Froth characteristics of shallow bubble columns with sieve plates

Radial profiles of gas holdup, liquid circulation and equivalent clear liquid height in the froth regime were measured in a shallow bubble column withCorrelations for radial profiles of gas holdup in the middle region, which is one of three axial regions in the froth, and for mean values of equivalen     

Quantification of metronidazole in healthy subjects' feces using an LC–MS/MS method

A highly selective and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) method was developed for the quantification of metronidazole (MTZ) in human feces. The analyte was recovered from feces after liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and separated on Waters Symmetry® C₁₈ (100 × 4.6 mm, 5μm) column using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile (40:60, v/v) as the mobile phase. A stable‐deuterated internal standard metronidazole‐d4 (MTZ‐d4) was used in the study. Mass analysis was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in the positive electrospray ionization mode. A linear response function of MTZ was established in the concentration range of 0.50–250 ng/g, based on dry mass. The mean extraction recovery of MTZ (97.28%) and MTZ‐d4 (96.76%) from spiked feces samples was consistent at higher as well as lower concentrations. Post‐column infusion analysis showed no ion‐suppression/enhancement effects and the mean IS‐normalized matrix factor ranged from 0.986 to 1.013. Spiked feces samples stored at −20 and − 70°C for long‐term stability were stable for at least 3 months, while extracted samples (dry and wet extracts) were stable up to 24 h. The method was applied to determine MTZ in feces of 12 healthy Indian subjects.     

液相色谱塔板高度方程的统一形式

研究了色谱分离过程中物质的径向扩散和流动相发热对柱效能的影响。从热传导方程出发,运用色谱过程动力学原理推导了包括考虑流动相径向扩散、色谱柱发热影响的液相色谱塔板高度方程：

该方程概括了高效液相色谱（HPLC）、超高效液相色谱（UPLC）、毛细管电色谱（CEC）和消滞留层液相色谱（ESFLC）塔板高度与各种因素的关系。方程最后一项代表了径向扩散和柱发热对塔板高度的贡献。当流动相线速度较低且柱内径较细时,流动相摩擦生热和径向扩散对塔板高度的贡献趋近于零,塔板高度方程还原成Horvath和Lin的方程;当流动相线速度较高时,由于流动相摩擦生热,柱轴心与边缘温差增加,导致流动相线速度径向分布差异,使得柱效率降低。柱轴心与边缘的温差与流动相线速度平方成正比。该文指出,在流动相高线速度情况下,液相色谱的柱效率与柱内径密切相关,采用细内径柱有利于实现高速与高效率;过高的流动相线速度将导致色谱柱效率崩溃。     

Dynamic system for the calibration of semi-volatile carbonyl compounds in air

A dynamic calibration system designed for generating accurate and precise concentrations of semi-volatile carbonyls in the ppb (v/v) (ppbv)-ppt (v/v) (pptv) range has been developed and tested. Alkanals from C6 to C9 were used as test compounds. Diffusion rates of their vapours from capillary tubes were determined theoretically and with two methods whose accuracy was independently evaluated with liquid standard solutions. Methods selected for testing the calibration system were those commonly used for the selective quantification of carbonyls in air. One is based on the well-known reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), followed by the analysis of formed hydrazones by HPLC-UV. The other is based on the retention of carbonyls on graphitic carbon adsorbents, followed by MS detection of the sample injected into a capillary column by thermal desorption. A good consistency was found between the values of the diffusion rates determined by the two methods. The scatter between the two methods was in the range of +/-10% when diffusion rates of ca. 1 ng/s were attained. Experimental values closely approached those calculated by applying the equation describing the diffusion of a vapour in equilibrium with the liquid through a capillary tube.     

煤泥浮选泡沫的数字图像处理

研究安装了煤泥浮选泡沫数字图像获取系统，通过大量的分批浮选实验，获取了许多煤泥精矿泡沫图像；分析了煤泥浮选泡沫数字图像的特点，探讨了用灰度绝对值为刻画泡沫图像特征的可行性；引入了空间灰度相关矩阵和邻城灰度相关矩阵来提取泡沫的纹理特理，并提取基于这两种算法的一系列特征参数来描述泡沫的结构；开发了煤泥浮选泡沫特征参数提取软件，并用其完成了精矿泡沫图像特征参数提取工作；分析了各泡沫特征参数随浮选时间（泡沫纹理）的变化关系，定性地指出了各泡沫特征参数与泡沫纹理的相关性。     

Liquid chromatographic determination of aniline in table-top sweeteners based on pre-column derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate

A liquid chromatographic method for the determination of aniline in cyclamate sweeteners based on a pre-column derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate (NQS) is proposed. Aniline traces were extracted from the cyclamate samples using dichloromethane. After solvent evaporation, the dry residue was derivatized with NQS at pH 9.5 and 85 degrees C for 1 min. The aniline derivative, which was extracted from the reacting mixture, was redissolved in the eluent solution and injected into the chromatographic system. The separation of aniline derivative from other amine impurities was carried out in a C18 column using a 2% acetic acid-methanol (40:60, v/v) mobile phase. Results from the analysis of aniline in the sweetener samples with the proposed method were compared with those from the standard method. A good concordance between the two methods was observed.     

A comparison of spreading behaviors of Silwet L-77 on dry and wet lotus leaves

Trisiloxane surfactants are widely used in pesticide applications as adjuvants to promote spray drop spreading on leaves. The efficacy of the spray is related to the wetting of plant surfaces. The surface (composite or wetted) formed by the liquid drop instantly contacting with the substrate is vital to the spreading. In this paper the spreading behaviors of surfactant solutions on dry and previous wet lotus leaf surfaces were studied. It was found that the drop spreading on the wet surface was obviously easier than on the dry surface, which was rational to the existence of water in the grooves of the wet surface. The spreading of Silwet L-77 aqueous drops on the wet lotus leaf surface is mainly controlled by the surface tension gradient along the air-liquid interface.     

Development of a new QuEChERS method based on dry ice for the determination of 168 pesticides in paprika using tandem mass spectrometry

This study describes a new QuEChERS method referred to as the dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method. This current method can be differentiated from the other QuEChERS methods in the sense that it uses dry ice rather than salts or buffers to extract and partition pesticides in the first extraction step. The dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method consists of extraction method A (for detection of the acetonitrile layer) and extraction method B (for detection of both acetonitrile and aqueous layers). The extraction efficiency was then compared with the citrate-buffering QuEChERS method by means of recovery. Recovery values of the tested 168 pesticides were above 76%, with relative standard deviations of less than 20%. Certain problematic pesticides, including benfuracarb, carbosulfan, dichlofluanid, probenazole, pymetrozine, tolylfluanid, TFNA, and TFNG evidenced acceptable recoveries via the dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method compared to the less than 70% recoveries of the citrate-buffering QuEChERS method examined herein. The matrix effect of paprika on the method developed herein was not significant, and matrix-matched calibration was performed well, with an r(2)≥0.99. The dry ice-partitioning QuEChERS method is capable of detecting the aqueous layer as well as the acetonitrile layer; this interesting feature makes it worth in application as an alternative QuEChERS method for the multiresidue analysis of pesticides within a broad polarity range in various matrices.     

The properties of SBS-g-VP copolymer membrane prepared by UV photografting without degassing

