Corncob is an agricultural biomass waste that was widely investigated as an adsorbent of contaminants after transforming it into activated carbon. In this research carbonization and chemical activation processes were achieved to synthesize corncob-activated carbon (CAC). Many pretreatment steps including crushing, grinding, and drying to obtain corncob powder were performed before the carbonization step. The carbonization of corncob powder has occurred in the absence of air at a temperature of 500 °C. The chemical activation was accomplished by using HCl as an acidic activation agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) facilitated the characterization of (CAC). The results showed the CAC has non-uniform morphological features with different shapes of its active sites. The prepared CAC was utilized in adsorption of sulfur in its highly complex form of dibenzothiophene (DBT). Particular adsorption parameters of contacting time, temperature, and adsorbent dose were optimized to select the best conditions. These certain conditions are then applied in the adsorption of different DBT concentrations. The maximum removal of DBT reached around 83% at optimal conditions of contacting time (30 min), temperature (60 °C), and adsorbent dose (3 g L-1). The removal efficiency was significantly increased by decreasing the initial concentration of DBT. The experimental data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model compared with the Langmuir one. The maximum capacity of CAC for adsorption of DBT at equilibrium was 833.3 mg g-1 at 60 °C. The findings of this research introduce the CAC as a feasible adsorbent for removal DBT from simulated liquid petroleum fuels.
Background and objectives: Whether to use a cold scalpel or laser surgery to remove a lesion in the skin of the craniofacial area is the main question the surgeon asks him- or herself to do. The study tried to extend the literature with data that may help the surgeons to choose the right method. Methods: Thirty patients with intra- and extraoral craniofacial skin lesions managed by Carbone dioxide (CO2) laser surgery. Results: The most common type of lesion treated was melanocytic nevi (15 patients; 50%). Conclusion: The main complication of CO2 laser surgery is the remaining permanent hypopigmentation of the treated area; however, the CO2 laser has many advantages (especially at the time of surgery) making it a good choice for the manageme
... Show MoreThe galvanic corrosion of the (Cu - Fe), (Cu - Zn) and (Fe - Zn) couples have been investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution, 40ºC, different velocities (Re = 5000, 10000 and 15000) and different area ratio’s of cathode to anode (AR= 0.5,1 and 2), by using commercial metal pipe (cylindrical tube).The Zero Resistance Ammeter has been used to measure the galvanic current (Ig) and galvanic potential (Eg) with time. The galvanic current density increases with increasing velocity (Re) and the area ratio (AR). The galvanic potential (Eg) is shifted to less negative with increasing velocity (Re) and the area ratio (AR). A statistical relations for the galvanic current density and galvanic potential as a function of (Re). and the area ratio had been
... Show MoreDrag has long been identified as the main reason for the loss of energy in fluid transmission like pipelines and other similar transportation channels. The main contributor to this drag is the viscosity as well as friction against the pipe walls, which will results in more pumping power consumption.
The aim in this study was first to understand the role of additives in the viscosity reduction and secondly to evaluate the drag reduction efficiency when blending with different solvents.
This research investigated flow increase (%FI) in heavy oil at different flow rates (2 to 10 m3/hr) in two pipes (0.0381 m & 0.0508 m) ID By using different additives (toluene and naphtha) with different concent
... Show MoreMechanical rock properties are essential to minimize many well problems during drilling and production operations. While these properties are crucial in designing optimum mud weights during drilling operations, they are also necessary to reduce the sanding risk during production operations. This study has been conducted on the Zubair sandstone reservoir, located in the south of Iraq. The primary purpose of this study is to develop a set of empirical correlations that can be used to estimate the mechanical rock properties of sandstone reservoirs. The correlations are established using laboratory (static) measurements and well logging (dynamic) data. The results support the evidence that porosity and sonic travel time are consistent i
... Show MoreIn the present work, bentonite clay was used as an adsorbent for the removal of a new prepared mono azo dye, 4-[6-bromo benzothiazolyl azo] thymol (BTAT) using batch adsorption method. The effect of many factors like adsorption time, adsorbent weight, initial BTAT concentration and temperature has been studied. The equilibrium adsorption data was described using Langmuir and frundlich adsorption isotherm. Based on kinetics study, it was found that the adsorption process follow pseudo second order kinetics. Thermodynamics data such as Gibbes Free energy ∆Gᵒ, entropy ∆Sᵒ and ∆Hᵒ were also determined using Vant Hoff plot.
Diacerein (DCN) is a semi-synthetic anthraquinone derivative of Rhein that is indicated for the management of osteoarthritis. Diacerein exhibits poor dissolution in the GIT fluids and suffers from low bioavailability upon oral administration in addition to the laxative effect of Rhein metabolites. The aim of the present study was to develop novasomal vesicles with optimized entrapment efficiency and size to serve as a carrier for transdermal delivery of diacerein. Novasomal vesicles were prepared by thin film hydration method thin film hydration. The prepared vesicles were optimized utilizing different surfactant to cholesterol molar ration, sonication type, different sonication times and varying fatty acid level. The prepared vesicles were
... Show MoreThe present study intends to prepare nanofibers mat of polyacrylonitrile by electrospinning technique and investigates their adsorption capacity to Congo red dye from the aqueous solution, after characterize it by different techniques such as FTIR, SEM, EDA, XRD and BET. The influence factors on adsorption were studied including adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, contact time, pH and ionic strength. The results confirmed that the increasing in pH decreases the adsorption capacity. So, the optimum adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time were 0.006 g, 25 mg/L and 150 min respectively. The isotherm models of Freundlich and Langmuir were applied on the experimental adsorption data to evaluate the maximum capacity and ener
... Show MoreA systematic approach is presented to achieve the stable grasping of objects through a two-finger robotic hand, in which each finger cavity was filled with granular media. The compaction of the latter, controlled by vacuum pressure, was used to adjust the structural and contact stiffness of the finger. The grasping stability was studied under the concurrent effect of an external torque and applied vacuum pressure. Stable grasping was defined as the no slippage condition between the grasped object and the two fingers. Three control schemes were adopted and applied experimentally to ensure the effectiveness of the grasping process. The results showed that stable and unstable grasping regions exist for each combination of applied torqu
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