Steam reforming of dimethyl ether to hydrogen-rich gas

The steam reforming of dimethyl ether (DME) (SR) to a hydrogen-rich gas over a mechanical mixture of WO_x/ZrO₂ (the DME hydration catalyst) and CuZnAlO_x (the methanol SR catalyst) was studied. The mechanically mixed catalyst was shown to provide almost complete conversion of DME to the hydrogen-rich gas containing <0.5 vol.% of CO at 300°C, atmospheric pressure, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 10000 h⁻¹ and molar ratio H₂O/DME = 3. The hydrogen production rate in DME SR was found to reach 180–250 mmol H₂/(g_cat·h) at 250–300°C.     

Thermodynamic Properties and Melting Behavior of Bi–Sn–Zn Alloys

Summary. The partial and integral enthalpies of mixing of liquid Bi–Sn–Zn alloys were determined at 500°C by a drop calorimetric technique using a Calvet-type microcalorimeter. The ternary interaction parameters in the Bi–Sn–Zn system were fitted using the Redlich-Kister-Muggianu model for substitutional solutions, and isoenthalpy curves of the integral molar enthalpy of mixing at 500°C were constructed. Furthermore, a DSC technique was used to determine the liquidus temperatures in three sections (3, 5, and 7 at.% Zn) as well as the invariant reaction temperature of the ternary eutectic L ⇄ (Bi) + (Sn) + (Zn). The ternary eutectic reaction was found at 135°C.     

Thermodynamic Properties and Melting Behavior of Bi–Sn–Zn Alloys

The partial and integral enthalpies of mixing of liquid Bi–Sn–Zn alloys were determined at 500°C by a drop calorimetric technique using a Calvet-type microcalorimeter. The ternary interaction parameters in the Bi–Sn–Zn system were fitted using the Redlich-Kister-Muggianu model for substitutional solutions, and isoenthalpy curves of the integral molar enthalpy of mixing at 500°C were constructed. Furthermore, a DSC technique was used to determine the liquidus temperatures in three sections (3, 5, and 7 at.% Zn) as well as the invariant reaction temperature of the ternary eutectic L ⇄ (Bi) + (Sn) + (Zn). The ternary eutectic reaction was found at 135°C.     

Synthesis and characterization of some Schiff-base-containing polyimides

The diamine, 4-aminophenyloxy-N-4-[(4-amiophenyloxy)benzylidene]aniline, was prepared via the nucleophilic substitution reaction and was polymerized with different dianhydrides either by one-step solution polymerization reaction or two-step procedure. The latter includes ring-opening polyaddition to give poly(amic acid), followed by cyclodehydration to polyimides. The inherent viscosity ranges from 0.61–0.79 dl/g. Some of the polymers were soluble in most of the organic solvents such as DMSO, DMF, DMAc, NMP, and m-cresol even at room temperature. The degradation temperature of the resultant polymers falls in the ranges from 240–500 °C in nitrogen with only 10% weight loss. Specific heat capacity at 200 °C ranges from 1.0929–2.6275 J g⁻¹ k⁻¹. The temperature at which the maximum degradation of the polymer occurs ranges from 600–630 °C. The glass transition temperature (Tg) values of the polyimides ranged from 185 to 272 °C. The activation energy and enthalpy of the polyimides ranged from 47.5–55.0 kJ/mole and 45.7–53.0 kJ/mole and the moisture absorption in the range of 0.23–0.72%.     

Thermodynamics of the conversion of aqueous glucose to fructose

The thermodynamics of the conversion of aqueous glucose to fructose has been investigated using both heat conduction microcalorimetry and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The reaction was carried out in both aqueous Tris/HCl buffer and in aqueous phosphate buffer in the pH range 7–8 using the enzyme glucose isomerase and the cofactors CoCl₂ and MgSO₄. The temperature range over which this reaction was investigated was 298.15–358.15 K. We have found that the enthalpy of reaction is independent of pH over the range investigated. A combined analysis of both the HPLC and microcalorimetric data leads to the following results at 298 15 K:ΔG° = 349 ± 53 J mol^-1, ΔH° = 2.78 ± 0.20 kJ mol^-1, and ΔC _p ^° = 76 ± 30 J mol^-1 K^-1. The stated uncertainties are based upon an analysis of both the random and systematic errors inherent in the measurements. Comparisons are made with literature data. The percent conversion of glucose to fructose has been calculated for the temperature range 300–373.15 K.     

