Effects of pre-irradiation with X-rays on the liquefaction of sugar cane bagasse

In a search for new energy and chemical feedstocks the pre-irradiation of sugar cane bagasse with X-rays before the conversion process has been studied. Different X-ray doses for the pre-irradiation process were used after which the samples were submitted to a liquefaction process. The product obtained was then submitted to a PLC-8 fractionation. It was verified that pre-irradiation to low doses increases the yield of the liquid product obtained. It was also observed that the product quality can be altered by controlling the irradiation process. An increase in the relative concentrations of hydrocarbons and resins as a function of pre-irradiation suggests the potential use of these fibers as feedstocks.     

Pre-irradiation effects of γ-rays on sugar cane bagasse liquefaction

In this work, pre-irradiation of sugar cane bagasse with several doses of -irradiation was studied. The irradiated samples were submitted to liquefaction and subsequently fractionated. The results show that with increasing doses (until 80 kGy) there is an increase in the product yield, which decreases with higher doses. The results obtained by the fractionation demonstrated that the product quality decreases with higher doses of irradiation. Obtaining compounds of interest, such as hydrocarbons and resins, upon liquefaction suggests a better use for sugar cane bagasse. Since sugar cane is a renewable source, its bagasse is a viable alternative for obtaining feedstocks for chemical and pharmaceutical industries.     

Development of reinforced hydrogels — I. Radiation induced graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate on non-woven polypropylene fabric

Polypropylene (PP) fibers were grafted with methylmethacrylate. Effects of direct and pre-irradiation method and monomer concentration on the degree of grafting were investigated. The grafted PP fibers were characterized by swelling measurements, IR spectroscopy and by its mechanical and thermal properties. It was found that the direct method was more efficient than the indirect or pre-irradiation method and the monomer concentration for highest degree of grafting was 40% of MMA. Mechanical properties (tensile strength) and thermal stability decrease with grafting yield. Those changes were related to degradation of tie molecules between crystals and formation of rigid branches of PMMA on PP amorphous phase.     

Study and Optimization on graft polymerization under normal pressure and air atmospheric conditions,and its application to metal adsorbent

Radiation-induced graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto non-woven polyethylene (NWPE) fabric was achieved under normal pressure and air atmospheric conditions, without using unique apparatus such as glass ampoules or vacuum lines. To attain graft polymerization under normal pressure and air atmospheric conditions, the effects of the pre-irradiation dose, pre-irradiation atmosphere, pre-irradiation temperature, de-aeration of GMA-emulsion, grafting atmosphere in a reactor, and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in GMA-emulsion on the degree of grafting (Dg) were investigated in detail. It was found that the DO concentration had the strongest influence, the pre-irradiation dose, de-aeration of emulsion and grafting atmosphere had a relatively strong impact, and the pre-irradiation atmosphere and pre-irradiation temperature had the least effect on Dg. The optimum DO concentration before grafting was 2.0 mg/L or less. When a polyethylene bottle was used as a reactor instead of a glass ampoule, graft polymerization under normal pressure and air atmospheric conditions could be achieved under the following conditions; the pre-irradiation dose was more than 50 kGy, the volume ratio of GMA-emulsion to air was 50:1 or less, and the DO concentration in GMA-emulsion during grafting was below 2.0 mg/L. Under these grafting conditions, Dg was controlled within a range of up to 362%. The prepared GMA–grafted NWPE (GMA–g-NWPE) fabric was modified with a phosphoric acid to obtain an adsorbent for heavy metal ions. In the column-mode adsorption tests of Pb(II), the adsorption performance of the produced phosphorylated GMA–g-NWPE fabric (fibrous metal adsorbent) was not essentially dependent on the flow rate of the feed. The breakthrough points of 200, 500, and 1000 h^?1 in space velocity were 483, 477 and 462 bed volumes, and the breakthrough capacities of the three flow rates were 1.16, 1.15 and 1.16 mmol-Pb(II)/g-adsorbent.     

Wettability of carbon fibers modified by acrylic acid and interface properties of carbon fiber/epoxy

The oxidation-reduction and pre-irradiation induced methods were employed to study the effect of acrylic acid modification on the wetting and adsorption ability of carbon fiber (CF) in epoxy solution and the interfacial properties of CF/epoxy. Systematic experimental work was conducted to determine the surface topography, surface energy, surface chemical composition, absorbability and tensile strength of carbon fibers and interfacial adhesion of CF/epoxy before and after modification. The roughness, surface energy, amount of containing-oxygen functional groups and wetting ability were all found to increase significantly after modifications. The tensile strength of carbon fibers was improved marginally by γ-ray pre-irradiation while was decreased little by oxidation-reduction modification. Consequently, the surface modifications of carbon fibers via both oxidation-reduction and pre-irradiation led to an improvement (more than 15%) of the interlaminar shear strength of CF/epoxy composites. The mechanisms of interfacial improvement of modified CF/epoxy composites are proposed.     

