Impact of pulsed electric field on electrodialysis process performance and membrane fouling during consecutive demineralization of a model salt solution containing a high magnesium/calcium ratio

Pulsed electric fields (PEFs), hashed modes of current consisting in the application of a constant current density during a fixed time (Ton) followed by a pause lapse (Toff), were recently demonstrated as an effective alternative for mineral fouling mitigation and process intensification during electrodialysis (ED) treatments. Recent ED studies have continuously reported a considerable mineral fouling formation on ion-exchange membranes, especially during the demineralization of solutions containing a high Mg/Ca ratio and a basified concentrate solution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the process performance under two different PEF conditions on a mineral solution containing a mineral mixture giving a high Mg(2+)/Ca(2+) ratio of 2/5. Two different pause-lapse durations (PEF ratio 1 (Ton/Toff 10s/10s); PEF ratio 0.3 (Ton/Toff 10s/33.3 s)) during consecutive ED treatments and their comparison with dc current were evaluated at a current density of 40 mA/cm(2). Our results showed that PEFs resulted in an intensification of ED process, enhancing the demineralization rates (DRs), reducing the system resistance (SR), and reducing the fouling and energy consumption (EC). PEF ratio 1 was the most optimal condition among the current regimes applied, leading to faster and higher demineralization rates due to a lower fouling and with low energy consumption during all consecutive runs.     

Pyrolyse des schistes bitumineux marocains (Tarfaya): etude de l'influence de la matrice minerale

Pyrolysis of Tarfaya, Morocco, oil shales: study of the influence of the inorganic matrix. The effects of the inorganic matrix of the oil shale on the pyrolysis of the Tarfaya oil shale were investigated using a modified Fisher - assay type apparatus. Experiments were conducted on the oil shale as well as on the kerogen isolated from the shale following a demineralization process. The results obtained show that the inorganic matrix retains the pyrolysis products, slows their formation and catalyzes the reactions leading to oil formation. The evacuation of the oil follows a diffusion process across the different pores and cracks of the mineral matrix. Pyrolysis of the oil shale resulted in higher oil yields when compared with the pyrolysis of the kerogen. In addition, the obtained oils are, in this case, more maltenique, more aromatic and less polar.     

Anisotropic demineralization and oriented assembly of hydroxyapatite crystals in enamel: smart structures of biominerals

It is interesting to note that the demineralization of natural enamel does not happen as readily as that of the synthesized hydroxyapatite (HAP), although they share a similar chemical composition. We suggest that the hierarchical structure of enamel is an important factor in the preservation of the natural material against dissolution. The anisotropic demineralization of HAP is revealed experimentally, and this phenomenon is understood by the different interfacial structures of HAP-water at the atomic level. It is found that HAP {001} facets can be more resistant against dissolution than {100} under acidic conditions. Although {100} is the largest surface of the typical HAP crystal, it is {001}, the smallest habit face, that is chosen by the living organisms to build the outer surface of enamel by an oriented assembly of the rodlike crystals. We reveal that such a biological construction can confer on enamel protections against erosion, since {001} is relatively dissolution-insensitive. Thus, the spontaneous dissolution of enamel surface can be retarded in biological milieu by such a smart construction. The current study demonstrates the importance of hierarchical structures in the functional biomaterials.     

Direct evidence for the electroconvective mechanism of neutral amino acid transport during electrodialysis

For the first time, direct evidence was obtained using laser interferometry and flicker-noise spectroscopy that the main cause of the increase in the transport of amino acids through a sulfonated cation-exchange membrane in intense current modes is electroconvection. The turbulent nature of electroconvective vortices at the solution/membrane interface, acidification of the solution in the demineralization compartment and a substantial intensification of amino acid fluxes under over-limiting current modes were revealed. This indicates the electroconvective destruction of the barrier effect of the solution layer with a high pH value near the cation-exchange membrane.     

