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- Title
- The effects of enzymes on activated sludge floc.
- Creator
-
Stoddart, Terry Lee, null, null, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Dialysed activated sludge was used as a substrate to test for enzymes which can hydrolyse activated sludge floc. Two hundred and fifty aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were tested against activated sludge for the presence of hydrolytic enzymes. These included known genera and organisms obtained by various enrichment procedures. Anaerobic digester mixed liquor was contacted with activated sludge agar under anaerobic...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Dialysed activated sludge was used as a substrate to test for enzymes which can hydrolyse activated sludge floc. Two hundred and fifty aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were tested against activated sludge for the presence of hydrolytic enzymes. These included known genera and organisms obtained by various enrichment procedures. Anaerobic digester mixed liquor was contacted with activated sludge agar under anaerobic conditions. None of the microorganisms present in the digester liquor hydrolysed the floc. The following commercial enzymes were contacted with activated sludge singly, in combination, and sequentially under various physical and chemical conditions: protease, lipase, cellulase, pectinase, phospholipase C, trypsin, and glucuronidase. Although commercial enzymes and various microorganisms reacted with known substrate controls neither the enzymes nor microorganisms employed affected the activated sludge floc. Treatment of activated sludge floc with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid resulted in gross deflocculation and release of humic substances. The floc particle, probably a combination of polymers bound in a complex manner, is resistant to enzymatic degradation. Several workers have reported on the enzymatic hydrolysis of polymers produced by axenic cultures isolated from activated sludge floc. It is unlikely that the results of their work can be extrapolated to the complex structure of activated sludge floc particles.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1977
- Identifier
- CFR0003513, ucf:53004
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003513
- Title
- Reproductive parameters for nine avian species at Moore Creek, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
- Creator
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Girard, G. Tanner, null, null, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis;
- Date Issued
- 1976
- Identifier
- CFR0004769, ucf:52980
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0004769
- Title
- A serological survey of greater Orlando human, canine, and feline populations for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii.
- Creator
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Weihe, John Louis, null, null, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Toxoplasma gondii, the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, was first discovered in Ctenodactylus gondi, an small North African rodent, by Nicolle and Manceaux in 1908. Later the same year Splendore observed the organism in a laboratory rabbit. Human infection was first reported by Janku in 1923. Since its discovery, many investigations have shown the organism to be truly unique in the protozoan world. There appears to be...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Toxoplasma gondii, the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, was first discovered in Ctenodactylus gondi, an small North African rodent, by Nicolle and Manceaux in 1908. Later the same year Splendore observed the organism in a laboratory rabbit. Human infection was first reported by Janku in 1923. Since its discovery, many investigations have shown the organism to be truly unique in the protozoan world. There appears to be only one species and only one serotype. Serologic and microscopic studies reveal Toxoplasma to have a vast host range. At least one representative of virtually every mammalian species tested harbored the parasite or showed the presence of demonstrable antibody. Studies of toxoplasmal infection among mammalian populations show that the prevalence of infection usually increases: 1 ) in warm, moist climates and 2) with age. Sex, however, appears to have little influence on the prevalence of the parasite. One most unusual feature of the organism is its lack of target cell specificity: Toxoplasma is an obligate, intracellular parasite capable of living in any cell except non-nucleated erythrocytes. Infection by Toxoplasma is most often confirmed serologically. Many procedures have been described; however, the Sabin-Feldman dye test, the indirect hemagglutinstion test, and the indirect fluorescent antibody test appear to be superior methods for antibody detection. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was selected for this study because: 1) it does not require the use of live organisms, 2) it is relatively easy to perform, and 3) it correlates well with the standard Sabin-Feldman dye test. This study was undertaken to determine the role of various factors on toxoplasmal prevalence in the Greater Orlando area, Age, sex, and race were considered for each human sample tested. Age, sex, and relative degree of outdoor exposure were considered in the study of each canine and feline sample.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1975
- Identifier
- CFR0004336, ucf:52992
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0004336
- Title
- The Microbial Biochemical Potential of Two Detention-Retention Marshes in the Kissimmee River Valley Watershed.
