Search Results (34)

Hydrodynamic cavitation is one of the most promising technologies for sustainable process intensification in the food, nutraceutical, and environmental sectors, due to its ability to generate highly localized and intense implosions. Venturi-type devices, known for their simplicity and efficiency, are widely used for non-thermal extraction, microbial inactivation, and cellular disruption. However, the effectiveness of cavitation critically depends on internal geometry—particularly the perimeter-to-area ratio (P/A), which influences both pressure gradient distribution and the density of nucleation sites. In this context, an innovative configuration based on the Reuleaux triangle is proposed, allowing for a significant increase in the P/A ratio compared to conventional circular-section devices. This theoretical study extends the Navier–Stokes and Rayleigh–Plesset models to describe bubble dynamics and assess the influence of geometric and rotational variants (VRAt) on the localization and intensity of cavitation collapse. The results suggest that optimized internal geometries can reduce treatment times, increase selectivity, and improve the overall energy efficiency of cavitation processes, offering strong potential for advanced and sustainable industrial applications. This work is entirely theoretical and is intended to support the future design and experimental validation of next-generation cavitating devices. Full article

Ultrasound technology has emerged as a transformative tool in modern food science, offering non-destructive, real-time assessment and enhancement of food quality attributes. This review systematically explores the fundamental mechanisms by which ultrasound interacts with food matrices, including mechanical effects such as acoustic cavitation, localized shear forces, and microstreaming, as well as thermal and acoustic attenuation phenomena. Applications of ultrasound in food texture evaluation are discussed across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on its role in assessing moisture distribution, fat content, structural integrity, and microstructural alterations in meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. The versatility of ultrasound—spanning low-intensity quality assessments to high-intensity processing interventions—makes it an invaluable technology for both quality control and product innovation. Moreover, emerging innovations such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, non-thermal pasteurization, and real-time quality monitoring are highlighted, demonstrating the synergy between ultrasound and advanced technologies like AI-driven data interpretation and portable, handheld sensing devices. Despite these advances, challenges related to technical limitations in heterogeneous food systems, high initial investment costs, scalability, and the absence of standardized protocols remain critical barriers to widespread adoption. The future directions emphasize the integration of ultrasound with multi-modal approaches, the development of miniaturized and cost-effective equipment, and the establishment of global regulatory standards to facilitate its broader application. Overall, ultrasound is positioned as a key enabler for sustainable, efficient, and non-invasive quality assurance across the global food industry. Full article

Soft lithography with microfabricated molds is a widely used manufacturing method. Recent advancements in 3D printing technologies have enabled microscale feature resolution, providing a promising alternative for mold fabrication. It is well established that the curing of PDMS is influenced by parameters such as temperature, time, and curing agent ratio. This study was conducted to address inconsistencies in PDMS curing observed when using different 3D-printed mold materials during the development of a Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) system, which is typically employed for investigating the effect of hydrodynamic cavitation on blood clot disintegration. To evaluate the impact of mold material on PDMS curing behavior, PDMS was cast into molds made from polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), resin, and aluminum, and cured at controlled temperatures (55, 65, and 75 °C) for various durations (2, 6, and 12 h). Curing performance was assessed using Soxhlet extraction, Young’s modulus calculations derived from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and complementary characterization methods. The results indicate that the mold material significantly affects PDMS curing kinetics due to differences in thermal conductivity and surface interactions. Notably, at 65 °C, PDMS cured in aluminum molds had a higher Young’s modulus (~1.84 MPa) compared to PLA (~1.23 MPa) and PET (~1.17 MPa), demonstrating that the mold material can be leveraged to tailor the mechanical properties. These effects were especially pronounced at lower curing temperatures, where PLA and PET molds offered better control over PDMS elasticity, making them suitable for applications requiring flexible LoC devices. Based on these findings, 3D-printed PLA molds show strong potential for PDMS-based microdevice fabrication. Full article

