Three dimensional microstructures of carbon deposition on Ni-YSZ anodes under polarization

In the present study,two Ni/YSZ anodes with different volume ratios of Ni and YSZ,30:70 and 45:55 vol%,are operated in dry methane under open circuit and polarized conditions.Three-dimensional(3D)Ni/YSZ microstructures after carbon deposition are reconstructed by the focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy(FIB-SEM)with the help of machine learning segmentation.From the reconstructed mircostructures,volume fraction,connectivity,three phase boundary(TPB)density,and tortuosity are quantified.In addition,local carbon microstructures are quantitatively reconstructed,and the effect of polarization on carbon morphology is investigated.It is demonstrated that Ni surface in the vicinity of active TPB near the electrolyte is free from carbon formation,while remaining Ni surface at some distances from TPB exhibits severe carbon deposition.In average,total amount of carbon deposition is larger near the electrolyte.These observations imply complex interplay between the electrochemical steam generation and methane cracking on Ni surface which take place very locally near the active TPB.

Influence of Supports on Catalytic Performance and Carbon Deposition of Palladium Catalyst for Methane Partial Oxidation

The catalytic performance of methane partial oxidation was investigated on Pd/CeO2-ZrO2 and Pd/α-Al2O3 catalysts.The catalysts were characterized by XRD,Raman spectra,and TG-DTA techniques.The results show that CeO2-ZrO2 support is more advantageous for the catalytic activity and stability of catalysts compared to α-Al2O3.TG-DTA and Raman spectra results indicated that carbon deposited on the catalysts was in the form of graphite,which is the main reason for the deactivation of catalysts after a 24-hour reaction.Moreover,CeO2-ZrO2 had positive effect on inhibiting carbon deposition.

Topography,structure,and formation kinetic mechanism of carbon deposited onto nickel in the temperature range from 400 to 850°C

The carbon deposition behavior on nickel particles was observed within the temperature range from 400 to 800°C in a pure methane atmosphere. The topography, properties, and molecular structure of the deposited carbon were investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) technology, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The deposited carbon is present in the form of a film at 400-450°C, as fibers at 500-600°C, and as particles at 650-800°C. In addition, the structure of the deposited carbon becomes more ordered at higher temperatures because both the TPO peak temperature of deposited carbon and the Raman shift of the G band increase with the increase in experimental temperature, whereas the intensity ratio between the D bands and the G band decreases. An interesting observation is that the carbon deposition rate is suppressed in the medium-temperature range (M-T range) and the corresponding kinetic mechanism changes. Correspondingly, the FWHM of the G and D1 bands in the Raman spectrum reaches a maximum and the intensities of the D2, D3, and D4 bands decrease to low limits in the M-T range. These results indicate that carbon structure parameters exhibit two different tendencies with respect to varying temperature. Both of the two group parameters change dramatically as a peak function with increasing reaction temperature within the M-T range.

Characterization of Carbon Deposits Formed During Plasma Pyrolysis of Xinjiang Candle Coal

Carbon deposits were formed on the reactor wall during plasma pyrolysis of the Xinjiang candle coal in our V-style plasma pyrolysis pilot-plant. The carbon deposits were studied using a scanning electronic microscope （SEM） and the X-ray diffraction （XRD） method. It was found that carbon deposits located at different parts in the reactor exhibited different microscopic patterns. The formation mechanism of the carbon deposits was deduced. The downward increase in the graphitization degree of the carbon deposits was found and interpreted.

Kinetics of Carbon Deposition on Hexaaluminate LaNiAl_(11)O_(19) Catalyst During CO_2 Reforming of Methane

In this paper, the properties of carbon deposited on hexaaluminateLaNiAl_(11)O_(19) catalyst were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and in themeantime, the amount of carbon deposited on the catalyst, after both CH_4 decomposition and CO_2reforming of CH_4, was determined by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Therates of carbon deposited on the catalyst were also investigated and the apparent kinetic equationof CO_2 reforming of CH_4: ν_c = kp^(0.72)(CH_4)·p^(-0.55)(CO_2), was established by analyzing therelation between the rates of deposited carbon and the pressure ratio of CH_4 and CO_2.

