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AbstractDiaphorina citri poses a serious threat to citrus. Here, the nymphicidal activity of mineral and soybean oils, organosilicon, and citrus-essential-oil-derived adjuvants was evaluated. Additionally, mineral and soybean oils were studied for antifeedant and repellent effects on adults. Residual effect on the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata was also assessed. Nymphicidal activity ranged between 65–83%, with Silwet enhancing mineral and soybean oil efficacy. Evaluated soybean and mineral oil exhibited comparable antifeedant and repellent effects on adults. All products caused <20% mortality in T. radiata, even 24 h after spraying. Overall, tested adjuvants and oils offer promising eco-friendly alternatives for sustainable D. citri management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calligraphy on Xuan paper written by Cao Hongxun, who was a scholar at the end of the Qing Dynasty, was comprehensively characterized using various analytical techniques in order to provide support for further conservation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify the type of oil in the stains. The color difference, acidity, microstructure and elemental composition of the paper areas with and without the oil stains were analyzed and characterized using colorimetry, pH measurements, and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), respectively. Paper fibers were observed using SEM and an optical microscope after dying with Herzberg stain. The results demonstrate that the stain in this paper artifact is mineral oil and the paper was produced using softwood, paper mulberry and herb fibers. A large color difference, lower pH and changes in the carbon ratio were present in the oil stains. However, the stains did not affect the elemental composition of the paper. Overall, this study provides evidence for further conservation treatment, such as selecting proper paper and cleaning reagents for the stains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable fats and oils are prone to contamination by mineral oil hydrocarbons due to the lipophilic and ubiquitous character of the latter. As the aromatic fraction of these hydrocarbons, MOAH, is associated with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and detrimental effects on foetal development, finding strategies to limit or reduce their contamination is highly relevant. Deodorisation (i.e. a refining step) has shown the ability to remove MOAH < C25 in vegetable fats and oils, but there is little information about the structures removed. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of deodorisation conditions on the removal of different structures of MOAH in spiked coconut oil. An inscribed central composite design was built with time and temperature as variables (0.5-4h, 150-240 °C), while pressure (3 mbar) and steam flow (1 g water/g oil per hour) were kept constant. The analysis of MOAH in the oil was performed using a fully automated liquid chromatography coupled with two parallel comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography systems with flame ionisation and time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection. Response surfaces plotting the MOAH loss according to time and temperature were built for different MOAH fractions. The latter were defined based on the number of aromatic rings (>3 or ≤3) and the number of carbon atoms present (C16-C20, C20-C24, C24-C35, C35-C40). It was found that at 200 °C, compounds < C24, including weakly alkylated triaromatics, could be reduced to below the limit of quantification, while at 230 °C, it was possible to remove >60% of the C24-C35 fraction, including pentaromatics of low alkylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMineral oils, untreated or mildly treated, have been classified in group 1 as a potential source of cancer by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although numerous studies have implicated metalworking fluids (MWFs) as human carcinogens, toxicology data regarding the mechanism of carcinogenicity are limited. This study is intended to examine the systemic effects of machining workers’ exposure to MWFs. The potential toxicity of mineral oils was investigated in 65 lathe workers compared to controls (66 men). The occupational exposure was measured by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 5026. The DNA damage has been examined by the comet assay method. According to the field assessments, the time-weighted average (TWA) exposure to mineral oil mist was 7.67 ± 3.21 mg/m3. A comet assay of peripheral blood cells showed that tail length (TL) and olive moment (OM) were significantly higher in the exposed group (p < 0.05). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that, within subjects with over 10 years of exposure, the odds ratio of worker with high TL, percent of DNA in tail, OM, and tail moment (TM) were 1.68, 1.41, 1.71, and 2.71, respectively. DNA strand break in exposed workers was associated with higher exposure time in years. Mineral oil toxicity could be altered in the presence of by-products and impurities. For a better understanding of genotoxicity, further studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel multi-objective wind turbine gearbox (WTG) optimization problem is carried out using Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). Weight of the gearbox and power loss are the two conflicting objective functions set to be minimized. Various design constraints that are related to the mechanical as well as tribological are considered in this study. Three different types of gear tooth involute profiles are considered, namely unmodified, smooth meshing, and high load capacity. These three profiles are tested with different synthetic-based ISO VG PAO (Polyalphaolefin) oils at the rated speed of 20 rpm. The results of WTG are compared with and without tribological constraint by using ISO VG PAO 320, 680, and 1000 oils. Also, the result of one helical gear pair is validated with commercial gear software KISSsoft using ISO VG 680 mineral oil. Pareto fronts obtained from various ISO VG PAO synthetic-based lubricants are compared for all three gear profiles. From the results, PAO 320 oil outperforms than other two grades (PAO 680 and 1000). Further for the chosen model, on comparing with and without tribological constraint, power loss is notably reduced with tribological constraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the molecular orbital parameters of flaxseed oil (linum usitatissimum) and to measure the AC breakdown voltages at different electrode gaps with various rate of rises. AC breakdown voltages of flaxseed oil are measured at 1.0 and 2.5 mm electrode settings with 0.5 kV/s, 2.0 kV/s and 3.0 kV/s rate of rises, adhering to IEC and IEEE standards. UV-VIS (Ultraviolet–Visible) and FT-IR (Fourier Transform-Infrared) measurement tests carried out after breakdown voltage measurements reveals that the molecular structure of the oil remains stable against electrical discharges. The compounds of flaxseed oil are analyzed using GC-MS and it is determined that the oil mainly consists of seven triglycerides in accordance with the literature. In order to better understand the electrical behavior of these triglycerides, molecular orbital properties such as ionization potential, electron affinity and electron energy gap are analyzed employing Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-311 + G(d,p) and B3PW91/6-311 + G(d,p) basis sets. The advantages of flaxseed oil such as AC dielectric strength, stability against breakdown mechanism, homogeneous molecular electrical characteristics of its compounds and antioxidant content make this oil as one of the potential natural ester alternatives to mineral oils in the power system industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of pesticides requires effective detection and quantification tools to improve monitoring of environmental quality. Electrochemical sensors offer a fast and sensitive response, and can also be optimized by combining several constituents and techniques, including biodegradable materials, being useful in the determination of chemical agents from environmental samples. Here, we produced a polymer-based sensor for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol