Loading of fibrous filter media and newly designed filter configurations by salt particles: An experimental study

Various fibrous filter media, including surface filter media, depth filter media, woven and nonwoven filter media, were tested and particle loading capacity was calculated using bench‐scale setup via a new estimation approach which was proposed and experimentally verified with Novick‐Kozeny model. Multi‐element structured arrays (MESAs) developed by our research group were evaluated as well for particle loading capacity and filter lifetime on 24″ × 24″ full scale test rig (based on ASHRAE 52.2 Standard). Effects of varying filter media type, filter depth, pleat count and MESAs' element count on salt particle loading performance were experimentally investigated. The experimental studies showed that nonwoven activated carbon fiber filter media have allowed significantly higher salt particle loading capacity and longer useful lifetime compared to woven or nanofiber entrapped media. Furthermore, MESAs were able to significantly enhance loading capacity for salt particles and useful lifetime due to higher filtration area and lower filtration velocity. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3739–3750, 2016     

Characterization of 3D elastic porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cell scaffolds fabricated by VARTM and particle leaching

In this study, elastic porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cell scaffolds were fabricated by vacuum‐assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) and particle leaching technologies. To control the porous morphology and porosity, different processing parameters, such as compression load, compression time, and NaCl particle size for preparing NaCl preform, were studied. The porous structures of PDMS cell scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The properties of PDMS cell scaffolds, including porosity, water absorption, interconnectivity, compression modulus, and compression strength were also investigated. The results showed that after the porogen–NaCl particles had been leached, the remaining pores had the sizes of 150–300, 300–450, and 450–600 μm, which matched the sizes of the NaCl particles. The interconnectivity of PDMS cell scaffolds increases with an increase in the size of NaCl particles. It was also found that the smaller the size of the NaCl particles, the higher the porosity and water absorption of PDMS cell scaffolds. The content of residual NaCl in PDMS/NaCl scaffolds reduces under ultrasonic treatment. In addition, PDMS scaffolds with a pore size of 300–450 μm have better mechanical properties compared to those with pore sizes of 150–300 and 450–600 μm. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42909.     

Determination of trace macrolide antibiotics in milk with online solid‐phase extraction with an ionic‐liquid‐based monolithic column

An ionic liquid (IL)‐based monolithic poly(ionic liquid glycidylmethacrylate‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) column was prepared via in situ free‐radical polymerization with 1‐vinyl‐3‐butylimidazolium chlorine as one of the comonomers. The obtained monolithic column was used as the sorbent of solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of the macrolide antibiotics roxithromycin (ROX) and acetylspiramycin (ACE) in processed pure milk. The monolithic column was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen absorption–desorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results reveal that the monolithic column exhibited a high selectivity and good permeability to the macrolide antibiotics in milk. The optimized method offered excellent linearity with a linear regression coefficient greater than 0.998. The precisions for interday and intraday were both less than 7.7%. The accuracies expressed by the recoveries for ROX and ACE were in the ranges 92.5–103.8 and 93.0–107.6%, respectively. Compared to the previous methods, this method had a low limit of detection and a good accuracy. As a result, the polymer IL based monolithic column could feasibly be used as a high‐selectivity online SPE sorbent for determining trace macrolide antibiotics in milk. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43943.     

Template‐Free Synthesis of Porous Fe3O4/SiOC(H) Nanocomposites with Enhanced Catalytic Activity

We present a template‐free synthesis of Fe₃O₄/SiOC(H) nanocomposites with in situ formed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a size of about 50 nm embedded in a nanoporous SiOC(H) matrix obtained via a polymer‐derived ceramic route. Firstly, a single‐source precursor (SSP) was synthesized by the reaction of allylhydridopolycarbosilane (AHPCS) with Fe‐acetylacetonate [Fe(acac)₃] at 140°C. The SSP was heat‐treated at 170°C to generate Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals in the cross‐linked polymeric matrix. Subsequently, the SSP was pyrolyzed at 600°C–700°C in argon atmosphere to yield porous Fe₃O₄/SiOC(H) nanocomposites with the high BET surface area up to 390 m²/g, a high micropore surface area of 301 m²/g, and a high micropore volume of 0.142 cm³/g. The Fe‐free SiOC(H) ceramic matrix derived from original AHPCS is nonporous. The in situ formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded homogeneously within a nanoporous SiOC(H) matrix shows significantly enhanced catalytic degradation of xylene orange in aqueous solution with H₂O₂ as oxidant as compared with pure commercial Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles.     

