Specific Gravity

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel and fuel extender easily derived from vegetable oil or animal fat. In 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency mandated that maximum sulfur content of diesel fuels be reduced to 15 ppm to protect catalysts employed in exhaust aftertreatment devices. Processing to produce this ultra-low sulfur petrodiesel (ULSD) alters fuel lubricity, density, cold flow, viscosity, and other properties. Consequently, there is a need to develop a better understanding of the basic fuel properties of biodiesel/ULSD blends. This work evaluates the effects of biodiesel volumetric blend ratio (V BD) on cloud point (CP), kinematic viscosity (m), specific gravity (SG), and refractive index (RI) of blends with petrodiesel. Properties measured for various blends of methyl esters of soybean oil (SME) and used cooking oil (UCOME) in ULSD were compared with those for blends with low sulfur (B500 ppm) petrodiesel fuel (LSD). With respect to increasing V BD , CP and SG increased and RI decreased with each parameter demonstrating a linear correlation. In contrast, m showed a curvilinear relationship with respect to increasing V BD. Calibration curves were derived from regression analyses to determine V BD in biodiesel/ULSD blends from measurements of each individual property. While the models had generally high coefficients of regression (R 2 [ 0.986), SG models were most accurate for predicting V BD to within 1.3 vol%. Keywords Biodiesel Á Blend ratio Á Cloud point Á Refractive index Á Specific gravity Á Kinematic viscosity Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The reduction in the sources of natural sand and the requirement for reduction in the cost of concrete production has resulted in the increased need to identify substitute material to sand as fine aggregates in the production of concretes. Quarry dust, a by-product from the crushing process during quarrying activities is one of the materials being studied. This paper reports the experimental study undertaken to investigate some properties of quarry dust and discusses the suitability of those properties to enable quarry dust to be used as partial replacement material for sand in concrete. The properties of quarry dust that were determined are aggregate crushing value, flakiness index, pH value, soundness, specific gravity, absorption and fineness modulus. Besides, the 28 th day compressive strength of concrete specimens, in which partial replacement of river sand with quarry dust were practiced, is also reported for comparison purposes. Results obtained indicate that the incorporation of quarry dust into the concrete mix as partial replacement material to river sand resulted in lower 28 th day compressive strength. This can partly be attributed to the properties of the quarry dust which might contribute to the negative effects in the strength of the concrete. The results of the study also indicates that quarry dust can be utilised as partial replacement material to sand, in the presence of silica fume or fly ash, to produce concretes with fair ranges of compressive strength.

This paper is confined to the production and physico-chemical characterization of peanut oil biodiesel (POB). An optimum conversion of POB from triglycerides (TD) was achieved by using 1:6 molar ratio (methanol : oil) at 60 o C. Fuel properties of POB were determined and compared with ASTM (American Standard Testing Material). The kinemetic viscosity at 40 o C (eta) of POB (100%) was 5.908, specific gravity 0.918, density at 40 o C (Rho) 0.0992, flash point (FP) 192, pour point (PP) 3 o C, cloud point (CP) 6

Present study was carried out to investigate the quality of camel milk. A wide variation was observed in the quality of raw camel milk. Specific gravity ranged between 1.014 and 1.017 (1.015±0.001), pH 6.57 and 6.97 (6.77 ± 0.07), and acidity 0.12 and 2.00 (0.18 ±0.01 g per 100 g). Total solids, solids not fat, fat, protein, casein, lactose, ash

A two-year experiment (2004-2005) was conducted at Tal Amara Research Station in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon to evaluate the influence of progressive application of K rates and application timing on yield, yield components and tuber quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Agria). Four levels of potassium (0 (K0), 75 (K75), 150 (K150), and 225 (K225) kg K2O ha-1) and two application timings (tuber initiation and tuber bulking stages) were used in a split-plot design. The progressive application of potassium fertilizer from 0 to 225 kg K2O ha-1 significantly affected the yield and yield components of potato. In both years, small grade tubers and aggregate tuber yield increased quadratically with increasing K application rates up to 150 kg K2O ha-1, reaching a plateau thereafter, showing luxury consumption of the nutrient at 225 kg K2O ha-1. In 2004 when averaged over K application rates, large and medium grade tubers and aggregated tuber yield were 120%, 22%, and 12% greater, resp...

