Traditional Gypsum Pavements with Natural Aditives

In traditional architecture, the construction systems used have always been linked to the material resources of the environment. In the areas of extraction of gypsum in the Iberian Peninsula, the use of this material as a conglomerant was not limited to the interior lining of vertical and/or horizontal walls or to interior decorations, as is the case today, but proved to be a very versatile material, which could be used both in structural elements and in finishing elements and decorations. This study shows the preliminary results of an ongoing research on the recovery of traditional gypsum pavements, where three types of traditional gypsum plasters with natural products such as collagen, coconut soap, potassium soap, vegetable oil and marshmallow root were tested. The hygroscopic behaviour of the treated samples has been evaluated from the capillarity water absorption and the contact angle, due to their high hygroscopicity. On the other hand, the density and porosity, surface hardness and thermal conductivity of the samples have also been determined.

Pengembangan Membran Magnesol untuk Pemurnian Biodiesel

Magnesol membrane has been prepared by mixing chitosan polymer with magnesol particles via phase inversion method. The optimum compositions of adsorptive membranes were 3% chitosan, 15% DMF and 60% loading adsorbent. The porosity of these membranes was 34,17% and swelling degree was 51,91%. The membrane clean water flux was 224,4 Lm‑2h‑1 at a transmembrane pressure of 2.5 bar. The adsorptive membrane possesses an open and interconnected porous structure with a large surface area available for biodiesel purities adsorption. The results showed that after contacting in 60 minutes, numbers of acid value was reduced as 81,12% which is in accordance with value of SNI quality standards. In addition, the soap content adsorbed was 86,74% as potassium soap and 86,73% as sodium soap. The regenerated membrane can be reused with mantaining the high adsorption capacity. The methanol was better than ethanol to regenerate the magnesol membrane. The Magnesol membrane will be a new alternative method for biodiesel purification.Keywords: biodiesel, membrane adsorption, chitosan, magnesol, acid number, soap

Non-Chemical Control of Some Important Pests of Sweet Cherry

Non-Chemical Control of Some Important Pests of Sweet CherrySome non-chemical insecticides were tested for efficacy of control of fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea(Drury), and of cherry weevil,Rhynchites auratus(Scop.) in the laboratory and black cherry aphid,Myzus cerasi(Fabr.) under field conditions. Hendreson & Tilton formula was applied for evaluation of efficacy. NeemAzal T/S (azadirahtin) at the concentration 0.5% and Naturalis (Beauveria bassiana) used at 0.2% or 0.3% have shown the best results against black cherry aphid. Good results were also obtained with Pyrethrum FS (pyrethrin + sesame oil + soft potassium soap) used at 0.05% or 0.1%, with NeemAzal T/S at 0.3%, PreFeRal WG (Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) at 0.2% and with Naturalis at 0.1%. The effect of PreFeRal WG, applied at 0.1% was unsatisfactory. Against the fourth instar larvae of fall webworm, excellent results were noted for Pyrethrum (0.05% and 0.1%) and Naturalis (0.1% and 0.2%). Very good effects were also obtained with the BMP 123WP (Bacillus thuringiensis), used in concentration of 0.1%. NeemAzal T/S - 0.5% had still good, albeit lower, efficacy. Against the cherry weevil only Pyrethrum FS was tested. This insecticide resulted in a very good efficacy, when used at the concentration 0.1% and still satisfactory - at 0.05%.