Gravity induced coalescence in emulsions with high volume fractions of dispersed phase in the presence of surfactants

We report studies on the effect of volume fraction and surfactant concentration on the kinetics of destabilization of emulsions under the influence of gravity. Model oil‐in‐water emulsions, designed to mimic crude oil–water emulsions, were prepared with varying volume fractions of dispersed oil but nearly identical normalized initial drop size distributions. The gravity separation process was observed by periodically withdrawing samples, and examining the droplet size distribution under the microscope. Experiments were performed for three volume fractions of dispersed phase and two surfactant concentrations (0.4 and 1.6% by weight). At higher oil fractions (20%) and a lower surfactant concentration (0.4%), it was observed that although the rate of coalescence increased, the actual oil separation was delayed. At higher surfactant concentrations (1.6%), the dominant factor in suppressing destabilization is the rate of drop to interface coalescence. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 4379–4389, 2017     

Non-Hall-Petch hardness dependence in ultrafine fibrous MgAl2O4-MgO eutectic ceramics fabricated by the laser-heated floating zone (LFZ) method

MgAl₂O₄-MgO eutectic ceramics were fabricated by the laser-heated floating zone (LFZ) method with various growth rates to assess its possible beneficial effect on microstructural aspects and mechanical properties. It was determined that the growth rate optimizing the microstructure and mechanical properties is 750 mm/h; below this value, coarsening of the fibrous microstructure takes place with a degradation of these properties. In the extreme case of 50 mm/h growth rate, the presence of undesirable transverse cracks was unavoidable. Thanks to the high growth rate of 750 mm/h, ultra-fine fibrous microstructure MgAl₂O₄-MgO eutectic ceramics can thus be fabricated with greater hardness (15.5 GPa from Vickers indentation and 22 GPa from nanoindentation) and flexural strength (?345 MPa). It is reported that hardness scales with the interfiber spacing λ according to a law of the type lnλ/λ, contrary to the assumed Hall-Petch-like dependence. This proposed law can be explained in terms of dislocation hardening induced by the MgO fibers.     

Analysis of the two-phase flow in a de laval spray nozzle and exit plume

One method used in spray forming and coating technology involves transonic/supersonic gas-droplet two- phase flows through a de Laval nozzle and subsequent subsonic freejet flow from the nozzle to the sprayed surface. To the first- order approximation, this complex phenomenon can be treated in a quasione-dimensional manner to simulate the entire converging- diverging nozzle flow field (with particle injection at the throat) as well as the plume (freejet) region. The basic numerical technique and computer model solve the steady gas field equations through a conservative variable approach and treat the droplet phase in a Lagrangian manner, with full aerodynamic and energetic coupling between the droplets and the transport gas handled via source terms. These analyses are simple and economical to execute. The one- dimensional models are valuable in constructing algorithms for automated process control. Finally, these one- dimensional models give direction to two- and three- dimensional simulations and serve as a test bed for models based on particle dynamics and energetics.     

The bondons: the quantum particles of the chemical bond

By employing the combined Bohmian quantum formalism with the U(1) and SU(2) gauge transformations of the non-relativistic wave-function and the relativistic spinor, within the Schrödinger and Dirac quantum pictures of electron motions, the existence of the chemical field is revealed along the associate bondon particle B̶ characterized by its mass (m_B̶), velocity (v_B̶), charge (e_B̶), and life-time (t_B̶). This is quantized either in ground or excited states of the chemical bond in terms of reduced Planck constant ħ, the bond energy E_bond and length X_bond, respectively. The mass-velocity-charge-time quaternion properties of bondons’ particles were used in discussing various paradigmatic types of chemical bond towards assessing their covalent, multiple bonding, metallic and ionic features. The bondonic picture was completed by discussing the relativistic charge and life-time (the actual zitterbewegung) problem, i.e., showing that the bondon equals the benchmark electronic charge through moving with almost light velocity. It carries negligible, although non-zero, mass in special bonding conditions and towards observable femtosecond life-time as the bonding length increases in the nanosystems and bonding energy decreases according with the bonding length-energy relationship Ebond[kcal/mol]×Xbond[A0]=182019, providing this way the predictive framework in which the B̶ particle may be observed. Finally, its role in establishing the virtual states in Raman scattering was also established.     

