Inert Gas Mixtures Research Articles

Scattering of e∓ in beryllium isonuclear series: cross sections and transport characteristics

The elastic scattering of electrons and positrons by beryllium atoms and its isonuclear ion states is described in this paper in terms of differential and various angle integrated cross sections. For this element, the critical minima in the elastic differential cross sections and the optimum spin polarization sites are found. These calculations are performed using the Dirac partial wave analysis (DPWA) and a projectile-target modified complex optical model potential. Further, the Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the transport characteristics of electrons in a mixture of inert gas (He, Ar) and beryllium vapor for electric field values E/N = 1-100 Td, taking into account inelastic collisions. We studied the effect of metal vapor concentration on drift velocity, average electron energy, diffusion and mobility coefficients. Finally, we investigated the effect of beryllium vapor on the electron energy distribution function in the inert gas. On comparing present work with existing theoretical calculation, a reasonable agreement is observed.

Synthetic opal decorated by Co and Ce oxides as a nanoreactor for the catalytic CO oxidation

Macroporous synthetic opal grown from non-porous silica nanoparticles and decorated by Co and Ce oxides was applied for the catalytic CO oxidation in the inert (TOX) and H2-rich (PROX) gas mixtures. Prepared materials were studied by methods of SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, XPS and FTIR spectroscopy. The relationship between synthesis conditions, structure, and catalytic behavior of composites is discussed. The best Co-O-Ce interaction and the highest activity in the CO-TOX and PROX are achieved when cerium oxide was added prior to the addition of cobalt oxide. In this case highly dispersed particles of Co3O4 and CeO2 are located in close proximity on the silica surface and anchored between the opal spheres. The use of Co/Ce decorated synthetic opal as a nanoreactor for the catalytic oxidation of CO in the H2 excess makes it possible to achieve 99.5 % conversion of CO at 150°C, the high efficiency and selectivity of the process are maintained in multiple cyclic tests in heating and cooling modes. The synergistic activity of Co and Ce oxides was observed when they both were located together on the outer surface of non-porous SiO2 nanospheres. These results are superior to known data for other catalysts based on Co and Ce oxides.

Numerical Investigation of a Two-Phase Ejector Operation Taking into Account Steam Condensation with the Presence of CO2

The application of a two-phase ejector allows for the mixing of liquid and gas and provides effective heat transfer between phases. The aim of the study is a numerical investigation of the performance of a water-driven, condensing two-phase ejector. The research was performed using CFD methods, which can provide an opportunity to analyze this complex phenomenon in 2D or 3D. The 2D axisymmetric model was developed using CFD software Siemens StarCCM+ 2022.1.1. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach with the Realisable k-ε turbulence model was applied. The multiphase flow was calculated using the mixture model. The boiling/condensation model, where the condensation rate is limited by thermal diffusion, was applied to take into account direct contact condensation. Based on the mass balance calculations and developed pressure and steam volume fraction distributions, the ejector performance was analyzed for various boundary conditions. The influence of the suction pressure (range between 0.812 and 0.90) and the steam mass flow rate (range between 10 g/s and 25 g/s) is presented to investigate the steam condensation phenomenon inside the ejector condenser. The provided mixture of inert gas (CO2) with steam (H2O) in the ejector condenser was investigated also. The weakening of the steam condensation process by adding CO2 gas was observed, but it is still possible to achieve effective condensation despite the presence of inert gas.

Study on Inerting Characteristics of Gas Coal by the Inerting Concentration and Ratio of an Inert Gas Mixture.