Wet gravity separation technique has been regularly practiced to separate the polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) (light plastic films) from chlorinated plastic films (CP films) (heavy plastic films). The CP films including poly vinyl chloride (PVC) and poly vinylidene chloride (PVDC) would float in water even though its density is more than 1.0g/cm(3). This is because films are twisted in which air is sometimes entrapped inside the twisted CP films in real existing recycling plant. The present research improves the current process in separating the PP and PE from plastic packaging waste (PPW), by reducing entrapped air and by increasing the hydrophilicity of the CP films surface with ozonation. The present research also measures the hydrophilicity of the CP films. In ozonation process mixing of artificial films up to 10min reduces the contact angle from 78° to 62°, and also increases the hydrophilicity of CP films. The previous studies also performed show that the artificial P...

The vast, well-oxygenated hypolimnia of Lake Baikal and the Great Lakes were both dominated by endemic planktivorous fishes. These dominants, two species of sculpins (Comephorus, Comephoridae) in Lake Baikal and six species of deepwater ciscoes (Coregonus, Salmonidae) in the Great Lakes, although distant taxonomically, have morphologies suggesting a surprising degree of functional convergence. Here it is proposed that the same two buoyancy-regulation strategies observed in Baikal sculpins also arose in the deepwater ciscoes of the Great Lakes. One strategy favors hydrostatic lift (generated by low specific gravity) and is characterized by fatter, larger-bodied fish with smaller paired fins; the second strategy favors hydrodynamic lift (generated by swimming) and is characterized by leaner, smaller-bodied fish with larger paired fins. Both types likely evolved to feed on a single species of ecologically analogous, vertically migrating macrozooplankter: Macrohectopus branickii in Lake Baikal and Mysis relicta in the Great Lakes. It is suggested that Coregonus did not diversify and proliferate in Lake Baikal as they did in the Great Lakes because by the time Coregonus colonized Lake Baikal, pelagic sculpins were already dominant.

The interrelationship was determined between osmolarity, concentration, and density of aqueous solutions of polysucrose (Ficoll), metrizoate @opaque), polyethylene glycol, gum acacia, and ioalvcaminic acid CBilivistan). It was found that bv mixing two solutions--each consisting of d$f&ent concentrations of l&11, Isopaque, Tris-HCl buff&, and a Ringer solution-a l&ear density gradient could be produced, ranging from 1.055 to 1.095 g/ml. This gradient has a constant osmolarity of 280-290 mOsm (isotonic with human serum) and a constant pH of 7.4. A method is described for the determination of density distribution profiles of human blood lymphocytes by means of this gradient. The procedure has a high reproducibility and does not change the lvmohocvte viabilitv as determined bv subseuuent multiolication in culture and dye exclusion. '&e-me& density of human blood lymphocytes, immediately after isolation, was-found to be 1.072 f0.0014 (n = 12). The vield of hmohocvtes from the linear gradient is 5G70 %. but can be increased to 8&90 % if 1% human albumin is-included in the grad&t material. From a discontinuous gradient SO-90 % of the cells may be recovered. Moreover, it was found that the same method may be used for the determination of the density profile of human spleen cells, thymus cells, granulocytes, thrombocytes, leukaemic lymphocytes, and lymphoid line cells.

A Detroit 6I/-92 TA coach diesel engine and a Cummins NTA-855-C diesel engine were operated on fuels produced by blending methyl soyate with No. 2 diesel fuel. Seven fuels, namely, neat diesel fuel; 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 50:50 and 25:75% (v/v) blends of diesel fuel:methyl soyate; and neat methyl soyate were prepared and tested for the performance of the Detroit engine using standard test code SAE J1349. Specific gravity, viscosity, and heating values of all seven fuels were determined. Power developed by the engine, brake specific fuel consumption, and emissions analyses including brake specific hydrocarbon, brake specific oxides of nitrogen, brake specific carbon monoxide and smoke were measured. The performance of the engine was found to be satisfactory without a significant reduction in power output on methyl soyate blends up to 30%. Based on these results, the Cummins engine was run on four fuel blends, namely, neat diesel fuel; and 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30% (v/v) blends of diesel:methyl soyate. The performance of the Cummins engine was found to be satisfactory without any significant reduction in power. Engine exhaust emissions, except NO×, were reduced for both engines as the concentration of the methyl soyate in the fuel increased. , for statistical analyses and computer programming.

