Oil and Gas Institute - National Research Institute

The study area is situated in the central part of the Carpathian Foreland in Poland. The interpreted interval includes the uppermost part of the Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous carbonate complex, as well as the mixed carbonate-clastic Upper Cretaceous series. The sedimentation of the studied formations during the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous took place in the shelf zone of the northern, passive margin of the Tethys Ocean, and the paleoenvironment of sedimentation was heterogeneous and evolving over time. For the study, 3D seismic data and geophysical (well logs) and geological information obtained from wells were used. High resolution seismic data were great input for seismic sequence stratigraphy and analysis in the Wheeler domain and enabled us to obtain insightful attribute volumes (such as spectral decomposition, sweetness and relative acoustic impedance).The seismostratigraphy interpretation of the Upper Cretaceous mixed carbonate-clastic formations was based on the sequence stratigraphy methodology, which enabled detailed identification of depositional systems tracts and depositional sequences within these formations. Based on the analysis of the chronostratigraphic image and the Wheeler diagram, the main directions of sedimentary material transport into the Upper Cretaceous sedimentary basin in the central part of the Carpathian Foreland in Poland were determined. Numerous discontinuities and hiatuses related to erosional events or periods of non-deposition were identified in the Wheeler diagram. Small local dislocations, in some cases not visible in the seismic image, were also interpreted based on the chronostratigraphic seismic image. The interpretation has greatly contributed to the reconstruction of the basin's depositional architecture.Seismic attribute maps, calculated directly on the surface of the interpreted intra-Cretaceous chronostratigraphic seismic horizon, allowed for a detailed analysis of paleoenvironmental elements within Upper Cretaceous formations. This seismic horizon corresponds to the maximum flooding surface (mfs) and connects the sedimentary packages deposited in a transgressive systems tract within one of the identified depositional sequences, as interpreted from the chronostratigraphic image in the structural domain and the Wheeler diagram. Based on the interpretation of the maps obtained, several elements of depositional architecture were identified, i.e., barrier Island with washover, elongated tidal banks, crevasse splays, and bay-head deltas, which generally allow for the definition of two adjacent types of transgressive coast type, i.e. the barrier island coast dominated by waves and the open estuarine coast dominated by tides.The work was funded by the National Science Center Poland (NCN); SONATA 17: Recognition of the depositional architecture of the Upper Cretaceous sedimentary basin in the central part of the Carpathian Foreland (2021/43/D/ST10/02728)

Contemporary science is seeking simple and scalable methods of producing stable colloidal solutions of carbon nanomaterials that have favorable optical properties. Pyrolytic carbon (PyC), a by-product of methane pyrolysis, is a promising sustainable material. This study developed a method of obtaining stable PyC colloids using ultrasonic homogenization and investigated the effects of solvent polarity on dispersion, stability, and photoluminescence. Mechanically fragmented PyC was ultrasonically treated in ethanol, acetonitrile, and cyclohexane. Characterization using dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and electron microscopy revealed that solvent polarity significantly influenced fragmentation and colloid stability. Polar solvents, especially ethanol, promoted better dispersion of aggregates, whereas nonpolar cyclohexane produced smaller, yet unstable aggregates. Raman and FT-IR analyses confirmed graphitic domains and oxygen-containing surface groups, which are critical to colloidal stability. UV-Vis spectra displayed solvent-dependent shifts in absorption edges, while photoluminescence spectra showed blue emission centered at ~490 nm, which is linked to surface states. Electron microscopy verified the presence of spherical nanoparticles with a diameter of ~20 nm and high carbon purity after sedimentation. These results demonstrate that ultrasonic treatment combined with solvent selection provides a straightforward route to photoluminescent PyC colloids with potential applications in sensors, bioimaging, and optoelectronics.

This study presents a comprehensive morphological and structural analysis of carbon materials produced via simple thermal methane pyrolysis conducted under laboratory conditions in a quartz reactor without the use of catalysts. The process, carried out at 1000 °C, achieved moderate methane conversion (36.5%), process efficiency (36.1%), and very high selectivity (98.9%) towards hydrogen production, highlighting its potential as a CO2-free hydrogen generation method. Distinct carbon morphologies were observed depending on the formation areas within the reactor: a predominant flake-like silver carbon formed on reactor walls at temperatures between 600 and 980 °C (accounting for 91% of the solid product) and a minor powdery carbon formed near 980–1000 °C (9% of the solids). The powdery carbon exhibited a high specific surface area (125.3 m2/g), substantial mesoporosity (60%), and porous spherical aggregates, indicating an amorphous structure. In contrast, flake-like carbon demonstrated a low surface area (1.99 m2/g), high structural order confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, and superior thermal stability, making it suitable for advanced applications requiring mechanical robustness. Additionally, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in cooler zones of the reactor, suggesting side reactions in low-temperature areas. The study underscores the impact of temperature zones on carbon structure and properties, emphasizing the importance of precise thermal control to tailor carbon materials for diverse industrial applications while producing clean hydrogen.

