Removal of phenol and conventional pollutants from aqueous effluent by chitosan and chitin

The present study deals with phenol adsorption on chitin and chitosan and removal of contaminants from wastewater of a petroleum refinery. The adsorption kinetic data were best fitted to first- and second-order models for chitosan and chitin, respectively. The results of adsorption isotherms showed Langmuir model more appropriately described than a Freundlich model for both adsorbents. The adsorption capacity was 1.96 and 1.26 mg/g for chitin and chitosan, respectively. Maximum removal of phenol was about 70-80% (flow rate: 1.5 mL/min, bed height: 18.5 cm, and 30 mg/L of phenol. Wastewater treatment with chitin in a fixed-bed system showed reductions of about 52 and 92% for COD and oil and greases, and for chitosan 65 and 67%, respectively. The results show improvement of the effluent quality after treatment with chitin and chitosan.

Random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for milk production of Guzerat cows using orthogonal Legendre polynomials

The objective of this work was to compare random regression models for the estimation of genetic parameters for Guzerat milk production, using orthogonal Legendre polynomials. Records (20,524) of test-day milk yield (TDMY) from 2,816 first-lactation Guzerat cows were used. TDMY grouped into 10-monthly classes were analyzed for additive genetic effect and for environmental and residual permanent effects (random effects), whereas the contemporary group, calving age (linear and quadratic effects) and mean lactation curve were analized as fixed effects. Trajectories for the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were modeled by means of a covariance function employing orthogonal Legendre polynomials ranging from the second to the fifth order. Residual variances were considered in one, four, six, or ten variance classes. The best model had six residual variance classes. The heritability estimates for the TDMY records varied from 0.19 to 0.32. The random regression model that used a second-order Legendre polynomial for the additive genetic effect, and a fifth-order polynomial for the permanent environmental effect is adequate for comparison by the main employed criteria. The model with a second-order Legendre polynomial for the additive genetic effect, and that with a fourth-order for the permanent environmental effect could also be employed in these analyses.

Remoção de azul de metileno de solução aquosa usando zeólitas sintetizadas com amostras de cinzas de carvão diferentes

Batch sorption experiments were carried out to remove methylene blue from its aqueous solutions using zeolites synthesized from fly ashes as an adsorbent. The adsorbents were characterized by XFR, XRD and SEM. Nearly 90 min of contact time are found to be sufficient for the adsorption of dye to reach equilibrium. Equilibrium data have been analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the results were found to be well represented by the Freundlich isotherm equation. Adsorption data were fitted to both Lagergren first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and the data were found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics.

Adsorção de íons fosfato em óxido de nióbio hidratado

The adsorption kinetics of phosphate on Nb2O5.nH2O was investigated at initial phosphate concentrations 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mg.L-1. The kinetic process was described by a pseudo-second-order rate model very well. The adsorption thermodynamics was carried out at 298, 308, 318, 328 and 338 K. The positive values of both ΔH and ΔS suggest an endothermic reaction and increase in randomness at the solid-liquid interface during the adsorption. ΔG values obtained were negative indicating a spontaneous adsorption process. The Langmuir model described the data better than the Freundlich isotherm model. The effective desorption could be achieved using water at pH 12.

Validação da metodologia da avaliação de incerteza em curvas de calibração melhor ajustadas por polinômios de segundo grau

The most widespread literature for the evaluation of uncertainty - GUM and Eurachem - does not describe explicitly how to deal with uncertainty of the concentration coming from non-linear calibration curves. This work had the objective of describing and validating a methodology, as recommended by the recent GUM Supplement approach, to evaluate the uncertainty through polynomial models of the second order. In the uncertainty determination of the concentration of benzatone (C) by chromatography, it is observed that the uncertainty of measurement between the methodology proposed and Monte Carlo Simulation, does not diverge by more than 0.0005 unit, thus validating the model proposed for one significant digit.

