Medium-scale Processing Research Articles

Седиментаційні індикатори сучасних морфодинамічних процесів на скелях масиву «Камінь» (с. Урич, Східні Бескиди, Українські Карпати)

The paper studies the types of modern morphodynamic processes on the sandstone tor “Kamin`” (“Stone”) in the village Urych (Eastern Beskydy, Ukrainian Carpathians) as a nature monument and historical and cultural reserve. It reveals interrelationships between the modern manifestations of the processes and the sedimentological facies of the Paleogene rocks of the Yamna Formation. During the formation of the Carpathian trust fault structure, they were created in the geodynamic conditions of the Outer Carpathian deep-water oceanic paleobasin and deformed during the stages of accretion and orogeny. The main research methods were morphological, morphodynamic, sedimentological, and lithological. Modern morphodynamic processes on the tor walls are classified by their origin, localization within the studied object, and the amount of tor wall coverage. Morphodynamic processes can be classified into different types such as soaking and very small pits; destruction; flaking; spalling; dimples weathering; alveolar weathering; corrasion and washing away the grains; linear underground erosion; biogenic superficial weathering; biogenic linear weathering; block collapses; joint-guided weathering: along tectonic, tensile, weathering, lithological cracks; gravity cascade folds. According to the amount of coverage of the tor walls, the following are distinguished: microprocesses (local manifestations), medium-scale and large-scale processes, with a destruction depth of 1-10 сm. Medium-scale processes that occur on tor superficials are related to primary sedimentary structural-textural features of rocks and their lithological composition. Fractured paragenesis of the Sub-Carpathian and Anti-Carpathian directions dominate large-scale processes. Studies of the tor destruction processes are important to determine the preservation methods of the sandstone tor “Kamin`” as a valuable object of historical, cultural, and geotourism heritage. The obtained results indicate that individual tor blocks are strongly affected by superficial processes, on which deep polygenetic cracks are superimposed. This provides a basis to implement measures for strengthening the stability of the tor.

Development of a Mini Ginger Chopping Machine

Abstract: In the Philippines, ginger processing operations, especially in small and medium-scale processing centers, require significant time, financial investment, and effort. This is primarily due to the lack of affordable and cost-effective chopping machines specifically designed for ginger processing. Consequently, the objective of the study was to develop a mini ginger chopping machine that addresses these constraints and meets the requirements of local ginger processors and workers. The machine was composed of five major parts: the hopper, chopping chamber, power transmission system, prime mover, and frame. Locally produced ginger was used as test materials for the experiments, which included three treatment speeds: 250, 350, and 450 rpm. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD), and the performance parameters of the machine were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Furthermore, a least significant difference (LSD) test was employed to compare the means, with a 5% significance level. The results demonstrated that the highest chopping capacity of 38.6 kg/hr was achieved at a shaft speed of 450 rpm, with a chopping efficiency of 96.13%. However, a significant portion of the device's inefficiency stemmed from the presence of unchipped materials, amounting to 2.74% of the total inputted test materials. The majority of the product sizes ranged from 2 to 4 mm, indicating consistency in the chopping process. A cost analysis revealed that the machine needed to process a total of 649.5 kg of ginger to reach the breakeven point, considering a custom rate of Php 2/kg. With an initial investment cost of Php 8,000, the machine could recoup this investment in just 3.36 months (equivalent to 74 working days), and additionally provide a net income of Php 21,641.55 per year to ginger processors.

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Processing for Clinical Applications Using a Closed Semi-Automated Workflow.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are currently being explored as a promising cell-based therapeutic modality for various diseases, with more market approvals for clinical use expected over the next few years. To facilitate this transition, addressing the bottlenecks of scale, lot-to-lot reproducibility, cost, regulatory compliance, and quality control is critical. These challenges can be addressed by closing the process and adopting automated manufacturing platforms. In this study, we developed a closed and semi-automated process for passaging and harvesting Wharton's jelly (WJ)-derived hMSCs (WJ-hMSCs) from multi-layered flasks using counterflow centrifugation. The WJ-hMSCs were expanded using regulatory compliant serum-free xeno-free (SFM XF) medium, and they showed comparable cell proliferation (population doubling) and morphology to WJ-hMSCs expanded in classic serum-containing media. Our closed semi-automated harvesting protocol demonstrated high cell recovery (~98%) and viability (~99%). The cells washed and concentrated using counterflow centrifugation maintained WJ-hMSC surface marker expression, colony-forming units (CFU-F), trilineage differentiation potential, and cytokine secretion profiles. The semi-automated cell harvesting protocol developed in the study can be easily applied for the small- to medium-scale processing of various adherent and suspension cells by directly connecting to different cell expansion platforms to perform volume reduction, washing, and harvesting with a low output volume.

