STUDY ON SLOW-RELEASE CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROCAPSULES WITH EMULSION NON-SOLVENT ADDITION METHOD

An O / W emulsion non-solvent addition method was used to prepare ethyleellulose (EC) microcapsules of water soluble pharmaceutical (theophylline). The solvent and non-solvent reagents used in this work were toluene and cyclohexane. The effects of polymer concentration, core wall ratio and particle size on the kinetics as well as the dissolution rate of the drug were investigated. The results show that the dissolution rate increases with the increasing of polymer concentration and core wall ratio. The release of microcapsules prepared with different procedures can be selectively profiled with first order and Higuchi matrix kinetic models.     

Influence of solution concentration and temperature on the dissolution process and the internal structure of glauberite

Although transport in porous media under the influence of chemistry and temperature is a common phenomenon, the dissolution and internal structure evolution of glauberite during in-situ mining have been unique and challenging. This uniqueness indicates the complexity of mineral dissolutions, whereas the challenge represents the characterization of pore development and evolution during the dissolution processes. To investigate the microstructure development of glauberite under the influence of chemistry and temperature, experimental studies were performed with fine cuboid specimens of 4 mm×4 mm×9 mm soaked in solutions of different concentrations (fresh water, half-saturated, and saturated brine). The evolutions of internal structures were monitored through a micro computed tomography system. The statistical analysis indicated that the concentration and temperature of solutions significantly influenced the evolutions of pore size, porosity, and specific surface area of glauberite. The results showed that the increase in the rates of pore size, porosity, and specific surface area declined with time when glauberite was saturated in fresh water. The main reason for pore parameter variation is the differential concentration of solution. However, in the half-saturated and saturated solutions, the increase in rate increased with time. These observations suggest that the chloride ions contained in the saline solution could facilitate the dissolution of glauberite, whereas the existence of salt effect could contribute to the dissolution of calcium sulfate. Compared with the results at 20℃ and 65℃, the studied parameters of glauberite have dramatically decreased when the mineral was soaked in the solutions at high temperature (95℃). This function was most striking in fresh water. The dissolution of glauberite soaked in fresh water or half-saturated brine solution was conditioned by the temperature and solution concentration. However, the dissolution of glauberite was less influenced by temperature at high concentrations. These findings may feature significant implication for the effective recovery of mineral resources by in-situ solution mining method.     

Effect of hydrogen on the stress corrosion cracking behavior of X80 pipeline steel in Ku'erle soil simulated solution

Hydrogen was a key factor resulting in stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of X80 pipeline steel in Ku'erle soil simulated solution. In this article, the effect of hydrogen on the SCC susceptibility of X80 steel was investigated further by slow strain rate tensile test, the surface fractures were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the fracture mechanism of SCC was discussed. The results indicate that hydrogen increases the SCC susceptibility. The SEM micrographs of hydrogen precharged samples presents a brittle quasi-cleavage feature, and pits facilitate the transgranular crack initiation. In the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement, the decreased polarization resistance and the pitting resistance of samples with hydrogen indicate that hydrogen increases the dissolution rate and deteriorates the pitting corrosion resistance. The potentiodynamic polarization curves present that hydrogen also accelerates the dissolution rate of the crack tip.     

Oxidation Behavior of Micro-Crystalline Coatings of 310S Stainless Steel

Micro-crystalline coatings of 310S stainless steels were produced by unbalanced magnetron sputter deposition. Isothermal oxidation behavior of the coated and uncoated specimens has been studied using a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) station. The oxidation time was 50h and the temperature was 1 000℃. The oxidation rates of the coated specimens was found to be much lower than the uncoated specimens after 50 h of oxidation. The oxidation kinetic curves of the coated specimens consisted of three stages: approximately parabolic at the first stage, speeding up at the second stage, and slow down at the third stage. The increase of the oxidation rate at the second stage nasattributed to the fast diffuison of Fe though the fine grained Cr₂O₃ layer formed on the micro-crystalline coatings.The top view and cross-section microstructures of the oxides formed on the coated and the uncoated specimens were studied with SEM and EDS. It was observed that the nucleation of oxide on the coated specimens was much enhanced at the initial oxidation stage. This was explained as the result of reduction in the critical free energy change and increase in the supply of chromium ions.     

