Conventional Processing Technologies Research Articles

Valorization of Waste Lipids through Hydrothermal Catalytic Conversion to Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels with in Situ Hydrogen Production

We demonstrate hydrothermal (300 °C, 10 MPa) catalytic conversion of real waste lipids (e.g., waste vegetable oil, sewer trap grease) to liquid hydrocarbon fuels without net need for external chemical inputs (e.g., H2 gas, methanol). A supported bimetallic catalyst (Pt–Re/C; 5 wt % of each metal) previously shown to catalyze both aqueous phase reforming of glycerol (a triacylglyceride lipid hydrolysis coproduct) to H2 gas and conversion of oleic and stearic acid, model unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, to linear alkanes was applied to process real waste lipid feedstocks in water. For reactions conducted with an initially inert headspace gas (N2), waste vegetable oil (WVO) was fully converted into linear hydrocarbons (C15–C17) and other hydrolyzed byproducts within 4.5 h, and H2 gas production was observed. Addition of H2 to the initial reactor headspace accelerated conversion, but net H2 production was still observed, in agreement with results obtained for aqueous mixtures containing model fatty acids and glycerol. Conversion to liquid hydrocarbons with net H2 production was also observed for a range of other waste lipid feedstocks (animal fat residuals, sewer trap grease, dry distiller’s grain oil, coffee oil residual). These findings demonstrate potential for valorization of waste lipids through conversion to hydrocarbons that are more compatible with current petroleum-based liquid fuels than the biodiesel and biogas products of conventional waste lipid processing technologies.

Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Multifunctional Filler for Polymer Foams

Due to their high mechanical and transport properties, graphene-derived materials have aroused a great deal of interest in the most varied sectors. Among these, graphene nanoplatelets have been gaining interest due to the fact they can be synthesized in a way scalable to mass production, enabling them to be considered in the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. Nevertheless, the addition of graphene nanoplatelets into polymers using industrial melt-mixing machinery is still a challenge, mainly related to inadequate graphene dispersion during processing. Foaming could come as a possible strategy to maximize the efficiency of graphene nanoplatelets in polymers by improving its dispersion throughout the polymer matrix, at the same time enabling to considerably reduce the material's density. This paper considers experimental examples of the improvement of the specific mechanical properties and enhancement of the electrical conductivity of different types of polymer foams thought for the most varied applications by incorporating graphene nanoplatelets using conventional plastic processing technologies, with the goal of developing new multifunctional lightweight polymer nanocomposites.

LTPS TFT Process on Polyimide Substrate for Flexible AMOLED

For conventional active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) flat panel displays, low temperature poly-silicon thin-film transistor (LTPS TFT) on rigid glass substrate process has already been well established. However, this technology cannot be applied directly on polyimide (PI) substrate for flexible display. This is because PI has the different coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) from the glass, which will result in PI film peeling-off and/or warpage issues under conventional LTPS-TFT process technology. In this paper, a process flow of LTPS TFT on PI substrate for flexible display application was discussed. A flexible display demo system was successfully made by optimizing the LTPS TFT process.

Bioremediation of Offshore Oily Drilling Fluids

The use of bio-treatment technology to dispose of oily waste mud has many advantages: it is relatively inexpensive (only 30–50% of the expense of conventional chemical or physical processing technologies), has a low impact on the environment with no secondary pollution, and utilizes local control and entails simple operations. After the collection, isolation, purification, cultivation, and domestication of petroleum degrading bacterial, three strains were obtained that effectively degrade petroleum hydrocarbons. The growth of the bacterial strains and the consequent crude oil degradation were found to be at the greatest rates using the following biochemical processing conditions. The strains were grown in ammonium nitrate and a small quantity of yeast powder at a temperature of 50°C and pH of 6.0. The strain quantity was 2% and the rotating speed of the shaker was 180 rpm. The biochemical disposal process and laboratory-scale simulation of processing devices of oily waste mud were also designed. The oil content of disposed oily waste mud was generally less than 2 mg/L, and the degradability of the waste was over 98%. This percentage meets the requirement of the national wastewater discharge standards in China’s offshore oil exploration and development fields.

