The development of new chemicals and synthetic drugs require understanding of the role of various chemical functional groups on the activity of various drugs and the impact of such functional groups on the physicochemical properties of such chemicals and drugs (e.g., aqueous solubility and lipid phase partitioning).

Last Updated ( Friday, 18 February 2011 02:00 )

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Deterministic modeling of complex chemical and separation processes is often infeasible when such processes involve a series of complex steps and are affected by numerous variables. Recent, advances in neural network system design have made it possible to map complex process behavior, given sufficient operational data, and to be able to make generalizations regarding the process and even assess potential process upsets.

Membrane fouling due to mineral scale formation is a problem often encountered in the reverse osmosis membrane desalination of surface water, groundwater and agricultural drainage (AD) water. Concentration polarization can result in the concentration of mineral salt ions exceeding the solubility limit. As a consequence, mineral salt precipitation may occur in solution, and also crystallize directly on membrane surfaces.

The spiral-wound element is an industry standard because of its high membrane area packing density, low cost of manufacture, and extensive installation base worldwide. Plastic mesh spacers create a feed-channel between facing membrane leafs and promote turbulent flow, which aids to reduce solute concentration polarization and related scaling and fouling phenomena.