<p>The polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polysulfone (PSF) blended polymer membranes were modified by decaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C<sub>12</sub>EO<sub>10</sub>) as a non-ionic surfactant. Polymeric solutions containing 17 wt.% of both PAN and PSF with a ratio of 80/20, and C<sub>12</sub>EO<sub>10</sub> with a mass concentration of 6 wt.% and aluminium oxide (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) nanoparticles with varying concentrations (1, 2, and 3 wt.%) were prepared. Adding 6 wt.% of C<sub>12</sub>EO<sub>10</sub> to the casting solution formed a membrane with distinguished hydrophilicity and fouling resistance, higher porosity, appreciable permeate flux (77.1 L/m<sup>2</sup>.h), and distinct vacuum gas oil rejection (92%) in comparison with the pure PAN ultrafiltration membrane. Further improvement for the PAN/PSF blend membrane using 2 wt.% of γ-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> in the presence of 6 wt.% of C<sub>12</sub>EO<sub>10</sub> (PPCA-6-2γ membrane) produced an excellent permeate flux of 189.2 L/m²·h, favorable hydrophilicity with a contact angle of 26.55°, and an optimistic COD removal%, expressing the VGO rejection, of 97.15%. The PPCA-6-2γ membrane revealed acceptable separation performance up to four cycles of filtration and exhibited enhanced antifouling properties with an FRR% of 95.4%. The fouling mechanism that determines the flux reduction during crossflow ultrafiltration by the PPCA-6-2γ membrane was studied using the Hermia models. The cake layer formation model provided the best match for the experimental behavior when analyzing the flux reduction with time for the PPCA-6-2γ membrane. The fabrication cost was determined for PPCA-6-2γ membrane to be $1.67/20 g, respectively. So, the local manufacturing costs of the PPCA-6-2γ membrane did not surpass 90 $/m<sup>2</sup> of the membrane.</p>
Membrane manufacturing system was operated using dry/wet phase inversion process. A sample of hollow fiber membrane was prepared using (17% wt PVC) polyvinyl chloride as membrane material and N, N Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) as solvent in the first run and the second run was made using (DMAC/Acetone) of ratio 3.4 w/w. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to predict the structure and dimensions of hollow fiber membranes prepared. The ultrafiltration experiments were performed using soluble polymeric solute poly ethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight (20000 Dalton) 800 ppm solution 25 °C temperature and 1 bar pressure. The experimental results show that pure water permeation increased from 25.7 to 32.2 (L/m2.h.bar) by adding a
... Show MoreThis study aimed to determine the measurements and classification of Schneider membrane thickness correlated to age and sex factors using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: The study included CBCT images for 100 maxillary sinuses of 50 consecutive patients, and the thickness of the maxillary sinus membrane (Schneiderian membrane) was measured in coronal view from the lowest point in the floor of the maxillary sinus to the highest point. The thickness of the Schneiderian membrane was classified into 4 types. Results: The study result revealed that out of the total cases, 45% of sinus membranes were classified as type 2, while only 10% were classified as type 4. The most frequent type of membrane thickness diagnosed in the age gro
... Show MoreMembrane manufacturing system was operated using dry/wet phase inversion process. A sample of hollow fiber membrane was prepared using (17% wt PVC) polyvinyl chloride as membrane material and N, N Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) as solvent in the first run and the second run was made using (DMAC/Acetone) of ratio 3.4 w/w. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to predict the structure and dimensions of hollow fiber membranes prepared. The ultrafiltration experiments were performed using soluble polymeric solute poly ethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight (20000 Dalton) 800 ppm solution 25 °C temperature and 1 bar pressure. The experimental results show that pure water permeation increased from 25.7 to 32.2 (L/m2.h.bar) by adding aceton
... Show MoreForward osmosis (FO) process was applied to concentrate the orange juice. FO relies on the driving force generating from osmotic pressure difference that result from concentration difference between the draw solution (DS) and orange juice as feed solution (FS). This driving force makes the water to transport from orange juice across a semi-permeable membrane to the DS without any energy applied. Thermal and pressure-driven dewatering methods are widely used, but they are prohibitively energy intensive and hence, expensive. Effects of various operating conditions on flux have been investigated. Four types of salts were used in the DS, (NaCl, CaCl2, KCl, and MgSO4) as osmotic agent and the experiments were performed at the concentration of
... Show MoreABSTRACTBackground: dyslipidemia plays a crucial rule in the development of cardiovascular disease, which has become the leading cause of death in most developed countries as well as in developing countries (1). The effects of reducing low density lipoprotein – C (LDL-C) concentrations on the prevention of cardiovascular events and stroke have been well reported in many clinical trials.Objectives: Evidence supports the use of statins for lipid modifications in the primary prevention of coronary artery disease, morbidity and mortality. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of atorvastatin in treating dyslipidemia in Iraqi obese patients.Methods: 200 overweight and obese patients with hypercholesterolemia, according to NCEP ATP
... Show MoreSelenium is naturally present in the human body, animals, and plants, and is one of the important elements in their growth and maintenance. Recently, the nanoform of selenium has attracted attention due to its low toxicity and a high degree of adsorption compared to its organic and inorganic forms. The current study aimed to examine the effect of Cress leaves (Lepidium sativum L.) extract in combination with selenium nanoparticles in alleviating polycystic ovary syndrome in letrozole-induced PCOS in adult female rats. Nonthermal or cold plasma was used in the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles. Subsequently, the produced nanoparticles were identified, the 30 rats were divided into 6 equal groups, the first group was healthy (negative contr
... Show MoreSeeds of Nigella sativa were sown in containers containing 15kg Loamy soil. The seeds were divided before sewing into two groups. The first group was soaked with ordinary tap water end the second group was treated with magnetized water for 24hrs. The irrigation process was completed until 75% of capacity field with two types of water (tap water of magnetized water with three replications).The magnetized water was obtained from special electric device designed for this purposeRecorded measurements (plants height, the number of branches/ plant, dry weight ofplant, number of flowers, 1000 seed weight) during the harvest period.Results indicated that the seed group which was treated with magnetized water was more significant than the one which
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