Recovery of Residual Lead from Automotive Battery Recycling Slag Using Deep Eutectic Solvents.

In this study, we address the ecological challenges posed by automotive battery recycling, a process notorious for its environmental impact due to the buildup of hazardous waste like foundry slag. We propose a relatively cheap and safe solution for lead removal and recovery from samples of this type of slag. The analysis of TCLP extracts revealed non-compliance with international regulations, showing lead concentrations of up to 5.4% primarily in the form of anglesite (PbSO4), as detected by XRF/XRD. We employed deep eutectic solvents (DES) as leaching agents known for their biodegradability and safety in hydrometallurgical processing. Five operational variables were systematically evaluated: sample type, solvent, concentration, temperature, and time. Using a solvent composed of choline chloride and glycerin in a 2:1 molar ratio, we achieved 95% lead dissolution from acidic samples at 90 °C, with agitation at 470 rpm, a pulp concentration of 5%, and a 5 h duration. Furthermore, we successfully recovered 55% of the lead in an optimized solution using an electrowinning cell. This research demonstrates the ability of DES to decontaminate slag, enabling compliance with regulations, the recovery of valuable metals, and new possibilities for the remaining material.

Dissolution of Metals (Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) from Different Metal-Bearing Species (Sulfides, Oxides, and Sulfates) Using Three Deep Eutectic Solvents Based on Choline Chloride.

Nowadays, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are seen as environmentally friendly alternatives with the potential to replace traditional solvents used in hydrometallurgical processes. Although DESs have been successfully applied in the recovery of metals from secondary sources, there is still innovative potential regarding DESs as green leaching agents applied in the recovery of metals from primary sources like polysulfide ores. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of DESs as solvents for some of the main metals present in typical polymetallic concentrates, like Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn. Thus, three DESs based on choline chloride (ChCl) were prepared: 1:2 ChCl-urea (also known as reline), 1:2 ChCl-ethylene glycol (also known as ethaline), and 1:2 ChCl-glycerol (also known as glyceline). Then, dissolution tests at 30 °C were carried out with these DESs and different metal- (Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) bearing compounds (sulfates, oxides, and sulfides). According to the dissolution tests, it was found that the solubility of the studied metals (expressed as g of metal per Kg of DES) was dictated by the bearing species, reaching the dissolution of the metals from sulfates with values as high as two orders of magnitude higher than the metal solubility values for metal oxides and sulfides.

Reactivation Process of Activated Carbons: Effect on the Mechanical and Adsorptive Properties.

Carbon reactivation is a strategy to reduce waste and cost in many industrial processes, for example, effluent treatment, food industry, and hydrometallurgy. In this work, the effect of physical and chemical reactivation of granular activated carbon (AC) was studied. Spent activated carbon (SAC) was obtained from a carbon in pulp (CIP) leaching process for gold extraction. Chemical and physical reactivations were evaluated using several acid-wash procedures (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4) and thermal treatment (650-950 °C) methods, respectively. The effect of the reactivation processes on the mechanical properties was evaluated determining ball pan hardness and normal abrasion in pulp resistance. The effect on the adsorptive properties was evaluated via the iodine number, the gold adsorption value (k expressed in mg Au/g AC), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. Initial characterization of the SAC showed an iodine number of 734 mg I2/g AC, a k value of 1.37 mg Au/g AC, and a BET surface area of 869 m2/g. The best reactivation results of the SAC were achieved via acid washing with HNO3 at 20% v/v and 50 °C over 30 min, and a subsequent thermal reactivation at 850 °C over 1 h. The final reactivated carbon had an iodine number of 1199 mg I2/g AC, a k value of 14.9 mg Au/g AC, and a BET surface area of 1079 m²/g. Acid wash prior to thermal treatment was critical to reactivate the SAC. The reactivation process had a minor impact (<1% change) on the mechanical properties of the AC.

[Comparison of fasting and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose in the control of patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Comparación de la glucemia en ayuno y dos horas postprandial en el control de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2.

