Rapid Pyrolysis of Wheat Straw in a Bench‐Scale Circulating Fluidized‐Bed Downer Reactor

The effects of acid washing treatment on the pyrolysis product distribution and product properties were investigated in a bench‐scale circulating fluidized‐bed (CFB) downer reactor with wheat straw as feedstock. The acid treatment not only removes most of the inorganic species present in the biomass but also alters the distribution of the remaining organic constituents. It was found that the removal of the inorganic species increases the yield of liquid product and reduces char formation and gas yield. CO and CO₂ are the dominant components in the gaseous product, accounting for over 90 %. The concentration of CO in the gaseous product increases after acid treatment, while the CO₂ concentration decreases. The oxygen and water contents in the liquid product are decreased on acid treatment, leading to a relatively high heating value and viscosity. More volatiles can be found in the char derived from the acid‐treated wheat straw than from the raw wheat straw. This may suggest that a longer residence time is needed for pyrolysis of the acid‐treated wheat straw in order to obtain the maximal yield of volatile matter.     

Catalytic organosolv fractionation of willow wood and wheat straw as pretreatment for enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis

BACKGROUND: Ethanol‐based organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass is an effective pretreatment technology for enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis to produce sugars and lignin within a biorefinery. This study focuses on the catalytic effect of H₂SO₄, HCl, and MgCl₂ on organosolv pretreatment of willow wood and wheat straw. RESULTS: The use of catalysts improved fractionation of both feedstocks. The maximum enzymatic cellulose digestibility obtained was 87% for willow wood (using 0.01 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ as catalyst) and 99% for wheat straw (0.02 mol L^?1 HCl). Non‐catalytic organosolv fractionation at identical conditions resulted in 74% (willow wood) and 44% (wheat straw) glucose yield by enzymatic hydrolysis. Application of catalysts in organosolv pretreatment was particularly effective for wheat straw. The influence of the acid catalysts was found to be primarily due to their effect on the pH of the organosolv liquor. Acid catalysts particularly promoted xylan hydrolysis. MgCl₂ was less effective than the acid catalysts, but it seemed to more selectively improve delignification of willow wood. CONCLUSION: Application of catalysts in organosolv pretreatment of willow wood and wheat straw was found to substantially improve fractionation and enzymatic digestibility. The use of catalysts can contribute to achieving maximum utilization of lignocellulosic biomass in organosolv‐based biorefineries. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Wheat straw acid hydrolysate as a potential cost‐effective feedstock for production of bacterial cellulose

BACKGROUND: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extracellular biopolymer product of vinegar bacteria, which is widely used in many areas. However, problems of high production cost have prevented widescale extension of BC applications. In this work, BC was produced using wheat straw hydrolysates prepared by dilute acid hydrolysis instead of the usual carbon sources, with the aim of decreasing the production costs of BC. RESULTS: In order to remove microbial growth inhibitors, wheat straw hydrolysates were detoxified by treatment with various alkalis including calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and ammonia, and their combination with activated charcoal or laccase. Results showed that the detoxification effect using calcium hydroxide was much better than that with the other alkalis. The BC yield using hydrolysate treated with Ca(OH)₂ and activated charcoal was at least 50% higher than that using routine carbon sources. Additionally, the ions of Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ in the hydrolysates had important and positive effects on BC production while Cl^? exhibited negative effects. CONCLUSION: Wheat straw was shown to be a suitable feedstock for BC production, and a process was established for BC production from lignocellulosic feedstocks using a detoxification treatment. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Residuum catalytic cracking: effect of composition of vacuum tower bottoms on yield structure

Three vacuum tower bottoms (VTB), diluted in hydrogenated vacuum gas oil (VGO) from the Syncrude operation, were assessed as feedstocks for fluid catalytic cracking by estimating the yields of the major products. The coke yields for various concentrations of VTB (up to 50 wt%) in the diluent were estimated by the modified Voorhies equation. Yields of coke and the other products from the pure VTBs were obtained by extrapolation of the diluent data. The results indicated that VTB from British Columbia light crude mix was superior to that from Albertan IPL crude blend. The poorest-quality feedstock was the VTB from Athabasca bitumen. The VGO diluent did not improve the yield structure from IPL VTB compared with previous results. Additive and catalytic coke yields were determined and correlated with feedstock characteristics. Similarly, the maximum yields of C₃ + and C₅ + gasolines were correlated with the amounts of conversion precursors in the feedstocks.     

