Browsing by Subject "Carbon dioxide"

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Open Access
CO2 laser polishing of conical shaped optical fiber deflectors
(Springer Verlag, 2017-06) Şimşek, E. U.; Şimşek, B.; Ortaç, B.
A novel method for polishing conical shaped optical fiber deflectors by modulated CO2 laser exposure is reported. The conical shaped fiber deflector geometry was first formed with rough mechanical polishing, then it was exposed to modulated CO2 laser operating with wavelength at 10.6 µm to achieve fine polish surfaces. The motivation of this work is to demonstrate that the modulated CO2 laser exposure approach allows a fiber surface roughness at a nanometer scale without modifying the conical shape of the fiber deflector. The average surface roughness of mechanically polished fiber deflectors with 30 and 9 µm lapping films was smoothed down to 20.4 and 4.07 nm, respectively, after CO2 laser polishing process. By combining mechanical and laser polishing techniques, fabrication of conical shaped optical fiber deflectors takes less time and it becomes laborer independent and easy to apply. © 2017, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Open Access
CO2 laser polishing of microfluidic channels fabricated by femtosecond laser assisted carving
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2016-10) Serhatlioglu, M.; Ortaç, B.; Elbuken, C.; Bıyıklı, Necmi; Solmaz, M. E.
In this study, we investigate the effects of CO2 laser polishing on microscopic structures fabricated by femtosecond laser assisted carving (FLAC). FLAC is the peripheral laser irradiation of 2.5D structures suitable for low repetition rate lasers and is first used to define the microwell structures in fused silica followed by chemical etching. Subsequently, the bottom surface of patterned microwells is irradiated with a pulsed CO2 laser. The surfaces were characterized using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in terms of roughness and high quality optical imaging before and after the CO2 laser treatment. The AFM measurements show that the surface roughness improves more than threefold after CO2 laser polishing, which promises good channel quality for applications that require optical imaging. In order to demonstrate the ability of this method to produce low surface roughness systems, we have fabricated a microfluidic channel. The channel is filled with polystyrene bead-laden fluid and imaged with transmission mode microscopy. The high quality optical images prove CO2 laser processing as a practical method to reduce the surface roughness of microfluidic channels fabricated by femtosecond laser irradiation. We further compared the traditional and laser-based glass micromachining approaches, which includes FLAC followed by the CO2 polishing technique.
Open Access
Cost and emission impacts of virtual power plant formation in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle penetrated networks
(2013) Arslan, O.; Karasan, O. E.
With increasing interest in alternative energy resources and technologies, mass penetration of PHEVs (plug-in hybrid vehicles) into the electricity grid and widespread utilization of DERs (distributed energy resources) are anticipated in the near future. As an aggregation unit, the VPP (virtual power plant) is introduced for load management and resource scheduling. In this article, we develop an energy management model for VPPs and analyze the cost and emission impacts of VPP formation and PHEV penetration. We conduct a case study for the state of California using real-world data from official resources. An average of 29.5% cost reduction and 79% CO2 and 83% NOx emission reductions are attained as shared benefits of consumers in the case study. Results are illustrative of opportunities that VPP formation can provide for the community. Sensitivity of the results to the DER costs and capacities, battery and gasoline prices are also analyzed. In addition, we prove that charging and discharging do not simultaneously occur in the solutions, which leads to a simplification in traditional energy management models.
Open Access
Direct evidence for the instability and deactivation of mixed-oxide systems: influence of surface segregation and subsurface diffusion
(2011) Emmez, E.; Vovk, E. I.; Bukhtiyarov V. I.; Ozensoy, E.
In the current contribution, we provide a direct demonstration of the thermally induced surface structural transformations of an alkaline-earth oxide/transition metal oxide interface that is detrimental to the essential catalytic functionality of such mixed-oxide systems toward particular reactants. The BaOx/TiO2/Pt(111) surface was chosen as a model interfacial system where the enrichment of the surface elemental composition with Ti atoms and the facile diffusion of Ba atoms into the underlying TiO2 matrix within 523 873 K leads to the formation of perovskite type surface species (BaTiO3/Ba2TiO4/BaxTiyOz). At elevated temperatures (T > 973 K), excessive surface segregation of Ti atoms results in an exclusively TiO2/TiOx-terminated surface which is almost free of Ba species. Although the freshly prepared BaOx/TiO2/Pt(111) surface can strongly adsorb ubiquitous catalytic adsorbates such as NO2 and CO2, a thermally deactivated surface at T > 973 K practically loses all of its NO2/CO2 adsorption capacity due to the deficiency of surface BaOx domains.
