Editor’s Choice Articles

Considering the worsening of global warming, development of efficient strategies in carbon capture process is essential. The chemical looping process (CLP) is considered a promising method applicable in various carbon capture strategies. In pre-, post-, or oxy-fuel combustion strategies, the efficiency of CLP has been explored and tested. This review discusses the applied CLP in each type of carbon capture strategy. Chemical looping gasification and reforming are categorized in the pre-combustion system. On the other hand, the popularity of calcium looping and amine looping are recognized as post-combustion strategies. Additionally, numerous oxygen carrier materials have been determined to reach high efficiency in oxy-fuel combustion. The review of the characters and the principle of the method was complemented by justification for real-scale application. Nonetheless, the popularity of CLP’s real implementation as a carbon capture strategy was still limited by several factors, including required cost for the facilities and energy demand. Thus, analysis on the prospect of CLP utilization was also included in this study. Full article

Monofloral honey is obtained from the nectar of single-source plants and has a higher market value due to its polyphenol content associated with its biological properties, especially its antioxidant capacity. In this work, advanced extraction techniques using microwave- (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted (UAE) extraction of phenolic compounds in monofloral honey were optimized and compared. Optimal parameters for MAE were an irradiation time of 15 min, a temperature of 60 °C, and a microwave power of 300 W, and for UAE, a sonication time of 10 min, a temperature of 35 °C, and an ultrasound amplitude of 60%. The extraction solvent used was 70% ethanol. In the extracts of different monofloral honey samples (mint, fennel, raspberry, lavender, sage, buckwheat, maroon, heaven) obtained at optimal MAE and UAE conditions, polyphenolic compounds were determined using UPLC-ESI/MS² analysis and antioxidant capacity using ORAC, ABTS, and DPPH assays. The results showed that UAE was the more efficient technique for the extraction of total flavanones, flavones, hydroxycinnamic acids, and total phenols, and MAE for total flavonols and hydroxybenzoic acids. The antioxidant ORAC and DPPH capacity was higher for the extracts obtained with MAE, while the ABTS capacity was higher for those obtained with UAE. Full article

In this study, we conducted preliminary research with the objective of leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize the efficiency and safety of the entire Ambient Air Vaporizer (AAV) system for LNG (Liquid Natural Gas). By analyzing a year-long dataset of real operational data, we identified key variables that significantly influence the outlet temperature of Natural Gas (NG). Based on these insights, a Deep Neural Network (DNN) prediction model was developed to forecast the NG outlet temperature. The endeavor to create an effective prediction model faced specific challenges, primarily due to the narrow operational range of fan speeds and safety-focused guidelines. To surmount these obstacles, various learning algorithms were evaluated under multiple conditions. Ultimately, a DNN model exhibiting lower values of both absolute mean error (MAE) and mean square error (MSE) was successfully established. Full article

The mass and energy balances of a zero-dimensional model for hydrogen storage by adsorption is studied. The model is solved with an in-house MATLAB code and validated with three experimental case studies from the literature, obtained with cryogenic lab-scale reservoirs using different adsorbents and dynamic operating conditions. The results of the simulations agree well with reported measured temperature and pressure profiles. The hydrogen adsorption process is described assuming instantaneous thermodynamic equilibrium. In accordance with the potential theory, variations in the adsorbed phase volumes filling the adsorbent pores were described applying the revisited Dubinin–Astakhov (rev-D-A) equation and accounting for gas phase non-ideality. The simulation model was used to assess the energy requirements of a variety of adsorption-based hydrogen storage processes and compared with other conventional hydrogen storage modes such as compression and liquefaction. Thus, whatever different adsorbent materials are considered, this technology appears relatively energy intensive due to the reservoir cooling duty at cryogenic temperature. Full article

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) are amenable for use in a clinical setting for treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), which remains one of the major illnesses worldwide. Aside from iPSC-derived iMSCs, chondrocytes (iCHO) and extracellular vesicles (EV) are also promising candidates for treatment of OA. Manufacturing and quality control of iPSC-derived therapies is mainly manual and thus highly time consuming and susceptible to human error. A major challenge in translating iPSC-based treatments more widely is the lack of sufficiently scaled production technologies from seeding to fill-and-finish. Formerly, the Autostem platform was developed for the expansion of tissue-derived MSCs at scale in stirred tank bioreactors and subsequent fill-and-finish. Additionally, the StemCellDiscovery platform was developed to handle plate-based cultivation of adherent cells including their microscopic analysis. By combining the existing automation technology of both platforms, all required procedures can be integrated in the AutoCRAT system, designed to handle iPSC expansion, differentiation to iMSCs and iCHOs, pilot scale expansion, and formulation of iMSCs as well as extracellular vesicles and their purification. Furthermore, the platform is equipped with several in-line and at-line assays to determine product quality, purity, and safety. This paper highlights the need for adaptable and modular automation concepts. It also stresses the importance of ensuring safety of generated therapies by incorporating automated release testing and cleaning solutions in automated systems. The adapted platform concepts presented here will help translate these technologies for clinical production at the necessary scale. Full article

Nowadays, climate change has become a serious concern, and more attention has been drawn to utilizing biomass sources instead of fossil sources and how petroleum chemical plastics should be reduced or replaced with bio-based materials. In this study, the optimized condition of liquefaction of driftwood was examined. There was a concern that driftwood might have some decay and chemical change. However, according to the Organic Micro Element Analyzer (CHN analyzer) test and Klason lignin and Wise methods, the results proved that lignin content (37.5%), holocellulose content (66.9%), and CHN compositions were very similar to regular wood. The lowest residue content of bio-polyols was produced using liquefaction conditions of 150 °C, reaction time of 180 min, catalyst content of 10%w/w, and 12.5%w/w driftwood loading. Polyurethane foam (PUF) derived from the liquefaction of driftwood and bio-based cyanate was prepared. The PUF prepared from the liquefaction of the driftwood exhibited slightly decreased thermal durability but was superior in terms of 3-time faster biodegradation and 2.8-time increased water adsorption rate compared to pure petroleum-based PUF. As a result, it was shown that driftwood can be identified as a biomass resource for biodegradable PUF. Full article

Methanol is an important raw material widely used in the chemical industry. This article addresses the challenge of fluctuations in green hydrogen as a feed stream for methanol production from renewable feedstock. For a staged reactor design, robust operating conditions are generated through the simultaneous steady-state optimization of 50 process scenarios. The feed can be split and fed separately to the different reactor stages. However, neglected transient effects may render this design infeasible under dynamic conditions concerning carbon conversion and reactor temperature constraints. To overcome this, an additional dynamic optimization is conducted to ensure a feasible operation by an optimized feed-forward control of feed distribution and shell temperatures. In practice, this is possible because the disturbance, i.e., fluctuation, is measurable and predictable in a short time frame. The optimization yields optimal operating conditions, resulting in a reactor that is dynamically feasible for measurable fluctuating inlet conditions. Full article

