The Influence of Analytical Particle Size on the Pore System Measured by CO2, N2, and Ar Adsorption Experiments for Shales

Nature gas hydrates (NGHs) are regarded as a potential alternative energy source due to their huge reserves and wide distribution. According to the geophysical surveys, the pore-filling hydrates occupy a large proportion of the global hydrate reserves, especially for the marine regions. Therefore, with a novel pore-scale 3D morphological modeling algorithm, this study systematically studied the effect of the particle size on the physical characteristics of the pore-filling hydrate-bearing sediment (HBS). The pore system evaluations and permeability simulations were performed by utilizing pore network modeling (PNM), and the thermal and electrical simulations were conducted by utilizing a finite volume method (FVM). The results show that for the HBS with smaller particle size, the average radius of the pores and throats would also be reduced, and the fractal dimension of the pore system would be increased. In addition, with the increasing hydrate saturation, the fractal dimension of the pore system will increase firstly and then decrease. And these parameter evolutions could impact the physical properties correspondingly; specifically, the decreasing particle size in the HBS would reduce the permeability and electrical conductivity of HBS and enhance the apparent thermal conductivity of HBS.

Download Full-text

Microstructural characterization of laser-melted/roller-quenched dicalcium silicate

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100104972 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 582-583

Author(s):

C. J. Chan ◽

K. R. Venkatachari ◽

W. M. Kriven ◽

J. F. Young

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Shape Change ◽

Microstructural Characterization ◽

Particle Size Effect ◽

Dicalcium Silicate ◽

Laser Melting ◽

Uniform Size ◽

Cell Shape Change ◽

Wide Range

Dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4) is a major component of Portland cement. It has also been investigated as a potential transformation toughener alternative to zirconia. It has five polymorphs: α, α'H, α'L, β and γ. Of interest is the β-to-γ transformation on cooling at about 490°C. This transformation, accompanied by a 12% volume increase and a 4.6° unit cell shape change, is analogous to the tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation in zirconia. Due to the processing methods used, previous studies into the particle size effect were limited by a wide range of particle size distribution. In an attempt to obtain a more uniform size, a fast quench rate involving a laser-melting/roller-quenching technique was investigated.The laser-melting/roller-quenching experiment used precompacted bars of stoichiometric γ-Ca2SiO4 powder, which were synthesized from AR grade CaCO3 and SiO2xH2O. The raw materials were mixed by conventional ceramic processing techniques, and sintered at 1450°C. The dusted γ-Ca2SiO4 powder was uniaxially pressed into 0.4 cm x 0.4 cm x 4 cm bars under 34 MPa and cold isostatically pressed under 172 MPa. The γ-Ca2SiO4 bars were melted by a 10 KW-CO2 laser.

Download Full-text

Analytical Electron Microscopy study of two vehicle-aged automotive exhaust catalysts having dissimilar activities

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100153336 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 272-273

Author(s):

Sooho Kim ◽

M. J. D’Aniello

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Particle Size ◽

Noble Metal ◽

Catalyst Deactivation ◽

Analytical Electron Microscopy ◽

Microscopy Study ◽

Metal Particles ◽

Automotive Exhaust ◽

Exhaust Catalysts ◽

Analytical Electron

Automotive catalysts generally lose-agtivity during vehicle operation due to several well-known deactivation mechanisms. To gain a more fundamental understanding of catalyst deactivation, the microscopic details of fresh and vehicle-aged commercial pelleted automotive exhaust catalysts containing Pt, Pd and Rh were studied by employing Analytical Electron Microscopy (AEM). Two different vehicle-aged samples containing similar poison levels but having different catalytic activities (denoted better and poorer) were selected for this study.The general microstructure of the supports and the noble metal particles of the two catalysts looks similar; the noble metal particles were generally found to be spherical and often faceted. However, the average noble metal particle size on the poorer catalyst (21 nm) was larger than that on the better catalyst (16 nm). These sizes represent a significant increase over that found on the fresh catalyst (8 nm). The activity of these catalysts decreases as the observed particle size increases.

Download Full-text