Addition Of Different Types Research Articles

Physical and Chemical Quality of Cow Feces Organic Fertilizer Produced by the Addition of Different Starters

The study aims to know the effect of different starters on the quality production of organic fertilizer. Three kinds of starters, EM-4 (P1), BM-4 (P2), and Petroganic (P3), were used in this study. The quality of organic fertilizer with a starter for the 28th day of composting was evaluated by physical and chemical parameters in triplicates. Based on the results, we showed the physical parameters of treatment compost P1, P2, and P3 are blackish brown, didn’t smell of stool, and are crumbly textured. The chemical parameters showed the content of C-organic from the treatments was 42.51%, 39.19%, and 35.74%, respectively, at the end of the composting process, while total nitrogen content was 4.71%, 9.47%, and 5.77%. The C/N ratio of each treatment, P1, P2, and P3, was 9.02, 4.17, and 6.20, while the total phosphor content was 0.092%, 0.15%, and 0.13%, respectively. Next, the total potassium content was 0.69%, 0.79%, and 0.77%, respectively, at the end of the composting process. The addition of different types of starters did not affect physical and chemical quality. In conclusion, EM-4, BM-4, and Petroganik can be used as alternative starters in producing organic fertilizer.

Increase in the Amount of Soil Organic Matter and Populations of Microorganisms by Addition of Different Types of Compost for Sustainable Agriculture

Maintaining a positive balance of organic matter in arable land is a fundamental issue for sustain¬able agriculture. Environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions applicable to large areas and also to small farms are needed. This is especially true for areas affected by environmental processes, leading to deteriorating soil fertility and limiting opportunities for organic farming. Organic fertilization through composting is an effective method of maintaining soil fertility. Due to shortage of traditional organic fertil¬izers, new sources of organic matter are being sought, such as agricultural waste, sewage sludge, household or industrial waste. Identification of waste products and possibilities for their use in compost production with a certain composition was carried out. Physico-chemical characteristics of the starting materials be¬fore composting was carried out. Estimation of their effectiveness as soil improvers on two types of soils - leached cinnamon forest soil from the area of village of Chelopechene, near Sofia, Bulgaria and alluvial meadow soil from the area of Tsalapitsa, Plovdiv region, Bulgaria was accomplished. When composting the ameliorants with the first type of soil, all additives led to positive changes in soil organic matter, while composting ameliorants with the second type of soil, the added organic materials provided a lower degree of storage of organic matter. Therefore, compost addition to leached cinnamon forest soil is more reason¬able, ensuring good stock in the form of humin. Application of compost led to increase in the populations microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, which is a good indicator of increased soil microbial activity in respective treatments.

Experimental research on the thermal properties of innovative insulation boards made of polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR/PIR)

Abstract In this work, the results of investigations of polyurethane materials were presented. Innovative materials based on polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PUR/PIR) foam were obtained. Different types of additives (flame retardants, aerogels – additives that decrease thermal conductivity) are used in the composition of PUR/PIR foam. Foams are a type of composite composed of two phases: continuous (polyurethane polymers) and dispersed (composed of gases). All samples have been tested for thermal parameters: thermal conductivity, specific heat, and thermal diffusivity. Then they have been compared with each other and with a reference sample (RS) without additives. Based on the research, it was shown that innovative insulation materials were characterized by thermal conductivity λ in the range of 0.0254–0.0294 W/(m · K). The thermal properties of foams depending on the type and chemical composition of the material. Depending on the used substrates, their molar ratio, type, synthesis conditions, modifying agents and catalysts, a different polyurethane material is obtained.

Editorial for the Special Issue “Heat Transfer Enhancement and Fluid Flow Features Due to the Addition of Nanoparticles in Engineering Applications”

This Special Issue titled “Heat Transfer Enhancement and Fluid Flow Features Due to the Addition of Nanoparticles in Engineering Applications” comprises nine original research articles devoted to recent advances, as well as up-to-date progress, in all areas of heat transfer due to the addition of different types of nanoparticles in engineering and its influence on emerging technologies [...]

