Interaction between clay soils and acidic wastewater: Textural and structural evolution

This paper reports the interaction between clay and acidic wastewater (pH = 2.7 and rich in F^?, PO ₄ ^3? , Cl^?, etc.). However, this work investigates the structural and textural evolution after the leachate permeability test of clay soils from three potentials sites for acid effluents storage in the south of Tunisia (soil 1, soil 2, and soil 3). We can notice that the coefficient of permeability decreases according to the time in the case of soil 1 and soil 2 and increase from 6.8 × 10^?10 to 1.1 × 10^?8 m/s for soil 3. The textural changes for the three varieties of clay soils obtained after the leachate permeability test were studied through nitrogen gas adsorption at liquid nitrogen temperature; we determined the specific surface areas (SBET) and total pore and micropore volume. The textural study data have indicated that soil 1 had the lowest textural properties with a pore volume in the 0.06–0.09 cm³ g^?1 ranges and with a surface area (SBET) varying between 35.4 and 47.4 m² g^?1. A detailed structural and morphologic modification were undertaken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); their results show that soil 1 and soil 2 are able to uptake the noxious elements. By comparison, the selectivity of the elimination of these elements is in the order F > P > S for soil 1. The quantitative analysis of anions shows that the sorption capacity of fluoride for soil 1 is about 60 mg/g and is much higher compared to others anions.     

Characterization of solid and liquid sorbent materials for biogas purification by using a new volumetric screening instrument

With the increasing utilization of biogas as an energy source the need for new materials and methods to purify and clean the corresponding gas mixtures is rising. In this regard, the application of ad- or absorptive gas purification methods has increased significantly over the last years. For fast and economic evaluation of the potential of different sorbent materials, a new volumetric screening instrument has been developed. First the measuring method and the new instrument design will be described. This instrument allows ad- and absorption, as well as desorption measurements in a technically relevant, wide pressure, and temperature range. It was used for the characterization of common sorbent materials such as activated carbons and zeolite molecular sieves. Additionally, new substances like metal-organic frameworks and ionic liquids were analyzed. Thereby the sorption of CO(2), CH(4), N(2), and H(2) was measured. The obtained data allow the direct comparison of the sorption properties of the different materials, the results of which will be presented in the second part of the paper.     

An optimization method of the machining parameters in high-speed machining of stainless steel using coated carbide tool for best surface finish

High-speed machining (HSM) has emerged as a key technology in rapid tooling and manufacturing applications. Compared with traditional machining, the cutting speed, feed rate has been great progress, and the cutting mechanism is not the same. HSM with coated carbide cutting tools used in high-speed, high temperature situations and cutting more efficient and provided a lower surface roughness. However, the demand for high quality focuses extensive attention to the analysis and prediction of surface roughness and cutting force as the level of surface roughness and the cutting force partially determine the quality of the cutting process. This paper presents an optimization method of the machining parameters in high-speed machining of stainless steel using coated carbide tool to achieve minimum cutting forces and better surface roughness. Taguchi optimization method is the most effective method to optimize the machining parameters, in which a response variable can be identified. The standard orthogonal array of L₉ (3⁴) was employed in this research work and the results were analyzed for the optimization process using signal to noise (S/N) ratio response analysis and Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA) to identify the most significant parameters affecting the cutting forces and surface roughness. For such application, several machining parameters are considered to be significantly affecting cutting forces and surface roughness. These parameters include the lubrication modes, feed rate, cutting speed, and depth of cut. Finally, conformation tests were carried out to investigate the improvement of the optimization. The result showed a reduction of 25.5% in the cutting forces and 41.3% improvement on the surface roughness performance.     

Reduction of power and lubricant oil consumption in milling process using a new SiO2 nanolubrication system

In this paper, we propose a method based on the surfaces enveloping theory developed as a vertical application in the CATIA graphical design environment. This method is created for profiling tools intended to generate cylindrical helical surfaces with constant pitch. The devised method is applicable for the profiling of disc tools which are bounded by a primary peripheral surface of revolution. A few examples for the determination of the tool’s 3D primary peripheral surface are presented such as helical flutes of cutting tools, worms with wide pitches, and gear involute flanks. The results are presented in both graphical and tabular form for completeness. Screen snapshots of the CATIA-based vertical application are also shown.     