Preparation and characterization of fused-silica capillary columns coated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-carborane–siloxane copolymers for gas chromatography

The carborane–siloxane copolymers Dexsil 300, a 34.5% bis(dimethylsilyl)-m-carborane–65.5% dimethylsiloxane copolymer, and Dexsil 400, a 24.9% bis(dimethylsilyl)-m-carborane–50.8% dimethyl, 24.3% methylphenylsiloxane copolymer, were coated on fused silica capillary columns and their gas chromatographic properties were evaluated. Their selectivity was evaluated using both Rohrschneider–McReynolds constants and triacylglycerol indices. The bis(dimethylsilyl)-m-carborane unit turned out to be equivalent to two dimethylsiloxy units and one half of a diphenylsiloxy unit. The m-carborane unit was found to cause a 15–25 K shift in the elution temperature between 120 and 360 °C. The working range was from 20 and 0 °C to 380 °C for Dexsil 300 and Dexsil 400, respectively. The column bleeding levels at 380 °C were below 20 and 15 pA for Dexsil 300 and Dexsil 400, respectively.     

EDTA assisted sol–gel synthesis of ZrW2O8

A novel sol–gel synthetic route using water-soluble precursor salts is presented as a synthetic path for a high-purity negative thermal expansion material, ZrW₂O₈. This synthetic route involves a sol–gel method with the use of EDTA as complexing agent. The aqueous solution is transformed into a ceramic material after a two-step heat treatment: gelation at 60 °C and reactive sintering at 1,180 °C. The decomposition of the gel is monitored with infrared spectroscopy and TGA. The high-temperature heat treatment results in ZrW₂O₈ with its characteristic negative thermal expansion behaviour α_{[75–130 °C]}: −9.8 ± 1.6 μm/m °C and α_{[175–300 °C]}: −1.2 ± 0.2 μm/m °C.     

Evolved gas analysis at thermal treatment of some solid fossil fuels

Coupled TG-FTIR technique was used for identification of gaseous compounds evolved at thermal treatment of six coal samples from different deposits (Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine). The experiments were carried out under dynamic heating conditions up to 900°C at heating rates of 5, 10 or 50 K min^–1 in a stream of dry air. The emission of CO₂, H₂O, CO, SO₂, COS, methane, methanol, formic acid, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, chlorobenzene was clearly identified in FTIR spectra of the samples studied. The formation of ethanol, ethane, ethylene and p-xylene, at least on the level of traces, was also identified. At the heating rate of 5°C min^–1 the temperature of maximum intensities of the characteristic peaks of COS was 270°C, of formaldehyde, formic acid, ethane and methanol 330°C, of SO₂, CO, acetic acid, ethylene and p-xylene 400°C and of chlorobenzene 500°C. At 10°C min^–1 and 50°C min^–1 these temperatures were shifted, respectively, by 70–300°C and 150–450°C towards higher temperatures and the respective absorption bands in FTIR spectra were, as a rule, more intensive.     

Differential thermal analysis of low-rank coals

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) of low-rank coals of high lignite to subbituminous rank from coal mines of Pakistan is reported. The studies carried out in dynamic oxygen atmosphere indicate that the exothermic reactions occur between 300 and 650°C and that the samples undergo stepwise oxidation of the organic matter rather than a continuous process as indicated by the pattern of shoulders from 250 to 350°C accompanying the main peak around 450°C. The effect of heating rate, particle size and volatile content was also studied in relation to oxidation. The results show that the increase in heating rate from 10 to 80 deg min⁻¹ results in a marked shift in all the events in the DTA curve towards higher temperatures. As for the effect of particle size, the DTA records of 100–75, 150–100, 250–150 μm and greater than 250 μm fractions show that the magnitude and position of shoulder peaks are more sensitive to changes in particle sizes compared to the main peak. The curves recorded to study the effect of changing volatile content of samples between 30–40% indicate a complex pattern of shoulders accompanying the main peak. In general, the number of shoulder peaks increases with increasing volatile content of samples but their positions do not follow any trend. The DTA curves recorded in nitrogen contain ill-de-fined oxothermic effects over the 300–750°C temperature range. These curves consist of an endothermic peak around 150°C, two exothermic shoulders in the temperature region 300–400°C and a large broad exothermic whip between 500 and 700°C. The heating rates have similar effects as in oxygen while the particle size do not influence the results. It has been concluded that the organic matter in the coals studied here is extremely heterogeneous with different burning characteristics; as a result it is very difficult to quantify energy changes associated with poorly resolved exothermic events along the DTA curve. The effects also dominate in N₂ atmosphere thus making identification of mineral matter difficult. The overall pattern of DTA events in oxygen can be correlated with the heating rate, particle size and volatile content of samples.     

