Physicochemical Processing Research Articles

A STATE OF ART AND PROSPECTS OF USED PNEUMATIC TIRES MANAGEMENT (REVIEW)

The basic data on the volume of production of pneumatic tires in the world and in Ukraine are presented. The need to improve the ways of handling pneumatic tires that have lost their con-sumer properties (worn out tires as a result of their intended use and tires rejected as a result of passing quality control during their manufacture) is shown as one of the most dangerous for the environment and promising in terms of using their properties. A detailed classification of methods for handling worn out and defective tires is proposed and a critical analysis of each of them is given. Particular attention is paid to the methods of utilization of tires, in particular, recycling, which makes it possible to efficiently use the secondary raw materials obtained from tires directly for their intended purpose. The features of physical, physicochemical and chemical processing methods, in particular combustion, gasification, pyrolysis of tires and their frag-ments, as well as the prospects for their decomposition under the influence of environmental factors, in particular microorganisms, are also considered. The main ways of solving the prob-lem of tires that have lost their consumer properties in Ukraine are proposed. Bibl. 88, Fig. 2.

Isotope Dichotomy from Solar Protoplanetary Disk Processing of 150Nd-rich Stellar Ejecta

Abstract We use high-precision neodymium isotope data for sequentially acid-leached components of the primitive carbonaceous chondrite Tagish Lake to identify a non-classical 150Nd-rich presolar carrier phase that has not been identified as of yet in meteorites. The distinct isotopic signature of this carrier can be attributed to the intermediate neutron capture process (i-process) occurring in asymptotic giant branch (AGB), super-AGB, or post-AGB stars or, alternatively, the slow capture process (s-process) occurring in rotating massive stars. The 150Nd-rich carrier appears to be heterogeneously distributed in the solar protoplanetary disk resulting in systematic isotope variations between carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous solar system materials. Carbonaceous chondrites that accreted in the outer disk are depleted in this carrier relative to non-carbonaceous materials that accreted in the terrestrial planet-forming region. Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions that represent the earliest formed disk solids record the largest depletion of this carrier. This distribution pattern is contrary to that seen for the carriers of other neutron-rich isotope anomalies (48Ca, 54Cr, 95,97Mo, etc.) that have defined carbonaceous/non-carbonaceous isotope dichotomy so far. Irrespective of the exact astrophysical origin of these carriers, divergent distribution of presolar dust as a function of physicochemical processing in the solar protoplanetary disk best explains the solar system isotope dichotomy as opposed to changes in the composition of the infall.

Comparison of Morphological and Physicochemical Properties of a Floury Rice Variety upon Pre-Harvest Sprouting.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) severely reduces rice grain yield, significantly affects grain quality, and leads to substantial economic loss. In this study, we aimed to characterize the physicochemical properties and processing quality of the Garumi 2 flour rice variety under PHS conditions and compare them with those of the Seolgaeng, Hangaru, Shingil, and Ilpum rice varieties and the Keumkang wheat variety. Analysis of the molecular structure of starch revealed uniform starch granules, increased proportions of short-chain amylopectin in DP 6–12 (51.0–55.3%), and enhanced crystallinity (30.7–35.7%) in rice varieties for flour compared with the Ilpum cooking rice variety. PHS significantly altered the starch structure and gelatinization properties of Garumi 2. It also caused surface pitting and roughness in Garumi 2 starch granules and decreased their crystallinity. Collectively, the findings of this study provide important novel insights into the effects of PHS on the physicochemical properties of Garumi 2 floury rice for flour.

Understanding Seasonal and Spatial Variation of Water Quality Parameters in Mangrove Estuary of the Nyong River Using Multivariate Analysis (Cameroon Southern Atlantic Coast)

