Concentrations Of Mineral Oil Research Articles

In-vivo studies on PDMS-embedded fiber Bragg grating based smart laparoscopic grasper

Minimally invasive surgeries are often associated with the risk of tissue damage due to improper force feedback mechanisms to notify surgeons regarding the force thresholds. This work evaluates the grasping forces during tissue handling to offer force feedback and assist surgeons during tissue manipulation. A polydimethylsiloxane embedded fiber Bragg grating sensor was developed and integrated at the tip of the laparoscopic grasper to measure the grasping force. Simulation studies have been performed to investigate the performance of the embedded grating sensor. The sensitivity of the sensor embedded within polydimethylsiloxane was found to be around 31.4 pm N−1 which was better compared to that of a silicone embedded counterpart. In-vivo studies were performed with soft tissue phantoms prepared with silicone rubber interspersed with different concentrations of mineral oil. Experimental results reveal a decrease in the peak wavelength shift as the tissue gets softer which is consistent with the nature of grasping force for softer tissues.

Determination of Mineral Oil Concentration in the Mixture with Synthetic Ester Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Currently, synthetic ester is gaining a bigger share in the market. This type of insulating liquid is used both in new and operated transformers filled with mineral oil. In the case of transformers in operation, the synthetic ester is used in the retrofilling procedure, drying the cellulose insulation, or as a blend with oil, the properties of which are better than those of base liquids. In all these three cases, we are dealing with a mixture of synthetic ester and mineral oil. The concentration of both of these liquids in the mixture has a significant impact on its properties; therefore, methods are necessary to determine the content of individual mixture components. The article presents a method for determining the concentration of mineral oil in a mixture with synthetic ester using near-infrared spectroscopy. Based on the conducted tests, an absorption band was determined that can be used for this purpose. This band is centered at 2126 nm. The determined dependence of the absorbance on mineral oil concentration in the mixture with synthetic ester confirmed the linear nature of this relationship. The conducted research confirmed the possibility of using the method based on near-infrared spectroscopy to determine the concentration of individual components of a mixture of mineral oil and synthetic ester. The proposed method can be used both for a mixture of new liquids and mixtures of new synthetic ester with mineral oils of different degrees of aging. The method of determining the concentration of mineral oil in a mixture with synthetic ester based on near-infrared spectroscopy is new and is characterized by a higher accuracy in relation to the methods previously described in the literature.

Resilient and reprocessable physical gels based on crystalline olefin block copolymer elastomer and mineral oil toward optically transparent electronic packaging

Due to the urgent demand of high-performance electronic packaging materials, thermoplastic elastomer physical gels (TPEG) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional hydrogels and crosslinked rubbers due to their good thermal stability and reprocessability. In this work, olefin block copolymer (OBC) elastomer was blended with soft-block selective mineral oil (MO) to tune the mechanical property and transparency. It was found that the MO molecules can disperse well within amorphous phase with effective filling ratio ranging from 9.85 wt% to 44.82 wt%. The hard segments pack into spherulites and gradually develop into segregated crystals of ∼800 nm with the increase of MO concentration. Interestingly, fast quenching induces breakout crystallization morphology while thermal annealing at 130 °C can result in confined crystallization morphology with increased domain spacing due to the selective distributed MO since the corrected crystallinity remains constant and the crystal structure maintains as orthogonal crystals. Due to the combined effect of weak mesophase separation and decreased crystal size, OBC gels has an increased transparency up to 80% in visible region. The extensibility and cyclic property of OBC-based TPEG were finely tuned along with high transparency and excellent dielectric insulation property. Furthermore, the OBC gels are highly stable over a wide temperature and can be recycled. Overall, our work highlights the potential of thermoplastic elastomer physical gels as a sustainable and high-performance alternative for transparent electronics packaging materials.

Feasibility analysis of new green liquid dielectrics for transformers

The insulating ingredient of the traditional transformer is a mineral oil with low combustibility and biodegradability. As a result, it is unsuitable for current and future transformer applications. Furthermore, finding fossil fuels is becoming increasingly difficult. As a result of the aforementioned limitations, there is a need to look for a replacement shielding oil. This study analysed the crucial characteristics of two biodegradable oils – namely, olive and palm oils – against worldwide standards. In addition, a 1 kVA transformer was subjected to a load test using olive and palm oils in place of traditional insulating solutions to assess their practical feasibility. The authors also looked into the technical feasibility of making a percentage-based blend. According to study results, vegetable oil is a choice superior to mineral oil for electrical and fire protection. However, the density of vegetable oil is substantially higher than that of mineral oil. As a result, the cooling tube of a transformer must be carefully considered throughout its construction. Vegetable oils also have a higher concentration of lipids with a higher molecular weight. The load test revealed that palm oil performs better than mineral oil and olive oil as a liquid dielectric. Furthermore, palm oil with a higher concentration of mineral oil provides properties superior to those of others.

