Academic literature on the topic 'CO2-induced hydrogel'

Injectable hydrogels have been widely applied in the field of regenerative medicine. However, current techniques for injectable hydrogels are facing a challenge when trying to generate a biomimetic, porous architecture that is well-acknowledged to facilitate cell behaviors. In this study, an injectable, interconnected, porous hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel based on an in-situ bubble self-generation and entrapment process was developed. Through an amide reaction between HA and cystamine dihydrochloride activated by EDC/NHS, CO2 bubbles were generated and were subsequently entrapped inside the substrate due to a rapid gelation-induced retention effect. HA hydrogels with different molecular weights and concentrations were prepared and the effects of the hydrogel precursor solution’s concentration and viscosity on the properties of hydrogels were investigated. The results showed that HA10-10 (10 wt.%, MW 100,000 Da) and HA20-2.5 (2.5 wt.%, MW 200,000 Da) exhibited desirable gelation and obvious porous structure. Moreover, HA10-10 represented a high elastic modulus (32 kPa). According to the further in vitro and in vivo studies, all the hydrogels prepared in this study show favorable biocompatibility for desirable cell behaviors and mild host response. Overall, such an in-situ hydrogel with a self-forming bubble and entrapment strategy is believed to provide a robust and versatile platform to engineer injectable hydrogels for a variety of applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and personalized therapeutics.

There is a great need for bioengineered cartilage because of the lack of medical or surgical therapies to improve articular cartilage healing. We hypothesised that porcine adipose-derived stem cells (pASC) can be induced to undergo chondrogenic differentiation within hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels. The objective of this study was to develop UV-curable pASC-laden HA hydrogels aimed at application in cartilage tissue engineering. HA was treated with glycidyl methacrylate (GM) to allow chemical gelation of the polymer upon exposure to UV light. 2% HAGM hydrogel was obtained by mixing HAGM with chondrogenic medium consisting of TGFβ, ascorbic acid, ITS+ premix (insulin, transferrin, selenous acid; Cat. No. 354352, BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ), sodium pyruvate, and dexamethasone. Passage three-pASC were resuspended in 2% HAGM hydrogel with 2 × 107 cells mL–1. Twelve-and-one-half (12.5)-μL droplets (micromasses) of this suspension containing 250 000 pASC were placed in 24-well culture plates and incubated for 2 h at 37°C and 5% CO2 to allow for cell attachment. Subsequently, the cell-laden hydrogels were cured with ~10 mW cm–2 365-nm UV light for 10 min, covered with 500 μL of chondrogenic medium, and cultured for up to 11 days at 37°C and 5% CO2. Additionally, pASC micromasses were cultured in chondrogenic medium without loading on 2% HAGM hydrogels as positive controls, and in non-chondrogenic DMEM as negative controls. Samples were collected at 4, 7, and 11 days in to culture for cryopreservation (for immunohistochemistry; IHC) and dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay. IHC on day 11 of culture demonstrated the expression of cartilage specific proteins type-II collagen and aggrecan. On the basis of data from the DMMB assay, chondrogenic differentiation of pASC-laden micromasses in positive controls and 2% HAGM treatments were not different (P > 0.05). This indicates that ASC can produce cartilage equally well under both conditions, supporting the idea that HAGM may be used as a matrix for cartilage formation in vitro and possibly in vivo. In conclusion, using a micromass cell culture system, we demonstrated that 2% HAGM hydrogels support proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of pASC. Further experiments testing different concentrations of HAGM and UV exposure levels, and larger sample numbers are warranted to further improve this procedure.

Copolymer hydrogel (PVA-g-AA) having varied PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) and AA (Acrylic acid) content is prepared by gamma induced radiation polymerization. The parameters affecting the gel fraction yield have been studied. The gel fraction and the swelling property are found to be 92.39 and 905% respectively at an absorbed dose of 20 kGy. Structural and property characteristics were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The surface morphology of PVA and copolymer has been studied with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The factors affecting the metal uptake such as pH, time, and initial feed metal concentration were investigated. It is found that at pH 5 and after 240 minutes the maximum adsorption amount are 178, 161, 117, and 110 mg/g for Pb2+, Zn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ respectively.

