Proportion Of Ethanol Research Articles

A hybrid commodity price‐forecasting model applied to the sugar–alcohol sector

Accurate price forecasting for agricultural commodities can have significant decision‐making implications for suppliers, especially those of biofuels, where the agriculture and energy sectors intersect. Environmental pressures and high oil prices affect demand for biofuels and have reignited the discussion about effects on food prices. Suppliers in the sugar–alcohol sector need to decide the ideal proportion of ethanol and sugar to optimise their financial strategy. Prices can be affected by exogenous factors, such as exchange rates and interest rates, as well as non‐observable variables like the convenience yield, which is related to supply shortages. The literature generally uses two approaches: artificial neural networks (ANNs), which are recognised as being in the forefront of exogenous‐variable analysis, and stochastic models such as the Kalman filter, which is able to account for non‐observable variables. This article proposes a hybrid model for forecasting the prices of agricultural commodities that is built upon both approaches and is applied to forecast the price of sugar. The Kalman filter considers the structure of the stochastic process that describes the evolution of prices. Neural networks allow variables that can impact asset prices in an indirect, nonlinear way, what cannot be incorporated easily into traditional econometric models.

Solvent induced aggregation of protoporphyrin and octacarboxylphthalocyanine of zinc deposited on gold surface

In this paper, we studied the influence of solvent on the morphology of zinc protoporphyrin and zinc octacarboxylphthalocyanine films transferred onto gold surface by dipping. In these films, carboxylic acid groups borne in periphery of macrocycles allow anchoring to gold via ionic interaction. First, we followed by UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy the solvation state of these conjugated macrocycles in pure DMF, in pure ethanol and in various ethanol/DMF mixtures. We show that the increase in ethanol proportion promotes interactions between macrocycles. Second, molecular layers of macrocycles spontaneously adsorbed from these various solutions onto gold surface were analyzed by ellipsometry, water contact angle measurements, UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Results evidenced the layers were mainly composed of grains whose size of a few nanometers was directly related to the solvation conditions of molecules. In addition, Q band splitting was observed in the absorption spectrum of zinc octacarboxylphthalocyanine grain films which indicates specific organization of those molecules. Therefore solvent is shown to have a profound influence on the nanostructuration of as-prepared macrocycle layers on gold surface by promoting pre-organization in solution, and its composition enables to better control the morphology of those films by tuning the solubilization of macrocycles.

Optimized microwave-assisted extraction of total phenolics (TP) from Ipomoea batatas leaves and its antioxidant activity

Abstract An efficient microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was employed to extract total phenolics (TP) from sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] leaves (TPSL). The optimal conditions for microwave-assisted extraction of TPSL were determined by response surface methodology. A face-centered cubic design (FCD) was applied to evaluate the effects of three independent variables (microwave power, extraction time and ethanol proportion) on the recovery of TPSL. The correlation analysis of the mathematical-regression model indicated that quadratic polynomial model could be employed to optimize the microwave extraction of TPSL. From response surface plots, microwave power, extraction time and ethanol proportion exhibited independent and interactive effects on the extraction of TPSL. The optimal conditions to obtain the highest recovery of TPSL were as follows: microwave power, 302 W; extraction time, 123 s; ethanol proportion, 53% (v/v). Under these optimal conditions, the experimental values agreed with the predicted ones by analysis of variance. It indicated high fitness of the model used and the success of response surface methodology for optimizing TPSL extraction. After method development, the antioxidant activity of the MAE extract was preliminarily evaluated. MAE showed obvious advantages in terms of high extraction efficiency and antioxidant activity of extract with in shortest extraction time. Industrial Relevance: Sweet potato leaves have been neglected except for a partial use as livestock feed in China. This study describes the response surface optimization of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for the enhanced recovery of total phenolics from sweetpotato leaves (TPSL). MAE showed obvious advantages in terms of high extraction efficiency and antioxidant activity of extract within shortest extraction time. TPSL obtained using MAE showed potential for use in health-care food and pharmaceutical industry.

