Comparative Studies of Some Physico‐mechanical Properties of Alkali and Diazonium Salts‐Treated Jute Fiber

Abstract

The effect of diazonium salts and alkali on some physico‐mechanical properties, viz, tensile strength, tenacity, elongation at break, moisture regain, shrinkage, loss in weight, etc. of jute fiber has been studied. The tensile strength, tenacity, elongation at break, and moisture regain properties of the treated (dyed) fiber are found lower in comparison with those of raw (control) fiber. However, higher tensile strength and tenacity of the diazonium salts‐treated jute fiber are observed in comparison with those of the alkali‐treated fiber. The nature of the shades developed on jute fiber is also reported.     

Application of Slurry Type Photocatalytic Oxidation‐Submerged Hollow Fiber Microfiltration Hybrid System for the Degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA)

Abstract

A pilot scale, slurry type photocatalytic reactor, followed by submerged hollow fiber microfiltration (MF) membrane hybrid system was evaluated for simultaneous and complete destruction of toxic organic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and separation of photocatalyst TiO₂; in order to obtain a reusable quality water. With simple modification to the treatment operation, the effect of photocatalytic reaction at modest variations in temperature was examined. Adsorption pretreatment was carried out prior to photocatalysis (UV/TiO₂). BPA adsorption ability on TiO₂ was very less (about 15%) at 25°C. However, adsorption pretreatment followed by photocatalytic oxidation (UV/TiO₂) at an elevated nearly constant temperature (about 70°C) helped in increasing the BPA degradation efficiency. The effect of ozone introduction into the treatment stream was also analyzed. Applying ozone along with UV/TiO₂, brought about a synergistic effect on BPA degradation. Within 3 h, entire 10 ppm of BPA and the by‐product organic compounds were completely removed. TiO₂ particle separation performance using hollow fiber membrane was enhanced by adopting a two‐stage coagulation/sedimentation pretreatment. With initial turbidity of 4000 NTU, the turbidity of the final permeate water was well below 0.1 NTU. Almost complete removal of particles was achieved. Some of the main advantages of this hybrid treatment system include, large‐scale treatment, complete and efficient BPA and its organic intermediates degradation, TiO₂ easily separated after treatment and capable for reuse as it is free from chemical coagulant contaminants, reusable quality water is obtained, and the system has the potential for continuous operation with simple process modifications.     

A Metabolomic Approach to Identifying Chemical Mediators of Mammal–Plant Interactions

Different folivorous marsupials select their food from different subgenera of Eucalyptus, but the choices cannot be explained by known antifeedants, such as formylated phloroglucinol compounds or tannins, or by nutritional quality. Eucalypts contain a wide variety of plant secondary metabolites so it is difficult to use traditional methods to identify the chemicals that determine food selection. Therefore, we used a metabolomic approach in which we employed ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to compare chemical structures of representatives from the two subgenera and to identify chemicals that consistently differ between them. We found that dichloromethane extracts of leaves from most species in the subgenus Eucalyptus differ from those in Symphyomyrtus by the presence of free flavanones, having no substitution in Ring B. Although flavanoids are known to deter feeding by certain insects, their effects on marsupials have not been established and must be tested with controlled feeding studies.     

State‐of‐the‐Art Adsorption and Membrane Separation Processes for Hydrogen Production in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industries

Abstract

This review on the use of adsorption and membrane technologies in H₂ production is directed toward the chemical and petrochemical industries. The growing requirements for H₂ in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, and the newly emerging clean energy concepts will place greater demands on sourcing, production capacity and supplies of H₂. Currently, about 41 MM tons/yr of H₂ is produced worldwide, with 80% of it being produced from natural gas by steam reforming, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming. H₂ is used commercially to produce CO, syngas, ammonia, methanol, and higher alcohols, urea and hydrochloric acid. It is also used in Fischer Tropsch reactions, as a reducing agent (metallurgy), and to upgrade petroleum products and oils (hydrogenation).

It has been estimated that the reforming of natural gas to produce H₂ consumes about 31,800 Btu/lb of H₂ produced at 331 psig based on 35.5 MM tons/yr production. It is further estimated that 450 trillion Btu/yr could be saved with a 20% improvement in just the H₂ separation and purification train after the H₂ reformer. Clearly, with the judicious and further use of adsorption or membrane technology, which are both classified as low energy separation processes, energy savings could be readily achieved in a reasonable time frame.

