) is observed during 100 h operation with dry CH4. Carbon is detected in the Ni-SDC anode after the stability test but only in the portion of the anode closest to the fuel channel. No carbon is detected at the electrolyte-anode interface, which is the likely reason that the cell performance remains relatively stable. The information obtained from SEM and gas outlet composition analyses can be explained by a process whereby most of the CH4 that reacts decomposes into H2 and C in the Ni-SDC anode near the fuel channel. H2 then makes its way to the anode-electrolyte interface where it is electrochemically oxidized to H2O which can also react with any C that may have formed, leaving behind C primarily at the fuel channel. When an aged cell is exposed to H2, carbon-containing gases (CO, CH4 and CO2) are released, indicating that some carbon has been removed from the anode. Examination of the anode after the test shows that some carbon still remains after this treatment.

Mid-infrared continuous-filtering Vernier spectroscopy using a doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator

We present a continuous-filtering Vernier spectrometer operating in the 3.15–3.4 µm range, based on a femtosecond doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator, a cavity with a finesse of 340, a grating mounted on a galvo scanner, and two photodiodes. The spectrometer allows acquisition of one spectrum spanning 250 nm of bandwidth in 25 ms with 8 GHz resolution, sufficient to detect molecular lines at atmospheric pressure. An active lock ensures good frequency and intensity stability of the consecutive spectra and enables continuous signal acquisition and efficient averaging. The relative frequency scale is calibrated using a Fabry–Perot etalon or, alternatively, the galvo scanner position signal. We measure spectra of a calibrated CH4 gas sample as well as dry and laboratory air and extract CH4 and H2O concentrations by multiline fitting of model spectra. The figure of merit of the spectrometer is 1.7 × 10−9 cm−1 Hz−1/2 per spectral element and the minimum detectable concentration of CH4 is 360 ppt Hz−1/2, averaging down to 90 ppt after 16 s.

Investigation on Sr0.2Na0.8Nb1−xVxO3 (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3) as new ceramic anode materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Variants of SNNV (Sr0.2Na0.8Nb1−xVxO3, X = 0.1–0.3) ceramic oxides were synthesized via wet chemical method. SNNVs show high electronic conductivity of >100 S/cm when reduced in hydrogen at a relatively low temperature of 650 °C. In particular, 30% V-doped SNNV exhibited the highest conductivity of 300 S/cm at 450 °C. In order to investigate the fuel cell performance, Gd0.1Ce0.9O2−δ (GDC) based electrolyte-supported fuel cells were prepared to study the anode characteristics. Sr0.2Na0.8Nb0.9V0.1O3 (SNNV10)-GDC composite was used as an anode and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF)–GDC as a cathode. Both electrodes were porous and sintered at 1050 °C for 2 h in air. The anode side of the fuel cell was infiltrated with 10 wt% GDC/Ni-GDC precursor to activate the anode for fuel oxidation. I-V characteristics were determined in gas conditions such as dry/humidified hydrogen and methane at 650 °C. With the infiltration Ni-GDC, peak power density (PPD) of 280 mW/cm2 and 220 mW/cm2 in dry H2 and CH4, respectively, were obtained at 650 °C, which is higher than GDC alone as infiltrate. The high resistances in the humidified conditions are attributed to the lower conductivity of SNNV10 in high PO2 atmospheres.

A hierarchical porous microstructure for improving long-term stability of Ni1-xCux/SDC anode-supported IT-SOFCs fueled with dry methane

A series of Ni1-xCux/Sm-doped ceria (Ni1-xCux/SDC) anodes have been prepared through introducing a soluble pore former with the co-pressing and co-sintering process. Uniform hierarchical porous microstructures are formed in Ni0.9Cu0.1/SDC anode with interconnected large pores of 2–5 μm and 100–300 nm small pores on the wall. The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based on such anode exhibits exceptional electrochemical catalytic activity for dry CH4 oxidation and a maximum power density of 379 mW cm−2 is acquired at 600 °C. Durability test results show only 2.4% power density drop is observed after 72 h operation under a constant cell voltage of 0.5 V. The results have demonstrated that the optimization of anode microstructures is an effective way to improve the performance and long-term stability of Ni1-xCux alloy-based anode-supported SOFC.

Ce/Ni Decorated Titanate Based Perovskite for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In this study, a titanate based perovskite pinned with Ce decorated exsolved Ni nanoparticles (LSCNT) is developed for solid oxide fuel cells via a modified rhetorical phase reaction method. The exsolution of Ni nano particles with uniformly dispersed nanoscale Ce over the material surface can be obtained by sintering the material in consecutive atmospheres. The SOFC with the prepared anode shows promising electrochemical performance in both sour H2 and dry CH4. In addition, the material also exhibits good carbon deposition resistance. The synergistic effect enabled the LSCNT to be a potential anode candidate operating in various fuels.

Supplementation of Red Betel Leaf (Piper crocatum) in Dairy Cattle Feed on Fermentation Characteristics by in Vitro

The aim of this study was to assess the impact and efficiency of red betel leaf’s extract supplementation in the diet of dairy cattle on fermentation characteristics by in vitro. The research method was experiment by using completely randomized design. The treatments that were tested were R1: basal feed, R2: R1 + 15 ppm of red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) extract, R3: R1 + 30 ppm of red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) extract, R4: R1 + 45 ppm of red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) extract, R5: R1 + 60 ppm of red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) extract. The parameters measured in this study were (1)Dry MatterDigestibility (DMD),(2)Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD) (3) total gas production (4) methane production (CH4) and (5) total Volatille Fatty Acid (VFA). The data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed Orthogonal Polynomial Test.The results showed that the suplementation red batel extract in the diet of dairy cow was significant (P &lt; 0.01) on DMD, OMD, total gas production, methane production (CH4) and total VFA.Orthogonal Polynomial test showed the effect of treatment on Dry MatterDigestibility (DMD), total gas and CH4 gas production were in the form of cubic curve, as well as Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD) and Volatille Fatty Acid (VFA) in the form of quadrate curvewith supplementation of red betel leaf.