Effective utilization of B20 blend with oxygenated additives

In the recent times' fatty acid methyl ester popularly called as biodiesel has become more prominent alternate fuel for compression ignition engines based on a single fuel concept. Since, use of neat biodiesel on a large scale is raising certain difficulties and is being adopted in a blended form with petro-diesel fuel and B20 blend has become standardized. However, the HC and NOx emissions of B20 are still on the higher side. Present work aims at experimental evaluation of a single cylinder water-cooled diesel engine by adopting various proportions of ethanol and di ethyl ether blends in order to improve performance and emission characteristics of B20 blend. Besides employing different amounts of ethanol and di ethyl ether, simultaneous influence of injector nozzle hole size and fuel injection pressure are also investigated to arrive at an optimum configuration. Brake specific fuel consumption and hydrocarbon emissions values are lower with B20 and DEE 5 whereas B20 with DEE15 yielded lower NOx emissions. It is observed that addition of oxygenates have improved the combustion process and lower emissions are obtained. The present investigation revealed that blends with oxygenated additives having higher cetane rating are superior to neat blend.

Effective utilization of B20 blend with diethyl ether and ethanol as oxygenated additives

In the recent times' fatty acid methyl ester popularly called as biodiesel has become more prominent alternate fuel for compression ignition engines based on a single fuel concept. Since, use of neat biodiesel on a large scale is raising certain difficulties and is being adopted in a blended form with petro-diesel fuel and B20 blend has become standardized. However, the HC and NOx emissions of B20 are still on the higher side. Present work aims at experimental evaluation of a single cylinder water-cooled diesel engine by adopting various proportions of ethanol and diethyl ether blends in order to improve performance and emission characteristics of B20 blend. Besides employing different amounts of ethanol and diethyl ether, simultaneous influence of injector nozzle hole size and fuel injection pressure are also investigated to arrive at an optimum configuration. Brake specific fuel consumption and hydrocarbon emissions values are lower with B20 and DEE 5 whereas B20 with DEE15 yielded lower NOx emissions. It is observed that addition of oxygenates have improved the combustion process and lower emissions are obtained. The present investigation revealed that blends with oxygenated additives having higher Cetane rating are superior to neat blend.

Ca-alginate spheres behavior in presence of some solvents and water-solvent mixtures

Immobilization systems more frequently used are calcium alginate spheres. These biocatalysts have many potential applications in the immobilization of enzymes, prokaryotic cells, vegetal and animal cells, algae, organelles and mixtures of these living components. Other applications of immobilized cells imply the use of non aqueous systems. Some bioconversions are carried out in the presence of solvents such as hexane acetone or acetonitrile, or mixtures water-solvents. The aim of this work was to investigate the behaviour of Ca-alginate spheres when put in contact with different solvents (water, diesel, ethanol, methanol, acetone, n-hexane, isopropyl alcohol, THF, acetonitrile, and toluene), or solvent-water mixtures (i.e., ethanol-water), regarding the resistance of the alginate spheres after days of contact. Calcium alginate particles suffered different damages, depending on the solvent they were put in contact. Water did not damaged the Ca-alginate structure with or without Ca present. On the other hand different solvents lost a proportion of volume, i.e., n-hexane (16%), methanol (19%), ethanol (19.5%), toluene (22%), diesel (34%), acetone (765), isopropyl alcohol (80%), THF and acetonitrile (total loss, total destruction). Nor the dielectric constant nor the polarity indexes were capable of explaining the difference on the volume loss or total sphere destruction, except for water-ethanol mixtures.

Deprotonation of salicylic acid and 5-nitrosalicylic acid in aqueous solutions of ethanol

The protonation constant values of two hydroxybenzoic acids (salicylic and 5-nitrosalicylic acid) were studied in some water-ethanol solutions using spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods at 25?C and in an ionic strength of 0.1 M sodium perchlorate. The results indicated that the pKa values increase with increasing proportion of ethanol in mixed solvent. The dependence of the protonation constants on the variation of the solvent were correlated by the dielectric constants of the media. Furthermore, for a better understanding of the solvent influence, the obtained results were explained in terms of the Kamlet-Taft parameters ? (hydrogen-bond donor acidity), ?

Analysis of Acidic End Products and Molecular Characterization of Biohydrogenbacterium R3 sp.nov

Biohydrogenbacterium R3 sp.nov, as a typical strains of hydrogen production bacteria, was isolated from the activated sludge in the biohydrogen production reaction by using culture media of HPB-LR which was designed particularly for isolating anaerobic fermentation bacteria and an improved Hungate rolling tubes technique and a plate method of culture bottle (PMCB) which were used for counting and isolating the anaerobes by our lab. Two representative strains of hydrogen production bacteria, namely RL20, RL37, and a strain of no hydrogen production bacterium, namely RL16 were used as contrast analysis. Experiment results indicated that the distributed proportion of ethanol and acetic acid was 95%-99% in the total amount of VAFs (Volatile Fatty Acid) of R3 which were typical ethanol-type fermentation, and the total amount of ethanol and acetic acid was commensurate with that of propionic acid.

Performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine fueled with ethanol-diesel blends in different altitude regions.

In order to investigate the effects ethanol-diesel blends and altitude on the performance and emissions of diesel engine, the comparative experiments were carried out on the bench of turbo-charged diesel engine fueled with pure diesel (as prototype) and ethanol-diesel blends (E10, E15, E20 and E30) under different atmospheric pressures (81 kPa, 90 kPa and 100 kPa). The experimental results indicate that the equivalent brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of ethanol-diesel blends are better than that of diesel under different atmospheric pressures and that the equivalent BSFC gets great improvement with the rise of atmospheric pressure when the atmospheric pressure is lower than 90 kPa. At 81 kPa, both HC and CO emissions rise greatly with the increasing engine speeds and loads and addition of ethanol, while at 90 kPa and 100 kPa their effects on HC and CO emissions are slightest. The changes of atmospheric pressure and mix proportion of ethanol have no obvious effect on NOx emissions. Smoke emissions decrease obviously with the increasing percentage of ethanol in blends, especially atmospheric pressure below 90 kPa.

Ethanoled gasoline bubble pressure determination: Experimental and Monte Carlo modeling

In this work, we present some experimental and modeling studies of ethanoled gasoline bubble pressures (ethanol + gasoline blends) at various temperatures and ethanol contents. Modelings are carried out using Monte Carlo simulations in a specific bubble-point pseudo ensemble and using the AUA4 force field. This method is first validated on the prediction of binary mixture bubble pressures (ethanol + n-hexane, ethanol + propylene, ethanol + toluene, ethanol + isooctane). It is shown that a good accuracy is reached without introducing empirical binary interaction parameter, demonstrating the predictivity of the approach. Then, simulations of ethanoled gasolines have been performed. The molecular representation of the gasoline is obtained using a lumping scheme from the detailed composition of a commercial gasoline. Simulation results are compared to experimental bubble pressures measured in this work on this commercial gasoline in which various proportions of ethanol have been added. From a qualitative point of view, the azeotropic behavior of such fuels is observed both experimentally and by simulations. From a quantitative point of view, an average deviation of 15% between experimental and simulation data is found. Such results show that Monte Carlo simulation using an accurate force field is an efficient method to predict phase equilibrium of complex mixtures such as oxygenated gasolines. This methodology can thus be seen as an efficient tool that can be used by engineers for fuel formulation or for equation of state or process model calibration.

Low-Temperature Coprecipitation Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of LaPO4:Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Ce3+, Tb3+) Nanowires and LaPO4:Ce3+,Tb3+/LaPO4 Core/Shell Nanowires

LaPO(4):Ln(3+) (Ln(3+)= Ce(3+), Tb(3+)) and LaPO(4):Ce(3+),Tb(3+)/LaPO(4) core/shell nanowires have been synthesized on a large scale through a direct precipitation in a water-based system under moderate conditions without the assistance of any surfactant, catalyst, or template. The diameters of the obtained nanowires are about 15 nm, and the lengths range from a few hundred nanometers to several micrometers. The influences of the solution acidity, reaction time, and proportion of ethanol to water on the final products were investigated in detail. It was found that the lengths of nanowires can be efficiently controlled by adjusting the reaction conditions. The formation mechanism of the products is proposed on the basis of time-dependent experiments as well as the crystal structure of the products. The luminescent properties of the products were also studied. A LaPO(4) shell on the LaPO(4):Ce(3+),Tb(3+) nanowires can greatly increase the intensity of the product, and the thickness of the shell also has an important effect on the intensity of the product. The method is a novel and facile route for the synthesis of one-dimensional lanthanide phosphates.

