Effect of Additives on the Improvement of Mechanical and Degradable Properties of Photografted Jute Yarn with Acrylamide

The jute yarn was grafted with acrylamide monomer (AA) under ultraviolet (UV) radiation to modify its mechanical and degradable properties. A number of AA solutions of different concentrations in methanol (MeOH) along with photoinitiator Irgacure 907 [2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropanone-1] were prepared. The monomer concentration and irradiation time were optimized. Jute yarn grafted with 30% AA under UV radiation for 60 min showed of the highest polymer loading (PL) value of 22% with a enhanced tensile strength (TS) value of 195% and elongation at break (Eb) value of 256% compared to untreated jute yarn. To further improve the properties of jute yarn, a number of additives (1%) such as urea, polyvinylpyrrolidone, urethane acrylate, and urethane diacrylate were used in the AA (30%) solution. Among all the additives used, urea significantly influenced the PL (27%), TS (230%), and Eb (264%) values of the treated jute yarns. Water uptake and the degradation properties of treated and untreated jute yarn caused by simulated weathering and in soil (25% water) were also studied. The rate of degradation of grafted sample is lower then that of untreated sample. DSC studies showed the thermal stability of the AA plus urea grafted sample.     

Mapping pesticide contamination potential

Groundwater contamination by agricultural chemicals is a major environmental pollution issue nation-wide. The regulatory agencies of towns and counties face the problem of finding a methodology for assessing the ground-water contamination potential of a large number of agricultural pesticides. Because of the spatial nature of the problem and the limited data availability for comprehensive pesticide movement models, a contamination potential index was employed for preliminary assessment. A specially designed geographic information system was used to create ground-water contamination likelihood maps for a 1500 km² area. The results suggest that this methodology can be used successfully for evaluating the relative contamination potential of a large number of pesticides over large areas with limited input data. A tentative approach for using this method for monitoring and registration of pesticides is also discussed.     

A general agreement on commodity organization : A ‘GATT for primary commodities’

Having reponded to various crises since the Paris Sugar Convention 1864, the process of international commodity organization is now recognized as a positive means of securing expansion of world trade and of bringing about development in producing countries. But these objectives necessitate multi-dimensional measures. The supply-management techniques, hitherto the pivot of international commodity agreements, have proved to be inadequate. It is argued in this article that the trade and development objectives can be better achieved by the provision of varied measures; that a ‘GATT for primary commodities’ is among such measures; and that such an organization does not negate, but supplements, the existing system.     

Assessment of risks posed by chemical industries—application of a new computer automated tool -III

The paper describes the application of a new computer automated tool, developed by us, in the risk analysis of a typical chemical industry engaged in the manufacture of linear alkyl benzene. Using the tool—a comprehensive software package -III (MAXimum CREDible accident analysis)—nine different scenarios, one for each storage unit, have been studied. It is observed that the accident scenario for chlorine (instantaneous release followed by dispersion) leads to the largest area-under-lethal-impact, while the accident scenario for propylene (CVCE followed by fireball) forecasts the most intense damage per unit area. The accidents involving propylene, benzene, and fuel oil have a high possibility of causing domino/secondary accidents as their destructive impacts (shock waves, heat load) would envelope other storage and process units.Besides demonstrating the utilizability of -III, this study also focuses attention on the need to bestow greater effort towards risk assessment/crisis management. The authors hope that the study will highlight the severity of the risk posed by the industry and thus generate safety consciousness among plant managers. The study may also help in developing accident-prevention strategies and the installation of damage control devices.     

Stimulating student’s pro-environmental behavior in higher education institutions: an ability–motivation–opportunity perspective

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The slow and inadequate environmental performance of higher education institutions is attracting the consideration of researchers toward a behavioral...     

超细聚苯乙烯微球粉体的燃爆特性研究

为研究超细聚苯乙烯微球粉体的燃爆特性,通过粉尘层最低着火温度测试装置、MIE-D1.2最小点火能测试装置、20 L球形爆炸测试装置,对其最低着火温度、最大爆炸压力、最小点火能量(MIE)等爆炸特性参数进行测定,探讨了加热温度、点火延滞时间、粉尘质量浓度、粉尘粒径对粉体燃爆特性的影响。结果表明:超细聚苯乙烯微球粉尘层在350℃左右时会发生无焰燃烧,且加热温度越高,粉体粒径越小,粉尘层发生着火时所需的时间越短;当粉体质量浓度为250 g/m3时,最大爆炸压力达到0.65 MPa,质量浓度为500 g/m3时,最大爆炸压力的上升速率达90 MPa/s以上;随点火延滞时间增加,最小点火能表现出先缓慢减小再急剧增大的规律;随粉尘质量浓度增加,最小点火能逐渐降低,当粉尘质量浓度超过500g/m3后逐渐趋于稳定。     

水相中苯酚光催化降解的全额光子效率

为定量评价光催化反应器的性能,利用主辐射波长为207 nm的KrBr*准分子灯降解水相中的苯酚,测定了光解和光催化降解2种体系中苯酚和TOC去除率,并计算了苯酚降解的ξ_g(全额光子效率),探讨了其影响因素. 结果表明:①延长反应时间、加入适量催化剂、降低初始c(苯酚)能提高苯酚和TOC去除率. 采用动力学模型对苯酚的降解进行拟合,表明光解和光催化降解体系中苯酚的降解均符合准一级动力学模型. ②加入催化剂和提高初始c(苯酚)均可以获得较高的ξ_g,而光源的辐射功率与ξ_g没有线性相关性;在辐射功率为0.76 W、初始c(苯酚)为1.10 mmol/L、催化剂投加量(以ρ计)为0.8 g/L的条件下,ξ_g为5.56%. ③采用高效液相色谱对光催化降解体系中生成的中间产物的变化规律进行研究发现,4种中间产物表现为c(对苯二酚)＞c(邻苯二酚)＞c(对苯醌)＞c(间苯二酚);通过建立苯酚及中间产物的拟一级降解动力学模型,证实苯酚光催化降解历程为苯酚→芳香烃中间产物→最终产物.