Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1961. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 24).

Graduation date: 1968

The effect of using a boric acid based additive in lubricants and fuel enhancers was investigated in this study. Experiments were performed in a reciprocating and a continuous sliding ball-on-disk test equipment. Different oil types and temperatures were used. The aim of the experiments was to provide information about how these boron containing lubricants work in terms of chemistry and tribology. The surfaces after tribological contact were analyzed with Light Optical Microscopy (LOM), Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI), Scanning Electron Spectroscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS). The boric acid based additive and the temperature used affected both the friction and wear. A higher oil temperature resulted in wider wear tracks. Oil with boron additive seemed to lower the friction coefficient at temperatures above 50 °C, compared to the same oil without boric acid; the reference oil. The tests also indicated that friction coefficients as low as 0.05 can be achieved by using a boron additive layer on the disk surface together with PAO-oil. Tribofilms containing Zn, P, S, Mg and O were formed in the wear tracks at high temperatures for both the reference oil and oil with boron additive. Oxidized regions were found in the tracks created from tests at 25 °C. Tests with oil containing boron additive resulted in lower Zn concentrations in the tracks, which is an indication that the boric acid based additive hinders the formation of these Zn rich tribofilms. To summarize, both oils and fuel enhancers with boric acid can obtain lower friction coefficients compared to those without this additive. The role of boric acid in the tests performed, both regarding the tribology and chemistry, is not yet fully understood and more chemical investigations are needed.

Thesis (Master)--İzmir Institute of Technology, İzmir, 2006 / Keywords: Anorthite, boric acid, colemanite, statistical experimental design, X ray diffraction. Includes bibliographical references (leaves. 57-59).

One of the most commonly used boron compounds, boric acid, is produced by dissolving colemanite (2CaO&times / 3B2O3&times / 5H2O) in aqueous sulfuric acid whereby gypsum (CaSO4&times / 2H2O) is formed as a byproduct and must be separated from the main product. This process consists of two steps, dissolution of colemanite and formation of gypsum. The amount of boric acid formed depends on the first step, dissolution of colemanite. In the latter step, gypsum crystals are formed and stay in the reaction mixture to grow up to a size large enough to be filtered out of the solution. Filtration of gypsum crystals is a crucial process in boric acid production because it affects the purity and crystallization of boric acid. In this study it is aimed to investigate the effects of particle size of colemanite, stirring rate and reaction temperature on the dissolution of colemanite, gypsum formation and particle size distribution of gypsum formed in the reaction of boric acid production. Colemanite, sulfuric acid and distilled water were used as reactants for the boric acid production reaction in this study.The colemanite minerals were provided from a region of Emet, Kutahya, Turkey. Three types of colemanite minerals having different chemical composition and particle size were used. The sulfuric acid was supplied by Eti Holding A.S. Hisarcik 1 and Hisarcik 2 colemanites were crushed in a jaw crusher, ground in a hammer mill and then sieved. The sieve analysis was performed to learn the size distribution of Hisarcik 1 and Hisarcik 2 colemanite. Hisarcik 3 colemanite was brought from Emet Boric Acid Plant. The maximum diameter of the colemanite minerals was 150 &amp / #956 / m. The experiments were performed at different particle sizes of colemanite (0-150, 0-250 and 250-1000 &amp / #956 / m), temperatures (70- 90 &amp / #61616 / C) and stirring rates (350-500 rpm). The photographs of gypsum crystals were taken. The boric acid and calcium ion concentrations were determined for each experiment. Also, the solid content of the solution in the reactor were measured. The dissolution of colemanite can be followed by monitoring the boric acid concentration change in the slurry. The crystallization of gypsum from the solution can be found from the calcium ion concentration in the solution. The crystallization kinetics of calcium sulfate dihydrate was studied. The growth of the gypsum crystals were examined under the light microscope and the particle size distribution of gypsum crystals were analyzed by of the laser diffraction instrument.

