Influence of two-step process and of different stoichiometric ratios on morphologies generated in castor oil epoxy resins

Phase separation during polymerization was studied in a model system consisting of a diepoxide based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), variable amounts of ethylenediamine (EDA) and the mass of castor oil (CO) necessary to obtain a mass fraction equal to 0-15 in a final system where the stoichiometric ratio of amine to epoxy equivalents, r, was equal to 1. A two-step polymerization process was performed by curing first a system with r = 0-5, during variable times before phase separation, and then carrying the system to r = 1. Thermodynamic analysis of samples with different r values led to a linear relationship between the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter and r. The concentration (P) and average size (D?) of dispersed-phase particles followed opposite trends, i.e. P increased while D? decreased, when either r was increased or the time of curing in the first step of a two-step process was decreased. This was explained by assuming that the competition between nucleation and growth was determined by the viscosity at the cloud point, η_cp. Low values of η_cp favoured growth over nucleation and led to fewer but larger particles.     

In-chain functionalization by alternating anionic copolymerization of styrene and 1-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-1-phenylethylene

Anionic copolymerizations of styrene (M₁) with excess 1-(4-dimethyl-aminophenyl)-1-phenylethylene (M₂) were conducted in benzene at 25°C for 24h, using sec-butyllithium as initiator. Narrow molecular weight distribution copolymers with M?;_n = 16.1 × 10³ g/mol (M?_w/M?_n = 1.04) and 38.2 × 10³g/mol (M?_w/M?_n = 1.05), and 24 and 38 moles of M₂ per macromolecule, respectively, were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and DSC. The monomer reactivity ratio, r₁ = 5.6, was obtained from the copolymer composition at complete consumption of M₁, assuming that the rate constant k₂₂ =0,i.e. r₂ =0. The polymers exhibited T_g values of 128 and 119°C, respectively, which correspond to an estimated T_g = 217°C for the hypothetical homopolymer of M₂.     

Mashing of rice with barley malt under non-conventional process conditions for use in food processes

Non-conventional mashing conditions are relevant in the development of a lactic acid-fermented soymilk beverage where mashed rice is the source of carbohydrates for the fermentation and sweetness of the beverage. Advantages in the process layout could be achieved by mashing at higher pH and lower malt concentrations than normally used in the brewing industry. the work reported here assessed the consequences of mashing under non-conventional conditions. Malt concentration in the cereal part was varied from 25% to 70% (w/w), pH was varied within 5.3 to 7.1, and prolongation of the holding times at 50°C and 62°C was investigated. Regression equations have been established for predicting yields of soluble protein, low molecular weight sugars and total fermentability as functions of pH and malt concentration. the results showed that the maltose yield was constant while glucose, maltotriose and total fermentable sugar yields decreased slightly with increasing pH and decreasing malt concentration. Prolonged mash holding times at 50°C and 62°C gave minor increases in protein yields only. It is concluded that it is quite acceptable to use non-conventional mashing conditions when a mashing step is integrated in other food processes.     

Phase equilibria of quasi-binary systems consisting of multicomponent polymers 1 and 2. IV: Poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) systems

To confirm the reliability of the theory of phase equibria of multicomponent polymer 1/multicomponent polymer 2 systems (i.e. quasi-binary systems) and the method of computer experiment based on this theory (Brit. Polym. J., 23 (1990)285; 23 (1990)299; Polym. Int., 29 (1992)219), could point curves (CPC), two-phase volume ratios ( R ) and critical solution points (CSP) have been determined experimentally for the quasi-binary mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide) (M¯_w = 647, M¯_w/M¯_n = 1.15; M¯_w and M¯_n, the weight-average and numberaverage molecular weights, respectively) and poly(propylene oxide) (M¯_w = 2028, M¯_w/M¯_n = 1.08; and M_w = 2987, M_w/M_n = 1.13). The hydroxyl end groups of both polymers were methoxylated in advance by the Cooper & Booth method (Polymer, 18 (1977)164). The thermodynamic interaction parameter between both polymers, χ₁₂, and the concentration dependence parameters for the above quasi-binary systems were determined by the method proposed in a previous paper (Brit. Polym. J., 23 (1990)299). CPC, R and CSP values calculated on the basis of the theory are in good agreement with the values determined experimentally.     

Solubility of amaranth seed proteins in sodium sulphate and sodium chloride: the main factor in quantitative extraction for analysis

Nitrogen was extracted more efficiently from amaranth seed with 0.04 M Na₂SO₄ (5% w/v) than with either 0.09 M or 0.17 M NaCl (5% or 10% w/v), despite both solutions having the same ionic strength (μ= 1). Solubility of saline soluble proteins (albumin ± globulin) was very poor in either water or 1M NaCl, but increased in 0.4M NaCl at alkaline pH between 7 and 10. Globulins were very soluble in 0.4M NaCl at a pH 9. Albumin was the main storage protein. Saline soluble proteins formed very weak gels.     

Impregnation of X Zeolite with Alkaline Hydroxide During the Synthesis

Enhancement of the basic properties of the X zeolite with FAU framework has been carried out during synthesis, without further treatment such as ion-exchange or impregnation. Control of the washing stage enables retention of the optimum amount of alkaline hydroxides, which increases the basic catalytic activity of X zeolite in the alkylation of toluene. This alkaline hydroxides neither affect the FAU framework nor the silicon/aluminium molar ratio of the X zeolite. The optimum (Na + K)/Al molar ratio of the improved catalyst was 1.06 corresponding to a washing volume of 200 mL. This X zeolite presented better catalytic activity than a cesium-zeolite prepared by ion-exchange. The presence of hydroxysodalite impurity in the X zeolite increased the amount of impregnated alkaline hydroxides but not the catalytic activity. The present study shows that it is possible to increase the basic properties of the X zeolite directly in the synthesis process.     

Effect of incipient removal of hydrogen through palladium membrane on the conversion of methane steam reforming: Experimental and modeling

This paper presents a mathematical model based on the reaction rate expressions to describe the displacement of methane conversion in the steam reforming. The effect of several parameters including weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), load-to-surface ratio, reaction pressure, hydrogen partial pressure in permeate side and reaction temperature were investigated. Simulation and experimental results showed that a conversion higher than 80% could be achieved in a palladium membrane reactor at reaction temperature of 500 °C relative to 850 °C in a conventional fixed bed reactor (FBR). Besides, the yield of CO (<2%) in membrane reactor was much lower than that (>50%) in the FBR, which indicated the significant depression of CO production in use of membrane reactor.     

Influence of depth-thickness ratio of mining on the stability of a bedding slope with its sliding surface in concave deformation

In order to study the influence of depth-thickness ratio on bedding slope stability, whose sliding surface is flexural concave in shape under mining conditions, this paper aims to study the characteristics of deformation and damage of bedding sliding with depth-thickness ratios of 200:1, 150:1, 120:1, 100:1 and 50:1by adopting numerical simulation analysis software combined with laboratory-made ‘‘under the influence of mining variable sliding surface slope similar simulation test bed", and to propose identification methods for slope stability under the influence of mining. The results show that mining activities under the slope reduce slope stability. With a decrease in the mining depth ratio, the influence of mining on the slope increases gradually, and the damage to the slope gradually expands, the stability of the slope gradually reduces, fracture occurs on the slope toe and the central fissure gradually develops to the surface,and reaches slide threshold when the depth-thickness ratio is 50:1.     

铝—钢双金属复合轧制层厚比及轧制力的研究

用实验方法研究了铝－钢双金属复合轧制时层厚比的变化规律。给出了双金属复合时轧制力的计算式。