Vol. 17(10) October 2013
Editorial
Vermicomposting as an environment friendly Bio-fertilizer
Sinha Jayanta
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Design, synthesis and interaction with Cu2+ ions of
ice templated composite hydrogels
Dragan Ecaterina Stela and Dinu Maria Valentina
Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN) composite
hydrogels based on polyacrylamide (PAAm) and chitosan (CS) were prepared either
at room temperature (22 oC) or at -18 oC. The swelling kinetics and gels morphology
were strongly influenced by the synthesis temperature. Full-IPN hydrogels were prepared
by the cross-linking of CS entrapped in PAAm matrix with epichlorohydrin in alkaline
medium. The sorption capacity for Cu2+ ions was strongly influenced by the generation
of the second network at high pH because a partial hydrolysis of the PAAm matrix
simultaneously occurred. The synthesis temperature of semi-IPN hydrogel had also
an influence, the conventional hydrogels synthesized at 22 oC having a lower sorption
capacity than those synthesized at -18 oC.
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Syngas production by carbon dioxide reforming methane
over carbonaceous catalyst and reaction kinetics of carbonaceous materials
Zhang Guojie1*, Du Yannian1, Xu Ying1 and Shi Xiaoling2
In this work, synthesis gas production by carbon dioxide
reforming methane over carbonaceous catalyst and reaction kinetics of carbonaceous
materials with carbon dioxide were investigated using a fixed bed reactor system
operating at atmospheric pressure. Mass balance of reforming reaction studies was
conducted by measuring C element. The gas was detected by FPD and PID equipped gas
chromatography. The results showed that the carbonaceous materials have a profound
catalytic effect on the CH4 cracking and CH4-CO2 reforming, the initial reaction
temperature decreased about 50oC. Beyond the simple material balance, it can be
found that the mass of carbon content in phase gas increases during the carbon dioxide
reforming methane. It indicated that the gasification of carbonaceous materials
by CO2 takes place during the synthesis production process by carbon dioxide reforming
methane over carbonaceous catalyst. An overall unreacted shrinking core model is
formulated to describe the rates of the reaction kinetics of carbonaceous materials
with carbon dioxide processes. The apparent activation energy of the reaction of
carbonaceous materials with CO2 was more than 230kJ/mol during CH4-CO2 reforming.
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Noise Impact Assessment due to Aircraft Operations
in the surrounding Areas of an Upcoming Airport in India
Mishra Arun kumar 1 * and Srivastava Prabhat 2
The main purpose of this study is to assess the impact
and effect of noise emitted by aircrafts in the surrounding areas of an upcoming
international airport at Navi-Mumbai ,India. This study presents on site noise level
measurement at 10 locations situated at a distance of 20 km. radius from the Airport
reference Point (ARP). Noise monitoring was carried out at all locations for 24
Hours (Leq) in residential, commercial, Industrial and silence zone location around
the surrounding areas of Navi Mumbai (India) airport during November-February, 2009.
The results show that noise pollution around the airport is wide spread on most
of its areas. Noise in the surrounding areas of airport is composite in nature.
Noise Propagation Model has been used to a assess the noise level at different receptor
locations. The local standards implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) have been used to assess the actual field data and the predicted noise level
has also been compared with standards prescribed by CPCB.
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The Influence of a Newly Synthesized Zn (II) and Cu
(II) Complexes based on Pyrazole Derivatives on the Inhibition of Phomopsis Viticola
Sacc. (Sacc.) under Laboratory Conditions
Jaćimović Željko1*, Latinović Nedeljko2, Bošković Ivana1 and Tomić Zoran4
Chemical inhibition of Phomopsis cane and leaf spot disease
of grapevine (Phomopsis viticola) has an important practical significance, and it
is mainly focused on winter season treatment and beginning of vegatation period
of grapevine. Its purpose is to reduce infectious effects of the fungus and to prevent
primary infections at the beginning of the vegetation process. This research analysed
fungicide activity of the newly synthesized Zn(II) complex with 4-acetyl- 3(5)-amino-5(3)-methylpyrazole(Pz1)
as ligand and Cu(II) complex with 3,5-dimethyl-1-thiocarbox -amidepyrazole(Pz-CS)
as ligand on already mentioned pathogenic fungus that causes Phomopsis cane and
leaf spot disease. Observed results are compared with fungicide product Cabrio Top
(active substance piraclostrobin belongs to pyrazole derivatives).