The objective of this paper is to explore the utilisation of plastic waste via the gasification process to produce electricity with low carbon dioxide emissions. Worldwide, plastic production has increased, reaching 390 million tons in 2021, compared to 1.5 million tons in 1950. It is known that plastic incineration generates approximately 400 million tons of CO₂ annually, and consequently, new solutions for more efficient plastic reuse in terms of emissions generated are still expected. One method is to use plastic waste in a gasifier unit and the syngas generated in a gas turbine for electricity production. The co-gasification process (plastic waste with biomass) was analysed in different ratios. Gasification was carried out with air for an equivalent ratio (ER) between 0.10 and 0.45. The volume concentration of CO₂ in syngas ranged from 2 to 12%, with the highest value obtained when the poplar content in the mix was 95%. In this study, the option of pre- and post-combustion integration of the chemical absorption process (CAP) was investigated. As a result, CO₂ emissions decreased by 90% compared to the case without CO₂ capture. The integration of the capture process reduced global efficiency by 5.5–6.1 percentage points in a post-combustion case, depending on the plastic content in the mix. Full article

The paper considers the model predictive current control (MPCC) of an induction motor (IM) drive and evaluates five IM models of different complexities—from conventional to magnetic saturation, iron losses, and stray-load losses—for the MPCC design. The validity of each considered IM model and the corresponding MPCC algorithm is evaluated by comparison of the following performance metrics: the total harmonic distortion of the stator current, the average switching frequency, the rotor flux magnitude error, the rotor flux angle error, and the product of the first two metrics. The metrics’ values are determined in wide ranges of the rotor speed (0.1–1 p.u.) and load torque (0–1 p.u.) through simulations performed in the MATLAB Simulink environment. The obtained results allow us to identify the IM model that offers the best tradeoff between the practicability and accuracy. Furthermore, a control effort penalization (CEP) is suggested to reduce the average switching frequency and, hence, the power converter losses. This involves constraining the simultaneous switching to a maximum of two branches of the three-phase power converter, as well as inclusion of the weighted switching penalization term in the cost function. Finally, the performance—both steady-state and dynamic—of the proposed MPCC system with CEP is compared with that of the analogous field-oriented controlled (FOC) IM drive. The inverter switching frequency is reduced more than twice by including the frequency-dependent iron-loss resistance in the MPCC. It is additionally reduced by implementing the proposed CEP strategy without sacrificing many other performance metrics, thus achieving a performance comparable to the FOC IM drive. Full article

This study aims to construct a novel and sustainable approach for remediating aquaculture-generated water contamination using various engineered biochars. Particularly, this study focuses on capturing nitrogen and phosphorus from downstream water of commercial fish farms in Magic Valley, Idaho, containing approximately 2.26 mg/L of nitrogen and 0.15 mg/L of phosphorous. The results indicate that the proposed approach can improve downstream waters by adsorbing micronutrients (e.g., nitrogen-ammonia, nitrate-n + nitrite-n, and total phosphorus). Water treatment time and biochar pH are two key parameters strongly associated with adsorbed compounds. Molecular-level characterization of solvent-extracted organics from biochar materials (before and after water treatment) suggests increased levels of highly oxygenated molecules as a function of increasing water treatment time. Also, the results show the enrichment in organic species with higher molecular weight and increased double bond equivalents, with a compositional range similar to that of dissolved organic matter. Upon water treatment, extracted organics revealed higher abundances of compounds with higher H/C and O/C ratios. The engineered biochars, after water treatment, can be reused as nutrient-rich fertilizers. This study concluded that the engineered biochars could sequester more nitrogen and phosphorous over time. Also, the proposed approach can simultaneously increase fish production capacity and support the aquaculture industry in different regions by improving water quality and enabling aquaculture expansion. Full article

Microwave-assisted freeze drying (MFD) is particularly suited for drying heat-sensitive materials. However, optimizing process parameters is time-consuming due to lengthy individual experiments. This study investigates the feasibility of partial MFD for parameter studies, with the process being terminated after removing 20 wt% of the water contained. The proposed approach reduces the time required for parameter evaluation by 92.0% compared to complete MFD. It also enables the evaluation of the samples’ drying homogeneity. A subsequent parameter study based on partial MFD was then conducted to evaluate the effects of chamber pressure, microwave power, and microwave frequencies on the drying kinetics and drying homogeneity. Lowering the average chamber pressure from 0.87 mbar to 0.19 mbar reduced the process duration by 18.8%. An increase in the dissipated specific microwave power from 0.048 W/g to 0.143 W/g reduced the duration by 46.7%. The targeted application of frequencies increased the average energy efficiency to as high as 92.4%, contributing to a shortened process duration of up to 51.2%. Only the application of multiple frequencies caused a notable increase in drying homogeneity. In summary, this study demonstrates the feasibility and time-saving benefits of partial drying for parameter studies in MFD and potentially different types of drying processes. Full article

Anthracite stands as a valuable precursor for carbon materials, owing to its high carbon content. However, producing activated carbon from anthracite presents significant challenges due to its elevated ash content (23–40 wt%) and crystalline nature. The high ash content not only fails to contribute to the activation process but also obstructs pore formation on the carbon surface. To address these challenges, this study explores the preparation of activated carbon from anthracite using KOH activation. This method demonstrates remarkable efficacy in enhancing reactivity beyond the inherent physical properties of anthracite. In contrast to physical activation, the utilization of KOH as a chemical agent substantially enhances the specific surface area, resulting in a production yield of 62% and a specific surface area that reaches up to 1596 m²/g at a KOH/anthracite weight ratio of 4.0. Moreover, rinsing the activated sample with tap water achieves an ash removal rate of about 37.9%, surpassing twice the rate achieved through acid pretreatment (67.0%). A noteworthy observation from this study is the substantial reduction in the content of major ash components, such as silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al), both of which are prominent constituents in anthracite ash. Following KOH activation, their levels decrease by approximately 54% to 65%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing available anthracite, even with elevated ash content, as a superior carbon material. Fundamentally, the KOH activation method serves a dual purpose: it effectively reduces ash content and promotes pore creation within a highly alkaline environment. This dual advantage positions the method as a promising approach for the production of top-tier activated carbon. Full article

Recently, many studies have reported the properties and functionality of okra pectin. However, these studies are about green okra pods, and pectin in red okra pods, stems, and roots has not been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize the red okra extraction method using response surface methodology (RSM) analysis and evaluate the effects of extraction time, temperature, solvent ratio, and pH on the extract yield and crude pectin content. Based on RSM analysis, 4.35 h, 98.04 °C, 23.34 solvent ratio, and pH 3.36 are the optimal parameters for extracting crude pectin from red okra, and the crude pectin content was predicted to be 40.83%. When red okra was extracted under these extraction conditions (4 h, 100 °C, 23 solvent ratio, and pH 3), the extraction yield was 45.26%, and the crude pectin content was 38.42%, which was similar to the yield obtained under the conditions derived from the RSM analysis. In addition, the pH control using hydrochloric acid was replaced with citric acid, and the changes in extract yield and crude pectin content were compared. When citric acid was used, the extract yield was 49.15% (8.6% increase), and the crude pectin content was 42.76 ± 2.56% (11.3% increase); compared to when hydrochloric acid was used, the yield increased. Finally, the standardization of red okra raw materials was determined by analyzing the extraction yield and crude pectin content by part, harvest time, and size of red okra using the established extraction method using citric acid. As a result, it was confirmed that the extraction yield obtained from the established extraction method was reached from the extraction of red okra fruits up to 12 cm in size that were harvested between July and November. Additionally, compared to the non-pectin fraction, the crude pectin fraction isolated from red okra pod extract showed significantly higher total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). These findings, reported for the first time, may contribute to the development of processes to purify red okra pectin, functional evaluation studies of pectin, and potential applications of red okra extract in various industries and research. Full article

