3D model of a Monolithic Honeycomb Adsorber for Electric Swing Adsorption for Carbon Dioxide Capture

The goal of this work was to develop a 3D model of Electric Swing Adsorption pro- cess for carbon dioxide capture from effluent gasses from power plants. Detailed 3D model of the composite honeycomb monolithic adsorber was developed for a sin- gle monolith channel and can be used to simulate and represent different physical properties: velocity, concentration and temperature. The advantage of this model is the fact that all physical properties and results can be presented visually in the 3D domain. COMSOL Multiphysics software was used for solving partial differential equations and simulations of adsorption and electrothermal desorption processes. Some simulation results are presented in this work. The results obtained from 3D simulations will be used for the adsorber model reduction to the 1D model which will be used for modeling and optimization of the whole ESA cycle due to its sim- plicity and computational demands. Simulation and optimization runs based on the 1D model will be performed in g-Proms software.

Packaging materials and articles for food: legislation and codes of good manufacturing practice

The basic objectives of food packaging materials are to provide safety and to pre- vent physical damage of the product, to retain or improve sensory characteristics, to offer a pleasing appearance, to be functional, to facilitate distribution, to give dimensional stability, but also to be compatible with the requirements regulated by the law. Consumers’ demands for an extended shelf life of the product, as well as increased competition in the packaging industry, foster the need for continuous growth and application of innovative solutions for food packaging. While the tradi- tional packaging acts as a passive barrier toward atmospheric effects, the innovative packaging systems offer “active” interactions with the foodstuff, providing increased shelf life and improved quality of the product. The selection of the appropriate pack- aging material is influenced by many factors, and, among many packaging materi- als offered on the market, polymer materials and articles have a significant place. On the other hand, some interactions occur between the plastics and the food in contact. The migration of the low-molecular-weight components from the polymer packaging to the packed food is emphasized when the so-called active and intelli- gent systems are used. Therefore, all the issues related to the packaging materials for food and the substances used as part of the packaging systems, are elaborated in the directives and regulations of the materials and articles intended to come in contact with the food.

Cloud Point Extraction as a Method for Preconcentration of Metal Ions

Cloud point extraction (CPE) is an attractive technique that reduces solvent con- sumption and exposure, disposal costs, and process time. This method has an im- portant practical application and is used to separate and concentrate the analyte as a step before its determination, and after the formation of a poorly water-soluble complex. Use of nonionic surfactants as ”green solvents” which represent an effec- tive alternative to toxic organic solvents (in classical extraction), along with other advantages, such as low cost and low flammability, makes this method attractive and worth further research and optimization. This paper presents a detailed de- scription of the principles, procedure, advantages, disadvantages and application of CPE.

Simulation of a single-stage evaporator system integrated with a mechanical vapor compressor for concentrating the electrolytic system KNO3 – H2O

A simulation of a single-stage evaporator system integrated with a mechanical com- pressor for a case study (concentrating the electrolytic system KNO3 – H2O) was performed. A mathematical model of the subsystem of a single-stage evaporator, a mechanical compressor, and superheated steam seeding is presented. Microsoft Excel with VBA (Visual Basic for Application) was used to solve the mathematical model. The model was solved by an iterative method where the values of the in- let stream temperature and the salt concentration in the concentrated stream at the evaporator outlet were assumed. The process parameters of the system have been determined. Since the goal of any industrial process is to minimize costs and maximize products, the impact of mean temperature difference changes on satu- ration water consumption and molar salt content in the concentrated stream was presented. 106.92 kg/h of freshwater are required to obtain 18% by weight of salt in a concentrated stream, while 432.30 kg/h of fresh water are required to obtain 25% by weight of salt in a concentrated stream. Consumption of heating steam ranged from 1760.31 to 4473.4 kg/h depending on the average temperature dif- ference. By increasing the temperature differences from 10 to 25 ◦C, the amount of transferred upper lines increases from 1025 to 2750 kW, which is an advantage of increasing the mean temperature difference. The disadvantage of the larger tem- perature difference is the increase in the power of the mechanical compressor from 97.02 to 384.12 kW.

Effects of drilling parameters on TI-6Al-4V alloy using different coolants

The formulation or application of coolants plays a critical role in machining to bring out the best finished products. In this scientific article, the study focused on the effects of coolants and machining parameters of Ti-6Al-4V are investigated with consideration of their performances by using drilling operation. The design of ex- periments (DOE) was considered and the performance of machining was measured with respect to cutting temperatures and surface responses. The final results put forward that the excellent surface finish and minimal cutting temperatures are ob- tained by application of power metcut s plus when compared with pure water. The factors that impact the surface roughness of Ti-6Al-4V are coolant and feed rate. The coolant also helps in the machining process by reducing temperature at the cutting zone.

