A study on the diffusion kinetics of borides on boronized Cr-based steels

In the present study, kinetics of borides formed on AISI H13 hot work tool and AISI 304 stainless steels have been investigated. Boronizing treatment was carried out in slurry salt bath consisting of borax, boric acid and ferrosilicon at temperature range of 1073–1223 K for 3, 5 and 7 h. X-ray diffraction analysis of boride layers on the surface of steels revealed various peaks of FeB, Fe₂B, CrB and Ni₃B. Metallographic studies revealed that the boride layer has a flat and smooth morphology in the 304 steel while H13 steel was a ragged morphology. Depending on temperature and layer thickness, the activation energies of boron in 304 and H13 steels were found to be 253.35 and 244.37 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Removal of Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) from water using modified pine bark

This paper describes the removal of Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions using chemically modified pine barks (Pinus nigra). In this article, effects of chemical modification methods on the adsorption capacity have been investigated. Changes of the surface properties were examined by the FTIR, SEM and zeta potential analyses. HCl, NaOH, Fenton reactive, polymerization, acetone, ethanol, chloroform, tetra ethylene glycol, diethyl ether and glycol were used for modification processes. Maximum adsorption capacities were obtained by modification with NaOH (13-20 mg/g), Fenton (12-17 mg/g) and polymerization (12-16.5 mg/g). These modification processes also decreased Chemical Oxygen Demand of water from 1820 mg/L for raw pine barks to 35 mg/L for NaOH modified barks. Adsorption capacities of adsorbents increased from 2 mg/g to 20 mg/g as a result of modification that accordingly increase adsorbent surface activity.     

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Biochemical Properties of Grape Seeds

In the present study, grape seed samples (Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Franc, Cinsault, Merlot, Shiraz) were treated with 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0 kGy of gamma radiation. Effect of irradiation dose on free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), sterol, fatty acid composition, phenolic content, antioxidant activity of the seed oils, and chemical (dry matter, fat, ash, total sugar, invert sugar) changes of grape seeds were determined. Regarding fatty acid composition, oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) levels decreased. β-sitosterol content with a highest percentage among sterols in grape seed oils decreased due to gamma irradiation. Generally gamma irradiation increased free fatty acids and peroxide value of the oils; however, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of grape seeds decreased.     

Sorption Characteristics of Whole Pistachio Nuts (Pistacia Vera L.)

ABSTRACT

Moisture sorption characteristics of whole pistachio nuts were investigated at 10, 20, and 30°C using the static method. The sorption isotherms exhibited hysteresis over the range of 0.10-0.80 water activity which was succesfully interpreted using BET, GAB, Oswin, Smith, Henderson, Chung-Pfost and Halsey mathematical models and from which the BET, GAB and Oswin models were found to give the best fit. Monolayer moisture content of pistachio nuts was determined from BET and GAB equations and the isosteric heat of sorption data were derived using Clausius-Clapeyron equation and presented in graphical form. The information generated can be utilized to optimize the packaging parameters for long term storage of pistachio nuts.     

Chemical analyses of shale gas and conventional natural gas

Abstract

Shale gas is essentially non-traditional natural gas (NG). Shale gas can be considered an unusual alternative energy source. Shale gas production is a method of obtaining the NG trapped between deep underground rocks. Shale gas production is not economical, except for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing methods. Advanced analysis of shale gaseous samples can be done using gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and other modern testing methods. The Orsat apparatus includes three absorption pipettes containing chemical solutions that absorb gases. Absorbents are a 33% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) for carbon dioxide (CO₂), alkali pyrogallol for oxygen (O₂) and ammoniacal cuprous for carbon monoxide (CO) measurement. Oxygen is absorbed in alkaline pyrogallol or in a chromous solution. Shale gas can be analyzed best gas chromatographically. The capillary column can be separated from all the hydrocarbons and their isomers by alumina, which is used as a stationary phase in the gas chromatographic column, because alumina is highly selective for hydrocarbons. Silica is a specific adsorbent that exhibits greater applicability for hydrocarbons. The chemical contents of shale gas are similar to those of the conventional NG. The processing, transfer and storage and distribution of shale gas are assumed to be similar to the conventional NG.     

Analysis of the effect of a new process control agent technique on the mechanical milling process using a neural network model: Measurement and modeling

In this study, a new process control agent (PCA) technique called as gradual process control agent technique was developed and the new technique was compared with conventional process control agent technique. In addition, a neural network (ANN) approach was presented for the prediction of effect of gradual process control agent technique on the mechanical milling process. The structural evolution and morphology of powders were investigated using SEM and particle size analyzer techniques. The experimental results were used to train feed forward and back propagation learning algorithm with two hidden layers. The four input parameters in the proposed ANN were the milling time, the gradual PCA content, previous PCA content and gradual PCA content. The particle size was the output obtained from the proposed ANN. By comparing the predicted values with the experimental data it is demonstrated that the ANN is a useful, efficient and reliable method to determine the effect of gradual process control agent technique on the mechanical milling process.     

Neural network model for resilient modulus of emulsified asphalt mixtures

This paper explores the potential use of neural networks (NNs) in the field of emulsified asphalt mixtures. A neural network model is developed for predicting, with sufficient approximation, relationship between the factors affecting resilient modulus (inputs: curing time, cement addition level, and residual asphalt content) and the resilient modulus (output) of emulsified asphalt mixture. A backpropagation neural network of three layers is employed. First resilient modulus data are obtained by conducting laboratory resilient modulus tests on emulsified asphalt samples, and then the results are used to train the neural network. The effectiveness of different neural network configurations is investigated. Effect of parameters such as curing time, cement addition level and residual asphalt content that influence the resilient modulus is also explored. Results indicate that NN predicts the resilient modulus with high accuracy. It is also demonstrated that NN is an excellent method that can reduce the time consumed and can be used as an important tool in evaluating the factors affecting resilient modulus of emulsified asphalt mixture at the design stage.     

Evaluation of SeaWiFS chlorophyll‐a in the Black and Mediterranean Seas

The performance of NASA's OC2 and OC4 algorithms to estimate chlorophyll‐a concentrations from SeaWiFS radiometric measurements on the global scale was tested in two contrasted bio‐optical environments, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The in situ bio‐optical measurements were made during October 1999 at 25 stations. Comparisons of the in situ measurements with the concurrent SeaWiFS retrievals indicate that the OC2 and OC4 algorithms are not working satisfactorily in both seas. Case 2 waters dominate the Black Sea and the failure of the algorithms is expected. On the other hand, failure of the algorithms in the case 1 waters of the Mediterranean Sea may be due to their specific optical properties. Modifying the OC4 algorithm to include SeaWiFS information at 412?nm yields a better performance in the Mediterranean Sea without degrading performance in the Black Sea. Combining a local algorithm adapted to oligotrophic waters of the Mediterranean Sea and OC4 provides the best results overall.     

The effects of different levels of non-fat dry milk and whey powder on emulsion capacity and stability of beef, turkey and chicken meats

The effects of different concentrations (0.00, 0.25, 0.50%) of either non‐fat dry milk (NFDM) or whey powder (WP) on emulsion capacity (EC) and emulsion stability (ES) of beef, chicken and turkey meats were studied by using a computer model system. The effects of meats types and additives (NFDM and WP) on EC and ES were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01). Of the meats, chicken had the highest and beef the lowest values of EC and ES. When using different concentrations of WP and NFDM, 0.25% WP and 0.50% NFDM had the highest values of EC. The effect of different concentrations (0.25 and 0.50%) of WP was insignificant on ES; however, the effects of different concentrations (0.0, 0.25 and 0.50%) of NFDM were significant on ES.