Nitrogen Pressure Research Articles

DEVELOPMENT OF OPTIMAL TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FOR PLASMA COATING DEPOSITION

This paper considers using ion-plasma spraying of mold surfaces. This makes it possible to replace scarce and expensive tungsten-containing steels with other materials. 4Х5МФС and 5ХНМ steel grades were chosen as materials for copper alloy die-casting molds in this work. The choice of these steel grades is due to the fact that these steels do not contain tungsten due to its sharply increased scarcity and limited molybdenum content, and they also meet the requirements for the substrate material on which the titanium nitride coating is applied. Coatings were applied to samples for laboratory tests and die-casting mold parts by the condensation method with ion bombardment. Titanium nitride is applied at different partial nitrogen pressures – from 310-3 to 1 Pa to determine the required nitrogen pressure, which ensures that the working surfaces of mold parts receive coatings with the best performance haracteristics. The coatings obtained at different nitrogen pressures differ in the amount and size of the droplet phase. The largest amount of the droplet phase containing α-Ti is observed in coatings obtained at nitrogen pressures of 310-3, 310-2 Pa. An increase in nitrogen pressure (410-1, 1 Pa) significantly reduces the level of microdistortions of the crystal lattice in the coating, and its plasticity increases. In this regard, the coating's brittleness is reduced at a sufficiently high hardness. The titanium nitride coating obtained at a nitrogen pressure of 1 Pa is the most effective in protecting the working surfaces of mold parts from destruction. Laboratory tests have shown that the titanium nitride coating applied under optimal process parameters increases the corrosion resistance of mold parts to which it is applied by 3 times and the scale resistance by 2–4 times.

Enhanced capturing of acidic components (CO2/SO2) from Flue gas by MAF-66 produced by a facile and one pot synthetic procedure: Experimental, isotherms and modeling

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of MAF-66, a metal-organic framework with excellent adsorption properties for the flue gases containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) impurities. The sol-gel method was employed using various sources of zinc to approach to the qualified product with the highest yield. The best results were achieved by mixing zinc nitrate solution, ammonia, and amitrol at room temperature, followed by washing the product with methanol at 40 °C and drying it under vacuum conditions at 200 °C. The characterization analyses, confirmed the desired crystalline phase structure of MAF-66, with the specific surface area of 1226 m2/g and pore volume of 0.65 cm3/g. The synthesized material exhibited the presence of N-H functional groups on the surface. Equilibrium adsorption measurements at the two temperatures of 35 and 45 °C showed high loading and selectivity of CO2 and SO2 over nitrogen, at low and moderate pressures. The ideal selectivities of CO2/N2 and SO2/N2 were obtained 194 and 357, respectively, at 35 °C. The isosteric heats of adsorptions were determined as − 25.4 kJ/mol for CO2 and − 36.1 kJ/mol for SO2. The synthesized material demonstrated good stability and reliability during regeneration and reuse, making it suitable for cyclic adsorption-desorption processes in flue gas refining.

Procedure for automated low uncertainty assessment of empty cavity mode frequencies in Fabry-Pérot cavity based refractometry.

A procedure for automated low uncertainty assessment of empty cavity mode frequencies in Fabry-Pérot cavity based refractometry that does not require access to laser frequency measuring instrumentation is presented. It requires a previously well-characterized system regarding mirror phase shifts, Gouy phase, and mode number, and is based on the fact that the assessed refractivity should not change when mode jumps take place. It is demonstrated that the procedure is capable of assessing mode frequencies with an uncertainty of 30 MHz, which, when assessing pressure of nitrogen, corresponds to an uncertainty of 0.3 mPa.

