Potassium Alum Research Articles

Field efficacy of some products against the bacterial canker of kiwifruit in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

Within the Research Project on the bacterial canker of kiwifruit caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (PSA) sponsored by Emilia-Romagna Region during the period 2012-2015, the results of 4 trials in open field conditions - in presence of natural inoculum - to verify the efficacy of different active ingredients to control the disease are presented. The field trials confirmed previous studies on the efficacy of copper-based products and acibenzolar-S-methyl. A formulation of poliglucosammine and a formulation which combines the action of poliglucosammine with copper and boron contributed to reduce disease symptoms too. An inorganic compound based on aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate confirmed in open field the good results showed in vitro and in greenhouse assays. These results give good indication for the PSA management with copper and acibenzolar-S-methyl, while further studies to confirm the activity of the new compounds presented in this study are needed.

Solidification/stabilization of stainless steel pickling residue with aluminum potassium sulfate amended fly ash

This article presents an original study on the feasibility of reuse fly ash (FA) solidified/stabilized stainless steel pickling residue (SSPR). SSPR was characterized using different leaching procedure and solidified/stabilized using aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate (KAl(SO4)2.12H2O) amended fly ash. A modified four-step Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential leaching test and risk assessment code (RAC) was employed to evaluate the potential hazards of metals in SSPR. Results show that SSPR mainly consists of sulfates and heavy metals. The major elements are Ca and Fe, with the total amount of 191,600 and 122,400 mg/kg. Cr is the most notable metal with a total amount of 22,500 mg/kg. Its concentrations in HJ/T 299 and HJ/T 300 extracts are 28.6 and 285 mg/L respectively. Another metal that is of some concern is Ni, its concentration in HJ/T 300 extract is 229 mg/L and total content in the residues is 10,690 mg/kg. The RAC of four list heavy metals are: Ni (61.36%) > Zn (43.48%) > Cr (20.64%) > Cu (19.83%). Therefore, SSPR has a higher potential to be hazardous to the environment. After treatment by 10% of KAl(SO4)2.12H2O with 40% of FA2 (10KA40FA2), the concentration of Cr is 7.9 mg/L in HJ/T 299 extract and 12.68 mg/L in HJ/T 300 extract. While these two values for Ni is 0 and 14.34 mg/L. The RAC of the metals after treatment by 10KA40FA2 followed the order of Ni (20.38%) > Zn (10.59%) > Cu (8.54%) > Cr (7.71%). The unconfined compression strength (UCS) tests showed that the 7-d UCS of the 10KA40FA2 remolded sample achieved 3556.2 kPa which was much higher than that of raw SSPR remolded sample of 1746.7 kPa.

Growth, structure, thermal, electrical and optical properties of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate (potash alum) single crystal

Single crystal of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate (potash alum) was grown by the slow evaporation technique of supersaturated aqueous solution at room temperature. The obtained crystal was characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction, DSC, TGA, electrical conductivity, optical transmittance and optical reflectance measurements. Structural and thermal analyses were performed on potash alum crystal. The electrical conductivity of potash alum as electrolyte sample was 1.894 × 10−6 S/cm. The optical transition and optical band gap energy of potash alum crystal were studied for the first time. Direct and indirect optical band gap energies were 5.75 and 4.50 eV respectively. Extinction coefficient, refractive index, real and imaginary dielectric constants and optical conductivity were calculated for potash alum crystal at a range of photon energies between 1.4 and 6.2 eV. Normal dispersion parameters of potash alum crystal were calculated for the first time.

