Sulfuric Acid Research Articles

Soil Localized Leaching and Reclamation with Gypsum and Sulfuric Acid: A Case Study of Pistachio Orchard, Kerman-Iran

ABSTRACT Localized leaching method is a new reclamation leaching technique. Localized leaching method by using drip tapes allows water to be applied directly to the areas of salt accumulation. This study applied localized leaching method on a sandy loam soil in a pistachio orchard in Kerman, Iran to evaluate the impact of three treatments: adding gypsum soil remediation (G), soil remediation with sulfuric acid (SA) andirrigation water (IW) on soil remediation. Three treatments (IW, G and SA) in four repetitions were used to remove soluble salts from the Main Active Root Zone (MARZ) in a pistachio orchard which irrigated by a subsurface irrigation system. The localized leaching method consist of two T-tape pipelines at a distance of 40 cm located on both sides of the tree rows. Soil sampling was carried out before and after leaching from soil unit profiles with 80 cm (Length) × 120 cm (Depth) with 20 cm intervals. Concentrations of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) cations, and electrical conductivity (EC) were examined before and after leaching process. Results revealed that application of G-treatment compared to IW-treatment and SA-treatment led to more leaching of Na and Mg from the soil by 61% and 50%, respectively. The amount of leached Ca in both G-treatment and SA-treatments was less than that of IW-treatment. The leaching efficiency of total soluble salts for G, IW and SA treatments were 58%, 56% and 45%, respectively. Gypsum application could be recommended as a soil amendment. In addition, the localized leaching technique offers water-saving potential opposed to traditional leaching methods which applying water to the entire field.

Irreversible and reversible chemical reaction impacts on convective Maxwell fluid flow over a porous media with activation energy

The Maxwell model of fluid flow in a rotating frame over a porous media is investigated in this paper. Binary chemical reactions and fluid movement under activation energy are both covered in this study. The impact of mass and heat transmission along the boundary layer is investigated in an equilibrium process. Using the method of similarity transformation, the controlling partial differential equations are changed into ordinary differential equations. The results are confirmed using the bvp4c Matlab built-in programme, and the altered equations are resolved utilizing a 4th order Runge Kutta based shooting method. Reversible and irreversible processes, activation energy, chemical reactions, Deborah numbers, and rotation parameters are some of the parameters for which the results are offered in tables and graphs. The prior objective of this study is to examine the impact of activation energy and chemical reactions on Maxwell fluid flow in an equilibrium setting. The concentration boundary layer for reversible flows is significantly finer than that of irreversible flows with the influence of activation energy, chemical reaction, and rotation factors. A reduced boundary layer thickness can improve the rates of heat and mass transmission in tremendous applications, such as exchangers of heat and chemical reactors. In this chemical process, sulphuric acid is utilized as a catalyst along with Maxwell fluid which affects the boundary layer reaction rate and selectivity. This is crucial for efficient catalytic process design. Controlling reaction rates using fluid elasticity and reaction kinetics is useful in operations that need accurate product production.

Phytochemicals as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in sulfuric acid solutions: a review

Abstract Plant extracts represent abundant sources of biomolecules distributed throughout various plant parts. These biomolecules are extracted using diverse solvents and methods. Within these plant extracts lie bioactive compounds, known for their antioxidant properties and anticorrosive capabilities. Detecting and isolating these active biomolecules from plant extracts necessitates analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The active biomolecules within plant extracts contain heteroatoms within their structures, facilitating their adsorption on steel surfaces and conferring corrosion inhibition properties. The advantages of plant extracts as green corrosion inhibitors include ready availability, ease of application, eco-friendly characteristics, and cost-effectiveness. These extracts adhere to steel surfaces, blocking their active sites and effectively reducing the corrosion rate. This review consolidates the findings on the corrosion inhibition potential of plant extracts from various plant parts, elucidating their performance in different concentrations of sulfuric acid.

