Box-Benkhen Design Research Articles

Optimization of groundnut shell fast pyrolysis for the production and characterization of bio-oil using fabricated fixed bed reactor

Renewable plant materials are regarded as one of the most affirmative option for the production of fuels and chemicals. With the concept of pyrolysis process, there is every possibility to produce alternative sources of energy and fuels from renewable biomass. The study depicts the production, optimization and characterization of bio-oil from pyrolyzed groundnut shell using fabricated reactor. The pyrolysis process was produced with bio-oil response, bio-char response and non condensable gases response as products. The effect of pyrolysis variables were observed by the production of the bio-oil as the response. Sixty runs of pyrolysis experiments were suggested by box Benkhen design indicated optimum pyrolysis condition at particle size of 1.15mm mesh, reaction time of 83 mins and temperature of 650oC. The maximum bio-oil yield was obtained with 33.91% at optimum condition. The bio-oil samples had better performance which met the specifications for the measured properties and compares well with the ASTM standard. Therefore, using groundnut shell for bio-oil production via pyrolysis process can serve as an approach of providing a sustainable alternative source of fuel and friendly environment. Â

Optimal Design of a Filter Media by Tuning the Structure of Needle Punched Nonwoven: Influence of Carding Parameters

This research work investigated the influence of carding parameters on different properties. In this study an attempt has been made to change the fibre orientation by changing the carding parameters such as feeder speed, cylinder speed and doffer speed keeping the same areal density of fabrics. In a combination of three different levels of feeder, cylinder and doffer speeds were also considered for sampling plan to create a three-factors three-levels Box-Benkhen Design for a better explanation of results. The fibre orientation was measured by using both direct (image analysis) and indirect (lindslay’s cutting and combing) method. The properties such as bursting strength, filtration efficiency and pressure drop were evaluated. The properties were analyzed and explained in the light of fibre orientation. It was found that the considered carding parameters influenced the fibre orientation to a great extent and the properties are influenced by the fibre orientation. In the end, an overall optimization has been done to achieve maximum filtration efficiency with minimum pressure drop and moderate busting strength.

Response surface optimization of the photocatalytic degradation of atenolol using immobilized graphene‐TiO2 composite

AbstractPhotocatalytic processes using semiconductors have been widely explored due to their fascinating benefits in environmental remediation. In this study, a four‐factor three‐level Box‐Benkhen design (BBD) was employed to assess the photocatalytic degradation of atenolol (ATL) using immobilized graphene‐TiO2 as a photocatalyst. The four variables that were considered in the BBD model were the photocatalyst concentration (10%‐20%), pH (4‐9), ATL concentration (10‐30 mg/L), and light intensity (60‐260 W/m2). A monolithic‐type swirl‐flow reactor, which allowed the immobilization of the photocatalyst, was employed in a semi‐batch system to study the photocatalytic degradation kinetics of ATL. The optimum conditions where the highest rate constant (0.667 min−1) was observed were graphene‐TiO2 concentration of 10%, pH of 6.5, ATL concentration of 30 mg/L, and light intensity of 160 W/m2. The developed model well predicted the observed values indicated by a high R2 of 0.897. Reaction rate constants obtained herein using graphene‐TiO2 in immobilized form were compared with slurry system and TiO2.

Modeling the Combined Effect of pH, Protein Content, and Mexican Oregano Essential Oil Against Food Spoilage Molds

