Gas Composition Analysis Research Articles

On safety of swelled commercial lithium-ion batteries: A study on aging, swelling, and abuse tests

Lithium-ion battery technology has advanced significantly, making these power sources essential for portable electronic devices such as smartphones. In 2023, global smartphone shipments reached nearly 1.2 billion units, underscoring the widespread reliance on these batteries. However, as batteries age, they may swell and potentially pose explosion risks. To investigate the safety of swollen batteries, this study conducts accelerated aging and swelling tests on lithium-ion batteries from five leading brands, which together represent over half of the global smartphone market share. The research involves a series of comprehensive tests, including Accelerated Rate Calorimeters (ARC) test, mechanical, electrical, and thermal abuse tests in accordance with Chinese national standards, as well as gas composition and theoretical flammability analyses on both new and swollen batteries. The findings indicate that swollen batteries generally exhibit safer behavior under floating charging conditions, and both new and swollen batteries pass the abuse tests within the standard framework. This study suggests that the safety of swollen lithium-ion batteries cannot be categorically labeled as dangerous or safe and should be assessed within the context of specific environments.

Differences in the Genesis and Sources of Hydrocarbon Gas Fluid from the Eastern and Western Kuqa Depression

The Kuqa Depression is rich in oil and gas resources and serves as a key production area in the Tarim Basin. However, controversy persists over the genesis of oil and gas in the various structural zones of the Kuqa Depression. This study employs natural gas composition analysis, gas carbon isotope analysis and gold pipe thermal simulation experiments, to comprehensively analyze the differences in the genesis and sources of hydrocarbon gas fluid from the eastern and western Kuqa Depression. The results show that the Kuqa Depression is dominated by alkane gas, with an average gas drying coefficient of 95.6, with nitrogen and carbon dioxide as the primary non-hydrocarbon gases. The average of δ13C1, δ13C2 and δ13C3 values in natural gas are −27.70‰, −20.43‰ and −21.75‰, respectively. Based on comprehensive natural gas geochemical maps, the CO2 in the natural gas from the Tudong and Dabei areas, as well as the KT-1 well of the Kuqa Depression, is thought to be of organic origin. Additionally, natural gas formation in the Tudong area is relatively simple, consisting entirely of thermally generated coal gas derived from the initial cracking of kerogen. The natural gas in the KT-1 well and the Dabei area are mixed gasses, formed by the initial cracking of kerogen from highly evolved lacustrine and coal-bearing source rocks, exhibiting characteristics resembling those of crude oil cracking gas. The methane (CH4) content of natural gas in the Dabei area is high and the carbon isotopes are unusually heavy. Considering the regional geological background, potential source rock characteristics and geochemical features may be related to the large-scale invasion of dry gas contributed by CH4 from highly evolved, underlying coal-bearing source rocks. Consequently, the CH4 content in the mixed gas is generally high (Ln (C1/C2) can reach up to 5.38), while the relative content of heavy components is low, though remains relatively unchanged. Thus, the map of the relative content of heavy components still reflects the characteristics of the original gas genesis (initial cracking of kerogen). Mixed-source gas was analyzed using thermal simulation experiments and natural gas composition ratio diagrams. The contributions of natural gas from deep, highly evolved coal-bearing source rocks in the KT-1 well and the Dabei area accounted for more than 90% and approximately 60%, respectively. This analysis provides theoretical guidance for natural gas exploration in the research area.