To study the effect of the inert gas mixture concentration and ratio on the spontaneous combustion reaction of gas coal, a combination of experimental research and theoretical analysis was used to study the pyrolysis and combustion kinetics characteristics of gas coal and further explore the influence of inert gas on the inerting characteristics of gas coal. Research has shown that during the entire heating reaction process of gas coal, the concentration of inert gases has little effect on the drying and desorption stages, but there is a significant lag phenomenon in the characteristic temperature points of active decomposition and degassing stages. Under the same concentration of mixed inert gases, the higher the relative percentage content of CO2, the more significant the change and the better the inhibitory effect. The higher the volume fraction of the inert gas, the higher the cross-temperature point. In the late stage of rapid heating of coal samples, when the volume fraction of inert gas is 40%, the rate of temperature rise increases rapidly. In a pure air environment, CO begins to be released at 80 °C, and when the temperature rises to 130 ∼ 140 °C, the concentration of CO begins to rapidly increase. Under inert conditions, the higher the relative percentage content of inert gas is, the higher the temperature point at which CO is generated. When the experimental conditions are a mixture of 30% N2 and 10% CO2 as inert gas, the optimal inerting effect has been achieved. The research results provide a theoretical basis for determining the optimal ratio of inert gas inerting concentrations to achieve fire prevention and extinguishing.

Experimental and simulation study of inert gas mixture inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion

To explore the mechanism of inhibiting spontaneous combustion of coal by mixed gases, the low-temperature oxidation characteristics of coal under different components of mixed gases were analyzed. ESR and FTIR experiments were used to investigate the effects of different gas mixtures on the activity of coal during low-temperature oxidation and the oxidation reaction of coal surface functional groups. The mechanism of chemical oxygen inhibition of mixed gas was studied by density functional theory. The results show that the larger the CO2 component in the mixed gas, the higher the ability to inhibit coal oxidation. The concentration of free radicals in coal under dry air condition is higher than that under inert mixed gas condition during oxidation heating at 30–230 °C. The oxidation ability of –CH3, –OH and oxygen-containing functional groups in the mixed gas reaction is inhibited. Through quantum chemistry calculation, it is found that the mixed gas increases the activation energy of free radicals and reduces the heat release of the reaction. This study provides theoretical reference for coal mine thermal disaster.

A mixed Boltzmann–BGK model for inert gas mixtures

A mixed Boltzmann–BGK model for inert gas mixtures

The Investigation of Thermoacoustic Methods for Nanofluid Stability on Heat Exchanger

Due to various engineering applications, nanofluids have gained much attention in the last decade. A Nanofluid is a nanometer-sized particle such as metal, oxide, carbide, etc., dispersed into a base heat transfer fluid. The heat exchanger is a device to transfer heat between fluids. Heat exchanger plays a very important role in modern industry. The new innovative fluid called nanofluid is introduced to improve the overall heat transfer and heat transfer rate. Thermoacoustic is a system which uses sound waves and a non-flammable mixture of inert gases to generate an effect. This paper investigates the enhancement of the heat transfer coefficient of a nanofluid containing alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticle with a volume fraction of 0.4% and sonification at 100 Hz, 500 Hz and 1000 Hz. The addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles will affect the characteristics of the nanofluids, which affect the values of density, specific heat, thermal conductivity, and dynamic viscosity. And the addition of the thermoacoustic method with the sonification of acoustic waves can stabilise the effect of Brownian motion in the nanofluid flow. The maximum results are obtained using acoustic waves at 1000 Hz at high temperatures.

Towards an Impedance-Based Analysis of SOFC-Stacks

To understand the performance and durability limitations in SOFC stacks and systems, impedance spectroscopy is becoming increasingly important. However, in the analysis of entire stacks, gradients over the active cell area are averaged out, preventing access to local phenomena.To get better insight into the spatial distribution of performance losses in a stack layer, incremental cells and repeat units with an active electrode area of 1 cm² are investigated in this study.Impedance spectroscopy and the subsequent impedance data analysis by the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) is applied to deconvolute the polarization processes in the Ni/CGO fuel electrode and the LSM air electrode of the investigated electrolyte supported cell. To ensure an appropriate deconvolution of air and fuel electrode processes, next to full cells symmetrical anode and cathode cells are applied. In case of Ni/CGO fuel electrodes charge transfer and gas diffusion overlap in the spectrum and the assignment has to be done indirectly using inert gas mixtures [1].In Figure 1 impedance spectra and DRTs of fuel and air electrode obtained from symmetrical cells are compared with the full cell spectrum. This analysis enables a clear allocation of the processes in the single cell to Ni/CGO fuel electrode and LSM air electrode.Next to the cell testing in an inert, ideal environment namely an Al2O3 flow field with gold and nickel contact grids respectively, the study is expanded to stack like conditions. The additional losses due to contact resistances and gas supply limitations are studied similar to Kornely et al. [2] for single repeat units (single cell + contact layer + metallic interconnects). In this contribution a physio-chemical equivalent circuit model based on these measurements will be presented and the complex impedance behavior of single cells and repeat units will be discussed.