ABSTRACT The anaerobic acetogenic bacterium Acetobacterium woodii can conserve energy by oxidation of various substrates coupled to either carbonate or caffeate respiration. We used a cell suspension system to study the regulation and kinetics of induction of caffeate respiration. After addition of caffeate to suspensions of fructose-grown cells, there was a lag phase of about 90 min before caffeate reduction commenced. However, in the presence of tetracycline caffeate was not reduced, indicating that de novo protein synthesis is required for the ability to respire caffeate. Induction also took place in the presence of CO2, and once a culture was induced, caffeate and CO2 were used simultaneously as electron acceptors. Induction of caffeate reduction was also observed with H2 plus CO2 as the substrate, but the lag phase was much longer. Again, caffeate and CO2 were used simultaneously as electron acceptors. In contrast, during oxidation of methyl groups derived from methanol or betaine, acetogenesis was the preferred energy-conserving pathway, and caffeate reduction started only after acetogenesis was completed. The differential flow of reductants was also observed with suspensions of resting cells in which caffeate reduction was induced prior to harvest of the cells. These cell suspensions utilized caffeate and CO2 simultaneously with fructose or hydrogen as electron donors, but CO2 was preferred over caffeate during methyl group oxidation. Caffeate-induced resting cells could reduce caffeate and also p-coumarate or ferulate with hydrogen as the electron donor. p-Coumarate or ferulate also served as an inducer for caffeate reduction. Interestingly, caffeate-induced cells reduced ferulate in the absence of an external reductant, indicating that caffeate also induces the enzymes required for oxidation of the methyl group of ferulate.

CO2 hydrates are ice-like solid lattice compounds composed of hydrogen-bonded cages of water molecules that encapsulate guest CO2 molecules. The formation of CO2 hydrates in unconsolidated sediments significantly decreases their permeability and increases their stiffness. CO2 hydrate-bearing sediments can, therefore, act as cap-rocks and prevent CO2 leakage from a CO2-stored layer. In this study, we conducted an experimental simulation of CO2 geological storage into marine unconsolidated sediments. CO2 hydrates formed during the CO2 liquid injection process and prevented any upward flow of CO2. Temperature, pressure, P-wave velocity, and electrical resistance were measured during the experiment, and their measurement results verified the occurrence of the self-trapping effect induced by CO2 hydrate formation. Several analyses using the experimental results revealed that CO2 hydrate bearing-sediments have a considerable sealing capacity. Minimum breakthrough pressure and maximum absolute permeability are estimated to be 0.71 MPa and 5.55 × 10−4 darcys, respectively.

To determine whether the excitabilities of pulmonary C fibers to chemical and mechanical stimuli are altered by CO2-induced acidosis, single-unit pulmonary C-fiber activity was recorded in anesthetized, open-chest rats. Transient alveolar hypercapnia (HPC) was induced by administering CO2-enriched gas mixture (15% CO2, balance air) via the respirator inlet for 30 s, which rapidly lowered the arterial blood pH from a baseline of 7.40 ± 0.01 to 7.17 ± 0.02. Alveolar HPC markedly increased the responses of these C-fiber afferents to several chemical stimulants. For example, the C-fiber response to right atrial injection of the same dose of capsaicin (0.25–1.0 μg/kg) was significantly increased from 3.07 ± 0.70 impulses/s at control to 8.48 ± 1.52 impulses/s during HPC ( n = 27; P < 0.05), and this enhanced response returned to control within ∼10 min after termination of HPC. Similarly, alveolar HPC also induced significant increases in the C-fiber responses to right atrial injections of phenylbiguanide (4–8 μg/kg) and adenosine (0.2 mg/kg). In contrast, HPC did not change the response of pulmonary C fibers to lung inflation. Furthermore, the peak response of these C fibers to capsaicin during HPC was greatly attenuated when the HPC-induced acidosis was buffered by infusion of bicarbonate (1.36–1.82 mmol · kg−1 · min−1 for 35 s). In conclusion, alveolar HPC augments the responses of these afferents to various chemical stimulants, and this potentiating effect of CO2 is mediated through the action of hydrogen ions on the C-fiber sensory terminals.