Time-dependent variations in desorbed gas composition: methodological analysis of asphaltite vein investigation results

In this study, a phenomenon that can have significant technical and economic impacts in the mining and unconventional gas production of hydrocarbon resources is discussed, change of gas composition during desorption period. The change is analyzed, related findings are obtained and engineering tools are forged. In this scope, a member of the Southeastern Turkey asphaltite’s gas content and composition character was examined. 12+1 samples were collected at equal intervals from an inclined drillhole that cut through the asphaltite vein. The United States Bureau of Mines (USBM) direct method was employed to determine the gas content. Gas composition analysis was performed on gas samples, which were collected four times throughout the desorption period. Residual gas composition is determined as well. During desorption period, methane and hydrogen ratios exhibited decreasing trends, while others have increasing trends. In evaluating of the collected data, the desorption order between gas compounds are revealed. Logarithmic trend functions are generated to estimate the concentrations of gas compounds at specific time points. With these functions and gas content measurement data, weighted average concentrations for gas compounds are determined. These concentration functions and the weighted average results are used to create engineering tools showing unit energy content of desorbed gas through desorption period both instantaneous and cumulative. Similarly, change in lower explosive limit and auto-ignition temperature during desoption period is shown. The weighted average gas concentrations obtained are used to interpret geological insights as they are the actual gas composition of the samples. In the study, gas content characteristic properties of Üçkardeşler asphaltite vein is comprehensively presented. Accordingly, the mean gas content, excluding one sample with a value of 2.78 m3/t at a location near a fault intersection, was found to be 1.66 m3/t. The average volumetric concentrations of methane, ethane, propane, and acetylene in the desorbed gas were determined as 61.6%, 24.5%, 10.7%, and 2.3%, respectively. The remaining part primarily consisted of heavier hydrocarbons, with low amounts of carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Experimental research on biogenic methane generation pathway and microflora constraints based on in-situ gas-water-microbe

Biogenic coalbed methane (CBM), generated through the biodegradation process of coal organic matter, is a relatively clean and environment-friendly unconventional natural gas resource. To investigate the differences in microbial communities (bacteria and archaea) as well as their environmental influencing factors between the Permian Shanxi Formation (P1s) and Taiyuan Formation (P1t), we systematically collected in-situ CBM samples along with coalbed water and microbial samples from a representative biogenic CBM field – the Baode block locked in the Ordos basin in China. The relative content of biogenic CBM was quantitatively calculated while analyzing gas composition, stable isotope, ion content, and high-throughput sequencing analysis to discuss the generation pathway for biogenic CBM and environmental control factors affecting microbial community structure. The results indicate that P1s and P1t are mixed with early thermogenic gas and secondary biogenic gas genetic types within their respective CBMs. The average proportion for biogenic gas within current coal seams is approximately 62.24 % for P1s, while it reaches around 64.37 % for P1t. Water quality type primarily consists of Na-HCO3 type with total dissolved solids (TDS) measuring at approximately 1015.86 mg/L for P1s, whereas P1t exhibits Na-Ca-HCO3-Cl water type with TDS content reaching about 2314.85 mg/L. Combining dominant Methanobacterium species, along with Δ13C(CO2-CH4) ratios and δD(CH4) versus δD(H2O) indexes, represents the biogenic CBM primarily generated through the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway. The in-situ bacterial communities of P1s are mainly influenced by Ni, pH, and TDS. The archaeal communities exhibit higher sensitivity to environmental factors (such as Co, pH, Ni, and dissolved organic carbon) than bacteria. These findings hold significant implications for understanding the generation process of biogenic CBM in middle and low-rank coal areas.

Correlating Gas Composition and Electrochemical Data from First Formation Cycle of Lithium-Ion Batteries