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Immobilization of Hazardous Cr(VI) in blended cement:
XRD and Leaching Studies
Jain Neeraj
Marble dust from gang saw industries is generated as
wastes in million tonnes and is an environmental hazard due to disposal problems.
The marble dust is a filler material having similar properties like limestone and
takes part in early hydration reactions due to the presence of high amount of calcium
carbonate. In the present study, 40 % of marble dust (CM) blended with Portland
cement (C0) has been utilized to immobilize (solidify) hazardous Cr (VI) (1000-3000
mg/l) and the effect on parameters like setting time, compressive strength and leachability
of Cr (VI) has been investigated as a function of curing time. It is observed that
the initial and final setting times of these cements increase with increase in Cr
(VI) concentration. The effects of Cr (VI) addition on the physical, chemical and
engineering properties of solidified samples (C0 and CM with Cr (VI)) were studied
and the results revealed that the compressive strength reduced with addition of
Cr (VI). The samples of C0 and CM containing Cr (VI) were also tested for leachability
of Cr (VI) in acidic solution (pH=~3) using Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure
(TCLP) tests. The leached Cr (VI) concentration was under the allowable limit (5
mg/l) of U.S. EPA at lower initial concentration. The hydration chemistry of the
solidified samples has been studied by XRD which shows the formation of various
phases like ettringite, Cr-ettringite, tobermorite, monocarboaluminate etc. The
morphology of the hydration products was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM) which also supports the formation of various hydrations phases as observed
during XRD in the solidified cementitious binders.
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Influence of Pt on Structural and Morphologycal Properties
of La2O3 / SnO2Thick Film
Ehsani Maryam1*, Hamidon Mohd Nizar2 and Pah Lim Kean3
In this study, the effect of La2O3/SnO2 surface modification
by Pt synthesized in the structural properties of SnO2 was presented. Samples (2wt.%
La2O3, SnO2, 2 wt.% La2O3, SnO2, 1 wt.% Pt)were prepared using the ball milling
method with m-xylene medium and they were calcined under700 °C. The thick film resistive
paste based on SnO2 was fabricated on alumina substrate using screen printing technique.
In order to prepare the printable thick film paste, the calcined resistive powders
were mixed with organic vehicle and glass frit on alumina substrate with good rheology.
Afterward, thermal treatment (drying and firing) was applied to dry the solvant
from the printed paste and bonding the resistive paste on alumina substrate. The
particle size and crystallinity of samples were characterized using X-Ray Powder
Diffraction (XRD)spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). TEM results
illustrate that the obtained material are nanoparticles in spherical shape and the
size of particles decreases with addition of Pt. The XRD pattern results show that
the prepared samples are the nanopowders with almost spherical crystalline structure.
The thick film surface morphology was investigated by Field Emission Scanning Electron
microscopy (FE-SEM) before and after Pt doping and Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy
(EDX) was used to determine the elemental composition.The results proved the nanometric
size of all particles and it illustrated that the particle size of materials decreased
with the addition of Pt on La2O3/SnO2.
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Solubility of Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Solution of
2-Amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1, 3-propanediol at Elevated Pressures
Murshid Ghulam*, Shariff Azmi Mohd. and Bustam Mohammad Azmi
The removal of acid gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2)
from various industrial streams is a significant step in gas processing industry.
