Search Results (1,753)

This study determined the influence of experimental factors such as current density, surface-to-volume ratio (S/V), and contact time on the removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and energy consumption during electrocoagulation, aiming to optimize the efficiency of a coaxial electrocoagulator for the co-treatment of municipal wastewater and acid mine drainage. After identifying the optimal volumetric ratio between both types of effluents, a Box–Behnken design and response-surface methodology were employed to identify the conditions that maximize COD removal while minimizing energy consumption. Under optimal conditions (current density of 2.42 A·m⁻², S/V = 300 m²·m⁻³, 60 min), a COD removal of 91.13% was achieved with a specific energy of =2.59 kWh·kgCOD⁻¹. The statistical model for COD removal demonstrated a good fit (R² = 0.87), though its predictive power was limited (predicted R² = 0.53). In contrast, the model for energy consumption exhibited an outstanding fit (R² = 0.99) and high predictive consistency (predicted R² = 0.98), confirming the decisive influence of current density on energy demand. Additionally, the S/V ratio emerged as the most impactful factor in COD removal variability. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of balancing removal efficiency with the economic feasibility of the process, contributing to the design of more sustainable and effective strategies for integrated wastewater treatment. Full article

This research proposes an intelligent modeling and optimization strategy for abrasive waterjet machining (AWJM) of magnesium-based fiber metal laminates (FMLs) reinforced with reduced graphene oxide (r-GO). Experiments were designed using the Box–Behnken method, considering waterjet pressure, stand-off distance, traverse speed, and r-GO content as inputs, while kerf taper (Kt), surface roughness (Ra), and material removal rate (MRR) were evaluated as outputs. Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) models were developed for each response, with their critical optimized hyperparameters such as cluster radius, quash factor, and training data split through the dragonfly optimization (DFO) algorithm. The optimized ANFIS networks yielded a high predictive accuracy, with low RMSE and MAPE values and close agreement between predicted and measured results. Four metaheuristic algorithms including particle swarm optimization (PSO), salp swarm optimization (SSO), whale optimization algorithm (WOA), and the antlion optimizer (ALO) were applied for simultaneous optimization, using a TOPSIS-based single-objective formulation. ALO outperformed the others, identifying 325 MPa waterjet pressure, 2.5 mm stand-off, 800 mm/min traverse speed, and 0.00602 wt% r-GO addition in FMLs as optimal conditions. These settings produced a kerf taper of 2.595°, surface roughness of 8.9897 µm, and material removal rate of 138.13 g/min. The proposed ANFIS-ALO framework demonstrates strong potential for achieving precision and productivity in AWJM of hybrid laminates. Full article

Ulva sp. is a fast-growing, widely distributed marine alga with significant potential across various sectors, yet it remains underutilised. This study optimised pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) to obtain high-value fractions from Ulva biomass. Using a Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology, the effects of sulfuric acid concentration, temperature, and extraction time on yield, reducing sugars, total carbohydrates, and phenolic content were evaluated. Optimal conditions were identified as 110 °C, three 15 min cycles, and 3.6% sulfuric acid. Under these parameters, the extract yielded 46.9 g/100 g dry weight (DW), with 244.0 mg of reducing sugars/g DW, and 15.4 mg GAE/g DW, aligning with model predictions. The hydrolysate supported fermentation by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, resulting in a growth of ~9 log CFU and the production of 3.3 g/L of lactic acid within 48 h. The antioxidant capacity remained stable post-fermentation, with CUPRAC, DPPH, and ABTS values of ~52, 38, and 18 mg TE/g DW, respectively. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of PLE in extracting valuable compounds and the feasibility of microbial fermentation of the extracts. This integrated approach highlights the potential of Ulva biomass and offers a platform for further applications in food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. Full article