Hurdle technologies are among the novel food processing techniques for food preservation, where there is a combination of mild antimicrobial factors, which can interact on the inhibition of microbial spoilage. Spices essential oils are widely known as antimicrobial compounds that can have a preservation effect on food, but their effect can be affected by food components. In order to evaluate the effect of pH (4.5-7.0) and protein content (2-8%) on the antifungal effect of Mexican oregano essential oil (150-600 mg/L), a Box-Benkhen design was used to test the effect of the treatments on the radial growth of two food-related fungi, Penicillium expansum (NRRL 2304) and Aspergillus ochraceus (ATCC 22947). Three essential oils were used, these with a different chemical composition. The first chemotype of Lippia berlandieri Schauer, presented a higher proportion of carvacrol (58.23%). The second Lippia berlandieri Schauer essential oil presented a higher concentration of thymol (60.15%). Essential oil from Poliomintha longiflora Gray contained a 43.02% of thymol. Kinetic growth parameters were obtained using the modified Gompertz equation. The maximum mold growth (A) of the molds was affected in a lineal concentration-dependent effect by the three Mexican oregano essential oils and protein concentration. This phenomenon is independent of the chemistry variability in the composition of the three OEO. The higher concentration of protein (8%) was also related to an increase in lag time (λ). These two growth parameters were mainly statistically significant of all treatments evaluated, when considering as intrinsic parameters in food such as pH and protein content. The action of OEO was higher against A. ochraceus, positioning itself as the most sensitive microorganism. The use of predictive modelling can provide valuable information on the interaction of food components to enhance or decrease the antifungal capacity of essential oils.

Modeling the influence of functional additives in beef sausages using a Box-Benkhen design: Effects on quality characteristics

The influence of the probiotic strain “Lactobacillus plantarum TN8” bacterium and dietary fiber, namely barley beta-glucan concentrate (BBC), in raw beef sausage on microbiological, color and textural analyses was studied using a Box- Behnken design. Twenty seven treatments representing different replacement levels for meat and sodium nitrite with the L. plantarum TN8 strain and BBC fiber were studied. Results showed that reformulated sausages contained low levels of nitrite even at 0.1% application and the probiotic strain decreased the microbial load for up to 10 days at 4 °C. The newly formulated sausages affected positively a* and b* values. The optimized conditions (75 g/kg meat; 0.1 g/kg nitrite, 0.25% fiber and 5 × 107 CFU/g of probiotic TN8) in the final product decreased chewiness and elasticity. These parameters were influenced by fiber and nitrite levels including interactions.

A novel transdermal nanoethosomal gel of lercanidipine HCl for treatment of hypertension: optimization using Box-Benkhen design, in vitro and in vivo characterization.

Poor bioavailability of drugs via oral route is the greatest challenge facing drug formulation. To overcome this obstacle, transdermal route was commonly used as an alternative route to improve bioavailability. Lercanidipine HCl (LER) is a vasoselective calcium-channel blocker that has a poor oral bioavailability of 10% due to its hepatic metabolism and low solubility. The main objective of this study was to develop nanoethosomal LER gel for transdermal delivery to increase its skin permeation and promote bioavailability. Nanoethosomes were prepared and optimized using a Box-Behnken design employing ethanol injection method. The design studied the influence of Phospholipon 90G (PL90G), LER, and ethanol concentrations on entrapment efficiency (EE%); vesicle size; % cumulative LER release (CLERR); and cumulative LER permeated per unit area at 24h Q24 (μg/cm2). The pharmacokinetic parameters of the optimized formulation were determined in rats. Nanoethosomes showed a mean vesicle size between 210.87 and 400.57nm and EE% ranging from 49.26 to 97.22%. The developed nanoethosomes enhanced % CLERR and Q24 values compared to drug suspension. The experimental parameters of optimized formulation were very close to those calculated by software. The pharmacokinetics study showed three times statistically significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in LER bioavailability following nanoethosomal LER gel transdermal application compared to that of oral LER suspension. Nanoethosomes can be considered as a promising carrier for LER transdermal delivery, thus will be fruitful therapy in hypertension management. Graphical abstract.

A one-pot process for synthesis of mitomycin analogs catalyzed by laccase/lipase optimized by response surface methodology.