The solid electrolyte interface (SEI) plays a crucial role for the performance and lifetime of lithium-ion batteries. It consists of decomposition products from electrolyte components (salt, solvent and additives) and is initially formed during the first charging process called the formation cycle. The chemical processes creating the SEI are a matter of current research. A better understanding of these reactions and their implications on cell performance can provide new ways to optimise the formation process. This can help reducing costs while increasing lifetime and performance of lithium-ion batteries.In this contribution we apply statistical correlation analysis on a large set of cells to gain new insights on the connection between formation and cell-performance. Cells (NMC622|Graphite, 1 Ah, ordered from LiFun) are divided in three groups. The groups differ only by the electrolyte. An electrolyte solution with EC:EMC (3:7 by wt.) and 1 M LiPF6 serves as a baseline. The other two groups use the same solvent and salt concentration but contain an additional 5% fluor ethylene carbonate and vinylene carbonate, respectively.All cells underwent the same formation procedure. It consists of a formation cycle with C/5 at 80°C, followed by a degassing-step and 9 subsequent cycles with the same current rate at 45°C. After these ten cycles a reference performance test (RPT) is conducted, including qOCV, capacity and pulse-resistance tests. During the degassing step gas samples from half of the cells were analysed using GC-MS.An incremental capacity analysis of the formation cycle shows clear distinctions between the three different electrolytes. Distinct peaks below 3 V are found for each group. The gas composition demonstrates that cells containing additives contain a higher share of carbondioxide and carbonmonoxid amid a substantially lower share of ethylene, compared to the cells without additives.The large number of over 100 cells in total enables a systematic correlation analysis. We investigated the correlation between features extracted from the first formation cycle and the RPT. In addition, correlations between electrical data from the first cycle and the relative amount of carbon-containing gasses in the samples are analysed.Correlations differ for the three groups of cells, however some common trends were observed. We found a negative correlation between the average voltage during formation and the difference between the capacity of the first discharge and the capacity measured in the RPT. This difference represents the loss over the 9 cycles at 45°C. It is positively correlated with the first discharge capacity indicating that lower lithium-losses in the first cycle are countered by higher losses in subsequent cycles.Correlations between gasses and electrical data from the formation cycle provide new insights into the chemical processes. If the shares of two gasses are positively correlated, we assume that the reactions producing these gasses are linked. We found such strong positive correlations for the shares of CH4, C2H6, C2H4 and CO in the case of VC-containing electrolyte. In this group the share of carbondioxide is negatively correlated to these gas-shares.Correlating the different gas-shares with the charge throughput in different voltage windows (during wetting at 1.5V, during the formation charge cycles from 1.5 to 3V, 3 to 3.8V, and 3.8 to 4.2 V, respectively), we found very different patterns for the three groups. VC-containing cells show weak or very weak correlations with all four charge-throughput values, with the exception of a moderate negative correlation between CO. Cells without additives show a moderate correlation between the wetting charge and the CO2-share. Cells containing FEC exhibit a moderate positive correlation between the share of CO2 and the charge throughput between 1.5 and 3.8 V.The combination of electrical data with the gas composition and statistical analysis provides a new way to improve our understanding of the SEI formation and the complex chemical reactions. Our results indicate that gasses generated by the decomposition of VC are not influenced by small changes of charge throughput during formation, whereas a higher charge-throughput at lower voltages in cells containing FEC correlates with an increased share of CO2.

Designing High Stability Fluorinated Materials to Replace Carbonate Additives in Li-Ion Batteries Under Extreme Test Conditions

Graphite-based Li-ion batteries require the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the surface of the anode to prevent solvent co-intercalation and graphite exfoliation. Materials such as vinylene carbonate (VC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) that have been successfully deployed as SEI layer forming additives show limited utility under high voltage and high temperature conditions due to low electrochemical and/or thermal stability.1-3 Development of Li-ion batteries that meet the needs of automotive and other electrification applications require advanced electrolyte additives that can support operation under extreme conditions.Koura has developed fluorinated additives that demonstrate improved stability and performance over conventional SEI layer forming additives under the high temperature and high voltage conditions relevant to the automotive industry. In this study, the performance of Koura’s fluorinated additives was compared to common commercial additives in the multiple cell designs, including 4.3V Gr/NMC811, to identify candidates to replace VC and FEC. Testing included 45°C cycling and 60°C storage. It has been found that these materials reduce gassing and increase capacity retention during high-temperature battery operation.To gain a fundamental understanding of how these molecules function in the battery, including mechanisms of solvation, interfacial behavior, and bulk reactivity; and how the structure of the molecule contributes to its properties and behavior, comprehensive post-test analysis was conducted, including gas composition analysis and quantification via gas chromatography, bulk electrolyte composition analysis via NMR spectroscopy, and surface layer characterization via XPS and SEM. Also, performance of multiple structural variants was examined to develop a structure-property relationship to guide rational design of additives for advanced Li-ion batteries.This presentation will summarize Koura’s efforts to supply advanced fluorinated materials for Li-ion batteries that satisfy the arduous demands of current and future applications. Specifically, we will present data showing the capability of fluorinated Koura materials to replace and/or enable existing Li-ion additives under extreme operating conditions, specifically high temperature and/or voltage. Multiple structures will be compared, where appropriate, to highlight our fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationships critical to designing next generation materials.

