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Synthesis of geopolymer from spent FCC: Effect of SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/SiO2 molar ratios
a. Universidad del Valle, (Cali, Colombia)
b. University of Sheffield, (Sheffield, United Kingdom)
This paper assesses the feasibility of using a spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (SFCC) as precursor for the production of geopolymers. The mechanical and structural characterization of alkali-activated SFCC binders formulated with different overall (activator + solid precursor) SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/SiO2 molar ratios are reported. Formation of an aluminosilicate 'geopolymer' gel is observed under all conditions of activation used, along with formation of zeolites. Increased SiO2/Al2O3 induces the formation of geopolymers with reduced mechanical strength, for all the Na2O/SiO2 ratios assessed, which is associated with excess silicate species supplied by the activator. This is least significant at increased alkalinity conditions (higher Na2O/SiO2 ratios), as larger extents of reaction of the spent catalyst are achieved. SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/SiO2 ratios of 2.4 and 0.25, respectively, promote the highest compressive strength (67 MPa). This study elucidates the great potential of using SFCC as precursor to produce sustainable ceramic-like materials via alkali-activation.
Sintesis de geopolimero basado en un catalizador gastado de craqueo catalitico (FCC): Efecto de las relaciones molares SiO2/Al2O3 y Na2O/SiO2. Este artículo estudia la factibilidad de usar un catalizador gastado del proceso de craqueo (SFCC) para la producción de geopolímeros. Se evalúan las características mecánicas y estructurales de los geopolímeros producidos con diferentes relaciones molares (activador + precursor solido) de SiO2/Al2O3 y Na2O/SiO2. La formación de un gel geopolimérico de tipo aluminosilicato se observa a las diferentes condiciones evaluadas, así como la formación de zeolitas. Un incremento en la relación SiO2/Al2O3 genera geopolímeros de baja resistencia mecánica, a las diferentes relaciones molares Na2O/SiO2 evaluadas, como consecuencia del exceso de especies silicato provenientes del activador. Este efecto es menos significativo al incrementar las condiciones de alcalinidad (mayores relaciones Na2O/SiO2), ya que un mayor grado de reacción del catalizador gastado es alcanzado. Las relaciones SiO2/Al2O3 y Na2O/SiO2 de 2.4 and 0.25, respectivamente, promueven la mayor Resistencia a la compresión (67 MPa). Este estudio muestra el gran potencial de uso del SFCC como precursor en materiales cerámicos obtenidos por activación alcalina.
Received 25 January 2014; Accepted 8 July 2014; Available on line 2 February 2015
Citation/Citar como: Trochez, J.J.; Mejía de Gutiérrez, R.; Rivera, J.; Bernal, S.A. (2015) Synthesis of geopolymer from spent FCC: Effect of SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/SiO2 molar ratios. Mater. Construcc. 65 [317], e046 http://dx.doi.org/10.3989/mc.2015.00814.
KEYWORDS: Spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst; Alkali-activation; Geopolymers; Structural characterization
PALABRAS CLAVE: Catalizador gastado de craqueo catalítico; Activación alcalina; Geopolimeros; Caracterización estructural
Copyright: © 2015 CSIC. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (by-nc) Spain 3.0 License.
The catalyst used in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) in the petrochemical industry is an aluminosilicate with a zeolitic structure, often on an alumina or silica-alumina support. The FCC process is conducted to obtain higher-octane gasoline through the breaking of the long chains of hydrocarbon molecules. When the FCC catalyst loses its catalytic properties (becoming 'spent'), it is replaced, and the deactivated catalyst residue is discarded and treated as an inert waste (1).
In the search for ways to utilize this waste, the application of SFCC as an alternative supplementary cementitious material for the production of blended cements has been explored (2, 3). The pozzolanic activity of SFCC from different sources has been demonstrated, and the production of high performance Portland cement–based mortars and concretes has been achieved (1). Despite these evident good results, the availability of this by-product worldwide is relatively low, at around 800000 tons per year (4), and therefore, it has not been considered a commercially attractive alternative as a supplementary cementitious material in the global context. In Colombia, there is an estimated production 12400 tons/year of spent FCC, which is currently disposed in landfill. However, considering that SFCC can contain heavy metals, cementation of this waste is a viable alternative for its stabilization, rather than landfilling, which is the current disposal route in most parts of the world.
In the past decades great attention has been given to alternative cementitious materials known as 'geopolymers', which are binders produced through the chemical reaction between an aluminosilicate precursor and an alkaline activator. The main precursors used in geopolymers production are metakaolin (5) and industrial by-products from coal fired power generation, particularly fly ash (6, 7, 8, 9). However, it has been proven that geopolymers can be produced from other aluminosilicate precursors, such as volcanic ashes (10, 11) and natural minerals (12, 13), whose composition is rich in silica and alumina present in energetic (usually disordered) solid phases. These precursors are easily dissolved in an alkaline media, promoting the subsequent polycondensation of the Al and Si species to form a hardened product (5).
The widespread interest in geopolymers for different industrial applications has motivated the assessment of low cost precursors such as SFCC in geopolymer production. Preliminary work activating SFCC catalysts to form geopolymers (14, 15) showed good mechanical strength in the activated SFCC specimens. This was attributed to the dissolution of the zeolite phases in the spent catalyst, promoting the formation of a crosslinked aluminosilicate type gel (15). The high reactivity of SFCC, along with its chemical composition rich in Al and Si, makes it a suitable precursor for production of geopolymers; however, there is not yet a good understanding of the mechanism of reaction of these materials, or detailed identification of the factors controlling their microstructural evolution. Also, it is expected that SFCC catalysts from different sources will have different compositions and structures, making necessary the assessment of different formulation conditions for each source of materials, to produce binders with good performance and to generate useful information by comparison of the performance of residues from different sources worldwide.
This study evaluates the feasibility of producing geopolymer materials based on a Colombian SFCC. The effect of formulation conditions, specifically overall Na2O/SiO2 and SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratios, in the microstructure and compressive strength of these materials is assessed. Detailed structural analysis of the activated SFCC catalyst is conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 29Si and 27Al MAS nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
2.1. MaterialsTOP
A spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (SFCC) from a Colombian petroleum company is used as the geopolymer precursor in this study. Before chemical activation, the SFCC was milled for 5 hours, using a ball mill. The resulting powder had specific gravity of 2630 kg/m3 and a mean diameter D (4, 3) of 16.8 μm. The particle size distribution, determined by laser diffraction using a Mastersizer 200 of Malvern, was: 10% below 2.46 μm (D10), 50% below 13.25 μm (D50) and 90% below 37.44 μm (D90). Its chemical composition, determined by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) using a Philips MagixPro PW–2440 spectrometer fitted with a rhodium tube, is shown in Table 1.
|mass %
The X-ray diffractogram of the SFCC (Fig. 1) shows that this material contains an amorphous component, as well as the crystalline zeolite phases faujasite (Na2Al2Si10O24·nH2O, Powder Diffraction File (PDF) # 012-0228) and analcime (NaAl2Si2O6·H2O, PDF # 003-0740), along with the aluminosilicate minerals andalusite (Al2SiO5, PDF # 039-0376), mullite (2Al2O3·SiO2, PDF # 089-2645), sillimanite (Al2O3·SiO2, PDF # 089-0888), kyanite (Al2SiO5, PDF #00-011-046) and quartz (SiO2, PDF # 046-1045).
The alkali activator used was a commercial sodium silicate solution with 29.1 wt.% SiO2 and 10.2 wt.% Na2O and 60.0 wt.% H2O, and solid analytical grade NaOH pellets. This was dissolved in the mix water and allowed to cool until reaching room temperature prior to preparation of the specimens. All the activating solutions reach a pH higher than 14.
2.2. Sample preparation and tests conductedTOP
For the preparation of the geopolymer specimens, the alkaline activator was formulated to obtain overall (activator + solid precursor) SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratios of 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 and 3.0, and overall Na2O/SiO2 molar ratios of 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30. The amount of water in the alkali activator was adjusted to achieve a total H2O/Na2O ratio of 11 in all samples (Table 2). The fresh pastes were mixed for 12 minutes using a Hobart mixer, poured into cylindrical molds, and vibrated for 5 minutes to reach a homogeneous distribution in the mold and remove entrained air. Samples were kept in sealed molds at ambient temperature (25±5 °C) for 24 hours, then demolded and stored in a high humidity container (relative humidity >90%), also at ambient temperature, for 7 days.
|Mix Composition (Total Molar Ratio)
|Alkaline activator Solution
|Ms = SiO2/Na2O
(molar ratio)
The compressive strength was assessed for cylindrical paste samples of 30 mm (diameter) × 60 mm (height), using a universal testing instrument (Instron) at a displacement rate of 1 mm/min. Sample ends were flattened and made parallel using coarse sandpaper before testing. Each reported value corresponds to the average of 5 measurements. Powdered pastes were analyzed through:
|X-ray diffraction (XRD), using a Bruker D8 Advance instrument with Cu Kα radiation and a nickel filter. The tests were conducted with a step size of 0.020°, for 2θ values between 3° and 60°.
|Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, with a PerkinElmer Spectrum 100 instrument. The KBr pellet technique was used to prepare the samples, which were scanned from 4000 to 400 cm−1.
|Solid-state 29Si and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). The analysis of the SFCC was carried out with a Bruker 400 Ultrashield Avance II 400 spectrometer (9.4 T) using a MAS NMR probe for 5 mm rotors and a spinning speed of 5.0 kHz. 29Si MAS NMR spectra were acquired using a resonance frequency of 79.5 MHz, a pulse width of 5 μs and a relaxation delay of 5 s and 4000 scans. 27Al MAS NMR experiments were conducted at 104.23 MHz, with a pulse width of 5 μs, a relaxation delay of 0.25 s, and 2048 scans. MAS NMR spectra of the alkali activated specimens were obtained on a Varian Direct Drive VNMRS-600 spectrometer (14.1 T) using a MAS NMR probe for 4 mm o.d. zirconia rotors and a spinning speed of 10.0 kHz. 29Si MAS NMR spectra were acquired using a pulse width of 4 μs and a relaxation delay of 20 s, and more than 3600 scans. 27Al MAS NMR experiments were conducted at 156.3 MHz on the same instrument, with a pulse width of 0.5 μs, a relaxation delay of 2 s, and 1024 scans. All 29Si and 27Al chemical shifts are referenced to external samples of tetramethylsilane (TMS) and a 1.0 M aqueous solution of AlCl3∙6H2O, respectively.
|Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), conducted in a JEOL JSM-6490LV high vacuum microscope (3×10−6 torr) at an acceleration voltage of 20 keV, using carbon coated unpolished specimens.
Figure 1. Diffractogram of the unreacted spent FCC catalyst. An: andalusite, Am: analcime, F: faujasite, K: kyanite, M: mullite, Q: quartz, S: sillimanite.
3.1. Compressive strengthTOP
The formulation of the specimens has a marked effect on strength. The highest mechanical strengths are obtained (Fig. 2) in samples formulated with a Na2O/SiO2 ratio of 0.25 and a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 2.4, reporting values of up to 67 MPa. In activated SFCC pastes formulated with a low Na2O/SiO2 ratio (0.20), a significant decrease in the mechanical strength is identified at higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratios beyond the optimum. This effect is least pronounced at higher Na2O/SiO2 ratio (0.30), where activated spent catalyst samples formulated with SiO2/Al2O3 ratios between 2.4 and 3.0 do not show significant changes in the compressive strength as a function of the formulation conditions. Specimens formulated with a Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio of 0.20 and SiO2/Al2O3 of 2.0 and 2.2 were not tested due to the low degree of compaction achieved in these specimens.
Figure 2. 7-day compressive strengths of alkali-activated SFCC specimens.
These results are comparable with the strengths of metakaolin-based geopolymers with the same curing duration and similar formulation conditions, including the reduction in strength at high SiO2/Al2O3 ratios (16). This strength reduction is associated with the excess of silicates in the system supplied by the activator, as the extent of polymerization of the silica is high and its rate of reaction is slower than is required for optimal strength development (17). However, in the formulations with higher Na2O/SiO2 ratios, it is expected that the increased alkalinity promote a higher extent of dissolution of the spent catalysts, and therefore higher availability of Al-rich species, which are able to react with the additional silicate species that the activator can supply at higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratios.
3.2. X-ray diffractionTOP
The X-ray diffractograms of the activated spent FCC pastes formulated with Na2O/SiO2 molar ratios of 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 are shown in Fig. 3. All of the activated SFCC pastes show (Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C) an amorphous hump between 2θ values of 25° and 35°, attributed to the formation of an aluminosilicate type gel similar to those typically observed in metakaolin-based geopolymers (18). Mullite, sillimanite, kyanite and quartz, previously identified in the unreacted SFCC (Fig. 1), are also observed in the alkali-activated pastes, suggesting that these phases are not participating in the activation reaction to any notable extent. This is consistent with the observations in fly ash based geopolymers, where mullite and quartz are also identified as unreactive compounds (19), and the results of Rodríguez et al. (15) in alkali-activated specimens based on a Spanish SFCC material.
In samples formulated with an Na2O/SiO2 ratio of 0.20 (Fig. 3A), the intensities of the peaks assigned to faujasite and analcime are significantly reduced upon activation, when compared with the unreacted SFCC, along with the formation of zeolite Na-A (Na12Al12Si12O48·xH2O, PDF # 039-0221), which has been identified as a reaction product in geopolymer materials based on metakaolin (20). The formation of multiple zeolite phases embedded in the geopolymer gel has been reported in several studies (18), and our findings are consistent with these results. The formation of ussingite (Na2AlSi3O8(OH), PDF # 028-1037), which is a higher-silica secondary mineral often formed along with sodalite, is also observed under the activation conditions assessed.
Figure 3. Diffractograms of activated SFCC pastes formulated with a Na2O/SiO2 ratio of (A) 0.20, (B) 0.25 and (C) 0.30. An: analcime, F: faujasite, U: ussingite, ZA: zeolite Na-A, Q: quartz, M: mullite, S: sillimanite and Ky: kyanite.