Comparative Effects of Ohmic and Conventional Heating for Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes in Skim Milk and Cream

Ohmic heating has proven advantages over conventional thermal processing and novel thermal alternative technologies. In this study, the effect of ohmic and conventional heating for pasteurizing skim milk and cream was examined. All treatment conditions for ohmic and conventional heating were identical except for composition of the heating chamber. In most cases, the reduction of three pathogens did not differ significantly between ohmic heating and conventional heating at fixed treatment temperatures and times. However, temperature can be increased more rapidly with ohmic than with conventional heating treatment, both in skim milk and in cream. Therefore, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes were inactivated more effectively by ohmic heating treatment for the same treatment time intervals. Also, the time required for pathogen populations to decrease to below the detection limit was less for ohmic heating than conventional heating. Quality aspects (viscosity, pH, and color) of skim milk and cream suffered less degradation by ohmic than by conventional heating. Although there was little evidence of a nonthermal effect of ohmic heating, the results demonstrate significant advantages in the use of ohmic heating over conventional methods for pasteurizing skim milk and cream.

High-Energy Radiation Induced Sustainable Coloration and Functional Finishing of Textile Materials

Over the past few years, there has been enormous attention on the use of different innovative surface modification methods for the production of textile surfaces with novel properties. In view of the ecological and economic restrictions imposed on the textile industry, the use of high energy irradiation methods has become more accepted as methods for modification of textile materials. Enhanced wettability, dyeability, printability, color fastness, hydrophilicity, and effective antimicrobial activity, etc. are among some new remarkable properties obtained on different textile materials. They offer a new alternative to conventional wet processing technologies and have the advantages of low energy use, being easy to handle, and high treatment speed. They possess the potential to activate textile surfaces and hence enhance functional group accessibility without affecting other bulk properties. The present review summarizes the state of the art of different irradiation-based technologies such as gamma, ultrasound, plasma, and ultraviolet used for sustainable coloration and functional finishing of different textile materials. Finally, the advantages and future studies regarding the use of irradiation technologies in functional modification of textiles are also outlined.

Dip-Coating of Patterned Organic Semiconductor Films

<p>Dip-coating is a conventional solution processing technology to prepare large-area films at a low cost and with cheap facilities. For semiconductor film processing, crystal orientation and thickness uniformity are the primary factors that determine the film quality and its electrical performance. These requirements are readily satisfied with the dip-coating method because the film morphology can be effectively optimized by tuning the withdrawal speed. This work optimizes the withdrawal speed for the dip-coating of patterned semiconductor films of 400×500 mm2 as well as that for film dip-coating on the whole surfaces of the substrate. For both experiment, optimized electrical mobility is achieved at the same withdrawal speed, however, the random crystal orientation of the patterned films causes a remarkable decrease in device performance.</p>

Suitability, efficiency and microbiological safety of novel physical technologies for the processing of ready‐to‐eat meals, meats and pumpable products

SummaryConsumer studies and market reports show an increase in consumption of ready‐to‐eat (RTE) foods. Although conventional processing technologies can in most cases produce safe products, they can also lead to the degradation of nutritional compounds and negatively affect quality characteristics. Consumers strongly prefer food that is minimally processed with the maximum amount of health‐promoting substances. Novel processing technologies as pre‐ or post‐treatment decontamination methods or as substitutes of conventional technologies have the potential to produce foods that are safe, rich in nutrient content and with superior organoleptic properties. Combining novel with conventional processes can eliminate potential drawbacks of novel technologies. This review examines available scientific information and critically evaluates the suitability and efficiency of various novel thermal and nonthermal technologies in terms of microbial safety, quality as well as nutrient content on the production of RTE meals, meats and pumpable products.

Analysis of a Thixo-Lateral Forged Spindle from LTT C45, LTT C38 and LTT 100Cr6 Steel Grades

Due to the current trend in prices of raw material and their sources, near net shaping of mechanical components will become a key factor for the companies to get the desired competitiveness. Semisolid metal (SSM) forming is one of those near net shape forming techniques revealing a high potential to reduce material as well as energy consumption compared to conventional process technologies. Thus, the aim of this research work is to demonstrate the above by manufacturing a steel commercial automotive spindle by thixo-lateral forming from three different steel grades. The starting material, the microstructure and mechanical properties are analysed along the article. Material savings of 20% have been reported together with a substantial decrease of the forming forces. In addition, great mechanical properties have been achieved which brings the process closer to the desired final industrial application.

