Hydrocarbon Desulfurization to Clean Fuels by Selective Oxidation Versus Conventional Hydrotreating

Abstract

Environmental concerns have driven the need to remove sulfur-containing compounds to an extremely low level for transportation fuels. Conventional hydrodesulfurization catalysts can be used to remove a significant portion of the sulfur from petroleum distillates for the blending of refinery transportation fuels. Removing the last traces of sulfur compounds where the sulfur atom is sterically hindered, as in multi-ring aromatic sulfur compounds, is a significant challenge. One recent area of innovation to remove sulfur from upgraded crude is oxidative desulfurization, a process that can operate under mild conditions and without the need for external H₂. In this article, the mechanism, process, and the new inventions of selectively oxidative desulfurization are reviewed.     

Diclofenac-bismuth complex: synthesis, physicochemical, and biological evaluation

Diclofenac-bismuth complexation was attempted by mixing diclofenac sodium (Na) and bismuth-subcitrate aqueous solutions at diclofenac:bismuth molar ratio of 3:1. A solid precipitate was obtained and isolated. The precipitate was characterized for stoichiometric ratio of diclofenac-bismuth complexation using capillary electrophoresis, which showed 1:1 complexation. In addition, nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared analysis were performed for the isolated solid complex and indicated that bismuth was in coordinate bond formation with the carboxylate group of diclofenac. In comparison with diclofenac Na powder, the complex was evaluated as an aqueous suspension for in vitro drug dissolution. The complex exhibited a faster dissolution rate than and similar dissolution extent as diclofenac Na. In comparison with an aqueous solution of diclofenac Na and an aqueous suspension of physical mixture of diclofenac acid (suspended) and bismuth-subcitrate (dissolved), the aqueous complex suspension was evaluated for ulcerogenic effect in rats upon oral administration. The complex led to more gastric ulceration than diclofenac Na, which was not in accordance with the antiulcer properties of bismuth. This antiulcer effect was shown as the physical mixture administration was accompanied with lower gastric ulceration than diclofenac Na administration. These gastric ulceration results were explained in terms of the difference in particle size between solid diclofenac acid formed as a result of the complex breakdown in an acidic medium (0.1 M HCl to simulate the gastric fluid) and that formed as a result of diclofenac Na neutralization. Diclofenac acid particles formed from the complex breakdown were of average size, three times smaller of those formed as a result of diclofenac Na protonation. This difference in particle size was correlated with the higher gastric ulceration associated with the complex than with diclofenac Na in terms of higher coverage of the gastric mucosa with diclofenac, and consequently, higher local ulceration.     

Novel Combination of Anionic and Cationic Polymethacrylate Polymers for Sustained Release Tablet Preparation

The objectives of this study were to prepare and evaluate a novel sustained release tablet formulation using a binary mixture of polymethacrylate polymers: Eudragit E-100 (EE) and Eudragit L-100 (EL) in their salt forms. Tablets prepared using EE-citrate and EL-Na showed the highest degree of swelling among other combinations of EE and EL. The drug release rates were independent of the pH of the dissolution medium as the release profiles exhibited a continuous release pattern with no burst effect when changing the pH of the medium. These results, along with other test results, indicated the presence of an ionic interaction between both polymers when combined in the salt forms.     

Correction: Novel Surface Topography and Microhardness Characterization of Laser Clad Layer on TC4 Titanium Alloy Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Machine Learning

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A -     

Water Desalination Using Solar Thermal Collectors Enhanced by Nanofluids

The absorption efficiency of a solar collector using different types of nanofluids was improved. Experimental work was carried out to investigate the flat-plate and evacuated-tube collectors under outdoor conditions to produce distilled water. A pilot plant was designed and installed. The yield of distilled water at different seawater flow rates and the physical properties of nanofluids were determined. Solar intensity, water mass flow rate, and temperature were measured. The performance of the desalination unit was evaluated in the presence of carbon nanotubes in paraffin wax and ethylene glycol nanofluids. The evaporation efficiency of the flat-plate collector was improved up to 36 % in the presence of ethylene glycol nanofluid at 80–100 °C.     