Improved Wide Temperature and Rate Performance in Li-Ion Batteries with Fluorinated Electrolyte Solvents

Commercial electrolytes include organic solvents unable to withstand the conditions required for the rapidly growing Li-ion battery industry, such as extreme temperatures and charge rates. The thermal and electrochemical stability limits of these solvents restrict the development of Li-ion batteries needed to sustain automotive electrification and other industrial applications. Further efforts are needed to enable electrolyte formulations suited for the operational demands in the market.Koura has designed a series of fluorinated materials for use in Li-ion electrolytes that demonstrate improved performance and safety over conventional commercial electrolytes. The impact of Koura’s fluorinated solvents on performance in 4.3V Gr/NMC811 was examined, with a particular focus on benefits seen on extreme temperature and rate performance. Testing included cycling and rate performance across a range of temperatures from -20 °C to 45 °C and cycling conditions from C/2 to 4C. It has been found that these materials improve low temperature performance and reduce gassing and increase capacity retention during high-temperature and fast charge cycling. Where appropriate, performance of Koura materials is compared to common commercial solvents.To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the observed improvements, comprehensive post-test analysis has been conducted, including gas composition analysis and quantification via gas chromatography, bulk electrolyte composition analysis via NMR spectroscopy, and surface layer characterization via XPS and SEM. Bulk transport properties of the materials and electrolytes, including conductivity, viscosity, and Li+ solvation, are correlated to performance benefits.This presentation will show Koura’s efforts to fill a major gap in the demands of the Li-ion battery industry today through the design of fluorinated materials and optimization of advanced electrolyte formulations. Specifically, we will present data highlighting the performance of fluorinated compounds on improving battery performance under strenuous conditions with respect to both temperature and cycling rate. Results from fundamental mechanistic studies will be discussed to highlight the mechanisms underlying the observed performance improvements.

PSV-11 In vitro screening of selected compounds to reduce ruminal methane production

Abstract Methane is a natural product of rumen fermentation and emissions from ruminant livestock represent a major environmental concern. Methane is not only a potent greenhouse gas but also represents a loss of energy efficiency for the host. The objective of this study was to perform in vitro screening of a range of compounds with potential anti-methanogenic activity, including polyphenols, flavonoids, fatty acids, amino acids, and salts. We aimed to select compounds conferring up to a 20% reduction in CH4 for further investigations. The substances tested included carvacrol, coumaric acid, coumarin, flavanone, gallic acid, glycerol monolaurate (GML), glycine, methylene blue, naringin, quercetin, quinic acid, resorcinol, rutin, tannic acid, vanillic acid, and zinc acetate. These substances varied in their mechanisms of action and were selected based on known antimicrobial or anti-methanogenic properties. The experiment was designed as a randomized block experiment, with treatments tested in triplicates across four batches (n = 228 samples) using the same treatments and experimental conditions. Fresh rumen contents were manually collected from two rumen-fistulated lactating Holstein cows, 3 h after their morning feeding. Rumen contents were blended at a 2:1 ratio, filtered through a four-layered cheesecloth, and added to McDougall’s solution at a 2:1 ratio. Final media (9 mL) was added to a 20 mL Bellco flask containing 150 mg of total mixed ration (TMR) ground to 1 mm. Each batch also had three flasks without TMR and no treatment (blank flasks), three flasks containing only TMR without treatment (negative control), and three flasks containing TMR and treated with chloroform (positive control), resulting in a total of 19 treatments. The end-products of in vitro batch fermentations were assessed after 24 h of incubation, and samples from each flask were collected for gas composition analysis using gas chromatography. Volatile fatty acids were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data were analyzed using R Studio, and the following model was applied: yij = µ + treatmenti + batchj + ℇij. Methane production (measured in parts per million, ppm) increased when GML, naringin, and quercetin were added compared with the negative control. In contrast, the addition of carvacrol, glycine, tannic acid, and methylene blue resulted in a decrease of up to 25% in methane production. These compounds show potential to alter ruminal fermentation and mitigate methane production and will be selected for evaluation of synergistic interactions and effects on the rumen microbial communities.