- Creator
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Winkelmann, Douglas A., ,, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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University of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; One of the major programs to abate the deterioration of water quality in the Lake Okeechobee watershed was the addition of detention-retention facilities. The microbial biochemical potential of two different detention-retention marshes in the Kissimmee River Valley were examined to determine their effectiveness to improve water quality. The kinetics of decomposition and nutrient mineralization and assimilation, as mediated by...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; One of the major programs to abate the deterioration of water quality in the Lake Okeechobee watershed was the addition of detention-retention facilities. The microbial biochemical potential of two different detention-retention marshes in the Kissimmee River Valley were examined to determine their effectiveness to improve water quality. The kinetics of decomposition and nutrient mineralization and assimilation, as mediated by microorganisms, and the enumeration of microorganisms capable of utilizing various substrates were studied. Various communities within each marsh were studied during a 2-year period. The decomposition rates of 3 plant substrates were determined. Chitin was used as a standard for organic decomposition. Chitin had significantly higher (p [less than] 0.05) rates of decomposition than the plant material in all sites at both marshes. Chitin decomposition rates were significantly different (p[less than]0.05) between sites. Significant differences (p[less than]0.05) in rates of decomposition were also found between the 3 plant substrates. the difference in decomposition rates for the 3 plant substrates existed within sites, as well as between sites. The number of microorganisms and the mineralization and assimilation rates were significantly different (p[less than]0.05) between the detention-retention marshes. Significant differences (p[less than]0.05) in numbers of microorganisms and rates were also found between sites within each marsh. The variation in detrital processing demonstrated that site-specific dynamics occurred in the detention-retention marshes. Higher decomposition rates were associated with sediment sites containing organic matter with either a continuous, shallow flow of water or alternate wet/dry periods. Decomposition rates were lowest at sites containing sandy sediments, and dry soil sites without a flow of water. Higher aerobic and anaerobic bacterial activity was also associated with sediment sites containing organic matter with either a continuous, shallow flow of water at alternate wet/dry periods. Higher fungal activity was associated with alternate wet/dry sediment sites, but only during dry periods. Microbial activity was lowest at sites containing sandy sediments and in water columns.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1981
- Identifier
- CFR0008161, ucf:53068
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008161
- Title
- The feasibility of detecting poliovirus I in water by radioimmunoassay.
- Creator
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Charba, Sheril K., null, null, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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University of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; A microtiter, solid-phase, indirect radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed and evaluated as a method for detecting poliovirus in water samples. Antiserum to poliovirus Type I, LSc2ab, was prepared in rabbits, and high titer, high avidity antiserum to rabbit globulins were radio-125 actively labeled with I by a modification of the Bolton-Hunter and chloramine T methods to increasing specific activities. The immunoreactivity...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; A microtiter, solid-phase, indirect radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed and evaluated as a method for detecting poliovirus in water samples. Antiserum to poliovirus Type I, LSc2ab, was prepared in rabbits, and high titer, high avidity antiserum to rabbit globulins were radio-125 actively labeled with I by a modification of the Bolton-Hunter and chloramine T methods to increasing specific activities. The immunoreactivity of the labeled antibodies was assessed. After the preparation and standardization of all components of the assay. The optimum assay conditions were determined. These conditions included the method of coating the microtiter wells with antigen, the time and temperature of incubation of each antiserum, the dilution of each antiserum, and means of reducing non-specific binding. The RIA was conducted with varying numbers of viral plaque forming units. In replicate experiments, average binding ratios of 784% were obtained when different numbers of virus were first reacted with antiserum. This technique shows increased sensitivity over the direct method. These results indicate that the use of RIA to detect viruses in water is indeed feasible.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1999
- Identifier
- CFR0003478, ucf:53030
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003478
- Title
- Immunological studies of the host parasite relationship of Dirofilaria immitis in domestic canines.
