text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Mar 30, 2010
|Filing date
|Jul 2, 2003
|Priority date
|Feb 6, 1998
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Esin Cubukcu, Steve Dahar, Ravi Dodeja, Arnold Z. Gordon, Daniel Kalynchuk, Troy Shannon Prince, Justin Soltesz, Michael D. Waite
|Original Assignee
|Igr Enterprises
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (71), Non-Patent Citations (9), Referenced by (2), Classifications (21), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/592,190, filed Jun. 12, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,153, issued Mar. 9, 2004, which is division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/020,204, filed Feb. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,771, issued Jun. 13, 2000.
The present invention relates generally to a ceramic composite electrolytic device, and, more specifically, to a device and methods for manufacturing a ceramic composite electrolytic device for use in the generation of electrical power and heat.
In the past, stationary, vehicular and portable ceramic composite electrolytic devices such as fuel cells for generating electric power and heat or for generating oxygen, have been difficult to manufacture for numerous reasons. First, numerous prior art devices used ceramic-to-ceramic type fabrication techniques which resulted in a product which was not sufficiently tough to be reliable during transport or usage. The ceramic-to-ceramic interface was brittle and would tend to crack readily. Additionally, fabrication costs for such units were high due to the use of expensive ceramic materials, together with complicated manufacturing methods. The high temperature at which such devices must operate limited the choice of materials for use in the devices. Where metals were used, high operating temperatures tended to weaken the metals as well as increase their corrosion and oxidation rates. As a result, expensive ceramic materials were used. Such materials have had difficulties including cracking and failure of the seals. These difficulties are made worse in the event of shock, vibration and thermal cycling to high operating temperatures. Fabrication techniques may also have included expensive permanent or hermetic gas seals, which were often unsuccessful. Prior art units also tend to be too large to meet desired space and weight requirements. Moreover, such devices were unable to meet desired power requirements despite such additional disadvantages. For example, in the case of a stack of small cells having continuous output requirements for use in a micro-vehicle, minimal output such as a few Watts are desired. In a larger vehicle, manned or unmanned, power outputs are generally desired to be in the range of 1-100 kWatts. For large vehicles or stationary power supplies, for example for utility power, megawatt requirements may be desired. Devices of this type would preferably have relatively small physical dimensions.
Additional disadvantages with prior art techniques are set forth in the background of U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,987 concerning electrical power generation, which is incorporated herein by reference. Still further enhancements continue to be made to the mechanical properties of ceramic cell technology as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,542. However, such improvements continue to have disadvantages, including the use of large amounts of expensive precious metals such as silver and palladium. Also, the use of increased amounts of metal in the composite result in undesirable direct electrical connections, which limit the usefulness of the cell in certain applications.
According to the present invention, a ceramic composite electrolytic device is provided which may be used for generation of electric power or heat. In the power generation system or device of the present application, a reliable, mechanically rugged device is provided. In particular, such device may be stationary, vehicular and/or portable, and is capable of delivering electrical power at a desired wattage, which in various embodiments may be from a few watts to a kilo or mega watt output. In the fuel cell device embodiment of the present application, an efficient, economical, relatively light weight, reliable, mechanically rugged device, which has reduced pollutant emissions is provided. Such devices are advantageously used in the production of electrical power at any required location where electric power conversion from fuel is needed, generation of power for electrically powered vehicles, or generation of electric power from methane produced by land fills, as a few examples, or in military aircraft or life support systems, for example in small unmanned aerial vehicles for use in military surveillance. Additionally, Such electrical generators may be used as the power source for an oxygen generator device.
The present device is a solid-state electrochemical source of electrical power which is maintenance free. The present device has a preferred fluid fuel embodiment and a solid fuel embodiment. In the pre-loaded solid fuel embodiment the use of fuel tanks, pumps, lines and fuel processing is eliminated, which significantly reduces difficulties with volume and weight constraints.
When the system is heated to its comparatively lower operating temperature of between 500° C. and 1200° C., the device spontaneously produces power making use of the transportability of ions, such as oxide ions (O−2), or hydroxide ions (OH−), across an electrolytic ductile ceramic barrier. According to Faraday's law, amperage is proportional to the number of electrons transferred per carbon (C) atom multiplied by Faraday's constant (approximately 96,500). (A=(#e−/Catom)(F)(gmoles C/second). Thus, for the production of carbon monoxide (CO) from carbon the number of electrons transferred is 2, and for carbon dioxide (CO2) from carbon the number is 4. As a result, amperage of the cell equals (2)(96,500)(gmoles C/second) for CO production from carbon. Thus, the rate of fuel consumption may be controlled by electronic control of the amperage through the device. It is noted that each gram-mole of carbon weights 12.0 grams. At a nominal current of 27 amps, each cell in the device will electrochemically consume about 100 mg of carbon per minute, if the carbon is converted to carbon monoxide. If carbon dioxide is produced, only about 50 mg C/min. is consumed.
Further advantages are obtained with the present device since the embodiments are less costly to manufacture, due to their substantial use of common, inexpensive stainless steels. The use of such metals enables the use of metal-to-metal welds for the high temperature seals and other connections. Also, the use of flexible solid electrolytes within cells of the device increases its life, due to the relative ductile, flexible, fracture tough, solid ceramic and metal composite materials.
Other features and advantages the present device will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification.
In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the devices described are illustrated, and together with the general description above, and the detailed description below, exemplify the present invention.
It is noted that the present device incorporates two types of preferred embodiments: one supporting solid fuel within the composite cells or pre-loaded cells, and a second enabling the supply of fluid (liquid, gas or vapor) fuel to each of the cells. In the fluid fuel embodiment, the fuel may be JP-8, or methane, or an alcohol or gasoline or other similar fuel fluid. In the solid fuel embodiment, the fuel is preferably a conventional high surface area carbon, such as a carbon powder or charcoal briquette. Alternative solid fuels include titanium, titanium aluminide, or other metals and alloys which preferably do not melt under operational conditions and are light in weight. Other oxidizable material may also be used as solid fuels, such as carbides and hydrides, for example, aluminum carbide, and borohydride. Where oxidizable fuels are used which do not result in a gas phase exhaust, no exhaust means are generally required. However, such exhausts may result in weight reductions desirable in a specific design. In each of the embodiments, fully or partially oxidized fuel is exhausted from each of the cells. Various forms of each of these embodiments are described and illustrated. Where the components of these embodiments are similar, their features are not discussed further, and are referred to as the same designation or using prime designations.
In the illustrated embodiment of
Ceramic Composite Cells
Turning first to a discussion of the preferred embodiment of the ceramic composite cells 12, components of which are illustrated in
In the embodiment of
As shown in
In this
In the fluid fuel cell example of
It should be noted that in the event a solid fuel design is desired making use of the cell configuration of
In the solid fuel embodiment of
The cells 12 are preferably manufactured as set forth below.
The Bipolar Foil of the Cell
The bipolar foil 50 is cut from any metal foil which is temperature, corrosion and oxidation resistant may be used, such as Fe based, Ni based, austentic, martensitic, ferritic and duplex, stainless steels, silver, silver alloys, superalloys and high nickel alloys. Inconel steel is used in the present embodiment, as previously described. A CO2 laser is also used to cut the foil to the size and various configurations illustrated. In operation, one side of the bipolar foil communicates with ambient air, the air side A, and the other side communicates with fuel, the fuel side F. Using a cold-forging or embossing process, the foil 50 is then embossed in two directions, with the large dimples in one direction, and the small dimples in the other direction, to form the dimple pattern 52 illustrated using a 60,000 pound hydraulic press. The foil 50 is pressed inside a two part die. Aligning pegs are used to ensure accurate placement of the resulting large and small dimples 64, 66 in the foil 50 during pressing. The die is pressed four times at 10,000 pounds in the corners of the foil to obtain the dimple pattern 52. It should be understood that any raised pattern or configuration which allows for gas passage and electrical contact may be embossed on the bipolar foil 50.
In the illustrated embodiment, the air side, or cathode side, of the foil is embossed with ⅛ inch ball bearings to create the large dimples 64 which are raised approximately 0.026 inches out of the foil. The fuel side, or anode side, of the foil is embossed with 3/32 inch ball bearings to create the small dimples 66 which are raised 0.014 inches out of the foil. All of the dimples with the same size diameters are spaced with approximately 0.354 inches between their centers. Using the dimple pattern 52 of embossments, as is illustrated and will be further discussed, the anode 18 of one cell 12 is electrically connected directly to the cathode 16 of the adjacent cell 12. For an enhanced capacity to carry stress, the dimples may be configured closer together, or in top of one another. Once the cells are stacked and interconnected in the cell stack 13, they are interconnected as schematically illustrated in
The mechanical and electrical functions of the bipolar foil are to provide a backing for the photolithographic member 60 by enabling collection of fuel within the cell and a hermetic gas passageway 22 to direct the exhaust fuel and gas generated on the anode side of the foil, to transmit electrical current to the next cell, to provide spacing on the fuel and air sides of the foil for gas flows and to evenly distribute the temperature and current flow through the cells. Preferably, the bipolar metal member has contact portions extending outwardly in two directions from a plane of the bipolar metal member for engagement with said ceramic composite member.
