Comparisons of pyrolysis parameters between source rocks and their clay-sized fractions: Implication for source material of hydrocarbon generation

In natural environments, organic-clay interactions are strong and cause organo-clay composites (a combination between organic matter [OM] and clay minerals) to be one of the predominant forms for OM occurrence, and their interactions greatly influence the hydrocarbon (HC) generation of OM within source rocks. However, despite occurring in nature, dominating the OM occurrence, and having unique HC generation ways, organo-clay composites have rarely been investigated as stand-alone petroleum precursors. To improve this understanding, we have compared the Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters derived from more than 100 source rocks and their corresponding <2 μm clay-sized fractions (representing organo-clay composites). The results show that all of the Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters in bulk rocks are closely positively correlated with those in their clay-sized fractions, but in clay-sized fractions the quality of OM for HC generation is poorer, in that the pyrolysable organic carbon levels and hydrogen index values are lower, whereas the residual organic carbon levels are higher than those in bulk rocks. Being integrated with the effects of organic-clay interactions on OM occurrence and HC generation, our results suggest that organo-clay composites are stand-alone petroleum precursors for HC generation occurring in source rocks, even if the source rocks exist in great varieties in their attributes. Our source material for HC generation comprehensively integrates the original OM occurrence and HC generation behavior in natural environments, which differs from kerogen and is much closer to the actual source material of HC generation in source rocks, and it calls for further focus on organic-mineral interactions in studies of petroleum systems.

Effects of HCl hydrolyzed cellulose nanocrystals from waste papers on the Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/Cationic Starch biofilms

ABSTRACT The study reports on the preparation of nanocrystalline cellulose from waste papers (WPNCC), as an environmental friendly approach of source material and investigation of their effects on the morphological, mechanical and barrier properties of the Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/Cationic starch (HPMC/CS) nanocomposites. HCl hydrolysis followed by alkali treatment and deinking of the fibers resulted in the production of WPNCC. The TEM results confirmed the rod like shape of WPNCC; the average diameter was 22± 7 nanometers and the length was 125± 25 nanometers. The hydrolysis yield was 65% with high crystallinity index of 79.6%. The results of X-ray diffraction confirmed the successfully production of WPNCC and their effective presence in the HPMC/CS matrix. The homogeneity of WPNCC dispersion in the polymer matrix was approved by FESEM analysis. The WPNCC also did not affect the nanocomposites optical clarity. The optimum amount of 9 wt% WPNCC, showed the highest barrier, mechanical and biodegradablility properties.

Design and tuning of Cr3+-doped near-infrared phosphors for multifunctional applications via crystal field engineering

Nowadays, near-infrared (NIR) -emitting luminescence materials with broad application prospects have drawn great attention. SrGa12O19: Cr3+ is a new type of solid light source material that emits NIR light with...

„Neutralność” Litwy podczas Bitwy Warszawskiej

After the First World War, three concepts clashed in Eastern Europe: the model of the nation state, the expansion of the Bolshevik revolution implemented by Russia and the union of nation-states (Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Latvia) according to Piłsudski resulting from the threat. Russia in the years 1920-1921 signed five peace treaties, but only the treaty with Lithuania contained secret arrangements regarding the neutrality of Lithuania in the Bolshevik-Polish war. The analysis of the source material shows that Russia used the secret provisions of the peace treaty in its plans for the expansion of bolshevism, and after the defeat of the Polish army, it was to carry out a Bolshevik coup in Lithuania. Despite the proclaimed neutrality, Lithuania turned out to be on the side of Russia in this conflict, causing additional difficulties for Polish troops in the Battle of Warsaw. The Polish victory over the Vistula impeded the expansion of Bolshevism to Europe.

Jan Baudouin de Courtenay w carskim więzieniu

The subject of the submitted article was a high-profile court case against the Polish linguist and columnist Jan Baudouin de Courtenay for publishing in 1913 the brochure Natsional’nyi I territorial’nyi priznak v avtonomii. Only few works have been published that fully and thoroughly expose this event from the life of a Polish-Russian scholar. The source material that I collected and developed allowed me to present the lawsuit, the trial and imprisoment of Jan Baudouin de Courtenay from the perspective of his family life (which is a novelty in previous studies). The analyzed research material consisted primarily of private documents of the Baudouin de Courtenay family, most importantly so called „Diary for the family” by Romualda Baudouin de Courtenay (the manuscript is in the Archives of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw) and letters from Jan Baudouin de Courtenay to other Polish linguists. The source material also allowed me to sketch the socio-cultural background of the era, showing the activity of the St. Petersburg Polonia on the eve of the outbreak of the First War and in its first year.

Ordynacja lachowicka hrabiów Kossakowskich

The subject of this article is the history of the Kossakowski counts representation on the Lachowicze estate. The entailment functioning dates from 1858 to its abolition by the last representat in 1923/24 or in 1939, when the Second Republic of Poland government introduced the act of all family representation abolition. Until now, there were no documents confirming the actual existence of the Kossakowski representation and all references to this subject were reproduced from 19th century armorials. Analysis of the preserved source material has made it clear that Kossakowski family efforts to secure their property were successful and in 1882 they received approval in the Russian Empire.

Particle Characterisation of Traditional Homeopathically Manufactured Medicine Cuprum metallicum and Controls

Background: Homeopathy is highly controversial. The main reason for this is its use of very highly dilute medicines (high homeopathic potencies, HHP), diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. Research using several different methods has demonstrated the presence of particles, including nanoparticles of source material, in HHPs. This study aims to verify the results of a previous publication that detected the presence of particles in all dilutions. Methods: We used the Nano Tracking Analyzer (NTA) to examine dilutions of a commonly used homeopathic medicine, an insoluble metal, Cuprum metallicum, for the presence of particles. The homeopathic medicines tested were specially prepared according to the European pharmacopoeia standards. We compared the homeopathic dilutions/dynamizations with simple dilutions and controls including a soluble medicine. Results: We observed the presence of solid material in all preparations including HHPs (except for pure water). The measurements showed significant differences in particle sizes distribution between homeopathic manufacturing lines and controls. Conclusion: Homeopathic medicines do contain material with a specific size distribution even in HHPs diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. This specificity can be attributed to the manufacturing and potentization process. This material demonstrates that the step-by-step process (dynamized or not) does not match the theoretical expectations in a dilution process. The starting material and dilution/dynamization method influences the nature and concentration of these NPs.

Mechanical and Micrography Analysis of Armour Plate Weldment Using Tungsten Inert Gas and Oxy-Acetylene Welding Methods

Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has compared the effect of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Oxy-Acetylene welding methods on microstructural and some mechanical properties of Armour plate for the modification of military troop carriers. The optical emission spectrometer (OES) at DICON was used to analyse the chemical composition of the armour plate strip. It was then machined and cut to various test piece dimensions for both welding processes, following which the weldment samples were subjected to post-weld mechanical tests (tensile, impact, and hardness) and metallographic examination. The samples were then welded according to the procedure outlined in this study. The fundamental composition of armour plates was preserved in the samples. When compared to Oxy-Acetylene (OA) welding, Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding produced better results, with an average ultimate strength (UTS) of 603.52 MPa and an impact strength of 10.53 J. In addition, the TIG analysis hardness strength for the source material, heat affected zone (HAZ), and weldment sample is 510.3, 502, and 511-HV, respectively. At x200 magnification, the micrography of the TIG weldment revealed a small coarse grain size of ferrite and larger areas of pearlite.