Background: It has been suggested that diseases that promote isosthenuria predispose to urinary tract infections because of a lack of the common bacteriostatic properties present in concentrated urine.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinicopathologic risk factors for positive urine culture outcome in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus (DM), uncontrolled hyperthyroidism (HT), or lower urinary tract disease (LUTD).Methods: For this retrospective study, medical records of all cats in which a urinalysis and aerobic bacterial urine culture were performed between January 1995 and December 2002 were reviewed. Signalment, body weight, and clinicopathologic data were recorded. Based on the medical records, cats were diagnosed with CKD, DM, HT, or LUTD. Prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression. Multivariate models were created for each variable of interest while controlling for the confounding effect of disease group.Results: Six hundred fourteen cats met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Overall, positive urine cultures were identified in 16.9% of cats with CKD, 13.2% of cats with DM, 21.7% of cats with HT, and 4.9% of cats with clinical signs of LUTD. Decreasing urine specific gravity was not associated with positive urine culture when controlled for disease but pyuria, bacteriuria, and hematuria were all associated with positive urine culture outcome. Persians, females, increasing age, and decreasing body weight were all associated with positive urine culture outcome.Conclusions: Performing a urine culture sample based solely on the presence of isosthenuria does not seem warranted. Further studies are warranted to help identify host predisposing factors for urinary bacterial colonization in cats with these diseases.

The IDS (Incubation, Drying and Separation) method was tested on Schinus molle L. seeds collected from Ethiopia in an attempt to sort non-viable from viable seeds. Seeds were incubated for 24 h followed by one, three, four, five, six, nine and twelve hours of drying and then separated in water. All IDS treatments gave 80.5–93.5% germination in the sunken fraction compared with 61% for untreated seeds. The mean germination time of sunken seeds reduced from 11.2 (control) to 8.9–9.2 days (IDS-treated). Specific gravity separation in water of untreated seeds was also tested, and the germination capacity of sunken fraction was 83.5% with a mean germination time of 9.3 days. IDS method can, therefore, be used to enhance both percentage and rate of germination of a seed lot of Schinus molle, which is desirable to produce uniform and vigorous seedlings in the nursery or out in the field.

Abstract This paper reviews on the soil condition for three rivers at Carey Island namely Air Hitam, Judah and Keluang River. The activities on the island such as palm oil industries are believed affect the soil. Thus a study was carried out to determine the parameters of pH value, total sulphates, chloride content, total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (IC) and nitrogen in soil. The tests that have been conducted are Moisture Content Test, Specific Gravity Test, Atterberg Limit Test, pH Test, Total Sulphates Test and Total Chloride ...

Recognising the scientific and regulatory need for testing relatively hydrophobic or 'difficult substances', the OECD currently recommends that selected organic solvents may be used in aquatic toxicity testing in order to help achieve more effective dispersion of the toxicant. The OECD recommends a maximum solvent concentration of 100 l l −1 (with specific gravity equivalents to 100 l l −1 in parentheses) for acetone (79 mg l −1 ), dimethylformamide (95 mg l −1 ), dimethylsulfoxide (1.10 mg l −1 ), ethanol (78.9 mg l −1 ), methanol (79.2 mg l −1 ) and triethylene glycol (1.12 mg l −1 ). While this recommendation is supported by historical data, we have recently observed evidence that some solvents may affect the reproduction of certain fish species, and also impact biomarkers of endocrine disruption. This review presents available data on the effects of solvents in aquatic organisms, supplemented by relevant information from mammalian studies (e.g. effects on liver enzyme induction potentially altering the metabolism of sex hormones). In conclusion, it is recommended that maximum effort should be given to avoiding the use of carrier solvents wherever possible, for example through the use of saturation columns or other physical methods (e.g. stirring or ultrasonification). Where solvent use is necessary, however, it is recommended that in reproduction studies with aquatic organisms, the maximum solvent concentration should not exceed 20 l l −1 of dilution water.