To assist in this endeavor of fostering the development of new adsorption and membrane technologies suitable for H₂, CO and syngas production, the current industrial practice is summarized in terms of the key reforming and shift reactions and reactor conditions, along with the four most widely used separation techniques, i.e., absorption, adsorption, membrane, and cryogenic, to expose the typical conditions and unit processes involved in the reforming of methane. Since all of the reactions are reversible, the H₂ or CO productivity in each one of them is limited by equilibrium, which certainly provides for process improvement. Hence, the goal of this review is to foster the development of adsorption and membrane technologies that will economically augment in the near term and completely revamp in the far term a typical H₂, CO or syngas production plant that produces these gases from natural gas and hydrocarbon feedstocks.

A review of the emerging literature concepts on evolving adsorption and membrane separations applicable to H₂ production is provided, with an emphasis placed on where the state‐of‐the‐art is and where it needs to go. Recommendations for future research and development needs in adsorbent and membrane materials are discussed, and detailed performance requirements are provided. An emphasis is also placed on flow sheet design modification with adsorption or membrane units being added to existing plants for near term impact, and on new designs with complete flow sheet modification for new adsorption or membrane reactor/separators replacing current reactor and separator units in an existing plant for a longer term sustainable impact.     

Comparable Evaluation of Iron‐based Coagulants for the Treatment of Surface Water and of Contaminated Tap Water

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of various commercially‐available coagulants based on iron, such as ferric or ferrous salts, or polyferric sulfate (PFS), for the treatment of surface (river) water in order to become drinkable. These coagulants were evaluated, considering the removal of suspended solids (SS), of natural organic matter (NOM) and of the residual iron concentration. Furthermore, the kinetics of flocculation was studied by using a Photometric Dispersion Analyzer (PDA), comparing the different flocculation rates. The optimum operational conditions, i.e. coagulant dosage, pH value, duration, and intensity of (initial) rapid‐mixing rate, were determined for the examined cases. The results indicated that certain trivalent iron coagulants [Ferrisol‐123 (based on FeClSO₄) – Ferrisol‐Cl‐130 (based on FeCl₃)] showed higher efficiency, than the divalent [Ferrosol‐9 (based on a mixture of FeSO₄ and FeCl₂), presenting higher SS and NOM removal, higher flocculation rates, and lower residual iron concentration.     

Effect of a Gas‐Phase Reaction on the Combustion Performance of a Sandwich Layered System

This paper considers a sandwich layered combustion model (an oxidizer and a fuel) that takes into account condensed and gasphase chemical reactions and transverse heat and mass transfer. Under particular simplifications, algebraic expressions are obtained for the burning rates of the components and the temperature and concentration of gaseous reagents on the burning surface. Calculated dependences of the burning rate on the sandwich size agree with experiments.     

Computer-Assisted Decision-Making System of Optimal Control over the Energy and Resource Efficiency of a Chemical Energotechnological System for Processing Apatite–Nepheline Ore Wastes

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - Some multilevel decision-making algorithms have been developed to provide optimal control over the energy and resource efficiency and environmental...     

An Oxidation System for Green Chemistry: The Oxidation of Alcohols and Hydrocarbons in the Presence of Metal–Polymer Complexes

Environmental and economic factors make the use of harmful oxidants increasingly unacceptable except on a small scale. Accordingly, we have investigated the use of dioxygen and hydrogen peroxide as oxidants. For this oxidation reaction of hydrocarbons, transition metal complexes and polymer-bound transition metal complexes were effective as catalysts. Earlier investigations indicated that the catalytic site was a bi- or multinuclear complex. Thus, several binuclear complexes of Cu and Mn [Eqs. (9)–(11)] were designed and their effectiveness in oxidizing phenols to biphenols and benzoquinones and in monooxygenase activity was demonstrated. In the oxidation of phenols, the system did not produce poly(phenylene oxide) since the intermediate phenoxy radical underwent C–C coupling to biphenol or underwent attack by hydroxyl radical to a hydroquinone that could be oxidized to a quinone. A reaction mechanism involving the binuclear complex for the oxidation is proposed.     

