Energy consumption in iodine section of I–S: Effect of operating parameters of electro-electrodialysis on overall efficiency of cycle

Reducing heat demand for increasing concentration of HI in the HI_x solution of the iodine circuit of the Iodine–Sulphur cycle is considered the most effective way of increasing efficiency of the cycle. Electro-electrodialysis has emerged as an energy efficient way of increasing the HI_x concentration above azeotropic value. Simulation of the iodine circuit consisting of an EED, a flash and a decomposer was carried out in Aspen Plus™ simulation platform to study the effect of EED current density and outlet HI concentration on the efficiency of the cycle. Efficiency reduced strongly with increase in current density. For EED current density of 5 A/dm², maximum efficiency was ∼35.9% and the optimal range of EED catholyte's exit HI concentration, iodine-free, mole fraction was 0.19–0.21. Simulation results showed that reducing EED resistance was most effective, among all EED parameters, in increasing the cycle's thermal efficiency and if the EED resistance is completely eliminated the thermal efficiency value would increase to 39.4%.     

Electrospinning of aqueous lignin/poly(ethylene oxide) complexes

Microfibers of kraft lignin blended with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were produced by electrospinning of the solution of lignin and high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in alkaline water. Interactions between lignin and PEO in alkaline aqueous solutions create association complexes, which increases the viscosity of the solution. The effect of polymer concentration, PEO molecular weight, and storage time of solution before spinning on the morphology of the fibers was studied. It showed that after one day the viscosity dropped and fiber diameter decreased. Results from the solutions in alkaline water and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) with different polymer concentrations were compared. The 7 wt % of (Lignin/PEO: 95/5 wt/wt) in alkaline aqueous solution was successfully spun and the ratio of PEO in lignin/PEO mixture could be further reduced. In comparison, higher concentrations were needed to prepare a spinning solution in DMF and fiber diameters were in a much smaller range. The final target of spinning lignin is to produce carbonized fibers. Fibers spun from aqueous solutions had lower PEO content, which is a big advantage for the carbonization process as it reduces the challenges regarding melting of the fibers or void creation during carbonization. Furthermore, the larger diameter of these fibers inhibits disintegration of the carbonized fibers, which happens due to the mass loss during the process. © 2014 The Authors Journal of Applied Polymer Science Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41260.     

Critical Zn concentration for essential oil yield and menthol concentration of Japanese mint

The effect of different concentrations of Zn nutrient application on Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.) was studied under glasshouse conditions. Zn application stimulated the dry matter production, essential oil concentration and menthol concentration of Japanese mint. Zn supplies of 0.05µg ml^–1 were required for maximum responses in dry matter yield and oil concentration. Significantly positive interrelationships were observed among fresh herb yield, dry matter yield and menthol concentration in the oil. Graphical analyses of Cate and Nelson model indicated the critical Zn concentration in leaves to be 28µg g^–1 on a dry matter basis and in the solution culture 0.0475µg ml^–1 on the basis of Zn concentration in leaves.     

Studies on viscosity behaviour of alkali halides in aqueous N,N′ dimethyl urea solution

The viscosity behaviour of ternary systems comprising alkali halides (concentration range 0.125–3 M) in aqueous N,N′ dimethyl urea (0.6 M) solution, over the temperature range 25–40°C has been investigated. It has been found that Moulik's equation (ν/ν_$\text{0}$)² = M + KC² holds good for these systems for the concentrated region. From the relative viscosity data, the “effective” rigid molar volume, V_e and apparent B coefficient have been computed employing the Breslau-Miller procedure at temperatures 25, 30, 35 and 40°C. These data have been used to explain the structuring effect in N,N′ dimethyl urea solution.     

Processing Technology Comparison of Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Cassava Starch Extracted from Fresh Root and Dry Chips

Starch was extracted from dry chips of three varieties of cassava using wet milling and dry milling methods. The physicochemical and functional properties were compared with those from fresh root. The starch obtained exhibited lower peak viscosities, breakdowns and setbacks, and higher pasting and peak temperatures than that from fresh root. Most thermal properties (onset and peak temperatures of gelatinization and retrogradation; conclusion temperatures, enthalpies and peak height indices of retrogradation; and degree of retrogradation) were found to be higher than those of fresh‐root starch. Moreover, swelling power, paste clarity and freeze‐thaw stability of the former were inferior to those of the latter. Both types of starches exhibited increased rate of syneresis with increase in freeze‐thaw cycles. Differences observed in properties of starches derived from dry chips by wet and dry millings were very minimal. No indication of major change in granule structure was noted for dry‐chip starch that would alter the properties relative to fresh root starch. Higher fiber content and annealing due to exposure to heat and moisture of the former accounted for most of the variations of properties as compared to the latter. With the advanced technology used in starch manufacturing industry today it would be possible to obtain starch from dry chips with similar quality from fresh root. This would enable the industry to overcome the cycle of glut and low season, and allow them to remain open for longer period of time in a year.     

Influence of fiber length,fiber orientation,and interfacial adhesion on poly (butylene terephthalate)/polyethylene alloys reinforced with short glass fibers

Blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) and high density polyethylene at a ratio of 80:20 wt% were reinforced with short glass fibers varying from 10 to 30 wt% to enhance mechanical properties. Considerable fiber damage occurred during injection molding, reducing the number average fiber length from the starting value of 4.5 mm to < 1 mm. This value decreased with increasing fiber content, which is also responsible for lowering the reinforcement efficiency. The variation in mechanical properties has been explained on the basis of fiber concertration. The effect of an ionomer, which was used to compatibilize the blends, on properties of corresponding composites has also been studied.     

Novel vertically aligned nanocomposite of Bi2WO6-Co3O4 with room-temperature multiferroic and anisotropic optical response

Nano Research - A new vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) structure based on two-dimensional (2D) layered oxides has been designed and self-assembled on both LaAlO3 (001) and SrTiO3 (001)...     

Nanoscale growth twins in sputtered metal films

This article reviews recent studies on the mechanical properties of sputtered copper and 330 stainless-steel films with {111} nanoscale growth twins preferentially oriented perpendicular to growth direction. The mechanisms of formation of growth twins during sputtering, unusually high strengths, and excellent thermal stability of nanotwinned structures are highlighted.     

Thermo‐Physical and Impact Properties of Epoxy Containing Epoxidized Linseed Oil, 2

Summary: Biobased neat epoxy materials containing epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) were processed with an amine curing agent. A defined amount of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF) was replaced by ELO. The thermophysical properties of the amine‐cured biobased neat epoxy were measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The Izod impact strength increased with an increase in the amount of ELO added. The change in the Izod impact strength was correlated with the thermophysical properties measured by DMA.

Relation between the Izod impact strength and loss factor for amine‐ and anhydride‐cured ELO‐containing epoxy resins.