Demineralization of Industrial Activated Carbons in an Extractor for Removing Components from Solid Materials

The possibility of exhaustive demineralization of industrial carbon sorbents by multiple treatment in the sequences acid-water-ammonia and alkali-water-acid-water was assessed. The influence exerted on the degree of demineralization by the process mode and composition of the alkaline solution was studied.     

The Effects of Demineralization Process on Diameter,Tensile Properties and Biodegradation of Chitosan Fiber

Chitosan fiber is one of the potential fibers that can be used as absorbable monofilament suture in biomedical application. In chitosan synthesis, aside from deproteination and deacetylation, demineralization is a crucial step where the major minerals within crustacean shells are removed. This demineralization process is carried out with two parameters, i.e. time and temperature. This research studies the influence of demineralization time on the diameter, tensile properties and biodegradability of chitosan fibers. Chitosan was synthesized from shrimp shells using 1 × 2 h and 3 × 2 h demineralization process. Chitosan fibers were produced by means of wet spinning. The chemical properties of chitosan fibers were characterized by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) technique. Physical properties characterization was carried out to measure the fibers’ diameter, density and viscosity. Tensile properties were evaluated by means of tensile test. The results were compared to standard of absorbable suture from the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). Furthermore, in vitro degradation testing was also performed for analyzing biodegradation properties. Chitosan fibers were successfully made with diameter and maximum tensile force of chitosan fibers in a range of 364 - 460 μm and 5.6 - 8.3 N, respectively. The results of this research pointed that adding demineralization time would increase the diameter of chitosan fiber. However, the degradation occurred in prolonged demineralization process broke the bonds within the fiber which lead to a decrease in fiber's density. It is due to the degradation of chitosan occurred during extended demineralization process, which leads to degree of crystallinity reduction. Extensive demineralization process has been found to lower fibers’ tensile strength from 80.4 MPa to 38.4 MPa (52.2%), but increase their biodegradability by 17% and maximum elongation from 6.9% to 16.2% (136%). Despite that extensive demineralization process lowered chitosan fiber's tensile strength, both fibers made could still fit the standard for synthetic absorbable suture from USP number 0 and 1.     

Electrodialysis of pectin-containing solutions of hydrochloric acid with ion-exchange membranes

The process of electrodialysis of 0.05 M hydrochloric acid solutions containing 0.2% pectins with different molecular mass was studied using ion-exchange membranes. It is found that occurrence of the process at the current density of 5 mA/cm² allows achieving the solution demineralization degree of 87–90% and acid regeneration degree of 86–92% at current efficiency of 63–77%. Higher process indicators are observed in the case of electrodialysis of solutions containing pectin of a lower molecular mass.     

应用红外光谱研究脱灰对伊敏褐煤结构的影响

对伊敏褐煤的原煤和脱灰煤进行了红外光谱分析,并通过分段分峰拟合分析了脱灰前后伊敏煤结构的变化。结果表明,脱灰处理对煤中有机结构会产生一定影响。对脂氢和羟基氢键有机结构影响较小,脱灰后,脂氢结构中CH₂不对称伸缩振动没有变化,CH伸缩振动明显减少,而CH₂对称伸缩振动和CH₃不对称伸缩振动略有增加;羟基氢键结构中羟基N羟基、自缔合羟基氢键以及羟基π氢键的强度有所降低,而环氢键和羟基醚氢键的吸收强度有所增加;对芳香结构和含氧官能团的影响较大,芳香结构由原煤中的苯环三取代占主导地位转变为脱灰煤中的苯环三和四取代;含氧官能团中烷基醚和脂肪羧酸脱灰后吸收峰的强度明显减弱,这是由于水解反应导致的,而酚羟基和羧酸脱灰后吸收强度明显增强。     

Recent developments with light-exposure apparatus and measurement of radiation of their light sources

New techniques and devices which were recently developed in order to avoid various drawbacks of current light-exposure apparatus are introduced. The spectral distribution of the open flame carbon arc approximates more closely to that of sunlight by modifications of the filter system.The life of carbon arcs was lengthened more than two fold. The long-life xenon arc lamp minimized the reduction in output of radiation.The slanted holder improved the locational variance of radiation falling on a specimen.The instrumental methods for measuring light dosage are explained.     