Preparing Ca-P coating on biodegradable magnesium alloy by hydrothermal method: In vitro degradation behavior

Magnesium alloys are potentially attractive biodegradable materials.However,their rapid corrosion rate limits their biomedical application.To slow down the rate of biodegradation,a protective calcium-phosphate coating was formed on a magnesium alloy substrate by a hydrothermal method.Scanning electron microscope results showed that the coating consisted of two layers with different crystalline characteristics.The loose outer layer showed a prism-like crystal structure,while the compact inner layer is a dense ultra-fine regular di-pyramid-like structure with an average grain dimension of ～200 nm.The compositions of the inner layer and outer layer were calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (Ca-def HA) and dicalcium phosphate (DCPa),respectively.The coating adhered well to the substrate with a thickness of about 15 m.Immersion in Hank’s solution indicated that the coating could significantly improve the degradation properties of magnesium alloy.The pH of the solution containing the coated samples increased much more slowly than the untreated control.After 8 d immersion,the uncoated sample had corroded seriously while the coated sample was much less corroded.The Ca/P atom ratio in both the layers of the coating increased and the coating was still protecting the substrate.The two layers of the coating corroded differently because of differences in solubility.The outer layer was more severely attacked and many holes were formed on the surface,the inner layer suffered less attack.In addition,a growth of precipitate on the inner layer was observed,indicating that surface bioactivity was improved by the coating.Thus,magnesium alloys coated with a Ca-P coating prepared by a hydrothermal method are promising candidate biodegradable biomaterials,and further investigation of in vivo degradation behavior is suggested.     

Effect of Starch Sources on the Release Rates of Herbicides Encapsulated

The effects of starch sources on the behaviors of starch matrices and on the rates of herbicides released from the matrices were studied for slow release. The starches considered include native corn starch, wheat starch, potato starch and cassava starch. The matrices were prepared through encapsulating 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic or 2,4,5 trichlorophenoxyacetic acids as model herbicides with hot-gelatinized starch pastes. The encapsulation was evaluated in terms of herbicide content, swellability, encapsulation efficiency, and release rate. The results show that starch sources play an important role on the matrix behaviors and on release rates. The rate of 2,4-D released follows the order： wheat starch 〈 potaot starch 〈 corn starch 〈 cassava starch. And for the rate of 2,4,5-T, this order is nearly the same only with an exception that the late two kinds of starch are similar. It is also demonstrated that herbicides with different water solubility show different release rates, no matter what type of starch is used as the matrices.     

Kinetics of bainite-to-austenite transformation during continuous reheating in low carbon microalloyed steel

A dilatometer was used to study the kinetics of bainite-to-austenite transformation in low carbon microalloyed steel with the initial microstructure of bainite during the continuous reheating process. The bainite-to-austenite transformation was observed to take place in two steps at low heating rate. The first step is the dissolution of bainite, and the second one is the remaining bainite-to-austenite transformation controlled by a dissolution process. The calculation result of the kinetics of austenite formation shows that the two steps occur by diffusion at low heating rate. However, at high heating rate the bainite-to-austenite transformation occurs in a single step, and the process is mainly dominated by shear. The growth rate of austenite reaches the maximum at about 835℃ at different heating rates and the growth rate of austenite as a function of temperature increases with the increase in heating rate.     

Biodesulfurization of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite concentrates and pH control of bioleaching solution

Vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite concentrates were desulfurized with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans). The sulfur content of the concentrates was reduced from 0.69wt% to 0.14wt% after bioleaching for 15 d with a 10% pulp density at 30℃. Maintaining a stable pH value during biodesulfurization was critical because of high acid consumption, resulting from a combination of nonoxidative and oxidative dissolution of pyrrhotite in acid solution. It is discovered that the citric acid-disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer of pH 2.0 can control the solution pH value smoothly in the optimal range of 2.0–3.0 for A. ferrooxidans growth. Using the buffer in the volume fraction range of 5.0%–15.0% stimulates A. ferrooxidans growth and improves the biodesulfurization efficiency. Compared with the buffer-free control case, the maximum increase of biodesulfurization rate is 29.7% using a 10.0vol% buffer. Bioleaching provides an alternative process for desulfurization of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite ores.     