Effect of Resistant Starch on Hydrolysis and Fermentation of Corn Starch for Ethanol

Starch samples with 0% or 30% amylose were subjected to four different liquefaction enzyme treatments (at various temperature and pH conditions) followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Resistant starch (RS) measurements were conducted for the initial starch sample, after liquefaction and after SSF. Initial RS was higher for 30% amylose starch samples (16.53 g/100 g sample) compared with 0% amylose (0.76 g/100 g sample). Higher initial RS resulted in lower conversion of starch into sugars and lower final ethanol yields. The four enzymes hydrolyzed RS, but in varying amounts. Higher temperature liquefaction hydrolyzed a larger portion of RS, resulting in higher ethanol concentrations and lower final residual solids (non-fermentables), whereas lower temperature liquefaction hydrolyzed a smaller portion of RS and resulted in lower ethanol concentrations and higher final residual solids. Decreases in resistant starch after high temperature liquefaction were 55% to 74%, whereas low temperature liquefaction decreases were 11% to 43%. For all enzyme treatments, RS content of starch samples decreased further after SSF.     

Improving the properties of the proton exchange membranes by introducing α-methylstyrene in the pre-irradiation induced graft polymerization

New proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were prepared by pre-irradiation induced grafting of α-methylstyrene (AMS)/styrene (STY)/divinylbenzene (DVB) into the crosslinked polytetrafluoroethylene (RX-PTFE) films and successively sulfonated. The new PEMs showed the improved glass transition temperature and chemical stability as compared with the PEMs prepared by pre-irradiation induced grafting of STY/DVB. The balance of the cost, grafting kinetic, thermal properties and the properties of the resulted proton exchange membrane is the key point of this work.     

Relations entre la structure et les proprietes des membranes de polytetrafluoroethylene greffe—II. Membranes bifonctionnelles

Bifunctional membranes containing both carboxylic and pyridine groups are obtained by successive grafting of acrylic acid and 4-vinylpyridine onto thin films of PTFE. Homogeneous membranes with a random distribution of grafting chains have been prepared by the direct radiation method. Mosaic membranes containing geometrically well defined acid and basic zones are made by pre-irradiation with X-rays using two absorbing shields; the two monomers are grafted in successive steps. The equilibrium and transport properties of these membranes have been determined. They can either result from the addition of the properties of each component (in the case of conductivity) or give rise to a new properties (e.g. abnormal negative osmosis). Whatever the structure of the bifunctional membrane (homogeneous or mosaic), this negative osmosis occurs within a pH range in which the membrane potential varies greatly i.e. when the ionic character of the membrane changes. Experimental data are discussed on the basis of thermodynamics of irreversible phenomena. The phenomenological coefficients characteristic for a membrane belonging to each of the two types (mono- and bi-functional) have been calculated. The reflection coefficient σ is negative: this suggests a potential application of these membranes in piezodialysis.     

不同醇类对磷钨酸催化超临界醇解液化木屑的影响

以可溶解于醇类的磷钨酸为催化剂,在超临界醇体系下液化木屑,探讨甲醇、乙醇、正丙醇、异丙醇等不同醇类溶剂对木屑醇解液化的影响,同时采用FT-IR和GC-MS等对液化产物进行了表征分析。结果表明,反应压力和溶剂的极性大小对木屑的液化效率以及液化产物影响显著。甲醇、乙醇、正丙醇、异丙醇反应体系的液化率和主要液化产物酯类化合物的含量比率,分别为54.75%和43.759%、90.29%和23.531%、85.90%和41.761%、89.15%和28.619%,特别在甲醇体系中,乙酰丙酸甲酯的含量高达33.374%;在异丙醇体系中酚类化合物可达到24.342%;醛类化合物只出现在甲醇体系中。在正丙醇体系中没有酚类产物,表明极性最小的正丙醇,提供很少的H*,更不容易将木质素降解。     

Phytochrome-like responses in Euglena: A low fluence response that reorganizes the spectral dependence of the high irradiance response in long-day photoperiodic induction of cell division