Upon increasing the Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio to 0.25 (Fig. 3B), ussingite and zeolite Na-A are identified at the different SiO2/Al2O3 ratios assessed. The intensity of the peaks assigned to faujasite is reduced upon activation. A similar trend is observed in the XRD patterns for the specimens formulated with the highest Na2O/SiO2 ratio (0.30) (Fig. 3C), where faujasite reflections are no longer observed. Considering this, and the fact that these samples have a more intense amorphous hump than specimens formulated with lower Na2O/SiO2 ratios, it is likely that faujasite is acting as a source of Al and Si species in the system, promoting the formation of an amorphous aluminosilicate type product. The excess hydroxide ion concentration, associated with higher Na2O/SiO2 ratios, is likely to influence the aluminosilicate gel precipitation at very early stages of reaction (21), promoting increased solubility, which affects the precipitation and the subsequent geopolymerization reactions. This is according with the results of compressive strength development presented in section 3.1.
3.3. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)TOP
The spectrum of unreacted SFCC (Fig. 4) shows bands at 912 cm−1 corresponding to the OH deformation vibration (22), and the signals at 834, 612 and 526 cm−1 attributed to asymmetric, double 6-ring, and bending vibration modes of the aluminosilicate framework in dealuminated faujasite (23). The band at 560 cm−1 is assigned to the octahedral aluminum present in mullite, kyanite and sillimanite, as identified by XRD (Fig. 1), and the band at 460 cm−1 corresponds to the symmetric bending modes of the Si-O-Si bonds (24).
Figure 4. FTIR spectra of SFCC precursor, and activated pastes formulated with SiO2/Al2O3 (S/A) ratios as marked, at Na2O/SiO2 ratios of (A) 0.20, (B) 0.25, (C) 0.30.
All alkali-activated pastes display a main band between 1200 cm−1 and 800 cm−1 corresponding to the asymmetric stretching vibration mode of the Si-O-T linkage (where T may be Si or Al) (25). It is observed that this band shifts towards lower wavenumbers (∼1011 cm−1) upon activation of the anhydrous SFCC precursor (1080 cm−1). This displacement suggests a structural change of the SFCC upon partial dissolution in the alkaline environment, and the subsequent formation of an aluminosilicate type gel.
The activation process also leads to a reduction in the intensities of the bands observed in the SFCC precursor at 460 cm−1, 526 cm−1 and 617 cm−1, associated with the dissolution of the zeolite phases, consistent with the XRD results (Fig. 3). It is likely that the highly alkaline environment promotes the dissolution of the SFCC initially through the breaking of Al-O bonds, considering that this type of bonds has a lower energy (∼60 kcal/mol) than Si-O bonds (∼80 kcal/mol) (26).
Bands at 1630 cm−1 and 3450 cm−1 in the activated pastes are attributed to bending (H–O–H) and stretching vibrations (–OH) of water in the hydrated products, respectively (27). The higher intensity of these bands in the alkali activated pastes, compared with the SFCC precursor, is consistent with more adsorbed water groups (≡Si-OH … H2O and ≡Al-OH … H2O) in the aluminosilicate gel (28).
In samples with an Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio of 0.20, a lower SiO2/Al2O3 ratio promotes shifting of the T-O-T band towards lower wavenumbers (1017 cm−1 for SiO2/Al2O3=2.4), suggesting the incorporation of higher contents of Al within the gel, compared with the samples activated with higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratio that show slight variations in the T-O-T band position (1022 cm−1 for SiO2/Al2O3=3.0). These results are consistent with the formation of a more Si-rich gel in the samples formulated with the highest SiO2/Al2O3 ratio. This is in agreement with the shifting of the band at 725 cm−1 towards higher wavenumbers at increased SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, as a consequence of the more Si-rich environment in the gel. The Si-O-T band is observed to be narrower and significantly more intense for the samples with SiO2/Al2O3 ratios of 2.4 and 2.6, because of the higher extent of dissolution of the SFCC, contributing more silicate and aluminate species for geopolymer gel formation. Similar trends are observed in specimens formulated with higher Na2O/SiO2 ratios (0.25 and 0.30).
At higher alkalinity conditions, associated with higher Na2O/SiO2 ratios, the alkali content favors the initial dissolution of the aluminosilicate precursor and its consequent reaction to form the geopolymer product. This leads to the shifting of the main T-O-T band towards lower wavenumbers as identified in the activated specimens when compared with the unreacted SFCC. Conversely, at low alkalinity conditions a higher proportion of unreacted precursor is identified, as the T-O-T band of the SFCC does not exhibit variations in the activated samples.
3.4. 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopyTOP
Figure 5 shows the 27Al MAS spectrum of the unreacted SFCC, with broad bands in the regions assigned to octahedrally (Al(VI)) (−10 to 30 ppm), tetrahedrally (Al(IV)) (50 to 80 ppm), and minor pentahedrally (Al(V)) (30 to 50 ppm) coordinated Al environments. The intense peak in the 10 ppm region is mainly attributed to the octahedral aluminum species present in kyanite and sillimanite phases (29), and extra-framework Al(VI) species in the dealuminated zeolites identified through XRD (Fig. 1). The resonance near 60 ppm is assigned to the tetrahedrally coordinated Al in the zeolites present in the SFCC (30). The intensity at 45 ppm is ascribed to a less ordered framework where Al atoms are present in imperfectly crystalline zeolites. The FCC catalyst suffers hydrothermal dealumination through its use in the catalytic cracking process where up to 90% of the tetrahedrally-coordinated Al in the zeolite framework is removed, and consequently the bonds involving Al are replaced by hydroxyl groups linked to silicon (31).
Figure 5. 27Al MAS NMR spectrum of the unreacted SFCC.
The 29Si MAS spectrum of the unreacted SFCC (Fig. 6) shows a dominant resonance near −105 ppm, attributed to the Q4(0Al) sites of the highly dealuminated faujasite resulting from the different stages in the cracker unit (32), and also a contribution from quartz (−107 ppm) as identified via XRD (Fig. 1). The asymmetry of this band suggests that it overlaps with a wide range of resonances from different Si-containing phases identified in the SFCC, and therefore cannot be attributed to a single phase.
Figure 6. 29Si MAS NMR spectrum of the unreacted SFCC.
The 27Al MAS spectra of selected SFCC-based geopolymers (Fig. 7) show changes in the line shape compared with unreacted SFCC (Fig. 5). The Al(V) resonance observed between 30 and 50 ppm (Fig. 7) in the unreacted precursor completely disappears upon activation, consistent with the high reactivity of Al(V) sites. In alkali activation of aluminosilicates, it has been shown that Al(V) and Al(VI) are converted to tetrahedral sites (Al(IV)) with an associated alkali cation to maintain electroneutrality (33).
Figure 7. 27Al MAS NMR spectra of SFCC geopolymers formulated with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 2.4, as a function of Na2O/SiO2 (N/S) ratio as marked.
A significant reduction of the Al(VI) band is identified in the activated SFCC, when compared with the unreacted SFCC, along with a significant increase in the intensity in the Al(IV) region of the spectra. The reduction in the intensity of the bands in the Al(VI) region is attributed to the dissolution of the dealuminated zeolite, leading to the formation of a highly crosslinked disordered aluminosilicate 'geopolymer' gel, as identified by FTIR.
Although the 27Al MAS NMR spectra of the activated SFCC specimens are dominated by the resonance associated with Al(IV), a small resonance centered between 2 and 3 ppm is also observed in the spectra. This resonance corresponds to small amounts of Al(VI) from the residual mullite phase (34), identified in the XRD after the activation (Fig. 3). The amount of Al(IV) increases as the alkali content (Na2O/SiO2 ratio) increases from 0.20 to 0.30, in good agreement with the formation of a larger amount of aluminosilicate type gel, as observed via FTIR, and in good agreement with the decrease in intensity of the Al(VI) band remaining from unreacted material.
The peak at −105 ppm in the 29Si MAS NMR spectrum of the unreacted SFCC (Fig. 8) is no longer identified in the geopolymer specimens, consistent with the dissolution of faujasite upon activation as observed via XRD (Fig. 3). The 29Si MAS NMR spectra of the alkali activated SFCC binders (Fig. 8) show a broad band centered at −91 ppm assigned to Q4(3Al) sites, consistent with the incorporation of Al in the geopolymer gel. The spectrum of activated SFCC is within the region assigned to Q4(4Al), Q4(3Al), Q4(2Al) and Q4(1Al) sites, overlapping with the sites in the residual unreacted precursor, which means that it is difficult to identify particular sites from the unreacted spent catalyst and the newly forming phases.
Figure 8. 29Si MAS NMR spectra of SFCC geopolymers formulated with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 2.4, as function of the Na2O/SiO2 (N/S) ratio.
Low alkali content (Na2O/SiO2 of 0.20) promotes the broadening of the 29Si MAS NMR spectrum, along with a low intensity shoulder between −98 ppm and −120 ppm, corresponding to the Q4 sites of faujasite from the spent catalyst that are not completely consumed during the geopolymerisation process. Increasing the alkali content (higher Na2O/SiO2), the intensity of this shoulder is significantly reduced, confirming a higher extent of dissolution of faujasite from the SFCC at higher alkali content in the systems, as observed in the XRD results (Fig. 3). The main band also becomes slightly narrowed and more intense when the Na2O/SiO2 ratio is increased from 0.20 to 0.30, indicating a higher degree of ordering of the gel formed, in good agreement with the 27Al NMR results (Fig. 7).
3.5. Scanning electron microscopyTOP
Figure 9 shows evident differences in the density, surface smoothness, and proportion of unreacted particles in activated SFCC as a function of formulation conditions, as a more homogeneous and dense microstructure is identified in specimens with increased SiO2/Al2O3 ratio. The visibly low densities exhibited by samples formulated with SiO2/Al2O3 of 2.0 and 2.2 are consistent with their low compressive strengths (Fig. 2), this can be associated with a low degree of reaction of the SFCC under these activation conditions. Although the highest mechanical strength is obtained in samples formulated with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 2.4, its microstructure (Fig. 9C) is not as dense as in specimens formulated with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 2.6 (Fig. 9D). This suggests that the materials might be more brittle at these activation conditions. Samples formulated with an SiO2/Al2O3 ratio greater than 2.6 (Figs. 9E, F) show large cracks associated with severe shrinkage, which can lead to the reduced mechanical strength observed at these activation conditions.
Figure 9. SEM images of geopolymers formulated with an Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio of 0.25, and SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratios of (A) 2.0 (B) 2.2 (C) 2.4 (D) 2.6, (E) 2.8 and (F) 3.0.
Geopolymers can be successfully produced from spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst, which is available in high volumes in some parts of the world. Structural studies show that the alkali-activated SFCC pastes consist of an amorphous phase corresponding to an aluminosilicate 'geopolymer' type gel, along with different types of zeolites, depending on the contents of silicates and alkalis available in the systems. The mechanical strength of the activated SFCC is strongly influenced by the formulation conditions, where optimal overall SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/SiO2 ratios of 2.4 and 0.25, respectively, promoting a compressive strength of up to 67 MPa. Insufficient alkali content in the formulated geopolymers retards the initial dissolution of the zeolite phases present in the SFCC, and consequently a higher proportion of unreacted precursor is identified in the samples activated with an Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio of 0.20. These results elucidate that alkali-activation of SFCC is a viable method for managing and valorizing this industrial waste, with great potential for the production of ceramic-like materials with good mechanical performance.
This study was sponsored by the Universidad del Valle (Colombia), the Center of Excellence of Novel Materials (CENM) and Colciencias. The authors would like to thank Drs. John Gehman and Rackel San Nicolas (U. Melbourne) for NMR data acquisition, and Prof. John L. Provis (U. Sheffield) for valuable discussions.
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|Rodríguez, E.D.; Bernal, S.A.; Provis, J.L.; Gehman, J.D.; Monzó, J.M.; Payá, J.; Borrachero, M.V. (2013) Geopolymer based on spent catalyst residue from a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process. Fuel. 109, 493–502. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2013.02.053.
|Bernal, S.A.; Rodríguez, E.D.; Mejía de Gutierrez, R.; Gordillo, M.; Provis, J.L. (2011) Mechanical and thermal characterisation of geopolymers based on silicate-activated metakaolin/slag blends. J. Mater. Sci. 46 [16], 5477–5486. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-5490-z.
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Chick 2.0
There's a new skeleton in town... her name is Chick and as part of our first unit on observation, we are drawing her twice.
We drew her day one, in fact, it was the first thing we did. The rest of the week, we are drawing a bone or two each day as a warm up. At the end of the week, we will draw her again and I'm pretty sure the results will be remarkable... but more on that later.
Meanwhile, as a mini-lesson, each student drew a cartoon character of their choice. They didn't know that today I would ask them to draw that character again but this time creating a skeleton for it. A little imagination mixed in with a little observation and here are the results in progress...
Art of South B
Artwork by students at
What's TAB?
Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) is a student-directed art education pedagogy that directs students to think and work as artists.
Making Artists picks up where The Open Art Room left off, covering issues and situations choice teachers encounter as they design their program.
The Open Art Room provides a student-centered approach to art instruction that is inspirational, practical, and classroom-tested.
Click Here to read the May SchoolArts Article, "What If, TAB"
Click Here to read the March SchoolArts Article, Student-Directed Answers to Five Frequently Ask Questions
Click Here to read the January SchoolArts Magazine Article Engagement Grading
Click Here to read the November SchoolArts Magazine Article Is Disco The Cure For Artist Block?
Click Here to Read the September SchoolArts Magazine Article Learning Targets
Click Here to Read the 2019 Summer SchoolArts Magazine Article Realigning the Standards!
Click Here to Read the April SchoolArts Magazine Article Tracking Student Progress with the Burn Book!
Click Here to Read the February SchoolArts Article, Build A Dynamic Art Program with Modular Teaching!
Click Here to read the December SchoolArts Article, Tab Teaching is a Bag of Chips!
Click here to Read the October SchoolArts Article, Artists Solve Problems
Click Here to Read the Summer SchoolArts Article, Art Traps for Reluctant Students
October 2020
Art Teacher : Ian Sands


