Calcium Carbonate Scale Inhibition with Ultrasonication and a Commercial Antiscalant

In this study, ultrasonication-assisted calcium carbonate scale inhibition was investigated compared with a commercial antiscalant ATMP (amino tris(methyl phosphonic acid)). The effects of varying ultrasound amplitude, pH, and inhibition duration were evaluated. The inhibition of calcium carbonate scale formation was measured based on the concentration of calcium in the solution after subjecting to different conditions. Scale deposits were also characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Inhibition of scale formation was supported at a pH of 7 for an ultrasound amplitude of 150 W. A 94% calcium carbonate inhibition was recorded when the experiment was carried out with ultrasonication. The use of 5 mg/L ATMP achieved a 90% calcium carbonate inhibition of ATMP. The result of the characterization revealed that the morphology of the crystals was unaffected by ultrasonic irradiation. Sample treatment was performed with two different membranes to evaluate the calcium carbonate deposition, and data reveals that, at identical conditions, ultrasonication provides less deposition when compared to the control experiments.

The effect of gamma-irradiation on graphene oxide in a monoglyceride/ethanol solution

Gamma-irradiation effects on graphene oxide (GO) in a monoglyceride/ethanol (MG/EtOH) solution was investigated. GO was dispersed in MG/EtOH solution (GOM) with the GO: MG ratio of 1:10 (w/w). The prepared GOM was irradiated by g-ray under nitrogen atmosphere in a range of absorbed dose from 0 to 50 kGy. The characteristics and morphology of reduced GOM were analyzed by Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The results confirmed that the structure of reduced graphene oxide in monoglyceride solution was changed and exfoliated completely after g-ray irradiation at absorbed dose 50 kGy compared with non-irradiation sample.

Changes in the Antigenic and Immunoglobulin E–Binding Properties of Hen's Egg Albumin with the Combination of Heat and Gamma Irradiation Treatment

This study was carried out to evaluate the changes in the allergenic and antigenic properties of hen's egg albumin (ovalbumin [OVA]) with the combination of heat and gamma irradiation treatment. OVA solution samples were treated by (i) heating (sample 1), (ii) irradiation after heating (sample 2), and (iii) heating after irradiation (sample 3). Samples were isothermally heated and irradiated at the absorption dose of 10 kGy. Competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed with blood serum to test the ability of treated OVA to bind to immunoglobulin E (IgE) and mouse murine monoclonal antibody (IgG). OVA's ability to bind to mouse IgG changed upon heating at 75°C, and its ability to bind to egg-allergic IgE changed upon heating at 80°C. The ELISAs showed that egg-allergic IgE did not recognize OVA very well when heated at ≥80°C, while mouse IgG retained better activity under these conditions. Egg-allergic IgE binding was low both for OVA samples treated by heating and for samples treated by irradiation followed by heating. These results show that allergies induced by OVA could be effectively reduced by the combination of heat and gamma irradiation treatment.