In this study, we examine the atomic and molecular signatures in laser-induced plasma. Abel inversions of measured line-of-sight data reveal insight into the radial plasma distribution. Laser-plasma is generated with 6 ns, Q-switched Nd:YAG radiation with energies in the range of 100 to 800 mJ. Temporally- and spatially-resolved emission spectroscopy investigates expansion dynamics. Specific interests include atomic hydrogen (H) and cyanide (CN). Atomic hydrogen spectra indicate axisymmetric shell structures and isentropic expansion of the plasma kernel. The recombination radiation of CN emanates within the first 100 nanoseconds for laser-induced breakdown in a 1:1 mole ratio CO2:N2 gas mixture. CN excitation temperatures are determined from fitting recorded and computed spectra. Chemical equilibrium mole fractions of CN are computed for air and the CO2:N2 gas mixture. Measurements utilize a 0.64-m Czerny–Turner type spectrometer and an intensified charge-coupled device.

Abstract Volatiles, such as carbon and water, modulate the Earth's mantle rheology, partial melting and redox state, thereby playing a crucial role in the Earth's internal dynamics. We experimentally show the transformation of goethite FeOOH in the presence of CO2 into a tetrahedral carbonate phase, Fe4C3O12, at conditions above 107 GPa—2300 K. At temperatures below 2300 K, no interactions are evidenced between goethite and CO2, and instead a pyrite-structured FeO2Hx is formed as recently reported by Hu et al. (2016; 2017) and Nishi et al. (2017). The interpretation is that, above a critical temperature, FeO2Hx reacts with CO2 and H2, yielding Fe4C3O12 and H2O. Our findings provide strong support for the stability of carbon-oxygen-bearing phases at lower-mantle conditions. In both subducting slabs and lower-mantle lithologies, the tetrahedral carbonate Fe4C3O12 would replace the pyrite-structured FeO2Hx through carbonation of these phases. This reaction provides a new mechanism for hydrogen release as H2O within the deep lower mantle. Our study shows that the deep carbon and hydrogen cycles may be more complex than previously thought, as they strongly depend on the control exerted by local mineralogical and chemical environments on the CO2 and H2 thermodynamic activities.

Cellulose hydrogels are often prepared from native cellulose through a direct cellulose dissolution approach that often involves tedious process and solvent recovery problems. A self-supporting cellulose hydrogel was prepared by gelation of the TEMPO-oxidized bagasse cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) triggered by strong crosslinking between carboxylate groups and Zn2+. TEMPO process was used to generate negatively charged carboxylate groups on CNF surface to provide a high binding capability to Zn2+. Three TEMPO-oxidized CNFs of different carboxylate contents were prepared and characterized. TEM and AFM microscopes suggested that the sizes of CNFs were fined down and carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNFs) of 5–10 nm wide, 200–500 nm long, and carboxylate contents 0.73–1.29 mmol/g were obtained. The final structures and compressive strength of hydrogels were primarily influenced by interfibril Zn2+-carboxylate interactions, following the order of TOCNFs concentration > content of carboxylate groups > concentration of zinc ions. A CO2 sensitive self-supporting cellulose hydrogel was developed as a colorimetric indicator of food spoilage for intelligent food packaging applications.

Previous reports on the thermal or CO2-laser induced decomposition of trichloroethylene have identified only one condensible product, hexachlorobenzene (in addition to HCl and mono- and dichloroacetylene). We have found that trichloroethylene vapor exposed to cw irradiation on the P(24) line of the (001 - 100) band of the CO2 laser at incident power levels from 8 - 17 W produces numerous products, of which the 13 major ones have been identified using IR, GC/MS, GC/FTIR, and NMR methods. All of these products have 4, 6, or 8 carbons, are highly unsaturated, and are completely chlorinated or contain a single hydrogen. C4HCl5 and C6Cl6 isomers (three of each) account for S 55% to 85% of total products (based on peak areas in the total ion chromatograms in GC/MS runs), depending on reaction conditions. In addition to characterizing the products, we discuss the dependence of the product distribution on laser power, irradiation time, and cell geometry, and we outline a possible mechanism.

