Capillary driven flow in nanochannels – Application to heavy oil rheology studies

Anisotropic fluid flows in black phosphorus nanochannels

With the development of advanced micro/nanoscale technologies, two-dimensional materials have emerged from laboratories and have been applied in practice. To investigate the mechanisms of solid-liquid interactions in potential applications, molecular dynamics simulations are employed to study the flow behavior of n-dodecane (C12) molecules confined in black phosphorus (BP) nanochannels. Under the same external conditions, a significant difference in the velocity profiles of fluid molecules is observed when flowing along the armchair and zigzag directions of the BP walls. The average velocity of C12 molecules flowing along the zigzag direction is 9-fold higher than that along the armchair direction. The friction factor at the interface between C12 molecules and BP nanochannels and the orientations of C12 molecules near the BP walls are analyzed to explain the differences in velocity profiles under various flow directions, external driving forces, and nanochannel widths. The result shows that most C12 molecules are oriented parallel to the flow direction along the zigzag direction, leading to a relatively smaller friction factor hence a higher average velocity. In contrast, along the armchair direction, most C12 molecules are oriented perpendicular to the flow direction, leading to a relatively larger friction factor and thus a lower average velocity. This work provides important insights into understanding the anisotropic liquid flows in nanochannels.

Molecular Alignment-Mediated Stick-Slip Poiseuille Flow of Oil in Graphene Nanochannels

The flow behavior of oil in nanochannels has attracted extensive attention for oil transport applications. In most, if not all, of the prior theoretical simulations, oil molecules were observed to flow steadily in nanochannels under pressure gradients. In this study, non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to simulate the Poiseuille flow of oil with three different hydrocarbon chain lengths in graphene nanochannels. Contrary to the conventional perception of steady flows of oil in nanochannels, we find that oil molecules with the longest hydrocarbon chain (i.e., n-dodecane) exhibit notable stick-slip flow behavior. An alternation between the high average velocity of n-dodecane in the slip motion and the low average velocity in the stick motion is observed, with a drastic, abrupt velocity jolt of up to 40 times occurring at the transition in a stick-slip motion. Further statistical analyses show that the stick-slip flow behavior of n-dodecane molecules originates from the molecular alignment change of oil near the graphene wall. The molecular alignment of n-dodecane shows different statistical distributions under stick and slip motion states, leading to significant changes of friction forces and thus notable velocity fluctuations. This work provides new insights into the Poiseuille flow behavior of oil in graphene nanochannels and may offer useful guidelines for other mass transport applications.

Lignosulfonate-Based Ionic Liquids as Asphaltene Dispersants

Asphaltenes are recognized as being troublesome from upstream to downstream in the oil industry due to their tendency to precipitate and self-associate. Their extraction from asphaltenic crude oil for a cost-effective refining process is a crucial and critical challenge in the oil and gas sector. Lignosulfonate (LS), as a by-product of the wood pulping process in the papermaking industry, is a highly available and underutilized feedstock. This study aimed to synthesize novel LS-based ionic liquids (ILs) by reacting lignosulfonate acid sodium salt [Na]₂[LS] with different alkyl chains of piperidinium chloride for asphaltene dispersion. The synthesized ILs, 1-hexyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C₆C₁Pip]₂[LS], 1-octyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C₈C₁Pip]₂[LS], 1-dodecyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C₁₂C₁Pip]₂[LS] and 1-hexadecyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C₁₆C₁Pip]₂[LS] were characterized using FTIR-ATR and ¹H NMR for functional groups and structural confirmation. The ILs depicted high thermal stability because of the presence of a long side alkyl chain and piperidinium cation following thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Asphaltene dispersion indices (%) of ILs were tested by varying contact time, temperature and ILs concentration. The obtained indices were high for all ILs, with a dispersion index of more than 91.2% [C₁₆C₁Pip]₂[LS], representing the highest dispersion at 50,000 ppm. It was able to lower asphaltene particle size diameter from 51 nm to 11 nm. The kinetic data of [C₁₆C₁Pip]₂[LS] were consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The dispersion index (%), asphaltene particle growth and the kinetic model agreed with the molecular modeling studies of the HOMO-LUMO energy of IL holds.