Synthesis And Kinetic Analysis of Poly(2,2'-dymethoxy-4,4'-biphenylenevinylene. A novel conducting polymer

The title polymer was obtained electrochemically by the reduction of 4,4'-bis(dibromomethyl)-2,2'-dimethoxybiphenyl under very smooth conditions. The DSC and TG/DTG curves registered at four different heating rates showed that the polymer is stable in air up to 150°C, where smooth degradation starts. Above 300°C, decomposition is fast and exothermic (ΔH= –323 J g^–1) . The activation energy (116±4 kJ mol^–1 ) was determined by Ozawa's method. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Use of emanation thermal analysis to characterize thermal reactivity of brannerite mineral

Emanation thermal analysis (ETA) was used to characterize the thermal reactivity of amorphous brannerite mineral of general formula U_1–xTi_2+xO₆ (locality El Cabril, near Cordoba, Spain). It was demonstrated that on sample heating up to 880°C microstructure changes taking place in the sample were accompanied by the formation of new radon diffusion paths, followed by their closing up during the final transformation of amorphous to crystalline brannerite in the range 900–1020 °C. Relative changes in structure irregularities that served as radon diffusion paths during heating and subsequent cooling of the sample to temperatures of 300, 550, 750, 880, 1020 and 1130°C, respectively, were determined from the ETA results. Mass losses in temperature ranges of 230–315, 570–760 and 840–1040°C were observed by thermogravimetry. Mass spectrometry indicated the release of CO2 mainly due to the decomposition of minor carbon amount in the brannerite mineral sample.     

Separation of rare-earth fission product elements from106Ru and137Cs by chloride sublimation

The possibility has been investigated of separating rare-earth fission fragment elements from¹⁰⁶Ru and¹³⁷Cs by high-temperature sublimation (950°C) of chlorides, with their subsequent gas adsorption separation in a quartz tube under a temperature gradient in a flow of the carrier-gas Ar+SOCl₂. The temperature corresponding to the maxima of the element precipitation zones are: 630–660°C (¹⁴⁴Ce), 770–780°C (0.7–6 μg¹⁴⁰La+La), 920°C (1.5 mg Ce or La), 420–450°C (¹⁰⁶Ru), 280–300°C (¹³⁷Cs). The coefficients of element separation have been calculated. For the separation of indicator amounts of rare-earth elements and¹⁰⁶Ru and¹³⁷Cs, fractional sublimation of the chlorides of the latter at 650°C has been used. Rate constants and effective activation energies of the overall processes of chlorination-sublimation of the elements have been determined.     

Influence of the calcined paper sludge on the development of hydration heat in blended cement mortars

The present study is based on the influence of the addition of a pozzolanic material as a result of the activation of an industrial waste coming from the Spanish paper industry on the heating as well as hydration heat of the cement mortars made with 10 or 20% of active addition. Once the sludge has been calcined at different temperatures (700–800°C) and stays in furnace (2 and 5 h), the calcined products showed high pozzolanic activity. The maximum activity corresponded to the paper sludge calcined at 700°C for 2 h (S1). Besides, it can be proved that there was an increase both of the heating and also of the hydration heat in the first 23–25 h for both additions (10 and 20% of S1) regarding the reference cement mortar. This behaviour would be related to the influence of different effects: filler and pozzolanic during the first hours of reaction, and by the dilution effect for longer hydration times, mainly when 20% of S1 was added.     

Thermal behavior of loratadine

Simultaneous thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques were used for the characterization the thermal degradation of loratadine, ethyl-4-(8-chloro-5,6-dihydro-11H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridin-11-ylidine)-1-piperidinecarboxylate. TG analysis revealed that the thermal decomposition occurs in one step in the 200–400°C range in nitrogen atmosphere. DTA and DSC curves showed that loratadine melts before the decomposition and the decomposition products are volatile in nitrogen. In air the decomposition follows very similar profile up to 300°C, but two exothermic events are observed in the 170–680°C temperature range. Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was used for the solid-state kinetic analysis of loratadine thermal decomposition. The calculated activation energy (E _a) was 91±1 kJ mol^–1 for α between 0.02 and 0.2, where the mass loss is mainly due to the decomposition than to the evaporation of the decomposition products.     

