Gas Collection Method Research Articles

Variation among individual beef cattle in methane-to-carbon dioxide ratio measured under on-farm conditions using the sniffer method.

This study proposed a method for measuring the methane (CH4 )/carbon dioxide (CO2 ) ratio from individual beef cattle under on-farm conditions and estimated the variance components of the CH4 /CO2 ratio. Gas measurements were conducted using 166 Japanese Black cattle group-housed in pens equipped with individual feed bins. The gas containing the animal's breath was measured individually after concentrate feeding by covering the feed bin with a sheet with sampling inlets. Measurements were performed six times (three consecutive days, twice daily) per individual. Most of the sampled gas contained more than 1000 ppm of the mean background-corrected CO2 , suggesting that the method proposed in this study successfully collected sufficient breath concentration to accurately measure the CH4 /CO2 ratio. The between-animal variance accounted for 31.7% of the total variance in the CH4 /CO2 ratio. The results showed that the gas collection method proposed in this study could be a useful tool for measuring the CH4 /CO2 ratio under on-farm conditions. The variance component obtained from this study will help to establish protocols for generating data for genetic evaluation and performing dietary experiments with sufficient statistical power.

Evaluating the efficiency of the enhanced ultrasonic–assisted hydrogen peroxide degradation of low–rank coal biogenic gas

ABSTRACT The efficiency of biogas formation from low-rank coal was improved through ultrasonic-assisted hydrogen peroxide degradation. We investigated various aspects of this process, including the mass of the small-molecule organic matter, changes in the composition of biogas components in three systems, and alterations in the microscopic morphology of coal before and after biogas formation. Our analytical methods included UV-vis spectrophotometry, drainage gas collection method, gas chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Optimal pretreatment conditions were identified with an ultrasonic power of 400 W, a reaction time of 90 min, and a reaction temperature of 60°C. The biogenic methanogenic cycle was delineated into three stages, with the raw coal and filtrate systems exhibiting fast and slow gas production stages during the first and second stages, respectively. In contrast, the residual coal system displayed slow and fast gas production stages during these stages. Methane yields were measured at 270.72 μmol g−1 (raw coal), 303.50 μmol g−1 (residual coal), and 293.43 μmol g−1 (filtrate). Pretreated coal exhibited biomethane yields (residual coal and filtrate) approximately 120% higher than untreated raw coal. Notably, the gas-forming potential of the filtrate should not be underestimated. Ultrasonic-assisted hydrogen peroxide pretreatment disrupted the macromolecular reticulation structure within the raw coal, resulting in the opening of a portion of the aromatic ring structure. This innovative approach offers a novel strategy for augmenting biomethane production from low-rank coal and furnishes a scientific foundation for advancing industrial applications.

Study on hydrogen permeation behavior of X80 steel under AC stray current interference

PurposeAlternating current (AC) corrosion is a type of corrosion that occurs in buried pipelines under AC stray current interference, which can increase the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of pipelines. However, rare research works have been conducted on the hydrogen permeability characteristics of pipeline steel under AC stray current interference. The purpose of this paper is to study hydrogen permeation behavior of X80 steel under AC stray current interference.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the hydrogen permeation behavior of X80 steel under AC interference is studied by AC hydrogen charging experiment in a dual electrolytic cell. The relationship between hydrogen evolution rate and hydrogen permeation flux is studied using the gas collection method. The difference between AC hydrogen permeability and direct current (DC) hydrogen permeability is also discussed.FindingsThe anodic dissolution caused by AC corrosion promotes the chemical desorption reaction of the adsorbed hydrogen atoms on the surface, reducing the hydrogen atom absorption ratio by 70%. When the AC is smaller than 150░ A/m2, the hydrogen permeation process is controlled by the hydrogen atom generation rate, and the hydrogen permeation flux increases with the increase in hydrogen atom generation rate. When the AC exceeds 400░ A/m2, the hydrogen permeation process is controlled by the absorption ratio. The hydrogen permeation flux decreases with the decrease in the absorption ratio. Under AC interference, there is a maximum hydrogen permeation flux that linearly correlates to the H+ concentration in the solutions.Originality/valueThe high-strength steel is very sensitive to hydrogen embrittlement, and X80 steel has been widely used in oil and gas pipelines. To date, no research has been conducted on the hydrogen permeation behavior of pipeline steel under AC interference, and the hydrogen permeability characteristics of pipeline steel under AC interference are not clear. The research results of this paper are of great significance for ensuring the intrinsic safety of high-strength pipelines under AC stray current interference.

