Oil Spill Cleanup from Sea Water by Sorbent Materials

Three sorbents were compared in order to determine their potential for oil spill cleanup. Polypropylene nonwoven web, rice hull, and bagasse with two different particle sizes were evaluated in terms of oil sorption capacities and oil recovery efficiencies. Polypropylene can sorb almost 7 to 9 times its weight from different oils. Bagasse, 18 to 45 mesh size, follows polypropylene as the second sorbent in oil spill cleanup. Bagasse, 14 to 18 mesh size, and rice hull have comparable oil sorption capacities, which are lower than those of the two former sorbents. It was found that oil viscosity plays an important role in oil sorption by sorbents. All adsorbents used in this work could remove the oil from the surface of the water preferentially.     

Magnetic Resonance Visualisation of Flow and Pore Structure in Packed Beds with Low Aspect Ratio

Different NMR techniques were combined to obtain the structure and velocity information for a systematic investigation of fixed beds with low aspect ratio (tube diameter to particle diamter, d_t/d_p) in the range 1.4 to 32. The structure of the void space was determined for a variety of packed beds of glass beads or regular and irregular porous pellets by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on the images the radial distribution of the voids within the bed was obtained. Ordering effects were found even for non‐spherical and polydisperse particles, and a maximum of the fluid density near the tube wall was confirmed for all pellet geometries and sizes. By combining MRI with velocity encoding, velocity profiles and distributions of flow velocity components of a single fluid phase through packed beds have been acquired. The radial velocity distribution follows an oscillatory pattern which largely reflects the ordering of the particles, which can be accessed from the density distribution of the interparticle fluid. Maximum velocities of up to four times the average value were found to occur near the tube wall. This wall effect was observed for all but the smallest particles, where the aspect ratio was d_t/d_p = 32. Moreover, a visualisation of flow pattern in the presence of packed particles was achieved by using a tagging technique, and the stationary flow field could be identified for an experimental time of several hours.     

Total and acid-soluble fluoride content of infant cereals, beverages and biscuits from Brazil

Total fluoride (TF) and HCl 0.01 M ('gastric juice')-soluble fluoride (SF) were analysed in infant foods, beverages and calcium-rich biscuits. Samples were divided into seven categories: children cereals (A), chocolate-flavoured milk (B), soy beverages (C), filled biscuits (D), non-filled biscuits (E), wafer biscuits (F) and corn starch biscuits (G). Mean TF concentrations ± SD (amplitude, unit µg F ml^-1 or µg F g^-1) were: (A) 4.25 ± 3.04 (0.20 - 7.84, n = 6); (B) 0.34 ± 0.47 (0.05-1.27, n = 6); (C) 0.15 ± 0.07 (0.09-0.29, n = 8); (D) 8.44 ± 1.76 (7.65-10.47, n = 4); (E) 12.41 ± 1.15 (10.69-13.68, n = 4); (F) 0.35 ± 0 (0.34-0.36, n = 4) and (G) 7.77 ± 1.12 (6.86-8.68, n = 2). Five samples of cereals, one sample of chocolate-flavoured milk and 10 samples of biscuits were analysed for SF. In cereals analysed for SF, all fluoride was soluble, while for the chocolate-flavoured milk, approximately 50% of TF was soluble. Regarding the biscuits analysed for SF approximately 20% of TF was soluble. It was observed that some of the cereals and beverages, and most of the biscuits analysed, might be important contributors to total daily fluoride intake. When consumed just once per day, cereals and beverages might supply up to 25% of the maximum recommended daily fluoride intake (0.07 mg F kg^-1 body weight) for a 2-year-old child (12 kg). For the filled, non-filled and corn starch biscuits, when 3, 32 or 20 units of them, respectively, are consumed just once per day, they may supply up to 16% of the maximum recommended daily fluoride intake. However, only approximately 25% of fluoride absorption occurs from the stomach and 75% from the small intestine. Therefore, a higher fluoride bioavailability is possible.     

Photodegradation mechanism and stabilization of polyphenylene oxide and rigid‐rod polymers

Poly(2,4‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO), poly(benzo[1,2‐d:5,4‐d′]bisoxazole‐2,6‐diyl‐1,4‐phenylene) (PBO) and poly(benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d′]bisthiazole‐2,6‐diyl‐1,4‐phenylene) (PBZT), which are polymers with extended conjugated structures, undergo a self‐sensitized photo‐induced electron‐transfer reaction. A second component is not required. This article presents many similar observations on these polymers when they are exposed to light and evidence to support the proposed photo‐induced electron‐transfer mechanism. Methods to stabilize these polymers against photo‐oxidation are also described. Workers investigating other conjugated polymeric systems may find the experimental methods, observations and polymer stabilization approaches discussed in this review useful. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Application of artificial neural networks to the analysis of two‐dimensional fluorescence spectra in recombinant E coli fermentation processes

A two‐dimensional (2D) spectrofluorometer was used to monitor various fermentation processes with recombinant E coli for the production of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA). The whole fluorescence spectral data obtained during a process were analyzed using artificial neural networks, ie self‐organizing map (SOM) and feedforward backpropagation neural network (BPNN). The SOM‐based classification of the whole spectral data has made it possible to qualitatively associate some process parameters with the normalized weights and variances, and to select some useful combinations of excitation and emission wavelengths. Based on the classified fluorescence spectra a supervised BPNN algorithm was used to predict some of the process parameters. It was also shown that the BPNN models could elucidate some sections of the process's performance, eg forecasting the process's performance. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

A comparison of lightness contrast effects in CRT and surface colours

The simultaneous contrast effect is investigated in this article. A total of 174 and 154 test/induction combinations were studied for CRT and surface colours respectively. Each combination was assessed by nine observers using a matching technique. The test and induction colours used for CRT colours were similar to surface colours using fabric samples. The results indicated a strong lightness contrast effect for both CRT and surface media; that is, the lightness of a test colour surrounded by a lighter induction colour was reduced for both CRT and surface colours. However, the effect in CRT medium was more pronounced than in the surface medium. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 13–20, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20074     

Wasserstofffreie amorphe Kohlenstoffschichten ‐ abgeschieden durch plasmaaktivierte Hochratebedampfung

Hydrogen free amorphous carbon coatings ‐ deposited with plasma‐activated high‐rate evaporation By using the technology of the plasmaactivated electron beam evaporation we deposited hydrogen free amorphous carbon coatings with deposition rates of up to 100 μm/h. The results of the mechanical and tribological investigations show the potential of these layers for the use in case of wear resistance. Hardnesses of up to 16GPa were proved. The actual state of the characterisation of the coatings is described and the outlook onto possibilities of further optimisation is given.     

Heliumlecktestgeräte für die Qualitätsprüfung von Gehäusen für Vakuumverdichter

Helium leak test devices for the quality inspection of housings for vacuum compressors The well‐known and wide‐spread helium leak test method is a safe and fast quality testing method for construction units of any kind. Due to its safe examination and the short time of examination it is predominantly inserted into automated production lines as e.g. in the automobile supporting industry up to the examination by Airbags and rims of wheel. Likewise in addition, for the construction units, machines and devices of the vacuum engineering. From this the demand results simple and in particular economical devices for the helium leak test of construction units with small numbers of items of under 200 pieces per day. For these manufacturing profiles economical ways for the helium leak test are pointed out.