Inefficient drying of alfalfa round bales causes significant nutrient loss (up to 50%) and quality degradation due primarily to uneven drying in existing processing methods. To address this challenge requiring dedicated equipment and optimized processes, this study developed a specialized hot-air drying test bench (CGT-1). A coupled heat and mass transfer model was established, and 3D dynamic simulations of temperature, humidity, and wind speed distributions within bales were performed using COMSOL multiphysics to evaluate drying inhomogeneity. Single-factor experiments and multi-factor response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design were employed to investigate the effects of hot air temperature (50–65 °C), wind speed (2–5 m/s), and air duct opening diameter (400–600 mm) on moisture content, drying rate, and energy consumption. Results demonstrated that larger duct diameters (600 mm) and higher wind speeds (5 m/s) significantly enhanced field uniformity. RSM optimization identified optimal parameters: temperature at 65 °C, wind speed of 5 m/s, and duct diameter of 600 mm, achieving a drying time of 119.2 min and a drying rate of 0.62 kg/(kg·min). Validation experiments confirmed the model’s accuracy. These findings provide a solid theoretical foundation and technical support for designing and optimizing alfalfa round-bale drying equipment. Future work should explore segmented drying strategies to enhance energy efficiency. Full article

Due to its high content of lignocellulose, cotton stalk is difficult to degrade naturally and utilize effectively, so it is often regarded as waste. In this study, the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus XH005, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-2, and cellulase enzyme on the cotton stalk substrate under aerobic solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions were investigated, and the metabolites were analyzed to identify potential functional compounds in the cotton-stalk-fermented feed. Preliminary optimization results obtained through single-factor experiments were as follows: fermentation time 14 days, XH005 inoculum size 8.00% (v/m), material-to-water ratio 1:0.50 (v/m), LP-2 inoculum size 2.00% (v/m), and cellulase addition 0.60% (m/m). Based on these single-factor experimental results, XH005 inoculum size, LP-2 inoculum size, material-to-water ratio, and cellulase addition were selected as independent variables. Through response surface methodology (RSM) optimization experiments, 29 experimental groups were designed. Subsequently, based on Box–Behnken analysis of variance (ANOVA) of lignin and cellulose content, along with contour and response surface plots, the optimal aerobic solid-state fermentation parameters were determined as follows: fermentation time 14 days, XH005 inoculum: 7.00% (v/m), material-to-water ratio: 1:0.55 (v/m), LP-2 inoculum: 2.00% (v/m), and cellulase enzyme addition: 0.65% (m/m). Results showed that compared with the control group (CK), the optimized group exhibited a 27.65% increase in lignin degradation rate and a 47.14% increase in cellulose degradation rate. Crude protein (CP) content increased significantly, while crude fiber (CF), detergent fiber and mycotoxin contents decreased significantly. Non-targeted metabolic analysis indicated that adding cellulase and inoculating Pleurotus ostreatus XH005 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-2 in aerobic SSF of cotton straw feed produced functionally active substances such as kaempferol (C343), carvone (C709) and trilobatin (C604). Therefore, this study demonstrates that microbial-enzyme co-action SSF significantly enhances the nutritional composition of cotton stalk hydrolysate. Furthermore, this hydrolysate is suitable for the production of functional compounds, endowing the fermented feed with health-promoting properties and enhancing the utilization of cotton processing byproducts in the feed industry. Full article

The efficient degradation of lignin from agricultural by-products is a critical step in the development of sustainable bioprocessing technologies for waste valorisation. Enzymatic degradation of kraft lignin performed with lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and laccase (Lac) was investigated. A response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was employed in order to optimise key process parameters including enzyme concentration, lignin concentration, pH, incubation temperature, and activator concentration. The surface plots were used to determine the best conditions for each enzyme in order to better degrade kraft lignin. Therefore, LiP needed a stronger acidic environment and moderate temperature, MnP needed an almost neutral pH and moderate temperature, and Lac needed a neutral pH and higher temperature. This work contributes to the development of smart agricultural waste management practices by combining enzymatic treatments with statistical modelling for process optimisation. This study provides a framework for lignin degradation that can be used as a starting point for diverse lignocellulosic by-product fragmentation, thus supporting a circular bioeconomy initiative in accordance with today’s trends. The optimised enzymatic parameters could help enhance efficiency, enable process standardisation across feedstocks, and support economically and environmentally sustainable industrial-scale lignin valorisation in integrated biorefineries. Full article