To evaluate the actual status of water quality and conclude on the mains source of pollution in the Nyong estuary River, seasonal and spatial variation of water quality parameters was interpreted by multivariate statistical techniques (Principal Component analysis). Nine (09) environmental variables were monitored at four surface stations in the estuary for two seasonal cycles. The fieldwork was conducted from 2018 to 2019 during high tide and low tide for each survey. In situ physical parameters were measured for a total of 64 samples (32 samples for each tide). The laboratory works consisted of some physicochemical analyses and processing of these data by descriptive and multidimensional statistical analyses. Temperature, suspended particle matter, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate change significantly in the estuary with season (p p > 0.05). Principal Component analysis found temperature, salinity, pH, ammonium to be the most important parameters contributing to the fluctuations of surface water quality in the Nyong estuary during the dry seasons whereas suspended particle matter, nitrate, and phosphate are the most important parameters contributing to the fluctuation of surface water quality in the Nyong estuary during the rainy seasons. Based on spatial variation, the Principal Component analysis found that, suspended particle matter, nitrate and phosphate contribute to the fluctuation of surface water quality parameters upstream of the estuary while downstream salinity, pH, and ammonium contribute the most to the fluctuation of surface water quality. This study shows us the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques used in assessing water quality data sets that would help us in understanding seasonal and spatial variations of water quality parameters to manage estuarine systems.

Towards a bio-based circular economy in organic waste management and wastewater treatment – The Polish perspective

Bio-based solutions are expected to ensure technological circularity in priority areas such as agriculture, biotechnology, ecology, green industry or energy. Although Poland, unlike the other EU member states, has not yet adopted a precise political strategy to promote bioeconomy, it has taken several actions to enable smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This goal can be achieved by developing selected bioeconomy-related areas such as the biogas industry together with novel technologies implemented to optimize treatment of municipal sewage and management of organic solid waste. Here, the relatively strong status of the Polish biogas sector is presented. The widely used practice of sewage sludge biomethanation has led to construction of numerous complex installations combining biological wastewater treatment plants with anaerobic digesters. Based on physico-chemical processing of biostabilized sludges, a novel method for efficient granulated soil fertilizer production is elaborated, in line with the concept of circular economy and the notion of “waste-to-product”. It is also shown that anaerobic fermentation of sewage sludges can be optimized by co-digestion with properly selected co-substrates to increase bioprocess yield and improve the resultant digestate fertilizer quality. The problem of post-fermentation eutrophic sludge liquors, environmentally hazardous waste effluents requiring proper treatment prior to discharge or field application, is addressed. Attempts to optimize biological treatment of digestate liquors with complex microbial consortia are presented. The Polish innovations described show that the “zero waste” path in circular bioeconomy may bring advantageous results in terms of transformation of waste materials into commercial, added-value products together with recovery of water resources.

Bioelectronics‐Related 2D Materials Beyond Graphene: Fundamentals, Properties, and Applications

AbstractThe rapid development of bioelectronics has lead to the emergence of versatile biorelated architectures for information processing systems, sensors, actuators, and wearable devices. In recent years, 2D materials beyond graphene have been demonstrated to be essential bioelectronic device components owing to their merits of atomic thickness, high transparency, large specific area, unique electrical/optical properties, and good biocompatibility. Herein, the recent advances in the bioelectronic applications of 2D materials beyond graphene are reviewed and their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, synthesis, and processing methods are described. Moreover, the design strategies, working mechanisms, and performances of various bioelectronic devices based on these materials are summarized and the perspectives and challenges of this research field are highlighted. Thus, this review is expected to inspire new insights and technical advances for future research.

Variations in Ginsenosides of Raw Ginseng According to Heating Temperature and Time

ObjectivesGinsenosides found in ginseng, and the hydrolysates derived from their conversion, exhibit diverse pharmacological characteristics [1]. These have been shown to include anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic effects, as well as being able to provide hepatic and neuroprotective effects, immunomodulation, vasodilation, promotion of insulin secretion, and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how quickly the ginsenosides decompose and what kinds of degradation products are created under physicochemical processing conditions that don’t involve toxic chemicals or other treatments that may be harmful.MethodsThe formation of ginsenoside-Rg2 and ginsenoside-Rg3 was examined. These demonstrated diverse pharmacological effects.ResultsWe also investigated physicochemical factors affecting their conversion. The heating temperatures and times yielding the highest concentration of ginsenosides (-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rc, -Rd, -Rf, -Rg1, and –Re) were examined. Additionally, the heating temperatures and rates of conversion of these ginsenosides into new ‘ginseng saponins’, were examined.ConclusionIn conclusion, obtained provide us with effective technology to control the concentration of both ginsenosides and the downstream converted saponins (ginsenoside-Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1 etc.), as well as identifying the processing conditions which enable an enrichment in concentration of these compounds.

