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Abstract Post-combustion solvent-based carbon capture is a promising technology that potentially can offset the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-driven power generation systems. The challenge is that CO2 absorption (similar to other CCS technologies) imposes energetic penalties, and constrains the operational flexibility. In this paper, we build upon our recent contributions in the field (Sharifzadeh et al., 2016; Sharifzadeh and Shah, 2016), and study the dynamic response of such process to the electricity load changes in the power plant. The key research question is to investigate if the steady-state integrated process design and control framework applied in the previous studies, can also ensure controllability under a wide range of disturbances. The present study considers the mutual interactions between the power plant and capture process. Other features of interest include the implications of key design and operational decisions such as reboiler temperature, solvent circulation flow rate, solvent concentration and the rate of power load change or CO2 setpoint tracking for flexible process operation. The results suggest that the capture process exhibits a high degree of flexibility and the integrated design and control framework could be the key enabler for the commercialization of post-combustion solvent-based carbon capture.

Abstract With the widespread application of pulse turbochargers in internal combustion engines, steady or quasi-steady turbine models are no longer qualified for on-engine turbine performance prediction. Pulsatile flow condition caused by the reciprocating nature of the engine results in strong unsteadiness across the turbocharger turbine, which makes the turbine performance departing from that under steady or quasi-steady conditions. Modelling turbocharger turbine through a one-dimensional (1D) method is an important approach to simulate the unsteady performance of the turbine. In this paper, a 1D performance model of turbocharger turbines is presented. The model solves the turbine volute flow with 1D viscous equations, with volute curvature and circumferentially continuously flow exiting at volute outlet considered. The circumferential flow non-uniformity at volute outlet is preserved. The turbine rotor is modeled with multiple meanline models. The model was used to simulate the performance of a mixed-flow turbine and validated by the experimental data. Results show that the performance predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data. Flow parameters at internal points of the turbine predicted by the 1D model were compared with three-dimensional unsteady simulation results and reasonable agreement was observed, which demonstrates the ability of the 1D model in capturing the pulse propagation.

Abstract We investigated changes in the physical and chemical properties of rapeseed straw after treatment with different doses of 60 Co γ-irradiation (0 kGy-1200 kGy). Raman spectra, electron spin resonance (ESR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses of the pretreated samples showed that the irradiation partially destroyed the intra- or intermolecular structure of rapeseed straw. Particle size distribution and specific surface area analyses suggested that irradiation decreased the particle size, narrowed the distribution range, and increased the specific surface area. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves showed that increasing the irradiated dose decreased the thermal stability of the treated rapeseed straw and increased the reactivity. Elemental analyses suggested that the oxygen content slightly increased, suggesting that oxygen in the air may be involved in the reaction. These results demonstrate that γ-irradiation can induce a series of changes in the physical and chemical properties of rapeseed straw.

Energy interventions can improve the lives of crisis-affected populations and the efficiency and performance of humanitarian operations. However, there is little existing data around humanitarian energy interventions, and little coordination around how this data can or should be collected, used and shared.

CO2 capture and storage technology is of key importance to reduce the greenhouse effect. By its large surface area and sp3 hybridization, Li‐functionalized silicene is demonstrated to be a promising CO2 absorbent that is stable up to at least 500 K and has a very high storage capacity of 28.6 mol/kg (55.7 wt%). The adsorption energy of CO2 on Li‐functionalized silicene is enhanced as compared to pristine silicene, to attain an almost ideal value that still facilitates easy release. In addition, the band gap is found to change sensitively with the CO2 coverage. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Abstract This research article selects supercritical methane and organic-rich shale as adsorbate-adsorbent pair to investigate methane adsorption behavior and enrich our understanding of the nature of shale gas adsorption process. The isotherms and kinetics of methane-shale adsorption pair are measured at temperatures of 303 K, 323 K, 343 K and 363 K by using a volumetric experimental setup. Then, the Langmuir-based (Langmuir, Langmuir + k, Langmuir + Henry), BET-based (BET, BET + k, BET + Henry) and DA-based (DA, DA + k and DA + Henry) excess models are used to interpret measured excess isotherms, and the Unipore Diffusion (UD), Bidisperse Diffusion (BD) and Two Combined First-Order Rate (TCFOR) models are used to interpret the adsorption kinetics data. Instead of using the coefficient of determination (R2), this work used the corrected Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICc) for model selection. It is found that the DA + Henry model is more suitable for excess adsorption isotherms, and the TCFOR model is more appropriate for adsorption kinetics study. Additionally, for methane-shale adsorption under supercritical condition, the fugacity is of great significance in evaluating thermodynamic properties including isosteric heat of adsorption (qst), enthalpy change (ΔH), entropy change (ΔS) and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG). These properties show strong dependence on adsorption amount and temperature, and suggest that supercritical methane adsorption on organic-rich shale is a process of physisorption, exothermic and spontaneous. Further, the kinetics parameters extracted from kinetics curves suggest that the methane adsorption at each pressure step is a two-stage process, with a fast macropore diffusion process at early time, followed by a slow micropore diffusion process at later time. Additionally, the fast macropore diffusion dominates the two-stage adsorption process at lower pressures, while at higher pressures slow micropore diffusion dominates.

AbstractHydrothermal carbonization is a powerful way to convert cellulosic waste into valuable platform chemicals and carbonaceous materials. In this study, to optimize the process, fructose was chosen as the carbon precursor and the influence of reaction time, acid catalysis, feed gas and pressure on the conversion products is evaluated. 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is produced in high amounts in relatively short time. Both strong and weak acids accelerate fructose conversion. Levulinic acid (LevA) formation is faster than that of hydrothermal (HT) carbon in acidic conditions. Strong acid catalysts should be considered to target preferentially LevA production, whereas milder conditions should be preferred for HMF production. Moreover, a slight initial overpressure of the reactor is always beneficial in terms of conversion. FT‐IR and 13C ss‐NMR spectroscopy and SEM showed that HT carbon evolves through time from a furanic‐based structure with alkylic linkers to an increasingly cross‐linked condensed structure. MALDI‐ToF mass spectrometry showed the existence of a series of oligomers in a mass range within 650 Da and 1500 Da formed by condensation of repeating units.