Ash properties of Pinus halepensis needles treated with diammonium phosphate

The ash properties of Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) needles before and after treatment with diammonium phosphate (NH₄)₂HPO₄ (DAP) have been investigated, using thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), titrimetry, inductively coupled plasma-emission spectrometry (ICP-ES), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DAP is extensively used as active component in wildland fire retardants.The following crystalline compounds have been identified in ashes prepared at 600 °C before treatment with DAP: KCl, Ca(OH)₂, MgO, (CaMg)CO₃, K₂CO₃·CaCO₃, K₂CO₃, K₂SO₄, CaO and CaCO₃, whereas CaO, MgO, K₂SO₄, K₂CO₃, CaCO₃, KCl and CaO, MgO, K₂SO₄ and K₂CO₃ at 800 and 1000 °C, respectively. The presence of DAP alters the composition of ashes converting, almost completely at high temperatures, the metallic oxides into phosphate salts. Thus, decreasing their alkalinity. The micrographs obtained by SEM indicate that pine needles ashes contain large porous particles of carbon compounds and several inorganic particles of irregular shape <1.0 mm, whereas after treating the needles with DAP an amorphous rigid structure was formed.To facilitate our investigation model mixtures of CaCO₃ + DAP, MgCO₃ + DAP, K₂CO₃ + DAP were heat treated under the same conditions used for preparing the ashes. The chemical transformations taken place during heating were studied by analysing the reaction products using thermal analysis and XRD.The physical, mineralogical and chemical forest ash properties determined could be used to evaluate the environmental risk of the use of fire retardants on soils, plants and aquatic systems as well as to investigate the mechanism of combustion of forest fuels in the presence of DAP.     

Solid–liquid phase equilibria in the system K2SO4–MnSO4–H2O at 298 K and 313 K

Phase equilibria studies of the system K₂SO₄–MnSO₄–H₂O published revealed discrepancies between the data presented in the literature regarding the solid phases formed at ambient temperatures. The solubility in the system at 298 K and 313 K was determined. At 298 K, the existence of the double salt K₂SO₄·3MnSO₄·5H₂O and of MnSO₄·H₂O was confirmed. The examinations at 313 K showed the formation of the stable solid phases MnSO₄·H₂O, K₂SO₄·2MnSO₄, K₂SO₄·MnSO₄·1.5H₂O, K₂SO₄ and the formation of a metastable phase K₂SO₄·MnSO₄·2H₂O.     

Synthesis of gamma-hydroxy enones via persulfate oxidation of dienyl ethers.

The commercial oxidant “oxone” (2KHSO₄·K₂SO₄·KHSO₄) has been found to be a superior reagent for the gamma oxidation of dienyl ethers to axial gamma-hydroxy enones.     

Solid–liquid phase equilibria in the system K2SO4–MgSO4–H2O at 318 K

The polythermal solubility diagram of the system K₂SO₄–MgSO₄–H₂O presents the formation of three double salts, picromerite, leonite, langbeinite appearing in this order with increasing temperature. In the temperature range between 314.15 K and 320.65 K, picromerite and leonite ought to coexist. The search in the literature revealed a lack of isothermal phase equilibrium data within this temperature range. Therefore, the solubility in the system K₂SO₄–MgSO₄–H₂O was determined in the whole concentration range at 318 K. The solid phases, epsomite, leonite, picromerite and arcanite occur with increasing potassium sulfate concentration. A two-salt point of leonite and picromerite is established at 0.618 molal K₂SO₄ and 3.030 molal MgSO₄ at the temperature of investigation.     

