Enhancement Of Process Efficiency Research Articles

Optimization of Enzymatic Transesterification of Acid Oil for Biodiesel Production Using a Low-Cost Lipase: The Effect of Transesterification Conditions and the Synergy of Lipases with Different Regioselectivity.

This study describes the enzymatic production of second-generation biodiesel using low-quality acid oil as a substrate. Biolipasa-R, a commercially available and low-cost lipase, was employed for enzymatic transesterification. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the enzymatic transesterification process. The optimal conditions for biodiesel production, which comprised 42% lipase concentration (per weight of oil), 32% water content (per weight of oil), a methanol to oil molar ratio of 3:1, pH 7.0 and reaction temperature 30°C, resulted in the highest fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content (71.3%). Subsequently, the synergistic effect of two lipases with different regioselectivities under the optimum transesterification conditions was studied, aiming at the enhancement of process efficiency. The transesterification efficiency of immobilized Biolipasa-R was determined and compared to that of Biolipasa-R in its free form. The results revealed a good performance on FAME content (66.5%), while the recycling of immobilized lipase resulted in a decrease in transesterification efficiency after three consecutive uses.

Viability and performance assessment of bipolar linear self-servo mechanism-based Maglev electrical discharge machining by processing Al-6062 alloy

The enhancement of process efficiency and eradication of basic setbacks of the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process has paved the way for its technological advancement. The discharge irregularities observed during conventional EDM operation due to servo-feedback delay have been addressed by implementing a novel bipolar linear self-servo strategy in Maglev EDM. The paper evaluates the viability of the novel Maglev EDM and analyses its performance in machining aluminum (Al) 6062 alloy. The Maglev EDM uses a systematic combination of magnetic repulsive forces to attain tool positioning in the Z-direction, which serves as the servo gap control mechanism. Experiments were carried out on Al-6062 alloy by utilizing brass tools and surrounding air as dielectric. The voltage–current waveforms exhibited stable and uniform discharges devoid of the short-circuiting and arcing phenomenon. Material removal rate, specific energy, and centerline average surface roughness of 6.717 µg/s, 2.397 J/µg, and 3.735 to 4.507 µm were attained at a discharge power of 16.1 J/s, proving the operational viability of the Maglev EDM. The experimental results were further compared with data available in the previously reported literature. Resolidified layers, globules, lumps of debris, melted debris, micro-pores, micro-voids, micro-cracks, and craters were detected from field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis of the processed work surface. The existence of tool material in the processed surface by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis certified the material migration and surface alloying.

Efficiency Enhancement of the Single Line Multi-Stage Gasification of Hungarian Low-Rank Coal: Effects of Gasification Temperature and Steam/Carbon (S/C) Ratio

Coal gasification is considered a promising solution for the production of synthetic fuels and eventually as a fuel for combined heat and power systems and heating buildings. There are several factors that affect the gasification efficiency and syngas quality, such as gasification parameters (temperature, pressure, etc.), reactants and their ratio, utilisation of catalysts, and gasifier design. The multi-stage gasifier is known as a promising approach in the enhancement of process efficiency, as well as the syngas quality. In this study, the Hungarian brown coal was gasified in a two-stage gasifier. The pyrolysis stage was kept at 600 °C. The gasification stage was conducted at 700, 800, and 900 °C. The steam per carbon (S/C) ratio was examined at 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25. The positive effects of increasing gasification temperature on char and dry gas yield were obviously shown at all S/C ratios. The increase in the S/C ratio did not show a positive effect at all temperature conditions, especially at 700 and 900 °C. The highest dry syngas yield was 1.14 Nm3/kgcoal obtained at 900 °C and the S/C ratio of 1.25. The increase in the gasification temperature also had a significant impact on the volume fraction of CO and CO2. Meanwhile, the syngas concentration varied slightly when the S/C ratio increased from 0.75 to 1.25. From a chemical utilization point of view, the gasification temperature at 900 °C and the S/C ratio of 1.25 resulted in the most promising H2/CO ratio of 1.99. In addition, the highest carbon conversion and cold gas efficiency were achieved at 900 °C and an S/C ratio of 1.00–1.25, respectively.

