Average Daily Production Research Articles

Experimental study on the performance of pyramid solar still with novel convex and dish absorbers and wick materials

Solar still is a famous technique of the desalination methods, but it suffers from the low productivity. In this paper, novel structured convex absorbers were proposed in a pyramid solar still. The performance of the pyramid solar still (PSS) was experimentally investigated when using a convex cylinder absorber shape (CCPSS) and dish shape of absorber (CDPSS) instead of the flat absorber. The proposed absorber shapes increased the surface areas of exposure and evaporation and reduced the water depth to minimum inside the distiller. Also, the experimentations were conducted when using different heights of convex dish shape (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm) to obtain the optimum convex height of the dish absorber. Besides, the system was experimentally investigated when using two different wick materials of cotton cloth and jute wicks that were put over the convex surface. Furthermore, the performance of CDPSS was tested when painting the absorber by black paint mixed with different nanocomposites of titanium oxide (TiO2) copper oxide (CuO) and silver (Ag). Systems performance based on economic, enviroeconomic, CO2 reduction, and energy point of view was studied. Experimental results revealed that the CDPSS provided better performance than either CCPSS or PSS. Also, the optimum height of dish absorber that obtained the best performance of CDPSS was 15 cm, where at this height (15 cm), the increase in productivity of CDPSS was 54% with jute cloth over that of the PSS. The highest productivity of CDPSS was obtained when using Ag followed by CuO and then TiO2, where the average daily productivity of CDPSS with jute and Ag was 6750 mL/m2.day compared to 3800 mL/m2.day for that of PSS (improvement = 78% and efficiency = 45.7%). Besides, the rate of CO2 mitigation for the CDPSS with Ag, CuO, TiO2 and without nanoparticles was about 13.5, 12.7, 12.5, 10.17 tons/y respectively. Also, the enviroeconomic parameter (Z^') was 147.6, 181.2, 184.1, and 195.1 per year for the (CDPSS), (CDPSS + TiO2), (CDPSS + CuO), and (CDPSS + Ag), respectively for 365 operating days and lifetime 20 years. Finally, the costs of the distilled water of PSS and CDPSS with jute cloth and silver nanoparticles were 0.018 and 0.015 $/L, respectively.

Visualization experiment of multi-stage alternating injection acid fracturing

Permian formation reservoir in the Sichuan Basin has the characteristics of high temperature(153 °C), strong heterogeneity, thin thickness, low porosity and low permeability(0.8 mD). In the early stage, gelling acid fracturing was mainly used to increase gas production, but the effect was not good, and the average daily production of gas wells after fracturing was 20000–30000 m3. The acid fracturing operation of Permian formation reservoir is faced with the problems of fast acid rock reaction speed under high temperature and low conductivity of acid etching fracture under high closing pressure. In view of the above technical problems, we carried out the visual test experiment of alternating injection acid fracturing. The fingering behavior of steering acid, gelling acid, and fracturing fluid is evaluated through experiments, and gelling acid is polymer gels. Through the experiment, it is clear that in order to achieve a good acid fingering phenomenon, the viscosity ratio should be increased to 20:1, the injection displacement is 50–70 ml/min, the controlled injection series are level 4–5, and the proportion of design acid dosage is 0.3. It can be seen from the 3D rock scanning diagram that with the increase of injection stages, the corrosion ability of acid to fractures is significantly enhanced. Multi-stage alternating injection acid fracturing technology has achieved good application effect in Permian formation of Sichuan Basin. The average gas production of the wells is 1.5 times higher than that of the gelling acid fracturing technology.

