Candan Hamamci

Transesterified sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed oil as a biodiesel fuel

The sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) oil was extracted from the seeds of the sesame that grows in Diyarbakir, SE Anatolia of Turkey. Sesame seed oil was obtained in 58wt/wt%, by traditional solvent extraction. The methylester of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed oil was prepared by transesterification of the crude oil. Transesterification shows improvement in fuel properties of sesame seed oil. This study supports the production of biodiesel from sesame seed oil as a viable alternative to the diesel fuel.

Levels of Trace and Major Elements in Illicit Heroin

Ten elements, aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed in 44 illicit heroin samples from Southeast Anatolia, Turkey. Illicit heroin samples were dissolved in nitric acid using microwave oven and were quantified by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (Cd and Pb) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn). The most abundant element was calcium, 4050 to 14,200 microg/g, which could be ascribed to the use of lime in the manufacturing process and/or as diluting agent. Iron (180 to 1470 microg/g), aluminum (42 to 2280 microg/g), and zinc (160 to 210 microg/g) were found at moderately high levels, possibly because of the use of metal pots in the acetic anhydride cooking process and also for storage. Cadmium and lead concentrations were at the lowest measured levels. The amounts of magnesium, manganese, barium, and copper were in the range of 100 to 800 micro/g, 3 to 17 microg/g, 4 to 30 microg/g, and 2 to 46 microg/g, respectively.

Desulfurization of southeastern Anatolian asphaltites by the Meyers method

Abstract Southeastern Anatolian asphaltites are notoriously high in sulfur and therefore not suitable for direct use in combustion without extensive cleaning. In order to remove sulfur from asphaltites collected from Şirnak and Hazro, the Meyers (Fe 3− salts) method was used. The effects of ferric concentration, coal particle size, temperature and time on the extraction efficiency were investigated and the experimental results are presented here. Most of the pyritic and sulfate sulfur was eliminated from the asphaltite samples.

Microwave Assisted Transesterification of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Oil as a Biodiesel Fuel

Maize (Zea mays L.) oil is a highly valuable agricultural commodity for the Turkey. Transesterified maize oil has the global better properties because it has the greater monounsaturated content. Biodiesel has been prepared from maize by transesterification of the crude oil under microwave irradiation, with methanol to oil molar ratio of 10:1, in the presence of 1.5% NaOH as catalyst and 5 minutes time, the conversion of maize oil to methyl ester was over 98%. Compared with conventional heating methods, the process using microwaves irradiation proved to be a faster method for alcoholysis of triglycerides with methanol, leading to high yields of biodiesel.

Polymer Supported Humic Acid for Separation and Preconcentration of Thorium(IV)

Abstract The resin impregnating humic acid (HA) onto XAD‐4 has been prepared to investigate adsorption behaviour of Th(IV). The characterization of the resulting resin has been carried out by infrared spectral data and sorption capacity. Maximum adsorption capacity of Th(IV) on the resin is found to be 1.51 × 10−4 mol g−1 at pH 4. The sorbent was found to possess a high selectivity for Th(IV) with an optimum extraction pH around 3–7. Recoveries for Th(IV) determined prior to breakthrough were found to be quantitative (96–99%). The resin exhibits good chemical stability, reuseability, and a faster rate of equilibration for Th(IV) determination. The influence of several ions as interferents is discussed. The method has been successfully applied for the separation of Th(IV) in synthetic mixtures.

A sequential extraction to determine the distribution of phosphorus in the seawater and marine surface sediment

The distribution of phosphorus species among environmental compartments (e.g., between water and sediment), significantly affects the bioavailability of these species to organisms. The eastern Mediterranean Sea is one of the most extreme oligotrophic oceanic regions on earth in terms of nutrient concentrations and primary productivity. The paper presents the results of inorganic and organic forms in surface sediment and seawater from NE Mediterranean Sea (Burclar Bay, Erdemli, South Anatolia of Turkey) in May 2007. Speciation of phosphorus in seawater and surface sediment using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) has been reported here. The method is based on sequential extractions of the seawater and sediment each releasing four forms of inorganic phosphorus: loosely sorbed phosphorus, phosphorus bound to aluminium (P-Al), phosphorus bound to iron (P-Fe) and phosphorus bound to calcium (P-Ca). The most abundant form of inorganic phosphorus in the seawater and surface sediment is calcium-bound phosphorus. Relative abundances of the remaining phosphorus forms in sediment follow the order: P-Al>P-Fe>loosely bound-P and in seawater follow the order P-Fe>P-Al>loosely bound-P.