Development and evaluation of a combined roaster expeller for castor seeds for biodiesel production

A combined roaster and oil expeller was developed with locally available and accessible materials and the efficiency of the machine was evaluated. The obtained result shows that the efficiency of the machine is a function of the roasting temperature, the roasting duration, the moisture contents of the processed seeds and the machine feeding rate. The expeller is movable, simple in design for local fabrication, is easy to operate, requires few repairs and little maintenance and is cost effective. It is powered using a gear reduction electric motor of 5.5 Hp, the expeller has an average oil yield of 25.77% and an extraction efficiency of 70.26% and is designed to work for 8 hours per day of operation. The shaft diameter was designed to be 30 mm, while the roaster heater capacity was 2.8 kW. The designed machine is good for castor oil expression for both small- and medium-scale processing among rural and urban communities.

Traditional pineapple production: Scope for scale up to enhance farmers’ income

Pineapple is one of the most important horticultural crops in Manipur. The present study was conducted in Senapati, Churachandpur and Imphal West districts of Manipur. The pineapple production was recorded highest in Senapati district, followed by Churachandpur district. Traditionally the farmers use to market their produce for fresh consumption at nearby markets; however with increase in the establishment of small and medium scale processing industries the new marketing channels has evolved in the state. Four important marketing channels have been identified for the trade of pineapples, out of which channel comprising of Farmer – Lalonbi/ Women trader – Retailer was found as the most dominant through which about 64 per cent of the pineapple moved. The average farm productivity and returns to pineapple growers remain low for past few decades due to many bottlenecks. Emerging processing industry in the state will help the farmers in increasing the shelf life of the produce. Moreover, there is a need to develop infrastructural facilities, especially in remote production areas, so that the produce could be reached the market immediately after harvest. Practicing mix cropping could be a big boost among the traditional farmers of the state in the days to come.

Scale and location dependent time stability of soil water storage in a maize cropped field

Time stability of soil water storage (SWS) is the similarity of spatial patterns of soil water storage over time and is scale and location dependent due to multivariate effects of controlling factors. However, our understanding of scale and location dependency of the time stability of SWS and its seasonally dependent controls in cropped fields is inadequate. This study examined the scale and location dependent time stability of SWS at multiple depths, over different seasons in a cropped field in western Quebec, Canada. Soil water content was measured at 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 m depths along six transects (128 locations per transect) using the actively heated fiber optic (AHFO) technique. Wavelet coherency analysis was used to examine the scale and location dependent time stability of SWS over different seasons. Results showed strong intra-seasonal time stability across all scales, locations and depths during the dry period in the summer due to a dominant control of evapotranspiration (ET). The weak inter-seasonal time stability of SWS showed the change in the dominant processes controlling the spatial patterns of SWS in different seasons. While the intra-seasonal time stability was also strong during the wet period of autumn, correlations were not significant across all scales, locations and depths, likely due to the dominant effects of smaller to medium scale processes. The results of the study clearly showed that the dominant hydrological processes controlling the time stability of SWS at different depths during a dry period in summer were different than that of a wet period in autumn. The change in the dominant hydrological processes affected the spatial scales and the locations of the similarity of the spatial patterns of SWS in the field. Therefore, the analysis outcome can be used to identify the change in the sampling domain as controlled by the hydrological processes operating at different scales and locations delivering the maximum information with minimum sampling effort.