determination, through electrospinning of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) blend with graphite. The graphite-containing fibres were thermally treated and wetted in mineral oil, thus forming a paste, used as an electrode in the electrochemical sensor. The thermal analysis indicated a disorganization of the polymeric chains between the aromatic carbon chain of the PBAT polymer, resulting in a material with low enthalpy, lower crystallinity and greater thermal degradability after insertion of graphite in polymeric fibres. NIR spectra revealed changes related to the carbonyls of the polymeric ester groups. Cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques were applied to study the electrochemical behaviour of developed sensor. The thermal treatment of graphite-containing fibres increased the adhesion surface in which occurs the adsorption of the analyte on the electrode, which improved the peak current in the electrochemical tests. The PLA/PBAT/Graphite sensor applied to determination of 2,4,6-TCP presented the detection and quantification limits of 7.84 × 10−8 mol L−1 (0.0155 mg L−1) and 2.36 × 10−7 mol L−1 (0.0466 mg L−1) with a linearity response of 1.00 × 10−7 mol L−1 and 2.00 × 10−6 mol L−1 with correlation coefficient of 0.993 (r2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the insulating oil's characteristics are measured by analyzing various properties such as electrical, chemical, and physical properties. Because these methods are lacking accuracy, the spectroscopy analysis has been incorporated with conventional testing for assessing the critical properties of proposed non-edible Pungamia oil (PP) as a biodegradable insulating oil for transformer. The results are evident that PP oil's critical characteristics are meeting the standard requirement as an insulating material for the transformer applications. DGA analysis illustrates that the combustible gas emission on mineral oil is higher than that of PP samples. From FTIR and UV–VIS analyses it is observed that the thermal withstanding ability of PP is well comparable to that of mineral oil. SEM analysis revealed that the deterioration rate of cellulose-insulating material immersed in PP is lower than that immersed in mineral oil. XRD analysis proved that crystallite reduction in mineral oil immersed cellulose-insulating material is higher than the ester oil. Abbreviations: CH4: methane; C2H2: acetylene; C2H4: ethylene; C2H6: ethane; CO: carbon monoxide; CO2: carbon dioxide; DGA: dissolved gas analysis; FTIR: Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy; H2: Hydrogen; MO: mineral oil; NEO: natural ester oil; PO: Pungamia oil; SEM: scanning electron microscope; UV: Vis-Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy; XRD: X-ray diffraction analysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral Oil [MO] has significant importance because of its vast variety of applications in various arenas of manufacturing, technology, and industrial processes. The applications of the Mineral Oil [MO] are PVC production, polystyrene production, as a lubricating, cutting fluid, thermoplastics rubber production, glossing product, wood products, cleaning products, lamp oil, glues, toys, veterinary, cosmetics, food preparation, as a brake fluid in some cars, and so forth. Due to these applications of Mineral Oil [MO], in the existing work, the two-dimensional mixed convective flow of micropolar fluid with the applications of the aluminum oxide nanoparticles in a Mineral Oil [MO] base liquid is taken into consideration. The melting heat phenomenon is discussed for the interpretation of heat transmission. Further, the flow analysis is discussed through the impacts of inclined magnetic field, heat generation, Joule heating and thermal radiation. Mass diffusivity is deliberated through the implementation of homogenous and heterogeneous chemical reactions. Entropic behavior is analyzed for the discussion of irreversibility analysis. Suitable similarity transformations are employed to renovate modeled systems of the PDEs into ODEs. Analytical simulation of the proposed model has been accomplished with the utilization of the homotopy analysis technique. Some significant outcomes from the existing work are that the velocity outline is reduced but the energy curve is greater for the melting parameter. Nanofluid entropy generation is increased due to the improvement of the Brinkman parameter and material parameter. Heat transportation is augmented due to the amplification of the radiation parameter, and nanoparticle volume fraction. The present study is useful in different fields of industries, technological processes, mechanical processes, and electrical processes due to the applications of mineral oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The effectiveness of inactivated vaccines depends on selecting the suitable adjuvant for vaccine formulation. The potency of vaccines with low antigen content can be improved with the appropriate adjuvant. This could allow production of more doses and lower the production cost. 2. This study evaluated the efficiency of vaccines prepared using oil extracted from natural sources including argan oil, almond oil, sesame seed oil, pumpkin oil, cactus oil and black seed oil as alternative adjuvants for improving the protection capacity of inactivated influenza virus vaccine as compared to commonly used mineral oils. 3. Each vaccine formulation was evaluated for stability, safety and immunogenicity in chickens, as well as for reducing the viral shedding after challenge infection. 4. The cactus, sesame and pumpkin seed oil-based vaccines were found to be potent and successfully induced the production of humoral immunity in vaccinated chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of DNA damage from exposure to specific types of metalworking fluids has been reported. In this research, size-selective permissible limits to prevent genotoxic damage in A549 cell lines exposed to two types of mineral oil were estimated for the first time using a benchmark dose approach and extrapolated to workers. The comet assay was performed based on Olive and Banath protocol to determine DNA damage. Then, the Benchmark Dose, the 95% lower bound confidence limit BMD, and the 95% upper-bound confidence limit BMD were determined using continuous response data. Finally, the four Benchmark Dose levels reported in the A549 cell line were extrapolated to the human population in occupational settings in two phases. This study showed when determining the permissible limits, the type used or unused, the type of injury, the organ affected in the body and the size of the particles should also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a novel water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) adjuvant and evaluate the effect on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) inactivated vaccine, in this study, we prepared the novel nano-emulsion adjuvant based on QS-21 (BEA) which is composed of the mixture of mineral oil Marcol52, surfactant Tween80, oleate polyoxyethylene ether ester, polyoxyethylene palmitic acid ester and span80, cosurfactant polyethylene glycol and QS-21. The two-step emulsification method formed the W/O/W nano-emulsion with two films and three-phase structures. The effective particle diameter of the BEA was about 184 nm, and it has good thermal stability. Then, BEA was emulsified as an adjuvant to prepare for the inactivated FMDV vaccine, and BALB/c mice and pigs were immunized to evaluate its safety and immunization effect. The results showed that the inactivated BEA-FMDV vaccine significantly increased BALB/c mice and pigs' antibodies and cytokine IFN-γ in serum. Meanwhile, the pig-neutralizing antibodies were higher than control group. Safety tests found no symptoms of FMD or significant toxic reactions. After 28 days of immunization, the protection rate can reach 93.3%. The BEA vaccine had good stability at 4 °C, no stratification after 180 days, and the content of 146S in the vaccine did not decrease. In conclusion, the BEA prepared in this study is suitable for FMDV inactivated vaccine and is an effective adjuvant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power transformer plays a crucial role in the power system’s network for distributing power. The efficient operation of power transformers is mainly