Integrated System for Remediation of Contaminated Soils

A pilot-scale study was conducted to evaluate an integrated system for the remediation of soils contaminated primarily with pentachlorophenol (PCP), a wood preserver. The integrated soil remediation system consisted of three unit processes: (1) Soil solvent washing; (2) solvent recovery; and (3) biotreatment of the contaminant residual. Pilot-scale countercurrent solvent washing was carried out using a 95% ethanol solution—a solvent that in an earlier bench-scale study was found to be effective in removing PCP and hydrocarbons (HCs) from soils. Three-stage countercurrent solvent washing of a field-contaminated soil was performed using batches of 7.5 kg of soil and 30 L of solvent (1 kg:4 L soil-to-solvent contact ratio). The washed soil was rinsed with water in a single stage after three countercurrent wash stages. Pilot-scale, three-stage countercurrent solvent washing with 95% ethanol reduced the PCP and HC contamination on the soil by 98 and 95%, respectively. The spent solvent and the spent rinse water were combined as the spent wash fluid for further treatment. A pilot-scale distillation unit was used to recover the ethanol from the spent wash fluid. The HC constituents of the spent wash fluid were removed by pH adjustment prior to feeding the spent wash fluid to a distillation unit. Greater than 96% of the ethanol in the spent wash fluid was recovered in the distillate stream, whereas PCP was captured in the bottoms stream. The bottoms stream was treated sequentially in anaerobic and aerobic granular-activated carbon fluidized-bed reactors. Complete mineralization of PCP was achieved using this treatment train.     

Separation of greenhouse gases from gas mixtures using nanoporous polymeric membranes

Removal of greenhouse gases from gas streams using porous membranes was carried out in this work. Theoretical studies were performed in terms of mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of CO₂ capture in a flat‐sheet membrane contactor. Numerical simulation was performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of mass and momentum transfer in the membrane module for laminar flow conditions. Physical absorption was considered in the simulations for absorption of CO₂ in pure water. CO₂ concentration distribution in the membrane module was determined through numerical solution of continuity equation coupled with the Navier‐Stokes equations. The modeling predictions indicated that the CO₂ concentration difference is not appreciable in the membrane direction. Moreover, velocity distribution was determined in the liquid side of membrane contactor. CFD also represents a design and optimization tool for membrane gas separation processes. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:975–980, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Light-fueled self-oscillation of liquid crystal polymer network: Effect of photostabilizers

The quest for harnessing light-induced oscillatory motion, inspired by natural oscillations, has become a focus of scientific attention. Researchers are exploring the use of liquid crystal network (LCN) polymers and their integration with compatible materials as soft actuators. Of particular interest is the utilization of photostabilizers, which play a pivotal role in preserving the polymer against photodegradation. For this, three distinct derivatives of Tinuvin were chosen to explore their influence on the light-fueled oscillatory motion of LCN polymers when exposed to polarized light to examine the impact of molecular orientation on the resultant motion. The research includes a comprehensive analysis of morphology, FT-IR spectra, and elastic modulus assessments. The findings indicate that the Tinuvin derivatives along with light polarization have an impact on the resulting oscillatory characteristics. The findings include oscillation frequencies spanning from 8.95 to 14.96 Hz and oscillation amplitudes ranging from 0.47 to 1.73 mm. The dipole moment of Tinuvin types influences the oscillation frequency by altering the elastic modulus of the LCN, while its impact on surface roughness and structural configuration affects the resulting oscillation amplitude. Notably, the highest oscillation frequency is observed when all oriented molecules within the LCN respond to 45° polarized light. Investigating the impact of utilized photostabilizers on the polymer structural configuration was although possible through the examination of related FT-IR specra.     

Purification of a novel protease enzyme from kesinai plant (Streblus asper) leaves using a surfactant–salt aqueous micellar two-phase system: a potential low cost source of enzyme and purification method

Serine protease from kesinai leaves was purified for the first time by a surfactant–polymer aqueous micellar two-phase system. The effectiveness of different types and concentrations of non-ionic surfactants (Pluronic series and X-114) on the partitioning behaviour of the protease was evaluated. The results showed that the enzyme preferentially partitioned into the bottom surfactant-rich phase, while the hydrophilic amino acid preferred the top aqueous phase. This distribution of the enzyme is due to the hydrophobic interaction of the serine protease with the hydrophobic lid of the micelle core in the bottom phase. The influence of different types of salts (K₂SO₄, KH₂PO₄, KCl and KNO₃) on the purification and selectivity of the enzyme was determined. The protease partitioning in the bottom phase increased in the presence of KNO₃, which confirmed that the salt was able to improve the protein solubility in bottom phase and increase the hydrophobic interaction between the two phases. In addition, the protease from the bottom phase was re-extracted to a new aqueous phase solution to remove and recycle the surfactant. Addition of potassium thiocyanate led to the partitioning of the enzyme in top aqueous phase due to high ionic strength of SCN^?, which forced the lighter micellar phase toward the upper position of the system. A high purification factor (10.3) and yield of 92 % of the enzyme were achieved in a solution of 31 % of Pluronic L61 using 0.3 % KNO₃ and 50 % crude feedstock at pH 7.0.     

