Transport phenomena in electrolyte solutions: Nonequilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

The theory of transport phenomena in multicomponent electrolyte solutions is presented here through the integration of continuum mechanics, electromagnetism, and nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The governing equations of irreversible thermodynamics, including balance laws, Maxwell's equations, internal entropy production, and linear laws relating the thermodynamic forces and fluxes, are derived. Green–Kubo relations for the transport coefficients connecting electrochemical potential gradients and diffusive fluxes are obtained in terms of the flux–flux time correlations. The relationship between the derived transport coefficients and those of the Stefan–Maxwell and infinitely dilute frameworks are presented, and the connection between the transport matrix and experimentally measurable quantities is described. To exemplify the application of the derived Green–Kubo relations in molecular simulations, the matrix of transport coefficients for lithium and chloride ions in dimethyl sulfoxide is computed using classical molecular dynamics and compared with experimental measurements.     

DETERMINATION OF COPPER(II) IN NATURAL WATERS BY EXTRACTION USING N-O-VANILLIDINE-2-AMINO-P-CRESOL AND FLAME ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY

A simple and accurate solvent extraction method was developed for the separation and preconcentration of trace levels of copper(II) in water using N-o-vanillidine-2-amino-p-cresol prior to its determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Analytical parameters such as the pH of the aqueous phase, extraction time, concentration of the reagent, concentration of the nitric acid back extraction agent, volumes of aqueous phase and back extraction agent, and concomitant ions on the extraction yield of the copper(II) were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit (3σ) was 0.61 µ g L^?1 for a 25 mL blank solution, yielding a preconcentration factor of 12.5. The method was succesfully applied to the determination of copper(II) in tap water, river water, and seawater. The accuracy of the method was verified by analyzing two certified reference materials and spiked water samples. The results obtained were in agreement with the certified values and the recoveries for spiked water samples were between 98 and 112%.     

Benders Decomposition Algorithms for Two Variants of the Single Allocation Hub Location Problem

Networks and Spatial Economics - The hub location problem (HLP) is a special type of the facility location problem with numerous applications in the airline industry, postal services, and computer...     

Refinement of some basic features of Zr surface-layered Bi-2223 superconductor with diffusion annealing temperature

This study aims to investigate the influences of diffusion annealing temperatures on structural, morphological, electrical, and superconducting features of Zr surface-layered Bi-2223 ceramics. The present study also covers an in-depth understanding of correlations between disorders and transition temperatures. The Zr diffusion is carried out via an annealing process between 650 and 840 °C. The observed results depict that the Zr ions can easily diffuse into the deeper level of Bi-ceramics and possible Zr/Bi substitution has occurred due to the driving force of high thermal energy. Besides, it is found that the Zr diffusion improves the general crystallinity quantities of Bi-2223 ceramic up to 800 °C annealing temperature. In addition, better intergranular couplings with a smoother plate-like structure are extensively observed in surface morphology for the samples annealed at 800 °C. Significant refinements of both basic electrical resistivity, hole carrier densities, and critical temperatures with narrow transitions are also obtained for the Zr surface-layered Bi-2223 ceramics after the 800 °C annealing process. The obtained improvements in critical fundamental features can be attributed to the optimum pairing mechanism, best crystal structure quality, ideal Cu–O₂ interlayer coupling strengths, and enhanced interaction between adjacent superconductive layers. Besides, the first-order derivative of electrical resistivity versus temperature graphs indicates that the best annealing temperature enables to triggers to stabilize the superconductivity in the homogeneous regions. It can be concluded that the Zr impurity diffusion at 800 °C is promising for the improvement in the basic features of Bi-2223 superconducting systems for future applications in superconductor technology.

     

Passenger Flow Prediction Based on Newly Adopted Algorithms

Passenger flow forecasting is an essential part of transportation systems. Neural networks in the transportation field have been applied to passenger demand prediction. In this paper, we developed two hybrid methods, known as parlimentary optimization algorithm-artificial neural network (POA-ANN), and intelligent water drops algorithm-ANN (IWD algorithm-ANN). In addition, we applied the proposed algorithms to illustrate the effect of precise prediction for passenger queues. We mainly focus on predicting passenger demand by comparing the genetic algorithm-ANN (GA-ANN) with POA-ANN and IWD-ANN. The results of prediction methods suggest that both POA-ANN and IWD-ANN provide a better forecasting performance, which is obtained via mean square error (MSE), than GA-ANN in the field of passenger flow prediction. This study illustrates that the newly adopted algorithms exhibit good performance for passenger prediction.     

