Abstract: An approach for supporting a wax pattern during investment casting. The approach described herein forms a support structure to support the wax pattern during investment casting. The support structure has a capping structure with a geometry that can match a profile of a lower region of the wax pattern, and at least one support brace extending outward from the support capping structure. The support structure can be placed on a surface of the lower region. The support capping structure can form a defined envelope to enclose the lower region of the wax pattern. The support structure is connected to a base plate by the support brace(s). The capping structure and the support brace(s) secure the wax pattern to the base plate and distribute the load of the wax pattern to maximize strength while minimizing the risk of a discontinuity in the wax or shell that could affect the casting process.

Abstract: An approach for supporting a wax pattern during investment casting. The approach described herein forms a support structure to support the wax pattern during investment casting. The support structure has a capping structure with a geometry that can match a profile of a lower region of the wax pattern, and at least one support brace extending outward from the support capping structure. The support structure can be placed on a surface of the lower region. The support capping structure can form a defined envelope to enclose the lower region of the wax pattern. The support structure is connected to a base plate by the support brace(s). The capping structure and the support brace(s) secure the wax pattern to the base plate and distribute the load of the wax pattern to maximize strength while minimizing the risk of a discontinuity in the wax or shell that could affect the casting process.

Abstract: An approach for supporting a wax pattern during investment casting. The approach described herein forms a support structure to support the wax pattern during investment casting. The support structure has a capping structure with a geometry that can match a profile of a lower region of the wax pattern, and at least one support brace extending outward from the support capping structure. The support structure can be placed on a surface of the lower region. The support capping structure can form a defined envelope to enclose the lower region of the wax pattern. The support structure is connected to a base plate by the support brace(s). The capping structure and the support brace(s) secure the wax pattern to the base plate and distribute the load of the wax pattern to maximize strength while minimizing the risk of a discontinuity in the wax or shell that could affect the casting process.

Abstract: A topping cycle fuel cell unit includes a support plate having internal flow passages that extend to combustion outlets, a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer. The second electrode layer is configured to be coupled to another support plate of another fuel cell unit. The internal flow passages are configured to receive and direct air across the first electrolyte layer or the second electrolyte layer and to receive and direct fuel across another of the first electrolyte layer or the second electrolyte layer such that the first electrode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the second electrode layer create electric current. The internal flow passages are configured to direct at least some of the air and at least some of the fuel to the combustion outlets where the at least some air and the at least some fuel is combusted.

Abstract: A topping cycle fuel cell unit includes a support plate having internal flow passages that extend to combustion outlets, a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer. The second electrode layer is configured to be coupled to another support plate of another fuel cell unit. The internal flow passages are configured to receive and direct air across the first electrolyte layer or the second electrolyte layer and to receive and direct fuel across another of the first electrolyte layer or the second electrolyte layer such that the first electrode layer, the electrolyte layer, and the second electrode layer create electric current. The internal flow passages are configured to direct at least some of the air and at least some of the fuel to the combustion outlets where the at least some air and the at least some fuel is combusted.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a heat flux assembly for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a housing with a plurality of side walls that define an internal volume and a plurality of cells configured within the internal volume. The heat flux assembly includes a plurality of heat flux components configured for arrangement with the side walls of the housing of the energy storage device and one or more temperature sensors configured with each of the plurality of heat flux components. Thus, the temperature sensors are configured to monitor one or more temperatures at various locations in the plurality of heat flux components. The heat flux assembly also includes a controller configured to adjust a power level of each of the heat flux components as a function of the monitored temperature so as to reduce a temperature gradient or difference across the plurality of cells during operation of the energy storage device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a heat flux assembly for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a housing with a plurality of side walls that define an internal volume and a plurality of cells configured within the internal volume. The heat flux assembly includes a plurality of heat flux components configured for arrangement with the side walls of the housing of the energy storage device and one or more temperature sensors configured with each of the plurality of heat flux components. Thus, the temperature sensors are configured to monitor one or more temperatures at various locations in the plurality of heat flux components. The heat flux assembly also includes a controller configured to adjust a power level of each of the heat flux components as a function of the monitored temperature so as to reduce a temperature gradient or difference across the plurality of cells during operation of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A hybrid multichannel porous structure for processing between two fluid streams of different compositions includes a housing and one or more structures disposed within the cavity of the housing in a shell and tube configuration. Each structure includes a body made of a porous, inorganic material and a plurality of channels for processing an optional sweep stream. Each channel is coated with a membrane layer. A feed stream introduced into the housing is in direct contact with the structures such that a gas selectively permeates through the body and into the channels. The gas combines with the sweep stream to form a permeate that exits from each channel. The remaining feed stream forms a retentate that exits from the housing. The feed stream may consist of syngas containing hydrogen gas and the sweep stream may contain nitrogen gas. A power plant that incorporates the hybrid structure is disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid multichannel porous structure for processing between two fluid streams of different compositions includes a housing and one or more structures disposed within the cavity of the housing in a shell and tube configuration. Each structure includes a body made of a porous, inorganic material and a plurality of channels for processing an optional sweep stream. Each channel is coated with a membrane layer. A feed stream introduced into the housing is in direct contact with the structures such that a gas selectively permeates through the body and into the channels. The gas combines with the sweep stream to form a permeate that exits from each channel. The remaining feed stream forms a retentate that exits from the housing. The feed stream may consist of syngas containing hydrogen gas and the sweep stream may contain nitrogen gas. A power plant that incorporates the hybrid structure is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an oxide coating for reducing the accumulation of radioactive species on a metallic surface exposed to fluids containing charged particles is disclosed. The method includes preparing an aqueous colloidal suspension containing about 0.5 to about 35 weight percent of nanoparticles that contain at least one of titania and zirconia, and about 0.1% to about 10% 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetic acid (C7H14O5) or polyfluorosufonic acid in water, depositing the aqueous colloidal suspension on the metallic surface, drying the aqueous colloidal suspension to form a green coating, and then heating the green coating to a temperature of up to 500° C. to densify the green coating to form an oxide coating having a zeta potential less than or equal to the electrical polarity of the charged particles so as to minimize deposition of the charged particles on the metallic surface. The nanoparticles have a diameter of up to about 200 nanometers.

