Plasma chemical technologies

The theoretical foundations of low-temperature plasma chemical pyrolysis of heavy petroleum products, including fuel oil, vacuum gas oil and catalytic cracking residue, have been developed within the framework of the Russian Scientific Research Foundation project No. 21-73-10119 (2021-2024). Theoretical calculations and experimental studies aimed at optimizing the plasma chemical pyrolysis process have been carried out. A modular laboratory facility for plasma chemical pyrolysis has been created. The dependences of the conversion of raw materials, the yield of gaseous and solid products on the energy of electrical discharges and the exposure time have been established. A probable mechanism of low-temperature pyrolysis is proposed, explaining the main stages of transformation of hydrocarbons under plasmochemical conditions. The results obtained confirm the possibility of efficiently producing gas products with a high content of hydrogen and acetylene, as well as the formation of nanoscale solid carbon materials with a graphite-like structure with a significant reduction in energy consumption. The results of the study are of high economic importance, as they make it possible to develop environmentally friendly technologies for processing petroleum raw materials, minimizing CO₂ emissions and ensuring competitive energy performance at the global level compared to traditional thermal methods for processing heavy petroleum products. The research results have been discussed at international industry conferences (Oil and Gas, International scientific and practical symposium on Materials science and technology, International Symposium on Theoretical and Applied Plasmochemistry, and others), and published in leading Q1/Q2 journals (Energies, Plasma Process. Polym. and others) and registered as RID (databases No. 2024622961 and No. 2023621511, computer program No. 2020611902).

As part of the research under the NSTU research program, a technology for the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials has been implemented through the action of non-thermal plasma on hydrocarbon raw materials in the liquid phase followed by heat treatment. It was revealed that the specific surface area values for the obtained materials differ by tens and hundreds of times: from 0.57 to 349.9 m2/g. An increase in the temperature of heat treatment leads to a decrease in the specific surface area of plasma pyrolysis solid residue samples for all the materials obtained. The revealed characteristics of the obtained carbon materials demonstrate their possible use as catalyst carriers, cathode components of lithium-ion batteries and gas diffusion layers of fuel cells. The use of low-temperature plasma for the conversion of liquid hydrocarbons into carbon structures creates the opportunity for the development of small-sized installations with high specific productivity and selectivity and allows the creation of innovative low-tonnage production of carbon materials for energy storage systems. The research results have been discussed at international industry conferences (Graphene and related structures: synthesis, Production and Application, "Carbon: Fundamental Problems of Science, Materials Science, Technology" and others), published in leading Q1/Q2 journals (RCS Advanced, Energies, Plasma Process. Polym. and others) and are registered as RID (databases No. 2021622673 and No. 2020622794 and 2 KNOW-HOW).

A technology for processing liquid organochlorine substances, including waste of hazard class 1, has been developed (Patent No. 2630006 dated 08/22/2016 Method of disposal of a mixture of chlorobenzenes and polychlorobiphenyls). The directions of fragmentation of polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorobenzenes, chloroethanes and chloromethanes were investigated, and a waste treatment plant was developed (SP-1179.2021.1 "Plasma chemical stimulation of the tetrachloroethane elimination reaction", RFBR No. 18-29-24008 MK "Fundamental principles of processing chlorinated waste into liquid products by low-voltage pulsed discharges in liquid media"). Studies have shown that exposure to low–temperature plasma leads to effective rupture of the C-Cl bond with the further formation of both gaseous products (hydrogen chloride, acetylene) and solid nanostructures, the nature of which depends on the composition of the starting material and reaction conditions. Special attention is paid to the effect of doping components (for example, triphenylphosphine), which significantly accelerate the processing process, change the morphology and elemental composition of products, contributing to the formation of unique carbon structures. The ecological significance of the technology lies in the safe disposal of toxic organochlorine waste while simultaneously obtaining valuable materials, which meets global trends in sustainable development aimed at reducing the environmental burden and switching to resource-saving technologies. The results of the study were discussed at international industry conferences (TECHNOGEN, The Future of Technical Science, and others), and published in leading journals WoS, Scopus, and Q1/Q2 (Plasma Process. Polym., High Energy Chemistry and others) and are registered as RID (Patent No. 2630006, computer program No. 2019614139 and No. 2020664795).

The composition of a thixotropic sedimentation-resistant magnetorheological liquid with a high degree of filling with magnetic particles has been developed. The composition provides stable magnetorheological activity and long service life under various operating conditions due to optimization of the dispersion system and surface modification of particles. The research was carried out within the framework of Russian Science Foundation grants No. 15-19-10026 "Ensuring vibration safety of the environment through electromagnetic vibration control of machines and the creation of new magnetorheological materials" and No. 20-19-00372 "Controlled vibration and noise protection systems for multi-motor energy-saturated transport facilities and manufacturing complexes based on new magnetically controlled viscoelastic materials". Magnetorheological fluids have the ability to rapidly change their rheological properties (viscosity, yield strength) under the influence of an external magnetic field, which allows them to be used to create adaptive dynamic load control systems. This makes them a key element in the development of active dampers and vibration isolation systems that reduce vibrations and effectively compensate for vibrations in real time. Due to these properties, magnetorheological fluids are used in vehicle suspensions (cars, trains, airplanes), industrial vibration control systems, adaptive lubricants, controls, and other fields. Based on the results of the work, the monograph "Magnetorheological fluids: creation technologies and applications" was written, articles were published in the journals WoS and Scopus and registered as RID (computer program No. 2019610435 and No. 2019610286).

As part of the work carried out under a Grant from the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod region for young scientists "Development of technology for oxidative desulfurization of bunker fuel on nanoscale carbon catalysts" and research with a partner of the UVB, scientific research was carried out on the desulfurization of high-sulfur oil and petroleum products. The composition and characteristics of high-sulfur oil have been studied, and the main organosulfur components have been identified. technological modes of oil purification from sulfur-containing components have been developed, including the stages of preparation of a catalyst solution, oxidative desulfurization using mixing in a mixer with a paddle mixer and ultrasonic dispersion, settling with separation of the oil product and the water layer, filtration, and extraction. Catalysts have been developed and the optimal ratio of catalyst and oxidizer has been determined for the best technical and economic characteristics of the desulfurization process. The result of the research is the technology of oxidative desulfurization, which reduces the sulfur content in crude oil and petroleum products (VGO, diesel fraction, and others) to a level that meets modern environmental requirements, which significantly improves fuel quality and reduces emissions of harmful substances. The results of the study were discussed at industry international conferences ("New catalytic processes of deep processing of hydrocarbon raw materials and biomass", "Oil and Gas" and others) and registered in the form of RID (Database No. 2023623485 and KNOW-HOW).