Structural model of oxidatively unzipped narrow single-walled carbon nanotubes

In this study, we present a synthetic method for the preparation of oxo-graphene nanoribbons (oxo-GNRs) by oxidative cleavage of C–C bonds of enriched (6,5)-single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). We applied a mild oxidation protocol to oxidize SWCNTs involving sulfuric acid as dispersion medium and potassium permanganate as oxidant. The obtained oxo-GNRs exhibit stunning fluorescence properties with emission maxima of about 300 nm and 400 nm, respectively, depending on oxidation time. The analyses reveal that functional oxo-groups are predominantly located at the rims of oxo-GNRs. Next to lactones, 1,3-ketones are identified, which can be further reacted with hydrazine, most likely forming pyrazoline groups. Based on our data, we propose a chemical structure model for the oxo-GNRs. The model is based on an intact inner π-system, responsible for photoluminescence properties and oxo-functionalized rims of GNRs.

An oxidation flow reactor for simulating and accelerating secondary aerosol formation in aerosol liquid water and cloud droplets

Abstract. Liquid water in cloud droplets and aqueous aerosols serves as an important reaction medium for the formation of secondary aerosol through aqueous-phase reactions (aqSA). Large uncertainties remain in estimates of the production and chemical evolution of aqSA in the dilute solutions found in cloud droplets and the concentrated solutions found in aerosol liquid water, which is partly due to the lack of available measurement tools and techniques. A new oxidation flow reactor (OFR), the Accelerated Production and Processing of Aerosols (APPA) reactor, was developed to measure secondary aerosol formed through gas- and aqueous-phase reactions, both for laboratory gas mixtures containing one or more precursors and for ambient air. For simulating in-cloud processes, ∼ 3.3 µm diameter droplets formed on monodisperse seed particles are introduced into the top of the reactor, and the relative humidity (RH) inside it is controlled to 100 %. Similar measurements made with the RH in the reactor < 100 % provide contrasts for aerosol formation with no liquid water and with varying amounts of aerosol liquid water. The reactor was characterized through a series of experiments and used to form secondary aerosol from known concentrations of an organic precursor and from ambient air. The residence time distributions of both gases and particles are narrow relative to other OFRs and lack the tails at long residence time expected with laminar flow. Initial cloud processing experiments focused on the well-studied oxidation of dissolved SO2 by O3, with the observed growth of seed particles resulting from the added sulfuric acid agreeing well with estimates based on the relevant set of aqueous-phase reactions. The OH exposure (OHexp) for low RH, high RH, and in-cloud conditions was determined experimentally from the loss of SO2 and benzene and simulated from the KinSim chemical kinetics solver with inputs of the measured 254 nm UV intensity profile through the reactor and loss of O3 due to photolysis. The aerosol yield for toluene at high OHexp ranged from 21.4 % at low RH with dry seed particles present in the reactor to 78.1 % with cloud droplets present. Measurement of the composition of the secondary aerosol formed from ambient air using an aerosol mass spectrometer showed that the oxygen-to-carbon ratio (O : C) of the organic component increased with increasing RH (and liquid water content).

A novel closed-loop biotechnology for recovery of cobalt from a lithium-ion battery active cathode material.