Starch Modification for Slow Release of Herbicide Encapsulated with Concentrated Starch Paste

An attempt on starch modification has been made to increase the paste concentration of potato starch for reducing the energy consumption required for the encapsulation of herbicide within starch matrix by encapsulating 2,4-D as model herbicide. The matrix behaviors were evaluated in terms of the herbicide content,capability of swelling in water,encapsulation efficiency,and the rate of herbicide released from the matrix. To increase paste concentration of starch for decreasing the energy consumption in dry process,potato starch was acidified before the encapsulation. However,the matrix prepared in such a way showed that it weakened the control to the herbicide encapsulated,which increased the rate of herbicide released from the matrix. By introducing covalent bonds among starch molecules,the problem with the control and release rate can be completely solved. Moreover,the effects of formaldehyde amount,medium pH,herbicide content,and particle size on the matrix behaviors and release rate were also investigated. The newly developed matrix shows low capability of swelling and slow release,and reduces water evaporation in dry process by about 40% during matrix preparation.     

Solution Properties of Soy Protein in DMSO/Urea Solvent System

Solution properties of 7S globulins （7S）, 11S globulins （11S） and soy protein isolates （SPI） in dimethylsulfoxide （DMSO）/urea solvent system were studied by intrinsic viscosity and particle size distributions. The results showed that the existence of urea was the main reason for the denaturation and solubility of soy protein in the system, and the effects were more obvious with increasing of urea concentration in solutions. Suitably dissolution temperature and time contributed to the solubility of soy proteins.     

Effect of initial microstructure on austenite formation kinetics in high-strength experimental microalloyed steels

Austenite formation kinetics in two high-strength experimental microalloyed steels with different initial microstructures compris-ing bainite–martensite and ferrite–martensite/austenite microconstituents was studied during continuous heating by dilatometric analysis. Austenite formation occurred in two steps:(1) carbide dissolution and precipitation and (2) transformation of residual ferrite to austenite. Di-latometric analysis was used to determine the critical temperatures of austenite formation and continuous heating transformation diagrams for heating rates ranging from 0.03°C×s?1 to 0.67°C×s?1. The austenite volume fraction was fitted using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov equation to determine the kinetic parameters k and n as functions of the heating rate. Both n and k parameters increased with increasing heat-ing rate, which suggests an increase in the nucleation and growth rates of austenite. The activation energy of austenite formation was deter-mined by the Kissinger method. Two activation energies were associated with each of the two austenite formation steps. In the first step, the austenite growth rate was controlled by carbon diffusion from carbide dissolution and precipitation;in the second step, it was controlled by the dissolution of residual ferrite to austenite.     

Kinetic study of austenite formation during continuous heating of unalloyed ductile iron

The austenite formation kinetics in unalloyed cast ductile iron was studied on the basis of dilatometry measurements, and Avrami's equation was used to estimate the material's kinetic parameters. A continuous heating transformation diagram was constructed using heating rates in the range of 0.06 to 0.83℃·s-1. As the heating rate was augmented, the critical temperatures, A_c1 and A_α, as well as the intercritical range, which was evaluated as the difference between the critical temperatures, ΔT=A_α - A_c1, increased. At a low heating rate, the kinetics of austenite formation was slow as a consequence of the iron's silicon content. The effect of heating rate on k and n, the kinetic parameters of Avrami's equation, was also determined. Parameter n, which is associated with nucleation sites and growth geometry, decreased with an increase in heating rate. In addition, parameter k increased with the increase of heating rate, suggesting that the nucleation and growth rates are carbon- and silicon-diffusion controlled during austenite formation under continuous heating.     

Influence of Dispersion of Nano-Zn0 Particles in Polymer Matrices on Properties of Relevant Nano Composite Fibers

The surface-passivated and non-surface-passivated zinc oxide nano-particles （marked as s-nanoZnO and ns-nanoZnO respectively） were evenly dispersed in polymer solutions with the aid of ultrasonic vibration to prepare nanocomposite film by free casting and to prepare nanocomposite fibers by wet spinning and to prepare nancomposites coating by surface smearing. The dispersion of s-nanoZnO and nsnanoZnO in PAN matrix were observed by transmittance electron microscopy, the mechanical properties of the relevant compesite samples were studied by INSRTON tensile strength tester. It was found that s-nanoZnO behaves a well-dispersed morphology in PAN films and fibers when its concentration was 2 wt% but ns-nanoZnO nano particles agglomerate into larger congeries in PAN films. It means that the surface-passivated process oft zinc oxide nano. particles was effective to disperse. The relative intensity and elonsation at break of s-nanoZnO-PAN composite fibers show maximum values with the increase of nano particle content in compesites （from 0 wt% to 2 wt% of s- nanoZnO）. The elasticity of the composite fibers increases whereas their modulus declines. Balanced the changes of the properties mentioned above, 2 wt% s-nanoZnO in PAN matrix is a proper content for the composite fibers spun by wet spinning. The result of surface smearing test means that the reactim between s-nanoZnO and polymer can be indicated by the color of nanocomposite surface coat on fibers.     