Minimizing carbon deposition in plasma-induced methane coupling with structured hydrogenation catalysts

The effect of temperature and hydrogen addition on undesired carbonaceous deposit formation during methane coupling was studied in DBD-plasma catalytic-wall reactors with Pd/Al2 O3, using electrical power to drive the reaction.Experiments with thin catalyst layers allowed comparison of the performance of empty reactors and catalytic wall reactors without significantly influencing the plasma properties.The product distribution varies strongly in the temperature window between 25 and 200℃Minimal formation of deposits is found at an optimal temperature around 75℃ in the catalytic-wall reactors.The selectivity to deposits was c.a.10% with only 9 mg of catalyst loading instead of 45% in the blank reactor,while decreasing methane conversion only mildly.Co-feeding H2 to an empty reactor causes a similar decrease in selectivity to deposits,but in this case methane conversion also decreased significantly.Suppression of deposits formation in the catalytic-wall reactor at 75℃ is due to catalytic hydrogenation of mainly acetylene to ethylene.In the empty reactor,H2 co-feed decreases conversion but does not change the product distribution.The catalytic-wall reactors can be regenerated with H2-plasma at room temperature,which produces more added-value hydrocarbons.

Organic carbon deposition flux on the North Chukchi Sea shelf based on ^(210)Pb radioactivity dating

Deposition of organic carbon forms the final net effect of the ocean carbon sink at a certain time scale. Organic carbon deposition on the Arctic shelves plays a particularly important role in the global carbon cycle because of the broad shelf area and rich nutrient concentration. To determine the organic carbon deposition flux at the northern margin of the Chukchi Sea shelf, the 210pb dating method was used to analyze the age and deposition rate of sediment samples from station R17 of the third Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition. The results showed that the deposition rate was 0.6 mm＇aI, the apparent deposition mass flux was 0.72 kg.m2a1, and the organic carbon deposition flux was 517 mmol C.m2.al. It was estimated that at least 16% of the export organic carbon flux out of the euphoric zone was transferred and chronically buried into the sediment, a value which was much higher than the average ratio （-10%） for low- to mid-latitude regions, indicating a highly effective carbon sink at the northern mar- gin of the Chukchi Sea shelf. With the decrease of sea ice coverage caused by warming in the Arctic Ocean, it could be inferred that the Arctic shelves will play an increasingly important role in the global carbon cycle.

Effects of specific surface area of metallic nickel particles on carbon deposition kinetics

Carbon deposition on nickel powders in methane involves three stages in different reaction temperature ranges. Temperature programing oxidation test and Raman spectrum results indicated the formation of complex and ordered carbon structures at high deposition temperatures. The values of I（D）/I（G） of the deposited carbon reached 1.86, 1.30, and 1.22 in the first, second, and third stages, respectively. The structure of carbon in the second stage was similar to that in the third stage. Carbon deposited in the first stage rarely contained homogeneous pyrolytic deposit layers. A kinetic model was developed to analyze the carbon deposition behavior in the first stage. The rate-determining step of the first stage is supposed to be interfacial reaction. Based on the investigation of carbon deposition kinetics on nickel powders from different resources, carbon deposition rate is suggested to have a linear relation with the square of specific surface area of nickel particles.

Carbon deposition and catalytic deactivation during CO_2 reforming of CH_4 over Co/MgO catalyst

The deactivation mechanism of Co/MgO catalyst for the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide was investigated. The conversion of CH4 displayed a significant decrease in the initial stage caused by carbon deposition.There were two types of cokes, carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and carbon nano-onions(CNOs). The number of the CNO layers that coated on the surface of Co nanoparticles(NPs) increased rapidly in the initial reforming time,which was responsible for the deactivation of the Co/MgO catalyst. The deposition of CNOs was attributed to the oxidation of Co NPs. Therefore, the deactivation of the Co/MgO catalyst was originated from the first oxidization of the Co NPs into Co3 O4 by O species(OH intermediate, CO_2, H2 O) during the reforming reaction,which accelerates the formation of coke that blocked the active metal, thus led to catalyst deactivation.