Self-Cleaning Mortar Façades with Addition of Anatase and Rutile Titanium Dioxide for Cool Façades

The concern with the best energy performance of buildings is a current theme, and construction materials that bring improvements to the performance of buildings and their surroundings are in demand. Façades play a crucial role in regulating the temperature within buildings by permitting or obstructing the transfer of heat and also affect the ambient temperature. Light-colored façades help maintain environments with milder temperatures, but pollution, rain, and other degrading agents darken the colors of the façades, reducing their capacity of sunlight reflection. In this scenario, the present study analyzed the addition of different types of titanium dioxide, anatase and rutile, in cement tiles for building façades, combining the ease and speed of assembly with the self-cleaning effects of photocatalysis. The 1 cm thick tiles were produced with a 1:3 mortar ratio (cement:sand/dry aggregate) with a 0.5 water:cement ratio and the addition of 0.3% polypropylene fiber. Different admixture levels (0%, 5%, and 10%) of rutile and anatase titanium dioxide were used. The samples were tested for flexural strength, absorption, permeability, and photocatalysis effect by observing the color change and surface characteristics of the boards using a spectrophotometer. In addition, the hygroscopicity was analyzed through a water drop, using a goniometer. The results obtained showed that cement tiles with 5% titanium dioxide, which influences the color variation of the tiles, meet the regulatory requirements for use in outside environments. Thus, these materials have the potential to be used as cool façades since, by keeping their color lighter, the materials can reflect sunlight, therefore keeping lower temperatures inside the building, and, consequently, minimizing the heat island effect.

Responses of Soil Humus Composition and Humic Acid Structural Characteristics to the Addition of Different Types of Biochar in Phaeozems

Responses of Soil Humus Composition and Humic Acid Structural Characteristics to the Addition of Different Types of Biochar in Phaeozems

Laboratory Investigation of the Water Damage Resistance of Tuff Asphalt Mixture Modified with Additives

To improve the water damage resistance performance of a tuff asphalt mixture, a tuff mixture with cement and a liquid anti-stripping agent was used as the research object, and limestone and tuff mixtures without additives were selected as contrast samples. Through an improved boiling test and a water stability test before and after aging, the modification effect of the tuff mixture with additives of different types and contents on water damage resistance was evaluated to obtain the appropriate type and content of additives. On this basis, the other road performance measures of the selected mixture were further evaluated by immersion rutting and beam bending tests to verify the modification effect of the additive on the tuff mixture. Results showed that adding the appropriate cement content to the tuff mixture provided excellent resistance to the water damage effect. An optimal content of 2% cement additive in the mixture was obtained, and its high-temperature anti-rutting and low-temperature bending performance were also verified. Adhesion between tuff aggregates and asphalt polymer under water conditions was significantly improved and close to that of limestone aggregates. The modification effect of water stability after mixture aging was better than that of the anti-stripping agent. The residual stability and freeze–thaw splitting strength ratio of 2% cement content mixture were increased by about 21.5% and 16.7%, respectively, compared with those of the tuff mixture control.

Recent progress in structural modification of polymer gel electrolytes for use in solid-state zinc-ion batteries.

Zinc-ion batteries are one of the promising energy storage devices, which have the advantages of environmental friendliness, high safety and low price and are expected to be used in large-scale battery application fields. However, four prominent water-induced adverse reactions, including zinc dendrite formation, zinc corrosion, passivation and the hydrogen evolution reaction in aqueous systems, seriously shorten the cycling life of zinc-ion batteries and greatly hinder their development. Based on this, polymer gel electrolytes have been developed to alleviate these issues due to their unique network structure, which can reduce water activity and suppress water-induced side reactions. Based on the challenges of polymer gel electrolytes, this review systematically summarizes the latest research progress in the use of additives in them and explores new perspectives in response to the existing problems with polymer electrolytes. In order to expand the performance of polymer gel electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries, a range of different types of additives are added via physical/chemical crosslinking, such as organic or inorganic substances, natural plants, etc. In addition, different types of additives and polymerization crosslinking from different angles essentially improve the ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte, inhibit the growth of zinc dendrites, and reduce hydrogen evolution and oxygen-absorbed corrosion. After these modifications of polymer gel electrolytes, a more stable and superior electrochemical performance of zinc-ion batteries can be obtained, which provides some strategies for solid-state zinc-ion batteries.