Hydrolysis-Based Hydrogen Generation Investigation of Aluminum System Adding Low-Melting Metals

In this age of human civilization, there is a need for more efficient, cleaner, and renewable energy as opposed to that provided by nonrenewable sources such as coal and oil. In this sense, hydrogen energy has been proven to be a better choice. In this paper, a portable graphite crucible metal smelting furnace was used to prepare ten multi-element aluminum alloy ingots with different components. The microstructure and phase composition of the ingots and reaction products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The reaction was carried out in a constant temperature water bath furnace at 60 °C, and the hydrogen production performance of the multi-element aluminum alloys in different proportions was compared by the drainage gas collection method. The experimental results show that the as-cast microstructure of Al–Ga–In–Sn aluminum alloy is composed of a solid solution of Al and part of Ga, and a second phase of In3Sn. After the hydrolysis reaction, the products were dried at 150 °C and then analyzed by XRD. The products were mainly composed of AlOOH and In3Sn. Alloys with different compositions react at the same hydrolysis temperature, and the hydrogen production performance is related to the ratio of low-melting-point metal elements. By comparing two different ratios of Ga–In–Sn (GIS), the hydrogen production capacity and production rate when the ratio is 6:3:1 are generally higher than those when the ratio is 7:2:1. The second phase content affects the hydrogen production performance.

Impacts of Nitrogen Application on Ammonia Volatilization During Maize Season in Northern China

Ammonia volatilization is one of the major paths of nitrogen (N) loss and may exert a substantial impact on air quality. This study aims to explore the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer types, fertilization rate, and application timing and gas collection method on NH3 volatilization during the maize season in Northern China. This study collected the publications on the NH3 volatilization from maize farming which were conducted in Northern China from 1980 to 2018, and undertook a systematic analysis. The study found that with the increase of N rate, the total and net NH3 volatilization at the basal and topdressing fertilization stages increased at exponential and power function, respectively. When the ratio of basal/topdressing N rate was 1/1, the total and net NH3 volatilization during the topdressing stage (58.4% of the whole season emission) was significantly higher than that in the basal fertilization stage (41.6%) (P<0.05). The priming effect first showed a negative effect and then gradually turned into a positive effect with the increase of N rate. Due to the positive priming effect, the net NH3 volatilization, without considering the priming effect, was overestimated under the conventional N application (>297 kg·hm-2). There is a significant difference between the NH3 volatilization measured by the venting method and the sponge absorption method, and the data from the venting method are more stable (P<0.01). Compared with conventional urea, slow-release urea may reduce NH3 volatilization by 20% to 50%. Control fertilizer N rate at the topdressing stage is more efficient in reducing the NH3 volatilization from maize production in Northern China, and the venting method is more suitable for the quantification of NH3 volatilization than the sponge absorption method under a high rate of fertilizer N.

Accuracy of the Cosmed K5 portable calorimeter.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of the Cosmed K5 portable metabolic system dynamic mixing chamber (MC) and breath-by-breath (BxB) modes against the criterion Douglas bag (DB) method.MethodsFifteen participants (mean age±SD, 30.6±7.4 yrs) had their metabolic variables measured at rest and during cycling at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250W. During each stage, participants were connected to the first respiratory gas collection method (randomized) for the first four minutes to reach steady state, followed by 3-min (or 5-min for DB) collection periods for the resting condition, and 2-min collection periods for all cycling intensities. Collection periods for the second and third methods were preceded by a washout of 1–3 min. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare metabolic variables measured by each method, for seated rest and each cycling work rate.ResultsFor ventilation (VE) and oxygen uptake (VO2), the K5 MC and BxB modes were within 2.1 l/min (VE) and 0.08 l/min (VO2) of the DB (p≥0.05). Compared to DB values, carbon dioxide production (VCO2) was significantly underestimated by the K5 BxB mode at work rates ≥150W by 0.12–0.31 l/min (p<0.05). K5 MC and BxB respiratory exchange ratio values were significantly lower than DB at cycling work rates ≥100W by 0.03–0.08 (p<0.05).ConclusionCompared to the DB method, the K5 MC and BxB modes are acceptable for measuring VE and VO2 across a wide range of cycling intensities. Both K5 modes provided comparable values to each other.