- Creator
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Qualls, Douglas Felton, Sweeney, Michael J., Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Canine immunoglobulins of the IgG group were shown to be intimately associated with the cuticle of circulating non-infection Dirofilaria immitis microfilaria. The significance of these immunoglobulins in blocking a complete immune response in the definitive host is discussed. Immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and fluorescent inhibition techniques are described and their applicability to the study of host-parasite...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Canine immunoglobulins of the IgG group were shown to be intimately associated with the cuticle of circulating non-infection Dirofilaria immitis microfilaria. The significance of these immunoglobulins in blocking a complete immune response in the definitive host is discussed. Immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and fluorescent inhibition techniques are described and their applicability to the study of host-parasite relationships are evaluated. A rapid reproducible method for the production of specifically labeled anti-D. immitis microfilaria globulins is presented.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1975
- Identifier
- CFR0003520, ucf:52993
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003520
- Title
- Zooplankton abudance and diversity in central Florida grass carp ponds.
- Creator
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Fry, Douglas Lee, Osborne, John A., Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; The effect of the Asian grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) and aquatic vegetation upon the zooplankton in four adjacent experimental ponds (0.139 ha each) was studied for one year. Zooplankton were collected with a newly designed shallow-water sampler. Pond 1 contained no aquatic vegetation. Ponds 2, 3, and 4 contained nine species of rooted aquatic plants. Grass carp were stocked into Pond 2 (65 per ha) and Pond 3 ...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; The effect of the Asian grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) and aquatic vegetation upon the zooplankton in four adjacent experimental ponds (0.139 ha each) was studied for one year. Zooplankton were collected with a newly designed shallow-water sampler. Pond 1 contained no aquatic vegetation. Ponds 2, 3, and 4 contained nine species of rooted aquatic plants. Grass carp were stocked into Pond 2 (65 per ha) and Pond 3 (611 per ha). Physicochemical parameters were similar among the ponds. Eighty-eight zooplankton species were enumerated. The abundance of zooplankton groups (Rotifera, Cladoceza, and Copepoda) was not significantly different among the ponds containing grass carp. No significant differences existed between Pond 3 (high grass carp stocking rate) and Pond 4 (no carp) for species diversity (d) and species dominance. The number of species and species diversity (d) was found to be significantly different in Pond 2 (low grass carp stocking rate) when compared to Ponds 3 and 4; those differences probably were not due to the grass carp. Grass carp did not appear to affect the water quality of the ponds. In general, it was concluded that grass carp had little, if any, direct or indirect affect upon the zooplankton. Species commonness was greatest among ponds containing vegetation. Rotifers were the dominant zooplankton group in those ponds. Zooplankton ware moat abundant in the pond without vegetation and were dominated by copepods (notably Tropocyclops prasinus). That pond contained the lowest number of species and had the largest species diversity (d) of the ponds. The annual mean for the Simpson Index (species dominance) was highest in Pond 1. The lack of vegetation may have influenced the abundance and diversity of the zooplankton in Pond 1 compared to the other ponds. Those differences also may have been due to selective predation by mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis); that fish was significantly less abundant in Pond 1.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1978
- Identifier
- CFR0004339, ucf:52999
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0004339
- Title
- Antibodies to milk antigens in human coronary heart disease.
- Creator
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Spinos, Efstathios, Sweeney, Michael J., Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Milk protein has been implicated as a factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Significantly higher titers of antibodies (P
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Milk protein has been implicated as a factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Significantly higher titers of antibodies (P < 0.0002) toward milk antigens were observed in patients suffering from coronary heart disease as compared to age matched controls. These hemagglutination titers were not sex related but may have been related to age. Specificity of the antigen-antibody reaction was demonstrated by a hemagglutination inhibition test. The complement fixation test was evaluated and was less sensitive than the tanned hemaggIutination test. Treatment with 2-mercapto-ethanol resulted in reduced hemagglutination titers, indicating that significant antibody activity may be due to IgM. A special application of the Combs test detected specific antibodies on the surface of tanned and coated RBC which did not otherwise produce detectable agglutination.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1977
- Identifier
- CFR0003521, ucf:52985
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003521
- Title
- Comparative Histology of the Respiratory Tract of Normal Persmyscus Floridanus and P. Gossypinus and Effects of Exposure to Solid Rocket Motor Fuel Exhaust on P. Gossypinus.