Penggunaan Maggot (Hermetiaillucens) Dalam Pakan Ayam Ras Petelur

The research aimed to determine the use of Hermetia Illucens maggot in feed on the production of laying hens. 80 laying hens aged 6 months were grouped into 4 treatment groups,5 replicates, each replication consisted of 4 tails. The feed provided consisted of 50% corn+20.47% rice bran+29.52% layer concentrate (P0), 45% corn+27% rice bran+23% layer concentrate+5% maggot (PI), 45% yellow corn +27.73% rice bran+17.27% layer concentrate+10% maggot (PII), 40% corn+34.33% rice bran+10.67% layer concentrate+15% maggot ( PIII).. The data obtained were analyzed by a completely randomized design. The results of the study average daily egg production for each treatment were 61.97% (P0), 73.57% (PI), 64.10% (PII) and 59.65% (PIII). The average egg weight was 55.35g/egg/head (P0), 556.47g/egg/head (PI), 55.75 g/egg/head (PII) and 55.84g/egg/head (PIII). Feed consumption was 110.23 g/head/day (P0), 112.21g/head/day (PI), 111.75g/head/day (PII) and 103.55g/head/day. Feed conversion was 3.45 (P0)., 2.81 (PI), 3.20 (PII) and 3.21 (PIII). Egg protein was 12.17% (P0), 12.98% (P1), 13.83% (PII), 14.53% (PIII). Egg cholesterol was 149.25mg/dl (P0), 153.75mg/dl (P1), 181.25mg/dl (P2) and 175.00mg/dl (P3). Beconcluded that the use of Hermetia Illucens maggot 5%, 10%, 15% in feed has not significant effect (P>0.05). on the egg production, egg weight, consumption and feed conversion and significant effect (P< 0.05) on the protein and colesterol of laying hens.

Risk factors for delayed milk ejection in Holstein dairy cows milked 3 times per day

Delayed milk ejection, manifested most often as bimodal milk flow, occurs when the cisternal milk fraction is removed before the alveolar milk reaches the gland cistern. It is thought to be a consequence of not meeting cows' physiological needs, due to insufficient premilking teat stimulation, inadequate timing of milking unit attachment, or both. It has been associated with decreased milking efficiency, reduced milk yield, and impaired teat and udder health. Traditionally, portable electronic milk meters have been used to assess the presence of delayed milk ejection in dairy cows. By contrast, incremental milk flow rates from on-farm milk meters and their suitability as a measure to assess delayed milk ejection have not been studied by rigorous methods. The objectives were (1) to describe a protocol for identification of cows with chronically delayed milk ejection (CDME) and (2) to investigate risk factors for CDME using incremental milk flow rates obtained from automated on-farm milk meters. In a retrospective case control study, milk flow data from a 4,300-cow dairy with a thrice-daily milking schedule were obtained over a 1-wk period. Incremental milk flow rates (0-15 s, 15-30 s, 30-60 s, and 60-120 s) were used to identify cows with delayed milk ejection. Cases of CDME were defined as presence of delayed milk ejection at all 21 milking observations. Cows that had no delayed milk ejection at any of the same 21 milking observations were included as controls. A total of 171 cases and 393 controls were included in the study based on these criteria. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate associations of the following risk factors with CDME: parity (1, 2, ≥3), stage of lactation (<100, 101-200, >200 DIM), presence of a nonlactating quarter, milk somatic cell count, average daily milk production, and health and management events. Parity and CDME were associated such that compared with cows in their third or greater lactation, the odds (95% confidence intervals, 95% CI) of CDME were 1.27 (0.71-2.25) for cows in their first and 4.77 (2.47-9.22) for animals in their second lactation. The odds of CDME increased with increasing stage of lactation, with an odds ratio of 0.20 (0.11-0.36) for early and 0.28 (0.15-0.52) for mid-lactation animals, respectively, compared with late lactation cows. A 1-kg increase in average daily milk production was associated with decreased odds of CDME [odds ratio (95% CI): 0.89 (0.87-0.92)]. A lameness event during the study period increased the odds of CDME [odds ratio (95% CI): 8.04 (1.20-53.83)], as did a vaccination event 1 wk before the study period [odds ratio (95% CI): 4.07 (0.99-16.71)]. This study confirmed associations between CDME and previously reported risk factors and identified several previously less rigorously investigated health and management events that could be associated with CDME. Incremental milk flow rates from individual cows serve as an automated tool to evaluate milk flow dynamics. This information could be used to improve individual premilking udder preparation to meet the animal's physiological requirements, improve teat and udder health, and enhance parlor efficiency.