Field efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae oil formulations against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks using a cattle spray race

Rhipicephalus microplus tick is the main ectoparasite of cattle in Brazil. The exhaustive use of chemical acaricides to control this tick has favored the selection of resistant tick populations. Entomopathogenic fungi, as Metarhizium anisopliae, has been described as a potential biocontroller of ticks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of two oil based formulations of M. anisopliae for the control of the cattle tick R. microplus under field conditions using a cattle spray race as a method of treatment. Initially, in vitro assays were carried out with an aqueous suspension of M. anisopliae, using mineral oil and/or silicon oil. A potential synergism between oils and fungus conidia for tick control was demonstrated. Additionally, the usefulness of silicon oil in order to reduce mineral oil concentration, while improving formulation efficacy was illustrated. Based on the in vitro results, two formulations were selected for use in the field trial: MaO1 (107 conidia/mL plus 5% mineral oil) and MaO2 (107 conidia/mL plus 2.5% mineral oil and 0.01% silicon oil). The adjuvants concentrations (mineral and silicon oils) were chosen since preliminary data indicate that higher concentrations caused significant mortality in adult ticks. For this, 30 naturally infested heifers were divided into three groups based on previous tick counts. The control group did not receive treatment. The selected formulations were applied on animals using a cattle spray race. Subsequently, tick load was evaluated weekly by counting. The MaO1 treatment significantly reduced the tick count only on day +21, reaching approximately 55% efficacy. On the other hand, MaO2 showed significantly lower tick counts on days +7, +14, and +21 after treatment, with weekly efficacy achieving 66%. The results showed a substantial reduction of tick infestation, up to day +28, using a novel formulation of M. anisopliae based in the mixture of two oils. Moreover, we have shown, for the first time, the feasibility of employing formulations of M. anisopliae for large-scale treatment methods, such as a cattle spray race, which in turn, may increase the use and adhesion to biological control tools among farmers.

Janus Distillation Membrane via Mussel-Inspired Inkjet Printing Modification for Anti-Oil Fouling Membrane Distillation

In this work, inkjet printing technology was used to print a thin layer of a hydrophilic solution containing polydopamine as a binder and polyethyleneimine as a strong hydrophilic agent on a commercial hydrophobic membrane to produce a Janus membrane for membrane distillation. The pristine and modified membranes were tested in a direct-contact membrane distillation system with mineral oil-containing feedwater. The results revealed that an integrated and homogenous hydrophilic layer was printed on the membrane with small intrusions in the pores. The membrane, which contained three layers of inkjet-printed hydrophilic layers, showed a high underwater oil contact angle and a low in-air water contact angle. One-layer inkjet printing was not robust enough, but the triple-layer coated modified membrane maintained its anti-oil fouling performance even for a feed solution containing 70 g/L NaCl and 0.01 v/v% mineral oil concentration with a flux of around 20 L/m2h. This study implies the high potential of the inkjet printing technique as a facile surface modification strategy to improve membrane performance.

The effects of oil contamination on the stability and flow behavior of drilling foams under high-pressure conditions

Foams used in drilling can be contaminated by formation influx containing oil. The stability and flow behavior of foam are affected when it comes into contact with oil. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of oil on foam drainage and rheology under high-pressure conditions.Drainage and rheology experiments were performed introducing different types of oils (mineral oil, light crude oil, and heavy crude oil) into the surfactant solution at varying concentrations. The tests were performed at three different foam qualities (40%, 50% & 60%). To determine the drainage, the foam was first generated in a flow loop and its rheology was measured. Subsequently, its drainage was evaluated by trapping it in a vertical test section (stability cell) and measuring the pressure profile of the foam column trapped in the cell using ten pressure sensors. The foam drainage was determined as a function of time by analyzing the pressure profile data. Tests were conducted under ambient temperature (25 ± 3 °C).The results show how the foam drainage and rheology were affected by oil type and concentration. Low-quality foam (40%) showed a slight stabilizing effect with increasing mineral oil concentration. However, high-quality foams (50% and 60%) destabilized with increasing the concentration of the mineral oil. Crude oil type was found to affect the stability of the foams. Light crude oil had a more destabilizing effect as compared to heavy crude oil.