In recent years, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been increasing rapidly. Conventional recycling strategies (based on pyro- and hydrometallurgy) are damaging for the environment and more sustainable methods need to be developed. Bioleaching is a promising environmentally friendly approach that uses microorganisms to solubilize metals. However, a bioleaching-based technology has not yet been applied to recover valuable metals from waste LIBs on an industrial scale. A series of experiments was performed to improve metal recovery rates from an active cathode material (LiCoO2; LCO). (i) Direct bioleaching of ≤0.5 % LCO with two prokaryotic acidophilic consortia achieved >80 % Co and 90 % Li extraction. Significantly lower metal recovery rates were obtained at 30 °C than at 45 °C. (ii) In contrast, during direct bioleaching of 3 % LCO with consortia adapted to elevated LCO levels, the 30 °C consortium performed significantly better than the 45 °C consortium, solubilizing 73 and 93 % of the Co and Li, respectively, during one-step bioleaching, and 83 and 99 % of the Co and Li, respectively, during a two-step process. (iii) The adapted 30°C consortium was used for indirect leaching in a low-waste closed-loop system (with 10 % LCO). The process involved generation of sulfuric acid in an acid-generating bioreactor (AGB), 2-3 week leaching of LCO with the biogenic acid (pH 0.9), selective precipitation of Co as hydroxide, and recirculation of the metal-free liquor back into the AGB. In total, 58.2 % Co and 100 % Li were solubilized in seven phases, and >99.9 % of the dissolved Co was recovered after each phase as a high-purity Co hydroxide. Additionally, Co nanoparticles were generated from the obtained Co-rich leachates, using Desulfovibrio alaskensis, and Co electrowinning was optimized as an alternative recovery technique, yielding high recovery rates (91.1 and 73.6% on carbon felt and roughened steel, respectively) from bioleachates that contained significantly lower Co concentrations than industrial hydrometallurgical liquors. The closed-loop system was highly dominated by the mixotrophic archaeon Ferroplasma and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus caldus and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The developed system achieved high metal recovery rates and provided high-purity solid products suitable for a battery supply chain, while minimizing waste production and the inhibitory effects of elevated concentrations of dissolved metals on the leaching prokaryotes. The system is suitable for scale-up applications and has the potential to be adapted to different battery chemistries.

Separation of nickel and iron from ferronickel via sulfuric acid leaching and hydrothermal precipitation

ABSTRACT Here, a hydrometallurgical process was proposed to separate nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) from ferronickel. The effects of different factors, namely hydrothermal temperature, initial Fe2+ concentration, and Ni2+ concentration, on the hematite precipitation process, were detail investigated. Ferronickel powders were leached using a 120 g/L H2SO4 solution at 85 °C for 8 h. The final pH of the leaching solution was controlled at 3.0−4.5, and the Fe2+ concentration was maintained at 50−60 g/L. Copper from the ferronickel powder was first leached in the early stage of the leaching process, and then it was reduced by an excess of ferronickel powder, leading to its enrichment in the leaching residue. Approximately 50 g/L of Fe ions was successfully removed and precipitated as hematite containing 60% Fe, 0.3% Ni, and 1.5% S during hydrothermal precipitation at 200 °C for 3 h. Through evaporation crystallization at 90 °C for 8 h, large particles of nickel sulfate hexahydrate (NiSO4·6H2O) containing 19.4% Ni, 0.074% Fe, and 10.69% S were obtained. Moreover, through freezing crystallization at −8 °C for 1 h, smaller particles of NiSO4·6H2O product containing 20.3% Ni, 0.014% Fe, and 11.13% S were synthesised.

A greener method to recover critical metals from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs): Synergistic leaching without reducing agents

Efficient recycling of critical metals from spent lithium-ion batteries is vital for clean energy and sustainable industry growth. Conventional methods often fail to manage large waste volumes, leading to hazardous gas emissions and dangerous materials. This study investigates innovative methods for recovering critical metals from spent LIBs using synergistic leaching. The first step optimized thermal treatment conditions (570 °C for 2 h in air) to remove binder materials while maintaining cathode material crystallinity, confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Next, response surface methodology (RSM), I-optimal, was used to examine the synergistic effects of sulfuric acid (SA) and organic acids (Org, citric and acetic acids) and their concentrations (SA: 0.5–2 M and Org: 0.1–2 M) on metal leaching for an eco-friendlier process. Results showed that adding citric acid to SA was more effective, especially at lower concentrations, than using acetic acid. The medium was tested to evaluate the impact of reductant addition. Remarkably, it was discovered that the optimized leaching mixture (1.25 M SA and 0.55 M citric acid) efficiently extracted metals without the need for any reductant like H2O2, highlighting its potential for a simpler and more eco-friendly recycling process. Further optimization identified the ideal solid-to-liquid ratio (62.5 g/L) to minimize acid use. Finally, RSM (D-optimal) was used to investigate the effects of time and temperature on leaching, achieving remarkable recovery rates of 99% ± 0.7 for Li, 98% ± 0.0 for Co, 90% ± 6.6 for Ni, and 92% ± 0.4 for Mn under optimized conditions at 189 min and 95 °C. Chemical cost analysis revealed this method is about 25% more cost-effective than conventional methods.

