Articles tagged with Hydrocarbons
Researchers have developed a novel approach to distinguish the sources of hydrocarbons by analyzing the relative abundance of carbon isotopes. The new method uses carbon-carbon clumping to identify biotic origins and has shown promising results in detecting hydrocarbons from microorganisms, thermogenic processes, and abiotic sources.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can survive in the vicinity of supermassive black holes at the centers of active galaxies. This challenges previous studies that predicted their destruction, and reveals new insights into galaxy evolution.
Researchers have created exceptionally thin nanomembranes that can separate hydrocarbons from crude oil with 90% less energy than traditional distillation columns. The membranes' high permeance and selectivity enable rapid processing of crude oil, reducing plant footprint and energy consumption.
A new process developed at the University of California, Berkeley, breaks down polyethylene plastics into propylene, a feedstock for high-value plastics. The process uses catalysts to depolymerize polyethylene, producing 80% propylene and upcycling waste into valuable products.
Researchers identified favorable reservoir-forming conditions and modes in the Ordovician buried hills of the Jizhong depression. The study found that three sets of source rocks from the Carboniferous-Permian and Paleogene geologic periods provide adequate quantities of hydrocarbons required for oil and gas reserves.
A new study published in Earth Science Frontiers elucidates the role of nanopores in accumulating shale oil in the Gulong-Qingshankou reservoir in China. The research found that well-developed nanopores and nanofissures play a crucial role in storing shale oil, leading to a high source-reservoir ratio.
A research team analyzed the economic feasibility of in situ upgrading technology by assessing the energy consumption ratio. They found that appropriate well spacing and minimum total organic content are crucial for efficient energy use. The study aims to promote the application of this technology for optimized oil shale exploitation.
Scientists found that few components of an ant's waxy layer are enough to recognize nestmates from their own colony. The study also showed that adapting the wax layer to outside temperatures does not completely change the information used for recognition, but rather balances both functions.
A new study published in Earth Science Frontiers reveals that lacustrine shale oil reserves in China have significant potential to shape energy security and geopolitics. The research identifies optimal conditions for shale oil accumulation, including high organic content and thermal maturity, as well as characteristics of these deposits.
New polymer-based membranes developed at KAUST enable greener separation of simple to complex hydrocarbon mixtures, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in crude oil refineries. The membranes' stability and selectivity can be tuned by thermal crosslinking, allowing for higher purity components and removal of byproducts.
Researchers found that oil spill cleanup workers were 60% more likely to be diagnosed with asthma or experience asthma symptoms one to three years after the spill. The study linked specific chemicals, including BTEX-H, to increased asthma risk.
A team led by Dr SeyedAbdolreza Sadjadi and Professor Quentin Parker from HKU's Laboratory for Space Research identified highly ionised species of C60 fullerene as plausible carriers of some prominent UIE bands. Theoretical mid-infrared signatures of these ionised forms match well with astronomical UIE features, providing a promising d...
Researchers at Heidelberg University have created crystalline materials that can selectively bind polyfluorinated hydrocarbons on their surface. The porous crystals show extremely high selectivity for adsorbing fluorine-containing greenhouse gases, which have a significant impact on global warming.
A team of scientists has designed a system that uses water, CO2, and sunlight to produce synthetic kerosene, which can power long-haul commercial flights. The design has been implemented in the field, and its efficiency is around 4%, with plans to improve it to over 15%.
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) researchers have created a new membrane material that separates nitrogen from methane based on their shape difference. This approach reduces purification costs for natural gas by up to 73% compared to existing methods, offering an energy-efficient solution.
Researchers from the Polish Academy of Sciences propose nitrogen-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as potential OLED emitters, offering improved energy efficiency and color purity. The new compounds achieve high external quantum efficiencies, outperforming existing donor-acceptor emitters.
A University of Central Florida researcher has been awarded $800,000 by the US Department of Energy to investigate elusive chemical compounds known as Criegee intermediates. The research aims to develop more efficient low emission fuel architectures and engine technologies to reduce combustion's impact on the environment.
Researchers evaluated the toxicological effects of BaP on bay scallops, finding increased immune response-related parameters with time at higher concentrations. The study suggests that BaP dampens the immune response of scallops and decreases their capacity to respond to oxidative stress.
Researchers at Ural Federal University have synthesized a proton conductor with high electrical conductivity, which could become the basis for solid oxide fuel cells. The new material is potentially cost-effective and exhibits higher electrical conductivity than other solid-state conductors.
