An optimized extraction and gas chromatography analysis method for the quantification of diluent hydrocarbons in froth treatment tailings

Froth treatment tailings are one type of waste stream generated during the extraction of surface-mined oil sands bitumen. To remove water and solids from bitumen froth recovered during the water-based extraction process, hydrocarbon diluent is added, and settling and/or centrifugation are applied to the diluted bitumen froth, producing diluted bitumen and froth treatment tailings. While recovery processes are in place to remove and recycle the diluent from froth treatment tailings, some residual diluent can remain. Since tailings are stored in outdoor ponds, the residual diluent can have implications for methanogenic microbial processes and resulting greenhouse gas emissions. This work presents a methodology to accurately extract and quantify diluent hydrocarbons from froth treatment tailings using gas chromatography. A cold-start temperature program is used to separate diluent hydrocarbons from any residual bitumen in the sample, and diluent is quantified using commercial standards as well as unprocessed diluent. A series of extraction parameters were tested and results from multiple conditions are shown with a rationale for the selected optimized parameters. Quantification of diluent in tailings samples is demonstrated from 60 to 5329 μg/g, and results from quality control standards show an average diluent recovery of 100 ± 10%.     

A Novel Label-Free Immunosensor Based on Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide for Determination of Hemoglobin A1c

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - In this work, a novel immunosensor has been developed using an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for...     

Electron–Phonon Superconductivity in Boron-Based Chalcogenide (X= S,Se) Monolayers

Electron–phonon mediated superconductivity is deeply investigated in two boron based monolayer materials, namely, $B_{3}S$, a metal exhibiting the ability to superconduct, and a new metal, $B_{3}Se$, presenting perfect kinetic stability. Calculations based on density functional perturbation theory combined with the maximally localized Wannier function also reveal that both materials exhibit anisotropic planar hexagonal structure like graphene. The key parameters involved in the superconductor behavior are all calculated. The electronic density in the Fermi surface is given to provide the environment for enhanced electron–phonon coupling. The longitudinal and transverse vibration modes of optical phonons mainly contribute to the electron–phonon coupling strength. Furthermore, the binding energy between the bosonic Cooper pair superfluid is quantified and determined. The critical temperature for the two materials is 20 and 10.5 K, respectively. The results obtained show the potential use of such materials for superconducting applications.