Pretreatment Process Research Articles

Numerical Development of a Thermal Pre-processing Step for the Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries

In the present study, a numerical model is being developed to simulate a step in the battery recycling chain, namely the thermal pre-treatment process. This process involves exposing battery cells to a high-temperature environment to induce a thermal runaway, with the aim of maximising the recovery of valuable metals in the subsequent downstream recycling steps. The proposed numerical model utilises the CFD-DEM framework. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to calculate the gas phase variables. The battery is considered a solid phase, using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to model its behaviour under high temperature. In this context, an experiment was designed to reproduce conditions similar to a battery thermal deactivation process. Once elaborated, the results from the experiments are compared to the numerical model, seeking further simulations using more realistic furnace designs.

Experimental and first-principles investigation on how support morphology determines the performance of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst during ethylene polymerization

One class of the Ziegler–Natta catalysts (ZNC) – the TiCl4/MgCl2 having triethyl aluminum (AlEt3), has been widely utilized during ethylene polymerization. Although the Ti species plays the role of a major active site, an increase of Ti species does not always improve the activity of ZNC. Herein, investigations of experiments and density functional theory (DFT) elucidate this inverse effect of the increased amount of TiCl4 deposition in ZNC because of the pretreatment process. However, the activity of ZNC on pretreated MgCl2 dropped to 60% of the unpretreated one. The DFT demonstrates that the pretreatment strengthened the interaction between TiCl4 and ZNC, especially on the (104) surface, forming the TiCl4-TiCl4 cluster. The existence of this TiCl4-TiCl4 cluster found on the ZNC (104) surface weakens the adsorption of the first AlEt3 molecule and obstructs further alkylation process, making another Ti site of the alkylated TiCl4-TiCl4 cluster inactive. However, the difficult formation of the TiCl4-TiCl4 cluster found on the ZNC (110) is an important key point that enables the activation of all adsorbed TiCl4 on this surface by facilitating the alkylation process. Moreover, the existence of the MgCl2 (110) surface prevents the formation of the TiCl4-TiCl4 cluster significantly. Hence, it is suggested that the existence of the (110) plane on ZNC plays a key role in controlling the performance of the ZNC, especially the stability via the prevention of deactivation caused by the clustering of TiCl4.

Maximizing Waste-to-Energy Potential: Optimizing Batch Torrefaction Reactor of Refused-Derived Fuel for Efficient Gasification

Abstract Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from municipal solid waste (MSW) is a promising alternative to fossil fuels, but its varied composition can impede direct gasification. This industrial research project conducted a series of batch experiments to assess four key parameters: energy yield, mass yield, energy density, and combustion characteristics in the context of RDF torrefaction. The batch reactor processed RDF samples at temperatures of 250°C, 300°C, and 350°C, each with a 30- minute residence time under an inert atmosphere. In addition, Combustion TGA experiments, involving heating torrefied RDF up to 1000°C at a rate of 20°C/min, provided further insights into the robust combustion properties of the torrefied material. Unlocking the secrets of torrefaction magic, we've achieved remarkable energy content boosts. Torrefaction at 250°C, 300°C, and 350°C led to energy content enhancements of 22%, 29%, and 37%, respectively, compared to the original RDF. Notably, the most favorable energy yield was achieved during torrefaction at 250°C, attributed to both its relatively high energy content and mass yield. At a torrefaction temperature of 250 °C and above, the torrefied RDF samples exhibited heating values comparable to standard coal ranges between 25-35 MJ/kg. It is suggested that torrefaction of RDF is an effective pre-treatment process to be used in entrained flow gasifier due to the improved higher heating value, higher energy density, and superior combustion characteristics, proved by the ignition index, flammability index, and burnout index, highlight the effectiveness of the torrefaction process.

