Application of flotation column for Cl‐ and N, N′‐bis (2‐hydroxyethyl) piperazine separation in gas sweetening unit

The degradation of amine solvents leads to increasing costs and deterioration in long term performance. Therefore, the purification of the solvents is needed to guarantee smoother operations. In this research, the flotation setup was investigated by means of laboratory and pilot‐scale experiments in the amine reclamation for chloride and N, N′‐bis (2‐hydroxyethyl) piperazine (BHEP) separation. The maximum removal efficiency recorded was 51% for the largest chloride concentration of 7091 mg/l and 37% for the lowest chloride concentration of 1536 mg/l. The mass transfer coefficient was hence correlated with the hydrodynamic parameters, including chloride reduction rate, bubble surface area, and gas and liquid phase concentration. The average chloride removal efficiency for the monoethanolamine (MEA) was more than 61% due to a better dispersion of pure nitrogen gas bubbles and formation of the tiny bubbles provided in the column. The results indicated that a higher chloride initial concentration corresponded to better performance of the setup. Under the typical column operating conditions, it was concluded that a collection zone H:D of 10:1 was a reasonable compromise. The flotation setup results in BHEP separation, known as amine degradation product showed about 24% average amine recovery

Oral Poster Contribution (Oral/Poster/Keynote) EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN FOR DETERMINATION OF EFFECTIVE PARAMETERS IN HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS OF TiO2-DERIVED NANOTUBES

The synthesis of titanate nanotubes (TNT) which offers a very high specific surface area, high aspect ratio, better electrical contact, and transport of charge carrier has attracted particular interests in creating as a new kind of nanostructure materials due to various applications of photocatalysts, high effect solar cell, gas sensor, semiconductor devices, and new generation electrodes for lithium batteries [1-4]. Currently, there are developed methods for synthesis of titanate nanotubes including chemical synthesis with template, electrochemical synthesis, and alkaline hydrothermal synthesis. Among the aforementioned synthesis approaches, hydrothermal treatment received wide investigations, owing to their cost-effective, easy route to obtain nanotubes, the feasibility and availability of widespread applications [5-7]. Statistical experimental design methodology is an established and proven methodology for product and process improvements. The Plackett-Burman design was demonstrated to be powerful tools for identifying significant process parameters with relatively few experiments. A Plackett–Burman design can examine up to N−1 parameters (f ≤ N−1) in N experiments, with N being a multiple of 4 [8]. Therefore, in this work, a screening approach, involving the use of Plackett-Burman experimental design, permitted the evaluation of the effects of 8 parameter

Electric field induced alignment of graphene oxide nanoplatelets in polyethersulfone matrix

In recent years, in order to obtain improved mechanical, thermal, electrical and barrier/transport properties, aligned carbonaceous nanomaterials/polymer nanocomposite films have been receiving growing attention. Correspondingly, graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets alignment influence on the structure of the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane films for potential applications in water treatment field has been investigated. Aligned GO/PES nanocomposite membrane films were prepared by non-solvent phase inversion technique after the starting sol phase was preliminarily exposed to high electric fields (50 kV/m). Either AC (100, 1000 Hz) or DC mode electric fields were alternatively employed, and the results from both vertical and horizontal field configurations were investigated for structural and morphological comparison. Both XRD, FTIR-ATR, EIS, SEM, TEM and tensile strength analyses were applied in order to characterize the films. The microscopic analyses results have demonstrated successful GO/PES nanocomposite formation and alignment of GO nanoplatelets with the field direction in the matrix at low to moderate (0.02 to 0.1 %. wt) GO loadings where the flakes were dispersed and exfoliated sufficiently. However, at higher loading levels (1 and 2%. wt) the nanoplateles were mostly agglomerated and the big flakes consisting irregular plates could not orient their axis parallel to the electric field at the employed field strengths. The results suggest more effective role of higher frequencies (1000 Hz vs 100 Hz) electric field for alignment of GO nanoplatelets. Simple tensile tests have also similarly confirmed GO alignment under the electric fields at both low (0.1. % wt) and moderately high (0.5%. wt) GO contents. The tensile strength improvement of the horizontal field processed PES/GO nanocomposite up to 24% compared to its vertical field processed counterpart could be accounted as a proof of the successful alignment of the nanoplatelets. However, EIS results unveiled that non-solvent phase inversion casting method, in its general form, may not be a suitable method for producing materials with tailored properties, due to its random and uncontrollable pore forming mechanism

Investigation of electric field-aligned edge-oxidized graphene oxide nanoplatelets in polyethersulfone matrix in terms of pure water permeation and dye rejection

Herein, we have evaluated the impact of orientated edge-oxidized graphene oxide nanoplatelets (EOGO) in polyether sulfone (PES) membrane on the pure water permeability (PWP) and organic dye molecule rejection values. Aligned PES/EOGO nanocomposite films were prepared through electric field induction. Morphological, structural, and chemical-physical characterizations including atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), contact angle, zeta potential, porosity, and PWP measurements were carried out. The results revealed successful aligned/oriented PES/EOGO nanocomposite formation at low-to-moderate EOGO loadings. Membrane function tests demonstrated an increase in water permeability at higher EOGO contents, up to 0.5 wt%, followed by a decrease at 1 wt% nanoplatelets due to nanoparticles agglomeration. The horizontal electric field (1000 Hz) processed samples indicated lower PWP in comparison with their vertical-field (34% decrement) and No-field (29% increment) counterparts as well as a better dye molecule rejection at 0.1 wt%, referring to nanoplatelets successful alignment at this loading level

Demographic, Health, and Sexual Determinants of Quality of Life of Women with Back Pain

Purpose: Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems. Various complications, such as disability, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, stress, decreased sexual function and Quality of Life (QoL) are associated with chronic low back pain. The aim of this study was to compare the relationship between demographic, physical fitness, health status, socio-economic indicators, and sexual function indicators on the QoL of women with chronic non-specific low back pain. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 in the private center of Cyrus Physiotherapy in Tehran, Iran. Thirty married women with non-specific chronic low back pain who were sexually active and living in Tehran were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. At first, the goals and process of the study were explained to them and they were given written consent to participate in the study. Then demographic information was recorded and pain, sexual function, and QoL were measured using relevant tools. SPSS software v. 22 was used for statistical tests. Pearson correlation test was used to examine the relationship between the above variables. Results: The Mean±SD age of participants was 38.6±7.48 years. Pearson correlation coefficient showed no statistically significant relationship between the QoL with age (r=-0.172, P=0.364), the number of children (r=-0.166, P=0.382), pain intensity (r=-0.181, P=0.339) and regular exercise (r=-0.159, P=0.402), but there was a statistcally significant relationship between QoL with body mass index (r=-0.406, P=0.026), sexual function score (r=0.379, P=0.039), general health status (r=0.436, P=0.026), education level (r=0.463, P=0.010), and physical fitness status (r=-0.406, P=0.026). Conclusion: In women with chronic non-specific back pain participating in the present study, the lower the body mass index, the higher the level of education and sexual function score, the better overall health and physical fitness status, the better the QoL. However, the results of this study did not confirm the relationships between QoL and age, number of children, pain intensity, and regular exercise. Improving education, health status, fitness status, body mass index, and sexual  function index help improve QoL