Interaction between plastic deformation and hydrogen damage behavior of 30CrMnSiNi2A steel

The interaction between plastic deformation and hydrogen damage behavior of 30CrMnSiNi2A steel was investigated by pre-strain tensile tests and hydrogen charging by electrochemical method. This paper mainly contains two parts. The plastic deformation was restrained by hydrogen-charged, and the effect of hydrogen brittleness damage behavior was accelerated by pre-plastic deformation measure. Tensile pre-strian tests with hydrogen charging at current density from 0 to 50 mA/cm2 for 120 min were performed at room temperature. Both rate of reduction in areaand elongation were decreased due to the transition from ductile to brittle fracture by hydrogen charging, which meant the ability of plastic deformation was reduced by hydrogen. With hydrogen concentration increasing, yield strength also increased indicating that the plastic deformation forming conditions of steel were improved by hydrogen. Hydrogen content increased with pre-strain measured by glycerol gas collection method. Due to the pre-strain measure before hydrogen charging, the reduction of area and elongation were further reduced, while the strength was unexpectedly low. It was because pre-strain promoted the formation of hydrogen-induced crackings (HIC). This proved that the plastic deformation promoted the generation of hydrogen damage.

The Radiochemical Analysis of Gaseous Samples (RAGS) apparatus for nuclear diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility (invited)

The Radiochemical Analysis of Gaseous Samples (RAGS) diagnostic apparatus was recently installed at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Following a NIF shot, RAGS is used to pump the gas load from the NIF chamber for purification and isolation of the noble gases. After collection, the activated gaseous species are counted via gamma spectroscopy for measurement of the capsule areal density and fuel-ablator mix. Collection efficiency was determined by injecting a known amount of (135)Xe into the NIF chamber, which was then collected with RAGS. Commissioning was performed with an exploding pusher capsule filled with isotopically enriched (124)Xe and (126)Xe added to the DT gas fill. Activated xenon species were recovered post-shot and counted via gamma spectroscopy. Results from the collection and commissioning tests are presented. The performance of RAGS allows us to establish a noble gas collection method for measurement of noble gas species produced via neutron and charged particle reactions in a NIF capsule.

The Effect of Cd Addition on NDE of As-Cast Mg-Cd Alloy in 0.1M NaCl Solution

The effect of Cd additions on NDE of an as-cast Mg-Cd alloy in 0.1M NaCl solution was investigated using the gas collection method, potentiostatic current decay test and in-situ Laser Raman Spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that, in the cathodic region the addition of Cd reduced the hydrogen evolution and the magnesium hydride formation; in the anodic region the addition of Cd restrained the NDE but slightly increased the anodic dissolution.

Effect of Magnesium Hydride on the Corrosion Behavior of Pure Magnesium in 0.1 M NaCl Solution

The effect of magnesium hydride on the corrosion behavior of pure magnesium in 0.1 M NaCl solution was investigated using the gas collection method, potentiostatic current decay test, and in situ Raman spectrum. The formation of magnesium hydride (MgH2,Mg2H4) was observed at the cathodic region. Applying anodic potential leads to decomposition of magnesium hydride. Magnesium hydride plays an important role on the negative difference effect (NDE) in both the cathodic and anodic regions.

Effect of magnesium hydride on the corrosion behavior of an AZ91 magnesium alloy in sodium chloride solution

The effect of magnesium hydride on the corrosion behavior of an as-cast AZ91 alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution was investigated using gas collection method and potentiostatic test. The Pourbaix diagram of Mg–H 2O system was built using thermodynamic calculation. It was possible that magnesium hydride could form in the whole pH range in theory. The experimental results showed that at cathodic region, magnesium hydride formed on surface, which was the controlling process for the corrosion behavior of AZ91 alloy; at anodic region and free corrosion potential, magnesium hydride model and partially protective film model, monovalent magnesium ion model and particle undermining model were responsible for the corrosion process of AZ91 alloy.

A comparison of emission rates of unvented gas appliances measured by two different methods

Two techniques have been used to measure emission rates from unvented gas appliances: (1) The direct flue gas collection method: flue gases from the appliance burner are directed to a sampling port, stoichiometric principles are used to calculate emission rates; (2) The mass balance method: effluents from the appliances burner are accumulated within a chamber and the air is sampled from one or several locations within the chamber. Uniformity of pollutant concentrations within the chamber is confirmed experimentally, and a mass balance model, requiring such conformity, is used to calculate the emission rates. Emission rates reported in the literature measured using the two approaches appear to be similar, comparisons however, were not appropriate because they were made using different appliances. In this study the same sources are used under controlled conditions and emission rates determined by both methods. It is concluded that the two techniques give comparable emission rates.

