Accelerating rate calorimeter studies of water-induced thermal hazards of fireworks tip mixture

The objective of this article is to generate thermal decomposition data on fireworks tip mixture, a mixture used to coat the tip of fireworks, for easy ignition. This mixture has reportedly involved in triggering many accidents in fireworks industry. Different quantities of water were added to the mixture and its thermal characteristics were studied. Differential scanning calorimeter was used for screening tests and accelerating rate calorimeter was used for detailed studies in adiabatic and isothermal modes. The self-heat rate data obtained showed onset temperature for different quantity of water, at a range of 80–170 °C. The mixture with 40 % water wt/wt had onset at 80 °C in adiabatic mode. The same mixture on isoaging at 40 °C exhibited exothermic characteristics with a substantial rise in system pressure (57 bar). The heats of exothermic decomposition and Arrhenius kinetics were also computed.     

Strategies for Enhancing the Production of Penicillin G Acylase from Bacillus badius: Influence of Phenyl Acetic Acid Dosage

Bacillus badius isolated from soil has been identified as potential producer of penicillin G acylase (PGA). In the present study, batch experiments performed at optimized inoculum size, temperature, pH, and agitation yielded a maximum PGA of 9.5 U/ml in shake flask. The experiments conducted in bioreactor with different oxygen flow rates revealed that 0.66 vvm oxygen flow rate could be sufficient for the maximum PGA activity of 12.7 U/ml. From a detailed investigation on the strategies of the addition of phenyl acetic acid (PAA) for increasing the production of PGA, it was found that the controlled addition of 10 ml of 0.1 % (w/v) PAA once in every 2 h from 6th hour of growth showed the maximum PGA activity of 32 U/ml. Thus, our studies for the first time showed that at concentration above 0.1 % (w/v) PAA, the PGA production decreased. This selective condition paves the way for less costly bioprocess for the production of PGA.     

Synthesis and characterization of saturated and unsaturated polysulfide polymers and their thermal degradation processes investigated by flash pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The synthesis of polysulfide polymers with unsaturated and saturated units in the backbone and their characterization by Fourier transform infrared, NMR, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry are reported. This is the first report on an analysis of the thermal degradation of an unsaturated polysulfide polymer [poly(2‐butene sulfide)] carried out by pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). A unique phenomenon of exothermic degradation has been detected by differential thermal analysis and has been attributed to the energetics of the unsaturated polysulfide linkage during degradation. The thermal degradation products studied by Py–GC/MS indicate that the formation of sulfur‐containing products is more favored than the formation of non‐sulfur‐containing products. Furthermore, a comparative study of the thermal degradation of unsaturated and saturated polysulfide polymers has been conducted with thermogravimetry and Py–GC/MS analyses. These analyses have shown that the mechanisms of degradation of these polymers are different, and the lower number of pyrolysis products indicates a selective cleavage of the polymer during degradation in the saturated polysulfide polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 638–649, 2005     

Thermo-kinetic studies of NaN3/KNO3 air bag gas generant mixture

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This paper addresses the thermal behavior of commonly used NaN3/KNO3 gas generant mixtures under different heating rates using simultaneous thermal...     

Thermal behavior pattern of tributyl phosphate under adiabatic conditions

Violent decomposition of Tributyl Phosphate (TBP), a widely employed extractant in the Plutonium Uranium Extraction process of nuclear fueling reprocessing plants in the presence of Nitric acid at temperatures in excess of 130 °C is a matter of concern in serious accidents including in the Savannah River (USA) and Tomsk (Russia). The thermal behavior of TBP under adiabatic conditions employing the world’s benchmark adiabatic calorimeter, the Accelerating Rate Calorimeter is examined. TBP shows multiple self heating exothermic activities with the onset of primary exotherm at 250 °C. The exothermic activity is accompanied by considerable pressure rise. The thermal decomposition of TBP is found to follow first order Arrhenius kinetic model. TBP loses about 70% of its chemical moieties as volatile matter during the exothermic decomposition. Spectroscopic methods are used to elucidate the degradation pathway.     

Biological Real-Time Reaction Calorimeter Studies for the Production of Penicillin G Acylase from Bacillus badius

Penicillin G acylase (PGA) is a commercially important enzyme that cleaves penicillin G to 6-amino penicillanic acid (6-APA) and phenyl acetic acid (PAA). The strain Bacillus badius has been identified as potential producer of PGA. A detailed calorimetric investigation on PGA production was carried out to enable generation of thermokinetic data possible for commercial application. Reaction calorimetric studies coupled with respirometric studies suggested that enzyme activity of the species B. badius was calorimetrically traceable. Three phases of growth were distinctly noticeable in the metabolic heat-time curve. Increase in enzymatic activity with restricted growth confirmed intracellular nature of the production process. The estimated heat yields due to biomass growth, 10.026 kJ/g, substrate consumption 22.761 kJ/g, and oxygen uptake 383?±?10 kJ/mol helped to understand the energetic of the organism under study. Low oxycalorific coefficient confirmed the existence of fermentation-coupled metabolism of B. badius.     

Spectroscopic investigations of polyacrylonitrile thermal degradation

PAN undergoes chemical decomposition in stages on thermal treatment. In the literature, several mechanisms were proposed for the degradation process. However, the decomposition pathway and the structural rearrangement of solid residue in relation to the loss of volatile products are not fully understood. The degradation process has therefore received further attention in this work by employing a combination of FT-IR, high-resolution solid-state ¹³C-NMR, pyrolysis GC-MS, and microelemental analysis. These investigations have established that PAN decomposes to gaseous and volatile products over a range of temperatures (150–590°C) with concurrent stabilization of the structure of residual matter occurring on a parallel course. While linear polymerization of nitrile group is the principal reaction in the decomposition process, cyclization followed by extended conjugation is the notable exothermic process. No evidence has been obtained for the formation of oxygen-containing chromophores either as intermediates or as part of the chemical structure of the residue. Temperature sensitivity of oligomer formation has been established through pyrolysis–GC-MS studies. The overall decomposition profile of PAN has thus been established. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2503–2512, 1998