In the aspect of food quality measurement, the application of image analysis has emerged as a powerful and versatile tool, enabling a highly accurate and efficient automated recognition and the quality classification of visual data. This study examines the feasibility of employing an AI algorithm on labeled images as a non-destructive method to classify surimi gels. Gels were made with different moisture (76–82%) and corn starch (5–16%) levels from Alaska pollock and Threadfin breams. In surimi gelation, interactions among surimi, starch, and moisture caused color and quality shifts. Color changes are indicative of structural and quality variations in surimi. Traditional color measuring techniques using colorimeter showed insignificant differences (p < 0.05) in color values and whiteness among treatments. This complexity hindered effective grading, especially in intricate formulations. Despite insignificant color differences, they signify structural changes. The Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) predicts the visual impact of moisture and starch on gel attributes prepared with different surimi species. Automated machine learning assesses AI algorithms; and CNN’s 70:30 training/validation ratio involves 400–700 images per category. CNN’s architecture, including input, convolutional, normalization, Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation, and max-pooling layers, detects subtle structural changes in treated images. Model test accuracies exceed 95%, validating CNN’s precision in species and moisture classification. It excels in starch concentrations, yielding > 90% accuracy. Average precision (>0.9395), recall (>0.8738), and F1-score (>0.8731) highlight CNN’s high performance. This study demonstrates CNN’s value in non-destructively classifying surimi gels with varying moisture and starch contents across species, and it provides a solid foundation for advancing our understanding of surimi production processes and their optimization in the pursuit of high-quality surimi products. Full article

Restoration potential (RP) and deterioration potential (DP) were formulated to shed light on the kinetic balance between anaerobic biochemical reactions. RP is gauged by the ratio of the methanogenesis rate (MR) to the acidogenesis rate (AR), while the DP is the sum of the accumulation rate (AcR) and dilution rate (DR) of total VFAs, normalized using the AR. In an anaerobic digester for a mixture of pulverized food waste and liquified sewage sludge, an RP above 1.0 signifies a restorative state in the kinetic balance of anaerobic biochemical reactions across various operational phases, including startup and steady state, and shifts in organic loading rate. Conversely, a DP value of 0.0 or higher denotes a deterioration in the kinetic balance. The instability index (ISI), calculated as the DP to RP ratio, serves as an indicator of an anaerobic digestion state. When the standard deviation of ISI surpasses 0.2, it signifies instability in biochemical reactions; however, an average ISI below 0.05 indicates a stable digestion process. The study underscores the efficacy of RP, DP, and ISI as robust indicators for assessing the stability of anaerobic digestion based on the kinetics of biochemical reactions. Full article

A total of 5.4 million tons of face masks were generated worldwide annually in 2021. Most of these used masks went to landfills or entered the environment, posing serious risks to wildlife, humans, and ecosystems. In this study, batch low-pressure hydrothermal processing (LP-HTP) methods are developed to convert disposable face masks into oils. Three different materials from face masks were studied to find optimal processing conditions for converting full face masks into oil. The oil and gas yields, as well as oil compositions, depend on the feedstock composition, particle size, and reaction conditions. Yields of 82 wt.% oil, 17 wt.% gas, and minimal char (~1 wt.%) were obtained from full masks. LP-HTP methods for converting face masks have higher oil yields than pyrolysis methods in the literature and have lower operating pressures than supercritical water liquefaction. LP-HTP methods for face masks can increase net energy returns by 3.4 times and reduce GHG emissions by 95% compared to incineration. LP-HTP has the potential to divert 5.4 million tons of waste masks annually from landfills and the environment, producing approximately 4.4 million tons of oil. Full article

The repeatable and cost-efficient generation of nanobubbles is still a challenge. In most cases, the hydrodynamic generation of nanobubbles is used at larger scales. Therefore, every cost reduction possible in nanobubble generation is needed. In this work, we decided to check how the generation of nanobubbles changes when the surrounding liquid properties change. The generation of nanobubbles was carried out in a novel setup, designed by us. We investigated the minimum liquid velocity needed for nanobubble generation and propose correlations describing this based on the physicochemical properties of the liquid and gas phases. As carbon dioxide nanobubbles are commonly used for the treatment of ischemia and chronic wounds, the investigation of their stability enhancement is crucial for the wider public. We investigated the minimum rotation rate of the impeller needed for CO₂ nanobubble generation and the influence of a biomedical surfactant (Pluronic P-123) addition and concentration change on the size of nanobubbles and their stability over time. Nanobubbles were stable in the presence of surfactant additions and showed the impact of both changes in generation time and shear stress on their size. We hope that this study will be a step in the direction of the cost-efficient generation of stable carbon dioxide nanobubble dispersions. Full article

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a thermal barrier coating material characterized by low thermal conductivity, is typically deposited via electron beam-physical vapor deposition. Notably, oxygen depletion occurs during this process, causing color changes in YSZ. Therefore, YSZ is speculated to undergo phase transformation during this process, which demands careful consideration owing to its effect on the life of thermal coatings. To study this phenomenon, bulk samples were prepared, subjected to vacuum heat treatment to induce oxygen depletion, and followed by oxidative heat treatment. Experimental results showed that the color of the samples changed to black after the vacuum heat treatment and to a lighter color after the oxidative heat treatment. In addition, X-ray diffraction and Raman analyses were performed. The monoclinic phase formation was confirmed during the vacuum heat treatment; however, it disappeared after the oxidation heat treatment. The coating obtained in a high vacuum atmosphere exhibited a black color and cubic phase, which changed to a bright color and tetragonal phase after the oxidation heat treatment. Full article

Paraxanthine (PX), a major metabolite of caffeine, a protective agent against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and a promising drug for the treatment of post-COVID 2019 anosmia and ageusia, has been studied in the solid state and protein–ligand complex. Partial disorder in PX, caused by the methyl group at the N(7) position, has been modelled and discussed. The relationship between the unusual structural disorder and the propensity to form a specific system of non-covalent bonds was analyzed. Three ¹H-¹⁴N NMR-NQR (nuclear magnetic resonance–nuclear quadrupole resonance) experimental techniques were used, namely multiple frequency sweeps, Larmor frequency scanning, and the two-frequency irradiation, followed by solid-state computational modelling (density functional theory, supplemented by quantum theory of atoms in molecules, 3D Hirshfeld surfaces, and reduced density gradient), and molecular docking approaches. New quantitative methods for estimating changes in the global pattern of interactions under the influence of rotation of the methyl group in N(7) based on the Pompeiu–Hausdorff and Bhattacharayya metrics and the Wasserstein distance have been proposed and applied. A spectrum consisting of 12 lines, indicating the presence of 4 chemically inequivalent nitrogen sites in the PX molecule, was recorded, and the lines’ assignment to particular sites was made. The influence of the methyl rotation on the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the electric field gradient tensor, NQR parameters, and resonance line positions was modelled in the solid (GGA/RPBE, m-GGA/RSCAN) and cluster (Minnesota M062X hybrid). Three factors have been found to determine structural disorder in PX: larger crystal voids near the methyl at N(7) than at N(1) (opening the path for the disorder), hyperconjugation strongly affecting the density distribution in the five-membered ring, and the involvement of the methyl group at N(7) in many non-covalent bonds that intercept (capture) subsequent jumping protons. The Pompeiu–Hausdorff and Bhattacharayya metrics and the Wasserstein distance confirmed the changes in the distribution and strength of non-covalent interactions throughout the molecule as a result of methyl rotation. This effect is clearly visible regardless of the type of metric, and its order of magnitude is consistent with the modulation effect of the NQR spectra (experimental and calculated). Through molecular docking, it was discovered that the PX moiety in protein–ligand complexes adopt the same methyl group conformation at N(7) as in the solid state. It was found that the cooperation–competition between the C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯H-C dispersion interactions is the crucial factor that impedes methyl rotation and induces structural disorder, as well as being an important factor in the formation of the protein–ligand complexes. Full article