Investigation and Mitigation of Carbon Deposition over Copper Catalyst during Electrochemical CO_(2)Reduction

Copper(Cu)is considered to be the most effective catalyst for electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide(CO_(2))into value-added hydrocarbons,but its stability still faces considerable challenge.Here,we report the poisoning effect of carbon deposition during CO_(2)reduction on the active sites of Cu electrodea critical deactivation factor that is often overlooked.We find that,*C,an intermediate toward methane formation,could desorb on the electrode surface to form carbon species.We reveal a strong correlation between the formation of methane and the carbon deposition,and the reaction conditions favoring methane production result in more carbon deposition.The deposited carbon blocks the active sites and consequently causes rapid deterioration of the catalytic performance.We further demonstrate that the carbon deposition can be mitigated by increasing the roughness of the electrode and increasing the pH of the electrolyte.This work offers a new guidance for designing more stable catalysts for CO_(2)reduction.

Effect of CeO_(2) on carbon deposition resistance of Ni/CeO_(2) catalyst supported on SiC porous ceramic for ethanol steam reforming

Ni/CeO_(2) catalysts(nCeO_(2):n_(Ni)=0,1,4,7,10)supported on SiC porous ce ramics for ethanol steam reforming(ESR)were investigated with respect to hydrogen production performance and growth of carbon deposition.The oxygen released from CeO_(2) enables the oxidation of CH_(x) species to serve as carbon precursors,thus providing Ni/CeO_(2) catalysts with stronger resistance to carbon deposition compared with Ni catalysts.The Ni/CeO_(2) catalysts prepared by inverse microemulsion and impregnation methods exhibit regular semicircular spherical shape on SiC porous ceramics.Under 500℃for 25 h of ESR reaction,the ethanol conversion rate over Ni/CeO_(2) catalysts(n_(CeO_(2)):n_(Ni)=7)is sustained up to 100%and H_(2) selectivity is essentially kept at 74%.The by-product selectivity declines stepwise with increasing content of CeO_(2),which is attributed to the adsorption and oxidation of CO and of CH_(x) species as CH_4 precursor from CeO_(2).The scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and transform electron microscopy(TEM)results reveal that further loading of CeO_(2) on the surface of Ni catalysts can alleviate both migration and sintering of Ni particles.Furthermore,carbon deposition on Ni/CeO_(2) catalysts preferentially outgrow filamentous rather than amorphous carbon,with a tendency for the latter to be more deactivated.

Modeling of Crack Development Associated with Proppant Hydraulic Fracturing in a Clay-Carbonate Oil Deposit

Survey and novel research data are used in the present study to classify/identify the lithological type of Verey age reservoirs’rocks.It is shown how the use of X-ray tomography can clarify the degree of heterogeneity,porosity and permeability of these rocks.These data are then used to elaborate a model of hydraulic fracturing.The resulting software can take into account the properties of proppant and breakdown fluid,thermal reservoir conditions,oil properties,well design data and even the filtration and elastic-mechanical properties of the rocks.Calculations of hydraulic fracturing crack formation are carried out and the results are compared with the data on hydraulic fracturing crack at standard conditions.Significant differences in crack formation in standard and lithotype models are determined.It is shown that the average width of the crack development for the lithotype model is 2.3 times higher than that for the standard model.Moreover,the coverage of crack development in height for the lithotype model is almost 2 times less than that for the standard model.The estimated fracture half-length for the lithotype model is 13.3%less than that of for the standard model.A higher dimensionless fracture conductivity is also obtained for the lithotype model.It is concluded that the proposed approach can increase the reliability of hydraulic fracturing crack models.