Recovery of acids from dilute streams : A review of process technologies

Chemical process industries convert raw materials into useful products. Acids, among other chemicals, are used in many industries as reactants, solvents and also as catalysts in a few instances as well. Resulting streams are dilute, from which the acids must be recovered. For recovery, many technologies can be used by which acids can be regained as such or can be converted into other value-added products like esters. Membrane processes and biological processes are being researched academically and practiced industrially. These have their own advantages and disadvantages in view of conversion, energy consumption etc. These are not always advantageous and hence an alternate process technology is necessary like reactive separation (RS). RS is advantageous especially when the acid is to be converted to other useful products by reaction, due to additional advantages or because no other technology is well suited or due to cost considerations alone. Conventional process technologies use the reactor configuration followed by the subsequent separation sequence. This approach can sometimes suffer from lesser conversion, difficulties in separation etc. To overcome these problems, RS has an edge over other processes in terms of the recovery of the useful compounds. Reactive distillation (RD), reactive extraction (RE) and reactive chromatography (RC) are the separation technologies that can be useful for acid recovery in an economically feasible way. This review covers the various processes of acid recovery along with the recent work in the field of reactive separations.

Degradation of 4H-SiC IGBT threshold characteristics due to SiC/SiO2 interface defects

Previously reported measurements of the interface state density at the 4H-SiC/SiO2 interface and carrier recombination in the SiC substrate are incorporated into the device simulation of a 4H-SiC IGBT trench-type device structure. Cross-sectional simulation results show two important degradation characteristics on the conduction current; shift of the threshold voltage toward higher gate voltages due to the deep traps and reduction of the current magnitude due to the shallow traps. The wide bandgap of SiC and the high interface defect density magnitude distributed widely within the bandgap due to conventional SiC/SiO2 process technology make SiC-based devices prone to degradation, which are observed not only as a subthreshold-slope degradation but also causes variations of the threshold voltage. Conventional Si process technology usually results in a dominating homogeneous shallow-type trap which only results in a degradation of the subthreshold-slope.

Comparison of Anthocyanin Concentration in Blueberries Processed Using Hydrothermodynamic Technology and Conventional Processing Technologies

AbstractHydrothermodynamic (HTD) processing technology was compared with simulated conventional (SC) processing technology in the production of a blueberry (BB) purée. HTD technology is a single unit operation that combines the physical processes of cavitation, mechanical friction and temperature to create a fruit purée with 100% mass recovery. In HTD processing, frozen wild BBs (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) were thawed and pasteurized at 95C to yield a pasteurized purée. In SC processing, BBs were mechanically puréed and pasteurized at the same heating rate as the HTD processing (1.9C/min). BB purées produced with HTD and SC technologies were compared in terms of their anthocyanin (ACN) concentration and percent polymeric color values, which indicate the level of process‐related phenolic oxidation. ACN concentration in purée from both HTD and SC technologies was significantly lower than that in frozen BBs. However, within 48 h after processing, ACN retention (%) in the purée produced using HTD technology was almost two times higher than that in the purée produced using SC processing (81% versus 43% of that in frozen berries). ACN concentration was the highest in the purée produced using HTD when compared with that in commercially available BB‐based products. These results suggest that higher ACN concentration may be achieved in purées produced using HTD technology compared with conventional methods.Practical ApplicationsThe potential of hydrothermodynamic (HTD) technology to prevent quality losses of heat‐sensitive blueberry products was evaluated. Anthocyanin retention of blueberry purée processed using HTD technology was significantly higher than that in blueberry products (e.g., juice, purée) processed commercially using thermal processing. This new technology has a great potential for maintaining food quality during product storage by reducing the negative effects of oxygen and prolonged exposure to enzymes.