无烟煤还原硫化焙烧高硅低铁低品位锡中矿回收锡

A new method for separating and recovering tin from a low-grade tin middling with high Si content and low Fe content by roasting with anthracite coal was researched by studying the reaction mechanism and performing an industrial test, in which the Sn was sulfurized into SnS(g) and then collected using a dust collector. The Fe–Sn alloy may be formed at roasting temperatures above 950°C, and like the roasting temperature increases, the Sn content and Sn activity in this Fe–Sn alloy decrease. Also, more FeS can be formed at higher temperatures and then the formation of FeO–FeS with a low melting point is promoted, which results in more serious sintering of this low-grade tin middling. And from the thermodynamics and kinetics points of view, the volatilization of the Sn decreases at extremely high roasting temperatures. The results of the industrial test carried out in a coal-fired rotary kiln show that the Sn volatilization rate reaches 89.7% and the Sn is concentrated in the collected dust at a high level, indicating that the Sn can be effectively extracted and recovered from the low-grade tin middling with a high Si content and low Fe content through a reduction–sulfurization roasting process.     

Characteristics of strontium isotopes and their implications in the Qixing Cave of Guizhou,China

The strontium isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sr) of samples including soils, bedrock, soil waters, drip waters and their corresponding speleothems in the Qixing Cave (QXC), Guizhou Province, China, were systemically measured and analyzed. The results indicate that there are significant Sr isotopic differences among samples. The mean 87Sr/86Sr ratios in drip water for the samples 1#, 4# and 9# were 0.709568, 0.709139 and 0.708761, respectively, which possibly result from different flow paths, residence times, and other hydrogeological processes in the unsaturated zone overlying QXC. Meanwhile, levels of 40.8%, 57.6% and 72.4% of Sr in drip waters for 1#, 4# and 9#, respectively, were derived from bedrock dissolution, which was calculated by the mixture model of the two end-members (soil and bedrock). There is, however, no positive correlation between the relative proportion from bedrock dissolution (δ13C value is 1.8‰) and drip water δ13CDIC values. The mean drip water δ13CDIC value in 1# is the heaviest (–4.5‰) with the lowest contribution rate of bedrock dissolution, whereas the value in 9# is the lightest (–9.3‰) with the highest contribution rate of bedrock dissolution. The proportion from host rock dissolution in 4# is higher than that in 1# and lower than that in 9#, while its mean drip water δ13CDIC value (–8.6‰) is higher than that of 9# and lower than that for 1#. This suggests that the prior calcite precipitation (PCP) processes in the unsaturated zone overlying the cave are responsible for the δ13CDIC value differences between different drip waters, and not bedrock dissolution. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates that the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of speleothems in the 1# and 4# mainly reflect the variation in the relative proportions from the soil system (soil water) and bedrock dissolution overlying the cave. It is, therefore, feasible to use the strontium isotopic signals of speleothems as an indicator for soil chemical weathering intensity, and consequently as a monsoon proxy in the study area.     

Relation between mineral composition of human hair and common illnesses

The aim of the present study was to find the relation between mineral composition of human hair and illnesses such as infections of the respiratory system,asthma,vertigo,migraine,nervousness,hair loss,dandruff,brittle fingernails and white spots on fingernails.The mineral content of human hair was determined by multielemental analysis using ICP-OES and ICP-MS.Information about the health condition of the examined subjects was obtained by questionnaire.It was found that the hair of individuals who currently suffered from infections of the respiratory system or who had asthma had higher Zr content,the hair of sufferers of vertigo had a lower Ca,La and Sr content and in the hair of migraine sufferers the W content was higher than in the hair of healthy subjects.The level of K in the hair of nervous people was three times higher than in hair of people who never suffered from nervousness.Individuals who complained of hair loss had an increased level of Cu in the hair.For individuals with dandruff,brittle fingernails and white spots on fingernails,the content of Ca and La in the hair was higher than in the hair of individuals who did not suffer from any of these conditions.The results of this study indicate that the metal content in hair could be used in the diagnosis of some common illnesses.     