Innovative Culinary Production Technologies Using Quinoa and Inulin

Topicality. The research consists in solving the problem of developing innovative technol­ogies of culinary products from cereals containing dietary supplements of vegetable origin (inu­lin), and substantiation of the main components of technological process of production and for­mation of ready meals of high quality.Purpose of the research is the scientific substantiation and innovative technology development of dishes using whole grain rice, quinoa and inulin for health purpose.Research methods. Standard conventional, organoleptic, physicochemical, sta­tistical, sociological, qualimetry and mathematical processing of experimental data using com­puter technologies have been used.Results. The research is aimed at scientific substantiation of technological parameters of obtaining culinary products using quinoa and inulin. As a result of scientific researches, regularities of technological processes under complex use of quinoa and inulin have been substantiated and experimentally established in wholegrain rice based culinary products; developed innovative technologies of culinary products using quinoa and inulin; their quality and consumer properties are determined. The social effect of the development imple­mentation is to preserve and protect the health of the population, to improve the quality and im­prove the consumer properties of cereals, to fully utilize the nutritional potential of natural veg­etable raw materials, and to expand the range of culinary products in restaurants.Conclusions and discussion. The results of the research are the innovative food technology development based on whole grain rice with quinoa and inulin. Experimental studies have found that culinary products have been characterized by high organoleptic characteristics and high nutritional value of wellness destination and can be recommended for patients with for diabetes.

Highly effective inactivation of anti‐nutritional factors (lipoxygenase, urease and trypsin inhibitor) in soybean by radio frequency treatment

SummaryRadio frequency (RF) treatment at 27.12 MHz was employed to inactivate the anti‐nutritional factors (ANFs), including lipoxygenase (LOX), urease and trypsin inhibitor to minimise deleterious effects caused by conventional hot‐air heating. The effects of RF heating on the ANF activities, physicochemical properties and processing quality of intact soybean were investigated. The results revealed that ANF activities were effectively inactivated within 300 s by RF heating and inactivation rates of LOX, urease and trypsin inhibitor were 95.2% (270 s), 93.4% (285 s) and 89.4% (300 s), respectively. In addition, RF heating improved physicochemical properties and processing quality of soybean products when the trypsin inhibitor was inactivated. On the contrast, conventional thermal treatment significantly decreased functional properties and led to the formation of greater aggregates. Our results may provide a novel method to inactivate endogenous enzyme in crops without negative impact on processing quality.

How much does traffic contribute to benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon air pollution? Results from a high-resolution North American air quality model centred on Toronto, Canada

Abstract. Benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic air pollutants that have long been associated with motor vehicle emissions, though the importance of such emissions has never been quantified over an extended domain using a chemical transport model. Herein we present the first application of such a model (GEM-MACH-PAH) to examine the contribution of motor vehicles to benzene and PAHs in ambient air. We have applied the model over a region that is centred on Toronto, Canada, and includes much of southern Ontario and the northeastern United States. The resolution (2.5 km) was the highest ever employed by a model for these compounds in North America, and the model domain was the largest at this resolution in the world to date. Using paired model simulations that were run with vehicle emissions turned on and off (while all other emissions were left on), we estimated the absolute and relative contributions of motor vehicles to ambient pollutant concentrations. Our results provide estimates of motor vehicle contributions that are realistic as a result of the inclusion of atmospheric processing, whereas assessing changes in benzene and PAH emissions alone would neglect effects caused by shifts in atmospheric oxidation and particle–gas partitioning. A secondary benefit of our scenario approach is in its utility in representing a fleet of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), whose adoption is being encouraged in a variety of jurisdictions. Our simulations predicted domain-average on-road vehicle contributions to benzene and PAH concentrations of 4 %–21 % and 14 %–24 % in the spring–summer and fall–winter periods, respectively, depending on the aromatic compound. Contributions to PAH concentrations up to 50 % were predicted for the Greater Toronto Area, and the domain maximum was simulated to be 91 %. Such contributions are substantially higher than those reported at the national level in Canadian emissions inventories, and they also differ from inventory estimates at the subnational scale in the US. Our model has been run at a finer spatial scale than reported in those inventories, and furthermore includes physico-chemical processing that alters pollutant concentrations after their release. The removal of on-road vehicle emissions generally led to decreases in benzene and PAH concentrations during both periods that were studied, though atmospheric processing (such as chemical reactions and changes to particle–gas partitioning) contributed to non-linear behaviour at some locations or times of year. Such results demonstrate the added value associated with regional air quality modelling relative to examinations of emissions inventories alone. We also found that removing on-road vehicle emissions reduced spring–summertime surface O3 volume mixing ratios and fall–wintertime PM10 concentrations each by ∼10 % in the model domain, providing further air quality benefits. Toxic equivalents contributed by vehicle emissions of PAHs were found to be substantial (20 %–60 % depending on location), and this finding is particularly relevant to the study of public health in the urban areas of our model domain where human population, ambient concentrations, and traffic volumes tend to be high.