Adsorção do corante reativo laranja 16 de soluções aquosas por zeólita sintética

Coal fly ash, a waste generated in a coal-fired electric power plant, was used to synthesize zeolite by hydrothermal treatment with NaOH solution. This zeolite was used as adsorbent to investigate the adsorption kinetics and isotherm parameters of the reactive orange 16 (RO16) dye from aqueous solutions at different concentrations (1.3-15.4 mg L-1). Three kinetic models, the pseudo-first-order, second-order, and intraparticle diffusion were used to predict the adsorption rate constants. The kinetics of adsorption of the RO16 dye followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption isotherm data were closely fitted to the Langmuir equation. Keywords: coal fly ash; zeolite; reactive dye adsorption.

Cloreto de n-(2-hidroxil) propil-3-trimetil amônio quitosana como adsorvente de corantes reativos em solução aquosa

The quaternary chitosan was synthesized by reaction of chitosan with glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride. it was characterized by infrared spectra and conductometric titration. Adsorption of reactive blue 4 (RB4) and reactive red 120 (RR120) by quaternary chitosan was studied from aqueous medium. Two kinetic adsorption models were tested: pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order. The experimental data best fitted the pseudo second-order model. The Langmuir isotherm model provided the best fit to the equilibrium data in the concentration range investigated and the maximum adsorption capacity determined was 415 mg (RR120) and 637 mg (RB4) of reactive dye per gram of adsorbent.

Rejeito de mineração de carvão como adsorvente para remoção da acidez, Fe (III), Al (III) e Mn (II) em drenagem ácida

This study aimed the use of coal mining waste as a new adsorbent for H3O+ and removal of Al (III), Fe (III) and Mn (II) from acid mine drainage. Data from kinetic and equilibrium of the adsorption of H3O+ followed the pseudo second-order and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity of H3O+ was 316 mmol kg-1. The adsorbent removed 100% of Al (III), 100% of Fe (III) and 89% of Mn (II), suggesting its use as an alternative for the treatment of acid mine drainage.

Kinetic modeling of the biosorption of Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions onto Eichhornia crassipes roots using potentiometry: low-cost alternative to conventional methods

This work presents the use of potentiometric measurements for kinetic studies of biosorption of Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions on Eichhornia crassipes roots. The open circuit potential of the Cd/Cd2+ electrode of the first kind was measured during the bioadsorption process. The amount of Cd2+ ions accumulated was determined in real time. The data were fit to different models, with the pseudo-second-order model proving to be the best in describing the data. The advantages and limitations of the methodology proposed relative to the traditional method are discussed.

Removal of Pb(II) ions and malachite green dye from wastewater by activated carbon produced from lemon peel

In the present study, a high-surface area activated carbon was prepared by chemical activation of lemon peel with H3PO4 as the active agent. Then, the adsorption behavior of Malachite green dye and Pb(II) ions on the produced activated carbon was studied. Batch process was employed for sorption kinetics and equilibrium studies. Experimental data were fitted to various isotherm models. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacities of Malachite green dye and Pb(II) ions were found to be 66.67 and 90.91 mg g-1, respectively, at room temperature. Kinetic studies showed the adsorption process followed a pseudo second-order rate model. The sorption kinetics were controlled by intra-particle diffusion. The results indicated that the produced activated carbon can be economically and effectively used as an adsorbent for the removal of Malachite green dye and Pb(II) ions from wastewaters.

Application of a non isotropic turbulence model to stable atmospheric flows and dispersion over 3D topography

A non isotropic turbulence model is extended and applied to three dimensional stably stratified flows and dispersion calculations. The model is derived from the algebraic stress model (including wall proximity effects), but it retains the simplicity of the "eddy viscosity" concept of first order models. The "modified k-epsilon" is implemented in a three dimensional numerical code. Once the flow is resolved, the predicted velocity and turbulence fields are interpolated into a second grid and used to solve the concentration equation. To evaluate the model, various steady state numerical solutions are compared with small scale dispersion experiments which were conducted at the wind tunnel of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, in Japan. Stably stratified flows and plume dispersion over three distinct idealized complex topographies (flat and hilly terrain) are studied. Vertical profiles of velocity and pollutant concentration are shown and discussed. Also, comparisons are made against the results obtained with the standard k-epsilon model.

