Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology Research Articles

Phosphorus Fraction in Hydrochar from Co-Hydrothermal Carbonization of Swine Manure and Rice Straw: An Optimization Analysis Based on Response Surface Methodology

Livestock manure and crop residues are significant sources of phosphorus. However, the ineffectiveness of current processing technologies often leads to the suboptimal recovery of this phosphorus, causing considerable resource wastage and environmental pollution. Recently, global research has increasingly been focused on the resource recovery of organic waste materials using hydrothermal carbonization technology. This study investigated variations in phosphorus forms in the hydrochar produced from swine manure and rice straw, employing diverse hydrothermal carbonization conditions and applying the Box–Behnken response surface methodology and Hedley’s phosphorus fractionation method. The results indicated that inorganic phosphorus predominates in the hydrochar, with organic phosphorus comprising 5–30% of the total phosphorus. Furthermore, the study found that the available phosphorus content, as measured by NaHCO3 extraction, decreased as the reaction time and temperature of the hydrothermal carbonization process increased. The concentrations of H2O-P and NaHCO3-P fractions decreased with increasing reaction times and temperatures but increased with a higher swine manure-to-straw ratio. Conversely, the concentrations of NaOH-P and HCl-P fractions showed an increasing trend with rising reaction temperature, prolonging reaction time, andusing a high swine manure-to-straw ratio. Consequently, this study offers vital theoretical and practical insights into the resource utilization of livestock manure and crop straw, significantly contributing to the challenges of waste management and environmental sustainability in agriculture.

3D-printed β-TCP/Ti6Al4V composite scaffolds for bone regeneration: Process parameter optimization and evaluation

A β-TCP/Ti6Al4V composite scaffold with interconnected macro porous architecture was fabricated using Direct Ink Writing (DIW). Pluronic F-127 and de-ionized water was used as binder and solvent for ink preparation. The present work was carried out to study the rheological behavior of the composite bioceramic ink and to investigate DIW process parameters such as Ti6Al4V proportion, infill percentage and extrusion pressure. The Box-Behnken response surface methodology, ANOVA, sensitivity, desirability approach are used for the experimental, statistical and numerical optimization of the parameters suitable for DIW. The output responses such as dimensional error of the fabricated scaffold from the original dimensions and compressive strength are considered for multi-objective optimization. The result defined that the optimal values are solid loading 55 %v/v (40 %v/v of β-TCP, 15 %v/v of Ti6Al4V) and 45 %v/v of Pluronic gel, 98 % infill rate and 6.36 bar pressure. The dimensional error and compressive strength of the scaffold printed at the optimized conditions are found as 1.88 % and 19 MPa with macro and micro pores suitable for bone regeneration with satisfactory biocompatibility assed via MTT assay.

Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers and Optimization Using the Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology Tool.

This article introduces an eco-friendly method for the reclamation of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP). The research project involved numerous experiments using microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) to explore a range of factors, such as the inert gas flow, the power level, the On/Off frequency of rotation, and the reaction duration. To design the experiments, the three-level Box-Behnken optimization tool was employed. To determine the individual and combined effects of the input parameters on the thermal decomposition of the resin, the data were analyzed using least-squares variance adjustment. The results demonstrate that the models developed in this study were successful in predicting the direct parameters of influence in the microwave-assisted decomposition of CFRPs. An optimal set of operating conditions was found to be the maximum nitrogen flow (2.9 L/min) and the maximum operating experimental power (914 W). In addition, it was observed that the reactor vessel's On/Off rotation frequency and that increasing the reaction time beyond 6 min had no significant influence on the resin elimination percentage when compared to the two other parameters, i.e., power and carrier gas flow rate. Consequently, the above-mentioned conditions resulted in a maximum resin elimination percentage of 79.6%. Following successful MAP, various post-pyrolysis treatments were employed. These included mechanical abrasion using quartz sand, chemical dissolution, thermal oxidative treatment using a microwave (MW) applicator and thermal oxidative treatment in a conventional furnace. Among these post-treatment techniques, thermal oxidation and chemical dissolution were found to be the most efficient methods, eliminating 100% of the carbon black content on the surface of the recovered carbon fibers. Finally, SEM evaluations and XPS analysis were conducted to compare the surface morphology and elementary constitution of the recovered carbon fibers with virgin carbon fibers.