Cellular Effects of In Vitro-Digested Aluminum Nanomaterials on Human Intestinal Cells

Aluminum (Al) can be taken up from food, packaging or from the environment and reaches the human gastrointestinal tract. Its toxic potential after oral uptake is still discussed. The fate of different solid and ionic Al species during the passage through the digestive tract is in the focus of research, as well as the cellular effects caused by these different Al species. The present study combines the physicochemical processing of three recently studied Al species (metallic Al0, mineral Al2O3 and soluble AlCl3) in artificial digestion fluids with in vitro cell systems for the human intestinal barrier. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methods were used to characterize the Al species in the artificial digestion fluids and in cell culture medium for proliferating and differentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells. Cytotoxicity testing and cellular impedance measurements were applied to address the effects of digested Al species on cell viability and cell p...

Episodic formation of refractory inclusions in the Solar System and their presolar heritage

Refractory inclusions [Ca-Al-rich Inclusions (CAIs) and Amoeboid Olivine Aggregates (AOAs)] in primitive meteorites are the oldest Solar System solids. They formed in the hot inner protoplanetary disk and, as such, provide insights into the earliest disk dynamics and physicochemical processing of the dust and gas that accreted to form the Sun and its planetary system. Using the short-lived 26Al to 26Mg decay system, we show that bulk refractory inclusions in CV (Vigarano-type) and CR (Renazzo-type) carbonaceous chondrites captured at least two distinct 26Al-rich (26Al/27Al ratios of ∼5 × 10−5) populations of refractory inclusions characterized by different initial 26Mg/24Mg isotope compositions (μ26Mg*0). Another 26Al-poor CAI records an even larger μ26Mg*0 deficit. This suggests that formation of refractory inclusions was punctuated and recurrent, possibly associated with episodic outbursts from the accreting proto-Sun lasting as short as <8000 yr. Our results support a model in which refractory inclusions formed close to the hot proto-Sun and were subsequently redistributed to the outer disk, beyond the orbit of Jupiter, plausibly via stellar outflows with progressively decreasing transport efficiency. We show that the magnesium isotope signatures in refractory inclusions mirrors the presolar grain record, demonstrating a mutual exclusivity between 26Al enrichments and large nucleosynthetic Mg isotope effects. This suggests that refractory inclusions formed by incomplete thermal processing of presolar dust, thereby inheriting a diluted signature of their isotope systematics. As such, they record snapshots in the progressive sublimation of isotopically anomalous presolar carriers through selective thermal processing of young dust components from the proto-Solar molecular cloud. We infer that 26Al-rich refractory inclusions incorporated 26Al-rich dust which formed <5 Myr prior to our Sun, whereas 26Al-poor inclusions (such as FUN- and PLAC-type CAIs) incorporated >10 Myr old dust.

Quest for Suitable Storage Condition for Sustainable Processing Quality of Potato Tubers

Processing quality of potato tubers depend on the physico-chemical properties which changes within the time in long-term storage period. The present study was conducted to find out a suitable storage condition that could be able to maintain the processing quality of potatoes. Three potato varieties namely Asterix (BARI Alu-25), Courage (BARI Alu-29) and Lady Rosetta (BARI Alu-28) and three different storage conditions viz. Bamboo chamber (BC), earthen chamber with evaporative cooler (EC) and refrigerator (RF) were used in this study. Data were recorded monthly-basis on the physico-chemical processing qualities of the potato tubers. Potato tubers stored in RF was able to maintain higher dry matter content and lower weight loss, shrinkage and energy content than BC and EC. Though the physical qualities of the refrigerated tubers were well-maintained, but produced considerably higher amount of mean reducing sugars (2.69 mg/g FW) which was 11.6 and 17.9% higher than the mean of BC (2.41 mg/g FW) and EC (2.28 mg/g FW), respectively; and higher mean sucrose contents (2.46 mg/g FW) which was 6.5 and 18.8% higher than the mean of BC (2.31 mg/g FW) and EC (2.07 mg/g FW), respectively. EC maintained significantly lower amount of mean glucose (0.17 mg/g FW), fructose (1.96 mg/g FW) and total soluble sugar (4.20 mg/g FW) contents than BC and RF. Compared to pre-storage, mean reducing sugar content was increased by 1.5, 1.7 and 2.0 times in EC, BC and RF, respectively until 90 days of storage and the increase in mean sucrose content was 1.7-, 2.1- and 2.3-fold in EC, BC and RF, respectively. Among the varieties, Courage and Lady Rosetta were suitable for long-term storage for processing than Asterix. Chips produced from the potatoes stored in the EC acquired significantly higher scores for sensory attributes than that of BC and RF. Results clearly depicted that potatoes stored in EC were more suitable for processing due to moderate retention of dry matter content (22.13%) and lower accumulation of different sugars and were able to retain processing quality up to 90 days of storage than that of BC and RF.&#x0D; Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2019) 23(2) : 61-78