This research evaluates process instability together with microbial population dynamics of the startup of an anaerobic digestion of a mild pretreated solid olive oil waste. The pretreatment consisted of a mild thermal treatment called thermo-malaxation and a subsequent dephenolized process of the olive mill solid waste. The anaerobic digestion process of the mild pretreated and partially dephenolized biomass was studied for three Hydraulic Retention Times (HRTs), with 21 days each HRT, with an organic load rate of 1 g VS/L d, carried out at mesophilic temperature (35 ± 1 °C). The average value of methane yield decreased from 204 ± 9 mL CH₄/g VS d on day 21, the last day of the first HRT, to 87 ± 24 mL CH₄/g VS d on day 60, the last day of the third HRT. The alkalinity decreased drastically, indicating instability of the anaerobic digestion process. Although phenolic compounds were partially extracted in the pretreatment, the observed increase in phenolic compounds during reactor operation might be contributed to the methane production decay. Interestingly, volatile fatty acids decreased with time, indicating that not only the methanogenic stage but also the hydrolysis stage was affected. Indeed, the microbial analysis showed that the abundance of hydrolytic bacteria decreased over time. It is also worth noticing that hydrogenotrophic methanogens, while present during the first two HRTs, were not observed at the end of the last HRT. This observation, together with the increase in the relative abundance of acetoclastic methanogens, showed a shift in the methane production pathway from hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis to acetotrophic methanogenesis. Full article

The effects of substitution at the A- and B sites on the redox performance of a series of lanthanum–strontium–manganese (LSM)-based perovskite oxides (Z = Ni, Co, and Mg) were studied for application in a two-step thermochemical CO₂ splitting cycle to produce liquid fuel from synthesis gas using concentrated solar radiation as the proposed energy source and CO₂ recovered from the atmosphere as the prospective chemical source. The redox reactivity, stoichiometry of oxygen/CO production, and optimum chemical composition of Ni-, Co-, and Mg-substituted LSM perovskites were investigated to enhance oxygen/CO productivity. Furthermore, the long-term thermal stabilities and thermochemical repeatabilities of the oxides were evaluated and compared with previous data. The valence changes in the constituent ionic species of the perovskite oxides were studied and evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for each step of the thermochemical cycle. From the perspectives of high redox reactivity, stoichiometric oxygen/CO production, and thermally stable repeatability in long-term thermochemical cycling, Ni_0.20-, Co_0.35-, and Mg_0.125-substituted La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn perovskite oxides are the most promising materials among the LSM perovskite oxides for two-step thermochemical CO₂ splitting, showing CO productivities of 387–533 μmol/g and time-averaged CO productivities of 12.9–18.0 μmol/(min·g) compared with those of LSM perovskites reported in the literature. Full article

Carbon emissions have gained worldwide attention in the industrial era. As a key carbon-emitting industry, achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the manufacturing sector is vital to mitigating the negative effects of climate change and achieving sustainable development. The rise of intelligent technologies has driven industrial structural transformations that may help achieve carbon reduction. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is an important part of digitalization, providing new technological tools and directions for the low carbon development of enterprises. This study selects Chinese A-share listed companies in the manufacturing industry from 2012 to 2021 as the research objects and uses a fixed-effects regression model to study the relationship between AI and carbon emissions. This study clarifies the significance of enterprise AI technology applications in realizing carbon emissions reduction and explores the regulatory mechanism from the perspective of the innovation effect. The results show that the application of enterprise AI technology positively impacts carbon emissions reduction. Simultaneously, green technological innovation, green management innovation, and green product innovation play moderating roles; in other words, enterprise green innovation strengthens the effect of AI on carbon emissions reduction. This study clarifies the necessity of intelligent manufacturing and enriches theories related to AI technology and carbon emissions. Full article

Nitrate catalytic reduction in a continuous system was studied in the presence of Pd-Cu macrostructured catalysts synthesized through a novel washcoating methodology of the pre-formed bimetallic powder catalyst. The present work aims to understand the behavior of the macrostructured bimetallic catalyst in the presence of different reaction conditions in order to achieve the design of an optimized facility that can produce the best catalytic results: maximum NO₃⁻ conversion with enhanced N₂ selectivity. The residence time of the inlet solution and the catalyst concentration in the reactor proved to be the parameters that most influenced the conversion and selectivity due to the important role that these parameters play in the hydrodynamic conditions of the reactor. A higher loading of catalyst and lower inlet flow rates allow promoting a higher contact time between the three phases that participate in the reaction (G-L-S). The most efficient reaction conditions (three pieces of the macrostructured catalyst, liquid flow rate of 10 mL min⁻¹, and a total gas flow rate of 200 Ncm³ min⁻¹ (1:1 H₂:CO₂)) allowed obtaining an NO₃⁻ conversion of 51% with a corresponding N₂ selectivity of 23%. Also, the conversion results strongly depended on the total gas flow rate used during the reaction since this assists the mixing between the three phases and promotes a greater contact that will contribute to enhanced catalytic results. Full article

Many applications in the life science and food industries require (semi-)crystalline oil-in-water (O/W) dispersions. Unfortunately, high supercooling and, thus, low temperatures are often needed to induce the crystallization of droplets. As low molecular weight emulsifiers (LMWEs) are able to act as nucleation templates, they might help to decrease the required level of supercooling. Furthermore, proteins and LMWEs are frequently co-formulated to improve the colloidal stability of emulsions and dispersions. Hence, choosing a suitable protein and LMWE mixture would allow for achieving specific product properties for controlling the solid fat content (SFC) and take advantage of the stabilization mechanisms of both emulsifiers. Therefore, this study focuses on the impact of the co-existence of β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) and phospholipids (PLs) LMWEs on the SFC of triglyceride (TAG) droplets at isothermal conditions using a thermo-optical method. When β-lg alone was used as an emulsifier, a maximum SFC of 80% was obtained at a supercooling of 32 K and 42 K for trilaurin and tripalmitin, respectively. The SFC could be increased to 100% using a PL containing saturated fatty acids (FAs) and a small hydrophilic headgroup. At the same supercooling, a PL containing saturated FAs and a large hydrophilic headgroup led to a maximum SFC of 80%. At lower supercooling, the SFC was reduced with this PL by 10% compared to β-lg alone. In addition, when the PLs had more time to adsorb and rearrange with ß-lg at the interface, even lower SFCs were observed compared to cooling directly after emulsification. Full article