Quantification and Management of Household Solid Waste in the Urban District of Bantè

This article aims to identify solid waste management in the urban district of Bantè in order to achieve a more effective and sustainable intervention highlighting a practical environment. Indeed, waste is evacuated all over this district. This practice leads to the proliferation of wild dumps, which pose aesthetic, environmental, and health risks. The method adopted was a cross-sectional one with a descriptive and analytical focus. A total of 236 households were interviewed, and 93 of them were selected according to the average daily waste production per household and per sector for the characterization campaign. The weight of waste to be sorted is defined according to the standard recommended by MEDECOM. Excel software was used for data processing and Arc-View software was used to produce the maps. The results showed that households produce an average of 0.22 kg/inhabitant per day in the urban district of Bantè. The most important categories of their waste are in order of importance: extra-fine, fine, putrescible, and plastics. Pre-collection by voluntary collection is the most suitable means with 92% of households. Heaps of rubbish are erected and proliferate the neighbourhoods. The most exploited disposal sites are empty spaces (58.47%), backwaters (20.23%), and concession yards (17.17%). Recovery is very little developed and is limited to reuse in households and summary recycling in workshops. From these results, the implementation of a waste management policy mainly based on the waste recovery into renewable energy, composting, and biochar would be an asset for the research district

A statistical analysis of nonlinear regression models for different treatments for layers

As the cost of research increases, mathematical models become valuable tools to answer research questions. A major application of mathematical modeling is accurate estimation of production performance, growth, and feed consumption for poultry research and production. There are many ways that a given data set can be analyzed, and different models have been proposed to fit those curves. To explore the models available, data were investigated from a study on the effects of a series of balanced dietary protein levels on egg production and egg quality parameters in lying hens from 18 to 74 wk of age. Forty eight pullets were assigned to each of 3 different protein levels. The results clearly demonstrated that balanced dietary protein level was the limiting factor for body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg weight, and egg production. To test differences of fitted curves, the sum of squared reduction test is used. Using a unique data set with data from individual hens, 6 commonly used models were fitted to hen performance technical data. The resulting statistical inferences from using individual and pooled data were compared. There are only differences in using individual or grouped data in fitting nonlinear models to laying hen response data. For the most important response variables, hen-day egg production, and feed intake, predicted responses are within 0.12 and 0.65%, respectively, throughout the production cycle.

Effect of heat pump on single basin solar stills: an experimental and theoretical study

ABSTRACT In this study, a comparison was made between a simple solar still (SSS) and a simple solar still connected to a heat pump (SSSHP) to study the effect of the heat pump on water productivity and heat transfer rates inside the distillation cell under weather conditions in the region of Ouargla (south of Algeria). The tests were carried out in April 2018 when the radiation on the study day was 950 W/m2. This comparison clarified the behaviour of the physical properties inside the distillation cell. The results showed that the average daily production of the simple solar still was about 2.75 L/m2.d. This quantity has been improved to 9.60 L/m2.d by adding an evaporator with a heat pump to the rear of the distillation cell, where the water productivity estimated is about 2.5 times higher than a conventional simple still and studied how to install a heat pump and operate it.

Effects of spawning group sex ratio and stocking density on the outcome of captive reproduction in golden cuttlefish Sepia esculenta

The supplemental release of hatchery-reared animals is important for maintaining or enhancing fishery resources. The golden cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta, is a commercially important cephalopod utilized in stock enhancement activities throughout East Asia. The long-term success of such activities requires proper breeding regimes to ensure the efficient use of resources and the preservation of genetic diversity in the offspring. For captive-bred cephalopods, information concerning the effects of different mating regimes on the paternity of offspring is scarce. However, it could be of particular importance for polyandric species such as golden cuttlefish. As previous studies have suggested that both the number and mating order of males are related to female fecundity, we investigated the effects of stocking density and sex ratio on female fecundity and determined the paternity of the offspring in golden cuttlefish. We used two experimental approaches. First, four different female (F): male (M) sex ratios (1F:1M, 1F:2.5 M, 1F:3M, 1F:6M) were set up to investigate the effects of operational sex ratio on mating behavior, female fecundity, and hatchling paternity. Next, we investigated female fecundity and hatchling paternity patterns under low and high stocking densities (5 or 10 individuals ∙ m−3), following a standard sex ratio setting that is widely employed in cuttlefish hatcheries (1F:2M). With an increasing proportion of males, the average fecundity of females and the participation rate of males in paternity decreased. With increasing stocking density, the females had lower average daily egg production, and the males had a high variance in reproductive success and decreased participation rate in spawning. The estimated effective number of breeders (Ne) was 19.29 (Ne/N ratio = 0.54) at high-density and 10.17 (Ne/N ratio = 0.57) at low density. To achieve high reproductive performance and assure genetic diversity of golden cuttlefish offspring, our study suggests that equal (1F:1M) or slightly male-biased (1F:2.5 M) sex ratios and a low stocking density may be useful when breeding golden cuttlefish in captivity.