Simulation of a Commercial Semiregenerative Reforming Plant Using Feedstocks with and without Benzene Precursors

This paper describes the use of kinetic and reactor modeling to simulate the behavior of a commercial semi‐regenerative reforming unit when two feedstocks (with and without benzene precursors) are employed. The feed without benzene precursors was prepared by fractionation of a typical reforming feed. A cut point of 88 °C was selected because most of the C₅–C₆ light naphtha is excluded. This cut point was not deep enough to remove the main benzene precursor, cyclohexane, but other precursors, i.e. methylcyclopentane and n‐hexane, were almost totally eliminated. It was decided not to increase this cut point value beyond 88 °C because this would reduce the flowrate of the feedstock to the reforming unit, which is not convenient due to refineries gasoline production policies. It has been shown that naphtha fractionation is a very good method for reducing the content of benzene precursors in reforming feedstocks, and consequently an important decrease in reformate benzene concentration can be achieved.     

Synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on Al2O3 supported Ni catalysts in a fluidized‐bed

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized on Al₂O₃ supported Ni catalysts from C₂H₂ and C₂H₄ feedstocks in a fluidized bed. The influence of the ratio of superficial gas velocity to the minimum fluidization velocity (U/U_mf), feedstock type, the ratio of carbon in the total quantity of gas fed to the reactor, reaction temperature, the ratio of hydrogen to carbon in the feed gas, and nickel loading were all investigated. Significantly, the pressure drop across the fluidized‐bed increased as the reaction time increased for all experiments, due to the deposition of MWNTs on the catalyst particles. This resulted in substantial changes to the depth and structure of the fluidized bed as the reaction proceeded, significantly altering the bed hydrodynamics. TEM images of the bed materials showed that MWNTs, metal catalysts, and alumina supports were predominant in the product mixture, with some coiled carbon nanotubes as a by‐product. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Fabrication of hydrotalcite containing N/P/S and its ternary synergistic efficiency on thermostability and fire resistance of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)

Nitrate intercalated hydrotalcite (NO₃^?‐HTC) was first prepared as precursor; a schiff base derivative containing N, P, and S was synthesized and its structure was characterized. Later the schiff base derivative was used as intercalation to replace NO₃^? in hydrotalcite. The final product was schiff base derivative intercalated hydrotalcite, which was named as benzaldehyde–taurine–hypophosphorous (BTP)‐HTC. The results showed both NO₃^?‐HTC and BTP‐HTC can effectively improve the flame retardant and thermostability of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In cone calorimeter test, the peak heat release rate of EVA was 1421.2 kW/m² and reduced sharply to 746.1/584.5 kW/m² for 20 wt% NO₃^?‐HTC/BTP‐HTC adding, respectively. At same time, the total heat release was also decreased from 120.6 MJ/m² for EVA to 81.0/70.0 MJ/m², respectively. Morphology observation and composition analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) documented the residue left after combustion of EVA/NO₃^?‐HTC was just ash containing Mg and Al; but for EVA/BTP‐HTC, coherent char layer containing Mg, Al, and P was left. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal degradation of EVA was prolonged by either NO₃^?‐HTC or BTP‐HTC; and char content was kept to 8.6% and 11.0%, respectively. The whole results documented either NO₃^?‐HTC or BTP‐HTC improved the combustion behavior and thermostability of EVA, and BTP‐HTC showed excellent effect. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:255–261, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mineralization of bisphenol A by advanced oxidation processes

BACKGROUND: Endocrine disruptors, as in the case of bisphenol A (BPA), are increasingly found in aqueous effluents. The degree of mineralization of a bisphenol A (BPA) aqueous solution after applying several oxidation treatments has been investigated. RESULTS: UV‐C photolysis of BPA allowed calculation of the quantum yield, ϕ_λ=254 = 0.045 ± 0.005 mol Einstein⁻¹ but only 15% of the initial organic carbon content (TOC) was eliminated. Better results (80% conversion) were obtained after TiO₂ addition. Ozone inmediately reacts with BPA. Again, TiO₂ addition in the presence of O₃ was capable of increasing the mineralization level (60%). The photolytic ozonation of BPA was capable of completely eliminating TOC. The presence of activated carbon in the O₃/UV and O₃/UV/TiO₂ systems significantly enhanced the TOC removal reaction rate (100% conversion in 20 min). CONCLUSIONS: Processes such as ozonation or photolysis are capable of efficiently removing BPA from water however, mineralization levels are rather low. Addition of TiO₂ to O₃ or UV‐C significantly enhances TOC removal. The remaining organics still account for an average 20–40% of the initial organic carbon. The combination of O₃/UV‐C is capable of completely mineralizing BPA. Activated carbon and/or TiO₂ addition to the system O₃/UV‐C improves the TOC depletion rate. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparative study of cellulose isolated by totally chlorine‐free method from wood and cereal straw

