Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia in molten salts

Ammonia is important feedstock for both fertilizer production and carbon-free liquid fuel.Many techniques for ammonia formation have been developed,hoping to replace the industrial energy-intensive Haber-Bosch route.Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia in molten salts is one promising alternative method due to the strong solubility of N3- ions,a wide potential window of molten salt electrolytes and tunable electrode reactions.Generally,electrochemical synthesis of ammonia in molten salts begins with the electro-cleavage of N2/hydrogen sources on electrode surfaces,followed by diffusion of N3^-/H^+-containing ions towards each other for NH3 formation.Therefore,the hydrogen sources and molten salt composition will greatly affect the reactions on electrodes and ions diffusion in electrolytes,being critical factors determining the faradaic efficiency and formation rate for ammonia synthesis.This report summarizes the selection criteria for hydrogen sources,the reaction characteristics in various molten salt systems,and the preliminary explorations on the scaling-up synthesis of ammonia in molten salt.The formation rate and faradaic efficiency for ammonia synthesis are discussed in detail based on different hydrogen sources,various molten salt systems,changed electrolysis conditions as well as diverse catalysts.Electrochemical synthesis of ammonia might be further enhanced by optimizing the molten salt composition,using electrocatalysts with well-defined composition and microstructure,and innovation of novel reaction mechanism.

Effects of laser heat treatment on salt spray corrosion of 1Cr5Mo heat resistant steel welding joints

The surface of 1Cr5 Mo heat-resistant steel welding joint was processed with CO2 laser, and the corrosion behaviors before and after laser heat treatment(LHT) were investigated in the salt spray corrosion environments. The microstructures, phases, residual stresses and retained austenite content of 1Cr5 Mo steel welding joint before and after LHT were analyzed with optical microscope and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The cracking morphologies and chemical compositions of corrosion products after salt spray corrosion were analyzed with field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy(EDS), respectively, the polarization curves were measured on a PS-268 A type electrochemical workstation, and the mechanism of corrosion resistance by LHT was investigated as well. The results show that the passive film of original sample is destroyed owing to the corrosive media penetrating into the subsurface, resulting in the redox reaction. The content of residual austenite in the surface and the self-corrosion potential are increased by LHT, which is contributed to improving the capability of salt spray corrosion resistance.

Performance of Thermal Energy Storage Unit Using Solid Ammoniated Salt (CaCl₂-NH₃System)

The exothermic chemical reaction of CaCl2 (calcium chloride) with NH3 (ammonia) can be utilized as an energy storage system. Since this reaction is a typical gas-solid reaction, the reaction rate is controlled by the heat transfer rate. In order to improve the low heat transfer rate of the ammoniation and the deammoniation of CaCl2, the influence of a heat transfer media (Ti: titanium) on the heat transfer rate of the solid ammoniated salt (CaCl2&#46mNH3) was studied and tested experimentally. The performance tests were carried out under the conditions of various weight ratios of Ti. No decrease of the activation of chemical reaction and no corrosion of experimental apparatus were observed on the repeated runs (≥30 times each). The heat transfer rate of ammoniated salt was greatly improved by adding Ti under the constant pressure (0.5 MPa). The reaction time required for the ammoniation of CaCl2 mixed with Ti was approximately 16% - 54% shorter than that of CaCl2 alone, and the reaction time required for the deammoniation was also approximately 19% - 59% shorter than that of CaCl2 alone.

Community analysis of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in activated sludge of eight wastewater treatment systems

We investigated the communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） in activated sludge collected from eight wastewater treatment systems using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） followed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism （T-RFLP）, cloning, and sequencing of the α-subunit of the ammonia monooxygenase gene （amoA）. The T-RFLP fingerprint analyses showed that different wastewater treatment systems harbored distinct AOB communities. However, there was no remarkable difference among the AOB T- RFLP profiles from different parts of the same system. The T-RFLP fingerprints showed that a full-scale wastewater treatment plant （WWTP） contained a larger number of dominant AOB species than a pilot-scale reactor. The source of influent affected the AOB community, and the WWTPs treating domestic wastewater contained a higher AOB diversity than those receiving mixed domestic and industrial wastewater. However, the AOB community structure was little affected by the treatment process in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of the cloned amoA genes clearly indicated that all the dominant AOB in the systems was closely related to Nitrosomonas spp. not to Nitrosospira spp. Members of the Nitrosomonas oligotropha and Nitrosomonas communis clusters were found in all samples, while members of Nitrosomonas europaea cluster occurred in some systems.

