Fatty Acid Composition of Selected Fresh Water Gammarids (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphipoda</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crustacea</Emphasis>): A Potentially Innovative Source of Omega-3 LC PUFA

The aim of this work was to estimate the content and composition of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in selected gammarid species commonly occurring in fresh waters of Central and Western Europe. Five gammarid species were investigated, two native, one old invader consider as semi-native and two Ponto-Caspian species invading the area in the last decade. Lipid content of evaluated species ranged from 75 to 130 g kg⁻¹ of dry weight. Significant amounts of n-3 LC PUFA were found in the lipid fraction of analyzed gammarids 11–23% of total fatty acids, especially in the Ponto-Caspian species. The main n-3 fatty acid was EPA—up to 16% of total fatty acids. The ratio of n-6 to n-3 was nutritionally desirable, especially in the case of the Ponto-Caspian species. The results obtained and growing biomass of gammarids observed in fresh waters of Central and Western Europe, as well as the rapid depletion of sea fish communities leads us to the idea that these gammarids might be considered as a innovative source of n-3 LC PUFA for nutritional, pharmaceutical and animal feeding purposes.     

The antioxidant and anticorrosive properties of crude glycerol fraction from biodiesel production

BACKGROUND: Raw glycerol fractions as the waste material from biodiesel production were investigated for its antioxidant and anticorrosive properties. For comparison raw glycerol fractions and biodiesel fuels together with different oil feedstocks (as an input material for the transesterification process) were measured by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Additionally glycerol fractions were subjected to corrosivity testing (Herbert method). RESULTS: 1,2,3‐Propanetriol‐containing fractions exhibited high free radical scavenging properties, in comparison with biodiesel and oil material. Additionally, the Herbert test proved the anticorrosive ability of the crude glycerol fractions investigated. Radical scavenging (antioxidant) properties obtained from EPR spectroscopy paralleled the anticorrosive investigations, with samples having the highest quenching abilities giving the best results in the Herbert tests. CONCLUSION: The anticorrosive activity of glycerol fractions examined in this paper generates a new application in lubricant manufacturing. The results show new ways of utilising raw glycerol fraction without very costly and time‐consuming purification. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Porosity of polymer materials by various techniques

The porosity of porous copolymer 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-divinylbenzene has been studied by nitrogen adsorption, temperature programmed desorption, and positronium annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. It was shown that the pore structure characteristics depends on the swelling of the polymer material in various solvents. The structural features of polymeric materials restructured under different conditions are described and the structural changes are discussed. The applicability of PALS technique in structural investigations is presented.     

Poly(α-t-butoxy-ω-styrylo-glycidol): a new reactive surfactant

Summary Poly(α-t-butoxy-ω-styrylo-ethoxy ethyl glycidyl ether) was synthesized via the termination of the potassium t-butoxide initiated anionic polymerization of ethoxy ethyl glycidyl ether with p-chloromethylstyrene. The macromonomer was copolymerized with styrene. Subsequent hydrolysis of the copolymers leads to polystyrene - graft - polyglycidol. Poly(α-t-butoxy-ω-styrylo-glycidol), synthesized through the hydrolysis of the macromonomer so obtained, acts as reactive emulsifier (surfmer) in the emulsion copolymerization of styrene in water. Received: 13 January 1998/Revised version: 24 February 1998/Accepted: 5 March 1998     

Nanomechanical evaluation of nickel-titanium surface properties after alkali and electrochemical treatments.

In this paper, the suitability of alkali treatment followed by heat treatment at 600 degrees C, and spark oxidation for nickel-titanium, intended for medical applications such as pins, wires and clamps, was evaluated on the basis of nanomechanical and wear testing. In addition, the chemical composition and topography of the surface layer, wetting ability, corrosion resistance and influence of the heat treatment on structure of the alloy were also investigated. The results showed that the highest hardness was observed for alkali-treated samples, and this could be correlated with the structure of the sample that contained martensite and a higher phase transformation temperature. This treatment caused a very large increase of nickel in the top layer and decreased resistance in pitting corrosion. These results disqualified the treatment to be considered as useful for medical applications. On the other hand, the hardness of the oxidized samples was at the same level as that obtained for ground reference samples. Moreover, the oxide layer was enriched with phosphorus, and it was predominantly composed of TiO2 and phosphorus oxides. This 3.1 microm thick layer had good adhesion to the substrate as indicated by scratch testing and wear resistant in nanowear testing. However, the oxidation did not significantly increase the corrosion resistance of the alloy compared with reference samples.     

Electrochemical and high temperature physicochemical properties of orthorhombic LiMnO2

In this work we report the investigation of the structural and the electrical properties of orthorhombic LiMnO₂ in a wide temperature range in air and in high purity argon (N5). Also we present a correlation between the electrical and the electrochemical properties of the material upon lithium deintercalation. Moreover, its chemical stability against LiPF₆ based liquid electrolyte at elevated temperatures was measured and compared with other cathode materials.     

CFD Modeling of a Spouted-Bed Dryer Hydrodynamics

A hydrodynamic model based on continuity and conservation equations was used to predict flow behavior in a spouted-bed dryer with a draft tube. The Eulerian-Eulerian multi-fluid modeling approach was applied to predict a gas-solid flow behavior. The model was qualitatively validated and the results of simulations were compared with the experimental data published by various researchers. The model predicts flow behavior well with fluctuations, circulations of phases, and cluster formations in the loading region, as was observed in experiments. The predicted solids circulation rate and the fraction of gas bypassing were close to experimental values published for various systems. The coarse 2D axisymmetric grid, used in simulations, can handle the main process dependencies with a sufficient accuracy for engineering calculations.     

Modelling adaptation of the coal industry to sustainability conditions

Fossil fuels still constitute an important source of energy in the world, but they need to comply with more strict environmental requirements. The coal industry, the basic primary energy supplier to the Polish economy, not only faces new environmental regulations but also restructuring and changes in the industry's organisational structure. The issues of primary importance are the medium and long-term prospects of achieving a suitable quantity and quality of coal supplied, as well as suitable costs. The structure of power generation needs to adjust to emissions limits with given fuel supplies. The paper discusses the construction of a coal supply balancing system which has been developed and applied as a decision support for rational planning of the development of the Polish coal industry. It consists of two linked groups of models: coal supply and coal balancing. Such a structure allows it to respond to the problems emerging for the most part from new environmental regulations, and to select policies that will lead to sustainability in the industry.