Once the bipolar foil 50 includes the two-directional dimple pattern 52, an electrical contact layer 112 is provided on the tops of both the large and small dimples 64, 66. In the present embodiment, the electrical contact layer 112 is two layers, where each layer is double coated, of silver, alloyed with a small amount of another metal such as gold, platinum, palladium or iridium. The preferred embodiment includes a small amount of gold ink which is mixed with silver ink and stamped on the dimples using a stamp pad is coated with the mixture to obtain a thickness of 1/16 inch. However, such material may be applied by plating, painting or any other available coating technique. The commercially available silver and gold inks used are 24% Gold Resinate Solution with 19.4% Metallo Organic Silver Ink, both available from Englehard. The inks are mixed together in a 1 to 1 ratio, although other proportions are possible depending on the alloy of the bipolar foil member, the desired service temperature, and the amperage.
Following application of a first layer of ink, the bipolar foil is fired to 200° C. for ˝ hour, and allowed to cool. Once cooled, the bipolar foil is fired to 650° C. at 5° C. per minute for 60 minutes, and allowed to cool. A second coat of ink is then applied and fired as described. The bipolar foil is then refired to 650° C. at 5° C. per minute for 60 minutes. A second layer of Silver Fritless ink available from Englehard is then used to cover the dimples on one side of the bipolar foil. Following such application, which is by painting, the foil is placed in the furnace and fired to 200° C. for ˝ hour, and allowed to cool. Once cooled, the dimples on the opposite side of the foil are then painted and heated as described. Once the dimples on both sides of the foil are coated, the bipolar foil is fired to 650° C. at 5° C. per minute for 60 minutes, and allowed to cool. A second coating of ink layer is then added and fired using the process just described. Such inks provide intimate contact with the surface of the bipolar foil 50.
Alternatively, multiple layer electrical contacts may also be used. In one example, the first layer is a very thin catalytic and/or particularly noble and unreactive metal, such as platinum or a platinum rich alloy. The second layer is preferably silver and of approximately 300 μinches, or other metals which are electronically and thermally conductive. An outer layer of approximately 15 μinches of gold is also provided. Such a combination alloys well, and sinters to a substantially gas tight metal phase when heated. It is noted that in the event a plating technique is used, which may extend to the metal perimeter 12 c, outside the area of the dimple pattern 52, a masking technique is also preferably employed to avoid interference of the electrical contact layer with welding or other mechanical connections formed between the cell components. Such masking may be accomplished using a conventional type chromate paint such as Super XP2000 Laquer available from Micro Products.
The Frame and Cell Heat Element
The frame 54 of the cell 12, both the first and second members 56, 58, is preferably cut from an alumina forming alloy, for example, Alpha IV steel foil available from Allegheny-Ludlum. It should be understood that any metal foil which is temperature and oxidation resistant may be used, such as stainless steels, Fe based alloys, Ni based alloys, austentic, martensitic, ferritic and duplex, silver, silver alloys, superalloys and high nickel alloys. The foil has a thickness of approximately 0.008 inches. Several different overall cell configurations are currently used, as previously mentioned. In the illustrated embodiments the cell 12 has a rectangular or square configuration. The first and second frame members 56, 58, illustrated in
The arm 12 b extends from the body 12 a of the cell 12 as illustrated. However, it should be understood that the arm may extend from the side, or at another convenient location for obtaining the desired design cell characteristics. Each of the first and second frame members 56, 58 includes a cut out portion 74.
Prior to use of the frame members, these members are cleaned and optionally fired to provide an alumina containing surface which tends to provide an electrically insulating coating and for material stress relief, since the material is more ductile following firing. In the
Additional cell heat elements may also be used in connection with the present device. For example, a conventional heating wire may be used which is sheathed in woven or braided ceramic electrical insulation material. Still further, a thick film paste material system for planar heater applications of the type available from Ferro Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, may also be used within the first and second frame members 56, 58 as a heat element 14, or directly on the bipolar foil and/or photolithographic member.
In a still further embodiment of the present device, as illustrated in
The Photolithographic Foil Member of the Cell
The photolithographic foil member 60 is preferably manufactured of an alumina forming alloy such as Alpha IV or Haynes International's H-214 alloy, but may be another suitable high temperature, corrosion and oxidation resistant, metal alloys, such as stainless steels, Fe based alloys, Ni based alloys, austentic, martensitic, ferritic and duplex, silver, silver alloys, superalloys and high nickel alloys. The foil member 60 is preferably between approximately 0.001 to 0.008 inches thick. As illustrated in
The size of the hole pattern section 80 results in a metal perimeter 12 c which allows for sufficient mechanical deflection of the member 60 without resulting in stressing of the ceramic material which is eventually provided within the holes of the hole pattern section 80. Best results from the device 10 of the present invention are believed obtained when small, close packed holes are used, to provide good electrolytic characteristics within the cell, together with thin but strong and supportive interconnections between the holes, to give the cell good mechanical properties. Additionally, welding and additional interface requirements related to the member 60 may be performed at the metal perimeter 12 c.
The hole pattern in the hole pattern section 80 is created within the metal member 60 using conventional metal photo lithographic techniques, or photo chemical etching. At the center of the pattern, a hole size and arrangement is provided as illustrated, which is approximately 0.0375 inches between the centers of the holes along the long side of the member, and approximately 0.0325 inches between the centers of the holes along the short side of the member. The large hole size is approximately 0.033 inches in diameter. At the edges of the hole pattern, the sizes of the holes may be reduced, or feathered from large to small. The first size reduction is to approximately 0.025 inches diameter, and the smallest sized hole is approximately 0.016 inches diameter. Alternate feathered patterns may also be used. An exhaust fuel arm 82, comparable to the arms 12 b provided in the other cell components, is provided on the member 60. Still further, tabs 84 may be provided along one side of the photolithographic member 60 for suspending the member into a tank containing the desired ceramic material to be applied to the member, or dipping the member. Following the dipping process, the tabs 84 are removed by conventional cutting techniques.
The embodiment of the photolithographic foil member 60′ illustrated in
Each of the frame, bipolar foil and photolithographic members 54, 50 and 60 additionally include alignment holes 68 for alignment of the members during further assembly of the cells 12.
Once the photolithographic member 60 is cleaned by detergent washing and rinsing, followed by isopropanol washing and drying, the member is masked to prevent coating of certain sections of the member with the desired ceramic material. Any masking material desired may be used. In one embodiment, a polyimide tape 125 with silicone adhesive is used. However, it should be understood that alternate tapes, such as Scotch® brand Magic tape may also be used. In the event such commercially available tapes are used, it is preferred to additionally include a further layer of refractory ceramic coating 126, such as 20% solids zirconia, alumina or mullite, containing a small amount of polymer. The polymer used is a solution preferably containing nitrocellulose or "guncotton," of the type commercially available in fingernail hardener and thickeners. This layer of tape 125 and refractory ceramic coating including the polymer 126 keeps the coatings applied to the member 60 during dipping from contacting the metal perimeter 12 c. Additionally, if 0.002 inch photolithographic foil member is used, a metal support or splint can be taped to the metal perimeter 12 c to provide additional mechanical integrity during the dipping process.
Where polymer or "Scotch" brand tapes are used, they burn off in-situ during firing. Polyimide, silicone or aluminized tapes are preferably peeled off prior to high temperature firing.
Application of the Ceramic Material
The ceramic material interconnected with and supported by the hole pattern 80 of the photolithographic member 60 is as follows: a first base coat is of 8 mole percent yttria-92 percent zirconia. The fully stabilized zirconia powder is from TOSOH Corporation, grade TZ-8Y or TZ-8YS, and is fired at high temperature 1400° C. to 1500° C. for 1 to 3 hours in alumina boats and sieved through a 140 mesh screen (U.S. standard). The mesh tailings passing through the 140 mesh are used as the starting powder for base coat material. The base coat or slip material is prepared by comminuting the zirconia powder with a suitable solvent and dispersant using an attritor mill (Union Process Model 01-HD). This process yields a ceramic slurry consisting of zirconia powder suspended in an organic solvent.
The slip is prepared in a series of steps:
First, 1800 g of 5 mm diameter TZ-8Y grinding media is placed in the attritor jar. The jar is placed on the mill and is attached to an agitator and water jacket with a water tank set at 80° F. Next, 45.2 g of hexanol, 45.2 g of hexadecane and 1.5 g of WITFLOW-910 dispersant from Witco, Corp., is added to the jar. The attritor mill is then set to 175 rpm. Over the next 5 hours a total of 1200 g of TZ-8Y powder is added to the mill as follows: 300 g at start up; mill for 1 hour and add 300 g; mill for 1 hour and add 150 g; mill for 1 hour and add 150 g; mill for 1 hour and add 150 g; and mill for 1 hour and add 150 g. After powder addition, continue milling for another 28 hours. It should be understood that alternate milling schedules, such as 24 hours at 240 rpm, which result in similar particle size may also be used.
Once the mill is stopped, pour the slip and grinding media into a polypropylene jar. Add the following: 10.5 g of WITFLOW-910 dispersant; add 2.7 g of hexadecane; and add 24 g of polymer solution.
The polymer solution provides green strength to the base coat to prevent cracking prior to firing. It burns off in-situ during high-temperature firings. The polymer solution is prepared separately as follows: 450 g of poly(2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (from Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc., #18, 207-9; a ⅓ by weight solution of polymer in toluene) is added to a 1000 ml beaker with 75 g of 1-phenylnonane (Aldrich #33, 106-6). Mix well and heat in drying oven until toluene has been driven off and the remaining solution is ⅔ by weight polymer in 1-phenylnonane.
After the above additions, place the jar on a ball mill and mix for at least 6 hours. Following mixing, the slip is ready for application and is composed of 92.8 percent by weight solids TZ-8Y in total slip, 1 percent by weight solids dispersant, and 2 percent by weight solids polymer solution.
