Electron beam pretreatment of sewage sludge before anaerobic digestion

The pretreatment of waste-activated sludge (WAS) by electron beam irradiation was studied in order to improve anaerobic sludge digestion. The irradiation dose of the electron beam was varied from 0.5 to 10 kGy. Batch and continuous-flow stirred tank reactors (CFSTRs) were operated to evaluate the effect of the electron beam pretreatment on anaerobic sludge digestion. Approximately 30–52% of the total chemical oxygen demand (COD) content of the WAS was solubilized within 24 h after electron beam irradiation. A large quantity of soluble COD, protein, and carbohydrates leached out from cell ruptures caused by the electron beam irradiation. Volatile fatty acids production from the irradiated sludge was approx 90% higher than that of the unirradiated sludge. The degradation of irradiated sewage sludge was described by two distinct first-order decay rates (k ₁ and k ₂). Most initial decay reaction accelerated within 10 d, with an average k ₁ of 0.06/d for sewage sludge irradiated at all dosages. The mean values for the long-term batch first-order decay coefficient (k ₂) were 0.025/d for irradiated sewage sludge and 0.007/d for unirradiated sludge. Volatile solids removal efficiency of the control reactor fed with unirradiated sewage sludge at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20 d was almost the same as that of the CFSTRs fed with irradiated sludge at an HRT of 10 d. Therefore, disintegration of sewage sludge cells using electron beam pretreatment could reduce the reactor solid retention time by half.     

Ab initio quantum chemical studies of the reactions of CF3CFHO2 with HO2

The potential energy surface (PES) for the CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂ reaction has been theoretically investigated using the DFT [B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p)] and B3LYP/6‐311++G(3df,3pd)//B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) levels of theory. Both singlet and triplet PESs are investigated. The reaction mechanism on the triplet surface is simple. It is revealed that the formation of CF₃CFHOOH+³O₂ is the dominant channel on the triplet surface. On the basis of the ab initio data, the total rate constants for the reaction CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂ in the T = 210–500 K range have been computed using conventional transition state theory with Wigner's tunneling correction and have been fitted by a rate constant expression as k = 1.04 ×10^?12(cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) exp (700.33/T). Calculated transition state rate constants with Wigner's tunneling correction for the reaction CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂ are in good agreement with the available experimental values. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Evaluation of thermodynamic properties of irreversible protein thermal unfolding measured by DSC

Summary We assessed the applicability of the extrapolation procedure at infinite scanning rate to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data related to irreversible protein unfolding. To this aim, an array of DSC curves have been simulated on the basis of the Lumry-Eyring model N↔U→F. The results obtained confirmed that when the apparent equilibrium constant K_{app (T=T1/2)} is lower than 3, the application of the extrapolation procedure provides accurate thermodynamic parameters. Although this procedure applies only to monomeric proteins for which the Lumry-Eyring model is a reasonable approximation, it will hopefully contribute to increase the potential of DSC in obtaining reliable thermodynamic information regarding the folding/unfolding equilibrium.     

In Situ Study of the Surface Oxidation of FeCr Alloys Using Grazing Incidence X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy (GIXAS)

The surface oxidation of FeCr alloys with 18, 28, and 43 mass‐% Cr was investigated in situ using grazing‐incidence X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (GIXAS) at the chromium and iron K‐edges. Oxidation in air was monitored in situ in the temperature range from 290 K to 680 K. The standard GIXAS data analysis is extended for the treatment of a single layer model in order to estimate the chromium concentrations of the oxide layer and of the near‐interface substrate as well as the oxide layer thickness. XANES analysis shows transitions from b.c.c. Fe to corundum type Fe₂O₃ and from b.c.c. Cr to corundum type Cr₂O₃. The initial oxide layers are 1.1‐1.4 nm thick and contain 60‐90 mass‐% chromium, while the near‐interface substrate is depleted in Cr. During heating, iron oxide growth dominates up to 560‐600 K. Then the chromium oxide layer loses its passivation effect and Cr oxidation sets in.     

Kinetics and mechanisms in carbocationic polymerization: The quest for true rate constants

This article is a critical analysis of kinetic dataavailable on carbocationic polymerizations. A survey of published propagation rate constant (k_p) data revealed several orders of magnitude differences. In this article, an explanation of this apparent discrepancy is offered with a case study involving the carbocationic polymerization of 2,4,6‐trimethylstyrene (TMS). With the polymerization mechanism originally proposed for this system, k_p = 1.35 × 10⁴ L mol^?1 s^?1 was extracted from experimental data with the Predici polyreaction package. The alternative mechanism yielded k_p = 1.01 × 10⁷ L mol^?1 s^?1, close to that predicted by Mayr's Linear Free Energy Relationship (LFER). We propose that true rate constants can only be obtained from direct competition experiments or from kinetic interpretation based on independently proven mechanisms. The second part of this review discusses critical analysis of the temperature and concentration dependence of various living IB systems. Comparison of the temperature dependence in systems initiated with 2‐ chloro‐2,4, 4‐ trimethylpentane (TMPCl)/TiCl₄ from various laboratories yielded of ΔH ～?25 and ?34.5 kJ/mol for high and low TMPCl/TiCl₄ ratios, respectively. Aromatic (cumyl‐type) initiators show ΔH ～ ?40 kJ/mol, whereas H₂O/TiCl₄ in the presence of the strong electron‐ pair donor dimethylacetamide gave ΔH = ?12 kJ/mol. The significant differences indicate different underlying mechanisms with complex elementary reactions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5394–5413, 2005     

