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Search results for: CARBON FOAM
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Effect of porosity on physical properties of lightweight cement composite with foamed glass aggregate
PublicationThis paper reports on a study of physical properties of lightweight cement composite. We investigate the possibility of replacing traditional aggregate with Granulated Ash Aggregate (GAA) and above all with Granulated Expanded Glass Aggregate (GEGA). For this purpose, 15 specimens of different percentage share of each aggregate in total aggregate volume were tested: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of foam glass aggregate (GEGA) partially...
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Biopolyols obtained via microwave-assisted liquefaction of lignin: structure, rheological, physical and thermal properties
PublicationThe present study examined the application of polyols obtained via microwave-assisted liquefaction of lignin in the production of rigid polyurethane foam. Lignin was liquefed in crude glycerol and 1,4-butanediol at diferent temperatures (130–170 °C), without a catalyst and using various biomass concentrations (15 and 30 wt%). The physicochemical properties, process yield, and FTIR-based identifcation of the obtained polyols were...
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Multiparameter sensitivity analysis of a GFRP composite footbridge of a sandwich structure and U-shaped cross-section
PublicationThe paper deals with multiparameter sensitivity analysis of a composite footbridge. A shell‐like structure is 14.5 m long shows U‐shaped cross‐section and inner service dimensions 1.3 × 2.5 m. Glass fiber reinforced polymer GFRP laminate constitutes faces of a sandwich structure while PET foam received from recycled bottle builts a core. The structure was divided into 285 independent areas where the thickness of laminates and stiffness...
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Synthesis and Physicochemical Characteristics of Chitosan-Based Polyurethane Flexible Foams
PublicationThe use of shrimp waste to obtain chitosan (Ch) is an essential issue, considering a circular economy, waste management, and its application to environmentally friendly materials. In this study, northern prawn shells were utilized to obtain Ch, which could then be used for synthesizing chitosan-based polyurethane (PUR+Ch) foams with different Ch concentration. The chemical structure, morphology, hardness, thermal properties, viscoelastic...
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Rigid polyurethane foams with different flame retardants and their physical and mechanical properties
PublicationRigid polyurethane foams (PUFs) containing 3, 6 or 9 % of one of of two selected fire retardants (FR): oligomeric ethyl ethylene phosphate (Fyrol PNX) and expandable graphite (EG) were prepared, inspected and compared to foam without that fillers as the control. The thermal stability of PUFs was described by horizontal test according to norm: UL 94 HB. Compressive strength and physical properties (density, fragility and water absorption)...
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Synthesis and characterisation of polyurethane elastomers with semi-products obtained from polyurethane recycling
PublicationIn this work polyurethane elastomers were synthesised by using different mixtures of a petrochemical and glycerolysate polyols and 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). Glycerolysate polyol was produced from polyurethane foam decomposition using crude glycerine as a decomposition agent. The structure and thermal properties of obtained semi-product were similar to the polyol used in the synthesis of original foam. Glycerolysate...
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The Influence of the Electrodeposition Parameters on the Properties of Mn-Co-Based Nanofilms as Anode Materials for Alkaline Electrolysers
PublicationIn this work, the influence of the synthesis conditions on the structure, morphology, and electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of Mn-Co-based films is studied. For this purpose, Mn-Co nanofilm is electrochemically synthesised in a one-step process on nickel foam in the presence of metal nitrates without any additives. The possible mechanism of the synthesis is proposed. The morphology and structure...
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Modeling of wood frame structures with different insulation materials under damaging dynamic loading
PublicationWood frame buildings are very popular in regions that are exposed to different dynamic excitations, such as damaging earthquakes. Their seismic resistance is really important in order to prevent structural damages and human losses. This paper presents the results of advanced numerical investigation carried out using the FEM. Based on the models of wall panels, the numerical model of real structure of the wood frame building has...
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The Effect of Cobalt Incorporation into Nickel–Iron Oxide/(oxy)hydroxide Catalyst on Electrocatalytic Performance Toward Oxygen Evolution Reaction
PublicationThis work presents a study on the influence of the addition of cobalt into state-of-the-art nickel–iron (NiFe) mixed oxides/hydroxides/(oxy)hydroxides on their structural and morphological properties, and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic activity. A one-step electrodeposition process is performed without any additives to fabricate NiFe and x cobalt-doped nickel/iron (xCoNiFe) layer-double-hydroxide catalysts directly on...
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Highly Dissipative Materials for Damage Protection against Earthquake-Induced Structural Pounding
PublicationIt is a common situation that seismic excitations may lead to collisions between adjacent civil engineering structures. This phenomenon, called earthquake-induced structural pounding, may result in serious damage or even the total collapse of the colliding structures. Filling the gap between two buildings erected close to one another by using visco-elastic materials can be considered to be one of the most effective methods to avoid...
