Cost-efficient tracers with fast and simple detection and quantification methods at low detection limits via on-site detection is a current industrial target for state-of-the-art tracer tests. To bridge the gap between the desired tracer properties and detection limits, we developed a broad spectrum of robust and cost-efficient fluorescent tags to innovate the current reservoir management practices. We engineered new tracers and extended tracer test applications for on-site real-time well-drilling monitoring to label drill cuttings as they are made at the drill-bit face to improve drill-cuttings depth correlation. These developed fluorescent tracers not only have the low detection limits of fluorescent spectroscopy techniques but also allow for automated detection at minimal concentrations of 0.025−0.037 mol.%. These developed tracers allow us to detect the real-time drilling depth, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon recovery. Thus, the reported innovative fluorescent-based tracing approach... [more]

The nitrate pollution of groundwater can cause serious harm to human health. Biochar electrodes, combined with adsorption and electroreduction, have great potential in nitrate removal from groundwater. In this study, bamboo chopsticks were used as feedstocks for biochar preparation. The bamboo chopstick biochar (BCBC), prepared by pyrolysis at 600 °C for 2 h, had a specific surface area of 179.2 m2/g and an electrical conductivity of 8869.2 μS/cm, which was an ideal biochar electrode material. The maximum nitrate adsorption capacity of BCBC-600-2 reached 16.39 mg/g. With an applied voltage of 4 V and hydraulic retention time of 4 h, the nitrate removal efficiency (NRE) reached 75.8%. In comparison, the NRE was only 32.9% without voltage and 25.7% with graphite cathode. Meanwhile, the average nitrate removal rate of biochar electrode was also higher than that of graphite cathode under the same conditions. Therefore, biochar electrode can provide full play to the coupling effect of adsor... [more]

Reduction of tar concentration in biomass gasification with secondary plasma tar cracking unit remains a challenge to meet the requirement for clean syngas energy applications. Typically, the post-treatment of syngas to reduce the tar from an updraft fixed-bed reactor is using secondary plasma tar cracking unit. In this study, an additional trapping train was introduced as a mechanism to harvest byproducts of the tar decomposition process (byproduct carbon functionalized material or BCFM). The measurement in gravimetric and particle size distribution, supported by photoluminescent (PL) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT−IR) of BCFM, were conducted to reveal the BCFM characteristic. The gravimetric analysis showed that the application of the secondary plasma tar cracking unit highly reduced the tar concentration. Similarly, the average particle size also decreased significantly. The peak emission spectra of the suspended BCFM particle under the plasma cracking treatment shi... [more]

The reaction performance of producing acetylene by light cycle oil (LCO) high temperature pyrolysis was investigated with a self-made electromagnetic induction heating device. The results showed that the reaction temperature and residence time were the main factors restricting the production of acetylene during LCO high temperature cracking. When the reaction temperature was 1800 °C and the residence time was 8.24 ms, the yield of acetylene reached 7.90%. At the same time, the comparative study of different raw materials shows that Yangzhou heavy cycle oil (YZHCO) with a higher content of chain alkanes, cycloalkanes, and tetrahydro-naphthalene aromatics was beneficial to the formation of acetylene, and the highest yield of acetylene reached to 12.7%. The preliminary characterization of byproduct carbon black showed it had a good structure and could be used for lithium electron conductive agent.

In the present investigation, an ethanolic fraction (EF) of Lepechinia meyenii (salvia) was prepared and fractionated by gradient column chromatography, and the main secondary metabolites present in the EF were identified by HPLC-MS. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized and conjugated with the EF of Lepechinia meyenii (salvia). The AgNPs synthesis was optimized using Plackett-Burman design and response surface methodology (RSM), considering the following independent variables: stirring speed, synthesis pH, synthesis time, synthesis temperature and EF volume. The AgNPs synthesized under the optimized conditions were characterized by UV visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). The antibacterial activity of the AgNPs against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 25923) was evaluated. The following flavonoids were identified: rosmarinic acid, diosmin and hesperetin-7-... [more]

