April 2015

Estimation of the refractive indices of some binary mixtures

Refractive index is a useful fluid characterization parameter with widespread industrial applications. The values for many pure liquids are known or readily available in literature. However, when experimental data are not available, the refractive indices of binary and multi-component liquids are often estimated from the pure components using mixing rules which are sometimes not accurate. This study was designed to...

Author(s): Isehunwa S. O., Olanisebe E. B., Ajiboye O. O. and Akintola S. A.

April 2015

Oxidation of acha (Digitaria exilis) starch using 3.5% active chlorine sodium hypochlorite

Acha (Digitaria exilis) starch was chemically modified using sodium hypochlorite (3.5% active chlorine) as oxidative agent. The physicochemical properties of the native acha starch and oxidized derivative were investigated. Oxidation improved the water and oil absorption capacity of the native acha starch and also the emulsion capacity was significantly improved. The bulk density, foam capacity and solubility reduced...

Author(s): S. Isah, A. A. Oshodi and V. N. Atasie

April 2015

Reversal of plasticity of acid leached kaolinitic clays from Mukurwe-ini

This study aimed at finding out whether the property of plasticity of acid leached clays can be reversed by treatment with a suitable base. Studies were carried out on representative samples, which were taken from iron bearing clays from Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County in Kenya (Latitude 00°34´00´´S, Longitude 37°03´00´´E). Characterization of the clay was done in its natural form,...

Author(s): Dickson Andala and Wachira David Maina