Near infrared spectroscopy of carbon dioxide. II: OCO and OCO line positions

High-resolution near-infrared (4000-8500 cm⁻¹) spectra of ¹³C-enriched carbon dioxide have been recorded using the McMath-Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer at the Kitt Peak National Solar Observatory. We observed over 1000 line positions for the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁶O isotopologue, the majority of which have previously been observed only in spectra of the Venusian atmosphere [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 67 (1977) 304]. These have been analyzed to determine spectroscopic constants for 28 different vibrational states. The analysis yielded RMS fitting residuals <1.5 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for the strongest bands and RMS residuals <5 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for most other fitted bands. A 5% ¹⁸O-enrichment in the sample enabled us to observe 410 line positions from 5 near-infrared vibrational bands of the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O isotopologue. Analysis of the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O bands yielded RMS fitting residuals <2 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. Additionally, the first fits for the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O 11101 ← 01101 and 11102 ← 01101 hot bands yielded RMS residuals of 2.3 × 10⁻⁴ and 2.2 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, respectively. Critical reevaluations of the spectroscopic constants for the low lying vibrational states for both isotopologues have been performed as part of the analysis.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of carbon dioxide hydrate growth in electrolyte solutions of NaCl and MgCl2

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the growth of carbon dioxide (CO₂) hydrate in electrolyte solutions of NaCl and MgCl₂. The kinetic behaviour of the hydrate growth is examined in terms of cage content, density profile, and mobility of ions and water molecules, and how these properties are influenced by added NaCl and MgCl₂. Our simulation results show that both NaCl and MgCl₂ inhibit the CO₂ hydrate growth. With a same mole concentration or ion density, MgCl₂ exhibits stronger inhibition on the growth of CO₂ hydrate than NaCl does. The growth rate of the CO₂ hydrate in NaCl and MgCl₂ solutions decreases slightly with increasing pressure. During the simulations, the Na⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cl^? ions are mostly excluded by the growing interface front. We find that these ions decrease the mobility of their surrounding water molecules, and thus reduce the opportunity for these water molecules to form cage-like clusters toward hydrate formation. We also note that during the growth processes, several 5¹²6³ cages appear at the hydrate/solution interface, although they are finally transformed to tetrakaidecahedral (5¹²6²) cages. Structural defects consisting of one water molecule trapped in a cage with its hydrogen atoms being attracted by two Cl^? ions have also been observed.     

Coupling efficiency in grating tuned carbon dioxide waveguide lasers

The coupling efficiency in typical CO₂ waveguide lasers when the feedback element is a diffraction grating is investigated theoretically. A scalar diffraction integral approach is adopted, and the laser is assumed to operate on its lowest loss waveguide mode.     

Phase behaviour and interfacial properties of ternary system CO2 + n-butane + n-decane: coarse-grained theoretical modelling and molecular simulations

ABSTRACT

This work illustrates the application of a three-party approach based on theoretical modelling, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and available experimental data for describing the phase equilibrium and interfacial properties for the ternary system: carbon dioxide + n-butane + n-decane and its corresponding binary sub-systems at 344.3 K. Specifically, a coarse-grained force field is employed for both theoretical predictions and MD. The interfacial region is described by the square gradient theory where the homogenous Helmholtz energy density contribution is provided by the Statistical Associated Fluid Theory equation of state for potentials of variable range for molecules conformed of segments interacting through the Mie potential (SAFT-VR Mie) and MD simulations in the canonical ensemble where the molecules are represented by a coarse-grained Mie force field. The novelty here is that both the theory and the simulations uniquely share the same underlying intermolecular potentials; hence, the experimental data are employed to verify both the theory and simulations. In this schema, the ternary mixture is full predictive as its parameters are only based on pure fluids parameters and binary interactions. It is observed that the phase equilibria and the interfacial properties are equally well represented by the used approach.     

Diffusion of CO2/CH4 confined in narrow carbon nanotube bundles

ABSTRACT

The diffusion of a CO₂/CH₄ mixture in carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles was studied using molecular simulations. The effect of diameter and temperature on the diffusion of the mixture was investigated. Our results show that the single-file diffusion occurs when CO₂ and CH₄ are confined in CNTs of diameter less than 1.0 nm. In CNTs of diameter larger than 1.0 nm, both molecules diffuse in the Fickian style. The transition from single-file to Fickian diffusion was demonstrated for both CO₂ and CH₄ molecules. A dual diffusion mechanism was observed in the studied (20, 0) CNT bundle, single-file diffusion of CO₂ in the interstitial sites of (20, 0) CNT bundle and Fickian diffusion of CO₂ and CH₄ in the pores. For CO₂, the interaction energies (CO₂–CO₂ and CO₂–CNT) are larger than that of CH₄ in all cases. But only a very small difference in the diffusion coefficient was observed between CO₂ and CH₄. Temperature has a negligible effect on the difference between diffusion coefficients of CO₂ and CH₄ in the studied CNT bundles. The adsorption, diffusion and permeation selectivities are discussed and compared, and the adsorption is demonstrated to be the rate limiting step for the separation of CO₂/CH₄ in CNT bundle membranes.     

