Maximum Column Research Articles

Volcanic eruption volume flux estimations from very long period infrasound signals

AbstractWe examine very long period infrasonic signals accompanying volcanic eruptions near active vents at Lokon‐Empung volcano in Indonesia, Aso, Kuchinoerabujima, and Kirishima volcanoes in Japan. The excitation of the very long period pulse is associated with an explosion, the emerging of an eruption column, and a pyroclastic density current. We model the excitation of the infrasound pulse, assuming a monopole source, to quantify the volume flux and cumulative volume of erupting material. The infrasound‐derived volume flux and cumulative volume can be less than half of the video‐derived results. A largely positive correlation can be seen between the infrasound‐derived volume flux and the maximum eruption column height. Therefore, our result suggests that the analysis of very long period volcanic infrasound pulses can be helpful in estimating the maximum eruption column height.

Near-Optimal Asymmetric Binary Matrix Partitions

We study the asymmetric binary matrix partition problem that was recently introduced by Alon et al. (Proceedings of the 9th Conference on Web and Internet Economics (WINE), pp 1–14, 2013). Instances of the problem consist of an $$n \times m$$ binary matrix A and a probability distribution over its columns. A partition scheme $$B=(B_1,\ldots ,B_n)$$ consists of a partition $$B_i$$ for each row i of A. The partition $$B_i$$ acts as a smoothing operator on row i that distributes the expected value of each partition subset proportionally to all its entries. Given a scheme B that induces a smooth matrix $$A^B$$ , the partition value is the expected maximum column entry of $$A^B$$ . The objective is to find a partition scheme such that the resulting partition value is maximized. We present a 9/10-approximation algorithm for the case where the probability distribution is uniform and a $$(1-1/e)$$ -approximation algorithm for non-uniform distributions, significantly improving results of Alon et al. Although our first algorithm is combinatorial (and very simple), the analysis is based on linear programming and duality arguments. In our second result we exploit a nice relation of the problem to submodular welfare maximization.

Seismic Chimney Formation Induced by Upward-migrating Methane in the Nordland Group, Southern Viking Graben

The Nordland Group in the Southern Viking Graben hosts seismic chimneys, represented by anomalies in seismic data and resid- ual methane accumulations. These anomalies are generally interpreted as focused fluid flow structures, and thus pose the risk of potential fluid leakage by geological subsurface utilization. Our aim was to assess if excess pore pressure, resulting from buoy- ancy effects due to upward-migrating methane in the Utsira Formation may be responsible for formation of these anomalies. Our hydromechanical simulation results demonstrate that tensile failure in the Nordland Group already occurs before the maximum methane column heights develop in the Utsira Formation below.

Jumping into a trap: high prevalence of chytrid fungus in the preferred microhabitats of a bromeliad-specialist frog.

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been identified as a major threat to several amphibian populations in tropical forests. Amphibians that inhabit the phytotelmata (water tanks) of bromeliads may be especially at risk of Bd infection since the humid, environmentally buffered microhabitat that they prefer might also be favorable for Bd persistence on the host. To test this hypothesis, we sampled adults and tadpoles of the bromeligenous anuran Phyllodytes edelmoi (endemic to the northern Brazilian Atlantic Forest) from the bromeliad Portea leptantha for Bd, using qPCR. We also analyzed 8 bromeliad characteristics: water tank temperature and pH, canopy closure, tank diameter, number of leaves, bromeliad maximum column depth to store water, bromeliad relative volume, and season. Adult frogs preferentially selected bromeliads with a smaller diameter, more leaves and a relatively higher volume of water. We found that Bd was more prevalent in frogs inhabiting bromeliad phytotelmata with smaller diameters, suggesting that the behavioral preferences of P. edelmoi may be driving Bd infection patterns. Therefore, species such as P. edelmoi will be trapped by their own natural history traits.

