A review of in-situ high-temperature characterizations for understanding the processes in metallurgical engineering

For the rational manipulation of the production quality of high-temperature metallurgical engineering,there are many challenges in understanding the processes involved because of the black box chemical/electrochemical reactors.To overcome this issue,various in-situ characterization methods have been recently developed to analyze the interactions between the composition,microstructure,and solid-liquid interface of high-temperature electrochemical electrodes and molten salts.In this review,recent progress of in-situ hightemperature characterization techniques is discussed to summarize the advances in understanding the processes in metallurgical engineering.In-situ high-temperature technologies and analytical methods mainly include synchrotron X-ray diffraction(s-XRD),laser scanning confocal microscopy,and X-ray computed microtomography(X-rayμ-CT),which are important platforms for analyzing the structure and morphology of the electrodes to reveal the complexity and variability of their interfaces.In addition,laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy,high-temperature Raman spectroscopy,and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy provide microscale characterizations of the composition and structure of molten salts.More importantly,the combination of X-rayμ-CT and s-XRD techniques enables the investigation of the chemical reaction mechanisms at the two-phase interface.Therefore,these in-situ methods are essential for analyzing the chemical/electrochemical kinetics of high-temperature reaction processes and establishing the theoretical principles for the efficient and stable operation of chemical/electrochemical metallurgical processes.

Study on trifluoromethanesulfonic acid-promoted synthesis of daidzein: Process optimization and reaction mechanism

Daidzein has been widely used in pharmaceuticals,nutraceuticals,cosmetics,feed additives,etc.Its preparation process and related reaction mechanism need to be further investigated.A cost-effective process for synthesizing daidzein was developed in this work.In this article,a two-step synthesis of daidzein(Friedel–Crafts acylation and[5+1]cyclization)was developed via the employment of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid(TfOH)as an effective promoting reagent.The effect of reaction conditions such as solvent,the amount of TfOH,reaction temperature,and reactant ratio on the conversion rate and the yield of the reaction,respectively,was systematically investigated,and daidzein was obtained in 74.0%isolated yield under optimal conditions.Due to the facilitating effect of TfOH,the Friedel–Crafts acylation was completed within 10 min at 90℃ and the[5+1]cyclization was completed within 180 min at 25℃.In addition,a possible reaction mechanism for this process was proposed.The results of the study may provide useful guidance for industrial production of daidzein on a large scale.

Mechanism and reservoir simulation study of the autothermic pyrolysis in-situ conversion process for oil shale recovery

The autothermic pyrolysis in-situ conversion process (ATS) consumes latent heat of residual organic matter after kerogen pyrolysis by oxidation reaction, and it has the advantages of low development cost and exploitation of deep oil shale resources. However, the heating mechanism and the characteristic of different reaction zones are still unclear. In this study, an ATS numerical simulation model was proposed for the development of oil shale, which considers the pyrolysis of kerogen, high-temperature oxidation, and low-temperature oxidation. Based on the above model, the mechanism of the ATS was analyzed and the effects of preheating temperature, O_(2) content, and injection rate on recovery factor and energy efficiency were studied. The results showed that the ATS in the formation can be divided into five characteristic zones by evolution of the oil and O_(2) distribution, and the solid organic matter, including residue zone, autothermic zone, pyrolysis zone, preheating zone, and original zone. Energy efficiency was much higher for the ATS than for the high-temperature nitrogen injection in-situ conversion process (HNICP). There is a threshold value of the preheating temperature, the oil content, and the injection rate during the ATS, which is 400 °C, 0.18, and 1100 m3/day, respectively, in this study.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe/NbC composite layer prepared by in-situ reaction