The grafting of 4-vinylpyridine (VP) onto styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer membrane (SBS) was induced by UV-radiation without degassing to obtain the SBS-g-VP copolymer membrane. The graft copolymer membrane was characterized by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tensile strengths and elongations of dry and wet SBS-g-VP copolymer membranes were measured. The contact angle of dry and wet SBS-g-VP graft copolymer membranes with different amount of grafting were determined. By using Kaelble's equation and the contact angle data, the surface energy of dry and wet SBS-g-VP graft copolymer membranes were determined. The protein absorption of fibrinogen and albumin on the SBS-g-VP membranes were evaluated. It was found that the oxygen content in the SBS-g-VP copolymer membrane increased with increasing grafting degree which resulted from the UV photografting without degassing. The tensile strength of dry SBS-g-VP membrane increased with increasing degree of grafting but the elongation decreased. The tensile strengths and elongations of wet SBS-g-VP were significantly lower than those of SBS. The surface energy of dry and wet SBS-g-VP were determined by using Kaelble's equation and the contact angle data. It was found that the surface energy of SBS-g-VP membrane increased. The surface energy of wet SBS-g-VP was higher than that of dry SBS-g-VP. The absorption of albumin and fibrinogen decreased with increasing grafting degree and then levelled off.     

A method for trace element determination of single Daphnia specimens using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Two new preparation techniques for total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) element determination of single freshwater crustacean specimens (dry weight: 3–40 μg ind⁻¹) have been developed and tested using Daphnia pulex from a deep, oligotrophic freshwater lake located in southern Chile. Dry method: Specimens were washed with 0.2 μm filtered lake water and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The freeze-dried Daphnia specimens were weighed using an ultra-fine microbalance and placed on quartz glass carriers for TXRF analysis. Wet method: Specimens were washed with 0.2 μm filtered lake water and placed on quartz glass carriers for TXRF analysis and dried in air. The dry weight was determined using the previously established body length–dry weight relationship. Method validation for both the dry and the wet preparation method in combination with TXRF spectrometry for the element determination in small single freshwater crustaceans showed that both methods can be used for routine investigations. There were no significant differences between the dry and the wet methods concerning the elements Ca, K, Fe, Zn, Br, P, Cu, but the determination of Mn, S and Sr revealed significant differences between the two methods. It seems that the dry method yields more precise results, but the wet method is easier to handle in the field when samples cannot be fixed with liquid nitrogen.     

Hydrophilic interaction chromatography: A promising alternative to reversed‐phase liquid chromatography systems for the purification of small protonated bases

The overloaded band profiles of the protonated species of propranolol and amitriptyline were recorded under acidic conditions on four classes of stationary phases including a conventional silica/organic hybrid material in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography mode (BEH‐C₁₈), an electrostatic repulsion reversed‐phase liquid chromatography C₁₈ column (BEH‐C₁₈+), a poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene) monolithic column, and a hydrophilic interaction chromatography stationary phase (underivatized BEH). The same amounts of protonated bases per unit volume of stationary phase were injected in each column (16, 47, and 141 μg/cm³). The performance of the propranolol/amitriptyline purification was assessed on the basis of the asymmetry of the recorded band profiles and on the selectivity factor achieved. The results show that the separation performed under reversed‐phase liquid chromatography like conditions (with BEH‐C₁₈, BEH‐C₁₈+, and polymer monolith materials) provide the largest selectivity factors due to the difference in the hydrophobic character of the two compounds. However, they also provide the most distorted overloaded band profiles due to a too small loading capacity. Remarkably, symmetric band profiles were observed with the hydrophilic interaction chromatography column. The larger loading capacity of the hydrophilic interaction chromatography column is due to the accumulation of the protonated bases into the diffuse water layer formed at the surface of the polar adsorbent. This work encourages purifying ionizable compounds on hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns rather than on reversed‐phase liquid chromatography columns.     

Development of clenbuterol reference materials: lyophilized bovine eye samples free of clenbuterol (CRM 673) and containing clenbuterol (CRM 674). Part 1. Preparation, homogeneity and stability