Highly bioactive cell-laden hydrogel constructs bioprinted using an emulsion bioink for tissue engineering applications

The insufficient pore structure of cell-laden hydrogel scaffolds has limited their application in various tissue regeneration applications owing to low cell-to-cell/matrix interactions and low transfer of nutrients and metabolic wastes. Herein, we designed a highly porous cell-laden hydrogel scaffold fabricated using an emulsion bioink consisting of methacrylated collagen (CMA), mineral oil (MO), and human adipose stem cells (hASCs) to induce efficient cell infiltration and cellular activities. By selecting the most appropriate concentration of CMA and MO, the emulsion bioink can be successfully formulated with proper yield stress and printability. The cell-laden scaffold exhibited significantly greater cell growth and cytoskeletal reorganization than the normally printed cell-laden CMA scaffold. Furthermore, two bioactive components (kartogenin and bone morphogenetic protein-2) were physically encapsulated in the oil droplets of the cell construct, and the molecules in the cell constructs enhanced chondrogenic or osteogenic differentiation of hASCs in the printed structure. Based on these results, the cell-printed structure using an emulsion bioink can not only provide a good cellular microenvironment but also be a new potential method to accelerate stem cell differentiation by combining bioactive molecules and cell-laden scaffolds.

Continuous production of nanoemulsion for skincare product using a 3D-printed rotor-stator hydrodynamic cavitation reactor

In this study, nanoemulsions for skincare products were continuously produced using a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (HCR) designed with a rotor and stator. The key component of this research is the utilization of a 3D-printed rotor in a HCR for the production of an oil-in-water nanoemulsion. Response surface methodology was used to determine the process conditions, such as speed of the rotor, flow rate, as well as, Span60, Tween60, and mineral oil concentrations, for generating the optimal droplet size in the nanoemulsion. The results showed that a droplet size of 366.4 nm was achieved under the recommended conditions of rotor speed of 3500 rpm, flow rate of 3.3 L/h, Span60 concentration of 2.36 wt%, Tween60 concentration of 3.00 wt%, and mineral oil concentration of 1.76 wt%. Moreover, the important characteristics for consideration in skincare products, such as polydispersity index, pH, zeta potential, viscosity, stability, and niacin released from formulations, were also assessed. For the niacin release profile of emulsion and nanoemulsion formulations, different methods, such as magnetic stirring, ultrasound, and hydrodynamic cavitation, were compared. The nanoemulsion formulations provided a greater cumulative release from the formulation than the emulsion. Particularly, the nanoemulsion generated using the HCR provided the largest cumulative release from the formulation after 12 h. Therefore, the present study suggests that nanoemulsions can be created by means of hydrodynamic cavitation, which reduces the droplet size, as compared to that generated using other techniques. The satisfactory results of this study indicate that the rotor-stator-type HCR is a potentially cost-effective technology for nanoemulsion production.

Assessment of Concentration of Mineral Oil in Synthetic Ester Based on the Density of the Mixture and the Capacitance of the Capacitor Immersed in It

This research was carried out during the realization of a project with the aim of developing a method of drying cellulose insulation in power transformers by using synthetic ester. Unfortunately, during the drying process, the ester is systematically contaminated with mineral oil, which reduces its water absorption. Information on the oil concentration in the mixture is needed in two cases: when deciding how to treat the mixture, and during the treatment. The article presents two methods: (1) based on the measurement of the mixture density, and (2) based on the measurement of a capacitor immersed in the mixture. The most important scientific achievement of the work is the proof, by way of experiment, of the existence of a relationship between the concentration of mineral oil and (1) the density of the mixture, and (2) the capacity of the capacitor immersed in it. These relations are presented in the form of equations for which the error calculus showed that the uncertainty of measurement for both methods did not exceed 3 p. %. Due to the similar measurement error of both methods, the authors recommend the capacitance method as easier to use, especially online.