A novel concept of enhanced direct-contact condensation of vapour- inert gas mixture in a spray ejector condenser

An analytical model of direct steam condensation (DCC) in the novel idea of spray ejector condenser (SEC) in the presence of inert gas has been developed. It is based on continuity, momentum and energy equations for the steam-carbon dioxide mixture and direct contact condensation mechanisms due to heat transfer and concentration. Crucial in the process of DCC is atomisation of the motive fluid in the ejector. The effect of atomised droplet size is exhibiting a significant amplification influence with increasing size of the droplet. Motive fluid is driving the secondary fluid-mixture of steam and inert gas in the Venturi nozzle and is cold enough to cause direct condensation. The intensity of heat transfer process from steam to water when the phases are in direct contact is much higher than the heat transfer intensity in surface heat exchangers. The analytical model pertains to a subcritical flow of a mixture of steam and gas in SEC. The model exhibits satisfactory agreement with experimental data. The model of DCC predicts higher values of temperature drop between inlet and outlet from the mixing section for the case of smaller steam-CO2 flow rates. Increasing the flow rate of steam mixture from 1.2 g/s to 3.6 g/s results in a reduction of steam mixture temperature from 25 °C to 14 °C respectively, at CO2 flow rate of 6.8 m3/h. Condensation without presence of CO2 in the same range of steam flow rate, i.e. from 1.2 g/s to 3.6 g/s results in reduction of steam mixture temperature from 56 °C to 25 °C respectively, confirming in such way the effect of CO2 presence on the efficiency of DCC. Such model allow for discussion of parameters affecting process of condensation in SEC and ability of application such condenser in power plants.

2D Fluid Modeling of Light Pumped Na Containing Plasma to Develop a Prototype of a Photo Electromotive Force Converter

The development of innovative technologies for direct solar energy conversion is one of the main trends of modernity. The use of solar semiconductor panels is well-known in solar photovoltaics. As an alternative to this, the use of gas photoplasma can be promising. However, research in this direction is still very fragmentary so far. This paper shows the results of a systematic study of photoplasma in mixtures of sodium and inert gases to obtain photo-EMF in a gas cell. A fluid modeling considering detailed plasma chemistry, radiation transfer, and charge diffusion processes and 2D simulation were fulfilled and main plasma parameters were obtained and analyzed. In particular, non-trivial dependence of EMF in a two-chamber gas cell containing sodium and argon on the pressure of the inert gas was obtained, reaching up to 1.3 eV by absolute value at 100 Torr of Ar and changing its sign near 5 Torr at the decrease of the pressure.

An Overview of Real Gas Brayton Power Cycles: Working Fluids Selection and Thermodynamic Implications

This paper discusses and reviews the main real gas effects on the thermodynamic performance of closed Brayton cycles. Cycles with carbon dioxide as working fluids are taken as a reference and a comparison of the thermodynamic cycle efficiencies that are made with other possible working fluids (pure fluids and fluid mixtures). We fixed the reduced operating conditions, in optimal conditions, so that all working fluids had the same thermodynamic global performances. Therefore, the choice of the working fluid becomes important for adapting the cycle to the different technological requirements. The positive effects of the real gas properties in supercritical cycles were approximately maximal at reduced minimum cycle temperatures of about 1.01 to 1.05, with maximum to minimum cycle temperatures of about 2.2. The use of mixtures furthers widens the application of the field of closed Brayton cycles, thereby allowing a continuous variation in the critical temperature of the resulting working fluid and, in some cases, also making it possible to take the condensation with a significant further increase in the thermodynamic cycle efficiency. The paper also demonstrates the thermodynamic convenience of resorting to mixtures of carbon dioxide and inert gases. Extensive measurements of vapour–liquid equilibria and analysis of the thermal stability and material compatibility are essential for a practical and full use of the real gas Brayton cycles.