This paper presents the procedures and results of the numerical modelling and simulations performed to analyse an innovative method of advanced methane drainage employing underground long-reach directional drilling (LRDD) technology. The analysis involved the implementation of geomechanical and dynamic reservoir models to simulate processes in coal seams and the surrounding rocks during coal mining and concurrent methane drainage, in accordance with the proposed technology. The analysis aimed to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of the technology, evaluate its sensitivity to the geological and geomechanical properties of the rocks, and identify the potential for optimisation of its technological and operational parameters in the proposed strategy. The works presented in this paper include the following key tasks: the construction of a system of geological, geomechanical, and dynamic simulation models; the analysis of the geomechanical effects of various types and regions of occurrence; the implementation of the correlation between the geomechanical states of the rocks and their transport properties; and the performance of the effectively coupled geomechanical and reservoir fluid flow simulations. The proposed approach was applied to the specific conditions of the multi-seam Murcki–Staszic Coal Mine operated by Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa, Poland.

The European Green Deal emphasizes the development of renewable energy sources to combat climate change. However, as photovoltaic expansion accelerates, so does the potential for increased waste, necessitating effective material recycling strategies. Indium, a scarce and valuable element crucial to the production of photovoltaic panels, underscores the necessity for efficient recycling practices to reduce reliance on virgin resources. In a recent laboratory analysis, a CIGS photovoltaic panel underwent a series of processes including crushing, grinding, and homogenization. The concentration of indium, vital for recycling, was meticulously analyzed using ICP-MS and validated through microscopic and composition analyses. Subsequent extraction utilizing 3 M HCl and H2O2, followed by electrolysis, yielded a remarkable up to 52% indium recovery within a 48-h timeframe. Importantly, the study encompassed both averaged panel samples and samples from the absorbing layer, emphasizing the comprehensive approach required for efficient recycling. This underscores the critical importance of optimizing recycling processes to mitigate the environmental impact associated with the disposal of photovoltaic panels. By maximizing indium recovery, not only are environmental impacts reduced, but the long-term sustainability of renewable energy technologies is also ensured. This highlights the interconnectedness of recycling practices with the broader goals of achieving a circular economy and securing the viability of renewable energy systems in the fight against climate change.

Wzrastające w ostatnich latach zainteresowanie odnawialnymi źródłami energii sprawia, że pozyskanie ciepła geotermalnego jest obecnie jednym z bardziej istotnych celów, uwzględnionych w politykach surowcowych wielu krajów Europy. Energia geotermalna uznawana jest za najbardziej stabilną pod względem parametrów energetycznych w długim okresie, a jednocześnie za najbardziej bezpieczną dla środowiska. Eksploatacja ciepła geotermalnego w reżimie dubletu wymaga znacznych nakładów inwestycyjnych na wykonanie i uzbrojenie odwiertów. Wykorzystanie do tego celu złóż gazu ziemnego będących w schyłkowej fazie eksploatacji stanowi optymalne rozwiązanie, pozwalające uniknąć znacznych nakładów ponoszonych na wykonanie prac przygotowawczych oraz odwiercenie i uzbrojenie nowych odwiertów, ale również z uwagi na często duży potencjał geotermalny poziomów skał zbiornikowych nasyconych solankami, które podścielają złoża gazu ziemnego. Generalnie zakłada się wykorzystanie zastanej sytuacji złożowej i infrastrukturalnej, jak też opracowanie najbardziej optymalnego w tej sytuacji sposobu eksploatacji ciepła, przy założeniu jednoczesnego wzrostu współczynnika sczerpania złoża gazu. W ramach tej pracy obliczono potencjał energetyczny (tj. moc geotermalną i produkcję gazu) dla pięciu wybranych horyzontów złożowych w przykładowych odwiertach gazowych. Następnie wykonano szacunkowe obliczenia przychodów możliwych do uzyskania w analizowanych przykładach odwiertów, zakładając prowadzenie jednoczesnej produkcji gazu i energii geotermalnej. Wyniki analizy danych geologicznych i złożowych wskazują, że właściwie w każdym przypadku konieczne jest wykonanie dodatkowej perforacji wytypowanych interwałów nasyconych wodami złożowymi oraz cechujących się najbardziej korzystnymi parametrami eksploatacyjnymi. Ponadto przedstawiono kryteria preselekcji odwiertów do eksploatacji gazu i energii geotermalnej na podstawie analizy mechanizmu dopływu wody do odwiertu. W pierwszej kolejności powinny być rozpatrywane odwierty, w których mechanizm dopływu wody określono jako stożek 3D. Wstępna kalkulacja parametrów eksploatacyjnych dla wybranych odwiertów wskazuje na ich potencjał komercyjny, zwłaszcza w przypadku wykorzystania do dystrybucji ciepła magazynów mobilnych.