Sustainable synthesis pathways: Bacterial nanocellulose from lignocellulosic biomass for circular economy initiatives

The hydrothermal pretreatment process stands out as a pivotal step in breaking down the hemicellulosic fraction of lignocellulosic biomasses, such as sugarcane bagasse and eucalyptus sawdust. This pretreatment step is crucial for preparing these materials for subsequent processes, particularly in food applications. This technique aims to disintegrate plant wall components like cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and facilitating access in later phases such as enzymatic hydrolysis, and ultimately making fermentable sugars available. In this study, sugarcane bagasse and eucalyptus sawdust biomass underwent hydrothermal pretreatment at specific conditions, yielding two key components: dry biomass and hemicellulose liquor. The primary focus was to assess the impact of hydrothermal pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, using the Celic Ctec III enzyme cocktail, to obtain fermentable sugars. These sugars were then transformed into membranes via strain Gluconacetobacter xylinus bacterial biosynthesis. Notably, the addition of a nitrogen source significantly boosted production to 14.76 g/ in hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse, underscoring its vital role in bacterial metabolism. Conversely, in hydrolyzed eucalyptus, nitrogen source inclusion unexpectedly decreased yield, highlighting the intricate interactions in fermentation media and the pivotal influence of nitrogen supplementation. Characterization of membranes obtained in synthetic and hydrolyzed media through techniques such as FEG-SEM, FTIR, and TGA, followed by mass balance assessment, gauged their viability on an industrial scale. This comprehensive study aimed not only to understand the effects of pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis but to also evaluate the applicability and sustainability of the process on a large scale, providing crucial insights into its feasibility and efficiency in practical food-related scenarios, utilizing nanocellulose bacterial (BNC) as a key component.

Investigation of organic content and microbial characteristics distribution at the pretreatment units for wastewater treatment plant sustainable upgrading

It is necessary and significant to acquire the influent characteristics in the whole pretreatment units of the activated sludge process in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for the sustainable upgrading. In this work, we drawn the samples and continuously investigated all the structure units of the pretreatment section in a typical wastewater treatment plant including the anaerobic and aerobiotic treatment processes. We monitored the routine environmental parameters in the water, including dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and suspended solids (SS). At the same time, we investigated the concentration distribution patterns of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and found that the degradation of organic matter in the sewage continued in the pretreatment section. And the remarkable decreasing tendency of organic pollution concentration was confirmed along the flow direction in the pretreatment section, suggesting a modest depletion effect on influent organic matter of the pretreatment process. Moreover, to further validate the degradation process of organic compounds in the preprocessing procedure, analysis and detection were conducted on the types of organic compounds and the microbial community structures in the water samples collected at various sampling points through three-dimensional fluorescent spectroscopy and high-throughput sequencing, respectively. Conclusively, the detailed and accurate influent characteristics can support the scientific basis for the WWTP sustainable operation, management, and upgrading, especially for that with the low C/N ratio influent.

Efficient Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Polyhydroxybutyrate Production from Non-Recyclable Fiber Rejects from Paper Mills by Recombinant Escherichia coli

Non-recyclable fiber rejects from paper mills, particularly those from recycled linerboard mills, contain high levels of structural carbohydrates but are currently landfilled, causing financial and environmental burdens. The aim of this study was to develop efficient and sustainable bioprocess to upcycle these rejects into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable alternative to degradation-resistant petroleum-based plastics. To achieve high yields of PHB per unit biomass, the specific objective of the study was to investigate various approaches to enhance the hydrolysis yields of fiber rejects to maximize sugar recovery and evaluate the fermentation performance of these sugars using Escherichia coli LSBJ. The investigated approaches included size reduction, surfactant addition, and a chemical-free hydrothermal pretreatment process. A two-step hydrothermal pretreatment, involving a hot water pretreatment (150 °C and 15% solid loading for 10 min) followed by three cycles of disk refining, was found to be highly effective and resulted in an 83% cellulose conversion during hydrolysis. The hydrolysate obtained from pretreated biomass normally requires a detoxification step to enhance fermentation efficiency. However, the hydrolysate obtained from the pretreated biomass contained minimal to no inhibitory compounds, as indicated by the efficient sugar fermentation and high PHB yields, which were comparable to those from fermenting raw biomass hydrolysate. The structural and thermal properties of the extracted PHB were analyzed using various techniques and consistent with standard PHB.