[formula omitted] -catalyzed trans-esterification of brassica carinata seed oil for biodiesel production

Brassica carinata seed is a non-edible oil containing crop grown for oil-based product development like biodiesel synthesis. However, recently technical challenges such as availability of feedstock, type of catalyst, cost, and quality of biodiesel hindered the feasibility and utilization of biodiesel. Thus, this study addressed those problems under the production of fatty acid methyl ester through trans-esterification reaction in the presence of heterogeneous catalyst (CaO), and methanol alcohol from Ethiopian brassica carinata seed oil. The synergetic and antagonistic effects of selected parameters (temperature, methanol to oil molar ratio, and amount of catalyst) on the yield of FAME were analyzed. Box-Behnken response surface methodology statistical analysis was applied to examine the parametric interaction effect, and optimization of reaction conditions. Accordingly, 90 % of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield was achieved at the optimum value of 65 °C temperature, 14.85: 1 methanol to oil molar ratio, and 13.77 % catalyst load. The fuel properties of the resulted biodiesel were determined following standard procedures, and the results were within the standard limits (ASTM D6751). This implies that brassica carinata oil over heterogeneous catalyzed reaction medium under optimum reaction conditions provides higher biodiesel yield.

Optimization of operating conditions for lampante olive oil deacidification by short path molecular distillation: Waste valorization approach

Short path molecular distillation (SPMD) is an advanced distillation eco-friendly technique performed under high vacuum with vast applications in food processing, including vegetable oils physical refining. In this research, lampante olive oil, as a low-grade byproduct of olive oil producing companies, with high free fatty acids (FFA) content of 10.11 (wt % as oleic acid) was deacidified using SPMD. Optimization of SPMD was carried out using Box-Behnken response surface methodology (RSM-BB). Three important operating factors including evaporation temperature (150–200 °C), feed flow rate (0.50–3.00 mL/min), and feed temperature (50–100 °C) were selected to evaluate the SPMD process. At the best separation conditions of 195 °C, 0.5 mL/min, and 50 °C, the FFA content, deacidification efficiency (DE) and polar compounds (PC) were determined as 1.42 wt %, 85.95 % and 8.2 wt % respectively. Furthermore, SPMD efficiency was compared to some conventional methods including fractional distillation (FD), steam stripping distillation (SSD) and alkali neutralization (AN). In addition, the impact of FFA content on SPMD process was examined. It was concluded that SPMD could effectively and sustainably deacidify lampante olive oil to a reasonable extent and could facilitate the physical refining as a valorization process.

Comment on Altaf et al. Non-Thermal Plasma Reduction of Ag+ Ions into Silver Nanoparticles in Open Atmosphere under Statistically Optimized Conditions for Biological and Photocatalytic Applications. Materials 2022, 15, 3826.

Altaf et al. recently published in Materials, 2022; 15(11), 3826, about the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the non-thermal plasma reduction of AgNO3 salt and performed statistical optimization for the reaction conditions, i.e., (A) the concentration of a stabilizing agent, mM (B) concentration of AgNO3 salt, mM and (C) the reaction time, mins. We would like to point out that their writing on the statistical analysis (Box-Behnken response surface methodology for predicting the size of the nanoparticles) is not complete and, therefore, cannot be independently checked by the readers. The problems found in their report are as follows: the hard-to-find actual value of the uncoded units; a dubious claim about the middle levels of variable B (salt concentration); inconsistency in using coded vs. uncoded units in the table vs. the regression equation; and three center points with identical conditions give a dissimilar prediction of results. These serious issues need to be clarified and revised, as well as several writing errors, in order to uphold the standard of scientific publications.

Optimization of the Process for Obtaining Antioxidant Protein Hydrolysates from Pumpkin Seed Oil Cake Using Response Surface Methodology

Pumpkin seed cake, a byproduct of cold-pressed oil production, represents a food waste material with a great potential for valorization. The objective of the present study is to optimize the papain enzymatic hydrolysis process of pumpkin seed cold-pressed oil cake (CPC) to obtain protein hydrolysates with the highest antioxidant activity. Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the simultaneous effects of an enzyme concentration of papain, a temperature, and a reaction time on the process of enzymatic hydrolysis on pumpkin seed cold-pressed oil cake (CPC). For these three input factors, different values are used—1, 2, and 3% for papain concentration, 20, 30, and 40 °C for temperature, and 60, 120, and 180 min for hydrolysis time. Thus, the design generated a total of 21 experimental runs. The aim is to obtain protein hydrolysates with the highest antioxidant activity. The responses DPPH and ABTS were calculated and the determined regression models were statistically analyzed and validated. The results revealed that optimal conditions included a papain concentration of 1.0%, a temperature of 40 °C, and a hydrolysis time of 60 min to retrieve the highest level of bioactive compounds.