To reach the excellent yield as well as environmental friendliness, an efficient one‐pot process for the synthesis of 2‐methyl‐3‐n‐butylaminoyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone, a mitomycin‐like compound by the domino reaction of 2‐methyl‐1,4‐hydroquinone and butylamine using laccase/lipase as co‐catalysts, has been developed. In this present study, the process proposed here was further improved by optimizing the relevant factors using the response surface methodology based on Box–Benkhen Design. The optimum condition that afforded the highest yield (98%) of 2‐methyl‐3‐n‐butylaminoyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone was obtained as follows: molar ratio of amines to hydroquinones 1.16:1, activity ratio of laccase to lipase 1.14:2, and reaction temperature 38.9°C. The results obtained indicate that this process may be useful as a green alternative method for higher yield production of mitomycin analogs.

Synthesis of special acrylic nanofibers as an appropriate precursor for conductive carbon nanofibers

Electrospinning technique is a significant approach used for producing special acrylic nanofibers (SANFs) through applying electrostatic field. SANFs were electrospun from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) copolymer solutions to be used as a precursor for carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The Box–Benkhen design (BBD) was used to elucidate the effects of the acrylic concentration (wt%), electrospinning voltage (kV), and spinning distance (cm) on the SANFs surface morphology and optimize these parameters. Based on BBD model the optimum SANFs diameter of 292 nm and 14.20% coefficient of variation, were collected at 9.3 wt% PAN concentration, 14 kV applied voltage, and 20 cm spinning distance. The optimized SANFs manufactured under BBD settings were specified by scanning electron microscope (SEM), mechanical tester, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The optimized SANFs was stabilized in air and then carbonized in inert atmosphere at 800, 1000, and 1200 °C, respectively. The electrical conductivity of CNFs samples obtained from SANFs at 800 °C carbonization temperature is 2.31 × 10−2 S/cm, which is increased to 2.60 × 10+1 S/cm at 1200 °C. The results indicated that, the optimized SANFs possessed the most desired morphological properties, mechanical characteristics, and thermal stability; and thus they are appropriate for the development of high-performance CNFs.

Identifying the optimal FSW process parameters for maximizing the tensile strength of friction stir welded AISI 316L butt joints

AISI 316L stainless steel sheets were friction stir welded in the butt joint configuration as per the design of experiment (DoE) developed using the response surface method; Box Benkhen design. The primary friction stir welding (FSW) process parameters; tool spindle speed, tool transverse speed, downward force and tool tilt angle were considered as factors of the experiment. A response surface (second order) regression model for the response, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the joints as a function of tool spindle speed, tool transverse speed, downward force and tool tilt angle was developed. Statistical tests such as ANOVA, F- ratio and values of actual and adjusted R2 were used to verify the adequacy of the developed model and the model was validated using conformity experimental trials. The analysis of the model showed that the UTS of the joint is sensitive to all the primary FSW parameters. Also, the tool spindle speed, tool traverse speed and downward force have significant interaction effect on the UTS of the joints. The non-linear optimization of the FSW process yielded 604 MPa as optimal UTS corresponding to optimal tool spindle speed of 597 rev/min, tool traverse speed of 74 mm/min, downward force of 13 kN and tool tilt of 1.5°.

Application of Box Benkhen Design in the Investigation of GTA Welded Bead Profile Characteristics on AA6061 Using Alternating Shielding Gases

The present investigation is aimed to study the effect of alternate supply of the shielding gas in different alternating frequencies in comparison with the conventional method of GTA welding with pure argon gas. The three sets combination is used as 1.0–0.0, 0.5–0.5 and 0.75–0.25 s to supply alternative shielding gas argon and helium respectively. The influence of alternating shielding gases on the bead profile characteristics like depth and area of penetration is studied. Bead-on-plate welding is performed on a 6 mm thickness AA6061 aluminium alloy at different combinations of input parameters like welding current (I), welding speed (S) and alternating frequency of helium gas (T). Box behnken design is used to find the combinations of input parameters with three levels of each parameter. Response surface methodology is used to establish a mathematical model which is used to predict the weld bead characteristics like depth and area of penetration. The influence of process parameters on the weld bead characteristics is investigated using the developed model. Bead characteristics are strongly influenced by alternating frequency of helium shielding gas followed by welding current, welding speed. Surface plot and contour graph are developed from the results of regression equation, which are utilized in the optimization of process parameters to maximize the weld bead characteristics. From this investigation, it is found that the bead-on-plate welding done with welding current of 190 A, welding speed of 236.66 mm/min and alternating frequency of helium gas of 0.5 s exhibited maximum depth and area of penetration of 4.95 mm and 31.88 mm2 respectively.