C60-地塞米松的激光激发

利用激光光解装置检测了C60-地塞米松(C60-DE)的苯溶液在355 nm激光照射下产生的激发三重态, 3C60-DE*出现四个吸收峰, 分别位于700、440、350 和310 nm. 在330 nm处观察到了它的漂白吸收最大值, 这与其基态吸收最大值相对应. 3C60-DE*能够将能量转移给O2分子而淬灭. 与3C60*相比, 3C60-DE*的三重态鄄三重态(T-T)淬灭速率常数减小(3C60*为(5.03±1.31)×109 L·mol-1·s-1, 3C60-DE*为(3.53±0.87)×109 L·mol-1·s-1), 而寿命增加了(3C60*为(12.0±2.6) μs, 3C60-DE*为(18.0±3.3) μs), 这可能是C60分子上连接了地塞米松分子后减小了C60球之间碰撞的几率所致.     

表面起伏光栅形成速率的影响规律 Ⅰ.偶氮生色团种类和官能度的影响

设计并合成了含有不同生色团以及不同官能度的环氧树脂基偶氮高分子 ,系统研究了偶氮生色团的种类和官能度对光栅形成速率的影响规律 .实验结果表明 ,偶氮苯对位是羧基的聚合物的光栅形成速率明显快于偶氮苯对位是硝基的聚合物 ,光栅形成速率随偶氮生色团官能度的增加而加快 .这两类聚合物都可以形成规整的可擦式表面起伏光栅     

A novel zirconocene/ultradispersed diamond black powder supported catalytic system for ethylene polymerization

A novel carrier of ultradispersed diamond black powder (UDDBP) was used to support metallocene catalyst. Al₂O₃ was also used as carrier in order to compare with UDDBP. Supported catalysts for ethylene polymerization were synthesized by two different reaction methods. One way was direct immobilization of the metallocene on the support, the other was adsorption of MAO onto the support followed by addition of the metallocene. Four supported catalysts Cp₂ZrCl₂/UDDBP, Cp₂ZrCl₂/Al₂O₃, Cp₂ZrCl₂/MAO/UDDBP and Cp₂ZrCl₂/Al₂O₃/MAO were obtained. The content of the zirconium in the supported catalyst was determined by UV spectroscopy. The activity of the ethylene polymerization catalyzed by supported catalyst was investigated. The influence of Al/Zr molar ratio and polymerization temperature on the activity was discussed. The polymerization rate was also observed.     

Spin-adducts of radicals ·P(O)(OPri)2 and ·CMe3 with pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes studied by ESR spectroscopy

The addition of the ^·Bu^t (R¹) and ^·P(O)(OPrⁱ)₂ (R²) radicals to pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes C₆₀CH₂NMeCHX (X = C₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂Cl)₂, 2,6-(Bu^t)₂C₆H₂OH, PhC₆H₄, and indol-3-yl) was studied by ESR spectroscopy. The rate constants of R¹ radical addition to these compounds and dimerization of spin-adducts of the R¹ radicals with pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes were determined. Pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes manifest considerably higher reactivity toward the R¹ radicals than fullerene C₆₀ and methanofullerenes C₆₀CX¹X² (X¹ = X² = CO₂Et; X¹ = CO₂Me, X² = OP(OMe)₂, X¹ = X² = OP(OEt)₂).     

Performance validation of step-isothermal calorimeters

Isothermal calorimetry is becoming indispensable as a tool for the study of a wide variety of systems. As with all scientific instruments it is essential that robust calibration routines be developed in order to validate the data obtained. Chemical test reactions offer many advantages over (the traditionally used) joule effect heating methods, not least because they have the potential to validate instrument performance (i.e. they can be used to assess all aspects of calorimeter operation). In this work the results of a validation exercise, conducted by Thermal Hazard Technology as part of an installation routine, using the base catalysed hydrolysis of methyl paraben are discussed. In the case described, a systematic misreporting of the reported temperature of a calorimeter was identified, caused by an upgrade to the calorimeter's firmware, a discrepancy which may not have been noted using traditional electrical calibration methods and one which highlights the importance of both manufacturers and end-users adopting chemical test reactions into their test and validation routines.