Parameter selection of Polystyrene-Dietilenetriaminepenta acetate Resin Synthesis for the separation of rare Earth Elements by using Plackett-Burman Experimental Design

The development of the separation method has an essential role in developing science and technology for the separation and purification of an element or compound from other mixtures based on differences in physical and chemical properties. This research is more focused on the selection parameters of polystyrene-based resin production using diethylene triamine penta-acetate (DTPA) light, which used as a prototype for improved scale production. The Plackett-Burman design was used to select variables that have significant influence in Methylaminopolystyrene-Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (MAP-DTPA) resin synthesis. Eleven variables such as mol ratio of Methylamino Polystyrene and diethylene triamine penta-acetate ligands, solvent volume, reaction time, stirring rate, reaction temperature, total volume, reaction pH, incubation time, ammonia concentration, and the addition of methanol were carried out for the selection of parameters or variables in the process of MAP-DTPA resin synthesis through a statistical approach in studies for design experiments using Software Design Expert 9.0.6.2. Of the eleven variables in resin synthesis obtained, six variables have a positive influence on the yield ratio value (percent yield ratio) of MAP-DTPA resin are the mol ratio of MAP and DTPA, Stirring Rate, reaction temperature, total volume, degree of acidity, and ammonia concentration.

Numerical Simulation of Hi Thermal Decomposer in Iodine-Sulfur Cycle Process

The very high-temperature gas-cooled reactor is a fourth-generation reactor with inherent safety and modular high-temperature characteristics. Utilizing ultra-high temperature heat to produce hydrogen by iodine-sulfur cycle is one of the important applications. In this process, the decomposition of hydroiodic acid determines the efficiency of hydrogen production, so it is important to design a hydroiodic acid decomposer with the compact structure and good heat preservation. In this paper, numerical simulations are performed on the hydroiodic acid decomposer used for the decomposition of hydroiodic acid. The species transport model, volume reaction and porous model are used to calculate the temperature field and the distribution of each component. The results show that the temperature of the catalytic zone meets the reaction requirements, the temperature drop in the reactor is about 55 K, and the overall decomposition fraction can reach 21.4%. The current flow rate has an acceptable performance for the improvement of the decomposition rate. The results of this study can provide theoretical calculation references for the engineering application of hydroiodic acid decomposers.

A Modified Model for Kinetic Analysis of Petroleum Coke

In this study, a nonisothermal kinetics analysis of petcoke was performed at heating rates of 10, 15, and 20°C/min using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The behaviour of petcoke at different gasification stages (dewatering, volatilization, char burning, and burnout) was studied. The effect of heating rate on the activation energy of petcoke gasification was also investigated. The activation energy of petcoke was estimated using different kinetic models that include volume reaction model (VRM), shrinking core model (SCM), random pore model (RPM), Coats and Redfern model (CRM), and normal distribution function (NDF). The NDF model was modified in this study. It was found that the experimental data were best fitted with the modified normal distribution function (MNDF) and SCM. The results also showed that activation energy decreases as heating rate increases, leading to reduction in gasification completion time.

Growth Mechanism of Seed-Layer Free ZnSnO3 Nanowires: Effect of Physical Parameters

ZnSnO3 semiconductor nanostructures have several applications as photocatalysis, gas sensors, and energy harvesting. However, due to its multicomponent nature, the synthesis is far more complex than its binary counter parts. The complexity increases even more when aiming for low-cost and low-temperature processes as in hydrothermal methods. Knowing in detail the influence of all the parameters involved in these processes is imperative, in order to properly control the synthesis to achieve the desired final product. Thus, this paper presents a study of the influence of the physical parameters involved in the hydrothermal synthesis of ZnSnO3 nanowires, namely volume, reaction time, and process temperature. Based on this study a growth mechanism for the complex Zn:Sn:O system is proposed. Two zinc precursors, zinc chloride and zinc acetate, were studied, showing that although the growth mechanism is inherent to the material itself, the chemical reactions for different conditions need to be considered.

News Impact on the Stock Price of the US Film Industry Companies

In recent decades, financial science actively covers new segments of the financial system that have not been studied previously. One of such areas is the analysis of impact of news on pricing in particular sectors of the stock market. The paper is related to this direction and aims to reveal the influence of news on stock price performance of companies in the U. S. film industry. To reach the goal we employed the abnormal return and trade volume analysis method, as well as multiple linear regressions. Basing on the results of the calculations, we provide the estimations of the general level of return and trade volume reaction on the release of positive and negative news. The significance of the obtained results showed the possibility of their application in practical investment activity, which makes them useful for individual and corporate investors, and fund managers who consider this sector as the possible destination for funds investment. The revealed mechanisms represent a good base for further research of the film industry in different countries and similar market segments.

Development of a rapid, simple, and specific real-time PCR assay for detection of pseudorabies viral DNA in domestic swine herds

Despite successful eradication of pseudorabies virus (PRV) from the commercial pig industry in the United States in 2004, large populations of feral swine in certain regions act as wildlife reservoirs for the virus. Given the threat of reintroduction of the virus into domestic herds, a rapid, reliable, easily implemented assay is needed for detection of PRV. Although a real-time PCR (rtPCR) assay exists, improvements in rtPCR technology and a greater understanding of the diversity of PRV strains worldwide require an assay that would be easier to implement, more cost effective, and more specific. We developed a single-tube, rapid rtPCR that is capable of detecting 10 copies of PRV glycoprotein B ( gB) DNA per 20-µL total volume reaction. The assay did not produce a false-positive in samples known to be negative for the virus. The assay was negative for genetically similar herpesviruses and other porcine viruses. Our assay is a highly specific and sensitive assay that is also highly repeatable and reproducible. The assay should be a useful tool for early detection of PRV in pigs in the case of a suspected introduction or outbreak situation.