Isotherme à 25°C du Système Quaternaire Réciproque H3PO4?K2SO4?H2SO4?K3PO4?H2O Etude des Nappes du Liquidus

25°C Isotherm of the Reciprocal Quaternary System H₃PO₄? K₂SO₄? H₂SO₄? K₃PO₄? H₂O Study of the Liquidus Curves The liquidus of the reciprocal system H₃PO₄? K₂SO₄? H₂SO₄? K₃PO₄–H₂O has been investigated as a last step in the determination of the equilibrium diagram at 25°C and 1 atm pressure. Solubility has been detected by conductometric measurements in isopletic sections selected in order to complete the data obtained from the limiting ternary systems and the previously found boundary curves. Four isopletic sections have been completely established: K₂SO₄? KH₂PO₄, K₂SO₄? K₂HPO₄, KHSO₄? K₂HPO₄ and KHSO₄? KH₂PO₄. The two first ones are quasi ternary systems. Nine portions have been studied and the curves of equal water content plotted. The liquidus of KHSO₄, K₈(H₂PO₄)_1+x(HSO₄)_7?x and KH₂PO₄ · KHSO₄, show a rotationel shape which reveals a retrosolubility depending on the water content.     

The PVT properties of concentrated aqueous electrolytes IX. The volume properties of KCl and K2SO4 and their mixtures with NaCl and Na2SO4 as a function of temperature

The densities of KCl and K₂SO₄ were measured from dilute solutions to saturation from 5 to 95°C. The data were combined with literature data to produce density and apparent molal volume, V_φ, equations from 0 to 100°C and to saturation. The standard deviations of the density equations were 30×10⁻⁶ g-cm⁻³ and 32×10⁻⁶ g-cm⁻³, respectively, for KCl and K₂SO₄. Pitzer equations were used to fit the V_φ data. The resulting infinite dilute partial molal volumes, V^o, were in reasonable agreement with literature data. The densities of the mixtures of the six combinations of the salts KCL, K₂SO₄ NaCl and Na₂SO₄ were measured at I=2.0 and t=5, 25, 55 and 95°C. The resulting volumes of mixing were fitted to equations of the form

Determination of water-soluble inorganic and organic species in atmospheric fine particulate matter

The use of ion chromatography (IC) in conjunction with ultrasonic extraction is described for the routine analysis of water-soluble major inorganic ions and organic acids in atmospheric fine particles (PM_2.5). Both the extraction method and the IC analysis were validated using NIST SRM 1648 (urban particulate matter). In addition, the reliability of the IC method was established by intercomparison of results obtained with those from suitable alternative analytical techniques (atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectrometry, and UV-Visible spectrophotometry). The validated IC method was successfully applied for field monitoring of PM_2.5 particles collected in Singapore over an extended period of time. The IC analysis revealed that the concentrations of individual ions were in the order, SO₄²⁻ > NH₄⁺ > NO₃⁻ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cl⁻, respectively. Among the major ionic components, SO₄²⁻ contributed 50% to the measured water-soluble aerosol mass followed by NH₄⁺ (16.5%) and NO₃⁻ (9.0%). The cations Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ accounted for 24% of the total water-soluble mass. The IC analysis was performed to quantify the organic acids, which typically account for a small fraction of water-soluble organic compounds in PM_2.5. Oxalate was found to be the dominant species among the organic acids measured in this work.     

A new and highly effective method for catalytic oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds using the tris[(2-oxazolinyl)phenolato]manganese(III)/Oxone®/n-Bu4NBr oxidation system

Oxone® (2KHSO₅·KHSO₄·K₂SO₄) in the presence of mer-tris[(2-oxazolinyl)phenolato]manganese(III), Mn(phox)₃, as catalyst under biphasic reaction conditions (CH₂Cl₂/H₂O) and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide as phase transfer agent efficiently oxidises alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones at room temperature with very short reaction times (5 min) and good to quantitative yields.     

Thermal decomposition of syngenite, K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O

The thermal decomposition of syngenite, K₂Ca(SO₄)₂·H₂O, formed during the treatment of liquid manure has been studied by thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared emission spectroscopy (IES). Gypsum was found as a minor impurity resulting in a minor weight loss due to dehydration around 100 °C. The main endothermic dehydration and decomposition stage of syngenite to crystalline K₂Ca₂(SO₄)₃ and amorphous K₂SO₄ is observed around 200 °C. The reaction involves a solid-state re-crystallisation, while water and the K₂SO₄ diffuse out of the existing lattice. The additional weight loss steps around 250 and 350 °C are probably due to presence of larger syngenite particles, which exhibit slower decomposition due to the slower diffusion of water and K₂SO₄ out of the crystal lattice. A minor endothermic sulphate loss around 450 °C is not due to the decomposition of syngenite or its products or of the gypsum impurity. The origin of this sulphate is not clear.     