Analysis and comparison of improved concrete with the addition of different types of materials

The present analysis was developed by creating a detailed analysis of each article selected for the corroboration of the information and the subsequent comparison between them in order to encourage research of alternative methods of concrete production that will allow the reduction of pollution and will improve the quality and efficiency of concrete. The materials used were nanosilica, pozzolana, and recycled crushed brick that were subjected to laboratory studies with the goal of knowing their properties and of developing mix designs with different content percentages to have a broad study population and achieve representative results. These mix designs were used to create specimens that were tested in different periods to analyze their behavior in various situations. After testing, it was possible to determined that the addition of these materials are effective, in creating concrete of greater strength in the case with the addition of nanosilica, in the case of pozzolana, greater strength can be obtained at a reduced cost due to it being a natural material with various deposits where the material can be obtained in this country and throughout the world, and in the case of the addition of crushed brick, concrete with a similar strength to a conventional type can be obtained at a reduced cost of fabrication due to being a recycled

Effect of Formic Acid and Inoculants on Microbial Community and Fermentation Profile of Wilted or Un-Wilted Italian Ryegrass Silages during Ensiling and Aerobic Exposure

Wilted (around 35% DM) or un-wilted (around 35% DM) Italian ryegrass treated with three additives (formic acid, FA; Lactobacillus plantarum, LP; Lactobacillus buchneri, LB) was utilized to evaluate the effects of the dry matter (DM) contents on the microbial community and fermentation characteristics, which was ensiled for 60 days in a laboratory-scale silo, followed by 3 days of aerobic exposure. Significantly lower pH and higher lactic acid (LA) contents were observed in the LP-treated group ensiled at both DM contents (differences were significant when p < 0.05). The contents of LA, acetic acid (AA), numbers of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in the FA-treated group were significantly lower than those in other treatments (p < 0.05). L. buchneri was the dominant bacteria after 60 days fermentation, while Enterobacteria became prevalent after 3 days of aerobic exposure. L. buchneri was found in the LB-treated group with higher acetic acid. Although the best fermentation quality was observed in the LP-treated silages, the aerobic stability was lowest compared to other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the DM content of Italian ryegrass affected its epiphytic microbial community and the effectiveness of the different type of additives. Formic acid was more suitable for un-wilted Italian ryegrass silage, L. plantarum had a better effect in wilted Italian ryegrass silage, and L. buchneri prolonged the aerobic stability of Italian ryegrass. DM content and purpose of ensiling should be the key factors for choosing different types of additives for Italian ryegrass silage.

Post-modification of ultra-low molar ratio urea-formaldehyde adhesive with different types and levels of organic acid hardener

Ultra-low (UL) molar ratio urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesive is a class of UL formaldehyde-emitting adhesive systems for wood-based panels. However, the UL molar ratio exhibits poor reactivity, low cohesion strength, and inferior adhesion. This study aimed to enhance the performance of UL molar ratio UF adhesive via post-modification with the addition of different types and levels of organic acid hardener, such as acetic acid (AA), maleic acid (MA) and citric acid (CA) at 3 and 5% level based on the theoretical solids content of UF adhesive. The solids content, gelation time, viscosity, pH, and free-formaldehyde content decreased with the addition of a higher level of organic acids. This showed that the incorporation of organic acid enhanced the reactivity of the UL molar ratio UF adhesive via cross-linking of carboxylic acid groups and methylol groups or the free-formaldehyde as confirmed by the results of gelation time, pH, and free-formaldehyde content. Post-modification with 5% CA resulted in the lowest solids content, gelation time, viscosity, pH, and free-formaldehyde content. The adhesion strength values of plywood bonded with modified UF adhesive were greater than that of control UF adhesive. In addition, the FE of plywood bonded with modified UF adhesive was lower than that of control UF adhesive. This study showed that 5% CA could be added as a hardener of UF adhesive.