Valorisation of Napier grass through fibre extraction and coloration by natural dye from Rubia tinctorum

AbstractAgricultural biomass is a well‐known renewable resource with a strong possibility of recycling. The current work focuses on extracting, preparing and colouring Napier grass fibre (NGF) with a colourant extracted from Rubia tinctorum (RT) (which is generally known as madder). NGF that had been water‐retted was alkaline scoured and bleached using hydrogen peroxide to increase the material's whiteness index and water absorption capacity without degrading its breaking strength. After being mordanted with tannic acid, the bleached NGF was coloured with an aqueous extract of the colourant extracted from RT. The Box–Behnken response surface methodology design model was employed to optimise the dyeing concentration, temperature and time. The dyed fibre showed good colour strength (K/S) and adequate wash, rub and light fastness. Adopting the findings from the current study would increase the efficient utilisation of biomass for use in textiles, which is unnecessarily wasted.

Optimization of the green extraction process of antioxidants derived from grape pomace

The wine industry generates a large amount of waste, such as grape pomace, which contains compounds of interest. In this study, the ecological technologies of ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were investigated to recover compounds of interest from the grape by-product. A fractional factorial design was used to explore the best extraction conditions and Box-Behnken response surface (MSR) methodology was performed for optimization using water as solvent. The best extraction conditions (time: 15 min, temperature: 65 °C, and amplitude: 70 %) resulted in the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity by the ABTS and DPPH assay. These two green technologies, ultrasound and microwaves and water as the solvent, applying a statistical optimization model allowed to improve extraction yield sustainably to find the best extraction conditions. The compounds extracted have the potential to be used in the food industry.

Optimizing Ultrasonic Extraction and Purification of Nuciferine With Response Surface Method

Background Lotus leaves are obtained from plants belonging to the genus Nelumbo in the Nymphaeaceae family. They serve both as agricultural produce and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Nuciferine, an amorphine alkaloid found in lotus leaves, holds significance due to its anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, and hypoglycemic properties. Objective The factors influencing nuciferine extraction from lotus leaves using the dipping-acid-assisted ultrasonic extraction method (DAUEM) have received limited attention. This study aims to optimize DAUEM conditions (ethanol concentration, solvent-to-material ratio, and ultrasonic extraction time) through a Box-Behnken response surface design. Methods Nuciferine purification from lotus leaves is achieved using D101 macroporous adsorptive resin. A single-factor test, with ethanol concentration ( V/V), solvent-to-material ratio ( V/M), and ultrasonic extraction time as variables, serves as a basis for optimizing the nuciferine extraction process via the response surface methodology. Results The highest nuciferine yield (0.1035 ± 0.005)% was obtained using 74% ethanol ( V/V), a 26:1 solvent-to-material ratio, and an 82min extraction time. Nuciferine purity reached 67.14% using 70% ethanol as the eluent and high-performance liquid chromatography for determination. DAUEM effectively extracts nuciferine from lotus leaves, with optimization achieved using Box-Behnken response surface methodology. D101 macroporous adsorption resin efficiently separates and purifies nuciferine in lotus leaves. Conclusion This experiment demonstrates good precision and accuracy, making it suitable for the extraction, separation, and purification of nuciferine in lotus leaves. The method lays the foundation for the development and utilization of nuciferine.

Cleaning Process of Diosgenin from Dioscorea nipponica

This investigation employed HPLC and LC-MS techniques to elucidate the enzymolysis and acid hydrolysis mechanisms of diosgenin obtained through a cleaning process. The findings revealed that the enzymolysis led to the cleavage and subsequent recombination of the glycosidic bond at the C-26 position of protodioscin, resulting in the formation of dioscin present in the enzymatic hydrolysis filter residue. Leveraging this observation, a streamlined and eco-friendly method for diosgenin extraction was devised. Incorporating the Box-Behnken response surface methodology alongside wastewater assessment, the optimal parameters for the cleaning process were established: a sulfuric acid concentration of 3 mol · L−1, a solid–liquid ratio of 1:10, an acid hydrolysis temperature of 100 °C, and an acid hydrolysis duration of 3 h. Under these parameters, the yield and purity of diosgenin were 31.07±0.56% and 72.30±0.24% respectively. When benchmarked against the direct acid hydrolysis approach, there was an increase of 133.08% in diosgenin yield, 44.08% enhancement in diosgenin purity, 50% reduction in wastewater generation and acid utilization, and an 83.57% decrease in wastewater’s chemical oxygen demand (COD). This optimized cleaning process is viable for large-scale production and offers a sustainable method for diosgenin production.

