Stability of Standard Electrolytic Conductivity Solutions in Glass Containers

The stability of solutions having an electrolytic conductivity, κ, of 5 μS/cm to 100 000 μS/cm packaged in glass screw-cap bottles, glass serum bottles, and glass ampoules was monitored for 1 year to 2 years. The conductivity was determined by measuring the ac resistance of the solution. Mass loss was also monitored for solutions packaged in bottles. The solutions were prepared using KCl in water (κ ≥100 μS/cm) or KCl in 30 % (by mass) n-propanol 70 % (by mass) water (κ ≤ 15 μS/cm). The conductivity changes were compared by packaging type and by nominal κ. The main causes of the κ changes are evaporation (screw-cap bottles) and leaching (screw-cap bottles, serum bottles, and ampoules). Evaporation is determined from mass loss data; leaching occurs from the glass container with no change in mass. The choice of optimal packaging, which depends on the conductivity level, is the packaging in which κ changes the least with time. Ampoules are the most suitable packaging for standards having nominal κ values of 500 μS/cm to 100 000 μS/cm. Screw-cap bottles are most suitable for standards having a nominal κ of 5 μS/cm to 100 μS/cm.     

Effect of pretreatments and freezing rate on the firmness of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw cycle

The texture of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw process using different freezing rates and different pretreatments was analysed, in order to select the best strategy for optimum preservation of the textural characteristics of pre‐frozen potato. Ten blanching conditions were tested and a two‐step blanching process with calcium chloride (0.07 g mL^?1) proved the most effective in protecting the tissue after a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force around 10–55% of the raw tissue, depending on potato batch, for air‐blast freezing and 20–60% for immersion freezing). Vacuum impregnation at 100 and 400 mbar, even when followed by different pre‐drying treatments to remove excess water, was very detrimental to resistance to a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force below 10% of the raw tissue for air‐blast freezing and below 20% for immersion freezing). Microstructure analysis confirmed better tissue integrity retention with ethyleneglycol immersion freezing instead of air‐freezing. Differences were found between batches with a 6‐month difference in storage time, indicating that the fresher batch was more suitable for freezing.     

Modelling of the extraction equilibrium of zinc from chloride solutions with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide

The extraction of zinc from chloride solutions with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in benzene has been thermodynamically studied based on the law of mass action. A model employing the simplified Pitzer equations for stoichiometric activity coefficient estimations is found to be effective for the explanation and prediction of the distribution data, and the thermodynamic extraction constant is determined as log K_et = 5.16 ± 0.11 at 20°C.     

Influence of process variables on the drying of potato slices

Investigation of the effects of varying air velocity, slice thickness, and pre-treatment with sodium chloride solutions and surface active agents on drying potato slices indicated that the drying occurred entirely in the falling rate period and was controlled by the mechanism of liquid diffusion. The rate of drying, and therefore the diffusion coefficients, increased with the addition of sodium chloride and surface active agents. Diffusion coefficients were also influenced by air velocity and slice thickness, suggesting that the rate of drying of potato slices is controlled by a combination of internal and external resistances.     

The rate of corrosion of concrete reinforcement and possibilities of its mathematical modelling

The paper describes a method for the mathematical modelling of steel reinforcement corrosion rate. This method is based exclusively on experimental results and expression of the influence of significant corrosion factors in the form of functional relations. The method takes into account the reality of the effects of corrosion factors, their contigency and complexity, and various circumstances occurring in practice. It represents one way towards the development of methods for the prediction of service life of reinforced concrete and structures.     

The influence of NaCl and CO2 on the atmospheric corrosion of magnesium alloy AZ91

The influence of NaCl and CO₂ on the atmospheric corrosion of magnesium alloy AZ91 is studied in the laboratory. Samples were exposed under carefully controlled air and flow conditions; the relative humidity was 95%, the temperature was 22.0°C and the concentration of CO₂ was < 1 ppm or 350 ppm. Different amounts of sodium chloride (0–70 μg/cm²) were added before exposure. The corrosion products were analyzed by gravimetry, ion chromatography, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Mass gain and metal loss results are reported. The combination of high humidity and NaCl is very corrosive towards AZ91. However, the NaCl‐induced corrosion is inhibited by ambient concentrations of CO₂. Exposure in the absence of CO₂ gives rise to heavy pitting, with brucite, Mg(OH)₂, being the dominant corrosion product. In the presence of CO₂ a layer of hydrated magnesium hydroxy carbonate, Mg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂ · 5 H₂O forms. A tentative corrosion mechanism is presented that explains the behavior in the two environments.     

The emulsifying properties of a polysaccharide isolated from the fruit of Cordia abyssinica

Polysaccharide was isolated from Cordia abyssinica and its effect, at differing concentrations, on its emulsifying ability was determined. Emulsions of vegetable oil containing up to 1% of the polysaccharide in phosphate pH 7.4 buffer, were prepared by using a hand piston homogenizer. Emulsification was assessed by diluting samples of the emulsions in sodium dodecyl sulphate and measuring absorbance at 500 nm. Addition of increasing concentrations of the polysaccharide up to 1% enhanced emulsification and emulsion stability. Above 1% concentration the polysaccharide solutions were too viscous for making emulsions conveniently. At a constant concentration of the polysaccharide, addition of up to a 1% concentration of salt enhanced emulsion formation. Further addition of salt above 1% resulted in no further changes in emulsifying ability, but the stability of the emulsions formed decreased on increasing the concentration of salt above 1%. The effect of pH on emulsifying ability was investigated by preparing emulsions using buffers of different pH, from pH 3 to pH 13. The polysaccharide had poor emulsifying ability below pH 7. Emulsifying ability increased with pH between pH 7 and 11. At pH above 11 there was a decrease in emulsifying ability.     

镀锌钢带工艺技术改造

本介绍了将氰化钠镀锌溶液转换为氯化钾镀锌溶液的镀锌工艺过程，从工艺、健康、环保、成本等方面进行阐述。     

N,N′-二(β-十八酰氧基)乙基乙二胺二乙酸钠的合成及性能研究

用 N,N′-二羟乙基乙二胺、氯乙酸钠合成了 N,N′-二羟乙基乙二胺二乙酸钠(中间体),中间体再与硬脂酰氯反应制备了一种新型 Gemini 两性表面活性剂 N,N′-二(β-十八酰氧基)乙基乙二胺二乙酸钠。对产物合成条件进行了考察,优化的反应条件为:n(硬脂酰氯):n(中间体)=2.5,溶剂 V(水):V(氯仿)=1:2,pH=9.0～10.0,反应温度15～20℃,反应时间5 h。通过红外光谱和质谱分析确定了产物结构,并测试了产物的表面性能。结果表明,在25℃时,该产物的临界胶束浓度为0.24 mmol/L,临界胶束浓度下的表面张力为35.7 mN/m;即时泡沫高度为250 mm,5 min 后泡沫高度为220 mm;乳化时间为22.48 min(甲苯-水物系)和4.65 min(正己烷-水物系),亲水-亲油平衡值为5.4,等电点为 pH 3.3～6.5。