Large-scale Production Facilities Research Articles

Cross sections of proton-induced reactions on 152Gd, 155Gd and 159Tb with emphasis on the production of selected Tb radionuclides

Cross sections are presented for various Dy, Tb and Gd radionuclides produced in the proton bombardment of 159Tb as well as for the reactions 152Gd(p,4n)149Tb and 155Gd(p,4n)152Tb up to 66MeV. The experimental excitation functions are compared with theoretical predictions by means of the geometry-dependent hybrid (GDH) model as implemented in the code ALICE/ASH, as well as with values from the TENDL-2012 library and previous literature experimental data, where available. Physical yields have been derived for the production of some of the medically important radioterbiums, namely 149Tb (radionuclide therapy), 152Tb (PET) and 155Tb (SPECT). The indirect production of high-purity 155Tb via the decay of its precursor 155Dy is reported. The possibility of a large-scale production facility based on a commercial 70MeV cyclotron is also discussed.

Managing Hytrosavirus Infections in Glossina pallidipes Colonies: Feeding Regime Affects the Prevalence of Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Syndrome

Many species of tsetse flies are infected by a virus that causes salivary gland hypertrophy (SGH) syndrome and the virus isolated from Glossina pallidipes (GpSGHV) has recently been sequenced. Flies with SGH have a reduced fecundity and fertility. Due to the deleterious impact of SGHV on G. pallidipes colonies, several approaches were investigated to develop a virus management strategy. Horizontal virus transmission is the major cause of the high prevalence of the GpSGHV in tsetse colonies. Implementation of a “clean feeding” regime (fresh blood offered to each set of flies so that there is only one feed per membrane), instead of the regular feeding regime (several successive feeds per membrane), was among the proposed approaches to reduce GpSGHV infections. However, due to the absence of disposable feeding equipment (feeding trays and silicone membranes), the implementation of a clean feeding approach remains economically difficult. We developed a new clean feeding approach applicable to large-scale tsetse production facilities using existing resources. The results indicate that implementing this approach is feasible and leads to a significant reduction in virus load from 109 virus copies in regular colonies to an average of 102.5 and eliminates the SGH syndrome from clean feeding colonies by28 months post implementation of this approach. The clean feeding approach also reduced the virus load from an average of 108 virus copy numbers to an average of 103 virus copies and SGH prevalence of 10% to 4% in flies fed after the clean fed colony. Taken together, these data indicate that the clean feeding approach is applicable in large-scale G. pallidipes production facilities and eliminates the deleterious effects of the virus and the SGH syndrome in these colonies.

Inhibition of hydrogen sulfide, methane, and total gas production and sulfate-reducing bacteria in in vitro swine manure by tannins, with focus on condensed quebracho tannins

Management practices from large-scale swine production facilities have resulted in the increased collection and storage of manure for off-season fertilization use. Odor and emissions produced during storage have increased the tension among rural neighbors and among urban and rural residents. Production of these compounds from stored manure is the result of microbial activity of the anaerobic bacteria populations during storage. In the current study, the inhibitory effects of condensed quebracho tannins on in vitro swine manure for reduction of microbial activity and reduced production of gaseous emissions, including the toxic odorant hydrogen sulfide produced by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), was examined. Swine manure was collected from a local swine facility, diluted in anaerobic buffer, and mixed with 1% w/v fresh feces. This slurry was combined with quebracho tannins, and total gas and hydrogen sulfide production was monitored over time. Aliquots were removed periodically for isolation of DNA to measure the SRB populations using quantitative PCR. Addition of tannins reduced overall gas, hydrogen sulfide, and methane production by greater than 90% after 7days of treatment and continued to at least 28days. SRB population was also significantly decreased by tannin addition. qRT-PCR of 16S rDNA bacteria genes showed that the total bacterial population was also decreased in these incubations. These results indicate that the tannins elicited a collective effect on the bacterial population and also suggest a reduction in the population of methanogenic microorganisms as demonstrated by reduced methane production in these experiments. Such a generalized effect could be extrapolated to a reduction in other odor-associated emissions during manure storage.

