Modelling water flow,nitrogen transport and root uptake including physical non-equilibrium and optimization of the root water potential

A model is presented for the simulation of water flow, heat flow, and nitrate and ammonium transport. Two approaches are used for modelling plant water uptake as well as for plant nitrogen uptake. Nitrogen transformations are accounted for in a very simple way. This paper focuses mainly on water flow modelling, solute transport, and water uptake. Richards' equation is used to model water flow in layered soil profiles with a great variety of boundary conditions. Solute transport is simulated with either a simple convection dispersion equation or with a two-region physical non-equilibrium model to distinguish between mobile and immobile water and solute exchange between these two regions. A macroscopic sink term is added to Richards' equation to account for plant water uptake. This term can be calculated along two different approaches, one of which is based on the concept of root water potential. The root water potential is then continuously optimized to minimize the difference between the climatic demand and the uptake rate.Simulation results are compared with field data from the Netherlands to illustrate the degree to which the model is able to predict water flow, solute transport and plant water uptake. The root water potential optimization model seems to provide the best prediction of water distribution. In particular the shape of the profile, revealing uptake patterns, is quite well reproduced with this model. Comparison of simulated and observed water content profiles seems also to reveal the presence of preferential pathways. The comparisons show also how predicted solute distributions can be improved by using a two-region approach rather than a simple convection-dispersion model.     

Mass spectra of acetylenic fatty acid methyl esters and derivatives

A series of isomeric methyl octadecynoates was analyzed by mass spectrometry; each isomer gave a unique spectrum. The characteristic ions were those resulting from a McLafferty rearrangement of the allenic sites or of the already-rearranged allenic sites. The acetylenic esters were also subjected to oxymercuration whereupon a carbonyl group was formed at either of the original actylenic carbon atoms providing two oxostearates. Further reaction with NaBH₄ formed hydroxy esters which, after silylation, gave diagnostic mass spectra indicative of the triple bond location. Applied to esters with both double and triple bonds, this procedure permitted differentiation between the two types of unsaturation. Methoxyl groups marked the original double bond locations and hydroxyls did so for triple bonds. Presented at the 48th Fall Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, Philadelphia, PA, September 29–October 2, 1974.     

Preliminary investigation for the production of wet-process phosphoric acid from Saudi phosphate ores

This paper represents the first published report of a preliminary investigation of the possibility of using Saudi phosphate ores for the production of wet-process phosphoric acid.     

Photostabilization of cationic UV-cured coatings in the presence of nanoTiO2

The effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles for sun-weathering protection of UV-cured coatings is investigated. TiO₂ is either introduced in the form of nanoparticles in the photocurable formulations or generated in situ via sol–gel process. Cured films containing comparable amounts of TiO₂ were weathered for 800 h under UV irradiation and compared with free-TiO₂ coating. The TiO₂ presence induces a clear lower mass loss decrease during weathering as well as a lower gel content decrease. The TiO₂ screen effect is also confirmed by a lower alkyl-band reduction monitored by FT-IR during weathering. The TiO₂ generated in situ via sol–gel gives rise to transparent coatings without interfering with photopolymerization process and therefore without compromising UV-cured film properties.     

Photocrosslinking of stilbene-modified polymers

The reactions of trans-2,5-dimethoxy-4′-aminostilbene with poly(maleic anhydride-co-methylvinyl ether) and trans-2,5-dimethoxy-4′-isocyanatostilbene with poly(oxy-1,4-phenyleneisopropylidene:1,4-phenyleneoxy-2-hydroxytrimethylene) yield polymeric systems which undergo rapid crosslinking upon short exposure to ultraviolet light. The extent of photocrosslinking as a function of exposure time was determined by the decrease of the trans-stilbene ultraviolet absorption at 350 nm.     

Miscibility of poly(methoxymethyl methacrylate) and poly(methylthiomethyl methacrylate) with poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Summary The miscibility behaviour of poly(methoxymethyl methacrylate) (PMOMA) and poly(methylthiomethyl methacrylate) (PMTMA) with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was examined by differential scanning calorimetry. PMOMA/PVDF blend system was judged to be miscible on the bases of the presence of a single, composition-dependent glass transition for the blend and a pronounced melting point depression of the PVDF component. Furthermore, lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviour was observed for all PMOMA/PVDF blends. PMTMA/PVDF blends were found to be immiscible. Based on the melting point depression of PVDF in PMOMA/PVDF blends, the interaction parameter B was found to be -14.5 J/cm³.     

The stress cracking of polyamides by metal salts. Part III. Metal thiocyanates

The stress cracking of polyamide (nylon 6) by a number of metal thiocyanates in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions has been investigated. Lithium, zinc and cobalt_II thiocyanates were the most active and their activity was compared with that of the corresponding metal halides. Stress cracking parameters were determined and the mechanism of cracking studied by infrared techniques. The action of metal thiocyanates on nylon 6 is similar to that of the corresponding metal halides. Some metal cobaltothiocyanates were also found to be active stress cracking agents.     

Compatibilization of inorganic particles for polymeric nanocomposites. Optimization of the size and the compatibility of ZnO particles

Summary The synthesis of in-situ hydrophobic functionalized ZnO nanoparticles via an emulsion process is systematically investigated. Different parameters are varied, such as precursor salt concentration and ultrasonification, to optimize the size and the size distribution of the ZnO particles. Particles with a size below 25 nm and surrounded by a hydrophobic polymer shell can be easily obtained. The influence of the polymeric shell on the compatibility with different polymeric matrices is described. Due to the small size of the inorganic particles and the excellent hydrophobization, highly transparent inorganic/organic nanocomposites can be obtained by spin-coating and extrusion.     

A new method for measuring the transfer of oxygen in liquids. MeasurementS of oxygen transfer from bubbles in water and in water + 1-butanol

At the base of a column of liquid 20 cm in diameter and well over 1 m in height, oxygen bubbles of constant volume were formed and released with a frequency of approximately one bubble per second. Measurements were carried out on bubbles with volumes ranging from 0·2 to 2 cm³. The mass transfer per bubble was determined by measuring the increase in oxygen concentration of the liquid phase with an oxygen electrode and counting the number of bubbles. The results were reproducible within 3 per cent, and it is probable that still better results are attainable with this method.The measurements were initially performed in distilled water to test the apparatus. Later, water—butanol mixtures were employed in order to determine the influence of butanol on the mass transfer. The results of the latter experiments have been checked with a theory published previously [23, 24]. Theory and results appear to be in satisfactory agreement.