E. E. Shpil’rain

Simulation of processes of filtration of hydrocarbons in a gas-condensate stratum

An experimental investigation is performed of the effect of formation and destruction of a condensate plug under conditions of filtration of a binary mixture of hydrocarbons (methane-n-butane) in a one-dimensional model of gas-condensate stratum. A mathematical model is developed which enables one to calculate the hydrodynamic and thermodynamic characteristics of the process of filtration of hydrocarbons in the stratum. Qualitative and quantitative agreement is obtained between the experimental results and calculated relationships.

The solubility of helium and argon in liquid lead, bismuth, and their eutectic alloy at high temperatures

The “hole” model is used to calculate the solubility of inert gases of helium and argon, in heavy liquid-metal coolants of fast nuclear power reactors, such as lead, bismuth, and lead-bismuth eutectic, at temperatures up to 1000 K and pressure of 0.1 MPa. The relative error of the resultant calculation data is estimated.

Economic indicators characterizing an integrated technology for reprocessing natural gas and wood wastes to obtain hydrogen and pure carbon materials

We describe the results from a technical and economic analysis of a new technology for combined reprocessing of wood wastes and natural gas [1] to obtain hydrogen and pure carbon materials. World prices for hydrogen are compared with the calculated price of its production using the technology being developed. The cost of the simultaneous production of high-pure carbon materials is determined and its dependence on the possible alternatives of hydrogen utilization is shown.

The solubility of inert gases in liquid-metal heat-transfer agents

In the case of neutron irradiation of some metals, many of the nuclear reactions (n, p), (n, α), and (n, 2n) lead to the formation of inert gases [1]. The formation of isotopes of helium in these reactions, as well as of isotopes of xenon133Xe and krypton85Kr, as the products of fission of fuel in fast neutron reactors has a considerable effect on the heat-transfer and hydrodynamic characteristics of the heat-transfer agents (for example, alkali metals and alloys on their basis), this necessitating the investigation of the solubility of inert gases in liquid metals [2]. In addition, note the considerable effect of dissolved inert gases on the thermal properties of liquid metals at high temperatures, especially, in the critical point region. The paper presents the results of calculation of the solubility of inert gases (helium, argon, krypton, xenon) in liquid alkali metals atT=600 K andP = 0.1MPa.

Independent hydrogen power installations with renewable sources of energy

We consider the principles of constructing independent hydrogen power installations operating with the use of renewable sources of energy and the approaches to developing a pilot experimental independent hydrogen power installation at the IVT RAN. We also state the problems pertinent to mathematical simulation and computational investigations for substantiating the optimum configuration of such installations, depending on the climatic operational conditions and the specific features of the consumer.

Procedural analysis of a new method for determining the Gibbs energy and experimental data on thermodynamic properties of liquid-metal coolants based on alkali metal alloys

A detailed procedural analysis is given and results of implementation of the new version of the effusion method for determining the Gibbs energy (thermodynamic activity) of binary and ternary systems of alkali metals Cs-Na, K-Na, Cs-K, and Cs-K-Na are presented. The activity is determined using partial pressures of the components measured according the effusion method by the intensity of their atomic beams. The pressure range used in the experiment is intermediate between the Knudsen and hydrodynamic effusion modes. A generalized version of the effusion method involves the pressure range beyond the limits of the applicability of the Hertz-Knudsen equation. Employment of this method provides the differential equation of chemical thermodynamics; solution of this equation makes it possible to construct the Gibbs energy in the range of temperatures 400 ≤ T ≤ 1200 K and concentrations 0 ≤ xi ≤ 1.

Development and experimental verification of a method for assessment of consistency of the thermodynamic and structural properties of binary coolants based on systems of alkali metals

The construction of correlation function of concentration fluctuations Scc(0) = f(T, xi) is used to validate the criterion of assessment of the internal consistency of the thermodynamic and structural properties of liquid-metal alloys, as well as of the reliability of experimental data on the Gibbs energy of solution formation ΔG, methods of their approximation, and theoretical models which reproduce the behavior of ΔG. The method is verified for the Cs-Na, K-Na, and Cs-K systems of alkali metals using the data of thermodynamic experiment in determining the Gibbs energy of formation of liquid-metal solution ΔG which is the basis for construction of the function Scc(0). The data on statistical structure factor S(0) uniquely related to function Scc(0) are obtained using the results (available in the literature) of experiments in X-ray and neutron spectroscopy, including data on diffraction and small-angle inelastic scattering.

Technology for the production of synthetic liquid fuel based on the conversion of solid fossil fuels and natural gas

Technology is proposed for the production of synthetic diesel and jet fuels based on the conversion of solid fossil fuels and natural gas at small-scale low-pressure plants. Based on thermodynamic analysis data and the results of the development of highly active catalysts, which are selective for diesel and jet fractions and afford maximum yields of target products in single-run mode, the possibility of performing the process in a small number of stages is substantiated.

Development and application of a new method of determining the Gibbs energy of multicomponent systems of alkali metals

Detailed analysis is made and results are given of the application of a new version of effusion method of determining the Gibbs energy (thermodynamic activity) of Cs-Na, K-Na, Cs-K, and Cs-K-Na binary and ternary systems of alkali metals. The activity is determined in terms of partial pressures of the components, measured by the effusion method by the intensity of their atomic beams. Because oxygen reacts with molten alkali metal, the effusion hole cannot be prepared in advance. Therefore, the effusion hole is made directly in the vacuum chamber by electron-beam pulse (linear electron accelerator is located within the chamber) after the effusion cell assumes the working temperature mode. The pressure interval in the experiment is intermediate between the Knudsen and hydrodynamic flow modes. The suggested generalized version of effusion method includes the range of pressures beyond the range of validity of the Hertz-Knudsen equation. The use of this method results in providing the boundary condition for the differential equation of chemical thermodynamics whose solution enables one to construct the Gibbs energy of the above-identified alloys in the temperature range 400 ≤ T ≤ 1200 K and in the concentration range 0 ≤ xi ≤ 1.

Integrated reprocessing of natural gas to obtain hydrogen for power engineering purposes and carbon materials for wide use in industry

We describe a new integrated technology for reprocessing vegetable wastes and natural gas to obtain high-purity solid carbon materials, which can be used as an environmentally friendly fuel and raw material for industrial technologies, and a gaseous fuel with high content of hydrogen.