Influence of temperature on hydration-shell microstructure of chlorine and bromine anions in aqueous solution

It has been found that the Cl⁻ and Br⁻ anions change the microstructure of their hydration shells in the temperature range 30–35 °C. The effect was observed for simple salt solutions and ternary systems with different organic compounds. Probably this effect can be responsible for the thermoregulation of warm-blooded animals.     

Investigation of accidental explosion of raw garbage composting system

Cellulose, chitosan and piroxicam were investigated by TG and DSC at heating up to 215°C, and by X-ray powder diffraction before and after the heating. Dehydration of cellulose and chitosan comes to the end near 160°C. Thermal decomposition of chitosan starts at the final stage of its dehydration, and the mass losses after these two reactions overlap with one another. Enthalpy of dehydration is 47.1±2.4 kJ mol^–1 of water for cellulose and 46.2±2.0 kJ mol^–1 for chitosan. Thermal decomposition of chitosan is an exothermic process. Crystal structure of cellulose after heating remains unchanged, but that of chitosan contracts. Piroxicam melts at 200.7°C with the enthalpy of melting 35 kJ mol^–1. Heat capacity of the liquid phase is greater than that of the solid phase by approximately 100 J mol^–1K^–1. Cooled back to ambient temperature, piroxicam remains glassy for a long time, crystallizing slowly back into the starting polymorph.     

Preparation and reactivity of metal-containing monomers

The thermal decomposition of iron (III) acrylate, [Fe₃O(CH₂=CHCOO)₆ · 3H₂O]OH (FeAcr), a monomer with a complex cluster cation, has been studied at 200–370 °C. Thermal transformations of FeAcr occur in two temperature regions. The rates of gas evolution in the low temperature region (200–300 °C) and the high temperature region (300–370 °C) are described by first-order equations withk=4.2 · 10²¹exp[−59000/(RT)] s⁻¹ andk=1.3 · 10⁶exp[−30500/(RT)] s⁻¹, respectively. A study of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the products of FeAcr thermolysis was carried out. The thermal transformation of FeAcr is a complex process of dehydration, degradation, and polymerization in the solid phase followed by decarboxylation of the metal-carboxyl groups of the polymer. for part 33 see Ref. 1. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1743–1750, October, 1993.     

Temperature-induced changes in crystal lattice of bioaragonite of Tapes decussatus Linnaeus (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

The characteristics of bioaragonite of shells of recent T. decussatus during heating were studied by the means of TG-DTA-EGA (FTIR), XRD, XRF and FTIR. The mass loss recorded up to 2.5% appeared with the higher rates at 110–150, 200–250, 295–300, and 390–415°C at heating of 10°C min⁻¹ up to 500°C. IR analysis of the evolved gases revealed the emission of water and CO₂. The lattice constants tend to change with anisotropy character (parameters a and c diminish whilst b tends to grows) and with an overall contraction of cell volume (from 227.36 to 226.84 ?³) during heating was established. The peculiarity of bioaragonite was explained by substitution of H₂O and sulphate ion into the lattice. In spite of those substitutions, bioaragonite reveals an orthorhombic structure, which is preserved during the changes up to calcite formation above 380°C.     

Proton NMR study of the stoichiometry, stability and thermodynamics of complexation of Ag+ ion with octathia-24-crown-8 in binary dimethylsulfoxide–nitrobenzene mixtures

Proton NMR was used to study the complexation reaction of Ag⁺ with octathia-24-crown-8 (OT24C8) in a number of binary dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)–nitrobenzene (NB) mixtures at different temperatures. In all cases, the exchange between free and complexed OT24C8 was fast on the NMR time scale and only a single population average ¹H signal was observed. The formation constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes in different solvent mixtures were determined by computer fitting of the chemical shift-mole ratio data. There is an inverse relationship between the complex stability and the amount of DMSO in the solvent mixtures. The enthalpy and entropy values for the complexation reaction were evaluated from the temperature dependence of formation constants. In all solvent mixtures studied, the resulting complex is enthalpy stabilized but entropy destabilized. The TΔS° versus ΔH° plot of all thermodynamic data obtained shows a fairly good linear correlation indicating the existence of enthalpy–entropy compensation in the complexation reaction.