Heat transfer temperature difference drop on falling film evaporation of horizontal tube bundle in rotated square-arranged

Low-temperature multi-effect distillation that employs horizontal tube falling film evaporation technology is one of the most promising desalination methods with advantage of high heat transfer coefficient at low temperature, low water- spray density and small heat transfer temperature difference. Falling film evaporators have been widely used in absorb- type chillers, desalination devices and other areas. In a horizontal tube falling film evaporator, water and steam were flowed in different directions. The vertical falling film flow was driven by gravity, whereas the steam flow across the tube bundle was driven by pressure difference. Hence, the pressure drop and the consequent temperature drop of the steam are not only caused by the tube bundle but also by the falling water. In this paper, the effects of parameters such as spray density were determined. Experimental measurement of pressure drop data during the saturated steam flowing across aluminum brass tube bundles was carried out. The pressure drop coefficient was obtained from the experimental data. The rotated square-arranged tube bundle was chosen as a physical model to calculate the steam temperature difference drop on falling film evaporation. Based on the experimental data, the fitting pressure drop coefficient was employed in this calculation. The numerical codes were developed to simulate the steady-state performance of temperature difference drop in horizontal tube falling film evaporation. The iterative procedure was required based on the initial values with a close chain of equations and parameters. The solution was obtained through a step-by-step method. This quantitative temperature difference drops caused by the pressure drop can be calculated by the solution. The influences of spray density, saturated temperature, and tube column number on vapor temperature difference drop were analyzed respectively. The temperature difference drop caused by the pressure drop will decrease the temperature difference. The effect of temperature difference drop can be analyzed in two aspects. On the one hand, the temperature difference drop directly reduces the difference in heat transfer temperature, and thus, decreases heat transfer rate; on the other hand, the temperature difference drop generally increases the heat transfer coefficient under a certain heat transfer flux. When temperature difference drop is considered in a calculation, the heat transfer coefficient can be derived more accurately. Moreover, an accurate calculation of the temperature difference drop can provide a more detailed analysis on the influence factors of the heat transfer coefficient. At a certain tube arrangement and the same steam flow flux, the results showed that the temperature difference drop increases with the increase of spray density. It can be showed that the temperature difference drop at 50°C is 3.5 times of that at 70°C. However, the temperature difference drop decreases with the increase of saturated temperature. The temperature difference drop at spray density of 0.08 kg/(m s) is almost double of that at spray density of 0.02 kg/(m s). The calculations also show that the temperature difference drop is in parabolic rise with the increase of tube column number. When the temperature difference drop is set at lower than 0.3°C, the maximum tube column ( N max) can be obtained. The results showed that the N max increases with increasing saturated temperature, but decreases with increasing spray density. The N max can be employed to determine the heat transfer area for optimization design of the heat exchanger.

Green synthesis of mesoporous molecular sieve incorporated monoliths using room temperature ionic liquid and deep eutectic solvents

A hybrid monolith incorporated with mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 of uniform pore structure and high surface area was prepared with binary green porogens in the first time. With a mixture of room temperature ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents as porogens, MCM-41 was modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (γ-MPS) and the resulting MCM-41-MPS was incorporated into poly (BMA-co-EDMA) monoliths covalently. Because of good dispersibility of MCM-41-MPS in the green solvent-based polymerization system, high permeability and homogeneity for the resultant hybrid monolithic columns was achieved. The MCM-41-MPS grafted monolith was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer area scanning, transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectra and nitrogen adsorption tests. Chromatographic performance of MCM-41-MPS grafted monolith was characterized by separating small molecules in capillary electrochromatography, including phenol series, naphthyl substitutes, aniline series and alkyl benzenes. The maximum column efficiency of MCM-41-MPS grafted monolith reached 209,000 plates/m, which was twice higher than the corresponding MCM-41-MPS free monolith. Moreover, successful separation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons demonstrated the capacity in broad-spectrum application of the MCM-41-MPS incorporated monolith. The results indicated that green synthesis using room temperature ionic liquid and deep eutectic solvents is an effective method to prepare molecular sieve-incorporated monolithic column.

