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Depositional environment and redox conditions of the Moncorvo Ironstone: Unveiling the evolution of ironstones under Rheic Ocean influence
Publication . Urbano, Emilio Evo Magro Correa; Preto Gomes, Maria Elisa; Pinto de Meireles, Carlos Augusto; Brandão, Paulo Roberto Gomes; Hippertt, Joa Pedro T.M.; Scholz, Ricardo; Lana, Cristiano
ABSTRACT: Ironstones, as key archives of past marine environments, provide invaluable insights into Paleozoic history. Their mineralogy may reflect the physical-chemical conditions of the environment and the nature of available sediments. This study focuses on the Moncorvo Ironstone, a Lower-Middle Ordovician deposit formed during the opening of the Rheic Ocean. Here, we use an integrated approach combining sedimentology, petrology, and geochemistry to constrain the depositional settings and the redox landscape associated with the ironstone deposition. The Moncorvo Ironstone present some unusual characteristics, such as the lack of ooids, an uncommon mineralogy, and a stratigraphic thickness that can reach over >45 m, a remarkable feature for an ironstone. Our investigation reveals that this iron-rich sequence is distributed in two distinct marine environments: an inner shelf and a middle to distal shelf. Each environment has a unique mineral assemblage. Despite the influence of metamorphism and deformation, evidence suggests that much of the mineralogy and texture of this deposit still preserve characteristics of the original sediments. Finally, our findings, alongside a careful assessment of the mineralogy of other ironstones of similar age, suggest a strong stratification of the Rheic Ocean throughout the Early and Middle Ordovician.
Ranked Mappable Criteria for Magmatic Units: Systematization of the Ossa-Morena Zone Rift-Related Alkaline Bodies
Publication . Roseiro, José; Moreira, Noel; de Oliveira, Daniel Pipa Soares; Silva, Marcelo; Eguiluz, Luis; Nogueira, Pedro
ABSTRACT: The Ossa-Morena Zone (SW Iberian Massif) hosts the largest set of Cambro-Ordovician alkaline magmatic plutons related to the Palaeozoic rifting of the northern Gondwana margin so far described. An organized framework for their classification at different scales is proposed through data-driven ranks based on their distinctive petrological features relative to other rift-related magmatic rocks found throughout western Europe. The classification method aims to enhance geological mapping at different scales, regional- and continental-scale correlations, and, as such, facilitate the petrogenetic interpretation of this magmatism. The hierarchical scheme, from highest to lowest rank, is as follows: rank-1 (supersuite) assembles rocks that have distinctive characteristics from other magmatic units emplaced in the same magmatic event; rank-2 (suite) categorizes the units based on their major textural features, indicating if the body is plutonic, sub-volcanic, or a strongly deformed magmatic-derived unit; rank-3 (subsuite) clusters according to their spatial arrangement (magmatic centres) or association to larger structures (e.g., shear zones or alignments); rank-4, the fundamental mapping unit, characterizes the lithotype (alkaline granite, alkaline gabbro, syenite, albitite, etc.) by considering higher ranks (alkalinity and textural aspects); rank-5 characterizes the geometry of individual plutons (with several intrusions) or swarms; rank-6 (smallest mappable unit) corresponds to each intrusion or individual body from a swarm. Although this classification scheme is currently presented solely for the Ossa-Morena Zone, the scheme can be easily extended to incorporate other co-magmatic alkaline bodies, such as those in the NW Iberian allochthonous units or other peri-Gondwanan zones or massifs, in order to facilitate regional correlations of the rift-related magmatism.
Dynamic Line Rating Models and Their Potential for a Cost-Effective Transition to Carbon-Neutral Power Systems
Publication . Estanqueiro, Ana; Algarvio, Hugo; Couto, António; Michiorri, Andrea; Salas, Sergio; Pudjianto, Danny; Hagglund, Per; Dobschinski, Jan; Bolgaryn, Roman; Kanefendt, Thomas; Gentle, Jake; Alam, S. M. Shafiul; Priest, Zachary M.; Abboud, Alexander W.
