Optimisation of a Side Inlet for H2 Entry into an Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis Device

An ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) device consists of an evaporation and two reaction zones of equal length, into which an aerosol with a precursor compound enters, and where nanoparticles are formed in the final stage. As part of this research, we simulated the geometry of a side inlet, where the reaction gas (H2) enters into the reaction tube of the device by using numerical methods. Mixing with the carrier gas (N2) occurs at the entry of the H2. In the initial part, we performed a theoretical calculation with a numerical simulation using ANSYS CFX, while the geometries of the basic and studied models were prepared with Solidworks. The inlet geometry of the H2 included a study of the position and radius of the inlet with respect to the reaction tube of the USP device, as well as a study of the angle and diameter of the inlet. In the simulation, we chose the typical flows of both gases (N2, H2) in the range of 5 L/min to 15 L/min. The results show that the best geometry is with the H2 side inlet at the bottom, which the existing USP device does not allow for. Subsequently, temperature was included in the numerical simulation of the basic geometry with selected gas flows; 150 °C was considered in the evaporation zone and 400 °C was considered in the other two zones—as is the case for Au nanoparticle synthesis. In the final part, we performed an experiment on a USP device by selecting for the input parameters those that, theoretically, were the most appropriate—a constant flow of H2 5 L/min and three different N2 flows (5 L/min, 10 L/min, and 15 L/min). The results of this study show that numerical simulations are a suitable tool for studying the H2 flow in a UPS device, as the obtained results are comparable to the results of experimental tests that showed that an increased flow of N2 can prevent the backflow of H2 effectively, and that a redesign of the inlet geometry is needed to ensure proper mixing. Thus, numerical simulations using the ANSYS CFX package can be used to evaluate the optimal geometry for an H2 side inlet properly, so as to reconstruct the current and improve future USP devices.

Massive droplets generation for digital PCR via a smart step emulsification chip integrated in a reaction tube

Step emulsification (SE) devices coupled with parallel generation nozzles is widely used in the production of large-scale monodisperse droplets, especially for droplet based digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) analysis. Although...

CaCO3 Nanopowder Production by Co-Precipitation of Aerosols of Precursor Solutions of Na2CO3 and CaCl2

Submicron-sized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles were prepared using an aerosol method in which two commercial air humidifiers containing 0.05 M of Na2CO3 and CaCl2 aqueous solutions were utilized as aerosol suppliers. Two streams of aerosols evaporated from the separate humidifiers were allowed to meet in 17-meter long, spiral reaction tube where collisions between two types of droplets containing precursor reagents leaded to grow of CaCO3 particles and precipitate onto the inner walls. XRD and SEM analysis revealed that CaCO3 particles were formed in calcite phase almost entirely.

False Rifampicin Resistance in Xpert Ultra Applied to Lymph Node Aspirate: A Case Report

A 36-year-old male patient was diagnosed with tuberculosis in Antwerp, Belgium, in May 2018. His lymph node aspirate initially tested rifampicin resistant in Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, but tested susceptible in all other tests including targeted deep sequencing due to a rare matrix effect in the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra reaction tube.

Versatile Tool for Droplet Generation in Standard Reaction Tubes by Centrifugal Step Emulsification

We present a versatile tool for the generation of monodisperse water-in-fluorinated-oil droplets in standard reaction tubes by centrifugal step emulsification. The microfluidic cartridge is designed as an insert into a standard 2 mL reaction tube and can be processed in standard laboratory centrifuges. It allows for droplet generation and subsequent transfer for any downstream analysis or further use, does not need any specialized device, and manufacturing is simple because it consists of two parts only: A structured substrate and a sealing foil. The design of the structured substrate is compatible to injection molding to allow manufacturing at large scale. Droplets are generated in fluorinated oil and collected in the reaction tube for subsequent analysis. For sample sizes up to 100 µL with a viscosity range of 1 mPa·s–4 mPa·s, we demonstrate stable droplet generation and transfer of more than 6 × 105 monodisperse droplets (droplet diameter 66 µm ± 3 µm, CV ≤ 4%) in less than 10 min. With two application examples, a digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and digital droplet loop mediated isothermal amplification (ddLAMP), we demonstrate the compatibility of the droplet production for two main amplification techniques. Both applications show a high degree of linearity (ddPCR: R2 ≥ 0.994; ddLAMP: R2 ≥ 0.998), which demonstrates that the cartridge and the droplet generation method do not compromise assay performance.

