Purification of Ellagic Acid by UF Membranes

Ellagic acid (2, 3, 7, 8‐tetrahydroxy(1)benzopyrano(5, 4, 3‐cde)(1)benzopyran‐5, 10‐dione) was selected as a model pollutant which is present in the tannic fraction of cork processing wastewater. The ultrafiltration of aqueous ellagic acid solutions through three membranes was studied in tangential UF laboratory equipment. Two of the membranes were polyethersulfone (Biomax10K and Biomax5K, with MWCO of 10000 and 5000 Da, respectively), and the third made of regenerated cellulose (Ultracel5K, with MWCO of 5000 Da). The water hydraulic permeability was evaluated for each membrane. The evolution of the permeate flow rate with processing time was followed, and the influence of the main operating variables (feed flow rate, trans‐membrane pressure and nature of the membranes) on the permeate flux was also established. According to the hypothesis of the film theory, the intrinsic and apparent rejection coefficients, as well as the mass transfer coefficients, were also determined, and the values obtained were discussed as a function of the operating conditions used.     

Structure and Certain Properties of Hot-Pressed Boron Carbide-Based Ceramic with Calcium-Silicon Additive

The influence which the composition of powder mixtures, the treatment conditions which the mixtures are subjected to, and the conditions under which the hot-pressed composite materials B₄C – (5-10 mass%) calcium-silicon are fabricated exert on the structure, nature of failure, and mechanical properties of these materials is investigated. Optimum properties are possessed by material containing 10 mass% of addition. It is shown that the structure, morphology, and dispersivity, as well as the nature of the distribution of the components that are added to the composite material (secondary phase) vary as the temperature of hot pressing changes. Maximal mechanical characteristics of the composite material (σ_bend = 560 MPa, K _1c = 4.7 MPa·m^1/2, HV = 37 GPa) are attained at hot-pressing temperatures in the range 2000-2100°C.     

Labor-Management Cooperation and Customer Satisfaction

The satisfaction that a customer has with the construction product and construction services provided by a contractor has a direct influence on the customer’s willingness to select that contractor for future work. Labor and management working together have the opportunity to influence customer satisfaction. Activities at the contractor/craft worker level, the contractor/local union level, and the contractor association/local union level have the greatest potential to influence customer satisfaction. A precisely defined plan incorporating labor-management activities targeted at specific satisfaction factors will have the greatest likelihood of creating high customer satisfaction.     

Biochemical oxidation of caprolactam-containing wastewater from the production of synthetic fibres

Conclusions The chemical mutagenesis method is recommended for use in local purification installations for cleaning up of caprolactam-containing wastewater.Use of this method permits one to carry out a biochemical clean-up of wastewater having a caprolactam content up to 600 mg/liter while increasing the oxidative power of the aeration tank by a factor of two.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 6, p. 46, November–December, 1985.     

Effect of surface treatment on segregation of impurities in haematite

Surface segregation of various impurities such as Mg, Si, Ca, Al and Cr were determined for the haematite phase (Fe₂O₃) annealed in two different gas compositions involving (1) air at 1173 K, and (2) a gas mixture containing sulphur at 773 K. The objective of work was to establish the effect of the gas-phase composition on segregation of lattice defects. The near-surface segregation profiles of the impurities were determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The depth profile analysis was made by sputtering using an Ar⁺ primary beam of energy 30 keV. The surface charge was neutralized by an electron gun. It was found that annealing Fe₂O₃ under a gas phase containing sulphur resulted in the formation of an Fe(SO₄)₃ surface layer. It was observed that the two surface treatment procedures applied (both with and without sulphur) result in Mg enrichment in the near-surface region of Fe₂O₃. Si and Ca exhibit an enrichment and impoverishment after the surface treatments 1 and 2, respectively. Finally, the near-surface layer is impoverished in Cr and Al after both types of surface treatment. Experimental results are discussed in terms of segregation driving forces of the respective elements and the possible effect of sulphur on the gas-solid heterogeneous kinetics.     

On the cover.

Discusses the cover art for this issue of American Psychologist. Portions of the article are based on an interview with the artist, Melissa Miller, on November 6, 2006. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experimental Study of Ice Jam Thickening under Dynamic Flow Conditions

River ice jams are a common occurrence on northern rivers, and their formation can present a severe flood risk to nearby communities. As more and more river regulation projects are developed to provide an alternative to fossil fuels for electrical power-generating capacity, our need to understand the mechanisms associated with ice jam formation under variable flow conditions becomes more vital. This is because, at present, hydropeaking operations are often severely curtailed during the ice-affected seasons due to concerns that sudden flow fluctuations might instigate ice jams and associated flooding. Here, an experimental investigation explores the effects of rapid increases in discharge on ice jam formation and evolution. It is found that the thickness of ice jams formed under highly dynamic flow conditions tend to be slightly thinner than those formed during steady carrier flows for comparable discharges. Also, despite the highly dynamic nature of these consolidation events, the resulting ice thicknesses appear reasonably well approximated by steady flow theory.     

Bioavailability and Toxicity of Metal Nutrients during Anaerobic Digestion

This paper investigates the effect of chelating agents on the bioavailability of Fe and Cu during anaerobic digestion. The results on metal speciation and methane production in anaerobic serum bottles showed that biomass was able to grow in the presence of citrate 1?mM and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) 1?mM, suggesting that the binding sites at the cell surface competed efficiently for the metals with the chelating agents added. The presence of free ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 1?mM inhibited methanogenesis, and this seemed to be related to a loss in metal uptake capacity. Although the addition of soluble microbial products (SMP) did not change metal distribution in anaerobic systems, it caused an increase in the rate of methane production, and it is believed that direct uptake of Cu-SMP complexes was responsible for this increase. The best protection against Cu toxicity occurred when stoichiometric amounts of NTA, which should complex and solubilize most of the Cu, was added, and it is likely that NTA prevented lethal concentrations of Cu from being adsorbed onto the cell and hence internalized.