1. Degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste with supercritical waterMaja Čolnik, Petra Kotnik, Željko Knez, Mojca Škerget, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The chemical degradation of PVC waste in SCW between 400 and 425 °C and reaction times from 30 to 60 min was studied. The PVC waste in SCW decomposed into the gas, oil, water soluble, and solid phases. The highest yield of the gas and oil phases was achieved at the temperature of 425 °C after 60 min. By increasing the reaction time at 400 °C, the yield of chloride ions in the aqueous phase increased and reached the maximum at 60 min. The gas and oil phases contained many valuable compounds similar to crude oil. Alkanes and chloroalkanes; alkenes, alicyclic, and aromatic hydrocarbons; as well as alcohols were the main groups of hydrocarbons in the oil phase, while the gas phase contained only light hydrocarbons (C1–C6), CO2, and small amounts of H2. This confirmed that the largest chlorine content remains in the aqueous phase and does not pass into the gas phase. It can be concluded that SCW presents effective decomposition media for plastic waste.
Ključne besede: polyvinyl chloride, supercritical water, chemical recycling, plastic waste
Objavljeno v DKUM: 18.09.2023; Ogledov: 184; Prenosov: 11
 Celotno besedilo (1,09 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
2. Chemical recycling of polyolefins waste materials using supercritical waterMaja Čolnik, Petra Kotnik, Željko Knez, Mojca Škerget, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: In the following work, the hydrothermal degradation of polypropylene waste (PP) using supercritical water (SCW) has been studied. The procedure was carried out in a high-pressure, high-temperature batch reactor at 425 °C and 450 °C from 15 to 240 min. The results show a high yield of the oil (up to 95%) and gas (up to 20%) phases. The gained oil phase was composed of alkanes, alkenes, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alcohols. Alkanes and alcohols predominated at 425 °C and shorter reaction times, while the content of aromatic hydrocarbons sharply increased at higher temperatures and times. The higher heating values (HHVs) of oil phases were in the range of liquid fuel (diesel, gasoline, crude and fuel oil), and they were between 48 and 42 MJ/kg. The gas phase contained light hydrocarbons (C1–C6), where propane was the most represented component. The results for PP degradation obtained in the present work were compared to the results of SCW degradation of colored PE waste, and the potential degradation mechanism of polyolefins waste in SCW is proposed. The results allowed to conclude that SCW processing technology represents a promising and eco-friendly tool for the liquefaction of polyolefin (PE and PP) waste into oil with a high conversion rate.
Ključne besede: polypropylene, polyolefins, supercritical water, plastics waste, chemical recycling
Objavljeno v DKUM: 18.09.2023; Ogledov: 189; Prenosov: 10
Celotno besedilo (3,44 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
3. Green techniques for preparation of red beetroot extracts with enhanced biological potentialDragana Borjan, Vanja Šeregelj, Darija Cör Andrejč, Lato Pezo, Vesna Tumbas Šaponjac, Željko Knez, Jelena J. Vulić, Maša Knez Marevci, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Red beetroot is well known for its high proportion of betalains, with great potential as functional food ingredients due to their health-promoting properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of processing techniques such as Soxhlet, cold, ultrasound and supercritical fluid extraction on the betalains content and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic activities. Whilst Soxhlet extraction with water has provided the highest yield, the highest content of total phenolics was found in an extract prepared using Soxhlet extraction with 50% ethanol. Amongst eight phenolic compounds detected in the extracts, protocatechuic acid was the most abundant. The concentrations of total phenolics ranged from 12.09 mg/g (ultrasound extraction with 30% methanol) to 18.60 mg/g (Soxhlet extraction with 50% ethanol). The highest anti-inflammatory activity was observed for cold extraction with 50% methanol extract. The high radical scavenging activity of supercritical fluid extracts could be a consequence of nonphenolic compounds. The chemometrics approach was further used to analyse the results to find the “greenest” method for further possible application in the processing of beetroot in the food and/or pharmaceutical industry. According to the standard score, the best extraction method was determined to be Soxhlet extraction with 50% ethanol.
Ključne besede: red beetroot, supercritical fluid extraction, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antihyperglycemic activity, chemometric approach
Objavljeno v DKUM: 18.08.2023; Ogledov: 165; Prenosov: 11
Celotno besedilo (944,05 KB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
4. Sustainable processing of materials using supercritical fluids : doktorska disertacijaDragana Borjan, 2022, doktorska disertacija Opis: Supercritical fluids (SCFs) are powerful solvents with many unique properties. They have great potential for many processes, from extraction to chemical reactions and recycling. Accordingly, phase equilibrium data and thermodynamic and transport properties measurements in systems with a supercritical phase, as well as reliable and versatile mathematical models of the phase equilibrium thermodynamics, are needed for the process design and economic feasibility studies. The dissertation focuses on the benefits of supercritical fluid technology and consists of three main sections.