VOC removal from ventilation air by gas-to-particle conversion: Towords the Enhancement of process efficiency

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) form a broad group of airborne pollutants. They contribute to air pollution in various ways and thus should be removed from the air used in occupied spaces. This article presents an attempt to develop a gas-to-particle conversion process to clean VOCs from ventilation air. The prototype combines processes of plasmolysis, photolysis, particle growth, particle precipitation, and catalysis. The system was tested in laboratory environment against simulated polluted air with styrene, cyclohexane, hexane, and ethylacetate, at energy yields in range 0.31–1.90, g/kWh. Ozone was generated by non-thermal plasma (NTP) at a yield of 0.2–0.7 g/h. The power of NTP reactor (5–25 W) and air flow (25–150 m3/h) rate were the main variables of the experiment. Overall removal efficiency of pollutants was in range from 75.7 to 99.8%, The combination of plasmolysis and subsequent photolysis/bipolar ionization was proved as a technologically viable sequence for the gas-to-particle conversion and growth, resulting in particle number concentrations up to 3.9 × 107 p/cm3. The needle-to-plate type electrostatic precipitator (ESP) removal ratio as high as 99.99% providing residual particle concentrations to levels <104 p/cm3, while ozone has been destructed in ozone catalyst to the levels <127 μg/m3. The technology proves as a effective and energy efficient for the removal of VOCs from ventilation air.

Особенности организации технологического процесса наземного обслуживания рейсов бизнес-авиации в Российской Федерации

Objective: To analyze the technological process of business flights ground handling in the Russian Federation and develop solutions and recommendations to advance the process efficiency. Meth-ods: Applied methods are used: a specific selective analysis of the management features, and the substantiation of their impact on the technological process of business flights ground handling. Re-sults: The features of the technological process of business flights ground handling were analyzed, and specific proposals were developed enabling the process efficiency enhancement. Practical im-portance: Direct application of the developed recommendations and solutions by transport compa-nies may allow them to advance their process efficiency.

Effects of Scale-Up and Impeller Types on Spherical Agglomeration of Dimethyl Fumarate

Spherical agglomeration (SA) allows for intensifying a crystallization process through simultaneous particle size enlargement and process efficiency enhancement, without a compromise between bioavailability and processability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Inefficient collision intensity may encounter during scale-up of an SA process, while mixing intensity and flow patterns do play critical roles especially in a batchwise stirred tank. In the present study, the scalability of an SA process by operating at all the same configurations of different scales, 0.5, 2, and 10 L, using a common one-layered impeller with four pitched blades was examined through the use of dimethyl fumarate as a model API. Insights into the guidelines for scaling up of the SA process are also given. Furthermore, the effects of impeller types, including the one-layered impeller, the two-layered impeller with four pitched blades, and the maxblend impeller, on the size, size distribution, and roundness of dimethyl fumarate agglomerates were investigated carefully.

Comparative life cycle sustainability assessment of renewable and conventional hydrogen

Hydrogen is gaining interest as a strategic element towards a sustainable economy. In this sense, sound decision-making processes in the field of hydrogen energy require thorough analyses integrating economic, environmental and social indicators from a life-cycle perspective. For this purpose, Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) constitutes an appropriate methodology jointly handling indicators related to the three traditional dimensions of the sustainability concept. In this work, the sustainability performance of renewable hydrogen from both wind-powered electrolysis and biomass gasification was benchmarked against that of conventional hydrogen from steam methane reforming under a set of five life-cycle indicators: global warming, acidification, levelised cost, child labour, and health expenditure. The results led to identify the stage of driving-energy/biomass production as the main source of impact. When compared to conventional hydrogen, the life-cycle sustainability performance of renewable hydrogen was found to underperform under social and economic aspects. Nevertheless, the expected enhancement in process efficiency would significantly improve the future performance of renewable hydrogen in each of the three main sustainability dimensions.