This paper presents the results of experiments conducted on the flotation separation of cyclone dust particles. The flotation process was conducted using a laboratory flotation apparatus comprising three chambers. Experimental tests supported theoretical results of the theoretical reasoning and justification for the choice of parameters that the flotation process should have in order to extract particles of such small sizes. Furthermore, this work elucidates the concept of “nanobubbles” and substantiates their viability for use in the flotation of nanoparticles, given that bubbles of such a magnitude are firmly affixed to the hydrophobic surface of particles. Bubbles of a larger size than nanoparticles will float both hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles. The effective flotation of cyclone dust from the gas cleaning of silicon and ferroalloy production provided two materials as a result. The experiments yielded insights into the rational technological parameters of the flotation mode for obtaining new products. These insights were gleaned from the preliminary conditioning (conditioning time from 0.5 to 1.5 h) of wet cyclone dust (dry dust weight of 4 kg) with liquid glass (1.4 g per 1 dm³ of pulp) in a cavitation unit at a pH value of 8.5. The flotation process was conducted in a three-chamber flotation apparatus with a volume of 0.02 m³ for a duration of 90 min, utilizing a pneumohydraulic aerator with air suction from the atmosphere. In this instance, the pulp was conveyed via a pump at a pressure of 0.4 MPa from the initial cleansing chamber into the aerator. During the flotation process, kerosene (1 mg per 1 dm³ of pulp) and pine oil (2 mg per 1 dm³ of pulp) were added as additives. The resulting products were silicon dioxide (95%) and carbon nanoparticles (94%). Full article

The indiscriminate use of synthetic surfactants, despite their desirable properties, poses significant environmental risks to ecosystems. This study explores saponins extracted from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) residues as a sustainable alternative. Saponin extract (SE) with 42% purity, obtained through hydrodynamic cavitation and membrane technology, was analyzed to determine its techno-functional properties. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was 1.2 g/L, reducing the surface tension (ST) from 72.0 mN/m to 50.0 mN/m. The effects of temperature (30–90 °C), pH (2–12), and salinity (10,000–150,000 ppm NaCl) on ST and the emulsification index (EI) were assessed using a Box–Behnken design. Optimized conditions yielded an ST of 49.02 mN/m and an EI of 63%. Given these characteristics, SE was evaluated as a detergent across diverse swatches. This study showcases the attributes of quinoa-derived saponins, highlighting their potential for eco-friendly detergent applications. Full article

The recovery of valuable nutritional compounds, like proteins, from waste streams and by-products is a key strategy for enhancing production sustainability and opening up new market potential. This research aimed to use high-intensity ultrasound as an innovative technique to extract the soluble proteins from the pumpkin leaves. The impact of various sonication amplitudes and duration periods on protein yield, functional properties, antioxidant qualities, and structural characteristics, were studied. Utilization of ultrasound technology significantly increased the yield of pumpkin leaf protein by up to 40%—six times higher than maceration. The ultrasound extraction provided a RuBisCO-rich protein fraction with high radical scavenging and chelating activities, especially at 40% amplitude. Cavitation modified the tertiary and secondary structures of leaf proteins: the amount of α-helix changed based on amplitude (12.3–37.7%), the amount of random coil increased to 20.4%, and the amount of β-turn reduced from 31 to 18.6%. The alteration of the protein fluorescence spectrum (blue shift in spectrum) provides further evidence that ultrasound alters the proteins’ molecular structure in comparation with maceration; the maximum tryptophan fluorescence intensity decreased from 22.000 to 17.096. The hydrophobicity values of 76.8–101.5 were substantially higher than the maceration value of 53.4, indicating that ultrasound improved the hydrophobicity of protein surfaces. Ultrasound resulted in a significant increase in solubility in an acidic environment with the increase in sonication amplitude. A 2.4-fold increase in solubility at pH 2 becomes apparent (20% amplitude; 43.1%) versus maceration (18.2%). The emulsifying ability decreases from 6.62 to 5.13 m²/g once the sonication amplitude increases by 20–70%. By combining the ultrasound periods and amplitudes, it is possible to create high-value protein leaf extracts with improved properties which can find real application as food additives and dietary supplements. Full article

