EN ISO Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF FILLER SIZE ON THE STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF THE POLYMER MATRIX

Purpose. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particle size on the mechanical properties of a polymer composite with added chopped glass fiber, as well as to explore the interaction between aluminum oxide particles and chopped glass fiber. Research methods. Specimens were tested for tensile strength according to DSTU EN ISO 527-5:2018. Testing was conducted using an MTS Criterion Model 43 universal testing machine with a maximum load of 50 kN. Metallographic analysis was performed using a KEYENCE VHX microscope at magnifications of 50× and 500×. The microstructure of the polymer matrix was determined on unetched samples. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out using a JEOL JSM-5510LV microscope. Results. The influence of introducing different sizes of aluminum oxide fraction on the polymer matrix was studied. It was found that with an increase in the fraction size, the strength of the polymer composition decreases. Additionally, the interaction between chopped glass fiber and various fractions of aluminum oxide on the mechanical characteristics and morphology of the connection with the polymer composition was investigated. Scientific novelty. The interaction of chopped fiber with aluminum oxide fractions may affect the mechanical properties of the composite, such as strength, stiffness, and elasticity. Investigation of the morphology of the connection between chopped fiber and aluminum oxide fractions can help understand how they interact within the composite structure. This includes analyzing the adhesion between components, the structure of junctions, and possible defects that may arise during the manufacturing process. Studying this interaction opens up opportunities for the development of new composite materials with improved properties and diverse applications in industry, construction, aviation, automotive, and other fields. Practical value. The practical significance lies in refining manufacturing technologies and implementing new materials in industry. The ability to control the mechanical properties of composites by changing the size of aluminum oxide fractions can contribute to the creation of more efficient materials for the production of automobiles, aircraft, building constructions, and more. Additionally, understanding the interaction between chopped glass fiber and aluminum oxide fractions may open up new possibilities for developing composites with unique mechanical characteristics that meet the requirements of modern technologies and industrial production.

Occurrence of Salmonella spp. in flocks of laying hens in different housing systems in eastern Croatia from 2020 to 2023

Human Salmonella infections are often associated with the consumption of infected eggs and egg products. Therefore, knowing the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in flocks of laying hens and the factors that influence the occurrence of Salmonella on farms is of the utmost importance. Since 2012, housing laying hens in conventional cages has been prohibited in the European Union, and hens may only be kept in enriched cages or alternative housing systems. The prohibition of conventional cages has improved the welfare of laying hens, but has raised issues concerning the detrimental consequences for the spread and occurrence of infectious diseases in hen flocks. The aim of this study was to analyse the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in laying hen flocks in eastern Croatia in the period from 2020 to 2023, and to determine whether housing systems have an impact on occurrence. During this period, a total of 1534 samples of laying hen faeces from 191 flocks (106 flocks housed in enriched cages and 85 flocks in housing systems with closed outdoor runs) were tested at the Diagnostics Laboratory of the Croatian Veterinary Institute, Veterinary Department Vinkovci, as part of implementation of the National Salmonellosis Control Programme and official sampling in the Republic of Croatia for the presence of Salmonella spp. Isolation, identification and serotyping of Salmonella was conducted in accordance with the standard HRN EN ISO 6579-1:2017/A1:2020 method. Salmonella spp. was confirmed in the faeces of seven laying hen flocks (6.60%) housed in enriched cages, and 11 flocks (12.94%) of laying hens in housing systems with outdoor runs. The research results showed that there was no significant difference in the total occurrence of Salmonella between flocks of laying hens housed in housing systems with outdoor runs and those in enriched cages. The highest percentage of positive flocks was found in 2020 in 11.11% of flocks of laying hens housed in enriched cages and 18.18% of flocks of laying hens kept in housing systems with outdoor runs. When observed by county over the four-year study period, the percentage of positive flocks was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Brod-Posavina County in comparison with Osijek-Baranja County and Vukovar-Srijem County. The research results suggest that there is small possibility that transitioning from enriched cage systems to alternative housing systems, with strict biosecurity measure implementation, would increase Salmonella infections in laying hen flocks.