Microfluidic Platform for Characterization of Crude Oil Emulsion Stability

Microfluidic technology has gained significant scientific interest in the characterization of crude oil emulsions that are often formed in the process of oil production. Microfluidic platforms can be used to mimic the pores of natural rock and study multiphase displacement, as well as emulsion formation at a microscale level. This mini-Review focuses on the applications of microfluidics to probe the stability of emulsified droplets against coalescence (e.g., in the presence of additives, electric field, etc.) for both water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion systems. Additionally, this study summarizes the recent efforts made to identify the effects of various experimental factors, including crude oil composition, aging, salinity, and pH on the interfacial properties of water/oil interface and their ultimate roles in the formation/stability of emulsions. Finally, main findings and some recommendations for future work related to the potential of microfluidics in different aspects of crude oil emulsion studies are discussed.

MHD Hybrid Nanofluid Flow Due to Rotating Disk with Heat Absorption and Thermal Slip Effects: An Application of Intelligent Computing

The objective of this study is to explore the flow features and heat transfer properties of an MHD hybrid nanofluid between two parallel plates under the effects of joule heating and heat absorption/generation (MHD-HFRHT) by utilizing the computational strength of Levenberg–Marquardt Supervised Neural Networks (LM-SNNs). Similarity equations are utilized to reduce the governing PDEs into non-linear ODEs. A reference solution in the form of data sets for MHD-HFRHT flow is obtained by creating different scenarios by varying involved governing parameters such as the Hartman number, rotation parameter, Reynolds number, velocity slip parameter, thermal slip parameter and Prandtl number. These reference data sets for all scenarios are placed for training, validation and testing through LM-SNNs and the obtained results are then compared with reference output to validate the accuracy of the proposed solution methodology. AI-based computational strength with the applicability of LM-SNNs provides an accurate and reliable source for the analysis of the presented fluid-flow system, which has been tested and incorporated for the first time. The stability, performance and convergence of the proposed solution methodology are validated through the numerical and graphical results presented, based on mean square error, error histogram, regression plots and an error-correlation measurement. MSE values of up to the accuracy level of 1 × 10−11 established the worth and reliability of the computational technique. Due to an increase in the Hartmann number, a resistance was observed, resulting in a reduction in the velocity profile. This occurs as the Hartmann number measures the relative implication of drag force that derives from magnetic induction of the velocity of the fluid flow system. However, the Reynolds number accelerates in the velocity profile due to the dominating impact of inertial force.

Disjoining Pressure of Water in Nanochannels

The disjoining pressure of water was estimated from wicking experiments in 1D silicon dioxide nanochannels of heights of 59, 87, 124, and 1015 nm. The disjoining pressure was found to be as high as ∼1.5 MPa while exponentially decreasing with increasing channel height. Such a relation resulting from the curve fitting of experimentally derived data was implemented and validated in computational fluid dynamics. The implementation was then used to simulate bubble nucleation in a water-filled 59 nm nanochannel to determine the nucleation temperature. Simultaneously, experiments were conducted by nucleating a bubble in a similar 58 nm nanochannel by laser heating. The measured nucleation temperature was found to be in excellent agreement with the simulation, thus independently validating the disjoining pressure relation developed in this work. The methodology implemented here integrates experimental nanoscale physics into continuum simulations thus enabling numerical study of various phenomena where disjoining pressure plays an important role.

Methodology for Concurrent Multi-Parametric Physical Modeling of a Target Natural Unfractured Homogeneous Sandstone

In petroleum, geological and environmental science, flow through porous media is conventionally studied complementarily with numerical modeling/simulation and experimental corefloods. Despite advances in numerical modeling/simulation, experimental corefloods with actual samples are still desired for higher-specificity testing or more complex mechanistic studies. In these applications, the lack of advances in physical modeling is very apparent with the available options mostly unchanged for decades (e.g., sandpacks of unconsolidated packing materials, industry-accepted substitutes with fixed/mismatching petrophysical properties such as Berea sandstone). Renewable synthetic porous media with adjustable parameters are the most promising but have not advanced adequately. To address this, a methodology of advanced physical modeling of the fundamental parameters of dominant mineralogy, particle size distribution, packing, and cementation of a target natural porous media is introduced. Based upon the tight physical modeling of these four fundamental parameters, the other derived parameters of interests including wettability, porosity, pore throat size distribution, permeability, and capillary pressure can be concurrently modeled very close as well by further fine-tuning one of the fundamental parameters while holding the rest constant. Through this process, concurrent multi-parametric physical modeling of the primary petrophysical parameters including particle size distribution, wettability, porosity, pore throat size distribution, permeability, capillary pressure behavior in a target sandstone becomes possible.

