Absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy on the aggregation behavior of asphaltene-toluene solutions

Evidence of crude oil stability and the tendency of asphaltene aggregation in crude oil have been investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Octylated asphaltenes were also used as reference because of their low aggregation tendency. Changes in the absorbance vs. concentrations in toluene solutions show that aggregation starts around 50 mg/l for Furrial asphaltene and approximately at 75 mg/l for Hamaca asphaltenes. Red shift and quenching in the fluorescence peak maximum observed for solutions when asphaltenes concentrations are increased demonstrate that the aggregation process starts at low concentration regime. These experimental results are consistent with the fact that Hamaca asphaltenes have lower tendency to aggregate than asphaltenes from Furrial crude oils. Our results verify that the tendency to form aggregates diminishes in the octylated form.     

Utilization of quarry by-products for reduction of expansion due to alkali-aggregate reaction

The replacement of normal fine aggregate with high fines limestone screenings is a technique to reduce waste from crushed stone operations, while potentially improving the durability and performance of concrete. The main objective of this research is to evaluate varying percentages of high fines limestone screenings as a partial weight replacement of reactive fine aggregate (similar to limestone sweetening) in mortars to assess reductions in the expansion due to alkali-aggregate reaction (ASTM C 227, ASTM C 1260, and modified ASTM C 1105). Fresh and hardened properties have been evaluated to assess the effects of limestone screenings on performance criteria. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was performed to visually observe and confirm alkali-aggregate reaction products and associated damage. From the physical testing and microstructural analysis, it was found that 50% or more of limestone screenings significantly reduce expansions due to alkali-aggregate reaction, attributed to the preference for monocarbonate formation in the presence of limestone and/or reactive silica dilution. Replacements less than 50% did not significantly reduce expansion.     

Rheological study of gum arabic solutions: Interpretation based on molecular self-association

This study deals with the rheological properties of aqueous solutions of gum arabic, the complex arabinogalactan polysaccharide containing about 2% protein. The flow behavior of control gum and a matured gum (EM2), which have different molecular associations, was investigated at different concentrations in water and added urea (6M) by rheological and dynamic light scattering methods. The influence of molecular association on rheological behavior of gum arabic solutions was studied. It was found that though Newtonian behavior was observed across a wide range of concentrations and at high shear rates, gum arabic solutions showed a pronounced shear thinning in low shear rate ranges. The maximum difference in viscosity between shear rate increasing and decreasing processes was observed at 6% for both control gum and EM2 in water, and at 3% for control gum and 9% for EM2 in urea solutions. The results demonstrated macromolecular association of gum arabic occurring in the solutions, and the observed time-dependent flow behavior reflected microstructural breakdown and re-building in the systems. This phenomenon was understood in view of the relationship between rheological properties and microstructural characteristics. A model was presented to interpret the rheological behavior, which is attributed to the occurrence of shear-induced breakdown and re-formation of gum arabic aggregates.     

Processing defects in ceramic powders and powder compacts

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Constructed wetlands: a review

The first aim of this invited literature review is critically to review and evaluate hydrological, physical and biochemical processes within natural and constructed wetlands. The second aim is to contribute the thoughts of the authors to the discussion with the help of a case study focusing on gully pot liquor treatment. The performances of constructed treatment wetlands with and without macrophytes, and aggregates of different adsorption capacities will be assessed, principle findings highlighted and conclusions, also relevant to the literature review, will be drawn. The relationships between aggregates, microbial and plant communities as well as the reduction of predominantly biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids and heavy metals are investigated. After maturation of the biomass, which dominates the litter zone, organic and inorganic contaminants are usually reduced similarly for all wetland types. There appears to be no additional benefit in using macrophytes and expensive adsorption media in constructed wetlands.     

Impact of Particle Aggregated Microbes on UV Disinfection. I: Evaluation of Spore–Clay Aggregates and Suspended Spores

Aggregation of microbes with particles can reduce the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. This study evaluated the comparative impact of dispersed spores, dispersed spores mixed with clay particles (nonaggregated), spore–spore aggregates, and spore–clay aggregates on UV disinfection performance in simulated drinking waters. Aggregates were induced by flocculation with alum and characterized by particle size analysis (count, volume, and surface area) of dispersed and aggregated systems, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. It was concluded that spores within aggregates of the spore–clay system were protected from UV irradiation compared to nonaggregated spores and the difference between these systems was found to be statistically significant throughout the UV range tested. In addition SEM-EDX analysis suggested that aggregate composition is nonhomogeneous with respect to the ratio of spores and clay particles among aggregates. It was estimated that 30–50% of the spores in the aggregates tested were protected from UV irradiation.     

Three-dimensional mathematical analysis of particle shape using X-ray tomography and spherical harmonics: Application to aggregates used in concrete

The properties of composites made by placing inclusions in a matrix are often controlled by the shape and size of the particles used. Mathematically, characterizing the shape of particles in three dimensions is not a particularly easy task, especially when the particle, for whatever reason, cannot be readily visualized. But, even when particles can be visualized, as in the case of aggregates used in concrete, three-dimensional (3-D) randomness of the particles can make mathematical characterization difficult. This paper describes a mathematical procedure using spherical harmonic functions that can completely characterize concrete aggregate particles and other particles of the same nature. The original 3-D particle images are acquired via X-ray tomography. Three main consequences of the availability of this procedure are mathematical classification of the shape of aggregates from different sources, comparison of composite performance properties to precise morphological aspects of particles, and incorporation of random particles into many-particle computational models.     

Technical and Computational Aspects of the Measurement of Aggregate Shape by Digital Image Analysis

Aggregates need to pass numerous tests to ensure the performance of asphalt and concrete structures and pavements. Some of these tests are fairly onerous, requiring manual, labor intensive, cost ineffective measurements that do not provide significant statistical validity, and are prone to errors through ignorance, negligence, or even in some cases through deliberate misrepresentation. This paper presents a vision based alternative to measure the shape of aggregate particles. The system, although requiring increased capital investment, will result in objective, cost effective, and timely testing of aggregate shape. The system uses dual, synchronized, double speed progressive scan cameras to image the aggregate piece from two directions. A dual image acquisition card simultaneously digitizes both images and does real-time thresholding to create a binary image, which is ported to the host computer. A software trigger determines the presence of an aggregate piece in the image, and the boundaries of the piece are delineated by a perimeter-walking routine. Measurements of aspect ratio and minimum curve radius are made on the perimeter array, and are compared to flat and elongated tests, coarse aggregate angularity (uncompacted voids), compacted voids, and fractured face counts.     

国内外块石胶结充填技术综述

概述了国外三种有代表性的块石胶结充填工艺、国内近年来的应用情况，并对两种主要的块石胶结充填工艺进行了比较。通过本文，可略见块石胶结充填的国内外概貌。     

Optimizing Rolling Patterns for Chip Seals Using Laboratory Aggregate Loss Performance Tests on Field Fabricated Samples

This paper presents a study to determine the optimal rolling patterns for chip seals based on aggregate retention performance. Chip seal sections composed of single seals of granite 78M and CRS-2 emulsion are constructed using five different rolling patterns with two or three rollers. Both pneumatic tire and combination rollers are used in developing these patterns. Chip seal samples are obtained from the sections for laboratory testing. The aggregate retention performance is evaluated using the flip-over test, Vialit test, and the third-scale model mobile loading simulator. It is found that the time delay between aggregate spreading and rolling is an important parameter for the aggregate retention performance. The laboratory aggregate retention test results are used along with typical roller speeds and the maximum allowable time delay between aggregate spreading and rolling to develop optimal rolling patterns for two and three rollers.