Medium-Energy Synthesis Gases from Waste as an Energy Source for an Internal Combustion Engine

The aim of the presented article is to analyse the influence of synthesis gas composition on the power, economic, and internal parameters of an atmospheric two-cylinder spark-ignition internal combustion engine (displacement of 686 cm3) designed for a micro-cogeneration unit. Synthesis gases produced mainly from waste contain combustible components as their basic material (methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide), as well as inert gases (carbon dioxide and nitrogen). A total of twelve synthesis gases were analysed that fall into the category of medium-energy gases with lower heating value in the range from 8 to 12 MJ/kg. All of the resulting parameters from the operation of the combustion engine powered by synthesis gases were compared with the reference fuel methane. The results show a decrease in the performance parameters for all operating loads and an increase in hourly fuel consumption. Specifically, for the operating speed of the micro-cogeneration unit (1500 L/min), the decrease in power parameters was in the range of 7.1–23.5%; however, the increase in hourly fuel consumption was higher by 270% to 420%. The decrease in effective efficiency ranged from 0.4 to 4.6%, which in percentage terms represented a decrease from 1.3% to 14.5%. The process of fuel combustion was most strongly influenced by the proportion of hydrogen and inert gases in the mixture. It can be concluded that setting up the synthesis gas production in the waste gasification process in order to achieve optimum performance and economic parameters of the combustion engine for a micro cogeneration unit has an influential role and is of crucial importance.

Etching of ZnO films by a focused flow electrons with medium energies (up to 70 keV)

Consideration is given to the results of the study of etching processes ( 200 nm/min) of a ZnO film by a focused electron beam with medium energy (70 keV) under vacuum conditions of 910-5 Pa. It was shown that the construction of a model of the ZnO film etching during electron bombardment, taking into account the likely thermal desorption and electron-stimulated desorption, is not confirmed by calculations. A possible etching mechanism based on the radiolysis caused by Auger decay in near-surface layers of ZnO films is proposed.

Effect of Collimator Elements on the Beam Spectrum and KERMA In Gamma Irradiator

In the development of low-medium energy photon calibration facilities we have simulated several types of gamma irradiator collimator materials with ISO 4037-1 design connected to the output beam spectrum and the resulting kerma. Four types of collimator material, namely Al, Fe, Pb, and WCu have been simulated with gamma radiation sources 241Am, 57Co, 137Cs, and 60Co. Simulations were carried out using the Monte Carlo method with the PHITS computer program. Based on the comparison of air kerma produced, collimators made from Al are suitable for gamma sources 241Am, Fe material for gamma sources 57Co, and Pb material for sources 137Cs and 60Co.

Evaluation of a micro ionization chamber for dosimetric measurements in image-guided preclinical irradiation platforms

Image-guided small animal irradiation platforms deliver small radiation fields in the medium energy x-ray range. Commissioning of such platforms, followed by dosimetric verification of treatment planning, are mostly performed with radiochromic film. There is a need for independent measurement methods, traceable to primary standards, with the added advantage of immediacy in obtaining results. This investigation characterizes a small volume ionization chamber in medium energy x-rays for reference dosimetry in preclinical irradiation research platforms. The detector was exposed to a set of reference x-ray beams (0.5 to 4 mm Cu HVL). Leakage, reproducibility, linearity, response to detector’s orientation, dose rate, and energy dependence were determined for a 3D PinPoint ionization chamber (PTW 31022). Polarity and ion recombination were also studied. Absorbed doses at 2 cm depth were compared, derived either by applying the experimentally determined cross-calibration coefficient at a typical small animal radiation platform “user’s” quality (0.84 mm Cu HVL) or by interpolation from air kerma calibration coefficients in a set of reference beam qualities. In the range of reference x-ray beams, correction for ion recombination was less than 0.1%. The largest polarity correction was 1.4% (for 4 mm Cu HVL). Calibration and correction factors were experimentally determined. Measurements of absorbed dose with the PTW 31022, in conditions different from reference were successfully compared to measurements with a secondary standard ionization chamber. The implementation of an End-to-End test for delivery of image-targeted small field plans resulted in differences smaller than 3% between measured and treatment planning calculated doses. The investigation of the properties and response of a PTW 31022 small volume ionization chamber in medium energy x-rays and small fields can contribute to improve measurement uncertainties evaluation for reference and relative dosimetry of small fields delivered by preclinical irradiators while maintaining the traceability chain to primary standards.

Classification and Application of Tight Gas Wells Based on Cluster Analysis

The tight gas field is greatly affected by pressure in the development process. Due to the different production time and formation pressure of each well in the gas field, the production characteristics of the gas well are obviously different. After the gas well sees water, it is impossible to formulate production measures efficiently and accurately. Therefore, by analyzing the production performance characteristics of gas wells, this paper carries out the classification research of tight gas wells, and formulates the corresponding production measures according to the classification results. Taking gas well energy and liquid production intensity as the reference standard of gas well classification, the dynamic parameter indexes characterizing gas well energy and liquid production intensity are established. Gas wells with different production characteristics are divided into six categories by clustering algorithm: high energy-low liquid, high energy-high liquid, medium energy-low liquid, medium energy high-liquid, low energy-low liquid, low energy-high liquid. Then the classification method of tight gas well is formed. In this paper, 50 wells in Linxing block are selected as the research object. The research results show that most of the wells in Linxing block are located in area V, belonging to low energy and low liquid wells. It is recommended to implement intermittent production. The classification based on gas well energy and liquid production intensity are of guiding significance for the formulation of production measures in the Linxing block.