Open Access
Dry reforming of glycerol over Rh-based ceria and zirconia catalysts: New insights on catalyst activity and stability
(Elsevier B.V., 2018) Bulutoğlu, P. S.; Say, Zafer; Bac, S.; Özensoy, Emrah; Avcı, A. K.
Effects of reaction temperature and feed composition on reactant conversion, product distribution and catalytic stability were investigated on syngas production by reforming of glycerol, a renewable waste, with CO2 on Rh/ZrO2 and Rh/CeO2 catalysts. For the first time in the literature, fresh and spent catalysts were characterized by in-situ FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis techniques in order to unravel novel insights regarding the molecular-level origins of catalytic deactivation and aging under the conditions of glycerol dry reforming. Both catalysts revealed increased glycerol conversions with increasing temperature, where the magnitude of response became particularly notable above 650 and 700 °C on Rh/ZrO2 and Rh/CeO2, respectively. In accordance with thermodynamic predictions, CO2 transformation occurred only above 700 °C. Syngas was obtained at H2/CO ∼0.8, very close to the ideal composition for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and carbon formation was minimized with increasing temperature. Glycerol conversion decreased monotonically, whereas, after an initial increase, CO2 conversion remained constant upon increasing CO2/glycerol ratio (CO2/G) from 1 to 4. In alignment with the slightly higher specific surface area of and smaller average Rh-particle size on ZrO2, Rh/ZrO2 exhibited higher conversions and syngas yields than that of Rh/CeO2. Current characterization studies indicated that Rh/CeO2 revealed strong metal-support interaction, through which CeO2 seemed to encapsulate Rh nanoparticles and partially suppressed the catalytic activity of Rh sites. However, such interactions also seemed to improve the stability of Rh/CeO2, rendering its activity loss to stay below that of Rh/ZrO2 after 72 h time-on-stream testing at 750 °C and for CO2/G = 4. Enhanced stability in the presence of CeO2 was associated with the inhibition of coking of the catalyst surface by the mobile oxygen species and creation of oxygen vacancies on ceria domains. Deactivation of Rh/ZrO2 was attributed to the sintering of Rh nanoparticles and carbon formation.
Open Access
Electronic structure of half-metallic ferromagnet Co2MnSi at high-pressure
(Springer New York LLC, 2010) Gökoǧlu, G.; Gülseren, O.
In this study, first principles calculation results of the half-metallic ferromagnetic Heusler compound Co2MnSi are presented. All calculations are based on the spin-polarized generalized gradient approximation (σ-GGA) of the density functional theory and ultrasoft pseudopotentials with plane wave basis. Electronic structure of related compound in cubic L21 structure is investigated up to 95 GPa uniform hydrostatic pressure. The half-metal to metal transition was observed around ∼70 GPa together with downward shift of the conduction band minimum (CBM) and a linear increase of direct band gap of minority spins at Γ-point with increasing pressure. The electronic density of states of minority spins at Fermi level, which are mainly due to the cobalt atoms, become remarkable with increasing pressure resulting a sharp decrease in spin polarization ratio. It can be stated that the pressure affects minority spin states rather than that of majority spins and lead to a slight reconstruction of minority spin states which lie below the Fermi level. In particular, energy band gap of minority spin states in equilibrium structure is obviously not destroyed, but the Fermi level is shifted outside the gap.
Open Access
Environmental efficiency in carbon dioxide emissions in the OECD: a non-parametric approach
(Academic Press, 2000) Zaim, O.; Taskin, F.
The role of the environment is an important issue in the policy-making and hence, the accurate assessment of the environmental conditions is vital. In this paper, an environmental efficiency index is developed for the OECD countries using non-parametric techniques. The approach adopted is based on the assumption that there is just one production process behind the production of both goods and pollution emissions. The index derived in this work measures the extent of the required output sacrifice, due to the transformation of the production process, from one where all outputs are strongly disposable to the one which is characterized by weak disposability of pollutants. Using this index, we first conduct cross-section comparisons on the state of each country's production process in its treatment of pollution emissions. We then trace each country's modification of their production processes overtime. The results indicate that if the disposability for CO2 emissions were strictly restricted as the result of an environmental regulation, the total value of output loss to the OECD countries as a whole would correspond to 3.7, 4.8 and 3.5% of the total OECD GDP for 1980, 1985 and 1990, respectively. © 2000 Academic Press.
Open Access
Exceptionally active and stable catalysts for CO2 reforming of glycerol to syngas
(Elsevier, 2019) Bac, S.; Say, Zafer; Koçak, Yusuf; Ercan, Kerem E.; Harfouche, M.; Özensoy, Emrah; Avcı, A. K.
