Indirect Plants Research Articles

Correlations of morpho-agronomic traits and forage quality properties in diverse red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) collections

Red clover is an important perennial fodrage legume and a rich source of highly nutritional voluminous forage for livestock feed, which is continuously improved by plant breeding efforts that rely significantly on trait correlation studies. A two-year field trial was conducted at Rimski Sancevi, Novi Sad, Serbia. The aim of this research was to assess correlations of important morpho-agronomic traits and forage quality properties of 46 red clover accessions of diverse origins. The highest Spearman?s correlation coefficient (0.97, p<0.01) was found between the branch number and internode number per stem in the first experimental year. The green mass yield and the dry matter yield in both years had very high (0.95, p<0.01) and high (0.86, p<0.01) correlations, respectively. The stem height and internode number per stem had intermediate correlations in both years (0.68, p<0.01, and 0.50, p<0.01, respectively), and stem height exhibited an intermediate correlation with green mass yield (0.57, p<0.01, and 0.62, p<0.01, respectively) and dry matter yield (0.60, p<0.01, and 0.56, p <0.01, respectively) in both years. Thus, the indirect selection for higher plants with higher numbers of internodes per stem may contribute to accomplishing higher yield performance per plant. Although the branch number showed the highest positive correlation (p<0.01) with internode number per stem and an intermediate positive correlation (p<0.01) with stem height, this trait had a low correlation with green mass yield and dry matter yield and cannot be used as a criterion for indirect selection.

CFD-based coupled multiphase modeling of biochar production using a large-scale pyrolysis plant

This paper presents a combined CFD simulation of the thermal conversion of biomass to biochar and the co-combustion of air and biomass volatiles with non-premixed swirl air and volatiles in an industrial pyrolysis plant. The main objective of this study is to investigate thermal conversion process in indirect biochar plants taking into accounts the main challenges associated with biochar production. The model is based on the implementation of calculations on the thermal conversion of biomass in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) environment. Several sub-models have been introduced to simulate the thermal conversion of biomass to biochar, taking into consideration heat and mass transfer, drying, pyrolysis and volume shrinkage. A non-uniform heat flux obtained by simulating the non-premixed co-combustion of the swirl propane burner and the wood volatile gas has been implemented as an inlet boundary condition in the pyrolysis section. The feasibility of the self-ignition of wood volatiles has been investigated. Uniformity of heat transfer rate between thermal oxidizer and pyrolysis section and lower moisture content in the feedstocks play a remarkable role in producing higher quality of biochar and minimizing residence time in indirect slow pyrolysis plants.

Direct and indirect solar–powered desalination processes loaded with nanoparticles: A review

As a great attention has been received by the application of the ‘nano’ technology in several fields, many passive methods have been considerably improved. For instance, the emergence of nanotechnology might help alleviate water issues by solving the technical challenges that removing viruses, bacteria etc. and can reduce purification processes costs. The key aim of this paper is to distill the recent developments of nanoparticles–based solar–powered desalination processes. The previous review article conducted by Bait and Si–Ameur [11] has tracked the useful utilization of nanostructures in different solar distillation configurations. Therefore, it has been observed that it is worthy to keep tracking closely the current status of studies developed on the same issue in question. In fact, the research has also included the progress of employing this category of particles in indirect solar desalination processes. On the other hand, the study will focus in parallel on the role of proposed design amendments and its impact on the solar water desalting unit performance. Through the reviewed publications, further investigations are needed to address some critical issues, such as parameters related to nanofluids, i.e., shape and size of the nanoparticle. The economic, enviro–economic and exergo–economic aspects of nanomaterials loaded solar desalination systems are worthy to be analyzed. Also, there seems a lack of interest in study of nanoparticles–based indirect desalination plants assisted by solar energy. Moreover, this research is an opportunity to include other original scientific articles missed in the previous version.