Treatment of produced water mixed with polymer from petroleum production

In the petroleum industry, polymer flooding is one of the main methods in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) that applies a water-soluble polymer such as partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) to increase oil production. It is added to the flooding water to improve the oil movement. During the process, water is produced as a by-product along with oil and gas production. Moreover, produced water with polymer is more difficult to treat than that from conventional water-flooding process because it is complex and highly contaminated wastewater. The proper technology is required to treat this kind of wastewater and reuse it for oil production. Furthermore, the small to fine particles in the produced are needed to be removed because these particles can plug the reservoir in the oilfield. One of the main treatment processes is to apply the coagulant to agglomerate the fine particles and remove them before injection the water into the reservoir. Therefore, the objective of this study is to treat the produced water mixed with HPAM from petroleum production by using coagulants like polyaluminium chloride (PAC) and to investigate the effect of parameters such as coagulant dosage and polymer concentration on the treatment of produced water. The results are compared the performance with the conventional coagulant, potassium aluminum sulfate (potassium alum). The operating parameters of this study are coagulant dosage ranging from 300 to 900 mg/L and HPAM concentrations from 500 to 2,000 mg/L. In addition, the turbidity, as well as total suspended solids (TSS) are also studied. The results indicated that with an increase in HPAM concentration, the TSS and turbidity increase gradually under the same conditions. The results show that with 900 mg/L of coagulants, TSS and turbidity can be removed up to 89% and 94% with PAC and 39% and 27% with potassium alum, respectively. PAC can provide higher performance over alum at the same conditions; thus, leading to the reduction in chemical consumption and cost. Consequently, this method can be applied to use in the wastewater treatment from oil production with polymer flooding before injecting this produced water back into the reservoir.

Microcellular antibacterial polylactide‐based systems prepared by additive extrusion with ALUM

This work investigates preparation by extrusion of microcellular antimicrobial polylactide (PLA) with an additive, the latter comprising 1% potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate (ALUM), and 3% or 5% of a mixture of sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate (1:1). Study was made as to the properties of the materials, their hydrolysis, release profiles, and antimicrobial properties in comparison with the pure polymer. Measuring the molecular weight of samples by gel permeation chromatography revealed that, during thermal processing, the molecular weight of the PLA prepared with additives mentiond above had reduced by approximately 43%. A mechanical test confirmed a decline in mechanical properties after processing as compared with the pure PLA. Release of the antimicrobial compound and the subsequent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was evaluated according to ISO 22196:2007. The release of ALUM from the microcellular specimens took place in two steps. During the first 10 days, the rate of release was extremely high in contrast with the remaining period. However, the release rate of the nonporous sample was seen to equal less than 1% in the first 10 days, a phenomenon probably arising through its less active surface.

Effect of potassium alum addition on the quality of potato starch noodles.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of potassium alum (PA) on potato starch noodles to provide a theoretical basis for future searches for new alternatives for PA that are not harmful to the body. The amount of amylose leakage significantly decreased with the PA addition. SEM showed that the honeycomb structure of potato starch noodles with 0.1% PA was diminished. The number of internal pores and average area decreased from 92 and 580.09 units to 72 and 652.58 units, respectively. NMR indicated that the water holding capacity of potato starch noodles containing PA was greater than that of the control. XRD showed that the crystal structure of potato starch noodles was destroyed and that the crystallinity of potato starch noodles with PA increased from 16.65 to 19.64%. G' and G'' increased, but tanδ decreased. FT-IR showed that PA caused the O-H stretching vibration in the absorption peak to move in the high-field direction and that the ionic bond was dominant in the PA-potato starch interaction system.

Alum (KAl(SO4)2.12H2O) - An Eco-friendly and Versatile Acid-catalyst in Organic Transformations: A Recent Update

Potassium alum (KAl(SO4)2.12H2O), commonly known as ‘alum’, has recently drawn the attention of synthetic chemists as an efficient, safe and eco-friendly acid catalyst in implementing a large number of organic transformations, thereby generating interesting molecular frameworks. The present review article offers an overview of the potent catalytic applications of this commercially available and low-cost inorganic sulfate salt in organic reactions reported during the period of 2014 to 2018.