Thermo-economic comparison of single basin and stacked solar still configurations.

Owing to the low productivity per unit area of a single basin solar still, a stacked solar still configuration which has two basins stacked together has gained popularity due to its increased output for the same area. This paper delivers a detailed comparison between single basin and stacked solar still configurations based on thermodynamic and economic analysis. A single slope single basin and double basin solar still of same base area of 0.5 m2 were fabricated and tested at Velammal Engineering College, Chennai, in the month of March 2020. The average daily productivity obtained from the single basin and stacked still configuration are 1.416 L/day and 1.913 L/day, respectively. The thermo-economic analysis gives detailed information about the exergy destruction of each component of the solar still and the overall exergy efficiency of both the configurations. The energy and exergy efficiency of the stacked solar still is higher than the single basin solar still due to lower energy loss in the stacked solar still configuration. In order to optimize the cost of the distilled water, an economic feasibility analysis is carried out, and it is observed that the cost per liter of distilled water produced from a single basin solar still is 29.9% higher than the stacked solar still. The payback period of the stacked solar still is 540days, whereas it is 459days for a single basin solar still. The results from the analysis further justify the thermo economic feasibility of a stacked solar still.

Coalbed Methane Industry Development Framework and Its Limiting Factors in China

The current average daily gas production of single coalbed methane (CBM) wells in China is less than 1,300 m3. The low production rate of CBM wells dramatically limits the sustainable development of the CBM industry in China. To promote CBM industry development, three universal geological factors, i.e., gas sources, channels, and driving force of the low production wells are analyzed, considering the various and complicated geological conditions of CBM reservoirs in China. Additionally, we find that the growth in proven CBM reserves should be greatly promoted as the CBM proven rate is only less than 3% by the end of 2020. The widespread CBM extraction mode based on depressurization via dewatering generates very limited effects in coal seams with notable deformation, high in situ stress, or little water. Therefore, a specific design of CBM development modes is proposed, according to the applicable geological conditions of different CBM development modes. It covers depressurization via dewatering, depressurization via stress release, and coal and CBM comining. Moreover, the regional governments play a key role in the development of the regional CBM industry, and favorable policies should be formulated to promote the multipoint development conditions across China. This study is concluded to provide a recommended development framework involving sustainable CBM production in China and its development processes.

Performance Analysis of a Solar-Powered Multi-Purpose Supply Container

In this article, the performance of a solar-powered multi-purpose supply container used as a service module for first-aid, showering, freezing, refrigeration and water generation purposes in areas of social emergency is analyzed. The average daily energy production of the solar panel is compared to the average daily energy demands of the above-mentioned types of service modules. The comparison refers to five different locations based on the Köppen–Geiger classification of climatic zones with the data for energy demand being taken from another publication. It is shown that in locations up to mid-latitudes, the supply container is not only able to power all types of modules all year round but also to provide up to 15 m3 of desalinated water per day for drinking, domestic use and irrigation purposes. This proves and quantifies the possibility of combining basic supply with efficient transport and self-sufficiency by using suitably equipped shipping containers. Thus, flexible solutions are provided to some of the most challenging problems humans will face in the future, such as natural disasters, water scarcity, starvation and homelessness.

Modeling and optimization of working conditions of pyramid solar still with different nanoparticles using response surface methodology

The present work introduces formulating a mathematical modeling to predict the thermal performance of pyramid solar distiller (PSD) using the technique of response surface methodology (RSM) to be applied in solar distillers under different environmental parameters and nanoparticle types and concentrations. The most influential climatic process parameters considered are solar-intensity, ambient temperature, and wind velocity. The regression models for predicting the performance parameter responses were developed using RSM and a four-factor, five-level central composite architecture. The optimum parameters values obtained from RSM were predicted. The impact of various nanomaterials mixed with the water basin on PSD performance was studied. Three different nanomaterials were used (titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) and copper oxide (Cu 2 O)). The selection of nanomaterials was considered according to their optical, thermophysical, and heat transfer properties. Effects of nanoparticles concentration on daily responses were studied. The ascertained optimal parameters were 19.5% Cu 2 O concentrations, 720 w/m 2 solar-intensity, 38.6 °C ambient temperature, and 0.5 m/s wind speed for achieving the maximum productivity of PSD. Besides, the average daily productivity of Cu 2 O-PSD, Al 2 O 3 -PSD and TiO 2 -PSD at nano-concentration 0.3% was 6150, 5720 and 5300 mL/m 2 .day compared to 3900 mL/m 2 .day for that of conventional PSD. So, the average daily productivity increase of Cu 2 O-PSD, Al 2 O 3 -PSD and TiO 2 -PSD was 57%, 46% and 36% over PSD, respectively. Moreover, the error existed among the actual experimental and RSM coded values for P , T w and T g lies within 5.2%, 4.9%, and 6.5%, respectively. Evidently, this affirms the excellence of reproducibility of the pilot experimental results.