The influence of hydrocarbon generation on the sealing capability of mudstone caprock rich in organic matter

To investigate the sealing capability of mudstone caprock during the evolution of organic matter (OM)-rich mudstone, a series of hydrous pyrolysis experiments were first conducted to examine the impact of hydrocarbon generation. The pore type, pore structure, porosity, and gas breakthrough pressure of pyrolytic residual samples were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, low pressure nitrogen adsorption measurements, porosimetry, and gas breakout core experiments. To model the environment at different depths, these six experiments on hydrous pyrolysis were performed at different temperatures, lithostatic pressures, and hydrodynamic pressures, while other experimental factors such as the original sample, heating time, and rate were kept constant. The results showed that during the thermal evolution process, hydrocarbons were generated from OM in mudstone, resulting in the formation of pores within the OM. Organic acids produced by hydrocarbon generation effectively dissolved minerals, leading to the creation of numerous dissolution pores. Changes in pore type led to changes in pore structure and porosity. The volume of micropores and macropores showed an increasing trend before reaching a Ro value of 1.41%. However, after passing this threshold, they began to decrease. The volume of mesopores showed a decreasing trend before reaching a Ro value of 1.32%. After 1.32%, they began to increase. The porosity was mainly affected by the pore volumes of the mesopores and macropores. The porosity exhibited two peaks: the first occurred at a Ro value of 0.72%, with a porosity level of 4.6%. The second occurred at a Ro value of 1.41% and a porosity level of 10.3%. The breakthrough pressure was a comprehensive reflection of these influences, and its trend exhibited a negative correlation with porosity (R2 = 0.886). For two high values of porosity, the breakthrough pressure corresponded to two low values. Smaller values of the breakthrough pressure indicated a poorer sealing capability of the mudstone caprock. Overall, hydrocarbon generation in the mudstone affected the sealing capability. The mudstone in the studied area exhibited good sealing at Ro below 1.32%. However, once above the 1.32% threshold, the fluctuations of the breakthrough pressure values exhibited considerable variability, requiring a comprehensive evaluation to assess its sealing capability.

Innovative strategies for enhancing gas separation: Ionic liquid-coated PES membranes for improved CO2/N2 selectivity and permeance

As a cost-effective advancement in membrane technology, this study investigates the impact of PEG additive and CBT on the structural, stability, and gas permeance properties of PES-coated membranes, utilizing 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid ([DDMI][Cl] IL) as a carrier liquid. BET and FT-IR analyses highlight the significant enhancement in performance through the immobilization of pores with [DDMIM][Cl] IL. The investigation focuses on PES-M5-coated membranes, revealing excellent stability in finger-like pore structures prepared through direct immersion and nitrogen pressure immobilization. PES-M5-coated membranes with [DDMIM][Cl] IL via direct immersion experience lower weight loss than those coated using nitrogen pressure, with critical pressures at 1.4 and 1.25 bar, respectively. The study identifies PES-coated membranes, particularly PES-M25 (20.88 GPU) with macro-void pores and PES-M5 (29 GPU) with finger-like pores, exhibiting the highest CO2 permeance and CO2/N2 selectivity. As a cost-effective advancement in membrane technology, ionic liquids are employed in support membranes to enhance gas separation. Employing pure PES membranes with varying pore structures, created through the NIPS method, the study immobilizes [DDMI][Cl] IL in membrane pores through nitrogen pressure and direct immersion. Results underscore the successful application of porous support materials coated with ionic liquids for continuous CO2 and sulfur compound separation, showcasing competitive permeability and selectivity compared to traditional polymer membranes.

A novel and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of 6 low-calorie bulk sweeteners by HPLC-ELSD

A novel and sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of six low-calorie bulk sweeteners (D-allulose, D-tagatose, D-mannitol, mycose, palatinose, and erythritol) without derivatisation was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD). Chromatographic separations were carried out on a Zorbax Original NH2 (5 μm particle size, 250 mm×4.60 mm id, 70 Å) column with flow rate gradient elution with acetonitrile: water (80:20, v/v). Drift tube temperature was set at 50 ℃, the nebuliser carrier gas flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, and nitrogen pressure was regulated to 276 kPa with gain:3. The regression equation showed good linearity (R2 = 0.9985-0.9998) for all six low-calorie bulk sweeteners in the tested range (0.060-0.60 mg·mL-1). The limits of detection (LOD) for the six low-calorie bulk sweeteners ranged from 0.02 to 0.06 mg·mL-1. The proposed HPLC-ELSD method was validated for the quantification of the low-calorie bulk sweeteners in 14 types of foods, and the results were satisfactory. In addition, the results showed that the number of sweeteners in each food product varied. The presence of multiple low-calorie bulk sweeteners in certain foods is interesting. This method is successful in monitoring low-calorie bulk sweeteners in food.

