This paper presents a preliminary study of SiC production by use of natural gas for reduction of silica.

Due to global warming, technologies reducing CO2 emissions in the metallurgical industry are being sought. One possibility is to use bio-coke as a substitute for classic coke made of 100% fossil coal. Bio-coke can be produced on the basis of coal with the addition of substances of biomass origin. Blends for the production of bio-coke should have appropriate coke-making properties to ensure the appropriate quality of bio-coke. The article presents the results of the research on the influence of the addition (up to 20%) of bio-components of different origins to the coke blend on its coke-making properties, i.e., Gieseler Fluidity, Arnu—Audibert Dilatation and Roga Index. The bio-components used in the research were raw and thermally processed waste biomass of different origins (forestry: beech and alder woodchips; sawmill: pine sawdust; and the food industry: hazelnut shells and olive kernels) and commercial charcoal. Studies have shown that both the amount of additive and the type of additive affect the obtained coking properties. There was a decrease in fluidity, dilatation and Roga Index values, with more favorable results obtained for the addition of carbonized biomass and for additives with a higher apparent density. A regressive mathematical model on the influence of the share of the additive and its properties (oxygen content and apparent density) on the percentage decrease in fluidity was also developed.

The technology of solar-powered aerial vehicles requires enormous financial support and further development. For this purpose, the computational fluid dynamic can be used. In order to carry out necessary analyses and model development in this research, ANSYS Fluent software was used. Using the first version of the AGH Solar Plane model, preliminary analysis of lift, drag and tearing off the stream were performed. Numerical experiments made it possible to verify many various profiles and final selection that the best suits the target model. Through these studies, it was also possible to analyse fluid flow at various speeds and angles of attack. This provided an insight into important aspects of vehiclesaerodynamic design, which should be taken into account when making the second model version. At this stage, the classical and laminar - Wortmann aerodynamic profiles were selected on the basis of the aerodynamic perfection criterion. Moreover, four new geometries were prepared on which the flattening of upper surfaces (for fixing solar panels) was tested. The results of the numerical analysis were validated in the aerodynamic tunnel using particle image velocimetry method. Taking into account all analyses, a number of recommendations have been prepared that will be implemented in order to create an aircraft, which meets all target requirements. Some of these hints were: testing new ways of connecting the wing to the nacelle, which would reduce the drag as well as considering the usage of winglets in order to minimize induced drag.

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