1. Cherenkov Telescope Array potential in the search for Galactic PeVatronsE.O. Angüner, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: One of the major scientific objectives of the future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory is the search for PeVatrons. PeVatrons are cosmic-ray factories able to accelerate nuclei at least up to the knee feature seen in the spectrum of cosmic rays measured near the Earth. CTA will perform a survey of the full Galactic plane at TeV energies and beyond with unprecedented sensitivity. The determination of efficient criteria to identify PeVatron candidates during the survey is essential in order to trigger further dedicated observations. Here, we present results from a study based on simulations to determine these criteria. The outcome of the study is a PeVatron figure of merit, defined as a metric that provides relations between spectral parameters and spectral cutoff energy lower limits. In addition, simulations of the PeVatron candidate HESS J1641−463 and its parental particle spectrum are presented and discussed. Eventually, our work is applied to simulated population of Galactic PeVatrons, with the aim to determine the sensitivity of CTA.
Keywords: Galactic cosmic rays, very-high-energy gamma rays, Galactic PeVatrons, Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, Galactic plane survey, H.E.S.S. J1641−463 PeVatron candidate
Published in RUNG: 08.11.2024; Views: 106; Downloads: 1
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2. The gravitational wave follow-up program of the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayMonica Seglar-Arroyo, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The birth of gravitational-wave / electromagnetic astronomy was heralded by the joint observation of gravitational waves (GWs) from a binary neutron star (BNS) merger by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo, GW170817, and of gamma-rays from the short gamma-ray burst GRB170817A by the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) and INTEGRAL. This detection provided the first direct evidence that at least a fraction of BNSs are progenitors of short GRBs. GRBs are now also known to emit very-high-energy (VHE, > 100 GeV) photons as has been shown by recent independent detections of the GRBs 1901114C and 180720B by the ground-based gamma-ray detectors MAGIC and H.E.S.S. In the next years, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) will boost the searches for VHE counterparts thanks to its unprecedented sensitivity, rapid response and
capability to monitor large sky areas via survey-mode operation. In this contribution, we present the CTA program of observations following the detection of GW events. We discuss various follow-up strategies and links to multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observations. Finally we outline the capabilities and prospects of detecting VHE emission from GW counterparts.
Keywords: multi-messenger astrophysics, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, gravitational waves, very-high-energy photons, gravitational-wave follow-up program
Published in RUNG: 08.11.2024; Views: 112; Downloads: 0
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3. Catalytic hydro(deoxy)genation of furfural and modelling of its reaction kineticsRok Šivec, 2024 Abstract: In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in producing biofuels and biochemicals from renewable sources. Furfural stands as one of the ligno(hemi)cellulosic biomass derived platform chemical, which can be transformed into numerous value-added products.
The goal of this PhD was to systematically study hydrotreatment reactions of furfural under varying operating conditions and to gain insights into the reaction mechanism and kinetics. An extensive experimental and computational study of hydrogenation, hydrodeoxygenation, oligomerisation and etherification of furfural in a three-phase batch reactor was performed. The goals were divided into three consecutive objectives.
In the first part, hydrotreatment of furfural over Pd/C catalyst under various reaction conditions, including the solvent selection (solventless conditions, tetrahydrofuran, isopropanol), atmosphere (nitrogen, hydrogen), temperature (100–200 °C), pressure (25–75 bar) and stirring speed, was studied. A reaction pathway network and a micro-kinetic model were developed, incorporating thermodynamics (hydrogen solubility), mass transfer, adsorption, desorption, and surface reactions. These phenomena and their contribution to the surface coverages, TOF’s and global reaction rates were studied. The hydrogen presence on the catalyst surface was found to influence the main reaction pathway, leading to ring, aldehyde group or full hydrogenation.
