Lignite-Based Hierarchical Porous C/SiO_(x)Composites as High-Performance Anode for Potassium-Ion Batteries

Silicon oxide(SiO_(x),0<x≤2)has been recognized as a prominent anode material in lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity,suitable electrochemical potential,and earth abundance.However,it is intrinsically poor electronic conductivity and excessive volume expansion during potassiation/depotassiation process hinder its application in potassium-ion batteries.Herein,we reported a hierarchical porous C/SiO_(x)potassium-ion batteries anode using lignite as raw material via a one-step carbonization and activation method.The amorphous C skeleton around SiO_(x)particles can effectively buffer the volume expansion,and improve the ionic/electronic conductivity and structural integrity,achieving outstanding rate capability and cyclability.As expected,the obtained C/SiO_(x)composite delivers a superb specific capacity of 370 mAh g^(-1)at 0.1 A g^(-1)after 100 cycles as well as a highly reversible capacity of 208 mAh g^(-1)after 1200 cycles at 1.0 A g^(-1).Moreover,the potassium ion storage mechanism of C/SiO_(x)electrodes was investigated by ex-situ X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy,revealing the formation of reversible products of K_(6.8)Si_(45.3)and K_(4)SiO_(4),accompanied by generation of irreversible K2O after the first cycle.This work sheds light on designing low-cost Si-based anode materials for high-performance potassium-ion batteries and beyond.

The Advantages of Methane Production by Combined Fermentation of Lignite and Wheat Straw

Biogasification of coal is important for clean utilization of coal. Experiments on the fermentation of single lignite, single straw and their mixture were performed to explore the variation characteristics of gas production potential, microbial community and methanogenic metabolic pathways of mixture. Research has shown that mixed fermentation of lignite and straw significantly promoted biomethane production. The abundance of hydrolytic acidifying functional bacteria genera (Sphaerochaeta, Lentimicrobium) in mixed fermentation was higher than that in the fermentation of single lignite and single straw. The abundance of some key CAZy metabolic enzyme gene sequences in mixed fermentation group was increased, which was favorable to improve methane production. Aceticlastic methanogenesis was the most critical methanogenic pathway and acetic acid pathway was more competitive in methanogenic mode during peak fermentation. Macrogenomics provided theoretical support for the claim that mixed fermentation of coal and straw promoted biomethane metabolism, which was potentially valuable in expanding methanogenesis from mixed fermentation of lignite with different biomasses.

Change in Grain-Size Composition of Lignite under Cyclic Freezing-Thawing and Wetting-Drying

The paper presents the change in grain-size composition of lignite under cyclic freezing-thawing (FTC) and wetting-drying (WDC). The article shows that in the spring and autumn periods the lignites can be subjected to repeated freezing-thawing and wetting-drying, which determines the possibility of changing their grain-size composition and structure. Experimental studies in laboratory conditions on the influence of cyclic freezing-thawing (FTC) and wetting-drying (WDC) on the quality indicators of lignites have been carried out, their granulometric (fractional) composition has been studied. Freezing-thawing cycle conditions are as follows (FTC): minimum exposure temperature: -20°C;maximum: +5°C;relative humidity: 30%;number of processing cycles: 3. Wetting-drying cycles are as follows (WDC): drying temperatures are +20, +40, +60, +80°C, drying time 90 minutes, the coals are further subjected to rain (soaking) for a period of water saturation to humidity of 30% - 40% and dry again. The number of wetting-drying cycles is 3 times. The tests have revealed the destructive effects of FTC and WDC on the samples of lower metamorphic grade coal, and the cycles of wet-dry lead to the much higher yield of fine sizes (-6+0;-13+0 mm) than the cycles of freeze-thaw. Furthermore, it is found that the increase in the yield of fines depends on the heating temperature: coal disintegration proceeds more intensively at a higher temperature of drying.

Effectiveness of Combined Biochar and Lignite with Poultry Litter on Soil Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health

Healthy soils are important to ensure satisfactory crop growth and yield. Poultry litter (PL), as an organic fertilizer, has proven to supply the soil with essential macro and micronutrients, enhance soil fertility, and improve crop productivity. Integrating this treatment has the potential to improve soil physical and biological properties by increasing soil carbon, C. However, rapid decomposition and mineralization of PL, particularly in the hot and humid southeastern U.S., resulted in losing C and reduced its effect on soil health. Biochar and lignite have been proposed to stabilize and mitigate C loss through application of fresh manure. However, their combined effects with PL on C sequestration and soil health components are limited. A field experiment was conducted on Leeper silty clay loam soil from 2017 to 2020 to evaluate the combined effect on soil properties when applying biochar and lignite with PL to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The experimental design was a randomized complete block involving nine treatments replicated three times. Treatments included PL and inorganic nitrogen, N, fertilizer with or without biochar and lignite, and an unfertilized control. Application rates were 6.7 Mgkg⋅ha−1 for PL, 6.7 Mgkg⋅ha−1 for biochar and lignite and 134 kg⋅ha−1 for inorganic N fertilizer. Integration of PL and inorganic fertilizer with biochar and lignite, resulted in greater soil infiltration, aggregate stability, plant available water, reduced bulk density and penetration resistance as compared to the sole applications of PL and inorganic fertilizer.