Quality testing of industrially produced essential oil of white pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from the Republic of Srpska

The quality of the essential oil obtained from white pine wood greenery from the territory of the Republic of Srpska was analyzed by examining the chemical composi- tion and antimicrobial activity of samples produced by the hydro-distillation process in industrial production conditions. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS and GC/FID analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the ob- tained white pine oil was investigated for its possible use as an antimicrobial agent. The obtained results prove the presence of 37 components in the analyzed sam- ple, which represents 98.5% of the total components present. The most common are monoterpene hydrocarbons, followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, much less represented are monoterpenes containing oxygen and aromatic compounds, while aliphatic esters are found only in traces. Antimicrobial activity was examined using the disk diffusion method. The results showed large zones of inhibition, both for the tested oil sample and for all eight analyzed bacterial strains (from 12.00 ± 0.00 to 17.33 ± 1.15mm), as well as for the fungal strain. The chemical composition and antimicrobial action of essential white pine oiled from plant material originating from the territory of the Republic of Srpska indicates its significant phytomedical potential.

Neural network modeling methods for predicting the air parameters in the city of Tuzla

According to the report of the World Health Organization, the city of Tuzla is the second in the world, and the first in Europe in terms of the number of diseases caused by air pollution. Tuzla Canton since 2003 has continuous air monitoring. Concentrations of individual pollutants exceed hourly, daily and annual limit values. In this paper, based on the existing results of air monitoring and meteorological data, using statistical methods and neural network modeling methods, unique and reliable models for predicting the concentration of NO2 in the air for the City of Tuzla have been developed. The results obtained using these models can be used in strategic decision-making processes and activities related to air quality control and management. This paper, on the example of the City of Tuzla, showed that using existing air monitoring data, concentrations of pollutants can be predicted for a longer period of time, using artificial intelligence methods. Reliable models with a high correlation coefficient can be obtained. In the case of a short or long interruption of the measurement of pollutant concentrations for the City of Tuzla with the help of models, which are the result of this work, it is possible to predict the concentrations of pollutants and plan to take measures based on them.

Assessing the possibility of solidification and stabilization of pyrite cinder by using quicklime and fly ash

The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of using two low-cost binders,quicklime and fly ash for the solidification/stabilization (S/S) of pyrite cinder.Pyrite cinder, used in this study, represents a remnant from sulfuric acid productionin fertilizer factory IHP “Prahovo” A.D. (Serbia), and has a very high toxicmetal content. High contents and leachability of copper, lead and zinc make thiswaste material hazardous, representing an extraordinary risk to the environment.In order to determine the leaching behavior of the S/S mixtures, four single-stepleaching tests were performed, each one having a different sort of leaching fluid(deionized water, inorganic and organic acidic solutions). X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDS)were implemented to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for immobilization ofCu, Pb and Zn. Overall, the test results indicated that S/S treatment using bothquicklime and fly ash was effective in immobilizing these metals, especially whenthere is a higher share of binder present. Treated waste can be safe for disposal andeven considered for “controlled utilization”. Furthermore, the use of fly ash for S/Streatment of pyrite cinder solves the disposal problems of two waste types, as it alsorepresents a secondary industrial product.

An exploration of the effects of low-pressure plasma discharge on the physicochemical properties of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) flour

This work explores the preliminary feasibility of employing the low-pressure coldplasma technology for the modification of the properties of chia flour. Chia flour wasexposed to low pressure plasma in air for 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min, at two differentpower levels (40 W and 60 W). The oils extracted from untreated and treated chiaflour were exhaustively characterized for fatty acid composition, nutritional value,and rancidity indices using thermal calorimetric methods (DSC/TGA). The resultsindicated a significant change in the colour of flour with an increase in lightness.Infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy indicated changes in the tocopherol groups ofthe oil extracted from plasma treated chia flour. However, the oil extracted fromplasma treated chia flour revealed a loss of conjugated dienes and formation oftrans-fatty acids as seen in conventional hydrogenation of edible oils. DSC and TGAresults revealed better oxidative stability of low-pressure plasma treated oils thancontrol, which was linked to a relative increase of MUFA in the former.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro biological evaluation of the Schiff base derived from Benzidine and 1,3‐Diphenyl‐1,3‐propanedione

Schiff bases are organic compounds formed by the reaction of the primary aminewith carbonyl compounds (aldehydes or ketones). These are mainly bi- or tridentateligands capable of forming very stable complexes with transitional metals. They areused as catalysts in oxygenation, hydrolysis, electro-reduction and decompositionreactions. Many Shiff bases show significant anti-tumor, antimicrobial and antifungalactivity, which are the subject of research by many scientists in the world.In this paper Schiff base from benzidine and 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione wassynthesized. To characterize the product, FTIR spectroscopy and stereo-microscopywere used. In order to determine biological activity, antibacterial, antifungal andantioxidant activity of the product was tested.The results showed that the interaction of benzidine and 1,3-diphenylpropanedioneresults in a Schiff base showing antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity.