Determination of heavy metal concentration in feed and permeate streams of polymer enhanced ultrafiltration process

Polymer enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) is a newly developed method for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. This method was applied for the removal of mercury and cadmium with the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a water soluble polymer. After ultrafiltration experiments for metal–polymer mixtures, two separate streams, namely, retentate and permeate, former of which contains mainly metal–polymer complex and free polymer molecules while latter of which mainly contains free metal ions, were obtained. At the end of PEUF experiments, performance of operation was determined by concentration analyses which was achieved by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) applied in a different way for permeate and retentate streams considering the effect of presence of polymer. For mercury analysis, cold vapor AAS was applied. It was observed that the presence of PEI did not affect the atomic absorption signal when 10% HCl was added to the sample solutions. For calcium and cadmium, flame AAS was used. It was observed that change in PEI concentration results in change in measured concentration of calcium and cadmium. Therefore, two new approaches were developed for accurate measurement of concentrations of calcium and cadmium. It was also observed that presence of other metals did not affect the accuracy of the measurement of a particular metal in the concentration range studied.     

On the interpretation of random forces derived by projection operators

We study the derivation of a Langevin equation from a microscopic basis in order to elucidate the nature of the random force. We arrive at the conclusion that the consistent interpretation of the microscopic Langevin equation in terms of a stochastic differential equation (SDE) is according to I o rules. In addition, the random force is in general not Gaussian, and it is hence not completely characterized by its second moments.     

Optimization Strategy for Isocratic Separation of α-Aspartame and Its Breakdown Products by Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography

α-Aspartame (L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) is increasingly being used in wide variety of commonly consumed food products. This structure contains ester and peptide bonds. The ester linkage may hydrolyze to produce L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine or cyclohydrolyze to produce the corresponding diketopiperazine ring. This ring can open to form L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine and ultimately this compound can hydrolyze to L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid. The pH, buffer type, concentration, the presence of water and temperature are other important factors affecting its stability. Because α-aspartame can lose its sweetness under these conditions determination of aspartame and its breakdown products is extremely important for diet foods quality. The optimum mobile phase for the chromatographic separation was found to be acetonitrile-water (20:80, ν/ν) with 5.10^?3 M hexanesulfonic acid and a pH of 2.6.     

An integrated coupled column liquid chromatography system for the determination of leukotriene metabolites in biological samples

Summary A fully integrated chromatographic system was developed for the determination of leukotrienes in biological samples using photodiode-array detection (PDAD), which eliminates time consuming manual sample handling steps. A special solid phase extraction, (SPE) methodology for leucotriene metabolite stability was developed which increased the recoveries and eliminates the contamination risk of biological samples. The inherent instability (autooxidation) of many of the leukotriene mediators, and the adsorption effects onto exposed surfaces in vials and in the chromatographic system were found to be very important parameters to control in order to circumvent high loss of sample analytes. By binding the cell supernatants to the functionalities of the SPE support stabilised these mediators. Cell culture samples were eluted through a disposable C₁₈ SPE column. The SPE columns were allowed to thaw and deposited in an automated sample handling unit (ASPEC XL). Desorption of the analytes was followed by a second on-line SPE step, to eliminate remaining interfering matrix compounds. Typical recoveries when stored at −70°C were in-between 55–97% except for (LTE₄) which was found to be around 40% after 72 days of storage. Seven reversed-phase packings were studied. Selectivity factors, as well as the separation efficiencies, were found to differ for the various C₁₈ bonded silica stationary phases. This integrated on-line column liquid chromatographic system was applied to the determination of leukotriene B₄, leukotriene C₄, leukotriene D₄, leukotriene and E₄ in human cell extracts using prostaglandin B₂ as the internal standard. More than 1500 biological samples were analysed. Some validation data are presented for unattended operations.     

Application of Compton scattering normalization method to the analysis of uranium ore

Compton scattering normalization method is described for the analysis of uranium bearing ore respect to the usage of K X-rays of uranium. Minimum backscatter energy is obtained at a scatter angle of 180° with fixed point source geometry and collimation in appropriate conclusions. By normalizing the intensities of uranium K-lines to the Compton profile in the measured spectra, the results do not depend on several measuring parameters such as primary radiation intensity, matrix, composition, mass of the sample and measuring time. The method presented in this study indicates the convenience of uranium K-lines analysis for thick targets with an adequate measuring geometry.     

Adsorption of N-Nitrosodiethylamine and N-Nitrosodimethylamine on Activated Carbon: A Pre-Concentration Procedure for Gas Chromatographic Analysis

In this study, a rapid pre-concentration procedure, which employs powdered activated carbon as a clean-up and pre-concentration material, is described for the gas chromatographic analysis of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in aqueous solutions. It was found that powdered activated carbon is suitable for the adsorption of volatile N-nitrosamine compounds from aqueous solutions. Adsorption efficiency with spiked beer samples (alcohol content 5% v/v) was found to be 80.5% (NDMA) and 89.4% (NDEA) and recovery of extraction from activated carbon was calculated as 82.1% (NDMA) and 89.7% (NDEA), respectively. The effect of 100µgmL^–1 of tannic acid on the adsorption was also studied, and no significant effect on the adsorption and extraction of volatile N-nitrosamine compounds was found.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies on the Hofmann Type Clathrates: M(1,6-diaminohexane)Ni(CN) 4 .G (M = Co, Ni or Cd; G = chlorobenzene, 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-dichlorobenzene)

New Hofmann-diaminohexane(dahxn)-type clathrates of the form M(1,6-dahxn)Ni(CN)₄.G (M = Co, Ni or Cd; G = chlorobenzene, 1,2-, 1,3 or 1,4-dichlorobenzene) were prepared inpowder form and their infrared spectra are reported. The spectral data suggest that these compounds are similar in structure to those of the Hofmann-diam-type clathrates. Their structure consists of planar polymeric layers, {M–Ni(CN)₄}, formedfrom Ni(CN)₄ anions coordinated to the bridging 1,6-diaminohexane molecules bound directly to the metal (M). The M atoms are bound to four N atoms of the CN ions and, the Ni atoms are surrounded by four C atoms of the CN groups in a square-planar layer.     

Study on labeling conditions of125I-synkavit by the iodogen method

Labeling conditions of synkavit (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinol disodium phosphate) with iodine-125 have been studied. In this study, labeling temperature, reaction time, successive using of iodogen coated tubes, iodogen amount and synkavit concentrations have been determined to get optimum conditions for maximum labeling. Final results showed that when the labeling temperature, reaction time, synkavit concentration, and iodogen amount were, at room temperature, 15 min (in the case of successive using of three iodogen coated tubes), 2 mg ml^–1 and 5 mg, respectively; labeling yield was 90% and specific activities of the order of 555 GBq mmol^–1 (15 Ci mmol^–1) have been obtained.     

Radiometric titration based on colloidal and slow precipitate formation

Fluoride ions and, in about 0.005M concentration, tungstate ions form gelatinous precipitates, poorly soluble in water, with calcium ions. The radiometric determinations of the above ions are based on these reactions. Accurate radiometric determination can be carried out only if the gelatinous precipitate formed during titration can be properly separated from the solution. It has been found that in the case of fluoride ions the application of crystalline, easily filtrable Ca(COO)₂·H₂O or CaCO₃, and in the case of tungstate ions the application of CaWO₄ precipitate improves the filtration properties of⁴⁵CaF₂ and⁴⁵CaWO₄, respectively, formed during titration, whereby the radiometric determinations of the above ions become possible. Titrations were carried out with 0.05M and 0.005M CaCl₂ solutions, labelled with⁴⁵Ca.