MP 2008-02

This publication is compiled from a three-part series of articles on muskox research in Agroborealis 38.2, 39.1, and 39.2

Electrodialytic processes in solid matrices. New insights into batteries recycling. A review.

Electrodialytic Remediation has been widely applied to the recovery of different contaminants from numerous solid matrices solving emerging issues of environmental concern. Results and conclusions reported in studies about real contaminated matrices are summarizes in this work. The influence of the pH value on the treatment effectiveness has been widely proved highlighting the phenomenon “water splitting” in the membrane surface. This dissociation of water molecules is related to the “limiting current” which is desirable to be exceed at the Anion Exchange Membrane in order to produce the entering of protons toward solid matrix. Other important parameters for the optimization of the technique, such as the current density and the liquid to solid ratio, are also discussed through the revision of studies using real solid matrices. This work also focusses on the pioneer proposal of electrokinetic technologies for the recycling of lithium ion batteries considering the relevance of waste properties in the design and optimization of the technique. From a thorough literature revision, it could be concluded that further experimental results are needed to allow an optimal application of the technique to the rising problem of residues from batteries. The main aim of this work is to take the first steps in the recovery of valuable metals from spent batteries, such as Li and Co, incorporating principles of green chemistry.The authors acknowledge the financial support from the “Plan Propio de Investigación de la Universidad de Málaga with Project numbers: PPIT.UMA.B1.2017/20 and PPIT.UMA.B5.2018/17 and the European project THROUGH H2020-MSCA-RISE- 2017-778045. The first author also acknowledge the postdoctoral contract obtained from University of Malaga

Acute flaccid myelitis and enterovirus D68:‘Where neurologist and microbiologist meet’

Polio or poliomyelitis has affected many people in the previous century. Through the implementation of an effective vaccine against poliovirus, it nowadays only rarely occurs. However, in the past decade, children were seen with a similar condition caused by other viruses, such as enterovirus D68. This condition, which may be associated with severe paralysis, is called ‘acute flaccid myelitis’ (AFM), independent of the causative virus. In 2016, the first children in the Netherlands were diagnosed with AFM. These children developed severe weakness of their limbs, while respiratory and bulbar muscles were also affected in some. All these children were vaccinated against polio and no poliovirus was found. Instead, enterovirus D68 was detected in respiratory material in several of them. This virus usually causes a respiratory tract infection, which may be severe. However, in rare cases it can damage anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, thereby causing paralysis.AFM is rare, with approximately two cases per year in the Netherlands. For doctors, it is difficult to recognize and differentiate it from other conditions, that also cause rapidly progressive weakness. Therefore, we aimed to find clinical and diagnostic features that may help in making the right diagnosis. Collaboration between neurologists and microbiologists is essential for this. There is currently no effective treatment, but differentiation with conditions that are treatable is important. We must remain aware of AFM and monitor new cases. This will hopefully create opportunities for treatment and possibly prevention through vaccination

Splitting technique for analytical modelling of two-phase multicomponent flow in porous media

In this paper we discuss one-dimensional models for two-phase Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) floods (oil displacement by gases, polymers, carbonized water, hot water, etc.). The main result presented here is the splitting of the EOR mathematical model into thermodynamical and hydrodynamical parts. The introduction of a potential associated with one of the conservation laws and its use as a new independent coordinate reduces the number of equations by one. The (n) × (n) conservation law model for two-phase n-component EOR flows in new coordinates is transformed into a reduced (n − 1) × (n − 1) auxiliary system containing just thermodynamical variables (equilibrium fractions of components, sorption isotherms) and one lifting equation containing just hydrodynamical parameters (phase relative permeabilities and viscosities). The algorithm to solve analytically the problem includes solution of the reduced auxiliary problem, solution of one lifting hyperbolic equation and inversion of the coordinate transformation. The splitting allows proving the independence of phase transitions occurring during displacement of phase relative permeabilities and viscosities. For example, the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) and transitional tie lines are independent of relative permeabilities and phases viscosities. Relative motion of polymer, surfactant and fresh water slugs depends on sorption isotherms only. Therefore, MMP for gasflood or minimum fresh water slug size providing isolation of polymer/surfactant from incompatible formation water for chemical flooding can be calculated from the reduced auxiliary system. Reduction of the number of equations allows the generation of new analytical models for EOR. The analytical model for displacement of oil by a polymer slug with water drive is presented.Adolfo P. Pires, Pavel G. Bedrikovetsky, Alexander A. Shapir

On the behaviour, mechanistic modelling and interaction of biochar and crop fertilizers in aqueous solutions

AbstractAlthough the benefits of applying biochar for the purposes of soil conditioning and crop productivity enhancement have been demonstrated, relatively few studies have elaborated on its causal mechanisms, especially on the biochar–fertilizer interaction. Thus, in the present study, the ex-situ adsorptive potential of base activated biochar (BAB) towards plant nutrient immobilization and removal from aqueous solutions was investigated. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was utilized as the precursor to prepare slow vacuum pyrolysed char and its affinity towards adsorption of urea was examined at various process conditions. Low sorption temperatures, moderate agitation speeds and high initial concentration were seen to favour greater urea uptake by BAB. The sorption was exothermic, physical, spontaneous and had a pseudo-second order kinetic fit. Both surface and intra-particle diffusion governed the removal and immobilization of urea. Furthermore, process mass transfer was limited by film diffusion of urea to the external surface of the BAB. Equilibrium studies suggested that Dubinin–Radushkevich is the most appropriate model to describe the urea-BAB behaviour with maximum uptake, estimated to be 1115 mg⋅g−1. Through such ex-situ analysis, it could be possible to have prior knowledge, quantification and differentiation of the potential of chars manufactured from various feedstocks. This could then be used as an effective screening step in designing appropriate biochar–fertilizer systems for soil conditioning and help reduce the time and effort spent otherwise in long-term field studies

Ion Exchange Kinetics. A Nonlinear Diffusion Problem

Ideal limiting laws are calculated for the kinetics of particle diffusion controlled ion exchange processes involving ions of different mobilities between spherical ion exchanger beads of uniform size and a well-stirred solution. The calculations are based on the nonlinear Nernst-Planck equations of ionic motion, which take into account the effect of the electric forces (diffusion potential) within the system. Numerical results for counter ions of equal valence and six different mobility ratios are presented. They were obtained by use of a digital computer. This approach contains the well-known solution to the corresponding linear problem as a limiting case. An explicit empirical formula approximating the numerical results is given

Asymptotology of Chemical Reaction Networks

The concept of the limiting step is extended to the asymptotology of multiscale reaction networks. Complete theory for linear networks with well separated reaction rate constants is developed. We present algorithms for explicit approximations of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of kinetic matrix. Accuracy of estimates is proven. Performance of the algorithms is demonstrated on simple examples. Application of algorithms to nonlinear systems is discussed.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures, 84 refs, Corrected Journal Versio