Penentuan Kadar Glukosa Urine di Laboratorium Rumah Sakit Sari Mutiara Medan

The purpose of this study was to determine urine glucose level in patients who came to the Sari Mutiara General Hospital in Medan. Research method with qualitative and quantitative test, qualitative analysis of urine glucose by inserting urine sample 5 - 8 drops into reaction tube that already contains 5ml of benedict solution, then burned on fire and observe the color change that occurs, quantitative analysis of urine glucose by adding sodium carbonate and 2 rounds of boiling stone into a reaction tube containing 5 ml of benedict solution, burned over a flame, then drop urine using a 1 ml pipette, while dripping urine, the liquid should not stop boiling, the titration ends when the blue is not look again.The results of qualitative and quantitative analysis were obtained from 25 test samples, 15 positive urine glucose patients, and 10 negative urine glucose patients.

The size variation of rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis cultivated with different feed at 40 ppt salinity

Title (Bahasa Indonesia): Variasi ukuran rotifer Brachionus rotundiformisyang diberi pakan berbeda pada salinitas 40 ppt RotiferBrachionus rotundiformisis a group of zooplankton which is used by fish larvae for feeding to initiate their growth. This zooplankton is widely favored by marine fauna larvae because of its small size can fits well with various larval mouth; thus, it is easily preyed by larvae. This study aimed to determine the variation of rotifer B. rotundiformismorphometry if cultured with different feed at 40 ppt. The use of 40 ppt salinity is expected to provide a variable morphometric size because B. rotundiformishas a polymorphism property. Microalgae used as feed for rotifer B. rotundiformiswere Prochloronsp. and Nanochloropsis oculata. Microalgae were cultured with Hirata medium. In the early stages, B. rotundiformiswas cultured at optimum temperature (28 ºC) and salinity 20 ppt, then it was cultured at salinity 40 ppt. Salinity adaptation was done by raising the salinity of the medium by 2 ppt every two days in a 10 ml reaction tube containing 10 individuals. After adaptation, B. rotundiformiswas transferred in a 1000 ml container with a density of 50 individuals. For the morphometric aspect, the total length, the length of the lorica, the width of the lorica and the anterior width were measured. The result showed the morphometric of rotiferB. rotundiformisfed with microalgae Prochloronsp. at 40 ppt salinity was smaller than that of the rotifer fed with N. oculata. Based on that finding it can be concluded that B. rotundiformis fed with Prochloronsp. at a salinity of 40 ppt has the potential to be developed as feed for fish larvae. Further investigations on how to accelerate the cultivation of microalgae Prochloronsp. as feeding for B. rotundiformisare needed.RotiferBrachionus rotundiformismerupakan golongan zooplankton yang digunakan sebagai makanan bagi larva ikan. Zooplankton ini banyak disukai oleh larva fauna laut, karena ukurannya kecil yang cocok dengan berbagai bukaan mulut larva. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui variasi morfometri rotifer B. rotundiformis, jika dikultur pada salinitas yang tinggi (40 ppt) dengan pemberian pakan berbeda. Penggunaan salinitas 40 ppt diharapkan bisa memberikan ukuran morfometrik yang bervariasi, karena rotifer jenis ini memiliki sifat polimorfisme. Alga mikro yang digunakan sebagai pakan adalah Prochloronsp. Dan Nanochloropsis oculata.Alga mikro tersebut dikultur dalam media Hirata. Pada tahap awal, B. rotundiformisdikultur pada suhu optimum (28 ºC) dengan salinitas 20 ppt; kemudian, dikultur pada salinitas 40 ppt. Adaptasi salinitas dilakukan dengan menaikkan salinitas medium sebanyak 2 ppt setiap dua hari dalam tabung reaksi berukuran 10 ml, yang berisi 10 individu. Setelah diadaptasikan, rotifer dipindahkan ke wadah berukuran 1000 ml dengan kepadatan sebanyak 50 individu dan dikultur pada salinitas 40 ppt. Aspek morfometri berupa panjang total, panjang lorica, lebar lorica, dan lebar anterior diukur. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, bahwa panjang total rotifer B. rotundiformis, yang diberi pakan Prochloronsp. berukuran lebih kecil dibandingkan dengan rotifer yang diberi pakan N. oculata. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan, bahwa B. rotundiformisyang diberi pakan Prochloronsp. pada salinitas 40 ppt memiliki potensi untuk dikembangkan sebagai bahan pakan bagi larva ikan. Penelitian lebih lanjut tentang cara mempercepat budidaya microalgae Prochloronsp. sebagai makan untuk B. rotundiformis diperlukan.