NbC ceramic surface-reinforced steel matrix composites were prepared by an in-situ reaction method at different temperatures(1,050℃,1,100℃and 1,150℃)for different times(1 h,2 h and 3 h).The phase constitution,microstructure and fracture morphology of NbC ceramic surface-reinforced steel matrix composites were analyzed by XRD,SEM and EDS,and the effects of the in-situ reaction temperature and time on the mechanical properties were systematically studied.The results indicate that the NbC reinforcement layer is formed through the reaction between Nb atoms and carbon atoms diffused from the steel matrix to the Nb plate.The thickness of this reinforcement layer increases as the reaction time prolongs.Additionally,an increase in reaction temperature results in a thicker reinforcement layer,although the rate of increase gradually decreases.The relationship among the thickness of the Nb C reinforcement layer,the reaction time and temperature was established by data fitting.The optimal tensile performance is achieved at 1,100℃for 1 h,with a tensile strength of 228 MPa.It is also found that the defects between the reinforcement layer and the steel matrix are related to reaction temperature.At 1,100℃,these defects are minimal.Fracture mostly occurs in the NbC reinforced layer of the composites,and the fracture mode is characterized by typical intergranular brittle fracture.

Eutectic Solution Enables Powerful Click Reaction for In-Situ Construction of Advanced Gel Electrolytes

Thiol-ene click reaction is an intriguing strategy for preparing polymer electrolytes due to its high activity,atom economy and less side reaction.However,the explosive reaction rate and the use of non-electrolytic amine catalyst hamper its application in in-situ batteries.Herein,a nitrogen-containing eutectic solution is designed as both the catalyst of the thiol-ene reaction and the plasticizer to in-situ synthesize the gel polymer electrolytes,realizing a mild in-situ gelation process and the preparation of high-performance gel electrolytes.The obtained gel polymer electrolytes exhibit a high ionic conductivity of 4×10^(−4)S cm^(−1)and lithium-ion transference number(t_(Li)^(+))of 0.51 at 60°C.The as-assembled Li/LiFePO_(4)(LFP)cell delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 155.9 mAh g^(-1),and a favorable cycling stability with the capacity retention of 82%after 800 cycles at 1 C is also obtained.In addition,this eutectic solution significantly improves the rate performance of the LFP cell with high specific capacity of 141.5 and 126.8 mAh g^(-1)at 5 C and 10 C,respectively,and the cell can steadily work at various charge–discharge rate for 200 cycles.This powerful and efficient strategy may provide a novel way for in-situ preparing gel polymer electrolytes with desirable comprehensive performances.

Preparation Process of Plumbagin Nanomicelle In-situ Gel

[Objectives]To prepare plumbagin nanomicelle(PLB-N)in-situ gel,and optimize the formulation and process.[Methods]PLB-N was prepared by self-assembly method,and the optimal formulation of PLB-N in-situ gel was determined by orthogonal experiment design and single factor method.[Results]The optimal preparation process for PLB-N was a drug to lipid ratio of 1:3,a Tween 80 content of 5%,an ethanol content of 7.5%of the hydration medium,a magnetic stirring speed of 2200 rpm,a stirring time of 30 min,and an ultrasound time of 10 min.The optimal formulation of PLB-N in-situ gel was 22%of poloxamer 407,6%of poloxamer 188,and 1:1 of PLB-N to water.The encapsulation efficiency of PLB-N prepared with the optimal formula was(95.8%±0.4%),and the average particle size was(75.19±1.14)nm,and the Zeta potential was(-20.73±1.19)mv.[Conclusions]PLB-N in-situ gel had stable and reliable preparation process,uniform content,and broad application prospects.

In-situ monitoring of dynamic behavior of catalyst materials and reaction intermediates in semiconductor catalytic processes

Semiconductor photocatalysis, as a key part of solar energy utilization, has far-reaching implications for industrial, agricultural, and commercial development. Lack of understanding of the catalyst evolution and the reaction mechanism is a critical obstacle for designing efficient and stable photocatalysts. This review summarizes the recent progress of in-situ exploring the dynamic behavior of catalyst materials and reaction intermediates. Semiconductor photocatalytic processes and two major classes of in-situ techniques that include microscopic imaging and spectroscopic characterization are presented. Finally, problems and challenges in in-situ characterization are proposed, geared toward developing more advanced in-situ techniques and monitoring more accurate and realistic reaction processes, to guide designing advanced photocatalysts.

