Search results for: CONVERSION
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Impact of dyes isomerization effect on the charge transfer phenomenon occurring on the dye/nanosemiconductor interface
PublicationThe present work aimed to find the answer how does the isomerization of the Ru based dyes affect the overall photon-to-current efficiency of the DSSCs and to explain the charge transfer phenomenon occurring on the dye/ nanosemiconductor interface. Therefore, electronic and optical properties of three bipyridine derivatives anchored on the TiO2 electrode were investigated by computational simulations based on quantum chemistry codes...
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The Principles of Model Building Concepts Which Are Applied to the Design Patterns for Smart Cities
PublicationThe involvement of citizens into decision-making processes is one of the main features of smart cities. Such commitment is reflected in the form of requirements towards the city, and the benefits which are expected from the city. Requirements and benefits are thus the primary language of communication between decision-makers and urban residents. To develop such a language, it becomes necessary to develop design patterns for Smart...
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Mathematical modelling of two-step nitrification-denitrification for treatment of sludge digester liquors: influence of nitrite (NO2-N) on the process kinetics
PublicationSeparate treatment of the sludge digester liquors is an alternative for expansion of the mainstream treatment line. In order to reduce the oxygen demand for nitrification and organic carbon demand for denitrification, a shortcut in the nitrogen conversion pathway has been promoted in recent years, i.e. nitrification-denitrification via NO2-N instead of NO3-N. Although NO2-N is a common intermediate product of nitrification and...
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Copolymerization of Styrene and Pentadecylphenylmethacrylate (PDPMA): Synthesis, Characterization, Thermomechanical and Adhesion Properties
PublicationThe copolymerization of styrene (St) with a bioderived monomer, pentadecylphenylmethacrylate (PDPMA), via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was studied in this work.The copolymerization reactivity ratio was calculated using the composition data obtained from1HNMR spectroscopy, applying Kelen-Tudos and Finemann-Ross methods. The reactivity ratio of styrene (r1=0.93) and PDPMA (r2=0.05) suggested random copolymerization...
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The In-Depth Studies of Pulsed UV Laser-Modified TiO2 Nanotubes: The Influence of Geometry, Crystallinity, and Processing Parameters
PublicationThe laser processing of the titania nanotubes has been investigated in terms of morphology, structure, and optical properties of the obtained material. The length of the nanotubes and crystallinity, as well as the atmosphere of the laser treatment, were taken into account. The degree of changes of the initial geometry of nanotubes were checked by means of scanning electron microscopy, which visualizes both the surface and the cross-section....
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Comparative study of a bottoming SRC and ORC for Joule–Brayton cycle cooling modular HTR exergy losses, fluid-flow machinery main dimensions, and partial loads
PublicationEnergy conversion efficiency increase in power plants with high-temperature gas-cooled reactors via implementation of the bottoming cycle was investigated under nominal and minimal thermal load of a high-temperature reactor (HTR). Heat transfer surface area and turbine outlet volumetric flow rate in bottoming cycles was also investigated. Water and two low-boiling point working fluids (ammonia and ethanol) were analyzed. Analyzed...
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Sustainable synthesis of cyclic carbonates from bio‐based polyether polyol: the structure characterization, rheological behaviour and thermal properties
PublicationThe cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides represents a green efficient method to form bis(cyclic carbonate)s. The main purpose of the work reported in this paper was to examine the effect of the gas flow rate (20, 40, 60 and 100 mL min–1) during carbonation on the conversion yield, chemical structure, rheological behaviour and thermal properties of the prepared compounds. A series of new bis(cyclic carbonate)s was obtained from bio‐based...
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Heat recovery from the hybrid photovoltaic tile – experimental studies with the solar light simulator
PublicationConsidering the current development of micro-cogeneration energy sources, supported by the national prosumer policy and the act on the renewable energy sources, there is a great demand for the effective solar technologies. In this area, the photovoltaic cells with a combined conversion of the solar radiation energy into the electrical and thermal energy (PV/T cells) seem to be attractive. They are already widely available and treated...