Post-treatment of TS-1 with Mixtures of TPAOH and Ammonium Salts and the Catalytic Properties in Propylene Epoxidation

TS-1/SiO_2 extrudate was post-treated with mixed solution of tetrapropyl ammonium hydroxide(TPAOH)and various ammonium salts solution(NH_4F,(NH_4)_3PO_4,(NH_4)_2CO_3,(NH_4)_2SO_4,NH_4CH_3CO_2,NH_4NO_3,NH_4Cl and(NH_4)_2TiF_6).The obtained hierarchical TS-1 catalysts were characterized by many techniques and tested for propylene epoxidation using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in a fixed-bed reactor.It was shown that the physicochemical and catalytic properties of the treated TS-1/SiO_2 extrudate depended on the types of ammonium salts added.Compared to the treatment with TPAOH alone,the treatment with a mixed solution of TPAOH and some ammonium salts can greatly improve the catalytic properties of the treated TS-1/SiO_2 extrudate.Some of these ammonium salts were favorable for the incorporation of titanium in the framework,and the beneficial effect depended on the types of ammonium salt.TS-1/SiO_2 extrudate treated with a mixed solution of TPAOH and(NH_4)_3PO_4 exhibited the highest catalyst stability in propylene epoxidation.Such catalytic property can be correlated to high crystallinity,more framework titanium,large specific surface area and large external surface area.

Effects of Salt Stress on Epidermal Cell Expansion in Leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana

[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of salt stress on cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana rosette leaves.[Method] Arabidopsis seedlings were treated by sodium chloride at the concentration of 0,100 or 150 mmol/L. At the 7th and 14th d of treatment,with nail enamel printing mark method and computer software,the leaf blades area and abaxial epidermal pavement cells area was measured and compared using statistical analysis in Excel. [Result] The growth of Arabidopsis rosette leaves was inhibited under salt stress. Leaves treated for 7 or 14 d expanded less compared with controls. The salt-mediated decrease in leaf expansion is associated with a decrease in abaxial pavement cell expansion. [Conclusion] The decreased leaf and epidermal cell expansion under salt stress is the most important characteristic of plant physiological response to salt stress.

Seed yeast cultivation for salad oil manufacturing wastewater treatment

The mixture of five yeast strains obtained from soil could remove about 85% TOC of oil rich wastewater in batch test. While the highest MLSS was obtained at an N∶C of 1∶5, the oil removal decreased with the increase of N∶C during yeast sludge cultivation. Ammonium chloride was the best nitrogen source for yeast cultivation from the viewpoint of yeast growth and oil utilization. An ammonia concentration of over 1300 mg/L led to mass death of yeast at a pH of 5. The ammonia concentration should be controlled at a level of 1000 mg/L or lower.

<i>In-Vitro</i>Fermentation by Human Fecal Bacteria and Bile Salts Binding Capacity of Physical Modified Defatted Rice Bran Dietary Fiber

Defatted rice bran dietary fiber (DRBDF) was modified by micronization, ultrasound, microwave and extrusion cooking. We investigated the impacts of these physical treatments on the fermentation ability and bile salts binding capacity of DRBDF. In-vitro fermentation by human fecal bacteria of modified fibers showed that the major fermentation products were propionic, acetate and butyrate acid. Fermentation of extruded fiber gave the highest amounts of propionic and acetic acid 135.76 and 25.45 mmol/L respectively, while, the fermented product with microwaved fiber had the highest butyric acid content (10.75 mmol/L). The amount of short-chain fatty acid increased from 12 h to 24 h and propionic acid was the predominant. On the other hand,in-vitrobile salts binding showed that extruded fiber had higher affinity with sodium deoxycholate and sodium chenodeoxycholate (66.14% and 30.25% respectively) while microwaved fiber exhibited the highest affinity with sodium taurocholate (14.38%). In the light of obtained results we can affirmed that these physical treatments significantly improved the fermentation products and bile salts binding capacity of DRBDF. Extrusion compared to the other physical treatment methods used in this study has greatly and positively influenced the fermentation and bile binding capacity of DRBDF.

