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Ethanolysis is an effective method to depolymerize weak bonds in lignite under mild conditions, which can result in the production of high-value-added chemicals. However, improving ethanolysis yield and regulating its resulting product distribution is a big challenge. Hence, exploiting highly active catalysts is vital. In this work, Fe[sub.2](MoO[sub.4])[sub.3] catalysts with zero-dimensional nanoparticles, one-dimensional (1D) nanorods, two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets, and three-dimensional (3D) nanoflower structures were successfully prepared and applied in the ethanolysis of Naomaohu coal. The results showed that for all samples, the yield of ethanol-soluble portions (ESP) was significantly improved. The highest yield was obtained for the Fe[sub.2](MoO[sub.4])[sub.3] nanorods, with an increase from 28.84% to 47.68%, and could be attributed to the fact that the Fe[sub.2](MoO[sub.4])[sub.3] nanorods had a higher number of exposed active (100) facets. In addition, the amounts of oxygen-containing compounds, such as ethers, esters, and phenols, increased significantly. The mechanism of ethanolysis catalyzed by the Fe[sub.2](MoO[sub.4])[sub.3] nanorods was also studied using phenylbenzyl ether (BOB) as a model compound. BOB was completely converted at 260 °C after 2 h. It is suggested that Fe[sub.2](MoO[sub.4])[sub.3] nanorods can effectively break the C-O bonds of coal macromolecules, thus promoting the conversion of coal.

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is correlated with the first occurrences of earliest modern mammals in the Northern Hemisphere. The latest Paleocene Clarkforkian North American Land Mammal Age, that has yielded rodents and carnivorans, is the only exception to this rule. However, until now no pre-PETM localities have yielded modern mammals in Europe or Asia. We report the first Clarkforkian equivalent Land Mammal Age in the latest Paleocene deposits of the basal Sparnacian facies at Rivecourt, in the north-central part of the Paris Basin. The new terrestrial vertebrate and macroflora assemblages are analyzed through a multidisciplinary study including sedimentologic, stratigraphic, isotopic, and palynological aspects in order to reconstruct the paleoenvironment and to evaluate biochronologic and paleogeographic implications. The mammals are moderately diverse and not abundant, contrary to turtles and champsosaurs. The macroflora is exceptional in preservation and diversity with numerous angiosperms represented by flowers, fruits, seeds and wood preserved as lignite material, revealing an abundance of Arecaceae, Betulaceae, Icacinaceae, Menispermaceae, Vitaceae and probably Cornaceae. Results indicate a Late Paleocene age based on carbon isotope data, palynology and vertebrate occurrences such as the choristoderan Champsosaurus, the arctocyonid Arctocyon, and the plesiadapid Plesiadapis tricuspidens. However, several mammal species compare better with the earliest Eocene. Among these, the particular louisinid Teilhardimys musculus, also recorded from the latest Paleocene of the Spanish Pyrenees, suggests a younger age than the typical MP6 reference level. Nevertheless, the most important aspect of the Rivecourt fauna is the presence of dental remains of a rodent and a \"miacid\" carnivoran, attesting to the presence of two modern mammalian orders in the latest Paleocene of Europe. Interestingly, these two groups are also the only modern groups recorded from the latest Paleocene of North America, making Rivecourt the first direct equivalent to the Clarkforkian Land Mammal Age outside of North America.

An external thermal high-temperature continuous feed moving bed tubular reactor was used for the gasification of high moisture content lignite (30.41 wt.%) under CO[sub.2] and an auto-generated steam atmosphere. The objectives of this study are to illustrate the synergistic gasification characteristics of high moisture content lignite and CO[sub.2] in the tubular reactor; CO[sub.2] and auto-generated steam (steam released from the lignite) were used as gasification agents for lignite gasification. The effects of temperature and CO[sub.2] flow rate were also investigated. Experimental results showed that when the gasification temperature increased from 800 °C to 1000 °C, the H[sub.2] yield also increased from 8.45 mol kg[sup.−1] to 17.86 mol kg[sup.−1]. This may indicate that the H[sub.2]O-CO[sub.2] gasification of semi-coke was enhanced with the rise in temperature. At 900 °C, the gas yield increased with the increase in CO[sub.2] flow rate, while the yield of char and liquid product showed an opposite trend. The lower heating value of the H[sub.2]-rich syngas varied from 11.73 MJ m[sup.−3] to 12.77 MJ Nm[sup.−3]. The experimental results proved that the high moisture content lignite in-situ CO[sub.2] gasification process is an effective methodology for the clean and efficient utilization of lignite.

This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the properties of a binder based on high-calcium fly ash and silica fume with a complex additive consisting of calcium nitrate and magnesium chloride. The strength characteristics, the characteristics of the hydration process, and the phase composition of the hydration products of the binder were investigated. Silica fume was used to suppress the expansion of fly ash during hydration. A complex additive (CA) consisting of Ca(NO[sub.3])[sub.2] and MgCl[sub.2] provided a higher strength of binder than each of these salts separately. When testing a mortar with sand, the CA additive ensured that the strength of the specimens was 43.5% higher than the strength of the mortar with the addition of Ca(NO[sub.3])[sub.2] and 7.5% higher than the strength of the mortar with the MgCl[sub.2] additive. Calcium nitrate greatly accelerated the process of heat release in the first 60 min of binder hydration, and subsequently, conversely, slowed it down. The addition of MgCl[sub.2] gave a significantly greater thermal effect than Ca(NO[sub.3])[sub.2]. When the two salts acted together, even a small fraction of magnesium chloride (0.2 of CA) compensated for the retarding effect of calcium nitrate and provided heat release for the binder that was almost as good as that of MgCl[sub.2].