Hydrocarbon accumulation model for Neogene traps in the Chengdao area, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Chengdao is an offshore area in the Bohai Bay Basin that contains approximately 25.7 × 108 bbl of oil and gas reserves within the sandstone reservoirs in Neogene strata. However, previous predictions of hydrocarbon accumulation in Neogene traps are inaccurate, resulting in a current failure rate of 50% when drilling for hydrocarbons in this area. To build an improved exploration model for Neogene traps, we select 92 traps from Neogene strata in the Chengdao area to quantify the filling degree, which is an indicator of hydrocarbon accumulation efficiency. The quantified filling degree is based on actual geological and exploration data and differs significantly among various trap types. The filling degree of traps also varies significantly with their structural locations and decreases generally from the northwest to the southeast along the Chengbei Fault zone. Vertically, the filling degree is highly heterogeneous, initially increasing from the bottom to the middle of Neogene strata and then decreasing towards the top of the strata. These Neogene hydrocarbon reservoirs are sourced from the Paleogene, and as they lay vertically away from the source rocks, their hydrocarbon enrichment is constrained largely by hydrocarbon migration distance and vertical migration pathways. The sealing capacity of faults and cap rocks, sandbody orientation and reservoir sedimentary facies determine the maximum column height, which in turn affects the amount of hydrocarbon accumulation within these traps. A scatter plot analysis of individual controls and volumetric filling for each trap type is compiled using multivariate linear regression analysis to quantify controls and the dominant control of hydrocarbon accumulation is determined.

SMOS optical thickness changes in response to the growth and development of crops, crop management, and weather

Abstract The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) remote sensing satellite was launched by the European Space Agency in 2009. The L-band brightness temperature observed by SMOS has been used to produce estimates of both soil moisture and τ, the optical thickness of the land surface. Although τ should theoretically be proportional to the amount of vegetation present within a SMOS pixel, several initial investigations have not been able to confirm this expected behavior. However, when the noise in the SMOS τ product is removed, τ in the U.S. Corn Belt, a region of extensive row-crop agriculture, has a distinct shape that mirrors the growth and development of crops. We find that the peak value of SMOS τ occurs at approximately 1000 °C day (base 10 °C) growing degree days after the mean planting date of maize (corn). We can explain this finding in the following way: τ is directly proportional to the water column density of vegetation; maize contributes the most to growing season changes in τ in the Corn Belt; and maize reaches its maximum water column density at its third reproductive stage of development, at about 1000 °C day growing degree days. Consequently, SMOS τ could be used to monitor the phenology of crops in the Corn Belt at a spatial resolution similar to a U.S. county and a temporal frequency on the order of days. We also examined the magnitude of the change in SMOS τ over the growing season and hypothesized it would be related to the amount of accumulated solar radiation, but found this not to be the case. On the other hand, the change in magnitude was smallest for the year in which the most precipitation fell. These findings are rational since SMOS τ at the satellite scale is in fact a function of both vegetation and soil surface roughness, and soil surface roughness is reduced by precipitation. To fully explain changes in SMOS τ in the Corn Belt it appears that it will be necessary to use in situ and remotely-sensed observations along with agro-ecosystem models to account for land management decisions made by farmers that affect changes in soil surface roughness and all of the relevant biophysical processes that affect the growth and development of crops.

Removal of dissolved organic carbon by aquifer material: Correlations between column parameters, sorption isotherms and octanol-water partition coefficient