Effects of the Non‐Competitive NMDA Receptor Antagonist Memantine on the Volitional Consumption of Ethanol by Alcohol‐Preferring Rats

Potent N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists decrease volitional consumption of ethanol by rats. This study examined the effects of memantine, a low-affinity, open channel NMDA antagonist, on volitional consumption of ethanol by alcohol-preferring rats and potential locomotor, sedative and hypothermic effects. Volitional consumption of ethanol in a 24-hr two-choice paradigm was determined for male Myers' high-ethanol-preferring (mHEP) rats. Effects of memantine (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d. [twice daily] for 3 days) or vehicle on volitional consumption of ethanol, proportion of ethanol to total fluids consumed, total fluid intake and consumption of food were observed. Potential sedating and locomotor effects of memantine (10.0 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d.) were determined using an elevated plus maze and an Auto-Track Opto-Varimex activity monitoring system. Rectal temperature was measured to determine if memantine (10.0 mg/kg, i.p.) produces a hypothermic effect. The results indicate that memantine dose-dependently decreased the amount of ethanol and proportion of ethanol to total fluids consumed daily, reaching 48% and 24%, respectively, at the highest dose. These effects did not appear to be anti-caloric. Memantine (10.0 mg/kg) partially reversed both the sedation and the reductions in locomotor activity induced by ethanol. This dose did, however, produce a small, partially reversible hypothermic effect. In conclusion, memantine may decrease ethanol consumption with fewer side effects than other NMDA receptor antagonists, such as phencyclidine (PCP), MK 801 and ketamine.

Towards the industrial production of antioxidants from food processing by-products with ultrasound-assisted extraction

Apple pomace, a by-product of the cider production, has been studied as a potential source of polyphenols, compounds of great interest for the industry. Ultrasound has been used to improve extraction efficiency in terms of time needed and total polyphenol content. A preliminary study has been first investigated to optimize ethanol proportion of aqueous extractant (50%, v/v) and solid/liquid ratio (<15%, w/v). A response surface methodology has then been used to maximize total polyphenol content of extracts and investigate influence of parameters involved in extraction procedures for both total polyphenols content and composition of extracts. Optimal settings reached from a central composite design were applied for ultrasound-assisted extraction and were compared to conventional procedure: yields were increased by more than 20%. Ultrasound-assisted polyphenols extraction from apple pomace appears to be a relevant, rapid, sustainable alternative to conventional procedure, and that scale up of the process is possible.

Size-Control of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanospheres by the Interface Effect of Ethanol on the Primary Emulsion Droplets

We hypothesized that the control of the poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanosphere sizes could be achieved by controlling the size of the primary emulsion droplets considering a combined effect of the ethanol volume fraction in the organic phase and the stirring rate of the primary emulsion. In this way, we prepared poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanospheres in order to evaluate the effect of those variables on the hydrodynamic diameters of the nanoparticles by a 32 factorial design. The size distribution curves considering intensity, volume and number of particles showed monomodal distributions for all formulations. The nanoparticle diameters (z-average) decreased from 423 to 249 nm with the increase in both the ethanol volume fraction from 0.0 to 0.4 and the stirring rate from 9500 to 17500 rpm. The polydispersity indexes ranged from 0.076 to 0.176. A statistical model based on the regression coefficients calculated by the factorial design analysis was proposed in order to predict the nanoparticle diameters. Using the predictive model, the results showed high similarity between the experimental and the predicted nanosphere diameters, validating the model for loaded PCL nanospheres. The backscattering profiles of the primary emulsions prepared using different proportions of ethyl acetate and ethanol showed a reduction in the size of the droplets from 1.659 microm to 0.706 microm with the increase in the ethanol volume fraction and the stirring rate. Ethanol decreased the restoring stress of the droplets as a consequence of the reduction in the interface tension. The decrease in the nanoparticle mean size was a consequence of the droplet size reduction in the primary emulsion.

Optimisation of the solvent extraction of phenolic antioxidants from fruits of Euterpe oleracea using Response Surface Methodology

Fruits of Euterpe oleracea (FEO) are currently known as elements that present a very high antioxidant activity (AAO), as measured by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. They are particularly rich in total phenolics (TP) and total anthocyanins (TA). Response Surface Methodology was used to optimise the solvent extraction of phenolic antioxidants from FEO, using a second-order polynomial equation to describe the experimental data for TP, TA, and AAO. In order to determine the best solid-to-liquid ratio and time of extraction, some preliminary studies were conducted. A rotatable central composite design with three variables (ethanol proportion, hydrochloric acid concentration and temperature) was then used. The results showed a good fit to the proposed model ( R 2 > 0.89). TP and TA, as well as TA and AAO, showed significant correlations ( P < 0.05). The optimised conditions that maximized the yields of phenolic compounds (TP and TA) and AAO from FEO were: ethanol proportion between 70% and 80%, hydrochloric acid concentration between 0.065 and 0.074 mol/L and a temperature of 58 °C.