Production of potassium sulfate from potassium hydrosulfate solutions using alcohols

Potassium sulfate is used to produce multicomponent fertilizers, free of chlorides. The desalting out of potassium sulfate from an aqueous solution of potassium hydrosulfate was conducted using 40 mass %, 45 mass %, or 50 mass % aqueous solutions of either methanol or propan-2-ol. Composition of the resultant precipitate was analyzed using chemical methods and XRD analysis. The results of the XRD analysis revealed that the main precipitate phase is K₂SO₄. Small amounts of K₅H₃(SO₄)₄ were detected when the desalting out was carried out from 2.5 M KHSO₄ solution using 40 mass % and 50 mass % methanol solution. When the amount of potassium bisulfate in the solution increased to 3.5 M and 3.8 M, the main phase consisted of K₃H(SO₄)₂. Generally, the desalting out process using propan-2-ol caused the formation of K₃H(SO₄)₂. Potassium sulfate was obtained only by desalting out the 2.5 M KHSO₄ solution using 50 mass % aqueous propan-2-ol. Presented at the 34th International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 21–25 May 2007.     

Application of sequential injection-square wave voltammetry (SI-SWV) to study the adsorption of atrazine onto a tropical soil sample

Square wave voltammetry automated by sequential injection analysis was applied to determine the Freundlich adsorption coefficients for the adsorption of atrazine onto a clay rich soil. The detection limit in soil extracts was between 0.18 and 0.48 μmol L⁻¹, depending on the medium used to prepare the extracts (0.010 mol L⁻¹ KCl, CaCl₂ or HNO₃ and 0.0050 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄), all of them conditioned in 40 mmol L⁻¹ Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 2.0 in presence of 0.25 mol L⁻¹ NaNO₃. Also in soil extracts the linear dynamic range was between 1.16 and 18.5 μmol L⁻¹ (0.25-4.0 μg mL⁻¹), with a sampling frequency of 190 h⁻¹. The K_f Freundlich adsorption coefficient was 3.8 ± 0.2 μmol^1−1/n Lⁿ kg⁻¹ in medium of 0.010 mol L⁻¹ KCl or CaCl₂, but increased to 7.7 ± 0.1 and 9.0 ± 0.3 μmol^1−1/n Lⁿ kg⁻¹ in 0.010 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃ and 0.0050 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄, respectively. The increase of K_f was related to the decrease of pH from 6.4-6.7 in KCl and CaCl₂ to 3.7-4.0 in presence of HNO₃ or H₂SO₄, which favors protonation of atrazine, facilitating electrostatic attractions with negative charges of the clay components of the soil. The 1/n parameters were between 0.76 and 0.86, indicating that the isotherms are not linear, suggesting the occurrence of chemisorption at specific adsorption sites. No statistically significant differences were observed in comparison to the adsorption coefficients obtained by HPLC. The advantage of the proposed SI-SWV method is the great saving of reagent because it does not use organic solvent as in the case of HPLC (50% (v/v) acetonitrile in the mobile phase). Additionally the start up of SI-SWV is immediate (no column conditioning necessary) and the analysis time is only 19 s.     