Highly purified cellulose preparations were obtained by pretreatment of dewaxed barley straw, oil palm frond fiber, poplar wood, maize stems, wheat straw, rice straw, and rye straw with 2.0% H₂O₂ at 45°C and pH 11.6 for 16 h, and sequential purification with 80% acetic acid–70% nitric acid (10/1, v/v) at 120°C for 15 min. The purified cellulose obtained was relatively free of bound hemicelluloses (2.3–3.2%) and lignin (0.4–0.6%) and had a yield of 35.5% from barley straw, 39.6% from oil palm frond fiber, 40.8% from poplar wood, 36.0% from maize stems, 34.1% from wheat straw, 23.4% from rice straw, and 35.8% from rye straw. The weight‐average molecular weights of the purified cellulose ranged from 39,030 to 48,380 g/mol. The thermal stability of the purified cellulose was higher than that of the corresponding crude cellulose. In comparison, the isolated crude and purified cellulose samples were also studied by Fourier transform IR and cross‐polarization/magic‐angle spinning ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 322–335, 2005     

Odor‐Free Lignin from Lignocellulose by Means of High Pressure Unit Operations: Process Design,Assessment and Validation

In this work a process for the production of odor‐free lignin from wheat straw using solely water, enzymes and CO₂ is described. Wheat straw pellets are pretreated by liquid hot water and enzymatic hydrolysis in a pilot plant with a capacity of 40 L, which enables the production of 3 – 4 kg of Aquasolv lignin per batch. Dried lignin samples are further treated using supercritical CO₂, resulting into extraction of a large number of odorous free fatty acids and volatile organic compounds. All process steps can be sequentially conducted in a fixed‐bed via different sustainable solvents in a throughput regime.     

Cleavage of Carboxylic Acid Moieties in Triacylglycerides During Non‐Catalytic Pyrolysis

Noncatalytic pyrolysis of triacylglyceride (TG) oils is an attractive option for production of renewable fuels and chemicals. This process produces 20–30 wt% of C₂–C₁₀ fatty acids due to the presence of carboxyl moieties in TG. To decipher this process’ mechanism, several compositionally distinct crop oil feedstocks with varied abundances of C₁₈ saturated and unsaturated TG carboxylic acid chains were pyrolyzed for short residence times in a laboratory‐scale continuous turbulent flow reactor. A comprehensive gas chromatographic analysis of the oxygenated products revealed the selective formation of linear saturated monocarboxylic acids (LSMCA) of less than C₁₁ in size, with a specific homological pattern featuring peaks for C₂–C₃, C₇ and C₉–C₁₀ LSMCA. The relative abundance of these size groups varied amongst the feedstocks cracked due to variations in the abundance of triunsaturated (linolenic), diunsaturated (linoleic) and monounsaturated (oleic) acids, respectively, in the original TG. We proposed a mechanism explaining the observed product speciation and homology profiles by the formation of acyloxyl biradicals as essential intermediates. High‐temperature C=C π‐bond hydrogenation with a concomitant σ‐bond cleavage yields C₉–C₁₀ LSMCA. This new path was confirmed by pyrolysis experiments with triolein in a GC pyroprobe.     

