Crop-Derived Biochar for Removal of Alachlor from Water.

The presence of various pesticides in natural streams and wastewater is a significant environmental issue due to their high toxicity, which causes harmful consequences even at low quantities. One cost-effective method to remove these pollutants from water could be through adsorption using an inexpensive, easily obtained adsorbent-biochar. The presented research demonstrates the efficacy of applying biochar obtained from wheat grains to eliminate alachlor from water.

Nanocomposites Derived from Construction and Demolition Waste for Cement: X-ray Diffraction, Spectroscopic and Mechanical Investigations.

In the production of cement, raw materials can be partially substituted by regenerable waste provided from glasses, construction and demolition waste in order to reduce the environmental problem and burden of landfills. In this study, limestone-silicate composites were synthesized using starting materials such as glass waste and lime, brick, autoclaved aerated concrete (ACC), mortar or plaster waste. The structure and mechanical properties of the nano-composite materials have been studied.

Application of Petrographic and Stereological Analyses to Describe the Pore Space of Rocks as a Standard for the Characterization of Pores in Slags and Ashes Generated after the Combustion of Municipal Waste.

Slags and ashes generated in thermal waste treatment facilities require proper management. In line with the principles of the circular economy, new, more economical, and ecological possibilities for utilizing these substances are sought. These waste materials exhibit characteristics similar to rocks in many aspects.

Aerogels based on cationically modified chitosan and poly(vinyl alcohol) for efficient capturing of viruses.

In this study, we developed a new filtering bioaerogel based on linear polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the cationic derivative of chitosan (N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylamine) propyl] chitosan chloride, HTCC) with a potential antiviral application. A strong intermolecular network architecture was formed thanks to the introduction of linear PVA chains, which can efficiently interpenetrate the glutaraldehyde(GA)-crosslinked HTCC chains. The morphology of the obtained structures was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

From crystal phase mixture to pure metal-organic frameworks - Tuning pore and structure properties.

In this study, a sonochemical route for the preparation of a new Hf-MIL-140A metal-organic framework from a mixture of UiO-66/MIL-140A is presented. The sonochemical synthesis route not only allows the phase-pure MIL-140A structure to be obtained but also induces structural defects in the MIL-140A structure. The synergic effect between the sonochemical irradiation and the presence of a highly acidic environment results in the generation of slit-like defects in the crystal structure, which increases specific surface area and pore volume.

A novel multifunctional β-cyclodextrin polymer as a promising sorbent for rapid removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions.

Production wastewater has evolved with dye and printing technology to become one of the major sources of soil and water contamination. The majority of dyes are carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic compounds. As a result, dealing with the dye in the wastewater is a critical issue.

Experimental Stand for Very-Low-Velocity Gas Flow Generation.

This article presents an experimental stand for the generation of gas flows with very low velocities. The constant volume air flow was generated in the measurement area with the use of a Mariotte bottle and a water piston (water column in a tank). The air-flow velocity was determined from the change in the height of the water piston with time, which was measured via the difference between the pressure above the water surface and the pressure at the bottom of the water column.

Two Wire Sensor for Measuring the Velocity of Non-Isothermal Flows.

Changes in the temperature of the medium significantly affect the static characteristics of hot-wire anemometry measuring wires, which causes errors in the results of flow velocity measurements. High temperatures of the medium make it necessary to additionally heat the sensor to even higher temperatures, which may lead to its damage due to wire burnout. The article proposes a solution to the problem of measuring the flow velocity in conditions of non-stationary temperatures with the use of the method of cross-correlation of signals from two-wire resistance thermometers.

Sorption and Micro-Scale Strength Properties of Coals Susceptible to Outburst Caused by Changes in Degree of Coalification.

Coals from the south-western part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin have a strong outburst susceptibility. The objective of this study was to identify the influence of coalification degree on methane sorption and micro scale strength properties of 24 coals from Jastrzębie Zdrój. Coal samples showed a reflectance R between 0.

In Search of Effective UiO-66 Metal-Organic Frameworks for Artificial Kidney Application.

The removal of uremic toxins from patients with acute kidney injury is a key issue in improving the quality of life for people requiring peritoneal dialysis. The currently utilized method for the removal of uremic toxins from the human organism is hemodialysis, performed on semipermeable membranes where the uremic toxins, along with small molecules, are separated from proteins and blood cells. In this study, we describe a mixed-linker modulated synthesis of zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks for efficient removal of uremic toxins.

A Semi-Empirical Approach to Gas Flow Velocity Measurement by Means of the Thermal Time-of-Flight Method.

This paper presents a method of measuring gas flow velocity based on the thermal time-of-flight method. The essence of the solution is an analysis of the time shift and the shape of voltage signals at the transmitter and at a temperature wave detector. The measurements used a probe composed of a wave transmitter and a detector, both in the form of thin tungsten wires.

The Intensity of Heat Exchange between Rock and Flowing Gas in Terms of Gas-Geodynamic Phenomena.

Gas-induced geodynamic phenomena can occur during underground mining operations if the porous structure of the rock is filled with gas at high pressure. In such cases, the original compact rock structure disintegrates into grains of small dimensions, which are then transported along the mine working space. Such geodynamic events, particularly outbursts of gas and rock, pose a danger both to the life of miners and to the functioning of the mine infrastructure.

Ecological environment changes of mining areas around Nansi lake with remote sensing monitoring.

Underground mining activity has existed for more than 100 years in Nansi lake. Coal mining not only plays a supporting role in local social and economic development but also has a significant impact on the ecological environment in the region. Landsat series remote sensing data (1988~2019) are used to research the impact of coal mining on the ecological environment in Nansi lake.