DESULFURISASI DAN PENYERAPAN MERKURI SECARA SIMULTAN DARI BATUBARA PERINGKAT RENDAH (ACEH BARAT) UNTUK APLIKASI POWER PLANT DENGAN ADSORBEN ZEOLIT

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengurangi emisi gas SO2 dan logam Hg dengan menggunakan adsorben zeolit. Pengujian ini fokus mengevaluasi rasio optimal adsorben terhadap jumlah batubara dan performa penyerapan serta tidak mengurangi nilai bakar batubara. Ekspremintal awal dimulai dari pencampuran batubara dan zeolit dengan rasio 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% dan 12% yang dibagi dalam bentuk briket dan pulverized. Kedua jenis sampel dibakar secara berurutan pada electrical stainless steel reaction tube furnace pada temperatur pembakaran Fluidized Bed Combustion yaitu 600oC , 700oC dan 800oC dengan laju alir udara disesuaikan. Flue gas hasil pembakaran dianalisa menggunakan Gas Combustion and Emission Analyzer (E4400, E-Instrument). Logam Hg yang diserap oleh zeolit pada bottom ash dianalisa menggunakan NIC Mercury SP Anlayzer. Hasil pengujian menunjukan kinerja zeolit terhadap kapasitas penyerapan logam Hg untuk pembakaran batubara pulverized pada temperatur pembakaran 600oC, 700oC dan 800oC masing-masing didapat pada angka 33,6, 19,25 dan 9,97 ppb/gr serta pada pembakaran briket batubara masing-masing sebesar 59,83, 37,8 dan 24,22 ppb/gr. Secara simultan untuk mengurangi emisi SO2 dan logam berat Hg pada fly ash untuk temperatur pembakaran Fluidized Bed Combustion rasio optimum berkisar antara 6%-8% adsoben zeolit dari jumlah massa Batubara Kaway XVI Kabupaten Aceh Barat.

IDENTIFIKASI BAKTERI Staphylococcus aureus PADA PREPUTIUM DAN VAGINA KUDA (Equus caballus) (Identification of Staphylococcus aureus in Preputium and Vagina of Horses (Equus caballus))

This research aims to identify the Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria from preputium and vagina of horses. Five swabs preputium and 5 swabs vagina samples from 3-9 years olds horse in the village of Bebangka, Gelelungi, Reloop, and Kelapeng, Pegasing Aceh Tengah District were used in this study. Preputium and vagina swabs of horses were dipped into reaction tube containing Nutrient Broth (NB). Staphylococcus aureus was identified on manitol salt agar (MSA). Separated colony colored bright yellow on the media were tested for Gram staining, hemolysis, catalase, and sugar test (glucose and manitol). The result showed that the isolates growth on MSA were colored bright yellow, Gram positive, β hemolisis, and catalase positive. The isolates fermented manitol and glucose. Isolates identified from horses preputium and vagina showed the characteristic of S. aureus. In conclusion S. aureus bacteria were positively identified from all of swabs samples, both in preputium and vagina of horses.Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, horse, preputium, vagina