The slips are applied by dipping of the photolithographic member 60 into the slurry mixture. After dipping into the first base coat, the coated member 60 is allowed to stand in air for at least 1 hour. This allows removal of some of the solvent from the coating through evaporation. When the coating is completely air dried, the composite is suspended inside a force-convection oven and further dried by heating slowly to 95° C. for 30 minutes. The composite is then cooled to room temperature.
At this stage the polymide film, if used, is peeled off to expose the bare, uncoated metallic areas.
The composite is then fired at high temperature to cause sintering and densification of the ceramic coating, and to increase its adhesion to the metal substrate. For firing, the fried composite is sandwiched between two layers of zirconia felt (type ZYF-100, from Zircar Products, Inc., Florida, NY) and porous alumina setter plates, such as 10 ppi grade from Selee Corp., Hendersonville, N.C.
The choice of setter plate is very important, since it must be double-ground, flat and co-planar on both sides to prevent distortion of the membrane. It should have an acceptable porosity to allow adequate oxygen access during sintering. The size of the setter plates should be slightly larger than that of the composite to be fired. The zirconia felt is cut into sheets the size of the setter plate. One sheet of felt is placed on a setter plate. The dried composite is placed flat on this felt sheet. The second felt sheet is placed over the composite and the second setter is placed on top of this felt sheet. Several composites can be fired simultaneously by repeating this sandwich configuration to form a stack.
The sandwich configuration containing the dried composites is placed on the hearth of a high-temperature sintering furnace. The following firing is used for the base coat: heat from room temperature to 1000° C. at 5° C. per minute for 2 hours; heat from 1000° C. to 1100° C. at 1° C. per minute for 2 hours, and heat from 1100° C. to 1200° C. at 1° C. per minute for 5 minutes. Allow the furnace to cool to room temperature. The surface of the fired composite is then cleaned with compressed air to remove residual ceramic fibers arising from contact with the felt. It is inspected visually for flatness, ceramic-to-metal adhesion and macroscopic flaws such as voids, tears, etc. it is also inspected with an optical microscope to ensure freedom from microscopic defects such as pin-holes and micro-cracks.
The completed base coat usually contains some residual porosity and must be further sealed to obtain dense, gas-tight membranes that can be used in the electrochemical device 10. Sealing is accomplished by the use of a stabilized zirconia seal slip coat and a ceria-gadolinia-zirconia seal slip coat.
The seal slip is prepared with 8 mole percent zirconia powder (TZ-8Yb). The powder is dried in an oven at 150° C. for 1 hour. The slip is prepared by comminuting the powder with a suitable solvent and dispersant using the attritor mill. The attritor jar is placed on the mill attached to the agitator and water jacket hooked to the water tank set at 80° F. 1000 g of 5 mm diameter TZ-8Y grinding media are placed in the jar. 257 g of hexanol solvent and 3 g of SANDOPAN MA-18 dispersant (Clariant Corp. Charlotte, N.C.) are also placed in the jar. The mill is turned on to idle. Then 600 g of dried TZ-8Yb powder is added to the mill in three batches of 200 g each. After the addition of each batch, the powder is given a few minutes to blend.
After the powder is added, the mill speed is increased to 500 rpm. Continue milling for 72 hours. At the end, stop the mill and pour the slip and grinding media into a polypropylene jar. This slip forms the stock seal coat material and contains 70 percent by weight solids and 0.5 percent by weight solids dispersant. The stock seal coat material is refrigerated to prevent aging.
The seal slip is prepared by diluting the stock seal coat material from the 70 percent solids to the 30-45 percent solids range. Dilution is done by adding a solvent mixture of hexanol and ethanol. The final solids level and the hexanol/ethanol ratio in the mixture are determined by the size and geometry of the composite to be sealed. After dilution, polymer solution (1 percent by weight of total solids in the slip) are added. The slip is allowed to mix on the ball mill for 3 hours.
The seal slip is poured in the dip tank. Prior to dipping the bare metal areas of the composite are masked off again as described previously. The composite is carefully immersed in the slip to a depth that covers the entire base coat area. The composite is allowed to reside in the slip for 2-3 minutes until bubbling subsides. The coated composite is carefully withdrawn from the dip tank. Clips or hooks are attached to the composite and it is hanged on a rack for draining and air drying. After use the diluted slip is also refrigerated.
The seal coat is oven-dried in the same manner as the base coat. After drying, the composite is sandwiched between zirconia felt and alumina setter plates for firing. The following profile is used: heat from room temperature to 1000° C. at 5° C. per minute for 1 minute; heat from 1000° C. to 1025° C. at 1° C. per minute for 4 hours; and allow the furnace to cool to room temperature.
The surface of the seal-coated composite is then cleaned with compressed air to remove residual ceramic fiber arising from contact with the felt. The composite is then dipped in diluted seal slip for second time, dried and fired as described above. The second seal dip and firing ensures uniform coverage of the base coat with a thin zirconia layer. A third seal dip may also be necessary.
The base and seal coats are then sealed with two or more layers of aqueous seal slip solution containing cerium, gadolinium and zirconium nitrates. This solution has two advantages: it penetrates and seals any residual micro-porosity in the underlying seal slip layers, and after firing it yields a highly active surface of ceria-gadolinia-zirconia suitable for electrochemical reactions.
The solution is prepared as follows: 335 g of distilled water is added to a glass beaker, 3 drops of glacial acetic acid is added. The beaker is placed on a hot plate with a magnetic stirrer. 100 g of zirconyl nitrate is added. The solution is warmed and stirred until the zirconyl nitrate dissolves completely. Add 487 g of cerium (III) nitrate. Add 180 g of gadolinium nitrate. Continue stirring until all solids are dissolved, cool and store solution in a sealed polypropylene jar until further use.
The solution is poured into the dip tank. Prior to dipping the bare metal areas of the composite are masked off as previously described. The composite is carefully immersed in the solution to a depth that covers the entire composite. The composite is allowed to reside in the solution for 2-3 minutes. The coated composite is carefully withdrawn from the seal solution. After excess solution has drained off, the coated composite is placed on a bare setter plate and introduced to a furnace at 90° C. The following firing profile is used: dry at 90° C. for 1 hour, heat from 90° C. to 850° C. at 2° C. per minute for 2 hours, allow the furnace to cool to room temperature.
After firing the composite is dipped and fired with the solution for a second time, and the process is repeated until sealing is achieved.
The complete composite is tested with a solution of eosin dye D in isopropanol for sealing. The dye solution D is applied on one surface of the membrane as in
The Dipping Process and the Dip System
By applying the base and seal coat slurries using a dipping process, a better and structurally stronger ceramic composite material is believed obtained. Additionally, the resulting product is easier to reliably manufacture. Although spraying, spinning, silk screening and painting techniques may all be used in the application of the slurries, the dip process is believed to provide more dense packing of the slurry particles, enabling more efficient ionic flow through the cell. Failure of the coatings to adhere also appears to be minimized using the dipping process. The dip process makes use of a dip system having a tank with an optionally circulating slurry or slip material so that the material is constantly agitated and does not have an opportunity to separate.
The dipping process of the present invention is now described. The cleaned photolithographic members 60 are dipped into a dip tank 92 of the type illustrated in
The dip material may be poured into the tank, or as an option, an inlet 102 and outlet 104 are also provided for continuously supplying slurry material to the tank. The inlet and outlet 102, 104 are interconnected via Viton hose with a peristaltic pump 106. The pump 106 has a microprocessor controller 107, is manufactured by Cole Parmer, and is able to pump quite coarse slurry materials. The pump is in communication with a slurry supply tank 108 and material filters 110 forming a part of the pump 106 and the inlet 102, which supply the desired amount of filtered slurry to the tank.
The tank is first filled with slip or slurry material, at least to the inlet 102, and a flow of material is started between the inlet 102 and outlet 104 using the pump 106. The member 60 is then submersed within the reservoir portion 96 via the drip portion 98. Once submersed the direction of the slurry flow may be reversed using the pump controller. Such flow changes enhance the coating of the member 60. Additionally, once the member 60 is coated, the flow direction may be reversed in order to remove any bubbles which may have formed. When the member 60 is removed, care should be given not to bump the sides of the tank. The coated members 60 are then hung via conventional hangers from the tabs 84 on a drying rack.
Application of Electrocatalyst Layers
Following the application of the base and seal coats and solution, an electrocatalyst layer is applied to the surface of the ceramic material. This layer is preferably added to those embodiments using heavier hydrocarbon fuel, such as octane, which are more prone to coking than lighter fuels, such as methane. The coking of the fuel precipitates carbon solids and can potentially occlude the anode, and the fuel inlet and outlet passages. The efficiency of the cell is related to the performance of the electrocatalyst, which has two functions: to reduce the overpotential and thus allow for lower temperature operation, and to allow for the relatively rapid direct electrochemical oxidation of the fuel. The electrocatalyst is preferably applied, such as by spraying, painting, or dipping (using appropriate masking, such as to the perimeter) to one or both sides of the ceramic material of the cell, depending on the results desired. In the illustrated embodiment of
In the example illustrated in
The layer of electrocatalyst is preferably a high surface area mixture of solid electrolyte particles and transition metal oxide particles, such as ruthenium oxide and iridium oxide. Examples of the solid electrolyte include stabilized zirconia, stabilized ceria or combinations thereof. It should be understood that individual chemical phases may further react amongst themselves to create more complicated chemicals such as a ruthenium oxide contained as a component of stabilized zirconia solid electrolyte particles. The preferred method of manufacture is based upon the controlled hydrolysis of solutions and dispersions containing the appropriate metal elements. The use of solgel technology is preferred in such manufacture. The intimate mixture of very high surface area particles results in acceptably high rates of electrocatalysis of fuel materials such as hydrocarbons, alcohols and similar fuel materials and components.