Cell-protecting regeneration from anode carbon deposition using in situ produced oxygen and steam:A combined experimental and theoretical study

Carbon deposition is a primary concern during the operation of solid oxide fuel cells（SOFCs） fueled with hydrocarbon fuels, leading to cell degradation and even cell damage. Carbon elimination is expected to be a promising approach to prolong cell life. This work reports on a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of cell regeneration from anode carbon deposition of tubular SOFCs fabricated by phase-inversion and co-sintering techniques. The as-prepared cell exhibits a maximum power density of 0.20 W cm;at 800 ℃ fueling with wet CH;, but fails to stable operation due to severe carbon deposition.Based on thermodynamic predictions, a successive cell-protecting regeneration process is proposed to eliminate deposited carbon without oxidizing Ni catalysts, during which CH;and H;fuels are provided in circulation. Through a total of 35 cycling tests, cell performance can always successfully restore to the initial level.The possible carbon elimination mechanism is investigated in detail based on thermodynamic and first-principle calculations. The feasibility of carbon elimination using in situ produced oxygen or steam through electrochemical reaction has been revealed, providing a novel continuous operation mode for hydrocarbon-based SOFCs.

Selective oxidation of methane and carbon deposition over Fe_2O_3/Ce_(1-x)Zr_xO_2 oxides

A series of Fe2O3/Al2O3, Fe2O3/CeO2, Ce0.7Zr0.3O2, and Fe2O3/Ce1-xZrxO2（x = 0.1–0.4） oxides was prepared and their physicochemical features were investigated by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, transmission electron microscope（TEM）, and H2-temperature-programmed reduction（H2-TPR） techniques. The gas–solid reactions between these oxides and methane for syngas generation as well as the catalytic performance for selective oxidation of carbon deposition in O2-enriched atmosphere were investigated in detail. The results show that the samples with the presence of Fe2O3show much higher activity for methane oxidation compared with the Ce0.7Zr0.3O2solid solution,while the CeO2-contained samples represent higher CO selectively in methane oxidation than the Fe2O3/Al2O3sample. This suggests that the iron species should be the active sites for methane activation, and the cerium oxides provide the oxygen source for the selective oxidation of the activated methane to syngas during the reaction between methane and Fe2O3/Ce0.7Zr0.3O2. For the oxidation process of the carbon deposition, the CeO2-containing samples show much higher CO selectivity than the Fe2O3/Al2O3sample, which indicates that the cerium species should play a very important role in catalyzing the carbon selective oxidation to CO. The presence of the Ce–Zr–O solid solution could induce the growth direction of the carbonfilament, resulting in a loose contact between the carbon filament and the catalyst. This results in abundant exposed active sites for catalyzing carbon oxidation, strongly improving the oxidation rate of the carbon deposition over this sample. In addition, the Fe2O3/Ce0.7Zr0.3O2also represents much higher selectivity（ca. 97 %） for the conversion of carbon to CO than the Fe2O3/CeO2sample, which can be attributed to the higher concentration of reduced cerium sites on this sample. The increase of the Zr content in the Fe2O3/Ce1-xZrxO2samples could improve the reactivity of the materials for methane oxidation, but it also reduces the selectivity for CO formation.