Fabrication and Property of Mullite Whiskers Frameworks with an Ultrahigh Porosity by Expandable Mesocarbon Microbeads

Mullite whiskers frameworks with an ultrahigh porosity were fabricated by the vapor‐phase reaction of AlF₃, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ and adding expandable mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) as a pore‐forming agent. A large volume expansion of 122% for MCMB due to its layered structure occurred during the formation of mullite whiskers, resulting in the expansion of samples and high porosities of 87.7%–98.2% at 50–90 wt% MCMB contents. Perfect whiskers and a lap‐joint structure formed due to the formation of mullites through the vapor‐phase reaction. A bimodal pore structure was achieved from the spaces of the whiskers framework and burning of the expanded MCMB. High compressive strengths of 1.7 to 5.4 MPa were obtained for the porous mullite at porosities of 94.2%–87.7%, which suggested a rigid structure; these strengths at the ultrahigh porosities are attributed to the merit of the framework with high strength whiskers and their strong bonding.     

Measurement of ultralow permeability

A permeability measurement method based on perturbed pressure decay between a source and a sink communicating through a porous medium is formulated. Nonideality of gas as well as corrections due to adsorption are considered. The method allows us to infer permeability at a given rock and fluid state. The accuracy of the method may be evaluated through comparison with theoretical decay characteristics and its modal amplitudes. A quantitative evaluation of the experimental inference is therefore possible. Based on the pressure decay theory, an apparatus built in our laboratory for measuring permeability is presented. As a secondary output, data analysis also provides porosity. The lowest permeability that the present apparatus is capable of characterizing is about 0.3 nm², and with additional improvements, capability down to 0.05 nm² is anticipated. Where a steady‐state permeameter is pragmatic, excellent agreement between the two measurements is showed, validating the method. Measurements in synthetic samples also show that the method is accurate. Porosity data from a standard helium pycnometer confirm the porosity obtained from the decay method. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1278–1293, 2016     

Porous,Sintered Glass‐Ceramics from Inorganic Polymers Based on Fayalite Slag

The present paper deals with the synthesis of porous, sintered glass‐ceramics obtained at temperatures below 1150°C, originating from inorganic polymers based on fayalite slag. Firing led to the evaporation of water, dehydroxylation, and oxidation of Fe²⁺ above 345°C. For heating >700°C, the Si–O stretching band shifted from the 1160 and 750 cm^?1 to the 1255 and 830 cm^?1 region, due to a structural reorganization of the amorphous phase, whereas Fe–O bands appeared at 550 cm^?1. The final microstructure consisted predominantly of an amorphous phase, hematite, and franklinite. The open porosity and compressive strength decreased and increased, respectively, as the firing temperature increased. The final values suggest properties comparable to that of structural lightweight concrete, still, the materials synthesized herein, are lighter, and made primarily from secondary resources.     

Direct Ink Writing of a Preceramic Polymer and Fillers to Produce Hardystonite (Ca2ZnSi2O7) Bioceramic Scaffolds

The direct ink writing of an ink composed of a preceramic polymer and fillers was used to produce hardystonite (Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇) bioceramic scaffolds. Suitable formulations were developed for the extrusion of fine filaments (350 μm diameter) through a nozzle. The preceramic polymer was employed with the double purpose of contributing to the rheology of the ink by increasing its viscosity and of forming the hardystonite phase upon heat treatment by reacting with the fillers. A control of the rheology is essential when spanning features have to be produced, and therefore the main rheological characteristics of the inks were measured (flow curves, dynamic oscillation tests, viscosity recovery tests) and compared to models reported in the literature. Highly porous scaffolds (up to 80% total porosity) were produced and heat treated in air or in nitrogen atmosphere. The influence of the heat‐treatment atmosphere on the morphology, crystalline phase assemblage, and compressive strength of the scaffolds was investigated.     

Cell evolution and compressive properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene toughened and calcium carbonate reinforced polystyrene extrusion foams with supercritical carbon dioxide

Polystyrene (PS) foams have been used in various fields, whereas its broader application is limited by its low mechanical strength and brittle features. In this study, styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles were melt‐blended with PS and extrusion‐foamed with supercritical carbon dioxide as a blowing agent to simultaneously toughen and reinforce PS foams. Under the same foaming conditions, the addition of SBS and CaCO₃ was shown to have a significant influence on the cell structure and the compressive properties of the composite foams. We found that the cell structure evolution was highly correlated with the system viscosity. When the rubbery‐phase SBS content was 20%, the cell diameter decreased by 20.7%, and the compressive modulus was enhanced by 289.5%. With the further addition of 5% rigid CaCO₃ nanoparticles, the cell diameter was further reduced by 72.2% and the compressive modulus was improved by 379.2%. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43508.     

水分迁移对岛状冻土区埋地管道周围非稳态温度场的影响

多年冻土岛大多处于连续多年冻土和季节性冻土的过渡地带,沼泽化现象很普遍,对土壤热交换条件极其敏感。结合岛状冻土区土质条件及环境因素,建立饱和冻土多孔介质水热耦合模型并进行数值计算,研究水分迁移、冰水相变对冻土温度场和埋地原油管道非稳态传热的影响。对控制和减少因管基融沉导致的安全事故,保障管道长期稳定运营具有现实指导意义。