The effective and reliable performance of any pump can be significantly impacted by the piping system design. One of the essential points is the pump suction pipe. Poor design and dimension of the suction piping can lead to cavitation in the pump which affects its head and efficiency. The primary objective is to reduce the hydraulic losses of the suction piping in order to maintain a Net Positive Suction Head required by the pump. Suction piping is recommended to be short and straight, and branch connections, valves and elbows should be avoided, which is not always possible. In addition, cavitation can occur in the actual hydraulic elements installed on the pump suction. This work is focused on the investigation of cavitating hydraulic element in the suction pipe on the pump performance. A converging-diverging nozzle with a circular cross-section was used for this purpose. A straight pipe segment of constant diameter and the same length was used for comparison. Both elements were characterized by the loss coefficient and the cavitation number. Their influence on the pump head and the Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) was investigated. Full article

The aim of this work was to separate ethanol in an experimental adsorption–desorption device. We focused on concentrating ethanol by adsorption onto granulated activated carbon in its gaseous phase, which was produced by stripping a matrix with different ethanol concentrations (2, 5, 10, and 15% v/v). For adsorption, three kinds of granulated activated carbon (GAC) were used, marked as GAC1, GAC2, and GAC3. The separation product had a higher ethanol concentration than the initial ethanol concentration before the adsorption–desorption process. The enrichment factor was, in the case of the initial ethanol concentration, 2% v/v at the level of 10. With our new adsorption–desorption device, it is possible to achieve a product with an ethanol concentration of 59.0% v/v with stripping, adsorption, desorption, and condensation. To verify the separation efficiency, a real matrix (fermentation broth) was used. The ethanol concentration in the real matrix was, at the beginning of the separation process, 0.65% v/v; after using our separation device, it was 11.35% v/v. Using a real matrix, the enrichment factor was at the level of 18. The main advantage is the use of our new adsorption–desorption device for the continuous separation of ethanol from fermentation broth. A mathematical model was created, based on which it is possible to calculate the ethanol concentration in the product of the separation process with high accuracy. Full article

Manufacturing is one of the most heavily contributing sectors to global warming via its high carbon emissions. Initiatives such as the Green Deal and Sustainable Goals by the United Nations are supporting the reduction of carbon emissions in the manufacturing sector, which can be completed by making manufacturing processes more sustainable and with less carbon footprint. This also applies to novel manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing (AM). In this work, a previously developed framework for carbon footprint calculation was tailor-made and applied to a specific stereolithography (SLA) case. The different steps of the SLA were categorised per process, machine tool and system level, and the respective carbon emissions were calculated, either theoretically or via a life cycle assessment software. The carbon emissions at the process level were significant when compared to the total carbon emissions, and the carbon emissions of the isopropanol (IPA) bath accounted for more than 50% of the total carbon footprint of the SLA. These results demonstrate that the AM process may not be as environmentally friendly as it was assumed to be, especially if post-processing and finishing steps are carbon-intensive, because of the liquids used for the baths. Full article

The present study aimed to optimize the process parameters (milling depth and advanced speed) for an asphalt milling operation using a multi-response approach based on Taguchi design of experiments (DOE) and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). Nine simulations tests were conducted using Discrete Element Method (DEM) in order to determine the forces acting on the cutting tooth support and tip. The considered performance characteristics were cutting forces (smaller is better category) and chip section area (larger is better category). A Grey Relational Grade (GRG) was determined from GRA, allowing to identify the optimal parameter levels for the asphalt milling process with multiple performance characteristics. It was found that that the optimal milling parameters for multi-response analysis are a milling depth of 200 mm and an advanced speed of 30 mm/min. Furthermore, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the most significant factor influencing the performance characteristics. The analysis results revealed that the dominant factor affecting the resultant cutting force was milling depth, while the main factor affecting chip section area was the advanced speed. Optimizing milling efficiency is essential in machining operations. A key factor in this direction is comprehending the interplay between chip removal and cutting forces. This understanding is fundamental for achieving increased productivity, cost-effectiveness, and extended tool lifespan during the milling process. Full article

The quantity of industrially polluted waters is increasing everywhere, of which a significant part is occupied by a number of mono- and poly-aromatic compounds. Toxins enter the soil, sewage, and clean water by mixing with or seeping into them from industrial wastewater. By using 18S RNA and ITS sequences, the Penicillium commune AL5 strain that was isolated from Antarctic soil was identified. This study is dedicated to exploring its capacity to metabolize hazardous aromatic compounds. The strain showed very good potential in the degradation of hydroxylated monophenols and possessed exceptional abilities in terms of resorcinol degradation. The strain’s ability to metabolize 0.3 g/L of p-cresol at 10 °C is notable. The strain is also capable of metabolizing LMW PAHs (naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene) and eliminating all three tested compounds under 23 °C, respectively, 77.5%, 93.8%, and 75.1%. At 10 °C, the process slowed down, but the degradation of naphthalene continued to be over 50%. The quantity of PAH and a few significant intermediary metabolites were determined using GC–MS analysis. Sequencing of the enzymes phenol hydroxylase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase revealed a close association with the genes and proteins in some fungal strains that can degrade the aromatic compounds examined thus far. Full article

The climate crisis, growing pollution of the environment with waste, and ubiquitous microplastics have encouraged the search for new methods and new opportunities to use natural materials in the least harmful processes. Replacing synthetic materials with raw materials is not only a matter of “fashion”, but also a necessity. Therefore, this study aimed to produce fibers from an aqueous solution containing the highest possible concentration of soy protein isolate (SPI) through solution-blowing. As the aqueous solution of SPI has no fiber-forming potential, polyethylene oxide (PEO) was used as the carrier/matrix. The rheology of the aqueous PEO solution and PEO/SPI blends (flow curves, loss modulus, and storage modulus) was then analyzed. The proportions of the PEO/SPI mixtures and the process parameters were determined on this basis. As a result of the conducted research, nanofibers were produced from water solutions of PEO/SPI with a soy protein content of up to 7.88%, with a PEO share of 1.25%. The average diameter of the obtained fibers was 225–495 nm, depending on the process parameters and SPI content—as the SPI content in the PEO/SPI mixture increased, the average fiber diameter decreased. The production of nanofibers with a high soy protein content increases their application possibilities. Firstly, due to a much larger surface area, and secondly, due to the presence of numerous functional groups in the protein structure, which can be a place of attachment for additional compounds that give the obtained nanofibers the desired properties. Full article

Nanocellulose (NC) is an emerging natural material that offers great potential for various applications due to its unique properties and renewable character. Nowadays, as NC production technologies are advancing, it is essential to evaluate their economic feasibility, technological maturity and commercialization potential using systematic techno-economic analysis (TEA). The present study considers both technical and economic aspects of NC production and analyzes them in two ways: first, by developing a new concept based on the production of different types of NC through the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass by chemical and mechanical technologies, and second, by a comparative review of existing TEA studies in the open literature. Three specific scenarios and two case studies are evaluated by comparing specific key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the production cost (PC) and minimum product selling price (MPSP) of NC. As a result, a short though comprehensive overview of the current state of NC production is provided, highlighting the main technical and economic challenges associated with it. Key areas for future research and innovation (R&I) are also identified to optimize the production processes and reduce relevant costs, in order to make NC competitive with existing materials and realize its full potential. Full article