English

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of storage time on the stability of pineapple products processed by small and medium scale processing enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda stored at ambient (21 to 25°C) temperatures. Physico-chemical quality characteristics (pH, moisture, fibre, ash, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, sucrose, reducing sugars, total sugars and ethanol) of the sample products were analysed. Changes in the quality were monitored at three and one months interval for syrups, jams and nectars, respectively. Results showed that for nectars, most of the parameters evaluated were stable up to only two months of storage. All nectars, syrups and jams had a pH ranging from 3-5, the normal pH range for fruit products. The levels of titratable acidity of all products were below the maximum limit of 1.35% set by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Standards. Similarly, their levels of ethanol were less than the maximum of 0.3% recommended by Codex Alimentarius Commission standards. Syrups and jams were stable for most of the parameters up to six months of storage. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease of sucrose and increase of reducing sugars in syrup and jam samples, specifically from six months of storage. Products from some enterprises exhibited sugar values higher than the maximum recommended by Rwandan, East African and CAC standards. The studied products exhibited significant variations in most of the studied parameters over the storage period with most of the samples not complying with the standards including sugar levels. Processors, therefore, need to be trained on proper fruit processing and the standard requirements for pineapple fruit products. Key words: Pineapple products, storage stability, chemical properties

Effects of feeding canola press-cake on diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance of weaned pigs

Canola press-cake (CPC) is a co-product of biodiesel production from small to medium-scale processing plants that mechanically press canola seed without pre-pressing conditioning, flaking, cooking and post-pressing solvent extraction. The CPC contains 370g/kg CP and 204g/kg remaining oil. Thus, CPC could be a source of AA and energy in pig diets. Growth responses to increasing dietary CPC inclusion have not been extensively evaluated in young pigs. In total, 240 pigs (7.5±0.31kg) starting 1 week after weaning at 19 d of age were fed five wheat-based diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150, or 200g/kg CPC replacing soybean meal in two phases (Phase 1 and 2). Diets were formulated to contain 10.3 and 10.1MJ NE/kg and 1.2 and 1.0g standardised ileal digestible (SID) Lys/MJ NE, respectively, and were fed for 2 weeks as Phase 1 (day 0–14) and 3 weeks as Phase 2 (day 15–35). Feed added and remaining and individual pigs were weighed weekly to calculate average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G:F) per pen (four pigs per pen). Freshly-voided faeces were collected on day 12 and 13 and day 33 and 34 for Phase 1 and 2, respectively, to determine diet apparent total tract digestibility coefficient (CATTD) of gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP) and digestible energy (DE) value. Increasing dietary inclusion of CPC linearly reduced (P<0.05) the CATTD of GE, diet DE and calculated NE values for Phase 1 and 2. Increasing dietary inclusion of CPC did not affect overall (d 0–35) ADFI and ADG of pigs, but quadratically reduced (P<0.05) ADFI for day 29–35, linearly increased (P<0.05) ADG for day 15–21 and linearly reduced (P<0.05) ADG for day 29–35. Increasing CPC inclusion linearly increased (P<0.05) G:F for the overall trial and day 15–21 and quadratically increased (P<0.05) G:F for day 8–14. In conclusion, feeding up to 200g/kg of CPC reduced CATTD of GE and CP, but did not affect overall growth performance of weaned pigs fed phase diets balanced for NE and SID Lys/NE ratio.

‘Multiple Sonderwegs.’ The Specificity of Historical Development of East Central Europe in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century (Introductory Remarks)

This introductory article offers intellectual frames and historical context to the subsequent collection of essays. There are two questions their authors try and answer: First, what discussions on the respective specificities of historical develop­ment were carried out in various countries of East Central Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Second, what was the scope of topics to be discussed, whereas their aim is to interweave this description or analysis of the debates with posing the question regarding the core of the matter – and this by showing a series of case studies where the approach connected, in some way or another, with the peculiar path concept might seem useful. For the purpose of this volume, the notion of peculiar path is approached in a possibly broad context. The structure of the nineteenth-century city, formation of a modern national awareness: such problems are suitable, according to the authors, for research in view of multiplicity of peculiar paths: rather than highways along which the Zeitgeist of a nation or humanity streaks, these would be medium-rank and medium-sized roads on which medium-scale processes and occurrences roll along.

