High Pressure Temperature Research Articles

Investigation of the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of cast Ti–47Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy during ultra-high pressure heat treatment

TiAl alloy is a high-temperature and lightweight material with superior properties, which has been widely used in aerospace industry. and casting is an economical method for its production. However, casting defects has hindered its direct applications in aerospace turbine blades. To minimize casting defects and achieve alloy strengthening, this paper proposed a novel single heat treatment process under ultra-high pressure (UHP) to regulate the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Ti–47Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy. The results indicated that the microstructure achieved overall grain refinement, high temperature and ultra-high pressure stresses jointly induced the γ→α2 phase transformation. After the UHP heat treatment, the hardness of the alloy increased from 287HV to 381HV, and the yield strength and ultimate strength increased by 53 % and 20 %, respectively, without significantly affecting the strain to fracture. Based on the phase transformation behavior and strengthening mechanism, these enhancements in mechanical properties were mainly attributed to the precipitation strengthening of α2 grains and the reduction of lamellar thickness. This suggested that UHP heat treatment was an effective method to improve cast TiAl alloys.

The plasma reforming of methane in rocket engines under multiple working conditions and its effect on ignition delay

The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reforming of methane is ideal for fuel upgrading in rocket engine. However, the working conditions such as high flow rate, high pressure, and low temperature in the propellant supply system significantly affect the reforming performance. This research explores the performance of plasma methane reforming under extreme conditions, examining the characteristics of four kinds of structures, with aims to make reasonable engine design and settings based on actual needs. Simulation is conducted to investigate the effect of plasma reforming on methane ignition delay. The results indicate that prolonging the gas residence could promote methane decomposition. The methane conversion rate under Nanosecond pulsed (NP) excitation is 9.6% higher than that under AC excitation, and the energy utilization efficiency is 1.8% higher. However, the carbon deposition of NP excitation is more severe. As the pressure increases, the cracking reaction intensity decreases by 5%. NP excitation has ideal adaptability to high work pressure. Low temperature has little effect on methane plasma conversion but could affect product distribution, promoting the transformation towards H2 and C2H6. The ignition delay could be shortened by 71 ms with C3H8 adding. The results of this study provide theoretical guidance for the ignition improving of the rocket engine.

Demulsification of steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) emulsions under high temperature and high pressure: Effects of emulsion breaker and reverse emulsion breaker dosages

Effective treatment of complex emulsions formed during steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) production is crucial for oil/water separation and subsequent processing. However, it remains challenging due to the complexity of SAGD emulsions, and there are only very limited studies on demulsification under simulated SAGD conditions. This study systematically characterized the comprehensive properties of a fresh field SAGD emulsion with about 84.6 % water and 15.4 % bitumen, and then achieved effective demulsification under a simulated SAGD condition at 135 °C and 60 psi via adding a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PEO-PPO) copolymer (as a model emulsion breaker or EB) combined with a branched polyethylenimine (PEI, as a model reverse emulsion breaker or REB) in a bench-scale bottle test setup. The effects of EB and REB dosages on the demulsification of the SAGD emulsion were evaluated based on the properties of the separated phases. Dynamic interfacial tension, zeta potential, and coalescence time were measured to reveal the demulsification mechanisms of EB and REB. The highly interface-active EB facilitated oil dehydration by displacing the natural interface-active species at the interfaces, disrupting the rigid interfacial films and promoting water droplet coalescence, while the cationic REB aided water de-oiling by neutralizing oil droplet surface charges, disrupting the rigid interfacial films and promoting the approach and coalescence of oil droplets in aqueous media. This work has improved the understanding of SAGD emulsion characteristics, the effects of EB and REB dosages on the demulsification performance, and the underlying demulsification mechanisms in SAGD operations. The results provide useful insights for developing effective and cost-efficient chemical approaches to address challenging emulsion issues in oil production.