Analysis of Gas Composition of a Cold Plasma Jet Generated on the Basis of Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Discharge

Analysis of Gas Composition of a Cold Plasma Jet Generated on the Basis of Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Discharge

Fluidized Reduction Kinetics of Boron-Bearing Iron Concentrate by Hydrogen at Low Temperatures Based on Model-Fitting and Model-Free Methods.

Pyrometallurgy is the most effective way to comprehensively utilize boron-bearing iron concentrate, and there is an urgency for an environmentally friendly and efficient method to achieve the prereduction of boron-bearing iron concentrate. In this study, the mechanism and kinetics of isothermal hydrogen reduction of boron-bearing iron concentrate in a fluidized bed at 500-570 °C were discussed. The reduction degree was quantified in combination with the online gas composition analysis technique, and the phase and microstructure of the reduced products were characterized. The results exhibited that the apparent activation energy remained constant during the whole reduction process, with average values of 50.67 and 48.08 kJ/mol calculated by the model-free and model-fitting methods, respectively, and the reaction was controlled by the contracting sphere model. The formation of a microporous metallic iron facilitated the rapid penetration of hydrogen to the reaction interface. Therefore, the intrinsic chemical reaction at the interface determined the whole reaction process.

Machine learning‐assisted wearable sensor array for comprehensive ammonia and nitrogen dioxide detection in wide relative humidity range

AbstractThe fast booming of wearable electronics provides great opportunities for intelligent gas detection with improved healthcare of mining workers, and a variety of gas sensors have been simultaneously developed. However, these sensing systems are always limited to single gas detection and are highly susceptible to the inference of ubiquitous moisture, resulting in less accuracy in the analysis of gas compositions in real mining conditions. To address these challenges, we propose a synergistic strategy based on sensor integration and machine learning algorithms to realize precise NH3 and NO2 gas detections under real mining conditions. A wearable sensing array based on the graphene and polyaniline composite is developed to largely enhance the sensitivity and selectivity under mixed gas conditions. Further introduction of backpropagation neural network (BP‐NN) and partial least squares (PLS) algorithms could improve the accuracy of gas identification and concentration prediction and settle the inference of moisture, realizing over 99% theoretical prediction level on NH3 and NO2 concentrations within a wide relative humidity range, showing great promise in real mining detection. As proof of concept, a wireless wearable bracelet, integrated with sensing arrays and machine‐learning algorithms, is developed for wireless real‐time warning of hazardous gases in mines under different humidity conditions.image