Porous silicon chemical sensors and biosensors: A review

The use of porous silicon (PSi) as a sensor for detection of various analytes is reviewed. The optical or electrical properties of PSi are key sensing parameters that have been used in many chemical and biological sensing applications. PSi is a promising candidate due to ease of fabrication, large surface area, various accessible pore sizes and morphologies, controllable surface modification and its compatibility with conventional silicon processing technology. The adsorption of chemical or biological molecules into the pores modifies the electrical and/or optical properties, allowing convenient and sensitive measurement approach. In this review, we provide a critical assessment of the development of PSi as a promising material for chemical and biosensing applications. Formation procedures of PSi with various pore sizes and morphologies are firstly given. Surface properties and structural characteristics of the material are briefly described. The recent progress on utilization of such porous structures in chemical and biosensing applications is then addressed in the context of surface chemistry effects and nanostructures, measuring approaches, operating concepts and device sensitivity and stability. Finally, concluding remarks with existing challenges that hinder the material for commercial use are highlighted.

Enzymatic polishing of cereal grains for improved nutrient retainment.

Consumer acceptance of food products is largely driven by the dietary and functional quality of their ingredients. Though whole cereal grains are well known for bioactive components, scientists are facing dire need for better technologies to prevent the nutritional losses incurred through the conventional food processing technologies. Application of enzyme for depolymerisation of carbohydrates present in bran layer of grain is becoming an efficient method for phenolic mobilization and dietary fiber solubilisation. The present article emphasizes deep insights about the application of enzyme as an alternative technology for cereal grain processing to improve the product quality while forbidding the nutritional losses in an eco-friendly manner.

Ionic liquid‐based three phase partitioning (ILTPP) systems for whey protein recovery: ionic liquid selection

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe ionic liquid three phase partitioning (ILTPP) technique is a promising alternative to conventional processing technologies for protein separation and purification since it allows protein recovery at the liquid–liquid interface. In previous work, ILTPP has been developed with the BmimBF4/NaH2PO4 system for lactoferrin recovery, a bovine whey protein with important nutraceutical properties. However, BmimBF4 may suffer from hydrolysis when it is in contact with water, so the selection of an alternative ionic liquid with similar results regarding lactoferrin recovery should be sought.RESULTSThe system based on BmimTfO and phosphate is selected as the most suitable since it combines relatively high LF recoveries at the liquid–liquid interface (83–99%) and chemical stability. The highest LF recoveries occur at moderate acidic pH (3.1–4.0), which may also be improved at relatively low protein concentrations. The process selectivity with respect to bovine serum albumin (another whey protein) varies from 1.1 to 3.0, depending on experimental conditions.CONCLUSIONILTPP is a promising technique to recover the protein fraction from bovine whey or to enrich specific proteins such as lactoferrin, so ILTPP could replace alternative techniques such as membranes. The risk of hydrolysis associated with previous ionic liquid ILTPP systems has been successfully overcome. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry

Significantly Improving Oxygen Barrier Properties of Polylactide via Constructing Parallel-Aligned Shish-Kebab-Like Crystals with Well-Interlocked Boundaries

Recently, some attempts have been made to enhance the gas barrier properties of semicrystalline polymers by precisely controlling the arrangement of their impermeable crystalline lamellae. However, it is still a great challenge to achieve regular arrangement of the lamellae along the direction perpendicular to the gas diffusion path, especially using conventional polymer processing technologies. This work presents a novel and simple strategy to dramatically improve oxygen barrier performance of biobased and biodegradable polylactide (PLA) through constructing parallel-aligned shish-kebab-like crystals with well-interlocked boundaries with the aid of a highly active nucleating agent. The nucleating agent was introduced into PLA by melting compounding and the sheet-like specimens were fabricated by compression molding. We demonstrate that the fibrillar nucleating agent dispersed in PLA melt can serve as shish to induce the change of crystallization habit of PLA from isotopic spherulitic crystals to unique shish-kebab-like crystals and the shear flow in the compression molding can induce the highly ordered alignment of the nucleating agent fibrils as well as the subsequent shish-kebab-like crystals along the direction parallel to the sheet surface. More importantly, the growing lamellae are found to interpenetrate and tightly interlock with each other at the boundary regions of the shish-kebab-like crystals in the later stage of the crystallization, forming a densely packed nanobrick wall structure to prevent gas molecules from permeating through the crystals and thus imparting the PLA sheets with unprecedentedly low oxygen permeability. This work provides not only a successful example of preparing semicrystalline polymer with super gas barrier properties by tailoring crystal superstructure but also a promising route to rapidly fabricate high-performance food packaging materials via industrially meaningful melt processing.