BACKGROUND: Fasting glycemia is a questionable control test for subjects with diabetes mellitus. 2-h postprandial glycemia is an element that must be considered as complementary in controlling the disease. OBJECTIVES: Compare usefulness of fasting glycemia and 2-h postprandial glycemia as control tests in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Study of diagnostic test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 112 patients were included in the study, age mean 59 +/- 10.9 and evolution of diagnosis 10.2 +/- 8.3 years. We calculated the mean of three fasting glycemias at the beginning of the study and three determinations of 2-h postprandial glycemia. The habitual drug administration was continued. Sensibility, specificity, predictive values, and precision of each measurement were calculated in relation to HbA1C as a Gold Standard. RESULTS: Correlation of fasting glycemia was 0.74 p < 0.01, and correlation of postprandial glycemia was 0.79 p < 0.01. Fasting glycemia had a sensibility of 0.71 and a specificity of 98. 2-h postprandial glycemia had a sensibility of 0.79 and a specificity of 0.86. When combining fasting glycemia and postprandial glycemia, sensibility was 0.85 and specificity was 1. CONCLUSION: 2-h postprandial glycemia level is more precise than fasting glycemia. Both determinations used together increase usefulness in controlling blood glucose level when lacks hemoglobin A1C.

Indice glúcemico de alimentos mezclados indicados en el IMSS para la dieta del diabético / Glycemic index of mixed meals indicated for diabetic patients at the IMSS

Introducción: la selección de alimentos para la dieta recomendada al diabético se basa principalmente en el contenido de nutrimentos y el aporte calórico que proporcionan, más que en el índice glucémico (IG).Objetivo: determinar el índice glucémico y la magnitud de la respuesta glucémica a las dos horas de ingestión de algunos alimentos prescritos a pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.Diseño: descriptivo, transversal comparativo.Material y métodos: se midió IG de 12 alimentos mezclados y de un alimento industrializado para pacientes con diabetes. El alimento que se utilizó como referencia para comparar la magnitud de la elevación glucémica y el IG fue el pan blanco de caja. Cada uno de los alimentos fue administrado a no menos de cinco sujetos, en una cantidad calculada con base en 25 g de hidratos de carbono.Resultados: sólo en cuatro alimentos se observó IG bajo, considerando un punto de corte de 70. Existe correlación entre IG con el cálculo obtenido del área bajo la curva de la glucosa, con la glucemia a los 120 minutos y la magnitud de su elevación. No hubo correlación con el contenido de nutrimentos, tiempo de consumo, o grado de obesidad de los pacientes.Conclusiones: el índice glucémico de los alimentos debe considerarse al diseñar la dieta para el paciente diabético.

Egresos de pacientes diabéticos en un hospital general regional. Análisis de 7 años / Discharges of patients with diabetes mellitus in a Regional General Hospital. An analysis of 7 years

Introducción: en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) la diabetes mellitus representa la principal causa de internamiento en población adulta.Objetivos: conocer la prevalencia de egresos de pacientes diabéticos en un departamento de medicina interna y la comorbilidad asociada.Diseño: estudio transversal descriptivo.Ubicación: Hospital General Regional 72 (IMSS).Intervenciones: se revisaron 7678 egresos registrados durante siete años. Se excluyeron sujetos con diabetes secundaria y en programa de diálisis intermitente.Resultados: de 2598 (33.8 por ciento) egresos por diabetes mellitus, 95.8 por ciento correspondió al tipo 2. La comorbilidad aguda infecciosa se presentó en 50.7 por ciento, 48 por ciento debido a infección de las vías urinarias. La comorbilidad aguda infecciosa y la no infecciosa fueron tres veces más frecuentes en mayores de 60 años; la crónica se presentó en 84.5 por ciento, siendo la hipertensión arterial la patología más común (45.7 por ciento). La mortalidad global fue de 4.5 por ciento, con letalidad general de 13 por ciento, de 4.8 por ciento en pacientes de 60 años o menores y de 19.5 por ciento en mayores de esta edad.Conclusiones: la prevalencia de egresos de pacientes con diabetes es elevado. Existe mayor mortalidad, comorbilidad aguda y crónica en sujetos mayores de 60 años.