The correlation between octanol-water partition coefficient (KOW) and the transport of aqueous samples containing single organic compound is well documented. The concept of the KOW of river water containing the mixture of organics was evolved by Pradhan et al. (2015). The present study aims at determining the KOW and sorption parameters of synthetic aqueous samples and river water to finding out the correlation, if any. The laboratory scale columns packed with aquifer materials were fed with synthetic and river water samples. Under the operating conditions, the compounds in the samples did not separate, and all the samples that contain more than one organic compound yielded a single breakthrough curve. Breakthrough curves simulated from sorption isotherms were compared with those from the column runs. The sorption parameters such as retardation factor (Rf), height of mass transfer zone (HMTZ), rate of mass transfer zone (RMTZ), breakpoint column capacity (qb) and maximum column capacity (qx) estimated from column runs, sorption isotherms and models developed by Yoon-Nelson, Bohart-Adam and Thomas were in agreement. The empirical correlations were found between the KOW and sorption parameters. The transport of the organics measured as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) through the aquifer can be predicted from the KOW of the river water and other water samples. The novelty of the study is to measure KOW and to envisage the fate of the DOC of the river water, particularly during riverbank filtration. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a fair agreement between the observed and computed values.

Experimental Investigation on Lateral Impact Response of Concrete-Filled Double-Skin Tube Columns Using Horizontal-Impact-Testing System

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the lateral impact performance of axially loaded concrete-filled double-skin tube (CFDST) columns. These columns have desirable structural and constructional properties and have been used as columns in building, legs of off shore platforms and as bridge piers. Since they could be vulnerable to impact from passing vessels or vehicles, it is necessary to understand their behaviour under lateral impact loads. With this in mind, an experimental method employing an innovative instrumented horizontal impact testing system (HITS) was developed to apply lateral impact loads whilst the column maintained a static axial pre-loading to examine the failure mechanism and key response parameters of the column. These included the time histories of impact force, reaction forces, global lateral deflection and permanent local buckling profile. Eight full scale columns were tested for key parameters including the axial load level and impact location. Based on the test data, the failure mode, peak impact force, impact duration, peak reaction forces, reaction force duration, column maximum and residual global deflections and column local buckling length, depth and width under varying conditions are analysed and discussed. It is evident that the innovative HITS can successfully test structural columns under the combination of axial pre-loading and impact loading. The findings on the lateral impact response of the CFDST columns can serve as a benchmark reference for their future analysis and design.

Continuous cadmium removal from aqueous solutions by seaweed in a packed-bed column under consecutive sorption-desorption cycles

Packed-bed column process efficiency for cadmium adsorption from aqueous solution was investigated under different bed heights (2.6 to 7.5 cm) and feed flow rates (15 to 30 ml min−1). The column was filled with brown seaweed, Sargassum angustifolium. Three simplified models, including Bed Depth Service Time, Thomas, and Yoon-Nelson were employed for describing the experimental breakthrough curves as well as achieving design parameters. Bed lifetime was also evaluated in several consecutive sorption-desorption cycles. Cadmium concentration of 0.005mg l−1, as a standard limit for potable water, was considered as the breakthrough concentration. The maximum column performance was achieved 81% at 7.5 cm bed length and flow rate of 15 ml min−1. Indeed, increasing the bed height increased the sorption performance and service time, while increasing the feed flow rate had a negative effect. Maximum sorption capacity value remained almost constant by the bed height changes; however, increase in the feed flow rate slightly decreased it. The modeling results revealed that the Yoon-Nelson model was more accurate than Thomas for describing the experimental breakthrough data, especially at low flow rates. Column service time predictions were surprisingly achieved using the Bed Depth Service Time model even at extrapolations. 20% reduction in column adsorption efficiency was observed at the end of four consecutive sorption-desorption cycles; however, desorption efficiencies were achieved more than 99% in each cycle.

Combined effects of total grain-size distribution and crosswind on the rise of eruptive volcanic columns