Due to the complexity of impurity removal from the residual film, there is currently no better impurity removal equipment. To improve the screening performance of the residual film mixture, the vibrating screen was designed. In this paper, the key factors A, B, C, and D were identified through mechanical analysis of the mixture (where they represented the screen aperture diameter, vibration amplitude, vibration frequency, and screen mesh inclination angle, respectively). The soil screen rate (Y₁) and screening loss rate (Y₂) were evaluated. And the optimal ranges for these factors were determined by single-factor experiments. Based on the EDEM, the discrete element model was established to simulate the interaction between residual film and soil. And the motion characteristics of the residual film mixture were analyzed within the screen body through a combination of simulation and bench tests. The vibrating screen’s structural parameters were optimized using Box-Behnken experiments. The most suitable combination of settings was as shown below: A = 6.5 mm, B = 25 mm, C = 3.8 Hz, and D = 4°. Following the optimization of these parameters, the screening performance was optimized. Results of bench tests showed that the soil screening rate was 80.33% and the screening loss rate was 19.31%. This study was expected to offer theoretical and simulation-based methods for optimizing the parameters of residual film-soil vibrating screening devices. Full article

This study investigates the operational performance and optimization of a real greywater treatment system utilizing aluminum (Al)-based electrocoagulation (EC). The EC process was systematically evaluated and optimized through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using the Box–Behnken Design (BBD), focusing on three critical parameters: pH, current density, and electrolysis time. Greywater samples collected from domestic sources were characterized by key physicochemical parameters including pH, COD, TSS, turbidity-ty, and electrical conductivity. The electrochemical treatment was conducted using a batch reactor equipped with Al electrodes in a monopolar configuration. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize both the electrodes and the generated sludge. Results revealed a maximum COD removal efficiency of 86.34% under optimized conditions, with current density being the most influential factor, followed by its significant interaction with pH. The developed quadratic model exhibited high predictive accuracy (R² = 0.96) and revealed significant nonlinear and interaction effects among the parameters. Sludge characterization confirmed the presence of amorphous aluminum hydroxide and oxyhydroxide phases, indicating effective coagulant generation and pollutant capture. The treated greywater met physicochemical criteria for non-potable reuse, such as agricultural irrigation, supporting resource recovery objectives. These findings demonstrate that EC is a low-waste, chemically efficient, and scalable process for decentralized wastewater treatment, aligning with the goals of sustainable chemical engineering. Full article

This study pioneered an intelligent process optimization framework integrating dimensionality reduction and Box–Behnken Design response surface methodology (RSM) with MATLAB R2021b(v9.11) analytics, to advance the development of functional foods from red vinasse-blue round scad. The comprehensive nutraceutical stability assessment for key functional lipids during 4 °C storage were established by systematically evaluating microwave, boiling, and foil-baking processing. The results of intelligent processing optimization showed that the optimal parameters (red vinasse addition: 2.8 g/g; processing temperature: 4 °C; processing time: 10 h) maximized the composite quality score Y (50% texture + 50% sensory), validated by MATLAB R2021b(v9.11) to achieve near-theoretical maxima. The results of functional lipid stability showed that total fat decreased significantly (p < 0.05), with foil-baking showing the highest loss. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis revealed critical degradation of nutraceutical lipids (C20:5n-3, C22:6n-3) and an increase in saturated fats (p < 0.05), where boiling induced the most severe fatty acid alterations. Microwave processing accelerated lipid oxidation (highest TBARS, p < 0.05), compromising lipid bioactivity. The framework of red vinasse biosynthesis technology enabled precise parameter optimization, and enhanced functional component retention in underutilized fish species. This work provided a theoretical and technical foundation for intelligent manufacturing of lipid-stable nutraceuticals, positioning red vinasse—a model biosynthesis technology output—as a key ingredient for next-generation functional foods. Full article