Application of Electrode Layers
Following the dipping and firing of the base and seal coats and solution, and the addition of an electrocatalyst in appropriate embodiments, electrode layers 112 e are applied. The electrode layers are made of silver paste, or suitably alloyed silver paste such as Ag—Pd, Ag—Pt or a silver cermet such as Ag-10 percent TZ-8Y zirconia powder. Following the electrode layer 112 e, a current collector 111 is provided which is in electrical communication with the dimples of the same cell 12 and an adjacent cell 12. The current collector 111 is preferably a silver mesh or perforated or embossed silver sheet, or other materials and forms which permit gas to pass and electrons to flow concurrently.
The elements of the cell may thus be as illustrated in
Assembly of the Ceramic Composite Cell
Once the coating and firing of the photolithographic member 60 is completed, the components of the cell may be combined together in the following arrangement, which is in part depicted in
Once aligned, the components are interconnected via a CO2 laser weld W to form a gas tight seal between the welded component layers, including the bipolar foil 50 and the photolithographic member 60 supporting the ceramic material as described and as illustrated. The continuous weld W is located in the metal perimeter 12 c inwardly of the embossed or raised portion of the frame to provide the hermetic seal or container for collecting the fuel exhaust generated from the cell 12. An additional weld 120, which may be a non-continuous stitch weld, as shown in the embodiment of
Assembly of the Device
Once manufactured, the number of cells 12 necessary to obtain the desired power requirement, having the desired cell size and current density and other characteristics, are then aligned using the frame alignment holes 86 into a stacked arrangement. Each of the stacked cells has an anode side and a cathode side as previously described, and forms layers of gas plenum chambers positioned on alternate sides of each cell 12 within the device 10. Ambient air is fed to the cathode 16 of the cell 12 via an air plenum chamber, and electrical power is generated between the electrodes as illustrated in
As previously discussed, once stacked, the cells 12 are electrically connected via the electrical contact layers 112 on the dimples 64, 66 of the bipolar foil 50, and the electrode layer 112 e on both sides of the ceramic composite material of the photolithographic foil member 60. Thus, in the illustration of
To draw power from the cell stack 13, a thin layer, nominally 1/16 inch, of silver, which may have the configuration and at least one dimension of the dimple pattern 52 of the bipolar foil 50, may be provided on the top and bottom 160 of the cell stack 13, or alternatively, as illustrated in
In order to ensure that no direct electrical contact is made between the arms of the cells 12, and that proper gas input and exhaust are provided, a gas manifold 130 or slotted sleeve is provided engaged with each of the arms. The gas manifold 130 of the present application is illustrated in
In the preferred embodiment, the gas manifold sleeve and shell components 130, 132 illustrated, are manufactured of injection molded silicone rubber, and function as redundant o-rings. The manifold and its components may alternatively be manufactured of a metal material, which enables it to also function as a heat exchanger, which keeps the ends of the arms 12 b cool. In the illustrated manifold, each of the spaced members 131 a is biased into engagement with the adjacent arm 12 b. In a three component embodiment, the inner surface of the manifold shell 132 and outer surface of the slotted sleeve 130 would include mating grooves and ridges respectively, for isolating the arms 12 b and providing sealing engagement limiting gas flow to the outlet 136. The parts may be coated with a silicone rubber RTV adhesive prior to being permanently snapped together, and applying the cover layer 134 for sealing the output passageways 22 of the cell arms 12 b. The manifold 130 has temperature tolerances in the range of 250°-350° C. It is noted that more than one gas manifold may be used in an alternate embodiment to reduce the number of cells engaged with each manifold. Such an arrangement may be desired to provide engineering redundancy within the device 10, depending on the specific application desired.
The gas manifold 130 is additionally provided with fluid fuel input passages 135, which are interconnected with the fuel supply 20. As illustrated, the fuel supply provides fluid fuel F to the manifold via the passages 135, which are in communication with the fuel inlet 22 portion of the cell 12, for example in the embodiment of
As previously discussed, each of the arms 12 b of the cells 12 are trimmed at the ends to ensure proper fluid ingress and egress is provided to and from the cells, via gas output passageway 22. Additionally, free access to the resistive heat elements if present 62 must be provided for interconnection with a power source. Each arm and frame and bipolar foil member of each cell 12 is electrically interconnected with the other stack cells only via the electrolytic path of the cell stack. It is noted that the arms 12 b provide desired heat exchange for increased cooling during operation of the device 10.
The stack 13 of cells 12 is partially or fully provided within a thermal shell 24, which has a co-flow or counterflow, preferably wrap around design for obtaining desired heat exchange, as illustrated in the co-flow embodiment of
The stacked cells are illustrated in
The space inside the stack duct 140 and cell stack provides an incoming air passageway 42. The space outside the stack duct 140 provides an exhaust air passageway 150. A gas bypass 144 is provided, which is a ring member having rectangular openings 145 extending therefrom for directing exhaust air flow as illustrated in
The ducts assembled in step B of
Intermediate the stacked cells 13 and the incoming cap 152, two additional components to increase the temperature within the cell stack may also be provided. Closest the stacked cells a conventional finned heat sink 155 is provided. Immediately adjacent the heat sink, a conventional mica heater 156 may be provided of the type available from Minco.
To ensure sealing surrounding the incoming air and exhaust openings, Aerogel or Microtherm insulation having a very low thermal conductivity, such as 0.02 W/MK at 400° C., and very low weight, is also preferably provided surrounding the shell 24.
To seal the end of the thermal shell 24 adjacent the incoming air, a layer of Interam™ sealing material 168 is provided between the incoming duct 146 and an exhaust cap 170. Upon heating, the Interam material 168 expands to lock the exhaust cap 170 in place and torm a nominally gas tight seal to prevent leakage.
The exhaust fan 30, a conventional fan capable of drawing approximately 60-65 liters per minute of air through the device 10 for the design requirements of the preferred embodiment, is included on the incoming cap 152 end of the thermal shell 24. The fan 30 is attached to a fan duct 172 via conventional fasteners over a fan opening 173. The fan duct additionally includes an incoming air access 174. A flange 176 of the fan duct 172 is then secured to the flange 151 of the incoming air cap 152 via conventional fasteners. Once these components are assembled, additional layers of high temperature (closest to the cell stack) and lower temperature insulation materials 28 are provided. The assembly may then be placed within the external container 40. As illustrated in
Once the device is assembled, and heated to the operating temperatures indicated in
Control and Operation of the Electrical Power Generating Device
To operate the device and obtain electrical power from the output 44, the user operates the computer user interface 38 to power on/off the device 10. The computer user interface 38 and output 44 are supported within the metal container 40 which surrounds the components of the device. In the preferred embodiment, the output 44 includes a conventional outlet fitting 45. As shown in
To operate the device and obtain the reaction of
The power source 34 providing electrical power for initial and trim heating the cells may be a conventional AC power line. The preferred device may be operated using 110 or 120 V electrical power. The exhaust fan 30 may be connected directly to the power source, or, in the event programmed computer control of fan operation is desired, powered through a power supply. The remainder of the electronic control operation is set forth in
The temperature is controlled by sensing the internal temperature of the device during operation. Thermocouple sensors 32 are secured appropriately within the center of the cell stack, as shown in
Using the conventional programmable computer controller 36 including interconnected control circuitry, once the device is turned on, cell stack 13 is heated to a pre-programmed operating temperature and held it at that temperature using the sensors and feedback controls discussed and illustrated in
In the solid fuel embodiment, the fuel, such as carbon powder, is pre-loaded into the cells during their manufacture. Once the solid fuel is used within each of the cells 12, the cell is spent, and is generally discarded and replaced with a new pre-loaded cell. In the case of a system embodiment using the liquid, gas or vapor fuels, this is generally not the case. The liquid, gas or vapor fuel cells may be reused as they are re-supplied with additional fuel from the fuel supply 20. In this type of system, user adjustment using the controller 36 may be provided with respect to the rate of fuel ingress. The controller 36 may be a Parallex Basic Stamp II microprocessor, or other CPU.
In the fluid fuel cell embodiment, once the cell stack 13 is at the desired temperature, the fuel adjustment may be used to increase and decrease the fuel supplied from the fuel supply 20 to the cell stack 13. When fuel is applied to the stack, the voltage measurement monitors the performance of the stack which is highly dependent on the operating temperature, and the electrochemical potential generated by the difference in oxygen concentration across the solid electrolyte. It is noted that a current disable feature may be provided such that the current is disabled unless the stack is at the appropriate operating temperature.
The temperature set point, warm-up rate and maximum heating rate may be pre-programmed such that the user cannot make operational changes. Alternatively, the device may be adjustable, such that programming changes are possible.