Char production using waste fibers from dehairing processes

A pyrolysis process was used to prepare char from the coarse guard hair droppings from cashmere dehairing processes. Three preparation variables were examined in this study, namely the heating rate, holding temperature, and holding time. The morphological evolution from hair to char, char yield, and uptake of methylene blue by the resultant char were investigated. Different morphological structures were observed for the char, including lotus-type, honeycomb-like, solid, bamboo-like, gourd-shaped, hollow and fragment structures. Based on the Box–Benkhen Design, two quadratic models were developed to correlate the preparation variables on two responses of the yield and the uptake value of methylene blue for cashmere guard hair char. From the analysis of variance, the char yield from cashmere guard hair is significantly affected by holding temperature and time. The uptake value of methylene blue is significantly influenced by holding temperature, holding time, and quadratic terms of the heating rate and the holding temperature.

Teaching learning algorithm based optimization of kerf deviations in pulsed Nd:YAG laser cutting of Kevlar-29 composite laminates

Kevlar is the most popular aramid fiber and most commonly used in different technologically advanced industries for various applications. But the precise cutting of Kevlar composite laminates is a difficult task. The conventional cutting methods face various defects such as delamination, burr formation, fiber pullout with poor surface quality and their mechanical performance is greatly affected by these defects. The laser beam machining may be an alternative of the conventional cutting processes due to its non-contact nature, requirement of low specific energy with higher production rate. But this process also faces some problems that may be minimized by operating the machine at optimum parameters levels. This research paper examines the effective utilization of the Nd:YAG laser cutting system on difficult-to-cut Kevlar-29 composite laminates. The objective of the proposed work is to find the optimum process parameters settings for getting the minimum kerf deviations at both sides. The experiments have been conducted on Kevlar-29 composite laminates having thickness 1.25 mm by using Box-Benkhen design with two center points. The experimental data have been used for the optimization by using the proposed methodology. For the optimization, Teaching learning Algorithm based approach has been employed to obtain the minimum kerf deviation at bottom and top sides. A self coded Matlab program has been developed by using the proposed methodology and this program has been used for the optimization. Finally, the confirmation tests have been performed to compare the experimental and optimum results obtained by the proposed methodology. The comparison results show that the machining performance in the laser beam cutting process has been remarkably improved through proposed approach. Finally, the influence of different laser cutting parameters such as lamp current, pulse frequency, pulse width, compressed air pressure and cutting speed on top kerf deviation and bottom kerf deviation during the Nd:YAG laser cutting of Kevlar-29 laminates have been discussed.

A STATISTICAL APPROACH FOR OPTIMIZING THE HIGH YIELD GREEN PRODUCTION OF THE FLAVOR ESTER BUTYL BUTYRATE

Being the prevailing approach for producing esters such as butyl butyrate, the use of chemical route has been linked to numerous disadvantages. Hence, a green alternative method for higher yield production of butyl butyrate by esterification reaction utilizing Novozyme 435 as biocatalysts in a solvent-less system may prove useful. Such approach can be further improved by optimizing the relevant reaction parameters using the Response Surface Methodology by the Box-Benkhen Design attempted in this present study. The reaction parameters evaluated were: substrate molar ratio, time and temperature, and the response of each parameter was measured as percentage conversion yield. Using the Design Expert 7.1.6 optimization functions, the two sets of optimum conditions selected viz. [i] molar ratio butyric acid:butanol 1:3.93, 9.93 h at 56.09°C and [ii] molar ratio butyric acid:butanol 1:3.35, 9.79 h at 53.90°C had afforded the highest yield of butyl butyrate i.e. 99.62% and 99.55%, respectively. The ester product obtained from the reaction were confirmed as butyl butyrate by FTIR and GC. Therefore, the results substantiated the applicability of the RSM prediction technique as well as efficacy of Novozyme 435 as biocatalysts in the high yield solvent-less synthesis of butyl butyrate, adhering to the philosophy of Green Chemistry.