Stoichiometry of ZnO polycrystalline layers. Localization of vacancies

Nonstoichiometric ZnO1-x phases with oxygen deficiency at grain boundaries (GBs) in polycrystalline ZnO layers are a typical damaged layer formed during the synthesis or subsequent storage. In this case, the processes of adsorption-desorption of gases are the basic phenomenon used in the analysis of gas composition. MGB layers also play an important role in creating transparent electrodes for transparent electronics and optoelectronics devices. This makes it relevant to study the generalization of research data on non-stechiometric structures in various applications. Purpose: the research carried out is devoted to the analysis of the formation processes of non-stoichiometric ZnO1-x surface phases in gas sensors, transparent electrodes, ceramic targets for magnetron sputtering, and in light-emitting structures. Research is aimed at finding ways to control and optimizing the parameters of non-stoichiometric ZnO1-x phases. The structural features, electrical, optical, and emissive properties of the layers were studied depending on the stoichiometry of the material. The issues of transformation of the structure of grain boundaries in ZnO-based polycrystalline layers depending on the formation conditions and external influences are considered. The relationship between the mechanisms of carrier transport and the processes of formation of nonstoichiometric phases on the MG has been studied. The dependences of the luminescence spectra of ZnO layers on the density of oxygen vacancies were traced. The regularities of the formation of energy structures of magnetic grains in ZnO layers are considered. Establishment of patterns of formation and characteristics of non-stoichiometric phases on the MGB during the formation of various modifications of transparent electrodes. Study of ways to optimize the parameters of surface non-stoichiometric layers.

Studying the possibilities of pharmacological correction of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension using a phenolic compound with a laboratory cypher KUD975

The aim of our work was to study a pharmacological activity of a selective arginase-2 and thrombin inhibitor from a phenolic compounds group with a laboratory cypher KUD975 on a model of arterial pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia.Materials and methods. To simulate pulmonary hypertension (РН), animals were placed in a normobaric hypoxic chamber and subjected to 5 weeks of hypoxia with an oxygen content of 10% in the air. After 3 weeks of hypoxia, the animals were administered with the test compound KUD975 (intragastrically, at a dose of 2 mg/kg once a day for 2 weeks). L-norvaline (intragastrically, 20 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug. To assess the development and correction of РН, measurements of cardiohemodynamics, analysis of blood gas composition, study of the number of circulating endothelial precursor cells (EPCs), quantitative PCR assessing the expression of mRNA VEGF-R2, SGF-1 (stromal growth factor-1) and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1). Next, a histological examination of the lungs and heart was performed, the degree of pulmonary edema and the concentration of cardiotrophin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide were assessed.Results. The administration of the studied phenolic compound with laboratory cypher KUD975, as well as the reference drug L-norvaline, led to a decrease in the right ventricular systolic pressure against the background of modeling РН. The present study shows a more than twice-fold decrease in the number of circulating (EPCs) in the animals group with modeling a hypoxia-induced circulatory РН (171.3±12.1) in comparison with the group of intact animals (296.1±31.7; p=0.0018). The recovery of EPCs was noted in the animals group administered with KUD-975 and L-norvaline, up to 247.5±34.2 (p=0.0009 compared with a pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and 235.6±36.4 (p=0.008 compared to PAH), respectively. The studied compounds had a protective effect by statistically significantly increasing the expression of VEGF-R2 mRNA and decreasing the expression of SGF-1 mRNA, reducing the lung moisture coefficient and the concentrations of cardiotrophin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide and preventing vascular remodeling caused by hypoxia.Conclusion. When studying the pharmacological activity, it was shown that the phenolic compound with the laboratory cypher KUD975 normalizes hemodynamic parameters, reduces the signs of remodeling of the heart and pulmonary vessels and has a pronounced endothelial protective effect on the model of hypoxia-induced РН, and is superior to the activity of the reference drug L-norvaline.