A water cooled, high power, dielectric barrier discharge reactor for CO2 plasma dissociation and valorization studies

Aiming at the energy efficient use and valorization of carbon dioxide in the framework of decarbonization studies and hydrogen research, a novel dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor has been designed, constructed and developed. This test rig with water cooled electrodes is capable of a plasma power tunable in a wide range from 20W to 2 kW per unit. The reactor was designed to be ready for catalysts and membrane integration aiming at a broad range plasma conditions and processes, including low to moderate high pressures (0.05–2 bar). In this paper, preliminary studies on the highly endothermic dissociation of CO2, into O2 and CO, in a pure, inert, and noble gas mixture flow are presented. These initial experiments were performed in a geometry with a 3 mm plasma gap in a chamber volume of 40cm3, where the process pressure was varied from few 200 mbar to 1 bar, using pure CO2, and diluted in N2. Initial results confirmed the well-known trade-off between conversion rate (up to 60%) and energy efficiency (up to 35%) into the dissociation products, as measured downstream of the reactor system. Improving conversion rate, energy efficiency and the trade-off curve can be further accomplished by tuning the plasma operating parameters (e.g. the gas flow and system geometry). It was found that the combination of a high-power, water-cooled plasma reactor, together with electronic and waveform diagnostic, optical emission and mass spectroscopies provides a convenient experimental framework for studies on the chemical storage of fast electric power transients and surges.

Development and verification of helium–xenon mixture cooled small reaction system

Although Helium–Xenon mixture cooled small reactor has been widely concerned, there is no mature thermal calculation software that can be applied to Helium–Xenon mixture cooled small reactor in China. In this paper, a semi empirical formula used to predict the physical properties of binary inert gas mixtures is used to establish a physical property calculation model of Helium–Xenon mixture gas mixtures, and the flow and heat transfer calculation model, turbine model and compressor model are modified and improved, so as to achieve the calculation of the Brayton cycle system. The function of the original system analysis program is expanded and improved, and the simulation program for he xenon mixed gas reactor system is developed. At the same time, the closed Brayton cycle system is established by using the system analysis program developed in this paper, and the calculation results are compared with the design values. The maximum relative error is 6.9%. The steady-state operation results of the model are in good agreement with the design operation parameters, which proves the applicability of the improved simulation model. The steady-state response characteristics analysis, the introduction of positive and negative reactivity accidents and the calculation of transient conditions such as step load drop of the reactor were carried out. The overall trend is the same as the literature survey results. The results show that the system analysis program developed in this paper is suitable for the analysis of the Brayton cycle system of Helium–Xenon mixture cooled small reactor.

Evaluation of Hydrogen Blend Stability in Low-Pressure Gas Distribution

Natural gas distribution companies are developing ambitious plans to decarbonize the services that they provide in an affordable manner and are accelerating plans for the strategic integration of renewable natural gas and the blending of green hydrogen produced by electrolysis, powered with renewable electricity being developed from large new commitments by states such as New York and Massachusetts. The demonstration and deployment of hydrogen blending have been proposed broadly at 20% of hydrogen by volume. The safe distribution of hydrogen blends in existing networks requires hydrogen blends to exhibit similar behavior as current supplies, which are also mixtures of several hydrocarbons and inert gases. There has been limited research on the properties of blended hydrogen in low-pressure natural gas distribution systems. Current natural gas mixtures are known to be sufficiently stable in terms of a lack of chemical reaction between constituents and to remain homogeneous through compression and distribution. Homogeneous mixtures are required, both to ensure safe operation of customer-owned equipment and for safety operations, such as leak detection. To evaluate the stability of mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas, National Grid experimentally tested a simulated distribution natural gas pipeline with blends containing hydrogen at up to 50% by volume. The pipeline was outfitted with ports to extract samples from the top and bottom of the pipe at intervals of 20 feet. Samples were analyzed for composition, and the effectiveness of odorant was also evaluated. The new results conclusively demonstrate that hydrogen gas mixtures do not significantly separate or react under typical distribution pipeline conditions and gas velocity profiles. In addition, the odorant retained its integrity in the blended gas during the experiments and demonstrated that it remains an effective method of leak detection.