The first section includes studies of the phase equilibria of the binary gas-alcohol and gas-urea derivatives. The influence of pressure and temperature on the system behaviour (solubility, viscosity, density, interfacial tension, melting point curve) was investigated. Most of the experiments were carried out with a high-pressure optical view cell, with minor modifications of the apparatus and measurement principle to determine mentioned thermodynamic and transport properties.
The second part of the dissertation deals with the recovery of extracts from natural materials. Special interest is oriented towards supercritical fluid extracts, characterised by strong biological activities, especially antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Supercritical fluid extraction has been performed on a semi-continuous apparatus (at pressures of 150 bar and 250 bar and temperatures of 313.15 K and 333.15 K for oregano extraction; and at pressures of 100 bar and 300 bar and temperatures of 313.15 K and 333.15 K for red beetroot extraction) and various methods such as the microdilution method and the DPPH method were used to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
In the third part, an overview of different methods for recycling carbon fibre reinforced composites is given, including chemical recycling with supercritical fluids. This field has not been well explored, and the approach is relatively new but very interesting from a sustainable point of view. For an economically feasible process design, the thermodynamic and mass transfer data have to be determined. The principles of the future lab- and pilot-scale operations demand these supporting data be known.
The results obtained in the frame of this study represent the high added value in the scientific field. They are essential to design and modify processes that yield products that cannot be achieved with conventional production processes.
Ključne besede: supercritical fluids, alcohols, urea, phase equilibria, viscosity, density, interfacial tension, modified capillary method, isolation methods, supercritical fluid extraction, pharmacological activity, carbon fiber reinforced composites, recycling techniques
Objavljeno v DKUM: 11.10.2022; Ogledov: 589; Prenosov: 111
Celotno besedilo (4,64 MB) |
5. BIOAEROGELS: PROMISING MATERIALS FOR IMPREGNATION OF DRUGS : diploma thesis dissertationJorge Rodríguez Antolín, 2020, diplomsko delo Opis: The following work examines the possibility of impregnating chosen model drug into bioaerogels to obtain final formulation with added value. The drug used in this study was esomeprazole, used to treat acid-related diseases.
In the first part of the work, bioaerogels were prepared. Polysaccharide aerogels are lightweight biocompatible and biodegradable materials, suitable for applications in pharmaceutical industry. For this purpose, three different cores were prepared: pectin, alginate and their mixture, followed by coating with chitosan layer. The production of the bioaerogels follows a sol-gel synthesis and supercritical drying technique. All samples were characterised, and optimisation was performed based on examined properties. Aerogels having a pectin core and chitosan coating showed the highest surface area and the highest adsorption capacity.
In the second part, the impregnation of esomeprazole was performed using two different methods: supercritical impregnation and diffusion via sol-gel synthesis. For supercritical impregnation, supercritical carbon dioxide was used as a solvent for impregnation of the drug. In the diffusion method, the model drug was added during sol-gel synthesis using ethanol as solvent. Finally, complete characterisation of prepared formulation followed by drug release studies was performed.
The study showed successful impregnation of esomeprazole using either carbon dioxide or ethanol as a solvent. Bioaerogels proved to be promising as carriers for achieving the optimal release of the chosen drug.
Ključne besede: Bioaerogels, polysaccharides, supercritical impregnation, diffusion method, esomeprazole
Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.07.2020; Ogledov: 726; Prenosov: 49
Celotno besedilo (1,28 MB) |
6. High-Perssure process design for polymer treatment and heat transfer enhancementGregor Kravanja, 2018, doktorska disertacija Opis: The doctoral thesis presents the design of several high-pressure processes involving »green solvents« so-called supercritical fluids for the eco-friendly and sustainable production of new products with special characteristics, fewer toxic residues, and low energy consumption. The thesis is divided into three main parts: polymer processing and formulation of active drugs, measurements of transport properties form pendant drop geometry, and study of heat transfer under supercritical conditions.