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Carbon fiber reinforced plastics are increasingly popular in many industries, particularly aviation, because they are light and strong. They are, however, very difficult to break down or recycle, and disposing of them has become of increasing concern. While thermoplastics can be melted and recycled relatively easily, most composites used in aerospace are thermosets, which present challenges for reuse.
To recycle thermoset carbon fiber composites, researchers have generally tried grinding them down mechanically or breaking them down with very high temperatures or harsh chemicals to recover the expensive carbon fiber. Oftentimes, however, the carbon fiber is damaged in the process. The caustic chemicals used are hazardous and difficult to dispose of. They also destroy the matrix resin materials in the composites, creating a messy mixture of chemicals and an additional waste problem.
In their project, Jinwen Zhang, a professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and his team developed a new chemical recycling method that used mild acids as catalysts in liquid ethanol at a relatively low temperature to break down the thermosets. In particular, it was the combination of chemicals that proved effective, said Zhang, who has a chemistry background.
To break down cured materials effectively, the researchers raised the temperature of the material so that the catalyst-containing liquid can penetrate into the composite and break down the complex structure. Zhang used ethanol to make the resins expand and zinc chloride to break down critical carbon-nitrogen bonds.
"It is critical to develop efficient catalytic systems that are capable of permeating into the cured resins and breaking down the chemical bonds of cured resins," he said. The researchers were able to preserve the carbon fibers as well as the resin material in a useful form that could be easily re-used. They have filed for a patent and are working to commercialize their methods.
The work was funded by the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) in collaboration with industry partner, Global Fiberglass Solutions. The state-funded JCATI works to support the Washington's aerospace industry by pursuing research that is relevant to aerospace companies and by providing industry-focused research opportunities.
In addition to Zhang, researchers on the project included Junna Xin, assistant research professor, Tuan Liu, postdoctoral research associate, and graduate student Xiaolong Guo. The research is in keeping with WSU's Grand Challenges initiative stimulating research to address some of society's most complex issues. It is particularly relevant to the challenge of "Smart Systems" and its theme of foundational and emergent materials.