Synergistic enhancement of coal slurry water sedimentation and dehydration process using PDMDAAC/PAM

Currently, most coal processing plants use a single pharmaceutical system with large dosage and poor sedimentation effect, resulting in poor subsequent dehydration effect. In this study, poly dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (PDMDAAC) as coagulant, and polyacrylamide (PAM) as flocculant, were used for synergistic enhancement of the coal slurry water sedimentation and dehydration process. The best pharmaceutical system was determined by integrating the evaluation indexes in the sedimentation and dehydration process. The mechanism of synergistic enhancement of coal slurry water sedimentation and dehydration process using PDMDAAC/PAM was revealed by analyzing zeta potential, SEM, XPS and FTIR spectroscopy results. Moreover, the Box–Behnken response surface methodology was used to determine the order of significance of coagulant dosage (Cc), flocculant dosage (Cm), and coal slurry water concentration (Cs) on the combined sedimentation and dehydration indexes, and Cm > Cs > Cc. Further, the correlation models between the combined sedimentation and dehydration indexes and each factor were established, the pharmaceutical system was further optimized, and model accuracy was verified. The optimal dosage of PDMDAAC10040 was 2.96 mg/L, and that of PAM2610 was 2.31 mg/L. Then, the industrial trials were conducted at the Tara Trench coal processing plant. Interestingly, after replacing the chemical regime, the efficiency of the thickener and filter press has been significantly improved, resulting in a 33.33% reduction in cost. This research can provide significant theoretical guidance and technical support for industrial applications.

Exploring tensile properties of bio composites reinforced date palm fibers using experimental and Modelling Approaches

The objective of this study was to assess the tensile strength of epoxy bio-composites reinforced with palm fibers, both untreated and treated with sodium carbonate NaHCO3 at a concentration of 10 % (w/v) for 24 and 96 h, with varying weight percentages of fibers (15 %, 20 %, 25 %, and 30 %). To predict the mechanical performance of the composites, two methods were employed: artificial neural network (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM). A Box-Behnken RSM design was used to conduct experiments and establish a mathematical model of the bio-composite behavior as a function of the fiber percentage in the samples, specimen cross-section, and treatment time. The ANN forecasts showed consistent expected values for the bio-composite sample behavior, with a correlation coefficient (R2) greater than 0.98 for Young's modulus and 0.97 for stress. Similarly, the correlation coefficients obtained by RSM for the mechanical properties were also highly satisfactory, with an R2 of 0.89 for Young's modulus and 0.87 for stress. Finally, the errors generated by each method (Box-Behnken and ANN) were compared to the experimental results.

Combustion Characterization of Cooking Stove Based on Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology

Combustion Characterization of Cooking Stove Based on Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology

NiFe2O4/GO Nanocomposite as an Effective Adsorbent for Modelling Removal of Rifaximin from Pharmaceutical Wastewater Using Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology

NiFe2O4/GO Nanocomposite as an Effective Adsorbent for Modelling Removal of Rifaximin from Pharmaceutical Wastewater Using Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology

Optimization of the Green Fibre Paper Film Preparation Process Based on Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology

To improve the utilization rate of flax straw and the clean treatment of livestock manure, an experimental study was conducted on the process and performance of making fibre paper films by mixing cow dung and flax straw fibre. Cow dung and flax straw were used as the main raw materials, and functional additives were not added. The whole technological process of the pretreatment, the beating process, the determination of the beating degree, the basis weight of the paper, papermaking, drying, sample cutting, and the determination and analysis of the related mechanical properties of the film-making materials were studied. In this study, the Box–Behnken experimental design principle in the response surface methodology was adopted, and the effect of each factor on the tensile strength and tear strength of fibre paper film made of mixed fibres was determined using the combined experimental design comprising four factors and three levels centres. The results showed that the optimum technological parameters were as follows: the beating degree of the cow dung fibre was 37 °SR, the beating degree of the flax straw fibre was 85 °SR, the paper basis weight was 80 g/m2, and the addition of flax straw fibre was 65%. At a drying temperature of 80 °C and a drying time of 8 min, under the conditions of the hybrid fibre paper film placed in the laboratory environment (humidity of 30%~40%, temperature of 18 °C) for 24 h, the measured tensile strength was about 8.26 MPa, and the tear strength was about 19.91 N/mm. This study provides a reference that can be used for the further study of fibre paper film.

