Modeling Tetrachloroethylene Decomposition in Photosonolysis Reactor

A mathematical model was developed for the decomposition of halogenated compounds in water and applied for tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in a flow-through photosonolysis reactor. To develop the model, a series of differential equations were formulated based on the principles of conservation of mass and mass action for hypothetical parent and daughter species, which were then solved analytically. The model sensitivity analysis was performed to determine if the model gives intuitive results. In support of the modeling effort, experiments were conducted. In a flow-through bench-scale reactor, simulated groundwater contaminated with PCE was irradiated with ultraviolet light and ultrasound concurrently in the presence of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The model was calibrated against the concentrations of PCE, trichloroethylene, methylene chloride, and chloride ion, obtained from the experiments. The proposition for the rate constants is based on fitting the model result to the experimental data. The model was further verified by comparing the model results against a different set of experimental data. The model results against available data indicated good agreement within experimental variations. The modeling suggests that PCE is more susceptible to the C-C double bond cleavage than the C-Cl bond cleavage. The results also support the assumptions that chlorinated methane compounds can be degraded at higher rates than chlorinated ethylene and that the values of the degradation rate constants increase with a decreasing number of chlorine atoms attached to the hydrocarbon compound.     

Early intervention for spelling problems: Teaching functional spelling units of varying size with a multiple-connections framework.

Poor spellers in 2nd grade (n?=?128) participated in 24 20-min sessions that included (a) direct instruction in the alphabet principle (most frequent phoneme-spelling connections); (b) modeling of different approaches, singly and in combination, for developing connections between spoken and written words for 48 words ordered by sound-spelling predictability; and (c) practice in composing. Results of this multilayered intervention showed that (a) more than 1 way of developing sound-spelling connections is effective in teaching spelling but that after training in the alphabet principle, combining whole word and onset-rime training is most effective in achieving transfer of the alphabet principle across word contexts; (b) functional spelling units of not only a single letter but also 2 or more letters are important in beginning spelling; and (c) training in spelling transfers to composition and word recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relative permeability measurements for two phase flow in unconsolidated sands

This paper presents the results of laboratory measurements of relative permeability for two phase flow in partially saturated samples of unconsolidated sands. Relative permeabilities for tap water and air, de-aired water and nitrogen were measured using a steady—state technique. Three different sand samples (fine sand, heterogeneous sand and coarse sand) were tested.     

Evaluating Ozone as a Remedial Treatment for Removing RDX from Unsaturated Soils

Years of wastewater discharge at the Department of Energy’s Pantex Plant have contaminated the vadose zone and underlying perched aquifer with hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Because the vadose zone is acting as a continual source of groundwater contamination, removing RDX from the unsaturated zone is paramount to prevent further contamination. We determined the efficacy of ozone to degrade and mineralize RDX. Solution experiments showed that ozone (27?mg?L?1; 150?mL?min?1) was effective in mineralizing 80% of the RDX (30?mg?RDX?L?1) provided that some Pantex soil was present to buffer the solution pH. Soil columns treated with ozone produced 50% RDX mineralization within 1 day and >80% within 7 day. Experiments designed to evaluate aerobic biodegradation following partial ozonation of a RDX solution showed that ozone-generated RDX products were much more biodegradable than untreated controls in aerobic microcosms (35 versus <0.3% cumulative mineralization). These results support the use of ozone as a remedial treatment for the contaminated vadose zone at the Pantex facility.     

The radiation crosslinking and scission of ethylene-propylene copolymers studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

Methyl groups from chain scission and H-crosslinks have been identified by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance in amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymers containing 23 and 36 mole % propylene after γ-irradiation to 10 MGy at 30°C. G (scission) and G (crosslink) values determined from the n.m.r. spectra and by extraction are in agreement, which suggests that the crosslinks are not clustered. This may differ from the situation in polyethylene where there is a substantial crystalline content. G(S). G(X) and the ratio G(S)/G(X) increase with increasing propylene content of the copolymers.     

Visual insights into high-resolution earthquake Simulations.

This study focuses on the visualization of a series of large earthquake simulations collectively called TeraShake. The simulation series aims to assess the impact of San Andreas Fault earthquake scenarios in Southern California. We discuss the role of visualization in gaining scientific insight and aiding unexpected discoveries.     

Trouble at the Telco: When GSM Goes Bad

GSM is a series of standards defining various aspects of mobile voice and data communications. These standards provide a framework that looks set to underlie modern mobile business communications well into the 21st century.