Surface‐modified graphite based polymer nanocomposites for high‐temperature geothermal applications

AbstractThis research aims to develop novel economical and thermally‐stable polymer nanocomposites to seal geothermal wells by dispersing surface‐modified graphite into an inexpensive raw polymer. Using a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid, a nano‐scale graphite filler, namely small‐size lamellar graphite (SFG15), was surface‐modified, which introduced considerable oxygen and carboxylic (COOH) groups to graphite surfaces, as verified by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Polymer nanocomposites were fabricated by dispersing different concentrations of modified graphite SFG15, including 1.5, 3, 6, and 9 wt%, into the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) matrix. First, characterization techniques, including wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were employed to examine modified graphite dispersion in the nanocomposites. Then, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to quantitatively study the key mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. It was found that introducing modified SFG15 to EPDM enhances its resistance to deformation at high temperatures significantly. Notably, 9 wt% of modified SFG15 showed superior performances in improving the storage modulus of EPDM by 191.17%, enhancing loss modulus by as high as 136.08%, and decreasing tan by 18.93%. After introducing modified graphite, the energy needed for melting EPDM was increased markedly, which was accompanied by improvement in its heat capacity. Compared with pure EPDM, the onset temperature of degradation for developed nanocomposites could be increased by over , and the temperature of 50% degradation was raised by up to . Possessing the improved mechanical and thermal performances, the nanocomposites developed could be a primary choice for materials used to seal geothermal wells.Highlights A technique is developed to reinforce low‐cost polymers for high‐temperature use. Reinforcement of EPDM with high concentrations of modified graphite is investigated. Modified graphite increases the high‐temperature storage modulus of EPDM by 191.17%. Degradation temperatures of EPDM are enhanced by modified graphite considerably. Low‐cost polymer composites are essential seals for application in deep geothermal wells.

Obtention of Suitable Pregnant Leach Solution (PLS) for Copper Solvent Extraction Plants from Copper Concentrate Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine in a Sulfuric Acid–Chloride Medium

Copper leaching presents an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sulfide ore processing methods. This study investigates an efficient leaching process for copper concentrate, utilizing a solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and potassium iodide (KI) in a chloride medium (NaCl), enhanced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at room temperature. A significant aspect of this research was optimizing the KI concentration to minimize iodide sublimation into iodine gas (I2). Through the experimental design, the optimal dosages of reagents were determined, leading to maximized copper extraction of approximately 27% in 45 min of testing at room temperature. The results showed that it is possible to obtain a suitable pregnant leach solution (PLS) (i.e., in the range of 3 to 8 g/L of Cu) for treatment in available copper solvent extraction (SX) plants with a cost of less than 4.5 USD/t Cu, according to the economic analysis carried out. The results of this study determine the most effective operational conditions for leaching and ensure a suitable PLS for SX plants in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. This approach could significantly contribute to more sustainable practices in the mining and processing of copper ores.

