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CO2 Content (co2 + content)
Kinds of CO2 Content Selected AbstractsAnalysis of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)-Performance via FTIR Spectroscopy of Cathode ExhaustFUEL CELLS, Issue 4 2003F. Meier Abstract Water and methanol flux through NafionÔ and polyaryl-blend membranes prepared at ICVT were studied under DMFC operation. The water, methanol, and CO2 content in the cathode exhaust were measured by FTIR spectroscopy. Both the water and methanol flux turned out to be strongly dependent on the operating temperature and thus on membrane swelling. Apart from this, water flux through the membrane is primarily affected by the gas volume flux on the cathode side. A coupling between water flux and methanol flux was observed, which leads to the conclusion that methanol is transported both by diffusion and by convection caused by the superimposed water flux. Polyaryl-blend membranes showed a reduced diffusive methanol transport when compared to NafionÔ due to their different internal microstructure. The impact of methanol cross-over on cathode losses at high current density needs further clarification with respect to the prevailing mechanism of methanol oxidation at the cathode. [source] Implications of future climate and atmospheric CO2 content for regional biogeochemistry, biogeography and ecosystem services across East AfricaGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010RUTH M. DOHERTY Abstract We model future changes in land biogeochemistry and biogeography across East Africa. East Africa is one of few tropical regions where general circulation model (GCM) future climate projections exhibit a robust response of strong future warming and general annual-mean rainfall increases. Eighteen future climate projections from nine GCMs participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment were used as input to the LPJ dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM), which predicted vegetation patterns and carbon storage in agreement with satellite observations and forest inventory data under the present-day climate. All simulations showed future increases in tropical woody vegetation over the region at the expense of grasslands. Regional increases in net primary productivity (NPP) (18,36%) and total carbon storage (3,13%) by 2080,2099 compared with the present-day were common to all simulations. Despite decreases in soil carbon after 2050, seven out of nine simulations continued to show an annual net land carbon sink in the final decades of the 21st century because vegetation biomass continued to increase. The seasonal cycles of rainfall and soil moisture show future increases in wet season rainfall across the GCMs with generally little change in dry season rainfall. Based on the simulated present-day climate and its future trends, the GCMs can be grouped into four broad categories. Overall, our model results suggest that East Africa, a populous and economically poor region, is likely to experience some ecosystem service benefits through increased precipitation, river runoff and fresh water availability. Resulting enhancements in NPP may lead to improved crop yields in some areas. Our results stand in partial contradiction to other studies that suggest possible negative consequences for agriculture, biodiversity and other ecosystem services caused by temperature increases. [source] Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Soluble Gas Stabilization on the Shelf Life of Skinless Chicken Breast FilletsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006Bjørn T. Rotabakk ABSTRACT The suitability of soluble gas stabilization (SGS) to dissolve CO2 into skinless chicken breast fillets before modified atmosphere (MA) packaging (MAP) was investigated. Head space gas composition (%), top web deflation (mm), muscle surface color (Minolta L*a*b*), pH, exudates in the packages (%), microbial characteristics, and off-odor were assessed in the packaged fillets. Increased SGS treatment time (2 versus 12 h) before MA packaging increased the CO2 content in the packaged fillets and counteracted package collapse. High package filling degree (51.8%) (low gas to product volume ratio) gave significantly (P < 0.001) lower CO2 content in head space than normal filling degree (29.7%). Color, pH, and package exudates were not affected by SGS treatment. Aerobic plate count (APC), Enterbacteriaceae count (EC), and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) increased significantly (P < 0.001) at each sampling during storage (5, 11, 17, and 24 d). SGS treatment significantly (P < 0.015) decreased APC, EC, and Pseudomonas spp. counts (PC) compared with no SGS treatment. Filling degree did not have a significant effect on the investigated microbiological characteristics. Off-odor scores correlated highest with EC (r2(adj)= 0.82). Fillets SGS treated in 12 h were the only one not rejected at off-odor evaluation on day 24. The samples stored in air spoiled after 5 d. SGS treatment in combination with MAP can be used successfully on chicken breast fillets to improve the microbiological (APC, EC, and