Zero-valent iron treatment of RDX-containing and perchlorate-containing wastewaters from an ammunition-manufacturing plant at elevated temperatures.

The use of zero-valent iron for treating wastewaters containing RDX and perchlorate from an army ammunition plant (AAP) in the USA at elevated temperatures and moderately elevated temperature with chemical addition was evaluated through batch and column experiments. RDX in the wastewater was completely removed in an iron column after 6.4 minutes. Increasing the temperature to 75 degrees C decreased the required retention time to 2.1 minutes for complete RDX removal. Perchlorate in the wastewater was completely removed by iron at an elevated temperature of 150 degrees C in batch reactors in 6 hours without pH control. Significant reduction of perchlorate by zero-valent iron was also achieved at a more moderate temperature (75 degrees C) through use of a 0.2 M acetate buffer. Based on the evaluation results, we propose two innovative processes for treating RDX-containing and perchlorate-containing wastewaters: a temperature and pressure-controlled batch iron reactor and subsequent oxidation by existing industrial wastewater treatment plant; and reduction by consecutive iron columns with heating and acid addition capabilities and subsequent oxidation.     

Experimental and analytical study on the spray characteristics of dimethyl ether (DME) and diesel fuels within a common-rail injection system in a diesel engine

This paper investigates the effect of injection parameters on the characteristics of dimethyl ether (DME) as an alternative fuel in a diesel engine with experimental and analytical models based on empirical equations. In order to study macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of DME fuel, this work focuses on the atomization characteristics of DME and compares experimental and predicted results for spray development obtained by empirical models for diesel and DME fuel. Detailed comparisons of spray tip penetration from three different empirical correlations and from visualization experiments of diesel and DME fuels were conducted under various fuel injection conditions. In comparison with the results of different empirical equations for measured spray tip penetration, the experimental results of this study provide good agreement with the calculation results based on empirical equations, except during the earliest stage of the injected spray sequence. The results of atomization characteristics indicate that DME showed better spray characteristics than conventional diesel fuel. Also, the fuel injection delay and maximum injection rate of DME fuel are shorter and lower than those of diesel fuel at the same injection conditions, respectively.     

Deposition of PtxRu1−x Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation in Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Platinum-ruthenium electrodes (Pt_xRu_1-x) have been prepared by electrochemical and electroless deposition and investigated as catalysts for the oxidation of methanol in acidic solutions. Pt_xRu_1-x deposits were electrochemically deposited from acidic chloride electrolytes at potentials between −0.46 and 0.34 V (vs. NHE). The composition of the electrodeposit was estimated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and is a strong function of the electrode potential. An empirical model for the deposition process is presented and kinetic parameters are estimated and discussed. Also, the methanol oxidation activity of the Pt_xRu_1-x catalysts was characterized by cyclic voltammetry in 1.0 M CH₃OH, 1.0 M H₂SO₄ solutions. Electroless Pt_xRu_1-x samples were prepared in a modified Leaman bath with hydrazine dihydrochloride as the reducing agent. The kinetic results for the electrochemical deposition of Pt_xRu_1-x were directly applied and the deposition potential was estimated as approximately 0.40 V.     

Preparation of monodisperse poly(vinyl alcohol) microspheres by heterogeneous surface saponification and iodine complex formation

Monodisperse poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) microspheres with high molecular weight obtained by suspension polymerization of vinyl acetate were saponified in alkaline aqueous solution to keep their spherical structure. The saponification was restricted on the surface of the PVAc microspheres and obtained particles had skin/core structure. Various poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microspheres with different diameters and degrees of saponification (DSs) were obtained. The conversion of PVAc to PVA during the heterogeneous surface saponification time were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and after 72 h hydrogel type PVA microspheres completely saponified were obtained. The crystal melting temperatures of the microspheres obtained by the saponification were measured a constant value of 238°C irrespective of varying DS, and the peaks became enlarged as reaction time. Iodine complexes were formed in saponified microspheres with DS of 41% and 99% by immersing them in I₂/KI aqueous solution and decomposed by the reduction of I₂ in the complexes to 2I^? using sodium sulfite to confirm whether the skin formed through the saponification was composed of PVA with high VA content. Obviously, characteristic blue color developments owing to I₅^?‐PVA complexes were observed in both saponified regions and a red in the PVAc core. Consequently, it was concluded that the PVA skins formed by heterogeneous surface saponification had high DSs. Such complexes endowed polymeric microspheres a good radiopacity which would be useful in clinical treatment of vascular diseases and were examined by X‐ray irradiation image. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