Water-Related Properties of Wood after Thermal Modification in Closed Process under Pressure in Nitrogen

Silver birch (Betula pendula) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) wood boards (1000 × 100 × 25 mm) were thermally modified in a 340 L pilot-scale device in nitrogen with a special focus on increasing dimensional stability and reducing hydrophilicity. The research expands our understanding of the TM process in a closed system under pressure of nitrogen and its impact on the water absorption capabilities of wood. Several thermal modification (TM) parameters were tested, including temperature (160–180 °C), maximum temperature duration (30–180 min), and TM chamber initial pressure (3–6 bar). TM wood dimensional changes, mass loss (ML), equilibrium moisture content (EMC), and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) were determined to characterize the TM process intensity and evaluate the hydrophilicity. Birch wood exhibited a higher ML (5.9%–12%) than pine wood (2.6%–9%) after TM. TM caused a shrinkage in the tangential, radial, and total volume of both wood species. The TM birch wood ASE values varied from 22% to 69%, while the pine wood ASE was 27% to 58%. The cell wall total water capacity (CWTWC) of TM wood was greatly reduced. The EMC and volumetric swelling (VS) of TM birch and pine wood were 29% to 67% lower, respectively, at all relative humidities (65, 75, and 95%).

Ceramic matrix composite based on silicon carbide and nanostructured nitrogen-doped carbon for supercapacitor electrodes

The results of studies on the production of a porous ceramic-matrix composite material C–N/SiC from silicon carbide and nitrogen-doped nanostructured carbon for subsequent use as supercapacitor electrodes are presented. The material is formed by pressing silicon carbide micropowder (1 µm) and impregnating with a solution of carbamide (nitrogen source) in phenol-formaldehyde varnish (carbon source), curing and pyrolysis in a nitrogen atmosphere. The maximum concentration of carbamide was obtained in the solution (16 wt.%) at 50 ºС with a viscosity of 134.3 mPa⋅s. Thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen of the cured solution revealed multistage decomposition with a residual mass of C–N of 48 % at 1000 ºС. Studies of the elemental composition showed a nitrogen content of 1.4 wt.% in C–N/SiC composite (up to 7 % of C–N active mass). In the composite structure, the C–N carbon-nitrogen layer (up to 12 wt.%) distributed inside the matrix pores and covering the SiC grains is X-ray amorphous has a complex nanoscale relief with an average pore size of 1.0–1.5 nm. According to electrochemical studies, the specific capacitance of the C–N/SiC material and the C–N active layer is 16.84 and 153.2 F/g respectively, and the equivalent resistance of the test supercapacitor cell with C–N/SiC electrodes is 0.567 Ohm for samples with maximum doping. The electrodes operate according to the sorption-desorption mechanism of charge accumulation and release, which is typical for a classic supercapacitor based on a double electric layer without the presence of redox reactions on the electrodes. The influence of technological regimes of pyrolysis on the electrophysical parameters of the cell is revealed: lower values of the pyrolysis temperature and nitrogen pressure in the chamber lead to an increase of the material specific capacitance and reduction of the cell equivalent resistance. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of utilizing C–N/SiC material for the manufacture of supercapacitor electrodes.

Experimental Study on Compaction Deformation and Gas Permeability Properties for Crushed Limestone.

The mining goaf is enriched in coalbed methane (CBM) resources, and it is imperative to realize its efficient extraction. The gas permeability properties of the crushed coal and rock in the caved zone of mining goaf are the basis for the study of its internal CBM migration and enrichment law. In this study, the compaction deformation and gas permeability properties of crushed limestone with different particle sizes were revealed. The results show that (1) the deformation resistance capacity of the crushed limestone increased with increasing stress. The decreasing trend of porosity of samples with different particle sizes in the early and later compression periods is significantly different. Particle RR of the lower layer is smaller than that of the other layers. (2) The permeability of the sample decreases with decreasing porosity and nitrogen pressure, and it is between 10-12 and 10-10 m2. Nitrogen migration within the crushed limestone requires the pseudo-threshold pressure gradient, which ranges from 64.86 to 311.42 Pa/m. (3) The average permeability growth amplitude of the sample shows a logarithmic decreasing trend with the decrease of porosity. The average permeability growth amplitude of the 5-10 mm sample at the same porosity was 15.9-22.3 times that of the 0.315-0.63 mm sample. (4) The permeability of crushed limestone on both sides of the lower layer in the caved zone is much larger than that of other locations. The results are of great practical significance for accurately predicting the CBM enrichment area of mining goaf and then selecting the final position of the extraction drilling hole.

