Ozonation of CI Reactive Black 5 using rotating packed bed and stirred tank reactor

This study investigates the ozonation of CI Reactive Black 5 (RB5) by using the rotating packed bed (RPB) and completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) as ozone contactors. The RPB, which provides high gravitational force by adjusting the rotational speed, was employed as a novel ozone contactor. The same ozone dosage was separately introduced into either the RPB or the CSTR for the investigation, while the experimental solution was continuously circulated within the apparatus consisting of the RPB and CSTR. The decolorization and mineralization efficiencies of RB5 in the course of ozonation are compared for these two methods. Moreover, the dissolved and off‐gas ozone concentrations were simultaneously monitored for the further analysis. As a result, the ozone mass transfer rate per unit volume of the RPB was significantly higher because of its higher mass transfer coefficient and gas–liquid concentration driving force. Furthermore, ozonation kinetics was found to be independent of the gravitational magnitude of an ozone gas–liquid contactor. Therefore, the results suggest employing RPBs as ozone‐contacting devices with the advantage of volume reduction. The experimental results, which can be used for further modeling of the ozonation process in the RPB, also show the requirement of correct design for the RPB. Consequently, the present study is useful for the understanding of practical application of RPBs. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study of the nutrient distribution in root tips of the tropical forage Brachiaria

A Brachiaria breeding project is being conducted at CIAT, Colombia to combine acid soil adaptation of B. decumbens with other favourable traits of Brachiaria species that are less adapted to acid soils. Micro-PIXE was applied to investigate nutrient uptake and distribution in root tips of different species grown in hydroponic culture under control and simulated acid soil stress conditions. Different sample measurement approaches were evaluated, including: (1) linear scans with single point measurements along the root axis; (2) mapping of whole root tips; and (3) mapping of root cross sections. Different tissue types could be distinguished on the base of differences in nutrient concentrations and/or Al stress. Al, if supplied under nutrient stress conditions, increased P accumulation in the central vascular tissue of the meristematic and elongation zone of B. decumbens and B. brizantha. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between Al and Cl accumulation in the root cap of B. decumbens.     

Optical imaging of anatomical maps derived from magnetic resonanceimages using time-independent optical sources

Presents a model suitable for computing images of absorption cross sections of thick tissue structures illuminated at near infrared (NIR) wavelengths from tomographic projection data. Image reconstruction is accomplished by solving a system of linear equations derived from transport theory. Reconstruction results using different algebraic solvers are shown for anatomical maps of the breast, derived from magnetic resonance imaging data, containing two simulated pathologies, in which case qualitatively good reconstructions were obtained. Evaluation of magnetic resonance (MR) data to optimize NIR optical tomographic imaging methods and to assess the feasibility of a combined MR-optical measurement scheme is discussed     

The influence of trigger configurations and laminate lay-up on the failure mode of composite crush cylinders

In this paper the results are presented of a test program on the energy absorption of composite cylinders loaded in compression. The influence of the laminate lay-up and of the trigger configuration were determined. Two different failure modes for the different laminates and triggers were observed: a splaying mode and a fragmentation mode. The splaying mode is more efficient in absorbing energy. The failure mode did not change during the crushing process.     

Exchange and oxidation of CO on O-predosed Rh---Al2O3 and Rh---CeO2 catalysts

Exchange and oxidation of C¹⁶O were investigated at 450°C on ¹⁸O-predosed Rh and Pt catalysts supported on A1₂O₃, CeO₂ and CeO₂-Al₂O₃. In all cases, a rapid exchange of C¹⁶O with the surface can be observed. CO oxidation leads to C¹⁶O₂, C¹⁶O¹⁸O and C¹⁸O₂. Significant formation of C¹⁶O₂ is due to the relatively high ¹⁶O coverage in reaction resulting from the C¹⁶O exchange and from an exchange between O surface species and ¹⁶O internal atoms. Hydrogen is also formed via a water-gas shift reaction (CO + surface OH) in higher proportion on CeO₂-containing catalysts than on A1₂O₃. Chlorine inhibits all the reactions (exchange, oxidation and WGS) and particularly the internal exchange.     

β″－Al_2O_3陶瓷的强化和韧化

研究了稳定ＺｒＯ＿２和部份稳定ＺｒＯ＿２对β″－Ａｌ＿２Ｏ＿３陶瓷的强化和韧化作用，观察了不同种类、不同含量的ＺｒＯ＿２对β″－Ａｌ＿２Ｏ＿３陶瓷的显微结构、力学性能和电导率的影响，探讨了β″－Ａｌ＿２Ｏ＿３的韧化机理。     

Enhanced electron emission from phosphorus-doped diamond-cladsilicon field emitter arrays

Undoped and phosphorus (P)-doped diamond-clad Si field emitter arrays have been successfully fabricated using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) technology. The electron emission from the blunt diamond-clad microtips are much higher than those for the pure Si tips with sharp curvature due to a lower work function. Furthermore, the characteristics of emission current against applied voltage for the P-doped diamond-clad tips show superior emission at lower field to the undoped ones. After the examination of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and electrical characteristics of as-grown diamond, such a significant enhancement of the electron emission from the P-doped diamond-clad tips is attributed to a higher electron conductivity and defect densities     

A preliminary analysis of the biomass energy production potential in Africa in 2025 considering projected land needs for food production

This paper provides a preliminary examination of present and projected land use in Africa to estimate the potential availability of land in 2025 for use in producing biomass energy. Fifty countries are included in the analysis. Future cropland requirements are projected on the basis of average African cereal crop yield improvements since 1972, and minimum nutritional requirements are assumed to be met in 2025 without increasing imports above present absolute levels. Cropland, natural forests and other wilderness areas are excluded from consideration for biomass energy use. Woody biomass energy yields are estimated on the basis of nationally averaged precipitation, using a yield-precipitation correlation for commercial eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. The total African bioenergy production potential in 2025 is estimated to be about 18 EJ per year for a set of baseline assumptions that includes planting only 10% of the available non-crop, non-forest, non-wilderness area with biomass energy crops. A preliminary cost assessment suggests that much of this biomass could be produced for $1–2 GJ⁻¹. A number of uncertainties in the modelling assumptions are examined through a sensitivity analysis. Despite limitations in the model used here, one robust conclusion is that Africa as a whole has a significant biophysical potential for producing biomass energy. This result suggests that more detailed country and sub-country level assessments would be worthwhile to understand better the practical prospects for future biomass energy production in Africa.     

Cumulant calculations of thermodynamic quantities for the Hubbard and the emery model

The calculations of the first paper suggesting phase separation in the Hubbard model [2] are performed under modern computer facilties for the one and three-band Hubbard model. High-temperature approximations for specific heat and static correlation functions are obtained. The latter show, at these high temperatures, no tendency to phase separate in the same way as in the cited paper because our spin parallel nearest-neighbor charge correlation function is negative for all doping values. The spin antiparallel correlation function has positive and negative values for different doping regimes.Extension of this work to higher levels of iterations and to other correlation functions is in progress.