Search

New results on the effect of TiO2 on Pd/La2O3-CeO2-Al2O3 systems for catalytic oxidation of methane in the presence of H2O and SO2 have been received. Low-temperature N2-adsorption, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, EPR and FTIR techniques were used to characterize the catalyst. The presence of Ce3+ on the catalytic surface and in the volume near the lantana was revealed by EPR and XPS. After aging, the following changes are observed: (i) agglomeration of the Pd-clusters (from 8 nm to 12 nm); (ii) transformation of part of the TiO2 from anatase to larger particles of rutile; and (iii)—the increase in PdO/Pd—ratio above its optimum. The modification by Ti of the La2O3-CeO2-Al2O3 system leads to higher resistance towards the presence of SO2 most likely due to the prevailing formation of unstable surface sulfites instead of thermally stable sulfates. Based on kinetic model calculations, the reaction pathway over the Pd/La2O3-CeO2-TiO2-Al2O3 catalyst follows the Mars–van Krevelen mechanism. For evaluation of the possible practical application of the obtained material, a sample of Pd/La2O3-CeO2-TiO2-Al2O3, supported on rolled aluminum-containing stainless steel (Aluchrom VDM®), was prepared and tested. Methane oxidation in an industrial-scale monolithic reactor was simulated using a two-dimensional heterogeneous reactor model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zeolites ZSM-5 with different Si/Al ratios were modified with a buffer solution of HF and NH4F. This acidic treatment led to the obtaining of a material with secondary mesoporosity. The deposition of cobalt from an aqueous solution of cobalt acetate on the surface of treated samples generates the formation of different cobalt oxide species: bulk-like Co3O4 phases strongly interacting with the support, Co2+ in ion exchange positions (γ and β sites) and silicate-like phases. The mechanism of cobalt silicate phase formation is proposed here and includes a replacement of silanol groups and the bridging hydrogens by Co and the inclusion of the Co atoms in tetrahedral framework positions. The catalysts, obtained through use of the treated ZSM-5, exhibit higher activity in the reactions of propane, and n-hexane completes oxidation compared with the catalyst samples containing un-treated zeolite. Both the finer dispersion of metal oxide particles on the hierarchical sample and the presence of secondary mesoporosity improve the effectiveness of the active phase utilization via access to larger number of active sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a major component in electric power systems, power transformers are one of the most expensive and important pieces of electrical equipment. The trouble-free operation of power transformers is an important criterion for safety and stability in a power system. Technical diagnostics of electrical equipment are a mandatory part of preventing accidents and ensuring the continuity of the power supply. In this study, a complex diagnostic methodology was proposed and applied for special power transformers' risk estimation. Twenty special power transformers were scored with the proposed risk estimation methodology. For each transformer, dissolved gas analysis (DGA) tests, transformer oil quality analysis, visual inspections of all current equipment on-site and historical data for the operation of each electrical research were conducted. All data were collected and analyzed under historical records of malfunctioning events. Statistical data for expected fault risk, based on long-term records, with such types of transformers were used to make more precise estimations of the current state of each machine and expected operational resource. The calculated degree of insulation polymerization was made via an ANN-assisted predictive method. Assessment of the collected data was applied to allow detailed information of the state of the power transformer to be rated. A method for risk assessment and reliability estimation was proposed and applied, based on the health index (HI) for each transformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]