Recycled glass derived from cathode ray tubes (CRT) glass with a specific gravity of approximately 3.0 g/cm3 can be potentially suitable to be used as fine aggregate for preparing cement mortars for X-ray radiation-shielding applications. In this work, the effects of using crushed glass derived from crushed CRT funnel glass (both acid washed and unwashed) and crushed ordinary beverage container glass at different replacement levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by volume) of sand on the mechanical properties (strength and density) and radiation-shielding performance of the cement–sand mortars were studied. The results show that all the prepared mortars had compressive strength values greater than 30 MPa which are suitable for most building applications based on ASTM C 270. The density and shielding performance of the mortar prepared with ordinary crushed (lead-free) glass was similar to the control mortar. However, a significant enhancement of radiation-shielding was achieved when the CRT glasses were used due to the presence of lead in the glass. In addition, the radiation shielding contribution of CRT glasses was more pronounced when the mortar was subject to a higher level of X-ray energy.► It is feasible to use recycled CRT glass in mortar as shield against X-ray radiation. ► Shielding properties of CRT mortar is strongly depended on CRT content. ► Linear attenuation coefficient was reduced by 142% upon 100% CRT glass in mortar. ► Effect of mortar thickness and irradiation energies on shielding was investigated.

Struvite, one of the components of urinary stone grows rapidly forming ''staghorn-calculi'', is a painful urological disorder. It is necessary to study the growth-inhibition of Struvite crystals. This in vitro study has been carried out in the presence of the juice of Citrus medica Linn. by using single diffusion gel growth technique. Sodium metasilicate solution of specific gravity 1.05 and an aqueous solution of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate of 0.5 M concentration were mixed so that the pH value 7.0 could be set. After the gelation, supernatant solutions comprising of pure 1.0 M Magnesium acetate (control solution) as well as mixed with the different concentrations of the juice were gently poured on the set gels. From the study of growth-inhibition behavior of Struvite crystals, it was found that Citrus medica Linn. inhibits the growth of the crystals. This study may be used for formulating the strategy for prevention or dissolution of Struvite.

Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) allows the¯ow path of a tracer particle to be followed in opaque¯ows. It has been used here to study particle trajectories and velocity pro®les of a single radioactively labelled tracer particle in high solid fraction, solid±liquid pipe¯ow. Experiments studied 5 and 10 mm almost spherical alginate particles, of speci®c gravity 1.02 in a 45 mm internal diameter pipe positioned either vertically or horizontally. Solid delivery concentrations from 20% to 40% v/v were investigated in carrier¯uids of 120±500 mPa s mean apparent viscosity, with mean mixture velocities of 20±125 mm/s. Dierent¯ow patterns were identi®ed and studied including concentric and capsule¯ow. A slow-moving annular region of particles near the pipe wall was measured when high viscous carrier¯uids and/or small particles were used. The asymmetry of the horizontal velocity pro®les was found to depend strongly on the solid concentration and the particle Reynolds number. Results are especially relevant to food and bio-product¯ows but show the relevance of the technique to the study of solids conveying. Ó

Chemical analysis of apple pomace revealed that it contains 29.4% neutral detergent fiber and 13.0% pectin. Pomace-flour blend were prepared by incorporating 2, 5, 8 and I I % pomace in wheat flour. Blend were evaluated for their bread making quality. Water absorption increased with the increase of pomace in the blends. Neutralizing the acidity of pomace blended dough did not change t,he water absorption signijicantly. As the percentage of pomace in blend increasedfrom 0 to 11, a reduction of 42.8% in loaf volume was observed but neutralization of pomace acidity in dough resulted in only 26.6% reduction in volume under similar conditions. On the other hand loaf weight of the breads, prepared from blends with 1 I % pomace under unneutralized and neutralized conditions, increased by 7.0 and 3.1 %, respectively. With increase of pomace percentage in blend up to I I , the breadfirmness increasedfi-om 3N in control to 12 and I ON respectively, in unneutralized and neutralizedpomace blended dough. Blending: ofpomace (0-11%) increased baking time from 20 min for control to 33 rnin for unneutralized and 27 rnin for neutralized blend. Sensory evaluation of the product revealed that breads containing up to 5% pomace were acceptable.