Traditional plum wine brewing mostly relies on experience, with problems such as lack of standardized production parameters and easy formation of sediment after fermentation. This study systematically optimized the key production processes. Based on the results of a single-factor experiment, the Box–Behnken design of the response surface method (RSM) was employed to determine the optimal fermentation parameters, which included a fermentation temperature of 31 °C, fermentation duration of 12 days, yeast inoculation rate of 0.86%, initial pH of 3.5, and sugar content of 28.5%. Under these conditions, the alcohol content reached 13.7%vol. On this basis, emphasis was placed on evaluating the effects of various clarification techniques (clarifying agents, heat treatment, membrane filtration, static clarification at different temperatures) on optimized base wine clarity, stability and quality. The results showed that chitosan exhibited excellent overall performance, not only obtaining the highest light transmittance (89.8%) but also the best effect in enhancing the iron stability (88.6%) and oxidative stability (88.9%) of the wine. Additionally, while membrane filtration, heat treatment, and freezing treatment all served to clarify and stabilize the wine, they significantly reduced the polyphenol content, thereby diminishing the wine’s quality. Therefore, the clarification process needs to be selected in practical production by considering the clarification effect and functional ingredient retention in conjunction with the production cost. This study provides key process parameters for the production of high-quality plum wine and theoretical guidance for reductions in sediment formation. Full article

Purpose: This study was designed to develop a nanoparticle-based methotrexate (MTX) and sorafenib (SRF)-loaded transferosome (MTX-SRF-TFS) for effective management of arthritis through the transdermal route. Methods: For the preparation of MTX-SRF-TFS, the thin-film hydration technique was selected and optimized using Box–Behnken Design. The particle size of the nanoparticles was determined using a Malvern Zeta sizer and electron microscopy. An in vivo skin retention and penetration study was also conducted to evaluate the designed delivery system. Furthermore, the therapeutic response of MTX-SRF-TFS was determined using the CFA-induced mouse model. Results: The optimized MTX-SRF-TFS formulation (F4), having an average particle size (PS) of 162.20 ± 2.89 nm and percent entrapment efficiency (%EE) of MTX and SRF of 92.16 ± 4.95 and 81.54 ± 3.23, respectively, was selected for further assessment. Due to the deformable nature of MTX-SRF-TFS, MTX and SRF penetrate more deeply into the cutaneous layers, exhibiting an enhanced transdermal effect, as shown by the results of ex vivo skin permeation and retention studies. Furthermore, in vivo anti-arthritic studies have shown the superior pharmacodynamic response of MTX and SRF when incorporated into transferosomes, as it caused a marked reduction in arthritic score and paw diameter in CFA-induced arthritis in BALB/c mice. Histopathology analysis and X-ray radiography also confirmed the findings that MTX-SRF-TFS has improved anti-arthritic response in contrast to plain MTX-SRF gel. Conclusions: The MTX-SRF-TFS is highly effective in managing CFA-induced arthritis, and the designed delivery system should be further evaluated on pharmacokinetic grounds to progress towards clinical studies. Full article

Aiming at the problems of low operating efficiency and the unclear mechanisms in the bundling process of existing residual film recycling machines, this paper designs a chain network-type residual film bundling device and analyzes the motion characteristics of the film bundling process using high-speed camera technology. A mechanical analysis of the bundling process was conducted, and a test rig for the chain network residual film bundling device was built. The bundling process was studied via a high-speed camera. Field tests were carried out with the density of the film bale as the evaluation indicator and the forward speed of the machine, the rotational speed of the active film-removing roller, and the rotational speed of the film-rolling support roller as influencing factors. A Box–Behnken experimental design was used to optimize the working parameters of the device. The results show that when the machine’s forward speed is 5.8 km/h, the active stripping roller rotates at 170 rpm, the roll support roller operates at 210 rpm, and the film bale density reaches 124.44 kg/m³, with a relative error of only 1.34 kg/m³ compared to the predicted value. This verifies the effectiveness of the device and demonstrates that it can meet the requirements of mechanized residual film recycling. Full article