The maximum height of an explosive volcanic column, H, depends on the 1/4th power of the eruptive mass flux, Q, and on the 3/4th power of the stratification of the atmosphere, N. Expressed as scaling laws, this relationship has made H a widely used proxy to estimate Q. Two additional effects are usually included to produce more accurate and robust estimates of Q based on H: particle sedimentation from the volcanic column, which depends on the total grain-size distribution (TGSD) and the atmospheric crosswind. Both coarse TGSD and strong crosswind have been shown to decrease strongly the maximum column height, and TGSD, which also controls the effective gas content in the column, influences the stability of the column. However, the impact of TGSD and of crosswind on the dynamics of the volcanic column are commonly considered independently. We propose here a steady-state 1D model of an explosive volcanic column rising in a windy atmosphere that explicitly accounts for particle sedimentation and wind together. We consider three typical wind profiles: uniform, linear, and complex, with the same maximum wind velocity of 15ms−1. Subject to a uniform wind profile, the calculations show that the maximum height of the plume strongly decreases for any TGSD. The effect of TGSD on maximum height is smaller for uniform and complex wind profiles than for a linear profile or without wind. The largest differences of maximum heights arising from different wind profiles are observed for the largest source mass fluxes (>107kgs−1) for a given TGSD. Compared to no wind conditions, the field of column collapse is reduced for any wind profile and TGSD at the vent, an effect that is the strongest for small mass fluxes and coarse TGSD. Provided that the maximum plume height and the wind profile are known from real-time observations, the model predicts the mass discharge rate feeding the eruption for a given TGSD. We apply our model to a set of eight historical volcanic eruptions for which all the required information is known. Taking into account the measured wind profile and the actual TGSD at the vent substantially improves (by ≈30%) the agreement between the mass discharge rate calculated from the model based on plume height and the field observation of deposit mass divided by eruption duration, relative to a model taking into account TGSD only. This study contributes to the improvement of the characterization of volcanic source term required as input to larger scale models of ash and aerosol dispersion.

Worldwide spatiotemporal atmospheric ammonia (NH3 ) columns variability revealed by satellite

We exploit six years of measurements from the IASI/MetOp-A instrument to identify seasonal patterns and inter-annual variability of atmospheric NH 3 . This is achieved by analyzing the time evolution of the monthly-mean NH 3 columns in 12 subcontinental areas around the world, simultaneously considering measurements from IASI morning and evening overpasses. For most regions, IASI has a sufficient sensitivity throughout the years to capture the seasonal patterns of NH 3 columns, and we show that each region is characterized by a well-marked and distinctive cycle, with maxima mainly related to underlying emission processes. The largest column abundances and seasonal amplitudes throughout the years are found in Southwestern Asia,with maxima twice as large as what is observed in Southeastern China. The relation between emission sources and retrieved NH 3 columns is emphasized at smaller regional scale by inferring a climatology of the month of maximum columns.

Magnetically modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the adsorption of bismarck brown R and Cd(II) from aqueous solution: batch and column studies

In this study, ferrofluid-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMWCNT) was used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of bismarck brown R (BBR) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution using batch and column operations. An adsorption capacity (qm) of 76.92 and 38.17 mg/g was achieved for BBR and Cd(II), respectively. A maximum column adsorption capacity was 98.16 and 39.15 mg/g for BBR and Cd(II), respectively. The column experimental data conformed to Thomas model. The experimental data were best fitted into Langmuir isotherm suggesting homogenous, monolayer adsorption of both the dye and metal on MMWCNT surface. The energy obtained from DKR isotherm for BBR (2.24 kJ/mol) and Cd(II) (1.58–7.07 kJ/mol) indicated physical adsorption. The adsorption of both dye and metal followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the mechanism was both liquid film and intraparticle diffusion controlled. The adsorption process was thermodynamically spontaneous and endothermic in nature.

Experimental evaluation of a facility for jet induced flow analysis

In this work, the performance of a bench, which was designed for investigating the hydrodynamics of jets and plumes in quiescent environment is evaluated. This bench is mainly composed by a water tank with a nozzle placed at the center of its bottom. Through the nozzle, fluid is injected vertically upward into the tank. The tank, with square cross section, has a device attached to its upper edge for containing overflow. For fluid flow measurement and visualization, the optical technique Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) was employed and the influence parameters for the resulting flow pattern inside the tank were analyzed. The investigations showed that, in order to avoid tank wall effects to the axisymmetric jet profile, the minimum and maximum flow rate of injected liquid allowed in the stagnant environment were 0.05 L/min and 0.20 L/min, respectively. All the measurements were accomplished under the maximum water column in the tank.