Effects of Foam Microbubbles on Electrical Resistivity and Capillary Pressure of Partially Saturated Porous Media

Laboratory measurements of capillary pressure (P_c) and the electrical resistivity index (RI) of reservoir rocks are used to calibrate well logging tools and to determine reservoir fluid distribution. Significant studies on the methods and factors affecting these measurements in rocks containing oil, gas, and water are adequately reported in the literature. However, with the advent of chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, surfactants are mixed with injection fluids to generate foam to enhance the gas injection process. Foam is a complex and non-Newtonian fluid whose behavior in porous media is different from conventional reservoir fluids. As a result, the effect of foam on P_c and the reliability of using known rock models such as the Archie equation to fit experimental resistivity data in rocks containing foam are yet to be ascertained. In this study, we investigated the effect of foam on the behavior of both P_c and RI curves in sandstone and carbonate rocks using both porous plate and two-pole resistivity methods at ambient temperature. Our results consistently showed that for a given water saturation (S_w), the RI of a rock increases in the presence of foam than without foam. We found that, below a critical S_w, the resistivity of a rock containing foam continues to rise rapidly. We argue, based on knowledge of foam behavior in porous media, that this critical S_w represents the regime where the foam texture begins to become finer, and it is dependent on the properties of the rock and the foam. Nonetheless, the Archie model fits the experimental data of the rocks but with resulting saturation exponents that are higher than conventional gas–water rock systems. The degree of variation in the saturation exponents between the two fluid systems also depends on the rock and fluid properties. A theory is presented to explain this phenomenon. We also found that foam affects the saturation exponent in a similar way as oil-wet rocks in the sense that they decrease the cross-sectional area of water available in the pores for current flow. Foam appears to have competing and opposite effects caused by the presence of clay, micropores, and conducting minerals, which tend to lower the saturation exponent at low S_w. Finally, the P_c curve is consistently lower in foam than without foam for the same S_w.

Investigation of Capillary Filling Dynamics of Multicomponent Fluids in Straight and Periodically Constricted Microchannels

An extensive study of capillary flow of fluids with various viscosities in straight and periodically constricted microchannels with different surface wettability is presented. Capillary filling speed in hydrophilic, less hydrophilic, and hydrophobic microchannels were experimentally monitored and compared with the Washburn theoretical model. For all liquids, a linear relationship was found between the square of propagation distance and time, which is expected for Newtonian fluids. Experimental results indicated slower velocity compared to the theoretical prediction due to simplifications of the Washburn model. Capillary filling speed of fluids into long-fluororinated chain silane modified channels confirmed the expected lyophobic nature of the coating (i.e., not favorable for either hydrophilic or hydrophobic liquids). Presence of the precursor film ahead of the three-phase contact line in the microscopic level was demonstrated. White light and fluorescent images confirmed the presence of precursor film and capillary evaporation at the interface. Evaporation enhanced the deviation between experimental and theoretical results due to continuous wettability alteration of penetrating fluid.

On the Numerical Analysis of Unsteady MHD Boundary Layer Flow of Williamson Fluid Over a Stretching Sheet and Heat and Mass Transfers

A thorough and detailed investigation of an unsteady free convection boundary layer flow of an incompressible electrically conducting Williamson fluid over a stretching sheet saturated with a porous medium has been numerically carried out. The partial governing equations are transferred into a system of non-linear dimensionless ordinary differential equations by employing suitable similarity transformations. The resultant equations are then numerically solved using the spectral quasi-linearization method. Numerical solutions are obtained in terms of the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles, as well as the skin friction, heat and mass transfers. These numerical results are presented graphically and in tabular forms. From the results, it is found out that the Weissenberg number, local electric parameter, the unsteadiness parameter, the magnetic, porosity and the buoyancy parameters have significant effects on the flow properties.