Les hydrogels moléculaires avec un réseau de fibres auto-assembles sont utilisés dans différents domaines dont le relargage de médicaments, les senseurs, l’ingénierie tissulaire et la nano-modélisation. Les hydrogels moléculaires à base d’acides biliaires, qui sont une classe de biocomposés d’origine naturelle, montrent une biocompatibilité améliorée et sont de bons candidats pour des applications dans le domaine biomédical. Ces hydrogels présentent une bonne bio-dégradabilité et une diversité fonctionnelle grâce aux faibles interactions supramoléculaires et aux structures chimiques précisément contrôlées. Dans cette thèse, des nouveaux hydrogels moléculaires à base des acides biliaires et leurs dérivés ont été étudiés pour mieux comprendre la relation entre la structure chimique du gélifiant et la formation de gels moléculaires. Un dimère de l'acide cholique avec un groupe diéthylènetriamine est insoluble dans l'eau. Par contre, il peut former des hydrogels grâce à un réseau tri-dimensionnel de fibres en présence de certains acides carboxyliques. L'addition d'acide carboxylique peut protoner le groupe amine secondaire et défaire les interactions intermoléculaires entre les dimères et favoriser la formation des liaisons hydrogènes acide-dimère. Seuls les acides carboxyliques faibles et hydrophiles causent la gélation des dimères. La résistance mécanique des hydrogels formés peut être modifiée par un choix judicieux d'acides. Les interactions hydrophobes et les liaisons hydrogènes entre les chaînes latérales d'acides carboxyliques peuvent améliorer les propriétés mécaniques des hydrogels. La solubilité marginale du complexe acide-dimère a été considérée comme un facteur critique pour la formation d'hydrogels. Un autre système d’hydrogélation à base d’acides biliaires a été développé par l’introduction de dioxyde de carbone (CO2) dans des solutions aqueuses de certains sels d’acides biliaires, qui donne un hydrogel composé de molécules biologiques entièrement naturelles et fournit un réservoir commode du CO2 dans l’eau. Le groupement carboxylate des sels d’acides biliaires peut être partiellement protoné dans les solutions aqueuses, ce qui amène la dissolution marginale dans l’eau et la formation d’hydrogels avec une structure fibreuse. L’aspect et les propriétés mécaniques des hydrogels dépendent de la concentration de CO2. Le bullage avec CO2 pendant une ou deux secondes génère un hydrogel transparent avec des nanofibres. Le bullage supplémentaire forme des hydrogels plus forts. Mais réduit la transparence et la force mécanique des hydrogels. D’ailleurs, les hydrogels transparents ou opaques redeviennent des solutions transparentes quand ils sont chauffés avec bullage de N2. La transition sol-gel est réversible et reproductible. La force mécanique et la transparence des hydrogels peuvent être améliorées par l’addition de sels inorganiques comme NaCl par l’effet de relargage. Toutes les composantes de ces hydrogels sont naturelles, donnant des hydrogels biocompatibles et potentiellement utiles pour des applications dans le domaine biomédical. Le dimère mentionné ci-dessus possède des propriétés d’auto-assemblage dépendamment de sa concentration. Ceci a été étudié en utilisant un sel organique de dimère/acide formique avec un rapport molaire 1/1. Le sel du dimère s’auto-assemble dans l’eau et ainsi forme des nanofibres isolées et mono-dispersées à des concentrations faibles. Les fibres enchevêtrées donnent des réseaux fibreux 3D bien dispersés de façon aléatoire à des concentrations plus élevées. Quand la concentration du sel du dimère est supérieure à la concentration critique de gélation, le réseau fibreux est assez fort pour immobiliser la solution, qui provoque la formation d’un hydrogel isotrope. L’augmentation supplémentaire de la concentration du sel du dimère peut augmenter l’anisotropie de l’hydrogel et former ainsi un hydrogel nématique. La formation de domaines ordonnés des nanofibres alignées donne ces propriétés optiques à l’hydrogel. L’agitation de systèmes aqueux du sel de dimère favorise aussi la formation de nanofibres alignées.
Molecular hydrogels are soft materials formed by the self-assembly of small molecules in aqueous solutions via supramolecular interactions. Although much effort has been made in the past several decades in the study of these hydrogels, the mechanism of their formation remains to be understood and the prediction of their formation is a challenge. The main purpose of this thesis is to develop novel molecular hydrogels derived from bile acids, which are naturally occurring biocompounds, and to find the relationship between the gelator structure and the gelation ability. Two new molecular gelation systems based on bile acids and their derivatives have been developed, which may be useful in biomedical applications. The marginal solubility of the solute in water has been found to be a prerequisite for the formation of such molecular hydrogels. The alignment of the nanofibers in the gels leads to the formation of nematic hydrogels. The first gelation system is based on a cholic acid dimer as a gelator, which has two cholic acid molecules covalently linked by a diethylenetriamine spacer. This dimer is insoluble in water, but it forms hydrogels with 3-D fibrous networks in the presence of selected carboxylic acids. The carboxylic acids protonate the dimer, making it marginally soluble in water to yield hydrogels. Only weak and hydrophilic carboxylic acids were capable of inducing the gelation of the dimer and the mechanical strength of the hydrogels could be varied by judicious choice of the acids. Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding between the side chains of carboxylic acids improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels. The marginal solubility of the acid-dimer complex is regarded to be the critical factor for the formation of hydrogels. Another hydrogelation system was developed by purging to the aqueous solutions of a series of bile salts with carbon dioxide (CO2), yielding hydrogels made of entire natural biological molecules and providing a convenient storage reservoir of CO2 in water. Bile salts are well dissolved in water, while the solubility of bile acids is limited. The carboxylate group of bile salts may be partially protonated in aqueous solutions by bubbling CO2, making them only marginally soluble in water. This forms fibrous structures. Both the appearance and mechanical properties of the hydrogels depend on the amount of CO2 purged. Bubbling CO2 initially induced the formation of transparent hydrogels with nanofibers. Continued purging with CO2 strengthened the hydrogel mechanically, while further addition of CO2 reduced the transparency and mechanical strength of the hydrogel. Both the transparent and opaque hydrogels reverted to transparent solutions when heated and bubbling N2. The sol-gel transition process was reversible and repeatable. The mechanical strength and transparency of the hydrogels could be improved by adding inorganic salts such as NaCl via a salting-out effect. All the hydrogel components are naturally biological compounds, making such hydrogels biocompatible and potentially useful in biomedical applications. The cholic acid dimer linked with a diethylenetriamine spacer was able to assemble in water and form isolated nanofibers in the presence of certain carboxylic acids at a much lower concentration than the CMC of sodium cholate. These nanofibers entangle with each other to yield well-dispersed and randomly-directed 3-D fibrous networks at higher concentrations. When the concentration of dimer salt is above the minimum gelation concentration, the fibrous network is strong enough to immobilize the solution, leading to the formation of an isotropic hydrogel. Further increase of the dimer salt concentration may transit the hydrogels to be anisotropic, thus the formation of nematic hydrogels. The formation of ordered domains of the aligned nanofibers led to anisotropic optical properties of the hydrogels. Stirring the aqueous systems of dimer salt also promoted the alignment of the nanofibers. These molecular hydrogels with ordered aggregates may be useful in applications such as cell culture and mechano-optical sensing.

