MEM-BRAIN gas separation membranes for zero-emission fossil power plants

The aim of the MEM-BRAIN project is the development and integration of gas separation membranes for zero-emission fossil power plants. This will be achieved by selective membranes with high permeability for CO2, O2 or H2, so that high-purity CO2 is obtained in a readily condensable form. The project is being implemented by the “MEM-BRAIN” Helmholtz Alliance consisting of research centres, universities and industrial partners.\ud \ud The MEM-BRAIN project focuses on the development, process engineering, system integration and energy systems analysis of different gas separation membranes for the different CO2 capture process routes in fossil power plants

Исследование элементного состава проб твердой фазы снега в окрестностях цементного завода (Кемеровская область)

The objectives and methodology of the EU-funded research project HYVOLUTION devoted to hydrogen production from biomass are reviewed. The main scientific objective of this project is the development of a novel two-stage bioprocess employing thermophilic and phototrophic bacteria, for the cost-effective production of pure hydrogen from multiple biomass feedstocks in small-scale, cost-effective industries. Results are summarised of the work on pretreatment technologies for optimal biodegradation of energy crops and bio-residues, conditions for maximum efficiency in conversion of fermentable biomass to hydrogen and CO2, concepts of dedicated installations for optimal gas cleaning and gas quality protocols, as well as innovative system integration aimed at minimizing energy demand and maximizing product output. The main technological objective is the construction of prototype modules of the plant which, when assembled, form the basis of a blueprint for the whole chain for converting biomass to pure hydrogen. A brief outline is presented of the progress made towards developing reactors for thermophilic hydrogen production, reactors for photoheterotrophic hydrogen production and equipment for optimal gas cleaning procedures

Rheological Behaviour of Secondary AlSi7Mg Alloy for Semi-Solid Processing

Semisolid castings are usually produced using primary Al alloys to ensure significant mechanical performances. However, the need to increase the use of secondary alloys is becoming more and more urgent to reduce the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process. In fact, it is well known that the production of primary alloys is far more demanding in terms of energy and emissions than the recycling route. To extend the use of secondary alloys to semisolid processing, it is necessary to thoroughly understand their properties and how they can influence a material with peculiar properties as the semisolid one. Besides microstructural and mechanical features, the rheological behaviour also plays a major role when dealing with processing metals in the semisolid state. Therefore, in the present study, a rheological characterization of secondary AlSi7Mg commercial alloy was carried out and compared to that of the conventional primary alloy. In details, a different content of Fe, Cu and Mn was considered, as these impurities easily form primary intermetallic particles, which can remain dispersed in the liquid matrix of the semisolid metal. The aim of this work is to understand if this can affect the rheological properties of the considered semisolid alloy. Flow curves and yield stresses were obtained from the experimental results to compare the behaviour of the different alloys

Semisolid lead-antimony alloys for cars batteries

The aim of this work was to investigate the application of semisolid process on Pb-Sb alloys that are normally used for metallic parts in cars batteries, in order to increase their mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The semisolid behaviour of a Pb-4%Sb alloy was analysed by means of rheological and calorimetry differential scanning experiments. The alloy was melt, treated by ultrasound to obtain the semisolid conditions and then poured into permanent moulds. Some of these samples were also heated in semisolid temperature range and injected in thixo-casting apparatus. Both poured and injected samples were completely characterized by metallographic analysis, mechanical test and electrochemical corrosion experiments. The results show an improvement of mechanical and corrosion resistance respect to samples obtained by conventional casting technique

Hyvolution : Entwicklung eines zweistufigen Bioprozesses zur Produktion von Wasserstoff aus Biomasse

Wasserstoff wird aufgrund seines emissionsarmen Oxidationsprozesses als einer der möglichen Energieträger der Zukunft angesehen. Um eine nachhaltige Wirkung auf den Treibhauseffekt zu erzielen, muss aber auch der Energiebedarf des Produktionsprozesses möglichst gering gehalten werden. Das integrierte Projekt Hyvolution, das im 6. Forschungsrahmenprogramm unter dem Schwerpunkt nachhaltiger Energiesysteme der Europäischen Komission gefördert wird, hat es sich deshalb zum Ziel gemacht, einen zweistufigen Bioprozess zu entwickeln, der zukünftig in dezentralen Kleinanlagen Wasserstoff aus Biomasse freisetz