based on the efficient liquid insulation used for cooling purposes. Mineral Oil (MO) derived from petroleum is traditionally used for insulation in power transformers. However, its lower thermal degradation and thermal conductivity may influence the performance of the transformer. The non-degradable property and low flash and fire points also affect environmental safety. The aforementioned attributes encouraged researchers to propose an alternative transformer oil for power transformers. In literature, various studies have been carried out to analyze Vegetable Oil (VO) as an alternative to petroleum-based MO; However, due to high viscosity, acidity may affect the performance of the transformer. Hence, this article proposes mixed MO with VO as an alternative for liquid insulation in power transformers. This study uses different ratios of coconut oil, palm oil and sunflower oil for investigation with MO. The experimental results show that the electrical, thermal, and physical properties of mixed transformer oil are better than those of MO and VOs. The results show that a higher proposition of VO has shown better performance. The thermal conductivity of mixed VOs with MO has increased by 6–10% compared to the MO. Both flash and fire points of mixed VO with MO increased by 50–70% compared to MO. The load has been performed to analyze the efficiency and operating temperature of the transformer; results show that the mixed VO with MO combination has 32.3% higher efficiency and 16°C lower operating temperature compared to MO. Further, the various aging characteristics of the transformer oil are also discussed in this study [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article calculates and studies the oil flow distribution, temperature distribution and electric field distribution of vegetable and mineral Insulating oil in the low-voltage winding of the transformer with finite element method (FEM). The results show that the maximum flow rates of vegetable Insulating oil and mineral oil are located on the side wall of low-voltage winding at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 m/s inlet velocities, and the maximum flow rate of mineral oil is higher. In addition, the increase of inlet flow rate will also cause the temperature inside the low voltage (LV) winding to drop. Due to the low viscosity of mineral oil, its heat transfer efficiency is higher. In addition, at the same flow rate, the pressure of mineral oil in the low-voltage winding is smaller, which is also due to the low viscosity and strong fluidity of mineral oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a method for measuring the viscosity of oils that behave as Newtonian at low shear rates, by using only 80 μl of oil. This method is particularly useful when only such small quantities of oil are available—for example, when oil is extracted from grease taken from bearings. The method consists in placing an oil drop on blotter paper where an oil stain will grow in time. The rate of growth is then a measure of viscosity. Master curves were generated expressing the relation between viscosity and oil stain growth, both at a given time and as a function of time, each with its own accuracy. The viscosity measurements with this method were compared with those obtained in a conventional viscometer using poly-alpha-olefin (PAO), ester, and mineral oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work aims to propose an adequate thermodynamic model, in addition to proposing and evaluating two composite models for the thermal decomposition of insulating mineral oil (IMO), considering that the models based on classical diagnostic methods do not have the ability to satisfactorily reproduce empirical data. The simulation results obtained using the proposed model showed better agreement with the presented data than the results obtained using classical models. The proposed model was also used in the development of a phenomenological based diagnostic method. The characteristics of this new phenomenological proposal and the classical diagnostic methods of dissolved gas analysis are compared and discussed; the proposed method showed better performance when compared to Rogers, Doernenburg, or IEC and equivalent performance to Duval triangle method commonly used in this field of knowledge. The general procedure for applying the new diagnostic method is also described. In order to account for the event's dynamics, the suggested model in particular made it feasible to replicate intermediate scenes of equilibrium C(s). Compared to the findings from the classical models found in the literature, the two-dimensional simulation results generated with this model demonstrated a better agreement with the actual data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oil spill is one of the most impactful sources of marine pollution on the ocean surface, detected by the SAR sensors as dark areas, regions with low backscatter values. Due to the complex mixture of hydrophobic hydrocarbons, mineral oil spills change the water surface tension dampening the capillary gravity waves and provoking a specular reflection. In this work, we associated the geochemical oil characteristics, such as density, viscosity, API, and molecular composition with the backscatter values for each oil spill case. We identified the relationship between the oil weathering processes, with the changes in the backscattering values of ocean oil spills. The method designed zonal sections over the oil spills detected in the SAR images, to extract the backscatter values for each pixel along the section. The lowest backscatter average was observed by the heavy oil spill in the Corsica Island study (−29,99 dB). The highest level of weathering had the highest backscatter averages. Damping rates ranged between 4,12 and 7,07 dB and the backscatter values may be related to low oil layer thickness. Furthermore, low wind speeds may have reduced the contrast between water and oil spills, resulting in low damping ratios in all events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods for determining MOSH and MOAH in edible oils showed major problems with interlaboratory comparability of analytical results, especially in the lower concentration range below 10 mg/kg. However, a method with improved sensitivity and reproducibility is urgently needed to obtain a valid data basis for minimization efforts. To cope this problem a new method was created in 2020. The method was established as the standard method DGF C-VI 22 (20) of the German Society for Fat Science e.V. (DGF). For the development of this method different sample epoxidation approaches have been performed, evaluated and improved. Additionally, a saponification, a decision tree for sample preparation, an upstream clean-up column and a system suitability test were introduced. The focus was on reliability and interlaboratory comparability over all edible oil matrices up to a LOQ of 1 mg/kg. The optimized method was validated in terms of trueness and precision in a collaborative trail with 11 laboratories. The achieved recovery rates of 89–105% MOSH and 70–105% MOAH met the JRC requirements. Method and validation results were obtained with HorRat values between 1.3 and 1.8 for MOSH and MOAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi, has emerged as a serious pest in apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh, India. Therefore, the present studies were conducted to use a combination of reduced dose of synthetic acaricidal concentrations along with Horticultural Mineral Oil (@ 1%) and (@ 0.5%). Results showed that the combination treatments [half concentration of the recommended acaricide (fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, spiromesifen and hexythiazox)] and Horticulture Mineral Oil (@ 1%) reduced the mite population to 1.33 mites per leaf in comparison to 37.30 mites per leaf in control. When both the acaricides and Horticulture Mineral Oil were reduced to half, the mite population was reduced to 2.33 mites per leaf, whereas the infestation in control was 22.65 mites per leaf. Further, the evaluation of the combination of hexythiazox (0.005%) + HMO (1%) was evaluated with biopesticides and popularly used acaricides under high-density apple plantation. The results revealed propargite (0.057%) as the most effective treatment being at par with