The Origin of the Yellow Luminescence Band in Be-Doped Bulk GaN

Photoluminescence (PL) from Be-doped bulk GaN crystals grown by the High Nitrogen Pressure Solution method was studied and compared with PL from GaN:Be layers on sapphire grown by molecular beam epitaxy and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition techniques. The yellow luminescence band in the latter is caused by the isolated BeGa acceptor (the YLBe band), while the broad yellow band in bulk GaN:Be crystals is a superposition of the YLBe band and another band, most likely the CN-related YL1 band. The attribution of the yellow band in bulk GaN:Be crystals to the BeGaON complex (a deep donor) is questioned.

TOGA Therapeutic Oxygen for Gastrointestinal Atony

Background and aimsIleus, mechanical bowel obstruction and acute colonic pseudo-obstruction [ACPO] are characterized by distension of the intestines with accumulated bowel gas. Current treatments are not completely satisfactory. MethodsBy manipulating the partial pressures of oxygen and nitrogen in the trapped air with a novel 6-hour treatment with 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask [NRB], the bowel can be successfully decompressed, facilitating resolution of the underlying condition. ResultsA positive clinical response was seen in 7/8 [87.5%] patients after TOGA [therapeutic oxygen for gastrointestinal atony]. Maximal lumen diameter decreased by an average of 1.14 ± 0.87 cm [16%]. ConclusionsIn this first clinical report of TOGA, the provision of 100% oxygen via NRB is a useful therapy. It decreased the diameter of the intestinal lumen and enhanced resolution of ileus, ACPO, and bowel obstruction. This is a low-morbidity, low-cost treatment of gastrointestinal luminal distension. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03386136.st

Simulation of effect of metal particles on breakdown process of three-electrode gas spark switches

Compared with two-electrode gas spark switch, three-electrode gas spark switch has the advantages of lower operating voltage, higher reliability and less discharge jitter, so it has been widely used in pulse power systems. However, due to the characteristics of pulse power technology, the gas spark switch is easy to cause ablation on the electrode surface during use, and the metal particles generated by ablation will significantly affect the stability and reliability of the switch. In this work the discharge process of the three-electrode gas spark switch under atmospheric pressure nitrogen environment is simulated first. In this model, the ionization coefficient near the trigger electrode is modified to compensate for the shortcomings of the local field approximation, and the relevant mathematical derivation process is given. The formation of the initial electrons is described by the field electron emission phenomenon, and the development process of electron collapse into the streamer is obtained. The physical mechanism of switch on is investigated, and the development process of each stage of switch discharge is described in detail. Then, the discharge process of the switch is studied when there are metal particles near the trigger. The study shows that the presence of metal particles enhances the electric field near the trigger and accelerates the formation of the initial electron cloud. In addition, in the presence of metal particles, the metal particles and the trigger will first break down, forming a high-density plasma channel after the breakdown, and becoming the source of the subsequent flow development. At the same time, because the metal particles on the channel have an obstructing effect on the streamer development, the streamer generates a discharge branch after contacting metal particles. In the end, the influences of metal particles of different shapes and sizes on the discharge process are discussed. The results show that metal particles with sharp shapes have stronger electric field distortion, when the electric field intensity is large enough, it may cause field emission on the surface of metal particle. And it is also made clear that the size of metal particle is small, the obstruction of the development path of streamer is small, and the streamers quickly converge behind the particles.