Thesis (MTech (Agriculture)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Choumollier (narrow-stem kale) (Brassica oleracea, L.) has been progressively used in recent years as a supplementary forage harvest in many countries with a temperate climate. Boron (B) and calcium (Ca) are the two most important elements for supporting plant structure and function of plasma membranes. Boron nutrition is vital for obtaining high quality yields in vegetables. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the extent to which boric acid concentration can affect growth parameters (plant height, leaf numbers, chlorophyll levels, and leaf size) of Brassica olereacea var. acephala at different stages of growth and development. Treatment comprised of four concentrations of boron (0.3 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg). Yield and physiological growth responses were measured during the course of the study to ascertain effectiveness and influence of boron treatments on the test crops. Leaves of B. oleracea were harvested at weekly intervals (W1, W2, W3, W4 and W5) after each treatment regimen for approximate basic mineral analysis and composition. Soil pH did not vary much among the various orchard blocks tested, regardless of soil depth. Exchangeable cations Na+ and K+ levels did not vary significantly, but Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels fluctuated considerably among orchards analyzed. The Control Orchard exhibited a higher P content than the other orchards. Ca, Mg, Cu and B levels did not vary significantly among the orchards, but Na, Fe and Zn levels were markedly raised in the Orchard treated with 0.3 mg/kg boron) relative to the Control Orchard. Chlorophyll fluorescence was significantly dependent on the treatment dose of boron as compared to control. Chlorophyll fluorescence also increased significantly with the growth period, i.e., the duration following the initial treatment at all doses of boron. Boron at all did not significantly affect leaf count, leaf length and plant height. The work may add to the body of knowledge on the influence of boron on the physiological performance, mineral contents and proximate composition of leaves of the species. Furthermore, the findings may have important applications in achieving high quality yields in vegetable crops.

The production of magnetic materials is of great interest for use in the micro-fabrication industry. In particular, Permalloy (Ni80Fe20) is used in the production of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) due to its favourable magnetic properties (high relative permeability, low coercivity and high magnetic saturation). This leads to applications in devices such as inductors, transformers and micro-actuators. The electrodeposition of NiFe is also of fundamental electrochemical interest, as there is anomalous thermodynamic behaviour, with the less noble (iron) metal depositing preferentially to the more noble (nickel) metal. To enable consistent alloy deposition nickel and nickel-iron baths are currently almost exclusively based on boric acid. Boric acid has an important role in the deposition of NiFe films but its role(s) in the electro-deposition mechanism is (are) not wholly understood. Recently (2011) boric acid has been identified as a “substance of very high concern” based on the criteria established by EU chemical regulation, REACH. In anticipation of increased regulation an alternative was sought to provide a benign alternative to boric acid in the NiFe plating bath suitable for use in micro-fabrication. Initial work was performed to benchmark the performance of existing boric acid based electro-deposition baths. Cyclic voltammetry was performed, which demonstrated the deposition of nickel and nickel-iron from boric acid baths. Coulombic efficiencies up to 93 % were measured for the deposition of nickel using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) on platinum electrodes. For nickel-iron deposition control of the film composition was demonstrated on copper electrodes through varying the iron (II) concentration, current density and temperature. A citrate bath for the deposition of nickel-iron was then developed and characterised. Cyclic voltammetry was performed in these citrate baths demonstrating the deposition of nickel and nickel-iron. Optimal conditions for depositing Ni80Fe20 were demonstrated to be an elevated temperature (60 °C) with a current density of 20 mA cm-2 and a pH of 3. Using the EQCM the efficiency for nickel deposition was measured to be > 80 %. The effects of sodium saccharin and sodium dodecyl sulfate as additives were investigated; these were shown to influence morphology but not the coulombic efficiency. Decreasing the pH was shown to lower the efficiency of nickel deposition from the citrate bath. Comparisons of key properties were made between NiFe films deposited from a boric acid bath and the citrate bath developed in this work. Test structures were used to compare the strain in the films; no significant difference was found. For 2.2 μm thick Ni80Fe20 films the sheet resistance was measured using Greek cross structures as 0.078 ± 0.004 Ω/square for films deposited from the boric acid bath and 0.090 ± 0.006 Ω/square from the citrate bath. The magnetic saturation, Ms, was measured as 895 ± 66 emu cm-3 for deposits from the boric acid bath and 923 ± 111 emu cm-3 from the citrate bath. These again show no significant difference in these values within experimental error. Coercivities for these films were measured to be between 20 and 120 A m-1. In combination, this work demonstrates the development and characterisation of a new citrate based electrodeposition bath for nickel and nickel-iron. Similar chemical, electrical, mechanical and magnetic properties were found from films deposited from both baths, thus demonstrating the suitability of the citrate bath for the deposition of nickel-iron films in microfabrication.