Within the EU Standards, Measurement and Testing Program (SMT) two clenbuterol reference materials (RMs) were developed. Since clenbuterol readily accumulates and is slowly depleted from pigmented tissues such as the retina, homogenized eye liquid content is the most sensitive tissue for the detection of clenbuterol misuse. Therefore, both of the RMs were produced from bovine eye matrix: a negative control--RM 673 eye reference material, clenbuterol free (<0.50 microg/kg eye matrix) and a positive--RM 674 eye reference material containing clenbuterol (approximately 10 microg/kg eye matrix). Eyes were sampled from 103 German Simmental cattle and the inner liquid content was homogenized to a wet homogenized liquid content (HLC). This clenbuterol negative pool was divided into two sub-pools, one of which was spiked with clenbuterol to a final concentration of 10 microg clenbuterol/kg HLC. Of each pool exactly 2.0 +/- 0.01 g (+/- 0.5%) portions were weighed into 790 containers. Lyophilization of the 1,580 containers was performed in one batch. Parameters for the filling of containers, dry matter content, and residual moisture were in accordance with EU requirements. A three-year stability study and two homogeneity studies at various storage temperatures (-60 degrees C, -20 degrees C, +4 degrees C, +20 degrees C, and +37 degrees C) were performed. Low variation was observed within all of the homogeneity studies, proving that each of the RMs were homogeneous and that this was independent of storage temperature and storage time. In the stability studies, measured clenbuterol concentrations remained constant for RM 673 under the detection limit at 0.15 +/- 0.01 microg clenbuterol equivalent/kg HLC (n = 110) and were also constant for RM 674 at 11.21 +/- 0.15 microg clenbuterol/kg HLC (n=150; measured as duplicates). These studies demonstrate that clenbuterol-containing and clenbuterol-free RMs in bovine eye matrix can be successfully produced. Based on the results described above, it is concluded that both RMs may be suitable as candidates for certification.     

Nanoparticle flotation collectors II: the role of nanoparticle hydrophobicity

The ability of polystyrene nanoparticles to facilitate the froth flotation of glass beads was correlated to the hydrophobicity of the nanoparticles. Contact angle measurements were used to probe the hydrophobicity of hydrophilic glass surfaces decorated with hydrophobic nanoparticles. Both sessile water drop advancing angles, θ(a), and attached air bubble receding angle measurements, θ(r), were performed. For glass surfaces saturated with adsorbed nanoparticles, flotation recovery, a measure of flotation efficiency, increased with increasing values of each type of contact angle. As expected, the advancing water contact angle on nanoparticle-decorated, dry glass surfaces increased with surface coverage, the area fraction of glass covered with nanoparticles. However, the nanoparticles were far more effective at raising the contact angle than the Cassie-Baxter prediction, suggesting that with higher nanoparticle coverages the water did not completely wet the glass surfaces between the nanoparticles. A series of polystyrene nanoparticles was prepared to cover a range of surface energies. Water contact angle measurements, θ(np), on smooth polymer films formed from organic solutions of dissolved nanoparticles were used to rank the nanoparticles in terms of hydrophobicity. Glass spheres were saturated with adsorbed nanoparticles and were isolated by flotation. The minimum nanoparticle water contact angle to give high flotation recovery was in the range of 51° < θ(np(min)) ≤ 85°.     

Porous structure of the monolithic sorbent and separation properties of monolithic capillary columns in gas and liquid chromatography

Macroporous polymer based on polydivinylbenzene was used for the preparation of monolithic capillary columns with the diameter from 0.01 to 0.53 mm for separations by gas and liquid chromatography. The separation properties of the columns were studied by analysis of model systems of aromatic (in liquid chromatography) and light (in gas chromatography) hydrocarbons. The permeability was determined and the C parameter of the Van-Deemter equation was found for each column. The permeability of the majority of columns determined by gas chromatography is independent of the column diameter. The permeability of the same columns in liquid chromatography is also almost constant for the columns 0.53–0.1 mm in diameter; however, the permeability decreases sharply on going to columns of smaller diameter. In gas chromatography the value of the C parameter reflecting the effect of the mass transfer of the sorbate between the mobile and stationary phases on the smearing of a chromatographic peak in the column approximately the same for all columns. In liquid chromatography the value of the C coefficient in the Van-Deemter equation for the same capillary columns changes with a change in the column diameter and reaches a minimum for the columns 0.1 mm in diameter. The differences observed for the characteristics of the columns in gas and liquid chromatography are due to different structures of the macroporous monolith formed in columns of different diameter and to the effect of solvation of the monolith by the mobile phase under the conditions of liquid chromatography.     