Thermal conductivity of iron under the Earth’s inner core pressure

Abstract The thermal conductivity of ε-iron at high pressure and high temperature is a key parameter to constrain the dynamics and thermal evolution of the Earth’s core. In this work, we use first-principles calculations to study the Hugoniot sound velocity and the thermal transport properties of ε-iron. The total thermal conductivity considering lattice vibration is 200 W/mK at the Earth’s inner core conditions. The suppressed anharmonic interactions can significantly enhance the lattice thermal conductivity under high pressure, and the contribution of the lattice thermal conductivity should not be ignored under the Earth’s core conditions.

Study on Foaming Agent Foam Composite Index (FCI) Correlation with High Temperature and High Pressure for Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs

In the process of unconventional oil and gas reservoir exploitation, it is difficult to reduce drilling fluid lost in natural fractures, enhance the CO2 displacement effect and reduce foam drainage gas recovery costs. In most cases, foaming agents can solve these problems in a low-cost way in a short period of time. Foaming agent screening and evaluation is the key to this technology. However, there are few experimental tests used in the evaluation of foaming agent properties that match the actual unconventional oil or gas well conditions of high temperature and high pressure. Using the actual temperature and pressure conditions of a wellbore, the foaming capacity and half-life of two common foaming agents were systematically evaluated by using the high-temperature and high-pressure visual foam properties evaluation device (UPMX-500), in which the foaming agent’s volume concentration was 3‰ in a simulated formation water with a pH of 6 and salinity of 9 × 104 mg/L. The high-temperature (40 °C, 60 °C, 80 °C, 100 °C) and high-pressure (0.1 MPa, 6.0 MPa, 8.0 MPa, 10.0 MPa) effect on the foaming capacity and half-life was analyzed. Binary linear regression of pressure and temperature was carried out, taking the foam composite index as the target and using a formula with high correlation. The results showed that the foam composite index (FCI) of the two foaming agents was positively correlated with pressure and temperature. The correlation of UT-7 was FCI = 64.1196T + 735.713p − 2066.2, the correlation of HY-3K was FCI = 62.5523T + 7220.391p − 2415.6, and the coefficients of determination were 0.9799 and 0.9895, respectively, with an error of less than 10%. This correlation equation can provide a reference for accurately predicting the foaming capacity of foaming agents under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions and can also be used to optimize foaming agents or to qualitatively evaluate results for the efficient exploitation of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs.

Analysis of Ozone and VOCs Pollution Characteristics, Sources, and Abatement Control Strategies in Hebi

In order to control the increasing ozone （O3） pollution in Hebi, Henan Province, clarifying the pollution characteristics of ozone and its precursors is vital. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of O3 pollution utilizing the OFP-PMF-EKMA method combined with online hourly resolution monitoring data of conventional pollutants and volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in the summer of 2022 （June-September）. Ozone formation potential （OFP） was used to identify the key VOCs species, and the PMF model was used to identify the VOCs emission sources, whereas EKMA curves and scenario analysis were used to identify the main ozone control area in Hebi and to determine the reduction ratio of VOCs and NOx in a scientifically refined way. In 2022, Hebi had persistent O3 pollution, with the highest concentration in June. Conditions of high temperature, low humidity, and low atmospheric pressure contributed to the O3 accumulation. Aromatic and oxygenated volatile organic compounds （OVOCs） contributed significantly to the OFP and VOCs fraction, which were the dominant active substance and concentration dominant species. The results of the VOCs source analysis indicated that vehicle exhaust sources （25.3%） were the main source of atmospheric VOCs, followed by process sources （17.7%） and biomass combustion sources （17.6%）. Thus, emission sources associated with the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial production emissions were the most urgent sources of atmospheric VOCs to be controlled in Hebi. The O3 generation in Hebi occurred in the VOCs-sensitive zones, and the emission reduction results showed that a synergistic emission reduction of VOCs and nitrogen oxide （NOx） could effectively control O3 pollution with a 75% reduction in VOCs and a 10% reduction in NOx.