In this work, deep reinforcement learning methodology takes advantage of transfer learning methodology to achieve a reasonable trade-off between environmental impact and operating costs in the activated sludge process of Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). WWTPs include complex nonlinear biological processes, high uncertainty, and climatic disturbances, among others. The dynamics of complex real processes are difficult to accurately approximate by mathematical models due to the complexity of the process itself. Consequently, model-based control can fail in practical application due to the mismatch between the mathematical model and the real process. Control based on the model-free reinforcement deep learning (RL) methodology emerges as an advantageous method to arrive at suboptimal solutions without the need for mathematical models of the real process. However, convergence of the RL method to a reasonable control for complex processes is data-intensive and time-consuming. For this reason, the RL method can use the transfer learning approach to cope with this inefficient and slow data-driven learning. In fact, the transfer learning method takes advantage of what has been learned so far so that the learning process to solve a new objective does not require so much data and time. The results demonstrate that cumulatively achieving conflicting objectives can efficiently be used to approach the control of complex real processes without relying on mathematical models. Full article

Recently, Japan and the European Union have been experiencing declining petroleum demand owing to global initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact by curtailing CO₂ emissions. Consequently, alternative products and operational conditions should be developed to utilize the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit. Using simulation software (Aspen Hysys), this study modeled a typical FCC unit and compared the simulation results with operational data to ensure reproducibility. Two new process models were developed to investigate two scenarios: (i) the slurry discharged from the FCC unit is utilized as a feedstock for the FCC process and (ii) the slurry and fraction obtained from the downstream absorber of the FCC unit are introduced into a delayed coker unit to facilitate carbon fixation. Within an optimum riser outlet temperature (ROT) of 520–530 °C, the yields of gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas increased up to 4%. For profit performance, although ROT of 535–545 °C yielded peak efficiency, the CO₂ emissions increased by 70%. Thus, a ROT of 530–540 °C, coupled with a delayed coker unit, can maximize profitability. Furthermore, a correlation graph illustrated the relationship between CO₂ emissions and profit for selecting optimal FCC operational conditions. Full article

The evolution of the variance and entropy of granule size in the fluidized bed agglomeration process using two different aggregation kernels is examined. The first is a constant kernel (aggregation is independent of both time and granule size) and permits the most unconstrained agglomeration process that can occur where granules in any size class (up to a maximum size) can be formed at any point in time. This gives the fastest and largest increase in the variance and entropy of the resulting granule size distribution. The second kernel is a mechanistic kernel including a granule growth-limiting mechanism, in this case implemented by the consideration that not all collisions result in coalescence. This markedly changes the evolution of the variance and entropy of the distribution and reduces both significantly. Quantifying the entropy of the distribution provides another perspective on the change in the size distribution in an agglomeration process. It is shown that entropy can provide a better measure of size evolution than variance in that it represents the changing shape of the distribution more closely. Full article

Increasing production of poultry litter, and its associated problems, stimulates the need for generating useful energy in an environmentally friendly and efficient energy system, such as the use of shell-and-tube heat exchangers (STHE) in a fluidized-bed combustion (FBC) system. A holistic approach which involves the integration of the First Law of Thermodynamics (FLT) and Second Law of Thermodynamics (SLT) is required for conducting effective assessment of an energy system. In this study, the STHE designed by the CAESECT research group, which was integrated into the lab-scale FBC, was investigated to determine the maximum available work performed by the system and account for the exergy loss due to irreversibility. The effects of varying operating parameters and configuration of the space heaters connected to the STHE for space heating purposes were investigated in order to improve the thermal efficiency of the poultry litter-to-energy conversion process. Exergy and energy analysis performed on the STHE using flue gas and water media showed higher efficiency (75–92%) obtained via energy analysis, but much lower efficiency (12–25%) was obtained when the ambient conditions were factored into the exergy analysis, thus indicating huge exergy loss to the surroundings. From the obtained experimental data coupled with the simulation on parallel arrangement of air heaters, it was observed that exergy loss increased with increasing flue gas flow rate from 46.8–57.6 kg/h and with increasing ambient temperature from 8.8 °C to 25 °C. To lower the cost of STHE during final design, a larger temperature difference between the hot and cold flue gas is needed throughout the exchanger, which further increases the exergetic loss while maintaining an energy balance. In addition, this study also found the optimal conditions to reduce exergy loss and improve energy efficiency of the designed STHE. This study shows the possibility to evaluate energy systems using integration of exergy and energy analysis. Full article

Green extraction techniques are more and more relevant due to major sustainable goals set by the United Nations. Greener extraction processes are being designed through the use of unconventional extraction techniques and green solvents, resulting in less hazardous processes which, consequently, reduces environmental impacts. This is also in line with the main principles of green chemistry. Additionally, greener extraction techniques intend to solve different drawbacks that are often related to conventional extraction techniques such as the high environmental impact. Biorefineries are a major player in developing greener extraction processes. These facilities take full advantage of several biomass sources, such as food waste, microalgae, and lignocellulosic biomass, in order to create high-value products, energy, alternative fuels, and bioactive compounds. Herein, a state-of-the-art review is presented, focused on presenting the greenest and least hazardous extraction processes that have been reported on the main biomass sources of a biorefinery—food waste, microalgae, and lignocellulosic biomass. Bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, bioactive pigments, and fatty acids are important in several sectors, mainly, the health, pharmaceutical, and agro-food sectors. Moreover, the bioactive compounds obtained through the aforementioned biomass sources and the different extraction procedures used will be presented and the authors will attempt to discuss, compare, and provide information about the most effective extraction techniques for each compound. Therewith, this review article should serve as a guide for industries, academics, and biorefineries in the future development of optimized and greener extraction procedures. Such analysis is lacking and could be very helpful for future research biorefinery projects since it tackles all of the major biomass sources of a biorefinery in a review article. To the best of our knowledge, this brings a novelty to the scientific community. Full article

The molecular transport of a series of industrial solvent mixtures into O-rings of Viton fluoropolymers was studied. Sorption, diffusion, and permeation of the individual liquids toluene, cyclohexane, and methanol, and their binary and ternary mixtures, were evaluated from the solvent uptake using a gravimetric method. From the sorption results, the diffusion coefficients were calculated using Fick’s equation. A numerical method was employed to calculate the liquid concentration profiles in cylinder-shaped polymers. The desorption mechanism was also evaluated. The composition dependence of sorption, diffusion, and permeation was assessed, and the results were analysed in terms of potential interactions between polymer and penetrant molecules. Observed sorption of methanol and methanol mixtures by the polymer was very high, in some cases higher than for pure liquids. In general, the amount of methanol present in the mixture determined its diffusion coefficient. Methanol showed the smallest solubility coefficient within the polymer, but due to its high mobility and permeability, it was shown to be the liquid that flows faster through Viton fluoropolymers. Flows of toluene and cyclohexane are still considerable, notwithstanding that this fluoropolymer is usually indicated as hydrocarbon resistant. This is an important fact to keep in mind when choosing sealings for applications with a mix of solvent media. Full article