Abstract A hydrogen manufacturing plant experienced circumferential cracking at the dissimilar weld on the outlet header. The outlet header was a cold wall design and the dissimilar weld was between HP40 modified and carbon ½ Mo steels. The resultant failure investigation found the cause to be hydrogen induced cracking of the dissimilar weld at the fusion boundary zone. The hydrogen was generated from the CO2 corrosion which occurred due to operating the tubes below the dew point and the hydrogen was trapped in the steel by the CO chemisorption onto the steel. The following paper outlines the failure investigation and the fitness for service conducted to maintain the running of the plant.

Hydrogen production from solar-driven thermochemical water splitting cycles (TCWSCs) provides an approach that is energy efficient and environmentally attractive. Of particular interest are TCWSCs that utilize both thermal (i.e. high temperature) and light (i.e. quantum) components of the solar resource, boosting the overall solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency compared to those with heat-only energy input. We have analyzed two solar-driven TCWSCs: 1) carbon dioxide (CO2)/carbon monoxide cycle; and 2) sulfur dioxide (SO2)/sulfuric acid cycle. The first cycle is based on the premise that CO2 becomes susceptible to near-ultraviolet and even visible radiation at high temperatures (greater than 1300K). The second cycle is a modification of the well-known Westinghouse hybrid cycle, wherein the electrochemical step is replaced by a photocatalytic step. At the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a novel hybrid photo-thermochemical sulfur-ammonia (S-A) cycle has been developed. The main reaction (unique to FSEC’s S-A cycle) is the light-induced photocatalytic production of hydrogen and ammonium sulfate from an aqueous ammonium sulfite solution. Ammonium sulfate product is processed to generate oxygen and recover ammonia and SO2 that are then recycled and reacted with water to regenerate the ammonium sulfite. Experimental data for verification of the concept are provided.