Evaluation of a system for on-line analysis of VO2 and VCO2 for clinical applicability.

The authors evaluated the accuracy of a system to measure respiratory gas exchange on an on-line basis by comparing it with a gas collection method. The system incorporates a hot-wire flowmeter, a mass spectrometer, and a microcomputer. It performs on-line compensation for both transport delay and dynamic response of the mass spectrometer. Compensation of flow measurement for changing gas fractions also is performed. Excellent linear correlations were obtained between the two methods: 1) in animals during mechanical ventilation with room air (VO2:r = 0.995; VCO2:r = 0.993), and nitrous oxide in oxygen (VO2:r = 0.975; VCO2:r = 0.976); and 2) in men spontaneously breathing room air at different workloads (VO2:r = 0.999; VCO2:r = 0.998), and higher inspired oxygen fractions (FIO2 0.38 to 0.75) (VO2:r = 0.910; VCO2:r = 0.988). The authors consider that the system is suited for accurate and continuous measurement of respiratory gas exchange during mechanical ventilation, anesthesia, and exercise testing.

A new method for breath-to-breath determination of oxygen flux across the alveolar membrane.

A new method for breath-to-breath determination of the oxygen flux across the alveolar membrane is described. The principle of the method is to integrate the product of oxygen concentration and flow in the respiratory gas over an interval, which covers a complete respiratory cycle. The result is corrected for the change in oxygen content of the lungs through a formula, which, in contrast to those used in other methods, is independent of the residual capacity of the lungs. The method was evaluated with respect to repeatability by repetitive measurement of oxygen flux in twenty volunteer subjects, and with respect to accuracy by comparing the measured oxygen fluxes with those obtained by the gas collection method. The coefficient of variation was found to be 8% and the breath to breath determinations were, on an average, 6% lower than those of the gas collection method.

Breath-by-breath VCO2 and VO2 required compensation for transport delay and dynamic response.

Both transport delay (DELAY) and dynamic response (RESPONSE) of a mass spectrometer would theoretically result in considerable errors in the breath-by-breath calculation of VCO2 and VO2. However, curiously, the contribution of RESPONSE has been ignored. The purpose of this study is to quantify the error caused by RESPONSE. We found that RESPONSE of a mass spectrometer was regarded as a first-order response. We determined DELAY and time constant (T) of RESPONSE and compensated the on-line calculation for both DELAY and RESPONSE and for DELAY only. With T of 150 and 100 ms, deviations of VCO2 from the gas-collection method were 8 +/- 6 and 8 +/- 6 ml/min with compensation for both DELAY and RESPONSE, and 69 +/- 10 and 50 +/- 5 ml/min with compensation for DELAY only, respectively (mean +/- SD). Similar results were obtained with VO2. A computer simulation of error caused by RESPONSE disclosed that the error linearly increased with increasing T. We conclude that to be accurate within +/- 5% of the exact value, compensation should be made when T exceeds 25 ms.

Evolution and absorption of gases in electron tubes

Gas-evolution effects in vacuum tubes have been determined by use of the gas-collection method of Morrison, in which evolved gases in an operating tube are collected with a mercury pump, stored in its fore-vacuum system, and measured with a mass spectrometer after many hours of tube operation. The speed of absorption of the tube for various gases has also been determined by simultaneously leaking gases into the tube and using the same collection system, In this way the partial pressures of gases and their internal evolution and absorption rates in the operating tube were found. These techniques were applied to a practical vacuum tube, the 21CYP22 colour-television picture tube. Typical partial pressures of gases determined during electrical operation of the tube were: hydrogen, 10 -8 Torr; nitrogen (including a small fraction of carbon monoxide), 10 -9 Torr; and oxygen, 2 × 10 -11 Torr. Oxygen is present only when the tube is scanned, and is evolved by non-metallic bulb surfaces which are bombareded with high-voltage electrons. Self-absorption of the tube for oxygen is very rapid (pumping speed is 3000 l./sec). Thus, oxygen partial pressure is maintained at such a low level during operation of this tube that there is no effect on performance of the oxide cathode.