Filter cake compaction is a common method for mechanical deliquoring of compressible filter cakes. In addition to the conventional squeezing compaction method, applying oscillatory shear to filter cakes at low pressure is an alternative compaction process in cake filtration. While basic differences in terms of compaction success have already been identified for various materials, a systematic analysis of the influence of material properties on compaction behavior under oscillatory shear is missing. The present work addresses the influence of particle size distribution and increasing particle agglomeration on the compaction success of oscillatory shear to further clarify the process knowledge and applicability. The compressibility achieved by this technique was investigated for calcium carbonate materials with various particle size distributions. The results show that the compaction potential increases from 17.3% for the coarsest material ($x_{50,3}$ = 23.5 μm) to 26.6% for the finest material ($x_{50,3}$ = 2.3 μm) with decreasing mean particle size. The more widely distributed material exhibits a higher compaction potential of 21.7% compared to 18.4% for the narrowly distributed material. Increasing particle agglomeration to improve the slurry filterability does not affect the achievable compaction states of the material by vibration compaction at sufficiently high energy input. Full article

A compost program was developed on-farm, utilizing tree trimming biomass from a commercial pecan farm comprised of 14-year-old improved cultivar Western Schley pecan (Carya illinoinensis) tree stands. The direct soil application of shredded pecan tree biomass (P) and dairy manure (M) served as a standard on-farm practice. Three composts were produced using P and M with varying levels of other inputs and processing. The PM compost contained only P and M and its production included only weekly turning and watering. The other two composts included P, M, unfinished compost, and clay inputs, and either additional landscaping residues (A) (designated PM/A compost) or “green chop” (on-farm grown legumes, G) (designated PMG/A compost); production of PM/A and PMG/A composts included additional processing steps intended to improve compost quality per the recommendations of a compost consulting company. Soil samples were taken at three depths (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, 30–61 cm) in November 2017 from the 1.3 ha study plot of trees. The standard practice and compost treatments were applied at approximately 18 t/ha in January 2018 and 2019 at a 15 cm depth. Soils were re-sampled at the end of the two-year study. Composts and soils were analyzed for: pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity, and total carbon, organic matter, magnesium, calcium, sodium, nitrate-N, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), available phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, iron, and copper contents. Pecan tree leaf nutrient content, stem water potential, and leaf greenness were also measured one and two years after soil amendment application. While increases in several soil properties were observed with the treatments, only available phosphorus content was significantly different between pre and post at all depths. Electrical conductivity, TKN, Fe, Cu, SAR, and Na content showed significant differences in the upper soil layers. No differences in leaf properties were observed. This suggests that there are minimal differences in the outcomes for compost application compared to in-situ biomass application; additional compost inputs and processing did not provide additional short-term soil or plant benefits for pecan tree production. More work is needed to determine if there are long-term benefits to soil quality, plant health and performance, or carbon sequestration that impact the economic and environmental decision-making processes for composting and application of local organic wastes. Full article

The present study was conducted in order to investigate the parameters influencing the extraction of condensed tannins from branches of Prunus spinosa L. as a source of biomass, using a two-level factorial design. The extraction of condensed tannins was performed using microwave assisted-extraction (MAE)—a green technique to produce concentrated and pure extracts. Experimental tests were run to establish the effects of independent variables on the extraction of condensed tannins (expressed as catechin and epicatechin), which were quantified using high-performance thin-layer chromatography–densitometry. Four process variables were evaluated: ethanolic solvent concentration (% v/v) (30, 70), liquid-to-solid ratio (mL/g) (6:1, 10:1), extraction time (min) (2, 5) and microwave power (W) (400, 600). The significant influencing parameters were liquid-to-solid ratio and solvent concentration. The maximum content of condensed tannins (3.4 mg g⁻¹ catechin and 3.45 mg g⁻¹ epicatechin) was obtained using 70% v/v ethanol, 10:1 liquid-to-solid ratio, 5 min of extraction time and 600 W microwave power. MAE is beneficial for increasing the amounts of the targeted compounds. Full article

The main purpose of tissue engineering is to fabricate and exploit engineered constructs suitable for the effective replacement of damaged tissues and organs to perfectly integrate with the host’s organism without eliciting any adverse reaction. Ideally, autologous materials represent the best option, but they are often limited due to the low availability of compatible healthy tissues. So far, one therapeutic approach relies on the exploitation of synthetic materials as they exhibit good features in terms of impermeability, deformability, and flexibility, but present chronic risks of infections and inflammations. Alternatively, biological materials, including naturally derived ones and acellular tissue matrices of human or animal origin, can be used to induce cells growth and differentiation, which are needed for tissue regeneration; however, this kind of material lacks satisfactory mechanical resistance and reproducibility, affecting their clinical application. In order to overcome the above-mentioned limitations, hybrid materials, which can be obtained by coupling synthetic polymers and biological materials, have been investigated with the aim to improve biological compatibility and mechanical features. Currently, the interest in these materials is growing, but the ideal ones have not been found yet. The present review aims at exploring some applications of hybrid materials, with particular mention to urological and cardiovascular fields. In the first case, the efforts to find a construct that can guarantee impermeability, mechanical resistance, and patency is herein illustrated; in the second case, the search for impermeability, hemocompatibility and adequate compliance is disclosed. Full article

There is a growing demand for more flexibility in manufacturing to counter the volatility and unpredictability of the markets and provide more individualization for customers. However, the design and implementation of flexibility within manufacturing systems are costly and only economically viable if applicable to actual demand fluctuations. To this end, companies are considering additive manufacturing (AM) to make production more flexible. This paper develops a conceptual model for the impact quantification of AM on volume and mix flexibility within production systems in the early stages of the factory-planning process. Together with the model, an application guideline is presented to help planners with the flexibility quantification and the factory design process. Following the development of the model and guideline, a case study is presented to indicate the potential impact additive technologies can have on manufacturing flexibility Within the case study, various scenarios with different production system configurations and production programs are analyzed, and the impact of the additive technologies on volume and mix flexibility is calculated. This work will allow factory planners to determine the potential impacts of AM on manufacturing flexibility in an early planning stage and design their production systems accordingly. Full article

Research on cannabis oil has evolved to encompass the pharmaceutical industry for the therapeutic potential of the active compounds for pathologies such as Alzheimer, auto-immune disorders, and cancer. These debilitating diseases are best treated with cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (∆^9-THC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN), which relieve neuropathic pain and stimulate the immune system. We extracted cannabinoids from plants with supercritical CO₂ and produced an extract with a total yield close to 26%. The three-level Box–Behnken experimental design considered four factors: Temperature, pressure, CO₂ flow rate, and processing time, with predetermined parameters at low, medium, and high levels. The mathematical model was evaluated by regression analysis. The yield of ∆^9-THC and CBG reached a maximum after 2 h and 15 g/min of CO₂, 235 bar, 55 °C (64.3 g THC/100 g of raw material and 4.6 g CBG/100 g of raw material). After another 2 h of extraction time, the yield of CBN reached 2.4 g/100 g. The regression analysis identified pressure and time as the only significant factors for total yield while pressure was the only significant factor for ∆^9-THC and CBG. Time, temperature, pressure, and flow rate were all significant factors for CBN. Full article