Studying the new modes of deposition of plasma coatings

Problem. This paper considers using ion-plasma spraying of mold surfaces. This makes it possible to replace scarce and expensive tungsten-containing steels with other materials. Purpose. The purpose is to study the possibility of using the KIB method to increase the stability of die-casting molds, to establish the possibility of replacing scarce, expensive tungsten-containing steels with other materials. Materials and methods. 4Х5МФС and 5ХНМ steel grades were chosen as materials for copper alloy die-casting molds in this work. The choice of these steel grades is due to the fact that these steels do not contain tungsten due to its sharply increased scarcity and limited molybdenum content, and they also meet the requirements for the substrate material on which the titanium nitride coating is applied. Coatings were applied to samples for laboratory tests and die-casting mold parts by the condensation method with ion bombardment. Titanium nitride is applied at different partial nitrogen pressures – from 3×10-3 to 1 Pa to determine the required nitrogen pressure, which ensures that the working surfaces of mold parts receive coatings with the best performance characteristics. The coatings obtained at different nitrogen pressures differ in the amount and size of the droplet phase. Results of experiments. The largest amount of the droplet phase containing α-Ti is observed in coatings obtained at nitrogen pressures of 3×10-3 Pa, 3×10-2 Pa. An increase in nitrogen pressure (4×10-1 Pa, 1 Pa) significantly reduces the level of microdistortions of the crystal lattice in the coating, and its plasticity increases. In this regard, the coating's brittleness is reduced at a sufficiently high hardness. Results. The titanium nitride coating obtained at a nitrogen pressure of 1 Pa is the most effective in protecting the working surfaces of mold parts from destruction. Laboratory tests have shown that the titanium nitride coating applied under optimal process parameters increases the corrosion resistance of mold parts to which it is applied by 3 times and the scale resistance by 2-4 times.

Gas-assisted high-moisture extrusion of soy-based meat analogues: Impacts of nitrogen pressure and cooling die temperature on density, texture and microstructure

This study explored the potential of a novel gas-assisted high-moisture extrusion cooking technique to improve the physical quality of meat analogues. Extrusion was performed as a full factorial design at three long cooling die temperatures (DT) (35, 50 and 65 °C) and three nitrogen gas injection pressures (GP) (0, 1 and 2.5 bar). The lowest meat analogue density was observed for the meat analogues produced at the lowest DT and highest GP combination. At the lowest DT, gas injection substantially decreased meat analogue hardness, chewiness and gumminess. X-ray microtomography analyses for meat analogues produced at 2.5 bar gas injection pressure revealed that DT significantly affected bubble sizes with larger and more diverse bubbles in the meat analogues produced at the lowest DT. These microstructural variations indicate that gas-assisted high-moisture extrusion cooking can be fine-tuned to improve the texture and, thus, sensory properties of meat analogues. Industrial relevanceHigh-moisture extrusion cooking is widely used for industrial-scale production of plant-based meat analogues. Manufacturing meat analogues with desired hardness and chewiness without detrimental effects on other characteristics such as color and degree of texturization is still quite challenging using conventional high-moisture extrusion cooking. Gas-assisted high-moisture extrusion cooking, when fine-tuned, has great potential in manipulating end-product texture and color without negatively impacting the degree of protein texturization.

Tribological properties and machine learning prediction of FeCoCrNiAlN high entropy coatings

High-entropy nitride ceramic coatings exhibit excellent wear resistance and are regarded as promising coatings in tools. Predicting the coefficients of friction (COF) and related microstrain under friction condition is critical for their application. In this study, nine different FeCoCrNiAlN high-entropy coatings were prepared with varying substrate bias voltage and nitrogen gas pressure using PVD CAIP (Physical Vapor Deposition-cathode arc-ion plating). The bias voltage and nitrogen pressure significantly influenced the wear resistance of the coatings. Low nitrogen gas pressure results in insufficient ceramic phase content, leading to lower hardness and the generation of more grooves. However, coatings with high hardness exhibit excellent wear resistance. Groove wear and debris wear are closely related to the surface particles and mechanical properties of the coating. Alterations in friction load and velocity were also conducted to investigate the tribological performance of various coatings. Results suggest that the COF increased with the friction load and velocity. Furthermore, 53 sets of COF data for machine learning (ML) predictions were obtained. Seven ML regression models, including Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), were employed to predict the COF using input features, including coating deposition process, microstructure features such as elemental composition, and grain size, as well as mechanical features such as nanohardness, H/E (Hardness/Young's modulus), Lc1 (Critical load). Friction conditions include friction load and velocity. Simultaneously, the significance of multiple features such as the coating preparation processes, microstructural, mechanical properties, and friction conditions in affecting the COF of the coatings, was analyzed by the feature importance model. The results indicate that the XGBoost regression algorithm exhibited the highest R2 value and the lowest RMSE, MAE, and MSE values, which were 0.8629, 0.0659, 0.0567, and 0.0047, respectively. This model demonstrated a favorable capability in predicting the COF of FeCoCrNiAlN high-entropy coatings. Furthermore, feature importance analysis revealed that the load, Lc1, velocity and Cr have the most significant impact on the COF of the coatings.

