[en] In this paper, cleaner technologies, renewable energy technologies, and energy conservation technologies are identified as the most effective potential solutions to current environmental issues, along with two practical examples from different countries. In addition, energy utilization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, environment, and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives. It is believed that the conclusions and recommendations drawn from the present study will help in implementing effective energy policies. (author)

[en] We discuss the effects of Coster-Kronig (CK) fluctuations and decay on the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of several atomic levels of the elements 20≤Z≤92, where Z is the atomic number. The spectral variations with atomic number are analyzed in light of how the real part (CK fluctuation) and imaginary part (CK decay) of the initial core hole self-energy due to the CK transition change with atomic number. The initial core-hole spectral function (XPS core-hole spectrum) is governed by the unperturbed initial core-hole energy, i.e., the relativistic Hartree-Fock ΔSCF core-hole energy, relative to the 'zero-point' energy at which the real part of the initial core-hole self-energy due to the CK fluctuation becomes zero and, at the same time, the imaginary part by the CK decay (approximately) maximizes. The 'zero-point' energy relative to the CK double-ionization threshold depends critically on the effective particle-hole interaction energy (or the polarization) in the two-hole one-particle state created by the CK transition of the initial core-hole. The present analysis of the XPS core-hole spectrum based on the 'zero-point' energy of the initial core-hole self-energy provides a unified picture of the screening and decay of an atomic-like localized hole. We explain why the ab-initio atomic many-body theory works well for solid-state XPS spectra. We discuss the correlation between the residual energy shift and the lifetime width. We also discuss the effect on core-hole spectra of the (super) CK transition involving an open subshell

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[en] Molten salt electroextraction (refining) process was conducted to prepare elemental boron using the electrolyte KCl-KBF₄-KF and boron carbide (B₄C) as soluble anode. The reactor and the associated equipment for molten salt electrolysis were designed and fabricated in-house. The experiments were conducted using the indigenously made electrolytic cell at the temperature of 820°C with a varying time from 3 to 24 h by maintaining constant current. The cathode was removed after cooling and dipped in de-mineralised water for about 4-24 h. The deposited boron was scraped out of the cathode and further milled in planetary ball mill. The milled powder was leached, filtered and subsequently dried in vacuum. The morphology and composition of the electro-deposited boron was characterized using SEM, EDS and chemical analysis. High purity (97.7 ± 1.3%) boron was successfully electro-extracted. (author)

[en] The catalytic action of palladium microamounts adsorbed by natural and synthetic coals in the reaction of chloride-ions oxidation by manganese (III) is shown to be concerned to surface chloride compounds of palladium. This effect may be used for the determination of a palladium chemical state on the support surface as well as for the development of a sorption-catalytic method of determination of palladium microamounts

[en] Storage phosphor materials can be used to record an incident radiation dose, and they are often used for personal dose monitoring applications and imaging plates (IPs). Conventionally, the storage phosphors for IPs are mainly used in the form of powders and needle crystals while IPs using translucent ceramics have recently attracted much attention. In this paper, we review the recent studies of translucent ceramic storage phosphors for IPs in addition to conventional storage phosphors. (author)

[en] In this study, a response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the immersed-solid-phase micro extraction (immersed-SPME) conditions for the first time using a polyacrylate (PA) coated fiber. This was to determine liquid phase compounds in water for hydrogenolysis reaction of glycerol. There are a three-factor response surface experimental design was used to evaluate the interactive effects of extraction temperature (30-70 degree Celsius), extraction time (10-30 minutes) and desorption time (2-18 minutes) on the analysis of liquid phase compounds in water for hydrogenolysis of glycerol using immersed-solid-phase micro extraction (immersed-SPME). The extraction conditions using immersed-SPME were optimized in order to achieve high enrichment of the analytes from aqueous samples. The isolated compounds from the SPME fiber were desorbed and separated on a capillary polar column of a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The extraction time and desorption time were found significant in increasing the amount of glycerol in aqueous hydrogenolysis of glycerol. Nevertheless, the effect of extraction temperature was not significant. In terms of interactions between the effects, the relation between extraction temperature and extraction time was the most significant. The optimised immersed-SPME conditions were at extraction temperature of 27 degree Celsius, extraction time of 30 minutes and 15 minutes of desorption time. Thus, the application of SPME was found to be a rapid and effective technique in the determination of glycerol and propylene glycol compounds in aqueous hydrogenolysis glycerol. (author)

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[en] This paper is about the application of membrane technologies in waste water treatment. Membrane operations are applied to a number of environmental problems as the result of more stringent regulations. For economical reasons applications are still generally limited to the cases where contaminants and/or water can be recovered for recycle or reuse. In the following will present the results experiments where Nanofiltration and Pervaporation of industrial wastewater treatment had been used. The examined waste water, containing methanol an salt, was originated from the drilling procedure of the MOL Rt. Hungary. Previously this wastewater had been treated by distillation or ionic exchange. The distillation removes the methanol by heat supply, which is an expensive method, and the salt precipitation causes difficulties in the cleaning of the apparatus. The ion exchange treatment experiments were not very efficient and economic. (Author)