In the second part, various monometallic catalysts (Pd/C, Pt/C, Re/C, Ru/C, Rh/C, Ni/C, Cu/C) were tested at 100 -200 °C with 60 bar of hydrogen and tetrahydrofuran as solvent. A generalized reaction pathway network was developed. H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and CO temperature-programmed desorption (CO-TPD) were conducted, and a regression analysis of the results was subsequently performed by numerical modelling and optimisation. The obtained adsorption and desorption kinetic parameters for active metallic sites were further used in a generalized micro-kinetic model, applicable to all tested catalysts. Pd/C exhibited high activity and non-selective hydrogenation of furfural, while other catalysts showed selective aldehyde group hydrogenation followed by deoxygenation, consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Ru/C uniquely produced 2 methyltetrahydrofuran and ring-opening products at 200 °C. In silico optimization of reaction conditions for promising catalysts ((Pd/C, Pt/C, Re/C, Ni/C) aimed to maximize the yield of the target product.
In the third part, the influence of support on catalytic activity was studied. Hydrotreatment of furfural over Pd/Al2O3, Pd/SiO2, Ru/Al2O3, Ru/SiO2, Ni/Al2O3, and Ni/SiO2 was performed between 150 - 200 °C, using 60 bar of hydrogen and tetrahydrofuran as solvent. The strength and rate of adsorption and desorption to/from acidic, metallic and interface site structures were determined, using H2-TPR, CO-TPD and NH3-TPD and subsequent regression analysis of the results by numerical modelling and optimisation. The resulting parameters were sequentially used in the generalized micro-kinetic model to quantify the contribution of the active metal (Ni, Pd, or Ru), support (Al2O3 or SiO2), interphase sites and their relationship on catalyst activity and selectivity. Evaluation of morphological and structural characteristics, adsorption/desorption and intrinsic reaction kinetics has indicated that the coverage of acidic sites (on alumina or silica) facilitated yielding ring hydrogenation and inhibited deoxygenation, decarbonylation and cyclic compound opening. The rates for aromatics or aldehyde functional groups were, nonetheless, affected in a different order.
The used and developed methods and findings of this PhD offer useful guidelines for transforming furfural into high-value chemicals through catalytic hydrotreatment, with significant implications for future research and industrial applications.
Keywords: Lignocellulosic biomass, furfural, catalytic hydrogenation, micro-kinetic mass transfer model, reaction kinetics, first-principle methods, furfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.
Published in RUNG: 08.11.2024; Views: 82; Downloads: 0
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4. REACTION MECHANISM AND MICROKINETICS OF HETEROGENEOUSLY CATALYSED LIGNIN DEPOLYMERISATION AND (DE)FUNCTIONALIZATION : DISSERTATIONTina Ročnik Kozmelj, 2024, doctoral dissertation Abstract: Lignin, a complex aromatic polymer derived from lignocellulosic biomass, is a renewable resource for the production of aromatic-like chemicals and materials. However, its complex nature, depolymerisation and valorisation remain a major challenge for the bio-based community within biorefinery concepts. For this reason, lignin model compounds have been used to understand and design lignin depolymerisation, but insufficient attention has been paid to linking knowledge between simpler systems and applying it to a more complex problem. The objectives of this thesis were formulated accordingly to address the aforementioned gap in the literature. The objectives included a systematic approach correlating studies of lignin model compounds with lignin. Hydrodeoxygenation, cleavage of the β-O-4 bond and depolymerisation were investigated to evaluate the process- and structure-dependent correlations, effects on product distribution and kinetic parameters.
The catalytic reactions were carried out in batch reactor and the conditions were applied and intensified according to the knowledge gained during the experimental work. The liquid samples for monomer yield evaluation were analysed by GC-MS, while the structural characteristics of lignin and oligomeric fragments, e.g. molecular weight, functionality/reactivity and structural features, were examined by SEC, quantitative 31P and 2D-HSQC NMR. Kinetic modelling was performed to determine the kinetic parameters (e.g. kinetic constants and activation energies) describing defunctionalisation, β-O-4 bond cleavage and depolymerisation.