- Creator
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Bitner, Terry L., Stout, I. Jack, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Microscopic examination of the tracheal dimensions of normal Florida mice (Peromyscus floridanus) and cotton mice (P. gossypinus) showed no significant differences between the two species, but external examination showed the tracheal length of the Florida mouse to be longer than that of the cotton mouse. Microscopic examination of the intrapulmonary apparatus (bronchioles, alveolar ducts, atria, and alveoli) of normal...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Microscopic examination of the tracheal dimensions of normal Florida mice (Peromyscus floridanus) and cotton mice (P. gossypinus) showed no significant differences between the two species, but external examination showed the tracheal length of the Florida mouse to be longer than that of the cotton mouse. Microscopic examination of the intrapulmonary apparatus (bronchioles, alveolar ducts, atria, and alveoli) of normal Florida and cotton mice showed no significant differences in measurements between the two species. Cotton mice were exposed to exhaust gases produced by the burning of solid rocket motor (SRM) fuel. Mice exposed once for a duration of 10 min demonstrated an LD50 of 52 to 56 ppm HCl/g body weight and an LD50 of 169 to 173 mg Al2O3/m3/g body weight. These LD50 values suggested that SRM exhaust components may have a synergistic lethal effect when compared to the effects of individual components of the exhaust. Cotton mice exposed to the exhaust exhibited external signs of respiratory distress and dyspnea. Those mice that received lethal exposures showed internal signs of early inflammatory reactions. However, the most likely cause of death was a sudden shift in blood pH.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1977
- Identifier
- CFR0011601, ucf:53040
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011601
- Title
- Factors affecting the hatching success of loggerhead sea turtle eggs: (Caretta caretta caretta).
- Creator
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McGehee, M. Angela, Elmhart, L.M., Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
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University of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Clutches of eggs wore collected from nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta caretta) on Merritt Island, Florida, during June - August 1977. Of these, 46 clutches were selected for experimentation to determine the extent to which certain factors affect hatching success. Twelve clutches were divided into subsamples which were incubated in sand maintained at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% moisture. Another twelve clutches were...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Clutches of eggs wore collected from nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta caretta) on Merritt Island, Florida, during June - August 1977. Of these, 46 clutches were selected for experimentation to determine the extent to which certain factors affect hatching success. Twelve clutches were divided into subsamples which were incubated in sand maintained at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% moisture. Another twelve clutches were divided into subsamples and incubated in sand kept moist with the following percentages of seawater: 0 (distilled water), 25, 50, 75, and 100%; subsamples from four other clutches were subjected to the effects of one tidal inundation. Eggs from four of the clutches used in the moisture and salinity experiments were monitored for changes in size. Fifteen clutches were divided into subsamples which were kept in incubators maintained at 20, 24, 27, 30, 32, 35, and 38[degrees]C; subsamples from seven of these clutches were moved from unfavorable to optimal temperatures to study their ability to recover from stress. Three clutches were selected for an experiment to determine the effects of handling on hatching success; the following year, another five clutches were used for similar studies. Some of the hatchling turtles produced in this project were abnormal, and these were discussed in depth. From the experiments, it was determined that 25% moisture, 0-25% seawater, and 27[degrees]C produced the maximum percent hatch. The effects of handling on hatching success depended variably on the time and manner of handling. The optimum values indicated in the experiments closely approximated values for moisture, salinity, and temperature obtained from natural turtle nests on the beach.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1979
- Identifier
- CFR0004341, ucf:52974
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0004341
- Title
- Morphological variation and local distribution of Cyprinodon variegatus in Florida.