Supermartensitic stainless steels (SMSS) have high strength and good resistance to corrosion in produced fluids containing CO2 and are cheaper than other competing corrosion resistant alloys. Hence, they are attractive flowline materials and they have been successfully used in a number of offshore applications. Nevertheless, service failures have occurred and two failure mechanisms in particular have caused difficulties at welds: (i) hydrogen embrittlement/ hydrogen induced stress cracking resulting from hydrogen picked-up under cathodic protection and (ii) intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). This paper presents experimental data on each of these two failure phenomena and gives details of the currently available ways of avoiding these problems, highlighting where further information is required.

While the macroscopic mechanical properties of pure ice has been investigated by laboratory tests and its behavior has been characterized by existing fracture mechanics models, the effect of environmental conditions — such as the concentration of embedded carbon dioxide (CO2) — is not fully understood. It is known that the chemical environment can have significant effects on the mechanical properties of ice. Using full atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), we probe the tensile strength of a single ice crystal. We systematically introduce a random concentration of CO2 molecules by replacing H2O molecules on the ice crystal lattice (e.g., substitutional defects). As anticipated, we observe a drop in strength with an increase in CO2 concentration. The decreased ice strength is not merely caused by material defects induced by the CO2 inclusions, but rather by the fact that the strength of hydrogen bonds — the chemical bonds between water molecules in an ice crystal — is actively disrupted under increasing concentrations of CO2. The inclusions provide both stress concentrations and nucleation points for crack/void formation. We then assume a Poisson distribution to reflect various concentrations of CO2 and apply nanoscale Weibull statistics (NWS) as a brittle material failure model. The results can be used to help predict the strength range of bulk ice.

Carbon nanotubes have unique mechanical, electronic and thermal properties with applications ranging from reinforced composite materials to micro-scale electronic devices, and are considered one of the next generation advanced engineering materials. In this study, a laser-induced chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) process has been developed that is capable of depositing carbon nanotubes in open-air from a gas mixture consisting of propane and hydrogen. A CO2 laser is used to irradiate the substrate covered with metal nanoparticles, subsequently resulting in the growth of multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The effect of laser power and reactant gas flow configuration on carbon nanotube growth kinetics is experimentally investigated. Results indicate that carbon nanotube synthesis is highly dependent on the laser-induced temperature distribution and the carbon radical concentration. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are used to relate the composition, microstructure and growth kinetics to the process conditions of carbon nanotubes deposited in this study.

The optimized and secure operation of oil and gas floating production units depends essentially on the performance of their devices, components and structures. Rigid pipelines are key equipment used in the offshore industry commonly employed as flowlines and risers. Carbon steel such as API 5L X65 is the material of choice for those applications due to its low relative cost and availability. However, for the Brazilian pre-salt it seems unlikely that carbon steels can be applyed, since the oil is contaminated by high concentrations of CO2, which causes generalized corrosion. Therefore, operators in Brazil should consider an alternative solution, such as lined or clad pipes as well as corrosion resistant alloys (CRA). Duplex and super duplex stainless steels (SDSS) have emerged in the last decade or so, as an alternative material for harsh environments. Nevertheless, according to recent studies, SDSS when cathodically protected against corrosion are prone to hydrogen induced stress cracking (HISC). The aim of this investigation is to evaluate through fracture toughness measurements the susceptibility of welded SDSS samples to HISC for two different levels of cathodic protection. For fracture toughness evaluation the step loading test method was selected. This practice is believed to be more realistic because samples are exposed to hydrogen during the entire tests instead of simple hydrogen pre-charging before performing the test in air, as recommended by some procedures. Fracture toughness values are given in terms of both CTOD and J-integral for crack initiation and maximum stress for SENB specimens. The results given here indicates that SDSS are quite susceptible to HISC especially in the heat affect zone even for potentials as negative as −650 mVsce.