Mineral oils as the pressing problem of hygienic safety of a cardboard packing

Introduction. Providing sanitary and epidemiological safety for the secure packing production is a mandatory requirement for all manufacturers of food packing materials, no matter if it is in direct contact with foodstuff or not. However, hazardous chemicals can penetrate products from recycled materials, as well as from the moving parts of any packing equipment. Hence, the problem of packing material contamination by mineral oils, which can occur while using recycled materials, printing inks for making inscriptions and pictures, lubricating components of equipment, is of on-going interest. If packing materials are contaminated by mineral oils adverse chemicals can penetrate the foodstuff from the packing. Current packing safety requirements of European and Customs Unions differ in certain issues, in particular, hygienic regulation of mineral oils. Determination and assessment of mineral oil concentration are not regulated by Technical Regulation of the Customs Union 005/2011 “On Packing Safety” (TP TC 005/2011) in contrast to the requirements of European Union regulations which state allowable concentration and safe level of hydrocarbons in packing.Material and Methods. 23 samples of cardboard packing from various manufacturers were studied, 10 of them containing wastepaper, 9 containing cellulose materials, and 4 samples being produced without recycled materials. The level of mineral oil migration into the air or aquatic simulated environments was determined. The studies were carried out at the “Arbitrazh” chemical and analytical Center of the D.I. Mendeleev All-Russian Scientific Research Institute, by gas chromatography using Perkin Elmer Auto System. Supelco standard was used for getting calibration characteristics, i.e.: a mixture of normal structure aliphatic hydrocarbons from C6 to C44, mass parts of certain hydrocarbons being from 1 to 12% of the masses.Results. All studied cardboard packing samples were found to contain mineral oil in the hydrocarbon range of C7-C17. Mineral oil migration levels from 19 cardboard packing samples into simulated air and aquatic environments were determined.Conclusion. Hygienic safety regulation issues of foodstuff cardboard packing are relevant and require further research. It is reasonable to include mineral oils into the list of regulated sanitary-epidemiologic safety indices, and standard values of chemicals releasing from food-contacting packing into the list of monitored indices TP TC 005/2011.

Dietary exposure of the Belgian population to mineral oil

ABSTRACTRecently, presence of mineral oil in numerous foods has been detected. The analysis of mineral oil in food is convoluted since it comprises MOSH (saturated hydrocarbons) and variable amounts of mainly alkylated MOAH (aromatic hydrocarbons). Both fractions have a different toxicological profile and therefore they need to be assessed separately. For Belgium, occurrence data are available comprising concentrations of 217 food samples. These data were used, in combination with the 2014/15 Belgian Food Consumption Survey data, in a lower bound scenario to evaluate the dietary exposure of the Belgian population. Exposure to mineral oil was much lower compared to the results previously reported by EFSA and RIVM. The main contributors in Belgium were similar to previous studies (i.e. cereal products and oils), but an important additional contribution of non-alcoholic drinks was identified due to the presence of mineral oil in coffee. However, the concentration of mineral oil was determined from the dry product by applying a dilution factor with transfer rate of 100%, and not in the prepared coffee.This study gives an account of the dietary exposure of the Belgian population to mineral oil for the first time and reports the associated uncertainties.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from petroleum-impacted sites in the Polish Carpathians

Bioremediation by microorganisms is regarded as an efficient strategy for treating oil spills and wastes. Although mycorrhizal fungi do not degrade petroleum, they are a very good example of beneficial soil microorganisms that improve both the growth and vitality of plants and may enhance their bioremediation activity. In this work, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were investigated in sites containing soil exposed to the long-term presence of petroleum. These sites are located in southern Poland (Carpathians), where remnants of commercial oil exploitation in the 19th century and natural petroleum seeps can be found. The mean concentrations of mineral oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH16) in the soil were 46473 μg × g−1 d.w. and 138 μg × g−1 d.w., respectively. Roots of collected petroleum-tolerant plants were analyzed using light microscopy and the associated AMF were identified by sequencing the 18S rRNA SSU genes. Most of these plants showed the presence of mycorrhizal colonization. 11 AMF phylotypes were identified: Acaulospora sp., Archaeospora sp., Claroideoglomus sp., Diversispora sp., Rhizophagus intraradices, R. iranicus; plus five groups that could not be unambiguously identified. The results of this study provide additional insight into the diversity of beneficial fungi that interact with plants which survive in a hostile environment. The data obtained are the first steps towards the application of well-adapted AMF to the bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted soils.