The Effect of Sulphur and Water Treatments on the Performance of Pd/��-Zeolite Diesel Oxidation Catalysts

Sulphur, sulphur-water, and water pretreatments were done to find out the effect of these compounds on a diesel oxidation Pd/??-zeolite catalyst and ??-zeolite washcoat. After pretreatments, the samples were analysed by BET, XRF, TEM-SEM, and XPS. In addition, the activity of fresh and pretreated Pd/??-zeolite catalysts was studied utilizing the by Gasmet FT-IR in production gas analysis. Sulphur compounds (SO₂ or ?SO₄) were found to have a deactivating effect on the activity of the studied Pd/??-zeolite catalyst.     

Phase Equilibria in the Sections of a Carbamide–Sodium Formate–Water System at 0 to –22°C and Anti-Icing Properties of the Salt Compounds

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - The phase equilibria at 0 to –22°C in the sections of a carbamide–sodium formate–water system with ratios CO(NH2)2 : NaHCOO...     

A New Approach to the Synthesis of Mg–Al Layered Hydroxides

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - Mg–Al layered hydroxides with the composition Mg4Al2(OH)12CO3?3H2O are synthesized by mixing crystalline magnesium and aluminum...     

The Effects of Water and CO2 on the Reaction Kinetics in the Iron‐Based Low‐Temperature Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis: A Literature Review

A review of kinetic models for the iron‐based Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis revealed some important areas of progress, namely (a) a transition from rate equations with a first order denominator (consistent with an Eley‐Rideal type mechanism) to Langmuir‐Hinshelwood expressions with a second order inhibition term; (b) whereas kinetic models originally specified full coverage of the catalytic surface, later models found the influence of vacant sites to be important; (c) whereas water or CO₂ was traditionally always included in the FT rate equations, the most recent lumped kinetic models do not account for any influence of water. It was further concluded that the perceived inhibiting influence of water on the FT rate may have been an indirect effect via the water‐gas‐shift reaction that changed the hydrogen and CO partial pressures.     

Drying of Liquid Dispersions—A Unified Approach to Kinetics and Modeling

Abstract

The article presents a unified approach to interpretation of drying kinetics and modeling of the drying process for suspensions, solutions, emulsions and pastes. The approach is based on phenomenological analysis of temperature-moisture relationships T(X) with account for temperature plateaux that actually show-up, or could exist under certain drying conditions. In addition, a unified mathematical model is proposed that includes the differential equations for mass and heat diffusion along with their analytical solutions for a multi-layer plate, cylinder and sphere. Interconnections in the simultaneous heat-mass transfer, cross-effects and any other details of a real process are taken into account separately, by semi-empirical temperature-moisture function T(X). The principles of piece-wise multizone approximation of these temperature-moisture curves are presented. The hyperbolic and two-arc approximations for each separate zone are described. The set of 12 organic and inorganic materials either synthetic or of animal and plant origin such as meat processing sludge, heavy corn steep water, gelatin, starch, sugar, salt, combined latex emulsion, P-salt, gamma acid, dispersing and bleaching agents was taken as example for the development and validation of this approach.     

Purification of Glucose Oxidase and β‐Galactosidase by Partitioning in a PEG‐Salt Aqueous Two‐Phase System in the Presence of PEG‐Derivatives

Abstract

Purification of glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger and that of β‐galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis have been attempted using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐sodium sulfate aqueous two phase system (ATPS) in the presence of PEG‐derivatives, i.e. PEG‐Coomassie brilliant blue G‐250 and PEG‐benzoate, PEG‐palmitate and PEG‐TMA, respectively. The enzymes showed poor partitioning towards the PEG phase in comparison with other proteins in ATPS containing no ligands. Selective partitioning of other proteins was observed towards the PEG phase in the presence of PEG‐benzoate and PEG‐palmitate enriching β‐galactosidase in the salt phase whereas in the case of glucose oxidase, PEG‐Coomassie brilliant blue G‐250 derivative worked as a better affinity ligand for other proteins. A 19‐fold purification was obtained with the PEG dye derivative after 5 stage cross extractions with 80% recovery of glucose oxidase and an enrichment factor upto ～7 for β‐galactosidase with the PEG‐TMA derivative. The interaction of PEG‐benzoate and PEG‐TMA ligands with the active site of β‐galactosidase has been evaluated by molecular modeling. The effect of the molecular weight of glucose oxidase on its partitioning was confirmed as the molecular simulation shows strong affinity interaction of PEG‐glucoside with the enzyme.     