Thermo-Diffusion and Multislip Effects on MHD Mixed Convection Unsteady Flow of Micropolar Nanofluid over a Shrinking/Stretching Sheet with Radiation in the Presence of Heat Source

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the multislip effects on the magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection unsteady flow of micropolar nano-fluids over a stretching/shrinking sheet along with radiation in the presence of a heat source. The consequences of multislip and buoyancy conditions have been integrated. By using the suitable similarity variables are used to solve the governing non-linear partial differential equations into a system of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations. The transformed equations are solved numerically by using Runge–Kutta fourth-order method with shooting technique. The impacts of the several parameters on the velocity, temperature, micro-rotation, and concentration profiles as well as on the skin friction coefficient, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number are discussed with the help of graphs and tables.

Activation Energy and Second Order Slip in Bioconvection of Oldroyd-B Nanofluid over a Stretching Cylinder: A Proposed Mathematical Model

The thermal performances based on the interaction of nanoparticles are the topic of great interest in recent years. In the current continuation, we have utilized the activation energy and thermal radiation consequences in the bioconvection flow of magnetized Oldroyd-B nanoparticles over a stretching cylinder. As a novelty, the second order slip features (Wu’s slip) and convective Nield boundary assumptions are also introduced for the flow situation. The heat performances of nanofluids are captured with an evaluation of the famous Buongiorno’s model which enables us to determine the attractive features of Brownian motion and thermophoretic diffusion. The suggested thermal system is based on the flow velocity, nanoparticles temperature, nanoparticles volume fraction and motile microorganisms. The governing flow equations for the flow problem are constituted with relevant references for which numerically solution is developed via shooting algorithm. A detailed graphically analysis for the assisted flow problem is performed in view of the involved parameters. Although some studies are available in the literature which deals with the flow of various fluids over-stretching cylinder, the phenomenon of bioconvection and other interesting features are not reported yet. Therefore, present scientific computations are performed to fill this gap and the reported results can be more useful for the enhancement of thermal extrusion processes, solar energy systems, and biofuels.

Whole slide imaging of circulating tumor cells captured on a capillary microchannel device

Liquid biopsy with circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can aid in cancer detection at early stages and determine whether a certain treatment is effective or not. However, existing CTC techniques focus on one or two aspects of CTC management including sampling, enrichment, enumeration, and treatment selection. This paper reports an integrated capillary microchannel device that allows efficient capturing of CTCs with a wide microchannel, rapid enumeration of captured CTCs with whole slide cell imaging, and in situ drug testing with captured CTCs. Blood is drawn into the microchannel whose height is appropriate to the diameter of cancer cells, while its width is a thousand times larger than the diameter of cancer cells. The inner bottom surface of the microchannel is modified with long chain polymers that have cell adhesive ends to efficiently capture CTCs from blood. With this design, cells including CTCs are forced to move through the polymer coated microchannel, and the chance of cell adhesive ends interacting with specific antigens overexpressed on surfaces of cancer cells is significantly enhanced without a channel blockage issue. Captured CTCs are enumerated with a whole slide imaging platform via dual LED autofocusing technology then exposed to anti-cancer drugs, followed by live/dead assay and fluorescence imaging. Given its straightforward, easy and powerless operation, this device with whole slide imaging will be useful for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and point-of-care treatments.

A Study on exfoliation of Expanded Graphite Stacks in Candelilla Wax

A novel, green route for pre-exfoliation of graphite based on a biodegradable polymer and high-power ultrasound is presented. Candelilla wax (CW), derived from the leaves of the candelilla plant, has been used for the first time as a natural non aqueous medium to induce the pre-exfoliation of expanded graphite (EG) under ultrasonic irradiation in an economical way. The proposed method uses also D-limonene as a natural organic solvent for reducing viscosity and increasing the affinity between the polar groups of EG and candelilla wax, thus improving the intercalation/exfoliation of EG. The quality of dispersion of the nanofiller in the natural wax matrix has been evaluated using multiple techniques. The addition of EG to wax and use of ultrasonic treatment leads to a reduced crystallinity, probably due to restrictions of the molecular movements, improved thermal stability of wax, and to an increased shear thinning exponent, which are all indicative of a high degree of EG dispersion. The ultrasonic dynamic mechanical results suggest a reduction in the cluster size and a better filler dispersion in the wax matrix promoted by polar or chemical reactions between the CW fractions and the graphite stacks, which was observed by XPS analysis. The results were compared to those obtained with paraffin, a synthetic wax, and confirmed the dispersion improvement obtained by using natural wax as a pre-exfoliating medium.