Community perspectives on the introduction of biodiesel production in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

This paper presents the outcomes of a questionnaire survey to ascertain the perspectives of local communities on the proposal to construct a large-scale biodiesel production facility in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, with feedstock supply to the production facility from the former communal homelands of the Province. A total of 303 questionnaires were administered through interactions with the communities that are expected to be a part of the feedstock production supply chain by visiting households and having in-depth interviews, and through a focus group discussion. Opinions were found to be overwhelmingly against the proposed biodiesel production supply chain. The concerns of local people varied, but the major issues were land availability as this is regarded as their identity; infrastructure development; associated pollution (air and water) posing serious health risk; doubts about the credibility of the developers; food security; and the distortion of the social fabric of the local communities. In general, local people felt that they were excluded from the project development and were asked to accept industrial scale development that will further lead to the impoverishment of the communities. The results also highlighted how large-scale plants may be affected by the local dynamics of perceptions; the willingness to partake in the supply chain was informed by personal, social and institutional factors and beliefs, as well as internal conflicts, due to perceived environmental, social and ecological risks, that were aggravated by miscommunication and the lack of understanding. The paper is deemed useful for policy makers to understand why communities may object to relatively large bioenergy projects, and to assist the developers of such projects to avoid delays and refusal of planning consent that can be associated with adverse local opinions.

Alteromonas macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536, two novel probiotics for hatchery-reared Greenshell™ mussel larvae, Perna canaliculus

Antibiotic management of aquacultured animals, such as Greenshell™ mussel (GSM) larvae, Perna canaliculus, is undesirable because of health concerns and political pressures; hence, alternatives are needed. Herein, two novel probiotic bacteria were identified and trialled in a GSM larval rearing hatchery. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis identified the strains as Alteromonas macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536. Both probiotics were evaluated separately at the Glenhaven Aquaculture Centre hatchery facility during routine larval rearing and when the larvae were challenged with both a high (10 7 and 10 6 CFU ml −1) and low (10 6 and 10 5 CFU ml −1) pathogenic dose of Vibrio sp. DO1 and V. splendidus respectively. In all experiments, probiotic application improved larval survival significantly when administered prior to pathogen exposure. Across all experiments, larvae that were exposed to the high and low dosages of pathogens averaged 14% and 36% survival respectively on the fourth day following pathogen exposure. The administration of probiotics prior to pathogen challenge resulted in larval survival of 50% and 66% respectively. Non-inoculated control larvae and larvae administered the probiotic alone demonstrated 67% and 79% survival respectively. Neptunomonas sp. 0536 appeared to suppress naturally occurring vibrios in the culture environment of healthy GSM larvae. This is the first report of A. macleodii and Neptunomonas sp. as probiotic bacteria in a large scale production facility.

Repeated therapeutic dosing selects macrolide-resistant Campylobacter spp. in a turkey facility

This study assessed the effects of the therapeutic use of Tylan® in a large-scale turkey production facility on the selection of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter. A flock of production turkeys (c. 30,000 birds) was followed from brooding to slaughter, and the effects of macrolide application was assessed in one half of the flock from finishing stage to final product and compared against the control barn where no macrolide was used. Overall, Campylobacter prevalence in turkeys was almost 100% by 4 weeks of age. When Campylobacter prevalence was assessed in relation to treatment, high levels of macrolide resistance were evident in this group following treatment, with Campylobacter coli becoming the dominant strain type. Over time, and in the absence of a selection agent, the population of resistant strains decreased suggesting that there was a fitness cost associated with macrolide resistance carriage and persistence. Macrolide resistance was detected in the control barn at a very low level (four isolates recovered during the study), suggesting that the creation or selection of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter was correlated with the treatment regime used. Molecular analysis of a selection of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter recovered was assessed using PCR, RFLP and sequence analysis of the 23S rRNA. The majority of isolates displaying high-level macrolide resistance (>256 μg ml(-1)) possessed an A2075G transition mutation in the 23S rRNA and the CmeABC efflux pump. These studies suggest that macrolide resistance can be promoted through the application of treatment during the grow-out phase and once established in a production facility has the potential to persist and be transferred to final product. The study highlights the prudent use of antimicrobials in treatment of disease in poultry. Of significance is the presence of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter in poultry production and finished product as a consequence of macrolide usage.

Evaluation of two thermal processing schedules at low relative humidity for elimination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella serovars in chopped and formed beef jerky.