Spectrophotometric determination of cloud point of Brij 35 nonionic surfactant

The cloud point of nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether (Brij-35) was determined in the presence of various inorganic electrolytes. The measurements of cloud point (CP) were carried out with UV-vis spectrophotometer instead of visual observation. CP of Brij-35 could not be measured directly because its CP is more than 100 °C. Therefore, CP values of Brij-35 were lowered by the addition of electrolytes. In this study, NaF, NaCl, NaBr, KNO₃, K₂CO₃, K₃PO₄, Li₂SO₄, Na₂SO₄, K₂SO₄, (NH₄)₂SO₄, CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, CoSO₄ were used as electrolytes. Linear lines which were drawn with CP values were extrapolated to zero electrolyte concentration. The real CP value of Brij-35 which is merely listed as >100 °C in the literature was found as 118.5 ± 0.5 °C for all samples. Furthermore, the effects of the nature of the cation and the anion and the valencies of the cations on CP were reported and the rate of decrease in CP with concentration is discussed.     

Determination of the enthalpy of fusion of K3TaF8 and K3TaOF6

The areas of the fusion and crystallization peaks of K₃TaF₈ and K₃TaOF₆ have been measured using the DSC mode of the high-temperature calorimeter (SETARAM 1800 K). On the basis of these quantities and the temperature dependence of the used calorimetric method sensitivity, the values of the enthalpy of fusion of K₃TaF₈ at temperature of fusion 1039 K: Δ_fusH_m(K₃TaF₈; 1039 K) = (52 ± 2) kJ mol⁻¹ and of K₃TaOF₆ at temperature of fusion 1055 K: Δ_fusH_m(K₃TaOF₆; 1055 K) = (62 ± 3) kJ mol⁻¹ have been determined.     

Temperature behavior of the protonic conductor K4LiH3(SO4)4

The results of the X-ray structural study for the K₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystal are presented at a wide temperature range. The thermal expansion of the crystal using the X-ray dilatometry and the capacitance dilatometry from 8 to 500 K was carried out. The crystal structures data collection, solution and refinement at 125, 295, 443 and 480 K were performed. The K₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ crystal has tetragonal symmetry with the P4₁ space group (Z=4) at room temperature as well as at the considered temperature range. The existence of a low-temperature, para-ferroelastic phase transition at about 120 K is excluded. The layered structure of the crystal reflects a cleavage plane parallel to (001) and an anisotropy of the protonic conductivity. The superionic high-temperature phase transition at T_S=425 K is isostructural. Nevertheless, taking into account an increase of the SO₄ tetrahedra libration above T_S, a mechanism of the Grotthus type could be applied for the proton transport explanation.     

Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of LuPO4 in the range 0-320 K

The heat capacity of LuPO₄ was measured in the temperature range 6.51-318.03 K. Smoothed experimental values of the heat capacity were used to calculate the entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy from 0 to 320 K. Under standard conditions these thermodynamic values are: (298.15 K) = 100.0 ± 0.1 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, S⁰(298.15 K) = 99.74 ± 0.32 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, H⁰(298.15 K) − H⁰(0) = 16.43 ± 0.02 kJ mol⁻¹, −[G⁰(298.15 K) − H⁰(0)]/T = 44.62 ± 0.33 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of LuPO₄ from elements Δ_fG⁰(298.15 K) = −1835.4 ± 4.2 kJ mol⁻¹ was calculated based on obtained and literature data.     

Thermodynamic properties of BaCeO3 and BaZrO3 at low temperatures

Specific heat capacities (C_p) of polycrystalline samples of BaCeO₃ and BaZrO₃ have been measured from about 1.6 K up to room temperature by means of adiabatic calorimetry. We provide corrected experimental data for the heat capacity of BaCeO₃ in the range T < 10 K and, for the first time, contribute experimental data below 53 K for BaZrO₃. Applying Debye's T³-law for T → 0 K, thermodynamic functions as molar entropy and enthalpy are derived by integration. We obtain C_p = 114.8 (±1.0) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, S° = 145.8 (±0.7) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for BaCeO₃ and C_p = 107.0 (±1.0) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, S° = 125.5 (±0.6) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for BaZrO₃ at 298.15 K. These results are in overall agreement with previously reported studies but slightly deviating, in both cases. Evaluations of C_p(T) yield Debye temperatures and identify deviations from the simple Debye-theory due to extra vibrational modes as well as anharmonicity. The anharmonicity turns out to be more pronounced at elevated temperatures for BaCeO₃. The characteristic Debye temperatures determined at T = 0 K are Θ₀ = 365 (±6) K for BaCeO₃ and Θ₀ = 402 (±9) K for BaZrO₃.     