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Sensitivity analysis of a composite footbridge
PublicationThis work include an example of sensitivity analysis for the design of a composite footbridge. A sandwich structure is used, consisting two high-strength skins separated by a core material. The analysis was conducted for two numerical models. The first one is a simple, single-span beam of a composite cross-section (laminate and foam), with different Young’s modulus for each material. Calculations were made by means of a MATLAB-based...
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Microstructure–Property Relationship of Polyurethane Foams Modified with Baltic Sea Biomass: Microcomputed Tomography vs. Scanning Electron Microscopy
PublicationIn this paper, novel rigid polyurethane foams modified with Baltic Sea biomass were compared with traditional petro-based polyurethane foam as reference sample. A special attention was focused on complex studies of microstructure, which was visualized and measured in 3D with high-resolution microcomputed tomography (microCT) and, as commonly applied for this purpose, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The impact of pore volume,...
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Experimental tests and numerical simulations of full scale composite sandwich segment of a foot- and cycle- bridge
PublicationIn the paper experimental tests and numerical simulations of a full cross-section segment of ultimately designed foot-and cycle-bridge are presented. The experimental tests were conducted on element with length reduced to 3 m and unchanged (target) cross-section dimensions. The external skin of structure is GFRP laminate while internal core is PET foam. Several quasi-static tests were performed using hydraulic cylinder to generate...
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Failure characterisation of sandwich beams using integrated acoustic emission and digital image correlation techniques
PublicationThe paper presents the experimental study of the failure behaviour of sandwich beams subjected to bending. The samples examined are sandwich beams made of polyethylene terephthalate foam core and glass fibre-reinforced polymer laminate face sheets. In a series of experiments, it has been proposed to integrate diagnostic techniques with acoustic emission and digital image correlation to accurately track the cracking process on the...
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Structural, thermal and physico-mechanical properties of polyurethane/brewers’ spent grain composite foams modified with ground tire rubber
PublicationIn this work, brewers’ spent grain (BSG) and ground tire rubber (GTR) waste fillers were applied as low-cost reinforcement phase in rigid polyurethane foam (PUR). PUR/BSG/GTR composites were prepared by a single step method, using polyglycerol as partial substitute of commercially available petrochemical polyols. Foaming parameters, chemical structure, dynamic mechanical properties, thermal stability, physico-mechanical properties...
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Rigid polyurethane foams modified with ground tire rubber - mechanical, morphological and thermal studies
PublicationRigid polyurethane foams, prepared by a single step method, were modified with the two types of ground tire rubber particles, i.e. untreated and thermo-mechanically reclaimed by using a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The foaming process as well as the structure and the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the resulting foams were investigated. The presence of ground tire rubber decreased the velocity of polymerization....
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KOMPOZYTOWY MOST PIESZO - ROWEROWY
PublicationPaper presents the composite foot and cycle bridge developed in FOBRIDGE grant cofinanced by The National Centre for Research and Development and realized by consortium of Gdansk University of Technology (leader), Military University of Technology in Warsaw and ROMA Sp. z o.o. in Toruń. The purpose of the grant was to design a shell type single span foot and cycle bridge made of composite materials, with the assumption of manufacturing...
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Effect of bio-polyol molecular weight on the structure and properties of polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR-PIR) foams
PublicationThe increasing interest in polyurethane materials has raised the question of the environmental impact of these materials. For this reason, the scientists aim to find an extremely difficult balance between new material technologies and sustainable development. This work attempts to validate the possibility of replacing petrochemical polyols with previously synthesized bio-polyols and their impact on the structure and properties...
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Experimental and numerical evaluation of mechanical behaviour of composite structural insulated panels
PublicationComposite structural insulated panels (CSIPs) are novel prefabricated elements for structural applications. Panels under consideration are made from glass-fibre reinforced magnesia cement boards as facesheets and expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) as a core. Quasi-static full-scale and model bending tests under monotonic loading were performed to recognize mechanical properties of CSIPs in flexure. In addition, tensile, compressive,...
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Composite GFRP U-shaped footbridge
PublicationThe paper presents proposals for the use of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites for the construction of engineering objects, known and commonly used in the shipbuilding industry. An example of a pedestrian footbridge was used in this case, which, despite the considerable thickness of the structural material, was made using infusion technology in one production cycle. The designed and produced footbridge span is durable, dynamically...