Foodborne outbreaks have been linked to jerky produced under insufficient thermal processing schedules. Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella serovars during thermal processing of chopped and formed beef jerky was evaluated under two processing schedules representative of those used by large-scale (LS) and small-scale (SS) jerky production facilities. Fresh chopped and formed all-beef jerky batter was inoculated with 5.8 to 7.3 log CFU of E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella per g, extruded into strips, and thermally processed by LS or SS schedules. A >or=5.0-log CFU/g reduction of both pathogens occurred with <10% relative humidity and a cumulative process of 44 min at 55.6 degrees C followed by 46 min at 77.8 degrees C into the LS schedule. Additional drying at 77.8 degrees C for 3.5 h was needed to achieve a water activity of 0.67 and a moisture-to-protein ratio (MPR) of 0.77. For the SS process, a >or=5.0-log CFU/g reduction of both pathogens occurred with 15 to 20% relative humidity and a cumulative process of 45 min at 52 degrees C, 60 min at 57 degrees C, 45 min at 60 degrees C, 45 min at 63 degrees C, 90 min at 68 degrees C, and finishing with 30 min at 77 degrees C. After processing for an additional 90 min at 77 degrees C, water activity was 0.60 while the MPR was 0.82. The LS and SS processes for producing chopped and formed jerky provided >or=5.0 log lethality to control E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. However, both processes would require additional drying to achieve an MPR of 0.75 to be labeled as jerky.

Synthesis of biodiesel from vegetable oil with methanol catalyzed by Li-doped magnesium oxide catalysts

The preparation of a Li-doped MgO for biodiesel synthesis has been investigated by optimizing the catalyst composition and calcination temperatures. The results show that the formation of strong base sites is particularly promoted by the addition of Li, thus resulting in an increase of the biodiesel synthesis. The catalyst with the Li/Mg molar ratio of 0.08 and calcination temperature of 823 K exhibits the best performance. The biodiesel conversion decreases with further increasing Li/Mg molar ratio above 0.08, which is most likely attributed to the separated lithium hydroxide formed by excess Li ions and a concomitant decrease of BET values. In addition, the effects of methanol/oil molar ratio, reaction time, catalyst amount, and catalyst stability were also investigated for the optimized Li-doped MgO. The metal leaching from the Li-doped MgO catalysts was detected, indicating more studies are needed to stabilize the catalysts for its application in the large-scale biodiesel production facilities.

THE DRAGON STILL ROARS

A GLOBAL economic crisis is under way, but someone forgot to inform the researchers and business managers operating out of BioBay, a technology park in Suzhou, China, that caters to the health care and pharmaceutical sectors. Executives in the park still talk about expanding their businesses at double-digit rates this year and bringing loads of new staff on board, as if nothing had gone awry with the world economy. “We’ve not been affected at all by the financial crisis,” says Peter Zhang, chief executive officer of Shanghai GenePharma, a producer of RNA-based molecules primarily for use in pharmaceutical R&D. He says demand for his products, two-thirds of which are sold to researchers in China, remains robust. The company will boost its workforce from 70 to 120 people this year and will start operations at a new large-scale monomer production facility. “Science budgets are increasing in China,” Zhang observes. “There are many new, well-equipped labs.” As ...

Moss bioreactors producing improved biopharmaceuticals

Plants may serve as superior production systems for complex recombinant pharmaceuticals. Current strategies for improving plant-based systems include the development of large-scale production facilities as well as the optimisation of protein modifications. While post-translational modifications of plant proteins generally resemble those of mammalian proteins, certain plant-specific protein-linked sugars are immunogenic in humans, a fact that restricts the use of plants in biopharmaceutical production so far. The moss Physcomitrella patens was developed as a contained tissue culture system for recombinant protein production in photo-bioreactors. By targeted gene replacements, moss strains were created with non-immunogenic humanised glycan patterns. These were proven to be superior to currently used mammalian cell lines in producing antibodies with enhanced effectiveness.

Evaluation of the activity and stability of alkali-doped metal oxide catalysts for application to an intensified method of biodiesel production

A series of alkali-doped metal oxide catalysts were prepared and evaluated for activity in the transesterification of rapeseed oil to biodiesel. Of those evaluated, LiNO3/CaO, NaNO3/CaO, KNO3/CaO and LiNO3/MgO exhibited >90% conversion in a standard 3 h test. There was a clear correlation between base strength and activity. These catalysts appeared to be promising candidates to replace conventional homogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production as the reaction times are low enough to be practical in continuous processes and the preparations are neither prohibitively difficult nor costly. However, metal leaching from the catalyst was detected, and this resulted in some homogeneous activity. This would have to be resolved before these catalysts would be viable for large-scale biodiesel production facilities.