Comprehensive evaluation of spontaneous combustion phenomenon from asphaltite perspective: Comparison with coal and clues of a universal process

Asphaltite holds importance as an energy raw material for Turkey. This study explores the potential for spontaneous combustion during underground mining production of Şırnak Üçkardeşler vein asphaltites and describes a generalized process by highlighting similarities and differences with self-heating of coal. Incubation tests, gas composition analysis, and infrared spectroscopy were conducted. Additionally, thermal analysis, surface area measurements, pore diameter analysis, mechanical testing, proximate analysis, and ultimate analysis were performed on the samples. The results reveal key differences in the spontaneous combustion behavior of asphaltites compared to low-rank coals. Melting, occurring between 60 and 80 °C, replaces the moisture-related stagnation observed in coals. The role of different functional groups, such as OH, CH, and CH2, in fueling the initial oxidation processes and other radicals initiating thermal runaway is identified. The reduction in surface area and pore diameters of asphaltites at higher temperatures limit their oxidation capacity. The compressive and tensile strengths of asphaltites significantly decrease with temperature. Similar to coals, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are indicative of spontaneous combustion, with carbon monoxide exhibiting a regular increase in temperature. The Arrhenius form confirms the occurrence of homogeneous reactions in asphaltite spontaneous combustion after 75 °C. These findings provide valuable insights into a universal mechanisms and warning signs of spontaneous combustion, aiding in the development of effective prevention strategies.

Investigating CO2–N2 phase behavior for enhanced hydrate-based CO2 sequestration

Storing CO2 in underwater sand sediments as hydrates offers vast capacity and minimal leakage risk. But direct CO2 injection can clog the surrounding area, reducing the flow. One solution is injecting CO2–N2 mixtures. This study investigated the movement and transformation of this gas mixture, with a focus on the formation rates and main factors of hydrate-based CO2 storage. Results revealed two distinct gas seepage-phase transition processes. In freshwater conditions, there was an initial temperature spike followed by localized hydrate formation, which then spread outward. In memory water, multiple hydrate formations occurred simultaneously. Freshwater conditions led to more blockages due to the concentration of hydrates, while the memory conditions maintained better flow due to more evenly distributed hydrates. Gas composition analysis showed that as CO2-rich hydrates formed, the CO2 level in the flowing gas dropped, which could stop further hydrate formation. This finding indicates that mixed gas injections could prevent excessive hydrate formations and maintain flow. The saturation of hydrates varied between 10 % and 50 %, with differences attributed to the unpredictable nature of initial hydrate formation. Overall, this research will guide efforts to optimize CO2 storage as hydrates and re-evaluate the viability and safety of this storage method using CO2–N2 mixtures.

Utilization of Waste Straw Biomass in Suspension Magnetization Roasting of Refractory Iron Ore: Iron Recovery, Gas Analysis and Roasted Product Characterization

The straw-type biomass, as a green and alternative reductant for the suspension magnetization roasting (SMR) of iron ores, is proposed. The roasted products are investigated at a roasting temperature of 750 °C, the roasting time of 7.5 min and the biomass dose of 25%. The iron phase results indicate that hematite ores were reduced to magnetite by the biomass, and the magnetization transformation increased from 0.64 A·m2·g−1 to 36.93 A·m2·g−1. The iron ore microstructure evolutions of holes and fissures are detected by SEM-EDS. The biomass pyrolyzed to form CO2, CO, CH4, H2O, H2, C=O, benzene skeleton, C-Hand C-O compounds at 200–450 °C, while the mass loss of the magnetization roasting process occurred at 450–750 °C by using TG-FTIR. The GC/MS results showed that the organic gases preferred to produce the O-heterocycles at 329 °C while the hydrocarbons were dominant at the high temperature of 820 °C for the hematite ore and biomass mixture. The gas composition analysis explained that the reducing gaseous products (CO, CH4 and H2) were used as a reductant and consumed obviously by hematite ore in the SMR process. The innovative utilization of biomass waste was effective for iron recovery of hematite ore and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases and the protection of the environment.

