A method involving three computer programs is described for characterizing the major component of the Sf 0–12 low‐density lipoprotein class by its Sf rate, hydrated density and molecular weight. All necessary information is obtained from a standard low and high‐density lipoprotein ultracentrifugal analysis. Moving‐boundary flotation rates are measured in 1.061 g/ml sodium chloride and 1.200 g/ml sodium bromide solutions and are corrected to flotation at zero concentration. Hydrated densities are calculated from η Fo versus ρ plots and minimum hydrated molecular weights calculated using Stokes' frictional factor, assuming spherical molecules. Preliminary application of this procedure indicates higher Sfo rates, higher molecular weights, and lower hydrated densities in females than in males. Molecular weights and standard deviations of the principal Sf 0–12 component for non‐fasting normal adult females and males were 2.36±0.16 and 2.12±0.20 millions, respectively.

Samples of sludge from various processes in an electroplating works were analysed for elemental content by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry prior to disposal by landfill. The samples were first examined in compressed powder pellet form using a semiquantitative package in order to establish the analytes present before being fused into glass beads and analysed on a wide range oxide calibration prepared specifically for these sludges. The quantitative analytical programme used a previously developed novel calibration method which was tested using a suite of certified reference materials. Sample preparation reproducibility and instrumental precision trials were also performed. The carbon and sulfur contents of the sludges were determined using an induction furnace combustion technique and an attempt was made to characterize the sludges by X-ray diffraction. The project shows that the XRF approach using a combination of semiquantitative and quantitative analysis provides a rapid, comprehensive and cost effective means of ensuring that the waste products are thoroughly characterized prior to disposal.

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A wide spectrum of triacylglyceride (TG) oils were decomposed in batch lab and continuous pilot‐scale reactors to generate an extensive database, which was then used to construct a model to predict the detailed composition of products generated during non‐catalytic cracking. The model was then coupled with additional simulated process steps to determine the yields of transportation products and other chemical co‐products meeting specifications of their petroleum analogs as validated with laboratory testing. A statistical study was then performed to use the model to analyze the impact that changes in TG oil composition have upon target product yields. In this study, the model was used to simulate a viable suite of products for every TG oil analyzed. The model predicts minor differences in the ratio of products from various different fatty acid compositions. For example, it was found that stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1), and erucic (C22:1) acids show a positive effect on fuel yields. By contrast, palmitic (C16:0), linoleic (C18:2), and linolenic (C18:3) acids have negative impacts on fuel yields. From these results, a hypothetical “ideal” TG oil was constructed. This oil turns out to have a composition that is very close to the composition of high oleic sunflower oil.