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Pathways of nitrogen compounds depletion in hybrid constructed wetlands
PublicationHybrid Constructed Wetlands are composed of two or more filters with mixed flow direction of sewage. Apparently in the HCWS the benefits of both types of bed are merged, resulting in better effluent quality (organic and nitrogen componds removal). Such heterogeneous environment creates possibilities for different ways of nitrogen "disappearing". The objective of the present study was to compare the removal of nitrogen with accompanying...
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Degradation of electrical performance of a crystalline photovoltaic module due to dust deposition in northern Poland
PublicationThe reduction in power output caused by the accumulation of dust on the photovoltaic module surface is an important problem and should receive much more attention in the literature. This study was an evaluation of the performance degradation of crystalline photovoltaic modules due to natural and simulated dust deposition. Dust is created from powdered grains of sand and particles of different bodies. Dust originates from different...
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The influence of pre- and postharvest treatments on selected biological and epigenetic activities of Brassica sprouts
PublicationIntroduction The Brassica vegetables are rich in glucosinolates (GLs), which are enzymatically hydrolysed to bioactive isothiocynates (ITC) and indoles, regarded as the most promising chemopreventing agents. However, in the majority of brassica sprouts the GL conversion into these beneficial derivatives occurs at the level of about 1 %, while in cabbage leaves exceeds 70%. Since sprouts represent plant material, which is frequently...
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CFD COUPLING OF VOF MODEL WITH ARRHENIUS EQUATION FOR ANALYSIS OF LASER-INDUCED THERMAL DEACTIVATION OF E. COLI
PublicationUnderstanding bacterial deactivation at the micro-scale, particularly with E. coli, is crucial for advancing microbiology and has promising applications in biomedical research. In this research contribution, we investigate the thermal inactivation of E. coli bacteria using gold nanoparticles irradiated by a green 1-W laser within a microfluidic chamber. The microfluidic device comprises a fluidic chamber filled with a thin film...
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Understanding the Dominant Physics Mechanisms on the p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells Fabricated by Scalable Slot-Die Coating Process in Ambient Air
PublicationPerovskite solar cells (PSC) are emerging technologies that have shown continuous improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability. However, a very important aspect that has been seldom considered is the reproducibility of PCE of PSC devices. It is possible to achieve PCE from 10.21% to 17.05% using scalable slot-die-coating technique. However, a spatial distribution of performance is clearly observed for device samples...
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Solid and liquid fractionation of sugarcane and Agave bagasse during ozonolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis: Impact on biohydrogen and biogas production
PublicationSustainable and cost-efficient lignocellulosic biomass-to-energy bioprocesses require assessing the main components released during biomass fractionation. This study assessed the mesophilic biochemical potential of biohydrogen (BHP) and methane production (BMP) from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and cooked (CAB) and uncooked (UAB) Agave bagasse. A systematic comparative analysis was performed for the liquid and solid fractions derived...
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NOx Photooxidation over Different Noble Metals Modified TiO2
PublicationWe compared the activity enhancement effect of noble metal deposited on TiO2 in photocatalytic nitrogen oxides oxidation. Titanium dioxide was decorated with Ag, Au, Pt or Pd in the sol-gel process. Synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurement (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX)....
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A study of the kinetics of bismuth telluride synthesis by an oxide reduction method
PublicationThe kinetics of a reduction of bismuth and tellurium oxides in a hydrogen atmosphere, leading to the formation of thermoelectric bismuth telluride is investigated. The evaluation of the reaction kinetics was based on a thermogravimetric analysis performed in non-isothermal conditions. A non-parametric analysis method and the Friedman method were used for the evaluation of the data. Additionally, for a better understanding of the...