Effect of extrusion conditions on cassava/soybean extrudates

Extrusion has been an effective technique in food process industry for production of convenience foods of diverse attributes due to its high productivity rate, very high energy efficiency, no effluents generation, e.t.c. In the present work, the effects of extrusion parameters such as feed moisture (FM), amount of soybean (AS) and barrel temperature (BT) on water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), trypsin inhibitors reduction (TIR) and SEC of cassava and soybean blends were investigated using a locally developed simple single screw extruder. A Box-Benkhen design of response surface methodology was used with the three input variables: FM (16%, 20% and 24%), AS (10, 20 and 30 g soybean/ 100g flour) and BT (120, 145 and 170 °C). The experimental values of response variables WAI, WSI, TIR and SEC measured ranged from 2.43 to 3.56 g gel/g dry sample, 0.330 to 0.447 g solid/100g sample, 62.71 to 96.21 % and 2.57 to 4.24, respectively. Regression equations describing the effect of each variable on the product responses were obtained. The product responses were most affected linearly (p<0.01) by changes in BT and to a lesser extent by FM and AS (p<0.1). A second-order polynomials obtained to predict the response variables were all significant (p<0.01) with high correlation coefficients (R2) between 0.895 and 0.937 showing that the model can be used to navigate the design space. In the present study, best extrudate was obtained when the FM, AS and BT were 16 g water/100g, 20 g soyabean/100g flour and 170 °C, respectively.

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in Fabrication of Nanostructured Silicon

In this paper, a respond surface methodology (RSM) model has been developed using three levels Box-Benkhen experimental design (BBD) technique to study the influence of several metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) process variables on the properties of nanostructured silicon (Si) wafer. Five process variables are examined i.e. concentrations of silver (Ag), hydrofluoric acid (HF), deposition time, H2O2 concentration and etching time as a function of etching rate. Design-Expert® software (version 7.1) is used in formulating the RSM model of five factors with 46 experiments. A regression quadratic model is developed to correlate the process variables where the most significant factors are identified and validated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The model for etching rate is found to be significant with R2 of 0.8, where both Ag concentrations and etching time are the major influence.

Evaluation of the factors influencing the resultant diameter of the electrospun gelatin/sodium alginate nanofibers via Box–Behnken design

This article presented a study on the effects of solution properties (i.e., gelatin concentration, alginate concentration, content of alginate solution in the blend solution, and content of acetic acid in the solvent of gelatin solution) on the average diameter of electrospun gelatin/sodium alginate nanofibers, as well as its standard deviation. For this purpose, blend solutions of two natural polymers (gelatin and sodium alginate) were prepared both in the absence and presence of ethanol. Response surface methodology based on a three-level, four-variable Box–Benkhen design was employed to define quadratic relationships between the responses and the solution properties. The individual and interactive effects of the solution properties were determined. Moreover, the adequacy of the models was verified by the validation experiments. Results showed that the average diameters of the resultant nanofibers were 68–166nm and 90–155nm in the absence and presence of ethanol, respectively. The experimental results were in good agreement with the predicted response values. Hence, this study provides an overview on the fabrication of gelatin/sodium alginate nanofibers with targeted diameter, which may have potential to be used in the field of tissue engineering.

In vitro, ex vivo and in silico mechanistic elucidation of the performance of an optimized porosity-controlled multi-elemental transbuccal system.

