Hydrogenation of CO/CO2 mixtures under unsteady-state conditions: Effect of the carbon oxides on the dynamic methanation process

The Power-to-Gas (PtG) process offers the opportunity to store fluctuating renewable energy in form of chemical energy by hydrogenating carbon oxides into methane. In addition, potential carbon point sources often consist of CO/CO2 (COx) mixtures. Hence, reactor design requires kinetic models valid for unsteady-state operation and a broad spectrum of feed gas compositions. In order to provide the required experimental data basis for derivation of kinetic expressions valid under transient conditions, the dynamic response of a continuously operated fixed-bed methanation reactor is studied by applying periodic step-changes in the feed composition. The obtained results are evaluated based on a simple reactor model, providing the molar flow rate exchanged between the gas bulk and the solid surface for CO, CO2, CH4, and H2O. The results further reveal that the transient kinetic processes at the catalyst surface strongly affect the reactor response under reaction conditions of technical relevance.

ASSESSMENT OF FOREST DISTURBANCES AND CARBON STOCK IN PANTABANGAN-CARRANGLAN WATERSHED, PHILIPPINES USING REMOTE SENSING

Forest disturbances contribute to the decrease in carbon sequestration potential and ecosystem services in a watershed. One of the important watersheds that is affected by land use changes and disturbances is the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed. The ability of the watershed to provide ecosystem services is affected by the existing land use and land cover (LULC) and its future trends. Therefore, this study aims to assess the changes in the LULC, forest disturbances, and potential carbon stock in the watershed using satellite images. The LULC types and indices used in detecting forest disturbances were classified and generated from the Landsat 8 satellite images covering two different years. The potential carbon storage in the watershed was estimated using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) Carbon model. The information generated can be used in the conduct of valuation studies and land use planning in the watershed.

Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Automobile Application

Carbon nanotubes are established as a superior form of carbon. These have superior characteristics in terms of mechanical and chemical properties when compared to the other fibres available. High-strength fibres can be employed in a composite in a short form and mass-produced to fulfil high demands in composite applications. These composites can meet the strength requirements of nonstructural and structural components in a wide range of industries. Because of their light weight and excellent strength-to-weight ratio, these composites can be used in a wide range of applications. With Young’s modulus as high as 1 TPa and tensile strength up to 63 GPa, they are among the stiffest and strongest fibres. There is currently a lot of interest in using carbon nanotubes in a matrix to take advantage of these features. There have been a variety of polymer matrices used, and nanotube/ceramic and nanotube/metal composites are gaining popularity. The study of these materials is an ongoing process, as researchers and design engineers have yet to realize their full potential. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used in this study to create the composite with the resin. The percentage of CNT used as a filler material in the composite is varied from 1 to 4 percent, with the best percentage chosen for optimal mechanical properties.

Estimation of biomass potential, carbon stocks, and carbon sequestration of Trigona sp honey bees feed

This study aimed to determine the biomass potential of Trigona sp honey bees in Bontotiro subdistrict as well as its carbon stock and carbon sequestration. The research was carried out for two months starting from May to June 2021, located in the sub district of Bontotiro, district of Bulukumba. The biomass measurement was carried out by making 11 plots with a size of 20 x 20 for the tree level, 10 m x 10 m for the poles level, and 5 m x 5 m for the sapling level. Tree biomass was calcula ted using allometric equations. Measurement of carbon stocks was carried out by multiplying the total biomass with the percentage value of carbon content of 0.47, while the carbon sequestration was calculated by multiplying the average annual growth of biomass with the conversion rate of 1.4667 obtained from the photosynthesis equation. The results showed that the potential of biomass of tree, poles, and sapling levels were 4.5, 1.4, and 0.3 tons/year, respectively. The carbon stocks of the tree, poles, and sapling levels were 68.6, 13.7, and 1.8 tons/year, respectively. The carbon sequestration of the tree, poles, and sapling were 6.6, 2.1, and 0.56 tons/year, respectively.

Global Metabolome Analysis of Dunaliella tertiolecta, Phaeobacter italicus R11 Co-cultures using Thermal Desoprtion - Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography - Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Dunaliella tertiolecta is a marine microalgae that has been studied extensively as a potential carbon-neutral biofuel source. Microalgae oil contains high quantities of energy-rich fatty acids and lipids, but is not yet commercially viable as an alternative fuel. Carefully optimised growth conditions, and more recently, algal-bacterial co-cultures have been explored as a way of improving the yield of Dunaliella tertiolecta microalgae oils. The relationship between the host microalgae and bacterial co-cultures is currently poorly understood. Here, a complete workflow is proposed to analyse the global metabolomic profile of co-cultured Dunaliella tertiolectra and Phaeobacter italicus R11, which will enable researchers to explore the chemical nature of this relationship in more detail.