In the recent decade, injection of nanoparticles (NPs) into underground formation as liquid nanodispersions has been suggested as a smart alternative for conventional methods in tertiary oil recovery projects from mature oil reservoirs. Such reservoirs, however, are strong candidates for carbon geo-sequestration (CGS) projects, and the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) after nanofluid-flooding can add more complexity to carbon geo-storage projects. Despite studies investigating CO2 injection and nanofluid-flooding for EOR projects, no information was reported about the potential synergistic effects of CO2 and NPs on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and CGS concerning the interfacial tension (γ) of CO2-oil system. This study thus extensively investigates the effect of silica NPs on the γ of CO2/decane system at elevated pressure and temperature to recognise the potential impact of NPs-injection on the future CGS projects. To achieve this, a wide-ranging series of tests have been conducted to reveal the role of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica NPs on γ of the CO2/oil system. n-decane was utilized as model oil and different amounts of NPs were mixed with the oil phase. Oil-NPs dispersions were formulated using an ultrasonic homogenizer. The γ of the CO2/oil system was measured at different pressures (0.1 to 20 MPa) and temperatures (25 to 70 °C) using a high-pressure temperature optical cell. The γ data were measured using the pendant drop technique via axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA). The results showed that, generally, CO2/oil γ subjected mainly to pressure, temperature, and with less extent to NPs load in the oil phase. γ decreases with increased pressure until reaching a plateau where no more significant decrease in γ was observed. The γ trend with increased temperature, on the other hand, was more completed. No significant impact of temperature on γ was recorded with low pressure (≤ 5 MPa). Similarly, at relatively high pressure (≥ 25 MPa), only a slight variation of IFT with temperature change was recorded. However, for the pressure range from 5 – 25 MPa, IFT was increased remarkably with temperature. Furthermore, NPs in the oil phase exhibit a remarkable influence on IFT. In this context, the presence of hydrophilic silica NPs in the oil phase can significantly reduce the γ of the CO2/decane system. However, hydrophobic silica NPs showed less influence on IFT reduction. The outcomes of this work afford good understandings into applications of NP for EOR and CGS applications and help to de-risk CO2-geological storage projects.
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Rapid worldwide urbanization and drastic population growth have increased the demand for new road construction, which will cause a substantial amount of natural resources such as aggregates to be consumed. The use of recycled concrete aggregate could be one of the possible ways to offset the aggregate shortage problem and reduce environmental pollution. This paper reports an experimental study of unbound granular material using recycled concrete aggregate for pavement subbase construction. Five percentages of recycled concrete aggregate obtained from two different sources with an originally designed compressive strength of 20–30 MPa as well as 31–40 MPa at three particle size levels, i.e., coarse, fine, and extra fine, were test
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Fiber‐reinforced elastic laminated composites are extensively used in several domains owing to their high specific stiffness and strength and low specific density. Several studies were performed to ascertain the factors that affect the composite plates’ dynamic properties. This study aims to derive a mathematical model for the dynamic response of the processed composite material in the form of an annular circular shape made of polyester/E‐glass composite. The mathematical model was developed based on modified classical annular circular plate theory under dynamic loading, and all its formulas were solved using MATLAB 2023. The mathematical model was also verified with real experimental work involving the vibration test of the f
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The impact of undergraduate research experiences on students' academic development and retention in STEM fields is significant. Students' success in STEM fields is based on developing strong research and critical thinking skills that make it essential for students to engage in research activities throughout their academic programs. This work evaluates the effectiveness of undergraduate research experiences with respect to its influence on student retention and academic development. The cases presented are based on years of experience implementing undergraduate research programs in various STEM fields at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) funded by HSI STEM Grants. The study seeks to establish a correlation between students' reten
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The acrylic polymer composites in this study are made up of various weight ratios of cement or silica nanoparticles (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) using the casting method. The effects of doping ratio/type on mechanical, dielectric, thermal, and hydrophobic properties were investigated. Acrylic polymer composites containing 5 wt% cement or silica nanoparticles had the lowest abrasion wear rates and the highest shore-D hardness and impact strength. The increase in the inclusion of cement or silica nanoparticles enhanced surface roughness, water contact angle (WCA), and thermal insulation. Acrylic/cement composites demonstrated higher mechanical, electrical, and thermal insulation properties than acrylic/silica composites because of their lowe
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The current study was conducted with an aim to know the effect of adding different concentrations of pomegranate peels alcoholic extract (PPAE) on the traits of Awassi ram semen stored at 5°C. Eight ejaculations from three Awassi rams were collected, mixed and diluted with TRIS extender. The semen samples were divided into four equal parts, and then the alcoholic extract of pomegranate peels was added at concentrations of 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/ 1 ml of extender, which represented each of the treatments C, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The samples were stored at 5 ° C and semen examinations were performed during periods 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after collection. Semen traits included calculation percentage of individual motility, viabili
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Alot of medical and industrial applications used the metal nanoparticles (NPs) with increase interest to be used as cancer therapy. The current work aimed to prepare AuNPs and AgNPs through the use of plasma jet and test their antitumor mechanism of apoptosis induction. The results indicating the face-centered cubic structures and crystalline nature of AuNPs and AgNPs. Also, the image of FESEM showed that the well dispersions regarding AuNPs and AgNPs, while the NP’s spherical shape with the particle size distributions which are considered to be close that estimated from the XRD. cytotoxicity have been assessed against the Normal embryonic cell line REF and the digestive system (HC , SK-GT-4) cell lines under a variety of the seri
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Background: Facial disfigurement can be the result of a congenital anomaly, trauma or tumor surgery, in many cases the prosthetic rehabilitation is indicated. Maxillofacial prosthetic materials should have desirable and ideal physical, aesthetic, and biological properties and those properties should be kept for long period of time in order to reach patient acceptance. Silicone elastomer are the most commonly used material for facial restoration because of its favorable properties mechanically and physically as the biocompatibility and good elasticity. Aim of this study: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of addition of Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) Nano fillers in different concentrations on tear strength and hardness of VST 50F room tempe
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Background: The study was designed to evaluate the effect of local application of exogenous VEGF/collagen I separately and as a combination in socket healing. Sixty male Albino Wistar rats were subjected for a surgical tooth extraction of upper 1st molar of both sides (right side was considered as experimental site, while left be the control one, treated with 1µL of normal saline). The rats were scarified at 3, 7, 14, 28 days post extraction. Socket healing was histologically examined with immunohistochemistochemical localization of ALP&FGF2. Materials and Method: Sixty male Albino Wistar rats were subjected for a surgical tooth extraction of upper 1stmolar of both sides (right side was considered as experimental site, while left be the
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