In this study, system stability and water cut were evaluated via IR analysis and physicochemical properties of the tested mixture. Samples were prepared with different water cuts at a specified salinity and tested by IR. Different cations were also used in the water portion of the mixture to evaluate its effect of interaction and stability. In addition, the effect of water cut, temperature, salinity and cation type, and composition on specific gravity, API gravity, kinematic and dynamic viscosities and surface tension were investigated. The studied water content range was from 0 to 0.8 while temperature from 20 to 100 jC. Salinity effect up to 40,000 ppm was also evaluated. For each mixed ion solution, equivalent sodium concentrations and mixture resistivity were calculated. Relationships between water cut, major functional groups and mixture physicochemical properties were developed. Therefore, for a known property, water cut could be predicted. D

This research investigated the use of incinerator ash as a partial replacement of fine aggregate in hot-mix asphalt concrete. Municipal solid waste (MSW) Incinerator ash was obtained from an incinerator facility at Sultan Qaboos University. Physical tests were performed on the incinerator ash to determine its gradation and specific gravity, as well as chemical composition of the leachate from the ash. MSW ash was used in the mixture of hot-mix asphalt with a percentage of up to 40% by total aggregate weight. Optimum mixtures were evaluated for moisture susceptibility and raveling potential. The results indicate the potential use of the MSW ash in asphalt concrete mixtures for surface and base course mixtures with percentages of 15 and 20 ash substitution, respectively.

Because many questions arise regarding the use of immobilization technology to consistently produce a high quality beer, this work focuses on the effects of using an immobilization matrix in the fermentation process. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and potential uses of immobilization on sensorial characteristics such as color, flavor, and headspace compounds of stout beer, when using batch fermentation. Batch production of beer was conducted as a standard ale process for stout beer production. For the immobilized yeasts fermentation, cells were microencapsulated in alginate, by using the Thiele modulus procedure for microcapsule design. Glucose concentration, cell multiplication, cell viability, specific gravity, pH, Brix, and ethanol were monitored throughout the fermentation process. Both, sensorial analysis (statistic triangle tests) and instrumental methods (gas chromatogra-phy to measure headspace compounds and visible spectrophotometer to quantify the color) were used to evaluate characteristics of the beer that was produced from immobilized and free yeast fermentations. Free and immobilized yeasts fermentation showed no significant difference (p> 0.05) for all variables of interest. The profile of headspace compounds was different, perhaps because of changes in yeast's behavior and the presence of secondary metabolites. However, immobilization did not have a significant impact on the beer flavor, as detected by the sensorial triangle test.

Purpose of the study: The main purpose of this study is to find out the effect of change in soil viscosity, soil temperature and specific gravity on growth of plants sown in the soil prepared from laboratory chemical waste collected from an educational institute and with the plants sown in normal soil.
Methodology: Three-three pots with different soil combinations mixed with solid and liquid chemical waste have been used for growing A. barbadensis Mill, Saussurea obvallata and Lilium plants. Observations were made every fifteen days for three months by checking plant height, the number of leaves, the color of leaves and soil temperature for understanding and comparison of plant growth with respect to variation in temperature. Later on density and viscosity of soils have also been checked with the help of specific gravity bottle and viscometer.
Main Findings: Plants' growth differs with variation in soil viscosity, soil temperature, and soil density. All plants cannot grow potentially at the same temperature, viscosity, and density. A. barbadensis Mill A4 has shown better growth with least viscosity and highest particle density of soil. Saussurea obvallata BK1 has shown better growth with least viscosity and least particle density of soil. Lilium L1 has shown better growth with all the moderate values of soil.
Applications of this study: This study helped to understand that all the plants have their own requirements of nutrients, nutrition and physical factors for their growth. This also helped to understand that although the soil has taken initially is the same, viscosity and density of the soil changes due the plants grown in it.
Novelty/Originality of this study: The use of chemical wastes is taken into consideration instead of fertilizers to reduce pollution.

