On the solubility of aluminum in cryolitic melts

The solubility of aluminum in NaF-AlF₃-Al₂O₃ melts with various additives was found to increase with increasing NaF/AlF₃ molar ratio (CR) and increasing temperature and to decrease with additions of A1₂O₃, CaF₂, MgF₂, and LiF to the melts. With the use of literature data for the activities of NaF and A1F₃ in cryolitic melts, three dissolution reaction models were found to give a good fit to the experimental solubility data. According to the most probable of these models the total concentration of dissolved aluminum (aluminum and sodium species) is given by c_Al = c_Na(diss) + c_AlF2- + c_Al2F3- + c_Al3F4- + c_Al4F5- In NaF rich melts, aluminum will dominantly dissolve as sodium, while at cryolite ratios commonly used in aluminum electrowinning (CR = 2.25 to 2.7) the AlF _-2 ^- -ion is the predominant dissolved metal species. Other species (A1₂F₃ ^-, A1₃F₄-, A1₄F₅-) were found to be of some significance only in melts with high excess A1F₃ (CR < 2).     

Zirconium tetra-n-butylate modified with different organic acids: Hydrolysis and polymerization of the products

In this work, (a) complexation reaction of zirconium tetra-n-butylate, Zr(OBu ⁿ )₄, with MAc and different organic acids, (b) the hydrolysis reaction of modified Zr species, and (c) the polymerization reaction of complex products are studied. Zr(OBu ⁿ )₄ was reacted with different mole ratios of methacrylic acid (MAc) at room temperature and the maximum combination ratio was found to be 1:2 [Zr(OBu ⁿ )₄:MAc] by FT-IR. The modification of zirconium tetra-n-butylate with the acid mixtures [methacrylic acid-acetic acid (MeCOOH), methacrylic acid-propionic acid (EtCOOH), methacrylic acid-butyric acid (PrCOOH)] was made for a combination ratio of 1:1:1 [MAc:RCOOH:Zr(OBu ⁿ )₄; R: Me, Et, Pr] and the products were characterized by¹H-NMR, FT-IR, and UV spectroscopies. Following their synthesis, hydrolysis of the complexes with various amounts of water and polymerization with benzoyl peroxide were realized. The hydrolysis and polymerization products of the complexes were studied by Karl-Fischer coulometric titration and thermal analysis, respectively. Methyl ethyl ketone(MEK) and chloroform were chosen as solvents.     

A modified genetic algorithm for forecasting fuzzy time series

Fuzzy time series approaches are used when observations of time series contain uncertainty. Moreover, these approaches do not require the assumptions needed for traditional time series approaches. Generally, fuzzy time series methods consist of three stages, namely, fuzzification, determination of fuzzy relations, and defuzzification. Artificial intelligence algorithms are frequently used in these stages with genetic algorithms being the most popular of these algorithms owing to their rich operators and good performance. However, the mutation operator of a GA may cause some negative results in the solution set. Thus, we propose a modified genetic algorithm to find optimal interval lengths and control the effects of the mutation operator. The results of applying our new approach to real datasets show superior forecasting performance when compared with those obtained by other techniques.     

A Study on Glutaric Acid Extraction by Tridodecylamine: Equilibria and Models

The extraction of glutaric acid was studied using tridodecyl amine (TDA) with respect to the functional groups of the diluent. The diluents studied were 1‐octanol (alcohol), methyl isobuthyl ketone, MIBK (ketone), and toluene (aromatic hydrocarbon) and these were used to dilute the TDA. The experimental results of batch extraction experiments are reported as distribution coefficients, D_C, loading factors, Z, and extraction efficiency, E. All measurements were carried out at 298.15 K. The results of the liquid‐liquid equilibrium measurements are correlated by a linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) model that takes into account physical interactions and modified Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The experimental results are compared with model results.     

Investigation of current‐voltage characteristics and current conduction mechanisms in composites of polyvinyl alcohol and bismuth oxide

Temperature dependent current‐voltage (I–V) measurements of Au/Polyvinyl Alcohol + Bi₂O₃/n‐Si structure were conducted between 100 and 350 K for investigating the temperature dependence of I–V characteristics and current conduction mechanisms in the structure. Series resistance of the structure is calculated using Ohm's law and Cheungs' method. Ideality factor (n) and zero‐bias barrier height (Φ_Bo) were obtained considering thermionic emission theory. From 100 to 350 K, n changed from 32.1 to 3.54, and Φ_Bo changed from 0.27 to 0.99 eV. Obtained temperature dependent values of n and Φ_Bo suggested that thermionic emission is not the dominant current conduction mechanism. Therefore, Ln(I)–Ln(V) curves of the studied structure were plotted for investigating current conduction mechanisms in the structure and current flow is explained considering space charge limited current. Moreover, density of interface states (D_it) in the structure were calculated and its temperature dependence was investigated such that D_it values are reduced to the order of ～10¹³ eV^?1 cm^?2 from ～10¹⁴ eV^?1 cm^?2 with increasing temperature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1811–1816, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A Review of Dehydration of Various Industrial Sludges

Wastewater characteristics and sludge generation potential of point source categories are reviewed critically. Novel industry-specific sludge dewatering/drying solutions necessary to establish a sustainable model are examined through a detailed literature survey. Knowledge of sludge properties is one of the most critical issues needed to design dewatering/drying equipment. This study focuses on industrial wastewater/sludge characterization. In addition, a comprehensive review of current drying models and technologies is also presented. A summary of the results derived from a novel thin-film-based photonic sludge dewatering/drying study is outlined as an alternative approach for industrial sludge control. Sludge was dried in a tubular quartz reactor (TQR), the inner surface of which was coated with a TiO₂ thin film. The TQR was irradiated with UV A, UV B, and UV C lamps. The consumed and generated energy fluxes through endergonic and exergonic reactions driven by photolysis and photocatalysis were investigated. In addition, the variations in sludge dewatering/drying characteristics were also examined and compared with conventional methods to evaluate the energy requirements.     

The determination of interface state energy distribution of the H-terminated Zn/p-type Si Schottky diodes with high series resistance by the admittance spectroscopy

Analysis of Zn/p-Si Schottky diodes (SDs) with high resistivity has been given by admittance spectroscopy. The importance of the series resistance in the determination of energy distribution of interface states and especially their relaxation time in the SDs with high resistivity has been considered. The effect of the series resistance on capacitance-conductance/frequency characteristics has been given by comparing experimental data with theoretical data. The interface state density N_ss from the admittance spectroscopy ranges from 1.0×10¹² cm⁻² eV⁻¹ in 0.720-E_v eV to 2.03×10¹² cm⁻² eV⁻¹ in 0.420-E_v eV. Furthermore, the relaxation time ranges from 4.20×10⁻⁵ s in (0.420-E_v) eV to 3.20×10⁻⁴ s in (0.720-E_v) eV. It has been seen that the interface state density has a very small distribution range (1.0-2.03×10¹² cm⁻² eV⁻¹) that is ascribed to the predominant termination with hydrogen of the silicon surface after HF treatment.