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Manufacturing and Recycling Impact on Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Innovative Wind Power Plant Part 2/2
PublicationThe process of conversion of wind kinetic energy into electricity in innovative wind power plant emits practically no harmful substances into the environment. However, the production stage of its components requires a lot of energy and materials. The biggest problem during production plan-ning process of an innovative wind power plant is selection of materials and technologies and, consequently, the waste generated at this stage....
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Preparation and Characterization of Films Based on Disintegrated Bacterial Cellulose and Montmorillonite
PublicationThe food packaging materials from natural polymers including polysaccharides offer an ecologically important alternative to commonly used synthetic, non-biodegradable counterparts. The purpose of this work was to modify of bacterial cellulose (BC) leading to the improvement of its functional properties in terms of use as a food packaging material. Effects of disintegration of BC and addition of montmorillonite (MMT) on its water...
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The Development of a Conceptual Framework for Knowledge Sharing in Agile IT Projects
PublicationOrganizations must adapt their resources to meet the challenges associated with changes in the work environment in order to remain competitive in the information era. Several research findings identify knowledge sharing as a means for an organization to improve its competitiveness. Knowledge sharing can be defined in a variety of ways, but it essentially refers to the exchange of knowledge from an information giver to an information...
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Multi-Channel Virtual Instrument for Measuring Temperature—A Case Study
PublicationThe article presents the hardware and software configuration of the developed multi-channel temperature measurement system as well as calibration procedures and measurement results verifying the properties of measurement channels. The system has been developed and dedicated primarily for measuring the temperature distribution in a laboratory model simulating underground power lines. With the adopted configuration of the analog...
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Deep learning based thermal image segmentation for laboratory animals tracking
PublicationAutomated systems for behaviour classification of laboratory animals are an attractive alternative to manual scoring. However, the proper animals separation and tracking, especially when they are in close contact, is the bottleneck of the behaviour analysis systems. In this paper, we propose a method for the segmentation of thermal images of laboratory rats that are in close contact during social behaviour tests. For this, we are...
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THE EFFECT OF LOG SORTING STRATEGY ON THE FORECASTED LUMBER VALUE AFTER SAWING PINE WOOD
PublicationThe optimal transformation path for the resource is determined by the quality of a log combined with its dimension. The commercial value of derived products is also closely connected with the size and extent of containing wood deficiencies. The results of studies with three diverse strategies for log sorting are presented in the paper. Resource assessment by a worker without extensive experience in sorting logs, the certified grading...
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Is the Solid Electrolyte Interphase an Extra-Charge Reservoir in Li-Ion Batteries?
PublicationAdvanced metal oxide electrodes in Li-ion batteries usually show reversible capacities exceeding the theoretically expected ones. Despite many studies and tentative interpretations, the origin of this extra-capacity is not assessed yet. Lithium storage can be increased through different chemical processes developing in the electrodes during charging cycles. The solid electrolyte interface (SEI), formed already during the first...
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A novel dual-band rectifier circuit with enhanced bandwidth for RF energy harvesting applications
PublicationIn recent years, a rapid development of low-power sensor networks, enabling machine-to-machine communication in applications such as environmental monitoring, has been observed. Contemporary sensors are normally supplied by an external power source, typically in a form of a battery, which limits their lifespan and increases the maintenance costs. This problem can be addressed by harvesting and converting ambient RF energy into...
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Wear in siding friction tests. Ring-on-ring contact. Sintered alumina ceramics (98%). Paraffin oil lubrication. Specim. sets #20-#21, #22-#23, #24-#25, #26-#27, #28-#29,#30 - #31. Run time: 0-4h. High frequency burst recording.
Open Research DataWear in sliding friction tests in ring-on-ring contact. Sintered alumina ceramics (98%) in self-mated contact. Lubrication: paraffin oil. Sliding velocity: 0.2 m/s. Mean contact stress: 10 MPa. Test rig: PT-3 Tribometer. High frequency burst recording.Running time: 0 - 4h.Specimen sets:Specim. sets (# [upper, rotating] - #[lower, non-rotating]):#20-#21,...