Efficient treatment of high-concentration pharmaceutical wastewater with high-salinity by chemical synthesis coupling with evaporation: From lab-scale to pilot-scale

This study focused on the treatment of high-concentration pharmaceutical wastewater with high-salinity by pretreatment of chemical synthesis coupling with evaporation. Via chemical synthesis, this pretreatment process was developed to remove the organic matter that inhibited evaporation of wastewater, resulting in improved evaporation efficiency. Lab-scale results demonstrated that under the optimum conditions (∼pH 9, 2 mL/L demulsifier, 98 mM/L H2O2, 3 h of aeration time, 80 °C, 500 mg/L PAC, and 20 mg/L PAM), 54.9 % of COD was successfully removed by single pretreatment and 98.6 % after coupling with evaporation. Compared to the 80.1 % COD removal efficiency of direct evaporation of 100 mL with 30 min, the pretreatment process coupling with evaporation demonstrated superior performance and halved the evaporation time. A pilot-scale chemical synthesis pretreatment (120 t/d) was further developed to treat pharmaceutical wastewater of both high COD concentrations and high salinity. Under the optimal conditions determined in the lab-scale experiments, the pilot-scale achieved a COD removal efficiency of 49 % with a single pretreatment and 95.8 % after coupling with mechanical vapor recompression (MVR). Additionally, the obtained salt appeared visually clean and white compared to that obtained from the treated wastewater without pretreatment. Furthermore, to elucidate the possible mechanisms driving the efficient removal of COD, GC–MS was performed on the wastewater before and after pretreatment, and the resulting products from pretreatment in pilot-scale applications were further determined by both FTIR and GC–MS. It was proposed that the aldol condensation reaction increased the formation of carbon chains to macromolecular compounds might be the possible mechanism. This study gives insights into the future application of low-investment and low-cost technology in the treatment of high-concentration pharmaceutical wastewater with high salinity in industry.

Field detection of genetically modified crops: Simple DNA extraction, rapid assay and automatic output on smartphone

Rapid and accurate detection of genetically modified crops (GMC) is significant for crop supervision and genetically modified product labeling. For field detection of GMC, the rapidity and simplicity of the sample pretreatment and detection process are very important. Simplifying the extraction process of DNA in crops and speeding up the detection process are the technical problems that need to be solved. Therefore, this paper provides a field detection method for GMC. First, the selected universal LAMP primers of the chloroplast gene can be used to detect reference genes in nine crops with the most transgenic detection needs. The universal primers of reference genes can not only improve the accuracy of detection, but also omit the design and synthesis of reference gene primers in different crops. Second, a high concentration of DNA can be obtained using simple and fast DNA extraction methods within 5 min. The specific concentration of GuHCl in lysis buffer can accelerate the subsequent nucleic acid amplification reaction. Third, a new probe-LAMP method was established, with high reaction speed and specificity. Using the dual probe-LAMP for transgenic and reference genes in a handheld nucleic acid detector, the detection of GMC can be completed within 25 min. Two different fluorescence signals generated from the LAMP reaction are processed through a special logic gate, and finally three kinds of results of "Positive", "Negative" and "Invalid" are output on a smartphone. This method from sample processing to intelligent result output can achieve accurate, rapid, simple, low-cost, pollution-free field detection of GMC.

Karakterisasi Bioetanol dari Limbah Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit

At the moment, Indonesia still relies heavily on fossil fuels to cover its domestic energy demands. However, one of the main causes of the rise in greenhouse gas emissions is the nation's reliance on fossil fuels for energy damage to the environment. An alternate energy source is called bioethanol. The fermentation process of natural ingredients with the help of microorganisms, Bioethanol produced from biomass in this study is palm empty fruit bunches (PEFB) because of the cellulose content of 45.59% which can be converted into second-generation bioethanol. Poses for making bioethanol of PEFB through the process of pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, and distillation. The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristics of bioethanol produced by PEFB waste. Bioethanol characteristic testing refers to test standards determined by SNI 7390:2008/2013, This study produced ethanol content of 4.92% in 6-day fermentation that did not meet the specified standards, methanol content produced 0.4% in 10-day fermentation and had met the specified standards, water content in 4-10 days fermentation produced 25.56%-30.72% did not meet the specified standards, denaturant content in 10-day fermentation produced 9% had met the specified standards. The fermentation of 6 days produced the best condition, obtaining 4.92% ethanol content and 25% moisture content. Still, it did not meet the specific standards of SNI 7390:2008, but met the SNI standards for the methanol content of 0.4%, denaturant level of 11%, acidity of 0.3 mg /L, chloride ion levels of 0.7 mg /L, sulphur content of 0.68 mg /L, and the sap content of 7 mg / l.