Has the German vehicle fleet become quieter? - Results of a measurement campaign using SPB and CPX measurements

In the past, the German Environment Agency has carried out several measurement campaigns to determine the noise behavior of the German vehicle fleet. The aim of the current project was to identify any trends in comparison to previous campaigns. Autonomous pass-by measurements were carried out at 30 locations throughout Germany in accordance with DIN EN ISO 11819-1 (SPB) with the aim of recording at least 1000 vehicles per location. As the road surface influences the pass-by noise, near-field measurements according to DIN EN ISO 11819-2 (CPX) were carried out to determine the homogeneity of the road surface at each measurement location. In parallel to the CPX measurements, texture measurements according to DIN EN ISO 13473 were carried out to quantify the relevant geometric parameters of the road surface. The presentation describes the methodology of these measurements and presents the final results including a comparison with data from the 2012 and 2002 measurement campaigns.

Sound absorption properties of different green wall systems

Façade of the buildings generally consists of acoustically rigid materials. They reflect or scatter sound emitting from sound sources especially main roads thus affects sound environment in a negative way. Applying green walls can be nature-based solution to these urban scale noise. The aim of this research is to compare green wall systems in terms of sound absorption and to determine which one is more effective. Sound absorption at normal incidence of 8 different green wall systems measured via impedance tube in accordance with TS ISO EN 10534-2 standard for 50-6400 Hz. The ivy type, evergreen Hedera Helix plant was used. Potting soil or felt or rock wool was used as a growth medium. As a result, it was seen that the sound absorption of the 'plant + 20 cm potting soil + 10 cm air gap' green wall system was higher than the others. It is followed by the system with 'plant + 20 cm potting soil', 'plant + 3 cm felt + 10 cm air gap' and 'plant + 3 cm rock wool + 10 cm air gap' systems. The sound absorption value was found to be lowest when the plant was applied only as a green façade.

Methods of Processing Dental Chromium-Cobalt Alloys for Production of Metal Frameworks Faced with Ceramics to Obtain the Best Mechanical Properties.

BACKGROUND Modern prosthetic technologies make it possible to fabricate prosthetic restorations without material loss and to make prosthetic restorations with complex geometric shapes in a relatively simple way. One such technology is selective laser melting (SLM), or additive manufacturing of metal materials, better known as 3D printing from metal or selective laser melting, but currently the most commonly used method is casting. The present study investigated use of dental chromium-cobalt alloys for prosthetic bridges and compared methods of processing dental chromium-cobalt alloys to obtain the best mechanical properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used dental chromium-cobalt alloy (SCHEFTNER GMBH) for laser melting StarbondCoSEeasy Powder with grain size of 10-30 µm and StarbondCoS alloy casting, made in accordance with the European standard EN ISO 22674. SLM-made specimens and induction melted alloy castings were prepared for the study. A centrifugal casting system with induction current melting of the metal alloy was used to produce the samples. The melting and casting process is automatic and limits changes in chemical composition. RESULTS The results show that none of the samples changed their chemical composition, while the samples made by SLM had better mechanical properties. CONCLUSIONS The SLM technique makes it possible to produce restorations faster and cheaper without any loss of quality compared to restorations made with the casting technique. Casting technology reduces mechanical properties, but still provides good mechanical properties.

Determination of the load acting on the probe by separating force and torque during FSW of AA 6060 T66