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A Simple Replica Method as the Way to Obtain a Morphologically and Mechanically Bone-like Iron-Based Biodegradable Material
PublicationPorous iron-based scaffolds were prepared by the simple replica method using polyurethane foam as a template and applying the sintering process in a tube furnace. Their surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and phase homogeneity was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Corrosion behavior was determined using immersion and potentiodynamic polarization methods in phosphate buffered saline...
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The Discrete-Continuous, Global Optimisation of an Axial Flow Blood Pump
PublicationThis paper presents the results of the discrete-continuous optimisation of an axial flow blood pump. Differential evolution (DE) is used as a global optimisation method in order to localise the optimal solution in a relatively short time. The whole optimisation process is fully automated. This also applies to geometry modelling. Numerical simulations of the flow inside the pump are performed by means of the Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes...
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Dynamic tests of composite footbridge segment – experimental and numerical studies
PublicationExperimental dynamic tests and numerical simulations of a 3 meters long segment of a footbridge made of polymer composites are presented in the paper. The span-length is reduced, however dimensions of cross-section are the same as the target footbridge. The segment structure is made of sandwich panels, which consist of fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates (skins) and a PET foam (core). The first part of the paper contains...
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Recycled Polyurethane as a Second Phase in Thermoset Blends and Its Effect on Thermal Degradation Kinetics Studies
PublicationA new approach is introduced in the modification of thermosetting polymer by using different amount of polyurethane of waste origin. The post consumer polyurethane foam coatings are degraded using glycolysis process and the recycled product is further converted into new polyurethane. The blending of recycled polyurethane with epoxy exhibits transparency and produces nanostructures. The effective interaction between two polymers...
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Systematic comparison of a biotrickling filter and a conventional filter for the removal of a mixture of hydrophobic VOCs by Candida subhashii
PublicationThis work systematically compared the potential of a conventional fungal biofilter (BF) and a fungal biotrickling filter (BTF) for the abatement of a mixture of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Candida subhashii was herein used for the first time, to the best of the author's knowledge, to remove n-hexane, trichloroethylene, toluene and α-pinene under aerobic conditions. C. subhashii immobilized on polyurethane foam...
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Characterization of volatile compounds, structural, thermal and physico-mechanical properties of cross-linked polyethylene foams degraded thermo-mechanically at variable times
PublicationWaste cross-linked polyethylene foam (wXLPE) was thermo-mechanically degraded at variable time using internal batch mixer. The progress of wXLPE degradation has been investigated by using a simultaneous thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, swelling measurements, tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy. Volatile organic compounds generated during...
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Parametric optimization of sandwich composite footbridge with U-shaped cross-section
PublicationParametric optimization of sandwich composite footbridge was presented in the paper. Composite footbridge has 14,5 m long and has U-shaped cross-section with inner dimensions 2,6 × 1,3 m. The sandwich structure in made from GFRP laminate as a faces and PET foam as a core. The aim of analysis was to minimize the mass of the new footbridge that can lead to minimize the cost of structure. After optimization was conducted, the new...
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Validation Process for Computational Model of Full-Scale Segment for Design of Composite Footbridge
PublicationExperimental tests and numerical simulations of a full-scale segment of a foot and cycle bridge made of polymer composites are presented in the paper. The analysed structure is made of sandwich panels, which consist of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) multi-layered laminate faces and a PET foam (obtained from recycling) core. The dimensions of the segment cross-section are the same as for the target footbridge; however, span...
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Recycling of Polyurethanes Containing Flame-Retardants and Polymer Waste Transformed into Flame-Retarded Polyurethanes
PublicationThe growing number of polyurethanes (PUs) produced every year has developed methods for their mechanical and chemical recycling which yield valuable products like substitutes for commercial polyols or flame-retardants. PUs can be produced in different shapes and forms (i.e., elastomers, flexible or rigid foams, coatings, etc.) using several different components (i.e., di- or polyisocyanates, ester- or ether-based polyols, low-molecular...
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Biobased Ultralow-Density Polyurethane Foams with Enhanced Recyclability
PublicationPolyurethane (PUR) foams are widely used in many engineering applications, but their efficient recycling has remained a major challenge for many years. This study presents a novel strategy of incorporating hydrolyzable ester units into the PUR structure to enhance PUR foam recyclability. The present ecodesign concept of PUR materials enables fully the replacement of petrochemical polyols with biobased alternatives and production...
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Structure, Mechanical, Thermal and Fire Behavior Assessments of Environmentally Friendly Crude Glycerol-Based Rigid Polyisocyanurate Foams
PublicationIn this work, rigid polyisocyanurate foams were prepared at partial substitution (0–70 wt%) of commercially available petrochemical polyol, with previously synthesized biopolyol based on crude glycerol and castor oil. Influence of the biopolyol content on morphology, chemical structure, static and dynamic mechanical properties, thermal insulation properties, thermal stability and flammability was investigated. Incorporation of...
