Life cycle of hydroprocessing catalysts and total catalyst management

Hydroprocessing catalysts based on Ni, Co, Mo and W are used in various refinery processing applications where several deactivation mechanisms become of importance (coke formation, active phase sintering, metals deposition, poisoning) in the catalyst's life cycle. The life cycle of commercial hydroprocessing catalysts is very complex and includes the catalyst production, sulfidation, use, oxidative regeneration followed by re-sulfidation and reuse or, if reuse is not possible, recycling or disposal. To understand the changes in catalyst properties taking place during a life cycle, the catalyst quality in the different stages can be best monitored by using advanced analytical techniques. The catalyst's life cycle is further complicated by numerous technical, environmental and organizational issues involved. In principle, different companies can be involved in each of the life cycle steps. Leading catalyst manufacturers, together with specialized firms, offer refineries a total catalyst management concept, starting with the purchase of the fresh catalyst and ending with its final recycling or disposal. Total catalyst management includes a broad range of services, ensuring optimal timing during the change-out process, reliable, smooth and safe operations, minimal downtime and maximum catalyst and unit performance.     

A small-angle X-ray scattering study of powder compaction

This work demonstrated a novel and potentially important application of two-dimensional small-angle X-ray scattering (2D-SAXS) to investigate powder compaction. SAXS from powder compacts of three materials commonly used for pharmaceutical tabletting exhibited azimuthal variations, with stronger intensity in the direction of the applied compaction force, relative to the transverse direction. This implied that compaction of a (macroscopic) powder could also produce changes on the molecular (nanometre) scale, which can be probed by 2D-SAXS. Two possible explanations for this effect were suggested. A combination of anisometric (i.e. elongated or flattened) granules with anisotropic morphologies could result in azimuthal variation in X-ray scattering due to granule orientation. It is expected that this mechanism would require relatively low packing density, so may operate during die filling. Granule re-orientation appeared less likely at higher packing densities and compaction pressures, however. Under these conditions, the changes in the 2D-SAXS patterns would be consistent with the powder granules becoming relatively flattened in the compression direction, with corresponding changes in their nano-scale morphology. The magnitude of this effect was found to vary between the materials used and increased with compaction pressure. This suggested that 2D-SAXS studies could provide useful information on force-transmission within a compressed powder. Further analysis of the data also suggested differences in the compaction mechanisms (i.e. granule re-orientation, deformation or fragmentation) between the materials studied.     

An investigation into physicochemical characteristics of ash produced from combustion of oil palm biomass wastein a boiler

Ash derived from combustion of Malaysian oil palm biomass (empty fruit bunches consisting of fibers) was physically and chemically characterized in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of its specific properties in terms of toxicity, compositions and reusability. Principal analyses conducted include particle size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, elemental dispersive X-ray, elemental analysis, toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) as well as thermogravimetric, X-ray diffractometry and Fourier-transform infrared analyses. TCLP result indicated that the oil palm ash (OPA) should not be classified as toxic wastes in terms of heavy metal leachability since leachable copper, cadmium, lead and nickel concentrations were detected below the stipulated leachability limits. It was determined that the OPA contained high amount of potassium as well as presence of silica which implied its suitability to be reused as crude fertilizer or cement replacement material.     

Photoluminescence and X-ray Diffraction of Distributed Bragg Reflector

Spectral and structural characteristics of distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers were studied with photoluminescence and double- crystal X- ray diffraction measurement. The expected high quality epitaxial DBR structure was verified. In the X- ray double- crystal rocking curves of DBR the zeroth- order peak, the first and second order satellite peaks were measured. Splitting of diffraction peak appeared in the rocking curves was analyzed. The effects of introduced deep energy levels on the structural perfection and optical properties were discussed.     

Synthesis of selenium nanoparticles in the presence of silk fibroin

This paper describes a solution-phase approach to the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles by reducing selenious acid solution with ascorbic acid in the presence of silk fibroin. The monodispersed spherical selenium colloid particles obtained were very stable in silk fibroin solution and characterized by Atomic force microscopy and X-ray techniques. The influences of temperature and ultrasonication on the morphology of selenium nanoparticles were also discussed. The experiments showed that the selenium nanoparticles with various morphologies could be obtained under different temperatures and the appropriate ultrasonication time was 60 min. This result indicated that the silk fibroin molecules intimately associated with the surface of the selenium particles and controlled the growth particles.     

PMMA／PBA乳胶IPN阻尼材料的研究

用乳液聚合方法合成了一系列的互穿聚合物网络，其中包括：ＰＭＭＡ／ＰＢＡ和Ｐ（ＭＭＡ－ｃｏ－ＰＭＡ）／ＰＢＡ乳胶互穿聚合物网络（ＬＩＰＮ），ＰＭＭＡ／ＰＢＡ乳胶双向互穿聚合物网络（ＬＢＩＰＮ）以及ＰＭＭＡ／ＰＢＡ界面交联互穿聚合物网络（ＩＣＬＩＰＮ）。动态力学谱和拉伸试验结果表明：（１）ＰＭＭＡ／ＰＢＡ互穿聚合物网络的两组分相容性和阻尼性能可通过ＭＭＡ和ＰＭＡ共聚来改善；（２）双向互穿技术是一种行之     

Determination of the width of the transition layer between the crystalline and amorphous zones in nylon 1010 by SAXS

The width of the transition layer between the crystalline and amorphous zones in nylon 1010 was determined by SAXS with point collimation and long-slit collimation, respectively. The width of the transition layer, E, was found to be 1.7 nm. The results show that the width of the transition layer is independent of crystallinity.     

氮化钛薄膜的高分辨AES谱和XPS谱研究

着重讨论了TiNx薄膜俄歇电子谱的定量分析方法和X射线光电子谱中线形的变化。利用已知组元强度定量分析技术和Ti的LMV俄歇电子峰，探讨TiNx薄膜中N含量的定量方法。由该方法给出的定量结果与X射线光电子谱定量结果相一致。同时，利用X射线光电子谱测定了TiN和Ti2N2p轨道的结合能。并针对Ti2p峰形随N含量的变化，给出新的解释。     

材料研究中系列试样的单标样法 X 射线定量分析

本文提出了用一个标样进行系列试样 X 射线定量相分析的方法.它克服了一般 X 射线定量方法需要混合研磨和手续烦复的缺点以及无标样 X 射线定量方法存在病态方程不易解决的问题.该方法对常规 X 射线定量分析具有普遍的实用性.