The analysis of saturated and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons in dry foods and from recycled paperboard packages by online HPLC–GC–FID

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of mineral oil hydrocarbons in dry foodstuffs packed in recycled paperboard, which were imported from different foreign countries to Germany. After collection, mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in dry foodstuffs and recycled paperboard were analysed using online coupled high-performance liquid chromatography–gas chromatography–flame ionisation detection (online HPLC–GC–FID) far before the end of the shelf life of the samples. Our results showed that recycled paperboard has MOAH content higher than that of dry foodstuffs. The proportion of MOAH within total mineral oil hydrocarbons was determined to be 7–45% in dry foodstuffs and 4–48% in paperboard. In addition, 29% of the products were found to contain over 1.00 mg/kg MOAH, with a maximum of 2.72 mg/kg in oatmeal. White colour recycled paperboard contained lower amounts of MOSH and MOAH than that of brown and grey colour recycled paperboard. The MOSH concentration in dry foodstuffs ranged from 0.11 to 21.92 mg/kg (˂C25 hydrocarbons), which may be an indication of rapid migration. The lowest determined MOSH concentrations (˂C25 hydrocarbons) were found in sea salt and soda samples, even when their paperboard contained high mineral oil hydrocarbons. Our three samples in packages containing internal bags (for complete barriers) were found to have low mineral oil concentration due to reduced migration through plastic (acrylate-coated polypropylene). However, one sample, a ‘crispy’ product with an internal bag, contained the extreme amount of 21.92 mg/kg. Differences in contaminants observed in both dry foodstuffs and recycled paperboard may have been due to the different packaging and production techniques of the different countries. In addition, 8 of 24 dry foodstuff samples contained MOSH concentrations frequently exceeding the 2.0 mg/kg limit for MOSH C20–C35.

Study on the concentration of mineral oil in water by online intelligent detection based on fluorescence spectrum

In order to monitor the oil pollution of water real time and accurately for the environmental protection, an intelligent online detection system for the mineral oil in water is put forward in the present paper, based on the technology of ultraviolet fluorescence and internet of things (IOT). For this system, the resolution can be improved by using the higher precision asymmetric Czemy-Turner monochromator; the impact of light fluctuations on the results of exploration can be corrected by a bunch reference light; the optical system deviation caused by the instrument vibration can be reduced by optical fiber transmission; the coupling efficiency of fiber and output signal can be increased by a special fiber beam; the real-time measurement, data processing and remote control can be achieved by the control module and wireless communication module. This system has characteristics of high integration, high precision and good stability etc. The concentration of the unknown sample can be accurately calculated by the methods of parallel algorithms of chemometric metrology and the calculation errors caused by different components can be reduced by the theory of chemical correction factor analysis. The fluorescence spectra of three kinds of sample solution, diesel, engine and crude oil in preparative concentration of 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg x L(-1) were measured by this system respectively. The absorption wavelengths of the above-mentioned three oils were measured to be 256, 365 and 397 nm by a grating spectrometer; their absorbances were measured to be 0.028, 0.036 and 0.041 by fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. Their fluorescence emission wavelengths are 355, 419 and 457 nm respectively. Finally the concentration detection limits of the mineral oil in water of diesel, engine and crude oil were obtained, i.e., 0.03, 0.04 and 0.06 mg x L(-1) respectively. Their relative errors are 2.1%, 1.0% and 2.8% respectively.

Bioefficacy, Phytotoxicity, and Biosafety of Mineral Oil on Management of Whitefly in Okra

There is little work on the bioefficacy of mineral oil on management of whitefly in vegetable crops. The bioefficacy of mineral oil, a safer material than synthetic chemical pesticides, was determined against whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Laboratory and pot culture studies were conducted to test the bioefficacy of mineral oil alone or in combination with other materials against whitefly on okra. A 2% concentration of mineral oil + neem oil and mineral oil + Pongamia glabra seed oil produced 95% and 93.33% mortality at 48 h after treatment under laboratory conditions. In pot culture, 2% concentrations of mineral oil + neem oil and mineral oil + Pongamia glabra seed oil were effective against B. tabaci with a mean population reduction of 81.83% and 81.52%, respectively. Foliar application of up to 5% mineral oil on okra produced no phytotoxicity on 30- and 45-day-old plants. However, mineral oil at 7%, 10%, 15%, and 20% produced injury to tips and surfaces of leaves with a rating of 2.0, 2.0, 3.33, and 6.33 on 30-day-old plants and 2.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 on 45-day-old plants, respectively. Mineral oil at 3% and 5% concentrations did not cause phytotoxicity. Laboratory experiments conducted on the safety of mineral oil and its combinations for the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) eggs and grubs indicated that all mineral oil–based treatments were safe with negligible negative effects on hatching of eggs 89%–93.5% hatching and minimum grub mortality of 3.33%–16.67%. Mineral oil in combination with either neem oil or Pongamia glabra seed oil is efficacious in checking the whitefly population; furthermore, it is not phytotoxic and is safer for its common predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens).