AbstractThe development of suitable welding processes is required to meet the ever-increasing demands on joining processes, particularly for lightweight construction and increasing environmental awareness. Friction stir welding (FSW) represents a promising alternative to conventional fusion welding processes, particularly for the joining of low-melting-point materials such as aluminium and magnesium alloys, which present a number of challenges, including the formation of pores and the occurrence of hot cracks. The central element of the process is the friction stir welding tool, which consists of a shoulder and a probe. The rotation and the simultaneous application of pressure during the joining process create a friction-based heat input through the tool. The excellent mechanical properties resulting from dynamic recrystallisation during the welding process are a major advantage of the process. As a result, strengths comparable to those of the base material can be achieved. However, FSW is subject to process-specific challenges, including high process forces, which result in the fabrication of complex and robust devices. Additionally, high dynamic loads on the friction stir welding tools must be considered. In many cases, the design of friction stir welding tools is based on empirical data. However, these empirical values are machine-, component- and material-specific, which often results in under- or overmatching of friction stir welding tools. Sudden probe failure, component scrap, and low process reliability are the direct consequences of undermatching. Overmatching results in enlarged tools with limited accessibility, high heat input, and high process forces, leading to component deformation. The aim of this study is to determine the load on the probe by separating the forces and torque of the shoulder and the probe in order to be able to make statements about the load acting on the probe and the resulting stress state. The knowledge of the stress state can be employed to design friction stir welding tools, both statically and dynamically, for a specific welding task. A strategy was devised to distribute the load exerted on the shoulder and probe. To this end, the length of the probe was gradually reduced between the welding tests. The investigations were carried out with a force-controlled robotized welding setup in which AA 6060 T66 sheets with a thickness of 5 mm were welded. A Kistler multicomponent dynamometer type 9139AA allows to measure the Cartesian forces to be recorded in the x-, y-, and z-directions with a sampling rate of 80 kHz. The weld seam properties were determined by visual and metallographic inspections as well as tensile and bending tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO 25239–5.

MICROWAVE HEATING EFFECT ON THE OXIDATION AND QUALITY OF COLD-PRESSED SUNFLOWER OIL

Sunflower oil is widely used in the human diet, primarily due to its constituent components and its applications in producing functional products. The use of microwave ovens in food preparation has become widespread in recent years due to certain advantages that include saving time, energy and convenience. As a result of heat treatment of oils, various chemical reactions can occur, leading to the formation of products that may indicate deterioration or a reduction in quality. For this purpose, untreated oil (not subjected to heating) and oil heated in a microwave oven for varying durations (ranging from 4 to 20 minutes) were analyzed in this study. The quality assessment of cold-pressed sunflower oil was conducted using standard official methods to measure peroxide, acid, and iodine values. The progression of oil oxidation was tracked by analyzing conjugated dienes and conjugated trienes through UV-spectroscopy (method AOCS Ch 5-91). Additionally, considering the theoretical link between microwave heating and changes in fatty acid composition, the fatty acid profile of the oil was determined according to MKC EN ISO 12966-4:2015. The results indicate a notable shift in the peroxide value (PV). Specifically, after heating the oil for 4 minutes, the PV exceeds the permitted limits. Furthermore, a decrease in the iodine value is observed with increasing heating time, while no significant changes are noted in the acid value. Additionally, changes in the content of fatty acids are observed in cold-pressed sunflower oil. At specific wavelengths (232 and 268 nm), conjugated dienes and trienes were detected as oxidation products, i.e. the extinction coefficients (K232) and (K268) fell within the ranges of 3,72-4,16 and 1,25-2,56, respectively. These findings lead to the conclusion that microwave heating induces changes in the quality of cold-pressed sunflower oil. To maintain its quality, an appropriate choice of heat treatment is required.

Quality Of Drinking Water In An Area With High Gold Panning Activity In Côte d'Ivoire (Daloa, Centre-West)