a b s t r a c t Some physical and mechanical properties of oriented strandboards (OSBs) containing waste tire rubber at various addition levels based on the oven-dry strand weight, using the same method as that used in the manufacture of OSB. Two resin types, phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and polyisocyanate, were used in the experiments. The manufacturing parameters were: a specific gravity of 0.65 and waste tire rubber content (10/90, 20/80 and 30/70 by wt.% of waste tire rubber/wood strand). Average internal bond values of PF-bonded OSB panels with rubber chips were between 17.6% and 48.5% lower than the average of the control samples while polyisocyanate bonded OSBs were 16.5-50.6%. However, water resistance and mechanical properties of OSBs made using polyisocyanate resin were found to comply with general-purpose OSB minimum property requirements of EN 300 Type 1 (1997) values for use in dry conditions at the lowest tire rubber loading level (10%) based on the oven-dry panel weight. The tire rubber improved water resistance of the OSB panel due to its almost hydrophobic property. Based on the findings obtained from this study, we concluded that waste tire rubber could be used for general-purpose OSB manufacturing up to 10% ratio based on the oven-dry panel weight.

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) is an edible, underutilised herb, grown mainly for its seeds in India. Physicochemical properties, minor components (unsaponifiable matter, tocopherols, carotenoids), fatty acid composition and storage stability of garden cress seed oil (GCO) were studied. Cold press, solvent and supercritical CO 2 extraction methods were employed to extract the oil. The total oil content of garden cress (GC) seeds was 21.54, 18.15 and 12.60% respectively by solvent, supercritical CO 2 and cold press methods. The physical properties of GCO extracted by the above methods were similar in terms of refractive index, specific gravity and viscosity. However, cold pressed oil showed low PV and FFA compared to the oil extracted by other methods. a-Linolenic acid (34%) was the major fatty acid in GCO followed by oleic (22%), linoleic (11.8%), eicosanoic (12%), palmitic (10.1%) erucic (4.4%), arachidic (3.4%) and stearic acids (2.9%). Oleic acid (39.9%) and a-linolenic acid (42.1%) were the predominant fatty acids at the sn-2 position. The total tocopherol and carotenoid content of GCO was 327.42 and 1.0 lmol/100 g oil, respectively. The oil was stable up to 4 months at 4°C. Tocopherol and BHT offered the least protection, while ascorbyl palmitate (200 ppm) offered the maximum protection to the oil, when subjected to the accelerated oxidative stability test. Thus GCO can be considered as a fairly stable oil with a high content of a-linolenic acid.

The oil and meal from Monechma ciliatum (black mahlab) and Prunus mahaleb (white mahlab) seeds were characterized for their physicochemical properties. The oil content was found to be 30.95 and 13.15% in white and black mahlab seeds, respectively. The refractive indices of white mahlab oil (WMO) and black mahlab oil (BMO) were 1.475 and 1.470, and specific gravities were 0.8511 and 0.8167 g/cm 3 , respectively. Saponification values were 184.23 and 180.3 mg KOH/g, peroxide values were 2.54 and 4.43 meq/kg, and unsaponifiable matter was 0.92 and 0.66%, respectively. The major fatty acids were palmitic 4.5%, stearic 16.0%, oleic 47.3%, and linoleic 31.4% in BMO, while in WMO they were palmitic 5.7%, oleic 45.0%, and linoleic acid 47.0%. A moderate amount of tocopherols were found at 45.2 and 28.5 mg/100 g in BMO and WMO, respectively. Protein content was found to be 21% in black and 28% in white mahlab seeds. The total amount of amino acids in black and white mahlab seeds was found to be 783.3 and 1,223.2 mg/g N, respectively. The concentration (on ppm dry-weight basis) of major elements (Ca, K, and Mg) and of minor elements (Al, Pb Ni, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, and Fe) was also determined in the meals.

In this study, rice straw-wood particle composite boards were manufactured as insulation boards using the method used in the wood-based panel industry. The raw material, rice straw, was chosen because of its availability. The manufacturing parameters were: a specific gravity of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8, and a rice straw content (10/90, 20/80, and 30/70 weight of rice straw/wood particle) of 10, 20, and 30 wt.%. A commercial urea-formaldehyde adhesive was used as the composite binder, to achieve 140-290 psi of bending modulus of rupture (MOR) with 0.4 specific gravity, 700-900 psi of bending MOR with 0.6 specific gravity, and 1400-2900 psi of bending MOR with a 0.8 specific gravity. All of the composite boards were superior to insulation board in strength. Width and length of the rice straw particle did not affect the bending MOR. The composite boards made from a random cutting of rice straw and wood particles were the best and recommended for manufacturing processes. Sound absorption coefficients of the 0.4 and 0.6 specific gravity boards were higher than the other wood-based materials. The recommended properties of the rice straw-wood particle composite boards are described, to absorb noises, preserve the temperature of indoor living spaces, and to be able to partially or completely substitute for wood particleboard and insulation board in wooden constructions.