The integration of spray drying and agglomeration offers significant advantages, such us continuous production with lower energy consumption. However, it is a knife-edge process with a narrow operating window and limited degrees of freedom that decide between successful agglomeration and fluidized bed blockage due to excessive moisture. In this contribution, factors influencing the spray-through agglomeration process of skim milk powder as a model system were investigated via a design of experiments. Three in-line monitoring methods were applied and tested to observe the most important parameters in the agglomeration process—the product moisture and particle size distribution. Regarding the moisture content, a capacitive moisture sensor was calibrated with linear regression and a near-infrared sensor with partial least squares regression. Near-infrared spectroscopy was found to be the suitable method for determining the moisture content, while the capacitive moisture sensor mainly provides information on the bulk density, filling level, or fluidization state in the fluidized bed. Additionally, particle size distribution data were extracted from the spectral data using in-line data from a spatial filter velocimetry probe in the fluidized bed. This opens the potential to monitor both parameters in real time with a single non-invasive sensor. Full article

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become a widely used tool for predicting hazardous scenarios. The present study aimed to assess CFD prediction applied to LPG containers under heating. Thus, two cylinders, each filled with propane or butane, were experimentally exposed to fire, and the pressure increment was recorded. The results were compared with those provided by a CFD method (Ansys Fluent). The limitations of the method are discussed, and a trend in the error increment and its relation to the reduced temperature increment are presented. The results obtained show that the computational method had a good agreement, with a relative error of 19% at a reduced temperature equal to 2. Furthermore, the method had a better fit with heavier alkanes, as the butane was less influenced by temperature overestimation compared with propane. Full article

The viscosity of a liquid is the property that measures the liquid’s internal resistance to flow. Monitoring viscosity is a vital component of quality control in several industrial fields, including chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and energy-related industries. In many industries, the most commonly used instrument for measuring viscosity is capillary viscometers, but their cost and complexity pose challenges for these industries where accurate and real-time viscosity information is vital. In this work, we prepared fourteen solutions with different water and PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) ratios, measured their different viscosity values, and produced videos of their droplets. We extracted the images of the fully developed droplets from the videos and we used the images to train a convolutional neural network model to estimate the viscosity values of the water–PVP solutions. The proposed model was able to accurately estimate the viscosity values of samples of unseen chemical formulations with the same composition with a low MSE score of 0.0243 and R2 score of 0.9576. The proposed method has potential applications in scenarios where real-time monitoring of liquid viscosity is required. Full article

Ship-to-shore connection is an important technological element that reduces air pollution in ports. Therefore, ports install facilities that allow mooring ships to connect to the port distribution network. By 2025, this will be mandatory for all ports in Europe. This can be a challenging task in most ports due to the different frequency of the network and ship frequency. This problem can be solved by the use of grid-forming static frequency converters. This solution also brings some other advantages: The ship is not threatened by high shore short-circuit currents, and the port distribution network is not affected by the character of the ship load. However, frequency converter software must include a droop control algorithm to ensure that voltage deviations do not exceed the allowed limits during transients. Typical frequency converters used for shore connection are those developed as static frequency converters (SFCs). However, those converters were not developed for large power outputs, which are needed to power large vessels, such as ferries or cruise ships. This paper proposes motor drives that were modified to operate as SFCs. This approach has quite a lot of advantages which are described in this article. This paper describes both a standard shore connection system without a frequency converter and a solution that includes static frequency converters. The paper then focusses on voltage deviation estimations during connection/disconnection of large load (ferry or cruise ship) to static frequency converters. In this work, a high-voltage shore connection (HVSC) simulation model is developed, including a frequency converter, a shoreside transformer, medium-voltage (MV) connection cables, and a power system of the ship, to analyze in detail the behavior of the system in the case of connection or disconnection of the ship load. The model was made in DIgSILENT PowerFactory for the case of a commercial port in southern France. The model gives credible estimations of voltage drops/surges during transient and steady states. Full article

The impact of adding a modified Ludzack–Ettinger (MLE) configuration with Nitrate Recycle (NRCY) on continuous-flow aerobic granulation has yet to be explored. The potential negative effects of MLE on sludge densification include that: (1) bioflocs brought by NRCY could compete with granules in feast zones; and (2) carbon addition to anoxic zones could increase the system organic loading rates and lead to higher feast-to-famine ratios. Two pilot-scale plug flow reactor (PFR) systems fed with real domestic wastewater were set up onsite to test these hypotheses. The results showed that MLE configuration with NRCY could hinder the sludge granulation, but the hindrance could be alleviated by the NRCY location change which to some extent also compensates for the negative effect of higher feast-to-famine ratios due to carbon addition in MLE. This NRCY location change can be advantageous to drive sludge densification without a radical washout of the sludge inventory, and had no effects on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrogen removal efficiencies. The PFR pilot design for the MLE process with a modified NRCY location tested in this study could be developed as an alternative to hydrocyclones for full-scale, greenfield, continuous sludge densification applications. Full article

Successfully replacing meat with plant-based options will require not only replicating the texture of muscular fibres, but also imitating the taste, aroma, and juiciness of meat as closely and realistically as possible. This study examines the impact of rapeseed oil on the textural properties of meat analogues. Pea protein and soy protein are chosen as model systems to assess the effect of rapeseed oil. Optical, mechanical, and rheological characterisation tests are conducted to investigate the oil droplet distribution, the gel strength, Young’s modulus, and the length of the LVE region. The hypothesis is that oil droplets will act as active fillers in the protein matrix, and thus, diminish the strength of the protein gel network. The results of this study show that rapeseed oil droplets act as inactive fillers, as they are not bound to both examined protein matrices. Soy protein extrudates display minimal changes, while pea protein extrudates are significantly affected by the addition of oil. For example, oil addition decreased the G′ in the LVE region of pea protein meat analogues by 50%, while soy protein samples showed no significant changes. Despite the similar interfacial activities of the investigated proteins, the decreased encapsulation efficiency of pea protein was confirmed by the higher amount of extracted oil from the respective extrudates. Full article

The new energy context since 2021 has led to dramatic increases in the energy bills of agribusinesses, affecting the price of foodstuffs. A considerable part of energy consumption is due to the heating of water at high temperatures. The present study analyzed the feasibility of using a Solar Water Heating System (SWHS) with an evacuated tube collector. In particular, the required sizing changes, potential savings and cost-effectiveness were analyzed. The results show that the new energy context makes the SWHS investment highly attractive: a payback of less than 4 years in most of the scenarios analyzed; energy savings of more than 60% in the scenarios with higher irradiation; a reduction in total energy expenditure of more than 50% in the favorable scenarios close to the current reality. The new context especially favors cold and temperate climates, with very sharp drops in payback compared to the previous situation. To achieve these values, it is necessary to design an optimized sizing of the SWHS, reducing the risk of future variations in the price of energy. The results of the study should serve as a reference for decision making in the agroindustrial sector to reduce the energy bill and strategic dependence on fossil fuels from third countries. Full article