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Mineral matter, including minerals and non-mineral elements, in coal is of great significance for geological evolution, high-value coal utilization, and environment protection. The minerals and elemental geochemistry of Late Permian coals from the M8 coal seam, Shihao mine, Songzao coalfield in Chongqing, were analyzed to evaluate the sediment source, sedimentary environment, hydrothermal fluids, and utilization prospects of critical metals. The average total sulfur (4.21%) was high in coals, which mainly exists in the forms of pyritic sulfur. Kaolinite, pyrite, calcite, quartz, illite and illite/smectite (I/S) mixed layers, and anatase predominated in coals, with trace amounts of chlorite, ankerite, and siderite. Epigenetic cell- and fracture-filling pyrite, veined calcite, and ankerite were related to hydrothermal fluids and/or pore water after the diagenesis stage. Compared to the world's hard coals, As and Cd are enriched in the Shihao M8 coals, and Li, Cr, Co, Zr, Mo, Pb, and Tb are slightly enriched. These high contents of sulfophile elements may be related to seawater intrusion. The terrigenous clastics of the Shihao M8 coals originated from the felsic–intermediate rocks atop the Emeishan Large Igneous Provinces (ELIP) (Kangdian Upland), while the roof and floor samples were derived from Emeishan high-Ti basalt. Through the combination of sulfur contents and indicator parameters of Fe2O3 + CaO + MgO/SiO2 + Al2O3, Sr/Ba and Y/Ho, the depositional environment of peat swamp was found to be influenced by seawater. Although the critical elements in coal or coal ash did not reach the cut-off grade for beneficial recovery, the concentration of Li and Zr were high enough in coal ash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "geochemical effect of lanthanides" is a new concept proposed by the authors during the past decade. This concept reflects lanthanide shrinkage in elemental geochemistry, and it is statistically quantifiable. However, the geological significance of the various parameters of the equations obtained following quantization is not entirely clear. Cooperation and discussions from scholars in related research fields of rare earth elements in geology are required. In the present paper, from the perspective of coal geochemistry, the metamorphic coal seam of C2 series in Fengfeng Mine of Handan Coalfield in Hebei Province, China was used as an example. The geochemical significance of parameters in geochemical effect regression equation for lanthanides was evaluated, and two new formulas (regression equations) that characterized the geochemical behaviors of lanthanides were proposed. On this basis, concepts related to the geochemical effect of lanthanides, such as "individual parameters", "parameters in common", "two-sided parameters", and the "deviation value" of lanthanides, were proposed. In this study, it was proved that the goodness of fit for all types of function regression equations for lanthanides and the radii of their trivalent ions, and the "deviation value" of lanthanides, were all "individual parameters" that could indicate the post-modified geological environment of C2 coal seam, such as the influence from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. A covariant figure was constructed according to these individual parameters and other indexes, and the C2 coal seam in Handan was effectively divided into two different metamorphic series of A (C2 coal seam uninfluenced or slightly influenced by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids) and B (C2 coal seam strongly influenced and evidently changed by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids). Consequently, the scientific significance of all the parameters for lanthanides in an identifying series of metamorphic coals within the geochemical effect regression equation was further clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical metals play an irreplaceable role in supporting the development of the global economy and emerging industries. Their short supply makes the recovery of critical metals from alternative sources, such as coal ash, a research hotspot. In this study, Chongqing Power Plant coal and its combustion products, which are rich in a variety of critical metal elements, were selected for the study. The enrichment, distribution, and occurrence mode of critical elements in the products of coal combustion was studied, and improved sequential chemical extraction procedure, and their extraction potential was proposed and discussed. The results show that the contents of the most critical elements in different coal ashes are generally high in the order of fly ash, slag, and bottom ash. The critical elements Li, Ga, Sr, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, and rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) are enriched in fly ash and the contents of Ga, Nb, and REY exceed their respective industrial utilization grades, which have great recovery potential. Lithium, Ga, Nb, Ta, and REY are mainly distributed in small particle sizes