Treatment of Enzymolysis Wastewater by Centrifugation- Coagulation- Fenton Reagent Oxidation- Adsorption Process

[ Objective ] The study aimed to discuss the optimal conditions for the treatment of enzymolysis wastewater by centrifugation - coagu- lation - Fenton reagent oxidation - adsorption process. [ Metbod] According to the water-quality characteristics of wastewater from a heparin so- dium production factory of Jiangsu Province, enzymolysis wastewater was segregated from intestinal lavage wastewater and treated through cen- trifugation- coagulation- Fenton reagent oxidation-adsorption process, and the optimal technical parameters were determined. E Resultl After enzymolysis wastewater was centrifuged at a speed of 4 000 rpm, 0.6 g/L CTS as the coagulant was added to the supematant. Hereafter, pH of the coagulated effluent was adjusted to 3, and then 1.5% （V/V） H2O2 was added to the coagulated effluent; a certain amount of ferrous sul- fate （n H2O2-.n FeSO4 . 7H2O =8：1 ） was added to the mixture; the reaction conducted for 30 min, and then solution pH was adjusted to about 9. Finally, the oxidized effluent flowed through a resin red until the adsorptive capacity reached 240 BV, and COD of the effluent water was lower than 100 mg/L, meeting the Grade-I standard of Comprehensive Discharge Standard of Sewage （GB8978-1996）. [Condusio] The research could provide a new process for the treatment of enzymolysis wastewater.

Electrolysis of Magnesia from Bischofite in Qinghai Salt Lakes

A new technique of magnesia electrolysis from bischofite in Qinghai salt lakes was investigated experimentally. Magnesia was prepared by ammonia processing. On an electrolysis cell of about 100 A capacity at 700degreesC, magnesium metal was obtained with a current efficiency of 90.23% and a specific energy consumption of 11.5 kW(.)h. The new technique has the advantages of energy saving, high current efficiency and environmental amity.

Improving the ammonia synthesis activity of Ru/CeO_(2) through enhancement of the metal–support interaction

The metal–support interactions induced by high-temperature hydrogen reduction have a strong influence on the catalytic performance of ceria-supported Ru catalysts. However, the appearance of the strong metal–support interaction leads to covering of the Ru species by Ce suboxides, which is detrimental to the ammonia synthesis reaction that requires metallic species as active sites. In the present work, the interaction between Ru and ceria in the Ru/CeO_(2) catalyst was induced by NaBH_(4) treatment. NaBH_(4) treatment enhanced the fraction of metallic Ru, proportion of Ce^(3+), content of exposed Ru species, and amount of surface oxygen species. As a result, a larger amount of hydrogen species would desorb by the H_(2)-formation pathway and the strength of hydrogen adsorption would be weaker, weakening the inhibition effect of the hydrogen species on ammonia synthesis. In addition, the strong electronic metal–support interaction aids in nitrogen dissociation. Consequently, Ru/CeO_(2) with NaBH_(4) treatment showed higher ammonia synthesis rates than that with only hydrogen reduction.

Structure of Ramie Treated by Liquid Ammonia

The morphology and supermolecular structures of the scoured/bleached ramie and scoured/bleached/liquid ammonia treated ramie were studied by means of scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, reverse gel permeation chromatography, etc. The results indic.ate that liquid ammonia treatment of the scoured/bleached ramie leads to a smoother surface, a lower crystalliuity, partial crystal transformation from cellulose Ⅰ to cellulose Ⅲ a decrease in the volume and cumulative surface area of the larger micropores and an increase in those of the smaller ones in the fiber.