In the first part, special attention is given to using biodegradable polymers in particle size reduction processes that are related to pharmaceutical applications for controlled drug release. The PGSSTM micronization process was applied to the biodegradable carrier materials polyoxyethylene stearyl ether (Brij 100 and Brij 50) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) for the incorporation of the insoluble drugs nimodipine, fenofibrate, o-vanillin, and esomeprazole with the purpose of improving their bioavailability and dissolution rate. In order to optimize and design micronization process, preliminary transfer and thermodynamic experiments of water-soluble carriers (Brij and PEG)/ SCFs system were carried out. It was observed that a combination of process parameters, including particle size reduction and interactions between drugs and hydrophilic carriers, contributed to enhancing the dissolution rates of precipitated solid particles.
In the second part, a new optimized experimental setup based on pendant drop tensiometry was developed and a mathematical model designed to fit the experimental data was used to determine the diffusion coefficients of binary systems at elevated pressures and temperatures. Droplet geometry was examined by using a precise computer algorithm that fits the Young–Laplace equation to the axisymmetric shape of a drop. The experimental procedure was validated by a comparison of the experimental data for the water-CO2 mixture with data from the literature. For the first time, interfacial tension of CO2 saturated solution with propylene glycol and diffusion coefficients of propylene glycol in supercritical CO2 at temperatures of 120°C and 150°C in a pressure range from 5 MPa, up to 17.5 MPa were measured.
Additionally, the drop tensiometry method was applied for measuring systems that are of great importance in carbon sequestration related applications. The effect of argon as a co-contaminant in a CO2 stream on the interfacial tension, diffusion coefficients, and storage capacity was studied.
In the third part, comprehensive investigation into the heat transfer performance of CO2, ethane and their azeotropic mixture at high pressures and temperatures was studied. A double pipe heat exchanger was developed and set up to study the effects of different operating parameters on heat transfer performance over a wide range of temperatures (25 °C to 90 °C) and pressures (5 MPa to 30 MPa). Heat flux of supercritical fluids was measured in the inner pipe in the counter-current with water in the outer pipe. For the first time, the heat transfer coefficients (HTC) of supercritical CO2, ethane and their azeotropic mixture in water loop have been measured and compared. A brief evaluation is provided of the effect of mass flux, heat flux, pressure, temperature and buoyancy force on heat transfer coefficients. Additionally, to properly evaluate the potential and the performance of azeotropic mixture CO2-ethane, the coefficients of performance (COP) were calculated for the heat pump working cycle and compared to a system containing exclusively CO2.
Ključne besede: supercritical fluids, PGSSTM, formulation of active drugs, biodegradable polymers, transport and thermodynamic data, pendant drop method, carbon sequestration, heat transfer coefficients
Objavljeno v DKUM: 28.05.2018; Ogledov: 1444; Prenosov: 217
Celotno besedilo (5,51 MB) |
7. Formation, characterization and application of polysaccharide aerogelsGabrijela Horvat, 2018, doktorska disertacija Opis: The aim of this PhD dissertation was to describe and analyze the preparation and characterization of polysaccharide aerogels and their future pharmaceutical and medical application. For the research, we used four types of polysaccharides: pectin, alginate, xanthan and guar. We used two types of pectin, high-methoxyl and low-methoxyl pectin, because of their different gelation mechanisms. The first part of the dissertation describes the preparation and characterization of pure polysaccharide aerogels. First, we prepared pectin spherical aerogels, cross-linked with three different ions, and we investigated their final properties. Later, we developed a new method for the preparation of alginate, pectin, xanthan and guar aerogels. We used only ethanol and no other cross-linkers. Ethanol was removed in the later processes of supercritical drying, and the remaining final material was thus only porous polysaccharide. By this method, we were able to prepare pure xanthan and guar aerogels. Prior to this study, xanthan and guar aerogels were prepared only as composites. Pectin aerogels prepared by the new method have amazing properties. On the other hand, alginate aerogels show poor characteristics, and thus the methods need to be optimised. We tried different alginate viscosities, different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 1-butanol), and we investigated longer (24h) and shorter (1h) gel setting times.
The second part of this dissertation describes the pharmaceutical and medical applications of prepared aerogels. The release of diclofenac sodium from spherical pectin aerogels was investigated in vitro. Calcium cross-linked aerogels were not able to retain the drug, and its release was immediate. In order to achieve controlled release of diclofenac sodium, zinc ions had to be used as cross-linkers. Later, a low water-soluble drug, nifedipine, was used as a model drug for the monolithic aerogels prepared by the new method. The release of nifedipine from pectin and alginate aerogels was highly increased, compared to the crystalline drug. This result is promising for future evaluation of these materials for increasing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Nifedipine release from xanthan and guar aerogels was prolonged up to two weeks. This result reveals a new perspective on such materials for their potential use in medicine as implants and local drug delivery. According to these results, we then developed a new coating material for medical-grade stainless steel from xanthan and pectin. An aerogel coating was loaded with diclofenac sodium and indomethacin, and their release profiles were investigated in vitro. Electrochemical analysis and cell tests proved the safety of such materials for use in medicine. Using aerogel coatings, the drug can be introduced locally into the body; therefore, the need for intravenous, post-operational treatment is greatly reduced.