hexythiazox (0.005%) + HMO 1% (1.25 and 1.45 mites/leaf, respectively). The entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae (2.40 and 2.55 mites/leaf, respectively) were quite effective in reducing the mite population. Among all the treatments, hexythiazox 0.005% (13.10 mites/leaf) was the least effective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is one of the most studied biological control agents in parasite control programs, especially when aiming the control of arthropods. Yet, studies using this biological agent to control gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants are scarce. The present study evaluated the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato (s.l.) formulated in water and mineral oil on the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in goats, by means of in vitro tests and in semi-natural conditions. The study also evaluated the persistence of the fungus in the soil. The experiments were constituted of four groups: control water; control oil; aqueous formulation of M. anisopliae s.l.; oil formulation of M. anisopliae s.l., each group consisting of 10 pots with Urochloa brizantha cv. MG5 grass. In the in vitro test, the groups treated with the aqueous and mineral oil formulation showed efficacy in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes of goats, providing a reduction of 45.5% and 43%, respectively, and a reduction varying from 36% to 77.9% and 42.6% to 90.2%, respectively, in the experiment under semi-natural conditions. Isolate M. anisopliae s.l. proved to be effective against goat's gastrointestinal nematodes in the free-living stage, in both in vitro and semi-natural conditions tests, by significantly reducing the number of larvae with the formulations tested and remaining active for a period up to 52 days in the pots'soil. This study suggests the potential use of M. anisopliae s.l. for the biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the beginning of the twentieth century, after its rapid insertion into the vortex of oil and mineral extraction, Venezuela was forced to re-think its relationship with nature. This process of rethink, characterised by an eagerness for modernisation, resulted in a series of discourses focused on Venezuela's Amazonia as a repository of possibilities. This paper analyses how these possibilities were channelled through the metaphor of el secreto de la tierra, tracing an early reading of the ideological configuration of Venezuela and its Amazonia as a land of inexhaustible material and poetic richness. This metaphor was voiced by a set of socio-ecological discourses written about the Venezuelan Amazon, including the essay on Venezuelan geography and culture by Enrique Bernardo Núñez Una ojeada al mapa de Venezuela (1939). The paper focuses on the representation of this region as a set of discursive constructions entangled with the naturalisation of the modernising ideal that has fuelled the imaginaries of material growth and rentier capitalism in Venezuela. The concluding remarks will point to how such a reading can help us to understand a discursive and poetic radicalisation embedded in conflicting approaches to the nature-culture confluence in the Venezuelan Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing awareness of the negative effects of mineral oils on the natural environment has resulted in the introduction of new regulations related to environmental protection. One of these regulations requires the use of environmentally acceptable/adapted lubricants (EAL) to lubricate marine main shaft bearings, in place of the mineral lubricating oils that have been used for decades. Classification Societies, which supervise the technical condition of ships, record a certain number of failures each year of heavy loaded stern tube bearings lubricated with modern, environmentally friendly lubricants. The reason often given for such failures is that the operating parameters of EAL lubricants are worse than those of mineral oils. The aim of the experimental research reported here was to compare the operating parameters and wear of EAL lubricated journal sliding bearings. For this purpose, two classic mineral lubricating oils and a group of four alternative lubricants from the EAL group were selected. The tests carried out for two types of bearing bushes—sintered bronze and Babbitt—did not show significant differences in terms of operating parameters or journal and bush wear for the entire group of tested lubricants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work was to investigate the impact of refining on coconut oil particularly on the most toxicologically relevant fraction of the mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) contamination, namely the fraction composed by the three to seven aromatic rings. A fully integrated platform consisting of a liquid chromatography (LC), a comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography (GC) (LC-GC × GC) and flame ionization detector (FID) was used to obtained a more detailed characterization of the MOAH sub-classes distribution. The revised EN pr 16995:2017-08 official method was used for preparing the samples, both with and without the auxiliary epoxidation step. Crude coconut oil was spiked with different MOAH standards, namely naphthalenes, alkylated naphthalenes, benzo(a)pyrene, and its alkylated homologues. Refining was modelled by deodorization at 230 °C, stripping with 10 kg/h of steam under 1 mbar vacuum for 3 h. Complete removal of the naphthalenes and reduction of more than 98.8% of the benzo(a)pyrenes was observed. Epoxidation had a significant impact on the MOAH fraction with more than three rings, but with a high dependency on the sample matrix, being significantly less evident in the refined samples than in the crude ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is a serious insect pest of citrus worldwide due to the capacity to transmit causal agent of the huanglongbing. Mineral oils are recommended in the integrated pest management programs to prevent resistance development. The primary objective of this study was to determine emergence inhibition and antifeedant effect of three mineral oils with similar n-paraffin carbon number against D. citri. The results of topical contact toxicity showed that Antong was the most toxic with 50% lethal concentration value of 189 ng/insect. Each mineral oil at the concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5% (v/v) significantly inhibited the emergence of adults from treated fifth-instar nymphs, and 0.5% (v/v) of the oils had a long residue activity that they inhibited over 56% adult emergence up to 10 days. We found significant repellency of D. citri from citrus tree resets that were treated with mineral oils compared with control. 0.5% (v/v) of the mineral oils significantly inhibited feeding of D. citri adults with reduction of 39–68% honeydew, and the nymphs that fed on citrus leaves treated with different concentrations raised heads and upper abdomens to form a half-erect posture. Our studies indicated that mineral oils could effectively reduce or suppress the spread of HLB by repellency and less feeding, as well as emergence inhibition to reduce D. citri populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