Performance and Reinforcement Mechanism of Modified Asphalt Binders with Nano-Particles, Whiskers, and Fibers

The asphalt binders could be modified to improve road perfo rmances by using various methods, and the reinforcement mechanisms are obviously different and quietly affect the road performances. According to the composite reinforcement theory, nano-CaCO3 particles, CaCO3 whiskers, and aramid fibers were used as reinforcements to prepare modified asphalt binders, and the conventional technical performances and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) rheological properties were measured and investigated. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the interfaces between reinforcements and asphalt matrixes and the different reinforcement mechanisms were analyzed. The test results showed that the use of nano-CaCO3 particles, CaCO3 whiskers, and aramid fibers can improve the high-temperature stability of modified asphalt binders by different reinforcement mechanisms. The nano-CaCO3 particles were still effective under high-temperature conditions and could last for a long time through the principle of dispersion enhancement. The CaCO3 whiskers segregate easily and cannot be well dispersed in asphalt binders. The aramid fibers played an important role of stress transmission and fiber reinforcement in asphalt binders, and 2 mm-aramid fibers hold the best reinforcement effects. The conclusions can provide a reference for the selection and application of modifiers in the preparation of modified asphalt in laboratory and engineering projects.

Natural Convection of Dusty Hybrid Nanofluids in an Enclosure Including Two Oriented Heated Fins

In the current work, the natural convection of dusty hybrid nanofluids in an enclosure including two inclined heated fins has been studied via mathematical simulation. The inclined heated fins are arranged near to the enclosure center with variations on their orientations and lengths. The present simulation is represented by two systems of equations for the hybrid nanofluids that are dusty. The pressure distributions for the dusty phase and hybrid nanofluids phase are evaluated using a SIMPLE algorithm based on the finite volume method. The numerical results are examined using contours of the streamlines, isotherms for the hybrid nanofluids and velocity components for the dusty phase. In addition, the graphical illustrations for profiles of the local and average Nusselt numbers are presented. The main results reveal that an increase in the mixture densities ratio and dusty parameter reduces the rate of the heat transfer. Both the local and average Nusselt numbers are supported as the fins lengths increase regardless of the fins’ rotation. In addition, the nanoparticles volume fraction enhances the thermal boundary layer near the top wall.

Effect of the Marangoni Convection in the Unsteady Thin Film Spray of CNT Nanofluids

The gradient of surface temperature is known as Marangoni convection and plays an important role in silicon melt, spray, atomic reactors, and thin fluid films. Marangoni convection has been considered in the liquid film spray of carbon nanotube (CNT) nanofluid over the unsteady extending surface of a cylinder. The two kinds of CNTs, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiple-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), formulated as water-based nanofluids have been used for thermal spray analysis. The thickness of the nanofluid film was kept variable for a stable spray rate and pressure distribution. The transformed equations of the flow problem have been solved using the optimal homotopy analysis method (OHAM). The obtained results have been validated through the sum of the total residual errors numerically and graphically for both types of nanofluids. The impact of the physical parameters versus velocity, pressure, and temperature pitches under the influence of the Marangoni convection have been obtained and discussed. The obtained results are validated using the comparison of OHAM and the (ND-solve) method.

Computational Study of MHD Nanofluid Flow Possessing Micro-Rotational Inertia over a Curved Surface with Variable Thermophysical Properties

This work presents a numerical investigation of viscous nanofluid flow over a curved stretching surface. Single-walled carbon nanotubes were taken as a solid constituent of the nanofluids. Dynamic viscosity was assumed to be an inverse function of fluid temperature. The problem is modeled with the help of a generalized theory of Eringen Micropolar fluid in a curvilinear coordinates system. The governing systems of non-linear partial differential equations consist of mass flux equation, linear momentum equations, angular momentum equation, and energy equation. The transformed ordinary differential equations for linear and angular momentum along with energy were solved numerically with the help of the Keller box method. Numerical and graphical results were obtained to analyze the flow characteristic. It is perceived that by keeping the dynamic viscosity temperature dependent, the velocity of the fluid away from the surface rose in magnitude with the values of the magnetic parameter, while the couple stress coefficient decreased with rising values of the magnetic parameter.