Techno-economic optimization of shale gas to dimethyl ether production processes via direct and indirect synthesis routes

The shale gas to dimethyl ether process via direct synthesis route with a syngas H2/CO = 1 has a higher dimethyl ether yield than that via indirect synthesis route. However, the direct synthesis route involves various energy and capital-intensive processes, such as the complicated dimethyl ether separation process, and the CO2 recycle and compression process. In this study, a techno-economic analysis of the shale gas to dimethyl ether process via direct and indirect synthesis routes is performed using Aspen Process Economic Analyzer based on the rigorous process model developed in Aspen Plus®. Effects of different CO2 removal technologies and dimethyl ether synthesis technologies from syngas are evaluated. Both, direct and indirect plants are optimized in Aspen Plus equation oriented environment using the rigorous process models. The effects of key design parameters (i.e. H2/CO in the syngas) as well as investment parameters (i.e. prices of raw materials, products, and utilities, plant scale) on the process economics have been evaluated. The direct dimethyl ether synthesis route processing a syngas with H2/CO = 1 and using the Rectisol process for CO2 capture has the highest overall thermal efficiency on the lower heat value basis of all combinations studied in this work. The equivalent diesel price of the direct dimethyl ether synthesis process is found to be much lower than the current U.S. market diesel price indicating the feasibility of the process.

Assessment of somaclonal variation in indirect morphogenesis-derived plants of Arracacia xanthorrhiza

Abstract: The objective of this work was to induce and detect somaclonal variation in arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) plants regenerated via indirect morphogenesis, in order to evaluate the potential of this technique to produce new genotypes for breeding purposes of this crop. Calli were induced from petiole segments on Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium supplied with 0.1 mg L-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The regeneration of plants via indirect morphogenesis was carried out on half-strength MS medium without plant growth regulators. Fifteen randomly chosen plants were subjected to flow cytometry and “inter-simple sequence repeat” (ISSR) analysis. Ploidy level remained stable in all tested regenerants (2n=4x=44), with no changes in the genome. Eighteen ISSR primers produced a total of 1,584 fragments in all samples. Two ISSR primers produced four polymorphic fragments in 26.7% of the tested samples. Somaclonal variation in arracacha is a result of plant regeneration via indirect morphogenesis and can be detected by ISSR markers.

ERRATA: Assessment of somaclonal variation in indirect morphogenesis-derived plants of Arracacia xanthorrhiza

ERRATA: Assessment of somaclonal variation in indirect morphogenesis-derived plants of Arracacia xanthorrhiza

Analysis of an innovative direct steam generation-based parabolic trough collector plant hybridized with a biomass boiler

Direct steam generation (DSG) is the process by which steam is directly produced in parabolic trough fields and supplied to a power block. This process simplifies parabolic trough plants and improves cost effectiveness by increasing the permissible temperature of the working fluid. Similar to all solar-based technologies, thermal energy storage is needed to overcome the intermittent nature of solar. In the present work, an innovative DSG-based parabolic trough collector (PTC) plant hybridized with a biomass boiler is proposed and analyzed in detail. Two additional configurations comprising indirect steam generation PTC plants were also analyzed to compare their energy and exergy performance. To consider a wide range of operation, the share of biomass input to the hybridized system is varied. Energy and exergy analyses of DSG are conducted and compared with an existing indirect steam generation PTC power plants such as Andasol. The analyses are conducted on a 50 MW regenerative reheat Rankine cycle. The results obtained indicate that the proposed DSG-based PTC plant is able to increase the overall system efficiency by 3% in comparison with indirect steam generation when linked to a biomass boiler that supplies 50% of the energy.

Direct and Indirect Organogenesis of Alpinia galanga and the Phytochemical Analysis

Alpinia galanga is a rhizomatous herb rich in essential oils and various other significant phytoconstituents. Rapid direct regeneration was obtained from the rhizome explants (15.66 ± 0.57 shoots) on MS media supplemented with zeatin at a concentration of 2 mg/l. The callus cultures of A. galanga were initiated from the rhizome explants on MS media supplemented with 2 mg/l each of BAP, 2,4-D, and NAA. The callus was analyzed for the presence of a vital phytoconstituent--acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) associated with various biological properties. ACA was detected in the young friable callus as well as the stationary phase callus. Moreover, the induction of morphogenetic response in callus resulted in higher accumulation of ACA. The phytohormone withdrawal from the propagation media and the subsequent transfer of callus to BAP (2 mg/l) containing MS media has resulted in multiple shoot induction. The regenerated (indirect) plants have shown 1.6-fold higher ACA content (1.253%) when compared to the control plant (0.783%). Micropropagation of such conventionally propagated plants is very essential to meet the commercial demand as well as to ensure easy storage and transportation of disease free stocks.