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Vee Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! Serious Sam VR Announced
Serious Sam 4 is not at E3 this year but Los Angeles still echoes with a familiar yell of "ᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Y'see Croteam have announced Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope [Steam page], a cybergoggle spin-off from their monsterblasting FPS. It's another VR wave shooter, sure, but with Serious Sam's over-the-top action amplified by waving two motion controllers as cartoon guns.
Here's how it'll go: Sam will be attacked by squillions of enemies and giant bosses and you will need to shoot them until they explode. There you go. Oh fine, and there are persistent weapon upgrades and you'll need to choose the right weapons for each mission but the important thing is: you can wave two cannons (actual cannons which blast cannonballs) in your very own hands.
The game's working on Vive and Oculus Rift goggles, though it's made for motion controllers so I believe Oculeers will need to buy theirs when they're released.
Croteam plan to launch Serious Sam VR onto Steam Early Access this summer then add more enemies, weapons, bosses, powerups, levels, and a skill tree as they keep working and gathering feedback. They haven't settled on a price yet.
So where's Serious Sam 4? It's still coming. "Just to be clear, Serious Sam VR is a fun separate side project, we are still working hard on Serious Sam 4 as our prime goal," Croteam have said on Twitter. "Be patient!"
Do check out the rest of our E3 2016 posts, previews, odds, ends, and gubbins.