Leachate indicators of an elevated temperature landfill

Elevated temperature landfills (ETLFs) are municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills that have been impacted by subsurface exothermic reactions (SERs) and display unusual gas and leachate composition. Leachate quantity and quality data were analyzed to identify indicators of a SER at an ETLF in Ohio, USA. ETLF leachate generation increased from 2.04 to 14.4 m3/hectare-day (218 to 1,539 gallons/acre-day), peaking 16 months after the reaction was first noticed. The leachate generation rate for this ETLF remains about two times greater than the average Ohio MSW landfill. Several general parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) remain impacted 5 years later. Similarly, metals such as arsenic, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium have increased in concentration. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) behavior was less consistent as a group of chemicals. Increases of VOCs such as acetone, benzene, and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) also increased. Importantly, in one year, benzene exceeded its toxicity characteristic threshold meaning the leachate was a hazardous waste, substantially increasing treatment and disposal costs. It is not clear if the VOCs are produced directly by the SER or if they are an indicator that microbial processes -which would otherwise consume them- have been disrupted. ETLFs likely do not all undergo the same exothermic reaction(s) and, unlike the analysis of landfill gas composition, temporal changes in leachate constituents’ concentrations may be more important than comparing to absolute values.

Teaching Design and Discussion of the Experimental Course of "Biogas Production and Utilization Engineering" based on the Ideological and Political Education

Practice teaching occupied an important position in higher education. The experiment program of "Gas chromatography analysis of fermentation gas composition" included in the course of “Biogas Production and Utilization Engineering” in the major of the new energy science and engineering is used as an example to discuss the teaching reform based on the ideological and political education. Through deep exploration of ideological and political elements of the curriculum, the ideological and political teaching concepts including realistic scientific literacy, rule consciousness and safety production consciousness, engineering ethics and legal consciousness are formed as the main content and are further integrated into the teaching design. The experimental teaching reform serves the talent training goal of the major, which is to cultivate engineering and technical talent with both moral and ability in the relevant fields of new energy.

Continuous production of O2-free enriched CO2 from ambient air using moisture swing sorbents

Herein, we report the production of O2-free CO2 from a CO2/O2/N2 mixture using moisture swing sorbents in two parallel reactors under isothermal conditions, wherein CO2/O2/N2 and H2O/N2 are alternately fed into the reactors. The CO2/O2/N2 mixture was fed into the reactor containing the water-pre-adsorbed metal oxide sorbent to capture CO2. After changing to an H2O/N2 gas mixture, moisture-promoted CO2 desorption took place. Sorbent-screening tests showed that Rb-loaded Al2O3 (Rb/Al2O3) was the most effective sorbent material for this process. Thus, Rb/Al2O3 sorbents with different Rb loadings were tested for continuous CO2 separation using two parallel reactors. Various structural analyses revealed that the highly dispersed Rb(I) species were responsible for CO2 capture/desorption. The formation and desorption of surface carbonates on Rb/Al2O3 under working conditions were then studied using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with online gas composition analysis (operando FTIR). Finally, we demonstrate the continuous production of O2-free and ca. 5 times enriched CO2 from ambient air.

Gas ebullition associated with biological processes in radioactively contaminated reservoirs could lead to airborne radioactive contamination

BackgroundStorage reservoirs of radioactive waste could be the source of atmospheric pollution due to the efflux of aqueous aerosol from their water areas. The main mechanism of formation of aqueous aerosols is the collapse of gas bubbles at the water surface. In this paper, we discuss the potential influence of biological factors on gas ebullition in the water areas of the radioactively contaminated industrial reservoirs R-9 (Lake Karachay) and R-4 (Metlinsky pond) of the Mayak PA. The emission of the released non-dissolved gases captured with gas traps in reservoir R-9 was (88–290) ml/m2 per day (2015) and in reservoir R-4 (270–460) ml/m2 per day (2016). The analysis of gas composition in reservoir R-4 (60% methane, 35% nitrogen, 2.4% oxygen, 1.5% carbon dioxide) confirms their biological origin. It is associated with the processes of organic matter destruction in bottom sediments. The major source of organic matter in bottom sediments is the dying phytoplankton developing in these reservoirs. ConclusionThe obtained results form the basis to set a task to quantify the relationship between the phytoplankton development, gases ebullition and radioactive atmosphere contamination.