Optimisation of the corrosion inhibition performance of isatin 4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone for mild steel in sulfuric acid medium using response surface methodology

Optimisation of the corrosion inhibition performance of isatin 4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone for mild steel in sulfuric acid medium using response surface methodology

Phase Transition and Vanadium Leaching Mechanism during Roasting of Vanadium‐Bearing Rock Coals

The phase transformation and vanadium leaching mechanism of stone coal during two blank calcined stages are systematically studied. Composition, structure, and morphology of the materials are analyzed by ICP‐AES, BPMA, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The results show that the main components of stone coal are SiO2, C, aluminosilicate and FeS2, V2O5 is 0.70%. Two‐stage roasting is a process of deformation, melting, and reconstruction of stone coal, the oxidation of pyrite, decomposition of aluminosilicate, sulfation of calcite, combustion of carbon and the formation of calcium vanadate occur in the first stage, the oxidation of low‐price vanadium occurs in the second stage. At −0.074 mm ≥90%, liquid solid ratio 1.5:1, 10% sulfuric acid reaction at room temperature for 3 h, the vanadium leaching rate in each material is in the order of roasting slag>decarbonized slag>stone coal.

Oxygen Measurement in Cuprate Superconductors Using the Dissolved Oxygen/Chlorine Method

We have developed a dissolved oxygen (DO) method with differential equation (DE) correction. We measured the oxygen content in La-based and Y-based superconductors, and succeeded in measuring the oxygen content simply in one-third of the time required by the iodometric titration method. However, there was a problem with Bi-based superconductors where the measured oxygen content was smaller compared to the iodometric titration method. We hypothesized that not only O2 but also Cl2 gas is generated when dissolving Bi-based superconductors and developed a dissolved oxygen/chlorine (DO/Cl) method with DE correction. This method uses only a dissolved oxygen sensor and a dissolved chlorine sensor to measure the dissolved oxygen and dissolved chlorine content in Bi2Sr2−xLaxCuOy, allowing for the calculation of copper valence and oxygen content. The results from the DO/Cl method with DE correction show that the measured copper valence and oxygen content differ very little from those obtained using the iodometric titration method, with discrepancies within 0.016 and 0.008, respectively. Additionally, this method reduces the measurement time by one-third compared to the iodometric titration method. The results demonstrate that the DO/Cl method with DE correction can effectively measure the copper valence and oxygen content in cuprate superconductors, and using hydrochloric acid as the experimental solution is superior to sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Synergistic Leaching of Titanium, Aluminum, and Magnesium Components during Dilute Acid Pressure Treatment of High-Titanium Blast Furnace Slag.

This study focuses on an improved leaching process through the combination of pressurized conditions and direct filtration of acid leaching slurry, which is conductive to improving the filterability of acid leaching systems and the extraction rates of Ti, Al, and Mg components. The effects of sulfuric acid concentration, reaction temperature, particle size of materials, acid-slag ratio, and reaction time on the leaching efficiency were systematically investigated. The results showed that pressurization significantly enhances the filtration efficiency of the reaction slurry. Under the same filtration time, the filtration efficiency increased from 46% under ordinary pressure to 78% under pressurized conditions. Moreover, under the optimal reaction conditions, the extraction rates of Ti, Al, and Mg components were more than 88.21%, 97.8%, and 96.31%, respectively. Additionally, XRD and FTIR showed that titanium oxide sulfate hydrate crystals were produced in the acid-leached residues when the reaction temperature exceeded 190 °C, thereby reducing the extraction rate of Ti component. And the XRD pattern shows that when the reaction temperature is maintained at 190 °C and the reaction time is extended to 150 min, titanium oxide sulfate hydrate crystals will be formed to reduce the extraction rate of the Ti component. In summary, this study not only provides important theoretical support for the resource utilization of high-titanium blast furnace slag but also offers a feasible solution for efficient extraction and convenient filtration, thus holding significant academic and practical implications.