Background: Gold panning has experienced remarkable growth in recent decades in Côte d’Ivoire. This activity contributes substantially to local economies. However, the use of toxic chemicals has an impact on human health and the environment, particularly water resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of contamination of drinking water by metallic trace elements, cyanide and pesticides in an area with high gold panning activity in Côte d'Ivoire. Materials and Methods: Five (5) surface water samples and 5 well water samples were collected in the area of the gold panning sites and then analyzed. The metallic trace elements were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Total cyanides were measured according to the NF EN ISO 14403-1 standard and the pesticides were analyzed using a UV-visible HPLC chain. Results:The average concentrations of the metallic trace elements found were 0.125; 0.002; 0.046; 0.036 and 0.009 µg/L respectively for arsenic, Cadmium, Iron, Lead and mercury in surface waters. In the well water, the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead and mercury were respectively 0.025; 0.001; 0.009; 0.007 and 0.002 µg/L. The average concentration of arsenic in all surface water samples and three well water samples was higher than the standard set by WHO (0.01 mg/Kg) for drinking water. Lead and mercury levels in surface water were also higher than recommended standards for drinking water. Cyanide has been found in surface and well waters at relatively low concentrations. Twenty-five pesticides belonging to the chemical families of organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates and other compounds derived from urea and atrazine were found in the water samples analyzed. Farmer’s well water was qualitatively the most contaminated with the simultaneous presence of several pesticides. The sum of the measured pesticide concentrations for each sample complied with the recommendations for drinking water, set at 0.50 µg/L. Conclusion: Drinking water in this locality is contaminated by metallic trace elements, cyanide and pesticides. The quality of drinking water in this locality must be subject to permanent monitoring in order to protect the health of the population.

Fatigue strength of repair‐welded headed studs

AbstractWelded connections of headed studs are highly stressed details in bridge structures in steel‐concrete composite construction and are largely responsible for the functionality of the supporting structures. At the same time, this detail requires a lot of resources due to the high welding effort and therefore has a major influence on the economic success. An important criterion for the economic and ecological balance of the structure is the durability of the welded joint, which is quantified by the fatigue strength. The welding of headed studs for composite bridges is usually carried out using fully mechanised drawn arc stud welding in accordance with EN ISO 14555. Due to the process, stud welds that do not fulfil the standard requirements for flawless condition may occur in individual cases. The design rules for stud load‐bearing capacity in accordance with EN 1994‐2 are based on tests and only apply to connections produced using drawn arc stud welding. In the past, there were practicable and tacitly accepted solutions for repairing such sporadically occurring faulty welds, but these were never systematically investigated. Particularly against the background of fatigue loading, repair‐welded stud connections are now to be systematically investigated in a project funded by the AIF. The article provides an overview of the execution of stud welded joints and presents the tests planned in the project in order to achieve a practicable recommendation for the repair welding of headed studs.

Ecotoxicological assessment of waste foundry sands and the application of different classification systems.

The application of a battery of bioassays is widely recognized as a useful tool for assessing environmental hazard samples. However, the integration of different toxicity data is a key aspect of this assessment and remains a challenge. The evaluation of industrial waste leachates did not initially undergo any of the proposed integration procedures. This research addressed this knowledge gap. Twenty-five samples of waste foundry sands were subjected to a leaching test (UNI EN 12457-2) to evaluate waste recovery and landfill disposal. The leachates were evaluated using a battery of standardized toxicity bioassays composed of Aliivibrio fischeri (EN ISO 11348-3), Daphnia magna (UNI EN ISO 6341), and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (UNI EN ISO 8692), both undiluted and diluted. Daphnia magna and P. subcapitata were the most affected organisms, with significant effects caused by 68% and 64% of undiluted samples, respectively. The dilution of samples facilitates the calculation of EC50 values, which ranged from greater than the highest concentration tested to 2.5 g/L for P. subcapitata. The data on single-organism toxicity were integrated using three methods: the Toxicity Classification System, the toxicity test battery integrated index, and the EcoScore system. The three classifications were strongly similar. According to all applied systems, three samples were clearly nontoxic (from iron casting plants) and two were highly toxic (from steel casting plants). Moreover, the similar ranking between undiluted and diluted leachates suggests the possibility of using only undiluted leachates for a more cost-effective and time-efficient screening of waste materials. The findings of this study highlight the usefulness of integrating ecotoxicological waste assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-18. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Feedback on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by the point-of-care testing

In order to improve the detection and rapid diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, we evaluated the ID NOW™ COVID-19 isothermal gene amplification technique in parallel with the real-time PCR technique (Diasorin) routinely used in the laboratory during a prospective study in the 2020 season. As this technique showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 97.5% respectively, we then proposed to implement the detection of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the emergency department and maternity as a point-of-care test (POCT) for the 2020-2021 season and to evaluate its clinical and organizational impact. This article summarizes the results obtained and highlights the advantages and limitations of this strategy implemented in the emergency department, particularly in terms of time spent in the department, hospitalization rates, anticoagulant treatment and early isolation of patients, as well as the organizational impact on the maternity unit. Based on this experience, we report on the regulatory constraints that apply when setting up a POCT and the steps required to validate the accreditation in accordance with standard NF EN ISO 22870.