Optical emission spectroscopy of vanadium cathodic arc plasma at different nitrogen pressure

Optical emission spectroscopy studies of vanadium plasma in a cathodic-arc discharge in a nitrogen atmosphere have been carried out. Spectral lines of neutral atoms and ions of the cathode material V, V1+, and V2+, and nitrogen N2 and N2+ were observed in the discharge plasma. Analysis and comparison of the intensity of vanadium and nitrogen spectral lines as a function of nitrogen pressure showed that in vacuum excited ions V2+ and V+ are registered, with increasing pressure, the lines V+*, N2*, and N2+* are observed, and at pressures above 0.5 Pa, the neutral vanadium lines are additionally registered. The electron temperature of Te decreases from 5.9 to 3–4 eV with increasing pressure. Studies of cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images of VN coatings deposited at different nitrogen pressures have shown that a dense, homogeneous, fine-grained microstructure is formed in the coating when the number of neutral V in the plasma is low, while in the presence of a large number of neutrals, the coating structure changes to a dense structure with columnar growth.

(Invited) Towards GaN-on-GaN High-Power Electronic Devices

Application of gallium nitride (GaN) substrates in electronic and optoelectronic industries is constantly increasing. In order to fabricate wafers, GaN crystals of the highest structural quality and desired electrical (and sometimes optical) properties must be grown. Today, there are three main GaN crystallization methods: i/ halide vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) with its derivatives: halide-free VPE and oxide VPE; ii/ sodium-flux; and iii/ ammonothermal. The last approach can be basic or acidic depending on what mineralizer is used to increase the solubility of GaN in the feedstock zone. In this paper we will focus on HVPE and basic ammonothermal growth of GaN [1]. Not only bulk growth will be presented. The HVPE method will also be discussed as the best method to crystallize the drift layers necessary for high-power vertical electronic devices (FET transistors, Schottky diodes).One of the best methods for introducing dopants into semiconductors is ion implantation. The introduced structural damage can be removed by a proper annealing process. The high-temperature treatment enables also electrical and/or optical activation of the implanted dopants. In the case of GaN, annealing at high temperature (~1300°C - 1400°C) seems difficult. This compound loses its thermodynamic stability slightly above 800°C at atmospheric pressure. At higher temperature the crystal will decompose. One of the solutions is to anneal GaN at high nitrogen (N2) pressure. Such technology is called ultra-high-pressure annealing (UHPA) [2]. In this paper, application of UHPA for GaN crystals and layers implanted by different ions (acceptors and donors) will be presented. The latest results of the implantation with magnesium (Mg), beryllium (Be), zinc (Zn), and calcium (Ca) ions into GaN in order to obtain p-type conductivity will be discussed [3,4]. Silicon (Si) implantation into GaN for n-type doping will also be analyzed. Structural, electrical and optical properties of implanted GaN after UHPA will be discussed in terms of application for GaN-based devices.A kV class, low ON-resistance, vertical GaN junction barrier Schottky (JBS) diode with selective-area p-regions formed via Mg implantation followed by high-temperature, ultra-high pressure post-implantation activation anneal without a capping layer was already demonstrated [5]. The forward characteristics of the JBS diode showed ideality factor (n) 1.03, turn-on voltage (VON) 0.75 V, current ON/OFF ratio (at ±3 V) ~1011, and specific differential ON-resistance (RON) 0.6 mΩ·cm2. The breakdown voltage of the JBS diode was 915 V.

