Polymer Binder BioCo3 with Silicates and its Application to Microwave-Cured Moulding Sand

The effects of silica additive (Poraver) on selected properties of BioCo3 binder in form of an aqueous poly(sodium acrylate) and dextrin (PAANa/D) binder were determined. Based on the results of the thermoanalytical studies (TG-DTG, FTIR, Py-GC/MS), it was found that the silica additive results in the increase of the thermostability of the BioCo3 binder and its contribution does not affect the increase in the level of emissions of organic destruction products. Compounds from group of aromatic hydrocarbons are only generated in the third set temperature range (420-838°C). The addition of silicate into the moulding sand with BioCo3 causes also the formation of a hydrogen bonds network with its share in the microwave radiation field and they are mainly responsible for maintaining the cross-linked structures in the mineral matrix system. As a consequence, the microwave curing process in the presence of Poraver leads to improved strength properties of the moulding sand (Rum). The addition of Poraver's silica to moulding sand did not alter the permeability of the moulding sand samples, and consequently reduced their friability. Microstructure investigations (SEM) of microwave-cured samples have confirmed that heterogeneous sand grains are bonded to one another through a binder film (bridges).

Treatability of Phenol by Supercritical Water Oxidation

This study focused on the treatment of phenol wastewater by supercritical water oxidation(SCWO). Tests were conducted by using a continuous-flow reactor system. Based on COD, organic destruction efficiencies of phenol wastewater were obtained at supercritical water conditions. Temperatures and pressures, respectively, ranged from 400-500°C,and 25-40Mpa. The reaction times varied from 30 to 190 seconds, and hydrogen peroxide was used as oxidant. Under SCWO conditions, destruction efficiencies greater than 99% were achieved.

Preliminary studies using hybrid mediated electrochemical oxidation (HMEO) for the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

This study investigates the hybrid mediated electrochemical oxidation (HMEO) technology, which is a newly developed non thermal electrochemical oxidation process for organic destruction. A combination of ozone and ultrasonication processes to the mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) process is termed as hybrid mediated electrochemical oxidation. The electrochemical cell was developed in this laboratory. In the present study, several organic compounds, such as phenol, benzoquinone and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were chosen as the model organic pollutants to be destructed by the hybrid process. The organic destruction was monitored based on the CO2 generation and total organic carbon (TOC) reduction. The HMEO process was found to be extremely effective in the destruction of all the target organics chosen in this study. The information obtained from this study will provide an insight in adopting this technique for dealing with more recalcitrant organics (POPs).

Diagnosis value of some acute-phase proteins in purulent-inflammatory diseases of uterine appendages

We investigated concentrations of acute-phase proteins a-2-macroglobulin (MG) and lactoferrin (LF) in blood serum of 78 women with various types of uterine appendages inflammatory processes. Coefficient MG/LF was used as an additional diagnostic criterum of purulent-necrotic destruction of organs and tissues and allowed us to choose proper treatment options. MG values were assessed by method of rocket immune electroforesis using monospecific antiserum to the given protein, LF level was assessed by enzyme linked immunoassay based method (ELISA). Standard was performed when coefficient MG/LF was greater than 1, and if value of coefficient MG/LF was less than 1, we performed surgical treatment. Using coefficient MG/LF as a diagnostic criterion of existence of organic destruction in uterine appendages allowed us to optimize the selection of treatment program.

Destruction of Organic Compounds in Water Using Supported Photocatalysts

Photocatalytic destruction of organic compounds in water is investigated using tanning lamps and fixed-bed photoreactors. Platinized titanium dioxide (Pt-TiO2) supported on silica gel is used as a photocatalyst. Complete mineralization of influent concentrations of 4.98 mg/L tetrachloroethylene and 2.35 mg/L p-dichlorobenzene requires a reactor residence time less than 1.3 minutes. While for influent concentrations of 3.58 mg/L 2-chlorobiphenyl, 2.50 mg/L methyl ethyl ketone and 0.49 mg/L carbon tetrachloride, complete mineralization requires reactor residence times of 1.6, 10.5, and 16.8, minutes, respectively. A reactor model is developed using Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics and the model parameters are determined using a reference compound, trichloroethylene. Based on the results of experiments with trichloroethylene, the model predicts the mineralization of the aforementioned compounds from ultraviolet (UV) irradiance, influent concentration, hydroxyl radical rate constants, and the known physical properties of the compounds. The model is also able to predict organic destruction using solar insolation (which has a different spectral distribution from the tanning lamps) based on the UV absorption characteristics of titanium dioxide.