PC) and sensorial characteristics, and in addition reduce package collapse and possibly increase the filling degree. [source] Variations in fluid activity across the Etive thermal aureole, Scotland: evidence from cordierite volatile contentsJOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 3 2008M. J. RIGBY Abstract The H2O and CO2 content of cordierite was analysed in 34 samples from successive contact metamorphic zones of the Etive thermal aureole, Scotland, using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The measured volatile contents were used to calculate peak metamorphic H2O and CO2 activities. Total volatile contents are compared with recently modelled cordierite volatile saturation surfaces in order to assess the extent of fluid-present v. fluid-absent conditions across the thermal aureole. In the middle aureole, prior to the onset of partial melting, calculated aH2O values are high, close to unity, and measured volatile contents intersect modelled H2O,CO2 saturation curves at the temperature of interest, suggesting that fluid-present conditions prevailed. Total volatile contents and aH2O steadily decrease beyond the onset of partial melting, consistent with the notion of aH2O being buffered to lower values as melting progresses once free hydrous fluid is exhausted. All sillimanite zone samples record total volatile contents that are significantly lower than modelled H2O,CO2 saturation surfaces, implying that fluid-absent conditions prevailed. The lowest recorded aH2O values lie entirely within part of the section where fluid-absent melting reactions are thought to have dominated. Samples within 30 m of the igneous contact appear to be re-saturated, possibly via a magmatically derived fluid. In fluid-absent parts of the aureole, cordierite H2O contents yield melt,H2O contents that are compatible with independently determined melt,H2O contents. The internally consistent cordierite volatile data and melt,H2O data support the conclusion that the independent P,T estimates applied to the Etive rocks were valid and that measured cordierite volatile contents are representative of peak metamorphic values. The Etive thermal aureole provides the most compelling evidence, suggesting that the cordierite fluid monitor can be used to accurately assess the fluid conditions during metamorphism and partial melting in a thermal aureole. [source] Packaging materials for fermented milk: effects of material crystallinity and polarity on food qualityPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 3 2001S. E. A. Jansson Abstract The ability of a packaging material to protect the food product and extend its shelf-life depends on several material properties. In this work the effects of material crystallinity and polarity on the quality of fermented milk were studied. The fermented milk is a high-quality Swedish product, similar to yoghurt. The quality of the food product was determined as a function of storage time by containing the liquid in pouches of different materials. The material crystallinity was varied by using very low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene and aluminium laminate as packaging materials. Aluminium was used on account of its ,100%' gas-tightness. The polarity was varied by comparing an aliphatic polyketone with polyethylene of similar crystallinity. The carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) contents in the headspace of the pouches were determined. The food quality was determined by measuring whey syneresis, viscosity and the content of desired Bifidobacteria, as well as of undesired yeast and mould. A trained taste panel determined the degree of acidity and of the sparkling taste. It was found that the content of CO2 increased and that of O2 decreased in the pouches with increasing degree of crystallinity and increasing polarity. The sparkling taste of fermented milk was a clear function of the headspace CO2 content. The data presented here could thus be used to ,design' a package for a desired sparkling taste of the fermented milk by selecting a certain material crystallinity. Whey syneresis, viscosity and content of Bifidobacteria were found to be independent of pouch material. While the degree of whey syneresis and the viscosity increased with increasing storage time, the content of Bifidobacteria slowly decreased. The content of yeast and mould in the liquid was below the existing limit values for foodstuffs. The degrees of acidity and sparkling taste were highest for the liquids contained in aluminium and polyketone pouches, although the differences in acidulous taste between the various pouch materials were small. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Interactions between the effects of atmospheric CO2 content and P nutrition on photosynthesis in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.)PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 5 2006CATHERINE D. CAMPBELL ABSTRACT Phosphorus (P) is a major factor limiting the response of carbon acquisition of plants and ecosystems to increasing atmospheric CO2 content. An important consideration, however, is the effect of P deficiency at the low atmospheric CO2 content common in recent geological history, because plants adapted to these conditions may also be limited in their ability to respond to further increases in CO2 content. To ascertain the effects of low P on various components of photosynthesis, white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) was grown hydroponically at 200, 400 and 750 µmol mol,1 CO2, under sufficient and deficient P supply (250 and 0.69 µm P, respectively). Increasing growth CO2 content increased photosynthesis only under sufficient growth P. Ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) content and activation state were not reduced to the same degree as the net CO2 assimilation rate (A), and the in vivo rate of electron transport was sufficient to support photosynthesis in all cases. The rate of triose phosphate use did not appear limiting either, because all the treatments continued to respond positively to a drop in oxygen levels. We conclude that, at ambient and elevated CO2 content, photosynthesis in low-P plants appears limited by the rate of ribulose biphosphate (RuBP) regeneration, probably through inhibition of the Calvin cycle. This failure of P-deficient plants to respond to rising CO2 content above 200 µmol mol,1 indicates that P status already imposes a widespread restriction in plant responses to increases in CO2 content from the pre-industrial level to current values. [source] Growth in elevated CO2 protects photosynthesis against high-temperature damagePLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 6 2000Daniel R. Taub ABSTRACT We present evidence that plant growth at elevated atmospheric CO2 increases the high-temperature tolerance of photosynthesis in a wide variety of plant species under both greenhouse and field conditions. We grew plants at ambient CO2 (~ 360 ,mol mol,1) and elevated CO2 (550,1000 ,mol mol,1) in three separate growth facilities, including the Nevada Desert Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) facility. Excised leaves from both the ambient and elevated CO2 treatments were exposed to temperatures ranging from 28 to 48 °C. In more than half the species examined (4 of 7, 3 of 5, and 3 of 5 species in the three facilities), leaves from elevated CO2 -grown plants maintained PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm) to significantly higher temperatures than ambient-grown leaves. This enhanced PSII thermotolerance was found in both woody and herbaceous species and in both monocots and dicots. Detailed experiments conducted with Cucumis sativus showed that the greater Fv/Fm in elevated versus ambient CO2 -grown leaves following heat stress was due to both a higher Fm and a lower Fo, and that Fv/Fm differences between elevated and ambient CO2 -grown leaves persisted for at least 20 h following heat shock. Cucumis sativus leaves from elevated CO2 -grown plants had a critical temperature for the rapid rise in Fo that averaged 2·9 °C higher than leaves from ambient CO2 -grown plants, and maintained a higher maximal rate of net CO2 assimilation following heat shock. Given that photosynthesis is considered to be the physiological process most sensitive to high-temperature damage and that rising atmospheric CO2 content will drive temperature increases in many already stressful environments, this CO2 -induced increase in plant high-temperature tolerance may have a substantial impact on both the productivity and distribution of many plant species in the 21st century. [source] Measurement and prediction of LDPE/CO2 solution viscosityPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 11 2002Surat Areerat When CO2 is dissolved into a polymer, the viscosity of the polymer is drastically reduced. In this paper, the melt viscosities of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/supercritical CO2 solutions were measured with a capillary rheometer equipped at a foaming extruder, where CO2 was injected into a middle of its barrel and dissolved into the molten LDPE. The viscosity measurements were performed by varying the content of CO2 in the range of 0 to 5.0 wt% and temperature in the range of 150°C to 175°C, while monitoring the dissolved CO2 concentration on-line by Near Infrared spectroscopy. Pressures in the capillary tube were maintained higher than an equilibrium saturation pressure so as to prevent foaming in the tube and to realize single-phase polymer/CO2 solutions. By measuring the pressure drop and flow rate of polymer running through the tube, the melt viscosities were calculated. The experimental results indicated that the viscosity of LDPE/CO2 solution was reduced to 30% of the neat polymer by dissolving CO2 up to 5.0 wt% at temperature 150°C. A mathematical model was proposed to predict viscosity reduction owing to CO2 dissolution. The model was developed by combining the Cross-Carreau model with Doolittle's equation in terms of the free volume concept. With the Sanchez-Lacombe equation of state and the solubility data measured by a magnetic suspension balance, the free volume fractions of LDPE/CO2 solutions were calculated to accommodate the effects of temperature, pressure