The study with monomeric lignin compounds contributed to the understanding of the key parameters leading to condensation during hydrotreatment. The unsaturated alkyl side-chain of eugenol and the reactive hydroxyl groups bound irreversibly and formed the carbonaceous species, while 4-propylphenol and 4-propylguaiacol provided important insights into the contribution of steric hindrances to a favourable reaction mechanism. An initial assessment of β-O-4 cleavage was performed with β-O-4-model compound, 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol, and linked to the lignin macromolecule by process- and structure-dependent correlations. Although the lignin model compound lacks the structural complexity of lignin, important insights into possible reaction processes were gained and accurate kinetic parameters were determined. Furthermore, lignin isolated in 50 vol% EtOH/H2O solutions was depolymerised and the optimal
reaction conditions were defined at a temperature of 275 °C and a pressure of 1.5 MPa with regard to the product distribution and the changes in the structural characteristics of the corresponding oligomeric fragments. Depolymerisation of lignins isolated in different EtOH/H2O solutions showed the importance of the structural features, especially ethoxylation degree and the content of β-O-4 or α-ethoxylated β-O-4 bonds. A higher ethoxylation degree of lignin reduced its potential to depolymerise and achieve the theoretical monomer yield. Therefore, the structural characteristics of lignin play the main role in designing and prediction of lignin depolymerisation.
The thesis represents a systematic approach of increasing the complexity of structures exposed to hydrodeoxygenation and depolymerisation. The approach contributed to incorporating the knowledge gained from less complex model compounds to real lignin samples by tailoring and designing lignin depolymerisation to exploit the potential of lignin for biorefinery concepts.
Keywords: model compounds, hydrodeoxygenation, organosolv lignin, depolymerisation, structural characteristics, kinetic modelling
Published in RUNG: 08.11.2024; Views: 73; Downloads: 0
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5. Magnetocaloric effect in amorphous and partially crystallized Fe[sub](40)Ni[sub](38)Mo[sub]4B[sub](18) alloysThanveer Thajudheen, R. V. Ramanujan, Senoy Thomas, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: A study of magnetocaloric effect in amorphous and partially crystallized Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 alloys is reported. Amorphous Fe40Ni38Mo4B18, near its magnetic ordering temperature (600K) showed a magnetic entropy change ΔSM of 1.1 J/KgK and a relative cooling power of 36J/Kg in a field change of 10 kOe. Amorphous samples were partially crystallized by annealing at 700 K at different time intervals. Partially crystallized samples showed two distinct magnetic ordering temperature, one corresponding to the precipitated FeNi nanocrystals and the other one corresponding to the boron rich amorphous matrix. Magnetic ordering temperature of the residual amorphous matrix got shifted to the lower temperatures on increasing the annealing duration. Partially crystallised samples showed a magnetic entropy change of about 0.27J/kgK near the magnetic ordering temperature of the amorphous matrix (540K) in a field change of 10 kOe. The decrease in ΔSM on partial crystallisation is attributed to the biphasic magnetic nature of the s
Keywords: magnetism, phase transitions, entropy, equations of state, alloys, amorphous materials, annealing
Published in RUNG: 07.11.2024; Views: 103; Downloads: 0
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6. Testing cosmology and fundamental physics with the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayH. Martínez-Huerta, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next generation ground-based observatory for γ-ray astronomy at energies above 30 GeV. Thanks to its unique capabilities, CTA observations will
address a plethora of open questions in astrophysics, ranging from the origin of cosmic messengers to the exploration of the frontiers of physics. In this note, we present a comprehensive sensitivity study to assess the potential of CTA to measure the γ-ray absorption on the extragalactic background light (EBL), to constrain or detect intergalactic magnetic fields (IGMFs), and probe physics beyond the standard model such as axion-like particles (ALPs) and Lorentz invariance violation (LIV), which could modify the γ-ray spectra features expected from EBL absorption. Our results suggest that CTA will have unprecedented sensitivity to detect IGMF signatures and will probe so-far unexplored regions of the LIV and ALP parameter space. Furthermore, an indirect measurement of the EBL and of its evolution will be performed with unrivaled precision.