Cellulosic ethanol production from agricultural residues in Nigeria

Nigeria′s Biofuels Policy introduced in 2007 mandates a 10% blend (E10) of bioethanol with gasoline. This study investigates the potential for the development of a cellulosic ethanol industry based on the availability of agricultural residues and models the number of commercial processing facilities that could be sited in the six Geo-political zones. The potential for cellulosic ethanol production from agricultural residues in Nigeria is 7556km3 per annum exceeding the mandate of 10% renewable fuel required and providing the potential for 12 large- and 11 medium-scale processing facilities based on the use of a single feedstock. Cassava and yam peelings provided in excess of 80% of the process residues available with enough feedstock to supply 10 large-scale facilities with a fairly even distribution across the zones. Sorghum straw, millet straw and maize stalks represented 75% of the potential resource available from field residues with the potential to supply 2 large- and 7 medium-scale processing facilities, all of which would be located in the north of the country. When a multi-feedstock approach is used, this provides the potential for either 29 large- or 58 medium-scale facilities based on outputs of 250 and 125km3 per annum respectively.

Prototype design and performance analysis of a sieving machine for improved food-slurry processing in Nigeria

This study is on the modification and improvement of an Ogi (ground corn slurry) sieving machine that was earlier designed based on suction principle. A vibration machine for the sieving of a major staple food and primary infant diet in many countries in Africa popularly known as Ogi has been fabricated in this work. Experimental performance tests were carried out using the modified machine and the results were compared with the conventional or manual sieving process. In Nigeria, and many African countries, the domestic and medium-scale processing of various food slurry such as those for corn, sorghum, soya beans and millet have been done manually over the years with little or no technological development. These manual processes are associated with obvious constraints such as excessive length of time, tedium and boredom coupled with inherent unhygienic conditions surrounding these processes. Results showed that the newly designed vibration sieving machine was more efficient than the manual process. It had an average filtration rate of 1.6 x10 -5 m 3 /s against 8.68x10 -6 m 3 /s for the manual method, thereby bringing about over 82% improvement over the manual sieving process. Hence, this work presents a remarkable contribution to the processing of various staple foods in Nigeria and Africa as a whole by applying the principles of vibration to the design of new sieving equipment.

Prototype Design and Performance Analysis of a Sieving Machine for Improved Food-slurry Processing in Nigeria

This study is on the modification and improvement of an Ogi (ground corn slurry) sieving machine that was earlier designed based on suction principle. A vibration machine for the sieving of a major staple food and primary infant diet in many countries in Africa popularly known as Ogi has been fabricated in this work. Experimental performance tests were carried out using the modified machine and the results were compared with the conventional or manual sieving process. In Nigeria, and many African countries, the domestic and medium-scale processing of various food slurry such as those for corn, sorghum, soya beans and millet have been done manually over the years with little or no technological development. These manual processes are associated with obvious constraints such as excessive length of time, tedium and boredom coupled with inherent unhygienic conditions surrounding these processes. Results showed that the newly designed vibration sieving machine was more efficient than the manual process. It had an average filtration rate of 1.6 x10 -5 m 3 /s against 8.68x10 -6 m 3 /s for the manual method, thereby bringing about over 82% improvement over the manual sieving process. Hence, this work presents a remarkable contribution to the processing of various staple foods in Nigeria and Africa as a whole by applying the principles of vibration to the design of new sieving equipment.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND STORAGE PROPERTIES OF FURA FROM PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM AMERICANUM)