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Pathways of Nitrogen Removal in Hybrid Treatment Wetlands
PublicationHybrid Treatment Wetlands (HTWs) are composed of two or more filters with different modes of flow, allowing the benefits of both types of bed to be combined, resulting in better effluent quality (nitrogen and organic compounds removal). Such a heterogeneous environment creates possibilities for different mechanisms of nitrogen removal. The objective of the present study was to investigate the removal of nitrogen versus a range...
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Homoisocitrate dehydrogenase from Candida albicans: properties, inhibition, and targeting by an antifungal pro-drug
PublicationThe LYS12 gene from Candida albicans, coding for homoisocitrate dehydrogenase was cloned and expressed as a His-tagged protein in Escherichia coli. The purified gene product catalyzes the Mg2+- and K+-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of homoisocitrate to alpha-ketoadipate. The recombinant enzyme demonstrates strict specificity for homoisocitrate. SDS-PAGE of CaHIcDH revealed its molecular mass of 42.6±1 kDa, while in size-exclusion...
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The importance of anchoring ligands of binuclear sensitizers on electron transfer processes and photovoltaic action in dye-sensitized solar cells
PublicationThe relatively low photon-to-current conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells is their major drawback limiting widespread application. Light harvesting, followed by a series of electron transfer processes, is the critical step in photocurrent generation. An in-depth understanding and fine optimization of those processes are crucial to enhance cell performance. In this work, we synthesize two new bi-ruthenium sensitizers...
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Hybrid geothermal-fossil power cycle analysis in a Polish setting with a focus on off-design performance and CO2 emissions reductions
PublicationGrowing demand for electricity due to economic development contributes to increased greenhouse gas production, especially CO2. However, emissions can be limited by enhancing the efficiency of primary energy conversion, such as integrating geothermal energy into coal-fired power plants. Therefore, this paper proposes replacing conventional feed-water heaters with geothermal preheaters to create a hybridized system. This study was...
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Methods for biomaterials printing: A short review and perspective
PublicationPrinting technologies have opened larger windows of innovation and creativity to biomaterials engineers by providing them with the ability to fabricate complex shapes in a reasonable time, cost, and weight. However, there has always been a trouble with function adjusting in printing technologies in view of the multiplicity of materials and apparatus parameters. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, revolutionized biomaterials...
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A hybrid approach to optimization of radial inflow turbine with principal component analysis
PublicationEnergy conversion efficiency is one of the most important features of power systems as it greatly influences the economic balance. The efficiency can be increased in many ways. One of them is to optimize individual components of the power plant. In most Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems the power is created in the turbine and these systems can benefit from effective turbine optimization. The paper presents the use of two kinds...
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A multi‐industry and cross‐country comparison of technology contribution to formal and informal knowledge sharing processes for innovativeness
PublicationThe study explores the impact of organizational information technology (IT) competency on knowledge sharing, both explicit and tacit, in the context of innovativeness of products and processes. Knowledge sharing is then assessed in terms of tacit-to-explicit conversion and the impact of both types of knowledge on organizational innovation. Both process (internal) and product/service (external) innovation are included. As an extension,...
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2D MXene nanocomposites: electrochemical and biomedical applications
PublicationIn recent years, key questions about the interaction of 2D MXene nanomaterials in electrochemical and biomedical applications have been raised. Most research has focused on clarifying the exclusive properties of the materials; however, only limited reports have described the biomedical applications of 2D nanomaterials. 2D MXenes are monolayer atomic nanosheets resulting from MAX phase ceramics. The hydrophilic properties, metallic...
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Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytical Performance of Inorganic-Inorganic Hybrid Consisting BiVO4, V2O5, and Cobalt Hexacyanocobaltate as a Perspective Photoanode for Water Splitting
PublicationThin layers of BiVO4/V2O5 were prepared on FTO substrates using pulsed laser deposition technique. The method of cobalt hexacyanocobaltate (Cohcc) synthesis on the BiVO4/V2O5 photoanodes consists of cobalt deposition followed by electrochemical oxidation of metallic Co in K3[Co(CN)6] aqueous electrolyte. The modified electrodes were tested as photoanodes for water oxidation under simulated sunlight irradiation. Deposited films...
