Effects Of Additives Research Articles

PSV-10 Evaluation of the effect of probiotic feed additives in the diet to improve dairy production and quality measures

Abstract There is limited information regarding the effectiveness of probiotic feed additives in the diet of lactating dairy cows. This study aimed to determine the effect that Fastrack probiotic had on the yield and milk quality measures of lactating dairy cows. To accomplish this goal, lactating Holstein cows (n = 80) were equally divided into two treatment groups: one supplemented with a probiotic (PRO) and one that did not receive the probiotic supplement (CON). The cows remained in their treatment groups for the duration of the 120-d study and were given ad libitum access to a total mixed ration consisting of 35% corn silage, 30% rolled corn, 10.5% soybean meal, 23% DDGS, and 1.5% mineral supplement. Cows on the PRO treatment were given 1 kg of DDGS once a day at milking that had the probiotic mixed in while the CON treatment were given 1 kg of the same DDGS that did not have the probiotic included. Preliminary results of this study show a decrease in individual treatment records for cows on the PRO treatment and an increase of 2 kg of milk yield per day.

PSIV-17 Effects of butyrin-based additive supplementation on nursery pig performance, fecal dry matter, serum cytokines, short chain fatty acid production, and serum chemistry

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of butyrin-based feed additives on nursery pig performance, fecal dry matter (DM), serum chemistry, and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. In Exp. 1, 250 pigs (initially body weight = 5.6 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatments. There were 5 pigs/pen and 10 replications/treatment. Treatments consisted of a negative control, a positive control, and three diets containing various butyrin-based feed additives. The negative control was a corn-soybean meal-based diet with no antibiotics or pharmacological content of Zn or Cu. The positive control contained 3,000 and 2,000 mg/kg of Zn from ZnO in phase 1 (d 0 to 10) and 2 (d 10 to 24), respectively, 250 mg/kg of Cu from CuSO4 in phase 3 (d 24 to 38), and 55 mg/kg of carbadox (Mecadox; Phibro Animal Health Corp., Teaneck, NJ) across all phases. The butyrin-based feed additives were added at 0.1% to the negative control diet and consisted of monobutyrin, mono-tributyrin, or tributyrin. In Exp. 2, 1,492 pigs (initially 5.1 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments. There were 26 or 27 pigs/pen and 14 replications/treatment. Treatments were fed over 3 phases consisting of a control diet and 3 diets containing different mono-tributyrin blends. In phase 1 and 2, the control diet contained 55 mg/kg of carbadox and 3,000 and 2,000 mg/kg of Zn from ZnO, respectively. Each feed additive was added at 0.3% to the control diet in phase 1 and 2, and 0.1% in phase 3. Phases 1 and 2 were fed by feed budget of 2.3 and 5.4 kg/pig, respectively, and phase 3 until the completion of the study. Overall, for Exp. 1, pigs fed the positive control had increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with all other treatments (Table). Pigs fed monobutyrin had decreased (P < 0.05) gain to feed ratio (G:F) compared with all other treatments. On d 24, pigs fed the positive control and mono-tributyrin had increased (P< 0.05) fecal DM compared with pigs fed monobutyrin and tributyrin with the negative control intermediate. On d 38, pigs fed mono-tributyrin had increased (P < 0.05) serum haptoglobin and cecal butyrate concentration compared with pigs fed the positive and negative control, respectively, with other treatments intermediate. For Exp. 2, there were no differences in growth performance throughout the study. On d 10, pigs fed mono-tributyrin blend 3 had increased (P< 0.05) fecal DM compared with mono-tributyrin blend 2 with other treatments intermediate. On d 24 and 42, pigs fed mono-tributyrin blend 1 had the highest (P ≤ 0.012) IL-12 concentration, without significant mean separation on d 24. In summary, butyrin-based feed additives had limited effects on growth performance. However, supplementing butyrin-based feed additives led to alterations in fecal consistency, SCFA production, and serum chemistry.