The preferred forms of the device 10 has been described above. However, with the present disclosure in mind it is believed that obvious alterations to the preferred embodiments, to achieve comparable features and advantages in other assemblies, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Mar 23, 1984
|Jul 9, 1985
|United Technologies Corporation
|Device for evolution of oxygen with ternary electrocatalysts containing valve metals
|Nov 12, 1985
|Apr 21, 1987
|Igr Enterprises
|Solid state electrochemical pollution control device
|Sep 24, 1986
|Aug 16, 1988
|Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
|High toughness ceramic composites consisting of ceramic body reinforced with metal fiber
|Apr 1, 1987
|Dec 6, 1988
|Dornier System Gmbh
|Oxygen electrode with layer comprising electrode and electrolyte materials
|Mar 23, 1988
|Sep 19, 1989
|Z-Gard, Inc.
|Microencapsulated oxygen generators
|Jun 12, 1989
|Feb 13, 1990
|Hoogovens Groep B.V.
|Method of electrolytic metal coating of a strip-shape metal substrate and apparatus for carrying out the method
|Jul 6, 1990
|Dec 3, 1991
|Igr Enterprises, Inc.
|Solid oxide fuel cell assembly
|Oct 11, 1991
|Apr 6, 1993
|Westinghouse Electric Corp.
|Solid oxide fuel cell generator
|Feb 11, 1991
|May 11, 1993
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cell
|Dec 6, 1990
|Aug 10, 1993
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid electrolyte film, solid oxide fuel cell comprising such a solid electrolyte film, and processes for producing such film and solid oxide fuel cell
|Aug 19, 1992
|Aug 24, 1993
|Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cell system
|Nov 13, 1990
|Oct 26, 1993
|Allied Signal Aerospace
|Monolithic solid oxide fuel cells with integral manifolds
|Mar 17, 1993
|Nov 2, 1993
|Westinghouse Electric Corp.
|Solid oxide fuel cell generator
|Jun 12, 1992
|Nov 16, 1993
|Eniricerche S.P.A.
|Nickel cermet, and process for preparing it
|Mar 26, 1992
|Dec 14, 1993
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel electrodes and process for producing the same
|Dec 23, 1992
|Dec 28, 1993
|Corning Incorporated
|Solid electrolyte fuel cells
|Dec 10, 1992
|Jan 18, 1994
|Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
|Interconnection material for solid oxide fuel cell
|Jan 11, 1993
|Jan 25, 1994
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Process for producing solid oxide fuel cells
|Feb 4, 1991
|Feb 15, 1994
|Osaka Gas Company Limited
|Fuel electrode for solid electrolyte fuel cells and a method for manufacture of the electrode
|Sep 11, 1990
|Mar 1, 1994
|Alliedsignal Aerospace
|Method of fabricating a monolithic solid oxide fuel cell
|Sep 21, 1992
|Mar 8, 1994
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Cell units for solid oxide fuel cells and power generators using such cell units
|Nov 27, 1990
|Apr 26, 1994
|The Standard Oil Company
|Solid multi-component membranes, electrochemical reactor components, electrochemical reactors and use of membranes, reactor components, and reactor for oxidation reactions
|Mar 23, 1992
|May 17, 1994
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cell and method for producing the same
|Apr 9, 1993
|Jul 5, 1994
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel electrodes and process for producing
|Aug 24, 1992
|Jul 19, 1994
|University Of Chicago
|Solid oxide fuel cell with single material for electrodes and interconnect
|Jan 15, 1992
|Jul 26, 1994
|Igr Enterprises, Inc.
|Gas separation system
|Mar 17, 1992
|Aug 9, 1994
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Power generating equipment
|Jul 15, 1992
|Aug 30, 1994
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid electrolyte type fuel cell and method for producing the same
|Dec 22, 1993
|Oct 11, 1994
|Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|Distributor for a solid oxide fuel cell and manufacturing process thereof
|Mar 26, 1992
|Oct 25, 1994
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Method for manufacturing solid oxide film and method for manufacturing solid oxide fuel cell using the solid oxide film
|May 25, 1993
|Nov 29, 1994
|Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cell
|Dec 10, 1992
|Dec 13, 1994
|Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
|Solid oxide fuel cell and method for manufacturing the same
|Mar 3, 1993
|Dec 27, 1994
|Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
|Dense substrate for solid oxide fuel cell
|May 25, 1993
|Jan 31, 1995
|Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cell
|Jul 27, 1993
|Apr 11, 1995
|Ykk Corporation
|Solid oxide fuel cell generator
|Jan 18, 1994
|Apr 25, 1995
|Igr Enterprises, Inc.
|Oxygen welding and incorporating a novel gas separation system
|Feb 8, 1994
|May 9, 1995
|Westinghouse Electric Corporation
|Integrated gas turbine solid oxide fuel cell system
|Mar 26, 1992
|May 23, 1995
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Method of producing electrically conductive ceramic film for interconnectors of solid oxide fuel cells
|Aug 4, 1994
|Jul 4, 1995
|Ykk Corporation
|Method of manufacturing solid oxide fuel cell
|Oct 12, 1993
|Aug 29, 1995
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Method for operating a power generator
|Jul 9, 1993
|Sep 26, 1995
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Air electrode bodies for solid oxide fuel cells, a process for the production thereof, and a production of solid oxide fuel cells
|Mar 18, 1994
|Oct 24, 1995
|Allied Signal Inc.
|Solid oxide fuel cell stacking assembly
|Oct 12, 1993
|Dec 12, 1995
|Tokyo Gas Company, Ltd.
|Method for preparing anode for solid oxide fuel cells
|Sep 9, 1993
|Jan 2, 1996
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cells and process for the production of the same
|Feb 16, 1995
|Jan 23, 1996
|Rolls-Royce Plc
|Solid oxide fuel cell stack
|Oct 12, 1994
|Mar 5, 1996
|Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company
|Catalytic bipolar interconnection plate for use in a fuel cell
|Oct 6, 1993
|Mar 19, 1996
|Ztek Corporation
|High efficiency energy conversion and treatment of organic waste
|Jun 12, 1995
|Mar 19, 1996
|Nippon Oil Company
|Solid oxide fuel cell
|Jun 28, 1994
|May 7, 1996
|Af Sammer Corporation
|Demand responsive hydrogen generator based on hydride water reaction
|May 12, 1995
|May 21, 1996
|The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
|Single-component solid oxide bodies
|Sep 13, 1993
|Jun 18, 1996
|Ngk Insulators, Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cells, a process for producing solid electrolyte films and a process for producing solid oxide fuel cells
|Apr 28, 1995
|Jul 2, 1996
|Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cell and manufacturing method thereof
|Oct 23, 1995
|Jul 30, 1996
|The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy
|Indirect-fired gas turbine dual fuel cell power cycle
|Apr 28, 1995
|Sep 3, 1996
|Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|Solid oxide fuel cell and manufacturing method thereof
|Feb 16, 1995
|Sep 10, 1996
|Rolls-Royce Plc
|Solid oxide fuel cell stack
|Jan 31, 1996
|Nov 12, 1996
|Westinghouse Electric Corporation
|Purge gas protected transportable pressurized fuel cell modules and their operation in a power plant
|Mar 1, 1995
|Dec 17, 1996
|Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|Method of producing a solid oxide fuel cell
|Sep 7, 1994
|Dec 31, 1996
|Alliedsignal Inc.
|Preparation of a solid oxide fuel cell having thin electrolyte and interconnect layers
|Mar 1, 1994
|Jan 7, 1997
|Forskningscenter RIS.O slashed.
|Solid oxide fuel cell
|Sep 7, 1995
|Jan 21, 1997
|Rolls-Royce Plc
|Solid oxide fuel cell stack
|Feb 28, 1995
|Mar 25, 1997
|Gas Research Institute
|High-performance ceramic interconnect for SOFC applications
|Jun 12, 1995
|Apr 29, 1997
|Gas Research Institute
|Enhancement of mechanical properties of ceramic membranes and solid electrolytes
|Feb 6, 1998
|Jun 13, 2000
|Igr Enterprises, Inc.
|Ceramic composite electrolytic device and method for manufacture thereof
|Dec 5, 1997
|Oct 17, 2000
|Igr Enterprises, Inc.
|Ceramic composite electrolytic device and methods for manufacture thereof
|Oct 12, 2001
|Dec 17, 2002
|Eastman Kodak Company
|Hybrid cameras having optional irreversible clearance of electronic images with film unit removal and methods
|Jul 7, 1997
|Jul 15, 2003
|Igr Enterprises, Inc.
|Ductile ceramic composite electrolyte
|Jun 12, 2000
|Mar 9, 2004
|Igr Enterprises
|Ceramic composite electrolytic device
|Oct 5, 1992
|Dec 7, 1993
|Caterpillar Inc.
|Method for forming a solid oxide fuel cell
|Feb 17, 1995
|Aug 23, 1995
|ROLLS-ROYCE plc
|A solid oxide fuel cell stack
|Sep 13, 1993
|Mar 31, 1994
|L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
|Electrochemical cell and use thereof in the electrochemical separation or extraction of oxygen
|Feb 23, 1994
|Nov 24, 1994
|Mobile Process Technology, Inc.
|Ethylene glycol recovery process
|A Small Portable Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Generator for Medical Applications written by Otto J. Adlhart, Peter Rohonyi, Dean Modroukas and Jack Driller. ASAIO Journal, 1997.
|Fuel Cell Technology: Status and Future Prospects written by A.J. Appleby at pp. 521-653, 1993.
|Fuel Cells and Their Applications by Karl Kordesch and Günter Simader. Republic of Germany, 1996. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) at pp. 133-151.
|Fuel Cells written by Nguyen Q. Minh at pp. 561-608, 1996.
|Get Your O2's High Temperature Electroceramic Oxygen Separation and Reaction. Written by T.J. Mazanec. The Electrochemical Society Interface-Winter 1996.
|Get Your O2's High Temperature Electroceramic Oxygen Separation and Reaction. Written by T.J. Mazanec. The Electrochemical Society Interface—Winter 1996.
|Progress in Planar SOFC Science and Technology by A.C. Khandkar, S. Elangovan and J.J. Hartvigsen, 1996.
|Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Materials and Technology by Timothy R. Armstrong and Jeffry W. Stevenson, 1996.
|The Westinghouse Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Program, 1996 IEEE. A Status Report written by Stephen E. Veyo.
