A mineralogical approach to evaluating laboratory scale acid rock drainage characterisation tests

Effective management of the risks associated with acid rock drainage (ARD) requires the ability to identify material with a potential to generate ARD reliably. With the increasing prevalence of quantitative mineralogy (Quantitative XRD, auto-SEM), opportunity exists to use mineralogy at all stages in ARD characterisation and prediction. This study uses a mineralogical approach across the head grade samples and the residues obtained under leach conditions of several common ARD characterisation tests (Acid Neutralising Capacity, Net Acid Generation), as well as the University of Cape Town (UCT) biokinetic test to evaluate the extent to which acid-neutralising minerals react. The results show the contribution of the carbonates to the acid neutralising capacity, as well as the partial dissolution of intermediate weathering silicate minerals such as chlorite and mica.     

Potential bio-activity of whey fermented extract as sanitizer of organic grown lettuce

Consumption of vegetables is increasing due to demand for healthy products in peoples' diets. To reduce microbial contamination and maintain freshness, industrial processes in Portugal rely on minimally processing of vegetables with hypochlorite as sanitizer. Formation of toxic chlorine derivatives has raised concern restrictions to its use and alternatives with whey permeate as a disinfection agent has been attempted. The aim of this work was to evaluate the bio potential of fermented cheese whey, for use on disinfection of minimally processed lettuce organically grown.Assays were made with whey obtained from inoculated milk during cheese processing, fermented for 120 h at 37 °C, after which, among other carbohydrates, lactic acid was measured by HPLC, giving average yields of 18 g L⁻¹.The sanitizing effect of whey, undiluted, 75 and 50% solutions, was compared with 110 ppm sodium hypochlorite, after rinsing. Aerobic Microorganisms (AM), Psychrotrophic Microorganisms (PM) and Enterobacteriaceae (ENT), were used as indicators for hygiene quality. For a level of significance of P < 0.05, the hygiene quality standards of lettuce samples, were better using 75% whey solution (AM 6.62, PM 7.48 cfu g⁻¹), than using sodium hypochlorite (AM 7.48, PM 8.15 cfu g⁻¹), for the 7 days of shelf life studied. Evaluation of Enterobacteriaceae showed significant differences after 3 days, between water (ENT 4.98 cfu g⁻¹) sodium hypochlorite (ENT 4.81 cfu g⁻¹) and 75% solution of whey (ENT 4.63 cfu g⁻¹).Considering the actual limitations imposed to chlorine sanitation, these results point a good alternative to the food industry, especially for organic fresh vegetables, which are chemical free brands.     

The influence of sonication time on the biogenic amines formation as a critical point in uncured dry-fermented beef manufacturing

In this study, the influence of sonication time on the biogenic amines formation as a critical point in uncured dry-fermented beef manufacturing was studied. Samples of musculus semimembranosus were sonicated at different times (5 and 10 min) using ultrasound cold bath (4 °C) in acid whey (US 40 kHz and acoustic power 480 W). The effect of sonication on biogenic amine (BA) formation was investigated during 93 days of ripening period. Other parameters (pH value, water activity, microbial counts) that might provide further information on the product under study were also determined. The use of ultrasound during beef marinating in acid whey has a positive effect on retarding histamine (HIS), cadaverine (CAD), tyramine (TYR) and putrescine (PUT) formation. Moreover, the sonication treatment did not inhibit the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in dry-fermented beef during the whole ripening period. The pathogen bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium sp., Listeria monocytogenes) were not detected in all samples neither after 31 nor after 93 days of ripening period.     

Inhibition of acid rock drainage from uranium ore waste using a conventional neutralization and precipitation treatment

Glass columns (length 50 cm, i.d. 4 cm) containing 900 g of uranium ore waste were subjected to a three-step process: (1) acid drainage generation, (2) neutralization and precipitation treatment and, again, (3) acid drainage generation. In the first acid generation step, lasting about one year, different variables (pyrite addition, inoculation and irrigation solution) were tested by measuring effluent pH, redox potential, total iron and sulphate. Conditions of acid generation were satisfactorily reproduced, reaching stable pH values around 2.0 that were determined mainly by pyrite addition and the type of irrigation solution used (distilled water or ferrous sulphate). The neutralization and precipitation treatment consisted of alternating irrigations of a neutralizing solution (CaO saturated plus NaOH) and a precipitating solution (ferric sulphate saturated). This treatment caused accumulation of basic iron sulphate and iron oxide precipitates according to SEM studies. After this treatment, the barrier effect created by the reaction products was checked, using irrigation solutions similar to the first step. The effluents collected showed higher pH and lower redox potential, total iron and sulphate values than those observed before the treatment, evidencing inhibition of acid drainage generation.     

Comparison of Lactic Acid Productivities at High Substrate Conversions in a Continuous Two-stage Fermenter With Cell Recycle Using Different Kinetic Models

The steady-state performance of a two-stage recycle fermenter with two different types (I and II) of configurations for staging was investigated numerically for the continuous production of lactic acid. In Type I the bleed broth withdrawn from the first stage is supplied to the second fermenter, and in Type II both filtrate and bleed broth from the first stage are introduced to the second stage. Using four different kinetic models taken from the literature, the effects of operating parameters on the overall lactic acid productivities and the overall substrate conversions are examined. At moderate conversions, productivities for Type I operation are found to be higher than those for Type II and for the single-stage system. In the case of high conversions close to complete consumption, Type II operation is more efficient than the Type I and single-stage systems. For 99% conversion and 40 kg m^-3 substrate feed concentration, productivities for Type II are predicted to be 14-74% higher compared to those for the single-stage system at the same bleed ratios.     

（E）-2-壬烯酸合成方法的改进

(E)-2-壬烯酸是有机合成的一种重要中间体,我们利用Knoevenagel反应机理,改进了(E)-2-壬烯酸的合成工艺,在不使用脱水剂条件下,使用少量吡啶作催化剂,获得了83%的反应收率。     

An effective rhodium catalyst system on the synthesis of acetic acid from methyl formate

Rh/Lil/SnR₄ is an effective catalyst system for the conversion of methyl formate to acetic acid under carbon monoxide pressure. The effects of solvent and initial CO partial pressure on the turnover rate of the reaction were investigated. The possibility of replacing some of the iodide promoters by tin compounds has been probed.     

柠檬酸月桂醇酯的合成

介绍了柠檬酸月桂醇酯的合成方法,并经正交实验得出合成的最佳工艺条件:反应温度132℃,反应时间120min,月桂醇/柠檬酸=1:1(mol比),催化剂用量:0.2g。     

气—液式热管换热器在硫酸工业中的应用研究

本文研制的气－液式热管换热器应用于硫酸生产中ＳＯ３气体的余热回收。它具有传热性能好、流动阻力小、寿命长、体积小、节能效果显著和易清垢等优点。