Carbon dioxide sealing capacity: Textural or compositional controls? A case study from the Oklahoma Panhandle

One of the challenges confronting carbon dioxide capture and sequestration (CCS) in geologic media over extended periods of time is determining the caprock sealing capacity. If the pressure of supercritical carbon dioxide injected in the repository overcomes the caprock sealing capacity, leaking of may enter other porous formations, compromising the storage formation, or even may go back to the atmosphere, and thus the process of sequestration becomes futile. Carbon dioxide sealing capacity is controlled by two groups of parameters: (1) texture (e.g., the pore-throat size, distribution, geometry, and sorting; median grain size, porosity, degree of bioturbation, specific surface area, preferred orientation of matrix clay minerals, orientation, and aspect of ratio of organic particles) and (2) composition (mineralogical content, proportion of soft, deformable mineral grains to rigid grains, organic matter content, carbonate content, silt content, cementation, ductility, compaction, and ash content). The primary goal of this study was to investigate several parameters listed above and to estimate their respective contributions to sealing capacity to better understand its role in shale and carbonates. To assess the effect of textural and compositional properties on maximum retention column height, we collected 30 representative core samples from caprock formations in three counties (Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver) in the Oklahoma Panhandle. The study area was chosen because it hosts three depleted gas fields with a storage capacity of more than 35 million bbl and is situated at a crossroad leading to some significant stationary sources from North Texas, South Kansas, and northern Oklahoma. We used mercury injection porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Sedigraph energy dispersive spectra (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller-specific surface area, and total organic carbon (TOC) measurements to assess textural and compositional properties of collected samples. The range of column height for the samples used in this study is between 0.2 and 1358 m (0.66 and 4455 ft). The average column height is 351 m (1152 ft). The depth interval approximately 1400 m (4593 ft) could reach relatively high values of column height, up to 1200 m (3937 ft). The above-mentioned interval is composed of mainly Cherokee and Morrowan Formations (shale seals). Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to infer the possible relationships between textural and compositional parameters. Generally, composition of our samples (shales vs. carbonates and sandstones) indicates a relatively stronger control on caprock sealing capacity, although individual mineral makeup of shale samples seems not correlated with retention column heights. In the same time, many textural parameters play a significant role in determining the sealing capacity of carbonate caprocks.

Vitamin B1 in marine sediments: pore water concentration gradient drives benthic flux with potential biological implications.

Vitamin B1, or thiamin, can limit primary productivity in marine environments, however the major marine environmental sources of this essential coenzyme remain largely unknown. Vitamin B1 can only be produced by organisms that possess its complete synthesis pathway, while other organisms meet their cellular B1 quota by scavenging the coenzyme from exogenous sources. Due to high bacterial cell density and diversity, marine sediments could represent some of the highest concentrations of putative B1 producers, yet these environments have received little attention as a possible source of B1 to the overlying water column. Here we report the first dissolved pore water profiles of B1 measured in cores collected in two consecutive years from Santa Monica Basin, CA. Vitamin B1 concentrations were fairly consistent between the two years ranging from 30 pM up to 770 pM. A consistent maximum at ~5 cm sediment depth covaried with dissolved concentrations of iron. Pore water concentrations were higher than water column levels and represented some of the highest known environmental concentrations of B1 measured to date, (over two times higher than maximum water column concentrations) suggesting increased rates of cellular production and release within the sediments. A one dimensional diffusion-transport model applied to the B1 profile was used to estimate a diffusive benthic flux of ~0.7 nmol m−2 d−1. This is an estimated flux across the sediment-water interface in a deep sea basin; if similar magnitude B-vitamin fluxes occur in shallow coastal waters, benthic input could prove to be a significant B1-source to the water column and may play an important role in supplying this organic growth factor to auxotrophic primary producers.