Ultra‐structural hair alterations in Friedreich's ataxia: A scanning electron microscopic investigation

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder involving progressive damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems and cardiomyopathy. FRDA is caused by the silencing of the FXN gene and reduced levels of the encoded protein, frataxin. Frataxin is a mitochondrial protein that functions primarily in iron‐sulfur cluster synthesis. Skin disorders including hair abnormalities have previously been reported in patients with mitochondrial disorders. However, to our knowledge, ultra‐structural hair alterations in FRDA were not demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to determine ultra‐structural alterations in the hairs of FRDA patients as well as carriers. Hair specimen from four patients, who are in different stages of the disease, and two carriers were examined by scanning electron microscope. Thin and weak hair follicles with absence of homogeneities on the cuticular surface, local damages of the cuticular layer, cuticular fractures were detected in both carriers and patients, but these alterations were much more prominent in the hair follicles of patients. In addition, erosions on the surface of the cuticle and local deep cavities just under the cuticular level were observed only in patients. Indistinct cuticular pattern, pores on the cuticular surface, and presence of concavities on the hair follicle were also detected in patients in later stages of the disease. According to our results, progression of the disease increased the alterations on hair structure. We suggest that ultra‐structural alterations observed in hair samples might be due to oxidative stress caused by deficient frataxin expression in mitochondria. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:731–736, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of micro-powder suspension and ultrasonic vibration of dielectric fluid in micro-EDM processes—Taguchi approach

Solutions are needed for increasing the material removal rate without degrading surface quality in micro-electrical discharge machining (μ-EDM). This paper presents a new method that consists of suspending micro-MoS₂ powder in dielectric fluid and using ultrasonic vibration during μ-EDM processes. The Taguchi method is adopted to ascertain the optimal process parameters to increase the material removal rate of dielectric fluid containing micro-powder in μ-EDM using a L₁₈ orthogonal array. Pareto analysis of variance is employed to analyze the four machining process parameters: ultrasonic vibration of the dielectric fluid, concentration of micro-powder, tool electrode materials, and workpiece materials. The results show that the introduction of MoS₂ micro-powder in dielectric fluid and using ultrasonic vibration significantly increase the material removal rate and improves surface quality by providing a flat surface free of black carbon spots.     

Integrated ion exchange mixed bed with reverse osmosis and nanofiltration for isolation of neutral dissolved organic matter from natural waters

The aim of this study was to isolate the neutral dissolved organic matter (NDOM) and the low molecular weight neutrals (LMWN) from natural waters. The coupling of an ion exchange mixed bed (IEXMB) with reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration was the main hypothesis. IEXMB removed charged species, while the neutral molecules were isolated in the demineralised water and then concentrated by RO without any osmotic pressure or fouling limits. Neutrals isolation and unlimited concentration, gives this paper its originality. The nanofiltration (NF) step allows for the isolation of the LMWN. The studied reservoir water NDOM and LMWN represented respectively 35% of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) and 34% of the NDOM. Aromatic compounds were found in both fractions. The UV254 absorbance measured before and after the IEXMB evidenced the water quality ‘signature’. IEX has never been studied as fractionation method of DOM. This IEXMB approach is thus quite novel.     

Detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains in groundwater in the Yaoundé region (Cameroon,Central Africa)

This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, relative to the total count of E. coli, faecal coliforms and other heterotrophic mesophilic aerobic bacteria (HMAB) isolated in groundwater in the equatorial region of Cameroon (Central Africa). Bacteria were isolated using standard methods. Pathogenic E. coli strains were then identified using haemagglutination and antisera tests. The maximum abundance of HMAB, faecal coliforms and E. coli strains were 4.9 × 10⁶, 5.6 × 10³ and 1 × 10³ colony‐forming units (CFU)/100 mL, respectively. The count of pathogenic E. coli strains reached 3 CFU/100 mL. The counts of commensal and pathogenic E. coli strains underwent temporal and spatial fluctuations. In 21% of sampling sites, the abundance of faecal coliforms was significantly correlated to that of E. coli (P < 0.05). However, the isolated bacterial count was not significantly correlated to that of the pathogenic E. coli strains (P > 0.05). The bacteria abundance dynamics may be impacted by many interacting factors.     

Ion implantation and diamond-like coatings of aluminum alloys

In an attempt to increase the wear resistance of some key automotive components, General Motors Research and Development Center initiated a study to determine the potential of surface modification as a means of improving the tribological properties of automotive parts, and to investigate the feasibility of mass producing such parts. This paper describes the plasma immersion ion implantation system that was designed for the study of various options for surface treatment, and it discusses bench testing procedures used for evaluating the surface-treated samples. In particular, both tribological and microstructural analyses are discussed for nitrogen implants and diamond-like hydrocarbon coatings of some aluminum alloys.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies for the adsorption of Hg(II) by nano-TiO2 from aqueous solution

Titanium dioxide nanocrystals were employed, for the first time, for the sorption of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The effects of varying parameters such as pH, temperature, initial metal concentration, and contact time on the adsorption process were examined. Adsorption equilibrium was established in 420 min and the maximum adsorption of Hg(II) on the TiO₂ was observed to occur at pH 8.0. The adsorption data correlated with Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), and Temkin isotherms. The Freundlich isotherm showed the best fit to the equilibrium data. The Pseudo-first order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were studied to analyze the kinetic data. A second-order kinetic model fit the data with the (k₂ = 2.8126 × 10^?3 g mg^?1min^?1, 303 K). The intraparticle diffusion models were applied to ascertain the rate-controlling step. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were calculated which showed an endothermic adsorption process. The equilibrium parameter (R_L) indicated that TiO₂ nanocrystals are useful for Hg(II) removal from aqueous solutions.