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Feb 2, 2009
|Jul 17, 2012
|Ohara Inc.
|Method for manufacturing lithium ion secondary battery
|Feb 2, 2009
|Aug 6, 2009
|Ohara Inc.
|Method for manufacturing lithium ion secondary battery
|U.S. Classification
|429/434, 427/115
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Nov 8, 2013
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Mar 30, 2014
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|May 20, 2014
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20140330


text:
ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
Going Bonkers Magazinepo box 6190 katy, Texas United States of America
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/31/2011 02:05 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/going-bonkers-magazine/katy-texas-/going-bonkers-magazine-did-not-refund-money-after-only-sending-36-magazines-katy-texas-816352. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Going Bonkers Magazine
If you would like to see more Rip-off Reports on this company/individual, search here:Search Tips
In order to assure the best results in your search:
Advertisers above have met our
strict standards for business conduct.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Hunt
Jarvis ran and ran but was losing speed; his age had never been his favorite attribute. The creature pounced onto him. He was pinned to the cold, steel floor. The creature rolled him over onto his back and studied him. It made a strange purring noise that sounded like something that Jarvis had heard before. The creature felt almost metallic on his bare skin. It had two mouths; one main mouth and a smaller one that seemed to protrude from its throat. The smaller mouth was moving towards Jarvis' head, it looked like it almost had a mind of its own. At that moment marines burst into the room.
"Shoot this thing!" yelled Jarvis
The marines didn't reply when they opened fire, the bullets flew through the air and hit the creature, but it didn't even flinch. The smaller mouth went down Jarvis' throat, almost instantly it came back up again. The creature crawled away down the hole the egg's goo had made. Jarvis started gagging and eventually threw up. The marines grabbed him and pulled out of the room. They laid him down on a table in the medical bay and strapped him down. A doctor came over and took blood samples, looked at the color of his vomit from earlier and ran tests on them. The doctor came over after all of the tests and started to speak.
"We think that the smaller mouth on that creature inserted a parasite that will eventually spawn another one of them. We ran tests to find out if it succeeded. The test results came back..."


text:
Flashlight : Brightest Flashlight Pro
By myNewApps.com
Open iTunes to buy and download apps.
The Flashlight just got Brighter! Brightest Flashlight Pro offers you multi-purpose flashlights with a New Flashlite dimmer! Handy as a night light when you need it. The flash light is a must have!
► New! Flashlight Slider/Dimmer for setting the Camera Flashbulb and LED light to your preferred Brightness!!
► Now the BRIGHTEST iPhone 4,5,6+ Flashlight! Optimized for iOS 7 and 8!
► Includes iPhone 4/5/6 + Brilliant FlashLight with a Dual Mode LED FlashLight and Camera Flashbulb Slider!
► No Ads - Ever!
► 'LIGHT up Your WORLD' ► AT .99¢ - A Must Have! * The Brightest
Flashlight Available -Guaranteed!!
FlashLight - NiteLight - PurseLight - CampLight - KeyLight - TorchLight - Torch
ComputerLight - SearchLight...so many Great FlashLight uses for your iPod, iPhone,
and iPad!
"Very Useful - Worked well in the dark last night trying to plug-in a
space heater while the toddlers were sleeping. Very bright and
wonderful interface."
- iPhone6 - 5 STARS
Brightest Flashlight Pro is a great flashlight that offers you the
brightest flashlight settings for your iPhone, iPhone 4/5/6 +, iPod and
iPad! Very Handy for night time illumination. Use Brightest Flashlight
not only as a Flashlight, but as a night light and reading lamp as
Features include:
► The Brightest Flashlight in the Store!
► Flashlight Slider to adjust the Camera LED Flashbulb Brightness - NEW!!
► SOS strobe for signaling
What's New in Version 3.2
- Fixed bug where app would not start up on iOS 8.1.1
iPhone Screenshots
Customers Also Bought
- 4,99 lei
- Category: Business
- Updated: 19 November 2014
- Version: 3.2
- Size: 2.6 MB
- Language: English
- Developer: infoSpider, Inc.
- © 2014 myNewApps, Inc.
Compatibility: Requires iOS 4.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.


text:
Hotel Club Kawama
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
How has this resort rated in the past?
Travelers also recommend:
TravelPod Member ReviewsHotel Club Kawama Varadero
The hotel itself was really lovely, and had a sweet beach. Lots of activities and nice staff. My only two concerns is that its extremely smoky in this hotel and little air conditioning. The smell of cigars and smoke got stuck in everything. Yes it's Cuba but i've never experiened smells that strong anywhere else, including other resorts. My other issue is that the resort is some what out of the way and you have to bus it into the town of Veradero if you want to do any sort of real shopping other then the small mall at the Melia hotel beside. Over all we had a good stay.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.
TripAdvisor Reviews Hotel Club Kawama Varadero
Travel Blogs from Varadero
Cuba's newest restaurant district....Cardènas!
... or the local catch of fish on bun. But since the changes to ownership of restaurants have eased up in 2011 restaurant a plenty are popping up on every corner. Restaurants were already working directly with local farmers and suppliers of goods like no where else to create dishes that are innovative and delicious. Card�nas's restaurant scene is as diverse as the community itself. From gourmet fancy like Las Delicias in the Matadero area or if fine dining ...
... was building a new refinery but when Hugo Chavez died 3 years ago it stopped and has been mothballed. We have a response equipment package at this terminal in the event of a tanker or terminal spill also which was interesting to pass.
The closer we got to Havana we saw many oil "donkeys" pumping oil from on shore wells many were closed down we also passed a Sherit gas plant ...
Making Waves
... point. Danzon is a European formal dance, danced to the rhythms and sounds of the African style - which means it is a genuine fusion of African and European, and a very interesting look at cultural fusion.
The dance itself is quite slow, even stately. In its time however, it was considered scandalous, because of how close the dancers dance. Contrasting this idea with the formality of the dancers in front of us provoked some ...
Varadero I
... the wind and clouds are not inviting to relax. It started out really nice, until we decided it's time to turn around and then it started raining: good thing we were close to some palm shades…. So when it looked like calming down a bit, we started sand walking from palm hut to palm hut… and got wetter and wetter, until we finally came to the road to wash off our feet in ...
Snorkelling in Varadero
... more by playing a giant version of checkers which, the first round we set up wrong and the second round Katie thrashed me! Time for a few quiet drinks at the beach bar as the sun went down followed by a relaxing walk along the beach, we got back well after dark. After dinner we went to the hotels burlesque show, which actually consisted of a whole lot of staff members dancing out of time & lip syncing the songs from the movie burlesque! It wasn't great, but it was ...


text:
Your lists :
motivational speakers in Iowa
Joel Penton has quickly earned a name as one of the nation's foremost youth motivational speakers. His pertinent approach to teen concerns helps students in understanding the positive outcome of good decisions instead of the negative consequences of poor selections. Joel proves through his own personal stories of triumph that ordinary people can accomplish great things by simply making the right choices.
Joelpenton.com has quickly earned a reputation as one of the nation's leading youth motivational speakers.
Joel Penton Updates
Joel Penton is one of the nation's leading youth motivators and school assembly speakers specialized in high school and middle school assemblies. Contact him to schedule a motivational school assembly.


text:
Amara: Flying message, minus Hermes
After my math class came theatre. As I made my way to the opposite side of the school, a letter flew my way. I ducked to avoid it hitting my face, and it circled back around into my raised hand. I opened it to find some fancy calligraphy:
Dear Recipient,
As you know Kyle Marks has returned to our school, and I will not stand for it. I am holding a meeting in the school basement at 11pm to make a plan at how to eradicate him forever. Keep this a secret. Traitors, and people who do not turn up will be punished. I will personally make sure of it.
"People who do not turn up will be punished?" I muttered to myself. Being a freshman, I didn't know much about this Kyle Marks, but he was made out to be a bit of a jerk. On top of that, I didn't feel like being attacked-- not that very much could sneak up on a gorgon, but becoming a suspect in a missing persons case was never fun. "I guess I'm in."


text:
Chapter 2.5 CarlMature
And this was how Lilac landed in "jail". She was dragged into a prison cell and locked there under "tight supervision". She was set down on the bench of a prison cell (which looked almost too similar the room she woke up in) and then left alone in the silence of the cell. So now she was supposed wait for someone to set her free? And then there was some alarm button that she was supposed to hit and people were supposed to capture her saver and...
Lilac shook her head. The plan wasn't complicated in any sort of way and she could pick out quite a few holes in it already, but Goffer went over it way too quickly and lost her way too fast. The fact was, Lilac was really starting to question whether Goffer was actually serious (and legit) about what he said. Everything seemed so.. simple in his mind. Lilac herself was no mastermind, but even she could have created a better plan than Goffer's.
"ARGGHHHHHH...." Lilac slammed her fist down on the bench frustrated and then jerked back as pain shot through her arm. Everything was just happening way too quickly. First the Chi, then this. There was no way she was going to be able to resume her old life again. She stared at the ground deep in thought when a noise from above her snapped her out of her dream. She quickly looked up and saw the face of a boy swinging upside down from the single light on the ceiling. His hair was a bright yellowish-orange and his eyes a shocking fiery orange-red.
"Hey." The boy flashed her a mischievous grin.
"When did you get there?" Lilac stared at him in shock, though she was feeling more embarrassed by that fact that he probably witness her small temper tantrum.