About the measurement of electric field and electron temperature by the spectroscopic method in a gas mixture

The paper is dedicated to the advance of the spectroscopic method for measuring the electric fields and electron temperatures in a mixture of inert gases with significantly different excitation and ionization potentials. The method based on the measurement of the ratio of the spectral line intensities was applied to the Ne–Kr discharge. Plasma parameters were evaluated based on the solution of the non-local Boltzmann kinetic equation for the Ne–Kr mixture at low pressures and currents. Electric fields and electron temperatures were obtained as functions of the discharge current, total gas pressure, and density of the Kr admixture. The discharge current varied in the range from 1 to 5 mA, the pressure from 0.27 to 1 Torr, and the Kr admixture from 0.5% to 11% from the total gas pressure. The results demonstrate the possibility of using the described technique for diagnostics of dusty plasmas and other plasma objects operating on gas mixtures with significantly different excitation and ionization potentials.

On Regularized Systems of Equations for Gas Mixture Dynamics with New Regularizing Velocities and Diffusion Fluxes

We deal with multidimensional regularized systems of equations for the one-velocity and one-temperature inert gas mixture dynamics consisting of the balance equations for the mass of components and the momentum and total energy of the mixture, with diffusion fluxes between the components as well as the viscosity and heat conductivity terms. The regularizations are kinetically motivated and aimed at constructing conditionally stable symmetric in space discretizations without limiters. We consider a new combined form of regularizing velocities containing the total pressure of the mixture. To confirm the physical correctness of the regularized systems, we derive the balance equation for the mixture entropy with the non-negative entropy production, under generalized assumptions on the diffusion fluxes. To confirm nice regularizing properties, we derive the systems of equations linearized at constant solutions and provide the existence, uniqueness and L2-dissipativity of weak solutions to an initial-boundary problem for them. For the original systems, we also discuss the related Petrovskii parabolicity property and its important corollaries. In addition, in the one-dimensional case, we also present the special three-point and symmetric finite-difference discretization in space of the regularized systems and prove that it inherits the entropy correctness property. We also give results of numerical experiments confirming that the discretization is able to simulate well various dynamic problems of contact between two different gases.

Separation of Particles in Dusty Plasma in Mixtures of Inert Gases

Separation of Particles in Dusty Plasma in Mixtures of Inert Gases

Formation of Nanoscale Clusters in a Rarefied Jet of a Mixture of Inert Gas and Metal Vapor

Formation of Nanoscale Clusters in a Rarefied Jet of a Mixture of Inert Gas and Metal Vapor

Study on characteristics of electron parameters on inert gas addition in a capacitively coupled SF6/O2 plasma

In this paper, characteristics of electron parameters of SF6/O2 and inert gas mixture in a capacitively coupled plasma were studied. Here, gases such as He, Ar, and Xe were added to SF6/O2 mixture and electron energy probability functions (EEPFs) were measured. The electron parameters were acquired, which agreed well with EEPF behaviors. Normally, the inert gas functioned as an electron source and the electron density tended to increase. When the inert gas ratio exceeded other gases, the effect of the mixture varied on each gas. He showed its unique behaviors with the increase in electron temperature. Ar and Xe showed consistent behaviors with increasing electron density and decreasing electron temperature as the inert gas proportion increases. Different behaviors of the electron parameters in inert gases can be explained by the complex contribution of electron attachment of SF6 and the ionization rate of each inert gas.

Circular solid state reduction process of fine copper powder synthesis with life cycle assessment for photovoltaics application

This paper presents the process of synthesis of copper powders obtained by the pyrometallurgical method without the participation of the liquid phase. This method is based on the simultaneous decomposition and reduction of copper (II) carbonate. Hydrogen was used as a reducing agent. Due to the strongly exothermic thermal effect of the reduction reaction, a mixture of inert gas and hydrogen was used to better control the parameters. Studies have shown that the carbonate method enables the synthesis of copper powders with a narrow distribution and controlled size. The size is controlled by the grinding time of the copper (II) carbonate. An life cycle assessment and circularity study evaluate the sustainability of the new process, and focus is given to the energy efficiency.