Une étude expérimentale a été menée afin de protéger des attaques biologiques des contreplaqués faits d'essences non durables (hêtre et peuplier), et ce, avec un faible impact environnemental. Des produits de protection à base de tannins et de bore, nouvellement développés afin de réduire le lessivage du bore, ont été sélectionnés pour ce but. Ce système a été utilisé pour protéger les contreplaqués selon deux approches : (1) au niveau de la colle pour remplacer les adhésives à base de formaldéhyde et coller les plis, (2) en traitement des plis avec des formulations plus diluées, les plis étant collés avec des adhésifs mélamine-urée-formaldéhyde. Les données expérimentales de cette thèse peuvent être classées en trois grands groupes : essais chimiques et thermomécaniques des colles tannin-bore, mesure des propriétés physiques et mécaniques, de la résistance biologique avant et après vieillissement des différents panneaux. Les essais chimiques sur les colles tannin/hexamine ont montré que l'addition de bore sous forme d'acide borique peut contribuer à plus de liaisons inter-flavonoids et à ouvrir les cycles pyranes ce qui accélère les réactions de polymérisation. Des analyses thermomécaniques sur les colles contenant des tannins de mimosa et de quebracho ont confirmé que l'addition d'acide borique (1) abaissait le temps et la température de prise, et (2) augmentait les valeurs du module d'élasticité de la colle. L'addition d'une quantité optimale d'acide borique dans la colle à base de tannin augmente les propriétés physiques et la résistance au cisaillement. Une charge excessive d'acide borique (10%) dans la colle est la cause de pertes de propriétés mécaniques et physiques. Bien qu'en faible quantité, l'introduction de l'acide borique dans la colle de tannin amène une protection efficace contre l'attaque fongique, même après un lessivage selon l'EN 1250-2. Les résultats des essais termites montrent que l'acide borique contenu dans la colle cause le plus faible taux de survie des insectes et de perte de masse, mais présentent un fort degré d'attaque selon une cotation visuelle. Aucune amélioration n'a été obtenue lors d'un essai de choix après lessivage. Les contreplaqués faits de plis traités par des solutions tannin-bore ont montré des résistances au cisaillement plus faibles, mais toujours dans les gammes requises pour des applications en atmosphère humide. Des résultats satisfaisants ont été obtenus par les réseaux polymères de tannins, même après une lessivage sévère, vis-à-vis de l'attaque fongique. Les contreplaqués faits de plis traités à l'acide borique seul ont présenté une sensibilité importante à l'attaque biologique après un lessivage. Les résultats des essais termites ont montré un faible taux de survie des insectes et de perte de masse, même après un lessivage sévère, pour les contreplaqués avec des plis traités par des systèmes tannin-bore. Les résultats d'un essai de choix a montré que les termites préféraient se nourrir des témoins quand l'alternative proposée était des échantillons traités avec des systèmes tannin-bore. / An experimental investigation was conducted to protect plywood panels made of perishable wood species (beech and poplar) against biological attacks with low environmental impact. The newly developed tannin-boron preservative which was proposed to reduce the leaching of borates was selected for this purpose. This system was used to protect plywood with two approaches: (1) in the glue line to replace formaldehyde based adhesives and gluing wood veneers, (2) pretreatment of wood veneers with the diluted formulations and bonded with melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin The research data in this thesis were obtained from three main groups of experiments: chemicals and thermomechanical testing on the tannin-boron resin, measuring physical and mechanical properties, and different biological tests before and after leaching processes. The chemicals testing on the tannin/hexamine adhesive showed that the addition ofboron, in the form of boric acid, can contribute more inter-flavonoid linkages and the opening of pyran rings which leads to the acceleration of polymerization reactions. Thermomechanical analysis on the adhesives of mimosa and quebracheo tannins confirmed that the addition of boric acid (1) lowered time and temperature of hardening, (2) and increased modulus of elasticity values of the adhesive. The addition of optimal boric acid into the tannin adhesive upgraded physical properties and tensile shear strength. An excess loading of boric acid (10%) in the glue line caused imperfect physical and mechanical features. Despite the low uptake of boric acid but its addition into the tannin glue provided effective resistance against fungal attack even after mild leaching test according to the EN 1250-2. The results of termites test showed that increase in the boric acid content of the adhesive caused the lower survival rate and the weight loss but samples underwent the high level of attack. No improvement against termite attack was obtained after leaching by a choice feeding test. The plywoods made of pretreated veneers by tannin-boron solutions showed partially lower tensile shear strength but still in the range of standards requirements for the humid applications. The satisfactory results were obtained even after severe leaching test against fungal attack with a strong polymeric network of tannin. The control plywoods made of pretreated veneers with boric acid alone solutions presented significant sensitivity against biological attack after leaching test. The results of termite tests showed the lower survival rate and the weight loss even after severe leaching test for the plywoods made of pretreated veneers with tannin-boron systems. The results of choice feeding test showed that termites preferred feeding from the controls when alternative samples were treated with the tannin-boron system. In general the evidence from this study suggests that tannin-boron system can significantly slow down the leaching of boron and it rendered high potential to preserve plywood.