Nonlinear dissolution reaction of chalcopyrite

The dissolution experiments of chalcopyrite in 2 mol/L NaCI solutions at 70℃ show that the dissolution rate of chalcopyrite oscillates non-periodically with reaction time while in acid solutions (pH = 1.45-2.45) and far from Cu saturation concentration, and Cu concentration oscillates chaotically in solution of weak to intermediate acidity (pH = 3.66-7.0). In nonequilibrium and open systems, the nonlinear coupling between the dissolution of chalcopyrite and formation of cuprous chloride complexes and precipitation of hemitite caused by CI- , H+ and O2 is the internal mechanism of oscillatory changes of dissolution rate, and the nonlinear coupling between the dissolution of chalcopyrite and precipitation of atacamite induced by CI- and H+ has caused the chaotic oscillation of Cu concentration. There are consistence and difference between reaction rate oscillation and Cu concentration oscillation. However, both of them suggest that the dissolution of chalcopyrite in NaCI solution is a nonlinear reaction process.     

Screening and denitrification characteristics of a slight halophilic heterotrophic nitrobacteria

A slight halophilic heterotrophic nitrobacteria named gs1 was separated from the matured activated sludge. According to the morphological observation,physiological biochemical tests and sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA,strain gs1 was identified to be as Pseudomonas sp. Sodium acetate and ammonium chloride were used as carbon and nitrogen sources,respectively,to investi-gate the characteristics of the bacterium. When cultured for 24 h under aerobic conditions,with the removal rates of the NH4+-N and COD being 82.2% and 74.73%,respectively,strain gs1 will have a nitrification function of producing NO2--N. When cultured for 24 h under aerobic conditions in nitrite medium,the removal rate of the NO2--N became 100%,and when cultured for 24 h under aerobic conditions in nitrate medium,the removal rate of the NO3--N became 97%. The result shows that this strain functions for either nitrification or denitrification,i.e.,it can complete the full process of biological deoxidation.     

Simulation study on factors influencing the entrainment behavior of liquid steel as bubbles pass through the steel/slag interface

In this study, a water/silicone oil interface was used to simulate the steel/slag interface in a converter. A high-speed camera was used to record the entrainment process of droplets when air bubbles were passed through the water/silicone oil interface. Motion parameters of the bubbles and droplets were obtained using particle kinematic analysis software, and the entrainment rate of the droplets was calculated. It was found that the entrainment rate decreased from 29.5% to 0 when the viscosity of the silicone oil was increased from 60 mPa·s to 820 mPa·s in the case of bubbles with a 5 mm equivalent diameter passing through the water/silicone oil interface. The results indicate that increasing the viscosity of the silicone oil is conducive to reducing the entrainment rate. The entrainment rate increased from 0 to 136.3% in the case of silicone oil with a viscosity of 60 mPa·s when the equivalent diameter of the bubbles was increased from 3 mm to 7 mm. We therefore conclude that small bubbles are also conductive to reducing the entrainment rate. The force analysis results for the water column indicate that the entrainment rate of droplets is affected by the velocity of the bubble passing through the water/silicone oil interface and that the entrainment rate decreases with the bubble velocity.     

Effect of magnesia on the compressive strength of pellets

The compressive strength of MgO-fluxed pellets was investigated before and after they were reduced. The porosity and pore size of green pellets, product pellets, and reduced pellets were analyzed to clarify how MgO affects the strength of the pellets. Experimental results show that when the MgO-bearing flux content in the pellets increases from 0.0wt% to 2.0wt%, the compressive strength of the pellets at ambient temperature decreases, but the compressive strength of the pellets after reduction increases. Therefore, the compressive strength of the pellets after reduction exhibits no certain positive correlation with that before reduction. The porosity and pore size of all the pellets (with different MgO contents) increase when the pellets are reduced. However, the increase in porosity of the MgO-fluxed pellets is relatively smaller than that of the traditional non-MgO-fluxed pellets, and the pore size range of the MgO-fluxed pellets is relatively narrower. The reduction swelling index (RSI) is a key factor for governing the compressive strength of the reduced pellets. An approximately reversed linear relation can be concluded that the lower the RSI, the greater the compressive strength of the reduced pellets is.