A temporary plugging agent is an effective tool for increasing production in old wells. By considering the temporary plugging materials used in the remote WY area, three concentrations and five ratios under different fracture widths were designed and optimized. Thus, the fracture diversion under true triaxial stress was studied. The results showed that when the fracture widths were 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 mm, the corresponding optimal plugging scheme was that the concentrations of the temporary plugging agent were 12.0, 18.0, and 18.0 kg/m3 and the ratios of 20−70 mesh to 200−300 mesh temporary plugging agent were 4:1, 2:1 and 4:1, respectively. When maintaining the same horizontal stress, an increase in the axial stress was accompanied by an increase in the fracture pressure; the initial fractures almost propagated along the direction of the horizontal maximum principal stress, but the shapes of the turning fractures were different. When the axial stress was the same, an increase in the hor... [more]

The thermophysical properties of a refrigerant can be modified via adding metal organic frameworks (MOF) to it. Understanding the adsorption−diffusion process of the mixture in MOFs at the molecular level is important to further improve the efficiency of the organic Rankine cycle. The adsorption and diffusion of R32/R1234yf in MOF-200 was investigated by molecular dynamics simulation in the present work. The results show that the number of adsorbed molecules of R32 in MOF-200 per unit mass is higher than that of R1234yf in the pure fluid adsorption system. The adsorption capacity of the mixture is lower than that of a pure working medium due to competitive adsorption. For both pure and mixed refrigerants, the adsorption heat of R32 in MOF-200 is smaller than that of R1234yf. Compared with R1234yf, the self-diffusion coefficient of R32 in MOF-200 is larger because of the lower diffusion activation energy.

Biomass waste from harvestable output is produced in significant quantities by agricultural and forestry processes and can have detrimental effects on the ecosystem. Therefore, biomass derived from the waste in the environment has been recognized as a potential source for preparing functional materials in recent years. In this study, activated carbon (ACs) was fabricated and characterized from Phyllostachys edulis (Moso bamboo) using single-step potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation at different temperatures (500 °C to 1000 °C). The prepared ACs were characterized for surface morphology, surface area, functional groups and crystallinity using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The SEM revealed well-formed pores on the surface of all ACs, while BET analysis revealed the presence of microporous (≤800 °C) and mesoporous (>800 °C) structures. SBET surface area and total pore... [more]

The zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), as a kind of MOF, is widely used in sensors, gas storage/separation, drug delivery, and catalysis due to its adjustable porous structure, high surface area, and excellent chemistry tunability. ZIF-8 is constructed by Zn2+ and 2-methylimidazole and synthesized in the methanol solution. In this paper, we explored the influence of the reused methanol solution for the structure and properties of the synthesized ZIF-8. The as-synthesized ZIF-8 was characterized by an X-ray diffraction instrument (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a specific surface area analyzer (BET), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results show that the reused methanol solution does not change the phase, porous structure, and BET surface area of ZIF-8. However, the particle size of ZIF-8 increases from 50 nm to 5 um and the productive rate decreases to 7.4% when the methanol solution is reused four times. This work provides new insight into t... [more]

Using a water-insoluble β-cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin copolymer (β-EPI) as an adsorbent to remove carbamazepine (CBZ), an anti-epileptic drug often found both in hospital and urban wastewater, has been validated. The effect of several physicochemical parameters on CBZ retention onto β-EPI, such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, CBZ initial concentration, pH, salts, and temperature, was assessed. The adsorption process occurs in a very short time, less than 20 min, and depends on CBZ concentration and β-EPI amount used. Changes in pH and salt presence, regardless of the type of cation or anion used, do not significantly affect the system’s efficiency. Desorption experiments were also performed, and methanol has proven to be the best CBZ extraction medium; it was also found that the polymer can be recovered and reused for at least five cycles, which makes it cheap and environmentally friendly. Advanced oxidation processes were also tested for CBZ removal by synthesizing a β-EPI polymer... [more]