Extraction,purification and characterization of wax from flax (Linum usitatissimum) straw

The chemical composition and selected physical parameters of wax extracted from flax straw with supercritical CO₂ (SC‐CO₂) and hexane have been determined. From the GC/MS results, clear variations in composition and component distributions were observed between SC‐CO₂‐ and hexane‐extracted samples. The major components of the SC‐CO₂ and hexane extracts from three flax cultivars were: fatty acids (36–49%), fatty alcohols (20–26%), aldehydes (10–14%), wax esters (5–12%), sterols (7–9%) and alkanes (4–5%). Purification of SC‐CO₂‐extracted wax with silica gel chromatography yielded 0.4–0.5% (dry matter) and was composed primarily of wax esters (C₄₄, C₄₆ and C₄₈) and alkanes (C₂₇, C₂₉ and C₃₁). UV‐Vis scans of the purified wax samples exhibited two main peaks indicating the presence of conjugated dienes and carotenoids or related compounds. Fourier transform infrared results showed prominent peaks at 2918 (‐C‐H), 2849 (‐C‐H), 1745 (‐C=O), 1462 (‐C‐H), 1169 (‐C‐O) and 719 cm^–1 (‐(CH₂)_n‐), with NorLin wax showing a slightly deviating pattern compared to the other samples. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry revealed a mean melting point of 55–56 °C and oxidation temperatures of 146–153 °C for purified wax from flax straw processed using different procedures.     

Bulk Sediment and Diatom Silica Carbon Isotope Composition from Coastal Marine Sediments off East Antarctica

Organic carbon occluded in diatom silica is assumed to be protected from degradation in the sediment. δ¹³C from diatom carbon (δ¹³C_(diatom)) therefore potentially provides a signal of conditions during diatom growth. However, there have been few studies based on δ¹³C_(diatom). Numerous variables can influence δ¹³C of organic matter in the marine environment (e.g., salinity, light, nutrient and CO₂ availability). Here we compare δ¹³C_(diatom) and δ¹³C_(TOC) from three sediment records from individual marine inlets (Rauer Group, East Antarctica) to (i) investigate deviations between δ¹³C_(diatom) and δ¹³C_(TOC), to (ii) identify biological and environmental controls on δ¹³C_(diatom) and δ¹³C_(TOC), and to (iii) discuss δ¹³C_(diatom) as a proxy for environmental and climate reconstructions. The records show individual δ¹³C_(diatom) and δ¹³C_(TOC) characteristics, which indicates that δ¹³C is not primarily controlled by regional climate or atmospheric CO₂ concentration. Since the inlets vary in water depths offsets in δ¹³C are probably related to differences in water column stratification and mixing, which influences redistribution of nutrients and carbon within each inlet. In our dataset changes in δ¹³C_(diatom) and δ¹³C_(TOC) could not unequivocally be ascribed to changes in diatom species composition, either because the variation in δ¹³C_(diatom) between the observed species is too small or because other environmental controls are more dominant. Records from the Southern Ocean show depleted δ¹³C_(diatom) values (1–4 ‰) during glacial times compared to the Holocene. Although climate variability throughout the Holocene is low compared to glacial/interglacial variability, we find variability in δ¹³C_(diatom), which is in the same order of magnitude. δ¹³C of organic matter produced in the costal marine environment seems to be much more sensitive to environmental changes than open ocean sites and δ¹³C is of strongly local nature.     

Long-term tillage,straw management and N fertilization effects on quantity and quality of organic C and N in a Black Chernozem soil