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ATLANTIA MONOPHYLLA (AM) EXTRACT

Objective: Plants have long been recognised for their wide range of biological properties, including antibacterial, analgesic, anticancer, antipyretic, and antihypertensive action. They are also a significant source of several chemicals with biological activity. The Rutaceae family consists of a small shrub Atlantia monophylla. It is available all over India. The leaves were employed as an insect repellent and to alleviate swellings. The root bark has been found to contain atalaphyllinine, atalantin, dehydroatalantin, cycloepiatalantin, and atalaphylline 3, 5-dimethyl ether. Essential oil extracted from the leaves was reported to have antimicrobial properties. Methods: To evaluate the phytochemicals Standard chemical methods for each o the compounds were used – like Tannins (0.1% ferric chloride), saponins (2 ml of water)/flavonoids (with NaOH), Alkaloids (Drangandooff reagent), protein (Million’s reagent) steroids (10% sulphuric acid), anthraquinones (aqueous ammonia), Phenols (lead acetate), terpenoids, (3% sulphuric acids) Carbohydrates (Benedict’s reagent). Disc plate method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extract Results: The results of this study identified the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, steroids, phenols, terpenoids, and carbohydrates in the AM extract. The microbiological studies revealed better inhibitions of microbes compared to standard drugs. Conclusion: Tannins, flavonoids, proteins, steroids, phenols, terpenoids, carbohydrates and alkaloids were extracted from the AM extract. The extract has significant microbiological action.

Efficient cellulose dissolution and derivatization enabled by oxalic/sulfuric acid for high-performance cellulose films as food packaging

The performance of cellulose-based materials is highly dependent on the choice of solvent systems. Exceptionally, cellulose dissolution and derivatization by efficient solvent have been considered as a key factor for large-scale industrial applications of cellulose. However, cellulose dissolution and derivatization often requires harsh reaction conditions, high energy consumption, and complex solubilizing, resulting in environmental impacts and low practical value. Here we address these limitations by using a low-temperature oxalic acid/sulfuric acid solvent to enable cellulose dissolution and derivatization for high-performance cellulose films. The dissolution and derivatization mechanism of the mixed acid is studied, demonstrating that cellulose is firstly socked by oxalic acid, then more hydrogen bonds ionized by sulfuric acid break cellulose chain, and finally the esterification reaction between oxalic acid and cellulose is catalyzed by sulfuric acid. Solutions containing 8 %–10 % cellulose are obtained and can be stored for a long time at −18 °C without significant degradation. Moreover, the cellulose film exhibits a higher tensile strength of up to 66.1 MPa, thermal stability, and degree of polymerization compared to that fabricated by sulfuric acid. These unique advantages provide new paths to utilize renewable resources for alternative food packaging materials at an industrial scale.

Germination of Senegalia mellifera seeds in response to presowing treatments

This study aimed to evaluate the size of Senegalia mellifera seeds and determine the most effective scarification techniques to improve germination. The experiment, conducted at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, involved ten presowing treatments, including control, nicking, soaking in sulphuric acid for different durations, and boiling water for varying periods. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used for the experiment. Germination data was transformed using arcsine to meet normal distribution requirements and then analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the presowing treatments had a statistically significant effect on germination (P<0.00001). Seeds treated with sulphuric acid, nicking, and those left untreated exhibited the highest germination rates, while seeds treated with boiling water showed the lowest germination percentages. These findings indicate that the seed coats of S. mellifera are permeable to water and air, and presowing treatments do not show any significant effect on the successful germination of S. mellifera seed.

Remarkable structural effects on the extraction behavior of uranium from sulfuric acid medium using di-alkylhydrogen phosphonates: Insights from EXAFS and DFT computations