In the current literature, information can mainly be found about free and hindered settling of isometric particles in Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. These conclusions cannot be used to describe the sedimentation of non-isometric particle in non-Newtonian fluids. For this reason, we have carried out systematic experiments and calculated the correlation of the hindered settling velocity of a cloud of non-isometric particles in high-viscosity and pseudoplastic liquid. The experiments were performed in transparent model fluids, namely, glycerine (a Newtonian fluid) and an aqueous solution of carboxylmethylcelulose CMC (a non-Newtonian pseudo-plastic liquid). These fluids have similar rheological properties, for example, the fresh fine-grained cementitious composites HPC/UHPC. The experiments were carried out with steel fibers with a ratio of d/l = 0.3/20. The settling velocity was determined for fiber volumes from 1% to 5%. While it is known from previous studies that for spherical pa... [more]

Calcium hydroxide is promising for thermal energy storage due to its low cost and high energy density. Nevertheless, the powdered material is cohesive and has low thermal conductivity which is a major challenge for the operation of moving bed reactors. One approach to facilitate the movement of the reaction bed is the stabilisation of the particles through the coating of Ca(OH)2 granules with Al2O3 particles. In this work, a newly designed reactor concept was specifically developed for testing coated Ca(OH)2 granules. The design allows for the movement of the reaction bed by gravity assistance and direct heating of the particles by a counter current gas flow. The operation was successfully demonstrated and proved to achieve high heat transfer between gas and granules. Furthermore, the movement of the reaction bed was achieved after the discharging phase. Two batches of uncoated and coated Ca(OH)2 granules were subject of 10 thermochemical cycles in this reactor. The cycling stability,... [more]

The failure of thickeners at high temperature results in gelled acid acidification fracturing. To solve the problem, 8 kinds of polymers were synthesized by free radical polymerization of aqueous solution using AM, AMPS, NaAMPS, MAPTAC, DTAB and NVP as raw materials. The polymer was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and viscosity-average molecular weight, and the temperature resistance, rheology, salt resistance and shear resistance of the polymer solution were compared, and the mechanism was analyzed. The results show that the viscosity of GTY−2 is 181.52 mPa·s, and the viscosity loss rate is 56.89% at 180 °C and 100 s−1, and its temperature resistance is the best. Meanwhile, the viscosity retention rate of GTY−2 is 84.58% after 160 min shear, showing the strongest shear resistance. The viscosity loss rate of GTY−1 in 20% hydrochloric acid solution is 80.88%, and its acid resistance is stronger than that of GTY−2. Moreover, due to the amphiphilicity of DTAB, the molecular hydrati... [more]

This work focused on the optimization of the ultrasound (US) extraction of polyphenols from sweet cherry pulp by monitoring cyanidin-3O-rutinoside, quercetin-3O-rutinoside, and trans-3-O-coumaroylquinic acid, representing the main anthocyanin, flavonol, and hydroxycinnamate, respectively, identified in the extracts through chromatographic analyses (HPLC-DAD), as output variables. The optimization was performed following a two-level central composite design and the influence of the selected independent variables (i.e., extraction time and solid to solvent ratio) was checked through the response surface methodology. The maximum recovery of the phenolic compounds was obtained at 3 min and 0.25 g/mL in water/ethanol (1:1, v/v) at a set temperature (25 °C), sonication power (100 W), and sonication frequency (37 kHz). Subsequent validation experiments proved the effectiveness and reliability of the gathered mathematical models in defining the best ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions.

A large number of microfluidic applications are based on effective mixing. In the application of water purification, the contaminated water needs to be effectively mixed with a solution that is loaded with nanoparticles. In this work, the Tesla valve was used as a micromixer device in order to evaluate the effect of this type of geometry on the mixing process of two streams. For this reason, several series of simulations were performed in order to achieve an effective mixing of iron oxide nanoparticles and contaminated water in a duct. In the present work, a stream loaded with Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a stream with contaminated water were numerically studied for various inlet velocity ratios and initial concentrations between the two streams. The Navier−Stokes equations were solved for the water flow and the discrete motion of particles was evaluated by the Lagrangian method. Results indicate that the Tesla valve can be used as a micromixer since mixing efficiency reached up to 63% for... [more]