CO2 reforming of glycerol to syngas was studied on Al2O3-ZrO2-TiO2 (AZT) supported Rh, Ni and Co catalysts within 600–750 °C and a molar inlet CO2/glycerol ratio (CO2/G) of 1–4. Glycerol and CO2 conversions decreased in the following order: Rh/AZT > Ni/AZT > Co/AZT. Reactant conversions on Rh/AZT exceeded 90% of their thermodynamic counterparts at 750 °C and CO2/G = 2–4 at which the activity of Ni/AZT was boosted to ˜95% of the thermodynamic CO2 conversion upon increasing the residence time. The loss in CO2 conversions was below 13% during the 72 h longevity tests confirming the exceptional stability of Rh/AZT and Ni/AZT. However, Co/ AZT suffered from sintering, carbon deposition and oxidation of Co sites, demonstrated via TEM-EDX, XPS, XANES and in-situ FTIR experiments. Characterization of Rh/AZT revealed no significant signs of deactivation. Ni/AZT preserved most of its original metallic pattern and gasified carbonaceous deposits during earlier stages of the reaction
Open Access
High-voltage optical emission in binary gaseous mixtures of N2
(Elsevier, 1995) Zengin, V.; Gökmen, A.; Dinçer, S.; Süzer, Ş.
Optical emission in 1:1 binary gaseous mixtures under high voltage displays a varying character depending on pressure, applied voltage polarity, and chemical nature of the mixture. Under negative polarity, in pure N2 and 50% mixture of Ar, O2 and CO2, emission stemming from N2 + is enhanced relative to emission from neutral N2. In mixtures of N2 with gases containing halogens (CCl4, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CF3H, CF2Cl2 and SF6) a reversal is observed, i.e. the N2 + emission is suppressed. An enhancement factor is defined as the ratio of the emission under negative polarity to positive polarity to quatify this polarity dependence. This enhancement factor varies between 0.01 and 50 depending on the second component in the mixture © 1995 Elsevier Science B.V.
Open Access
A highly active and stable Ru catalyst for syngas production via glycerol dry reforming: Unraveling the interplay between support material and the active sites
(Elsevier, 2022-04-25) Ozden, M.; Say, Zafer; Kocak, Yusuf; Ercan, Kerem Emre; Jalal, Ahsan; Ozensoy, Emrah; Avci, A. K.
Glycerol dry reforming (GDR) was studied on Ru/La2O3, Ru/ZrO2, and Ru/La2O3–ZrO2 catalysts. Impacts of the support on morphological, electronic and surface chemical properties of the catalysts were comprehensively characterized by TEM, in–situ DRIFTS, XPS, ATR–IR and XRD. Initial (5 h) CO2 conversion at 750 °C and CO2–to–glycerol ratio of 1–4 was ordered as Ru/La2O3 < Ru/ZrO2 < Ru/La2O3–ZrO2. During 72 h stability tests, Ru/ZrO2 deactivated by ~33% due to Ru sintering, structural deformation of the monoclinic zirconia support, and strong metal–support interaction. Under identical conditions, CO2 conversion on Ru/La2O3 decreased by 27% mainly due to dehydroxylation/carbonation of lanthana and severe coking. Lanthana–stabilized tetragonal zirconia phase of Ru/La2O3–ZrO2 led to finely dispersed small oxidic Ru clusters which deactivated by 15% after 72 h and demonstrated unusually high catalytic performance that was on par with the significantly more expensive Rh–based catalysts, which are known with their exceptional activity and stability in GDR.
Open Access
An integrated approach for airline scheduling, aircraft fleeting and routing with cruise speed control
(Elsevier, 2016) Gürkan, H.; Gürel, S.; Aktürk, M. S.
To place an emphasis on profound relations among airline schedule planning problems and to mitigate the effect of unexpected delays, we integrate schedule design, fleet assignment and aircraft routing problems within a daily planning horizon while passengers' connection service levels are ensured via chance constraints. We propose a nonlinear mixed integer programming model due to the nonlinear fuel consumption and CO2 emission cost terms in the objective function, which is handled by second order conic reformulation. The key contribution of this study is to take into account the cruise time control for the first time in an integrated model of these three stages of airline operations. Changing cruise times of flights in an integrated model enables to construct a schedule to increase utilization of fuel efficient aircraft and even to decrease total number of aircraft needed while satisfying the same service level and maintenance requirements for aircraft fleeting and routing. There is a critical tradeoff between the number of aircraft needed to fulfill the required flights and overall operational expenses. We also propose two heuristic methods to solve larger size problems. Finally, computational results using real data obtained from a major U.S. carrier are presented to demonstrate potential profitability in applying the proposed solution methods.