The application of microencapsulated phase‐change materials to nylon fabric using direct dual coating method

The fabrication of functional textiles able to provide thermal regulation and comfort for the body has attracted increasing interest in recent years. This research investigated fabric coatings containing energy absorbing, temperature stabilizing, phase‐change material microcapsules (PCMMcs), and their methods of application. Specifically, a coated fabric was directly prepared by a dual‐type coating method, in which the PCMMcs were dispersed in a polyurethane coating solution with no binder. The thermal performances of the dual‐coated samples were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, and their physical characteristics were examined by scanning electron microscopy, thermal vision camera, porosity, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and water entry pressure (WEP) analyses. Furthermore, the microclimate characteristics of the thermally enhanced fabrics were investigated under experimental conditions using a human‐clothing‐environment (HCE) simulator system. The study results confirmed the superior performance of the dual‐coated fabrics in terms of thermal regulation and body comfort, compared with those coated by the dry or wet coating method, because of the improved WEP, WVTR, and thermal performance. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Influence of polymer modulus on the percolation threshold of latex-based composites

Monodispersed copolymer emulsions with different glass transition temperatures were synthesized to investigate the effect of room temperature polymer matrix modulus on the electrical properties of carbon black (CB) filled segregated network composites. The emulsion with the highest modulus at room temperature produced composites with the lowest percolation threshold. The threshold for a composite made from a copolymer latex containing an equal ratio of butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate (BA5) is 1.5 vol%, while the percolation threshold for the much lower modulus BA7 (7:3 BA/MMA ratio) is 4.93 vol%. The microstructure of each composite shows significant differences in the level of CB dispersion within the polymer matrix. Higher modulus polymer particles push the CB more efficiently into the interstitial space between them, resulting in a lower percolation threshold. This modulus effect was confirmed by increasing the drying temperature, where the moduli of latexes (BA5, BA5.5, and BA6) were more similar and the percolation thresholds for three composites also become closer to one another.     

Effect of Li+ ions on structure,properties, and actuation of cellulose electro‐active paper actuator

We have reported an electro‐active paper actuator from regenerated cellulose. After dissolving cellulose fibers with a solution of lithium chloride in N,N‐dimethylacetamide, cellulose was regenerated by combining distillation of cellulose solution along with washing with the mixture of deionized water, isopropyl alcohol, and running water. However, the effect of Li⁺ ions on structure, properties, and the actuation behavior of the actuator was not studied. This article describes the changes in these parameters when the Li⁺ ions are removed by subjecting it to different running water exposure time. The structure and properties of cellulose electro‐active paper and its actuation behavior were studied. As Li⁺ ions content reduced from 4354.17 to 10.26 ppm by increasing the exposure time of running water, crystallinity, Young's modulus, and bending displacement decreased. Details about the investigation have been explained. This elimination of ions is important to increase the piezoelectric effect in EAPap by decreasing the ion migration effect. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Survey of nitrate and nitrite contents of vegetables grown in Korea.

A scientific basis for the evaluation of the risk to public health arising from excessive dietary intake of nitrate in Korea is provided. The nitrate () and nitrite () contents of various vegetables (Chinese cabbage, radish, lettuce, spinach, soybean sprouts, onion, pumpkin, green onion, cucumber, potato, carrot, garlic, green pepper, cabbage and Allium tuberosum Roth known as Crown daisy) are reported. Six hundred samples of 15 vegetables cultivated during different seasons were analysed for nitrate and nitrite by ion chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, respectively. No significant variance in nitrate levels was found for most vegetables cultivated during the summer and winter harvests. The mean nitrates level was higher in A. tuberosum Roth (5150 mg kg(-1)) and spinach (4259 mg kg(-1)), intermediate in radish (1878 mg kg(-1)) and Chinese cabbage (1740 mg kg(-1)), and lower in onion (23 mg kg(-1)), soybean sprouts (56 mg kg(-1)) and green pepper (76 mg kg(-1)) compared with those in other vegetables. The average nitrite contents in various vegetables were about 0.6 mg kg(-1), and the values were not significantly different among most vegetables. It was observed that nitrate contents in vegetables varied depending on the type of vegetables and were similar to those in vegetables grown in other countries. From the results of our studies and other information from foreign sources, it can be concluded that it is not necessary to establish limits of nitrates contents of vegetables cultivated in Korea due to the co-presence of beneficial elements such as ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol which are known to inhibit the formation of nitrosamine.