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Feature Film
Castle Mountain Productions
Production Year: 2009
Rogers Pass is the story of Dustin Johnson, a young artist and dreamer with little talent or work ethic. When his father, Roger, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Dustin and the rest of his peculiar and disjointed family are forced to come together and discover what really matters most.
Dossier Journal Homecoming (2010)
New York, New York, USA
Calgary International Film Festival (2010)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Austin Film Festival (2010)
Austin, Texas, USA
– Nominated for Best Narrative Feature
Acadiana Film Festival (2010)
Layfayette, Louisiana, USA
Roger Johnson………… James D. Hopkin
Dustin Johnson……….. Hans Longo
Dave Johnson………….. Josh Bertwistle
Donna Robertson…….. Shelley Mahon
Von Robertson………… Larry Hoffman
Writer/Producer Director/Editor: Colin Askey
Producer: Sandralynn Trent
DOP: Joshua Whitford
1st A.D.: Brendan French
2nd A.D.: Thomas Martens
Script Supervisor: Tansy Wong
Production Designer: Nicola Waugh
Costume Designer: Stephanie Olivier
Sound Mix: Christopher Cleator
Location Sound: Ryley Bennett
Asst. Location Sound: Pamela Jarosz


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◆Model: WH36 Canister Diving Light
◆Bulb: CREE XM-L2 U2 LED*3 (max 3000 lumens)
◆Color temperature: 6500 K
◆Output levels: high > low > strobe
◆Runtime: high 210 min, low 420 min, strobe 300 min
◆Reflector: glossy aluminum reflector
◆8 mm polycarbonate lens
◆Body material: durable aircraft-grade aluminum
◆Angle of light beam: 8° hot spot, 110° periphery
◆Lamp head: with a handheld bracket and a green luminous O-ring
◆Surface treatment: premium type III hard-anodizing
◆Color: Black
◆Battery: 26650 Li- ion battery * 3
◆With battery over-discharging protection, polarity reversing protection
◆With gas release valve
◆Operation voltage: 14.0 V to 9.0 V
◆Waterproof: 100 Meters underwater
◆Dimensions: lamp head: 87.5 mm (length) * 64.5 mm (dia.), canister: 254 mm (length)*36 mm (dia.)
◆Cable length: 1.2 Meters
◆Weight in air: ca. 1022 g. (without batteries), ca. 1294 g. (with batteries)
◆Underwater Weight: ca. 630 g. (with batteries)


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Dear Lord – please send me a sign that I'm not the only one obsessively scanning the landscape for DIY-supply-junk while driving around these days. I will be looking for a Scavenger's Anonymous group very soon!
Today while out running errands, I asked my husband to "bear with me" and pull over to a junk pile area I had spied from the highway. Having just decided to start carrying my camera around more often, I was prepared for a little blog eye candy goodness. Plus, I already knew in my heart of hearts that I would find a little somethin' somethin' to take home.
Here was my quick 5-minute stopover:
First of all, having grown up in the middle of the U.S. with no natural lakes or ocean, I am a sucker for seagulls. I like them. I like what they stand for. If there are seagulls, then big water is near! Now I live on the west coast of Sweden – so I get to enjoy lots of seagulls these days. This little guy caught my eye as soon as I hopped out of the car.
This was the pile I spied from the highway. We didn't pick up the pallet today…but I know where it is 🙂
This little heavy metal guy did find his way into my car and is now waiting patiently out with my marble slap bits until inspiration hits.
Do you also make random and sudden stops by the side of the road and think…"I can do something with that!" ? If so, please leave me a little comment sympathy and tell me about your 'condition'.
Until next time…


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Dominion is pleased to work with the Wolters Kluwer Financial Services team.
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Dominion is proud to be a Microsoft Business Partner.


text: Home Shop by Department Beauty Skin Care Exfoliators & Masks Estee Lauder Double Wear 3 Minute Priming Moisture Mask 10g Estée Lauder Double Wear 3 Minute Priming Moisture Mask 10g Special offerEstée Lauder 32 Beauty Essentials Gift Set just £69 when you spend £46+ ON Estée LauderFIND OUT MORE | ADD TO BAG £54.00 Product code: RMY401 Prep your skin to be sumptuously smooth in minutes with our first-ever primer-in-mask that's nourishing and moisturizing. Individually-wrapped sheet mask creates a perfect canvas for makeup to glide on evenly and smoothly.Read more Quantity: In stock Add to bagAdd to wishlist Share Facebook Twitter Fast Delivery Free Click & Collect Gift Wrap Want it on Tuesday, 27th October? Place your order within 14 hrs 21 mins and select Nominated Delivery at the checkout. Enjoy fast and free Click & Collect to our Norwich, Cromer or Wymondham stores READ MORE We are currently unable to offer gift wrapping. Product Details Estée Lauder Double Wear 3 Minute Priming Moisture Mask 10g Prep your skin to be sumptuously smooth in minutes with our first-ever primer-in-mask that's nourishing and moisturizing. Individually-wrapped sheet mask creates a perfect canvas for makeup to glide on evenly and smoothly. How to Use: Apply on clean skin. Remove mask from packet and place on face, avoiding eye area. Leave on for 3 minutes, then remove and discard. Gently massage in any remaining primer. Let skin dry before applying makeup. Delivery Delivery We aim to dispatch all items which are in stock on the same working day when orders are received by 2PM. Orders are sent with either Royal Mail or Parcelforce. Parcelforce normally offer a one hour delivery window via SMS or Email. 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This is in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations Please click here to see products which are exempt from the right to cancel View AllBeautySkin CareExfoliators & MasksEstee Lauder Estée Lauder Double Wear 3 Minute Priming Moisture Mask 10g 1 x £125.00 Subtotal Continue shopping Checkout now 598ea7bbfd561f19640d5735Estee Lauder Double Wear 3 Minute Priming Moisture Mask 10ghttps://www.jarrold.co.uk/departments/beauty/skin-care/exfoliators-and-masks/estee-lauder-double-wear-3-minute-priming-moisture-mask-10ghttps://jarroldcdn.azureedge.net/products/estee-lauder/28/240/estee-lauder-3-min-doublewear-mask.jpg-2{w=670,h=670}.jpg54.00GBP2017-08-12InStock/departments/beauty/skin-care/exfoliators-and-masks/brands/estee-lauder/estee-lauder-skincare/mask-and-exfoliatorEstee Lauder1989631154.0054.00https://www.jarrold.co.uk/departments/beauty/skin-care/exfoliators-and-masks/estee-lauder-double-wear-3-minute-priming-moisture-mask-10g?sku=19896311InStock


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At a glance, FireEye (NASDAQ:FEYE) might look like a relatively solid buy for investors interested in the cybersecurity industry. Its sharp decline this year makes it cheap relative to rivals, with pessimism around CEO Keven Mandia's recovery plan producing its cheapest valuation since its 2013 IPO.
Yet there's room for more declines ahead for the stock as FireEye struggles with the major challenges of slowing sales growth and persistent net losses. Here are the main factors that would likely cause the stock to fall in the new year.
Sales growth doesn't rebound
FireEye's most recent quarter included a welcome surprise for investors. After several straight outings of shockingly weak revenue and billings growth, the software specialist modestly outperformed expectations for a change. Third-quarter revenue increased to $186 million, nudging past executives' $183 million target. Billings were $215 million, also just ahead of forecasts.
Yet that 13% and 2% uptick in revenue and billings, respectively, represent a disappointing growth slowdown. A year ago, FireEye's sales were rising at a 45% pace while billings were surging higher by 28%. Much of that decline can be tied to shifting preferences among IT managers who are opting for subscription-based cloud service spending over one-time product purchases. Rivals aren't seeing quite as dramatic a decline. Palo Alto Networks (NYSE:PANW) is expanding revenue at a 34% pace and is projecting nearly the same expansion rate for 2017.
The good news is that investors have much lower expectations for FireEye going forward. Consensus estimates call for revenue growth to slow to 10% next year from 2016's projected 16%. Unless investors see signs of an imminent rebound after that, they are likely to punish the stock with further declines.
Free cash flow stays negative
When Mandia took over the CEO spot in May, the company shifted focus toward getting its spending more in line with its slowing sales growth. Thanks to headcount reductions and curtailed outlays on research and development, marketing, and sales support, FireEye has succeeded in sharply reducing operating expenses. It achieved breakeven adjusted operating margin in the second quarter, up from a 13% loss in the prior-year period.
Failure to keep a lid on costs could easily send the stock lower, given that FireEye has projected net losses for the foreseeable future. Executives point to the free cash flow metric, instead, which last quarter improved to a positive $14 million from a loss of $8 million. They are bracing for a cash burn of as much as $51 million for the full year (including $22 million in restructuring charges), but aiming to achieve positive free cash flow in 2017. If it begins walking back that forecast, though, the stock could stumble further.
Cuts end up pinching the business
There's also the risk that FireEye remains so focused on short-term earnings that it misses out on important growth opportunities. Research & development spending, after all, is down 8% over the last nine months and has declined to 43% of sales from 47%. Sales and marketing expenses have slumped as well. In contrast, Palo Alto Networks boosted spending in both categories to all-time highs as it expanded key parts of its U.S. sales network into the European market.
It's usually a good idea to cut costs whenever possible. However, FireEye is hoping to build a global next-generation security business, and that requires continuing investments in improving software capabilities and building out a robust sales infrastructure.
The slowing revenue pace has added pressure on management to whittle down its net losses. But the team has to balance that important goal against the risk of impairing FireEye's competitiveness in the industry at a time when deeper-pocketed rivals are ramping up their capital investments.