Ballistic limit prediction using a numerical model with progressive damage capability

The ultimate objective of this study is to provide further understanding of the behaviour of laminated composites of varying lamina orientations and stacking sequences, when under high-velocity impact. Emphasis is placed on the determination of ballistic limits of these composites. To this end, an experimental program is carried out and a computational model, with progressive damage modeling capabilities, is developed using LS-DYNA. Experiments are performed whereby striking velocities are measured, via high-speed photography, to determine the ballistic limits of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates of various stacking sequences. The results are reproduced closely by a numerical simulation, indicating that the numerical analysis conducted, including the choice of material model and contact definition, is an accurate means for modeling the high-speed impact characteristics of CFRP laminates. It is found that the use of static elastic and strength properties to describe the material is reasonable, since strain rate effects are found to be negligible. The kinetic energy of the projectile, plotted over the simulated impact duration, is used as the prime parameter to compare the experimental and numerical results. The numerical results accurately predict the experimental ballistic limit for six of the seven tested laminate stacking sequences. Failure due to delamination is found to play a vital role with respect to the energy absorbing ability and lamina stacking sequence of CFRP laminates.     

Biocompatibility and corrosion behavior of the shape memory NiTi alloy in the physiological environments simulated with body fluids for medical applications

Due to unique properties of NiTi shape memory alloys such as high corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, super elasticity and shape memory behavior, NiTi shape memory alloys are suitable materials for medical applications. Although TiO₂ passive layer in these alloys can prevent releasing of nickel to the environment, high nickel content and stability of passive layer in these alloys are very debatable subjects. In this study a NiTi shape memory alloy with nominal composition of 50.7 atom% Ni was investigated by corrosion tests. Electrochemical tests were performed in two physiological environments of Ringer solution and NaCl 0.9% solution. Results indicate that the breakdown potential of the NiTi alloy in NaCl 0.9% solution is higher than that in Ringer solution. The results of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) reveal that low pitting corrosion occurred in Ringer solution compared with NaCl solution at potentiostatic tests. The pH value of the solutions increases after the electrochemical tests. The existence of hydride products in the X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the decrease of the concentration of hydrogen ion in solutions. Topographical evaluations show that corrosion products are nearly same in all samples. The biocompatibility tests were performed by reaction of mouse fibroblast cells (L929). The growth and development of cells for different times were measured by numbering the cells or statistics investigations. The figures of cells for different times showed natural growth of cells. The different of the cell numbers between the test specimen and control specimen was negligible; therefore it may be concluded that the NiTi shape memory alloy is not toxic in the physiological environments simulated with body fluids.     

Influence of Chemical Extraction on Rheological Behavior,Viscoelastic Properties and Functional Characteristics of Natural Heteropolysaccharide/Protein Polymer from Durio zibethinus Seed

In recent years, the demand for a natural plant-based polymer with potential functions from plant sources has increased considerably. The main objective of the current study was to study the effect of chemical extraction conditions on the rheological and functional properties of the heteropolysaccharide/protein biopolymer from durian (Durio zibethinus) seed. The efficiency of different extraction conditions was determined by assessing the extraction yield, protein content, solubility, rheological properties and viscoelastic behavior of the natural polymer from durian seed. The present study revealed that the soaking process had a more significant (p < 0.05) effect than the decolorizing process on the rheological and functional properties of the natural polymer. The considerable changes in the rheological and functional properties of the natural polymer could be due to the significant (p < 0.05) effect of the chemical extraction variables on the protein fraction present in the molecular structure of the natural polymer from durian seed. The natural polymer from durian seed had a more elastic (or gel like) behavior compared to the viscous (liquid like) behavior at low frequency. The present study revealed that the natural heteropolysaccharide/protein polymer from durian seed had a relatively low solubility ranging from 9.1% to 36.0%. This might be due to the presence of impurities, insoluble matter and large particles present in the chemical structure of the natural polymer from durian seed.