Association of fungal genera from spoiled processed foods with physicochemical food properties and processing conditions

The processing conditions and physiochemical properties used in food manufacturing create niches which support the growth of a limited number of spoilage fungi. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic food product variables on the identity of spoilage fungi genera isolated from commercially produced foods. The spoilage etiology was identified in 127 products through ITS region sequencing. The prevalence and diversity of the identified spoilage fungi were evaluated in relationship to product-specific attributes using various descriptive statistics and a bipartite network analysis. Additionally, recursive partitioning was used to generate a classification tree with the outcomes, genera of the spoilage isolates, divided into increasingly homogenous subgroups. All of the isolated fungi belonged to the Ascomycete phylum, except four mucoralian isolates and the basidiomycete Rhodotorula. The occurrence of filamentous fungi repeatedly isolated ranged from 2% (Phoma spp.) to 18% (Penicillium spp.). In order of decreasing contribution to subgroup homogeneity, the split rules for the classification tree were based on process, water activity, food matrix category, and pH. Fungal genera representation in the terminal nodes indicated that production failures, in addition to product-specific attributes, were responsible for determination of the most probable spoilage organism.

Functional Properties of Polyphenols in Grains and Effects of Physicochemical Processing on Polyphenols

Phenolic compounds are important products of secondary metabolism in plants. They cannot be synthesized in the human body and are mainly taken from food. Cereals, especially whole grains, are important sources of dietary polyphenols. Compared with vegetables and fruits, the content and biological activities of polyphenols in cereals have long been underestimated. Polyphenols in whole grains are non-nutritive compounds, which are distributed in all structural areas of cereal substances, mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, and lignans. In recent years, the health effects of whole grains are closely related to their phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities. Now, different physicochemical processing treatments and their effects have been summarized in order to provide the basis for promoting the development and utilization of food. The various functions of whole grains are closely related to the antioxidant effect of polyphenols. As the basic research on evaluating the antioxidant effect of active substances, in vitro antioxidant tests are faster and more convenient.

Efficacy evaluation of ultrasound treatment on the postharvest storability of white nectarine by both physicochemical and image processing analyses

Ultrasound is a non-thermal method to preserve the postharvest quality of fresh fruit during storage that is also non-toxic and environmentally friendly. In this study, the effects of ultrasound treated at 0, 100, 200, 300, and 500 W on the quality of white nectarine stored at 4 ℃ for 50 d were investigated. Additionally, image processing techniques were used as a means of qualitative analysis. Weight loss, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), in-package gas concentration, decay rate, instrumental color, texture, and Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) were measurements were done in this study. Color and morphological characteristics of white nectarines were also identified by image processing techniques. Based on the results of physicochemical analyses, ultrasound treatment at 300 W power best-maintained nectarine quality. The decay rate was found to be 20% in the control fruit (CNT) and 3,3% in the 300 W treatment at the end of the storage. These results were supported by color and morphological characteristics obtained by image processing techniques. Overall, the results indicated that the non-thermal ultrasound technique could be used to increase storage quality of white nectarines, and image processing techniques could be implemented as objective, rapid and non-destructive analysis methods by the food industry.