Contrasting Finished Water Stabilization Approaches at Two Full-Scale Indirect Potable Reuse Plants

Contrasting Finished Water Stabilization Approaches at Two Full-Scale Indirect Potable Reuse Plants

Thermodynamic analysis of gasification-driven direct carbon fuel cells

The gasification-driven direct carbon fuel cell (GD-DCFC) system is compared with systems using separate gasification steps prior to work extraction, under autothermal or indirect constraints. Using simple system exergy analysis, the maximum work output of the indirect gasification scheme is 4–7% lower than the unconstrained direct approach, while the work output of the autothermal gasification approach is 12–13% lower than the unconstrained case. A more detailed calculation for the DCFC and indirect gasification plants, using common solid fuel compositions, gives conversion efficiencies in the range of 51–58% at an operating voltage of 0.7 V selected for both systems in this study. In contrast, the conversion efficiency of the autothermal gasification approach is estimated to be 33–35% at 0.7 V. DCFC efficiencies can be increased to over 60% by an increase in operating voltage and/or inclusion of a bottoming cycle. The thermodynamic model also indicates that steam gasification yields similar work output and thermal efficiency as for CO2 gasification. Open circuit potential measurements agree with equilibrium calculations both for the C–O and C–H–O gasification systems, confirming the governing mechanism and feasibility of the GD-DCFC. Current–voltage measurements on an un-optimized system demonstrate power densities of 220 mW cm−2 at 0.68 V during operation at 1178 K.

Coal liquefaction technologies—Development in China and challenges in chemical reaction engineering

With fast increasing demand in liquid transportation fuels, limited and unevenly distributed petroleum resources, and volatile petroleum prices, coal liquefaction technologies have again received the world's attention since the beginning of this century. China has actively pursued R&D of coal liquefaction technologies in the past decade and is deploying the first and the largest direct coal liquefaction plant since WWII and the largest indirect coal liquefaction plants after Sasol, South Africa. This paper analyzes the historical developments of coal liquefaction technologies from science point of view, presents recent developments of the technologies in China, and identifies challenges of the technologies towards successful industrial application.

Predictions of some product parameters based on the processing conditions of ultra-high-temperature milk plants

The temperature–time profiles of 22 Australian industrial ultra-high-temperature (UHT) plants and 3 pilot plants, using both indirect and direct heating, were surveyed. From these data, the operating parameters of each plant, the chemical index C ∗, the bacteriological index B ∗ and the predicted changes in the levels of β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, lactulose, furosine and browning were determined using a simulation program based on published formulae and reaction kinetics data. There was a wide spread of heating conditions used, some of which resulted in a large margin of bacteriological safety and high chemical indices. However, no conditions were severe enough to cause browning during processing. The data showed a clear distinction between the indirect and direct heating plants. They also indicated that degree of denaturation of α-lactalbumin varied over a wide range and may be a useful discriminatory index of heat treatment. Application of the program to pilot plants illustrated its value in determining processing conditions in these plants to simulate the conditions in industrial UHT plants.

Solar thermal desalination technologies

The use of solar energy in thermal desalination processes is one of the most promising applications of the renewable energies. Solar desalination can either be direct; use solar energy to produce distillate directly in the solar collector, or indirect; combining conventional desalination techniques, such as multistage flash desalination (MSF), vapor compression (VC), reverse osmosis (RO), membrane distillation (MD) and electrodialysis, with solar collectors for heat generation. Direct solar desalination compared with the indirect technologies requires large land areas and has a relatively low productivity. It is however competitive to the indirect desalination plants in small-scale production due to its relatively low cost and simplicity. This paper describes several desalination technologies in commercial and pilot stages of development. The primary focus is on those technologies suitable for use in remote areas, especially those which could be integrated into solar thermal energy systems.