Waste glass powder as a high temperature stabilizer in blended oil well cement pastes: Hydration, microstructure and mechanical properties

Recycling waste glass for diversified utilization has received increasing attention in recent years. This work aimed to reuse waste glass powder (GP) as a high temperature stabilizer to replace silica flour (SF) in blended G class oil well cement (GOWC) pastes. Blended pastes containing 40 % and 66.7 % GP were prepared and compared to pure GOWC paste and blended paste containing 40 % SF commonly used in the oil industry. Under simulated field conditions in a steam injection well, these pastes were cured at 50 °C for seven days, followed by three rounds of thermal cycling curing at high temperature and high pressure (HTHP, 300 °C/13 MPa) conditions. The effects of GP on the hydration kinetics, hydration products, microstructure, and mechanical properties of hardened pastes were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the addition of GP or SF reduced the compressive strength of the pastes at 50 °C due to dilution effect. Compared with SF, GP exhibited higher pozzolanic activity, prolonged the induction period, and promoted the formation of more C-(N)-S-H gels with lower Ca/Si ratios, which led to an increase in the gel pores content of the matrix and partially compensated for the loss of compressive strength due to the dilution effect. Additionally, due to the pozzolanic reaction of GP, the content of CH in the matrix decreased and its crystal size became smaller. After three rounds of thermal cycling curing, the incorporation of GP significantly increased the compressive strength of the hardened pastes. The compressive strengths of the hardened pastes with 40 % and 66.7 % GP were 20.33 MPa and 22.25 MPa, respectively, which were 7.62 % and 17.79 % higher than those of the hardened paste containing 40 % SF. In addition, the compressive strengths of hardened pastes containing 40 % and 66.7 % GP after three rounds of thermal cycling curing decreased by 22.49 % and 5.52 %, respectively, compared to the pastes at the low-temperature stage, while that of the pure GOWC pastes decreased by 83.8 %. Characterization analyses indicated that GP could further reduce the Ca/Si ratio of the system, modulate the crystallization of the gels at high temperatures, and generate foshagite or xonotlite phases with high polymerization structure and thermal stability, instead of reinhardbraunsite. These products effectively refined pore structure and enhanced microstructure densification. Furthermore, the precipitation of Na+ ions during hydration did not affect the microstructure of the matrix. This study offers some guidelines for recycling waste glass, conserving raw materials, and producing sustainable blended cement pastes.

The effect of various crystalline forms of HFC 134a hydrate on the growth rate and desalination efficiency

Experimental studies on the synthesis of HFC 134a hydrate in the liquid HFC 134a – water system were performed. Despite today's lack of research on the use of HFC 134a hydrate for desalination of seawater and separation of harmful impurities by HFC 134a hydrate synthesis, this method has prospects for development: HFC 134a hydrate is synthesized at relatively high temperature and low pressure; it is poorly soluble in water, which simplifies gas hydrate separation from water–salt solution; it has high volumetric storage density and relatively high thermal conductivity. In spite of its low solubility in water, HFC hydrate exhibits relatively high growth rates. The growth of various crystalline forms and the peculiarities of their occurrence in pure water, aqueous salt solution, as well as with the addition of surfactant are considered. The use of SDS increases the HFC hydrate growth rate. For the first time, it was shown that the intensive growth of HFC 134a hydrate in the form of needles throughout the entire volume of the liquid allows increasing the efficiency of desalination. It is important to consider the desalination process comprehensively, taking into account the crystal forms, crystal growth rate, crystal defects, as well as taking into account the degree of salt removal. Simultaneously with the bubble growth, a thin gas hydrate film is shown to grow on the bubble surface. A detailed consideration of the stages of such hydrate growth is provided to explain the high-speed synthesis of porous HFC hydrate due to boiling of liquid HFC and vaporization.

