Micro-structural evolution and their effects on physical properties in different types of tectonically deformed coals

The macromolecular structure of tectonically deformed coals(TDC)may be determined by the deformation mechanisms of coal.Alterations of the macromolecular structure change the pore structure of TDC and thereby impact physical properties such as porosity and permeability.This study focuses on structure and properties of TDC from the Huaibei and Huainan coal mining areas of southern North China.Relationships between the macromolecular structure and the pore structure of TDC were analyzed using techniques such as X-ray diffraction,high-resolution transmission electron microcopy,and the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption.The results indicated that the directional stress condition can cause the arrangement of basic structural units(BSU)more serious and closer.And,the orientation is stronger in ductile deformed coal than in brittle deformed coal.Tectonic deformation directly influences the macromolecular structure of coal and consequently results in dynamic metamorphism.Because the size of BSU in brittle deformed coal increases more slowly than in ductile deformed coal,frictional heating and stress-chemistry of shearing areas might play a more important role,locally altering coal structure under stress,in brittle deformed coal.Strain energy is more significant in increasing the ductile deformation of coal.Furthermore,mesopores account for larger percentage of the nano-scale pore volume in brittle deformed coals,while mesopores volume in ductile deformed coal diminishes rapidly along with an increase in the proportion of micropores and sub-micropores.This research also approved that the deformations of macromolecular structures change nano-scale pore structures,which are very important for gas adsorption and pervasion space for gas.Therefore,the exploration and development potential of coal bed methane is promising for reservoirs that are subjected to a certain degree of brittle deformation(such as schistose structure coal,mortar structure coal and cataclastic structure coal).It also holds promise for TDC resulting from wrinkle structure coal of low ductile deformation and later superimposed by brittle deformation.Other kinds of TDC suffering from strong brittle-ductile and ductile deformation,such as scale structure coal and mylonitic structure coal,are difficult problems to resolve.

Interfacial Morphology and Bonding Mechanism of Explosive Weld Joints

Interfacial structure greatly affects the mechanical properties of laminated plates.However,the critical material properties that impact the interfacial morphology,appearance,and associated bonding mechanism of explosive welded plates are still unknown.In this paper,the same base plate(AZ31B alloy)and different flyer metals(aluminum alloy,copper,and stainless steel)were used to investigate interfacial morphology and structure.SEM and TEM results showed that typical sine wave,wave-like,and half-wave-like interfaces were found at the bonding interfaces of Al/Mg,Cu/Mg and SS/Mg clad plates,respectively.The different interfacial morphologies were mainly due to the differences in hardness and yield strength between the flyer and base metals.The results of the microstructural distribution at the bonding interface indicated metallurgical bonding,instead of the commonly believed solid-state bonding,in the explosive welded clad plate.In addition,the shear strength of the bonding interface of the explosive welded Al/Mg,Cu/Mg and SS/Mg clad plates can reach up to 201.2 MPa,147.8 MPa,and 128.4 MPa,respectively.The proposed research provides the design basis for laminated composite metal plates fabrication by explosive welding technology.

NaOH/Urea Swelling Treatment and Hydrothermal Degradation of Waste Cotton Fiber

In this study,waste cotton fabric was used as cellulose raw material and pretreated in aqueous NaOH/urea solution system to investigate the effect of NaOH/urea pretreatment solution on the hydrolysis of cotton fiber.The cotton fiber was pretreated with different conditions of aqueous NaOH/urea solution,and the pretreated cotton fiber was hydrolyzed under the same conditions as the original cotton fiber.The results of characterization analysis showed that water retention value of pretreated cotton fiber was higher than that of unpretreated sample.Moreover,the cotton fiber presented both a convoluted structure and a coarser surface,XRD results suggested that the crystallinity degree of cellulose decreased dramatically,more cellulose II appeared,and the hydrogen bond is broken.Among the different pretreatment conditions,the pretreatment effect was the best when the reaction temperature was 0°C,the solid-liquid ratio was 2:50,and the NaOH/urea ratio was 7:12.The hydrolysis experiments of pretreated and unpretreated cotton fibers showed that when the hydrothermal temperature was 230°C,the heat preservation was 2 h,and the hydrochloric acid concentration was 5 wt.%,the glucose yield reached 29.99%.H+could catalyze the hydrolysis of cotton fiber more effectively due to damage to crystal structure and hydrogen bonds.

China organic-rich shale geologic features and special shale gas production issues

The depositional environment of organic-rich shale and the related tectonic evolution in China are rather different from those in North America. In China, organic-rich shale is not only deposited in marine environment, but also in non-marine environment： marine-continental transitional environment and lacustrine environment. Through analyzing large amount of outcrops and well cores, the geologic features of organic-rich shale, including mineral composition, organic matter richness and type, and li- thology stratigraphy, were analyzed, indicating very special characteristics. Meanwhile, the more complex and active tectonic movements in China lead to strong deformation and erosion of organic-rich shale, well-development of fractures and faults, and higher thermal maturity and serious heterogeneity. Co-existence of shale gas, tight sand gas, and coal bed methane （CBM） proposes a new topic： whether it is possible to co-produce these gases to reduce cost. Based on the geologic features, the primary pro- duction issues of shale gas in China were discussed with suggestions.