Research and development are increasingly focusing on the provision and utilization of heat in the high-temperature range above 900 °C, in particular under the aspect of resource-saving energy technologies. On the one hand, the exploitation of the high-temperature range helps to improve the efficiency of energy conversion processes; on the other hand, the provision of high-temperature heat makes it possible to utilize innovative thermochemical processes, which in turn represent environmentally compatible processes. An example to be quoted here is the thermally induced production of hydrogen by the iodine-sulfur process. The high temperatures alone place extremely high requirements on the materials to be used so that metallic materials soon reach their limits of application. If additionally chemically aggressive process media are used, as in the iodine-sulfur process, basically only ceramic materials can be considered as construction materials. In this application, notably silicon carbide (SiC) is favored owing to its excellent high-temperature properties. The possible technical fields of application of such high-performance ceramics can be broadly extended provided that suitable, highly efficient joining methods are available for these ceramics. In addition to its use as a constructional ceramic, SiC can principally also be used as a functional ceramic. For this purpose, the basic ceramic is modified with different additives, providing it with electrical properties that permit its application as a full ceramic heat conductor or sensor. In this case, it also holds true that a suitable joining method for making electrically conductive joints will extend the fields of application considerably. Laser-based joining technologies are being developed for both applications at the Dresden University of Technology. The research work presented here notably focuses on laser joining of electrically conductive SiC ceramics. In addition to a CO2 laser, a diode laser has been used. Basically, electrical connection has been made in two ways. In the first variants, graphite pins are inserted into the joining zone as electrically conductive bridges. In an alternative concept, the oxidic glass filler itself is made electrically conductive with additives. Like that a full ceramic heating conductor joined by means of laser radiation has been tested. The temperature resistance and functionality of the laser-joined heating conductor could be fully demonstrated.

Hydrogen as one of energy sources is attracting attentions because of CO2 free combustion that can deaccelerate global warming. Recently, hydrogen enriched combustion technology for gas turbine combustors is developing, in which hydrogen is added to natural gas. However, hydrogen-rich combustion has different combustion characteristics from conventional natural gas combustion. In particular, such variety of combustion characteristics may lead to combustion oscillation, which may cause fatigue breaking of structural elements due to resonance with components. Combustion oscillation is mainly induced by thermo-acoustics interaction. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate characteristics of hydrogen-enriched combustion sufficiently. To understand combustion characteristics of enriched hydrogen mixture, combustion experiments were performed for various ratios of hydrogen in the fuel mixture. In this study, a mock-up combustor of a micro gas turbine combustor is used, where a radial swirler is installed to mix fuel and air and stabilize the flame. To grasp the characteristics of combustion oscillation, pressure fluctuation was detected by a pressure sensor installed at the bottom of the combustor. It is found that larger hydrogen ratio in the fuel mixture extends the range of large pressure fluctuation region expressed by the root-mean-square value. Succeedingly, more detail oscillation characteristics were examined by FFT analysis. In the case of natural gas 100%, the oscillation of around 350 Hz was detected. On the other hand, in the case of the hydrogen-contained fuel mixture, two kinds of oscillating frequencies around 200 and 400 Hz were detected. To examine the cause of the difference among these three oscillating frequencies, a simplified stepped tube model with closed- and open-end is considered. For further investigation, acoustic boundary conditions were measured by acoustic impedance method. Moreover, to obtain the representative flame positions and temperature in the combustor, CFD calculations were performed, and the measured acoustic impedance was combined with the CFD results. Then, parametric studies with various thermo-pressure interaction index were performed to obtain the effect of thermo-pressure interaction index on natural frequencies and gains using the Nyquist plot. As a result, it was found that the self-excited oscillation limit is sensitive to the value of thermo-pressure interaction index.