- Creator
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Johnson, William Everette, Snelsen, Jr., Franklin L, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis
- Date Issued
- 1974
- Identifier
- CFR0004340, ucf:52978
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0004340
- Title
- A correlation study on the chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
- Creator
-
Capraun, Lynn Walter, Washington, David W., Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Data were extracted from medical records of 202 former patients of a well established central Florida general hospital. Records were selected so as to include an equal number of disease catagories dispersed equally over the two years. One hundred records were dated 1973 and 102 were dated 1976. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma had been diagnosed in 67, 67, and 68 of the cases respectively. The age, sex, race,...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Data were extracted from medical records of 202 former patients of a well established central Florida general hospital. Records were selected so as to include an equal number of disease catagories dispersed equally over the two years. One hundred records were dated 1973 and 102 were dated 1976. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma had been diagnosed in 67, 67, and 68 of the cases respectively. The age, sex, race, smoking habits, and occupations of the patients were recorded and crosstabulated with the diagnostic tests and subsequent treatment ordered by the various physicians. Most of the emphysematous patients were males over 50, the asthmatics were females under 30, and the bronchitics were older than 50 with an even sex distribution. Most of the emphysematous and bronchitic patients had smoked over 25 years, while only 13% of the asthmatics smoked. A majority of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients complained of shortness of breath, were hospitalized ten days or less, treated four times a day with intermittent positive pressure breathing had little or no pulmonary rehabilitation, and survived. Respiratory care appeared to improve over the three-year period as judged by an increase in the frequency of blood gas monitoring and a reduction in the required ventilator times with improved techniques.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1978
- Identifier
- CFR0003461, ucf:53025
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003461
- Title
- Vapor phase oxidation of chloropropenes over heterogeneous catalyst systems.
- Creator
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Owen, Tim Ellis, Clausen, Chris A., Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Propylene Dichloride (PDC) is a byproduct of several Dow processes. The thermal cracking of PDC produces l - cis-chloropropene , I - trans-chloropropene, 2- chloropropene , and allyl chloride . By oxidizing the 1 - and 2-chloropropenes to 3- and 2- chloroacrylic acids, respectively, a potentially valuable product could be made. The chloropropenes, air , and steam were passed over various heterogeneous oxidation catalyst...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Propylene Dichloride (PDC) is a byproduct of several Dow processes. The thermal cracking of PDC produces l - cis-chloropropene , I - trans-chloropropene, 2- chloropropene , and allyl chloride . By oxidizing the 1 - and 2-chloropropenes to 3- and 2- chloroacrylic acids, respectively, a potentially valuable product could be made. The chloropropenes, air , and steam were passed over various heterogeneous oxidation catalyst systems to attempt this oxidation . Contact time was varied between 0.0951 to 0.915 sec. Temperature was varied between 275°C to 425°C. The air content of the feed was varied between 41 to 75%. The chloropropene content of the feed was varied between 2.9% to 5.0%. The following supported catalysts were tested Co/Mo (3/7) - alumina pellets, CoMoO4- alumina granules, CoMo O4- silica gel , AcNbMo- alumina pellets , two bed catalyst MoFeTeRe- MoVGeMo - silica gel, CoMoTe- silica gel, and CoMoBi-alumina pellets . No chloroacroleins, or chloroacrylic acids were detected in the reaction products. In general, no CO and from 5- 15% CO2 was obtained in the reaction products with the alumina and silica support materials. Oxidation over the metal catalysts produced 0-10% CO and 5-40% CO2. Severe carbonization of the supports with and without the metal catalysts was observed at the reaction conditions described above. Chloropropenes were found to be unstable, decomposing to carbon at 300°C in an empty reactor at a contact time greater than 0.1 sec. Chloroacrylic acids at a 0.1 sec contact time were tested in the reactor over alumina and silica support materials at 200C and above, and found to be unstable with regard to decomposition to coke. It was concluded that the vapor phase oxidation of chloropropenes over heterogeneous catalysts to chloroacrylic acids is not feasible because of their decomposition to carbon at the prevailing reaction conditions
Show less - Date Issued
- 1976
- Identifier
- CFR0003494, ucf:53026
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003494