Mechanical stabilization of aeolian sand with ceramic brick waste aggregates

The use of ceramic brick waste is a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for the stabilization of soils in comparison with other more traditional additives, such as cement. The addition of different types of construction wastes to soils has been so far mainly investigated for cementitious materials rather than for earthworks projects and civil infrastructures, and even less for aeolian sand. In this research, ceramic brick waste aggregates have been experimentally studied as an option to improve the geotechnical properties of aeolian sand from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Three different percentages of replacement have been considered, 15 %, 30 % and 45 %, since such high replacements have not been investigated in the literature. This research is focused on employing aeolian sand for earthworks applications. The experimental program is based on size analysis, compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests specially modified to manage the represent different lateral confinement in the samples, and the results are confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Experimental results demonstrate an improvement of the overall geotechnical properties of the aeolian sand after mixing it with ceramic brick waste aggregates by means of the correction of the missing particle fractions and the addition of more aggregated particles, improving the coefficient of uniformity (Cu) from 2.37 (aeolian sand) up to 3.56 (45 %-brick waste). The CBR obtained for the two higher replacements is around 33 % in confined conditions (triple than aeolian sand) and almost 1 % for unconfined conditions independently of the replacement. An optimal replacement of 30 % has been identified and the possible crushing and breakage of the waste aggregates are discarded. This mechanical stabilization can be considered feasible and environmentally suitable.

Destabilization of Pickering emulsions by interfacial transport of mutually soluble solute

HypothesisPickering emulsions (PEs) once formed are highly stable because of very high desorption energies (∼107 kBT) associated with particles adsorbed to the interfaces. The destabilization of PEs is required in many instances for recovery of valuable chemicals, products and active compounds. We propose to exploit interfacial instabilities develop by the addition of different types of solutes to PEs as a route to engineer their destabilization. ExperimentsPEs stabilized by (i) spherical particles, (ii) non-spherical particles, (iii) oppositely charged particle–particle mixtures, and (iv) oppositely charged particle-polyelectrolyte mixtures are formulated. Different types of solutes are added to these highly stable PEs and the macroscopic as well as microscopic changes induced in the PEs is recorded by visual observation and bright field optical microscopy. FindingsOur results point to a simple yet robust method to induce destabilization of PEs by transiently perturbing the oil–water interface by transport of a mutually soluble solute across the interface. The generality of the method is demonstrated for different kind of solutes and stabilizers including particles of different sizes (nm to µm), shapes (sphere, spheroids, spherocylinders) and types (polystyrene, metal oxides). The method works for both oil-in-water (o/w) and water-in-oil (w/o) PEs with different kinds of non-polar solvents as oil-phase. However, the method fails when the solute is insoluble in one of the phases of PEs. The study opens up a new approach to destabilization of particle stabilized emulsions.

Performance of Ordinary and Self-Compacting Concrete with Limestone after Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Freeze–thaw resistance is a significant issue in the durability of concrete; however, it is not widely discussed in the context of limestone addition to concrete. The present study aims to compare the effect of the addition of different types of limestone powder on the frost resistance of ordinary and self-compacting concrete. Three types of limestone powder were added to concrete in an amount of 15% and 30% cement weight. Compositions with and without the air-entraining admixture were prepared in each instance. Research included tests of consistency, air content, air void distribution, compressive strength and freeze–thaw resistance after 100 and 200 freeze–thaw cycles. The obtained results indicate that in the case of both aerated and non-aerated concrete mixtures, weight loss and the decrease in strength after 100 freeze–thaw cycles did not exceed the allowable range. Concretes with limestone powder did not significantly differ in frost resistance from reference concretes. The type of limestone had an effect on the effectiveness of admixtures, as well as the compressive strength and freeze–thaw resistance of concretes without an air-entraining admixture.

Preparation and properties of zeolite-fly ash-slag composite porous materials: CO2 adsorption performance and mechanical property.