CW-cavity ringdown spectroscopy of carbon dioxide isotopologues near 1.5 μm

The absorption spectra of carbon dioxide in natural isotopic abundance and with 99% enrichment in ¹³C have been recorded by CW-cavity ringdown spectroscopy in two specific spectral regions: 5957-6122 and 6745-6833 cm⁻¹. The spectra were obtained at Doppler limited resolution by using a CW-CRDS spectrometer based on fibered DFB lasers. The typical sensitivity of 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹, allowed for the detection of lines with intensity as weak as 5 × 10⁻²⁹ cm/molecule. More than 2900 line positions of the six major isotopologues contributing to the spectra (¹²C¹⁶O₂, ¹⁶O¹²C¹⁷O, ¹⁶O¹²C¹⁸O, ¹³C¹⁶O₂, ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁷O and ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O), were measured and assigned on the basis of their respective global effective Hamiltonian models. For comparison, only 507 lines are provided by the HITRAN database in these spectral regions. The band by band analysis has led to the determination of the rovibrational parameters of a total of 52 bands, 30 of them being newly reported. Most of the observed line positions show an agreement close to the experimental uncertainty (1-2 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹) with the predictions of their respective effective Hamiltonian models. However, the quality of the predictions degrades for the minor isotopologues reaching maximum deviations of 0.35 cm⁻¹ in one specific case. For several bands, rovibrational transitions with J values between 60 and 90 could be newly detected. While an excellent agreement is observed with the line positions predicted by the Hamiltonian models, the comparison of these observations with the line positions listed in the HITRAN database or extrapolated by using the best FTS rotational constants available in the literature has evidenced significant deviations.     

Ion hydration and hydrogen bond structure in NaCl solutions at temperatures and pressures for carbon dioxide sequestration: the effects of solvated CO2 molecules

In the present study, we focus on the phase properties of CO₂–brine systems in geologic media. Molecular dynamics simulation methods were used to investigate the ion hydration and hydrogen bond structure in CO₂–brine and brine solutions at temperatures and pressures for CO₂ sequestration. By comparing the results of CO₂–brine solutions with those of brine solutions, the effects of solvated CO₂ were analysed and discussed.     

The effect of heat treatment on the performance of the Ni/(Zr-Sm oxide) catalysts for carbon dioxide methanation

The active catalysts for methane formation from the gas mixture of CO₂ + 4H₂ with almost 100% methane selectivity were prepared by reduction of the oxide mixture of NiO and ZrO₂ prepared by calcination of aqueous ZrO₂ sol with Sm(NO₃)₃ and Ni(NO₃)₂. The 50 at%Ni-50 at%(Zr-Sm oxide) catalyst consisting of 50 at%Ni-50 at%(Zr + Sm) with Zr/Sm = 5 calcined at 650 or 800 °C showed the highest activity for methanation. The active catalysts were Ni supported on tetragonal ZrO₂, and the activity for methanation increased by an increase in inclusion of Sm³⁺ ions substituting Zr⁴⁺ ions in the tetragonal ZrO₂ lattice as a result of an increase in calcination temperature. However, the increase in calcination temperature decreased BET surface area, metal dispersion and hydrogen uptake due to grain growth. Thus, the optimum calcination temperature existed.     

Correction of atmospheric scattering effects in space-based observations of carbon dioxide: Model study of desert dust aerosol

We describe an original methodology for CO₂ retrievals using space-based measurements of reflected sunlight spectra. The effects of optical-path modification by aerosols were considered in terms of photon path-length statistics. First, the general approach was verified using a representative set of photon trajectories produced by the Monte Carlo technique. This method enabled accurate consideration of optical-path modification by aerosols and was effective in CO₂ retrievals if aerosol optical properties were assumed. The next approach involved a limited number of parameters that describe the photon path-length distribution function (PPDF) and which were retrieved simultaneously with the CO₂ amount. This approach was efficient under conditions of strong path modification by desert dust aerosol. The retrieval procedure included the following: estimation of PPDF parameters from radiance spectra in the O₂ A-band; the necessary correction to use these estimated parameters in the 1.6-μm band; and, finally, CO₂ retrievals from the 1.6-μm band. The procedure was verified by numerical simulations using an independent radiative transfer approach to produce radiance spectra expected for the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) sensor.     