Thermally stimulated current study of the molecular movements in bone

Thermally Stimulated Current (TSC) has been used for investigating the interface and interphase in a natural composite, bone. Young adult male femoral diaphysis has been studied at different stages of demineralization by EDTA. Analysis of the fine structure of complex TSC spectra has shown that in the early stages of demineralization, dielectric relaxations are due to the hydroxyl reorientations in the mineral apatite structure. After a certain stage of demineralization, the mineral response disappears and organic matrix mobility is observed. A dissociative buffer has been used to identify collagen relaxations. The contribution of the mineral-organic interface/interphase has been isolated.     

A fast method of zone melting as an aid in analytical chemistry

A new zone-melting apparatus is described which allows relatively high zone speeds up to 100 cm/h. The time required for effective separations is only a few hours so that the apparatus can be used for analytical purposes. The difference between the theoretical and actual distribution coefficients obtained is small; the distribution coefficients of unknown substances in mixtures can thus be derived from the result of zone melting, which offers a means of identification. The apparatus is fully automated and normal freezing is incorporated as a first step. A means of preventing the breakage of the glass tube containers is described. The principles of operation and possible applications are discussed.     

Mathematical model of electrodialysis with ion-exchange membranes and inert spacers

A mathematical model describing the two-dimensional concentration field of an electrodialysis device with inert spacers is proposed. The boundary-value problem includes the Navier-Stokes, continuity, and steady-state convective diffusion equations and well-defined conditions and is solved by the control-volume numerical method. Results are expressed in the form of functional relationships of generalized variables. It is shown that when channels of the electrodialysis device are filled with spacers that do not conduct electric current, mass transport increases by several times in comparison to devices with open channels. The possibility is discussed for replacing the inert spacers with ones that conduct ion, not only in the complete demineralization of natural waters, but also in the desalination of brackish ground waters.     

测量多孔粉体扩散系数和孔分布的实验装置

多孔粉体在介孔和微孔范围内的表征需要专业的实验仪器,这限定了对该类材料全面的表征只能在大型实验室中进行.本文提出了一种改进的BET测量装置,其核心部件是高精度的压差传感器,这种设备让小型实验室也可以测量多孔粉体的内扩散系数和孔分布.使用数值解析方法和蒙特卡罗模拟方法分析了测量扩散系数实验的数据.     

13C-NMR分析混合酸处理脱灰对永兴褐煤结构的影响

运用煤的结构化学理论和固态 ¹³C-NMR的研究方法,对比分析了永兴褐煤在混合酸处理脱灰前后碳组成的变化。研究表明,混合酸处理脱灰对永兴褐煤中脂肪碳和芳香碳两者比例分配的影响并不大,但对季碳、环内氧接脂碳、芳香桥碳和羧基碳的破坏作用比较明显;在芳香桥碳锐减的同时,芳甲基的比例非但没有减少反而略有增加,表明永兴褐煤中的双环及多环结构被破坏为单环结构,芳香簇的尺寸变小了,这是混合酸处理脱灰对永兴褐煤结构最重要的影响。     

