Influence of a Prior Oxidation on the Reduction Behavior of Magnetite Iron Ore Ultra-Fines Using Hydrogen

The reduction behavior of raw and prior-oxidized magnetite iron ore ultra-fines with hydrogen was investigated. Reduction tests were conducted with a thermogravimetric analyzer in a temperature range from 873 K to 1098 K at 1.1 bar absolute, using hydrogen as reducing gas. The experimental results show that a prior oxidation of the magnetite has a positive effect on the reduction behavior because of changing morphology. The apparent activation energies show a turnaround to negative values, depending on the prior oxidation and degree of reduction. A multi-step kinetic analysis based on the model developed by Johnson–Mehl–Avrami was used to reveal the limiting mechanism during reduction. At 873 K and 948 K, the reduction at the initial stage is controlled by nucleation and chemical reaction and in the final stage by nucleation only, for both raw and pre-oxidized magnetites. At higher temperatures, 1023 K and 1098 K, the reduction of raw magnetite is mainly controlled by diffusion. This changes for pre-oxidized magnetite to a mixed controlled mechanism at the initial stage. Processing magnetite iron ore ultra-fines with a hydrogen-based direct reduction technology, lower reduction temperatures and a prior oxidation are recommended, whereby a high degree of oxidation is not necessary.

Effect of Prior Oxidation on the Reduction Behavior of Magnetite-Based Iron Ore During Hydrogen-Induced Fluidized Bed Reduction

Magnetite-based iron ore usually shows a high sticking tendency and a poor reducibility in the fluidized bed because of its dense structure. To enhance the fluidization and reduction behaviors of magnetite-based iron ore during hydrogen-induced fluidized bed reduction, the effect of a prior oxidation treatment is investigated. The results show that the untreated magnetite-based iron ore cannot be fluidized successfully in the tested temperature range between 600 °C and 800 °C. At 600 °C reduction temperature, the de-fluidization can be avoided by a prior oxidation treatment. At higher reduction temperatures, the fluidization behavior can be further improved by an addition of 0.5 wt pct MgO. Magnesiowüstite (FexMg1−xO) is formed, which decreases the contact chance of the sticky surface between particles. Regarding to the reduction rate, a prior partial oxidation is more beneficial compared to deep oxidation. The kinetic analysis shows that MgO could promote the initial reaction. The reaction rate limiting step is no longer diffusion but chemical reaction for prior partly oxidized samples. A prior partial oxidation combined with an addition of MgO is considered to be a promising pretreatment method for a successful processing of magnetite-based iron ore.

Thermally robust and biomolecule-friendly room-temperature bonding for the fabrication of elastomer–plastic hybrid microdevices

Room-temperature coating and bonding of a PDMS elastomer with plastics mediated by a single chemical enabled fast and reliable bonding with no prior oxidation making it suitable for embedding biomolecules or physically fragile microstructures prior to sealing the microdevice.

Quantitative Charge-Tags for Sterol and Oxysterol Analysis

BACKGROUND Global sterol analysis is challenging owing to the extreme diversity of sterol natural products, the tendency of cholesterol to dominate in abundance over all other sterols, and the structural lack of a strong chromophore or readily ionized functional group. We developed a method to overcome these challenges by using different isotope-labeled versions of the Girard P reagent (GP) as quantitative charge-tags for the LC-MS analysis of sterols including oxysterols. METHODS Sterols/oxysterols in plasma were extracted in ethanol containing deuterated internal standards, separated by C18 solid-phase extraction, and derivatized with GP, with or without prior oxidation of 3β-hydroxy to 3-oxo groups. RESULTS By use of different isotope-labeled GPs, it was possible to analyze in a single LC-MS analysis both sterols/oxysterols that naturally possess a 3-oxo group and those with a 3β-hydroxy group. Intra- and interassay CVs were <15%, and recoveries for representative oxysterols and cholestenoic acids were 85%–108%. By adopting a multiplex approach to isotope labeling, we analyzed up to 4 different samples in a single run. Using plasma samples, we could demonstrate the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism and also the export of oxysterols from brain via the jugular vein. CONCLUSIONS This method allows the profiling of the widest range of sterols/oxysterols in a single analytical run and can be used to identify inborn errors of cholesterol synthesis and metabolism.

The induction of macrophage foam cell formation by chylomicron remnants

The accumulation of foam cells in the artery wall causes fatty streaks, the first lesions in atherosclerosis. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) plays a major role in foam cell formation, although prior oxidation of the particles is required. Recent studies, however, have provided considerable evidence to indicate that CMRs (chylomicron remnants), which carry dietary lipids in the blood, induce foam cell formation without oxidation. We have shown that CMRs are taken up by macrophages and induce accumulation of both triacylglycerol and cholesterol, and that the rate of uptake and amount of lipid accumulated is influenced by the type of dietary fat in the particles. Furthermore, oxidation of CMRs, in striking contrast with LDL, inhibits, rather than enhances, their uptake and induction of lipid accumulation. In addition, the lipid accumulated after exposure of macrophages to CMRs is resistant to efflux, and this may be due to its sequestration in lysosomes. These findings demonstrate that CMRs induce pro-atherogenic changes in macrophages, and that their effects may be modulated by dietary factors including oxidized fats, lipophilic antioxidants and the type of fat present.