Researchers from TROPOS, University of Copenhagen, and Caltech have successfully detected hydrotrioxides (ROOOH) under atmospheric conditions. The formation of these compounds has been estimated to occur through the oxidation of isoprene and other hydrocarbons, with potential implications for health and environmental studies.
Recent research by scientists at Duke University has found that ordinary silicone wristbands can absorb semi-volatile organic compounds firefighters are exposed to while working, tracking their risk of cancer. The study reveals strong associations between active firefighting and exposure to certain contaminants.
Researchers successfully synthesized a Möbius carbon nanobelt with a twisted Möbius band topology, revealing unique properties and molecular motions. The breakthrough paves the way for developing nanocarbon materials with complex topological structures.
Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a low-cost hydrocarbon membrane that enables commercial-scale flow batteries for long-duration energy storage. The membrane's high stability and conductivity enabled the creation of an alkaline zinc-iron flow battery stack with high energy efficiency.
A massive volcanic eruption at the end of the Triassic period caused a global cooling effect, leading to the mass extinction. The event paved the way for the rise of dinosaurs as their natural predators went extinct.
Accelerating HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment could help achieve Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal, reducing global power consumption and emissions. Reaching accelerated deep cuts before 2050 would save up to 20% of expected future global electricity consumption.
A Swedish research team developed a simple hydrocarbon molecule that changes form and becomes conductive when exposed to electric potential. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of miniature transistors and new mechanical systems at the single-molecule level.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a new catalyst that can convert carbon dioxide into gasoline up to 1,000 times more efficiently than existing standards. The breakthrough allows for the production of long-chain hydrocarbons, making it easier to handle and store, with potential applications in a carbon-neutral cycle.
Researchers from the University of Oxford investigated the behavior of CO2 within a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir in Louisiana, USA. They found that up to 74% of CO2 was dissolved in groundwater, while microbial methanogenesis converted 13-19% of the injected CO2 to methane.
Researchers have successfully cultivated an archaeon called Methanoliparia from an oil production facility, which can convert oil into methane and carbon dioxide on its own. The microbe's unique genetic make-up gives it the ability to break down various hydrocarbons and activate enzymes that produce methane.
Researchers successfully reproduced the formation of methane from diamonds under high-pressure conditions, shedding light on the deep Earth's carbon cycle. This finding suggests that hydrocarbons like methane can be created without biological activities, which has significant implications for our understanding of the planet's climate.
Engineered bacteria produce medium-chain olefins that can replace oil and gas in syntheses. The process uses glucose as a feedstock and reduces energy consumption compared to traditional methods.
Researchers genetically engineer E. coli microbes to convert glucose into olefins, a type of hydrocarbon found in gasoline, using a two-step process with a catalyst. This method has potential to advance green energy technology and create sustainable biofuels.
Scientists at KAUST have created catalysts that can convert CO2 into valuable hydrocarbons, such as gasoline-grade isoparaffins, with high selectivity rates. The development paves the way for a circular carbon economy and drop-in fuels from CO2.
MARUM researchers simulate alternative hydrocarbon formation through reduction of acetic acid, proposing a new explanation for unusual isotope patterns. The findings provide insight into the rapid thermal alteration of sedimentary organic matter and its role in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers analyzed samples of paraffinic oils from the western Siberian Basin, Russia, to understand their characteristics. The study found that these oils are primarily composed of saturated hydrocarbons and have low sulfur content.
A team of UBCO researchers developed a recipe for a clean-burning, power-boosting aircraft fuel by adding graphene oxide nanomaterials to ethanol. This mixture improves the burn rate by about eight per cent, reducing carbon footprint and increasing engine power.
KAUST researchers propose a radical new mechanism for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) formation, which consumes fewer radicals than current hypotheses. The mechanism involves resonance-stabilized radicals, allowing successive addition reactions to occur without activation.
Researchers have developed bimetallic catalysts that enhance oil upgrading, decreasing heavy hydrocarbons and increasing light hydrocarbons. The test results showed positive influence on petroleum quality, transportation efficiency, and environmental impact.
Scientists have fabricated chains of triangular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with spin 1, exhibiting Kondo resonances characteristic of spin ½ quantum objects. This breakthrough enables the exploration of linear spin chains and two-dimensional networks for quantum computation.