Appropriate characterization of reservoir properties and investigation of their effect on microbial enhanced oil recovery through simulated laboratory studies

Appropriate characterization of reservoir properties and investigation of the effect of these properties on microbial metabolism and oil recovery under simulated reservoir conditions can aid in development of a sustainable microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) process. Our present study has unveiled the promising potential of the hyperthermophilic archaeon, identified as Thermococcus petroboostus sp. nov. 101C5, to positively influence the microenvironment within simulated oil reservoirs, by producing significant amounts of metabolites, such as biosurfactants, biopolymers, biomass, acids, solvents, gases. These MEOR desired metabolites were found to cause a series of desirable changes in the physicochemical properties of crude oil and reservoir rocks, thereby enhancing oil recovery. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that the microbial activity of 101C5 led to the mobilization of crude oil, consequently resulting in enhanced production rates and increased efficiency in simulated sand pack trials. 101C5 exhibited considerable potential as a versatile microorganism for MEOR applications across diverse reservoir conditions, mediating significant light as well as heavy oil recovery from Berea/carbonaceous nature of rock bearing intergranular/vugular/fracture porosity at extreme reservoir conditions characterized by high temperature (80–101 °C) and high pressure (700–1300 psi). Core flood study, which truly mimicked the reservoir conditions demonstrated 29.5% incremental oil recovery by 101C5 action from Berea sandstone at 900 psi and 96 °C, underscoring the potential of strain 101C5 for application in the depleted high temperature oil wells.

Simultaneously enhanced strength and plasticity of laser powder bed fused tantalum by hot isostatic pressing

The effects of hot isostatic pressure (HIP) treatment (850 °C/1350 °C, 150 MPa, 4 h) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of laser powder bed fused tantalum were investigated. The results show that the heat treatment process with high pressure and low temperature (relative to the melting point) limited the growth of tantalum grain size and homogenized the microstructure. The hot isostatic pressure of 850 °C/1350 °C and high pressure of 150 MPa promote plastic deformation in the pore region of the laser powder bed fused tantalum and reduce the pore size, thus increasing the sample densities to more than 99 %. After 1350-HIP, all the properties of laser powder bed fused tantalum are significantly improved, and the hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of tantalum are further improved to 273 HV (40.72 %), 551 MPa (16.24 %), and 43.4 % (18.26 %).

Dry reforming of methane at high temperature and elevated pressure over nickel spinellized powder catalyst and pellets prepared from a metallurgical residue

AbstractThe coke deposition on catalysts is a significant problem in the dry reforming of methane at elevated pressures. Understanding and controlling the mechanisms of such deposition is essential in developing a techno‐economically viable industrial application for the production of synthesis gas and/or hydrogen. The patent‐pending nickel‐supported upgraded slag oxide (Ni‐UGSO) catalysts, in powder form, have demonstrated excellent performance and achieved equilibrium in dry reforming, steam reforming and mixed methane reforming in a gram‐scale laboratory packed bed reactor under barometric pressure. In this extended study, Ni‐UGSO pellets were prepared using the wet impregnation method. The pelletized form of said catalyst was studied under elevated pressure to imitate the industrial operating conditions in a kilogram‐scale laboratory packed bed reactor. The characterization of the fresh and used catalytic formulation produced data allowing the investigation of the physicochemical properties of catalysts and the effects of metal dispersion, reaction pressure and crystallite size, as well as the role of side reactions on the nature of the coke. The metal support nature favored the interaction between the Ni metal and spinels (UGSO), and the presence of the clay binder (kaolinite, quartz) improved the pellet morphology, provided higher Ni dispersion, maintained the crystallite size, reduced the coke formation and achieved similar or higher performance with respect to Ni‐UGSO powder despite having 85% less surface area. The Ni‐UGSO pellet showed negligible coke deposits from 1 to 6.5 atm and operated successfully for 24 h at 5.5 atm, 800°C and gas hourly space velocity 810 L/(h kg cat). This study provides new insight into the design of a more efficient and robust catalyst for methane dry reforming at elevated pressures, which is critical for potential future transfer at the industrial level.