Quantitative Analysis of the Regenerating Single-Crystal Ball Evolution

A quantitative analysis of the evolution of a spherical surface artificially prepared from a potassium alum single-crystal during its regeneration is carried out in real growth experiments. The results are compared with the results of the numerical simulation based on the proposed regeneration process kinematical model. It is demonstrated that for many boundary conditions there is a close quantitative correspondence between the model and real experiments on the regeneration of single-crystal balls. It is shown that the most important parameter that has a quantitative effect on the growing regeneration surface evolution is the geometry of the roughness (protrusions and depressions), initially present on this surface. The rare quantitative discrepancies between the results of real growth and numerical experiments are due to the discrepancies between the geometry of the roughness set in the model and those actually present on the regenerating single-crystal ball. The proximity of the model to real regenerati...

Influence of Feed Condition on Crystal Size Distribution of Potassium Alum Obtained by Unseeded Two-Stage Semi-Batch Cooling Crystallization

Influence of Feed Condition on Crystal Size Distribution of Potassium Alum Obtained by Unseeded Two-Stage Semi-Batch Cooling Crystallization

Terminalia arjuna Dyed Woolen Yarn - Effect of Binary and Ternary Metal Salt Combinations: A Greener Route for Production of Ecofriendly Textiles

ABSTRACT Terminalia arjuna(Roxb.) Wight and Arn. (family: Combretaceae) is a large evergreen cardioactive plant drug available throughout India. The bark of T. arjuna is medicinally used as a tonic and is chemically characterized by the presence of tannins and related compounds with 20.0–24.0% tannin content. This research study investigates the use of barks of T. arjuna for the extraction of color components to develop natural and beautiful shades on wool with different hues and tones using binary and ternary metal salt combinations (aluminum potassium sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and stannous chloride). The dyeing was carried by exhaustion method and dyed samples were analyzed using a reflective spectrophotometer in terms of CIELAB (L*, a*, and b*) and color strength (K/S) values. Wash and light fastnesses were investigated according to (International Organization for Standardization)ISO standards. pH has marked effect on the K/S values of dyed woolen yarn. The results showed that overall 54 different shades having good to very good fastness properties were produced by control dyeing (un-mordanted) and the use of different metallic salt combinations in dyeing of wool using T. arjuna bark extract as a source of natural dye.

Carbon Dots‐in‐Matrix Boosting Intriguing Luminescence Properties and Applications

As a new class of luminescent nanomaterials, carbon dots (CDs) have aroused significant interest because of their fascinating photoluminescence properties and potential applications in biological, optoelectronic, and energy-related fields. Strikingly, embedding CDs in host matrices endow them with intriguing luminescent properties, in particular, room temperature phosphorescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence, due to the confinement effect of the host matrix and the H-bonding interactions between CDs and the matrix. Here, the state-of-the-art strategies for introducing CDs in various host matrices are summarized, such as nanoporous materials, polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane, potash alum, layered double hydroxides, amorphous silica, etc. The resultant luminescent properties of the composites and their emission mechanisms are discussed. Their applications in bioimaging, drug delivery/release, sensing, and anticounterfeiting are also presented. Finally, current problems and challenges of CDs-based composites are noted for future development of such luminescent materials.

Controllably fabricating carbon microspheres with hierarchical porous structure for supercapacitors

The porous carbon microspheres (PCS) with hierarchical pore structure were fabricated by annealing the mixtures of aluminum potassium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and corn starch in a tube furnace in N2 atmospheres. The mechanisms of forming carbon microspheres and producing the hierarchical pore structures were explored. The result shows that formation of carbon spheres depends on the pretreated starch by KAl (SO4)2, and CaCO3 can promote more mesoporous structure produced. The resulting PCS-Ca1 electrode exhibits a high capacitance of 300 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1, a superior rate capability of 228 F g−1 at 20 A g−1, and almost no capacitance fading (only 0.6% loss after 10,000 cycles) in 6 mol L−1 KOH electrolyte. The symmetric supercapacitor fabricated with PCS-Ca1 electrodes displays a high energy density of 8.54 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 125 W kg−1 in 6 mol L−1 KOH electrolyte.