Effects of YSZ and CA6 additives on densification and thermal shock resistance of Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 refractories

To achieve high-quality and stable production of modern clean steel, novel Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 refractories with enhanced sintering properties and thermo-mechanical properties were synthesized by introducing YSZ and CA6 as the reinforcers. A sintering reaction mechanism involving the Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 quaternary system is proposed. The results show that the sintering process in the Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 quaternary system was characterized by the sequential formation of Al5Y3O12→YAlO3→Y4Al2O9→Y2O3 in three distinct stages, resulting in the predominant phases of Al5Y3O12 and MgAl2O4. The YSZ addition on Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 refractories promotes the complete reaction between Y2O3 and CaAl4O7, fostering the formation of additional Al5Y3O12, which significantly enhances the densification, leading to improvements in both compressive strength and thermal shock resistance. The addition of CA6 promotes the generation of more Al5Y3O12, which forms numerous pores during the three stages of the sintering process, and the distribution of these pores is uncontrollable. Therefore, based on the sintering reaction mechanism of the Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 quaternary system, a low-cost and enforceable reinforcement strategy for Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 refractories is proposed, which is expected to focus on the application of YSZ in Al2O3-MgO-CaO-Y2O3 refractories for clean steel smelting.

A Review of the Studies on the Effect of Different Additives on the Fatigue Behavior of Asphalt Mixtures

The fatigue phenomenon significantly weakens road pavement due to repeated reloading. To enhance fatigue resistance, numerous studies have explored various additives in asphalt mixtures. This review focuses on key variables influencing the effectiveness of additives, including fibers, polymers, nanomaterials, waste materials, and biomaterials, in improving the fatigue performance of asphalt mixtures. The study initially identifies different additives and fatigue testing methods used for asphalt mixtures. It evaluates the impact of factors such as modifier content and size, base asphalt binder type, mixing processes, dispersion behavior, and testing conditions on the fatigue behavior of modified asphalt mixtures. The cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of additive application have also been assessed. Additionally, research gaps and future prospects for modified asphalt mixes are outlined. Existing studies demonstrate the benefits of additives like basalt fiber, polyester fiber, styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), nanosilica, crumb rubber, and biooils in enhancing the fatigue life of pavement constructions. However, challenges exist in the application of modifiers due to limited practical implications and insufficient knowledge. Further research is needed on factors such as additives’ dispersity, compatibility, aging resistance, economic viability, and modifying mechanisms in morphological and micromechanical aspects to enhance the fatigue performance of the modified asphalt mixture.

Preparation and characterization of titanium gypsum artificial aggregate

Abstract In this study, solid waste titanium gypsum (TG) was used as raw material to design the basic mix ratio of aggregate, and TG artificial aggregate (TGA) was prepared based on alkali-activated cold bonding technology. The effects of different additives (slag, silica fume, and fly ash) on the properties of TGA were preliminarily investigated by using NaOH as activator in laboratory test, and the additives of TG aggregate were determined. Furthermore, the aggregate mix ratio was designed based on the additive, and the physical and mechanical properties, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy analysis, and dry–wet cycle test of artificial aggregate were carried out. The results show that the artificial aggregate prepared by the same process and the aggregate prepared by silica fume as an additive has a high balling rate; it is technically feasible to use TG as the main raw material, silica fume as an additive, and NaOH as an activator to select a suitable mix ratio to prepare artificial aggregates. The microscopic test results reveal the internal products and structural degradation process of TG aggregate.

Study of the Effects of Additives on an EDTA-2Na Electroless Ni-P Plating System

Study of the Effects of Additives on an EDTA-2Na Electroless Ni-P Plating System

The Effects of Microbial Additive Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites, Fecal Microflora, and Carcass Characteristics of Growing–Finishing Pigs

This study aimed to assess the effects of microbial additives that produce antimicrobial and digestive enzymes on the growth performance, blood metabolites, fecal microflora, and carcass characteristics of growing–finishing pigs. A total of 180 growing–finishing pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc; mixed sex; 14 weeks of age; 58.0 ± 1.00 kg) were then assigned to one of three groups with three repetitions (20 pigs) per treatment for 60 days of adaptation and 7 days of collection. Dietary treatments included 0, 0.5, and 1.0% microbial additives in the basal diet. For growth performance, no significant differences in the initial and final weights were observed among the dietary microbial additive treatments, except for the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency. In terms of blood metabolites and fecal microflora, immunoglobulin G (IgG), blood urea nitrogen, blood glucose, and fecal lactic acid bacteria count increased linearly, and fecal E. coli counts decreased linearly with increasing levels of microbial additives but not growth hormones and Salmonella. Carcass quality grade was improved by the microbial additive. In addition, carcass characteristics were not influenced by dietary microbial additives. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1.0% microbial additive improved average daily gain, feed efficiency, IgG content, and fecal microflora in growing–finishing pigs.