Rheology characterization of ionic liquids under high pressure and high temperature

Ionic liquids (ILs) are liquid salts that exist at or below ambient temperatures and are composed of ion pairs. They offer promising alternatives to toxic, hazardous, highly flammable, and volatile solvents in various applications such as solution preparation, dispersion, gel formation, composites, and polymer melts. ILs possess unique and interesting characteristics, including excellent chemical and thermal stability and low vapor pressures. Understanding the rheological properties of ILs is essential to optimizing IL performance. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the rheological properties of two ionic liquids, NHexylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (HPyBF4) and NHexylpyridinium bromide (HPyBr), under different shear rates, temperatures, and pressures. Rheological measurements were performed under varying controlled pressure and temperature conditions. The experimental investigation covered a pressure range of 689–12,411 kPa [100–1800 psi] and a temperature range from room temperature up to 522 kelvin (K) [480°F]. The primary objective is to explore and compare the flow behavior and viscoelastic characteristics of HPyBF4 and HPyBr under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. The experimental data showed that HPyBF4 and HPyBr exhibited shear-thinning behavior, and pressure had an insignificant effect on rheology compared to the temperature effect. Under the same testing conditions, HPyBr showed higher shear stress and viscosity than HPyBF4. This research significantly contributes to the improved understanding of the rheological behavior of these specific ionic liquids and their suitability for diverse industrial and scientific applications, particularly in high-pressure and high-temperature environments.

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of MoSe2 under high pressure and high temperature by suppressing bipolar effect

The electrical transport property of layered MoSe2 has a strong response to high pressure by enhancing the inter-layer interaction. However, the narrowed bandgap under high pressure will cause the bipolar effect (i.e., the thermally excited minority carriers contribute to a Seebeck coefficient with the opposite sign to the majority carriers) at high temperatures to degrade the thermoelectric (TE) performance. Hence, suppressing the bipolar effect is important to optimize the TE performance of MoSe2 under high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). In this study, the degradation of TE performance caused by the bipolar effect under HPHT in MoSe2 is investigated. It is found that in MoSe2, the electrical conductivity was improved significantly by pressure; however, the bipolar effect led to a significantly degraded Seebeck coefficient at high temperatures. By injecting massive carriers beforehand, the bipolar effect was suppressed to make a dominant type of p-type charge carries, achieving an increased Seebeck coefficient with increasing temperature, resulting in an improved power factor from 29.3 μW m−1 K−2 in MoSe2 to 285.7 μW m−1 K−2 in Mo0.98Nb0.02Se2 at 5.5 GPa, 1110 K. Combined with the reduced thermal conductivity by point defect scattering on phonons, a maximum ZT value of 0.11 at 5.5 GPa, 1110 K. This work highlights the significance of suppressing the bipolar effect under HPHT for optimizing TE performance in such layered semiconductors.

Exploring technological and operational challenges in high-pressure: High-temperature drilling techniques

This comprehensive review explores the complex landscape of HPHT drilling, examining the underlying principles, innovative technologies, and operational strategies used to overcome challenges such as wellbore stability, fluid management, equipment reliability, and downhole conditions. By understanding and addressing these challenges, the oil and gas industry can advance HPHT drilling capabilities and unlock new sources of energy to meet growing global demand. High-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) drilling techniques have become indispensable for the oil and gas industry to tap into deep hydrocarbon reservoirs located in challenging environments. Despite their significance, HPHT drilling operations pose a myriad of technological and operational challenges that demand meticulous attention to safety, efficiency, and success. This comprehensive review embarks on an exploration of the intricate landscape of HPHT drilling, delving into the fundamental principles, innovative technologies, and operational strategies pivotal in surmounting obstacles such as wellbore stability, fluid management, equipment reliability, and downhole conditions. The review begins by delineating the distinctive characteristics of HPHT environments, highlighting the formidable challenges inherent in drilling operations conducted under extreme pressures and temperatures. Subsequently, it elucidates the critical importance of maintaining wellbore stability amidst such conditions, elucidating the risks of collapse and blowouts and offering insights into mitigation strategies ranging from meticulous drilling fluid selection to advanced wellbore monitoring techniques. Fluid management emerges as a focal point, as the review navigates through the complexities of selecting, formulating, and managing drilling fluids tailored for HPHT environments. Innovative technologies such as nanotechnology applications and synthetic-based mud systems are explored for their efficacy in addressing fluid-related challenges and enhancing drilling performance. The reliability and integrity of equipment constitute another critical aspect examined in the review, with emphasis on mechanical challenges, material selection, and proactive maintenance strategies essential for safeguarding equipment performance and longevity in HPHT operations. Furthermore, the review presents case studies and best practices gleaned from successful HPHT drilling projects, offering valuable insights and lessons learned to inform future endeavors.

