Surface Activation of Diamond Particles in the Process of Chemical Coppering

The effect of the composition of sensitizing–activating solutions on the activation efficiency and the chemical coppering of diamond powders is studied. The results demonstrate that stabilizing additives improve the stability of the solutions, influence the average coppering rate, and play a key role in determining the morphology and quality of the resultant coatings. The most effective stabilizing additive is synthamid-10, which ensures the deposition of high-quality copper coatings.     

An integrated system to remote monitor and control anaerobic wastewater treatment plants through the internet.

The TELEMAC project brings new methodologies from the Information and Science Technologies field to the world of water treatment. TELEMAC offers an advanced remote management system which adapts to most of the anaerobic wastewater treatment plants that do not benefit from a local expert in wastewater treatment. The TELEMAC system takes advantage of new sensors to better monitor the process dynamics and to run automatic controllers that stabilise the treatment plant, meet the depollution requirements and provide a biogas quality suitable for cogeneration. If the automatic system detects a failure which cannot be solved automatically or locally by a technician, then an expert from the TELEMAC Control Centre is contacted via the internet and manages the problem.     

Sensory analysis of polystyrene packaging material taint in cocoa powder for drinks and chocolate flakes

Polystyrene packaging material taint was sensorily evaluated in cocoa powder for drinks and chocolate flakes using short-cut signal detection measures on differences between control and test samples and on recognition of styrene. No differences were observed in cocoa powder for drinks and plain chocolate flakes treated with 0.5 dm2 polystyrene of 1 mm thickness. However, differences were detected in milk chocolate flakes and plain chocolate flakes, which were in contact with a larger area or thicker polystyrene packaging material. The latter results were confirmed by the styrene recognition test, so polystyrene is a potential source of off-flavour for chocolate products. The amount of residual styrene in the polystyrene used was about 320 ppm, while the amounts of styrene ranged from 7 to 132 ppb in cocoa drinks and from 414 to 1447 ppb in chocolate flakes.     

Current and future water issues in the Oldman River Basin of Alberta, Canada.

Long-term trends in alpine and prairie snow pack accumulation and melt are affecting streamflow within the Oldman River Basin in southern Alberta, Canada. Unchecked rural and urban development also has contributed to changes in water quality, including enhanced microbial populations and increased waterborne pathogen occurrence. In this study we look at changing environment within the Oldman River Basin and its impact on water quality and quantity. The cumulative effects include a decline in net water supplies, and declining quality resulting in increased risk of disease. Our data indicates that decreases in the rate of flow of water can result in sedimentation of bacterial contaminants within the water column. Water for ecosystems, urban consumption, recreation and distribution through irrigation is often drawn from waterholding facilities such as dams and weirs, and concern must be expressed over the potential for contaminate build-up and disproportionate potential of these structures to pose a risk to human and animal health. With disruption of natural flow rates for water resulting from environmental change such as global warming and/or human intervention, increased attention needs to be paid to use of best management practices to protect source water supplies.     

Highly resistant dispensing nozzles based on zirconium dioxide for profiled CBCM. Part 1. Structure and physicomechanical properties of materials based on zirconium dioxide for producing CBCM dispensing nozzles

Technology is developed for preparing refractory components made of partially stabilized zirconium dioxide using an isostatic compaction press. Technology is provided for manufacturing dispensing nozzles using combined and separately stabilized zirconium dioxide, and also indices of the refractories obtained and imported materials are compared. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 3, pp. 127–131, March 2008.     

A light refractory concrete for thermal insulation

Compositions have been developed for nonshrinking vibrocast thermally insulating light refractory concretes with densities of 1.0, 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 g/cm³ for temperatures of use up to 1400°C. The structure and properties have been examined for the concrete of density 1.3 g/cm³. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 4, pp. 29–32, April, 2008.     

Total and Fractional Performance of Granular Dust Traps in Refractory Production

Methods are proposed for designing interpolation models for the preliminary determination and subsequent forecasting of general and fractional breakthrough coefficients for dust used with granular filters, as employed in energy-saving and high-performance dust trapping from technological gases and ventilation discharges in refractory production. The models are supplied with nomograms, which makes them widely suitable for experts working in environmental protection at refractory-producing organizations. The main factors are identified that influence the performance. The results are of interest to experts in related areas of industry such as building materials and engineering ceramics and so on. Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 4, pp. 64–67, April, 2008.