To solve the environmental problems caused by greenhouse gas emissions, porous materials based on alkaline solid wastes (fly ash and slag) were prepared in this study. Besides, the preparation scheme of the porous materials was optimized through an orthogonal test by taking the compressive strength and static CO2 adsorption capacity as the target parameters. The two target parameters of the porous materials prepared under the optimal ratio are 15.395N and 0.83mmol/g. On the basis of the optimal ratio, zeolite composite porous materials were prepared by adding different types of zeolite, which further improves the CO2 adsorption capacity of the porous materials. Furthermore, the micro-morphologies, CO2 adsorption performances, and mechanical properties of the porous materials were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, and a universal testing machine. It is discovered that the addition of different types of zeolite decreases the compressive strength but significantly improves the CO2 adsorption performance as it can promote the specific surface area and the pore volume. Moreover, the best performance is achieved with the addition of 13X zeolite. In this case, the adsorption capacity reaches 2.68mmol/g, about 3.2 times greater than that of the porous materials without zeolite. The CO2 adsorbent proposed in this study, which boasts excellent mechanical property and CO2 adsorption performance, is applicable to goafs and has a bright prospect in the comprehensive utilization of solid wastes and the control of global warming.

Towards Maximizing Hosting Capacity by Optimal Planning of Active and Reactive Power Compensators and Voltage Regulators: Case Study

Improving the performance of distribution systems is one of the main objectives of power system operators. This can be done in several ways, such as network reconfiguration, system reinforcement, and the addition of different types of equipment, such as distributed generation (DG) units, shunt capacitor banks (CBs), and voltage regulators (VRs). In addition, the optimal use of renewable and sustainable energy sources (RSESs) has become crucial for meeting the increase in demand for electricity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This requires the development of techno-economic planning models that can measure to what extent modern power systems can host RSESs. This article applies a new optimization technique called RUN to increase hosting capacity (HC) for a rural Egyptian radial feeder system called the Egyptian Talla system (ETS). RUN relies on mathematical concepts and principles of the widely known Runge–Kutta (RK) method to get optimal locations and sizes of DGs, CBs, and VRs. Furthermore, this paper presents a cost-benefit analysis that includes fixed and operating costs of the compensators (DGs, CBs, and VRs), the benefits obtained by reducing the power purchased from the utility, and the active power loss. The current requirements of Egyptian electricity distribution companies are met in the formulated optimization problem to improve the HC of this rural system. Uncertain loading conditions are taken into account in this study. The main load demand clusters are obtained using the soft fuzzy C-means clustering approach according to load consumption patterns in this rural area. The introduced RUN optimization algorithm is used to solve the optimal coordination problem between DGs, CBs, and VRs. Excellent outcomes are obtained with a noteworthy reduction in the distribution network power losses, improvement in the system’s minimum voltage, and improvement of the loading capacity. Several case studies are investigated, and the results prove the efficiency of the introduced RUN-based methodology, in which the probabilistic HC of the system reaches 100% when allowing reverse power flow to the utility. In comparison, this becomes 49% when allowing reverse power to flow back to the utility.

Subgrade soil stabilization using marine debris: A literature review

The use of different marine residues found in the great biodiversity of the Peruvian coast, such as crushed mollusk shells or fan shells, can be used as mechanical stabilizers for clay soils due to a change in granulometry. In this article, we reviewed 74 research studies indexed in different databases such as Scopus, Scielo, Ebsco, Proquest, Springer Link, and ScienceDirect, whose publication has not exceeded seven years, with the objective of carrying out a systematic review of the use, effect and influence of marine debris as soil stabilizers. For this purpose, the analyses of the mechanical and also physical properties of such mixtures in different marine debris were reviewed compared to the various types of stabilizers currently used. These evaluated results indicate, that the Pacific razor clam shell offers a lower bearing capacity compared to the fan shell when stabilizing clayey soil. However, the shredded output of both types of marine debris can meet the need for clay subgrade stabilization. Based on the review, it was determined that the addition of different types of shredded marine debris reduces water absorption by capillarity, increasing the resistance and bearing capacity of the soil.