"I saw them lead you towards this room, so I decided to sneak in before they pushed you in." He flipped himself right side up and now swung on the light bulb, hanging on with his hands. The boy was short and cladded in a loose brown tunic with matching travelers pants and a brown cloak. On his left shoulder was a mark that looked like a teardrop and seemed almost like half of an yin yang sign. It was probably his Chi mark. So part one of the plan was complete. Her saver was here.
"Why are you here?" Lilac demanded. Maybe Goffer already predicted his arrival, but he never explained why someone would come to potentially save her. There seemed to be no particular reason why someone should or would like to save her. Especially this kid right here. She didn't even know him.
"To save you." His answer seemed straightforward enough, but Lilac wasn't satisfied.
"Because that's what we do."
"And what do you do?"
"Save people."
"And why are you saving people?"
"Because that's what I'm supposed to do."
Lilac groaned in frustration. Obviously she was not going to get any proper answers for any of her questions. The boy swung off the light and landed lightly in front of her.
"I'm Carl." He stuck his hand out, but Lilac didn't react. She just stared at him. The boy took it back with a little bit of hurt in his eyes.
"Fine be like that." He grumbled and turned away. Lilac felt a pang of guilt. She didn't mean to seem mean. She quickly shot out her hand and grabbed the boy's hand, shaking it hard.
"Lilac." She said at him with a smile. He returned it with a bigger smile of his own.
"Nice to meet you Lilac." He gave her a quick salute. "Carl at your service!"


text:
"
Danny Dicola is a local savage on the transitions, pools, and ditches of San Diego County. We were stoked when he came by the TWS<\\\/em> Park to unleash his creativity in our zone. He skated the park like few others do.<\\\/p>\\n<\\\/iframe>\\n
Video by Cameron Holland<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\\n"


text:
The details you provide us with during the purchase process are only those necessary to ensure that your order is processed and delivered without any complications or delay. Your name, postal address, and other contact information are stored with your past orders and can be reused by you via your account to simplify future purchases.
When making a purchase with us you have the option to choose to receive email correspondence from us via the email address associated with your account. You may also subscribe without making a purchase. If you choose to subscribe to this, you may also choose to unsubscribe at any time.
We will not pass any of the information described above to any third parties for any purposes. If you wish us to delete any of this information and/or your user account at any time, please contact us firstname.lastname@example.com and we will do so immediately.
We take many precautions to protect your information during purcahses with us. Our shopping cart and checkout pages are handled by the PayPal secure SSL payment gateway. You can verify this by checking your web browser (when you have been redirected to Paypal during the final stage of the purchase) for the closed padlock icon, or by looking for "https" at the beginning of the address of the web page (seen when at the final stage). This means you are connected securely with the PayPal secure payment gateway.
When using the credit card checkout facility, Printspace™ does not store any of your credit card information on our site, all credit card transactions are processed by PayPal (PayPal.com), who manage transactions for thousands of local and international brands.
As a result your credit card details will need to be re-entered upon future purchases with us.
This web site may contain links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy policies of these other sites. Please be aware of this if you leave our site, and we encourage you to read their privacy statements before providing any personal information if it is requested.


text: Chapter 5 "Language" Language: System of communication through speech. A collection of sounds that a group of people understand. It also involves the written word called Literary Tradition. Language is part of culture. Religion and Ethnicity are communicated through language. Dialects are regional variations of a language - due to Isolation. The diffusion of language is due to Interaction through migration and trade. Official Language (standard) - the official languages of the country. The language of laws, road signs, documents etc. Canada has two official languages. GREG SMITH TORONTO STAR - January 20, 2008 A meow is a miaou is a miyau. Unless it's a mia'oon. Or a nyan. And chickens cluck, if they're not tokking, or doing the caca-racá. As for Lassie, a woof by any other name might well be a vuff, a voff or even a vau. It all depends on where you are and whom you're talking to. A Greek bee zoums. A German bee summs. A Turkish bee vizzes. A Japanese bee goes . . . boon. Before you roll your eyes at that one, try rolling it around first in your mouth: boooon, booooonnnnnn, bnnnnnnnnnnnn. Feeling the buzz? Animals sound pretty much the same the world over but people, with our hundreds of languages, don't. The differences are cultural, to be sure. Different groups have different ways of describing similar things. "Part of it depends on the speech sounds used in a given language," explains Alexei Kochetov, assistant professor of linguistics at the University of Toronto. "It also depends on how particular organs – the lips, the tongue, the cheeks – are used in the language." But there are less complex considerations, like simple twists of fate. "It's also random choice," says Kochetov, "depending on how the sound was first heard and how it developed over thousands of years." A woman in a tribe in the heart of Africa 10,000 years ago hears a bird in the bush and tries to mimic the sound. She teaches it to her son, and as it gets passed on through the generations it becomes embedded in the language. The result, to English-hearing ears, can be a bit strange. Animal Sound Bee droning Dutch English Finnish French buzz buzz/bzz bzz z Bird (small) tjiep cheep/chi rp/ piip chirrup/p eep Cat mewing miauw meow Cat purring prrr purr bzzz German Greek Hebrew Hungarian Italian Japanese summ summ zoum zoum bzzz piep piep tsiou tsiou tziff-tziff csip-csirip chip miyau zzzz boon boon zh-zh-zh bzzz buzz buzz pee pee/ pii pii fiyt-fiyt pip-pip miyau miao mrrr rrr miau miau nyan nyan/ nyaa nyaa doromb purr goro goro mjan mjan miau miaou miau hrr ronron srr kot-kot ko ko cotcotcod chucktock tock ko/ka ka kot kot et chuck ka cacaku-ku-ku-ku/ coccod racá/ ko-ko-ko-ko ko-ko-ko ock-ock é cocoroc ó/ piou piou piep piep ko ko ko csip-csip pio pio moo mu muu woofwoof vau vau bau bau Chicken (hen) clucking cluck tok tok cluck Chick (baby chicken) piep piep cheep/pe piip ep Cow lowing moe/ boe moo ammuu/ möö meuh (calf) Dog barking (medium dog) woef woef woof woof/ ruff ruff vuff ouah ouah mmuuh miaou bzzz Russian Spanish Swedish moo wau wau gav gav piyo piyo mau mau wan wan pi-pi-pi pi-pi mu-u-u muuu/ mu mu meee hav-hav/ guav gav-gav pip-pip vov-vov/ voff Actual Language - Recent - English Language Group -Old - West Germanic Language Branch - Very Old - Germanic Language Family - Ancient - Indo-European Language Roots - Pre-historic - Proto-Indo-European or Nostratic Language Family trees and estimated numbers of speakers for the main world language families. Language Families of the World Major Language Families Percentage of World Population The percentage of world population speaking each of the main language families. Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan together represent almost 75% of the world's people. INDO-EUROPEAN FAMILY The main branches of the Indo-European language family include Germanic, Romance, Balto-Slavic, and Indo-Iranian. Germanic Branch The Germanic branch today is divided into North and West Germanic groups. English is in the West Germanic group. Invasions of England 5th–11th centuries The groups that brought what became English to England included Jutes, Angles, Saxons, and Vikings. The Normans later brought French vocabulary to English. Welsh Gaelic Swedish, English, German WHERE IS ENGLISH SPOKEN (official language)? Colonialization by Britain Economic Power (language of business - United States) Romance Branch Indo-Iranian Branch There are two general theories on how the IndoEuropean Language Family spread: 1. Kurgan Theory 2. Anatolian Hearth Theory Kurgan Theory of Indo-European Origin In the Kurgan theory, Proto-Indo-European diffused from the Kurgan hearth north of the Caspian Sea, beginning about 7,000 years ago through conquest and expansion. Anatolian Hearth Theory of IndoEuropean Origin In the Anatolian hearth theory, Indo-European originated in Turkey before the Kurgans and diffused through agricultural expansion. Languages of Nigeria What Problems can arise from this situation? More than 200 languages are spoken in Nigeria, the largest country in Africa (by population). English, considered neutral, is the official language. Languages in Belgium Languages in Switzerland Hebrew, Arabic, English Distribution of Language across Canada French-English Boundary in Canada Although Canada is bilingual, French speakers are concentrated in the province of Québec, where 80% of the population speaks French. The Language Divide in Montreal Anglophone a person whose mother tongue is English Francophone a person whose mother tongue is French Allophone a person whose mother tongue is neither English nor French Canada's Top Ten Languages Percent Spanish Speaking Residents by U.S. State Any relations to location of borders? The Spread of English - Internet Hosts A large proportion of the world's internet users and hosts are in the developed countries of North America and western Europe. Internet Hosts, by Language The large majority of internet hosts in 1999 used English, Chinese, Japanese, or European languages. Questions Geographers would ask: • Where did Languages originate? • How did lanuages originate? (the bible) • How and why did they diffuse and where did they diffuse? • What is the scale of the Language? • What effects does Globalization have on Language? • What is the Local Diversity of Language? Why does Eastern United States have many dialects will Western US does not? What is the problem of having English as the language of Globalization? How can the following affect language? •Rivers •Mountains •Agriculture •Trade Routes •Historic Battles •Old ancient boundaries •Overall Climate Key Terms: • Dialects: Regional (Spatial) variations of a language – Vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation. British/American separated by Atlantic. English - new words, the use of 'u', accents. With increased communications and mobility - dialects are disappearing. • Standard Language: Main dialect – used in government, business and education. • Isogloss: Word usage boundaries. A line drawn to signify where one language or dialect starts and another stops. • Ideograms: Symbols that represent ideas and/or concepts – a form of written language. • Toponym: A place name. Place names are important part of cultural geography of a region. They can reveal much about the people who chose the name. Creole: Language mix from indigenous people and colonizers Extinct Languages: Latin? Hebrew – revived (new words had to be made up), Aztec, Peru, Gothic Lingua Franca: Language mutually understood by two groups. Simplified version. Mainly used for economic reasons – English, Ebonics – Language of people with African ancestry + English. Other examples – Franglais or Spanglish or Denglish or Esperanto. Pidgin: Learning a simplified version of a language. Sometimes refers to a mixing of two languages. Examples of English words incorporated in Italian. Vulgar Latin: Language spoken by the common people - the masses. English as a Lingua Franca Vocabulary List Language Creole Dialect Indo-European languages Isogloss Language Language family Language group Language subfamily Lingua franca Linguistic diversity Monolingual/multilingual Official language Pidgin Toponymy Trade language The End


text:
Home > Consumer Conscious > High Blood Cholesterol
High Blood Cholesterol
Consumer Conscious
Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases your chance of getting a disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. Each year, more than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease.