Biodiesel Production via Transesterification from Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Seed Oil

Abstract The safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil was extracted from the seeds of the safflower that grows in Diyarbakir, SE Anatolia of Turkey. Carthamus tinctorius L. seed oil was investigated as an alternative feedstock for the production of a biodiesel fuel. By traditional solvent extraction, oil was obtained and biodiesel was prepared from safflower by transesterification of the crude oil. A maximum conversion of 93% (oil to ester) was achieved using 100% excess methanol, i.e., molar ratio of methanol to oil is 6:1 and catalyst (NaOH) concentration of 0.5% at 65°C. The viscosity of biodiesel oil is nearer to that of petroleum diesel and the calorific value is about 5.5% less than that of diesel. The quality of biodiesel is most important for engine parts and various standards have been specified to check the quality. The important properties of safflower oil and its methyl ester (biodiesel), such as density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, iodine number, neutralization number, pour point, cloud point, and cetane number, are found out and compared to those of No. 2 petroleum diesel. Fuel properties of methyl esters of Carthamus tinctorius L. oil compare well with ASTM and EN biodiesel standards. The present experimental results support that methyl ester of safflower seed oil can be successfully used as diesel.

Comparison of the biodiesel quality produced from refined sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) oil and waste cooking oil

A major hurdle in commercialization of biodiesel from vegetable oil, in comparison to petroleum-based diesel fuel, is its cost of manufacturing, primarily the raw material cost. Waste cooking oil is one of the economical sources for biodiesel production. NaOH and KOH catalyzed processes for prepared of biodiesel expressed of fatty acid methyl ester were comparatively studied for refined sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) oil and waste cooking oil. Transesterification was carried out using 100% excess methanol; i.e. molar ratio of methanol to oil is 6:1 and catalyst concentration of 0.5% at 60°C. Fuel properties and specifications such as viscosity, flash point, cloud point, pour point, density, cetane number, and acidic value are determined and compared to each other and petroleum diesel. This study characterizes the fuel properties of biodiesel produced from refined sunflower oil and waste cooking oil using two different catalysts (NaOH and KOH) to provide a comprehensive understanding of biodiesels.

Removal of sulfur and ash from coal using molten caustic leaching, a case study from Hazro fields, Turkey

Molten caustic leaching process is effective in reducing significant amount of ash derived from minerals, pyritic sulfur, and organic sulfur from coal. The effect of leaching coal samples from Hazro fields, situated in Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey with molten sodium hydroxide as well as followed by mild acid on demineralization and desulfurization was investigated. The effects of alkali/coal ratio, time, and temperature on the leaching efficiency were detailed and the experimental results are presented here. Chemical demineralization and desulfurization of coal samples using molten sodium hydroxide was investigated in the temperature range of 200−400°C. The percentage of demineralization and desulfurization increased with the increase in alkali/coal ratio. The removal of total sulfur and ash increases with increasing leaching temperature and time. As a result of MCL, ash content of Hazro coal was reduced from 18.31 to 6.77 %, and 70% of combustible was recovered. Total sulfur and volatile matter content was reduced from 7.54 to 1.01% and from 47.80 to 12.41%, respectively. Most of the inorganic sulfur and a significant portion of the organic sulfur were removed.

Desulfurization and Demineralization of Asphaltite Using Combination of Froth Flotation and Aqueous Caustic Leaching

The mineral matter and sulfur, which are present in varying amounts in asphaltites, are a major problem in utilization of asphaltites as a fuel. The effect of leaching asphaltites from Sirnak and Silopi, SE Anatolia, Turkey, with froth flotation following aqueous sodium hydroxide on desulfurization and deashing was investigated. Froth flotation reduced the ash content of asphaltite by 35.8 % and 35.3 %, pyritic sulfur 22.55 % and 8.7 % (wt %) and its volatile matter content by 28.9 % and 28.9 %. The asphaltite flotation yield was 79.1 % and 85.3 %. Never organic sulfur could be removed by froth flotation. The asphaltite concentration obtained from flotation was leached using aqueous sodium hydroxide and its organic sulfur content was reduced by 60.8% and 61.9 %. Hence using combination of the two methods, the total sulfur, ash and volatile matter contents was reduced by 76.4% and 71.4 %, 38.1 % and 38.3 %, 44.1 % and 47.2 %, respectively.