Étant donné son origine, le bois reste biodégradable et a besoin d'être protégé contre les agents abiotiques et biotiques afin d'avoir une longue durée de service. Les associations entre les tanins et l'acide borique peuvent être considérés comme un traitement innovant et respectueux de l'environnement. Ces formulations aqueuses de tannins et d'acide borique augmentent la rémanence du bore dans le bois traité. De plus, le bore est partiellement fixé au réseau polymère de tannins autocondensés dans le bois et garde suffisamment de mobilité pour garder son efficacité biologique. Ces associations ont été testées pour une application en extérieur, au-dessus et dans le sol, et pour leurs propriétés ignifugeantes. Une première formulation de tannin-hexamine et acide borique a montré une efficacité certaine face aux dégradations biologiques et au feu. Le comportement au vieillissement naturel et artificiel, au lessivage à l'échelle du laboratoire, ainsi que l'efficacité biologique résultante, de bois traité par ces associations a été étudié. Les résultats montent que ces trois vieillissements mènent à des performances biologiques différentes, toutes liées à la teneur en bore résiduelle. Une formulation tannin-bore dite améliorée, contenant du ɛ-caprolactame pour rendre le réseau polymère plus flexible (et éviter les craquelures comme dans la première formulation) a été étudiée pour les mécanismes chimiques mis en jeu, la résistance biologique au-dessus et dans le sol, et la résistance au feu. Le polymère à base de tannin acquiert une structure plus élastique après incorporation de ɛ-caprolactame, comme démontré par des analyses FT-IR. La résistance biologique du bois traité procure une résistance à long terme en extérieur, même dans le sol. L'effet de protection au feu est moins intéressant que pour la première formulation, mais reste toute de même plus important que pour le témoin. Afin d'améliorer l'efficacité des associations entre bore et tannins, l'élaboration de bois contenant un polymère nano-composite (Wood Tannin NanoComposite, WTNC) utilisant tannins, acide borique et montmorillonite a été étudiée. Des analyses FT-IR et XRD on permit d’identifier des nanoparticules d'argiles dans le WTNC. Par ailleurs, des traces de montmorillonite dans les parois du bois ont été observées en microscopie électronique à balayage. Par comparaison avec des témoins, la résistance à la compression du WTNC est plus importante, l'absorption d'eau et l'aptitude au collage du WTNC dépend de l'essence utilisée (pin sylvestre vs. Hêtre), la stabilité dimensionnelle du WTNC est légèrement abaissée et sa mouillabilité significativement réduite. La résistance à l'attaque de champignons et termites est améliorée dans des proportions variables selon que l'on utilise du pin sylvestre ou du hêtre. Les performances anti-feu des WTNC sont affectées différemment en fonction de l'essence de bois utilisée et des paramètres considérés. Cette étude analyse aussi les impacts environnementaux de la production de produit de préservation tannin-bore (pour la première formulation) et compare aussi les impacts du berceau à la tombe dans le cadre d'une analyse de cycle de vie de bois traité par cette formulation, en comparaison avec 2 formulations industrielles et du béton. Il apparaît que même si ces associations tannin-bore peuvent être encore étudiées plus avant et plus finement du point de vue chimique, pour leurs performances biologiques (vis-à-vis d'insectes coléoptères, essais de champ avec des termites, moisissures…), ainsi que pour leur profil éco-toxicologique, elles ont montré de réelles améliorations du bois dans les domaines de la résistance biologique et de la résistance au feu. / Due to its origins, wood remains biodegradable and needs to be protected against abiotic and biotic agents for a long service life. Tannin-boron associations can be considered as an innovative preservative formulation and environmentally-friendly treatment. These waterborne associations of tannins and boric acid increase the permanence of boron in the wood. Furthermore, boric acid is partly fixed to the network of autocondensed tannin in the wood and keeps