Experimental investigation of design parameters on geometrical accuracy of selective laser sintered parts

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is becoming a popular choice for the fabrication of polymer parts of medium batch sizes. Understanding the effect of various factors influencing the geometrical accuracy of parts fabricated with selective laser sintering is key to ensuring consistent quality. This study attempts to evaluate the effects of different design parameters on a part-to-part variation in the geometrical accuracy of fabricated parts within the same build. A three-level Box-Behnken response surface methodology was adopted with the part orientation, part thickness, build position, and feature size as factors to investigate the impact on geometrical accuracy. A specimen comprising various through holes of different thicknesses was fabricated using SLS. The part-to-part variation in dimensional accuracy and circularity was inspected with a video measuring system to evaluate the effect of factors. The part orientation, part thickness, and build position impart a stronger influence on dimensional accuracy while the circularity was highly affected by the part orientation of the specimen. Further, the geometrical accuracy of the fabricated features was optimized separately with different sets of factors and validated experimentally.

Magnetic biochar derived from Juglans regia for the adsorption of Cu2+ and Ni2+: Characterization, modelling, optimization, and cost analysis

Objectives: Indian agricultural wastes such as Juglans regia shells get attention frequently because they can be used as adsorbents. This study aimed to prepare magnetically modified iron oxide immobilized biochar adsorbent using Juglans regia shells and investigate its adsorption capacity for Cu2+ and Ni2+ removal from synthetic wastewater contaminated with metals. Methods: As part of the investigation of the properties of the prepared material and its role in the adsorption process, it was characterized with FTIR, FESEM, EDX, XRD, BET, and VSM techniques. A batch adsorption method was examined by varying pH (2–12), adsorbate concentration (10–100 mg/L), contact time (5–240 min), and temperature (288–308 K). Results: A pH of 6 and an initial concentration of 50 mg/L, as well as equilibrium times of 120 and 150 min, resulted in 98.30 % copper removal and 98.10 % nickel removal, respectively. It was found that both Cu2+ and Ni2+ adsorption was governed by Langmuir's isotherm and obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In terms of thermodynamic parameters, it appears that the adsorption of Cu2+ and Ni2+ took place in an endothermic and physical manner. The thermodynamic study determined that the activation energy (KJ/Mol) for Cu was 117.27 and for nickel was 100.24. Using Box-Behnken response surface methodology, the experiments were statistically optimized. Based on the cost estimation study, the prepared adsorbent can be used in metal-contaminated water at a cost-effective rate. Conclusion: Therefore, the prepared magnetic biochar will be useful for the adsorptive removal of Cu2+ and Ni2+ from electroplating wastewater.

Retracted: Optimization of Flash Extraction of Akebia trifoliata Seed Oil by the Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology and Comparison of Oil Yields from Different Origins

Retracted: Optimization of Flash Extraction of Akebia trifoliata Seed Oil by the Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology and Comparison of Oil Yields from Different Origins

Correlation between composition and adhesion properties of a zinc oxide-filled, acrylate pressure sensitive adhesive: An experimental design approach

A Box-Behnken response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted to provide a systematic insight on the adhesion properties of an acrylate-based, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) filled with nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) particles as a function of its composition. In addition to the nano-filler morphologies (needle- or plate-like) and their content (0–10 per hundred resin, phr), concentrations of triethyl citrate (TEC, 30–50 phr) plasticizer and oxalic acid (OX, 0.5–1.5 phr) crosslinking agent were also changed with respect to the base polymer. Tack and peel strength properties were measured as adhesive performance characteristics. According to the results, ZnO content and its morphology played no significant role (P < 0.05) in adhesion performance of the compositions made. In contrast, the more plasticizer was used, the more peel strength and tack properties were achieved. OX showed an inverse effect on the tack and peel strength properties at a less statistically significant level. A removable PSA was achieved adopting the RSM methodology to develop formulations, which resulted in a removable and repositionable PSA. To understand these effects, molecular structures of the adhesive ingredients and their interactions were thoroughly discussed.