Mechanical properties and shear strength of rubberized fibrous reinforced concrete beams without stirrups

• Presenting the experimental shear strength results of sixteen rubberized RC beams with/without fibers. • Investigating the impact of crumb rubber on mechanical properties and shear strength of concrete beams. • Investigating the effect of fiber types and ratios on the shear strength of rubberized reinforced concrete beams. • Investigating the effect of shear span to depth ratio on the shear strength of rubberized RC beams with/without fibers. This study investigates the mechanical properties and shear strength of rubberized reinforced concrete (RC) beams with/without fibers with no web reinforcement. A total of 16 RC beams were cast and tested under four points bending to fail in shear. The study parameters are; replacement ratio by volume of fine aggregate by crumb rubber (CR) (0, 15, 30, and 40%), types of fibers (hooked long steel fiber, smooth short steel fiber, and polypropylene fiber), fiber volume fraction (0, 0.4, and 0.8%) and shear span to depth ratio a/d (2.5, 3.5, and 4.5). The results show that the mechanical properties of rubberized concrete and its weight are reduced with increasing the CR content due to the low strength, stiffness, and elastic modulus of CR, while the addition of different types of fibers, particularly hooked large steel fiber, significantly improves the mechanical properties of rubberized concrete. Using lightweight CR contributes to increasing the deformability of the tested beams and reducing their self-weight. However, increasing the CR content decreased their ultimate shear force, post-diagonal crack shear resistance, and energy absorption capacity. The inclusion of CR and fibers in concrete production can be considered as a potential technique to develop new types of eco-friendly concrete with decreased self-weight and exhibits higher shear strength than that of the control beam. Moreover, the comparison of experimental results with the predicted results of five codes and six equations from the literature showed that most of them overestimate the shear capacity of rubberized RC beams; therefore, a new predicted equation is required to predict the combined effect of rubberized fibrous RC beams.

Enhancement of the Rutting Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures at Different High Temperatures Using Waste Polyethylene Polymer

The temperature and stress caused by the load can be cited as two main parameters leading to breakage in asphalt pavement, especially rutting (permanent deformation). So, to reduce the problems of rutting of roads, several actions have been taken, including improving pavement quality and the structure design methods. The increase in the attention of respective engineers in the last few years to modify and improve the asphalt performance through providing different types of additives and replacing the raw materials of asphalt mixture with recycled materials to improve the environment and reduce the cost of modified pavement mixture. This study discussed the use of low-density waste polyethylene as an asphalt modifier in percentages of (2, 4, and 6) % by the weight of asphalt and their impact on the performance of asphalt mixtures at high temperatures. This study showed that using plastic waste (low-density polyethylene) as a bitumen modifier improved the performance of asphalt mixtures at different high temperatures. This was achieved by reducing the rut depth by (80.5) % and (82.3) % at temperatures of 50 C and 60 C, respectively, using low-density polyethylene waste at an optimum value of about 4% by weight of asphalt in addition to enhancing the Marshall stability by using this percentage of polymer.

Effect of additional types of different probiotics on feed on the consumption rate, feed conversion ratio, protein, and fat retention Cyprinus carpio

Cyprinus carpio is a freshwater fish that is in great demand by the public because of several advantages, including its high protein content and affordable price. Carp (C. carpio) cultivation requires artificial feed as nutrients to support its growth. One aspect of stunted growth is low feed utilization, this is related to feed protein digestibility that is not optimal. One way to increase the digestibility of feed is by adding probiotics. The purpose of this study was to examine the addition of probiotics to artificial feed on the level of feed consumption, the value of the feed conversion ratio, the retention of protein in meat and retention of fat in the fish of Cyprinus carpio.
 This research was conducted in May-June 2022 at the Laboratory of the School of Health and Natural Sciences. The results found that the addition of different types of probiotics to the feed can affect the level of consumption, feed conversion ratio, protein retention and fat retention of Cyprinus carpio fish. This study used an experimental method with a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 4 replications. Observations on each treatment showed different results. The results showed that probiotics had an effect (p<0.05) on TKP, RKP, RP, and RL. The best use of probiotics is found in P4 with the content of probiotic bacteria, namely Lactobacillus sp. Acetobacter sp. and yeast. The results obtained in the P4 treatment with a total value of 105.93 grams of feed consumption, 1.40 feed conversion ratio value, 65.68% meat protein retention value, and 187.59% meat fat retention value