Fuel flexibility will be a key issue for the operation of future stationary gas turbines because of the increasing amount of off-spec natural gas qualities from new resources and upcoming new fuels derived from biomass which will be more important in the near future. The performance of gas turbines in terms of flame stability and low emission combustion must be at least maintained also with these new fuels. Therefore, the impact of fuel variation on combustion characteristics must be known for the combustor design. This paper addresses the effect of hydrogen and propane addition on flame characteristics like lean blowout (LBO), emissions (NOx, CO), flame positions and turbulent flame speeds for flames at gas turbine relevant conditions. Hydrogen enriched fuels are typical constituents of gasification fuels such as those obtained from biomass, while propane is considered a typical higher hydrocarbon present in off-spec natural gas. Turbulent, lean premixed flames of different fuels (methane, methane/hydrogen and methane/propane) have been studied in a generic, axis-symmetric, high-pressure gas turbine combustor. Flame stabilization is achieved aerodynamically via a recirculation zone induced by the combustor geometry with sudden expansion. Turbulence at the combustor inlet is generated using a turbulence grid (perforated plate). LBO limits are detected using the global OH chemiluminescence flame signal collected with a photo-multiplier and a data acquisition system together with the exhaust gas temperature measured with a thermocouple. The species concentrations (CO2, O2, CO, NOx) are measured by exhaust gas analyzers. Flame front positions and turbulent flame speeds are determined with Laser Induced Fluorescence measurements of the OH radical (OH-PLIF). Flame characteristics will be presented for the following fuel/air mixtures at a mixture preheating temperature of 673 K: pure methane, H2-enriched flames containing up to 50% hydrogen by volume, methane/propane mixtures containing up to 50% propane by volume. LBO limits, NOx emissions will be presented for different pressures. Most probable flame front positions and turbulent flame speeds are presented at a pressure of 5 bars for fuel mixtures between pure methane and 50% of each additive (propane and hydrogen). Experiments have revealed that a premixed mixture of 50% hydrogen and 50% methane, by volume, can significantly extend the lean blowout limit by up to 22% compared to pure methane. Because of a 120 K lower flame temperature a drastic reduction of the NOx emission (about 57%) is observed. Addition of hydrogen also significantly decreases the flame position (50%), changes the shape of the flame front and because of a higher global reaction rate increases the turbulent flame speed. Experiments with different methane/propane mixtures showed an increase (approximately 25–30%) of the NOx concentration at a propane content of 50%. Additionally, the flame stabilizes closer to the combustor inlet for higher propane contents.

Near-to-surface geothermal energy with heat pumps is state of the art and is already widespread in Switzerland. In the future energy system, medium-deep to deep geothermal energy (1 to 6 kilometres) will, in addition, play an important role. To the forefront is the supply of heat for buildings and industrial processes. This form of geothermal energy utilisation requires a highly permeable underground area that allows a fluid – usually water – to absorb the naturally existing rock heat and then transport it to the surface. Sedimentary rocks are usually permeable by nature, whereas for granites and gneisses permeability must be artificially induced by injecting water. The heat gained in this way increases in line with the drilling depth: at a depth of 1 kilometre, the underground temperature is approximately 40°C, while at a depth of 3 kilometres it is around 100°C. To drive a steam turbine for the production of electricity, temperatures of over 100°C are required. As this requires greater depths of 3 to 6 kilometres, the risk of seismicity induced by the drilling also increases. Underground zones are also suitable for storing heat and gases, such as hydrogen or methane, and for the definitive storage of CO2. For this purpose, such zones need to fulfil similar requirements to those applicable to heat generation. In addition, however, a dense top layer is required above the reservoir so that the gas cannot escape. The joint project “Hydropower and geo-energy” of the NRP “Energy” focused on the question of where suitable ground layers can be found in Switzerland that optimally meet the requirements for the various uses. A second research priority concerned measures to reduce seismicity induced by deep drilling and the resulting damage to buildings. Models and simulations were also developed which contribute to a better understanding of the underground processes involved in the development and use of geothermal resources. In summary, the research results show that there are good conditions in Switzerland for the use of medium-deep geothermal energy (1 to 3 kilometres) – both for the building stock and for industrial processes. There are also grounds for optimism concerning the seasonal storage of heat and gases. In contrast, the potential for the definitive storage of CO2 in relevant quantities is rather limited. With respect to electricity production using deep geothermal energy (> 3 kilometres), the extent to which there is potential to exploit the underground economically is still not absolutely certain. In this regard, industrially operated demonstration plants are urgently needed in order to boost acceptance among the population and investors.