Growth, persistence and toxin production of pathogenic bacteria in plant-based drinking milk alternatives.

The present study investigated the microbiological safety of the increasingly popular plant-based milk alternatives. No (10/27) or only very low microbial counts (17/27) were detected in the tested products. These were mainly identified as spore formers via MALDI-ToF-MS. Three products contained Bacillus cereus group isolates, which were able to form considerable amounts of enterotoxins and exhibited cytotoxicity towards CaCo-2 cells. Preliminary tests showed good growth of B. cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica in all tested products (maximum bacterial counts: 5×1012 cfu/mL). These experiments also revealed strain-, time-, and temperature-, but especially product-specific enterotoxin production of B. cereus. In propagation and persistence tests according to DIN EN ISO 20976-1:2019-09, rapid bacterial proliferation was also detected in all products. B. cereus generally showed lower bacterial counts (106-107 cfu/mL) compared to L. monocytogenes and S. enterica (108-109 cfu/mL), but was detectable in a larger number of products over the test period of 6 weeks. pH values decreased (20/27) over time and visual and/or olfactory alterations (24/27) were observed. The present study provides information on the occurrence, growth and persistence of pathogenic bacteria in plant-based drinking milk alternatives. It also points out that the accompanying changes in pH, odor, and appearance are not necessarily recognizable to the consumer. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The present study contributes to the understanding of the microbial risk related to plant-based drinking milk alternatives. It is crucial that the manufacturer ensures that particularly spore formers have been effectively eliminated from the products. Among them, especially toxin-producing bacteria can pose a risk to the consumer, as these products promote proliferation and persistence of the bacteria.

Metalworking Influence on the Corrosion Behaviour of Sterling Silver and Silver Plated Copper

ABSTRACT Metalworking methods for silver and silver plated copper artefacts may strongly influence their corrosion behaviour. Various surfaces were generated on sterling silver coupons as well as silver plated copper coupons to simulate traditional shaping techniques and surface finishing procedures on historical silver artefacts. Coupons were either polished by hand, by a fabric disc on a polishing machine, or submitted to a hammering process in reference to the as-received state. All samples were subjected to various aging protocols, such as natural aging, a thioacetamide (TAA) gas test (NBN EN ISO 4538:1995) and a Na2S immersion test (NBN EN ISO 8891:1998). The various surface finishing procedures led to marked differences in the tarnishing behaviour which were evaluated by colorimetry, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

The impact of the environment of use on the behavior of polychlorinated (vinyl chloride).

Polymers are omnipresent in our daily life thanks to their low production cost and their ease of implementation, which makes thermoplastics more usable in supplying drinking water, distributing cold and hot water, and transporting hot corrosive fluids and industrial chemicals, including inorganic acids. The material of our study is chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC); it has better thermal insulation and a wide operating temperature range. This paper deals with the impact of thermal aging over time on the behavior of CPVC by performing two types of tests according to ISO 15877 (EN ISO 15877) two types of tests; the first is thermal aging (Fig.1) at a temperature of 95°C and a pressure of 10 bars for periods of up to 2000h and the second test exposure of the pipeline to pressure until bursting. On the basis of the test results, we can predict the rupture of the pipeline and thus avoid the dangerous accidents due to the bursting under the effect of the pressure and the high temperature; by using the results of this study, the inspectors change CPVC structures at the right time, neither too early when the part is still in good condition nor too late after failure; this will be very useful to save water and money and of course save the environment.

