The
precipitation kinetics of calcium oxalate was investigated
using a novel acidic reaction rate control and pH-monitoring method
and a sequence of acid–base, coordination, nucleation, and
growth differential equations. The results indicate that the complex
formation is remarkably favorable and is diffusion rate-limited. The
nucleation reaction is shown to initiate via the molecular assembly
of near-zwitterionically polarized complexes. From experimental results,
growth and formation of the crystal phase leads to an enthalpically
less stabilized state.
Volumetric throughput at the carbonatation filters at Malalane white sugar refinery was identified as a bottleneck. Scheduling filter cleaning was found to be one of the major concerns. The maximisation of the throughput via scheduling was approached by data integration and modelling. Linear regressions of the process parameters were implemented in volume space, which allows for the prediction of the remaining run duration of each filter. These predictions are continually used as an input to an algorithm that creates a schedule. The calculations are conducted in the cloud on real-time data and the predictions reported to a web-based user interface for the plant operator to use.
Treatment of limescale build-up in process-and municipal pipes by magnetic water treatment has been a topic of research for decades. However, there is no realistic mechanistic hypothesis as to why such treatments would be effective. Therefore, a test regime was established to explore scale inhibition by means of magnetic forces in a robust and reproducible manner. In this study, two magnetic devices were developed using Neodymium-based rare earth magnets for the application of static magnetic fields. One device, based on a Halbach array, is designed to test high-intensity (965 mT) magnetic fields. The other is based on a Halbach trap arrangement, designed to test high magnetic field gradients (490 mT, 82.5 T/m). The precipitation reactions of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and calcium phosphate were monitored in real-time to determine the effectiveness of these devices for inhibiting scale. No magnetic treatment effects were observed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.