Coal seam cavitation is one of the most effective techniques for gas disaster control in low-permeability coal. Due to the difference in cavitation method and process, the damage degree and fracture development range of the coal body around the cavern are greatly different, and the effect of increasing the permeability of the coal body is further changed. In order to further understand the permeability enhancement mechanism of cavitation technology on low-permeability coal and effectively guide engineering applications, this paper conducted experimental research on the unloading damage and permeability evolution characteristics of coal under different cavitation paths using a coal-rock “adsorption-percolation-mechanics” coupling test system. Through the analysis of coal strength and deformation characteristics, coal damage characteristics, and the evolution law of coal permeability combined with the macroscopic damage characteristics of coal, the strength degradation mechanism of unloaded coal and the mechanism of increased permeability and flow were revealed. The results show that unloading can significantly reduce the strength of coal, and the greater the unloading rate, the more obvious the reduction. The essence of this is that unloading reduces the cohesion and internal friction angle of coal—damage and breakage are the most effective ways to improve the permeability of the coal body. Unloading damaged coal bodies not only significantly improves the permeability of the coal body but also improves the diffusion ability of gas, and finally, shows a remarkable strengthening effect of gas extraction. Full article

Coalbed methane (CBM), recognized as a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source, plays a crucial role in mitigating global climate change and advancing low-carbon energy solutions. However, the prevalence of low-permeability coal seams poses a significant challenge to effective CBM extraction. Improving coal permeability has emerged as a viable strategy to address the issue of low-permeability coal. Conventional CBM stimulation methods fall short in overcoming this obstacle. In contrast, the enhanced technique of CBM extraction by water-based ultrasonic cavitation holds great promise due to its use of high energy intensity, safety, and efficiency. Nevertheless, the inadequate theoretical framework for managing this technology impedes its widespread adoption for large-scale applications. This study investigated the impact of water-based ultrasonic cavitation treatment on coal’s properties and permeability through mechanical testing and permeability measurements conducted before and after treatment. This study also explored the process by which this technology, known as WUC-ECBM, improves coal’s mechanical properties and permeability. The findings suggest a potential stimulation technique (WUC-ECBM) for use in CBM extraction, and its physical mechanism. Full article

This study investigates sustainable extraction protocols for the recovery of bioactive compounds from by-products of various pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars, including Acco, Hicaz, Jolly Red, Parfianka, Valenciana, and Wonderful, generated during the industrial processing of the fruits. Advanced extraction technologies, including ultrasounds, microwaves, and hydrodynamic cavitation, have been compared to conventional extraction procedures and utilized to enhance extraction efficiency while also minimizing environmental impact. Water-based extraction methods have been utilized to promote the development of sustainable and eco-friendly processes. The comparison between conventional extractions and ultrasound-assisted extractions (UAEs) and microwave-assisted extractions (MAEs) demonstrated notable improvements in extraction yields, particularly for ellagitannins (punicalins, punicalagins, and ellagic acid) and total polyphenols, with increases ranging from about 45 to 200%. However, the increases directly comparing UAEs to MAEs ranged from about 4 to 6%. This indicates that while both UAEs and MAEs offer notable improvements over conventional extractions, the differences in extraction efficiency between the two advanced methods were relatively modest. These advancements were observed across various pomegranate cultivars, highlighting the versatility and effectiveness of these methods. Notably, hydrodynamic cavitation-based extractions (HC) emerged as particularly promising, consistently yielding the highest levels of bioactive compounds (ellagitannins and total polyphenols), especially when operated at higher frequencies. Compared to conventional extractions, HC exhibited substantial increases in extraction yields for Wonderful pomegranate by-products, surpassing the efficiency of both UAEs and MAEs (approximately 45 and 57% for UAE and MAE, respectively, versus about 80% for HC). Among these advanced techniques, HC has emerged as particularly promising, yielding the most favorable results and leading to significant improvements in the yield of bioactive compounds. When directly compared to UAEs and MAEs, HC increased extraction yields by over 20%. Furthermore, HC allowed for shorter extraction times. The Wonderful cultivar consistently exhibited the highest levels of ellagitannins and the highest total polyphenol content among all types of extraction procedures used, whether conventional or advanced. This highlights the great potential of the Wonderful cultivar in terms of bioactive compound extraction and underscores its significance in research and applications related to pomegranate processing and utilization. This study suggests that the implementation of these advanced technologies into extraction processes represents a significant advancement in the field, offering a promising avenue for the development of efficient and environmentally friendly extraction methods for obtaining valuable bioactive compounds from pomegranate processing by-products. Full article