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Modeling of Electrified Transportation Systems Featuring Multiple Vehicles and Complex Power Supply Layout
PublicationThe paper proposes a novel approach to modeling electrified transportation systems. The proposed solution reflects the mechanical dynamics of vehicles as well as the distribution and losses of electric supply. Moreover, energy conversion losses between the mechanical and electrical subsystems and their bilateral influences are included. Such a complete model makes it possible to replicate, e.g., the impact of voltage drops on vehicle...
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Ultrasound-assisted wet-impregnation of Ag–Co nanoparticles on cellulose nanofibers: Enhanced catalytic hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol
PublicationIn this study, a novel nanocomposite of bimetallic Ag–Co nanoparticles supported on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) was synthesised using the ultrasound-assisted wet-impregnation method for catalytic applications. CNFs were prepared from cellulose acetate using the electrospinning technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of CNFs. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)...
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Development of Gas Sensor Array for Methane Reforming Process Monitoring
PublicationThe article presents a new method of monitoring and assessing the course of the dry methane reforming process with the use of a gas sensor array. Nine commercially available TGS chemical gas sensors were used to construct the array (seven metal oxide sensors and two electrochemical ones). Principal Component Regression (PCR) was used as a calibration method. The developed PCR models were used to determine the quantitative parameters...
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Starter for Voltage Boost Converter to Harvest Thermoelectric Energy for Body-Worn Sensors
PublicationThis paper examines the suitability of selected configurations of ultra-low voltage (ULV) oscilla-tors as starters for a voltage boost converter to harvest energy from a thermoelectric generator (TEG). Important properties of particularly promising configurations, suitable for on-chip imple-mentation are compared. On this basis, an improved oscillator with a low startup voltage and a high output voltage swing is proposed. The applicability...
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Ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis as a tool for monitoring methanogenic archaea changes in an anaerobic digester
PublicationThe applicability of a newly-designed PCR primer pair in examination of methanogenic Archaea in a digester treating plant biomass was evaluated by Ribosmal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (RISA). To find a suitable approach, three variants of RISA were tested: (1) standard, polyacrylamide gel-based, (2) automated, utilized capillary electrophoresis (GA-ARISA), and (3) automated microfluidics-based (MF-ARISA). All three techniques yielded...
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Visible light activity of rare earth metal doped (Er3+, Yb3+ or Er3+/Yb3+) titania photocatalysts
PublicationA series of Er3+-TiO2, Yb3+-TiO2 and Er3+/Yb3+-TiO2 photocatalysts were obtained via sol-gel method, using rare earth metal (RE) precursor ranging from 0.25 to 10 mol%. The experiments demonstrated that phenol in aqueous solutions was successfully degraded under visible light (> 450 nm) using RE3+-TiO2. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis...
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Combination of air-dispersion cathode with sacrificial iron anode generating Fe2+Fe3+2O4 nanostructures to degrade paracetamol under ultrasonic irradiation
PublicationIn the present study, ultrasound (US) was coupled with an electrochemical process (ECP) consisting of a novel cathode of carbon cloth (CC)-carbon black (CB) as the nano-composite air-dispersion cathode (NADC) for the degradation of paracetamol (APAP) in an aquatic medium. The NADC favored in situ production of H2O2 by the cathodic reduction. The implementation of iron sacrificial anode instead of dimensionally stable anodes resulted...
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Pilot installation for thermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal using the rotary kiln pyrolyzer and the fluidised bed boiler
PublicationThe technology of thermal utilization of meat-and-bone meal (MBM) is still at the research state. However, there are already a number of existing pilot-scale installations that provide the complete, effective and environmentally safe process conducting. The universal technology was developed that allows to combust various types of waste, including animal waste, municipal waste and sludge, mixed at any ratio with different types...