Timely and Durable Polymer Modified Patching Materials for Pothole Repairs in Low Temperature and Wet Conditions

Aiming to solve the contradiction between the workability and performance of pothole patching using cold mixtures, this paper proposed new patching materials based on the microcapsule technique and polymer reinforcement, namely cold mixtures with polymer modified asphalt and dense graded (DG) of aggregates (PADG) mixtures. Laboratory tests were conducted to compare the PADG mixtures with commonly used DG mixtures and open graded (OG) mixtures concerning workability, storability, cohesion, stability, and durability of each mixture. The results found that the PADG mixtures were satisfactory in their workability and storability and were as satisfactory as the OG mixtures. Meanwhile, stability and durability of the PADG mixtures was better than the DG mixtures and OG mixtures, i.e., the PADG mixtures showed stability in the conditions of the timeliness, low temperature, and immersion, as well as the freeze-thaw resistance and wear resistance in wet conditions. Therefore, it can be concluded that PADG mixtures are applicable in timely and durable pothole repairs in low temperatures and wet conditions.

Incorporating Dynamic Traffic Distribution into Pavement Maintenance Optimization Model

An optimal pavement maintenance strategy can keep the pavement performance at a high level under budget constraint. However, the impact of changes in traffic distribution caused by maintenance actions on user costs is rarely investigated in existing approaches. This research aims to solve the optimization of pavement maintenance strategy using a multi-stage dynamic programming model combined with the stochastic user equilibrium model, which can simulate the dynamic traffic distribution in the life cycle. To deal with the proposed model, a heuristic iterative algorithm is put forward. Ultimately, a hypothetical network is established to test the model and algorithm. The testing results prove that the proposed framework has an advantage in assessing user costs comprehensively and can provide an effective and optimal pavement maintenance strategy in a 30-year life cycle, which improves the efficiency of budget and pavement conditions. Additionally, this research provides quantitative evidence of interdependency in a road network, i.e., pavement maintenance actions on links can interfere with the user costs and traffic flow distribution in the whole network, which should be taken into account in pavement maintenance decision-making.

Evaluation of Waste Express Bag as a Novel Bitumen Modifier

With the rapid development of China’s e-commerce and logistics industry, a large number of waste express bags (WEBs) have been produced, which are difficult to recycle. The existing methods of waste express bag disposal often cause severe environmental pollution. It was discovered in this paper that the use of WEBs to modify bitumen could be an environmentally friendly way to recycle WEBs. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using WEBs to modify bitumen and promote the performance of WEB-modified bitumen. In order to verify this assumption, a series of basic or rheological experiments were conducted on different dosages of WEB-modified bitumen. The test results and phenomenon showed that the WEBs could be used to modify the binder homogeneously by using a high-speed shearing machine. The basic experiments showed that the WEBs could decrease the penetration and ductility while increasing the softening point and the rotational viscosity. Additionally, the rheological experimental data indicated that the high temperature performance was improved while the low temperature performance stayed the same. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results demonstrated that modification of the WEB was a physical modification without chemical reaction and the main component of the modifier was polyethylene. The fluorescence microscope (FM) data revealed the micro-structures of different dosages of WEB-modified bitumen. In conclusion, WEB can be a feasible binder modifier.

Bitumen and Bitumen Modification: A Review on Latest Advances

This synthesis explores the state-of-the-knowledge and state-of-the-practice regarding the latest updates on polymer-modified bitumens (PmBs). The information in this study was gathered from a thorough review of the latest papers in the literatures related to modified bituminous materials, technologies, and advances. For this purpose, the paper is presented in two principle sections. In the first part, the bitumen itself is investigated in terms of chemical structure and microstructural systems. In the second part, the paper focuses on bitumen modification from different aspects for assessing the effectiveness of the introduced additives and polymers for enhancing the engineering properties of bitumen in both paving and industrial applications. In conclusion, the knowledge obtained in this study has revealed the importance of the chemical composition of base bitumen for its modification. It can be declared that while some polymers/additives can improve one or some aspects of neat bitumen properties, they can lead to compatibility problems in storage and production. In this respect, several studies showed the effectiveness of waxes for improving the compatibility of polymers with bitumen in addition to some benefits regarding warm mix asphalt (WMA) production.