Irradiance spectra change spatiotemporally, and angiosperms adapt accordingly, mainly through phytochromes. This study challenges the long-held belief that the flagellated alga Euglena gracilis lacks phytochromes and is therefore unaffected by spectral changes. We photoautotrophically cultured the alga under continuous light (LL), then transferred it to darkness. After about 26h in darkness, different irradiations for 3h enabled cell division in dark-arrested G2 cells evoking a high-irradiance response (HIR). The spectral characteristics of the irradiation during the LL period (pre-irradiation) defined the spectral sensitivity in the subsequent dark period. LL with light rich in the red spectrum led to a HIR to the red spectrum (R-HIR), whereas light rich in the far-red spectrum (FR) led to a FR-HIR. Finishing the period of pre-irradiation consisting of continuous cool-white fluorescent light (rich in R) by a FR pulse enhanced the characteristics of the FR-HIR 26h later. By contrast, a R pulse given at the end of the pre-irradiation rich in FR potentiated the R-HIR. The effects were completely photoreversible between R and FR with critical fluences of about 2mmolm(-2), satisfying the classic diagnostic feature of phytochromes. The action spectrum of the FR effect at the end of pre-irradiation consisting of continuous cool-white fluorescent light (rich in R) had a main peak at 740nm and a minor peak at 380nm, whereas antagonization of the FR effect had a main peak at 640nm and a minor peak at 480nm. Wavelengths of 610 and 670nm appeared in both spectra. We also demonstrated the photoreversibility of 380/640, 480/740, and (610 and 670)/(640 and 740) nm. We conclude that Euglena displays phytochrome-like responses similar to the 'shade avoidance' and 'end-of-day FR' effects reported in angiosperms.     

THE SYNERGISTIC INFLUENCE OF A PRE-IRRADIATION ON THE PHOTOINHIBITTON OF GHERKIN SEEDLINGS

Abstract— A pre-irradiation of etiolated gherkin seedlings increases the effect of a subsequent irradiation with red light, whereas it does not influence the inhibitive effect of blue light. Blue and far red radiation are more active as a pre-irradiation than red light. It is concluded that at least two photoreactions are involved in the control of the elongation of the gherkin hypocotyl and that the blue, far red sensitive reaction has a synergistic effect on the red sensitive (Phytochrome mediated) reaction.     

Radiation effects on the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Radiation effects on the formation of conjugated double bonds in the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were investigated. Thin films of PVC and PVA were either irradiated with γ-rays at ambient temperature (pre-irradiation) and then subjected to thermal treatment, or irradiated at elevated temperatures (in situ irradiation). An extensive enhancement of the thermal degradation was observed for the pre-irradiation of the PVC films, which was more effective than the effect of the in situ irradiation at the same absorption dose. For the PVA degradation, however, the effect of the in situ irradiation was larger than that of the pre-irradiation. The results were explained and related mechanisms were discussed based on radiation-induced chemical reactions and their individual contributions to the thermal degradation behaviors of the two polymers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 3089–3095, 1998     

小龙潭褐煤不同气氛下液化性能的研究

根据褐煤含水量高的特点,研究了以水为溶剂,不同气氛条件下小龙潭褐煤的液化行为。结果表明,小龙潭褐煤具有较好的液化活性,在420℃,H₂气氛下以四氢萘为溶剂时煤的液化转化率可达到94.5%。煤液化过程中,稳定热解产生的自由基活性氢主要来自于供氢溶剂,而气相H₂不具活性,不能直接为液化过程提供活性氢。当以水为溶剂取代四氢萘进行褐煤直接液化时,相对于H₂和N₂气氛,CO 气氛下表现出较好的液化性能。这表明发生了水煤气变换反应并生成了活性氢,该活性氢可以使得煤热解产生的自由基稳定,生成低分子的液化产物,提高了液化转化率。由于在较低的CO初压下反应生成的活性氢数量有限,因而液化转化率不高。实验表明,以水为溶剂在CO气氛下进行褐煤的液化是一种新的褐煤直接液化技术。     

毛竹屑与玉米淀粉共液化产物制备聚氨酯泡沫研究

采用单因素试验设计,研究了液化剂组成、液比以及毛竹屑与淀粉的比例对液化产物理化性质、及所制备的聚氨酯泡沫材料的物理力学指标影响.结果显示当以50%乙二醇+50%碳酸亚乙酯混合物作为液化剂、添加相当于液化剂质量3%的浓硫酸为催化剂、在(150±5)℃(油浴)和常压条件下,液化150min,搅拌速度30r/min,取得本试验条件下最好的竹屑液化效果,液化产物中竹屑含量25%,残渣率3.96%,但该液化产物中天然聚合物碎片含量少,所制备的聚氨酯泡沫材料塌陷;竹屑与玉米淀粉共液化有效提高了液化产物中生物质的含量,但占液化剂质量25%竹屑+占液化剂质量125%玉米淀粉共液化产物粘度太高(8.85Pa.s);而20%竹屑+130%玉米淀粉的共液化产物与4,4′-二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯以及各种助剂按异氰酸酯基/羟基摩尔比为1.1配合时,所制备的聚氨酯泡沫材料表观密度为33.6kg/m3、压缩强度118kPa、弹性模量6.91MPa,在周年生物降解试验中,该生物质基聚氨酯硬质泡沫失重率为12.63%.     

