Interlaboratory comparisons and improvements of methods for acid number determination in used motor oils

The results of two interlaboratory comparisons of acid number determinations in used motor oils are discussed. It is shown that the comparability of the measurement results is not as good as that required by known standards for petroleum products. The problem is motor oil contaminants which accumulated during use, and which are the source of a matrix effect in the acid number determination. The standard methods’ drawbacks are analyzed and some improvements are proposed. Repeatability and accuracy of the improved methods are evaluated. Received: 11 December 2001 Accepted: 15 February 2002     

On many‐sorted algebraic closure operators

A theorem of Birkhoff‐Frink asserts that every algebraic closure operator on an ordinary set arises, from some algebraic structure on the set, as the corresponding generated subalgebra operator. However, for many‐sorted sets, i.e., indexed families of sets, such a theorem is not longer true without qualification. We characterize the corresponding many‐sorted closure operators as precisely the uniform algebraic operators. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Dimethylamino-substituted 7H-Benzo[de]pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolin-7-ones and Their Behavior under Vilsmeier-Haack Conditions

The behavior of dimethylamino-substituted 7H-benzo[de]pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinoline-7-ones, synthesized for the first time, under conditions of the Vilsmeier-Haack reaction. It has been shown that, on heating with POCl₃ and DMF, they are converted by electrophilic substitution at the position ortho to the dimethylamino group, followed by cyclization of the iminium adduct to a quinazolinium salt. When an acetyl group is present, the Arnold reaction, leading to the formation of a chloroaryl, accompanies the heterocyclization. The rates and proportion of the reaction products depend on the position of the dimethyl groups relative to the pyrazole ring.     

New Interfaces for Coupling TLC with TOF SIMS

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Two interfaces have been tested for coupling thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry...     

Dynamics of energy release in a low-voltage pulsed arc in air

The influence of the discharge conditions on the dynamics of energy release is considered for pulsed arcs in air at initial pressures from 10⁵ to 8×10⁵ Pa and a low-voltage capacitor voltage of up to 400 V. A novel method for determining the resistance of the discharge channel in the final stage of a spark discharge is proposed. The method is applied to estimating the discharge channel parameters.     

New Approaches to Coupling TLC with TOF-SIMS

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A new hyphenated technique that enables coupling of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with time-of-flight secondary-ion mass...     

Medical dosimetry in Hungary

Radiation exposure of medical staff during cardiological and radiological procedures was investigated. The exposure of medical staff is directly connected to patient exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of doses on uncovered part of body of medical staff using LiF thermoluminescent (TL) dosimeters in seven locations.Individual Kodak film dosimeters (as authorized dosimetry system) were used for the assessment of medical staff's effective dose. Results achieved on dose distribution measurements confirm that wearing only one film badge under the lead apron does not provide enough information on the personal dose.The value of estimated annual doses on eye lens and extremities (fingers) were in good correlation with international publications.     

Theoretical aspects of the indirect redox potentiometric method for determination of oxidizers and reducers without titration

The theoretical analysis of the redox potentiometry of reducers and oxidizers is carried out, which involves the electrochemical characteristics of generalized analytical reactions and the development of simplified equations for calculating the sought concentration and the sensitivity of the method. The use of degrees of oxidation of atoms made it possible to elucidate the reaction stoichiometry and determine which atoms in complex compounds are involved in the electron transfer. The terminology of the redox potentiometric method is improved.