Keywords: very-high-energy gamma rays, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, extragalactic background light (EBL), intergalactic magnetic fields (IGMFs), axion-like particles (ALPs), Lorentz invariance violation (LIV)
Published in RUNG: 07.11.2024; Views: 108; Downloads: 0
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7. Performance of the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayUlisses Barres de Almeida, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is expected to become the by far largest and most
sensitive observatory for very-high-energy gamma rays in the energy range from 20 GeV to more than 300 TeV. CTA will be capable of detecting gamma rays from extremely faint sources with unprecedented precision on energy and direction. The performance of the future observatory
derived from detailed Monte Carlo simulations is presented in this contribution for the two CTA sites located on the island of La Palma (Spain) and near Paranal (Chile). This includes the evaluation of CTA sensitivity over observations pointing towards different elevations and for operations at higher night-sky background light levels.
Keywords: very-high-energy gamma rays, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, detector performances
Published in RUNG: 07.11.2024; Views: 113; Downloads: 0
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8. Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium - X : flash spectral features in the Type Ibn SN 2019cj and observations of SN 2018jmtZ.-Y. Wang, A. Pastorello, K. Maeda, A. Reguitti, Y.-Z. Cai, D. Andrew Howell, S. Benetti, Mateusz Bronikowski, E. Concepcion, Tanja Petrushevska, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: We present optical and near-infrared observations of two Type Ibn supernovae (SNe), SN\,2018jmt and SN\,2019cj. Their light curves have rise times of about ten days, reaching an absolute peak magnitude of $M_g$(SN\,2018jmt) = $-$19.07 pm 0.37 and $M_V$(SN\,2019cj) = $-$18.94 pm 0.19 mag, respectively. The early-time spectra of SN\,2018jmt are dominated by a blue continuum, accompanied by narrow (600$-$1000 km $) He i lines with the P-Cygni profile. At later epochs, the spectra become more similar to those of the prototypical SN Ibn 2006jc. At early phases, the spectra of SN\,2019cj show flash ionisation emission lines of C iii N iii and He ii superposed on a blue continuum. These features disappear after a few days, and then the spectra of SN\,2019cj evolve similarly to those of SN\,2018jmt. The spectra indicate that the two SNe exploded within a He-rich circumstellar medium (CSM) lost by the progenitors a short time before the explosion. We modelled the light curves of the two SNe Ibn to constrain the progenitor and the explosion parameters. The ejecta masses are consistent with either what is expected for a canonical SN Ib (sim 2 odot $) or for a massive Wolf Rayet star ($>$ sim 4 M$_ odot $), with the kinetic energy on the order of $10^ $ erg. The lower limit on the ejecta mass ($>$ sim 2 M odot $) argues against a scenario involving a relatively low-mass progenitor (e.g. $M_ ZAMS $ sim 10 M$_ odot $). We set a conservative upper limit of sim 0.1 M$_ odot $ for the 56Ni masses in both SNe. From the light curve modelling, we determined a two-zone CSM distribution, with an inner, flat CSM component and an outer CSM with a steeper density profile. The physical properties of SN\,2018jmt and SN\,2019cj are consistent with those expected from the core collapse of relatively massive envelope-stripped stars.
Keywords: supernovae
Published in RUNG: 06.11.2024; Views: 107; Downloads: 0
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10. Spremljanje vhodnega materiala in kontrola kakovosti skozi proizvodni proces : diplomsko deloIvan Devetak, 2024, undergraduate thesis Keywords: diplomske naloge, kakovost, vhodna kontrola, reklamacije, certifikati, Futon, proizvodni proces, merilni pripomočki, tehnične risbe, informacijski sistem Infor
Published in RUNG: 05.11.2024; Views: 139; Downloads: 1
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