Steam co-gasification of coal and biomass – Synergy in reactivity of fuel blends chars

Development of clean coal technologies is the answer to increasing energy demand and environmental concerns related to conventional coal processing technologies. The technologies of fossil fuel gasification are technically proven and commercially available. Attempts of utilization of waste materials and renewable energy resources in gasification-based energy generation systems has been made, but wide application of such systems is still hindered by issues inherently combined with the characteristics of the materials. These include discontinuous supplies of a fuel of limited resources and varying composition resulting in poor economy of small-scale systems and operating problems related to tars formation and corrosion, especially when biomass utilization is considered. In the light of the above co-gasification seems to offer several advantages through mitigation of undesired effects of both carbon-intensive utilization of coal and low efficient and troublesome operation of biomass/waste-fed gasification systems. The experimental results presented in the paper address the issues of determination of potential synergy effects resulting from the utilization of fuel blends composed of materials of various physical and chemical characteristics, which are still insufficiently discussed in the literature, especially when hydrogen-rich gas production in co-gasification is concerned. The results of reactivity tests of fuel blends of coal and energy crops biomass in the process of steam co-gasification in a laboratory scale fixed bed reactor at 700, 800 and 900 °C are given proving the synergy effect in co-gasification reflected in increased reactivity of fuel blends when compared to coal and biomass chars reactivity under similar process conditions.

Influences of pH Buffers on the Growth of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Biodesulfurization Efficiency

More than 90% of metal sulfides in vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite concentrates in Panzhihua (China) are pyrrhotite. It is difficult to remove pyrrhotite from iron ores through conventional mineral processing technologies as magnetic separation and flotation. Desulfurization with the help of microorganisms is a promising alternative way relating to the implementation in dissolution. The effects of pH buffers on growth of Acidithiobacillusthiooxidans and biodesulfurization efficiency of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite concentrates were investigated. 61.86% of sulfur can be removed from the concentrates after bioleaching for 15 days for a 10% pulp density. While 10% of citric-disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer was added into the solution, Acidithiobacillusthiooxidans grew significantly faster and the biodesulfurization rate was increased by 12.34%, accompanying with pH stabilised at ~ 3.0. Boruitan-Luobisen buffer was helpful to keep pH in a good situation, whereas it inhibited the growth of Acidithiobacillusthiooxidans seriously and brought down the biodesulfurization efficiency.

(Keynote) Solid-State Nanopore Fabrication with Conventional Process

In this paper, the progress of solid-state nanopores fabrication is reviewed after a brief summary of the basic principle of the new DNA sequencing technology based on solid-state nanopores. The pore-size shrinking technique for the pores with a diameter below 10 nm is highlighted. Based on an analysis on the current works, it can be concluded that the conventional micro-nano processing technology combination with the pore-size shrinking technique are an effective way for mass fabrication of the solid-state nanopores.

Scalable high-power ultrasonic technology for the production of translucent nanoemulsions

Oil-in-water nanoemulsions are widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, agricultural and other industries as delivery systems for active lipophilic compounds and drugs. Translucent nanoemulsions are especially attractive because their extremely small droplet sizes lead to long-term stability, improve absorption by the skin and enable the delivery of exceptionally high concentrations of active substances. High-power ultrasound has previously been successfully used to produce translucent nanoemulsions on laboratory scale. However, due to limitations of conventional ultrasonic liquid processing technology, scaling up has not been possible, restricting industrial implementation of this process. In this study, ultrasonic production of translucent oil-in-water nanoemulsions was optimized on a laboratory scale and then directly scaled up. The ultrasonic amplitude played a significant role in this process, and was determined to be optimal near 90μm peak-to-peak. Barbell Horn Ultrasonic Technology was employed to scale up the process by a factor of 10 without reducing the ultrasonic amplitude or compromising the product quality. The scale-up procedure is described in detail. Further scale-up by a factor of five is theoretically shown to be possible, potentially making high-power ultrasound an important industrial method for producing nanoemulsions.