Intermolecular/interionic interactions in l-isoleucine-, l-proline-, and l-glutamine-aqueous electrolyte systems

Speed of sound and density values for ternary systems (amino acid + salt + water): l-isoleucine/l-proline/l-glutamine in aqueous solutions of 1.5 M KCl, 1 M KNO₃, and 0.5 M K₂SO₄ have been measured for several concentrations of amino acids at different temperatures (303.15, 308.15, 313.15, 318.15, and 323.15 K). Using speed of sound and density data, the thermodynamic parameters such as isentropic compressibility (κ_s), change in isentropic compressibility (Δκ_s) and relative change (Δκ_s/κ₀) in isentropic compressibility have been computed. The isentropic compressibility values decrease with increase in the amino acid concentration as well as with temperature. The decrease in κ_s values with increase in concentration of l-isoleucine/l-proline/l-glutamine in 1.5 M KCl, 1 M KNO₃, and 0.5 M K₂SO₄ has been ascribed to an increase in the number of incompressible zwitterions in solutions, and the formation of ‘zwitterions-ions’ and ‘zwitterions-water dipole’ entities in solutions. The decrease in κ_s values with increase in temperature has been attributed to the corresponding decrease of κ_relax (a relaxational part of compressibility), which is dominant over the corresponding increase of κ_∞ (an instantaneous part of compressibility). The trends of variation of Δκ_s and Δκ_s/κ₀ with variations in solute concentration and temperature have also been discussed in terms of solute-solute and solute-solvent intermolecular/interionic interactions operative in the systems.     

Measurement of K shell radiative transition probabilities and K, L2 and L3 shell/subshell fluorescence yields of some elements in the atomic number range 30 ≤ Z ≤ 40

K shell radiative transition probabilities and K, L₂ and L₃ shell/subshell fluorescence yields were measured using the K_β/K_α intensity ratio for seven elements in the atomic number range 30≤Z≤40 (Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y and Zr). The targets were irradiated with γ photons of energy 59.5 keV from Am-241. The obtained values were compared with the theoretical values. It was observed that the present values agree with previous theoretical results. The L₂ and L₃ subshell fluorescence yields were the first measured for the present elements.     

Solid–liquid phase equilibria in the systems K2SO4–MSO4–H2O (M = Co,Ni, Cu) from ambient to enhanced temperatures

Reviewing the literature solubility isotherms in the ternary systems K₂SO₄–MSO₄–H₂O (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) revealed a lack at ambient temperatures. The solid–liquid phase equilibria have been determined in the systems K₂SO₄–MSO₄–H₂O (M = Co, Ni, Cu) at T = 313 K. With increasing bivalent metal sulfate concentration, the solubility of potassium sulfate rises until the two-salt point is reached. Reciprocally, the solubility of the bivalent metal sulfate hydrates (CoSO₄·7H₂O, α-NiSO₄·6H₂O, CuSO₄·5H₂O) increases with rising potassium sulfate concentration. In all three systems the double salts of Tutton's type K₂SO₄·MSO₄·6H₂O (M = Co, Ni, Cu) are formed.     

Studies on the thermodynamics of solvent extraction of indium (III) with HDEHMTPCA

The equilibrium molalities In³⁺ in {In₂(SO₄)₃ + Na₂SO₄ + HDEHMTPCA + n-C₈H₁₈ + water} were measured at ionic strength from (0.1 to 2.0) mol · kg⁻¹ containing Na₂SO₄ as supporting electrolyte in aqueous phase and at constant molality extractant at temperatures from (278.15 to 303.15) K in organic phase. The standard extraction constants K⁰ at various temperatures were obtained by methods of extrapolation and polynomial approximation. Thermodynamic quantities for the extraction process were calculated.