Ultrasounds are considered an emerging technology in the wine industry. Concretely, in 2019, the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) officially approved their use for the treatment of crushed grapes to increase the level of phenolic compound extraction. The main objective of this study was to validate an untargeted metabolomics approach as an analytical tool for identifying novel markers associated with sonication. To do so, the influence of a sonication treatment on the metabolic profile was studied in four typically commercial varietal wines, i.e., two red wines from ‘Syrah’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapes and two white wines from ‘Macabeo’ and ‘Airén’ grapes. A robust classification and prediction model was created employing supervised techniques such as partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The findings indicated that the grapes subjected to high-power ultrasound conditions experienced cell wall disruption due to the cavitation phenomenon, resulting in significant changes in various phenolic compounds (including hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids) present in these wines compared to wines from non-sonicated grapes. Additionally, new metabolites were tentatively identified through untargeted metabolomics techniques. This study represents the successful application of the untargeted metabolomics approach employing a UHPLC-QTOF system to discern how grape sonication affects bioactive secondary metabolites in wines. Full article

In this paper, a cavitation bubble in the centrifugal pump cavitation phenomenon was observed in the analysis and research to explore the characteristics of a cavitation bubble in a centrifugal pump. Through the construction of a visualization centrifugal pump test platform and the observation of a high-speed camera, an image processing method was used to extract the characteristics of the cavitation bubble in the captured results, and the characteristics of the cavitation bubble in the centrifugal pump were analyzed and studied in a quantitative way. The results show that the shapes of the cavitation bubbles in a centrifugal pump can be simplified approximately into an ellipsoid shape, more than 75% of the bubbles have a length–diameter ratio between 1 and 2, and the distribution is relatively uniform. Different working conditions affect the size of the cavitation bubble but have little effect on the shape. The average size of the cavitation bubble under different working conditions was calculated by data fitting. This method, which combines high-speed imaging technology and image processing technology, is capable of observing the behavioral characteristics of cavitation bubbles in centrifugal pump cavitation flow both in detail and intuitively. The new method is provided to describe quantitatively the shapes and sizes of bubbles. It is of great significance in understanding the movement characteristics and manifestations of bubbles during a centrifugal pump’s operation and in the further study of the micro mechanisms of the negative effects of cavitation on equipment performance. Full article

Yellow field peas (Pisum sativum L.) hold significant value for producers, researchers, and ingredient manufacturers due to their wealthy composition of protein, starch, and micronutrients. The protein quality in peas is influenced by both intrinsic factors like amino acid composition and spatial conformations and extrinsic factors including growth and processing conditions. The existing literature substantiates that the structural modulation and optimization of functional, organoleptic, and nutritional attributes of pea proteins can be obtained through a combination of chemical, physical, and enzymatic approaches, resulting in superior protein ingredients. This review underscores recent methodologies in pea protein extraction aimed at enhancing yield and functionality for diverse food systems and also delineates existing research gaps related to mitigating off-flavor issues in pea proteins. A comprehensive examination of conventional dry and wet methods is provided, in conjunction with environmentally friendly approaches like ultrafiltration and enzyme-assisted techniques. Additionally, the innovative application of hydrodynamic cavitation technology in protein extraction is explored, focusing on its prospective role in flavor amelioration. This overview offers a nuanced understanding of the advancements in pea protein extraction methods, catering to the interests of varied stakeholders in the field. Full article