Devitalization of Bacteria in Composted Cattle Manure with Natural Additives and Risk for Environment.

Nowadays, there is an effort to improve the effectiveness of the composting process, supported by the addition of various supplements to reduce soil nutrition losses and increase soil remediation. The aim of this study was to examine the devitalization effect of natural additives like zeolite-clinoptilolite and its combination with hydrated lime in composted cattle manure on indicator and pathogen bacteria. The composting process was running in three static piles of cattle manure mixed with wheat straw (control, zeolite-lime, and zeolite) for 126 days. Composted manure substrates were determined for physicochemical (temperature, pH, nitrogen and phosphorus content, C/N, organic matter, and moisture) and microbiological analyses (Salmonella spp., indicator bacteria). The effects of additives were reflected in changes in physicochemical factors, e.g., an increase in temperature (<53 °C) or pH (<9.3). According to Pearson correlation, these changes (pH, Nt, Pt) resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.001) of indicator bacteria (two or three orders) in zeolite pile or zeolite-lime pile. Die-off of Salmonella spp. in the zeolite-lime pile was indicated within 41 days; in other piles, this occurred on day 63. Our results can aid in further optimizing the composting of cattle manure in order to lower environmental pollution and the risk of human infection.

Research on the Performance Improvement Method for Lithium-Ion Battery in High-Power Application Scenarios

With the development of technology, high-power lithium-ion batteries are increasingly moving towards high-speed discharge, long-term continuous output, instantaneous high-rate discharge, and miniaturization, and are being gradually developed towards the fields of electric tools, port machinery and robotics. Improving the power performance of batteries can be achieved from multiple dimensions, such as electrochemical systems and battery design. In order to improve the power performance of lithium-ion batteries, this paper proposes design methods from the perspective of electrochemical systems, which include increasing the high-rate discharge capacity and low impedance of the battery. This article also studies the preparation of high-power lithium-ion batteries. This article aims to improve the rate performance of batteries by studying high-performance cathode materials, excellent conductive networks, and high-performance electrolytes. This article successfully screened high-performance cathode materials by comparing the effects of different particle sizes of cathode materials on electrode conductivity and battery internal resistance. By comparing the effects of electrolyte additives under pulse cycling, high-quality electrolyte additive materials were selected. By comparing the effects of different types, contents, and ratios of conductive agents on electrode conductivity, battery internal resistance, high-quality conductive agents, and appropriate ratios were selected. Finally, a 10 Ah cylindrical high-power lithium-ion battery with a specific energy of 110 Wh/kg, pulse discharge specific power of 11.3 kW/kg, an AC internal resistance of ≤0.7 m Ω, a 10C full capacity discharge cycle of over 1700, a 30C full capacity discharge cycle of over 500, and a continuous discharge capacity of 10C–30C, and a pulse discharge capacity of over 100C was prepared.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolation from Üçburun Peppers and Comparison of the Different Production Process for Pickled Pepper

In recent years, the number of conscious consumers who care about accessing safe food has increased, and this has brought about an increased interest in pickle products that do not contain preservatives and are obtained by natural fermentation. With the negative effects of food additives on health coming to the forefront, the search for new and natural methodologies in pickle production processes has begun. For this purpose, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which is the most common bacteria in pickle fermentation and a normal microbiota member of fresh peppers, is used for natural fermentation studies in pickle production. In this context, this study aimed to sample Üçburun pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L., “Golden Greek”) for LAB isolation and to compare two different pickle production techniques within the scope of industrial processing. Accordingly, sampling was performed from two different sampling points for LAB isolation. The phenotypic and biochemical characteristics of the obtained isolates were determined. Kit-based identification of 10 isolates that were determined to exhibit different profiles was carried out using the API 50CH kit. To obtain additive-free pickled peppers on an industrial scale, two different pickle production processes (fermentation and acidification methods) were applied. According to the analysis results and the differences in the production stages of stock pickles, it has been seen that the pickles obtained by the acidification method are more suitable for pickle industry production.

