Abstract: A method for thermal cracking of a hydrocarbon to produce hydrogen gas and carbon comprises heating a molten medium to an operating temperature sufficient to thermally crack the hydrocarbon. The operating temperature may, for example be in the range of 600° C. to 1100° C. The method mixes the hydrocarbon into the heated molten medium and pumping the mixed molten medium and hydrocarbon through a reactor. In the reactor, the hydrocarbon undergoes a thermal cracking reaction which forms hydrogen gas and carbon black. The method separates the carbon and hydrogen gas from the molten medium that has passed through the reactor. In some embodiments, the flow of the molten medium in the reactor is a turbulent flow.

Abstract: In solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells, a laminar flow of a dilute oxidant stream, for example air, may be disrupted by incorporating obstacles in the channels of an oxidant flow field. The laminar flow is changed to turbulent flow thereby enhancing the flow of oxygen to the membrane electrode assembly in the fuel cell and improving fuel cell performance.

Abstract: In solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells, a laminar flow of a dilute oxidant stream, for example air, may be disrupted by incorporating obstacles in the channels of an oxidant flow field. The laminar flow is changed to turbulent flow thereby enhancing the flow of oxygen to the membrane electrode assembly in the fuel cell and improving fuel cell performance.