Performance improvement of tubular solar still via tilting glass cylinder, nano-coating, and nano-PCM: experimental approach.

Although the solar distillers are one of the economic solutions for addressing the freshwater shortage problem around the world, these devices suffer from low productivity. In this paper, a simple and inexpensive modification was made in the tubular solar still (TSS) to improve its productivity. The adjustment is to tilt the glass cylinder, something to help the droplets move down and collect them as a distillate. The modified inclined TSS was abbreviated by ITSS. Then, three different inclination angles were investigated (2°, 4°, and 6°), and the performance of ITSS with these inclination angles was compared with that of TSS without inclination angle (0°). Moreover, to obtain additional productivity for ITSS, the basin was painted with a mixture of matte black paint with nanomaterials. Three types of nanomaterials were studied (copper oxide nanoparticles, titanium oxide nanoparticles, and silver nanoparticles). For further improvement in ITSS productivity, Ag nanoparticles mixed with phase change material (PCM) were employed beneath the ITSS base to work as thermal energy storage material. Experimental results revealed that the highest average daily productivity rise for ITSS over TSS was observed when tilting ITSS by 6°, where the daily productivity rise and thermal efficiency reached 24% and 37.6%, respectively. Besides, the average increase in daily distillate of ITSS was 34%, 30%, and 28.5% when using Ag, CuO, and TiO2, respectively, compared to that of TSS. Moreover, ITSS with Ag provided the best thermal efficiency compared to the other operating cases, where it was 39.1%. In addition, ITSS-PCM-Ag showed a daily productivity of 62.5% more than that of TSS and a thermal efficiency of 43.5%.

ANALISIS PRODUKSI LISTRIK DI PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK TENAGA MINIHIDRO (PLTM)

Mini-hydro Power Plant (PLTM) is one of the hydroelectric power plants of choice where PLTM utilizes water energy which has a flow capacity that is not too large. The Padang Guci PLTM with a capacity of 3x2 MW is located in the Air Padang Guci River, under the auspices of PT. Sahung Brantas Energi in collaboration with the Kaur district government to improve electrical energy services to the community. The electrical energy produced by the Padang Guci PLTM is highly dependent on the flow capacity of the Padang Guci river. The data collection process is carried out to retrieve data about voltage, current, time, and electricity production generated by the generator. The electricity produced by the generator can be seen in kWh in the control room. Data on electricity production, current, and voltage on the kWh meter are then inputted into the computer in the operator's room. Every half hour the data is recorded in the table, the daily data table will be entered into excel and will be inputted into the monthly data. Total electricity production during July 2021 is 1,444,252 kWh and the average daily electricity production is 46,588.77 kWh. With the highest daily electricity production, which is 77,644 kWh, the main cause of the increase in electricity production is due to rain which causes flooding in the river flow so that the turbine operates optimally, because the flow rate required is sufficient to power the three turbines to a maximum of 2 MW. Then for the lowest electricity production, which is 5,124 kWh, due to trips and less flow rate.

Experimental study and performance analysis of a mobile autonomous atmospheric water generator designed for arid climatic conditions

To offer an alternative way of supplying potable water to people in desert climatic conditions, a prototype of a mobile autonomous atmospheric water generator was designed, constructed, and experimentally investigated. The dimensions of the prototype are 1 × 1.4 × 1 m. To ensure the efficient water extraction from the atmospheric vapour in the desert climatic conditions, a desiccant wheel was used to provide a water vapour mass transfer from one airflow to another. Cooling the air stream (120 m3/h) below the dew point temperature was realised by a vapour compression cycle. The influence of the climatic conditions (air temperature and humidity ratio) on the water production, energy consumption, and device performance was studied and analysed. The developed prototype can effectively harvest water in arid locations with a water harvesting rate (WHR) from 0.23 kg/h to 1.45 kg/h and a unit performance coefficient (UPC) from 1.00 kWh/kg to 4.65 kWh/kg. Subsequently, a whole year simulation analysis with different control strategies was conducted for the desert climatic conditions of Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Tamanrasset (Algeria). The results of the simulation showed that, in the fully autonomous mode, annual average daily water production rates of 7.9 kg/day and 8.1 kg/day were achieved for the Riyadh and Tamanrasset climatic conditions, respectively, proving it to be an efficient and valuable solution for potable water production in extremely dry and hot regions.