Characteristics of Permeability Evolution and Pore Structure of Coal with High Gas

To study the influence of gas pressure on coal permeability evolution, we conducted experiments on coal samples from the No. 9 coal seam in Tangshan Coal Mine, Hebei Province, China. Different gas pressures (helium and nitrogen) were applied, and nitrogen-induced deformations were measured. We also analyzed the coal samples’ pore structure using mercury injection porosimetry, obtaining pore surface fractal dimensions. The increase in nitrogen pressure from 0.3 MPa to 3 MPa resulted in an elevation of adsorption strain from 0.168 × 10−3 to 1.076 × 10−3, with a gradual decrease observed in the extent of this increase. However, the permeability of coal samples initially decreased from 16.05 × 10−18 m2 to 4.91 × 10−18 m2 and subsequently rose to 5.69 × 10−18 m2. Helium showed similar trends to nitrogen, with average permeability 1.42–1.88 times higher under the same pressure. The lowest permeability occurred at 1.5 MPa for helium and 2.5 MPa for nitrogen. Gas absorptivity plays a crucial role in coal permeability evolution. Additionally, we observed coal’s compressibility to be 7.2 × 10−11 m2/N and corrected porosity to be 53.8%, considering matrix compression. Seepage pores larger than 100 nm accounted for 80.4% of the total pore volume, facilitating gas seepage. Surface fractal dimension Ds1 correlated positively with micropore volume, while Ds2 and Ds3 correlated negatively with pore volume and gas permeability.

Tribological and Corrosion Performance of CrAlN/CrN Coatings in Artificial Seawater under Varied Nitrogen Pressures

This study employed arc ion plating technology to deposit CrAlN/CrN coatings on stainless steel substrates, adjusting deposition pressures ranging from 1.0 Pa to 4.0 Pa. A detailed analysis of the coatings’ microstructure, wear, and corrosion features was performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, tribometers, profilometers, and electrochemical workstations. The study revealed that the crystalline structure of the CrAlN/CrN coatings primarily consists of cubic crystals of AlN, (Cr, Al)N, and CrN. Diffraction peak intensity analysis revealed preferential orientation in the CrAlN coatings along the (111) and (200) crystal planes. As the pressure increased to 3.0 Pa, the content of Al elements peaked, and the columnar structure became denser; at this point, the H/E* ratio reached a maximum of 0.079, indicating excellent delamination and fracture resistance of the CrAlN/CrN coating at this pressure. Tests in artificial seawater environments showed that with the increase in nitrogen pressure, the friction coefficient gradually decreased, reaching its lowest at 3 Pa, approximately 0.19. The wear rate trend aligned with the friction coefficient, recorded at a mere 2.20 × 10−7 mm3/Nm. Electrochemical polarization curve tests revealed that at 3 Pa pressure, the CrAlN/CrN coating had a corrosion potential of −0.04 V, a polarization resistance of 9.28 × 105 Ω·cm2, and a very low corrosion current of 4.81 × 10−8 A/cm2, demonstrating excellent corrosion resistance.

Comparative analysis of experimental data on the sublimation of uranium carbonitrides and uranium-zirconium carbonitrides at high temperatures

The review is devoted to a comparison of new experimental data on the sublimation of uranium-zirconium carbonitrides with di erent contents of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen impurities at high temperatures (1700- 2300 K), obtained by us in the past 2 years, with data of previous works presented in the literature on the sublimation of uranium carbonitrides, obtained by us and by other authors using mass spectrometry and some other methods of thermodynamic analysis. The main attention is paid to the consideration of the composition of the gas phase and the analytical dependences of the partial pressures of its components on temperature, as well as the chemical mechanism and heats of sublimation. The main feature of the sublimation process of all materials based on uranium carbonitride (both pure and doped with zirconium) is its incongruent nature, due to the loss of nitrogen, which leads to a shift in their compositions towards the phase with higher carbon content. The chemical mechanisms of sublimation of carbonitrides of both types are considered, according to which oxygen impurities in these materials lead to the appearance of oxide components UO, UO2 and CO in the gas phase and additional release of nitrogen. The introduction of zirconium into uranium carbonitride and an increase in the carbon content in it lead to a decrease in the partial pressures of uranium monoxide and nitrogen, which increases the thermal stability of this innovative fuel material.