Progress in in-situ electrochemical nuclear magnetic resonance for battery research

A thorough understanding of the fundamental electrochemical and chemical processes in batteries is crucial to advancing energy density and power density.However,the characterizations of such processes are complex.In-situ electrochemical nuclear magnetic resonance(EC-NMR)offers the capability to collect real-time data during battery operation,furnishing insights into the local structures and ionic dynamics of materials by monitoring changes in the chemical environment around the nuclei.EC-NMR also has the advantages of being both quantitative and non-destructive.This paper systematically reviews the design of EC-NMR approach,and delves into the applications and progress of EC-NMR concerning battery reaction mechanisms,failure mechanisms,and overall battery systems.The review culminates in a comprehensive summary of the perspective and challenges associated with EC-NMR.

100 W-class green hydrogen production from ammonia at a dual-layer electrode containing a Pt-Ir catalyst for an alkaline electrolytic process

Ammonia allows storage and transport of hydrogen over long distances and is an attractive potential hydrogen carrier.Electrochemical decomposition has recently been used for the conversion of ammonia to hydrogen and is regarded as a future technology for production of CO_(2)-free pure hydrogen.Herein,a heterostructural Pt-Ir dual-layer electrode is developed and shown to achieve successful long-term operation in an ammonia electrolyzer with an anion exchange membrane(AEM).This electrolyzer consisted of eight membra ne electrode assemblies(MEAs)with a total geometric area of 200 cm~2 on the anode side,which resulted in a hydrogen production rate of 25 L h~(-1).We observed the degradation in MEA performance attributed to changes in the anode catalyst layer during hydrogen production via ammonia electrolysis.Furthermore,we demonstrated the relationship between the ammonia oxidation reaction(AOR)and the oxygen evolution reaction(OER).

Reaction pathway led by silicate structure transformation on decomposition of CaSiO_3 in alkali fusion process using NaOH

The mechanism of decomposition of calcium inosilicate(CaSiO_3) synthesized through chemical deposition method using analytical reagent NaSiO_3·9H_2O and CaCl_2 during the alkali fusion process using NaOH was investigated by Raman spectroscopy in situ,X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR).The results show that the tetrahedral silica chains within CaSiO_3 are gradually disrupted and transformed into nesosilicate with the isolated SiO_4 tetrahedra at the beginning of the alkali fusion process.The three intermediates including Ca_2SiO_4,Na_2CaSiO_4 and Na_2SiO_3 appear simultaneously in the decomposition of CaSiO_3,while the final products are Ca(OH)_2 and Na_4SiO_4.It can be concluded that there exist two reaction pathways in the alkali fusion process of CaSiO_3:one is ion exchange,the other is in the main form of the framework structure change of silicate.The reaction pathway is led by silicate structure transformation in the alkali fusion process.

Preparation and wear properties of TiB_2/Al-30Si composites via in-situ melt reactions under high-energy ultrasonic field

TiB2/Al-30Si composites were fabricated via in-situ melt reaction under high-energy ultrasonic field. The microstructure and wear properties of the composite were investigated by XRD, SEM and dry sliding testing. The results indicate that TiB2 reinforcement particles are uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix under high-energy ultrasonic field. The morphology of the TiB2 particles is in circle-shape or quadrangle-shape, and the size of the particles is 0.1-1.5μm. The primary silicon particles are in quadrangle-shape and the average size of them is about 10μm. Hardness values of the Al-30Si matrix alloy and the TiB2/Al-30Si composites considerably increase as the high energy ultrasonic power increases. In particular, the maximum hardness value of the in-situ composites is about 1.3 times as high as that of the matrix alloy when the ultrasonic power is 1.2 kW, reaching 412 MPa. Meanwhile, the wear resistance of the in-situ TiB2/Al-30Si composites prepared under high-energy ultrasonic field is obviously improved and is insensitive to the applied loads of the dry sliding testing.

