Study of brine-halite phase separation through optical constringence and molecular dynamics.

This work presents a study of the reciprocal dispersive power, also known as constringence or Abbe number of an aqueous solution of NaCl in a wide range of concentrations. The constringence exhibited a distinct behavior in the region close to the phase transition between a phase containing exclusively brine and a phase containing brine+halite. Molecular dynamics simulations of this system indicated the existence of halite formation below the known saturation curve, which agreed with the experimental measurements, indicating a crystal growth in the unsaturated region.

UV-Vis LED-assisted photo-Fenton process for mineralization of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide: optimization using desirability function.

This study presents the results obtained for the optimization of the mineralization of losartan (LOS) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) using the photo-Fenton process with a UV-Vis LED. Experimental design optimization employing a Doehlert matrix and a global desirability function enabled simultaneous evaluation of multiple responses, with factor fitting providing the best conditions that maximized the mineralization efficiency: Fe at 10 mg L and HO at 100 mg L. High rates of mineralization of LOS and HCTZ were obtained, with dissolved organic carbon (DOC); removal of almost 75% after 90 min was observed for both pharmaceuticals.