Targeting combined reaction-separation

Fici. l.S. Flow model for combined reaction-separation targeting. 

To improve the efficiency of combined hydrogen production and C02 capture, several technologies are in development that combine catalytic reactions and the separation of either hydrogen or C02. Major targeted areas of application are the production of bulk hydrogen as a transport fuel and electricity production with pre-combustion C02 capture. 

We used the Gd targets for a number of charged-particle reaction experiments for nuclear structure studies. 0 For one of the targets, a sample triton spectrum from the °Gd (p,t) °Gd reaction is shown in Fig. 1 which is a computer reconstruction of the original data on a linear energy scale and combines the results of five separate experiments. Each experiment revealed only a portion ( 20%) of the total spectrum. The spectrum is of excellent quality and, in particular, is free from contaminating peaks caused by other rare-earth materials. 

Mass spectrometry is another valuable method for the investigation of high-energy nuclear reactions, in particular if an on-line arrangement is used in such a way that the reaction products are immediately transported from the target into the mass spectrometer or mass separator. The transport may be combined with a chemical separation in the gas phase. 

The biochemist interested in testing the function of a specific protein in a complex mixture, such as a tissue homogenate, may use an antibody in the following way. Reactions may be conducted in tw o different test tubes. A typical experiment may involve the study of a reaction that requires the participation of a dozen or so separate proteins. The researcher may place a small quantity of an antibody, known to combine with one of the pnotems, in one (not both) of the test tubes before starting the reaction. To both test tubes the researcher may then add identical quantities of tissue extract and specific salts or reagents that are needed to support the reaction. The researcher then allows 10 minutes to pass in order to allow the accumulation of products. Finally, reactions in both test tubes are terminated, and the amount of product in each test tube is measured. Any difference in the amount of product is justifiably attributed to inactivation of the target protein, in the complex mixture. 

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