ABSTRACT Nutritional and antioxidant characteristics of millet have been highlighted in literature, however, changes in these attributes during its conversion to fura, a stiff dough prepared from millet, is yet to be investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in the chemical (pH and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number, and proximate compositions, flavanols, vitamins A and B2, and gross energy during the conversion of millet into fura. Moreover, sensory changes during storage were determined. Moisture (120–529 g/kg) and protein (123–131 g/kg) contents significantly (P < 0.05) increased, while fat (27–35 g/kg), ash (22–37 g/kg), crude fiber (5–28 g/kg), flavanol (0.752–1.401 g/kg), vitamins A (21–37 µg/kg) and B2 (190–350 µg/kg) contents and gross energy (13.4–14.8 kJ/kg) significantly decreased during the conversion of millet grain into fura. However, carbohydrate contents of the millet grain (805 g/kg) and fura (820 g/kg) were not significantly different. Sensory attributes of fura received consistent poor scores after 2 days of storage except for color. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Pearl millet sustains many people in Africa and Asia, and is often considered highly palatable and a good source of protein, minerals and energy. While processing of millet into traditional diets such as fura provides an opportunity for the utilization of the commodity, it is accompanied by biochemical changes that would inevitably impact on its stability. Fura, a common millet food in the West African region and one of the major sources of nutrient in the region, has been studied with respect to its other nutrient contents and its storage properties, but without reference to the role of the flavanols in either. Fura has the potential for serving as a good medium for nutrient deficiency intervention among the rural populace. Thus, it is important to evaluate the changes in nutrient composition, flavanol concentration and storage stability of millet during its conversion to fura. Evaluating these parameters would help to provide baseline information for the small and medium scale processing and storage of fura.

A Novel Procedure of Hydrogen Isotope Separation Based on Chemical Exchange and a Selective Permeable Membrane

It is shown theoretically that a novel process of hydrogen isotope separation can be obtained by combining bithermal isotopic exchange with transport through a selective permeable membrane. The theory of the process predicts that a small column with high separation and very small inventory can be realized. The method is attractive especially for small and medium scale processes, such as tritium enrichment, heavy water upgrading, and final deuterium concentration.

Soya and health 2002 – clinical evidence, dietetic applications

Soya and health 2002 – clinical evidence, dietetic applications

Experimental analysis of pore-scale flow and transport in porous media

A novel, non-intrusive fluorescence imaging technique has been used to quantitatively measure the pore geometry, fluid velocity, and solute concentration within a saturated, three-dimensional porous medium. Discrete numerical averages of these quantities have been made over a representative volume of the medium and used to estimate macroscopic quantities that appear in conventional continuum models of flow and transport. The approach is meant to illustrate how microscopic information can be measured, averaged, and used to characterize medium-scale processes that are typically approximated constitutively. The experimental system consisted of a clear, cylindrical column packed with clear spherical beads and a refractive index-matched fluid seeded with fluorescent tracer particles and solute dye. By illuminating the fluid within the column with a scanning planar laser beam, details of flow and concentration within the pore spaces can be quantitatively observed, allowing for three-dimensional, dimensional, time dependent information to be obtained at good resolution. In time dependent information to be obtained at good resolution. In the current experiment, volumetrically averaged velocities and void-to-volume ratios are first compared with bulk measurements of fluid flux and medium porosity. Microscopic measurements of concentration are then used to construct cross-sectionally averaged profiles, mean breakthrough curves, and direct measurements of the dispersive flux, velocity variance, and concentration variance. In turn, the dispersive flux measurements are compared with mean concentration gradients to provide a basis for confirming the Fickian dispersion model and estimating dispersion coefficients for the medium. Coefficients determined in this manner are compared with others based upon traditional length-scale arguments, mean breakthrough analyses, and curve fits with numerical simulations.

On aspects of the measurement of non-linear turbulence processes using the cluster wave experiments

Abstract. The ESA/NASA Cluster mission has four identical satellites and is due for launch at the end of 1995. It will provide a unique opportunity to study medium scale processes in the region from inside the magnetopause to the solar wind. The polar orbit will allow measurements in the cusp and along auroral field lines, both regions where turbulence is to be expected. Five of the eleven instruments on each payload form the Wave Experiment Consortium (WEC); EFW, STAFF, VMISPER, WBD and DWP. The WEC is capable of a wide variety of wave and turbulence measurements. This paper outlines these capabilities and describes the form of the data which will be collected. The paper gives a discussion of how the WEC data may be analysed so as to give an insight into the non-linear processes which occur in these regions of the space plasmas. There are many ways in which a plasma may be considered to behave in a non-linear manner. We concentrate on how the spatio-temporal turbulence in the plasma may be investigated so as to yield the energy spectrum with respect to both the frequency and wave number.