FOLLOW UP ON SYSTEMIC INFLUENCE OF PARTIAL PRE-IRRADIATION ON UV-TUMORIGENESIS

Abstract— In a previous paper we presented experimental data which showed that partial pre-irradiation of a mouse enhanced subsequent UV-tumorigenesis in formerly unexposed skin areas: a systemic effect. In those experiments pre-irradiation was carried out up to the point where tumors started to appear in the pre-irradiated skin areas. Here we present the results of an experiment in which pre-irradiation was discontinued long before the appearance of tumors. The systemic effect induced by the pre-irradiation remained detectable, though-it was weaker than in the previous experiment. It is suspected that the observed systemic effect affects the initiation of tumors rather than the growth. A discussion is presented on how changes in initiation may best be detected, which may also prove to be useful for the design of other comparative studies on UV-tumorigenesis.     

宝日希勒褐煤在合成气与复合溶剂系统下的液化性能研究

在合成气（CO+H₂）与复合溶剂（水+有机溶剂）液化系统下研究了气氛、温度、催化剂类型对宝日希勒褐煤转化率、油气水产率和CO转化率等液化特征的影响,从而探讨其液化性能。结果表明,在高含水复合溶剂系统中,合成气气氛、反应温度430-450℃适宜宝日希勒褐煤液化转化,转化率可达到81.15%,油气水产率达到71.53%。该液化系统下,含铁、碱和硫复合型催化剂能有效地提高液化转化率和油气水产率,在430℃催化液化下褐煤转化率达92.27%,油气水产率达79.39%。该催化剂有效促进了煤中大分子的裂解和系统中水煤气变换反应进程,沥青质减少,油含量增多。液化油中多环芳烃衍生物在催化液化过程中向单环芳烃衍生物和烷烯烃转化,分子量降低,提高了油品质量。     

Microbial liquefaction of lignite pretreated with dilute acid at elevated temperature and pressure

Two microbial cultures—ML-13 (aCandida sp.) and LSC (a fungal isolate from the University of Arkansas)—have been employed in the direct liquefaction of Louisiana lignite. Lignite samples were pretreated with nitric acid and microbial culture broths at elevated temperatures and pressures. Subsequent treatment with active cultures and culture derivatives resulted in significant solubilization of the lignite. Up to 50% liquefaction of pretreated coal (20% HNO₃ at ambient temperature and pressure) was observed in 4 d with ML-13 cultures, whereas almost 80% liquefaction occurred in a similar time period when exposing pretreated lignite to an autoclaved, cell-free culture broth.     

Reaction kinetics of stover liquefaction in recycled stover polyol

The purpose of this research was to study the kinetics of liquefaction of crop residues. The liquefaction of corn stover in the presence of ethylene glycol and ethylene carbonate using sulfuric acid as a catalyst was studied. It was found that the liquefaction yield was a function of ratio of solvent to corn stover, temperature, residence time, and amount of catalyst. Liquefaction of corn stover was conducted over a range of conditions encompassing residence times of 0–2.5 h, temperatures of 150–170°C, sulfuric acid concentrations of 2–4% (w/w), and liquefaction reagent/corn stover ratio of 1–3. The liquefaction rate constants for individual sets of conditions were examined using a first-order reaction model. Rate constant increased with the increasing of liquefaction temperature, catalyst content, and liquefaction reagent/corn stover ratio. Reuse of liquefied biomass as liquefying agent was also evaluated. When using recycled liquefied biomass instead of fresh liquefaction reagent, the conversion is reduced. It appeared that 82% of liquefaction yield was achieved after two times of reuse.     

Pre-Irradiation Grafting of Styrene into Modified Fluoropolymers

Summary: The grafting of styrene into commercially available fluoropolymer films by the pre-irradiation method has been investigated. Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP), poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoropropylvinyl ether) (PFA) and poly(tetrafluorethylene-co-ethylene) (ETFE) were chosen as the base polymer material. The influence of the base material, the pre-irradiation dose, and the storage time between the irradiation and the grafting step on the yield of grafting was examined. The base materials were pre-treated by irradiation in the molten state under oxygen-free conditions in order to create branches and cross-links. The effect of pre-treatment on the yield of grafting was studied.     

Constructing WO3/TiO2 composite structure towards sufficient use of solar energy

A WO(3)/TiO(2) composite is constructed with the ability to degrade organic molecules under visible irradiation, which is newly explored by UV pre-irradiation. The long lasting visible-light photoactivity and the consecutive photocatalytic process will benefit the efficient use of solar energy.