The removal of CO2 by alkanolamines absorption process is the most frequently used
process around the globe. The conventional amines such as DEA and MDEA suffer with
low CO2 loading capacity and high heat of regeneration. Recently, sterically hindered
amines are proposed as potential solvents for acid gas removal due to their unique
cyclic structure, high CO2 loadings and low heat of regeneration. The investigated
solvent in this paper, 2-Amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propoanediol (AHPD) is a sterically
hindered amine. The kinetic studies show that AHPD is a good potential solvent for
CO2 removal from various industrial streams. The knowledge of equilibrium solubility
data of such solvents is important to design acid gas removal system. The objective
is to provide the CO2 solubility data in aqueous solutions of AHPD at high pressures
which can be helpful in designing of high pressure absorption systems. Therefore
the solubility of CO2 in aqueous solutions of AHPD is experimentally measured from
5 to 60 bar at three industrially important temperatures i.e. 303.15, 313.15 and
333.15 K. The effect of pressure is found to be positive on solubility as CO2 loadings
are higher at elevated pressures. The solubility data is also represented using
Kent-Eisenberg model and a good agreement is found between model predicted values
and experimental results.
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Extraction of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Seed Oil
using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Soxhlet Extraction
Nian-Yian Lee1, SitiHamidahMohd-Setapar1*, NurSyahirahMohd Sharif 1, Akil Ahmad1,
Asma Khatoon1, CheYunus Mohd Azizi1 and Muhamad Ida-Idayu2
This study involved the extraction of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)
seed oil using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) and Soxhlet techniques. The
main aim of this study is to compare the extraction method between SC-CO2 and Soxhlet
extraction. The arrays of operating parameters for supercritical carbon dioxide
are temperature and pressure conducted at 40°C, 60°C and 80°C and 20MPa, 25MPa and
30MPa respectively. The extraction was also processed under dynamic condition of
180min and carbon dioxide at constant flow rate of 4mL/min. The parameters studied
for Soxhlet extraction are due to different solvents and extraction time. Observation
was done on the physical characteristics of oil obtained by these two methods where
the oil obtained by SC-CO2 was clean with pleasant smell while the oil produced
by Soxhlet method was near to brownish color with white when extracted with polar
solvents. The experiment results showed that the extraction of rubber seed oil by
SC-CO2 and Soxhlet extraction gave 33.652% g and 7-12% g respectively. In addition,
the extraction time of SC-CO2 is also shorter than Soxhlet extraction that needs
the further process to evaporate solvent. This finding proves that the rubber seed
oil produced by SC-CO2 has superior characteristics and better quality compared
to Soxhlet extraction.
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Synthesis and characterization of Dental Nanocomposite
based on Hydroxyl Apatite/ZnO-MgO by Ultrasonic Method
Khani Arezoo Mohamad1*, Farhadyar Nazanin1,2 and Soltanian Mohamad Jafar1
Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HA), is close to that
of bone and this teeth mineral is commonly used as a dental nanocomposite due to
its biological properties. In this work, Hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals were prepared
via an in situ biomimetic process in the presence of polyviny l pyrrolidone. The
hydroxya- patite, HAP nanoparticles were prepared using CaCl2 and KH2PO4 in the
presence of polyviny l pyrrolidone (PVP). In an aqueous solution. ZnO -MgO were
obtained with particle sizes of 30–50 by the reaction of Zn(CHCOO3)2 and Mg(CHCOO3)2
in the presence of HA-PVP. Characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction
(XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FT-IR). The characterisation results indicate that PVP has been appended to the
nano HAP forming regular crystals of nano sized HAP.
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Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopic characterization
of an oxalato bridged silver-deficient chromium(III) salt with water-filled nanochannels
Gouet Bebga1, Signé M.2, Nenwa J.2* and Fokwa B.P.T.3
The reaction of K3[Cr(C2O4)3].3H2O with AgNO3 in water
afforded the non-stoichiometric nanostructured silver salt, {Ag0.26K0.24[Ag2.5Cr(C2O4)3].3H2O}n
(1) which was characterized by elemental analysis, EDX, IR and UV-VIS spectroscopies
and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (1) crystallizes in a monoclinic
space group C2/c, with unit cell parameters a = 18.2556(5), b = 14.6784(3), c =
12.2823(3) Å, β = 113.527(3)°, V = 3017.78(13) Å3, Z = 8. The Cr(III) centers in
the crystal structure are hexacoordinated by the oxalato-O atoms in a distorted
octahedral geometry. Compound (1) is a new member of the broad family of silver-deficient
oxalatometalate(III) salts with water-filled nanochannels generally formulated as
[(MxAg0.50-x)(H2O)3]@[Ag2.50Cr(C2O4)3], with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.50; M = K, Cs, Ag. The structure
is best described as a non-molecular coordination polymer where the host lattice
is constructed by the three-dimensional interconnectivity of the metallic centers
through the O atoms of the oxalates and waters.