The dynamic characteristics of the complex relationship among the sealing system, excitation, and response have a considerable impact on the operational reliability of hydrodynamic mechanical seals, which is a critical issue in the field of sealing theory and technology. Scholars at home and abroad have established dynamic models and calculated the displacement responses of dynamic and static rings in the time domain based on the force on these rings so that the response results can be used for system stability analysis. Neither are the excitation characteristics of cavitation load extracted, nor are the distance response and system leakage rate of the dynamic and static rings analyzed under coupled cavitation and random excitation. In this study, under different operating conditions of the hydrodynamic mechanical seal system, the liquid film evaporation load and seismic load are applied to study the frequency domain response of the distance between the dynamic and static rings and the system leakage rate. The following conclusions have been obtained: Assuming that the chamber pressure is 0.5 MPa and the spring specific pressure is 0.055 MPa, during stable operation, the distance between the moving and stationary rings at 1500 rpm~3000 rpm speeds is 1.12 μm~3.05 μm. For a specific spring pressure of 0.055 MPa, medium pressures of 0.2 MPa~1.0 MPa, and spindle speeds of 1500 rpm~3000 rpm, the excitation force is 30 N, and the frequency is 30 Hz, And the seismic load is assumed to be sinusoidal, the excitation force is 6 N, the fundamental frequency is 120 Hz, and the system leak rate is in 0.1 mL/min~1.3 mL/min. Under multi-frequency excitation coupling, the distance between the dynamic and static rings will decrease as the pressure of the medium in the sealing cavity increases, and this will increase with the increase in the rotating speed. The leakage rate of the system will increase with the increase in the rotating speed and the pressure of the medium, and the test value is largely consistent with the theoretical value. Full article

The recovery of valuable bioactive compounds from the main underutilised by-products of the food industry is one of the greatest challenges to be addressed in circular economy. Potato peels are the largest waste generated during potato processing. However, they could be a potential source of valuable bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, that can be reused as natural antioxidants. Currently, environmentally benign enabling technologies and new types of non-toxic organic solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds may dramatically improve the sustainability of these processes. This paper focuses on the potential inherent in the valorisation of violet potato peels (VPPs) by recovering antioxidants using natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) under ultrasound (US)- and microwave (MW)-assisted extraction. Both the enabling technologies provided performances that were superior to those of conventional extractions in terms of antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH· (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. In particular, the most promising approach using NaDES is proven to be the acoustic cavitation with a Trolox eq. of 1874.0 mmol_TE/g_Extr (40 °C, 500 W, 30 min), vs. the 510.1 mmol_TE/g_Extr of hydroalcoholic extraction (80 °C, 4 h). The shelf-life of both hydroalcoholic and NaDES-VPPs extracts have been assessed over a period of 24 months, and found that NaDES granted a 5.6-fold shelf-life extension. Finally, the antiproliferative activity of both hydroalcoholic and NaDES-VPPs extracts was evaluated in vitro using the MTS assay on human tumour Caco-2 cells and normal human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). In particular, NaDES-VPPs extracts exhibited a significantly more pronounced antiproliferative activity compared to the ethanolic extracts without a noteworthy difference between effects on the two cell lines. Full article

In this article, typomorphic associations of microelements in carbonaceous caustobioliths and oils are defined as indicators of naphthogenesis based on the analytical survey of the literature and our own research. Various approaches to the studying of crude oil genesis from the position of abiotic and complex approaches (polygenesis) are considered. Such approaches are relevant to the prospect and development of offshore oil deposits, localized at ultra-deep levels. For deep deposits, the most prominent hypothesis of oil origin is the abiogenious theory. In the foundation of that approach lays the assumption that hydrocarbons are formed mainly due to reactions of the formed mantle gases and the host rock. Key factors for these reactions to proceed are specific conditions concerning temperature, pressure, and specific catalysts. The article presents the results of thermodynamic and quantum-chemical modeling of the possibility of the organic and organometallic compound formation using the software package HSC Chemistry 6.0. Pointed out the possibility of a low molecular weight hydrocarbon formation due to the contact of ascending flows of mantle gases with cooling natural barriers. The primary synthesis proceeds with the interaction of fluid forms of H₂, CO_2, and H₂S. The estimation of the bonding energy depending on the structure of organometallic compounds was performed using the Avogadro software package. The program used the method of bond potential energy minimization to find the most stable structure of molecules. The metals nickel and vanadium, as the main companion metals of oil, are of the most interest from the position of analysis of their form of existence in the possible formation of hydrocarbons. Vanadium’s and nickel’s accumulation in asphaltene fractions of oils, probably, is caused by complex compounds of metalloporphyrin’s formation. In addition, the high sulfur content is probably associated with polymerization of organic molecules due to the formation of di-sulphide bonds. The method of cavitation extraction of organometallic compounds from oil and complex mineral–oil raw materials has been developed for experimental confirmation of microelements the extraction capability from oil raw materials. Full article