Further analysis of open-respirometry systems: an a-compartmental mechanistic approach

A system is said to be "instantaneous" when for a given constant input an equilibrium output is obtained after a while. In the meantime, the output is changing from its initial value towards the equilibrium one. This is the transient period of the system and transients are important features of open-respirometry systems. During transients, one cannot compute the input amplitude directly from the output. The existing models (e.g., first or second order dynamics) cannot account for many of the features observed in real open-respirometry systems, such as time lag. Also, these models do not explain what should be expected when a system is speeded up or slowed down. The purpose of the present study was to develop a mechanistic approach to the dynamics of open-respirometry systems, employing basic thermodynamic concepts. It is demonstrated that all the main relevant features of the output dynamics are due to and can be adequately explained by a distribution of apparent velocities within the set of molecules travelling along the system. The importance of the rate at which the molecules leave the sensor is explored for the first time. The study approaches the difference in calibrating a system with a continuous input and with a "unit impulse": the former truly reveals the dynamics of the system while the latter represents the first derivative (in time) of the former and, thus, cannot adequately be employed in the apparent time-constant determination. Also, we demonstrate why the apparent order of the output changes with volume or flow.

Rationality in children: the first steps

Not all categorization is conceptual. Many of the experimental findings concerning infant and animal categorization invite the hypothesis that the subjects form abstract perceptual representations, mental models or cognitive maps that are not composed of concepts. The paper is a reflection upon the idea that conceptual categorization involves the ability to make categorical judgements under the guidance of norms of rationality. These include a norm of truth-seeking and a norm of good evidence. Acceptance of these norms implies willingness to defer to cognitive authorities, unwillingness to commit oneself to contradictions, and knowledge of how to reorganize one's representational system upon discovering that one has made a mistake. It is proposed that the cognitive architecture required for basic rationality is similar to that which underlies pretend-play. The representational system must be able to make room for separate 'mental spaces' in which alternatives to the actual world are entertained. The same feature underlies the ability to understand modalities, time, the appearance-reality distinction, other minds, and ethics. Each area of understanding admits of degrees, and mastery (up to normal adult level) takes years. But rational concept-management, at least in its most rudimentary form, does not require a capacity to form second-order representations. It requires knowledge of how to operate upon, and compare, the contents of different mental spaces.

Método Melhorado para Calcular a Leitura Infinita de Cinéticas de Primeira Ordem

Infinity readings for first order kinetics can be calculated from any three measurements (triads) of a physical property l at three equallyspaced times. Accurate results can be obtained from time intervals aslow as 0.4 half-life. Calculation of infinity readings l¥ from severaltriads at increasing values of time gives an insight into the deviation of the first order kinetics when parallel, consecutive or other spurious reactions occur along with the main first order reaction, not allowing direct measurements or calculation of l¥. The proposed method is more sensitive in distinguishing between first and second order kinetics than the Guggenheim and Kezdy-Swinbourne methods.

Separação de espectros simulados e de luminescência total através do método generalizado de anulação do posto (GRAM)

A multivariate curve resolution method, "GENERALIZED RANK ANNIHILATION METHOD (GRAM)", is discussed and tested with simulated and experimental data. The analysis of simulated data provides general guidelines concerning the condition for uniqueness of a solution for a given problem. The second-order emission-excitation spectra of human and animal dental calculus deposits were used as an experimental data to estimate the performance of the above method. Three porphyrinic spectral profiles, for both human and cat, were obtained by the use of GRAM.