µED-milling is a modern machining process for manufacturing precise microstructures on a wide variety of conductive materials without considering their mechanical properties. Using mineral oils as a dielectric fluid in µEDM causes a hazardous environment for the operator. This study attempts to identify the substitute for hydrocarbon oil during milling of Inconel 718 at various order of discharge energy. Neem and Sunflower biodiesels are chosen as dielectric fluids and a comparison was made in terms of response measures of EDM oil. Top (higher) order discharge energy offered a maximum MRR with EDM oil, Neem and Sunflower biodiesels. However, the EDM oil yielded a higher MRR than biodiesels due to its higher current conductivity and lower viscosity. The fine craters are achieved when lower-order discharge energy is used due to tiny sparks generated at machining gap. Neem biodiesel follows more closely with EDM oil than Sunflower biodiesel for all considered response measures. The contact angle of the machined surface with biodiesels is smaller than EDM oil attributed to the presense of broader craters in the surface. The recast layer thickness is increased by 92% and 44% with and Neem biodiesel than EDM oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to study the end of service life of soles of protective footwear resistant to selected mechanical factors and mineral oil. Three sole variants were examined; made from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), currently widely used in all-rubber protective footwear. The preliminary study focused on the abrasion resistance and bending strength of the three sole materials after different times of exposure to mineral oil. Changes in density and hardness of the examined materials were evaluated following exposure to cyclical factors. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences between the three types of polymers in terms of abrasion resistance, density and hardness following exposure to mineral oil for three different periods. Surface morphology of the sole materials was examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. The presented studies elucidate the effects of mineral oil on the basic mechanical parameters of all-rubber footwear soles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-ash low-grade coals of Indian origin are relatively more challenging to demineralize due to their unfavorable hydrophilic surface chemistry. Herein, we report castor oil as a potential bridging liquid, which efficiently agglomerated high-ash low-grade coals by 55–60% at lower concentration (10 wt%) compared to literature (20–25 wt%), without inclusion of surfactants. A blend of castor oil and turpentine oil proved further beneficial. Wet milling of coal was a crucial prerequisite for efficient agglomeration. Three low-grade coals, Bhubaneshwari (35.8% ash), Kaniha (35% ash), and Hingula (26% ash), were beneficiated in the present study. A detailed analysis of process parameters validated with structural characterization using FTIR, Petrography, zeta potential, and SEM analysis was performed. The chemistry between ricinoleic acid in castor oil with that of surface functionality of coal is speculated to be the reason behind the obtained agglomeration results. Castor oil, being non-edible, bio-based, non-toxic, and non-polluting in nature, provides a greener alternative to mineral oils toward the production of clean fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, in many developing countries like India they are facing the shortage of energy. The Refrigeration system has become the major consumer of energy for many industrial as well as household applications. So, it is the need to enhance the energy efficiency of the refrigeration systems. Performance of the refrigeration system can be improved either by increasing the rate of heat absorption in evaporator or by reducing the compressor power. Use of efficient lubricant oil can help to remove the heat generated in the compression process which leads to less power consumption. Development in Nanotechnology makes it possible to develop a new class of lubricant called nanolubricant, in which nanoparticles are added in base lubricant oil to enhance the thermal properties. The two step technique with ultrasonic agitation force is used to synthesise stable nanolubricant.The present study investigates the performance of a R-134a refrigerant vapour compression refrigeration system using nanolubricant with different volume concentrations (0.05%, 0.075%, 0.1% and 0.2%) of Al2O3 to mineral oil (MO) experimentally. The result shows maximum enhancement in COP approximately as 85% for 0.075 % volume fraction Nano lubricant as compared to base fluid. Use of nanolubricant saves approximately 27% compressor power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing production of oily wastewater as a by-product of industry has become a major environmental problem. Therefore, this article investigates the removal of mineral oil from oily wastewater by a circulating flow sono-electrocoagulation. The Box–Behnken design was used to study the effects of characteristic electrocoagulation and ultrasonic parameters on mineral oil removal efficiency. A total of 34 different experimental setups were performed at a laboratory scale. A reduced cubic regression model with derived coefficients was developed to describe the mineral oil removal rate. The experimental results show that circulating flow sono-electrocoagulation with iron electrodes can effectively reduce mineral oil by 93.3% under the optimum conditions of 10.948 cycles, a current density of 107.12 A m−2 and a flow rate of 0.468 L s−1. The experimental observations agreed well with the modeled values, and the model was verified experimentally. Under the optimal conditions, the average operating cost was 0.77 EUR/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kapok fiber as a natural sorbent with excellent hydrophobic-oleophilic characteristic was studied. The effect of temperature on oil sorption behavior and wettability of kapok fiber powder was quantitatively evaluated by capillary rise method. Results showed that at the packing density of 0.1 g/cm3, the oil sorption capacity of kapok fiber powder presented only about 5% difference when the temperature ranged from 20°C to 90°C, with the values to engine oil, mineral oil, and PAO4 ranging from 10.96 to10.42 g/g, 10.73 to 10.18 g/g, and 10.25 to 9.89 g/g, respectively. However, the sorption coefficient which related to the sorption rate increased almost exponentially with the increasing of temperature. Then, the oil wettability of kapok fiber powder was further investigated from the perspective of contact angle. Nearly logarithmic increment in contact angle between the fiber powder and test oil was observed when higher temperature condition was applied, indicating that the enhancement of temperature apparently weaken the wettability of oil to solid powder. The adhesion work between fiber powder and oil was evaluated based on Young–Dupré equation, which suggested that higher temperature lead to lower adhesion work. Outcomes from this research are believed to provide importance reference for the usage of kapok fiber as sorbent when different temperatures are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, most of the studies on oil displacement mechanisms are macroscopic, indirect, and empirical, lacking research with respect to the interactions between heavy oil and rock mineral at a molecular level. In this paper, in order to deeply explore the microscopic oil displacement mechanism, molecular interactions at the interface between heavy oil and rock mineral were characterized and analyzed with an in-situ and direct mechanics method, via preparing Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) -N-(1-hexylheptyl)-N'-(12-carboxylicdodecyl)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylbisimide (C5Pe) probes and measuring adhesion with different substrates. Effects of substrates (calcium carbonate, mica and silicon dioxide), cations (Ca2+, Na+), salinities (100, 10 mmol/L) and pH (4, 7 and 10) on molecular interactions were investigated. C5Pe, as a model molecule of asphaltene, had the molecular interaction strength with minerals as the following sequence: calcium carbonate > mica > silicon dioxide. Salt effect study results showed that the molecular interactions in CaCl2 solution were stronger than that in NaCl solution at the same salt concentration, which increased with the increase of salinity. Besides, increasing the pH value, the molecular interactions at the interface were weakened, resulting in an easier oil flooding. The conclusions as above manifested that oil flooding was easier in lower salinity with the order of rock minerals: silicon dioxide > mica > calcium carbonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation possibility of a low-quality Egyptian oil shale from Wadii El-Nakhil, Red sea region as an alternative clean fuel by advanced flotation technique via column flotation was investigated. XRD analysis showed that the non-clay minerals associated with the oil shale sample include; quartz, siderite, apatite, anhydrite, and calcite. Column flotation experiments were carried out and results were analyzed according to screening designs which are used when numerous parameters would affect a particular process. Reduced three-factor interactions (3 FI) two-level factorial experimental