Chromatographic performance of synthetic polycrystalline diamond as a stationary phase in normal phase high performance liquid chromatography

The chromatographic properties of high pressure high temperature synthesised diamond (HPHT) are investigated in normal phase mode of high performance liquid chromatography. Purified nonporous irregular shape particles of average particles size 1.2μm and specific surface area 5.1m2g−1 were used for packing 100×4.6mm ID or 50×4.6mm ID stainless steel columns. The retention behaviour of several classes of compounds including alkyl benzenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), alkylphenylketones, phenols, aromatic acids and bases were studied using n-hexane-2-propanol mixtures as mobile phase. The results are compared with those observed for microdispersed sintered detonation nanodiamond (MSDN) and porous graphitic carbon (PGC). HPHT diamond revealed distinctive separation selectivity, which is orthogonal to that observed for porous graphitic carbon; while selectivities of HPHT diamond and microdispersed sintered detonation nanodiamonds are similar. Owing to non-porous particle nature, columns packed with high pressure high temperature diamond exhibited excellent mass transfer and produce separations with maximum column efficiency of 128,200 theoretical plates per meter.

The quantitative impact of the mesopore size on the mass transfer mechanism of the new 1.9 μm fully porous Titan-C18 particles. I: Analysis of small molecules

Previous data have shown that could deliver a minimum reduced plate height as small as 1.7. Additionally, the reduction of the mesopore size after C18 derivatization and the subsequent restriction for sample diffusivity across the Titan-C18 particles were found responsible for the unusually small value of the experimental optimum reduced velocity (5 versus 10 for conventional particles) and for the large values of the average reduced solid–liquid mass transfer resistance coefficients (0.032 versus 0.016) measured for a series of seven n-alkanophenones. The improvements in column efficiency made by increasing the average mesopore size of the Titan silica from 80 to 120Å are investigated from a quantitative viewpoint based on the accurate measurements of the reduced coefficients (longitudinal diffusion, trans-particle mass transfer resistance, and eddy diffusion) and of the intra-particle diffusivity, pore, and surface diffusion for the same series of n-alkanophenone compounds. The experimental results reveal an increase (from 0% to 30%) of the longitudinal diffusion coefficients for the same sample concentration distribution (from 0.25 to 4) between the particle volume and the external volume of the column, a 40% increase of the intra-particle diffusivity for the same sample distribution (from 1 to 7) between the particle skeleton volume and the bulk phase, and a 15–30% decrease of the solid–liquid mass transfer coefficient for the n-alkanophenone compounds. Pore and surface diffusion are increased by 60% and 20%, respectively. The eddy dispersion term and the maximum column efficiency (295000plates/m) remain virtually unchanged. The rate of increase of the total plate height with increasing the chromatographic speed is reduced by 20% and it is mostly controlled (75% and 70% for 80 and 120Å pore size) by the flow rate dependence of the eddy dispersion term.

Trapping of buoyant fluids in fault-bound structures

Abstract Structural traps comprise surfaces having high capillary threshold pressure for fluid phases such as hydrocarbon or CO 2 . Traps may include top-seal, bottom-seal and side-seal surfaces, the latter commonly being faults. Faults may form seals by juxtaposition or by fault-rock. The first step in fault characterization is mapping the distribution of offset layers at the fault surface. This pattern (‘Allan diagram’) comprises the separation polygons. These same lines define the displacement distribution on the fault, and so can also be used as a quality-check of the interpretation. They are also a fundamental part of horizon maps. Despite their central role in subsurface mapping, construction of fault polygons remains a weak step in the workflow in many E&P companies. To characterize fault-rock effects, it is usual to consider an upscaled proxy such as shale gouge ratio (SGR), with the assumption that high SGR represents clay smears and low SGR represents clay-poor fault rock. Suitable estimates of hydraulic properties can then be applied to different parts of the fault surface. The property distribution on the fault side-seals allows an estimate of the maximum hydrocarbon column height that the trap might contain, by comparing the multiple potential leak-points and finding which predicts the shallowest contact.