Optimized dye-sensitized solar cells: A comparative study with different dyes, mordants and construction parameters

Abstract Cochineal and β-carotene were the sensitizers used in the preparation of these solar cells; potassium alum and citric acid were used, separately, as mordant; acetyl acetone was the medium. For comparison purposes, another solar cell was prepared using a dye obtained from achiote (Bixa Orellana) with acetyl acetone. The mordants provide a stabilization of the pigment by improving the adhesion with the substrate (the mesoporous layer), increasing the lifetime of the solar cell; additionally. The use of mordants allows some changes in the dye color optimizing the harvest of the light by the solar cell. The dependence of the mesoporous thickness with the charge density was determined resulting 36 µm the optimum value. The diffusion properties of the dyes into the mesoporous were also determined. Comparisons with other cells are reported.

Aluminium Ammonium Sulfate and Aluminium Potassium Sulfate (Food Additives).

Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ) conducted a risk assessment of aluminium ammonium sulfate and aluminium potassium sulfate. This evaluation was requested from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to revise the standards for use of additives. Aluminium ammonium sulfate and aluminium potassium sulfate as additives are assumed reasonably to behave as ions after dissociation, such as aluminium, ammonium, potassium, and sulfate ions, in digestive tract prior to their absorption. FSCJ thus evaluated the safety of aluminium ammonium sulfate and aluminium potassium sulfate used as additives, in considering the substances that are composed of ammonium ion, sulfate ion, potassium ion and aluminium ion. FSCJ concluded that there were no safety concerns of sulfate, ammonium and potassium ions as the use of aluminium ammonium sulfate and aluminium potassium sulfate for food additives. FSCJ specified the lowest no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 30 mg/kg bw/day for aluminium ion based on the reproductive developmental toxicity studies in rats. FSCJ also recognized no carcinogenicity of aluminium additives. FSCJ judged no clear relationship of dietary intake of aluminium with the influences on the bone, mainly due to the insufficient amounts of evidence. FSCJ judged no sufficient evidence to indicate a causal relationship between dietary intake of aluminium and neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s disease. FSCJ confirmed that no human data exist to indicate the clear association of the dietary intake with human health effects of aluminium. FSCJ specified this metal (Al) to be 1.0 mg/kg bw/week for the children (1 to 6 years) and 0.57 mg/kg bw/week for the general population. A safety factor of 100 was applied to the NOAEL of 30 mg/kg bw/day obtained in a developmental toxicity study in rats. Converting the value thus obtained to the aluminium intake per a week, FSCJ established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 2.1 mg/kg bw/week (as Al) for aluminium.

Statistical study of the effect of metallic mordants on tensile strength of wool

Despite the vast variety of studies in the field of effect of different mordants on dyeing and fastness properties of wool with natural dyes, there is no thorough investigation on the effect of metal mordants on tensile properties of wool. In this study, five different metallic salts namely aluminum potassium sulfate, tin chloride, potassium dichromate, copper sulfate, and ferrous sulfate were applied on wool with concentrations ranging from 1 %owf to 20 %owf. The tenacity of the samples was measured and SPSS software was employed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of various mordants on tensile strength of woolen yarn compared with raw sample. The results showed that aluminum potassium sulfate and ferrous sulfate had no statistically significant effect on the tenacity of the yarns while tin chloride showed the highest inverse effect and lowered the yarn strength significantly. Aluminum potassium sulfate and ferrous sulfate reduced the tenacity for maximum of 4.2 %owf and 4.4 %owf respectively while the tin chloride treated sample was completely destroyed when applying higher than 5 %owf of the mordant.