Microstructural aspects of in-situ TiB reinforced Ti-6Al-4V composite processed by spark plasma sintering

Titanium-matrix composites have important and wide applications in the transport and aerospace industries. The current research was focused on powder metallurgy processing of in-situ reinforced titanium-matrix composite with Ti B whiskers. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy and B4 C additive powders were used as raw materials. Two different consolidation techniques, namely press-and-sintering and spark plasma sintering, were selected. It was observed that in-situ Ti B whiskers were formed during sintering in both methods. The changes in size, aspect ratio and distribution of in-situ whiskers in different composite samples were monitored. The effect of spark plasma sintering temperature on the synthesis of in-situ whiskers was also investigated. Based on the microstructural observations（optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy） and the energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis, it was concluded that increasing the spark plasma sintering temperature from 900 to 1100 °C would lead to the complete formation of in-situ Ti B whiskers and reduced porosity content.

Reaction Process of Chromium Slag Reduced by Industrial Waste in Solid Phase

M, a particular industrial waste, was selected to detoxify chromium slag at a high temperature. The carbon remaining in M reduced Cr （ Ⅳ ） of Na2 CrO4 borne in the chromium slag to Cr （ Ⅲ ） in the solid phase reaction, and its thermodynamics and kinetics were studied. The reduction process of Na2CrO4 by carbon produced CO, whiCh＇was endothermic. Under the experimental condition, the apparent activation energy was 4. 41 kJ·mol^-1 , the＇apparent order of reaction for Na2 CrO4 was equal to one, and the partial pressure of CO was only 0.22 Pa at 1 330℃.

The influence of intimacy on the ’iterative reactions’ during OX-ZEO process for aromatic production

The oxide-zeolite process provides a promising way for one-step production of aromatics from syngas,whereas the reasons for the dramatic effect of intimacy between oxide and zeolite in the composite catalyst on the product selectivity are still unclear. In order to explore the optimal intimacy and the essential influence factors, ZnCrOxcombined with ZSM-5 are employed to prepare the composite catalysts with different distances between the two components by changing the mixing methods. An aromatic selectivity of 74%(with CO conversion to be 16%) is achieved by the composite catalyst when the intimacy is in the range of nanometer. A so-called ‘iterative reactions’ mechanism of intermediates over oxides is then proposed and studied: the intermediate chemical can undergo a hydrogenation reaction on oxide.So the shorter the intermediates stay on oxide, the more of chance for C-C coupling takes place on zeolite to form aromatics. Moreover, the aero-environments of reaction is found to impact on the extent of iterative reaction as well. Therefore, when the intimacy between the two components changes, the extent of iterative reactions vary, resulting in alteration of product distribution. This work provides new insight in understanding the mechanisms during the complex process of OX-ZEO composite catalysis and sheds light to the design of a high-yield catalyst for synthetization of aromatics from syngas.

Effects of Solid-State Reaction Synthesis Processing Parameters on Thermoelectric Properties of Mg_2Si

The Mg_(2)Si-matrix thermoelectric material was synthesized by low temperature solid-state reaction.This paper studies the effects of holding time and reaction temperature on the particle size and the properties of the material,and also studies effects of doping elemental Sb,Te and their doping seqence on the properties of the material.The result shows that excessively high temperature and elongated holding time of solid-state reaction are harmful,there is a range of particle size to ensure optimum properties and the doping sequence of Sb or Te without influencing the properties.

Preparation of β-Sialon/ZrN bonded corundum composites from zircon by nitridation reaction sintering process

β-Sialon/ZrN bonded corundum composites were synthesized using fused white corundum,alumina micro powder,zircon and carbon black by nitridation reaction sintering process. Phase composition and microstructure of the synthesized composites were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electronic microscope,and the formation process of the composites was discussed. The results show that the composites with different compositions can be obtained by controlling the heating temperature and contents of zircon and carbon black. The proper temperature to synthesize the composites is 1773 K.