Lignite oxidative desulphurization Notice 1.Process condition selection

The process of lignite desulphurization via its treatment by an oxidant(air or air–steam mixture)has been studied.The research objective was useful determination of steam application in oxidative lignite desulphurization.It has been proved that the water steam should be included in the oxidant composition to increase the hydrogen sulphide and combustible constituent content in the gases obtained during the processes under research.The impact of factors which affect the reactions between solid(in our case–lignite)and gaseous reagent(oxidant,i.e.air and or air–steam mixture)upon the research process has been investigated,if these reactions occur in the kinetic area.Such factors are linear rate of oxidant movement and coal grain size.The values of oxidant movement linear rate and coal grain size,which the reaction transfer from pyrite sulphur and organic content of lignite from diffusion into kinetic area occurs by,have been determined.Under these‘‘transfer’’conditions,the values of coefficients of oxidant mass transfer(β,m/s)as well as Sherwood criteria and boiling layer differences have been calculated.

Bio-solubilization of Chinese lignite II:protein adsorption onto the lignite surface

Lignite bio-solubilization is a promising technology for converting solid lignite into oil.This study concerns the adsorption of lignite-solubilizing enzymes onto the lignite surface.Adsorption capacity, infrared spectral analysis and driving forces analysis are studied as a way to help understand the bio-solubilization mechanism.The results show that the amount of lignite bio-solubilization is proportional to the amount of adsorbed lignite-solubilizing enzymes.An increase in lignite-solubilizing enzyme adsorption of 10% leads to a 7% increase in lignite bio-solubilization.However, limited amounts of enzymes can be adsorbed by the lignite, thus resulting in low percentages of bio-solubilization.Infrared spectral analysis shows that side chains, such as hy-droxyl and carbonyl, of the lignite structure are the main, and necessary, structures where lignite-solubilizing enzymes attachto the lignite.Furthermore, driving force analysis indicates that the electrostatic force between lignite and enzymes is the main adsorption mechanism.The forces are influenced by solution pH levels, the zeta potential of the lignite and the isoelectric points of the en-zymes.

Bio-solubilization of Chinese lignite I:extra-cellular protein analysis

A white rot fungus strain, Trichoderma sp.AH, was isolated from rotten wood in Fushun and used to study the mechanism of lignite bio-solubilization.The results showed that nitric acid pretreated Fushun lignite was solubilized by T.sp.AH and that extracellular proteins from T.sp.AH were correlated with the lignite bio-solubilization results.In the presence of Fushun lignite the extracellular protein concentration from T.sp.AH was 4.5 g/L while the concentration was 3 g/L in the absence of Fushun lignite.Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) of the extracellular proteins detected at least four new protein bands after the T.sp.AH had solubilized the lignite.Enzyme color reactions showed that extracellular proteins from T.sp.AH mainly consisted of phenol-oxidases, but that lignin decomposition enzymes such as laccase, peroxidase and manganese peroxidases were not present.

Geochemistry of Kasnau-Matasukh lignites, Nagaur Basin, Rajasthan （India）

The distribution and verticals variation of geochemical components in the Kasnau-Matasukh lignites of Nagaur Basin, Rajasthan, were investigated using microscopy, proximate and ultimate analyses, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis, X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared analyses, and major/minor/trace element determination. The relationship of elements with ash content and with macerals have also been discussed. These lignites are stratified, black, dominantly composed of huminite group macerals with subordinated amounts of liptinite and inertinite groups. They are classified as type-III kerogen and are mainly gas prone in nature. The concentration （in vol%） of mineral matter is seen to increase towards upper part of seam and so is the concentration （in wt%） of the volatile matter, elemental carbon and sulphur. The common minerals present in these lignitesare mixed clay layer, chlorite, and quartz as identified by X-ray diffraction study. Compared with world average in brown coal, the bulk concentration of Cu is anomalously high in most of the samples while Cd is 2-3 times high and Zn is high in one band. Based on interrelationship, different pyrite forms are noticed to have different preferential enrichment of various elements. The concentration of disseminated pyrite is more than the other pyrite forms and is followed by discrete pyrite grains and massive pyrite.