异菌脲在不同栽培模式下的降解动态

采用气相色谱法研究了异菌脲在大棚和露地青菜上的残留降解动态.喷施500 g/L的异菌脲悬浮剂1000倍后,异菌脲在露地青菜上原始沉积量为41.04 mg/kg,药后14 d残留量为1.34 mg/kg,消解率达到96.7%,半衰期为1.98 d,在大棚青菜上的原始沉积量为33.15 mg/kg,药后14 d残留量为1.53 mg/kg,消解率达到95.4%,半衰期为2.45 d,两者无明显差异.异菌脲在露地青菜和大棚青菜上的残留量均符合一级反应动力学方程.以5 mg/kg为其最高残留限量,推荐其在青菜上的安全间隔期为8 d.     

Etude de l'influence du mode d'anodisation sur la cinétique de croissance des films d'alumine en milieu acide sulfurique

The kinetics of growth of Al₂O₃ oxide films made by anode oxidation of ALuminium 1050A with two anodization techniques has been investigatedan compared. The first technique is the classical method based on continuous tension during the complete electrlysis duration, and the second one is the modern method ofpulsed tensions, whcih consists of periodically imposing to the material two anodc tensions E₁ and E₂ (E₁ > E₂) during time T₁ and T₂ until the end on anodization. We have shown that the second technique allows the fabrication of films more rapidly for the same electrolysis duraton. Energy and electrolysis time are saved, making it attractive from an economical viewpoint. This advantage arises from the positive effect of excess heat disiption gathered during the imposition of tension, E₁, when E₂ is imposed thereafter (recovery effect). The logging of in situ transient responses in the case of pulsed anodization is a significant asset to explain the growth film kinetics obtained with this method.     

Enlèvement du phosphore des eaux usées par traitement à base de tourbe dopée aux boues rouges

The addition of an aluminium and iron doping agent, bauxite red mud, has been tested with a commercial peat for thetreatment of a secondary municipal wastewater. Based on a column study, phosphorus (P) removal was raised from about17% to 21% on peat alone to over 95% with red mud treatment of peat. By this mean, the use of red muds allowed areduction of P, concentration effluent to below 0.15 mg/L. The boosting effect of red mud seemed to decrease with timeand especially with the hydraulic loading. For a hydraulic loading of 30 cm/j, P removal met govermental guidelines (_t effluent < 1 mg/L) for a period of 50 days. Other classic efficiency parameters such as BOD₅, COD and coliforms werenot altered by the use of the doping agent.     

Extraction of alcohol using emulsion liquid membrane consisting of paraffin oil as an organic phase and lecithin as a surfactant

BACKGROUND: This paper reports on the use of a liquid emulsion membrane involving paraffin light oil as membrane phase and lecithin as surfactant for the extraction of alcohol from anthocyanin extract and simulated pineapple wine. RESULTS: The extraction of alcohol was found to depend on the many factors such as surfactant concentration, contact time, stirring speed, stirring time, and ratio of membrane emulsion to feed volume. Results showed that optimum conditions for maximum alcohol extraction (25%) were lecithin concentration 3%, contact time 20 min, stirring speed 250 rpm and ratio of membrane emulsion to feed volume 1:2. Multistage extraction using this liquid emulsion membrane was found to completely remove alcohol from anthocyanin extract and from simulated pineapple wine in seven stages and five stages, respectively. CONCLUSION: This liquid emulsion membrane was found to be a useful method for the extraction of alcohol from aqueous feed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

酶工程：从人工设计到人工智能

计算机在酶工程中的应用使得酶的序列空间探索度不断被扩大。随着不同分子力场参数的建立,涌现出诸多以计算分子能量为基础的算法,并被用于酶的催化活性、稳定性、底物特异性等的改造与筛选。伴随计算机硬件的提升与算法的优化,从头设计全新功能的人工酶取得成功并得以发展。近年来,人工智能在蛋白质结构预测上不断获得突破,同时也被应用到酶的设计中。介绍了分子力场基础和酶设计与筛选的算法,重点阐述了从头设计的方法和成功案例,以及机器学习设计酶的流程和最新的研究进展,展望了人工智能在酶工程领域的未来发展,为酶的改造与全新功能的生物催化剂的设计助力。