in non-magnetic fly ash and occur in aluminosilicate glass, followed by mullite and quartz. Three categories of extractability are proposed: easy-to-extract form, relatively easy-to-extract, and difficult-to-extract forms. Finally, future research should focus on the collaborative extraction of multiple critical elements (such as Li, Ga, Nb, and REY) from coal ash. [Display omitted] • Most critical elements in different coal ashes are high. • Critical elements Li, Ga, Sr, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, and REY are enriched in fly ash. • An improved sequential chemical extraction procedure was developed. • Li, Ga, Nb, Ta, and REY concentrate in small particle-sized, non-magnetic fly ash. • Three categories of extractability of critical elements are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight ceramic proppants are prepared using coal gangue, fly ash, and bauxite as raw materials, and a mixture of manganese dioxide and magnesium oxide is used as composite additives. The total content of the coal gangue and fly ash in the raw materials reaches up to 70 wt%. The effects of coal gangue and fly ash precalcination, sintering temperature, and composite additive content on the phase compositions, microstructures, and performances of the resulting ceramic proppants are studied in detail. The ceramic proppant prepared at 1285 °C using 1 wt% of the composite additive is composed of quartz, corundum, and mullite. It also presents the desired sphericity, roundness, and microstructure. The apparent density, bulk density, and breakage ratio of the ceramic proppant described above are 2.55 ± 0.06 g/cm3, 1.03 ± 0.02 g/cm3, and 8.30 ± 0.68% at 35 MPa, respectively. This ceramic proppant belongs to lightweight ceramic proppants and meets the requirement of the 5K grade in the standards of SY/T 5108-2014 and API STD 19C-2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic proppants are preferred in hydraulic fracturing because of their high strength, good sphericity, and excellent acid corrosion resistance. Bauxite is the main raw material of ceramic proppants, but with the increasing depletion of bauxite resources, substitutes for bauxite need to be sought. Coal gangue is a solid waste that is rich in SiO2 and Al2O3, making it a potential substitute for the preparation of ceramic proppants. The use of coal gangue to prepare ceramic proppants can reduce the cost of ceramic proppants and benefit environmental protection. Studies on using coal gangue to prepare ceramic proppants have been conducted and achieved progress, but further improvement can still be obtained. Here, the basic principle, progress, and prospects of coal gangue ceramic proppants are reviewed. First, coal gangue ceramic proppants are divided into two categories, namely, proppants prepared using coal gangue as an auxiliary material and proppants prepared using coal gangue as the main material. Second, the progress of research of coal gangue ceramic proppants is summarized from the perspective of additives, and the influence of different kinds of additives on the sintering temperature and performance of proppants is discussed. Lastly, the future prospects of coal gangue ceramic proppants are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mesoporous polymer ionic liquids for the immobilization of lipase demonstrated mesoporous properties. • Resultant systems were used as recyclable biocatalysts for ester production. • Lipase immobilization led to higher stability than that of the free enzyme. • The process can generate high-purity esters using lipase-immobilized mesoporous polymer ionic liquid. Herein, fatty acid esters were synthesized cost-effectively from various fatty acids using reusable lipase (L) immobilized with novel porous ionic polymer (PIP) (l –PIP). The functionalized mesoporous PIP was synthesized through Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of 1, 4-bis(bromomethyl) benzene in the presence of ferric chloride as catalyst, and lipase was completely immobilized with PIP at varied time, forming l –PIP–6 H , l –PIP–12 H , l –PIP–18 H , l –PIP–24 H , l –PIP–30 H , and l –PIP–36 H , which were applied in ester production. l –PIP–30 H was characterized using FT–IR, SEM, XPS, solid–state 13C NMR, and N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. The conversion of oleic acid reached 88.21 % under optimized conditions (12:1 ethanol/oleic acid molar ratio after 5 h at 45 °C with 250 wt% catalyst at 300 rpm). The stability and reusability of l –PIP–30 H were demonstrated by the sustained catalytic efficiency for at least six reaction cycles. Good catalytic activity during the esterification of various free fatty acids with ethanol was observed. This cost–efficient and effective lipase–immobilized PIP catalyst may have positive economic and environmental repercussions to inspire further academic and industrial research on biodiesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, B 4 C–TiB 2 composite ceramics with different TiB 2 contents sintered via hot pressing are processed into ceramic tools to turn AISI 4340 