ASM International San Fernando Valley Chapter Presents

April 2008 Meeting

Alternative Energy Mini Symposium   CSUN: Ultra Clean Energy T. Brown, R. Lopez and W. Sullivan California State University Northridge has consistently been a leader in promoting and integrating sustainability in the campus physical planning approach, design standards and operational practices.  CSUN has the largest photovoltaic generating capacity at any university campus in Southern California (692 kW). CSUN worked with DWP to install micro-turbine power generation (180 kW capacity) at their central plant; the emission from these units is only 3% of a comparable diesel generator. The university has recently installed a one-megawatt fuel cell plant on campus, one of the largest fuel cell plants anywhere in the world. This plant, while contributing to the reduction of pollutants and green house gases, is predicted to improve the University’s energy consumption profile by as much as 13.4%. CSUN is the first university in California to supply more than 20% of its total power usage by ultra clean energy sources.  The emissions from CSUN’s (natural gas) fuel cell consist of heat, CO2 and H2O. Partial energy recovery is typical, but CSUN has already demonstrated a plant total efficiency of 78%, and expects to achieve 80% or more by harvesting the latent heat of the fuel cell reaction, an otherwise never before demonstrated aspect of fuel cell operations. CSUN will not only recover much of the heat and the H2O emissions, but will route the CO2 rich exhaust into campus green houses and an open air subtropical rainforest for CO2 enrichment research and optimal CO2 sequestration. This phase of the implementation allows for specialized biological research within the greenhouses not previously available and provides a more robust growing environment.  Hydrogen Storage for Transportation Applications John J. Vajo HRL Laboratories, LLC Malibu, CA   90265   Emerging transportation applications based on hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cells require the development of improved approaches for on-board reversible storage of hydrogen.  To maintain the design and performance of current internal combustion engine vehicles, the hydrogen storage system of a fuel cell powered vehicle must have a high hydrogen density.  This requirement has lead to a large research effort focused on solid-state compounds composed of light elements.  These compounds have high hydrogen mass and volume densities. However, their equilibrium properties, meaning the temperature and pressure conditions at which hydrogen can be released and stored, are not compatible with proton exchange membrane fuel cells.  Similarly, their rates of hydrogen release and storage are currently much too slow for vehicular applications. This presentation highlights the requirements for hydrogen storage for fuel cell powered vehicles, the different hydrogen storage technology options, and the approach being pursued at HRL Laboratories.  The HRL approach incorporates thermodynamic destabilization to adjust the equilibrium properties of light element-high hydrogen capacity compounds and nanoengineering to improve the rates of hydrogen release and storage.   Renewable Fuels: Algae Oil to Bio-Diesel Subramanian Iyer President, Energetics Inc 2322 N. Batavia #104, Orange CA 92865 Phone: 714-283-1468            Email: siyer@nrgtix.com  This project explores the growth and harvesting of algae to yield oil for conversion to biodiesel by Energetics Inc., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Iowa State University.  The CSU Pomona research efforts will identify the correct algae species, their growth conditions and harvesting methods for maximum output of algal oil.  Energetics Inc. will optimize the conditions for extraction of oil from the algal mass using innovative extraction processes to optimize oil yields.  Iowa State University is responsible for developing a recyclable super base catalyst to convert the algae oil to biodiesel using its patented super-base technology for catalyst development.  Subsequent efforts will integrate the separate processes into one system to optimize the overall efficiency of the algae-to-biodiesel process capable of producing 50 gallons of biodiesel per day.  The cost objectives are $3.25 per gallon for the biodiesel produced, based on a plant size of 100,000 gallons/day.   Architectural Wind Development Paul Glenney AeroVironment, Inc  Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. AV developed a small, modular wind turbine system designed for installation on buildings in urban and suburban areas. By eliminating the support tower, reducing noise and vibration, and creating a sleek and adaptable, modular housing that installs quickly and easily onto buildings, AV defines a new category of wind energy systems that adds value to buildings and demonstrates clean energy at work. Whereas photovoltaic systems are typically located on rooftops, out of sight, Architectural Wind is designed to install easily onto the building parapet, operating in plain site as an attractive complement to the building's architecture. Architectural Wind turbines rotate at low wind speeds, resulting in a form of "kinetic architecture" that communicates clearly the generation of clean energy.

San Fernando Valley Thanks it's Sustaining Members
		Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne

[Home | LA Chapt | OC Chapt | SB Chapt | SFV Chapt | Golf |
[Hot Spots | Job Resources