Removal of Cd(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions using mesoporous silicate containing zirconium and iron

The present work elucidates an environmental friend by process for heavy metals removal from aqueous solutions using mesoporous silicate, containing zirconium and iron. The process comprises the three following steps: (1) synthesis and characterization of mesoporous silicate bed (the prepared adsorbent materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen isotherms, FTIR, TGA, and SEM). (2) Evaluation of the efficiency of this new adsorption bed for Cu and Cd removal from aqueous solutions. (3) Study of metal concentration (50-1000 ppm), stirring time (0.5-5 h) and pH (1.5-12) effects on the adsorption power using batch techniques. Results obtained indicate that under optimum conditions, pH in the vicinity of 5-6, Zr-M has the maximum adsorption capacity for both cations Cu and Cd. On the other hand, ZrFe-M1 containing a higher molar ratio of iron showed lower adsorption capacity for the cations Cu and Cd.     

Catalysts for processing light hydrocarbon raw stock: Combustion synthesis and characterization

Fiber glass supported nanosized Co and Co-Ni catalysts were prepared by solution-combustion synthesis and characterized for their structure and catalytic activity.     

Stabilized treatment of recycled water in byproduct capture shop

Problems in the cooling-water cycle are addressed. Data are presented regarding the treatment of the recycled cooling water and the coking byproducts by Nalco reagents.     

The Effectiveness of Fish Oil Supplementation in Asthmatic Rats is Limited by an Inefficient Action on ASM Function

Episodes of acute exacerbation are the major clinical feature of asthma and therefore represent an important focus for developing novel therapies for this disease. There are many reports that the n-3 fatty acids found in fish oil exert anti-inflammatory effects, but there are few studies of the action of fish oil on airway smooth muscle (ASM) function. In the present investigation, we evaluated the effect of fish oil supplementation on smooth muscle force of contraction in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic Wistar rats, and its consequences on static lung compliance, mucus production, leukocyte chemotaxis and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Fish oil supplementation suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lung in asthmatic animals (2.04 ± 0.19 × 10⁶ cells vs. 3.33 ± 0.43 × 10⁶ cells in the control asthmatic group; P < 0.05). Static lung compliance increased with fish oil supplementation in asthmatic rats (0.640 ± 0.053 mL/cm H₂O vs. 0.399 ± 0.043 mL/cm H₂O; P < 0.05). However, fish oil did not prevent asthma-associated lung eosinophilia and did not affect the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in lung tissue or the proportion of the airways obliterated with mucus. Fish oil had no effect on the force of contraction in asthmatic rats in response to acetylcholine (3.026 ± 0.274 mN vs. 2.813 ± 0.364 mN in the control asthmatic group). In conclusion, although fish oil exerts some benefits in this model of asthma, its effectiveness appears to be limited by an inefficient action on airway smooth muscle function.     

Dense fine-grained biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bioceramics designed by two-step sintering

In this study, dense, fine-grained biphasic calcium phosphate bioceramics were designed via the two-step sintering method. The starting powder was nanosized calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite, whose phase composition, average particle size and morphology were characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, laser diffraction and FE-SEM. The phase transformations of the initial powder during heating up to 1200 °C were examined using TG/DSC. At first, conventional sintering was performed and the recorded shrinkage/densification data were used to find out the appropriate experimental conditions for two-step sintering. The obtained results show that two-step sintering yields BCP ceramics, consisting of hydroxyapatite and β-TCP, with full dense, homogeneous structure with average grain size of 375 nm. Furthermore, BCP ceramics obtained by the two-step sintering method exhibit improved mechanical properties, compared to conventionally sintered BCP.     

Cobalt-cement catalysts for the synthesis of motor fuel components from synthesis gas obtained from oil shale

Highly effective cobalt-cement catalysts for the synthesis of aliphatic hydrocarbons from CO and H₂, which are formed upon the thermolysis or gasification of oil shale or coals, are considered. The formation of the catalysts was studied.     

Substantiating the selection of recirculation circuits in technology for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas

Process flow schemes of the production of liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas were considered. Based on the proposed flow schemes, a mathematical model of the process was constructed. The overall material balances and energetic characteristics of the process were calculated. The application of recirculation circuits was shown to have high target product yields per unit feedstock gas.