To elucidate the mechanisms of construction and performance of a porosity controlled, multi-elemental transbuccal system employing experimental and computational approaches. The production of the formulation was guided through a Box-Benkhen design employing homogenization coupled with lyophilization. The physicochemical and physicomechanical properties of the experimental design formulations were quantified with relevant analytical techniques. The influence of changes in porosity measures on the magnitude of these physical properties were explored mathematically. Furthermore, experimental outputs from the Box-Behnken design formulations were fitted into set limits and optimized using the response surface method. The optimized porosity-controlled formulation was subjected to mechanistic experimental and computational elucidations. In general, the changes in magnitudes of studied porosity quantities had significant impact on formulation physicochemical and physicomechanical properties. The generation of an optimized formulation validated the stability and accuracy of the Box-Behnken experimental design. Experimental investigations revealed that the construction of this formulation is as a result of non-destructive physical interactions amongst its make-up compounds while its mechanism of performance is anchored mainly upon a gradual collapse of its ordered porous structure. Furthermore, the molecule mechanics simulations quantitatively predicted the molecular interactions inherent to multicomponent matrix formation and the mucoadhesion mechanism. The fabrication and performance mechanisms of the porosity-controlled transbuccal system was successfully explored.

Treatment of tetrahydrofuran wastewater by the Fenton process: response surface methodology as an optimization tool

In this study, the Box-Benkhen design and response surface method (RSM) were applied to evaluate and optimize the operating variables during the treatment of tetrahydrofuran (THF) wastewater by Fenton process. The four factors investigated were initial pH, Fe(2+) dosage, H2O2 dosage and reaction time. Statistical analysis showed the linear coefficients of the four factors and the interactive coefficients such as initial pH/Fe(2+) dosage, initial pH/H2O2 dosage and Fe(2+) dosage/H2O2 dosage all significantly affected the removal efficiency. The RSM optimization results demonstrated that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency could reach up to 47.8% when initial pH was 4.49, Fe(2+) dosage was 2.52 mM, H2O2 dosage was 20 mM and reaction time was 110.3 min. Simultaneously, the biodegradability increased obviously after the treatment. The main intermediates of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran, γ-butyrolactone and 4-hydroxybutanoate were separated and identified and then a simple degradation pathway of THF was proposed. This work indicated that the Fenton process was an efficient and feasible pre-treatment method for THF wastewater.

Quality assessment of probiotic weaning mix from fermented cereal-legume blends

Weaning mix was developed from underutilized crops of Uttarakhand (finger millet, barnyard millet, black soybean, amaranth grain). Malting and fermentation were adopted as ways of improving cereal protein quality and decreasing anti-nutritional property and probiotic weaning mix was produced using probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum. Box-benkhen design of response surface methodology was used to design the experiments design for three variables with three levels [blend ratio (cereals: legume:: 50:50, 60:40, 70:30), fermentation time (12 h, 24 h, 36 h), inoculums concentration (1%, 3%, 5%] and four responses (protein, tannin, water absorption capacity, water absorption index). The probiotic fermentation resulted in favourable changes in nutritionl profile of weaning mix resulting 48.2% increase in protein and 92.3% decrease in tannin content. The optimized set of independent variables (cereals (FM+BM): legume: 70:30 fermented for 25 h with 2.9% inoculum concentration) obtained after statistical analysis, was used to develop final probiotic weaning mix.

Optimization of Process Parameters for Generation of Nanocellular Polymer Foams

High melt strength polypropylene nanocomposites, PPNC/Cloisite 20A (clay) with exfoliated and intercalated morphologies were prepared and subsequently foamed in a batch setup under different foaming conditions. The foaming parameters were varied to relate the foam cell structure to these parameters and determine the efficiency of clay in producing fine cell foams. A Box Benkhen design approach was used initially to determine the effect of processing parameters on foam cell morphology and also to perform optimization studies. The optimization process helped in identifying the range of operating conditions needed to minimize foam cell sizes. Saturation pressure and temperature and foaming time and temperature are the four processing variables used in these studies. Nanocellular foam cells were effectively generated for the first time in Polypropylene nanocomposites.