How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?
When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup causes "hardening of the arteries" so that arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked.
The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.
High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. It is important to find out what your cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even if you already have it. Cholesterol lowering is important for everyone--younger, middle age, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart disease.
What Do Your Cholesterol Numbers Mean?
Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. It is best to have a blood test called a "lipoprotein profile" to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9 to 12-hour fast and gives information about your:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol--the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries
- HDL (good) cholesterol--helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries
- Triglycerides--another form of fat in your blood
If it is not possible to get a lipoprotein profile done, knowing your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol can give you a general idea about your cholesterol levels. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or more or if your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, you will need to have a lipoprotein profile done. Certain prescription drugs can also play a role in your overall cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol Levels
Less than 200 mg/dL is desirable.
200-239 mg/dL is borderline high.
240 mg/dL and above is high.
Note: Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.
What Affects Cholesterol Levels?
A variety of things can affect cholesterol levels. These are things you can do something about high cholesterol:
- Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level go up. Saturated fat is the main culprit, but cholesterol in foods also matters. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level.
- Weight. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol. Losing weight can help lower your LDL and total cholesterol levels, as well as raise your HDL and lower your triglyceride levels.
- Physical Activity. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease. Regular exercise can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.
Things you cannot do anything about also can affect cholesterol levels. These include:
- Age and Gender. As women and men get older, their cholesterol levels rise. Before the age of menopause, women have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. After the age of menopause, women's LDL levels tend to rise.
- Heredity. Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes. High blood cholesterol can run in families.
What Is Your Risk of Developing Heart Disease or Having a Heart Attack?
In general, the higher your LDL level and the more risk factors you have (other than LDL), the greater your chances of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Some people are at high risk for a heart attack because they already have heart disease. Other people are at high risk for developing heart disease because they have diabetes (which is a strong risk factor) or a combination of risk factors for heart disease. Follow these steps to find out your risk for developing heart disease.
Major Risk Factors That Affect Your LDL Goal
- Cigarette smoking
- High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher or on blood pressure medication)
- Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL)
- Family history of early heart disease (heart disease in father or brother before age 55; heart disease in mother or sister before age 65)
- Age (men 45 years or older; women 55 years or older)
Even though obesity and physical inactivity are not counted in this list, they are conditions that need to be corrected.
Treating High Cholesterol
The main goal of cholesterol lowering treatment is to lower your LDL level enough to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. The higher your risk, the lower your LDL goal will be. To find your LDL goal, see the boxes below for your risk category. There are two main ways to lower your cholesterol:
- Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC)--includes a cholesterol lowering diet (called the TLC diet), physical activity, and weight management. TLC is for anyone whose LDL is above goal.
- Drug Treatment -- if cholesterol lowering drugs are needed, they are used together with TLC treatment to help lower your LDL.
Lowering Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC)
TLC is a set of things you can do to help lower your LDL cholesterol. The main parts of TLC are:
- The TLC Diet. This is a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol eating plan that calls for less than 7 percent of calories from saturated fat and less than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol per day. The TLC diet recommends only enough calories to maintain a desirable weight and avoid weight gain. If your LDL is not lowered enough by reducing your saturated fat and cholesterol intakes, the amount of soluble fiber in your diet can be increased. Certain food products that contain plant stanols or plant sterols (for example, cholesterol-lowering margarines) can also be added to the TLC diet to boost its LDL-lowering power.
- Weight Management. Losing weight if you are overweight can help lower LDL and is especially important for those with a cluster of risk factors that includes high triglyceride and/or low HDL levels and being overweight with a large waist measurement (more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women).
- Physical Activity. Regular physical activity (30 minutes on most, if not all, days) is recommended for everyone. It can help raise HDL and lower LDL and is especially important for those with high triglyceride and/or low HDL levels who are overweight with a large waist measurement.
SPECIAL: At the time we updated this (Aug. 2014), the TLC book was selling on Amazon for $13.56 - but we've got it for you for free! Download: Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With TLC.
Drug Treatment
Even if you begin drug treatment to lower your cholesterol, you will need to continue your treatment with lifestyle changes. This will keep the dose of medicine as low as possible, and lower your risk in other ways as well. There are several types of drugs available for cholesterol lowering including statins, bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid, fibric acids, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Your doctor can help decide which type of drug is best for you.
Statin drugs can be effective in lowering LDL levels and are generally considered safe for most people. Bile acid sequestrants also lower LDL and can be used alone or in combination with statin drugs. Nicotinic acid lowers LDL and triglycerides and raises HDL. Fibric acids lower LDL somewhat but are used mainly to treat high triglyceride and low HDL levels. Cholesterol absorption inhibitorrs lower LDL and can be used alone or in combination with statin drugs.
Once your LDL goal has been reached, your doctor may prescribe treatment for high triglycerides and/or a low HDL level, if present. The treatment includes losing weight if needed, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and possibly taking a drug.
You may also find of interest...
- Green Tea Fights Fat
- Fight Back with Fiber
- Arthritis and Cholesterol Buster? (Timeless Health Tips)
- Cholesterol Clarification (Timeless Nutrition Tip)
Disclaimer: The material on this Web site is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or fitness professional. Please consult with your physician before beginning any fitness program or fat or weight reduction program. FitnessandFreebies.com takes no responsibility for individual results, or any claim made by a third party.


text:
Statoil has tested CoMic™ in our corrosion lab in Porsgrunn to evaluate if the technology could be used in our fields. Four different corrosion inhibitors were analysed by CoMic to find the CMC for each inhibitor. Residual corrosion inhibitor concentration was used to find the actual corrosion inhibitor concentration at CMC. In parallel corrosion tests were carried out to find the optimum inhibitor concentration for corrosion protection. The CoMic™ analysis and the corrosion tests gave the same optimal inhibitor concentration for each of the inhibitors even if the concentration was different for the different products (30, 30, 50 and 120 ppm). Based on these results CoMic™ is evaluated as a good tool for optimization of corrosion inhibitor concentration in the field and is recommended to be used in several of our fields.
The problem
The Goldilocks principle
The answer
for real-life problems
What our clients say
- Statoil, Norway
I was intrigued by the CoMic™ concept. LUX have been extremely professional in their contact with me and I have been impressed by the quality and timeliness of their work.Colin Strachan, Snr Production Chemist, Major Operator, North Sea
We have found the interaction with LUX and the testing of the production water to be very good and with no issues.Viking UK Gas, UK
- Energy Company, Australia
I think the methods would be an excellent replacement for GC as GC has associated maintenance issues and user experience issues.Offshore Chemist
Overall, kits were well packaged and procedures easy to follow with good diagrams. Equipment fit for purpose and of a good size for limited space available. Good communications.Offshore Chemist
- Offshore Chemist
- Offshore Chemist
To evaluate the new colorimetric method, both methods (the GC and the LUX method) were used to analyze a series of blind samples. The results show that the LUX method is as accurate as the GC method while using equipment that is less expensive and much easier to operate and maintain.Large Oil and Gas Operator, USA
We have considered that your method is quicker than the GC, so that we can get results for several samples faster. Overall we are pleased with the results.Inger Holm, Senior Engineer Laboratory Analysis Technology – Large Oil and Gas Operator, Norway
The staff at LUX Assure were more that accommodating during my visit there to pick up and receive some hands on training before departing to a remote location in West Africa. The test kits are very user friendly and very accurate. The LUX crew were on standby during commissioning of the test equipment and assisted in a flawless setup. We have had numerous analysis run, giving us the data we need to extrapolate the amount of methanol used vs. what amounts we are seeing in the crude.Wallace Trew, West Africa
They now have good correlation with GC and LUX tests and are working at using offshore. They are very positive about the methodology.BD Consultant


text:
Maureen McDonnell, the former First Lady of Virginia, was sentenced on Friday to one year and one day in prison. McDonnell and her husband, former governor Bob McDonnell, had previously been convicted on public-corruption charges stemming from an elaborate set of bribes and resultant favors for a nutritional-supplement company.
The former governor was previously sentenced to two years in prison, and is appealing his convictions. Bob McDonnell was found guilty on 11 counts; the First Lady was convicted on eight counts. Both are free on bond as they work through their appeals.
"How can a person become so bedazzled by material possessions that she can no longer see the difference between what's appropriate and inappropriate," asked U.S. District Judge James Spencer as he sentenced the former First Lady.
McDonnell apologized and asked for leniency, imploring Spencer to "consider the punishment I've already received."
"My marriage is broken, my family is hurting and my reputation is in shatters," McDonnell said. Spencer didn't seem too convinced, noting that McDonnell "belittled and terrorized employees," though he also characterized her as a caring mother and wife. Those close to McDonnell have said the former First Lady has grown withdrawn, and seldom leaves her house.