ABSTRACT: Most transmission system operators (TSOs) currently use seasonally steady-state models considering limiting weather conditions that serve as reference to compute the transmission capacity of overhead power lines. The use of dynamic line rating (DLR) models can avoid the construction of new lines, market splitting, false congestions, and the degradation of lines in a cost-effective way. DLR can also be used in the long run in grid extension and new power capacity planning. In the short run, it should be used to help operate power systems with congested lines. The operation of the power systems is planned to have the market trading into account; thus, it computes transactions hours ahead of real-time operation, using power flow forecasts affected by large errors. In the near future, within a "smart grid" environment, in real-time operation conditions, TSOs should be able to rapidly compute the capacity rating of overhead lines using DLR models and the most reliable weather information, forecasts, and line measurements, avoiding the current steady-state approach that, in many circumstances, assumes ampacities above the thermal limits of the lines. This work presents a review of the line rating methodologies in several European countries and the United States. Furthermore, it presents the results of pilot projects and studies considering the application of DLR in overhead power lines, obtaining significant reductions in the congestion of internal networks and cross-border transmission lines.
Thermal Stability and Irradiation Resistance of (CrFeTiTa)70W30 and VFeTiTaW High Entropy Alloys
Publication . Pereira, André; Martins, Ricardo; Monteiro, Bernardo; Correia, Jose B.; Galatanu, Andrei; Catarino, Norberto; Jenus, Petra; Dias, Marta
ABSTRACT: Nuclear fusion is a promising energy source. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor aims to study the feasibility of tokamak-type reactors and test technologies and materials for commercial use. One major challenge is developing materials for the reactor's divertor, which supports high thermal flux. Tungsten was chosen as the plasma-facing material, while a CuCrZr alloy will be used in the cooling pipes. However, the gradient between the working temperatures of these materials requires the use of a thermal barrier interlayer between them. To this end, refractory high-entropy (CrFeTiTa)70W30 and VFeTiTaW alloys were prepared by mechanical alloying and sintering, and their thermal and irradiation resistance was evaluated. Both alloys showed phase growth after annealing at 1100 degrees C for 8 days, being more pronounced for higher temperatures (1300 degrees C and 1500 degrees C). The VFeTiTaW alloy presented greater phase growth, suggesting lower microstructural stability, however, no new phases were formed. Both (as-sintered) alloys were irradiated with Ar+ (150 keV) with a fluence of 2.4 x 1020 at/m2, as well as He+ (10 keV) and D+ (5 keV) both with a fluence of 5 x 1021 at/m2. The morphology of the surface of both samples was analyzed before and after irradiation showing no severe morphologic changes, indicating high irradiation resistance. Additionally, the VFeTiTaW alloy presented a lower deuterium retention (8.58%) when compared to (CrFeTiTa)70W30 alloy (14.41%).
Tetrahedrite Nanocomposites for High Performance Thermoelectrics
Publication . Coelho, Rodrigo; Moço, Duarte; Sá, Ana; Luz, Paulo P. da; Neves, Filipe; Cerqueira, Maria de Fátima; Lopes, E.B.; Brito, Francisco; Mangelis, Panagiotis; Kyratsi, Theodora; Pereira Gonçalves, Antonio
ABSTRACT: Thermoelectric (TE) materials offer a promising solution to reduce green gas emissions, decrease energy consumption, and improve energy management due to their ability to directly convert heat into electricity and vice versa. Despite their potential, integrating new TE materials into bulk TE devices remains a challenge. To change this paradigm, the preparation of highly efficient tetrahedrite nanocomposites is proposed. Tetrahedrites were first prepared by solid state reaction, followed by the addition of MoS2 nanoparticles (NPs) and hot-pressing at 848 K with 56 MPa for a duration of 90 min to obtain nanocomposites. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM-EDS, and Raman spectroscopy to evaluate the composites' matrix and NP distribution. To complement the results, lattice thermal conductivity and the weighted mobility were evaluated. The NPs' addition to the tetrahedrites resulted in an increase of 36% of the maximum figure of merit (zT) comparatively with the base material. This increase is explained by the reduction of the material's lattice thermal conductivity while maintaining its mobility. Such results highlight the potential of nanocomposites to contribute to the development of a new generation of TE devices based on more affordable and efficient materials.