GeoEnergy Research Centre

This review focuses on disordered, or amorphous, porous heterogeneous catalysts, especially those in the forms of pellets and monoliths. It considers the structural characterisation and representation of the void space of these porous media. It discusses the latest developments in the determination of key void space descriptors, such as porosity, pore size, and tortuosity. In particular, it discusses the contributions that can be made by various imaging modalities in both direct and indirect characterisations and their limitations. The second part of the review considers the various types of representations of the void space of porous catalysts. It was found that these come in three main types, which are dependent on the level of idealisation of the representation and the final purpose of the model. It was found that the limitations on the resolution and field of view for direct imaging methods mean that hybrid methods, combined with indirect porosimetry methods that can bridge the many length scales of structural heterogeneity and provide more statistically representative parameters, deliver the best basis for model construction for understanding mass transport in highly heterogeneous media.

A certified aerospace resin (RTM 6) normally utilised for resin transfer moulding is considered for vacuum infusion. The resin was subjected to simulated vacuum infusion conditions by using a specialised thermogravimetric analysis that enables control of pressure as well as temperature. By varying conditions, it was possible to investigate the expected occurrence of volatile loses during infusion that could cause mechanical or cosmetic defects in a part. With particular reference to RTM6, it was determined that full vacuum could be used for infusion provided that the temperature was kept below ∼130 °C. Higher temperatures could be used, but the applied vacuum should be significantly reduced. Of note is that the manufacturers datasheet recommends processing parameters that could result in volatile loss. As such, the pressure enhanced TGA method may be considered more widely for providing processing conditions supplemental to the manufacturers recommendation for any liquid resin used under vacuum conditions.

This paper presents the corresponding compressive strength of RPC with variable pressure combined with heating rate, heating duration, and starting time of heating. The treatments applied were 8 MPa static pressure on fresh RPC prims and heat curing at 240 °C in an oven. The compressive strength test was conducted at 7-d and 28-d. The images of RPC morphology were captured on the surface of a fractured specimen using Scanning Electron Microscopy in Secondary Electron detector mode to describe pore filing mechanism after treatments. The results show that a heating rate at 50 °C/hr resulted in the highest compressive strength about 40 % more than those at 10 or 100 °C/hr. A heating duration of 48 hours led to the maximum compressive strength. Heat curing applied 2 days after casting resulted in the maximum compressive. Heat curing had a signicant effect on the compresssive strength due to the acceleration of both reactions (hydration and pozzolanic) and the degree of transformation from tobermorite to xonotlite. It is concluded that the optimum condition of treatments is both pressure and heat curing at 2-day after casting with a rate of 50 °C/hr for 48 hours.

A test system for water flow in granular gangue mineral was designed to study the flow characteristics by compaction treatment. With the increase of the compaction displacement, the porosity decreases and void in granular gangue becomes less. The main reason causing initial porosity decrease is that the void of larger size is filled with small particles. Permeability tends to decrease and non-Darcy flow factor increases under the compaction treatment. The change trend of flow characteristics shows twists and turns, which indicate that flow characteristics of granular gangue mineral are related to compaction level, grain size distribution, crushing, and fracture structure. During compaction, larger particles are crushed, which in turn causes the weight of smaller particles to increase, and water flow induces fine particles to migrate (weight loss); meanwhile, a sample with more weight of size (0–2.5 mm) has a higher amount of weight loss. Water seepage will cause the decrease of some chemical components, where SiO2 decreased the highest in these components; the components decreased are more likely locked at fragments rather than the defect of the minerals. The variation of the chemical components has an opposite trend when compared with permeability.

To offer a scientific basis and reference for policy makers when developing the regulation framework for Chinese national carbon market, this research analyzes the environmental and economic effects of the carbon market from a mid- to long-term perspective in China. Through a computable general equilibrium model, with technological progress as an endogenous variable, this study provides a comprehensive investigation on the relationships between the price of carbon, technological development, emission reduction and economic growth in low, mid- and high emission reduction scenarios. Furthermore, it analyzes the potential of price-setting mitigation measures to create incentives for technological progress. The results indicate that the carbon market will have a positive impact on the RD otherwise, the pressure on technological development will not be sufficiently strong; there is compatibility between carbon intensity reduction and mid- and long-term GDP growth, but it seems impossible to realize the positive effects on both emission reduction and economy development at the early stage. Hence, the carbon market alone will not be a cost-effective instrument for emission abatement and other auxiliary policies will also be needed in the early stages. Meanwhile, selection of reasonable emission reduction scenarios will play a crucial role in achieving the pre-2020 and post-2020 carbon reduction commitments efficiently in China.