Indian Institute of Technology Ropar

About: Indian Institute of Technology Ropar is a education organization based out in Ropar, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Computer science. The organization has 1014 authors who have published 2878 publications receiving 35715 citations.

Hydrogen Embrittlement of Steel Pipelines During Transients

Abstract: Blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines is a recent alternative adopted for hydrogen transportation as a mixture with natural gas. In this paper, hydrogen embrittlement of steel pipelines originally designed for natural gas transportation is investigated. Solubility, permeation and diffusion phenomena of hydrogen molecules into the crystalline lattice structure of the pipeline material are followed up based on transient evolution of internal pressure applied on the pipeline wall. The transient regime is created through changes of gas demand depending on daily consumptions. As a result, the pressure may reach excessive values that lead to the acceleration of hydrogen solubility and its diffusion through the pipeline wall. Furthermore, permeation is an important parameter to determine the diffusion amount of hydrogen inside the pipeline wall resulting in the embrittlement of the material. The numerical obtained results have shown that using pipelines designed for natural gas conduction to transport hydrogen is a risky choice. Actually, added to overpressure and great fluctuations during transients that may cause fatigue and damage the structure, also the latter pressure evolution is likely to induce the diffusion phenomena of hydrogen molecules into the lattice of the structure leading to brittle the pipe material. The numerical simulation reposes on solving partial differential equations describing transient gas flow in pipelines coupled with the diffusion equation for mass transfer. The model is built using the finite elements based software COMSOL Multiphysics considering different cases of pipe material; API X52 (base metal and nutrided) and API X80 steels. Obtained results allowed tracking the evolution with time of hydrogen concentration through the pipeline internal wall based on the pressure variation due to transient gas flow. Such observation permits to estimate the amount of hydrogen diffused in the metal to avoid leakage of this flammable gas. Thus, precautions may be taken to prevent explosive risks due to hydrogen embrittlement of steel pipelines, among other effects, that can lead to alter safe conditions of gas conduction.

Construction of 2D interwoven and 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cd(II): the effect of ancillary ligands on the structure and the catalytic performance for the Knoevenagel reaction

Abstract: Three new Cd(II) metal–organic networks, [{Cd(muco)(bpa)1.5}·H2O] (1), [{Cd(muco)(bpee)1.5}·7H2O] (2) and [Cd(muco)(4bpdh)·(H2O)] (3) (where, muco = trans, trans-muconate dianion, bpa = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, bpee = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene and 4bpdh = 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene) have been constructed using mixed ligand systems at room temperature and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and other physicochemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural featuring a 3D framework structure with a 5-connected, {66} net topology. Whereas, compound 3 possess an interesting 3-fold interwoven 2D network with a 4-connected, {44,62}-sql net topology. Photoluminescence measurements revealed emissions from all the three compounds owing to ligand based charge transfer (n → π* and π → π*) transitions. Catalytic investigations of the compounds for the Knoevenagel reaction unveiled the higher catalytic activity of 3 compared to that of 1 and 2. The higher catalytic performance of 3 has been attributed due to the presence of the basic azine-functionalized pore surface. Remarkably, the catalyst can be facilely separated from the reaction mixture and could be reused without significant degradation in the catalytic activity for five cycles. Compound 3 is a rare example of a 3-fold interwoven 2D network acting as an efficient recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the Knoevenagel reaction.

Optical switching and bistability in four-level atomic systems

Abstract: We explore the coherent control of nonlinear absorption of intense laser fields in four-level atomic systems. For instance, in a four-level ladder system, a coupling field creates electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with an Aulter-Townes doublet for the probe field while the control field is absent. A large absorption peak appears at resonance as the control field is switched on. We show how such a large absorption leads to optical switching. Further, this large absorption diminishes and a transparency window appears due to the saturation effects as the strength of the probe field is increased. We further demonstrate that the threshold of the optical bistability can be modified by suitable choices of the coupling and the control fields. In a four-level $\mathsf{Y}$-type configuration, the effect of the control field on saturable absorption (SA) and reverse saturable absorption (RSA) is highlighted in the context of nonlinear absorption of the probe field. We achieve RSA and SA in a simple atomic system just by applying a control field.

Selective Oxidation of Biomass-Derived Alcohols and Aromatic and Aliphatic Alcohols to Aldehydes with O2/Air Using a RuO2-Supported Mn3O4 Catalyst.

Abstract: Selective catalytic oxidation of carbohydrate-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfuryl alcohol, and various aromatic and aliphatic compounds to the corresponding aldehyde is a challenging task. The development of a sustainable heterogeneous catalyst is crucial in achieving high selectivity for the desired aldehyde, especially using O2 or air. In this study, a RuO2-supported Mn3O4 catalyst is reported for the selective oxidation reaction. Treatment of MnO2 molecular sieves with RuCl3 in aqueous formaldehyde solution gives a new type of RuO2-supported Mn3O4 catalyst. Detailed catalyst characterization using powder X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectrometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy proves that the RuO2 species are dispersed on the highly crystalline Mn3O4 surface. This catalytic conversion process involves molecular oxygen or air (flow, 10 mL/min) as an oxidant. No external oxidizing reagent, additive, or cocatal...