Micellization and Clouding Behavior of EO–PO Block Copolymer in Aqueous Salt Solutions

Aqueous solution properties of polyethylene oxide–block-polypropylene oxide–block-polyethylene oxide TBP [(PEO)₁₀₃(PPO)₃₉(PEO)₁₀₃] were studied in the presence of sodium salts with different anions (NaI, NaBr, NaCl, NaF, Na₂SO₄, Na₃PO₄) to investigate unimer-to-micelle transition [critical micelle concentration (CMC), critical micellization temperature (CMT)], micelle size and the phase separation (cloud point). This TBP, due to its very hydrophilic (80% PEO) nature does not form micelles at ambient temperatures. Micellization can be induced much below its CMT in water on addition of sodium salts having different anions. Analytical methods viz. fluorescence, FTIR and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to monitor the salt-induced micellization. The hydration of respective anion and resultant contribution to its salting-out effect was found to be the governing factor in promoting micellization. The presence of salt decreases the CMC, CMT and phase separation temperature. The salts affect the aggregation process in agreement with an order mentioned in Hofmeister series.     

Performance analysis of a solar photovoltaic operated domestic refrigerator

This paper describes the fabrication, experimentation and simulation stages of converting a 165 l domestic electric refrigerator to a solar powered one. A conventional domestic refrigerator was chosen for this purpose and was redesigned by adding battery bank, inverter and transformer, and powered by solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels. Various performance tests were carried out to study the performance of the system. The coefficient of performance (COP) was observed to decrease with time from morning to afternoon and a maximum COP of 2.102 was observed at 7 AM. Simulations regarding economic feasibility of the system for the climatic conditions of Jaipur city (India) were also carried out using RETScreen 4. It was observed that the system can only be economically viable with carbon trading option taken into account, and an initial subsidy or a reduction in the component costs – mainly SPV panels and battery bank.     

Acrylic Homo- and Co-polymers Based on 2, 4-dichlorophenyl Methacrylate and 8-quinolinyl Methacrylate

The monomer 2, 4-dichlorophenyl methacrylate (2,4-DMA) was synthesized from 2, 4-dichlorophenol and characterized by conventional methods. The homopolymers of 2,4-dichlorophenyl methacrylate and its copolymers with 8-quinolinyl methacrylate (8-QMA) in different feed ratio were prepared by free radical polymerization using dimethyl formamide (DMF) as a solvent and 2,2-azobis iso butyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The resulting polymers were characterized by using IR spectroscopy. Reactivity ratios of monomer were evaluated using UV-spectroscopy. Average molecular weights and polydispersity were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Solution viscosity was also obtained. The thermal analysis was carried out using TGA and DSC. The homo- and co-polymers were also tested for their antimicrobial properties against selected microorganism. The metal ion uptake capacity of synthesized copolymers was estimated by batch equilibration method using different metal ion solution under different experimental conditions. It is observed that due to the presence of pendant ester bound quinoline group, the copolymers are capable of adsorbing cations from their aqueous solution.     

An Evaluation of Tricalcium Phosphate Excipients Particularly Using Instrumented Rotary and Single Station Tablet Presses

Two direct compression grades of tricalcium phosphate, Tri-Compress^R (Edward Mendell Co., Inc.) and Tri-Tab^R (Stauffer Chemical Co.), and a product containing tricalcium phosphate, D locust bean gum and citric acid, Loco-Tab^R (Ingredient Technology Corp.), were studied. Loco-Tab is composed of smaller particles having more irregularly shaped surfaces than the others. It is also less dense and somewhat less flowable than the other materials. None of these excipients lost weight at elevated temperature and none can be considered to be hygroscopic. Compressibility in formulations was studied using instrumented rotary and single station tablet presses. In all cases, the single station press yielded harder tablets at a given compression force. Dissolution of an insoluble drug was affected to a degree by the press used. Drug dissolution from Loco-Tab formulations was excellent at all tablet hardnesses, a highly desirable property for tablets to be coated using fluidized bed equipment. Loco-Tab would seem to be the calcium phosphate excipient of choice while recognizing that it is not a single entity and that it is acidic, in contrast to the neutral to slightly basic pH of the others.     

Electrosynthesis of dimethylsulfone from dimethylsulfoxide at a dimensionally stable anode

Galvanostatic electrochemical oxidation of dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) to dimethylsulfone (DMSO₂) has been effected at a dimensionally stable anode (DSA) under different conditions of current density and reaction media, in both a batch and a flow reactor (membrane cell with an ion-exchange membrane between the two working electrodes) functioning in batch recirculation mode. Excellent yields of the sulfone have been obtained under both conditions. The product has been characterized by various physicochemical techniques. The operational conditions giving maximum yield of the product have been established. The electrochemical oxidation of DMSO has also been studied by cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The mechanism of electrochemical oxidation and the advantages of the present methods over existing ones, are discussed.     