Methane hazard in high-productive coal mine

Extensive underground mining of gas-bearing coal seams is carried out mainly in the Kuznetsk Coal Basin and the Vorkuta deposit of the Pechora Basin, where the coal sea m methane content is from 8 to 2 1.2 m3/t. At the average daily longwall productivity of 4100&ndash;13075 tons, methane emission in the longwalls varies from 18.8 to 113.1 m3/min. The influence of partings and longwall advance velocity in coal seams on the degree of natural degassing of contiguous seams is shown. The use of a package o f gas drainage methods and schemes in contiguous coal seams and in mined-out areas changes the structure of the gas balance in a mine. An increase in the rate of methane release into the mined-out void is associated with the main coal roof subsidence, which causes stress relaxation in contiguous coal seams and also contributes to fracture of strong floor rocks and to liberation of methane accumulated in the voids in the floor rocks. The current assessment procedure of methane hazard category of a mine based on the methane emission rate longwalls with high-performance coal mining equipment fails to meet mining safety by gas criterion. At high longwall outputs, methane content in longwalls decreases and, according to the accepted assessment procedure of methane hazard, puts them on a lower hazard level, which leads to the underestimation of the role of the gas factor in underground mining. It is recommended to classify methane hazard of high-productive coal mines by the absolute methane emission value.

Parameter Optimization of Asynchronous Cyclic Waterflooding for Horizontal-Vertical Well Patterns in Tight Oil Reservoirs.

Tight oil resources in China are mainly exploited by staged-fractured horizontal wells; horizontal wells face the problems of the rapid decline rate and low primary oil recovery. Pilot tests on the asynchronous cyclic waterflooding for the horizontal–vertical well pattern were carried out in recent years and achieved good performance. However, there are few studies on the influencing factors and parameter optimization of asynchronous cyclic waterflooding, which limits its wide application. This work took the tight oil reservoir in Yanchang formation, Fuxian area, Ordos Basin as its object, and the oil recovery mechanisms of asynchronous cyclic waterflooding for the horizontal–vertical well pattern were analyzed first. Then, the operation parameters of asynchronous cyclic waterflooding were optimized by the numerical simulation method. Among them, the injection proportion was optimized by the fuzzy synthetic evaluation method. Finally, the oilfield test was carried out based on the optimized parameters. The results showed that pressure disturbance and streamline deviation are the main oil recovery mechanisms of asynchronous cyclic waterflooding. The asynchronous mode of the diagonal well row is better than other asynchronous modes. For the injection time interval, injection–production ratio, and the injection and shut-in time, the cumulative oil production all show the trend of increasing first and then decreasing with the increase in these parameters. The optimal injection time interval and injection–production ratio are 0.5 T and 1, respectively. The optimal injection and shut-in time can be calculated by empirical formulas. Ultimately, the fuzzy synthetic evaluation model was established to optimize the injection proportion. Field practices showed that the average daily oil production of horizontal wells was increased from 1.7 to 3.0 m3 with the optimized parameters, which further verified the accuracy of the optimized parameters. This research can provide theoretical support for the effective development of tight oil reservoirs.

Effects of broussonetia papyrifera-fermented feed on production performance, egg quality, and caecal microbiota of laying hens during the late laying period