The Effect of Artificial Ageing on the Changes in Selected Properties of Organic Coated Sheets.

This contribution presents the results of research focused on changes in selected properties of organic-coated steel sheets in a corrosive environment of salt mist. The aim of this study was to characterise coated sheets and to analyse the influence of elevated temperature on changes in their selected properties. The methodology and experiments were chosen to simulate the accelerated ageing and to evaluate the surface of organic-coated steel sheets. During the research, the effect of artificial ageing due to increased temperature on changes in mechanical properties of coated sheets was monitored, which were determined by tensile testing according to STN EN 10002-1. The fracture surface of the test samples was analysed using a SEM. The following observations were made for the evaluation of coating by cross-cut tests according to EN ISO 2409. Corrosion tests were carried out by conducting salt spray corrosion tests according to EN ISO 9227. The test specimens were artificially sectioned using a laser beam. The results of the research experiments confirmed the assumption that the utilisation of the laser beam was convenient for the creation cross-cut test of the material. After the ageing test, only small significant changes in the basic mechanical properties of the tested materials were observed. It is necessary to take into account that there were changes in the appearance of the coating. The cross-cut test confirmed the results that the plastic-coated sheets could be utilised in salt corrosion environments.

Energy Potential of Existing Reversible Air-to-Air Heat Pumps for Residential Heating

Heat pumps can be considered one of the key technologies to meet the building stock decarbonization target set by Europe. Especially in warm locations, many households have already incurred costs for the installation of air-to-air heat pumps, but, in most cases, they only use them in summer for cooling, while heating is provided by fuel-fired boilers. For these households, the goal of reducing primary energy consumption could be achieved almost cost-free by using heat pumps, that were installed for summer cooling, also for winter heating. Based on this assumption, this research aimed to evaluate the energy savings and environmental benefits that can be achieved by using air-to-air heat pumps instead of gas boilers as the main heating system, without additional costs except for the installation of electric radiators in bathrooms. To quantify variations in energy, environmental, and economic savings compared to the baseline condition, detailed simulations were conducted with the dynamic hourly calculation method (EN ISO 52016) in six different European locations, considering heat pumps with different efficiencies and two different building types. The analysis showed positive impacts at all sites due to the use of heat pumps, which can lead to primary energy savings ranging from about 20% to about 60%. The results varied according to outdoor climate, coefficient of performance of heat pumps, building type, and, on the economic side, the cost of energy. This research provides useful results for outlining decarbonization scenarios, assuming that heat pumps are one of the technologies needed to meet the EU’s climate neutrality goal.

A device for dynamic testing of the refractory ceramic resistance to biomass ash

The corrosive effects of biomass ash on refractory materials in combustion chambers pose challenges. Development of new castable refractory materials which are more resistant to corrosion requires tests that accurately reflect the conditions occurring in real devices. This article describes the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) design and construction of a device for evaluating the corrosion of refractory materials in dynamic regime. The device allows to simulate combustion chamber conditions accurately, to regulate an injection of corrosive medium on the tested material surface under the specified conditions (temperature, time, and flow). In the present investigation the conventional refractory material was exposed to attack of biomass ash at the temperature of 1300 °C for 3 h to test the functionality of the device. A burner with technology oxygen–enriched combustion was used to heat the device. The corrosion tests were conducted in accordance with the standard P CEN/TS 15,418 and the standard STN EN ISO 21404. The operational state required for corrosion tests at 1300 °C was achieved within 1.12 h. The extent of refractory material degradation in the dynamic corrosion regime was evaluated using electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EM-EDS) and compared with the results of a static crucible test (3 h at 1300 °C). The dynamic test provided sufficient information on the interactions of corrosion medium with the refractories. Its main advantages are the maintenance of non-equilibrium conditions by controlled deposition of the corrosion medium in quantity from 1 to −100 g/h, fast heating rate to operating temperature (20 °C/min), and the possibility of conditions variability during tests (temperature, ox-red. atmosphere, fuel gas flow etc.).