The thermal management of electronic devices has become a major problem in recent years. Therefore, there is a growing need for research on many new materials and innovative fluids due to the developing technology and increasing cooling need in electronic systems. In this paper, heat transfer from a plate fin and pin fin type heat sinks that were placed in a water block that are used in electronic systems was investigated. A base fluid (pure water) and 0.1% mass concentration Al2O3-H2O nanofluid were used as cooling fluids. The experiments were carried out for volumetric flow rates varying between 100 and 800 mL/min and heat flux values of 454.54 W/m2 and 1818.18 W/m2. The results demonstrated that the Al2O3-H2O nanofluid on the empty surface provided a maximum improvement of 10.5% in heat transfer compared to the base fluid. In the use of plate finned heat sink, the maximum amount of improvement in heat transfer compared to the empty surface was obtained approximately 64.25% for the b... [more]

In order to prepare a novel landfill liner material, we used industrial calcium-containing waste (slag, fly ash, and desulfurized gypsum) to solidify municipal sludge. The mechanical and permeability properties of the solidified sludge material (SSM) were evaluated using straight shear, uniaxial compression, and permeability tests. The hydration products, microscopic morphology, and elemental composition of the SSM after the wet and dry cycles were analyzed using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM + EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The SSM has high strength and low hydraulic conductivity. The values of cohesion c and internal friction angle φ reached 0.45−3.31 MPa and 6.52−36.28°. The SSM exhibited a compressive strength of 0.93−11.67 MPa and hydraulic conductivity of 4.80 × 10−9−1.34 × 10−7 cm/s. Analysis shows that SiO2, Al2O3, and CaO in industrial calcium-containing solid wastes and sludges produce dense bulk and ag... [more]

This study investigated the effects of the addition of chitosan (0−1.0%) or glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) (0−60 mM) on the gel properties, microstructure, and texture of pea-based tofu-type product. Following the addition of 0.5% chitosan or 20 mM GDL, we observed a significant decrease in the hardness and cohesiveness of the tofu, resulting in a slightly discontinuous network structure with pores smaller than those in samples without chitosan or GDL. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the induced aggregation of pea legumin (11S) and vicilin (7S) subunits (30, 34, and 50 kDa), legumin α subunit (40 kDa), and legumin β subunit (20 kDa) by chitosan or GDL. It appears that chitosan and GDL could potentially be used as food additives for the development of texture-modified pea-based tofu-type products.

In this study, the dual nature of quaternary ammonium ionic liquid−didecyldimethylammonium perchlorate, [DDA][ClO4], was evaluated. A novel and sensitive in situ ionic liquid dispersive liquid−liquid microextraction method (in situ IL-DLLME) combined with magnetic retrieval (MR) was applied to enrich and separate selected organic micro-pollutants, both polar and non-polar. The magnetic support relied on using unmodified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) prepared by the co-precipitation of Fe2+/Fe3+ (Fe3O4). The separation technique was on-lined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC−DAD) verified by inverse gas chromatography. An anion exchanger, NaClO4, was added to form an in situ hydrophobic IL. The fine droplets of [DDA][ClO4], molded in aqueous samples, functioned as an extractant for isolating the studied compounds. Then the carrier MNPs were added to separate the IL from the water matrix. The supernatant-free sample was desorbed in acetonitrile (MeCN) and injected into th... [more]

protein-rich seeds must be debittered before consumption. The aim of this research was to assess free phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and FT-NIR spectra of flours from debittered seeds of 33 Andean ecotypes of L. mutabilis, and five varieties belonging to L. luteus, L. angustifolius and L. albus, as controls. The free phenolics were quantified by RP-HPLC, while the antioxidant capacity was evaluated spectrophotometrically through the Reducing Power, ABTS, FRAP and DPPH methods. The free phenolics of L. mutabilis were mostly (85.5−99.6%) flavonoids (genistein and genistein derivatives, apigenin, catechin and naringenin). Other compounds, detected in low quantities, were phenylethanoids (tyrosol and tyrosol derivative) and phenolic acids (cinnamic acid derivatives). The highest total free phenolic concentration was observed in H6 INIA BP (1393.32 mg/kg DM), followed by Chacas, Moteado beige, Huánuco and Lircay. The antioxidant capacity of the L. mutabilis ecotypes exceeded that... [more]