Curing Experiments Researching on Waste Oil-base Shale Gas Drilling Mud

Curing research on waste oil-base shale gas drilling mud was performed for optimal additions matching. Destabilizing experiments on waste drilling mud demonstrated that Aluminum potassium sulfate (KAl(SO4)2) played a best role of destabilizing effects when compared with FeCl3 and AlCl3 based on demulsification mechanism about oil-in-water type. Aluminum potassium sulfate emerged an impact influence on curing effects simultaneously when compared to sodium silicate, alumina, lime and complex Portland cement. Orthogonal test on curing waste drilling mud revealed that the optimal operation conditions of handling waste drilling mud was 4% aluminum potassium sulfate, 4% sodium silicate, 4% alumina, 4% lime and 16% complex Portland cement. Under this condition, unconfined compressive strength of the curing product was 1.80MPa, and lead leaching concentration cannot be detected after 7d maintenance. The curing mechanism was mainly the encapsulation of C3S and solid waste contaminated by mineral oil can be efficiency treated after breaking the interface of oil-in-water type.

Study on adsorption characteristics and regeneration effect of iron - based alumina composites

In this paper, an iron-based alumina composite was synthesized by modifying activated alumina with ferric chloride. The adsorption performance of iron-based alumina composite modified with 15% ferric chloride solution reached a certain peak. At lower initial fluoride concentration, the amount of fluoride treated by this composite is much more than that of water samples with higher initial fluoride concentration. To some degree, the slower flow rate of fluoride solution, the better adsorption performance of adsorbent. The iron-based alumina composite expressed a better performance of fluoride adsorption at pH=6.5. The adsorbent treated with aluminum potassium sulfate had the best adsorption performance.

Dyeing Parameters, Fastness and Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Nylon Dyed with Mangrove Bark Extract

Abstract Investigation of dyeing parameters (temperature, time and pH), color fastness assessments and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of mangrove bark extract on nylon fabric were conducted. The optimum dyeing conditions were obtained at 90°C, 60 min and pH 5, respectively. Dyeing with different metal mordants (aluminium potassium sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, and stannous chloride) was also investigated. The ratings of color fastness testing showed that most of color fastness properties of dyed fabrics were generally acceptable except color fastness to washing due to considerable change in color of samples after subjected to washing test. Dyed nylon fabrics showed the improvement in UV-protection property.

Effect of medicaments on the kinetic absorbency of retraction cord

Background: One of the problems appearing in the process of fixed prosthetic restoration is the accurate impression of the marginal detail so retraction of the gingival sulcus is a management of soft tissue before an impression procedure. Aim: To evaluate the effect of two different medicaments on the kinetic absorbency of retraction cord. Methodology: Ultrapak retraction cord (No. 00) cut into pieces of identical lengths (25 mm) was used. They were immersed in medicaments (Potash Alum and 21% ferric sulphate) for 20 minutes. Artificial saliva was used to simulate the oral environment. The capability of the cords to absorb fluid was measured by a gravimetric method. The data were analyzed by F test analysis, and P

A virus precipitation method for concentration & detection of avian influenza viruses from environmental water resources & its possible application in outbreak investigations.

Background & objectives:Avian influenza (AI) viruses have been a major cause of public health concern. Wild migratory birds and contaminated environmental sources such as waterbodies soiled with bird droppings play a significant role in the transmission of AI viruses. The objective of the present study was to develop a sensitive and user-friendly method for the concentration and detection of AI viruses from environmental water sources.Methods:Municipal potable water, surface water from reservoirs and sea were spiked with low pathogenic AI viruses. To concentrate the viruses by precipitation, a combination of potassium aluminium sulphate with milk powder was used. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed for virus detection, and the results were compared with a virus concentration method using erythrocytes. Drinking water specimens from poultry markets were also tested for the presence of AI viruses.Results:A minimum of 101.0 EID50 (50% egg infectious dose)/ml spiked H5N1 and 101.7 EID50/ml spiked H9N2 viruses were detected from spiked potable water; 101.0 and 102.0 EID50/ml spiked H5N1 virus was detected from surface water and seawater samples, respectively. The present method was more sensitive than the erythrocyte-binding method as approximately 10-fold higher infectious virus titres were obtained. AI H9N2 viruses were detected and isolated from water from local poultry markets, using this method.Interpretation & conclusions:Viability and recovery of the spiked viruses were not affected by precipitation. The present method may be suitable for the detection of AI viruses from different environmental water sources and can also be applied during outbreak investigations.