Carbon Deposition on the Venturi of a Gas Turbine Combustor Using Ethanol-Kerosene Blends

This paper reports an investigation of carbon deposition on the venturi component of a gas turbine combustor fueled with ethanol/kerosene fuel blends. China RP-3 kerosene and its ethanol blends(10%, 30%, and 50% ethanol by weight) were used in a gas turbine model combustor. Each combustion test of carbon deposition was conducted at 0.3 MPa for an hour. Measuring carbon deposition became difficult because of the special structure of venturi which is a component of swirl cup air atomization nozzle. An image processing method called planar reconstruction, was developed to evaluate the amount of carbon deposition semi-quantitatively. To study the morphology and structure of the deposition for different test fuels, a Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM) was employed to visualize the detailed structures of carbon deposition. Results show that with the increasing addition of ethanol, the amount of carbon deposition decreases, and the morphology of carbon changes significantly. For pure kerosene case, small spherules and flake graphite were closely interwoven on venturi surface. For other fuel blends, small spherules were not observed, and flake graphite neatly stacked and lined on the venturi surface. These results indicate that the mechanism of carbon deposition can vary significantly, due to the change of fuel’s molecular structures;the current study shows that the morphology and structure of carbon deposition of kerosene were altered remarkably by the ethanol addition.

Kinetic triplet from low-temperature carburization and carbon deposition reactions

Carbon deposition reaction is unfavorable for smooth operation of blast furnace,while the product of carburization reaction is a superior iron-bearing raw material in non-blast furnace routes.The kinetic triplet of these two reactions was obtained based on non-isothermal kinetic analysis.According to the Sharp–Wentworth method,the activation energy of the carburization reaction is 397.77 kJ/mol,and the activation energies of the carbon depositions on hematite and magnetite are 188.92 and 100.89 kJ/mol,respectively.The carburization reaction is controlled by the Jander mechanism,and the carbon depositions on hematite and magnetite are both controlled by the mechanism of Zhuravlev–Lesokhin–Tempelman.Based on Coats–Redfern method,the activation energies of the above three reactions are 360.65,149.29,and 102.36 kJ/mol,respectively.The carburization reaction is a first-order reaction,while the carbon depositions on hematite and magnetite are both third-order reaction.In particular,the negative activation energy is obtained if considering the anti-Arrhenius circumstance in the Sharp-Wentworth method.Based on above results,it is feasible to adopt non-isothermal kinetic method to study the kinetic triplet of a reaction.According to the obtained activation energies and reaction mechanism functions,the simulated kinetic data are in good agreement with the experimental values even using the negative activation energy.

Effect of carbon deposition over carbonaceous catalysts on CH_(4)decomposition and CH_(4)-CO_(2)reforming

An investigation was made using a continuous fixed bed reactor to understand the influence of carbon deposition obtained under different conditions on CH_(4)-CO_(2)reforming.Thermogravimetry(TG)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)were employed to study the characteristics of carbon deposition.It was found that the carbonaceous catalyst is an efficient catalyst in methane decomposition and CH_(4)-CO_(2)reforming.The trend of methane decomposition at lower temperatures is similar to that at higher temperatures.The methane conversion is high during the initial of stage of the reaction,and then decays to a relatively fixed value after about 30 min.With temperature increase,the methane decomposition rate increases quickly.The reaction temperature has significant influence on methane decomposition,whereas the carbon deposition does not affect methane decomposition significantly.Different types of carbon deposition were formed at different methane decomposition reaction temperatures.The carbon deposition Type I generated at 900℃ has a minor effect on CH_(4)-CO_(2)reforming and it easily reacts with carbon dioxide,but the carbon deposition Type II generated at 1000℃and 1100℃clearly inhibits CH_(4)-CO_(2)reforming and it is difficult to react with carbon dioxide.The results of XRD showed that some graphite structures were found in carbon deposition Type II.

Carbon nanotubes for supercapacitors:Consideration of cost and chemical vapor deposition techniques

In this topic, we first discussed the requirement and performance of supercapacitors using carbon nanotubes （CNTs） as the electrode, including specific surface area, purity and cost. Then we reviewed the preparation technique of single wailed CNTs （SWNTs） in relatively large scale by chemical vapor deposition method. Its catalysis on the decomposition of methane and other carbon source, the reactor type and the process control strategies were discussed. Special focus was concentrated on how to increase the yield, selectivity, and purity of SWNTs and how to inhibit the formation of impurities, including amorphous carbon, multiwalled CNTs and the carbon encapsulated metal particles, since these impurities seriously influenced the performance of SWNTs in supercapacitors. Wish it be helpful to further decrease its product cost and for the commercial use in supercapacitors.