Silicone-Based Tissue-Mimicking Phantom for Needle Insertion Simulation

Silicone-based tissue-mimicking phantom is widely used as a surrogate of tissue for clinical simulators, allowing clinicians to practice medical procedures and researchers to study the performance of medical devices. This study investigates using the mineral oil in room-temperature vulcanizing silicone to create the desired mechanical properties and needle insertion characteristics of a tissue-mimicking phantom. Silicone samples mixed with 0, 20, 30, and 40 wt. % mineral oil were fabricated for indentation and needle insertion tests and compared to four types of porcine tissues (liver, muscle with the fiber perpendicular or parallel to the needle, and fat). The results demonstrated that the elastic modulus and needle insertion force of the phantom both decrease with an increasing concentration of mineral oil. Use of the mineral oil in silicone could effectively tailor the elastic modulus and needle insertion force to mimic the soft tissue. The silicone mixed with 40 wt. % mineral oil was found to be the best tissue-mimicking phantom and can be utilized for needle-based medical procedures.

Seletividade de herbicidas aplicados com óleo mineral na cultura da mandioca ‘Cascuda’

O uso de adjuvante pode influenciar na seletividade dos herbicidas as culturas agrícolas. Objetivou-se avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas aplicados com diferentes concentrações de adjuvante óleo mineral na cultura da mandioca ‘Cascuda’. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foi utilizado o esquema fatorial 3x3+1 que consistiu de três herbicidas clethodim (120 g ha-1); fluazifop-p-butyl (250 g ha-1) e mesotrione (240 g ha-1), três concentrações de óleo mineral (Assist®) 0,0; 0,5 e 1,0% v v-1; além de uma testemunha sem aplicação. Todas as parcelas foram mantidas livres da interferência das plantas daninhas por meio de capinas manuais. Apenas, o mesotrione promoveu sintomas de fitointoxicação leves a moderados (5,5 a 51,3%) quando aplicado com óleo mineral. Contudo, todos os herbicidas apresentaram-se seletivos à mandioca ‘Cascuda’ na dose aplicada, tanto na presença quanto ausência de óleo mineral até 1% v v-1.

SOYBEAN OIL PLASTICIZERS AS REPLACEMENT OF PETROLEUM OIL IN RUBBER

ABSTRACT Polymerized soybean oils of different molecular weights were used as plasticizers in NR/SBR compositions. The oils of different molecular weights and viscosities were synthesized by cationic polymerization using a proprietary technology. Because vegetable oils have double bonds, they are not only viscosity depressants but also active participants in cross-linking reactions. Properties of elastomers extended with different concentrations of mineral oil or pure soybean oil were compared with elastomers extended by polymerized oils of different molecular weights at the same concentrations. It was found that polymerized soybean oil could be substituted for naphthenic process oil with minimal differences in mechanical and dynamic properties.

Experimental assessment of RSF, UF, RSF-O3 and RSF-H2O2/UV for unrestricted agricultural wastewater reuse in Italy

In this paper, tertiary treatment processes aimed at achieving a wastewater quality suitable for reuse in agriculture in Italy have been investigated, with experimental results generated by means of pilot and bench scale tests. Studies were conducted to assess the removal of mineral oil, total surfactants, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella using the following treatment options: rapid sand filtration (RSF), hollow fiber ultrafiltration (UF), RSF followed by ozonation (RSF-O3) and RSF followed by hydrogen peroxide combined with UV radiation (RSF-H2O2/UV). Mineral oil concentration, evaluated by means of the hydrocarbon oil index measurement, indicated an effluent concentration consistently below 0.05 mg/L for all processes studied. While total surfactants in the secondary effluent never exceeded the applicable limit of 0.5 mg/L during the studies, the degree of removal measured in studied treatments ranged from moderate to low, with the greatest removal observed using RSF-O3 (24%) and RSF-H2O2/UV (30%) under applied conditions. Overall, the optimal treatment performances were achieved by the RSF-H2O2/UV combined process using ≥1.5 mg/L H2O2 and UV dose ≥45 mJ/cm2, which provided adequate mineral oil and total surfactants removal, complete removal of measurable total suspended solids (TSS) and Salmonella, and greater than 4-log reduction in total coliforms and Escherichia coli.