A novel method for digital data encoding-decoding

Cryptography is one of the paramount and most vital data treatment processes, it allows us to be secure in our electronic transactions. The process of cryptography protects our valuable data such as private account numbers and transaction amounts, electronic signatures replace handwritten signatures or credit card authorizations, and public-key encryption provides confidentiality. The objective of data encryption is to keep digital data confidentiality save as it is stored on computer systems and transferred using the internet or other computer networks. In this paper we will focus in enhancing security level of the encryption-decryption process by introducing a novel method, which uses any digital color image to encode-decode secret message, the using of a special key to encrypt-decrypt the encoded-decoded message, the color image will be known only by the transmitter and receiver to keep the process of data treatment confidential, the obtained experimental results by the proposed method will be analyzed to prove the enhancement in process efficiency and confidentiality.

Emerging Tools for Energy System Design Increasing Economic and Environmental Sustainability

Energy is a fundamental element supporting societal development, particularly with the increasing dependency on the Internet of Things. It is also the main contributor to environmental impacts and subsequently, a potential sector for mitigation. Sustainable energy system design considers energy savings and energy efficiency, waste and consumption reduction, process efficiency enhancement, waste heat recovery, and integration of renewable energy. Emerging tools range from advanced Process Integration, modelling, simulation, and optimisation, to system analysis and assessment. This review covers selected emerging studies promoting sustainable system design, including the recent developments reported in the Special Issue (SI) of the 22nd Conference on Process Integration, Modelling and Optimisation for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction (PRES’19). The primary emphasis was to enhance the economic and environmental performance. However, social factors were also highlighted as essential for future sustainable development. The discussion and analysis in this review focus on the most recent developments of (a) heat integration and heat transfer; (b) integrated and newly developed heat exchangers, (c) integration of renewables, and (d) roles in economic and environmental sustainability. The key results are highlighted, and future research ideas are suggested according to their links to a broader context.

Lean construction and simulation for performance improvement: a case study of reinforcement process

PurposeThis research seeks to evaluate the impact of applying lean construction principles on the performance of reinforcement operations using a discrete-event simulation (DES) approach.Design/methodology/approachProcess mapping of reinforcements operations was first established through field observation and interviews with construction managers involved in the selected project. Subsequently, quantitative data were gathered and then used to identify the best probabilistic density functions for each activity duration based on the fit-quality tests. Upon testing the validity of the real-world model, a lean simulation model was developed, using ARENA software, to investigate the impact of lean construction principles on the performance of such processes.FindingsLean principles are effective in enhancing the performance of the selected construction process. Output performance measurements for real-world model and lean model revealed that lean construction principles led to 41% improvement in process productivity, 14% enhancement in process efficiency and 17% reduction in cycle time.Research limitations/implicationsThe statistical findings only represent the process under study (reinforcement process) and cannot be generalized to other construction activities. In order to draw generalizable conclusions, future works are needed to extend this study to different project sizes and more complex construction processes (e.g. bricklaying process and concrete pouring operations). Moreover, there are other factors such as labor skills, rework and uncertainty, site conditions that require further analyses for leaner construction projects.Originality/valueThe methodology and the techniques presented in this work can be used for decision making by analyzing various lean construction scenarios and evaluating their impacts on performance outcomes of any construction process prior to real-world implementation.

Squalene Emulsion Manufacturing Process Scale-Up for Enhanced Global Pandemic Response

Squalene emulsions are among the most widely employed vaccine adjuvant formulations. Among the demonstrated benefits of squalene emulsions is the ability to enable vaccine antigen dose sparing, an important consideration for pandemic response. In order to increase pandemic response capabilities, it is desirable to scale up adjuvant manufacturing processes. We describe innovative process enhancements that enabled the scale-up of bulk stable squalene emulsion (SE) manufacturing capacity from a 3000- to 5,000,000-dose batch size. Manufacture of concentrated bulk along with the accompanying viscosity change in the continuous phase resulted in a ≥25-fold process efficiency enhancement. Process streamlining and implementation of single-use biocontainers resulted in reduced space requirements, fewer unit operations, and minimization of cleaning requirements. Emulsion physicochemical characteristics were measured by dynamic light scattering, laser diffraction, and HPLC with charged aerosol detection. The newly developed full-scale process was demonstrated by producing two 5,000,000-dose batches of bulk concentrated SE. A scale-up of adjuvant manufacturing capacity through process innovation enables more efficient production capabilities for pandemic response.