Soil, crop and fertilizer management practices may affect the amount and quality of organic C and N in soil. A long-term field experiment (growing barley, wheat, or canola) was conducted on a Black Chernozem (Albic Argicryoll) loam at Ellerslie, Alberta, Canada, to determine the influence of 19 (1980 to 1998) or 27 years (1980 to 2006) of tillage (zero tillage [ZT] and conventional tillage [CT]), straw management (straw removed [S_Rem]and straw retained [S_Ret]) and N fertilizer rate (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ in S_Ret and 0 kg N ha⁻¹ in S_Rem plots) on total organic C (TOC) and N (TON), and light fraction organic C (LFOC) and N (LFON) in the 0–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm or 0–5, 5–10 and 10–15 cm soil layers. The mass of TOC and TON in soil was usually higher in S_Ret than in S_Rem treatment (by 3.44 Mg C ha⁻¹ for TOC and 0.248 Mg N ha⁻¹ for TON after 27 years), but there was little effect of tillage and N fertilization on these parameters. The mass of LFOC and LFON in soil tended to increase with S_Ret (by 285 kg C ha⁻¹ for LFOC and 12.6 kg N ha⁻¹ for LFON with annual rate of 100 kg N ha⁻¹ for 27 years)_, increased with N fertilizer application (by 517 kg C ha⁻¹ for LFOC and 36.0 kg N ha⁻¹ for LFON after 27 years), but was usually higher under CT than ZT (by 451 kg C ha⁻¹ for LFOC and 25.3 kg N ha⁻¹ for LFON after 27 years). Correlations between soil organic C or N fractions were highly significant in most cases. Linear regressions between crop residue C input and soil organic C or N were significant in most cases. The effects of tillage, straw management and N fertilizer on soil were more pronounced for LFOC and LFON than TOC and TON, and also in the surface layers than in the deeper layers. Tillage and straw management had little or no effect on C:N ratios, but the C:N ratios in light organic fractions significantly decreased with increasing N rate (from 20.06 at zero-N to 18.91 at 100 kg N ha⁻¹). Compared to the 1979 results, in treatments that did not receive N fertilizer (CTS_Rem0, CTS_Ret0, ZTS_Rem0 and ZTS_Ret0), CTS_Rem0 resulted in a net decrease in TOC concentration (by 1.9 g C kg⁻¹) in the 0–15 cm soil layer in 2007 (after 27 years), with little or no change in the CTS_Ret0 and ZTS_Rem0 treatments, while there was a net increase in TOC concentration (by 1.2 g C kg⁻¹) in the ZTS_Ret0 treatment. Straw retention and N fertilizer application at 50 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ rates showed a net positive effect on TOC concentration under both ZT (ZTS_Ret50 by 2.3 g C kg⁻¹ and ZTS_Ret100 by 3.1 g C kg⁻¹) and CT (CTS_Ret50 by 3.5 g C kg⁻¹ and CTS_Ret100 by 1.6 g C kg⁻¹) treatments in 2007 compared to 1979 data. In conclusion, the findings suggest that retention of straw, application of N fertilizer and elimination of tillage would improve soil quality, and this might increase the potential for N supplying power of the soil and sustainability of crop productivity.     

Urease and nitrification inhibitors to reduce emissions of CH4 and N2O in rice production

Strategies used to reduce emissions of N₂O and CH₄ in rice production normally include irrigation management and fertilization. To date, little information has been published on the measures that can simultaneously reduce both emissions. Effects of application of a urease inhibitor, hydroquinone (HQ), and a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD) together with urea (U) on N₂O and CH₄ emission from rice growing were studied in pot experiments. These fertilization treatments were carried out in the presence and absence of wheat straw, applied to the soil surface. Without wheat straw addition, in all treatments with inhibitor(s) the emission of N₂O and CH₄ was significantly reduced, as compared with the treatment whereby only urea was applied (control). Especially for the U+HQ+DCD treatment, the total emission of N₂O and CH₄ was about 1/3 and 1/2 of that in the control, respectively. In the presence of wheat straw, the total N₂O emission from the U+HQ+DCD treatment was about 1/2 of that from the control. The total CH₄ emission was less influenced. Wheat straw addition, however, induced a substantial increase in emissions of N₂O and CH₄. Hence, simultaneous application of organic materials with a high C/N ratio and N-fertilizer (e.g. urea) is not a suitable method to reduce the N₂O and CH₄ emission. Application of HQ+DCD together with urea seemed to improve the rice growth and to reduce both emissions. The NO₃ ^–-N content of the rice plants and denitrification of (NO₃ ^–+NO₂ ^–)-N might contribute to the N₂O emission from flooded rice fields.     

Economic Assessment of the Hydrogenation of CO2 to Liquid Fuels and Petrochemical Feedstock

To remove high concentrations of CO₂ from the off‐gas of coal‐driven power plants, a new process was proposed. The catalytic hydrogenation of the CO₂ leads to the production of C₂ – C₄ (petrochemical feedstock) and liquid C₅₊ hydrocarbons (fuel). Thus, environmentally harmful CO₂ may be converted sustainably to useful products. On the basis of a process flow sheet, the costs for processing the CO₂ are estimated for different plant sizes. The price of hydrogen contributes significantly to the overall production costs. Further price reductions may be achieved by final engineering optimization of the process as a whole and specific unit operations.     

