Computer-controlled apparatus for automated development of continuous flow methods

An automated apparatus to assist in the development of analytical continuous flow methods is described. The system is capable of controlling and monitoring a variety of pumps, valves, and detectors through an IBM PC-AT compatible computer. System components consist of two types of peristaltic pumps (including a multiple pump unit), syringe pumps, electrically and pneumatically actuated valves, and an assortment of spectrophotometric and electrochemical detectors. Details of the interface circuitry are given where appropriate. To demonstrate the utility of the system, an automatically generated response surface is presented for the flow injection determination of iron(II) by its reaction with 1,10-phenanthroline

Removal of heavy-metals from wastewater using a hydrous alumino-silicate mineral from Kenya

Heavy metals’ discharge into the environment continues to pose grave concerns around the world. The efficacy of a hydrous alumino-silicate clay (AlSiM) coming obtained from some regions of Kenya to sorb heavy-metal ions from water has been evaluated in batch tests taking into account changes in adsorbent dose, pH, contact time, and temperature. Complete metal removals, from water containing up to 66 mg/L of Pb(II) was achieved using this material at pH value of 5 over a temperature range of 289–333 K. The adsorption data fitted both the Langmuir and the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms with R2 > 0.99. The D-R adsorption energy (−11.7 kJ/mol) indicated that chemisorption was the primary reaction in the adsorption process and the derived ∆G0 value (−7.45 kJ/mol) was consistent with the spontaneity of the adsorption process. The kinetic analyses indicated a film-diffusion and surface-chemisorption controlled process. Verification of the initial results on heavy metals-containing wastewaters obtained from a tannery and a leather processing industries revealed excellent adsorption efficacies of AlSiM for Cr3+ (99−100%), Fe3+ (96−98%), Mn2+ (85−97%) and Zn2+ (78−86%). The use of AlSiM as a plausible low-cost adsorbent for heavy-metal decontamination of industrial effluents has therefore been demonstrated

Quality and psychosocial factors influencing purchase of orange‐fleshed sweet potato bread

This 2018 study, conducted in six Tusky's supermarkets in Nairobi, Kenya, combined the Just‐About‐Right, Penalty and Mean‐End‐Chain analyses to examine the quality and psychosocial factors influencing the purchase of a novel bread made from orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), a biofortified crop, focusing on sixty‐one male and eighty female urban OFSP bread buyers recruited at point of purchase. It finds that sensory and psychosocial factors drive purchasing decisions and that some of the bread's sensory characteristics are misaligned with consumers' expectations. It also finds that women and men’s evaluations of the bread's characteristics are different, as are their motivations for purchase. However, good sensory attributes and the knowledge of the bread's nutritional value were key drivers. Some misaligned characteristics reveal levers for the reformulation of the bread and present opportunities for segmenting the market. Several other implications of the findings for policy and future improvement of the bread are discussed