Kalki

https://teamkalki.netlify.app/

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IDbfl_vq4KX8erk6Xz991mio_vmB62uus62iaUBoIWo/edit?usp=sharing

Project Introduction

Standard batteries housed in pressure vessels could not function in previous missions due to extreme conditions which include 475 degrees Celsius surface temperature, 90 bar atmospheric pressure, and clouds of sulphuric acid and sulphur compounds[1]. To address this issue, we designed a low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell and detailed all of its intricate details, including the materials used and the working mechanism, on a minimalistic, well-organised website.

In which principle does it operate?

The solid-oxide fuel cell operates on the electrochemical cell principle i.e. redox reactions at anode and cathode to generate electricity[2]. Electrical energy is produced while gases are passed and electrodes are not depleted, the cell is a conversion type.

How does it function?

In a low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell, oxygen is passed to the cathode and reduced to oxide ions (O2-) in a three-phase boundary reaction (Cathode, electrolyte, and oxygen)[3]. Oxide ions are carried by the electrolyte to the anode, where hydrogen gas is blown. Then, a reaction between hydrogen and oxide ions produces water and electrons. Thus, electricity is generated by connecting a current-carrying wire to the potential difference between the anode and cathode.

Fig 1. Standard SOFC mechanism

Materials to be employed for Low-Temperature SOFC:

Each electrolyte, anode, and cathode must share a similar Thermal Expansion Coefficient to prevent cracks at high temperatures. Challenges seen during operation at low temperature(<800 Celsius) are low ionic conductivity of electrolyte, insufficient anodic surface activity for fuel oxidation and decrease in oxygen reduction rate at cathode, hence causing large cathodic overpotential[4][5]. So, considering above challenges; proper selection of materials are: 

The 0.8 to 1 V potential difference delivered by a single cell is insufficient for the operation of a lander, so cells are arranged in an anode-supported planar configuration and connected in series by interconnects with grooves, allowing electrical conductivity and gases to flow in contact with respective electrodes[6][7]. In glass plates, sealing glass is utilised to avoid the mixing of fuel and oxidant.

Fig 2. Planar configured Series Stack

Fig 3. Descriptive Cross-sectional View

What perks does it possess? 

1. High power density leads to a smaller size of the fuel cell.
2. No requirement for heat insulation as the surface temperature is the operating temperature for the cell.
3. Intermittent supply using a mechanical system enables energy supply for the long term as energy is not lost when fuel and oxidant aren’t passed.
4. Series stacks are connected by cathode bus and anode bus to safeguard from a partial system failure to enable a continuous supply of energy.

What do we hope to achieve?

1. Max power output of 10 W for pulse and base output of 0.4 W
2. Total 74.4 Watt hr energy stored
3. Compact size of fuel cell (32 cubic centimeter for single stack and about 4.134 kg overall energy source mass)

Technologies Used : SCSS, Html, Latex

Source-Code: https://github.com/pidusbhusal/Nasaproject.git

1. NASA Science Solar System Exploration - NASA- To learn about the features of Venus planet
2. NASA Missions to Venus - NASA- To learn about the status of previous Venus missions
3. Apollo-11 Lunar Module - NASA- To look at the design of the Lunar Module used in Apollo 11 to get the idea of surface lander design and their internal working parts. 
4. Venus Express - ESA - To learn about the additional features of Venus collected from previous missions

Competitions like the NASA space app challenge discover talents all over the world. It became a great platform for us to invest our skills, knowledge, and ideas to try to solve some of the pressing problems in the world. Thinking about and researching a subject that was foreign to us was a difficult yet enjoyable experience. Considered the twin planet of Earth, Venus is very less explored because of its harsh environment and the technical complexities the surface lander has to overcome. This made us choose this challenge out of the 22 challenges given by NASA. 

 The initial step in our strategy was to compile all pertinent data and information on Venus and earlier venus lander missions. Learning new Venus-related stuff throughout the entire trip has been a constant job. We tried our best to address most of those facts which can impact the Venus missions. It was really arduous to read through all the research articles up until 3 AM. It was quite challenging to investigate energy sources to power a lander in such hostile terrain. We were stuck in many parts of the research process but the enthusiasm and support of our teammates for our best efforts served as our key driving factor. We would like to thank the Nepal Astronomical Society - NASO, our local organizers who organized this event in our hometown despite being in the middle of the biggest holiday season of Nepal, Dashain. 

[1] - https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/pioneer-venus-2/in-depth/

[2] - http://www.nitttrc.edu.in/nptel/courses/video/113105015/lec28.pdf

[3]-https://chemistrycommunity.nature.com/posts/48215-atomic-structure-observations-and-reaction-dynamics-simulations-on-triple-phase-boundaries-in-solid-oxide-fuel-cells

[4] - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785321008750

[5] - https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1557/mrs.2014.192.pdf

[6] - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/solid-oxide-fuel-cell-systems

[7] - https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/5/1280

Image Reference

[1] - https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-principle-of-operation-of-a-solid-oxide-fuel-cell-10_fig17_45834949

[2] - https://www.ntt-review.jp/archive/ntttechnical.php?contents=ntr200910sf3.html

[3] - https://youtu.be/xT9fp92mTaQ?list=PLbMVogVj5nJSAZWiwGdkclf9nPPi7j91c&t=2724

#llisse #venus #sofc #twin #evening_star #research #da-vinci #veritas