Free-radical scavenging and antioxidative activities of some polysaccharides in emulsions

The antioxidant activity in linoleate emulsion systems, radical scavenging activity and inhibition of autoxidation in sunflower oil-in-water emulsions were studied in the presence of polysaccharide produced by Rhizobium meliloti (RPS), xanthan, curdlan, and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and compared to tertiary butylhydroxyquinone (TBHQ). The antioxidant activity in the linoleate emulsion was improved with increasing pH from 3 to 9 and concentration of polysaccharide from 20 to 60 mg/100 g emulsion, while it decreased with increase in storage temperature between 30 and 90 °C. The antioxidant activity of xanthan, curdlan, and RPS at concentration of 40 mg/100 g emulsion was equal to that of TBHQ at 20 mg/100 g emulsion. RPS showed the highest thermal stability and the lowest linoleic oxidation values compared to TBHQ, xanthan, and curdlan at 90 °C. The antioxidant activity of xanthan, curdlan, and RPS in linoleate emulsions at pH 3 and 5 was in the first order with significant (P<0.05) values compared to emulsion, prepared using TBHQ.Curdlan and RPS were effective in radical scavenging being 60-90% at pH values ranging between 3 and 7. They showed an ability to inhibit lipid oxidation in sunflower oil emulsions during holding time for 50 h at 60 °C. In general, the polysaccharides RPS and curdlan can be used as food additives having many functions as stabilizers, radical scavengers, and antioxidants in emulsified foods such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, and cake products.     

Simulation of Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic Systems

A PV （photovoltaic） solar panels exhibit non-linear current--voltage characteristics, and according to the MPT （maximum power transform） theory, it can produce maximum power at only one particular OP （operating point）; namely, when the source impedance matches with the load impedance, a match which cannot be guaranteed spontaneously. Furthermore, the MPP （maximum power point） changes with temperature and light intensity variations. Therefore, different algorithms have been developed for finding MPPT （maximum power point tracking） based on offline and online methods. Evaluating the performance of these algorithms for various PV systems operating under highly dynamic environments are essentials to ensure producing reliable, efficient, cost-effective and high performance systems. One possible approach for system evaluation is to use computer simulation. This paper addresses the use of Matlab software as a simulation tool for evaluating the performance of PV solar systems and finding the MPPT.     

HPLC–PDA–ESI–MS/MS profiling and chemopreventive potential of Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC

An HPLC–PDA–ESI/MS/MS method was developed to identify the phytoconstituents of the EtOAc fraction of Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC. The antioxidant effect of the EtOAc fraction together with its sub-fractions was determined in vitro. The cytotoxicity was evaluated on different cell lines. The EtOAc fraction exhibited strong antioxidant activity, reduced the viability of all cell lines and was more active on MCF-7 and HepG-2 cell lines. Subsequently, the cytotoxicity of the sub-fractions and the isolated compounds were tested on MCF-7, HepG-2. The EtOAc fraction possessed potential antitumour promoting properties. It inhibited the stimulated NO (20%), 5-LOX (48.0%) and COX-2 (49.7%) respectively (at concentration of 20 μg/ml). This study suggests that this fraction is a source of different antioxidant and cytotoxic compounds with potential chemopreventive properties that might prevent different stages of the carcinogenesis process.     

Preparation and characterization of Paraloid B-72/TiO2 nanocomposite and their effect on the properties of polylactic acid as strawberry coating agents

In this study, Paraloid B-72 (poly methyl methacrlylate/ethylacrylate 70:30) and its nanocomposites with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) concentration 1–5% have been prepared by emulsion polymerization technique and characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) in addition to antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. The prepared Paraloid B-72 and its titanium dioxide nanocomposites was grafted onto polylactic acid (PLA) and the results indicate that the grafting percentage reached to maximum value using the nanocomposite of Paraloid B-72 with 3% TiO₂. PLA grafted with Paraloid B-72/3% TiO₂ has been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), FT-IR as well as mechanical and color change measurements. The results show that incorporation of Paraloid B-72 / TiO₂ improved the properties of PLA. The produced PLA grafted Paraloid B-72 and its 5% titanium dioxide have been used for coating strawberry to enhance and control the cold storage at 4°C for 15 days.     

Novel Surface Topography and Microhardness Characterization of Laser Clad Layer on TC4 Titanium Alloy Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Machine Learning

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - This study was performed to characterize surface topography and microhardness of 40 wt pct NiCrBSiC-60 wt pct WC hard coating on TC4 titanium after...