This paper is a continuation of the previous one (Widera, 2024. Acta Geologica Polonica, 74 (1), e2). A new, alternative interpretation of the tectonic development of two lignite-rich deposits in the Lubstów and Kleszczów grabens in central Poland is presented. The maximum thickness of lignite mined from both deposits is >86 and >250 m, respectively. These grabens were selected for detailed tectonic analysis because syn-depositional or post-depositional tectonic uplift is undeniably evident. The current study focuses on the distinction between tectonic subsidence/uplift and autocompactional subsidence, and on the timing of their occurrence. Such a research approach allows for the presentation of new conceptual models of Cenozoic tectonic evolution during the formation of the third, very thick, Ścinawa lignite seam (ŚLS-3) and the second Lusatian lignite seam (LLS-2). As a result, it is shown here that the magnitude of both the downward and upward tectonic movements are significantly smaller than previously thought. This new interpretation is also confirmed by the low rank of lignite coalification and the net calorific value of the ŚLS-3 and LLS-2.

Simonellite, C[sub.19]H[sub.24], was first described from the lignite deposit of Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy, in 1919. Its crystal structure was solved and refined in the 1960s on the basis of recrystallized individuals. Notwithstanding several studies on this species, no type material has ever been reported. Following a new finding of simonellite, its crystal structure was re-examined using a natural crystal. Simonellite is orthorhombic, with space group Pnaa and unit-cell parameters a = 9.2220(5), b = 9.1269(5), c = 35.8907(17) Å, V = 3020.9(3) Å[sup.3]. Its crystal structure was refined to R [sub.1] = 0.0513 for 2721 unique reflections with F [sub.o] > 4σ(F) and 244 refined parameters. Since no type material for this species is currently known, the studied material is defined as a neotype specimen for simonellite. It is deposited in the mineralogical collection of the Museo di Storia Naturale of the University of Pisa under catalogue number 20079.

Poland is among the top ten countries in the world in terms of lignite resources (including reserves). With respect to lignite mining, its position is even higher at sixth in the world, fourth in Europe and second in the European Union (EU). The role of lignite in the Polish energy mix is crucial because ~27% of electricity was generated in lignite-fired power plants in 2022. However, there are countries in Europe where the dependence on lignite is much greater and currently in the range of 40–96%. B oth the national and EU climate energy policy assumes the abandonment of lignite as a source of ‘dirty’ electricity within the next two decades. This ambitious goal is achievable but it may be threatened by the geopolitical situation. However, after 2040–2044, a large number of lignite deposits will remain in Poland. The deposits are well recognized and the detailed geology is well documented, with the estimated reserves intended for exploitation amounting to 5.8 Gt. These deposits, like the five which are currently mined, are stratigraphically diverse and characterized by a complex geology, representing different genetic types. In the context of a coal-free energy policy in the EU, the problem of the legal protection of lignite deposits remains. Thus, the question arises of what is next for Polish lignite deposits. They may be managed in the coming decades by using improved unconventional methods, such as in situ or ex situ gasification. Lignite deposits will constitute a strategic reserve in the event of a deep energy crisis caused by an unstable geopolitical situation. Finally, we suggest the urgent introduction of more precise legal changes that would protect at least part of the lignite resources in Poland for future generations.

This paper presents the results of sorption tests against selected gaseous pollutants SO[sub.2], CO[sub.2] and H[sub.2]O on geopolymer materials obtained from high-calcium fly ash from lignite power generation. In the synthesis process, activation of geopolymer materials was carried out using KOH and NaOH. It was found that the activating agent significantly affects the porous structure of the samples. The sorption experiments conducted for the KOH-activated sample showed high SO[sub.2] adsorption efficiency, almost ten times higher than against CO[sub.2]. The results demonstrate the possibility of utilizing fly ash obtained from the lignite energy processing sector for the synthesis of geopolymers with potential application of the materials as functional plastering compounds.

The Konin region is widely considered to be the cradle of lignite mining in Poland, having probably exploited as early as the 12 century on the outskirts of the present-day town of Konin. However, not until the first half of the 20th century were lignite-rich deposits discovered. In turn, industrial lignite mining in this region was initiated by the Germans during the Second World War and has been continued by Polish crews since 1945. Thus, 80 years of Polish history of Konin Lignite Mine (KLM) will be celebrated in 2025. Over eight decades, KLM has launched several opencasts, only one of which remains at the start of 2025. During this time, hundreds of millions of tonnes of lignite (646.1 million tonnes) have been mined. In order to extract such large quantities of lignite, billions of cubic metres of water (6.14 billion m ) and overburden (3.59 billion m ) had to be pumped out and removed, respectively. In this way, the natural environment in the vicinity of Konin was strongly transformed geologically, hydrogeologically and geomorphologically. The results of these changes include numerous anthropogenic hills (external dumps) and water reservoirs (mining lakes). They, along with other post-mining areas, have been subject to reclamation since at least the 1970s. KLM is carrying out reclamation works in the following directions: water, forest, agricultural, recreational, etc. It is currently expected that lignite mining in the Konin region will most likely end in 2026–2027.