Comparison of Novel Biochars and Steam Activated Carbon from Mixed Conifer Mill Residues

There is increasing demand in environmental remediation and other sectors for specialized sorbents made from renewable materials rather than hard coals and minerals. The proliferation of new pyrolysis technologies to produce bio-based energy, fuels, chemicals, and bioproducts from biomass has left significant gaps in our understanding of how the various carbonaceous materials produced by these systems respond to processes intended to improve their adsorption properties and commercial value. This study used conventional steam activation in an industrial rotary calciner to produce activated carbon (AC) from softwood biochars made by three novel pyrolysis systems. Steam was injected across four heating zones ranging from 816 °C to 927 °C during paired trials conducted at calciner retention times of 45 min and 60 min. The surface area of the three biochars increased from 2.0, 177.3, and 289.1 m2 g−1 to 868.4, 1092.9, and 744.8 m2 g−1, respectively. AC iodine number ranged from 951 to 1218 mg g−1, comparing favorably to commercial AC produced from bituminous coal and coconut shell. The results of this study can be used to operationalize steam activation as a post-processing treatment for biochar and to expand markets for biochar as a precursor in the manufacture of specialized industrial sorbents.

Refining Sexual Assault Treatment: Recovered Survivors and Expert Therapists Concur on Effective Therapy Components

The goal of the present study was to refine sexual assault therapy through the examination of the level of agreement between survivor and therapist assessments of key recovery-promoting therapeutic interventions. This is the first study to explore the level of agreement between those who partake in the treatment process from either position. Semistructured interviews were conducted in this qualitative study with 10 survivors and 10 experienced therapists. The results document considerable concurrence between them regarding relational and trauma processing treatment components alike. Together, these reports outline key effective interventions, both common and specific in nature, concomitantly supported by both groups.

Fabrication of bulk alumina structures with humidity sensing capabilities using direct ink write technique

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate different 3D structures for humidity sensing that will enable the fabrication of complex geometries with high moisture sensitivity. Design/methodology/approach Humidity sensors based on alumina ceramics were fabricated using direct ink write (DIW) technique. Different engineered surface area, polymer binder ratio and post-processing treatment were considered to increase moisture sensitivity. Findings It was found that the binder ratio plays an important role in controlling the rheology of the paste during printing and determining the pore size after post-processing treatment. The sensibility of the fabricated humidity sensor was investigated by measuring its capacitance response toward relative humidity (RH) varying from 40% to 90% RH at 25°C. It is shown that using 3D lattice design, printed alumina humidity sensor could improve sensitivity up to 31.6 pF/RH%, over an order of magnitude higher than solid alumina. Originality/value Most of the alumina humidity sensors available are films in nature because of manufacturing difficulties, which limited its potential of higher sensitivity, and thus broader applications. In this paper, a novel 3D alumina humidity sensor was fabricated using DIW 3D printing technology.

High-Temperature Oxidation of Cr-Coated Resistance Upset Welds Made from E110 Alloy

The resistance upset welds (RUW) made from E110 alloy without and with Cr coatings were oxidized in air atmosphere at 1100 °C for 2, 10 and 30 min. The cross-section microstructure, elemental composition and hardness were studied before and after oxidation using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and indentations in welding region. The RUW welding does not noticeably change oxidation kinetics of E110 alloy. The most crucial effect has surface non-regularities formed after welding, which prevent uniform coating deposition on full surface of welded cladding tube and end plug. Cr coating deposition can strongly reduce oxidation of welded E110 alloy, while additional post-processing treatment should be applied to improve surface morphology after RUW welding. Several suggestions favorable to development of ATF Zr-based claddings using Cr coating deposition on welded nuclear rods were discussed.

Superhydrophobic textile: treatment in aqueous solutions of aluminum salts

Textile is currently a promising material. Obtaining hydrophobic surfaces on textiles significantly increases its value when used in various fields. In this work we carried out experiments on textile processing. Treatment of textile materials in solutions containing aluminum allows to obtain a superhydrophobic surface. KAl(SO4) and AlCl3 solutions were used. It was found that treatment in AlCl3 solution is more effective and allows to achieve a hydrophobic surface on textile with a contact angle of more than 150º. The hydrophobic surface retained its properties even after 30 days. Textile samples were investigated using X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed hydrophobicity in the treatment of textile materials is ensured by the formation of aluminum oxide on the surface. The dependence of the coarse calico contact angle on the AlCl3 solution concentration is determined. which demonstrates that when the concentration of AlCl3 solution increases (within the limits of variation considered), the contact angle also increases.

The impact of high-pressure processing treatment on microbial inactivation of seafood – a review

Seafood is categorized as high perishable food and commonly contaminated by foodborne pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The heat processing treatment is usually applied to improve the quality and safety of seafood products and give detrimental impact to the sensory and nutritional quality. High pressure processing (HPP) has been described as an excellent alternative method to inactivate numerous bacteria and viruses in seafood products, while the organoleptic and nutritional properties could be maintained like a fresh product. HPP has been explored for a wide range of parameters operation, which is specific for each bacteria and viruses. HPP usually runs at the pressure range of 100-600 MPa with the holding time range of 1-60 mins. This review summarized the principle of high-pressure processing treatment and research findings, which emphasized the association between HPP treatment and food-borne pathogen reduction in seafood. The success of HPP treatment to inactivate foodborne pathogens depends on the optimization of parameters operation in order to spread this method to more applicable in seafood industries.

Non-Vacuum Fabrication of Bandgap-Controlled CZTGS Alloy Films Using CZTS+CZGS Mixed Nanoparticle Inks

Semiconductor alloy films of Cu2ZnSn1-xGexS4 (CZTGS) were prepared by deposition and sintering of mixed nanoparticle suspensions composed of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) and Cu2ZnGeS4 (CZGS) nanoparticles with 1-dodecanethiol surfactant. Colloidal CZTS and CZGS nanoparticles were synthesized via the liquid-phase route and used without post-processing treatment. The CZTGS films are crystallized in the form of kesterite structures and form an alloy of CZTS and CZGS without an apparent phase separation. The Sn/Ge ratios in the alloy films were finely controlled by tuning a mixing ratio between CZTS and CZGS nanoparticles. The bandgap energy of the CZTGS film systematically increased from 1.6 to 2.1 eV as the Ge-substitution for Sn in the films proceeded, which indicates the potential of the fabrication method in the manufacture of bandgap-tuned multinary semiconductor thin films.