Modeling of flow in a model of passive autocatalytic recombiner

V diplomski nalogi so bile simulirane tokovne razmere v modelu pasivne naprave za postopno oksidacijo vodika. Simulacije so bile izvedene s pomočjo računalniškega programa Ansys CFX. S pomočjo programa je bila modelirana reakcija vodika in kisika. Rezultati so pokazali tokovne in temperaturne razmere v napravi. Primerjava rezultatov simulacij z opravljenimi eksperimenti, je pokazala smiselnost rezultatov pridobljenih s pomočjo računalniške simulacije.In the diploma, the flow conditions in a passive autocatalytic recombiner were simulated. The simulation were set up using Ansys CFX computational fluid dynamics software. Hydrogen combustion was modeled, using the software. The results show the flow and temperature conditions inside the passive autocatalytic recombiner. The comparison between the created simulation and previously carried out experiments showed that the results of the simulation were sensible

Process for the synthesis of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposites by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and lyophilization

Magistrsko delo obsega proces sinteze nanokompozita Ni/Y2O3 z ultrazvočno razpršilno pirolizo in liofilizacijo, študijo vpliva tehnoloških parametrov na sestavo delcev nanokompozita Ni/Y2O3 in vpliva stabilizatorja na potek sušenja. Za karakterizacijo nanokompozita so bile uporabljene naslednje tehnike: analiza z induktivno sklopljeno plazmo z masnim spektrometrom, vrstična elektronska mikroskopija, energijsko disperzijska spektroskopija, presevna elektronska mikroskopija, CIELAB meritve barve in optična mikroskopija. Suspenzija nanokompozita je bila analizirana s pomočjo dinamičnega sipanja svetlobe. Raziskan je bil vpliv koncentracije vhodnih surovin itrijeva in nikljeva nitrata pri nespremenjenih procesnih pogojih na kemijsko sestavo in velikost delcev nanokompozita Ni/Y2O3. Ugotovljeno je bilo, da povečana koncentracija stabilizatorja v procesu ultrazvočne razpršilne pirolize vpliva na bolj homogeno porazdelitev delcev nanokompozita Ni/Y2O3 v končnem osušenem materialu. Povečanje koncentracije stabilizatorja vpliva na daljši čas sušenja v procesu liofilizacije, saj so eksperimenti potrdili, da se suspenzija delcev nanokompozita Ni/Y2O3 z nižjo koncentracijo stabilizatorja posuši bistveno hitreje.The master\u27s thesis deals with the synthesis process of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and lyophilization, a study of the influence of technological parameters on the composition of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles, and the influence of the stabilizer on the drying process. The following techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposite: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, CIELAB colour measurements, and optical microscopy. The nanocomposite suspension was analysed by dynamic light scattering. The influence of the concentration of the input raw materials yttrium and nickel nitrate under unchanged process conditions on the chemical composition and particle size of the Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite was investigated. It was found that the increased concentration of the stabilizer in the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis process affects a more homogeneous distribution of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles in the final dried material. An increase in the concentration of the stabilizer affects a longer drying time in the lyophilization process, as experiments confirmed that the suspension of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles with a lower concentration of the stabilizer dries significantly faster

Synthesis of Ni/Y2O3 Nanocomposite through USP and Lyophilisation for Possible Use as Coating

The Ni/Y2O3 catalyst showed high catalytic activity. Based on this, the aim of this study was to create Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposites powder with two innovative technologies, Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) and lyophilisation. In the USP process, thermal decomposition of the generated aerosols in an N2/H2 reduction atmosphere caused a complete decomposition of the nickel (II) nitrate to elemental Ni, which became trapped on the formed Y2O3 nanoparticles. The Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles were captured via gas washing in an aqueous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in collection bottles. PVP was chosen for its ability to stabilise nano-suspensions and as an effective cryoprotectant. Consequently, there was no loss or agglomeration of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite material during the lyophilisation process. The Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite powder was analysed using ICP-MS, SEM-EDX, and XPS, which showed the impact of different precursor concentrations on the final Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particle composition. In a final step, highly concentrated Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite ink (Ni/Y2O3 > 0.140 g/mL) and test coatings from this ink were prepared by applying them on a white matte photo paper sheet. The reflection curve of the prepared Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite coating showed a local maximum at 440 nm with a value of 39% reflection. Given that Ni is located on the surface of the Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite in the elemental state and according to the identified properties, tests of the catalytic properties of this coating will be performed in the future

Reconstruction of a fluid bed device for separating granular material from the grinding process of rapid antigen tests

