Response of graywater recycling systems based on hydroponic plant growth to three classes of surfactants

Anionic (sodium laureth sulfate, SLES), amphoteric (cocamidopropyl betaine, CAPB) and nonionic (alcohol polyethoxylate, AE) surfactants were added to separate nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic systems containing dwarf wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. USU Apogee) in a series of 21 day trials. Surfactant was added either in a (1). temporally dynamic mode (1-3 g surfactant m(-2) growing area d(-1)) as effected by automatic addition of a 300 ppm surfactant solution to meet plant water demand, or (2). continuous mode (2 g surfactant m(-2) growing area d(-1)) as effected by slow addition (10 mLh(-1)) of a 2000 ppm surfactant solution beginning at 4d after planting. SLES showed rapid primary degradation in both experiments, with no accumulation 24 h after initial addition. CAPB and AE were degraded less rapidly, with 30-50% remaining 24 h after initial addition, but CAPB and AE levels were below detection limit for the remainder of the study. No reductions in vegetative growth of wheat were observed in response to SLES, but biomass was reduced 20-25% with CAPB and AE. Microbial communities associated with both the plant roots and wetted hardware surfaces actively degraded the surfactants, as determined by monitoring surfactant levels following pulse additions at day 20 (with plants) and day 21 (after plant removal). In order to test whether the biofilm communities could ameliorate phytotoxicity by providing a microbial community acclimated for CAPB and AE decay, the continuous exposure systems were planted with wheat seeds after crop removal at day 21. Acclimation resulted in faster primary degradation (>90% within 24h) and reduced phytotoxicity. Overall, the studies indicate that relatively small areas (3-5m(2)) of hydroponic plant systems can process per capita production of mixed surfactants (5-10 g x person(-1)d(-1)) with minimal effects on plant growth.     

Zwitterionic sulfobetaine‐modified non‐woven fabric for blood filtration

Blood filtration requires a high removal ratio of leukocytes and with simultaneous high recovery ratio of platelets and other beneficial components. Problems are often encountered with blood filter materials in terms of high platelet loss. Zwitterions such as phosphorylcholine, sulfobetaine and carboxybetaine show effective resistance against protein adsorption and platelet adhesion. The study reported was aimed at achieving surface modification of poly(butylene terephthalate) non‐woven fabric (PBTNF) using UV radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of a zwitterionic sulfobetaine, N‐(3‐sulfopropyl)‐N‐methacroyloxyethyl‐N,N‐dimethylammonium betaine (SMDB), in order to improve the wettability and platelet recovery ratio of the PBTNF. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that SMDB was successfully grafted onto the PBTNF. Photoinitiator concentration, monomer concentration and UV irradiation time affected markedly the degree of grafting. Critical wetting surface tension, water wetting time and hemolysis tests showed an improvement in wettability and blood compatibility as a result of graft copolymerization of SMDB. A blood filter material composed of SMDB‐modified PBTNF reduced platelet adhesion and had higher platelet recovery compared to poly(acrylic acid)‐modified PBTNF. It was found that SMDB monomer was successfully grafted onto PBTNF using UV radiation. The degree of grafting of SMDB could be controlled by varying the photoinitiator concentration, monomer concentration and UV irradiation time. SMDB‐modified PBTNF showed significant improvement in wettability and blood compatibility. The zwitterionic structure of SMDB is resistant to platelet adhesion. The SMDB‐modified PBTNF could be a candidate for a blood filter material and in other medical applications. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

新型甜菜碱柔软剂的合成与性能研究

采用硬脂酸和三乙醇胺反应生成三乙醇胺硬脂酸酯,再与一氯乙酸钠反应生成新型的三乙醇胺脂肪酸酯甜菜碱.探讨了合成的最佳工艺条件,并对其性能进行了测试,结果表明:该柔软剂的柔软性接近氨基硅油,白度和润湿性均好于氨基硅油,该产品易生物降解,属环保型产品.     

Cleavable surfactants

Cleavable surfactants are of interest for several reasons. Above all, the development of surfactants with weak bonds deliberately built into the structure is driven by the need for improved biodegradability of amphiphiles. The breakdown may be catalyzed by enzymes, and biodegradation would be the normal mechanism in sewage plants. Alternatively, the surfactant may degrade by chemical means, e.g., induced by acid, alkali, ultraviolet (UV) light, heat, or ozone. Acid- and alkali-labile surfactants have attracted particular attention, and there is often a compromise between required stability at one stage and ease of breakdown at a subsequent stage. The paper reviews the main routes used to prepare cleavable surfactants and points out advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Emphasis is placed on the development during recent years. Cyclic and acyclic acetals, ketals, and ortho esters are the most important types of bonds for the preparation of acid-labile surfactants, whereas alkali-labile amphiphiles usually are based on ester bonds. The ester bond approach has been particularly important for cationic surfactants, and so-called ester quats have rapidly taken a large share of the traditional market for quats. Betaine esters constitute a special class of ester with very pronounced pH dependence. UV-labile surfactants based, for instance, on an azo bond, offer promise for the future.     