Petrographic characteristics and paleoenvironmental history of Eocene lignites of Cambay basin, Western India

Lignite samples collected from Vastan, Rajpardi and Tadkeshwar lignite mines of Cambay basin （Gujarat） were subjected to organic petrographic investigations and geochemical analyses and the data, thus generated, is used to reconstruct the paleodepositional history of these lignite sequences. The lignites of Cambay basin dominantly comprise huminite maceral group （71.6%-86.3%） followed by liptinite （10.1%-19.3%） and inertinite （3.6%-11.0%） maceral groups. The mineral matter varies from 9.0% to 20.0%. The petrography based facies model indicates that these lignites have high values of gelification index （GI） and low tissue preservation index revealing a continuous wet condition in the basin and a relatively slower rate of subsidence during the decay of organic matter. On several occasions, during the formation of seams in Tadkeshwar, Rajpardi and Vastan mines, the value of GI exceeded 10 which indicates a forest permanently flooded and the cause of pronounced degree of degradation. However, few sections in Tadkeshwar seam had relatively drier spells of environmental conditions due to fluctuation in the water table as revealed by moderately high content of inertinite macerals. This is specially indicated by the occurrence of funginite which normally thrives in the upper oxy- genated peatigenic layer and indicates prevalence of oxic conditions during plant deposition. Such conditions prevailed during a transgressive phase but there were intermittent fluvial activities also giving rise to supratidal flood plain as reflected in the form of associated carbonaceous shales in the basin.

Effect of industrial microwave irradiation on the physicochemical properties and pyrolysis characteristics of lignite

The surface functional groups and pyrolysis characteristics of lignite irradiated by microwave were comparatively studied to evaluate the feasibility of using industrial 915 MHz for lignite drying. The drying kinetics, micro structure, chemical functional groups, re-adsorption properties, and pyrolysis characteristics of the dried coal were respectively analyzed. Results indicated that for typical Chinese lignite studied in this paper, 915 MHz microwave drying was 7.8 times faster than that of the hot air drying. After industrial microwave drying, the sample possessed much higher total specific surface area and specific pore volume than that of air dried sample. The oxygen functional groups and re-adsorption ratio of microwave irradiated coal decreased, showing weakened hydrophilicity. Moreover, during the pyrolysis of the coal dried by hot air and microwave, the yield of tar largely increased from 1.3% to 8.5% and the gas production increased correspondingly. The composition of the tar was also furtherly analyzed, results indicated that Miscellaneous hydrocarbons(HCs) were the main component of the tar, and microwave irradiation can reduce the fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) from 26.4% to 22.7%.

Experimental study on the effects of drying methods on the stabilities of lignite

The drying processes are always applied prior to the transportation or utilization of lignite, and result in notable changes in the stabilities of lignite. In this paper, the study on the effects of nitrogen and MTE drying process on the physico-chemical properties and stabilities of Zhaotung lignite was carried out. The briquettes produced by MTE drying in this study were 150 mm in dimension, and so had a much larger particle size than nitrogen- dried samples. Nitrogen adsorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy all suggested that drying was accompanied by the transformation of larger pores into smaller ones. Compared to nitrogen drying, the pore structures could be stabilized by the MTE process. The soluble salts were removed during MTE drying which resulted in the decrease in ash and the concentrations of some of the major metals. The removal of water enhanced the hydrophilicity of nitrogen dried samples, but did not affect the hydrophilicity of MTE dried samples. The moisture holding capacity of MTE dried samples reduced faster than nitrogen dried samples with the decrease of residual moisture content. The moisture readsorption processes of MTE dried sam- ples were strongly inhibited due to the much larger particle size of sample produced by MTE drying than nitrogen drying. The susceptibility to spontaneous combustion, indicated by cross point temperature and self-heating tests, of nitrogen and MTE dried samples increased with the decrease of residual moisture content. The MTE dried samples are more liable to spontaneous combustion than nitrogen dried samples with the same residual moisture and particle size. However, the larger particle size of the MTE product made it more stable with respect to spontaneous combustion and also moisture readsorption.

The Adsorption of Phenol by Lignite Activated Carbon

The feasibility and adsorption effect of lignite activated carbon for phenol removal from aqueous solutions were evaluated and investigated. A series of tests were performed to look into the influence of various experimental parameters such as contact time, initial phenol concentration, temperature, and pH value on the adsorption of phenol by lignite activated carbon. The experimental data were fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption is an endothermic process and conforms to Freundlich thermodynamic model. The results indicate that the lignite activated carbon is suitable to be used as an adsorbent material for adsorption of phenol from aqueous solutions.