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different proportions of Broussonetia papyrifera (BP)-fermented feed in the diet to replace part of soybean meal on the production performance, egg quality and caecal microbiota of laying hens in the late laying period. In the experiment, 360 Hy-line brown laying hens (67-week-old) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates in each group and 15 chickens in each replicate. The control group was fed with basic diets, and EG1, EG2 and EG3 groups were used in 1.5%, 3% and 4.5% BP-fermented feed to replace corn and soybean meal in the basic diet, respectively. The pre-feeding period was 7 days, and the experiment period was 56 days. In terms of production performance, the average daily egg production in the EG3 decreased significantly compared with that in the control group (p < .05). In terms of caecal microorganisms, the abundance indices of Sobs, Chao, and ACE community distribution in EG2 significantly increased compared with those in the control group (p < .05). At the phylum level, the abundance of WPS-2 in all experimental groups significantly increased (p < .05). The abundance of Actinobacteria in EG1 increased significantly, and that of Campilobacterota and Elusimicrobiota in EG2 significantly increased (p < .05). At the genus level, Olsenella in EG1 increased significantly (p<.05) and UCG-008 in EG3 increased significantly (p < .05) with increasing replacement ratio of BP-fermented feed compared with the control group. The results suggest that based on the production performance, the recommended replacement amount is 3%. Highlights BP-fermented feed can be used as a new protein feed in layers diet at late laying stages. BP-fermented feed had no significant impact on improved egg production performance and egg quality. Replacing part of soybean meal with BP-fermented feed can significantly increase the WPS-2 and Actinobacteria and other phyla, resulting in changes in the intestinal microbes of laying hens.

Study and Field Trials on Dissolvable Frac Plugs for Slightly Deformed Casing Horizontal Well Volume Fracturing.

In view of the need for slightly deformed casing horizontal well fracturing, a new dissolvable frac plug has been designed using mechanical and material methods. The results of simulation analysis, laboratory research, and field test verification show that: (1) the integral half-split inlaid tooth slip and implicit-shaped single sealing element are adopted. Under the same pressure resistance index, the outer diameter and the total length of the frac plug are small, the inner diameter is big, and the pressure resistance downhole passing performance are better. (2) Using dissolvable magnesium-based powder, hydrogenated butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber, fluororubber polyglycolic acid, and the cellulose fiber and coating process, the solubility of the frac plug is observed to be more reliable. (3) Using the structural modular design, the frac plug has outstanding advantages in terms of on-site installation, preventing early seat sealing, self-separation after release, less dissolvable matter, and so on. (4) The finite element simulation and physical simulation experiments show that 121.36 mm ID casing with the frac plug can tolerate deformation in the range of 15 mm, which meets the needs for the casing usage. The temperature increases from 60 to 98 °C, and the maximum sustainable pressure differential decreases from 7.6 to 11.2 h at 70 MPa without any leakage. The frac plug can be completely dissolved within 300 h, and the final size of the residual solid is less than 0.3 mm. (5) In field trials of eight wells, through the minimum set of change inner diameter of 107 mm, the maximum wellhead fracturing pressure is 83.9 MPa in the formation, with the temperature ranging from 36 to 110 °C, and the plug can be completely self-dissolved in 16 days (the shortest time that has been found). After the fracturing operation with this dissolvable frac plug, the average daily oil production is maintained as high as 10.45 t with 22,000 m3 gas production. A new dissolvable frac plug tool solves the problem of continuous fracturing in slightly casing variable wells, restores the full bore of the wellbore after staged fracturing, and realizes the production of oil and gas wells without drilling plug and the smooth implementation of follow-up measures. It has a wider application range, higher efficiency, safety, and economy. It is of great significance for industrialized staged fracturing of unconventional oil and gas horizontal wells and platform wells.

Crude Oil Extraction and Technologically-Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) Pre-Treatment of Petroleum Sludge: A Review

Malaysia is known as one of the major petroleum producers in the Asia-Pacific region. Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) in 2018 stated that the average daily production was over 1.7 million barrels of oil equivalent while the remaining reserves were estimated at more than 5 billion barrels of oil equivalent within more than 400 oilfields. With the growing demand for petroleum-based products, significant contaminated scales and sludge are generated each year from the petroleum industry. During production, the extracted fluids from the oil reservoir tend to carry along the Technologically-Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) of the 238U and 232Th decay chains from the Earth’s crust. TENORM in the petroleum sludge will results in radionuclides’ precipitation with silicates and carbonates, thus lowering the amount of oil extracted. There is a need for further information regarding the elemental composition (metal and nonmetal) and the surface morphology. Such information will guide the choice for useful partitioning of heavy metals between solid and gaseous products and provide a basis for comparing product characteristics with the parent material. Thus, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of petroleum sludge’s physical and chemical properties and its treatment and application. Profound evaluation of the extent of sludge treatment before disposal could be done and can significantly impact refinery and petrochemical industries.