Abstract: A detection system is presented. The detection system includes a sensing component and a data analyzer. The sensing component includes a first sensor and a second sensor in fluid communication with the first sensor. The first sensor is disposed to allow operation at a predetermined temperature T1 and is selective to a first gas species at T1 and in presence of a second gas species. The second sensor is disposed to allow operation at a temperature T2 and is sensitive to the first gas species and a second gas species at T2. Temperature T2 is lower than T1. The data analyzer is disposed to receive an output signal from the sensing component and configured to calculate concentrations of the first gas species and the second gas species based on the output signal from the sensing component. A method of calculating concentrations of gas species in a gaseous mixture is also presented.

Abstract: A hybrid multichannel porous structure for processing between two fluid streams of different compositions includes a housing and one or more structures disposed within the cavity of the housing in a shell and tube configuration. Each structure includes a body made of a porous, inorganic material and a plurality of channels for processing an optional sweep stream. Each channel is coated with a membrane layer. A feed stream introduced into the housing is in direct contact with the structures such that a gas selectively permeates through the body and into the channels. The gas combines with the sweep stream to form a permeate that exits from each channel. The remaining feed stream forms a retentate that exits from the housing. The feed stream may consist of syngas containing hydrogen gas and the sweep stream may contain nitrogen gas. A power plant that incorporates the hybrid structure is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for separating carbon dioxide from a fluid stream at a temperature higher than about 200° C. with selectivity higher than Knudsen diffusion selectivity include contacting a porous membrane with the fluid stream to preferentially transport carbon dioxide. The porous membrane includes a porous support and a continuous porous separation layer disposed on a surface of the porous support and extending between the fluid stream and the porous support layer. The porous support comprises alumina, silica, zirconia, stabilized zirconia, stainless steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys, aluminum-based alloys, zirconium-based alloys or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A hybrid multichannel porous structure for processing between two fluid streams of different compositions includes a housing and one or more structures disposed within the cavity of the housing in a shell and tube configuration. Each structure includes a body made of a porous, inorganic material and a plurality of channels for processing an optional sweep stream. Each channel is coated with a membrane layer. A feed stream introduced into the housing is in direct contact with the structures such that a gas selectively permeates through the body and into the channels. The gas combines with the sweep stream to form a permeate that exits from each channel. The remaining feed stream forms a retentate that exits from the housing. The feed stream may consist of syngas containing hydrogen gas and the sweep stream may contain nitrogen gas. A power plant that incorporates the hybrid structure is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for separating carbon dioxide from a fluid stream at a temperature higher than about 200° C. with selectivity higher than Knudsen diffusion selectivity include contacting a porous membrane with the fluid stream to preferentially transport carbon dioxide. The porous membrane includes a porous support and a continuous porous separation layer disposed on a surface of the porous support and extending between the fluid stream and the porous support layer. The porous support comprises alumina, silica, zirconia, stabilized zirconia, stainless steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys, aluminum-based alloys, zirconium-based alloys or a combination thereof.