Kinetic study on the dehydration of tert‐butyl alcohol catalyzed by ion exchange resins

The dehydration of tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA) in the liquid phase was studied by using an ion exchange resin, Amberlyst 15 (A15) in the H⁺ form. Experiments were carried out both in a semi‐batch reactor and in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with wet or dry resins. The results with the dry resin in the semi‐batch reactor were different from those with the wet resin due to the swelling of resin in the presence of water. However, the results in CSTR agreed well with those in the semi‐batch reactor using the wet resin. A rate equation that considered the inhibition of water was formulated. The experimental results agreed well with the calculated ones. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 854–859, 1999     

Preparation and characterization of the chromatographic properties of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate/divinylbenzene polymeric microspheres

The preparation of porous ethylene glycol dimethacrylate/divinylbenzene polymeric microspheres is presented. These materials were investigated as column packings for high‐performance liquid chromatography. Their porous structures in both the dry and wet states were also studied. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3049–3058, 2005     

Fabrication of two-weir structure-based packed columns for on-chip solid-phase extraction of DNA

Microchip-based packed column SPE of DNA was performed using the microfabricated two-weir structure within a microchannel. We developed two methods to fabricate the two-weir structured glass chips: a "two-side etching/alignment" method and a simplified "one-side/two-step etching" method. The former method required a straightforward alignment step, while the latter approach comprised a simplified wet etching process using paraffin wax as the temporary protective layer. Both methods were convenient and rapid as compared to the previous approaches. Through a reversibly sealed bead-introduction channel, beads can be fed into or out of the chip columns, thus enabling refreshment of the packing materials. Using the proposed chip columns, highly efficient lambda-DNA extractions (average recovery >80%) were performed with good chip-to-chip reproducibility (RSD <10%). The on-chip SPE procedure was completed within 15 min at the flow rate of 3 microL/min and the bulk of the loaded DNA was eluted within a small volume of approximately 8 microL. Application of the microchip-based packed columns was demonstrated by purifying PCR-amplifiable genomic DNA from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells and human whole blood samples.     

Comparison of matrix effects in inductively coupled plasma using laser ablation and solution nebulization for dry and wet plasma conditions

Matrix effects of calcium in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry were investigated. Matrix effects were studied by monitoring the excitation conditions of the plasma using Zn ionic to atomic spectral line intensity ratios. Dry and wet inductively coupled plasmas with robust and non-robust conditions were compared. Laser ablation and solution nebulization sample introduction were used to produce the dry and wet plasma conditions, respectively. Low (0.6 l/min) and high (1.0 l/min) carrier gas flow rates were used to produce the robust and non-robust conditions, respectively. No differences in the trend of matrix effects for dry and wet plasmas were observed at vertical positions above normal observation height (>8 mm height above load coil) for low and high carrier gas flow rates. However, matrix effects in the lower part of the plasma (<8 mm height above load coil) were significantly different between dry and wet plasmas when a high carrier gas flow was used. The differences are likely due to the desolvation process.     

基于液相色谱-质谱技术的肾脏代谢组学分析方法研究

建立了一种基于高效液相色谱-超高分辨质谱技术的肾脏代谢组学分析方法。肾脏组织于液氮中研磨成粉后,采用甲基叔丁基醚/甲醇/水溶剂体系进行提取,分别得到强极性部分(下层)和弱极性部分(上层)提取物,依次采用HILIC亲水色谱柱和反相C18色谱柱进行梯度洗脱分离后,进行高分辨质谱分析。采用电喷雾离子源(ESI),正、负离子模式检测,扫描方式为全扫描,扫描范围为100~1000 Da,质量分辨率为120000。结果表明,该方法灵敏度高,专属性强,稳定性良好,可同时获取肾脏组织中的强极性和弱极性代谢物信息,可为肾脏疾病和药物肾毒性生物标志物的发现提供一种新的方法。