The article includes the study and reconstruction of a fluid bed device with the purpose of separating the granular material from the grinding process of rapid antigen tests. The following techniques were performed, with the purpose of characterisation of the ground particles: sieve analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The paper includes experimental testing of a simplified separation process with zeolite spheres and paper strips, supported by a numerical model. The flow conditions’ impact on the behaviour and interactions of particles of the considered problem were simulated using coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM) approach. The separation process of zeolite spheres and paper strips was found to be efficient. The simulation results showed the appropriate behaviour of the particles during the process. We explained the results’ deviations, and we also presented the shortcomings and possible improvements. Further research is required to define the adequacy of the process, while using actual ground material of rapid antigen tests

Study of ▫Ni/Y2O3/polylacticNi/Y_2O_3/polylactic▫ acid composite

This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles through the application of ultrasound-assisted precipitation using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. They were collected in a water suspension with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the stabiliser. The presence of the Y2O3 core and Ni shell was confirmed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and with electron diffraction. The TEM observations revealed the formation of round particles with an average diameter of 466 nm, while the lattice parameter on the Ni particle’s surface was measured to be 0.343 nm. The Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particle suspensions were lyophilized, to obtain a dried material that was suitable for embedding into a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. The resulting PLA/Ni/Y2O3 composite material was extruded, and the injection was moulded successfully. Flexural testing of PLA/Ni/Y2O3 showed a slight average decrease (8.55%) in flexural strength and a small decrease from 3.7 to 3.3% strain at the break, when compared to the base PLA. These findings demonstrate the potential for utilising Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles in injection moulding applications and warrant further exploration of their properties and new applications in various fields

Recovery study of gold nanoparticle markers from lateral flow immunoassays

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are a simple diagnostic device used to detect targeted analytes. Wasted and unused rapid antigen lateral flow immunoassays represent mass waste that needs to be broken down and recycled into new material components. The aim of this study was to recover gold nanoparticles that are used as markers in lateral flow immunoassays. For this purpose, a dissolution process with aqua regia was utilised, where gold nanoparticles were released from the lateral flow immunoassay conjugate pads. The obtained solution was then concentrated further with gold chloride salt (HAuCl4) so that it could be used for the synthesis of new gold nanoparticles in the process of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP). Various characterisation methods including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma were used during this study. The results of this study showed that the recovery of gold nanoparticles from lateral flow immunoassays is possible, and the newly synthesised gold nanoparticles represent the possibility for incorporation into new products

Optical characteristics of directly deposited gold nanoparticle films

The manuscript presents the optical properties of directly deposited films of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by the Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) technology. Four samples were produced, with AuNP deposition times on the glass substrate of 15 min, 30 min, 1 h and 4 h. The morphological characterisation of the deposited films showed that the size of the first deposited AuNPs was between 10 and 30 nm, while, with a longer duration of the deposition process, larger clusters of AuNPs grew by coalescence and aggregation. The prepared layers were characterised optically with Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) and ellipsometry. The ellipsometric measurements showed an increasingly denser and thicker effective thickness of the AuNP layers. The extinction spectra displayed a clear local surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) signature (peak 520–540 nm), indicating the presence of isolated particles in all the samples. For all AuNP layers, the imaginary part of the parallel and perpendicular components of the anisotropic dielectric function was dominated by a central peak at around 2.2 eV, corresponding to the LSPR of isolated particles, and a high-energy shoulder due to Au interband transitions. It was shown that, as the density of particles increased, the extinction cross-section grew over the whole spectral range where measurements are taken. Thus, the response can be explained with an enhanced electromagnetic response between the AuNPs that can be connected to the increase in particle density, but also by the formation of clusters and irregular structures

Synthesis of Ni/Y₂O₃ Nanocomposite through USP and Lyophilisation for Possible Use as Coating

The Ni/Y2O3 catalyst showed high catalytic activity. Based on this, the aim of this study was to create Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposites powder with two innovative technologies, Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) and lyophilisation. In the USP process, thermal decomposition of the generated aerosols in an N2/H2 reduction atmosphere caused a complete decomposition of the nickel (II) nitrate to elemental Ni, which became trapped on the formed Y2O3 nanoparticles. The Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particles were captured via gas washing in an aqueous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in collection bottles. PVP was chosen for its ability to stabilise nano-suspensions and as an effective cryoprotectant. Consequently, there was no loss or agglomeration of Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite material during the lyophilisation process. The Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite powder was analysed using ICP-MS, SEM-EDX, and XPS, which showed the impact of different precursor concentrations on the final Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite particle composition. In a final step, highly concentrated Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite ink (Ni/Y2O3 > 0.140 g/mL) and test coatings from this ink were prepared by applying them on a white matte photo paper sheet. The reflection curve of the prepared Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite coating showed a local maximum at 440 nm with a value of 39% reflection. Given that Ni is located on the surface of the Ni/Y2O3 nanocomposite in the elemental state and according to the identified properties, tests of the catalytic properties of this coating will be performed in the future