Linearized non-equilibrium and non-isothermal two-dimensional model of liquid chromatography for studying thermal effects in cylindrical columns

A non-equilibrium and non-isothermal two-dimensional lumped kinetic model (2?D-LKM) is formulated and analytically solved to study the influence of temperature variations along the axial and radial coordinates of a liquid chromatographic column. The model includes convection-diffusion partial differential equations for mass and energy balances in the mobile phase coupled with differential equations for mass and energy in the stationary phase. The solutions are derived analytically through sequential implementation of finite Hankel and Laplace transformations using the Dirichlet inlet boundary conditions. The coupling between the thermal waves and concentration fronts is demonstrated through numerical simulations and important parameters are recognized that influence the column performance. For a more comprehensive study of the considered model, numerical temporal moments are obtained from the derived solutions. Several case studies are conducted and validity ranges of the derived analytical solutions are identified. The current analytical results will play a major role in the improvements of non-equilibrium and non-isothermal liquid chromatographic processes.     

Efficient Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol Using Copper(II) Complexes with N,O-Chelating Schiff Base Ligands

The reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by sodium borohydride was used as a model to test the catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes containing N,O-chelating Schiff base ligands. In this study, a series of copper(II) complexes containing respective Schiff base ligands, N′-salicylidene-2-aminophenol (1), N′-salicylidene-2-aminothiazole (2), and N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine (3), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-Visible (UV-Vis) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. The results from the 4-nitrophenol reduction showed that 3 has the highest catalytic activities with 97.5% conversion, followed by 2 and 1 with 95.2% and 90.8% conversions, respectively. The optimization of the catalyst amount revealed that 1.0 mol% of the catalyst was the most optimized amount with the highest conversion compared to the other doses, 0.5 mol% and 1.5 mol%. Recyclability and reproducibility tests confirmed that all three complexes were active, efficient, and possess excellent reproducibility with consistent catalytic performances and could be used again without a major decrease in the catalytic activity.     

Radiological mapping of Kelantan,Malaysia, using terrestrial radiation dose rate

Measurements of the environmental terrestrial gamma radiation dose rate (TGRD) in each district of Kelantan state, Malaysia, were carried out using a portable hand-held radiation survey meter and global positioning system. The measurements were done based on geology and soil types of the area. The mean TGRD was found to be 209 nGy h^–1. Few areas of relatively enhanced activity were observed in Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli districts, which have a mean TGRD between 300 and 500 nGy h^–1. An isodose map of the area was produced using ArcGIS software version 9.3.     

Spectral solution of free surface flows

A spectral Fourier-Chebyshev method for calculating unsteady two-dimensional free surface flows is presented and discussed. The vorticity-stream function equations are used in association with an influence matrix technique for prescribing the boundary and free surface conditions. The stability of the time-discretization scheme is analysed. Finally, numerical results are given for various physical problems.     

In situ gamma spectrometry of terrestrial naturally occurring radioactive materials and radiation hazard assessment of Kebbi State,Nigeria

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Environmental monitoring was performed in order to measure the activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40. In situ gamma spectrometric...     

Pore-Scale Modelling of Rate Effects in Waterflooding

We develop a rate-dependent network model that accounts for viscous forces by solving for the wetting and non-wetting phase pressure and which allows wetting layer swelling near an advancing flood front. The model incorporates a new time-dependent algorithm by accounting for partial filling of elements. We use the model to study the effects of capillary number, mobility ratio and contact angle distribution on waterflood displacement patterns, saturation and velocity profiles. By using large networks, generated from a new stochastic network algorithm, we reproduce Buckley–Leverett profiles directly from pore-scale modelling thereby providing a bridge between pore-scale and macro-scale transport.     

Ion transport modelling through nanofiltration membranes

The aim of this work is to study the transport mechanism of ions through nanofiltration membranes. A model based on extended Nernst–Planck and film theory equations is reported. This model can be characterized by three transport parameters: the water permeability L_p, the salt transmittance Φ and the effective salt transfer coefficient K_eff. The knowledge of the feed and permeate concentration and of the permeate volumetric flux enable us to calculate these transport parameters. The model is used to estimate cadmium salts rejection by a NANOMAX 50 membrane. Experimental and calculated results are shown to be in good agreement. The model is then successfully extended to experimental data reported in the literature.     

Simulation of nonisothermal reactive liquid chromatography using two-dimensional lumped kinetic model

A nonisothermal two-dimensional lumped kinetic model of reactive liquid chromatography is formulated and applied to simulate the separation of multicomponent mixtures in a fixed-bed cylindrical column operating under nonisothermal condition. The axial and radial variations of concentration and temperature as well as reversibility of the chemical reactions are incorporated in the model equations. The model comprises a system of convection-diffusion-reaction partial differential equations coupled with algebraic and differential equations. Due to the nonlinearity of adsorption and reaction kinetics, it is required to apply an accurate numerical scheme for solving the model equations. In this study, an efficient and accurate high-resolution flux-limiting finite-volume scheme is proposed to solve the model equations. A number of stoichiometrical reactions are numerically simulated to determine the level of coupling between the temperature and concentration profiles. Moreover, the effects of various critical parameters on the process performance are examined. The results obtained are beneficial for understanding reaction and separation processes inside a liquid chromatographic reactor and to improve its performance.     

LC-ToF-ESI-MS Patterns of Hirsutinolide-like Sesquiterpenoids Present in the Elephantopus mollis Kunth Extract and Chemophenetic Significance of Its Chemical Constituents

A total of nine sesquiterpenoid lactones together with phenolic compounds and other terpenes were identified from the crude methanol extract of Elephantopus mollis Kunth. Compounds were isolated using different chromatographic techniques and their structures were determined by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. The structures of some detected compounds were assigned based on LC-ToF-ESI-MS screening of main fractions/subfractions from flash chromatography and comparison with isolated analogues as standards. The findings revealed not only the in-source loss of water as the base peak in hirsutinolides but also the in-source loss of corresponding alcohol when the oxygen at position 1 is alkylated. The present study also draws up a complement of data with respect to hirsutinolide-like sesquiterpene lactones whose LC-MS characteristics are not available in the literature. The chemophenetic significance is also discussed. Some of the isolated compounds were reported for the first time to be found in the species, the genus as well as the plant family. The medium-polar fractions of the crude extract, also containing the larger amount of sesquiterpenoid lactones, exhibited activity both against a cancer cell line and bacterial strains. Isolated lactones were also active against the cancer cell line, while the chlorogenic derivatives also valuable in Elephantopus genus showed potent radical scavenging activity. This is the first report of cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of our samples against the tested strains and cell line. The present study follows the ongoing research project dealing with the characterization of taxa with antibacterial and antiparasitic activities from Cameroonian pharmacopeia.