Improvement of the microstructure of hydration products in cement paste by epoxy resin under high temperature and high pressure

This study develops a resin cement paste (RCP) with excellent elastic deformation and strength at high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) and determines the reinforcement-toughening mechanism of the resin in the cement paste using XRD, TG, Si29 MAS NMR, SEM, and nitrogen adsorption methods. The results showed that in the RCP, the resin mixture (RM) reduced the porosity of the RCP. The RM did not change the crystalline structure of hydration products in the paste, but some calcium ions diffused from the cement matrix into the RM. The calcium/silica ratio of the cement matrix decreased and layered hydration products were formed around the RM. Thus, in the RCP the content of hydration products containing layered gel pores (pore diameter of 3.8 nm) increased; compared with pure cement paste, the average chain length of the hydration products in the RCP increased from 3.09 to 3.46 when cured at 90 °C and 21 MPa for 28 d. Moreover, there was excellent cementation of the RM and cement matrix at HTHP. Compared with pure cement paste, the compressive strength and tensile strength of RCP containing 15 % RM increased by 14.61 % and 11 %, respectively, and the Young’s modulus decreased from 5.01 GPa to 4.56 GPa.

Early Cretaceous A-Type Acidic Magmatic Belt in Northern Lhasa Block: Implications for the Evolution of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean Lithosphere

A-type granites have been the subject of considerable interest due to their distinct anorogenic geological background. The A-type and arc-related granites are crucial in deciphering the evolution of the ocean closure and continental collision in the Tibet Plateau. The demise of the Bangong–Nujiang suture zone (BNSZ) and the Yarlung–Tsangpo suture zone was accompanied by the emplacement of volumes of syn-collisional and post-collisional granites. Controversy has persisted regarding the contribution of the collisional granites within the Lhasa Block to the growth of the Tibetan Plateau. This study provides key evidence about the evolution of the Lhasa Block and Bangong–Nujiang Ocean (BNO) by the newly documented 1200 km long, Early Cretaceous A-type acidic magmatic belt. The resolution was achieved through the utilization of petrology, whole-rock geochemistry, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and in situ zircon Hf isotope analysis of the Burshulaling Granites in the eastern segment and previous existing data in the central and western segment of the Lhasa Block. The Burshulaling Granites are characterized as peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline series, indicating a post-collision setting with high temperature and low pressure. The zircon grains from two granite samples yield 206Pb/238U ages of 115–113 Ma. In situ zircon Hf analyses with 206Pb/238U ages give εHf(t) of −6.2–0.6, showing prominent characteristics of crust-mantle interaction. Granites from east to west exhibit whole-rock geochemical and geochronological similarities that fall within the well-constrained Early Cretaceous time frame (117–103 Ma) and track post-collisional A-type acidic magmatic belt along BNSZ. We argue that this magmatism resulted from slab break-off or orogenic root detachment, leading to melting and mixing of the lower crust. Meanwhile, this study indicates the existence of the Bangong–Nujiang Ocean southward subduction or a collapse following an Andean-type orogen.

A new strategy to prepare ammonium aluminum carbonate hydroxide using plasma electrolytic oxidation in electrolyte containing carbon nanotubes

In this work, a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technique was used to prepare ammonium aluminum carbonate hydroxide (AACH) in an electrolyte containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs were also involved in the composite coating on the surface of 6063 aluminum alloy. The formation mechanism of AACH and effects of CNTs on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of the PEO coatings were investigated. The surface morphology, pore distribution, phase composition, functional groups and electrochemical characteristics of the PEO composite coatings were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Image Pro software, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and electrochemical workstations, respectively. Results showed that the rod-like AACH was generated around the discharge channel by reacting between ammonia, carbon dioxide and AlOOH under transient high temperature and high pressure environment with the presence of CNTs. The surface micropores of the composite coatings were enlarged due to the excellent electrical conductivity of CNTs. With the by addition of CNTs of 1.5 g/L, the self-corrosion current of the coating was the smallest, and the polarization resistance Rp was larger than that of 1.0 g/L and 2.0 g/L CNTs.