Comparative performance evaluation of single-slope and pyramid-shaped solar stills: experimental evaluation

In the present research paper, experimental analysis is based on the fresh water output rate due to different structural arrangements of two different stills. In the performance evolution, the operational parameters such as water temperature, ambient temperature, inner glass temperature, and productivity have been predicted. A comparative performance between two different solar stills was carried out to evaluate the distillation and effective parameters under the same climatic conditions for several days with different depths of water (2.5 and 3.5?cm) and also to provide a large evaporation surface and utilise the latent heat of condensation using jute cloth. The experimental results show that efficiencies of these solar stills confirm that the fresh distilled water output of the pyramid-shaped solar still is higher than that of the single-slope solar still under different effective parameters.     

Statistical optimization of desugarization process parameters of liquid whole egg using response surface methodology

The glucose is considered to affect the quality of the dried egg products; therefore the statistical optimization of desugarization process parameters of Liquid whole egg (LWE) was carried out in this study. The fermentation of Liquid whole egg (LWE) was done using compressed baker’s yeast. A polynomial model was regressed between reducing sugar & desugarization conditions. The coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.998 (P < 0.0001) for the regressed model indicated about the adequacy of the model, which implies the model was significant to predict reducing sugar content at different fermentation conditions. Optimum conditions for complete desugarization of Liquid whole egg (LWE) were found to be time 6.49 h, temperature 28 °C, pH 6.40 and yeast concentration 3.8 g/L and confirmed by conducting actual experiments at these conditions.     

A rapid method for extraction of total lipids from whey protein concentrates and separation of lipid classes with solid phase extraction

A modified procedure for extraction of total lipids from whey protein concentrates was developed such that stable emulsion with extracting solvents was avoided and the solvent system remained monophasic. Nonlipid contaminants from the extract were removed using gel filtration instead of traditional aqueous washing to prevent any loss of polar lipids. The extraction of total lipids by the modified procedure was complete and comparable with a reference procedure. Traditional thin-layer chromatography is tedious and more qualitative than quantitative for lipid class separation. Total lipids were further separated into free fatty acids, phospholipids, cholesterol ester, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, diacylglycerol, and monoacylglycerol, using modified solid phase extraction procedure. Columns with 2 g amino propyl packing allowed separation of up to 80 mg of total lipids into lipid classes gravimetrically. The values for anhydrous milk fat for all lipid classes agreed with those in the literature. Separation of total lipids into lipid classes with solid phase extraction is easy, quantitative, and can also be performed on a preparative scale.     

Heat transfer intensification in horizontal shell and tube latent heat storage unit

Employment of latent heat storage unit (LHSU) utilizing phase change material (PCM) in a substantial scale is constrained by the poor thermal conductivity of PCMs. Future utilization of LHSU will therefore to a great extent rely on the heat transfer intensification techniques. Present research is on enhancement techniques in which heat transfer mechanism is altered without altering the mass of PCM and heat transfer surface area. The intensification mechanisms considered in the present research include imparting eccentricity to heat transfer fluid (HTF) pipe, imparting rotation to the LHSU and providing multi HTF tube. Numerical investigations are reported here towards comparative evaluation of the thermal characteristics associated with such intensification mechanisms for horizontal LHSU. In the present study stearic acid (melting point 55.7–56.6?°C) is used as PCM and water is used as HTF. Results infer that all the three mechanisms offer quicker melting rate. For the geometric configuration of LHSU considered in the present research, a reduction in melting time of 47.75% is evaluated for rotating LHSU. The rate of energy storage is higher for both eccentric and rotating LHSU. Solidification process is however not accelerated by such techniques. On the contrary, eccentric and multi HTF tube LHSU takes more time for solidification.     

Pretest in forced circulation molten salt heat transfer loop: Studies with thermia‐B

Molten salts have potential application as an efficient heat transfer medium in a primary and secondary heat exchanger in high temperature next‐generation nuclear power plant. Thermal hydraulic studies are vital for reliable and cost‐effective design of the nuclear power plant. Therefore heat transfer study of molten salts will play a vital role in this area. In this work, an experimental system was designed to study thermal hydraulics of the molten salt system up to 700°C. This work describes the pretest results of the experimental facility for extremely corrosive molten fluoride salts with a simulant thermia‐B as the working fluid. In the present work, the details of the system are discussed and thermal‐hydraulic data for heat transfer fluid thermia‐B has been presented. Experiments were carried out at Reynolds number in the range of 4500 to 40 500 and Prandtl number in the range of 34 to 144. Effect of Reynolds number, melting tank temperature, and heat input to test section on forced convective heat transfer was studied under turbulent conditions. Comparison of the experimental data with different empirical correlations has been presented.