Estimating Alfalfa Somaclonal Variation in Axillary Branching Propagation and Indirect Somatic Embryogenesis by RAPD Fingerprinting

The incidence of somaclonal variation was estimated by RAPD fingerprinting in in vitro cultured plantlets of the highly regenerative genotype A70-34 (synonym RL34) of Medicago sativa L. (2n = 4x = 32) from the cultivar Rangelander. Plantlets obtained by axillary branching propagation on growth-regulator-free medium were compared with those obtained through indirect somatic embryogenesis, i.e., from somatic embryos regenerated from callus proliferated from petiole tissues. The initial donor plant, maintained in pot in the greenhouse, was used as the control. All evaluated genotypes were maintained in vitro after tissue sampling for DNA extraction and polymorphism analysis. Plantlets derived from axillary branching propagation exhibited no variant for any of the 75 RAPD markers obtained using eight different 10-mer primers, even after 12 repeated monthly subcultures. In contrast, the RAPD fingerprints of 9 of 39 plantlets regenerated by indirect somatic embryogenesis differed from that of the donor for at least one primer and one polymorphic amplification product. The eight primers generated 19 new RAPD markers in the somaclonal variants that were not found in the donor plant fingerprints, while 24 RAPD markers present in the donor plant fingerprints were not scored in the somaclonal variants. One of the indirect somatic embryogenesis-regenerated plants displayed 13 polymorphic bands, but it did not survive in vitro culture after the second transfer to fresh medium. Most of the somaclonal variants displayed one to five polymorphic bands. Moreover, six of nine somaclonal variants were polymorphic, with respect to the donor plant, with two or more primers. Axillary branching propagation proved to be a safe clonation technique, as far as genetic stability of the proliferated tissues is concerned, and RAPD markers were an efficient tool for the early detection of somaclonal variants in tissue culture.

Optimization of the forewarming process with respect to deposit formation in indirect ultra high temperature plants and the quality of milk

SummaryThe influence of preheating intensity was examined on deposit formation in an indirect ultra high temperature (UHT) plate heat exchanger and on some quality parameters of the UHT treated milk, such as taste, proteinase inactivation and protein destabilization during storage. Response surface methods were used to define the relationship between the forewarming conditions and the responses. More intense forewarming reduced the fouling rate in the UHT plate section, resulting in longer operation times. While a greater inactivation of the proteinase(s) in the milk was obtained, the taste of the UHT milk was adversely affected, as well as the physical stability during storage owing to higher sedimentation. An optimum temperature/time range for the preheating process could be defined within the temperature/time range of 76–80 °C/40–70 s at which adverse effects were minimal, and positive effects were maximized.

ASEPTIC PROCESSING AND PACKAGING OF MILK

The commercial aspects of aseptic processing and packaging of milk showing only a slow rise in the market are assessed. The paper describes three types of process plant, the indirect plate heat exchanger, indirect tubular heat exchanger and direct steam injection plants and the various advantages are evaluated. Simplification of plants with the removal of de‐gassers, flash cooling vessels etc. is emphasized in the modern indirect plant which will heat, cool and homogenize as simply as possible. Differences between operation of a UHT carton dairy and an average bottling dairy are described. (Editor's summary)

Low SuIfur Crude Oil

Ministry of International Trade and Industry announced last December the allowable sulfur content of fuel in 1973 and 1978 for the pollution control in the industrial zone. In order to meet with this condition, Japanese oil companies are to increase the import of low sulfur crudes and heavy oil as well as to install more hydrodesulfurization plants of heavy oils. According to the Government projects the necessary capacity of hydrodesulfurization of heavy oil will be 650, 000 BSD in 1973, while at present it is 65, 000 BSD and will and 45, 000 BSD in May, 1970. In addition, the indirect desulfurization plants have a capacity of 220, 000 BSD at present. The ratio of low sulfur crudes to the total amount was 12% in 1968, which will be required to attain to about 20% in 1973. As for desulfurization of crude oil, low sulfur crudes are effective and cheap.Low sulfur crude accounts for more than 40% of the world's grand total of crude output. However, Japan must not expect to increase the import judging from its distribution status. Thus, in order to increase low sulfur oils Japan will have to rely upon desulfurization of heavy oil, which is costly.