Alanine containing porous beads for mercury removal from artificial solutions

N‐methacryloyl‐(L )‐alanine (MALA) was synthesized by using methacryloyl chloride and alanine as a metal‐complexing ligand or comonomer. Spherical beads with an average diameter of 150–200 μm were obtained by suspension polymerization of MALA and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) conducted in an aqueous dispersion medium. Poly(HEMA–MALA) beads were characterized by SEM, swelling studies, surface area measurement, and elemental analysis. Poly(HEMA–MALA) beads have a specific surface area of 68.5 m²/g. Poly(HEMA–MALA) beads with a swelling ratio of 63%, and containing 247 μmol MALA/g were used in the removal of Hg²⁺ from aqueous solutions. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in about 60 min. The adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions onto PHEMA beads was negligible (0.3 mg/g). The MALA incorporation into the polymer structure significantly increased the mercury adsorption capacity (168 mg/g). Adsorption capacity of MALA containing beads increased significantly with pH. The adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions increased with increasing pH and reached a plateau value at around pH 5.0. Competitive heavy metal adsorption from aqueous solutions containing Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ was also investigated. The adsorption capacities are 44.5 mg/g for Hg²⁺, 6.4 mg/g for Cd²⁺, 2.9 mg/g for Pb²⁺, and 2.0 mg/g for Cu²⁺ ions. These results may be considered as an indication of higher specificity of the poly(HEMA–MALA) beads for the Hg²⁺ comparing to other ions. Consecutive adsorption and elution operations showed the feasibility of repeated use for poly(HEMA–MALA) chelating beads. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1222–1228, 2006     

An investigation into design and manufacturing of mechanical conveyors systems for food processing

This paper presents the results of a research investigation undertaken to develop methodologies and techniques that will reduce the cost and time of the design, manufacturing and assembly of mechanical conveyor systems used in the food and beverage industry. The improved methodology for design and production of conveyor components is based on the minimisation of materials, parts and costs, using the rules of design for manufacture and design for assembly. Results obtained on a test conveyor system verify the benefits of using the improved techniques. The overall material cost was reduced by 19% and the overall assembly cost was reduced by 20% compared to conventional methods.     

Adsorption of reactive dyes from aqueous solutions by fly ash: kinetic and equilibrium studies

Adsorption kinetic and equilibrium studies of three reactive dyes namely, Remazol Brillant Blue (RB), Remazol Red 133 (RR) and Rifacion Yellow HED (RY) from aqueous solutions at various initial dye concentration (100–500 mg/l), pH (2–8), particle size (45–112.5 μm) and temperature (293–323 K) on fly ash (FA) were studied in a batch mode operation. The adsorbent was characterized with using several methods such as SEM, XRD and FTIR. Adsorption of RB reactive dye was found to be pH dependent but both RR and RY reactive dyes were not. The result showed that the amount adsorbed of the reactive dyes increased with increasing initial dye concentration and contact time. Batch kinetic data from experimental investigations on the removal of reactive dyes from aqueous solutions using FA have been well described by external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion models. It was found that external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion had rate limiting affects on the removal process. This was attributed to the relatively simple macropore structure of FA particles. The adsorption data fitted well with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The optimum conditions for removal of the reactive dyes were 100 mg/l initial dye concentration, 0.6 g/100 ml adsorbent dose, temperature of 293 K, 45 μm particle size, pH 6 and agitation speed of 250 rpm, respectively. The values of Langmuir and Freundlich constants were found to increase with increasing temperature in the range 135–180 and 15–34 mg/g for RB, 47–86 and 1.9–3.7 mg/g for RR and 37–61 and 3.0–3.6 mg/g for RY reactive dyes, respectively. Different thermodynamic parameters viz., changes in standard free energy, enthalpy and entropy were evaluated and it was found that the reaction was spontaneous and endothermic in nature.     

A validity study of functionally-based behavioral consultation with students with emotional/behavioral disabilities.

Eighteen students (K-11th grade) with emotional/behavioral disorders who were at-risk for change of placement to more restrictive settings participated. Construct validity of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) was assessed with a multifunction-multimethod matrix that showed excellent convergent and divergent agreement with combined FBA methods and functional analysis results. Treatment validity was assessed with random assignment to either a FBA with consultation condition (FBC) or to a behavioral consultation without FBA condition (BC). Growth curve analysis showed a significant decrease in inappropriate behavior from baseline to treatment for both treatment groups compared to a control group. The efficiency of teachers' implementation effected treatment validity. Effect sizes showed that regardless of treatment condition that interventions with good fidelity realized the largest effect (d = -1.14). Social and habilitative validity was assessed with telephone interviews conducted a year after treatment. Sixty-five percent attributed the students' problem behaviors to their thoughts or feelings, whereas only 25% attributed it to classroom variables. Many (57%) indicated the most helpful intervention would be individual counseling, whereas only 14% indicated a more involved classroom management plan would be useful. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sorption of target anions by ligand exchange

The sorption of anionic ligands such as I⁻, Br⁻, and SCN⁻ onto diaminoethyl–sporopollenin (DAE–sporopollenin) was investigated in both column and batch experiments at room temperature. The isotherm binding constants suggest that the resin is most efficient at the binding of I⁻ compared with Br⁻ or SCN⁻. The general ligand sorption affinity series observed was I⁻ > Br⁻ > SCN⁻. This ligand sorption could be described by considering the hydration of ions in the exchanger. The sorption behavior of the ligand exchanger and the possibilities of selectively removing and recovering ligands are discussed on the basis of their chemical and complexing properties. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 771–774, 1998