design were employed to evaluate the effects of the seven independent parameters. Besides, the contour plots were used to summarize the optimum reaction factors leading to a predicted maximum kerogen grade of 52.35% and kerogen recovery of 78.41%. The calculated optimum parameters were 15% solid concentration, 0 cm/s superficial wash water velocity, 0.49 cm/s feed superficial velocity, 40 ppm frother concentration, 40 cm froth depth, 0.67 cm/s superficial air velocity and 0.5 kg/ton kerosene collector dosage. The confirmation tests, at optimum conditions as predicted from the contour plots, gave approximately the same grade and recovery of about 54% and 80%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas guguanensis D30 was reported using mineral oil in submerged condition. Twelve medium components were tested at two levels by Plackett–Burman design, among them, mineral oil, yeast extract, peptone, MgSO4, and CaCl2 found significant on the basis of emulsification index. These five significant components were further optimized through central composite design (CCD). The experimental design was successfully used for regression analysis and the significant model suggested the solution of 10% (v/v) mineral oil, 3.0 g/L (w/v) yeast extract and 0.2 g/L (w/v) peptone for 13.14 g/L predicted biosurfactant production. We kept the suggested concentrations of medium components and got 13.34 ± 0.08 g/L biosurfactant production, which is almost double the conventional one-factor-at-a-time production (7.126 ± 0.12 g/L). It reduced the surface tension of the medium up to 28 ± 1.2 mN/m. We found ethyl acetate a suitable solvent for biosurfactant extraction amongst methanol, chloroform, and methanol:chloroform. The partially purified biosurfactant was chemically characterized as lipopeptide by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study identifies and evaluates differences in contact transfer losses with different coupling media and surface roughnesses Ra between 0.1 and 7 μm. The study was designed based on the non-destructive ultrasonic pulse-echo technique (UT) with a straight-beam probe (piezoelectric). The study is based on the findings of research that has been carried out stating that both the coupling media and surface roughness influence the results of UT tests to a considerable degree. The ultrasonic coupling media that are most commonly used in industry were selected: water, glycerine, UCA-2 M contact gel, U47 contact gel, mineral oils, and wallpaper paste. The selected coupling media have statistically significant influence on the ultrasonic contact transfer losses and thus also on testing results. It was found that the glycerine coupling media has the lowest contact transfer loss among the selected coupling media. The signal amplitude contact transfer differences were measured to establish the relative contact transfer losses. The observed variations in signal amplitude with reference to the types of coupling media and different surface roughnesses (from 0.1 to 7 μm) are higher than those reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (2018). The contribu- tion of the present study is the use of signal amplitude contact transfer differences to measure relative contact transfer losses since in this way the influence of parameters such as the type of ultrasonic apparatus, type of ultrasonic probe, temperature, and material of the specimen on our measurements was eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel voltammetric method with practically no sample pretreatment was developed for determination of Quinclorac (QNC) in rice samples by using a working Carbon Paste Electrode (CPE) modified with ionic liquid, with deposition potential (ED) of −1.43 V for 30 s in NaOH 0.01 mol L−1. The systematic influence of cations and anions of imidazole ionic liquids on the composition of CPE has evaluated. The best electrode composition was 65% (w/w) of graphite powder, 30% (w/w) of mineral oil and 5.0% (w/w) of C4min+BF4- ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate). The matrices analyzed were deionized water and extracts of upland rice: white, brown, peel and seed. The limits of quantification ranged between 0.954 mg kg−1 and 3.61 mg kg−1. The recovery percentages of QNC in rice samples ranged between 90% and 121%. The simplicity and good analytical frequency enable the proposed method to be used to obtain preliminary information on the presence of QNC, prior to the implementation of more detailed, costly and elaborate quantitative analyses. The technique can be applied in the study and evaluation of sorption mechanisms, metabolization of the herbicide in plants and its persistence and degradation in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in various foods have raised significant concern, especially for infants and young children due to their potential adverse health effects. Two fractions can be distinguished by certain analytical techniques, mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). The toxicological profile of MOSH and MOAH differs greatly. The toxicity of MOSH is linked with long-term accumulation of some hydrocarbons. MOAH with three to seven, non- or simple-alkylated, aromatic rings may be mutagenic and carcinogenic. However, data on the occurrence of mineral oils in commercial complementary foods for infants and young children are lacking in China. In the present study, 100 commercial food samples were collected, including 26 pureed or paste canned foods, 21 high-protein ground cereal foods (rice flour), 25 raw cereal foods (noodles), and 28 cereal-based molar sticks and biscuits. The content of MOSH and MOAH in those samples was determined by optimised sample preparation methods combined with on-line high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with gas chromatography and flame ionisation detector (HPLC-GC-FID), with a limit of quantification of 0.5 mg/kg. The results indicated that there were no MOAH detected in any of the foods, but MOSH and polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) existed in most of the food samples, at <0.5–23.68 mg/kg. Moreover, the data and chromatograms of the MOSH and POSH also indicated that these contaminants were closely correlated to their ingredients and manufacturers. The current study provides basic data to understand MOH exposure and consequent health impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl)phosphite was synthesized by reaction of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(3-hydroxyproyl)phenol with dibutyl phosphite. The structure of bis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl)phosphite was supported by IR and NMR (1H, 13C, 31P) spectroscopy; its composition was confirmed by elemental analysis. High antioxidant activity of the synthesized phosphite has been shown in a model reaction with the free chromogen-radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and under conditions of accelerated thermal oxidation of paraffinic and mineral oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in milk powders, particularly in infant formulas, have been and continue to be a major concern to the public worldwide. These contaminants are likely derived from environmental pollution, manufacturing process and packaging materials. In this study, 23 Chinese commercial milk powder products packaged in four types of materials, i.e. metal cans, paper containers, paperboard boxes with internal bags, and aluminium foil-plastic bags, were collected and stored for 1 year. The total and surface MOH in these samples were detected and compared before and after storage to understand the MOH migration during storage, despite no mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOAH) were detected. The contents of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) in metal cans were the least among the four packages and changed little during storage, which suggested that little MOH migration occurred in metal material. Despite all the food contact materials in the other three packagings were the aluminium foil-plastic composite, the similar low migration occurred in the aluminium foil-plastic bags and internally contained composite bag(s) in paperboard boxes. However, both total and surface MOSH and POSH easily migrated from the paper-plastic-aluminium composite of paper containers during storage. These findings