sufficient mobility to maintain its biological action. These associations have been investigated for their outdoor applications, both above and in-ground, as well as for their ability for fire protection. An original formulation of tannin-hexamine and boric acid, has shown efficiency against biological attack and fire degradation. The natural and artificial weathering behaviour, and laboratory scale leaching, of such treated wood have been investigated, and followed by biological tests. The results showed that the weatherings led to different performances, always linked with the amount of remaining boron. An advanced tannin-boron formulation including ɛ-caprolactam to make the polymer network more flexible (and avoiding cracks as noticed for the original formulation) was studied for the chemical mechanisms, biological resistance above and in-ground, fire retardancy. The tannin polymer acquires a more elastic structure after adding ɛ-caprolactam, as seen with FT-IR analyses. The biological resistance of the treated wood provided a long lasting protection against degradation in outdoor exposures, and even in ground contact. However, fire retardant effect of this advanced tannin-boron preservative was negatively influenced with comparison to the original tannin-boron formulation, but still better than control. In order to improve the associations between boron and tannin for wood protection, the conception of wood polymer nanocomposite using tannin, boric acid and montmorillonite tentatively carried out. The analyses of FT-IR and XRD have investigated to identify nanoclay in Wood Tannin Nanocomposite (WTNC). Meanwhile, the trace of montmorillonite in wood cell is also captured by SEM. By comparison with control, compression strengths of WTNC samples increase; water absorption and gluing ability of WTNC depend on the wood species used (Scot Pine vs. Beech); dimensional stability of WTNC is slightly decreased, and wettability was significantly decreased. Fungal and termite resistance of WTNC are improved to different extends if Scots pine or beech samples are used. Fire performances of WTNC is affected differently depending on the wood species used and the parameters considered. This study also analyses the environmental impacts of producing tannin-boron (TB) preservative (the original formulation) and comparatively introduces the cradle-to-grave life cycle environmental impacts (LCA) of TB-treated timber as landscaping materials, compared with 2 industrial formulations and concrete.Even if all these tannin-boron association systems developed still need to be improved for some point of their chemistry, biological performances (coleoptera insects, field tests with termites, molds…), as well as for their eco-toxicological profile, they have shown to improve the biological and fire resistance of the wood.

Inferential control of boric acid production system using the reaction of colemanite with sulfuric acid in four continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) connected in series is aimed. In this control scheme, pH of the product is measured on-line instead of boric acid concentration for control purposes. An empirical correlation between pH and boric acid concentration is developed using the collected data in a batch reacting system in laboratory-scale and this correlation is utilized in the control system for estimator design. The transfer function model of the 4-CSTR system previously obtained is used in the MPC controller design. In the experiments done previously for the modelling of 4-CSTR system, it was observed that the reaction goes complete within the first reactor. Therefore, the control is based on the measurements of pH of the second reactor by manipulating the flow rate of sulfuric acid given to the first reactor, while the flow rate of colemanite fed to the system is considered as disturbance. The designed controller&rsquo / s performance is tested for set point tracking, disturbance rejection and robustness issues using a simulation program. It is found that, the designed controller is performing satisfactorily, using the inferential control strategy for this complex reacting system.