The structural effects of the carbon chain on the extraction of uranium have been examined by dialkylhydrogen phosphonates (DalHPs). The extraction of uranium by 0.55 M solutions of DalHPs in n-dodecane (n-DD) was investigated as a function of aqueous phase sulfuric and phosphoric acid concentration (0.1–6 M), and the obtained results were compared with 0.55 M solution of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in n-DD system under similar experimental conditions. The batch distribution data for the extraction of uranium from sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid medium indicated that DalHPs showed dual extraction behavior, i.e., cation exchange at lower acidities and solvation at higher acidities. The extraction of uranium from the sulfuric acid medium was found to be higher than that from the phosphoric acid medium. The extracted U-DalHPs complexes were characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and the local atomic structure was discerned. The coordination number of uranium was derived from the EXAFS fitting data for various sulfuric acid concentrations. Density functional theory (DFT) computations were performed to understand the electronic structure and binding affinity of U-DalHPs. An acid-dependent extraction mechanism was derived computationally to understand the complexation of U-DalHPs. The trends observed in the distribution ratios of uranium, and the coordination number deduced from EXAFS fitting was found to be in good agreement with the DFT computations. These investigations have opened up new avenues for use of DalHPs for the extraction/recovery of heavy metal ions from sulfuric acid medium.

Influence of acid and thermal treatment on regeneration of spent bleaching clay and conversion of residual oil to biodiesel

ABSTRACT Spent bleaching clay (SBC) is a hazardous waste produced by vegetable oil refining industries. SBC contains a residual oil (RO) with a lot of organic and inorganic impurities and its disposal leads to severe environmental consequences. In this study, SBC regeneration by extraction, acid modification and pyrolysis under various conditions and biodiesel production were studied. The GC-MS of the extracted RO shows that the fatty acid content is in conformity with crude oil and is appropriate for biodiesel production. FTIR was recorded in order to evaluate the main functional groups of fresh-, spent-, regenerated bleaching clay. The specific surface area (SSA) of fresh bleaching clay (FBC) (166.1 ± 1.7 m2/g) was lower than regenerated bleaching clay (RBC) one. The highest SSA (252.1 ± 1.7 m2/g) was revealed by pyrolysis at 550°C and activation with 10% sulfuric acid. Subsequent increase in the acid concentration and temperature of pyrolysis caused a decrease in the SSA. The heavy metals concentration in RBC was lower than the limits for activated bleaching clay in the National Food Safety Standard. Hence, RBC effectively copes with heavy metal removal. The peroxide, anisidine, acid values and oxidation stability of oil bleached with RBC are comparable to the FBC. Implications: The disposal of spent bleaching clay from vegetable oil refining industries has been recognized as a significant environmental issue. After adsorbing the impurities, spent bleaching clay becomes contaminated with a high concentration of organic and inorganic substances, including residual oils, fatty acids, phospholipids, and potentially toxic heavy metals. This makes spent bleaching clay a hazardous waste and improper disposal can lead to severe environmental consequences. Due to the potential environmental harm caused by spent bleaching clay disposal, it is crucial for vegetable oil refining industries to adopt proper waste management practices. Overall, the proper management and disposal of spent bleaching clay is essential to prevent environmental contamination and safeguard human health.

Preparation and properties of biomass castor oil polyurethane films

In order to investigate the optimal conditions for the formation of castor oil-based polyurethane (CO-PU) films and their comprehensive performance, a series of experiments were carried out utilising biomass castor oil (CO) as the main reactant, 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) as the other main reactant, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the radical initiator, and dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) as the catalyst. The CO-PUs with different R-values (the number ratio of –NCO/–OH substances) were prepared by pre-polymerisation under single-variable control. The effects of different R-values, DBTDL contents and curing temperatures on the mechanical properties and film-forming state of the CO-PUs were then investigated. Finally, the liquid-resistant medium properties and thermo-gravimetric analyses of CO-PU films were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that when the R value is 2.5, the DBTDL content is 0.1 ‰, and the curing temperature of the film-forming process is 80 °C, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the CO-PU film are 36.4 MPa and 49.05 % respectively, and the hardness of the pencil at this time is 6H. The water absorption rate is 0.01 %, and the contact angle of water is up to 83.5°. CO-PU displays a commendable resistance to sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and ethyl acetate. Additionally, CO-PU exhibits a high thermal decomposition temperature. The comprehensive performance of CO-PU can be enhanced by modifying the film-forming conditions of CO-PU, which paves the way for further expansion of the applications of CO-PU in the future.