Open Access
Is environmental efficiency trade inducing or trade hindering?
(Elsevier, 2014) Doganay, S. M.; Sayek, S.; Taskin, F.
Global efforts to identify strategies for sustainable economic growth and development underline the need for understanding important links between environmental policies and international trade. In this paper, by constructing an environmental efficiency index for 111 countries from 1980 to 2009, we are able to empirically test for one such link. An improvement in the environmental efficiency index in terms of carbon dioxide emissions reflects a decrease in the cost of efforts to mitigate the environmental costs associated with growth. Countries that improve their environmental efficiency are found to experience strong international trade effects, both through increased exports and increased imports. While the positive link between efficiency improvements and exports is supportive of the Porter hypothesis, the positive link between efficiency improvements and imports is supportive of strong positive income effects on account of environmental efforts. These results, which are robust to alternative estimation strategies, lend strong support to global efforts to improve countries' environmental efficiencies. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Open Access
On the modeling of CO2 EUA and CER prices of EU-ETS for the 2008–2012 period
(John Wiley and Sons, 2016) Gürler, Ü.; Yenigün, D.; Çağlar, M.; Berk, E.
Increased consumption of fossil fuels in industrial production has led to a significant elevation in the emission of greenhouse gases and to global warming. The most effective international action against global warming is the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce carbon emissions to desired levels in a certain time span. Carbon trading is one of the mechanisms used to achieve the desired reductions. One of the most important implications of carbon trading for industrial systems is the risk of uncertainty about the prices of carbon allowance permits traded in the carbon markets. In this paper, we consider stochastic and time series modeling of carbon market prices and provide estimates of the model parameters involved, based on the European Union emissions trading scheme carbon allowances data obtained for 2008–2012 period. In particular, we consider fractional Brownian motion and autoregressive moving average–generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic modeling of the European Union emissions trading scheme data and provide comparisons with benchmark models. Our analysis reveals evidence for structural changes in the underlying models in the span of the years 2008–2012. Data-driven methods for identifying possible change-points in the underlying models are employed, and a detailed analysis is provided. Our analysis indicated change-points in the European Union Allowance (EUA) prices in the first half of 2009 and in the second half of 2011, whereas in the Certified Emissions Reduction (CER) prices three change-points have appeared, in the first half of 2009, the middle of 2011, and in the second half of 2012. These change-points seem to parallel the global economic indicators as well.
Open Access
Rapid fabrication of microfluidic PDMS devices from reusable PDMS molds using laser ablation
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2016) Isiksacan, Z.; Guler, M. T.; Aydogdu, B.; Bilican, I.; Elbuken, C.
The conventional fabrication methods for microfluidic devices require cleanroom processes that are costly and time-consuming. We present a novel, facile, and low-cost method for rapid fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds and devices. The method consists of three main fabrication steps: female mold (FM), male mold (MM), and chip fabrication. We use a CO2 laser cutter to pattern a thin, spin-coated PDMS layer for FM fabrication. We then obtain reusable PDMS MM from the FM using PDMS/PDMS casting. Finally, a second casting step is used to replicate PDMS devices from the MM. Demolding of one PDMS layer from another is carried out without any potentially hazardous chemical surface treatment. We have successfully demonstrated that this novel method allows fabrication of microfluidic molds and devices with precise dimensions (thickness, width, length) using a single material, PDMS, which is very common across microfluidic laboratories. The whole process, from idea to device testing, can be completed in 1.5 h in a standard laboratory.
Open Access
Sterilization of PMMA microfluidic chips by various techniques and investigation of material characteristics
(Elsevier, 2016) Yavuz, C.; Oliaei, S. N. B.; Cetin, B.; Yesil-Celiktas, O.
The sterilization of microfluidic chips is a vital step of the fabrication process prior to the customer use in biomedical applications. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of different sterilization techniques and to compare the characteristics of the material before and after sterilization of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microchips. For this, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) along with standard sterilization methods such as ultraviolet (UV), heat (autoclaving), ethylene oxide (EtO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were applied. The treated microchips were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Laser Scanning Microscopy in order to ascertain any changes in the chemical structure and surface morphology. The optimum sterilization parameters for SC-CO2 were elicited as 120 bar, 40°C and 60 min which provided complete sterility and did not alter the main properties of the polymer along with EtO and H2O2 sterilizations unlike heat and UV treatments. However, surface roughness and microchannel profiles were negatively affected. Although complete sterility was achieved, each protocol has its own strengths and weaknesses. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.