In this research, the thermal and structural responses of high-performance dielectric strength polymers in the injection molding process for multi-pin electrical connectors were thoroughly studied using Moldflow simulations and optimized via a Box–Behnken experimental design under the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Injection molding analyses were performed on Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), Polyetherimide (PEI), and Polyamide-imide (PAI) polymers using the MS3102A 16S-1P electrical connector model. In the conducted simulations, the melt temperature, injection time, and mold open time were evaluated as three fundamental process parameters through multivariate analysis. The volumetric shrinkage, sink mark depth, residual stress, warpage, and surface temperature homogeneity were considered as the major output qualities. According to the results, the PAI material provided superior thermal stability with an average heat removal capacity of 0.127 kW, whereas the PEI material exhibited the most homogeneous cooling behavior with a surface temperature of 45.5 °C. The minimum warpage was found to be 0.254 mm, whereas the sink mark depth was recorded within the range of 0.018–0.031 mm and the rate of volume shrinkage was between 1.03% and 1.41% in the investigations. The PAI material gave the maximum residual stress of 81.9 MPa in oriented regions of the mold. This study fills a considerable gap in the field by investigating material choice and process parameter adjustments via multivariate analysis, particularly for decision making in the production of high-reliability electrical components. Full article

In this investigation, pinocembrin and galangin were efficiently extracted from the male inflorescence of Populus alba L. × berolinensis K. Koch through an enzymatic pretreatment–ultrasonic-assisted strategy (EP-UAS), and the feasibility of their pilot-scale application was validated. The optimal parameters (ethanol volume fraction, cellulase dosage, incubation temperature, incubation time, pH, liquid‒solid ratio, ultrasonic irradiation power during incubation, duty cycle, ultrasonic irradiation power and time during extraction) affecting pinocembrin and galangin yields were systematically explored. The Box–Behnken design (BBD) results provided optimal parameters for the EP-UAS process. Under the optimal conditions, the actual yields of pinocembrin and galangin were 2158.33 ± 0.13 μg/g and 1257.96 ± 0.06 μg/g, respectively. Stability, recovery and reproducibility were determined under the above optimized conditions to evaluate the proposed EP-UAS method. Moreover, laboratory-scale experimental results revealed that the conditions selected via single-factor and response surface experiments were also applicable to pilot-scale production, facilitating industrialization. Full article

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of extrusion temperature (ET), feed moisture content (FMC), and the proportion of huitlacoche relative to corn starch (HCP/Starch) on the physicochemical, techno-functional, and color properties of an extruded snack, using response surface methodology to optimize processing conditions and product quality. A Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology were used to model and optimize the process. The responses analyzed included residence time (RT), specific mechanical energy (SME), expansion index (EI), bulk density (BD), texture (Tex), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), pH, and color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, h°, and ΔE). Results showed that the huitlacoche proportion significantly affected BD, Tex, WSI, and color, while ET and FMC mainly influenced EI, SME, and other techno-functional traits. Multi-response optimization indicated that 150.4 °C, 15.8 g/100 g FMC, and 10–20 g/100 g HCP/Starch maximized EI (2.27) and minimized BD (0.40 g/cm³), Tex (17.5 N), and SME (347.6 J/g). The overall performance was summarized by global desirability (0.83–0.88), a metric that combines all responses into a single scale (0 = poor; 1 = is the most desired goal). The optimized conditions produced snacks with acceptable hydration capacity, pH, and color, supporting huitlacoche as a viable functional ingredient. These findings demonstrate the potential of this traditional resource for developing sustainable, value-added, and health-oriented extruded foods. Full article