Lignite oxidative desulphurization. Notice 2： effects of process parameters

The influence of main characteristics upon conversion directions of the lignite organic part during its oxidation desulphurization was studied. The optimum temperature values, the ratio oxidant ： raw material, and time of coal stay in the reaction zone, which provide the maximum degree of sulphur conversion and hydrogen sulphide content in desulphur- ization gases, were calculated. The process implemented under these conditions will decrease environment pollution by sulphur dioxide during further lignite burning at least to 55 %-60 % and utilize sulphur in coal in the form of desul- phurization gases with hydrogen sulphide content of 7 %. Such obtaining sulphur. The effect of the above three factors on the depth was studied. gases can be reprocessed by the known methods of and character of the coal organic matter transformation

Effect of impregnation methods on sorbents made from lignite for desulfurization at middle temperature

With lignite after vacuum drying as the raw material,a series of Zn-based sorbents were prepared by static impregnation,ultrasonic-assisted impregnation,bubbling-assisted impregnation and high-pressure impregnation.The physical properties and the desulfurization performances of Zn-based sorbents were studied systematically by XRD,BET,AAS characterization techniques and the fixed-bed desulfurization evaluation apparatus.The sorbents obtained by high-pressure impregnation method have a larger specific surface area,pore volume and pore diameter comparing with other methods,which is conducive to the sulfidation reaction of hydrogen sulfide gas in the sorbent.The effects of pressure during the high-pressure impregnation and concentration of Zn(NO3)2 precursor solution on the sorbents properties and desulfurization behavior were investigated.The higher the impregnation pressure and the concentration of impregnation solution are,the greater the amount of the active components are uploaded.However,overhigh impregnation pressure can cause collapse and blocking of the carrier pore.The optimal operating condition of high-pressure impregnation method for preparing the sorbents was the impregnation pressure of 20 atm and the solution concentration of 41%.Under that condition,the sorbent had the best desulfurization ability with a sulfur capacity of 13.94 gS/100 gsorbent and a breakthrough time of 54 h.Its desulfurization precision and efficiency of removing H2S before sorbent breakthrough from the middle temperature gases of 400℃ can reach【5 ppm and】99%,respectively.Sorbents could be regenerated under the condition of 1 vol%O2,20 vol% H2O,0.5 vol% NH3,and N2balance gas.The regenerated sorbent could be used for repeated absorption of H2S with a slight decrease in desulfurization effect.

Enhanced-hydrogen gas production through underground gasification of lignite

Underground coal gasification is one of the clean technologies of in-situ coal utilization.Hydrogen production from underground gasification of lignite was investigated in this study based on simulation experiments.Pyrolysis of lignite, gasification activity, oxygen-steam gasification and the effect of groundwater influx were studied.As well, the advantages of lignite for stable underground gasification were analyzed.The results indicate that lignite has a high activity for gasification.Coal pyrolysis is an important source of hydrogen emission.Under special heating conditions, hydrogen is released from coal seams at temperatures above 350 °C and reaches its maximum value between 725 and 825 °C.Gas with a hydrogen concentration of 40% to 50% can be continuously obtained by oxygen-steam injection at an optimum ratio of steam to oxygen, while lignite properties will ensure stable gasification.Groundwater influx can be utilized for hydrogen preparation under certain geological conditions through pressure control.Therefore, enhanced-hydrogen gas production through underground gasification of lignite has experimentally been proved.

Kinetics of recovering germanium from lignite ash with chlorinating roasting methods

A process of recovering Ge by chlorinating masting was put forward. GeCl4 was separated and recovered from lignite ash because of its low boiling point. Kinetic analysis indicates that the chlorinating roasting process fits with the unreacted-core shrinking model and the reaction rate equation corresponds to 1 - 2a/3 - （1 - a）2/3 = kt. The apparent activation energy Ea is calculated to be 22.36 kJ·mol^-1. The diffusion of product layer serves as the rate-controlling step in this process. When the roasting temperature is 250℃, the roasting time is 60 min, the con- centration of hydrochloric acid is 10 mol/L, and the ratio of liquid to solid is 10 （mHCl/ash = 10）, and 90% Ge in lignite ash can be recovered.