Ključne besede: polysaccharides, aerogels, supercritical drying, drug carriers
Objavljeno v DKUM: 09.04.2018; Ogledov: 1717; Prenosov: 268
Celotno besedilo (5,84 MB) |
8. |
9. Extraction and separation of active compounds by supercritical fluids extraction and preparative supercritical chromatographyAlejandro Bartolome Ortega, 2017, doktorska disertacija Opis: This doctoral dissertation is focused on the benefits of supercritical fluids technology in several industry processes. Although, supercritical CO2 is currently the most employed supercritical fluid at laboratory scale, its presence in the industry field is still limited, due to the necessity of high investment costs. Despite that fact, operations with supercritical CO2 are cheap, environmentally friendly and simple, which make it an excellent alternative to organic compounds. Extraction and separation of highly pure active compounds, such as xanthohumol or beta-sitosterol, are demanded for pharmaceutical or food industries, which create an excellent opportunity for supercritical CO2 operations, since they are solvent free.
This manuscript is divided into three different parts. In the first part, conventional extraction processes and supercritical fluid process are theoretically compared and supercritical fluid extraction from saw palmetto berries is presented. In the second part, conventional chromatographic techniques and supercritical fluid chromatography are theoretically compared and separation of xanthohumol from hop extracts by supercritical fluid chromatography is presented. In the last part, different encapsulation and emulsification processes are listed and defined. These processes are very important for food and pharmaceutical companies, since several active compounds are not water soluble which create the necessity of different formulations in order to be solved in an appropriate media.
Regarding the experimental part, extractions from saw palmetto berries were performed at various pressures and temperatures, which were higher than the ones that were applied in previous studies, in order to estimate and calculate different parameters (solubility, extraction kinetic curves, composition,…), and to compare different studies. Separation of xanthohumol was carried out in a homemade supercritical chromatography, which manageable variables were temperature, pressure, mass flow-rate, modifier, and stationary phase. The results were compared with those ones which were obtained using conventional techniques, in order to prove the suitability and the improvement of this technique against others tecniques.
Ključne besede: supercritical CO2, supercritical fluid extraction, supercritical fluid chromatography, xanthohumol, saw palmetto berries, Beta-Sitosterol, encapsulation
Objavljeno v DKUM: 13.07.2017; Ogledov: 1936; Prenosov: 241
Celotno besedilo (3,20 MB) |
10. Use of non-conventional cell disruption method for extraction of proteins from black yeastsMaja Čolnik, Mateja Primožič, Željko Knez, Maja Leitgeb, 2016, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The influence of pressure and treatment time on cells disruption of different black yeasts and on activities of extracted proteins using supercritical carbon dioxide process was studied. The cells of three different black yeasts Phaeotheca triangularis, Trimatostroma salinum, and Wallemia ichthyophaga were exposed to supercritical carbon dioxide (SC $CO_2$) by varying pressure at fixed temperature (35°C). The black yeasts cell walls were disrupted, and the content of the cells was spilled into the liquid medium. The impact of SC $CO_2$ conditions on secretion of enzymes and proteins from black yeast cells suspension was studied. The residual activity of the enzymes cellulase, $beta$-glucosidase, $alpha$-amylase, and protease was studied by enzymatic assay. The viability of black yeast cells was determined by measuring the optical density of the cell suspension at 600 nm. The total protein concentration in the suspension was determined on UV–Vis spectrophotometer at 595 nm. The release of intracellular and extracellular products from black yeast cells was achieved. Also, the observation by an environmental scanning electron microscopy shows major morphological changes with SC $CO_2$-treated cells. The advantages of the proposed method are in a simple use, which is also possible for heat-sensitive materials on one hand and on the other hand integration of the extraction of enzymes and their use in biocatalytical reactions.
Ključne besede: P. triangularis, W. ichtyophaga, T. salinum, supercritical carbon dioxide, enzyme activity, cells
Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.07.2017; Ogledov: 1308; Prenosov: 375
Celotno besedilo (2,13 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