Equipping wastes with interesting properties in response to the circular economy could release environmental burdens by reducing resource exploitation and material manufacturing. In this study, we demonstrated that the waste regenerated activated carbon (RAC) could become micro-/mesopore-dominant through a simple surfactant/gel modification. This was achieved by associating carbon precursors, such as commercially available low-cost surfactants/methyl cellulose thickening reagents, with the pores of RAC. Following heat treatment, associated carbon precursors were carbonized, hence modifying the microstructure of RAC to be micro-/mesopore-dominant. The surfactant modification gave rise to a micropore-dominant RAC by increasing the micropore volume (PVmicro) together with significantly decreasing the mesopore volume (PVmeso) and macropore volume (PVmacro). In contrast, gel modification led to mesopore-rich RAC by blocking micropores with carbonized methyl cellulose and a surfactant matrix... [more]

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes have experienced significant technological developments over the past decade. Today, 3D-printed metal parts can almost achieve the mechanical properties of conventionally manufactured components; process times have been shortened, and the range of available materials has been widely expanded. The decision between conventional manufacturing and AM is therefore becoming more complex, considering technical and economic criteria along the entire product life cycle. To reflect the vision of the manufacturer, each decision needs to be based on individual preferences and strategies. The present research introduces a standardised and systemised multi-criteria decision-making process to choose between additive and conventional production. Multi-criteria decision models from within the literature are analysed and a holistic decision matrix is developed based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The key novelty of the present research is the consideration... [more]

The interoperability of wireless charging for electric vehicles refers to the radio energy transmission that meets the performance and function requirements of different manufacturers and different models of electric vehicles on the premise of meeting the relevant requirements. If it fails to meet the requirements, the wireless charging system of electric vehicles has difficulty to realize interconnection and low charging efficiency, Therefore, how to evaluate the interoperability is a key issue in the promotion of electric vehicle wireless charging. In this paper, an interoperability evaluation method based on two parameters is proposed. The interoperability impedance plane is constructed by the system detuning coefficient A. The comprehensive evaluation of different compensation networks and coupling coils is realized; the power characteristic impedance ε is obtained by analyzing and calculating the relationship between the transmission power of the system while the system impedance,... [more]

Multiscale fractal analysis of the pore system for coal is necessary to obtain more inner information. The techniques of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) are combined to characterize the pore structure of natural coal. A total of eight coal samples, of a different rank and coalification degree, are prepared for experiments. Methods of SEM image processing, piecewise curve-fitting and correction of intrusion data are adopted to obtain more useful results. According to the pore size range of the MIP probe, pores in coal are classified as seepage pore (pore size ≥ 1000 nm), transition pore (pore size ≥ 50 nm and <1000 nm) and mesopore (pore size < 50 nm). Variations of multi-scale fractal dimensions are studied from the perspective of coalification degree or coal rank. Fractal dimension from SEM data (D1) and fractal dimensions of seepage pore, transition pore and mesopore (D2, D′2 and D″2) from MIP data are calculated by fitting curves, and... [more]

Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries have received widespread attention due to their large capacity and low cost; however, the structural stability of the material needs to be improved. Herein, F-doped and undoped cathode materials prepared with an advanced co-precipitation method were used to measure the effect of F doping on the material. Compared to the undoped sample, the F-doped cathode materials exhibited an improved rate performance, because the porous structure of F-doped cathode materials is favorable for the infiltration of the electrolyte and the material, and the F-doped cathode material has a larger (003) crystal plane and a smaller Li+ migration barrier energy. This simple F-doping treatment strategy provides a promising way to improve the performance of Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.