Pervaporation from a dense membrane: roles of permeant-membrane interactions, Kelvin effect, and membrane swelling

Dense polymeric membranes with extremely small pores in the form of free volume are used widely in the pervaporative separation of liquid mixtures. The membrane permeation of a component followed by its vaporization on the opposite face is governed by the solubility and downstream pressure. We measured the evaporative flux of pure methanol and 2-propanol using dense membranes with different free volumes and different affinities (wettabilities and solubilities) for the permeant. Interestingly, the evaporative flux for different membranes vanished substantially (10-75%) below the equilibrium vapor pressure in the bulk. The discrepancy was larger for a smaller pore size and for more wettable membranes (higher positive spreading coefficients). This observation, which cannot be explained by the existing (mostly solution-diffusion type) models ofpervaporation, suggests an important role for the membrane-permeant interactions in nanopores that can lower the equilibrium vapor pressure. The pore sizes, as estimated from the positron annihilation, ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 nm for the dry membranes. Solubilities of methanol in different composite membranes were estimated from the Flory-Huggins theory. The interaction parameter was obtained from the surface properties measured by the contact angle goniometry in conjunction with the acid-base theory of polar surface interactions. For the membranes examined, the increase in the "wet" pore volume due to membrane swelling correlates almost linearly with the solubility of methanol in these membranes. Indeed, the observations are found to be consistent with the lowering of the equilibrium vapor pressure on the basis of the Kelvin equation. Thus, a higher solubility or selectivity of a membrane also implies stronger permeant-membrane interactions and a greater retention of the permeant by the membrane, thus decreasing its evaporative flux. This observation has important implications for the interpretation of existing experiments and in the separation of liquid mixtures by pervaporation.     

Physico-chemical studies on thermal analyses of sodium hexa/carboxylato/ferrates/III/

The thermolysis of sodium hexa/benzoato/ferrate/III/, i. e. Na₃[Fe/C₆H₅COO/₆].4.5H₂O has been investigated at different temperatures in air using Mössbauer, infrared spectroscopic and derivatographic techniques /DTG, DTA, TG/. The thermal decomposition proceeds without the reduction of iron/III/. An increase in particle size of -Fe₂O₃ formed during thermolysis has been observed with increasing temperature. The end product, -NaFeO₂ is formed as a result of the solid state reaction between -Fe₂O₃ and sodium carbonate.     

The use of relative residues in fitting experimental data: an example from fluid mechanics

A curve fitting model is presented which minimizes the sum of squares of relative residues and expressions for the fit coefficients and their respective errors are derived. The new model is compared to the normal least squares model, using as an example the Reynolds number-drag coefficient data for a sphere. The results show that the best fit was obtained with the new model, indicating it may provide a useful tool for data analysis.     

Studies on 1,10-Phenanthroline Complexes of Some Hydroxyaryltellurium Trihalides

The synthesis and structural features of some newly synthesized 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of p-hydroxyphenyl-and 3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyltellurium trihalides (chlorides, bromides, and iodides) are reported. The resulting complexes have been subjected to elemental analyses, conductance and cryoscopic measurements, infra-red and proton magnetic resonance spectral studies. Solution studies reveal the weak to 1:1 electrolyte type behavior of these complexes in solution. Spectral studies indicate the linkage of phenanthroline to the tellurium atom through the nitrogen atoms. Central tellurium atom in these complexes is hexa-coordinated in an octahedral way.     

Recent Advancements on Immunomodulatory Mechanisms of Resveratrol in Tumor Microenvironment

Immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment is emerging as an important area of research for the treatment of cancer patients. Several synthetic and natural agents are being investigated for their ability to enhance the immunogenic responses of immune cells present in the tumor microenvironment to impede tumor cell growth and dissemination. Among them, resveratrol, a stilbenoid found in red grapes and many other natural sources, has been studied extensively. Importantly, resveratrol has been shown to possess activity against various human diseases, including cancer. Mechanistically, resveratrol has been shown to regulate an array of signaling pathways and processes involving oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and several anticancer effects. Furthermore, recent research suggests that resveratrol can regulate various cellular signaling events including immune cell regulation, cytokines/chemokines secretion, and the expression of several other immune-related genes. In this review, we have summarized recent findings on resveratrol’s effects on immune regulatory cells and associated signaling in various cancer types. Numerous immunomodulatory effects of resveratrol suggest it may be useful in combination with other cancer therapies including immunotherapy for effective cancer management.     

Some further observations on the creeping motion of spheres through Ellis model fluids

Using the formulation of Hopke and Slattery, upper and lower bounds on the drag coefficient of a sphere moving slowly in Ellis model fluids have been calculated, over wide range of conditions, and compared with the suitable experimental data available in the literature. C _D drag coefficient - d diameter of sphere - El Ellis number - Re Reynolds number based on zero-shear viscosity - V terminal falling velocity of a sphere - X drag correction factor - Ellis model parameter - ₀ zero-shear viscosity - _1/2 Ellis model parameter     

Elastic modulus and yield stress of suspensions

A recent technique, developed to measure yield stress has here also been used to determine the elastic modulus of a suspension. Temperature effects have been measured.     

A numerical study of the steady forced convection heat transfer from an unconfined circular cylinder

Forced convection heat transfer from an unconfined circular cylinder in the steady cross-flow regime has been studied using a finite volume method (FVM) implemented on a Cartesian grid system in the range as 10 ≤ Re ≤ 45 and 0.7 ≤ Pr ≤ 400. The numerical results are used to develop simple correlations for Nusselt number as a function of the pertinent dimensionless variables. In addition to average Nusselt number, the effects of Re, Pr and thermal boundary conditions on the temperature field near the cylinder and on the local Nusselt number distributions have also been presented to provide further physical insights into the nature of the flow. The rate of heat transfer increases with an increase in the Reynolds and/or Prandtl numbers. The uniform heat flux condition always shows higher value of heat transfer coefficient than the constant wall temperature at the surface of the cylinder for the same Reynolds and Prandtl numbers. The maximum difference between the two values is around 15–20%.