An Integrated Treatment Technology for Blended Wastewater of the Sugar Industry and Ethanol Distillery

This study was designed to evaluate physicochemical properties of the sugar industry and ethanol distillery wastewater, and treat the blended wastewater of the two industries using anaerobic digestion followed by adsorption of bagasse fly ash (BFA). The wastewater samples of the two industries were collected using composite and grab- sampling techniques. The application of the integrated treatment method was performed using an initial COD concentration of 10,000 mg/L, at the hydraulic retention time of 10 days, pH 7 and a constant temperature (37 °C) of the bioreactor, whereas the adsorption treatment was operated at the optimum point of BFA dose (4 g in 100 mL) and contact time (4 h) obtained in previous studies. Most of the physicochemical parameters of the two wastewaters were above the effluent discharging limits, which have the potential to cause adverse effects on the environment by interfering with physicochemical and biological processing. Under anaerobic treatment, maximum COD reduction of 65% and color removal of 79% were recorded, whereas after adsorption treatment, COD reduction of 62% and color removal of 58% were observed. However, the integration of the two aforementioned treatment technologies resulted in an average COD reduction of 76% and color removal of 83%, which indicates a promising option to mitigate pollution of untreated wastewater and enhance the practices of reusing the treated wastewater at the industrial scales. Finally, it can be concluded that the treated effluent can also be reused for irrigation of sugarcane which will contribute to sustainable water utilization in the sector.

Nature Abhors a Vacuum: Highly Diverse Mechanisms Enable Spoilage Fungi to Disperse, Survive, and Propagate in Commercially Processed and Preserved Foods

Fungal spoilage in processed foods remains a challenge for food manufacturers despite the increasing availability of diverse processing and formulation strategies used to control foodborne microorganisms. Physiological features of yeasts and molds contribute to their tolerance to thermal processing, acidity, desiccation, and oxygen and nutrient limitations. These features variably include growth form, cell wall structure, cytoplasmic composition, cell membrane-bound proteins, and secretion of secondary metabolites. Collectively, these mechanisms contribute to the ability of fungi to disperse, survive, and propagate in highly restrictive food environments. The diversity of fungal growth and survival mechanisms has resulted in organisms adapted to nearly all food environments; although, only a small subset of fungi are particularly suited for spoilage of a given product. The relationship between the individual physiology and metabolic capabilities of a yeast or mold and the product's specific physicochemical attributes and processing history determines spoilage potential. Explicit characterization of the fungal features responsible for this extremotolerance contributes to more targeted and effective control strategies.

Physicochemical processing of polyphenylsulfone: Optimization of processing parameters for microsphere production via spray drying using a response surface model

AbstractThis article describes the processing of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) into microspheres via the physicochemical method called spray drying (SD). Polymeric microspheres have a potential in various fields of research like diagnostics, separations, thermal insulations, pigments, and additive manufacturing like selective laser sintering (SLS). These microspheres have the potential to be used as building material for SLS provided they have spherical morphology and have a submicrometer particle size. The effects of the different processing parameters on these two response factors have been investigated in SD of PPSU by design of experiment. A plot is predicted in which size and morphology are optimized and combined in order to find the ideal parameter set for production. The effect of polymer concentration, solution feed rate, atomization flow rate, inlet temperature, and polymer grade was optimized using a five‐factor three‐level factorial design. Through the statistical model, particles with a mean particle size of 13.27 μm can be obtained of which 19% are of adequate sphericity and roundness according to Powers’ scale for the low viscous grade (R5600, Radel® R5600 Solvay polymer, low viscous grade (or very high melt flow grade) of PPSU). In the case of the high viscous grade (R5000, Radel® R5000 Solvay polymer, high viscous grade of PPSU), a best particle size of 12.48 μm with 12.5% spherical particles can be achieved.

Developing the technology of physicochemical processing of organic waste in closed life support systems for space applications

Closed life support systems for space applications need a technology of processing organic waste produced in the system that would enable incorporating the recycled waste into the mass transfer of the system. Researchers of the Institute of Biophysics SB RAS have developed a method of waste processing that meets these requirements: a physicochemical method of organic waste oxidation in the hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution under application of an alternating current electric field – wet combustion. The mineralized solution produced by this method can be used as a mineral nutrient supplement for higher plants in the life support system. The present study describes technical implementation of the wet combustion method and reports results of developing this method in the last few years. The study addresses problems associated with the design and positions of individual components and different configurations of the wet combustion reactor, showing the way to automate operation of the reactor and reporting optimal parameters of the current applied to the electrodes, which reduce time and power consumption by waste processing.