Ignition and devolatilization of pulverized bituminous coal particles during oxygen/carbon dioxide coal combustion

Oxygen/carbon dioxide recycle coal combustion is actively being investigated because of its potential to facilitate CO₂ sequestration and to achieve emission reductions. In the work reported here, the effect of enhanced oxygen levels and CO₂ bath gas is independently analyzed for their influence on single-particle pulverized coal ignition of a U.S. eastern bituminous coal. The experiments show that the presence of CO₂ and a lower O₂ concentration increase the ignition delay time but have no measurable effect on the time required to complete volatile combustion, once initiated. For the ignition process observed in the experiments, the CO₂ results are explained by its higher molar specific heat and the O₂ results are explained by the effect of O₂ concentration on the local mixture reactivity. Particle ignition and devolatilization properties in a mixture of 30% O₂ in CO₂ are very similar to those in air.     

Sequence and Hot Transitions in the Co2 Molecule; Interference of Adjacent Lines Belonging to Different Transitions as a Function of Temperature

Carbon-dioxide spectra of some higher transitions in the 9-11μm region were studied. Spectra of the sequence ([10°1,02°1]_I,II - 00°2) and hot (01¹1 - 11¹0) bands were calculated as a function of temperature. the positions of the ro-vibrational transitions and their intensities were determined as a function of temperature. for lines in hot and sequence transitions whose positions are close to some of the regular lines ([l0⁰0,02⁰0]_I,II - 00°1)¹ absorption coefficients of adjacent lines were calculated as functions of line center distances and temperature. the resulting values of the absorption coefficient for conditions of constant pressure or constant volume were determined.     

Partitioning of atmospheric carbon dioxide over Central Europe: insights from combined measurements of CO 2 mixing ratios and their carbon isotope composition

Regular measurements of atmospheric CO ₂ mixing ratios and their carbon isotope composition (¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios) performed between 2005 and 2009 at two sites of contrasting characteristics (Krakow and the remote mountain site Kasprowy Wierch) located in southern Poland were used to derive fossil fuel-related and biogenic contributions to the total CO ₂ load measured at both sites. Carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, not coming from fossil fuel and biogenic sources, was considered ‘background’ CO ₂. In Krakow, the average contribution of fossil fuel CO ₂ was approximately 3.4%. The biogenic component was of the same magnitude. Both components revealed a distinct seasonality, with the fossil fuel component reaching maximum values during winter months and the biogenic component shifted in phase by approximately 6 months. The partitioning of the local CO ₂ budget for the Kasprowy Wierch site revealed large differences in the derived components: the fossil fuel component was approximately five times lower than that derived for Krakow, whereas the biogenic component was negative in summer, pointing to the importance of photosynthetic sink associated with extensive forests in the neighbourhood of the station. While the presented study has demonstrated the strength of combined measurements of CO ₂ mixing ratios and their carbon isotope signature as efficient tools for elucidating the partitioning of local atmospheric CO ₂ loads, it also showed the important role of the land cover and the presence of the soil in the footprint of the measurement location, which control the net biogenic surface CO ₂ fluxes.     

DFT study on coupling reaction of carbon dioxide with ethylene oxide catalyzed by 1,4,6-triaza-bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-4-enium bromide (TBO.HBr)

ABSTRACT

Chemical fixation of CO₂ with epoxides catalyzed by organic-base salts were found to be efficient among the various catalysts tested due to synergetic effects of HBDs and halide-ions for ring-opening. In this study, 1,4,6-Triaza–bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-4-enium bromide catalyzed conversion of CO₂ and epoxide into cyclic-carbonate has been studied by using DFT method to understand the reaction mechanism and the catalytic performance of TBO.HBr. Two hypothetical reaction mechanisms were proposed for the coupling reaction. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were computed for each steps to determine the more favorable route. Mechanism II is more favorable path whereby Br^- ion first interacts with epoxide to form bromo-alcohol, which directed to form carbonate-ion and finally ring-closure step yielded cyclic-carbonate with catalyst-regeneration. Cyclization step is rate-determining step with reaction barrier of 22.696?kcal/mol in gas phase. Ensuing the favorable mechanism, solvent-effects on the reaction barrier has been investigated using water and THF. Mechanism II is still more favorable reaction path in both THF and water. However, the rate-determining step is found to be ring-opening of the epoxide with reaction barrier of 22.658?kcal/mol (wate) and 21.969?kcal/mol (THF). In this study, TBO.HBr exhibited good catalytic activity for the title reaction investigated in both gas phase and solvents.     

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles prepared by laser pyrolysis: Synthesis and photocatalytic properties

TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via the laser pyrolysis of titanium tetrachloride-based gas-phase mixtures. In the obtained nanopowders, a mixture of anatase and rutile phases with mean particle size of about 14 nm was identified. Using the thermal heated laser nanopowders, mechanically stable films were produced by immobilizing titania nanopowders on glass substrates (the doctor blading method followed by compression). The photocatalytic activity of the prepared films was tested by the degradation of 4-chlorophenol in an aqueous solution under UV-illumination. By referring to known commercial samples (Degussa P25) similarly prepared, higher photocatalytic efficiency was found for the laser-prepared samples.     