Atmospheric plasma spraying coatings from alumina–titania feedstock comprising bimodal particle size distributions

In this work, Al₂O₃–13 wt% TiO₂ submicron-nanostructured powders were deposited using atmospheric plasma spraying. The feedstocks were obtained by spray drying two starting suspensions of different solids content, prepared by adding nanosized TiO₂ and submicron-sized Al₂O₃ powders to water. The spray-dried granules were heat-treated to reduce their porosity and the powders were fully characterised in both untreated and thermally treated state. Comparison with two commercial feedstocks was carried out. Characterisation allowed a temperature for the thermal treatment to be chosen on the basis of the sprayability of the feedstock and the preservation as much as possible of the submicron-sized structure of the unfired agglomerates.Optimisation of the deposition conditions enabled the reconstituted powders to be successfully deposited, yielding coatings that were well bonded to the substrate. The coating microstructure, characterised by SEM, was mostly formed by a matrix of fully molten particles where the presence of semi-molten feedstock agglomerates was also observed.Moreover, microhardness, toughness, adhesion and tribological behaviours were determined, and the impact of the granule characteristics on these properties was studied. It was found that changing the feedstock characteristics allows controlling the coating quality and properties. In general, good mechanical properties were obtained using a feedstock comprising a binary mixture of submicrometric Al₂O₃ and nanometric TiO₂ particles in the spray-dried powder.     

Acid/Base Properties of Fumed Silica Fillers Used in Silicone Elastomers

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy (PAS) were used to investigate the effects of thermal history and silane treatment on the surface energetics of various fumed silica fillers. The specific interaction parameter, I_sp, was a factor of 2.3 (THF probe) lower for a silane treated fumed silica (Degussa R972) relative to an untreated filler (Degussa A200), thus confirming the deactivating effects of silane treatment. Heat treatment of raw fumed silica (Cabot HS-5) at 150°C and 650°C decreased I_sp (THF probe) from 15.3 kJ/mol to 10.5 kJ/mol. This decrease was attributed to the loss of bound water and surface silanols. The dispersive interactions increased with heat treatment as a result of the formation of higher electron density sites such as strained Si-O-Si bonds. Silazane-treated fillers were prepared using heat treated and hydrated feedstocks. I_sp values were a factor of 2-30 lower, depending upon the probe, for silazane-treated fillers made from heat treated feedstock. The dispersive interactions increased from 27.2 mJ/m² to 57.8 mJ/m² as a result of using heat treated feedstock, thus suggesting some of the strained Si-O-Si bonds formed upon drying remained intact even after silazane treatment.     

Anodic oxidation of the dye materials methylene blue,acid blue 25, reactive blue 2 and reactive blue 15 and the characterisation of novel intermediate compounds in the anodic oxidation of methylene blue

Anodic oxidation of the dye molecules, methylene blue, acid blue 25, reactive blue 2 and reactive blue 15 in chloride solution leads to colour destruction but UV and TOC data show that the oxidation reactions do not lead to complete destruction of the organic molecules. Analysis of the anodic oxidation products of [3,7‐bis (dimethylamino) phenothiazinium] chloride (methylene blue) in a chloride solution provides evidence for formation of seven neutral and two charged intermediates. The main intermediate is identified by its X‐ray diffraction crystal structure and accurate mass spectrometry as the novel leuco dye 4,6‐dichloro‐7‐dimethylamino‐3H‐phenothiazin‐3‐one, C₁₄H₁₀Cl₂N₂OS (I) formed by replacement of one of the dimethylamino groups of methylene blue with oxygen accompanied by regiospecific chlorination of the carbocyclic systems. The mass spectra of other intermediates formed are interpreted in terms of the structure of I. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of rice straw returning methods on N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O emission during wheat-growing season

A field experiment was conducted in Jurong of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China from 2006 to 2008 to investigate N₂O emission during the wheat-growing season as affected by various rice straw returning methods prior to wheat cultivation. The study was designed to have four treatments: no rice straw applied (CK), rice straw burnt in situ (RB), rice straw evenly incorporated into the topsoil (RI), rice straw evenly spread over the field as mulch (RM). Results showed that N₂O emission was decreased by 24–29% in Treatment RB and by 3–18% in Treatment RI, but increased by 15–39% in Treatment RM, compared with that in Treatment CK. The contents of soil total C and N at wheat harvest were significantly increased by 7–13% and by 8–12% in Treatment RI, respectively, compared with that in Treatment CK. The wheat grain yield in Treatment RI was 1.0–1.2 times that in the Treatment CK. Based on these results, the best management practice of returning rice straw to the soil prior to wheat cultivation is evenly incorporating rice straw into the topsoil, as the method tended to reduce N₂O emission during the wheat-growing season and increase wheat yield and soil fertility.