Synthesis of Robust Interface-anchored Composite PVA/PSU/Epoxy Membrane for Highly Efficient Pervaporation in Concentrated Brine Desalination

This study investigates the enhancement of peel-off resistance in polysulfone (PSU) membranes through the incorporation of bisphenol-A. The modified membranes were fabricated and characterized to evaluate their performance compared to conventional PSU membranes. Enhancing the interlayer adhesion within the composite membrane stands as a pivotal factor for ensuring its stable operation. Through meticulous characterization of the PSU structure and surface properties, our findings underscore the significant enhancement in interlayer adhesion facilitated by the introduction of bisphenol-A. In addition, we demonstrate the synergistic effects of PVP and SPSF additives in enhancing the hydrophilic nature of PSU membranes and the development of a novel active layer for membranes by incorporating 1.5wt.% polyvinyl alcohol with P(SS-MA) crosslinker on a PSU supporting layer. The synergistic effects of PVA and P(SS-MA) crosslinker contribute to improved salt rejection while maintaining structural integrity. Operating at a temperature of 70 ℃ and with a 3.5wt.% NaCl aqueous solution, the 16:1 membrane coated with a PVA/P(SS-MA) coating layer exhibited a remarkable flux of 53.6 ± 9.8kgm-2 h-1. Moreover, treating a highly concentrated solution of 10wt.% at the same temperature yielded a high flux of 38.73 ± 7.4kgm-2 h-1. Our findings underscore the potential of bisphenol-A modified PSU membranes as promising candidates for applications where strong adhesion and durability are paramount.

Effects of Noncrosslinked Polyvinyl Alcohol Fluid Loss Additive on the Compressive Strength and Viscosity of Class G Cement Slurries

Summary Limiting the fluid loss from the cement slurry to the adjacent formation by using additives is essential for maintaining the slurry’s water/cement ratio. The present work focuses on the effect of noncrosslinked polyvinyl alcohol additive (PVOH), a widely used fluid loss additive (FLA), on the compression strength and rheological behavior of Class G cement pastes. Results of the current study show that the PVOH surfactant characteristic and its absorptive mechanism interfere not only with the hydration process but also with the physical properties and compressive strength of cement pastes, such as porosity, permeability, and early age strength, which revealed the importance of using a defoamer when PVOH is present in the mixture. In the absence of a defoamer, the PVOH additive generates foam in the mixed cement paste samples, which results in increased porosity and reduced compressive strength of the hardened cement paste. Moreover, regarding rheology, increasing the PVOH concentration increased the effective viscosity when evaluating flow curves. Therefore, this study demonstrates a systematic method for assessing the possible effects of cement paste additives, such as PVOH and defoamer, providing a physical and mechanical approach rather than just chemical to evaluate additives’ influence on the mixtures. This method should consider different additives in combination with PVOH to test cement paste stability and to obtain specific working recipes.

Fabrication of silicon nitride with high thermal conductivity and flexural strength by hot‐pressing flowing sintering

AbstractThe silicon nitride (Si3N4) possessing enhanced thermal conductivity and flexural strength was sintered by a hot‐pressing flowing sintering (HPFS) method. The effects of extrusion deformation and sintering additives on the density, phase, microstructure, and performances of Si3N4 fabricated by HPFS were investigated. As the strain increased from 67% to 167%, the mean grain diameter of Si3N4 with MgSiN2 as an additive increased by 49%, reaching 1.36 ± .6 µm. The addition of MgSiN2–Y2O3 resulted in a significantly stronger degree of texturing and smaller grain diameter in Si3N4, compared to the incorporation of MgSiN2 alone. The thermal conductivity of Si3N4 with added MgSiN2–Y2O3 increased to 109.1 W m−1 K−1 in the flow direction, and the flexural strength reached the maximum value of 1250.8 ± 39 MPa in the hot‐pressing direction. The results showed that the thermal conductivity and flexure strength of Si3N4 were enhanced due to the formation of texture and the reduction of flaws induced by HPFS. Moreover, HPFS method exhibited outstanding controllability over the microstructures and properties of materials.