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Retrievable strain measuring system in screw displacement piles - readings and results interpretation problems
PublicationStatic load tests on foundation piles are generally carried out in order to determine load – displacement characteristic of the pile. For more detailed information, e.g. force distribution along the shaft, load transfer mechanism and characteristics of soil-structure interaction (unit resistance curves t-z, q-z) additional pile instrumentation is required. Most popular techniques focus on direct concrete strain measurements and...
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In situ study of a composition of outlet gases from biogas fuelled Solid Oxide Fuel Cell performed by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
PublicationThe purpose of this study was to develop a method and software based on the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the in-situ, quantitative analysis of the composition of outlet gases from Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The calibration procedure performed at the beginning of the experiment indicated a polynomial dependence between the concentration of a calibrating gas (CO, CO2, CH4) and the corresponding integrated absorbance in...
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Sonocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic using zinc oxide nanostructures loaded on nano-cellulose from waste straw as nanosonocatalyst
PublicationThe aim of the present investigation was the combination of ZnO nanostructures with nano-cellulose (NC) for the efficient degradation of tetracycline (TC) antibiotic under ultrasonic irradiation. The removal efficiency of 12.8% was obtained by the sole use of ultrasound (US), while the removal efficiency increased up to 70% by the US/ZnO treatment process. Due to the integration of ZnO nanostructures with NC, the removal efficiency...
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Physical properties of homogeneous TiO2 films prepared by high power impulse magnetron sputtering as a function of crystallographic phase and nanostructure
PublicationOptical, photo-electrochemical, crystallographic and morphological properties of TiO2 thin films prepared by high power impulse magnetron sputtering at low substrate temperatures (<65 ◦C) without post-deposition thermal annealing are studied. The film composition-anatase, rutile or amorphous TiO2-is adjusted by the pressure (p ∼ 0.75-15 Pa) in the deposition chamber. The different crystallographic phases were determined with grazing...
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Nitrogen transformations and mass balances in anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic batch experiments with full-scale biomasses from BNR activated sludge systems.
PublicationThe aim of this study was to investigate nitrogen mass balances occurring inside full-scale BNR activated sludge systems, with special attention to colloidal and dissolved organic nitrogen (CON and DON) transformations. For this purpose, laboratory experiments were carried out using process biomass from two large BNR plants in northern Poland. Two parallel batch reactors were operated in a 3-phase (anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic) cycle....
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Nitrogen transformations and mass balances in anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic batch experiments with full-scale biomasses from BNR activated sludge systems.
PublicationThe aim of this study was to investigate nitrogen mass balances occurring inside full-scale BNR activated sludge systems, with special attention to colloidal and dissolved organic nitrogen (CON and DON) transformations. For this purpose, laboratory experiments were carried out using process biomass from two large BNR plants in northern Poland. Two parallel batch reactors were operated in a 3-phase (anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic) cycle....
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Ionic liquids for nano- and microstructures preparation. Part 1: Properties and multifunctional role
PublicationIonic liquids (ILs) are a broad group of organic salts of varying structure and properties, used in energy conversion and storage, chemical analysis, separation processes, as well as in the preparation of particles in nano- and microscale. In material engineering, ionic liquids are applied to synthesize mainly metal nanoparticles and 3D semiconductor microparticles. They could generally serve as a structuring agent or as a reaction...
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Exergetic Analysis of the nCO2PP Cycle with Particular Reference to the Exergy Destruction of Sewage Sludge Due to Gasification
PublicationAn exergy analysis is carried out on the negative CO2 emission gas power plant (nCO2PP), which integrates the process sections of fuel preparation, power generation and carbon capture. Processes of exergy destruction are studied with particular focus on the process in the gasification unit of the fuel preparation section, where a large amount of exergy is destroyed in various chemical reactions from sewage sludge to producer gas...