This issue of ECS Transactions contains papers from the Twelfth International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC-XII),a continuing biennial series of symposia. The papers deal with materials for cell components and fabrication methods for components and complete cells. Also contained are papers on cell electrochemical performance and its modelling, stacks and systems, and prototype testing of SOFC demonstration units for different applications.

Desalination is a dynamically growing field with more research, more engineering, more applications, more countries, more people, and with more training programs. This book provides high quality invited reviews on progress in various aspects of the desalination field. It features comprehensive coverage of desalination science, technology, economics, markets, energy considerations, environmental impact, and more. It is a key guide for professionals and researchers in water desalination and related areas including chemical, mechanical, and civil engineers, chemists, materials scientists, manufacturers of desalination membranes, water reuse engineers, and water authorities, as well as students in these fields.

Although conventional cogeneration systems have been used successfully in the last two decades, most of them have been large units using mainly hydrocarbon fuels that are becoming increasingly expensive. New cogeneration systems based on fuel cells and sorption air conditioning systems promise to be an energy-saving alternative for situations when cooling, heating and power are needed at low and medium capacities. Cogeneration Fuel Cell-Sorption Air Conditioning Systems examines the thermodynamic principles of fuel cell performance and sorption air conditioning systems, and gives relevant information about the state of the art of these technologies. It also provides the reader with the theoretical bases and knowledge needed to understand the operation of these new cogeneration systems, as well as discussing the design basis and economical evaluation. Topics covered include: • selected fuel cells for cogeneration CHP processes; • state-of-the-art sorption refrigeration systems; • potential applications in demonstration projects; and • profitability assessment of the cogeneration system. Air conditioning and fuel cell engineers; postgraduates and researchers in energy fields; and designers of cooling, heating and power cogeneration systems will find Cogeneration Fuel Cell-Sorption Air Conditioning Systems a useful and informative reference.

By far the most commonly encountered and energy-intensive unit operation in almost all industrial sectors, industrial drying continues to attract the interest of scientists, researchers, and engineers. The Handbook of Industrial Drying, Fourth Edition not only delivers a comprehensive treatment of the current state of the art, but also serves as a consultative reference for streamlining industrial drying operations. New to the Fourth Edition: Computational fluid dynamic simulation Solar, impingement, and pulse combustion drying Drying of fruits, vegetables, sugar, biomass, and coal Physicochemical aspects of sludge drying Life-cycle assessment of drying systems Covering commonly encountered dryers as well as innovative dryers with future potential, the Handbook of Industrial Drying, Fourth Edition not only details the latest developments in the field, but also explains how improvements in dryer design and operation can increase energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The 2007 ARW “Using Carbon Nanomaterials in Clean-Energy Hydrogen Systems” (UCNCEHS’2007) was held in September 22–28, 2007 in the remarkable town Sudak (Crimea, Ukraine) known for its heroic and unusual fate. In the tradition of the earlier conferences, UCNCEHS’2007 meeting served as an multidisciplinary forum for the presentation and discussion of the most recent research on transition to hydrogen-based energy systems, technologies for hydrogen production, storage, utilization, carbon nanomaterials processing and chemical behavior, energy and environmental problems. The aim of UCNCEHS’2007 was to provide the wide overview of the latest scientific results on basic research and technological applications of hydrogen interactions with carbon materials. The active representatives from research/academic organizations and governmental agencies could meet, discuss and present the most recent advances in hydrogen concepts, processes and systems, to evaluate current progress and to exchange academic information, to identify research needs and future development in this important area. This ARW should help further the progress of hydrogen-based science and promote the role of hydrogen and carbon nanomaterials in the energy field.

For policymakers. p. 1.

An exploration of the technical, economic, and energy-saving aspects of the design, modeling, and operation of non-conventional cooling and heating systems Cooling and heating can collectively constitute one of the largest sources of energy consumption in a modern building, with attendant costs and sustainability concerns. As the global climate changes and temperature extremes produce demand for even greater energy consumption, energy-efficient methods for cooling interior spaces have become more important than ever. Our sustainable future demands non-conventional methods for cooling and thermal storage which can meet the demands of a changing climate and an efficient, renewable power grid. Advancements in Non-Conventional Cooling and Thermal Storage Strategies offers a detailed introduction to the latest cutting-edge space conditioning technologies for buildings. Beginning with an overview of activated carbon-based adsorbents and their potential heating and cooling applications, it moves to an analysis of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) as a potential sustainable cooling source. Thorough, rigorous, and fully up to date, it’s indispensable for a range of professionals working to make habitable, energy-efficient human spaces. Advancements in Non-Conventional Cooling and Thermal Storage Strategies readers will find: Techniques for both active and passive space conditioning systems Detailed discussion of topics including adsorbent-refrigerant pairings, techniques for incorporating fresh air at high air change per hour, and more A composite case study with examples from across the globe to provide an understanding of technical requirements Advancements in Non-Conventional Cooling and Thermal Storage Strategies is ideal for researchers and professional mechanical and civil engineers, those working in space-cooling, HVAC, and building design industries, and research and design personnel of HVAC equipment manufacturing industry.

Developing clean energy and utilizing waste energy has become increasingly vital. Research targeting the advancement of thermally powered adsorption cooling technologies has progressed in the past few decades, and the awareness of fuel cells and thermally activated (heat pipe heat exchangers) adsorption systems using natural refrigerants and/or alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon-based refrigerants is becoming ever more important. Heat Pipes and Solid Sorption Transformations: Fundamentals and Practical Applications concentrates on state-of-the-art adsorption research and technologies for relevant applications based on the use of efficient heat transfer devices—heat pipe and two-phase thermosyphons—with the objectives of energy efficiency and sustainability. This book also discusses heat pipe thermal control as it relates to spacecraft applications. The first few chapters of Heat Pipes and Solid Sorption Transformations: Fundamentals and Practical Applications focus on heating and cooling, the principles of adsorption, adsorption dynamics, and the availability of three-phase boundaries. Other chapters cover successful heat pipe applications and heat-pipe-based thermal control of fuel cells, solid sorption transformers, and electronic components and air-condition devices. The final chapters summarize the achievements in the field of heat and mass transfer study in heat pipes with variable properties such as gas loaded heat pipes. Several configurations of thermosyphons are showcased, with suggested applications. A number of examples of equipment using the thermosyphon technology are presented and, in the final chapter, the concept of flow boiling and flow condensation heat transfer in micochannels is analyzed in detail.