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Characterization of Oil Palm Shell Activated Carbon
and ZSM-5 Supported Cobalt Catalysts
Izirwan I.*, Mohd A. and Saidina Amin N.A.
In this paper we are reporting the preparation and characterization
of supported cobalt catalysts using a wetness impregnation method. Different cobalt
catalysts loading of 0 and 10 wt% were prepared by dissolving cobalt nitrate hexahydrate
in distilled water and dried in an oven at 100 °C overnight. Two selected supports
of oil palm shell (OPS) activated carbon and ZSM-5 zeolite were employed and compared.
Catalysts characterizations of both supports were performed by Thermogravimetric
analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Scanning electron microscope
analysis (SEM). Using Scherrer equation, the cobalt metallic size was calculated.
OPS activated carbon supports were further analyzed for CHNOS elemental analysis.
Both supports of OPS activated carbon and ZSM-5 zeolite exhibited the successful
loading of cobalt catalysts and have potential to be utilized in catalytic reactions.
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A kinetic insight into the oxidation of perfumery
alcohols by inorganic oxidizing agents
Prabhu D.V.*, Tandel M. A., Parbat H. A. and Uchil Meera H.
Literature survey shows that inorganic salts have rarely
been used for the controlled oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl
compounds. The kinetics of oxidation of perfumery alcohols has been studied using
KBrO3 and KIO3 in acidic medium. The primary acyclic alcohols, geraniol, nerol and
citronellol and the secondary cyclic alcohols borneol, isoborneol and menthol are
extensively used in the manufacture of perfumes and fragrances. Menthol is also
used in medicine as local anesthetic and counter irritant. The oxidation was carried
out under pseudo first order kinetic conditions with respect to the inorganic oxidant.
The progress of the reaction was monitored by iodometric estimation of the unreacted
oxidant at regular time intervals and the pseudo first order rate constants were
determined from the straight line plots of log (a-x) versus time. The oxidation
rates increase with the alcohol concentration but decrease with increasing KBrO3/KIO3
concentration. The oxidation rate was found to be independent of ionic strength
as borne out by the reaction mechanism suggested .The oxidation reaction was studied
in the temperature range 303-318K and the thermodynamic activation parameters were
evaluated and correlated with the dynamics of the oxidation process. For both the
oxidants, the oxidation rates of the alcohols under study follow the sequences:
1) Primary acyclic alcohols: nerol > citronellol > geraniol. 2) Secondary cyclic
alcohols: borneol > isoborneol > menthol.
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The role of threshold inhibitors on water scale precipitation
from tap water
Danijela Dobersek* and Darko Goricanec
This paper presents research results on how threshold
inhibitors influence on water-scale precipitation and morphology. The inhibitory
effect was evaluated from observing two experiments in regard to water-scale precipitation.
The first experiment was conducted on heaters from a boiler for hot water and outflow
pipes. The second experiment was carried-out on washing machine heaters. In both
cases, tap water was used that contained Mg2+ and Zn2+ ions. In all the samples
the hard, compact water scale was in the shape of aragonite.
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Modelling of Dilution of Thermal Discharges in Enclosed
Coastal Waters
Balas Lale1, İnan Asu2* and Numanoğlu Genç Aslı3
In enclosed coastal areas, such as estuaries and bays,
where water exchange is limited, the discharges of industrial and power plant facilities
result in change in the temperature of water. This change threats significantly
living organisms in the water. For this reason, the effects of heated discharges
must be investigated prior to discharging, considering its near field and far field
dilutions. The near field and far field dilutions of thermal discharges are simulated
by HYDROTAM-3D which is an unsteady three-dimensional baroclinic hydrodynamic and
transport model that has been developed to simulate the transport processes in coastal
water bodies. It has hydrodynamic, transport, turbulence and wave model components.