Cracking the Chloroquine Conundrum: The Application of Defective UiO-66 Metal-Organic Framework Materials to Prevent the Onset of Heart Defects-In Vivo and In Vitro.

In this study, we present a modulated synthesis nanocrystalline defective UiO-66 metal-organic framework as a potential chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) delivery system. Increasing the concentration of hydrochloric acid during the modulated synthesis resulted in a considerable increase of pore volume, which enhanced the CQ loading in CQ@UiO-66 composites. Drug release tests for CQ@UiO-66 composites have confirmed prolonged CQ release in comparison with pure CQ.

Estimation of Coal's Sorption Parameters Using Artificial Neural Networks.

This article presents research results into the application of an artificial neural network (ANN) to determine coal's sorption parameters, such as the maximal sorption capacity and effective diffusion coefficient. Determining these parameters is currently time-consuming, and requires specialized and expensive equipment. The work was conducted with the use of feed-forward back-propagation networks (FNNs); it was aimed at estimating the values of the aforementioned parameters from information obtained through technical and densitometric analyses, as well as knowledge of the petrographic composition of the examined coal samples.

Innovative Apparatus for Testing Filtration, Sorption and CO/CH Exchange Sorption Processes Under Isobaric Conditions on Sorbent Subjected to Confining Pressure in Terms of Laboratory Tests of CO-ECBM Technology.

In recent years, the interest in the sorption properties of coal in conditions corresponding to in situ has increased due to the continuous development of research on CO-ECBM (Enhanced Coal Bed Methane recovery) technology. In order to gain a better insight into a number of phenomena related to filtration, sorption and CO/CH exchange sorption occurring in coal loaded with confining pressure, which corresponds to the in situ conditions, an innovative research apparatus was built to enable temporal and spatial analysis of these phenomena. The constructed apparatus consists of three systems: a high-pressure system, a gas injection system and a gas emission system.

Modification of Hot-Wire Anemometers Frequency Bandwidth Measurement Method.

In measurements of fast-changing flows, one of the key issues is knowledge of the anemometer frequency bandwidth. In such measurements, the measurement technique often used is hot-wire anemometry. The determination and optimization of the measurement bandwidth of the hot-wire system is very important for the quality of the measurements carried out.

Sorption of CO and CH on Raw and Calcined Halloysite-Structural and Pore Characterization Study.

The article presents comparative characteristics of the pore structure and sorption properties of raw halloysite (R-HAL) and after calcination (C-HAL) at the temperature of 873 K. Structural parameters were determined by optical scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods as well as by mercury porosimetry (MIP, Hg) and low-pressure nitrogen adsorption (LPNA, N, 77 K). The surface area parameter (LPNA) of halloysite mesopores before calcination was 54-61 m/g.

Model and Simulation Studies of the Method for Optimization of Dynamic Properties of Tachometric Anemometers.

Mechanical tachometric anemometers, based on the phenomenon of the exchange of momentum between the flow and rotating measuring element, represent an important class of instruments used in flow metrology. In particular, they are used in meteorological and ventilation measurements. Mechanical anemometers with rotating measuring element are, however, known for their drawback related to their poor dynamic properties resulting from relatively large dimensions and mechanical inertia of the measuring element.

Absolute measurement of low gas flow by means of the spectral analysis of the thermal wave.

A new technique has been developed for determination of the very low gas flow velocity by means of the spectral analysis of the thermal waves. It is assumed that the transmitter signal is made of sine waves. By employing the Fourier analysis of the detector signals, the phase shifts of the relevant harmonic component of the frequency function were determined.

Measurement of gas flow velocity: anemometer with a vibrating hot wire.

I propose a new method to measure velocity of a gas flow, which utilizes the time derivative of the voltage observed on a vibrating hot-wire sensor. The wire vibrates with an amplitude a and a frequency f, and is kept perpendicular to the gas flow direction in the plane containing the flow velocity vector v(g). When the parameters of vibrations are tuned, the number of zeros per vibration period of the hot-wire voltage function changes.

Construction and experimental testing of the constant-bandwidth constant-temperature anemometer.

A classical constant-temperature hot-wire anemometer enables the measurement of fast-changing flow velocity fluctuations, although its transmission bandwidth is a function of measured velocity. This may be a source of significant dynamic errors. Incorporation of an adaptive controller into the constant-temperature system results in hot-wire anemometer operating with a constant transmission bandwidth.

Optimization of Single-Sensor Two-State Hot-Wire Anemometer Transmission Bandwidth.

Hot-wire anemometric measurements of non-isothermal flows require the use of thermal compensation or correction circuitry. One possible solution is a two-state hot-wire anemometer that uses the cyclically changing heating level of a single sensor. The area in which flow velocity and fluid temperature can be measured is limited by the dimensions of the sensor's active element.

Optimization of an algorithm for measurements of velocity vector components using a three-wire sensor.

Hot-wire measurements of velocity vector components use a sensor with three orthogonal wires, taking advantage of an anisotropic effect of wire sensitivity. The sensor is connected to a three-channel anemometric circuit and a data acquisition and processing system. Velocity vector components are obtained from measurement signals, using a modified algorithm for measuring velocity vector components enabling the minimization of measurement errors described in this paper.

Measuring two-dimensional components of a flow velocity vector using a hot-wire probe.

The article presents a single-hot-wire probe adapted to detect the direction of flow velocity. The modification consists of the introduction of a third support which allows to measure voltage at the central point of the wire. The sign of voltage difference DeltaU between both parts of the wire is the measure of the direction of flow velocity in a system of coordinates associated with the probe.