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Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Plus & Izi Go Modular i-Size Bundle
Cameleon 3 Plus
New & Improved
Maintaining the same level of functionality and practicality as it's predecessor, the Cameleon 3 Plus with aluminium frame, Black base fabric and Soft Pink sun canopy has been improved only where necessary.
The biggest alteration to the overall look comes from the newly adapted under-seat basket. Bugaboo have done away with the larger, closed-off basket and replaced it with a slightly smaller, mesh basket that's easier to access and gives a more minimalistic, cleaner feel to the pushchair. Don't let the small size fool you, it can hold up to 4kg, or 22 litres, meaning you can still picnic to your heart's content.
The second change is the fabric. Bugaboo have extended their range of fabric choices exponentially, releasing three different ranges: Core, Premium and Signature, with the Core collection featuring bold colours, Premium erring on the side of neutral tones and Signature featuring printed fabrics. This move towards more choice brings the Cameleon 3 Plus further in-line with other products in the Bugaboo range. What's more, the fabric used in the Premium collection is made from recycled PET bottles, meaning the production of the Cameleon 3 Plus helps to reduce plastic waste build-up and benefits the environment.
Finally, Bugaboo have adapted their wheels just slightly, opting for foam-filled tyres to make traveling over tough terrain a walk in the park. The new tyres and adjustable suspension mean you can take on the day, wherever it takes you, without disturbing your baby.
Main Features:
One of the best features of the Cameleon range is the elegantly simplistic way in which it seamlessly transitions between the large and small wheels. An example of smart engineering at its finest, choose between small wheels that can turn on a dime for zipping around the city, and when you're ready to take on cobbled streets, gravel, grass and more, simply push or pull the handlebar up and over the seat/carrycot and push from the opposite side, bringing the larger wheels to the front to take on the brunt of the work. And should you find yourself on a beach or subjected to another snowy winter, bring the larger wheels forward, remove the small wheels and you have a two-wheeler that's capable of tackling extreme terrain, which goes to show that there's nothing this pushchair can't handle!
The Cameleon 3 Plus is suitable for babies and toddlers, being able to to hold a child of up to 17kg (approximately 36 months), thanks to the carrycot that converts easily into a seat. For comfort, the Cameleon 3 Plus can accommodate three sitting positions. An upright, supported seating position allows your little one to engage with the world around them, a slight recline gives them the opportunity to withdraw if it all gets a bit much, and a complete lie-flat position means they can nap on-the-go. Additionally, the seat and carrycot can be reversed so they can switch between world and parent facing. Simply press the button on the side of the carrycot/seat, lift, rotate and re-attach.
The Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Plus is compatible with several car seats*, including Cybex, Izi Go, Cabriofix, Maxi-Cosi and many more, so you're free to choose one that best suits your needs.
Additional Features:
- Mattress with aerated inlay
- Five-point harness with adjustable shoulder straps
- Lockable, small swivel front wheels
- Light and compact
- Self-standing seat and carrycot - ideal for family picnics
- Adjustable suspension
- 2 position brake handle
- Machine washable fabrics
- Large extendable sun canopy
*Please note that different car seats may use different adaptors; visit the Bugaboo website for individual requirements.
BeSafe Izi Go Modular i-Size Car Seat
The BeSafe Izi Go Modular i-Size infant carrier is suitable for newborns up to approximately 12 months (or 75 cm) and can be fitted into your car using the Modular i-Size Base (sold separately) or with your vehicle's 3-point seat belt. The integrated sun canopy keeps baby protected from the sun's rays either in the car or when out and about as part of your Cameleon 3 Plus travel bundle. The Izi Go Modular car seat has been rigorously tested across multiple platforms including digital, virtual and in crash-test labs, so you can travel with complete confidence that the seat will protect your little one exactly as intended.
The seat is fitted with an ergonomic carry handle, a magnetic 5-point harness that keeps itself open during loading and unloading, and features Side-Impact Protection with memory foam inner seat that ensures your baby is snug and secure on every journey.
Main Features
- Multi-terrain wheels
- One-handed release
- Foam-filled tyres
- All-round suspension
- Comes with BeSafe Izi Go Modular car seat
- Izi Go suitable from birth to 12 months
- Strong protective shell
- Belted or ISOFIX base installation
- i-Size standard
- cameleon_3_plus_alu-black-pink_izi_go_travel_system
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.


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Cucumber Puree soap
Anti-inflammatory moisturizing soap full of vitamin C, caffeic acid and silica. The active ingredient in this soap is organic cucumber puree, know for years for its multiple benefits for the skin. High content of vitamin C and caffeic acid fight to reduce irritated or inflamed skin. Silica from the cucumber peel helps to firms up sagging skin.
This batch of soap made with high amount of mango butter, which is rich in oleic acid and stearic acid. This fatty acids acts as emollients that soften and soothe skin and hair. It has high oxidative ability, wound healing and regenerative activity.
Scented with sandalwood, tea tree and bergamot essential oils.
Ingredient: coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, mango butter, castor oil, beeswax, distilled water, sodium hydroxide, cucumber puree, spirulina powder, matcha green tea powder, sandalwood, tea tree & bergamot essential oils.
Weight 4 oz
Handcrafted with love in small batches
Ingredients: coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, avocado butter, castor oil, rice bran oil, Blue Moon beer, sodium hydroxide, alkanet root, safflower powder, patchouli, spearmint and grapefruit essential oil, honeysuckle fragrance oil