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Cu-Doped Layered Double Hydroxide Constructs the Performance-Enhanced Supercapacitor Via Band Gap Reduction and Defect Triggering
PublicationLayered double hydroxides (LDHs) are regarded as the excellent electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their high theoretical capacitance and abundance. However, the poor conductivity and limited reaction kinetics of LDHs restrict their practical application severely. Herein, Cu is chosen from groups VIII/IB/IIB as dopants for Co-based LDH (CuCo-LDH). The designed metal–organic framework-derived hierarchical CuCo-LDH...
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Numerical analyses of novel prefabricated structural wall panels in residential buildings based on laboratory tests in scale 1:1
PublicationThe paper presents experimental and numerical investigations on novel prefabricated composite building wall panels for residential building constructions. The wall panels were composed of reinforced concrete ribbed elements with the core from the EPS foam as the thermal insulation. The wall panels in the full-scale 1:1 were subjected to vertical loads. In the first step, the experiments were analysed with simple usual static methods....
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Obtaining and Characterization of the PLA/Chitosan Foams with Antimicrobial Properties Achieved by the Emulsification Combined with the Dissolution of Chitosan by CO2 Saturation
PublicationA new method of obtaining functional foam material has been proposed. The materials were created by mixing the poly lactic acid (PLA) solution in chloroform, chitosan (CS) dissolved in water saturated with CO2 and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and freeze-dried for removal of the solvents. The composite foams were characterized for their structural (SEM, FT-IR, density, porosity), thermal (DSC), functional (hardness, elasticity, swelling...
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Obtaining and Characterization of the PLA/Chitosan Foams with Antimicrobial Properties Achieved by the Emulsification Combined with the Dissolution of Chitosan by CO2 Saturation
PublicationA new method of obtaining functional foam material has been proposed. The materials were created by mixing the poly lactic acid (PLA) solution in chloroform, chitosan (CS) dissolved in water saturated with CO2 and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and freeze-dried for removal of the solvents. The composite foams were characterized for their structural (SEM, FT-IR, density, porosity), thermal (DSC), functional (hardness, elasticity, swelling...
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Trimethylamine N-oxide and the reverse cholesterol transport in cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study
PublicationThe early atherosclerotic lesions develop by the accumulation of arterial foam cells derived mainly from cholesterol-loaded macrophages. Therefore, cholesterol and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) have been considered as causative in atherosclerosis. Moreover, recent studies indicate the role of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current study aimed to investigate the association...
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Evaluation of the glycerolysis process and valorisation of recovered polyol in polyurethane synthesis
PublicationIn this study, the glycerolysis of polyurethane (PU) foam and the applicability of obtained glycerolysate (GLY) for cast PUs were investigated. It was found that crude glycerine with purity grade of 84% might be successfully used for the glycerolysis. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: reaction time of 60 min at 220 °C using dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst (0.5%). Moreover, the purification of GLY by means of liquid-liquid...
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Clays as Inhibitors of Polyurethane Foams’ Flammability
PublicationPolyurethanes are a very important group of polymers with an extensive range of applications in different branches of industry. In the form of foams, they are mainly used in bedding, furniture, building, construction, and automotive sectors. Due to human safety reasons, these applications require an appropriate level of flame retardance, often required by various law regulations. Nevertheless, without the proper modifications,...
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Preparation of Well-Compatibilized PP/PC Blends and Foams Thereof
PublicationThe performance of polypropylene-poly(ethylene brassylate) block and graft copolymers and a polypropylene-polycaprolactone graft copolymer as compatibilizers for polypropylene-rich polypropylene/bisphenol A polycarbonate (PP/PC, 80/20 wt/wt) blends was elucidated. The copolymers were synthesized either by metal-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization or transesterification of a presynthesized polyester, initiated by hydroxyl-functionalized...
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Evaluation of electrosynthesized reduced graphene oxide–Ni/Fe/Co-based (oxy)hydroxide catalysts towards the oxygen evolution reaction
PublicationIn this work, the specific role of the addition of graphene oxide (GO) to state-of-the-art nickel–iron (NiFe) and cobalt–nickel–iron (CoNiFe) mixed oxides/hydroxides towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is investigated. Morphology, structure, and OER catalytic activity of the catalysts with and without GO were studied. The catalysts were fabricated via a two-step electrodeposition. The first step included the deposition...