Discussion on the Operation of Urban Domestic Sewage Treatment Facilities: A Case Study of Guangdong Province

Urban sewage treatment facility is an important ways to control polluted domestic water. The operation of urban sewage treatment facilities is good or not, and whether the effectiveness of pollutant emission reduction can be exerted play a significant role in reducing the pollution of living sources. Nowadays the operation of urban sewage treatment facilities is mainly evaluated by the load rate. However, due to the failure to fully implement the reformation of the rainwater and polluted water in Guangdong Province, the domestic sewage is mixed with rainwater during the rainy season and is included in the treatment of urban sewage treatment facilities. Therefore, it is not objective to evaluate the operation of sewage treatment facilities using only the load rate of sewage treatment. According to the situation of Guangdong Province, the load rates of COD, ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus in domestic sewage and load rate of sewage treatment were included in the evaluation, and 20 urban sewage treatment facilities were selected as research objects. The operation situations and emission reduction benefits of urban sewage treatment facilities in different regions of Guangdong Province were roughly evaluated.

Effects of microwave post-treatments on leaching resistance of ACQ-D treated Chinese fir

In order to improve the leaching resistance of active ingredient-copper in ammoniacal copper quat-type D （ACQ-D） treated Chinese fir （Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook.）, microwave post-treatments were carried out. The percentages of leached copper from ACQ-D treated Chinese fir with different microwave post-treatments were obtained after leaching tests by analyzing the copper retention in treated wood. The fixation mechanism of copper in the treated wood was determined with the help of SEM and FTIR spectra, while the valence conversion of copper after microwave post-treatments was studied by UV spectroscopy. Our experimental results show that the percentage of leached copper was reduced significantly after microwave post-treatment over time. This development was reinforced by allowing even more time for the treatment as well as with an increase in the power of microwave post-treatment. The leaching resistance of copper in wrapped samples was better than that in unwrapped samples, which is attributed to the combined effects of temperature and moisture content. Compared with air-dried samples, the valence conversion in the samples with microwave post-treatments changed slightly, which demonstrates that microwave post-treatments cannot impair the natural decay resistance of ACQ-D treated wood. SEM and FTIR spectra showed the presence of crystal particles formed by chemical reactions between copper and wood ingredients in wood cell walls and wood pits. Only a small amount of copper reacted with cellulose, while lignin and hemicellulose were the major bonding sites for copper in wood. Given the experimental results of mechanical properties, microwave post-treatments had a slight effect on the compression strength parallel to the grain and on the erystallinity of ACQ-D treated Chinese fir.

Assessment of NH3 Reduction and N2O Production during Treatment of Exhausted Air from Fattening Pigs Building by a Commercial Scrubber

The use of air scrubbers to reduce ammonia (NH3) emissions from buildings on pig farms is one of the most promising techniques in the GÖteborg protocol and other European regulations including the Industrial Emission Directive. In France, some air scrubbers are currently used on pig farms, mainly to reduce odours from livestock buildings. However, recent research revealed the production of N2O resulting from the treatment of air from pig buildings. In this context, a two-month study was conducted on a pig farm with 750 places for fattening pigs to check the abatement of NH3 emissions and to assess the possible production of N2O during treatment of exhausted air from buildings housing fattening pigs by a air scrubber. Concentrations of NH3 and N2O in the inlet and outlet air of the scrubber were continuously monitored using an Innova 1412 infrared analyzer. With the scrubber operating parameters (airflow, design, size), our results confirmed the production of N2O in the order of 5% of NH3-N reduced. N2O was produced by biological nitrification and/or denitrification inside the air scrubber. Statistical analysis (Pearson’s test) showed that the production of N2O was strongly influenced by the rate of airflow and the outside temperature. The abatement of NH3 emissions from the building was only 33%, i.e. much lower than the 70% - 90% usually cited in the literature.

