Kinetic model of block photopolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate to high conversion

The kinetics of glycidyl methacrylate block polymerization to high conversion was experimentally investigated with variations of the photoinitiator concentration, temperature, and power of UV illumination. The kinetic curves of this polymerization process contain three characterized sections of coordinates of “conversion–time,” namely: The first one is practically linear to a conversion of ≈0.5, the second represents, by itself, the autoacceleration process, and the third presents the autodecelation process. An additional peculiarity of such a polymerization process is poor reproduction of the kinetic measurements. This reproduction does not correspond to instrumental error. Derivation of a kinetic model for block linear polymerization was done. This model is, quantitatively, in good agreement with all the data of the experimental material. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3556–3569, 2002     

Torrefaction of wood pellets: New solutions

The current state of the market of conventional and torrefied wood pellets and the trends of its development have been analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of pellets of both types have been compared with other alternative fuels. The consumer segment in which wood pellets are the most competitive has been determined. The original torrefaction technology using exhaust gas heat from a standard gas engine that was developed at the Joint Institute for High Technologies and the scheme of an experimental unit for the elaboration of the technology have been presented. The scheme of the combined operation of a torrefaction unit and a standard hot water boiler, which makes it possible to utilize the heat of exhaust steam-and-gas products of torrefaction with the simultaneous prevention of emissions of harmful substances into the environment, has been proposed. The required correlation between the capacity of the torrefaction unit and the heating boiler house has been estimated for optimal operation under the conditions of the isolated urban village in a region that is distant from the areas of extraction of traditional fuels and, at the same time, has quite sufficient resources of raw materials for the production of wood pellets.     

An unmanned ecological monitoring system

An ecological monitoring system is described for prompt pollution detection. It monitors the pollution level and generates an alarm signal if the permissible value is exceeded. The system measures the meteorological parameters that govern radionuclide dispersal in the atmosphere. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 2, pp. 64–66, February, 1999.     

Investigation of Pyrolysis of Methane under Conditions of Filtering through a Heated Porous Medium

An unsteady-state one-dimensional mathematical model is used to perform a theoretical analysis of the process of thermal decomposition of methane under conditions of filtering through a heated porous medium formed by granules of commercial-grade carbon. A scheme of the process kinetics is developed. The effect of the basic characteristics of commercial-grade carbon and of the operating conditions on the efficiency of the process is treated. Laboratory experiments are performed in support of the commercial-scale technology of production of granular pyrocarbon. A comparison of the calculation results with experimental data demonstrates their good agreement.     

Thermal methods of reprocessing wood and peat for power engineering purposes

Methods of thermal reprocessing of wood and peat to obtain high-calorific gas mixtures are considered. The comparison of the existing technologies and those under development as to heating values of the gas mixtures obtained, quantitative yield of these mixtures, and effectiveness of transformation of the initial raw material into gas is given. Certain attention is paid for the analysis of a possibility to put into effect waste-less technologies.     

Tasks of hygienic science and sanitation practices in relation to the resolution of the Central Committee of CPSU and of the Soviet of Ministers of the USSR on "Measures for averting pollution of the Black and Azov Sea basins"

A survey was done of the attitude of 4,852 patients to the presence of students in general practitioners' consulting rooms during the 5th year general practice apprenticeship in Queensland. Overall acceptance was 94 per cent. This was remarkably consistent with the results of a similar study in Aberdeen in 1970. Students were more welcome in country practices than in practices in provincial cities and Brisbane, and were also more welcome in solo than in group practices. A plea is made for general practitioners to cooperate, not only as preceptors in the apprenticeship scheme, but also to take part in the collection of basic data for research projects initiated by the sub-Department of Community Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine.