Abstract:Catalytic steam gasification of extra-heavy oil (EHO) fractions was studied using functionalized aluminosilicates, with NiO, MoO 3 , and/or CoO nanoparticles with the aim of evaluating the synergistic effect between active phase and the support in heavy oil on-site upgrading. Catalysts were characterized by chemical composition through X-ray Fluorescence, surface area, and pore size distribution through N 2 adsorption/desorption, catalyst acidity by temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and metal dispersion by pulse H 2 chemisorption. Batch adsorption experiments and catalytic steam gasification of adsorbed heavy fractions was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis and were performed with heavy oil model solutions of asphaltenes and resins (R-A) in toluene. Effective activation energy estimation was used to determine the catalytic effect of the catalyst in steam gasification of Colombian EHO. Additionally, R-A decomposition under inert atmosphere was conducted for the evaluation of oil components reactions with active phases and steam atmosphere. The presence of a bimetallic active phase Inc.reases the decomposition of the heavy compounds at low temperature by an increase in the aliphatic chains decomposition and the dissociation of heteroatoms bonds. Also, coke formation after steam gasification process is reduced by the application of the bimetallic catalyst yielding a conversion greater than 93%.
The most important polymers in bioplastic engineering are aliphatic polyesters such as polylactic acid (PLA) [1]. Blending of PLA with other polymers such as polypropylene, natural rubbers, polyglycols (PEG), polyvinyl acetate, polyolefins, polymethyl methacrylate, and polycarbonate is an useful route towards modifying properties [2]. In addition, oligomers/polymers from lignocellulosic resources have been used as additives in order to reduce cost [3][4][5]. In fact, many advantages are recognized in binary and ternary blends regarding well dispersion into the PLA-matrix, and the nucleating effect of certain biopolymers which induced dramatic changes on mechanical properties [6]. Moreover, lignin and condensed tannin (polyflavonoids) have been successfully blended with PLA [7]. However, there are few reports which describe the effect of polyflavonoids on the PLA physicochemical properties. Polyphenols properties such as an- Abstract. Polylactic acid (PLA) was melt-blended with Pinus radiata unmodified and modified (hydroxypropyled) bark polyflavonoids in order to use such polyphenolic building-blocks as functional additives for envisaged applications. Rheological, morphological, molecular, thermal, and flexural properties were studied. Polyflavonoids improved blend processability in terms of short-time mixing. Furthermore, hydroxypropylated polyflavonoids improve miscibility in binary and ternary blends. Blend-composition affects crystallization-, melting-, and glass transition-temperature of PLA, as well as thermal resistance, and flexural properties of the blends. Polyflavonoids induced PLA-crystallization, and polymer-chain decomposition. Modified and unmodified bark polyflavonoids from radiata pine can be used successfully in PLA-based green composites beyond the food-packaging applications. The high compatibility between PLA and hydroxypropyled polyflavonoids highlights the potential of such phenolic derivatives for PLA-based material design.
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