Application of Acoustic Spectroscopy to the Characterization of Surfactant Solutions,Emulsions, and Microemulsions: d–Limonene–Water–C12EO7–Isopropanol System

The application of acoustic spectroscopy to the characterization of binary C₁₂EO₇—water system was studied. It was discovered that the size of micelles in aqueous surfactant solutions could not be determined, but it was possible to determine the size of water nanodomains existing in the surfactant-rich systems. It was suggested that in colloidal systems, the energy of ultrasonic waves is dissipated only by interfaces existing between condensed phases. The characterization of Winsor transitions by acoustic spectroscopy in water/d-limonene system stabilized by a mixture of nonionic surfactant and isopropyl alcohol (cosolvent) was also explored. In one study, systems with a constant d-limonene to water weight ratio obtained in the course of titration of d-limonene-in-water emulsion with increasing amounts of surfactant+alcohol were investigated. In another study, a balanced d-limonene/water microemulsion was sequentially diluted with water and d-limonene. The transition between Winsor I and Winsor IV systems was monitored in both cases. Droplet size distributions were calculated using different models for dispersed and continuous phase composition. It was demonstrated that the magnitude of acoustic scattering played a significant role in the ability to reliably determine droplet size distributions, and in particular to simultaneously observe nanometer-size and micron-size droplets in Winsor I systems. An attempt was made to account for intrinsic attenuation of surfactant and alcohol by associating them with the aqueous phase, but this approach was shown not to be applicable in the case of Winsor IV microemulsions.     

Application of Mössbauer Spectroscopy to the Study of Adsorption and Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis is inherently a complex subject, and progress toward making it a science rather than an art has required knowledge and techniques in many fields. In recent times physical tools such as electron microscopy and optical and magnetic resonance spectroscopy have seen increasing use and have yielded many interesting new results. This paper is a discussion of Mössbauer spectroscopy, a tool capable of giving new information concerning catalysis. In the first half we review the physical parameters which play a role in the Mössbauer effect and discuss briefly the techniques used in its measurement (the general references for this section are [1] and [2]). In the last half we discuss applications of the effect to studies of adsorption and catalysis with examples from the literature and our own exploratory work.     

Evaluation of the Efficiency of a Combined Adsorption–Ultrafiltration System for the Removal of Heavy Metals,Color, and Organic Matter from Textile Wastewater

In this work an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system was investigated for the treatment of textile wastewater. UF membranes were assisted by activated sludge and minerals, which were employed as sorbents, to remove Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), color, and organics. Significant variations were observed in metal removal efficiencies among the textile wastewater samples of different origin, even at the same pH (= 6) due to the presence of different compounds in wastewater. At the examined pH range (5.63–9.21), the dominant mechanism for copper and lead removal was the formation of insoluble metals due to precipitation and complexation of metal ions with wastewater compounds, including adsorption of metals on suspended solids and colloidal matter. The adsorption process of metals on minerals and activated sludge was the dominant process for nickel and zinc removal at low pH, while precipitation/complexation prevailed at higher pH. The examined adsorption-UF system could produce a treated effluent having low metal concentrations that could be safely discharged into municipal sewers. COD removal ranged from 76%–92% for the five textile wastewater samples. The color removal accomplished was significant (45%–70%), and depended on the type of dye.     

Studies on the Development of a Two Stage SLM System for the Separation of Carrier‐free 90Y using KSM‐17 and CMPO as Carriers

Abstract

Solvent extraction studies of Y³⁺ and Sr²⁺ with 2‐ethylhexyl 2‐ethylhexyl phosphonic acid (KSM‐17) and octyl(phenyl)‐N,N‐diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) are carried out from aqueous media containing a wide range of nitric acid and other potential reagents to arrive at the operating conditions for the selective transport of ⁹⁰Y using supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing these reagents as carriers. Since the transport data of ⁹⁰Y using single cell SLM with KSM‐17 was available from our earlier experiments, single cell transport studies with CMPO carrier are only carried out to optimize the strippant phase. Transport studies with pure ⁹⁰Y is carried out using a transport cell with two SLMs one with KSM‐17 and the other CMPO carriers to optimize the transport parameters. Based on these data the development of a two stage SLM system for the generation of carrier free ⁹⁰Y from ⁹⁰Sr source is described. The procedure described is amenable for automation and scale up.