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Asian Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2011 | Volume: 4 | Issue: 5 | Page No.: 526-534
DOI: 10.3923/ajaps.2011.526.534
Analysis of Enzymatic Degradation of Polymer Additives
Emmanuel Ogwal, Xiaoming Wu and Wang Hu

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of a complex enzyme (LIQ 1) to degrade two polymer compounds Sesbania gum and Guar gum. The study was based on an assumption that the polymer compounds dissolved in water would increase viscosity and be able to plug an artificial rock sample (made of pulverized coal) placed in a pressured chamber. The study also based on an assumption that complex enzyme (LIQ 1) would slowly degrade the polymer compounds there by reducing their viscosity and hence forth unplug the artificial rock. Viscosity of Sesbania gum solution basing on 600 rotations per min on the Fann V-G meter, Model 35 without complex enzyme was 40, after 6 h, the value did not change. The viscosity of Guar gum solution was 34 and after 6 h was still the same. This showed the polymer compounds were not auto degradable at room temperature. Mixtures of polymer compounds and enzyme mixture however, showed a decrease in viscosity after 1 h, Sesbania gum had reduced to 30 and Guar gum 26. The artificial rock sample was plugged with Guar Gum additive 20 min into the experiment and later degraded by the complex enzyme 30 min into the experiment. Sesbania gum plugged the rock after 20 min and was degraded after a longer time of 300 min into the experiment.

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How to cite this article
Emmanuel Ogwal, Xiaoming Wu and Wang Hu, 2011. Analysis of Enzymatic Degradation of Polymer Additives. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 4: 526-534.

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