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Skip to 0 minutes and 6 seconds EMMETT SULLIVAN: Now when we consider the RAF's global role, perhaps, beyond a NATO role towards the end of our period, the Falkland War comes up and is a very prominent engagement for the RAF overseas. So Ross, the Falkland War really presented the RAF with some great logistical challenges in 1982.
Skip to 0 minutes and 29 seconds ROSS MAHONEY: Yeah, the Falkland War for the RAF but also for British military more broadly is, in Cold War context, out of place in some respects. From the late 1960s into the 1980s, there's been a shift in British defence policy. We've gone from east of Suez. And you know, this is a return to expeditionary war for something that the British military in the 70s haven't really been working on. And of course, the major challenge is that the Falkland Islands– and the Falkland Islands are, of course, part of Britain– is that it's a very long way aways. That deep in South Atlantic Ocean. There are major logistical issues. How the task group goes.
Skip to 1 minute and 11 seconds A major stopping off point is Ascension Island, which is still a very, very long way from the Falkland Island. But the RAF maintain an air bridge to Ascension Island. And then, from there, they continue supplying a fleet and so forth. But if we think about, for example, the Black Buck raids, the challenge of actually refuelling even a Vulcan bomber that has a long range to attack the Stanley airfield. And the Falkland is a major logistical challenge. The refuelling is something like 13 refuelling points during the attack. So it is a major logistical challenge. Both, for keeping the RAF factor but also for supporting the task force in the Army once it's there. And of course, the enemy has a vote.
Skip to 1 minute and 56 seconds One of the logistical support that the RAF seeks to provide, initially, is it sends Chinook helicopters. But of course, when the Atlantic Conveyor is sunk, only one of them, Bravo November, survives. And that causes major challenges for the forces deployed.
Skip to 2 minutes and 12 seconds EMMETT SULLIVAN: OK, Ross. Now you mentioned the Black Buck raids. And they're probably the most famous RAF engagements in the Falkland War. But how do we view now the RAFs role in that particular conflict?
Skip to 2 minutes and 24 seconds ROSS MAHONEY: Well the RAFs role, to some degree, with the exception of the Black Buck raids, which it should be remembered as not just the bombing of the airfield. Also, quite significantly, attacks with anti-radiation missiles against Argentine radar sites. The other major contributions, you know, Black Buck takes up a lot of the literature. But actually, the RAF make a significant contribution. That has been, perhaps, undervalued. We deploy Harrier GR.3s to support operations of the two carriers deployed, the principle of HMS Hermes. As I've already mentioned, the RAF seek to deploy helicopters. Only Bravo November survives the sinking of the Atlantic conveyor. But actually, that helicopter plays a significant role.
Skip to 3 minutes and 12 seconds It's moving and is heavily used, probably more heavily used than it should have been, but in moving forces between various points, especially in the final assault. But also from Ascension Island, I've already mentioned the air bridge of the air transport fleet. Both Hercules and the VC10, but also chartered aircraft. The RAF reach a charter. The Short Belfast that had gone out to service a few years earlier to provide that air bridge to ascension. There are phantoms deployed to ascension to provide air defence. And some of these phantoms will, eventually, go down to the Falkland Islands to form the flight that defends the Falklands post-war.
Skip to 3 minutes and 51 seconds But also, probably most importantly, I would suggest is the deployment of the Nimrod to carry out Maritime patrol from Ascension Island down towards where the fleet is operating. This is a Maritime based campaign with an amphibious assault. The fleet needs to be defended. The fleet needs to be aware of where the Argentine Navy is patrolling, etc. So the Nimrod fleet plays a very, very important role in providing that defence for the operation. So the RAF is doing a lot. Some of which is not reported for various obvious reasons. But it's still playing a really, really key role in victory against the Argentinean forces.
Skip to 4 minutes and 35 seconds EMMETT SULLIVAN: Understood. Now were there any important lessons learned by the RAF from the 1982 Falkland War?
Skip to 4 minutes and 43 seconds ROSS MAHONEY: Yeah, I mean, one of the long lessons is that this, sort of, marks the return to expeditionary warfare, which becomes more and more prominent. And it's marked out in the 1998 strategic Defence Review that that's what Britain is going to do. But the 1990s are more recently we have essentially been conducted expeditionary operations in places like Afghanistan. For the RAF in particular, one recognition is the need to improve its airborne early warning fleet. This, eventually, is the decision to order the E-3D Sentry. The RAF needs to improve and upgrade the Nimrod fleet.
Skip to 5 minutes and 17 seconds So there are some operational lessons that come out of it in terms of improving the fleet and this recognition that we need to improve some of the kit that the RAF is operating.
Skip to 5 minutes and 26 seconds EMMETT SULLIVAN: OK, Ross. Thank you for that. While we will be dealing with the RAF's overseas role in future weeks, I think this is drawing to a conclusion how the RAF is operating independently of its principal NATO role. So we'll draw this discussion to conclusion now.
The Falklands War
The Falklands War
In this video we wanted to consider the following statements and questions:
The Falklands War presented the RAF with some unprecedented logistical challenges.
The Black Buck raids are the most famous of the 1982 engagements. How do we view now the RAF's role in the conflict?
Where there any important lessons from the 1982 conflict for the RAF?
We would like to know what you think as well, so please post in the comments below.
Britain's last imperial war?
The Falklands War holds a special place in the (relatively) recent history of Britain. This might be considered the last imperial war. Before the war, Mrs Thatcher was the least popular British Prime Minister in the post-1945 era; the year after (in 1983) she won by a landslide – or, at least, a far better showing than could have been anticipated at the beginning of 1982. It was also the last time the RAF could have operated over such huge distances – the Vulcan was taken out of service two years later. Between April and June 1982 Britain and the Argentine were in open military conflict over the Falkland Islands, and a smaller group of islands in and around the island of South Georgia. The Falkland Islands are something less than 500km from the Argentine coast in the South Atlantic. They remain a British Overseas Territory to this day – and they are one of the very few imperial territories still allied to Britain – there has been a British settlement there since the 1830s, and it has been a British Colony since the 1840s. Until the War it was largely forgotten, and its inhabitants were in the process of having their British citizenship downgraded to holders of a British Dependency passport when hostilities broke out – a 1983 Act of Parliament restated the British citizenship of the Falkland Islanders.
The backdrop to the War was a military junta in the Argentine from 1981; and systematic defence cuts by the Thatcher Government in her first term. Sensing a weak commitment of the British to defend the islands, and looking to win a popular victory to curry domestic support, the Argentine military 'retook the Malvinas' Islands.
The British response was in one respect remarkable. The Falkland Islands are 51° south of the equator; London is 51° north of the equator. The Operation Black Buck raids (Find out more about these here) saw Vulcan bombers operate 8,000 miles from home, in what were the longest distance bombing raids in history at the time. Victor tankers refuelled other Victor tankers to refuel the Vulcan bombers – the logistics of the operations were more impressive than perhaps the military outcomes of the raids. The operation of the Harriers of the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm proved their worth in theatre, as did the one Chinook helicopter which was able to operate in support of the British army. The Task Force which was despatched from Britain was successful in mounting an amphibious assault on the territories invaded by the Argentines, with the RAF providing a critical support role throughout.
Earlier this year (2016) the British Defence Secretary restated Britain's commitment to the Falklands (Read about this here). Britain did not always take such a staunch line with regards its far flung remnants of empire – in 1984 Mrs Thatcher came to an agreement with the Chinese government to hand back the Island of Hong Kong when Britain's lease on the adjacent New Territories came to term in 1997. A more cynical reading of events might emphasize the possible natural resources which may be around the Falkland Islands and Britain's interests in the Antarctic as being critical here, but I think we can safely say that the Falklands War was the last time that 'the Empire could Strike Back' (and references to the second Star Wars movie abounded at the time of the Falklands War).
© Royal Holloway, University of London and the RAF Museum, Hendon


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Submitting a request for an estimate does not guarantee this product will fit your vehicle. We will contact you to confirm compatibility or recommend a similar product.


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National News Roundup
More than half of small businesses have problems finding applicants for entry-level positions who possess the basic skills needed for the jobs, according to a survey by the National Alliance of Business.
The survey of 233 companies with 500 or fewer employees found that 70 percent reported difficulty finding applicants with sufficient writing skills to handle an entry-level job.
About 62 percent of those responding had trouble finding applicants with the necessary math skills, and 59 percent reported problems finding potential employees with sufficient reading skills.
The survey asked small-business leaders about the importance of the five foundation skills and seven competencies identified by the U.S. Labor Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, or SCANS.
More than 98 percent of those responding said good listening skills for receiving instructions in the workplace are fairly important to very important for entry-level jobs. Sixty-four percent of the respondents said they had difficulty finding applicants who could adequately receive and act on oral instructions from supervisors.
The overwhelming majority of American students believe that the four white Los Angeles police officers virtually acquitted of beating Rodney King do not believe they were innocent, according to a new national poll.
The survey, conducted by Chilton Research Services for Scholastic Inc., also found that many students fear the verdict will worsen race relations in their communities.
The survey showed that only 7 percent of the students polled believed that the main reason the officers were exonerated by the Simi Valley jury was their innocence. Some 24 percent believed it was because of their race, and 19 percent because they are police officers.
Black and Hispanic students were more likely than whites to see racial motivations behind the verdict.
The students also expressed a lack of confidence in the integrity of the U.S. judicial system following the verdict. Sixty-eight percent of those polled said the system does not treat all people fairly. The percentage was even higher among high-school students (74 percent).
Over all, 43 percent of students polled said the verdict would affect race relations in their own communities; black students (56 percent) were especially concerned about future race relations.
The firm polled a random sample of 2,951 students in grades 3 through 12 on May 6 and 7.
Vol. 11, Issue 35, Page 2Published in Print: May 20, 1992, as National News Roundup
We encourage lively debate, but please be respectful of others. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.
All comments are public.