Insight into MgO promoter with low concentration for the carbon-deposition resistance of Ni-based catalysts in the CO_2 reforming of CH_4

The CO2reforming of CH4is studied over MgO‐promoted Ni catalysts,which were supported on alumina prepared from hydrotalcite.This presents an improved stability compared with non‐promoted catalysts.The introduction of the MgO promoter was achieved through the‘‘memory effect’’of the Ni‐Al hydrotalcite structure,and ICP‐MS confirmed that only0.42wt.%of Mg2+ions were added into the Ni‐Mg/Al catalyst.Although no differences in the Ni particle size and basicity strength were observed,the Ni‐Mg/Al catalyst showed a higher catalytic stability than the Ni/Al catalyst.A series of surface reaction experiments were used and showed that the addition of a MgO promoter with low concentration can promote CO2dissociation to form active surface oxygen arising from the formation of the Ni‐MgO interface sites.Therefore,the carbon‐resistance promotion by nature was suggested to contribute to an oxidative environment around Ni particles,which would increase the conversion of carbon residues from CH4cracking to yield CO on the Ni metal surface.?2018,Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences.Published by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Depositional architecture of the late Ordovician drowned carbonate platform margin and its responses to sea-level fluctuation in the northern slope of the Tazhong region, Tarim Basin

The Tazhong Uplift of the late Ordovician is a drowned rimmed carbonate platform. The carbonate rock of the late Ordovician Lianglitage Formation in the northern slope of the Tazhong region is one of the significant petroliferous intervals. Based on petrofacies, depositional cycles, natural gammaray spectrometry and carbon/oxygen isotope data from the Lianglitage Formation, one 2nd-order, three 3rd-order and several 4th-order sequences have been recognized, and the late Ordovician relative sealevel fluctuation curve has been established. The sequences O3 1-1 and O3 1-2 on the platform are composed of highstand and transgressive systems tracts, but lack the lowstand systems tract. The sequence O3 1-3 is a drowning sequence. The sequence O3 1-1 overlapped the eroded slope and pinched out to the northwest and landward. The highstand systems tract in the sequence O3 1-2 consists of low-angle sigmoid and high-angle shingled progradation configuration. Major sedimentary facies of the Lianglitage Formation include reef and shoal in the platform margin and lagoon, which can be subdivided into coral-sponge-stromatoporoid reef complex, sand shoal, lime mud mound, and intershoal sea. Reefs, sand shoals and their complex are potential reservoir facies. The reefs and sand shoals in the sequence O3 1-1 developed in the upper of its highstand systems tract. In the sequence O3 1-2, the highstand systems tract with an internal prograding configuration is a response to the lateral shifting of the complex of reef and sand shoal. The transgressive systems tract, in particular the sand shoals, developed widely on the slope of the platform margin and interior. The reefs in the sequence O3 1-3 migrated towards high positions and formed retrograding reefs in the western platform and low relief in the platform interior. Basinward lateral migration of the reefs and pure carbonate rock both characterize highstand systems tract and show that the rise of the relative sea-level was very slow. Shingled prograding stacking pattern of the 4th-order sequences and reefs grow horizontally, which represents the late stage of highstand systems tract and implies relative sealevel stillstand. Reefs migrating towards high land and impure carbonate rock both indicate transgressive systems tract and suggest that the relative sea-level rose fast. Erosional truncation and epidiagenetic karstification represent a falling relative sea-level. The relative sea-level fluctuation and antecedent palaeotopography control the development and distribution of reef complexes and unconformity karst zones. Currently, the composite zone of epidiagenetic karstic intervals and high-energy complexes of reefs and sand shoals with prograding configuration is an important oil and gas reservoir in the northern slope of the Tazhong carbonate platform.