A recent study suggests that strike-slip faulting is an active deformation mechanism on Titan's surface, driven by diurnal tidal stresses and pore fluid pressures. The researchers found that shallow faults near the equator are optimally oriented for potential failure, which could facilitate material transport and affect habitability.
A new study found that benzo(a)pyrene plays a small part in the global risk of developing PAH-associated cancer, with 89% of the risk coming from other unregulated chemicals. Degradation products formed in the atmosphere can also be more toxic than the emitted PAHs.
A new membrane technology has been developed at KAUST, enabling the selective separation of light hydrocarbons at low energy costs. The approach uses molecular-sieving membranes that can be synthesized continuously at room temperature and ambient pressure.
Kazan Federal University researchers designed a unique dielectric cell to study gas hydrate formation and decomposition under pressure. The device's effectiveness was demonstrated, allowing for further investigation of hydrate inhibitors.
Pasquali proposes splitting hydrocarbons to produce clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon materials, which could replace materials with large carbon footprints. This transition would generate robust growth in manufacturing jobs and improve production efficiency.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is studying a promising alternative catalytic process based on solid acid catalysts for ethylene dimerization. Using in situ and operando molecular spectroscopy, they aim to understand the surface structures of the catalyst and design more active catalysts with reduced environmental impact.
Dicrateria rotunda is found to synthesize saturated hydrocarbons with carbon numbers ranging from 10 to 38, categorizing them as petrol, diesel oils, and fuel oils. The ability to produce these hydrocarbons is common to the entire Dicrateria genus.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have designed a highly stable platinum-gallium catalyst that can support propylene production at very high temperatures, making it suitable for a month. The 'doubly decorated' catalyst is alloyed with lead and calcium, which blocks side reactions and improves stability.
A study by Texas A&M researchers found that silicone wristbands can be used as passive samplers to measure exposure to harmful chemicals during pregnancy. The wristbands yielded similar results to traditional testing methods, suggesting they could be a useful tool in studies of semi-volatile pollutants.
Researchers have successfully broken carbon-hydrogen bonds in light alkanes using a novel amidation process, enabling the synthesis of complex organic molecules such as pharmaceuticals. The method has significant implications for recycling plastic waste and utilizing natural gas as a synthetic building block.
Researchers at UBCO have developed a data processing technique that expands the effectiveness of fluorescence-based water quality monitoring. This approach addresses the challenge of source-specific models by mapping similarities between water sources, enabling real-time detection of hydrocarbons and pesticides in water.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new synthesis method for nanographenes, using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as templates. This approach enables the creation of multiple nanographenes with varying characteristics, addressing the challenge of identifying relationship between structure and properties.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab, University of Hawaii, and Florida International University found a new way for free radicals to react, leading to the formation of benzene rings. This discovery could help create more efficient gas engines and reduce air pollution.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University developed a new method to produce non-oxidized bitumen from heavy oil, reducing production costs and increasing efficiency in road building. The innovative approach uses a specially packed oxidizing column to increase contact surface between feedstock and compressed air.
A study analyzing industrial and geologic data reveals that seismic activity surged due to wastewater injection stresses between 1993-2020. Variations in seismic activity across the basin may help explain why earthquakes occur in some areas but not others.
Researchers found that graphene oxide can carry polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into zebrafish, exerting sublethal effects and potentially causing malformations and neurotoxicity. Long-term exposure may lead to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme in nervous system function.
The study presents two new derivatives of pyrrole-fused azacoronene, one with alkyl groups and the other with concave π-planes, exhibiting distinct redox properties and π-electron functions. The curved structure leads to a strong interaction with spherical fullerene.
Researchers have created a new catalyst that allows for more efficient and sustainable production of aromatic hydrocarbons using renewable sources like woody biomass. The catalyst reduces the need for high temperatures and pressures, minimizing energy costs and emissions.
Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics developed a dual-bed catalyst that achieves highly efficient and selective conversion of syngas to gasoline-range liquid hydrocarbons. The catalyst showed excellent stability, with selectivities of C5-11 and C3-11 in the hydrocarbon products reaching 80.6% and 98.2%, respectively.
Researchers analyzed soil samples from the Manchester neighborhood in Houston, finding nearly half contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to poor health outcomes and different types of cancer. The highest concentrations were found near major highways and industrial facilities.
Researchers found that PAHs toxins degrade in sunlight into smaller 'children' compounds that are often more toxic than the original 'parent' PAHs. These compounds can accumulate in rivers, dams, and agricultural land, posing significant environmental challenges.