Social network analysis of change management processes for communication assessment

Change management requires effective communication between diverse project participants to control delays and costs. This study applies social network analysis (SNA) to the change order process, mining tremendous volumes of change-order data. Furthermore, this study evaluates change-order related social network characteristics. SNA measures structural characteristics of the communication network at project, inter-organizational, change-order and time-dependent levels. Communication data are extracted from a project and used as a case study. This study describes how individuals are engaged in and impact the communication network, and emphasizes the significance of effective communication in process-efficiency enhancement. The results quantitatively illustrate the communication network and highlight the roles that key participants play. Key participants who influence the social network are revealed at different levels of the study. This research contributes to the literature by applying SNA to discover social networks in the change management process, and to provide better insight into communication network characteristics.

Continuous-flow synthesis and application of polymer-supported BODIPY Photosensitisers for the generation of singlet oxygen; process optimised by in-line NMR spectroscopy

Commercial polystyrene Merrifield-type resins have been post-synthetically functionalised with BODIPY photosensitisers via a novel aryl ester linking strategy in continuous-flow. A unique synthetic advantage of post-synthetically modifying heterogeneous materials in flow was identified. The homogeneous analogues of the polymer-supported BODIPYs were synthesised and used as reference to assess photophysical properties altered by the polymer-support and linker. The homogeneous and polymer-supported BODIPYs were applied in visible-light photosensitisation of singlet oxygen for the conversion of α-terpinene to ascaridole. Materials produced in flow were superior to batch in terms of functional loading and photosensitisation efficiency. Flow photochemical reactions generally outperformed batch by a factor of 4 with respect to rate of reaction. The polymer-supported BODIPY resins could be irradiated for 96 h without loss of photosensitising ability. Additional material synthetic modification and conditions optimisation using an in-line NMR spectrometer resulted in a 24-fold rate enhancement from the initial material and conditions.Graphical abstractGlow with the flow! Metal-free synthesis of polymer-supported BODIPY photosensitisers in flow has been achieved and shown to be superior to conventional batch synthesis. The materials were successfully applied as visible light (>500 nm) photosensitisers for the production of singlet oxygen and could be recycled multiple times. Pressure and flow rate optimisation was guided by in-line 1H-NMR spectroscopy leading to significant enhancement in process efficiency.

Gas Combustion Efficiency Enhancement: Application Study of Intense Elestrostatic Field

Abstract A number of international, European Union and Latvian legislative acts have been developed, which regulate the efficiency of gas combustion plants and greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. These legislative acts require the development of new scientifically efficient methods for gas optimal combustion with a minor impact on the environment. In order to achieve such a goal, different methods can be used, but the most efficient is an intensive electrostatic field application to control combustion and harmful emission formation in premixed flames. In the framework of the current study, the authors developed a hybrid burner, which allowed generating an intensive electrostatic field with intensity of more than 1000 kV/m. The study also investigated the impact of such a field on the formation of harmful emissions, including CO2 and flue gas temperature. The empirical results showed that an intensive DC electrostatic field generated inside of the burner had an impact on the flame shape, CO2, NOx emissions and flue gas temperature. In its turn, by applying an intensive pulsating electrostatic field (multivariable experiment) it was possible to achieve the reduction in NOx, CO emissions with a simultaneous increase in flue gas temperature, which was related to combustion process efficiency enhancement.

Improving Drinking Water Quality by Remineralisation.

The reason of low mineral content in source water is its origin in poorly soluble mineral geological structures. There are many areas with very soft low-mineralised water around the world. All people involved in drinking water treatment as well as some public health experts and producers of chemicals used for water treatment may be interested in the study. Enrichment of drinking water by minerals including calcium and magnesium is very important particularly in regions where drinking water is prepared by desalination. The aim of this work was to study and intensify the recarbonization process. Half-calcined dolomite in combination with carbon dioxide constitutes the chemistry of the applied method. Advantages of using a fluidised bed reactor contributed also significantly to the process efficiency enhancement. Continuous input of carbon dioxide into the fluidised bed recarbonization reactor resulted in an increase in the recarbonization rate by about one order of magnitude compared with the process in without carbon dioxide addition. Very good fit of experimental data for hydrodynamic characteristics of fluidised bed was obtained using simple model based on the Richardson and Zaki expansion equation. The first order model describes kinetic data from the recarbonization process with a good accuracy. Higher recarbonization rates were observed with smaller particles of half-calcined dolomite.

