Advanced Materials Research Vols. 805-806

Abstract: An ionic liquid, 2-Pyrrolidonium hydrogen sulfate (IL, [Hnhp]HSO₄) together with a rectification column, was applied in continuous preparation of n-butyl acetate (n-BuAc) from n-butanol (n-BuOH) and acetic acid (HAc). [Hnhp]HSO₄ was used as a catalyst which showed good activity for the esterification. Optimum conditions were as follows: base fluid n(HAc):n(n-BuOH): n(IL) =6:1:0.3 in reactor at 120 °C, feedstock n(n-BuOH):n(HAc) =1.05:1 by feeding to the reactor at 20 mL·h^-1, aqueous reflux 18 mL·h^-1 by feeding to the upper segment of the column and reflux ratio 1. During 48 hours of continuous reaction time, n-BuAc content ranged from 97 % to 85 % in the ester phase from overhead liquid-liquid separator and the reactive distillation system could maintain a good balance.

Abstract: A novel superabsorbent composite has been prepared via aqueous solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of PVP modified bentonite powder using N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator. The amount of PVP modified bentonite in the superabsorbent affected on the ultimate water absorbency was optimized, and the swelling kinetics and water retention ability were systematically investigated. The composite structure was determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TG) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the superabsorbents with PVP modified bentonite own superior water-swelling capability and water retention ability.

Abstract: 6-nitro-1,3',3'-trimethyl-indoline spiropyrans (SP) was synthesized, which is a photochromic compound. SP/SAO-ED composite phosphor was prepared with an organic ligand SP coated on the surface of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ (SAO-ED) phosphor by the interfacial coordination chemistry method. The effect of the solvent on the properties of SP/SAO-ED phosphor was investigated, and the effects of the solvent effect on the UV maximum absorption wavelength and fading kinetics of SP and SP/SAO-ED were also studied. Results showed that SP/SAO-ED composite phosphor has higher photochromic and photoluminescent properties when the prepared parameter is chloroform as solvent. The UV maximum absorption wavelength of open-loop SP and SP/SAO-ED is decreasing with the increasing of the solvent polarity, which is the negative color effect. The fading reaction kinetic equations meets with the first order reaction, and the rate constant is decreasing with the increasing of the solvent polarity.

Abstract: Etherification of isoamylene with methanol has been carried out over the γ-Al₂O₃/Hβ catalyst in a fixed bed reactor, catalysts were hydrothermal modified at different temperatures and time. The results show that the appropriate loading amount of active component Hβ is 20%; Hydrothermal modification is an effective way to improve the etherification activity, When γ-Al₂O₃/20%Hβ catalyst was hydrothermal modified at 573K for 3 hours, the isoamylene conversion is the highest, reach up to 51.95%, about 25% higher than the untreated one. From results of BET, XRD, and NH3-TPD characterization can be seen that hydrothermal modification does not change crystalline structure of the catalyst, but specific surface areas decrease together with pore volume and pore size increase, it also reduced the total acid volume of catalyst and improved the surface acid distribution of weak acid and strong acid.

Abstract: A new refining technique was innovatively improved and a series of high-performance transformer oil was successfully developed from non-cyclic alkyl crude oil through hydrocracking, isodewaxing, hydrorefining and proportioning. And it breaks through a barrier that the traditional refining technology was restricted by the type of crude oil. The functional properties, refining and stability, performance in service, health, safety and environment properties of hydrogenated transformer oil were studied comprehensively and deeply under the static and dynamic condition, especially at the level of molecular structure. The safety and reliability of hydrogenated transformer oil in the power transformer has been proven scientifically. In order to further verify the reliability of hydrogenated transformer oil in power transformers, the 110 kV #3 main transformer with hydrogenated transformer oil in Dongguan Power Supply Bureau started to carry load to operate in December, 2011. The transformer has been being regularly monitoring and it has been operating in the good condition. And the research results have been converted into practical application successfully.

Abstract: The influence of organic loading rates (OLRs) on the production of fermentation hydrogen was investigated in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with brown sugar water as the fermentation substrate, and sewage sludge as the initiation of reaction. Six OLRs were examined, ranging from 12 kg/m3·d to 32 kg/m3·d. The biogas and hydrogen production rates continuously increased with increasing OLR (12 kg/m3·d to 32 kg/m3·d).It reached a maximum production rate of 18.6L/d and a hydrogen production rate of 6.4L/d at OLR= 32 kg/m3·d. Compared with the initial 12kg/m3·d, gas production improved by 89% and 87%, respectively. During system operation, the reactor could maintain a high hydrogen production rate of ethanol-type fermentation by adding a certain amount of NaOH in the reactor to regulate the pH level.

Abstract: Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) has been proposed as an efficient and clean technology that could contribute to achieve carbon dioxide capture with negligible cost. The technology uses a metal oxide as oxygen carrier that indirectly transfer oxygen from air to fuels to oxidize the fuels. CuFe₂O₄ was prepared as a novel oxygen carrier to decrease the cost of raw material and increase the reactivity of iron-based oxygen carrier. The structure of the prepared oxygen carrier was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The reaction of CuFe₂O₄ with coal was tested in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Results showed that the pyrolysis of coal under CO₂ was more complete than that under N₂, and the final conversion of CuFe₂O₄ during CLC of coal reached 66.6%. SEM images and BET surface area of the fresh and the used oxygen carrier show little agglomeration during the process.

Abstract: This paper studied the characteristics parameters of gasoline vapor explosion through experiments in a φ0.48m * 28.69m long straight pipeline inerted by CO₂. By changing the CO₂, O₂ and gasoline vapor concentration, variation laws of gasoline vapor explosion characteristic parameters were explored and analyzed in this paper. Studies have shown that the decrease of oxygen concentration could not only reduce the explosion range, but also change the explosion pressure peak and peak times significantly.

Abstract: The status of the energy structure, the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth, the relationship between energy consumption and ecological environment in Inner Mongolia were analyzed. The study of energy structure in Inner Mongolia found out that coal accounts for a larger proportion of the energy structure in Inner Mongolia and Inner Mongolia's energy structure is unsafe. The main problem of energy security in Inner Mongolia is the large number of exploitation and use of coal and other fossil energy, it will pose a huge threat to ecological environment. The correlation analysis of the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth found out that there is a high positive correlation between economic growth and energy consumption, the formulation and implementation of energy policies in Inner Mongolia will have a greater impact on economic growth. This unreasonable energy structure has brought great pressure on energy security, economic development and environmental governance. Paper also gives some advices and proposals on optimizing energy structure and ensuring energy security.

Abstract: Energy consumption (EC) can be seen as a two-edged sword. It can be not only essential for sustaining good standards of living but also in hindering environmental protection. Consequently, what is the causal relationship between welfare variables and energy consumption in different economies has become one of the focal issues for both policy makers and researchers. The aim of this study attempts to investigate the causal relationship between economic growth (EG), foreign direct investment (FDI), remittances (RMTs), human development index (HDI), and EC using annual data from 1981 to 2011 through multivariate Granger causality tests for Ecuador and Mexico. The empirical analysis indicates that for Ecuador, in the long run, there are unidirectional causalities flowing from FDI, HDI, and RMTs to EC. For Mexico, there is no evidence of any welfare variable flowing to EC but there are unidirectional causalities running from EC to RMTs, HDI to FDI, and FDI to GDP all in the long run. With this information, we suggest policy makers of these two countries, especially for Ecuador, to strongly advocate energy-saving concepts to the public and actively implement more infrastructure projects related to health and education, provide incentives for international advanced green technology transformation, and liberalize international remittances.