Improvement of the recipe of yogurt from goat milk with natural sugar substitutes

The article presents the results of studies conducted to identify the biological effects of active and food additives on the organoleptic, physico-chemical parameters of yogurt made from goat's milk. The aim of the work is to improve the recipe of goat's milk yogurt with natural sweeteners. A yogurt made from goat's milk was created with the replacement of refined white sugar with natural sweeteners, its organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters were studied. The practical significance of this work lies in the fact that a recipe-component composition and a method for producing yogurt from goat's milk without refined sugar, with the addition of natural sweeteners, which are good because they are products that contain a number of substances useful for health. A parametric scheme of the technological process of yogurt fermentation is presented. The organoleptic parameters and physico-chemical properties of goat's milk yogurt with the addition of stevia and erythritol extracts meet the requirements for yoghurts. As a result of research, a technology for the production of yogurt from goat's milk using natural sweeteners erythritol and stevia has been developed, a product with high nutritional and biological value has been obtained, and also has pleasant taste qualities, hiding the specific taste of goat's milk.

Effects of sintering additives and sintering methods on the mechanical, antimicrobial and optical properties of Si3N4 bioceramics

Si3N4 bioceramics were fabricated using GPS and SPS method with MgO-RE2O3 (RE = La, Nd, Gd, Ho and Lu) sintering additives. The effect of sintering methods and sintering additives on the grain growth, mechanical, antimicrobial properties and color of Si3N4 bioceramics were studied. Samples sintered with GPS are composed of β-Si3N4 and samples sintered with SPS are composed of α-Si3N4 and β-Si3N4. The growth of β-Si3N4 grains in samples sintered with GPS are more adequate. Samples sintered with GPS exhibit a S. aureus inactivation rate up to 98% and a bright color appearance with a hardness of about 13 GPa and a fracture toughness up to 7.5 MPa m1/2, suitable for dental implants. And samples sintered with SPS exhibit a hardness of about 17 GPa and a fracture toughness about 6 MPa m1/2.

Evaluation of Temperature-Dependent Boundary Lubrication Behavior of Stearic Acid Using a Force-Controlled Tribometer.

A quick evaluation of the effectiveness of additives is important in lubricant formulation. In this study, we employed a friction-force measurement approach using a newly designed lateral force-controlled tribometer. This tribometer evaluates the lubricant properties under boundary lubrication. In this lateral force-controlled tribometer, the absence of a stiffness-altering sensor enables the modeling of the actual contact conditions without altering the contact stiffness. Indirect friction force measurement ensures precise measurements of friction properties while avoiding common measurement errors encountered in conventional tribometers, such as sensor misalignment and changes in the stiffness of the machine due to the sensor. The tribometer designed and built consists of a pendulum that measures the rate of dissipation of the oscillation amplitude as a function of time. The unique characteristics of the machine are the possibility of changing the energy input into the tribosystem without altering the tribo-contact conditions and the capability to do experiments at higher temperatures. To evaluate the capabilities of this tribometer, the impact of temperature on the frictional properties of a base oil and a blend of base oil and stearic acid (SA) (a prominent Organic Friction Modifier) is investigated. The test result shows that frictional energy dissipation decreases when stearic acid is present in the lubricant. And, as the temperature of the oil increases, the energy dissipation increases for pure base oil but reduces for the blend. The observed frictional trends are attributed to the decrease in the viscosity of the base oil with an increase in the temperature. The decrease in friction for the SA blend is attributed to tribofilm formation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirm the presence of the SA tribofilm on the surface. XPS indicates an increase in tribofilm quantity with rising temperatures. The kinetics of film formation and thickness increase with temperature, consequently reducing the friction in the SA blend.

3D-printable construction and demolition waste-based geopolymer: Investigating the effects of additives on engineering properties

This paper focuses on the investigating the effects of various additives on the engineering properties of construction and demolition waste (CDW)-based geopolymer mortars. In this study, low-activity CDW-based precursors, specifically brick waste (BW) and concrete waste (CW), were employed. Additionally, industrial waste-based precursors such as slag (S) and silica fume (SF) were utilized to enhance the overall composition. To facilitate activation, a 5 M solution of NaOH was used. To address the efflorescence issue prevalent in geopolymer mixtures and to eliminate potential cracks that may arise due to the dimensional stability problem of 3D-printed CDW-based geopolymer, various kind of additives including calcite, polypropylene fiber, nano SiO2, Al2O3, and TiO2, carbon nano tubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplatelet (GNP), methyl cellulose (MC), Na2SiO3, calcium oxide (CaO), calcium aluminate cement (CAC), and Ca(OH)2 were incorporated into the matrix. The research utilized a comprehensive testing methodology, allowing for a detailed exploration of various properties and the performance of the geopolymer mixtures. The results indicated that nano SiO2 and Al2O3, Na2SiO3, BW, and CAC were recognized for their positive impact on improving the mechanical properties of the geopolymer. Notably, the geopolymer exhibited an impressive compressive strength of 29.8 MPa and a flexural strength of 5.4 MPa following a 28-day ambient curing (23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5% relative humidity). Furthermore, the inclusion of nano SiO2 and Al2O3, GNP, MC, Na2SiO3, CaO, CAC, and Ca(OH)2 proved effective in preventing efflorescence, while MC, Na2SiO3, CaO, CAC, and Ca(OH)2 successfully mitigated cracks formation. The results also demonstrated that the CDW-based geopolymer mixture is suitable for 3D printing, displaying satisfactory buildability, shape retention, and extrudability. A thorough testing approach highlighted the effectiveness of additives in shaping the properties of CDW-based geopolymer, positioning them as promising for improvement and addressing challenges.