Modification of the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Cu-30%Zn alloy with Cerium and Silicon

This study investigates how the introduction of cerium and silicon influences the structure and mechanical characteristics of Cu-30%Zn alloy. The examined properties included tensile strength, hardness, and impact resistance. The tensile strength of the developed alloys was determined using an automated JPL tensile strength tester (Model: 130812) with a capacity of 100 kilonewtons, following the ASTM D638 standard. The impact strength was assessed by the ASTM D256 standard using a pendulum impact testing machine (Model: U1820). Additionally, hardness testing was conducted using a Brinell tester. The Brinell hardness test was performed with a portable dynamic hardness tester (Model: DHT-6) by the British Standard (BS EN ISO 6505-1:2014). Specimens were prepared by incorporating cerium and silicon into the Cu-30%Zn alloy at concentrations of 0.1wt%, 0.3wt%, 0.5wt%, 1.0wt%, 3.0wt% 5.0wt% ranging from 0.1% to 5.0%, with increments of 0.2% for micro addition and 2.0% for macro addition. Microstructural analysis was performed using an L2003A reflected light metallurgical microscope. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were also utilized to characterize the cast specimens. The findings revealed a proportional increase in tensile strength, impact strength, and hardness strength with the rise in dopant concentrations up to 3.0wt% for cerium and silicon. Also, the analysis uncovered the presence of. primary α-phase, β-phase (intermetallic phases), and fine stable phase. These phase modifications contributed to the enhancement of mechanical properties. Cu-30wt%Zn enriched with 3.0% cerium and silicon demonstrated heightened tensile strength, impact strength, and hardness, making it a recommended choice for engineering applications.

Life Cycle Analysis of the Production of Neutral Alcohol Obtained from Winemaking Byproducts for Use in Perfumery

As is the case in many other industries, major fragrance brands are now incorporating circular-economy in their product-development strategies. This is in response to growing consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products. In light of this objective, perfumery raw materials must be evaluated against environmental and societal criteria. This more critical context, coupled with the fact that alcohol can constitute up to 95% of a fragrance, means greater attention is being given the origin of this fragrance solvent. Industries are now becoming keenly interested in seeking out more environmentally friendly alternatives to alcohols derived from field crops (sugar beet, wheat, corn, sugarcane) so as to use a sustainable alcohol with excellent olfactory performance. To this end, this study entailed evaluating the environmental impact of an extra-neutral grape alcohol produced in France and obtained from winemaking residues. Its olfactory performance has been proven to meet the expectations and industrial needs of perfumers. The environmental impact was assessed by a life cycle analysis (LCA) carried out per the current NF EN ISO 14040 standard. The results show that extra-neutral grape alcohol is positively comparable to sugar beet alcohol, particularly as concerns greenhouse gas emissions. Upcycled grape alcohol is also produced through sustainable management of winemaking waste and does not conflict with land needs for food production. Lastly, unlike field crops, grapevines in the form of vineyards are a perennial crop and therefore serve as major carbon sinks, much the same way forests do.

Production of a high-energy solid biofuel from biochar produced from cashew nut shells

The aim of the study is to produce a solid biofuel of high physico-mechanical and energetic quality from heat-treated cashew nut shells. Raw cashew nut shells are heat treated at 300 °C for 120 min at a heating rate of 1 °C/s. The resulting biochar is milled to 74 μm. Sugar cane molasses was incorporated into the biochar powder at a rate of 10% without the addition of water. The mass yields of solid, liquid and gaseous products obtained were 46.5%, 27.6% and 25.9% respectively. The solid biofuel produced has slightly improved physicochemical and energy properties over biochar, except ash and moisture content. Thus, the addition of binder and densification increased the ash and moisture content of the solid biofuel compared to the biochar obtained. With a higher calorific value of 33.02 MJ/kg, the solid biofuel has high water resistance and meets the quality requirements of class A1 of the NF EN ISO 17225-6 standard in terms of density and mechanical strength. Solid biofuel is ideal for use in households and biomass power stations.