Johnson Matthey Technology Review - Fast Track

In power grid modernisation, optimal network use is essential to preserving acceptable voltage profiles, boosting voltage stability, reducing power losses, and strengthening system security and dependability. This can be accomplished by strategically placing reactive power compensation devices within transmission and distribution networks, such as capacitor banks, synchronous condensers, flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices and custom power devices. The optimal location and size of these devices are essential for effective investment, but previous research has mostly concentrated on a variety of methods for this goal, using different indices to evaluate power loss, voltage stability, voltage profile and line loadability. Despite these initiatives, there is still a lack of a thorough analysis of how current indices and methodologies are applied to all varieties of reactive power compensation devices. This paper offers a detailed literature review on the ideal placement and sizing of these devices, encompassing analytical, conventional and hybrid-based techniques. It discusses key objectives such as power loss reduction, voltage deviation (VD) mitigation, voltage stability enhancement and improvements in system reliability and security. Additionally, the paper examines the relevance of reactive power for stakeholders, including transmission system operators (TSOs), distribution system operators (DSOs) and power generating companies, and explores the mathematical modelling of optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD), considering the impact of renewable energy sources (RESs) and the role of FACTS devices.

Abstract: This review delves into the production of sustainable aviation fuels derived from biomass and residual wastes through pyrolysis. The article addresses the challenges associated with the pyrolysis of wastes and provides an overview of both conventional and emerging pyrolysis technologies. The diverse forms of biomass and its significant economic benefits on a global scale. The underlying reason for it is the establishment of widely acknowledged renewable and sustainable energy sources. Approximately half of the global population relies on biomass as their primary energy source. Generating energy, heat, and electricity is a highly important source. The minimal levels of environmental pollution have facilitated the utilization of biomass as a sustainable energy source in recent technological advancements. Three types of biomass energy are biogas, bio-liquid, and bio-solid. In the domains of transportation and energy, it can serve as a substitute for fossil fuels. The primary focus of this study is to examine the data, explore the potential of biomass, and analyze the mechanisms of pyrolysis carried out using various processes, technologies (such as pyrolysis speed and temperature), and different types of reactors to produce bio-oil. This text also examines the current state and forthcoming obstacles of the pyrolysis process. In addition to the diverse array of pyrolysis byproducts. Based on this research, it can be inferred that the characteristics of pyrolysis products are influenced by the diversity of the materials utilized. Furthermore, pyrolysis products, such as bio-oil, have the potential to make a lucrative contribution to the expanding economy. To overcome future problems, further exploration is ultimately necessary. The primary factors of significance in pyrolysis technology are government subsidies and scientific advancements. The discussion emphasizes the significant barriers posed by the energy efficiency and capital costs involved in converting biomass and residual wastes into aviation fuels, hindering widespread adoption. To meet the aviation industry's greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2050, there is a pressing need for further advancements in technology development, highlighting the critical role of advanced technologies in overcoming these barriers.

As a potential material for next-generation platinum channels, the Pt-5Au alloy offers promising advantages by significantly reducing processing costs while improving the quality of glass substrate production. This study investigates the possibility of enhancing the mechanical properties of the Pt-5Au alloy by introducing trace amounts of Zr, leading to the formation of dispersion-strengthening phases. Using first-principles calculations, we systematically examined the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of four potential strengthening phases: Pt₃Zr, PtZr, Pt₃Zr₅, and PtZr₂. The calculation results of the ΔH and Ecoh of four potential strengthening phases show that they can all spontaneously perform and stably exist under 0 K and 0 Pa environment. Among them, Pt₃Zr exhibits the most favorable properties, including outstanding toughness (Pugh’s ratio = 2.212), exceptional hardness (HV = 10.820 GPa), and thermodynamic properties closely aligned with those of the Pt-5Au alloy, making it the most suitable candidate for a dispersion-strengthening phase. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the thermodynamic performance, mechanical performance, and high-temperature performance of potential strengthening phases in the Pt-5Au alloy, offering theoretical guidance for optimizing its composition and supporting the industrial application of platinum channels in the production process of high-performance glass substrates.