are helpful for the selection of packaging materials in manufacturing milk powder products or other foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraffin waxes and white mineral oils are distinct petroleum products separated from a common feedstock by crystallization, where only n-alkanes, iso- and cyclo-alkanes with a linear backbone of ∼ 20 carbon atoms long, selectively crystalize out from the oil to form the wax, which is solid at room temperature, whereas oils remain liquid. Up until the 90's, these differences were reflected in separated regulatory assessments. A paradigm shift occurred when Fischer 344 rats (F-344) developed liver epithelioid granuloma following exposure to low and medium viscosity oils or waxes. This lesion was used as common denominator between these products to be jointly assessed under the common term "mineral hydrocarbons – MHC", obviating compositional differences. This regulatory paradigm dominated for the next 30 years, exacerbated by the EFSA 2012 evaluation using the analytical term "MOSH" (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons) which encompassed these products under single chromatography fraction. The reconstruction of historical developments, together with recent EFSA-sponsored studies of toxicity and accumulation and supporting literature, has allowed us to understand the etiology of the F-344 rat hepatic epithelioid granuloma, which is presented in an adverse outcome pathway (AOP). Considering chemical composition, it clearly demonstrates that the hepatic effects in F-344 rats caused by linear alkanes of waxes are irrelevant for humans. Waxes are thus not MOSH and should thus be evaluated on their own merit. The term MOSH should not include n-alkanes and be exclusively used to mineral oil fractions when considering their chemical makeup for a relevant human hazard assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the occurrence of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in food contact papers in China, and to investigate the potential sources of MOH contamination, a total of 159 food contact papers and raw materials were analysed by off-line solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography flame ionisation detection (SPE-GC-FID) and a GC-MS method. The migration of MOH from food contact papers into Tenax, olive oil or 50% ethanol under the worst foreseeable conditions of use was determined. The results indicated that the occurrence of MOH in China is of a potential health risk concerning the migration of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) which were detected in 82.6% and 50.4% of samples, respectively. Migration of MOSH from 47.9% of samples was higher than 2 mg/kg and migration of MOAH from 32.2% samples exceeded 0.5 mg/kg in case of the worst foreseeable condition of use. The highest mean migration of MOSH and MOAH were found in packaging papers for long-term storage (more than 6 months), with mean migration of 91.2 mg/kg and 1.4 mg/kg, respectively. Migration of MOH from printed paper was considerably higher than that of unprinted paper, validating previous findings that the printing ink is the predominant source of MOH contamination in food contact papers. Migration of MOH from paper bowls used for packing instant noodles was relatively low, suggesting the internal hollow layer may be acting as a functional barrier that could block the transfer of MOH (up to C28) through the gas phrase, even though the outer layer was made from recycled paper. High concentrations of MOSH and MOAH were also detected in de-foamers, adhesives and rosin sizing agents, indicating that the MOH contamination caused by the use of raw materials and additives should also be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of vegetable oil based additive for lubricating oil has attracted considerable interest due to their biocompatibility and multifunctional performances compared to conventional additives. In the present work, we have synthesized homopolymer of castor oil and copolymer of castor oil with styrene by thermal method without any solvent at different percentage composition by using BZP (benzoyl peroxide) as initiator. Characterization of the additives was completed by spectral technique (FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy). The molecular weight of the prepared additives was determined by gel permeation chromatography method (GPC method). Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) method was used to study the thermal stability of the prepared polymers. Standard ASTM methods were used to investigate the performance of all the prepared polymers in SN150 mineral oil as viscosity index improver (VII), pour point depressant (PPD) and antiwear. Biodegradability of all the polymers was determined disk diffusion method. From the experimental results, it was found that copolymers are more effective as VII, PPD and antiwear than homopolymer. Moreover, average molecular weight, thermal stability and performances as VII and antiwear increase with increasing the percentage of styrene in copolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jacked-in pile method provides a substitute procedure that permits the installation of pre-formed piles with negligible vibration in a noiseless manner, thereby reducing noise impacts in marine and urban environments. This research was carried out by using a small-scale physical modelling approach to examine the movement of soil during pile installation. The model soil was formulated from a mix of amorphous silica and mineral oils; the resulting mixture was subjected to consolidation in a transparent chamber. The model pile was driven vertically down the mid-point of the soil model at different vertical speeds using a strain control device. The array of soil displacement dispersal was obtained by utilising the close-range photogrammetry and particle image velocimetry techniques. The deformation of soil during pile installation was found to decrease with progressive increase of the penetration rate. This result can be employed in the assessment of the disturbance effects of pile installation on underground services and archaeological relics beneath the ground in both urban and marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated superparamagnetic nanolubricants and verified the influence of the magnetic field, particle size, and concentration on the tribological performance. The superparamagnetic nanoparticles were synthesized with two different sizes (7 and 15 nm) and dispersed in mineral oil with concentrations of 0.2 and 0.4 wt% The tribological tests were performed using a high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR), with and without a constant magnetic field acting in the nanolubricant. The positive effect of the magnetic field on the friction behavior was verified only in the nanolubricant with particles with diameter of 15 nm, at some concentration. In terms of the worn area, the magnetic field promoted a wear reduction for all combinations of size and concentrations. Regarding the wear mechanism, there were fewer grooves on the worn surface and with a smaller depth when the magnetic field was applied to the nanolubricant. For all experimental conditions abrasion was the main wear mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