Experimental and numerical studies on the performance of a precooled supersonic ejector

Precooling the secondary flow enhances the performance of the supersonic ejector. However, reducing the temperature of the secondary flow without experiencing significant pressure loss presents a challenge, particularly when the secondary flow is at high temperature and negative pressure. In response to this challenge, an original design for a two-strut supersonic ejector incorporating a plate-fin precooler is developed. Experimental and numerical calculation methods are employed to analyze the system’s performance under various secondary flow conditions, including ambient air, precooled gas, and non-precooled gas. Moreover, the impact of the secondary flow, including total temperature and mass flow rate on the flow structure and mixing process of the supersonic ejector is analyzed. The results show that the shock waves, reflected shock waves and shock trains exist in the flow channel of supersonic ejector simultaneously. The shock waves intensity decreases with the rise of the total temperature and mass flow rate of the secondary flow. Moreover, this leads to the static pressure behind the nozzle changing from a ω−shape to a U-shape along the flow direction. Meanwhile, the precooler has minimal impact on the pressure loss of the secondary flow while achieving a remarkable pressure recovery coefficient of over 97% and a temperature drops of above 40%. Thus, precooling the secondary flow helps decrease the static pressure in the suction chamber, which results in a minimum 29% increase in compression ratio, enhancing the pumping capacity of supersonic ejector. The study also observed that the drop of secondary flow temperature leads to a lower velocity ratio between the secondary and primary flows, which is beneficial for their mixing process.

A novel compact supercritical CO2 solar receiver based on impinging jet: Heat transfer performance and thermal stress analysis

The compact solar receiver can withstand high temperature and high pressure, which provides promising solutions for direct supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) solar receiver applications. However, it still suffers from local high temperature and large thermal stress due to the non-uniform heating boundary condition. The impinging jet method can significantly enhance the local heat transfer coefficient, holding significant potential in reducing the local high temperature of the compact S-CO2 receiver. Inspired by this, a novel design for a compact S-CO2 receiver using the impinging jet was proposed in this work. The heat transfer performance and stress behavior of the jet channel within the receiver were numerically investigated. The results showed that the jet channel has a significantly higher heat transfer performance than the rectangular channel, and the shorter flow path of the jet channel also effectively reduces the pressure loss. Meanwhile, the jet pattern significantly enhances the temperature uniformity, thereby reducing the thermal stress. In addition, increasing the channel aspect ratio improves the thermo-hydraulic performance, but increase the stress at the same time. The increase in the number of jet holes and the jet hole diameters not only enhance the thermo-hydraulic performance, but also reduce the stress of the jet channel.

Quantitative evaluation of spheroidisation in 15CrMo steel based on deep learning

ABSTRACT 15CrMo steel has good mechanical properties and is widely used in high-temperature pressure components. After long term service, it is easy to cause material spheroidisation. The metallographic and mechanical property tests are used to evaluate the spheroidisation of specimens. Ultrasonic backscattering signal is sensitive to microstructure and contains more microstructure information, which can be used for the evaluation of spheroidisation. However, the ultrasonic backscattering signal is nonlinear, and feature extraction is difficult. In this study, ultrasonic testing is used to scan different spheroidisation specimens, and the ultrasonic backscattering signal is extracted as the input to the deep learning model, which is used to extract features from the backscattering signal. The models are evaluated using classification and regression evaluation metrics. The results show that the proposed CNN-LSTM model has good identification performance for the classification of spheroidisation and the prediction of mechanical properties. The classification accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score are all 1. Additionally, the maximum predicted RMSE and MAE values are only 2.33 MPa and 1.70 MPa, and the minimum R 2 is only 0.97. The worst prediction is the tensile strength, with an average value of 442.2 MPa and a maximum value of 481.1 MPa.