Currently, most of the biodiesel is produced from the refined/edible type oils using methanol and an alkaline catalyst. However, large amount of non-edible type oils and fats are available. The difficulty with alkaline-esterification of these oils is that they often contain large amounts of free fatty acids (FFA). These free fatty acids quickly react with the alkaline catalyst to produce soaps that inhibit the separation of the ester and glycerin. A two-step transesterification process is developed to convert the high FFA oils to its mono-esters. The first step, acid catalyzed esterification reduces the FFA content of the oil to less than 2%. The second step, alkaline catalyzed transesterification process converts the products of the first step to its mono-esters and glycerol. The major factors affect the conversion efficiency of the process such as molar ratio, amount of catalyst, reaction temperature and reaction duration is analyzed. The two-step esterification procedure converts rubber seed oil to its methyl esters. The viscosity of biodiesel oil is nearer to that of diesel and the calorific value is about 14% less than that of diesel. The important properties of biodiesel such as specific gravity, flash point, cloud point and pour point are found out and compared with that of diesel. This study supports the production of biodiesel from unrefined rubber seed oil as a viable alternative to the diesel fuel. q

The geophysical and geotechnical assessment of the granite deposit at Idi-Osan Ofagada village near Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria, have been undertaken and the exploitation suitability of the deposit established. The area is underlain by the granite gneiss rocks of the Precambrian Basement complex of southwestern Nigeria. Fourteen Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) of Schlumberger array were carried out on the areas covered with overburden to determine their resistivity characteristics, overburden thickness and the reserve tonnage of the basement rock. The compressive strength and the specific gravity of the rock were measured to determine its competency and density respectively. The area is gridded into 5 by 6 blocks for more accurate calculations of the parameter for the estimation of the reserve. The reserve is estimated for elevation datum of 150m, 160m and 170m. Taking into account the economic implication for the removal of overburden, a minimum ratio of overburden to basement thickness of 1:1 and a limiting 10m overburden is considered to be the economically exploitable area. The VES results showed a two to three geoelectric layers; the sandy weathered layer, clayey layer and the basement. The isopach and geoelectric sections revealed that the overburden thickness varies from 1.5m to 23.6m with the thickest overburden of 10m and above occurring in the north-western and south-eastern parts. Geotechnically, the deposit has an average compressive strength of 47.68N/mm 2 Young Modulus of 633N/mm 2 and specific Gravity of 1.615. The reserve estimates obtained for 170m, 160m and 150m elevation datum are 4.42 x 10 5 , 17.17 x 10 5 and 37.09 x 10 5 tons respectively. The results showed that the exploitation of rock in the area is economically viable most especially at 160 and 150m datum.

The waste materials utilization in concrete production is very much helpful in reaching the goal of sustainable construction. Therefore, this study intends to use coconut shells and fly ash by replacing coarse aggregate and cement, respectively, in concrete. The paper reports on the performance of M30 grade of concrete mixes containing different ratios of coconut shell having 20 mm maximum size as coarse aggregate. Ordinary Portland Cement 33 grade and coarse sand were used to produce standard concrete cubes. Compressive strength tests were carried out on concrete specimens of various ages. Test results indicate that except for the M30 mix, there is no significant effect on compressive strength of concrete up to 20 percent replacement of normal 20 mm coarse aggregates with coconut shells. But beyond that, strength started decreasing gradually with an increase in the proportion of CS aggregates in concrete.

The machinery and operations when improperly designed may generate rice kernel cracking and breakage and consequently a low marketing price. The objective of this work was to determine the influence of the rice processing operations on physical and mechanical properties of different rice varieties. Three varieties of rice, rough, brown and milled, were used in this work. The bulk densities of all varieties increased with processing up to 51% and there were differences among the varieties; the rice grain specific gravity was influenced neither by the processing nor by the varieties. The processing influenced the porosity of the bulk rice grains; the external static and dynamic friction coefficients were reduced. The higher friction coefficient values were observed on wood surface and the lowest on steel surface; the compression force needed to promote the rice kernel collapse was affected significantly by the processing.