0.2, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.% concentration of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles were dispersed in mineral and synthetic ester base oil. Their tribological behavior investigated using a tribometer with pin-on-disk and four-ball configuration under different conditions of contact pressures, sliding speeds and oil bath temperatures, respectively. The results demonstrate that nano-MoS2 in mineral oil can reduce wear and friction coefficient characteristics at all concentrations tested, especially at 2.0 wt.%. XPS analysis of the worn surfaces indicated that decomposed MoS2 was adsorbed on worn surface, and S and Mo elements of the compound reacted with the metal and existed in the form of sulfide or molybdenum compounds, both of which contributed to the formation of a mix lubricating film. A wear mechanism of MoS2 as antiwear additive is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed Raman spectroscopy for the identification of spectral differences in automotive lubricant oils with different SAE specifications. Samples of 18 lubricant oils were obtained from a local auto parts store. Spectra were obtained with a dispersive Raman spectrometer (830 nm) and separated according to the type of base oil in the samples: mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic. Also, samples were separated according to the SAE specifications regarding the viscosity grade in low and high temperatures. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the lubricants with mineral base oils presented peaks referred to aromatic hydrocarbons and additives containing aromatics, sulfites/dissulphites and sulfonates, while semi-synthetic and synthetic base oils presented peaks referred to alkanes. Other peaks referred to alkanes and olefins were also seen in synthetic base oils. The discriminant analysis based on quadratic distance applied to the PCA variables was able to discriminate the lubricant samples according to the type of base oil with 89.7% accuracy and discriminate the SAE viscosity grade for low and high temperatures with 95.8% and 90.0% accuracy, respectively. The use of Raman spectroscopy makes possible nondestructive evaluation of lubricant oils, which may replace expensive and complex traditional tests and methods of quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The product distribution and reaction mechanism in the process of Huadian oil shale kerogen hydropyrolysis were investigated via reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) simulations with a reactive force field (ReaxFF). A large-scale reactive system based on 10 Huadian oil shale kerogen structural models was used to investigate the effect of heating rates on the product distribution. Reactive force field molecular dynamics was used to simulate the hydropyrolysis process of the 10 models at four different heating rates of 20, 40, 60 and 80 K/ps. The simulation results proved the influence of heating rate on the product distributions, intermolecular interactions and elementary reactions in the process of hydropyrolysis. A conclusion was made about the suitable heating rate for producing useful organic gases and the highest yield of shale oil. This work also analysed the distribution of hydropyrolytic gas product and the reaction mechanism of Huadian oil shale hydropyrolysis, which is an intensive study on the mechanism of hydropyrolysis and the different formation paths of the symmetrical isoformers of typical products at the atomic level. These conclusions will be of great significance for the development and utilisation of oil shale mineral resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borate esters have been emerging as a good candidate in green additives for the increasing needs of environmental protection. A versatile boron–nitrogen-modified castor oil additive (abbreviated as BNC) was prepared. The thermal stability and the oxidation stability of BNC were evaluated. The oil solubility, dispersion stability, lubricity, and biodegradability of BNC in both rapeseed oil and 400SN mineral oil were investigated, respectively. The morphology and tribo-chemical characteristics of the worn surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer to reveal the possible lubricating mechanisms. The results indicated that the BNC additive had good thermal stability and anti-oxidation ability. The oil solubility and dispersivity of BNC in rapeseed oil is better than that in 400SN mineral oil. The BNC additive could effectively improve the anti-wear and friction-reducing properties of rapeseed oil and 400SN mineral oil. The surface analysis indicated that elemental boron, nitrogen, and oxygen are involved in the lubrication films, and it was deduced that the physical adsorption films, chemical adsorption films, chemical reaction films, and permeable layers work together to reduced friction and wear. Moreover, the BNC could improve the biodegradability of both rapeseed oil and mineral oil, which was attributed to the promoted growth and quantity of microbes by elemental nitrogen involved in BNC. The synthesized BNC additive was demonstrated a potential ecofriendly and effective lubricant additive in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface contamination of an adherend has an influence on its adhesive bonding properties. To investigate this phenomenon, various contaminants, including silicone oil, mineral oil, a fluorine release agent, and surfactants, were quantitatively applied to an aluminium plate (6061) using a spray apparatus. The contaminated adherends were bonded with acrylic and epoxy adhesives, and their adhesion strengths were examined using single lap-shear tests. Mineral oil did not affect the adhesion strength, but silicone oil and surfactant agents were found to significantly affect the adhesion strength. Atomic force microscopy observations and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of these surfaces revealed a specific interaction between silicone oil and aluminium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers are exposed to a range of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) via food. The potential adverse health effect of MOH varies widely. Since infant formula (IF) is the major food source for infants, it is necessary to understand MOH exposure and consequent health impact. In the present study, occurrence data of 42 IF samples and food consumption data of 0–6 months infants from China National Food Consumption Survey in 2015 were linked to evaluate the dietary exposure to MOH of 0–6 months infants in China. Ordinary consumers (who purchased IF for 0–6 months infants in different packaging type randomly), packaging type loyal- and brand loyal-consumers were selected as three representative populations. For ordinary consumers and packaging-loyal consumers, dietary exposure to MOH was estimated both deterministically and probabilistically. For brand-loyal consumers, point-estimation was used as the exposure assessment method. Due to toxicological gaps for MOHs, it was inappropriate to derive health-based guidance value and perform the robust human health risk assessment. MOE approach was used to characterise MOSH risk. The no-observed-adverse-effect level for induction of liver microgranulomas, 19 mg/kg BW per day, was used as a reference point for calculating margins of exposure (MOEs) for MOSH exposure. Although first exposure occurs in babies, there are no relevant toxicology studies. All MOE values for different scenarios were higher than 100. There are no dose-response data on the carcinogenicity of MOAH mixtures and hence it is not possible to establish a reference point to calculate the MOE and characterise its risk. Therefore, it is not possible to draw conclusions about the full nature of possible concerns for infants aged 0–6 months. This study evaluates by a probabilistic approach the dietary intake of Chinese infants aged 0–6 months to MOH for the first time and describes the associated uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of Reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) simulations and a reactive force field (ReaxFF) was employed to investigate the chemical mechanisms and product distribution in the process of oil shale kerogen pyrolysis. A large-scale reactive system based on five structural models used in the simulation was constructed according to the analysis results of a series of detection about kerogen extracted from Longkou oil shale to investigate the reaction processes of oil shale. The characteristics observed in the simulation agree well with the known characteristics of the oil shale structure and reactions. The simulation results proved the importance of temperature exert on the product distributions, intermolecular interactions and elementary reactions in the process of pyrolysis. A conclusion was made about the suitable temperature range for producing useful organic gases and the highest yield of shale oil. The detailed chemical reaction process of Longkou oil shale pyrolysis was described in this work as well. This work is an intensive study on the pyrolysis mechanism and the formative path of the typical products especially shale gases at different temperatures at the atomic level and will be of great significance for the development and utilisation of oil shale mineral resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]