workpieces. Finite element analysis using the Deform-3D software is conducted to examine the effects of the cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate on the main cutting force and tool temperature of the B 4 C–TiB 2 ceramic tools. The wear mechanism is investigated through the microstructural analysis of the wear profile obtained after the turning experiments. Simulation results show that the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool demonstrates the best cutting performance. The optimal cutting parameters for the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool are a cutting speed of 300 m/min, depth of cut of 0.3 mm, and feed rate of 0.1 mm/r. The turning experiments reveal that the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool has a longer tool life than a commercially available YD tungsten carbide tool. The main wear forms of the B 4 C–30%TiB 2 ceramic tool are craters, chipping, and flank wear, and the wear mechanism can be attributed mainly to abrasive wear, adhesive wear, oxidative wear, and diffusion wear. This work can lay a theoretical foundation for the practical application of B 4 C–TiB 2 ceramic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New suites of sulfonic acid-functionalized microporous ionic polymers (PIPs) catalysts were synthesized with polymer, alkyl bromides, and 1, 3-propane sultone via a two-step procedure. The synthesized microporous PIP catalysts were characterized using FT-IR, SEM-Mapping, XPS, N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, solid NMR spectroscopy, and element analysis. Esterification of several fatty acids with ethanol, which was used as a model reaction in the stabilization of Jatropha curcas seed oil, was checked over functionalized PIP. We tested the catalytic performance of PIP-C 8 on the synthesis of fatty acid esters via the transesterification of J. curcas seed oil with a mixture of short-chain alcohols such as ethanol, ethanol–to–diethyl carbonate (1;1 molar ratio), and ethanol–to–dimethyl carbonate (1:1 molar ratio) with 170 mg of PIP-C 8 at reflux temperature with agitation. The PIP-C 8 catalyst was particularly effective, having achieved yields of 85%, 94%, and 70% for J. curcas seed oil with ethanol, J. curcas seed oil with ethanol–to–DEC, and J. curcas seed oil with ethanol–to–DMC, respectively, under the optimized reaction conditions. The catalyst could be recycled more than five times without significant deactivation. Kinetic studies performed at different temperatures revealed that the conversion of oleic acid to an ethyl ester follows a first-order reaction. The best catalysts with microporous structure (average pore diameter: 1.7–1.9 nm, pore volume: 0.23–0.33 cm3 g–1) and –SO 3 H density (0.70–0.84 mmol/g cat) were obtained by 1, 3-propane sultone of the chemically activated. The results indicate that the site activity of functionalized microporous ionic polymer materials shows promising approach for the development of environmentally friendly technology. [Display omitted] • A novel, efficient and recyclable microporous ionic polymer (PIPs) catalyst was synthesized. • The catalytic activity, stability, and recyclability of synthesized microporous PIP was examined. • Microporous PIP catalyst yield excellent FFA tolerance level. • Microporous PIP catalyst exhibit promising results for FFAs esterification and Jatropha curcas oil transesterification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides new geochemical data focusing on valuable elements in the coal, parting, and floor samples in the No. 5 coal seam of the Taiyuan Formation from the Wujiawan mine, Datong coalfield, northern China. The minerals mainly consist of kaolinite, calcite, and pyrite, as well as trace amounts of quartz and illite. The No. 5 coal is enriched in Li, Ga, high field strength elements (HFSEs), and rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) when compared with world hard coals. Of particular interest is the high average concentration of Li (67.66 μg/g), which is around seven times higher than the value for world hard coals. Lithium, Ga, and HFSEs have strong inorganic affinities, whereas REY have organic affinities. The main carrier of Li, Ga, and HFSEs is aluminosilicate minerals, while REY appear to occur with organophosphorus. These HFSEs are enriched, both in the parting and in the adjacent coal samples. This suggests that these elements are likely to leach out during the diagenetic process. The distribution patterns of REY, along with the ratio of Al2O3/TiO2 and the figure of Zr/TiO2 vs. Nb/Y are suggestive of their derivation from felsic parent material. In the northern and eastern part of the Datong coalfield, there are several regions where the Li content is higher than the mineable grade, in particular in the northern Datong coalfield where there is a mine with an Li content of 294.6 μg/g. This is significantly higher than the mineable grade. Therefore, there is a potential for financially viable recovery of Li in these coals of the Datong coalfield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]