Designing a Facility with Both Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Biosafety in Mind: Synergies and Conflicts

Designing a large-scale GMP production facility for biological production requires various types of risk assessments to be carried out. This is the main tool in obtaining a balance between the aspe...

Synthetic, layered nanoparticles for polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs)

AbstractThis review discusses preparation and use of the synthetic layered nanoparticles in polymer matrices, i.e., in the polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs). Several types of synthetic or semi‐synthetic layered materials are considered, namely the phyllosilicates (clays), silicic acid (magadiite), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), zirconium phosphates (ZrPs), and di‐chalcogenides. The main advantage of synthetic clays is their chemical purity (e.g. absence of amorphous and gritty contaminants, as well as arsenic, iron, and other heavy metals), white to transparent color that assures reproducibly of brightly colored products, as well as a wide range of aspect ratios, p = 20 to ≤6000. Several large scale production facilities have been established. The synthetic clay and LDH industries are oriented toward big volume markets: catalysis, foodstuff, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, toiletry, etc. The use of these materials in PNCs is limited to synthetic clays and LDHs, mainly for reinforcement, permeability control, reduction of flammability, and stabilization, e.g. during dehydrohalogenation of chlorinated macromolecules. The use of lamellar ZrPs and di‐chalcogenides is at the laboratory stage of functional polymeric systems development, e.g. for electrically conductive materials, catalysts or support for catalysts, in photochemistry, molecular and chiral recognition, or in fuel cell technologies, etc. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Electrolytic hydrogen generation using CANDU nuclear reactors

Hydrogen generation on a large scale will be required to power the emerging hydrogen economy without emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. All large-scale hydrogen production facilities currently in operation use processes such as steam-methane reforming or partial oxidation of heavy hydrocarbons, which emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) is studying several process options for large-scale production of hydrogen without emitting carbon dioxide. One of these options is to produce hydrogen via steam electrolysis, where the heat and electricity are produced by nuclear reactors. This paper investigates the technical issues and economics of hydrogen production by integrating a steam electrolysis system with the Advanced CANDU Reactor ACR-1000. The overall thermal-to-hydrogen efficiency of the combined ACR-1000 and steam electrolysis process is 33-34% compared to about 27% for conventional water electrolysis. The heat recovered from the steam electrolysis loop is used to provide heat at appropriate locations in the electricity generation cycle.

Hydrogen infrastructure development in The Netherlands

Increasingly people think of how a hydrogen energy supply system would look like, and how to build and end up at such a system. This paper presents the work on modelling and simulation of current ideas among Dutch hydrogen stakeholders for a transition towards the widespread use of a hydrogen energy. Based mainly on economic considerations, the ideas about a transition seem viable. It appears that following the introduction of hydrogen in niche applications, the use of locally produced hydrogen from natural gas in stationary and mobile applications can yield an economic advantage when compared to the conventional system, and can thus generate a demand for hydrogen. The demand for hydrogen can develop to such an extent that the construction of a large-scale hydrogen pipeline infrastructure for the transport and distribution of hydrogen produced in large-scale production facilities becomes economically viable. In 2050, the economic viability of a large-scale hydrogen pipeline infrastructure spreads over 20–25 of the 40 regions in which The Netherlands is divided for modelling purposes. Investments in hydrogen pipelines for a fully developed hydrogen infrastructure are estimated to be in the range of 12,000–20,000 million euros.

Rates and controls on denitrification in an agricultural soil fertilized with liquid lagoonal swine waste