The Significance of Graphene Oxide-Polyacrylamide Interactions on the Stability and Microstructure of Oil-in-Water Emulsions

The emulsification of oil in water by nanoparticles can be facilitated by the addition of costabilizers, such as polymers and surfactants. The enhanced properties of the resulting emulsions are usually attributed to nanoparticle/costabilizer synergy; however, the mechanism of this synergistic effect and its impacts on emulsion stability and microstructure remain unclear. Here, we study the synergistic interaction of graphene oxide (GO) and a high molecular weight anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) in stabilization of paraffin oil/water emulsion systems. We show that the addition of PAM reduces the amount of GO required to stabilize an emulsion significantly. In order to probe the synergistic effect of GO and PAM, we analytically analyze the oil-free GO and GO-PAM dispersions and directly image their morphology via Cryo-TEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM). X-ray diffraction results confirm the adsorption of PAM molecules onto GO sheets resulting in the formation of ultimate GO-PAM complexes. The adsorption phenomenon is a consequence of hydrogen bonding and acid-base interactions, conceivably leading to a resilient electron-donor-acceptor complex. The microstructure of emulsions is captured with two-color fluorescent microscopy and Cryo-TEM. The acquired images display the localization of GO-PAM complexes at the interface while large amount of GO-PAM flocs coexist at the interface and in between oil droplets. Localization of such complexes and flocs at the interface is found to be responsible for their slow creaming rates compared to their GO counterparts. Mechanical properties of both dispersions and emulsions are studied by shear rheology. Rheological measurements confirm that GO-PAM complexes have a higher desorption energy from the interface resulting in higher critical shear strain of GO-PAM emulsions. The results, with insights into both structure and rheology, form a foundational understanding for integration of other polymers and nanoparticles in emulsion systems, which enables efficient design of these systems for an application of interest.

Kinetic Modelling of Propane Dehydrogenation over a Pt–Sn/hierarchical SAPO-34 Zeolite Catalyst, Including Catalyst Deactivation

Pt–Sn/hierarchical SAPO-34 was synthesised and kinetically modelled as an efficient and selective catalyst for propylene production through propane dehydrogenation. The kinetics of the reaction network were studied in an integral fixed-bed reactor at three temperatures of 550, 600 and 650 °C and weight hourly space velocities of 4 and 8 h−1 with a feed containing hydrogen and propane with relative molar ratios of 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8, at normal pressure. The experiments were performed in accordance with the full factorial experimental design. The kinetic models were constructed on the basis of different mechanisms and various deactivation models. The kinetics and deactivation parameters were simultaneously predicted and optimised using genetic algorithm optimisation. It was further proven that the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model can well predict propane dehydrogenation kinetics through lumping together all the possible dehydrogenation steps and also by assuming the surface reaction as the rate-determining step. A coke formation kinetic model has also shown appropriate results, confirming the experimental data by equal consideration of both monolayer and multilayer coke deposition kinetic orders and an exponential deactivation model.

Model for the Surface Tension of Dilute and Concentrated Binary Aqueous Mixtures as a Function of Composition and Temperature

Surface tension dictates fluid behavior, and predicting its magnitude is vital in many applications. Equations have previously been derived to describe how the surface tension of pure liquids changes with temperature, and other models have been derived to describe how the surface tension of mixtures changes with liquid-phase composition. However, the simultaneous dependence of surface tension on temperature and composition for liquid mixtures has been less studied. Past approaches have required extensive experimental data to which models have been fit, yielding a distinct set of fitting parameters at each temperature or composition. Herein, we propose a model that requires only three fitting procedures to predict surface tension as a function of temperature and composition. We achieve this by analyzing and extending the Shereshefsky (J. Colloid Interface Sci. 1967, 24 (3), 317-322), Li et al. (Fluid Phase Equilib. 2000, 175, 185-196), and Connors-Wright (Anal. Chem. 1989, 61 (3), 194-198) models to high temperatures for 15 aqueous systems. The best extensions of the Shereshefsky, Li et al., and Connors-Wright models achieve average relative deviations of 2.11%, 1.20%, and 0.62%, respectively, over all systems. We thus recommend the extended Connors-Wright model for predicting the surface tension of aqueous mixtures at different temperatures with the tabulated coefficients herein. An additional outcome of this study is the previously unreported equivalence of the Li et al. and Connors-Wright models in describing experimental data of surface tension as a function of composition at a single temperature.