Raman studies of coals

Raman spectra were used to estimate the sizes of microcrystalline regions in coal. A variety of different Polish coals were investigated by means of the laser Raman technique. To prevent decomposition of the coals in the laser beam, the rotating disc technique was used to obtain the spectra. Some i.r. spectra of the coals under investigation were also considered. The aromatic carbon content was determined by the method of Oelert. The results of both spectroscopic techniques were compared and found to lead to the same order of magnitude of microcrystalline regions. The Tuingstra and Koenig method used for evaluation of microcrystalline regions in coal was found to be applicable if infrared studies indicate a high value of the aromaticity coefficient, i.e. if aromatic bonds are predominant in the coal under investigation.     

An Attempt to Decompose the Impact of Land Use and Climate Change on Annual Runoff in a Small Agricultural Catchment

Water Resources Management - The aims of this study are: i) to better understand the coupled interactions between land use changes, climate change and the aquatic ecosystem in a small agricultural...     

Damage detection of composite milling process by recurrence plots and quantifications analysis

We study the dynamics of a milling process of carbon fiber reinforced plastic based on experimental time series of cutting force with help of recurrence plots and recurrence quantifications methods. The two cases of composite machining are analyzed in detail. The first case is a milling of undamaged material, while the second is a milling of damaged material. The detailed recurrence analysis shows interesting results, and additionally some of all quantifications can be used to damage detection.     

Applicability of selected methods and sorbents to simultaneous removal of siloxanes and other impurities from biogas

This paper critically reviews and discusses the state-of-the-art technologies for the removal of siloxanes from biogas, which could be used to simultaneously remove other contaminants. The reasons for purifying biogas, the scope of this purification and the recommended (depending on the biogas utilization equipment) concentrations of volatile silicon-organic compounds are presented. Established and new promising methods of removing typical methylsiloxanes from biogases from municipal landfills and sewage sludge are characterized and analyzed. Their suitability for the simultaneous removal of other trace biogas impurities and possibilities of regenerating the spent sorbent are assessed. It is shown that the commonly used activated carbon is not suitable for comprehensive biogas treatment. On the basis of the analysis, an adsorption method using halloysite (a natural zeolite mineral) as an inexpensive, universal and regenerable adsorbent is proposed. The method can be used after physicochemical treatment to comprehensively purify biogas from methylsiloxanes, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, halides and other technically and environmentally burdensome impurities. Some directions for further research in this regard and possible environmentally safe ways of utilizing the spent sorbent are indicated.     

Improving the Physicochemical Properties of Fe–25Cr Ferritic Steel for SOFC Interconnects via Y-Implantation and Y2O3-Deposition

The present study investigated the role of the reactive-element effect (REE) in improving the corrosion resistance, chromium vaporization rate, and electrical conductivity of the Fe–25Cr ferritic steel modified either by means of yttrium implantation or chemical deposition of yttrium oxide from metaloorganic compound vapors. The corrosion kinetics of the Fe–25Cr steel, both pure and modified, were determined under isothermal conditions in air and an Ar–H₂–H₂O gas mixture at 1,073 K. A significant improvement in corrosion resistance was observed after surface modification. XRD and SEM–EDS investigations showed that the protective Cr₂O₃ layer formed the main part of the scale. Measurements of Cr vaporization rate in the air–H₂O gas mixture revealed that both surface modifications of the steel significantly suppressed the formation of volatile chromium compounds to a large degree. The yttrium-implanted steels oxidized both in air and the Ar–H₂–H₂O mixture were characterized by the lowest area specific resistance and thereby did not exceed the acceptable ASR level (0.1 Ω cm²) for interconnect materials in the temperature range of 973–1,073 K, unlike pure steel and the steel coated with Y₂O₃.