The model computes the full spatial distribution of velocities of unsteady flow
induced by wind, tide or water density differences solving full Navier-Stokes equations
with only Boussinesq approximation. The transport model component consists of the
pollutant transport model, the water temperature and salinity transport models and
the suspended matter transport. The numerical model includes thermohaline forcing
due to changes in the sea water density. To consider the large scale turbulence
caused by the horizontal shear, horizontal eddy viscosity is simulated by the Smagorinsky
algebraic subgrid scale turbulence model. The pollutant transport model can simulate
the near and far field dilutions of sea outfalls with a dynamic coupling. Pollutant
may be bacteria or heated water. HYDROTAM-3D is integrated with GIS. In the model,
wind and wave climate analyses of Turkish coast line exist. Turkish coastline and
most of the Turkish Bay bathymetries are provided on GIS mapping. Effect of a thermal
discharge rate of 56000 m3/hour is investigated with its coupled near field and
far field dilution modelling.
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Bioethanol production from oil palm trunk juice by
different strains of yeast and bacteria
Norhazimah* A. H. and Faizal C. K. M.
Oil palm trunk (OPT) juice is one of the abundant agricultural
wastes available as feedstock for bioethanol production. OPT juice is advantageous
due to high levels of soluble sugars available. This paper presents a comparative
study on the effect of using different strains of yeast and bacteria on OPT juice
for bioethanol production. The study was performed using Saccharomyces cerevisiae,
Scheffersomyces stipitis, Zymomonas mobilis and Zymobacter palmae. It was found
that co-culture of S. cerevisiae Kyokai no. 7 and S. stipitis excellently produced
the highest bioethanol up to 30.25 g/l and productivity of 0.252 g/l.h. The results
obtained from the experiment also demonstrated that S. cerevisiae Kyokai no. 7 and
S. cerevisiae JCM 2220 were good strains for producing bioethanol from OPT juice.
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Assessing the inhibitory potential of natural silicon
oil on brass degradation in 1M H2SO4
Fayomi O. S. I.* and Popoola A. P. I.
Assessment of silicon oil as natural inhibitor on brass
in 1 M H2SO4 acid solution has been studied using linear potentiodynamic polarization
and gravimetric method in the inhibited concentration variation between 2% to 10%
range. Tafel extrapolation techniques were used to obtain corrosion potential (Ecorr)
and corrosion current density (Icorr). From all indication, the inhibitor is of
mixed type. The adsorption behavior occurs on the surface of brass due to the presence
of the absorbed complex atom from the oil. The calculated portion of the surface
covered from the corrosion process follows Langmuir adsorption Isotherm.
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The effect of Copper Concentration on Morphology of
Copper - PVP Nanostructured Composites
Sadjadi Mirabdollah Seyed* and Mashayekhi Parivash
Our aim in this work was low temperature preparation
of copper nanoparticles embedded in PVP by wet chemical method. Copper (II) sulfate
was taken as metal precursor, ascorbic acid at the presence of an appropriate amount
of NaOH as reducing agent and polyvinylpyrrolidone k-30 (PVP K-30) as a protecting
agent. The reaction was performed in high-speed stirring rate at room temperature.
Characterization of the samples was carried out by using powder X-ray diffraction
technique (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). The results revealed the crucial role of copper (II) sulfate/surfactant
molar ratio on the morphologies of the copper-PVP nanocomposites and homogeneous
flower like nanostructured copper –PVP composite film mainly composed of face-centered
cubic (fcc) copper with a crystalline size of 9.7 nm was obtained for CuSO4.5H2O
/surfactant molar ratio of 70/1.
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Isolation and structure elucidation of hederagenin
a triterpenoid compound from Gypsophila simonii
Arslan Idris
Hederagenin[(3β)-3,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid],
a triterpenoid compound was isolated from a hydro methanolic extract of the underground
parts of Gypsophila simonii (Caryophyllaceae). Hederagenin was isolated by HPLC
method and molecular mass was determined by the ESI-TOF-MS. The ESI-TOFMS (negative
mode) analysis of hederagenin exhibited a pseudo molecular ion peak [M-H]− at m/z
471.30 which is compatible with the molecular formula C30H48O4.
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