Under laboratory conditions, we studied rates and controls on denitrification and denitrification potential (denitrifying enzyme activity, DEA) in agricultural soils in the southeastern United States that had been repeatedly fertilized with liquid lagoonal swine effluent. This is a waste management practice commonly employed by large-scale swine production facilities that have proliferated regionally in the past 10 years. The microbial community was rapidly responsive to the added waste, as denitrification N flux (N2 + N2O) from intact soil cores increased from about 200 to as high as 2850 μg N m−2 h−1, usually within 1 day of application. Elevated rates of denitrification were short-lived (≤3 days), as the combination of coarse soil texture (rapid drainage) and low mineralization potential (low organic content) of the waste rapidly restored aerobic conditions. Although <2% of the fertilizer-N was lost to denitrification by the time rates had returned to pre-fertilization values after 8–12 days, soil NO3−–N levels increased from ≤5 μg N gdw soil−1 to as high as 43 μg N gdw soil−1, providing not only substrate for additional denitrification following rainfall, but also a mobile N source for both offsite transport by surface and groundwater and assimilation by plants. Both N2O and N2 production from denitrification were unresponsive to changes in soil moisture until field capacity was approached or exceeded. Temperature coefficients (Q10) for DEA varied from 1.6 to 2.8 between 7 and 30 °C, depending on the temperature interval, while high DEA between 20 and 40 °C pointed to a denitrifying community well-adapted to regional summer soil temperatures. Glucose-C or NO3−–N amendments proved equally stimulatory to DEA in homogenized soils relative to water-only controls. However, addition of the combined substrates gave the best response, indicating that these chemical factors were equally important controls on potential denitrification in these soils once anaerobic conditions had become established.

Hyperpolarized 3-helium MR imaging of the lungs: testing the concept of a central production facility.

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a central production facility with distribution network for implementation of hyperpolarized 3-helium MRI. The 3-helium was hyperpolarized to 50-65% using a large-scale production facility based at a university in Germany. Using a specially designed transport box, containing a permanent low-field shielded magnet and dedicated iron-free glass cells, the hyperpolarized 3-helium gas was transported via airfreight to a university in the UK. At this location, the gas was used to perform in vivo MR experiments in normal volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases. Following initial tests, the transport (road-air-road cargo) was successfully arranged on six occasions (approximately once per month). The duration of transport to imaging averaged 18 h (range 16-20 h), which was due mainly to organizational issues such as working times and flight connections. During the course of the project, polarization at imaging increased from 20% to more than 30%. A total of 4 healthy volunteers and 8 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were imaged. The feasibility of a central production facility for hyperpolarized 3-helium was demonstrated. This should enable a wider distribution of gas for this novel technology without the need for local start-up costs.

Surface disinfection of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus eggs with ozonated sea-water inactivates nodavirus and increases survival of the larvae.

Disinfection by ozonation of sea-water may reduce the risk of transmission of nodavirus, a major fish pathogen, via Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus eggs. In the present study, eggs at 4 d prior to hatching were exposed to nodavirus and then to ozonated sea-water using different concentrations (0.3 to 10 mg l-1) and exposure times (0.5 to 10 min). None of the larvae from virus-exposed eggs washed with ozonated sea-water developed viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER), which was detected in all dead larvae from eggs exposed to nodavirus but not washed with ozonated sea-water. In the non-treated control group about 20% of the dead larvae developed the disease. This suggests that the halibut eggs taken from a large-scale production facility were already contaminated with nodavirus. The egg groups which had been treated with 4 mg O3 l-1 for 0.5 min or with lower total ozone exposures had a higher survival and no adverse effects on the development of the larvae after hatching were observed. Although a slight delay in hatching was found, after 2 d the cumulative hatching had normalised. In the egg groups with high total exposure (4 mg O3 l-1 for 1 min or higher total ozone exposures) a pronounced negative effect on hatching was observed. Our results indicate that the egg surface may be important in the transfer of nodavirus and that nodavirus associated with the surface of the egg may be inactivated by ozonated sea-water.

Bioethanol production: Status and prospects

Production of fuel ethanol from renewable lignocellulosic materials (“bioethanol”) has the potential to reduce burgeoning world dependence on petroleum while decreasing net emissions of carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas. This paper reviews the benefits and status of bioethanol production technology, focusing mostly on recent developments in the United States of America. The composition of representative lignocellulosic biomass species is presented and processing options under investigation are described. Discussion of current research directions highlights recent breakthroughs that significantly improve the prospects for commercialization. The pace of recent developments suggests that large-scale bioethanol production facilities will come on line in the United States within the next several years.

A Simple Technique for Converting CO2 to AMS Target Graphite

I describe a simple, rapid and inexpensive method for converting CO2 samples into AMS target graphite. The technique is applicable for both small- and large-scale production facilities. With some modification, the method is suitable for use with very small samples.