Accurate measurement of glass transition temperature and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is of great significance in guiding the use and process performance of the materials. This manuscript measures the CTE and glass transition temperature of samples by the thermal expansion method, and systematically researches the measurement factors affecting the glass transition temperature and the CTE, including the shape and size of the samples, the starting furnace temperature, and the heat treatment process, etc. The study shows that the sample shape and size, the starting furnace temperature and the heat treatment process all have an effect on the test results. At the same time, the placement of the sample and the data processing process will also make the test results will deviate from the real value. Therefore, in order to accurately assess the thermal properties of the material, the processing size of the sample is specified to be 6 mm in diameter and 50 mm in length, while the initial temperature of the furnace during the CTE test should be lower than 35 °C. In addition, test samples of the same glass grade should undergo the same heat treatment process to ensure the accuracy of the test results.

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a highly effective and widely utilised unconventional manufacturing technology primarily used to produce complicated forms in materials that are challenging to machine. This versatile manufacturing approach finds applications in producing diverse items such as surgical instruments, aerospace components, automotive parts, and dies and moulds. Despite its manifold advantages, this method presents notable drawbacks, including relatively modest material removal rates (MRR), significant tool wear rates (TWR/EWR), and notable surface roughness (SR). The current paper examines numerous approaches used by researchers to enhance the functionality of EDM and the scope for upcoming research. The effects of various circuit and non-circuit characteristics on performance metrics like MRR, TWR, SR, etc., are listed. The impact of different electrode material, dielectrics, and their alterations on machining performance are carefully examined. Furthermore, the paper elucidates a range of advanced EDM iterations developed to enhance performance through cutting-edge technologies. It delves into research findings concerning the environmental sustainability of EDM. It also examines various theoretical models that have been put out to describe EDM's spark generation and material removal processes. The report’s final section provides a summary of the potential areas for EDM research in the future. The investigation has shown that material removal in EDM is a complicated process. The correct electrode and dielectric material must be chosen, and their properties must be adjusted to fit the type of workpiece material for it to be effective. The choice of circuit parameters is also affected by the type of workpiece material. The effectiveness of EDM in machining metal matrix composites, ceramics, and nanomaterials requires more investigation.

By combining formulas known from the literature that relate thermoelectric parameters, the expression n≅1.13∙10¹⁹e^Sr-2/r_H(e^Sr-2-0.17) is obtained. That is, the  concentration of charge carriers can be determined using the Hall resistance and reduced Seebeck coefficient. Since these two parameters are calculated using the Seebeck coefficient, this coefficient is sufficient to determine the  concentration. To demonstrate the use of the obtained new formula, experimental data on SiGe thermoelectric are discussed.

The isothermal section of the ternary systems Au-Pd-Ti and Au-Rh-Ti at 1000°C was studied using the diffusion couple technique. These alloying systems are relevant for various technical applications, as functional materials e.g. high temperature shape memory alloys, brazing filler metals, luxury items or biomedical implants. The research presents, for the first time, a comprehensive determination of phase relations and tie-triangles in these systems, identifying solid solubility of the various intermetallic compounds. The binary intermetallic compounds of Au and Pd with Ti show a large solubility of the third alloying element, where Au and Pd replace each other a fixed Ti content. A complete solid solubility was observed between TiAu2 and αPd2Ti. The binary phases with B2 structure form a large single phase field with (βTi) that surrounds the phase field of Ti3Au. Moreover, this research sets the groundwork for further investigations into these alloys, recommending specific sample compositions for future studies to refine understanding of phase boundary definitions.

In pursuit of enhancing the high-temperature service performance of Pt-10Rh alloys, this study focuses on the preparation of two Pt-10Rh-based alloys through the incorporation of reinforcing elements zirconium and zirconium/yttrium. The investigation into the microstructure, mechanical properties, and strengthening mechanisms of the alloys involved the utilization of analytical tools such as an optical metallographic microscope (OM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy spectrum (EDS) and tensile tester, coupled with first-principle computational analysis methods. The research results indicate the presence of Pt5Y precipitate phase and zirconium yttrium oxides in Pt-10Rh-0.5Zr-0.2Y alloy, but not detected in Pt-10Rh-0.5Zr alloy. It was found that adding a small amount of zirconium and yttrium elements to Pt-10Rh alloy can significantly enhance the mechanical properties at room temperature and 1300 ℃, especially the composite addition of zirconium and yttrium elements, which can also improve obviously the high-temperature plasticity of the alloy. The strengthening mechanisms of zirconium and yttrium elements on Pt-10Rh alloy are mainly solid solution strengthening and second phase strengthening. The relationship between the mechanical properties of platinum-rhodium based alloys and their valence electron structure was discussed. The zirconium and yttrium reinforced platinum-rhodium based alloy studied in this work can replace Pt-10Rh alloy in certain fields.