磺基甜菜碱的合成及其在水包油乳化钻井液中的应用

水包油乳化钻井液作为一种重要的低密度水基钻井液体系,在低压油气层钻探中有着较为广泛的应用,针对目前该体系在深部地层使用过程中出现的抗温能力不足的问题,室内通过一步反应合成了不同碳链数的磺基甜菜碱,测定了其在高温处理后的表面性能变化情况,并将其引入水包油乳化钻井液中。实验结果表明,配制得到的钻井液性能良好,乳化稳定性好,在经过180~210℃热滚动16 h后,体系黏度、切力仍处于合理范围,高温高压滤失量均小于20 mL,满足基本要求;体系稳定性较好,无析油破乳现象发生;且具备一定的抗污染能力,抗水污染达15%,抗柴油污染达15%,抗钻屑污染达15%,抗盐污染达2%,因而能够满足深部低压油气层钻井的要求。      

Dimethyl Sulfoxide-Free Cryopreservation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Based on Zwitterionic Betaine and Electroporation

The effective cryopreservation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is indispensable to the operation of basic research and clinical transplantation. The prevalent protocols for MSC cryopreservation utilize dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is easily permeable and able to protect MSCs from cryo-injuries, as a primary cryoprotectant (CPA). However, its intrinsic toxicity and adverse effects on cell function remain the bottleneck of MSC cryopreservation. In this work, we cryopreserved human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) using zwitterionic betaine combined with electroporation without any addition of DMSO. Betaine was characterized by excellent compatibility and cryoprotective properties to depress the freezing point of pure water and balance the cellular osmotic stress. Electroporation was introduced to achieve intracellular delivery of betaine, intending to further provide comprehensive cryoprotection on UCMSCs. Compared with DMSO cryopreservation, UCMSCs recovered from the protocol we developed maintained the normal viability and functions and reduced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are harmful to cell metabolism. Moreover, the in vivo distribution of thawed UCMSCs was consistent with that of fresh cells monitored by a bioluminescence imaging (BLI) system. This work opens a new window of opportunity for DMSO-free MSC cryopreservation using zwitterionic compounds like betaine combined with electroporation.     

桩西115区块表面活性剂驱技术研究与应用

胜利油田桩西采油厂桩115区块属于高温中低渗油藏,为进一步改善区块注采矛盾,本文通过考察不同浓度4种甜菜碱表面活性剂溶液与桩115区块原油间的界面张力及其在石英砂表面的吸附规律,开发了以甜菜碱表面活性剂为主剂、以碱木素为牺牲剂的低界面张力驱油体系。该体系在石英砂表面的静态吸附量为0.4 mg/g;无需同碱复配,即可使油水界面张力降至5×10-4mN/m。物理模拟实验表明,在水驱后注入0.3 PV冻胶堵剂+0.3 PV低界面张力驱油体系,原油采收率可提高17%。2008年1月在桩115-5井组采用驱替方案进行了现场试验,截止2010年5月净增原油1632 t。图13参7     

聚表二元驱模拟采出液破乳研究

配制长庆北三区聚表二元驱模拟采出液,其中聚丙烯酰胺1000 mg/L、甜菜碱表面活性剂1667 mg/L,含水率10%~50%。在30%含水率模拟采出液、脱水温度55℃、破乳剂加量100 mg/L、脱水时间40 min条件下进行破乳脱水实验,从28种破乳剂中筛选出破乳效果较好的KL-9、KL-10、KL-14磺酸盐型水溶性破乳剂。在破乳剂加量为50 mg/L时,KL-14在45、50、55℃的脱水率分别为92.6%、97.8%和99.9%,均大于KL-9、KL-10,脱水效果最好。在10%、50%含水率模拟采出液中也得到类似的结果。因此,针对10%~50%含水率模拟采出液,最佳破乳剂为KL-14。破乳温度升高,相同破乳剂加量下的脱水率增加;KL-14破乳剂加量增大,相同温度下的脱水率增加;随脱水时间延长,脱水率增大并逐渐稳定。最佳破乳条件为：脱水温度50~55℃、破乳剂加量100 mg/L、脱水时间30 min。     

甜菜碱溶液的界面性能及其在稠油降粘中的应用

为探索稠油乳化降黏过程中乳化剂的构效关系,考察了直链烷基甜菜碱(ASB)、二甲苯基取代甜菜碱(BSB)与稠油的油/水动态界面张力和界面扩张流变参数,测定了甜菜碱溶液与稠油形成的乳状液的稳定性、粒径和黏度。结果表明：甜菜碱分子的亲水基团平铺在界面上,形成具有一定弹性和强度的油/水界面膜,易与稠油形成稳定的O/W乳状液,显著降低了油相黏度。当油/水体积比为1∶1时,2种甜菜碱在质量分数为0.1%～1.0%的范围内,降黏率大于98%。ASB分子与稠油中活性物质混合吸附、协同作用,具有比BSB更高的界面活性和更强的稳定稠油乳状液能力,能在更宽的油/水体积比范围内有效降黏。