Rapid and quantitative detection of ethanol proportion in ethanol–gasoline mixtures by Raman spectroscopy

The paper reports a Raman spectral in-situ detection technique to measure the ethanol proportion in an ethanol–gasoline mixture rapidly and quantitatively. The transformed information of Raman spectra for different mixtures of gasoline and ethanol have been observed and recorded. The relative intensity ratio of two typical Raman peaks for ethanol and gasoline satisfies a linear relation with a variation in volume ratio which could be used as a quantitative measure. This method, compared with the direct intensity measurement of a Raman peak, may not only eliminate the random measurement error due to dark current, but also confirm the accurate the proportion of ethanol and gasoline.

Partial transesterification of sunflower oil with ethanol by a silica fiber reinforced aerogel encapsulated lipase

A commercial lyophilized lipase of Burkholderia cepacia, from Amano, was encapsulated in silica aerogels reinforced with silica quartz fiber felt. This biocatalyst was applied in the direct transesterification of sunflower seed oil with ethanol, without any other solvent. When the molar ratio of ethanol to oil was two or three, the oil transformation kinetics was found to be very slow after the formation of 1 mole of fatty ethyl ester per mole of initial triglyceride. For a molar proportion of ethanol to oil ≈1, the recycling activity also decreased gradually in successive tests to reach an activity ≈7% of the initial activity, during the 5th test. Textural and structural analysis of the aerogels before and after catalytic tests showed that this deterioration was associated with a modification of the aerogel, by preferential adsorption of glycerol or possibly other transesterification products such as diglycerides. Besides, it is proposed that one of the cause for the aerogel loss of activity at an initial molar ratio of ethanol:oil of 3:1 was due to a progressive inhibition of the enzyme by excess adsorbed ethanol. The aerogel samples were also compared to a commercial product of lipase immobilized on polymer beads, from Fluka. The silica aerogels somewhat improved, to a limited extent, the activity during recycling.

Optimized Conditions for the Extraction of Eupatilin in Artemisia asiatica by Pressurized Liquid Extraction

The effect of temperature and solvent on the extraction of Artemisia asiatica using pressurized liquid extraction was examined. These two parameters were operated according to central composite design followed by response surface analysis to obtain the highest extraction efficiency. Determination of eupatilin was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. While the rise in temperature could increase the yield of the total extract, the content of eupatilin was decreased in high temperature. In addition, high ethanol proportion maximized the contents of eupatilin in the total extract.

A Comparative Study of Exhaust Emissions Using Diesel-Biodiesel-Ethanol Blends in New and Used Engines

The monoalkylesters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats are considered an attractive alternative fuel for diesel engines. This interest is based on a number of properties of biodiesel, including the fact that it is produced from a renewable resource and its potential to reduce exhaust emissions. Although several studies have been performed on biodiesel emissions, the results have been contradictory, with some studies reporting a reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions while others report an increase. Adjusting engine parameters like exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), retarding injection timing, and using multiple injection strategies has reduced NOx to some extent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on exhaust gas emissions of blending biodiesel and ethanol into conventional diesel fuel. Ethanol could be added to diesel in limited quantities along with biodiesel since biodiesel stabilizes the ternary system by acting as an amphiphile. This article illustrates the emission characteristics of diesel-biodiesel-ethanol (DBE) fuel blends on one used engine and two new engines. DBE is a new form of oxygenated diesel fuel blend and has the potential to reduce NOx emissions and to serve as an alternative to diesel fuel. The blend ratios (diesel:biodiesel:ethanol) by volume used in this study were 70:25:5, 70:20:10, and 70:15:15. The results with DBE showed a significant reduction in NOx emissions in new engines with increased ethanol concentration, whereas with the old engine under similar conditions, an increased NOx emissions profile was observed. CO emission increased with increasing ethanol proportion in the blends in both new and old engines.

Solvent effect of aqueous ethanol on complex formation and protolytic equilibria in nicotinic acid solutions

The protonation constants of nicotinate ion and the stability constants of iron(III) nicotinate complexes in aqueous ethanol were studied potentiometrically. The increasing ethanol proportion in the mixed solvent in general enhances the stability of complex species. Ultraviolet spectra were measured for nicotinic acid in solvents with various ethanol proportions. It is suggested that different nicotinate ion protonation mechanisms operate in water and aqueous ethanol.