This research is concerned with the mechanical and physical properties of hemp fibre reinforced concrete (HFRC). An experimental program was developed based on the statistical method of fractional factors design. The variables for the experimental study were: 1) mixing method; 2) fibre content by weight; 3) aggregate size; and 4) fibre length. Their effects on the compressive and flexural performance of HFRC composites were investigated. The specific gravity and water absorption ratio of HFRC were also studied. The results indicate that the compressive and flexural properties can be modelled using a simple empirical linear expression based on statistical analysis and regression, and that hemp fibre content (by weight) is the critical factor affecting the compressive and flexural properties of HFRC. Keywords: hemp fibre reinforced concrete (HFRC), dry and wet mix, statistical analysis, compressive and flexural properties

This article was prepared with W.A Oddy. Essentially it just introduces a programme of research that Andrew Oddy undertook in the late 1970s and early 1980s on Gold coins of Central and South Asia. He carried out extensive specific gravity tests (a measure of density) on the coins which made it possible to understand the gradual debasement of those coins. An analysis of that work was published by Andrew with Joe Cribb in Ex Moneta, 1998. However the results themselves only existed on file cards. The link takes you to a complete spreadsheet of the data.

This paper presents a general and a simplified method for deliverability calculations of gas wells, which among other advantages, eliminates the need for conventional multipoint tests. The analytical solution to the diffusivity equation for real gas flow under stabilized or pseudo-steady-state flow conditions and a wide range of rock and fluid properties are used to generate an empirical correlation for calculating gas well deliverability. The rock, fluid and system properties, used in developing previous correlations found in literature, were limited to reservoir pressure, reservoir temperature, gas specific gravity, reservoir permeability, wellbore radius, well drainage area, and shape factor. Additional key properties such as reservoir porosity, net formation thickness and skin factor are included in this work to develop a more general dimensionless Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR). It is found that the general correlation, developed is this study, presents the observed field data much closer than previous ones found in the literature. In addition, based on the larger data set, an empirical relation to predict future deliverability from current flow test data is also developed. The two modified and general relations developed in this work provide a simple procedure for gas deliverability calculations which greatly simplifies the conventional deliverability testing methods. The required data can be obtained from a buildup test, or a single-point flow test, instead of an elaborate multipoint flow test. Further, the broad range of practically all rock and fluid properties used in developing the modified dimensionless IPR curves should cover the majority of the field situations generally encountered. The use of the modified dimensionless IPR curves, the pseudopressure formulation and the sensitivity analysis indicate a generality of the approach presented in this paper, irrespective of the gas reservoir system under study.

The Esmaeilzadeh-Roshanfekr (ER) equation of state (EOS) is used to predict the PVT properties of gas condensate reservoir fluids. Three gas condensate fluid samples taken from three wells in a real field in Iran, referred here as SA1, SA4 and SA8, as well as five samples from literature have been used to check the validity of the ER EOS in calculating the PVT properties of gas condensate mixtures. Some experiments such as constant composition expansion (CCE), constant volume depletion (CVD) and dew point pressures are carried out on these samples. In order to have an unbiased comparison between the ER and the Peng-Robinson (PR) equation of state, van der Waals mixing rules are used without using any adjustable parameters (k ij = 0). Also, no pure component parameters are adjusted. The critical properties and acentric factor for plus-fraction are estimated by the Kesler-Lee, Pedersen et al. and Riazi-Daubert characterization methods. The results of dew point pressure calculations show that the ER EOS has smaller error than the PR EOS. For some mixtures, relative volume, gas compressibility factor and condensate drop-out in CVD and CCE test were also predicted. Comparison results between experimental and calculated data indicate that the ER EOS has smaller error than the PR EOS. The total average absolute deviation was found to be 0.82% and 2.97% for calculating gas compressibility factor and gas specific gravity in CVD test. Also, the total average absolute deviation was found to be 2.06% and 3.42% for calculating gas compressibility factor and relative volume in CCE test.