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Bodysuits are super trendy at the moment, I have about ten in my closet as we speak. I will be the first to admit that they can be a tad intimidating at first. Do me a favor, don't second guess your confidence, go buy one. Even if it is just a basic, solid colored tank top. They will change the fashion game I promise.
Disclaimer: If you have big boobs, I do recommend sizing up so that the girls will fit.
What I love most about bodysuits, is that they are so versatile. You can dress them up or down. They come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes. I have found that the best place to purchase them for plus size women, is Forever 21+. They are super affordable and are so comfortable. I love to rock a bodysuit with some high waisted pants, or a high-skirt.
So the next time that you are shopping, make sure to hit the "add to cart" button on that really pretty bodysuit, trust me, it's going to look amazing with that new jeans skirt that is also in your cart.


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Originally posted by Akragon
Hey YOU.... Mister Lurker!!
WHY are YOU just sitting there reading from the shadows?!?
I see you reading this... are you starting to sweat?
Originally posted by Akragon
WHY are YOU just sitting there reading from the shadows?!?
For Gods sake, register an account and join in on the discussion!!
We want your thoughts on everything you see!!
I've seen soo many "new members" say in their intro... I've been reading the content on this site for several years now and I finally decided to join.... Several years??!
What the hell people!!
What took you soo long?
Are you afraid that you'll never leave your little nook once you join?
Yes!! That is a distinct possibility
But admit it, if you're reading ATS content you're already hooked.... why avoid the inevitable?
I see you reading this... are you starting to sweat?
Is the urge to register an account eating at your insides... perhaps even your SOUL?
DO IT... And i'll make you a promise...
Every one of you will get a Nifty little flag from yours truly!!
You might even get a smooch from this Kitteh!
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edit on 27-4-2013 by Akragon because: (no reason given)


text: Perth Scorchers is one of the eight participants of the Big Bash League. The Perth Scorchers is a first class domestic cricket team of Australia that belongs to Perth city and represents it in the Big Bash league. The team has been founded in the year 2011 along with Big Bash League when the league has replaced previously played KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The team is based in Perth and possesses WACA Stadium as their home ground. The team ended up the inaugural tournament as the runners-up and has also participated in the Champions League Twenty20. The current captain of the team is Simon Katich while the team is been coached by Justin Langer.


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Little Otsu Weekly Planner
This little planner features both a weekly and monthly format (hard to find sometimes) and is printed in Oakland, CA on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks. Take note that it's dateless, so you can start it at any time, and there's plenty of space for jotting down your daily or weekly to-do list.
5.5" wide x 7" tall, 144 pages
Available from Little Otsu, 18.00.


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Jeremiah Wears an Ox Yoke
127.1: 2 Kgs 24.18–20; 2 Chr 36.11–13Soon after Josiah's son Zedekiah became king of Judah, the LORD told me 2to make myself a yoke out of leather straps and wooden crossbars and to put it on my neck. 3Then the LORD told me to send a message27.3 Probable text a message; Hebrew them. to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their ambassadors who had come to Jerusalem to see King Zedekiah. 4The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, told me to command them to tell their kings that the LORD had said: 5"By my great power and strength I created the world, the human race, and all the animals that live on the earth; and I give it to anyone I choose. 6I am the one who has placed all these nations under the power of my servant, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, and I have made even the wild animals serve him. 7All nations will serve him, and they will serve his son and his grandson until the time comes for his own nation to fall. Then his nation will serve powerful nations and great kings.
8"But if any nation or kingdom will not submit to his rule, then I will punish that nation by war, starvation, and disease until I have let Nebuchadnezzar destroy it completely. 9Do not listen to your prophets or to anyone who claims he can predict the future, either by dreams or by calling up the spirits of the dead or by magic. They all tell you not to submit to the king of Babylonia. 10They are deceiving you and will cause you to be taken far away from your country. I will drive you out, and you will be destroyed. 11But if any nation submits to the king of Babylonia and serves him, then I will let it stay on in its own land, to farm it and live there. I, the LORD, have spoken."
12I said the same thing to King Zedekiah of Judah, "Submit to the king of Babylonia. Serve him and his people, and you will live. 13Why should you and your people die in war or of starvation or disease? That is what the LORD has said will happen to any nation that does not submit to the king of Babylonia. 14Do not listen to the prophets who tell you not to surrender to him. They are deceiving you. 15The LORD himself has said that he did not send them and that they are lying to you in his name. And so he will drive you out, and you will be killed, you and the prophets who are telling you these lies."
16Then I told the priests and the people that the LORD had said: "Do not listen to the prophets who say that the temple treasures will soon be brought back from Babylonia. They are lying to you. 17Don't listen to them! Submit to the king of Babylonia and you will live! Why should this city become a pile of ruins? 18If they are really prophets and if they have my message, let them ask me, the LORD Almighty, not to allow the treasures that remain in the Temple and in the royal palace to be taken to Babylonia."
19-20(When King Nebuchadnezzar took away to Babylonia the king of Judah, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, and the leading men of Judah and Jerusalem, he left the columns, the bronze tank, the carts, and some of the other temple treasures.)
21"Listen to what I, the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, say about the treasures that are left in the Temple and in the royal palace in Jerusalem: 22They will be taken to Babylonia and will remain there until I turn my attention to them. Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place. I, the LORD, have spoken."
Good News Translation® with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha (Today's English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Anglicisation © The British and Foreign Bible Society 1976, 1994, 2004.
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Tuesday, 1 March 2016
Terra at the Print Room
The Coronet in Notting Hill is the sort of theatre that the well-dyed in Hackney dream of. 'Shabby-chic' does not do justice to the crumble, chill and red-low lighting of a 1898 theatre that once hosted Sara Bernhardt. The bar is the stall circle with a piano, holding the drinks, wedged against the seating rake; the stage is propped on a temporary ceiling above so that the dress circle becomes the front row of the auditorium. It's classy and it's cosy.
Its yesterdayness also makes it a good place to see Terra, the third in a series of 'elemental' dance works contrived by choreographer Hubert Essakow. Terra's narrative might be dystopian or Jules-Verne-adventuring. A new poem by Ben Okri chapter-heads each sequence with wide words concerning existence. That may sound a bit wooly but it works as a warm perspective on the set design, a superb tall, contemporary Pompeii, from Sofie Lachaert and Luc d'Hanis.
The company dance very well in ensemble on a small stage, with occasional solo stand-outs (I was particularly struck by Estela Merlos' prologue and the strikingly accomplished dancing from child dancer Constance Booth. Technically the show is as well contrived as the dancing with sharp lighting and careful amplification of both a single voice and the performance area. The company dance to a new score by Jean-Michel Bernard, an established film score composer, who has produced a thoughtful collective of styles from French turn of the century Fauvism to the mid 1970s Mwandishi/Headhunters funk of Herbie Hancock, invoking the rhythmic asceticism of Stravinsky along the way.
Not a compulsive patron of (contemporary) dance, I must only rely on my first instincts for being theatrically absorbed to tell me whether what I had seen was any good. I thought Terra was terrific. Above all, if this is typical in the wider vernacular of contemporary dance it might have been a good example of how one could go about watching it. There does appear to be some sort of narrative but this is under the lock and key of the choreographer's imagination, leaking out into that funny gap between the abstraction of technique, or form, and the programme of an objective story. The value of the performance lies in the conviction of the performers and the opportunity that affords the audience to conjure their own ideas. I found I had plenty of space to let my imagination wander, which I take as a sign of success.
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