Raman and Infrared Spectra of Matrix Isolated CO2 and CS2

The matrix isolation infrared and Raman spectra of CO₂ and CS₂ in solid krypton at 20°K are reported. The fundamental frequencies are only very slightly red-shifted from the free gas values. Isotopic effects are found in both infrared and Raman spectra, whereas site splittings are evident in the infrared only.     

Continuous measurements of stable isotopes of carbon dioxide and water vapour in an urban atmosphere: isotopic variations associated with meteorological conditions

Isotope ratios of carbon dioxide and water vapour in the near-surface air were continuously measured for one month in an urban area of the city of Nagoya in central Japan in September 2010 using laser spectroscopic techniques. During the passages of a typhoon and a stationary front in the observation period, remarkable changes in the isotope ratios of CO₂ and water vapour were observed. The isotope ratios of both CO₂ and water vapour decreased during the typhoon passage. The decreases can be attributed to the air coming from an industrial area and the rainout effects of the typhoon, respectively. During the passage of the stationary front, δ¹³C–CO₂ and δ¹⁸O–CO₂ increased, while δ²H–H₂Ov and δ¹⁸O–H₂Ov decreased. These changes can be attributed to the air coming from rural areas and the air surrounding the observational site changing from a subtropical air mass to a subpolar air mass during the passage of the stationary front. A clear relationship was observed between the isotopic CO₂ and water vapour and the meteorological phenomena. Therefore, isotopic information of CO₂ and H₂Ov could be used as a tracer of meteorological information.     

Highly sensitive absorption spectroscopy of carbon dioxide by ICLAS-VeCSEL between 8800 and 9530 cm

The absorption spectrum of carbon dioxide has been studied between 8800 and 9530 cm⁻¹ by intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy based on a vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VeCSEL). Previous laboratory spectra at high resolution were nearly absent in the considered spectral region. Experiments were carried with natural carbon dioxide and with ¹³C enriched carbon dioxide leading to the determination of the rovibrational parameters of a total of 15 very weak vibrational transitions, including two bands of the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O isotopologue. The observed transitions are assigned to components of the 2ν₁ + 3ν₃ triad and of the much weaker 5ν₁ + ν₃ hexad. Our measured line positions are found in excellent agreement with the predictions of the effective Hamiltonians developed for ¹²C¹⁶O₂ and ¹³C¹⁶O₂ but significant deviations were evidenced for the ¹⁶O¹³C¹⁸O minor isotopologue. The relative band intensities within each polyad are also discussed on the basis of the effective Hamiltonian model.     

Seasonal variability of soil CO2 flux and its carbon isotope composition in Krakow urban area,Southern Poland

As urban atmosphere is depleted of ¹³CO₂, its imprint should be detectable in the local vegetation and therefore in its CO₂ respiratory emissions. This work was aimed at characterising strength and isotope signature of CO₂ fluxes from soil in urban areas with varying distances from anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. The soil CO₂ flux and its δ¹³C isotope signature were measured using a chamber method on a monthly basis from July 2009 to May 2012 within the metropolitan area of Krakow, Southern Poland, at two locations representing different levels of anthropogenic influence: a lawn adjacent to a busy street (A) and an urban meadow (B). The small-scale spatial variability of the soil CO₂ flux was also investigated at site B. Site B revealed significantly higher summer CO₂ fluxes (by approximately 46 %) than site A, but no significant differences were found between their δ¹³CO₂ signatures.     

Measurement and computations for temperature dependences of self-broadened carbon dioxide transitions in the 30012←00001 and 30013←00001 bands

Using a Fourier transform spectrometer setup we have measured the self-broadened half width, pressure shift, and line asymmetry coefficients for transitions in the 30012←00001 and 30013←00001 vibrational bands of carbon dioxide for four different temperatures. A total of 46 pure CO₂ spectra were recorded at 0.008 and 0.009 cm⁻¹ resolution and at pressures varying from a few Torr to nearly an atmosphere. The individual spectral line profiles have been fitted by a Voigt profile and a speed-dependent Voigt profile, to which we have added dispersion profiles to account for weak line mixing. A comparison of the sets of results obtained for each band showed no vibrational dependence of the broadening coefficients. The self-broadening and self-shift coefficients are compared to semiclassical calculations based on the Robert-Bonamy formalism and were found to be in good agreement. The line asymmetry results are compared to line mixing calculations based on the Energy Corrected Sudden (ECS) and Exponential Power Gap models.