Planning of business process execution in Business Process Management environments

Efficient management of business processes is a key element of enterprise information systems for organizations operating in a competitive business environment. Despite methodology introduced to enhance the effectiveness of Business Process Management, research on the initial phase of system implementation has typically focused on the accurate execution of processes, not efficiency. The enhancement of process efficiency in various manufacturing applications, however, has received much attention over the past several decades. Unfortunately, due to the dissimilarities between business and manufacturing processes, optimized manufacturing processes cannot be applied directly to business processes. This study introduces a methodology for incorporating business process semantics and alternative paths in the Business Process Management structure. The approach entails mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation for a business-process execution plan and a meta-heuristic algorithm to obtain good solutions for multi-activity processes.

Metallic and carbonaceous –based catalysts performance in the solar catalytic decomposition of methane for hydrogen and carbon production

Solar catalytic decomposition of methane (SCDM) was investigated in a solar furnace facility with different catalysts. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the potential of the catalytic methane decomposition approach providing the reaction heat via solar energy at different experimental conditions. All experiments conducted pointed out to the simultaneous production of a gas phase composed only by hydrogen and un-reacted methane with a solid product deposited into the catalyst particles varying upon the catalysts used: nanostructured carbons either in form of carbon nanofibers (CNF) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were obtained with the metallic catalyst whereas amorphous carbon was produced using a carbonaceous catalyst. The use of catalysts in the solar assisted methane decomposition present some advantages as compared to the high temperature non-catalytic solar methane decomposition route, mainly derived from the use of lower temperatures (600–950 °C): SCDM yields higher reaction rates, provides an enhancement in process efficiency, avoids the formation of other hydrocarbons (100% selectivity to H2) and increases the quality of the carbonaceous product obtained, when compared to the non-catalytic route.

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF VIBRATIONAL DRILLING

During experimental study of vibrational drilling resonant frequencies of the developed tool were evaluated as well as drilling experiments were performed including measurements of cutting force, torque and surface quality, which indicate improvement with respect to conventional drilling and confirm that vibrational drilling can be successfully applied for process efficiency enhancement. http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.17.4.563

Applying the DOE toolkit on a Lean‐and‐Green Six Sigma Maritime‐Operation Improvement Project

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a case study on endorsing process improvement in maritime operations by implementing design of experiments on Lean Six Sigma performance responses. It is demonstrated how process efficiency and environmental muda may be dealt with simultaneously in a lean‐and‐green project driven by hardcore Six Sigma tools.Design/methodology/approachA 16‐run Taguchi‐type orthogonal design was employed to gather data for vessel speed (VS), exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and fuel consumption (FC) as modulated by a total of 15 controlling parameters synchronously. Active dependencies were inferred based on the desirability analysis method on direct process data from a performance log. This log was maintained for a long‐term monitoring during sea voyages of a double skin bulk carrier of 55,000 DWT while in sea service.FindingsA high composite desirability value was achieved eclipsing the 0.90 mark. Values well over the 0.9 level were also obtained for the three examined individual desirability values of VS, EGT and FC. Leading controlling parameters were discovered to be compressor pressure, fuel pump index, slip, governor index and MIP.Practical implicationsA Lean Six Sigma project is carried out to improve performance characteristics in ordinary maritime operations. While the company in the case study outlined in this article no longer relies on periodic inspections to determine machinery conditions, improvement on key process characteristics were nevertheless deemed worthy of ameliorating. Information retrieval from computerized continuous monitoring systems assisted in conducting experimental designs in order to obtain optimal performance. Specifically, the tuning of vessel main engine running mode was examined aiming at increasing the quality levels of output power to the shaft along with a reduction of NOx emissions.Originality/valueThis work adds an interesting paradigm in the critical field of maritime activities for processes in full gear while operating at sea. Maritime operations are an imperative necessity when expediting international trading transactions. It is the first time that such a case study has emanated from a real pilot Lean Six Sigma project which interlaces process efficiency enhancement with concurrent environmental muda reduction.