Variations of trace elements under hydrological conditions in the Min River, Eastern Tibetan Plateau

In order to better understand the relative importance of hydrologic variation and anthropogenic disturbance and their complex interactions within the trace elemental geochemical cycle, water samples were collected monthly over 1 year in the Min River, eastern Tibetan Plateau, and analyzed for trace element composition. The dissolved trace elements exhibited different relationships with increasing discharge compared with major elements.The elements analyzed can be divided into three groups according to their behavior in response to changing discharge:(1) elements that showed weak positive correlation with discharge, e.g. Cu, V, and Ba;(2) elements that exhibited weak negative correlation with discharge,including Rb, Sr, Pb, Sb, Zn, Cr, Cd, and U; and(3) elements that displayed no significant correlation with variation in discharge, e.g. Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, and As. Cu was strongly affected by anthropogenic activities and flushed into the river with increasing discharge. Ba has a strong solubility in the terrestrial environment, dissolved quickly,and was released into the river. The positive relationship between V concentration and discharge may be attributed to secondary reactions, such as precipitation and adsorption on oxides and aluminosilicate clays. Conservative behavior had an impact on the geochemical behavior of Sr and Rb across hydrologic variation. Pb, Zn, Sb, Cd, and Cr underwent a mild dilution effect connected with anthropogenic activities. The chemostatic behavior of U was regulated by carbonate dissolution and biological uptake.In addition, higher temperatures enhanced biotic activities,affecting the concentrations of Fe and Ni. The relationship between power law slopes and coefficient of variation for discharge and solute concentration suggests that concentrations of trace elements vary significantly with increasing discharge compared with major elements. Silicate mineral weathering had less effect on the fluvial solutes with increasing discharge. Mining activity may exert an additional control on concentration–discharge dynamics of anthropogenic trace elements.

Interfacial bonding characteristics and mechanical properties of H68/AZ31B clad plate

Interfacial bonding,microstructures,and mechanical properties of an explosively-welded H68/AZ31B clad plate were systematically studied.According to the results,the bonding interface demonstrated a“wavy-like”structure containing three typical zones/layers:(1)diffusion layer adjacent to the H68 brass plate;(2)solidification layer of melted metals at the interface;(3)a layer at the side of AZ31B alloy that experienced severe deformation.Mixed copper,CuZn_(2),andα-Mg phases were observed in the melted-solidification layer.Regular polygonal grains with twins were found at the H68 alloy side,while fine equiaxed grains were found at the AZ31B alloy side near the interface due to recrystallization.Nanoindentation results revealed the formation of brittle intermetallic CuZn_(2) phases at the bonding interface.The interface was bonded well through metallurgical reactions due to diffusion of Cu,Zn,and Mg atoms across the interface and metallurgic reaction of partially melted H68 and AZ31B alloys.

The partitioning patterns of nutrients between pods and seeds of Zanthoxylum fruits impacted by environmental factors

The nutritive quality in plant organs is related to the different partitioning patterns of nutrient resources among the organs under various environmental conditions.This study examined the relationship between the nutritive quality of pods and seeds in Zanthoxylum and environmental factors, such as temperature and preciptation by using numerous samples collected from Southwest China to the East China of Shandong peninsula. The increasing accumulations of N, P and C in seeds implied that the nutritive quality in seeds was higher at the regions with relative higher mean annual temperature(MAT) and mean annual precipitation(MAP), while that in pods was on the contrary. By contrast, pod nutritive content was relatively high, but seed nutritive content was relatively low at the regions with relative high MAT and MAP. In addition, C:N ratio in pods was significantly and negatively correlated with MAT and MAP, while that in seed was significantly and positively correlated with MAT and MAP. The partitioning patterns of N-compounds between pods and seeds reflected different nitrogen translocations in the plant organs under various climate condition. The N:P ratios were negatively correlated with MAP, implying a higher proportional allocation of P to seeds than that of N in the areas with a relative high MAP. Therefore, the strategies to assess pod nutritional quality should be taken into accountfor nutritive translocation under various environmental conditions.

Facet-dependent catalytic activity of CeO_(2) toward methanol synthesis from methane

The relationship between CeO_(2) morphology(nano rods,NR;nano cubes,NC;nano octahedra,NO) and methanol synthesis from methane at low reaction temperature was studied by using density functional theory(DFT) and experiments.CeO_(2)(110) displays the lowest energy barriers among CeO_(2)(100),CeO_(2)(111) and CeO_(2)(110) surfaces due to the strongest hybridization between O 2p orbital of OH and Ce4f orbital.As a result,CeO_(2)-NR has the highest methanol yield(1.52 μmol/gcat) compared with CeO_(2)-NC(0.60 μmol/gcat)and CeO_(2)-NO(0.66 μmol/gcat) at 453 K and 101325 Pa.These results show that methanol synthesis from methane at low reaction temperature on CeO_(2)is a morphology sensitive reaction.