Improving extraction yield of humic substances from lignite with anthraquinone in alkaline solution

Based on the characteristics of the lignite sample, effects of assistant anthraquinone （AQ） on extraction yield of humic substances （HS） and the action mechanisms of AQ in alkaline condition were studied by Fouvier transform infrared （FT-IR） spectroscopy. The results indicate that assistant AQ can not only increase the extraction yield of HS but also reduce the alkali dosage （NaOH） as well as the extraction temperature and extraction time. Under the optimal conditions of alkali dosage of 9%, AQ dosage of 0.75%, extraction temperature of 80 ℃, extraction time of 30 min, stirring speed of 600 r/min and solid-to-liquid ratio of 1：3, the extraction yield of HS reaches 80.08%, which is increased by more than 20% compared with the conventional extraction. FT-IR spectra show that AQ is able to prevent dissolved HS from being destroyed into undissolved substance by alkali and 1-IS obtained in the presence of AQ possesses more groups of COOR and --COOH than that obtained without AQ.

Improving slurryability, rheology,and stability of slurry fuel from blending petroleum coke with lignite

Petroleum coke and lignite are two important fossil fuels that have not been widely used in China. Petroleum coke-lignite slurry （PCLS）, a mixture of petro- leum coke, lignite, water, and additives, efficiently utilizes the two materials. In this study, we investigate the effects of the proportion （7） of petroleum coke on slurryability, rheo- logical behavior, stability, and increasing temperature characteristics of PCLSs. The results show that the fixed- viscosity solid concentration （COo） increases with increasing 7. The ~Oo of lignite-water slurry （LWS, ~ = 0） is 46.7 %, compared to 71.3 % for the petroleum coke-water slurry （PCWS, c~ --- i00 %）, while that of PCLS is in between the two values. The rheological behavior of PCLS perfectly fits the power-law model. The PCWS acts as a dilatant fluid. As decreases, the slurry behaves first as an approximate Newtonian fluid, and then turns into a pseudo-plastic fluid that exhibits shear-thinning behavior. With increasing ct, the rigid sedimentation and water separation ratio （WSR） increase, indicating a decrease in the stability of PCLS. When α is 60-70 %, the result is a high-quality slurry fuel for industrial applications, which has high slurryability （ω0 = 57-60 %）, good stability （WSR 〈 2 %）, and superior pseudo-plastic behavior （n = 0.9）.

Understanding the paleomires of Eocene lignites of Kachchh Basin, Gujarat （Western India）： petrological implications

The present paper entails the results of the investigations carried out on the lignite deposits of Kachchh Basin. The lignite samples were drawn from five lignite seams from Panandhro lignite field （Seam-I to -V） and eight lignite seams （Seam-I to -VIII） from the Matanomadh lignite field which are currently operational. The petrographic analysis of the lignites indicates a dominance of huminite group of macerals which is mainly contributed by ulminite-A, ulminite-B, attrinite, densinite, and phlobaphinite. Liptinite （chiefly sporinite, cutinite, resinite, and liptodetrinite） and inertinite （chiefly fusinite, funginite, and inertodetrinite） groups occur in subordinated amount. The mineral matter occurs in moderate concentration. Though sulfur content is high in these lignites, there is no fixed trend of variation of sulfur from bottom seam to top seam. The investigation reveals a flooded forest swamp having high rate of degradation. However, there were a few drier periods indicated by relatively more inertinite macerals. The petrography-based models indicate that the Kachchh lignites of Gujarat evolved in coastal marshy setting under transgressive phase. However, there were few intermittent fluvial activities giving rise to supratidal flood plain. This led to the formation of the associated carbonaceous shales in the basin.

Characterization of nitrogen-containing aromatics in Baiyinhua lignite and its soluble portions from thermal dissolution

Soluble portions(SPs) 1-4(SP1-SP4) were afforded from sequentially dissolution and alkanolyses of Baiyinhua lignite(BL) in cyclohexane,CH3OH,CH3CH2OH,and(CH3)2CHOH at 300℃.They were analyzed with a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer and quadrupole exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer(QEOTMS) with an atmosphere pressure chemical ionization source in positive-ion mode,while BL was characterized with an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer(XRPES).The results show that the yields of SP2 and SP3 are much higher than those of SP1 and SP4,and the total SP yield is ca.39.0%.According to the analysis with XRPES,pyrrolic nitrogen atoms are the most abundant nitrogen existing forms in BL.Thousands of nitrogen-containing aromatics(NCAs) were resolved with QEOTMS and their molecular masses are mainly in the range of 200-450 u.The main NCAs are N1O1 and N1O2 class species with double bond equivalent values of 4-18 and carbon numbers of 7-30.The nitrogen atoms appear in pyridine s,quinolines,benzoquinolines or acridine,and dibenzoquinolines or naphthoquinolines,while the oxygen atoms exist in methoxy and furan rings.