Effects of Impurities and Additives on Interactions of Nuclear-Grade Graphite with Molten LiF-NaF-KF

It has been widely acknowledged that the presence of impurities in molten fluoride salt can alter the salt/material interactions. However, the effects of various impurities such as oxides, metal fluorides, reducing impurities, etc., on the behavior of nuclear-grade graphite in molten fluoride salts have not been reported. This study focuses on understanding the effects of various oxidizing and reducing impurities on the wetting and infiltration behavior of molten FLiNaK salt for nuclear-grade IG-110 graphite. Our results suggest that different impurities can cause different effects on nuclear graphite–molten salt interactions, with some impurities leading to significant degradation of the graphite. Our results demonstrate that certain impurities, such as Cr2O3 and CrF3, lead to a limited increase in wetting and infiltration of molten salt into nuclear graphite, while impurities such as Li2O lead to significantly increased wetting and infiltration throughout the cross section of the graphite specimen. Certain impurities, such as Li, can also lead to significant degradation of the graphite in the salt, with the extent of degradation increasing with the increase in the quantity of Li added. Our results also demonstrate that firing of IG-110 graphite at 900°C under a reducing atmosphere made the graphite surface resistant to wetting by molten FLiNaK salt, as compared to the nonfired sample.

Effects of different biopolymers and additives on mechanical and barrier properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) blend films

Bio-based materials could offer solutions to the problems of petroleum-derived material usage and waste management. By taking into consideration this fact, the aim of this study was to create alternative product recipes for flexible packaging with the use of biodegradable polymers in line with sustainable packaging targets. In this study, the exit point was to prepare polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based bioblends with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) by solution casting method in order to create biocomposite combination for flexible packaging with improved properties. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) additive was used to enhance barrier properties. Thermal, mechanical, optical properties, oxygen permeability, water vapor transmission rate, and morphological features of the resultant biocomposites were characterized. First of all, it was seen that the elongation at break and tensile strength properties of single biopolymers can be combined in binary structures. Then, by establishing triple blend structures, biocomposite films with improved properties were obtained. In addition, the effects of alternative polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers to PBAT biopolymer in triple bioblends were examined. As a result of the studies it was found that the PHBV/PBAT/PHA structure could be developed with functional additives in order to reach the best flexible packaging formula. It was found that the oxygene transmission rate (OTR) value was improved compared to PE with PHA, PHBV and HPMC additives, decreased to 29 cc/m2.day with PBS and 14 cc/m2.day with PLA added to the structure.

Drying characteristics of sewage sludge pre-conditioned by CaO and sawdust under low-temperature drying conditions

ABSTRACT Heat pump drying is a low-carbon method of sludge drying. The operating temperature of a heat pump is generally not more than 70℃. To improve the drying efficiency of heat pump dryers, the effects of air parameters and additives on sludge drying characteristics at low temperatures were studied. The sludge drying experiments were conducted at an air temperature 50-70℃ and an air velocity of 0.5-1.7 m/s. The experimental results showed that the increase of air temperature, velocity and the addition ratio of additives can accelerate the sludge drying process. The average and maximum drying rates of sludge pre-conditioned by CaO and sawdust increased by 14.23% and 25.71%, respectively, compared with those of pure sludge. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the influence of air temperature on the sludge drying was higher than that of air velocity. Five reference models were fitted by the drying experiment data. The Page model has the highest R2, so it is the most suitable model to predict the drying time of sludge at low temperatures.