Potential of Novel Halotolerant and Psychrotrophic Strain of Planococcus sp. for Water Treatment

To screen multifunctional bacteria for water treatment,a chemical oxygen demand( COD)degradation and flocculation strain S2 A15 was obtained from the offshore sewage outfall at Weihai International Beach. Based on the phylogenetic characteristics,a novel strain was identified as a Planococcus species. Strain S2 A15 was determined to have the ability of flocculation and COD degradation. A series of experiments showed that the strain S2 A15 could be used for the treatment of four types of wastewater,including domestic wastewater( 400 mg/L and 800 mg/L) and high salt domestic wastewater( 400 mg/L and 800 mg/L). Among them,the best effect was exerted by the strain that reduced by 76.9% in domestic wastewater with 400 mg/L COD. The flocculation ratio reached 60.19%. The optimal treatment conditions are also discussed. We confirmed that the strain S2 A15 had salt tolerance and low temperature resistance. The best growth of S2 A15 at salt concentration of 6% and further confirmed that the strain could degrade COD at a low temperature.

Miramistinum and metronidazole in the local treatment of the experimental purulent wounds

Objective To study the wound-healting ability of immobilized forms of miramistinum and metronidazole,based on a sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose.Methods The research was made on an experimental model of a purulent wound and levomecol was used for comparison.Results During the experiment antimicrobial activity of made drugs was evaluated and the planimetric assessment of the process of epithelialization of the wound’s surface,bacterial load,morphometric examination of histological drugs for wounds and were made.ConclusionThe benefits of combination miramistinum and metronidazole,immobilized on a sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose,compared with the drug levomecol.

常压法硝酸装置的优化改造

以杭州龙山化工的常压法硝酸装置为例,该装置在运行中出现尾气环保达标排放困难和产品结构不合理等问题。通过采取硝酸生产工艺优化和新增尾气处理装置等改造,调整了硝酸和亚硝酸钠产品结构,可减少亚硝酸钠产量2 kt/a,同时增加硝酸(质量分数为40%)产量4 kt/a;尾气中氮氧化物质量浓度<300 mg/m^(3),解决了尾气达标排放问题。该方法可为同行业类似的常压法硝酸装置改造提供借鉴经验。

海水养殖尾水中NH_(4)^(+)-N去除技术的机理与工艺研究进展

总结了海水养殖尾水中NH_(4)^(+)-N的来源及特点,NH_(4)^(+)-N去除技术的机理与功能微生物、工艺应用及其微生物分布等,重点对海水养殖尾水中NH_(4)^(+)-N去除技术的机理与工艺应用进行了阐述。好氧氨氧化微生物主要包括氨氧化细菌(AOB)、氨氧化古菌(AOA)及全程硝化菌(comammox),厌氧氨氧化微生物主要包括厌氧氨氧化细菌(AnAOB)。基于好氧氨氧化微生物原理去除NH_(4)^(+)-N的主要工艺技术包括移动床生物膜反应器(MBBR)、曝气生物滤池(BAF)、人工湿地和生态塘等;基于厌氧氨氧化菌处理海水养殖尾水的主要工艺技术有厌氧流化床、厌氧固定床等。指出工艺应用与微生物种群结构之间关系的研究不足。富集氨氧化微生物从而实现经济高效脱氮是未来工艺研究的重点方向。

天津某净水厂引江水强化处理技术研究

天津某净水厂主水源为南水北调中线工程引江水,该水厂在常规工艺基础上增设预臭氧、后臭氧和活性炭强化工艺,以期进一步提升出水水质。建立小试试验装置,对以上各工艺强化常规工艺处理引江水的效果展开探讨。结果表明,絮凝剂PAC和FeCl_(3)的最佳投加量均为17 mg/L;在常规工艺基础上增设预臭氧或后臭氧工艺可以有效提升有机物的去除效果,增设活性炭工艺可同时提升浊度和有机物的去除效果,同时增设后臭氧和活性炭工艺强化去除浊度和有机物的作用最显著。预臭氧和后臭氧的最佳投加量均为1.0 mg/L,当原水中溴离子质量浓度高达150μg/L时,常规-后臭氧工艺、预臭氧-常规-后臭氧工艺中臭氧的投加量应调整为≤0.5 mg/L。