and CO2 content. The developed model can successfully predict the viscosity of LDPE/CO2 solutions from PVT data of the neat polymer and CO2 solubility data. [source] Synthetic Fluid Inclusions in the Systems NaCl-H2O and NaCl-CO2 -H2O: Dissolution Temperatures of HaliteRESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Hiroki Nagaseki Abstract. This study examined the effect of CO2 on NaCl solubility in hydrothermal fluid, with the synthetic fluid inclusion technique. Fluid inclusions of 30,40 wt% NaCl and 5 mol % CO2 were synthesized, and their halite dissolution temperatures, Tm(halite), were measured. The solubilities of NaCl in CO2 -bearing aqueous fluid were obtained at 160,320d,C under vapor-saturated pressures. The Tm(halite) value in aqueous fluid with 5 mol % CO2 obtained in this study agrees with that of Schmidt et al. (1995), showing that 5 mol % CO2 reduces the solubility of NaCl by about 1 wt%. Calculation of magnetite solubility suggests that 5,10 mol % CO2 decreases magnetite solubility by 4.5,8.9 % relative to the magnetite solubility in CO2-free solution. Therefore, an increase of CO2 content in ore-forming solutions may cause deposition of iron minerals and produce ore deposits. [source] Plant performance test for the de-ethanizer overhead recycle (DOR) processASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2007M. A. Trebble Abstract The de-ethanizer overhead recycle (DOR) process was successfully performance-tested at the Joffre ethane extraction plant (JEEP) in Alberta, Canada, in May 2005. The test confirmed simulation results used in patenting the process and were slightly better than predicted. At the lowest test recycle rate, the CO2 content in the produced ethane was reduced from 5.4 to 4.5 mole% with only a slight drop in ethane recovery from 90.4 to 90.0%. Increasing the recycle to a higher level reduced the CO2 content to 4.1% at an ethane recovery level of 88.8%. The process showed excellent operability and was effective for reducing both CO2 and methane from a commercial ethane product stream. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Influence of Exposure to Light on the Sensorial Quality of Minimally Processed CauliflowerJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007Susana Sanz Cervera ABSTRACT:, The impact of lighting on minimally processed cauliflower packaged in 4 different film types (PVC and 3 P-Plus) has been measured and quantified. The effect on the sensorial quality of storage at 4 °C in darkness and partial or continuous lighting was evaluated. The gas concentrations in the packages and the weight losses were also determined. Atmosphere composition inside the packages depended on both the permeability of the film used for the packaging and exposure to light. Samples stored with lighting maintained the gaseous exchange between plant tissue and the atmosphere inside the packages for longer periods than in samples kept in darkness. This prompted a greater loss of water vapor as well as the development of atmospheres with low levels of O2 and high levels of CO2 in the samples packed with less permeable films. The most important aspect in sensory evaluation was color. In instrumental color evaluation, coordinates h* and L* were the main means for estimating color evolution. The presence of light accelerated browning in the cut zones. The development of abnormal coloring in these areas marked the end of shelf life for minimally processed cauliflower. Among the sensory attributes studied, color was the most affected by exposure to light. Samples packed in P-Plus 120 film displayed the lowest level of color deterioration in the cut zones. However, under lit conditions, the low permeability of this film caused atmospheres with very low O2 contents and high CO2 contents. These atmospheres produced a loss of texture and the development of off-odors. [source] Homogeneous phase polymerization of vinylidene fluoride in supercritical carbon dioxideJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 23 2007Sabine Beuermann Abstract For the first time, stabilizer-free vinylidene fluoride (VDF) homopolymerizations were carried out in homogenous phase with supercritical CO2 using the conventional initiator di- tert butyl peroxide (DTBP). In-line FT-NIR spectroscopy showed that complete monomer conversion may be obtained. Molecular weights were determined via size-exclusion chromatography and polymer endgroup analysis by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The number average molecular weights were below 104 g mol,1 and polydispersities ranged from 3.1 to 5.7 depending on DTBP and VDF concentration. For allowing isothermal reaction, high CO2 contents ranging from 61 to 83 wt % were used. The high-temperature and high-pressure conditions required for homogeneous polymerization did not alter the amount of defects in VDF chaining. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that regular stack-type particles are obtained upon expansion of the homogeneous polymerization mixture. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5626,5635, 2007 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||