Empirical correction of kinetic model for polymer thermal reaction process based on first order reaction kinetics

Based on the theory of first-order reaction kinetics,a thermal reaction kinetic model in integral form has been derive.To make the model more applicable,the effects of time and the conversion degree on the reaction rate parameters were considered.Two types of undetermined functions were used to compensate for the intrinsic variation of the reaction rate,and two types of correction methods are provided.The model was explained and verified using published experimental data of different polymer thermal reaction systems,and its effectiveness and wide adaptability were confirmed.For the given kinetic model,only one parameter needs to be determined.The proposed empirical model is expected to be used in the numerical simulation of polymer thermal reaction process.

Modeling and Optimization of Ethane Steam Cracking Process in An Industrial Tubular Reactor with Improved Reaction Scheme

Ethane steam cracking process in an industrial reactor was investigated.An one-demsional(1D)steady-state model was developed firstly by using an improved molecular reaction scheme and was then simulated in Aspen Plus.A comparison of model results with industrial data and previously reported results showed that the model can predict the process kinetics more accurately.In addition,the validated model was used to study the effects of different process variables,including coil outlet temperature(COT),steam-to-ethane ratio and residence time on ethane conversion,ethylene selectivity,products yields,and coking rate.Finally,steady-state optimization was conducted to the operation of industrial reactor.The COT and steam-to-ethane ratio were taken as decision variables to maximize the annual operational profit.

EFFECT OF STRESS-INDUCED REACTIONS ON MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND PROCESSABILITY OF PVC DURING PAN-MILLING

The effect of pan-milling on morphological structure,processability and properties of PVC was studied throughSEM,FTIR,granulometer,GPC and mechanical properties test in the hope of gaining ease in operation,needless ofplasticizers,a clean and efficient route for improving the processability of PVC through stress-induced reactions,fulfilling the idea of“plasticizing PVC by itself”.The experimental results show that during pan-milling at ambienttemperature,within 2-3 min,the microcrystalline structure of PVC becomes indistinct,the grain size of PVC is reducedfrom 130-160 μm to 1-50 μm the molecular weight of PVC is slightly decreased,the variation of molecular weightdistribution is indistinct,the plasticizing time and torque at balance drop a great deal from 71-132 s to 31-33 s and from18.2-22.1 Nm to 14.7-18.4 Nm,respectively,the processability of PVC is markedly improved,and the mechanicalproperties get enhanced too.

Comparative study on high temperature deformation behavior and processing maps of Mg-4Zn-1RE-0.5Zr alloy with and without in-situ sub-micron sized TiB2 reinforcement

Mg-4Zn-1RE-0.5Zr (ZE41) Mg alloy is extensively used in the aerospace and automobile industries.In order to improve the applicability and performance,this alloy was engineered with in-situ Ti B2reinforcement to form Ti B2/ZE41 composite.The high temperature deformation behavior and manufacturability of the newly developed Ti B2/ZE41 composite and the parent ZE41 Mg alloy were studied via establishing constitutive modeling of flow stress,deformation activation energy and processing map over a temperature range of 250℃-450℃ and strain rate range of 0.001 s-1-10 s-1.The predicted flow stress behavior of both materials were found to be well consistent with the experimental values.A significant improvement in activation energy was found in Ti B2/ZE41 composite (171.54 k J/mol) as compared to the ZE41 alloy (148.15 k J/mol) due to the dispersed strengthening of in-situ Ti B2particles.The processing maps were developed via dynamic material modeling.A wider workability domain and higher peak efficiency (45%) were observed in Ti B2/ZE41 composite as compared to ZE41 alloy (41%).The Dynamic recrystallization is found to be the dominating deformation mechanism for both materials;however,particle stimulated nucleation was found to be an additional mode of deformation in Ti B2/ZE41 composite.The twinning and stress induced cracks were observed in both the materials at low temperature and high strain rate.A narrow range of instability zone is found in the present Ti B2/ZE41 composite among the existing published literature on Mg based composites.The detailed microstructural characterization was carried out in both workability and instability domains to establish the governing deformation mechanisms.