Current-controlled nanospray ionization mass spectrometry

The hypothesis that direct determination of electrospray current would provide a viable method for maintaining spray stability to enable optimal nanospray analysis was tested by building a feedback apparatus capable of reading the current and readjusting the emitter voltage in real time. The apparatus consists of a current-sensing circuit that reads the voltage drop across a resistor located between the high-voltage power supply and the nanospray emitter. A low voltage proportional to the observed current is generated and sent to a data acquisition card. The information is used by a proportional-derivative-integral (PID) algorithm to calculate the magnitude of a low-voltage signal that is used to control the power supply output. Any variation of current across the sensing resistor is thus counteracted by an opposite-direction variation of the high voltage applied to the nanospray emitter. In this way, the apparatus adjusts the emitter voltage to achieve a preset value of current, which it strives to maintain over time in spite of any possible variation of the parameters influencing the spray regime. Preliminary results have shown that the feedback apparatus is capable of establishing and maintaining stable spray for samples that are usually considered challenging in traditional voltage-controlled analysis, such as those consisting of nucleic acid solutions with high salt loads. For these types of samples, the total ion count recorded in current-controlled mode was significantly more stable than that observed in voltage-controlled mode. At the same time, overall signal intensities and signal-to-noise ratios were also significantly improved. Setting the target nanospray current to a predefined value and letting the apparatus reach the target without operator intervention enabled the acquisition of viable data from solutions containing up to 2. 5 M ammonium acetate, which are ordinarily difficult by traditional manual tuning. A deeper understanding of the current-voltage relationships for samples of very different compositions is expected to enable one not only to predict the target current that should be used for a certain analysis, but also to devise algorithms to change such target as a function of predictable variations of sample properties and analytical conditions. This will allow for optimal performance to be maintained during on-line gradient chromatography in which the nature of the sprayed solution may vary very widely during the course of the analysis.     

Gas distribution in the layer of irregular ring nozzle

Results of experiments on evaluation of velocity fields in the apparatus of diameter 98 mm loaded with irregular ring nozzle of different type so that the ratio of the diameter of the apparatus to the diameter of the packing D/d = 10 are analyzed in the article. The significant influence of the walls limiting the layer of packing on the uniformity of distribution of the velocity field in the cross-section of the apparatus with packing is shown. Raschig rings, rings of MS type and rings of N1 type of dimensions 10 × 10 × 0.9 mm made of metal were used as packing. The data obtained on Raschig rings were compared with published data.     

Effect of Pore Structure of Al-Co-Mo Catalyst on the Rate of Various Pathways of Hydrofining of Oil Residues

Evolution in the activity and texture of the Al-Co-Mo catalyst in hydrofining of black oil is studied. The catalyst efficiency in desulfurization, deasphalting, and demineralization of black oil is estimated as dependent on the catalyst pore structure and process conditions.     

Diffusion Boundary Layers in Transport of Aliphatic Acids in Electromembrane Systems

The regularities of the formation of diffusion boundary layers during the transport of aliphatic acids in electromembrane systems are studied and their characteristics obtained experimentally are analyzed. It is shown that their concentration profiles in solutions of the electrodialyzer sections are asymmetric near membranes of different polarity. Experimental values of diffusion layer thicknesses are compared with those following from the known theoretical relations. The equation, which is proposed for the surface concentration, permits the prediction of the operation mode of apparatus during electrodialysis of solutions of aliphatic acids and other weak electrolytes. Specific features characterizing the emergence of a limiting state and the character of the distribution of limiting current densities over the height of the membrane channel are revealed.     

Some rheological properties of molten polypropylene

The following measurements were carried out on the melts of two samples of polypropylene, one with a narrow and one with a broad molecular weight distribution: viscosity in steady shear flow, dynamic storage and loss moduli, total normal thrust in cone-and-plate apparatus, and flow birefringence. The validity of various theoretical interrelations between the measured quantities is checked. The influence of molecular weight distribution is qualitatively discussed.     

The measurement of stable isotope distribution using Zeeman atomic absorption spectroscopy

The possibilities of stable isotope analysis using AAS are pointed out. The different isotopic effects occurring in optical spectra are discussed and the influence of the isotopic distribution in a sample on the line profile including broadening effects is analysed.An apparatus, based on the Zeeman scanning technique, is described, which can detect variations in the natural isotopic distribution. Measurements were carried out using the intercombination lines of Hg, Cd and Zn.