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Effects of thermal history on the performance of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells with Sm0.2Ce0.8O2-δ electrolyte and LiNi0.81Co0.15Al0.04O2 electrodes
PublicationIn this study, low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells with an ∼560 μm thick Sm0.2Ce0.8O2−δ (SDC) electrolyte and ∼890 μm thick LiNi0.81Co0.15Al0.04O2−δ (NCAL) electrodes are constructed and characterized under three experimental conditions. The cell with an NCAL cathode pre-reduced under an H2 atmosphere at 550 °C presents the best electrochemical performance. This is ascribed to facts that the reduction reaction generating Ni–Co...
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Effect of ground tire rubber on structural, mechanical and thermal properties of flexible polyurethane foams
PublicationFlexible polyurethane foams were modified with two kinds of ground tire rubber, untreated and thermo-mechanically reclaimed. A reclamation process was performed in auto-thermal conditions, which reduced the cost of the process and decreased the environmental impact of devulcanization (e.g., emission of gases). The reclamation process was carried out in a continuous manner using a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The foams were...
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Cost Analysis of Prefabricated Elements of the Ordinary and Lightweight Concrete Walls in Residential Construction
PublicationGlobal economic growth causes an increase in natural resources exploitation, particularly in construction branch. The growing use of electricity contributes to climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to search the solutions, which will allow for reducing natural resources exploitation. One of the many opportunities to do that is the application of the recycled materials. The authors of the given article have analyzed three variants...
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Fungal co-culture improves the biodegradation of hydrophobic VOCs gas mixtures in conventional biofilters and biotrickling filters
PublicationThe present study systematically evaluated the potential of Candida subhashii, Fusarium solani and their consortium for the abatement of n-hexane, trichloroethylene (TCE), toluene and α-pinene in biofilters (BFs) and biotrickling filters (BTFs). Three 3.2 L BFs packed with polyurethane foam and operated at a gas residence time of 77 s with an air mixture of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were inoculated with C. subhashii,...
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The miniaturised emission chamber system and home-made passive flux sampler studies of monoaromatic hydrocarbons emissions from selected commercially-available floor coverings
PublicationThe estimation of the emission rate of organic compounds released from various types of indoor materials can be performed using stationary environmental test chambers (ETC) classified as ex-situ methods or small-scale portable analytical devices based on the use of passive technique at the stage of analytes sampling from the gaseous phase (in-situ methods). The paper presents results of emissions of selected organic compounds from...
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Cyclodextrin polymers as efficient adsorbents for removing toxic non-biodegradable pimavanserin from pharmaceutical wastewaters
PublicationPresence of even small amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the environment carries risks tohuman and animal health, presenting an important issue. The paper presents issues related to the newdrug - pimavanserin (PMV). Biological treatment efficiency of pimavanserin (PMV) was evaluated usinglab-scale Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). It has been shown to have a negative effect on aquatic or-ganisms by classifying it as...
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Measurements of Thermal Conductivity of LWC Cement Composites Using Simplified Laboratory Scale Method
PublicationThe implementation of low-energy construction includes aspects related to technological and material research regarding thermal insulation. New solutions are sought, firstly, to reduce heat losses and, secondly, to improve the environment conditions in isolated rooms. The effective heat resistance of insulating materials is inversely proportional to temperature and humidity. Cement composites filled with lightweight artificial...
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Development, characterization and evaluation of composite adsorbent for the adsorption of crystal violet from aqueous solution: Isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies
PublicationThe purpose of this work focuses on the production and investigations of a new composite material as alternative low-cost adsorbent for the removal of crystal violet (CV) dye from waste solution. The production method was performed by in-situ thermal activation technology via extrusion process of polymer wastes containing tire rubber (50 wt%) and polyurethane foam (50 wt%) using single-screw extruder under processing temperature...
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Process control of air stream deodorization from vapors of VOCs using a gas sensor matrix conducted in the biotrickling filter (BTF)
PublicationThis article presents the validity, advisability and purposefulness of using a gas sensor matrix to monitor air deodorization processes carried out in a peat-perlite-polyurethane foam-packed biotrickling filter. The aim of the conducted research was to control the effectiveness of air stream purification from vapors of hydrophobic compounds, i.e., n-hexane and cyclohexane. The effectiveness of hydrophobic n-hexane and cyclohexane...
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Development of nanoscale morphology and role of viscoelastic phase separation on the properties of epoxy/recycled polyurethane blends
PublicationA novel and cost-effective approach towards the modification of epoxy matrix has been developed using recycled polyurethane for the first time without sacrificing any of the intrinsic properties of the resin. Polyurethane, recycled from waste foam by glycolysis process (RPU), was found to be very effective in improving the properties of the thermosetting resin based on Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA). The effect of the...