Imprinted membrane-covalent organic framework platform for efficient label-free visual detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium in food samples

BackgroundRapid and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens in food plays a crucial role in controlling outbreaks of foodborne diseases, of which Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium are representative and notable pathogens. Thus, it's of great importance to achieve the effective detection of these pathogens. However, the most common detection methods (culture-based technique, Polymerase Chain Reaction and immunological methods) have disadvantages that cannot be ignored, such as time-consuming, laborious, complex sample preparation process, and the possibility of cross-reaction. Hence, it is essential to develop a facile detection method for the pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. ResultsWe report a label-free visual platform for the simultaneous capture and detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium. For the first time, we have prepared polydimethylsiloxane-Chromotrope 2R membrane which serves as the substrate for bacterial capture and enrichment through the formation of specific recognition sites. The positively charged Pt-covalent organic framework combines with the pathogens through surface charge interaction, thereby the label-free sandwich platform is formed. Remarkable peroxidase activity of Pt-covalent organic framework converts the conversion of bacterial quantity into amplified color signal by catalyzing 3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine to oxidized 3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine. The platform demonstrates the capability to identify two representative food-borne pathogens within a time frame of 100 min, exhibiting high sensitivity and excellent specificity without the interference from non-target bacteria. The limit of detection of the visual platform toward Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium was 1.61 CFU mL−1 and 1.31 CFU mL−1, respectively. And the limit of quantification toward Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium was 4.94 CFU mL−1 and 2.47 CFU mL−1, respectively. The relative standard derivations of the visual platform for both bacteria were lower than 4.9 %. Furthermore, our proposed platform has obtained reliable and satisfactory results on analyzing diverse food samples. SignificanceThis research expands the application of a label-free platform combined with unlabeled nanocomponents in the rapid isolation and detection of diverse of food-borne pathogens. The platform possesses the advantages of simple operation and real-time monitoring, without complicated sample pretreatment process. The whole detection process can realize the simultaneous monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium within 100 min. Furthermore, it is also of reference significance for the detection of other common pathogens.

Low Temperature Pyrolysis and Exfoliation of Waste Printed Circuit Boards: Recovery of High Purity Copper Foils

Although several techniques have been developed to extract copper from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), there remain several challenges regarding energy consumption, local area contamination and environmental damage. A novel technique has been developed for extracting copper foils from waste PCBs based on low temperature pyrolysis followed by exfoliation to overcome these issues. The standard pretreatment steps of removing electronic components from PCBs and mechanical processing/size-reduction/powdering, etc., were minimized in this study. Several unsorted ‘as received’ PCBs were heat treated in the temperature range 750–850 °C for 5–20 min. in an argon atmosphere. Brittle dark chars and other residues on the heat-treated specimens were scrapped off to separate copper foils and other residuals. Most of the electronic components mounted on PCBs had dropped off during the heat treatment. Good-quality copper foils were recovered in all cases; the purity of copper was in excess of 85 wt.%. Key impurities present were Pb, Sn and Zn with typical concentrations less than 4 wt.%. Key features of the technique include minimizing energy intensive pre-treatment processes and waste handling, low pyrolysis temperatures and short heating times. This energy-efficient approach has the potential to enhance resource recovery while reducing the loss of materials, local area contamination and pollution near e-waste processing facilities.

A novel pretreatment method for analysis the oxygen isotopic compositions of inorganic phosphorus pools in freshwater sediment

Identifying the sources and cycling of phosphorus (P) is particularly important for formulating effective P management strategies in inland water. The oxygen isotopic compositions of phosphate (δ18OP) are recognized as a promising tool to solve this problem. However, the application of δ18OP in freshwater sediment is currently constrained by multiple difficulties. In this study, we presented a novel pretreatment method for δ18OP analysis of sediment inorganic P pools. Our results showed that the new method has advantages of simple operation, less time-consuming, and high P recovery rates. Specifically, we replaced the traditional Mg-induced co-precipitation (MAGIC) method by introducing Zr-Oxides gels with high selective adsorption function for phosphate. This made subsequent processing simpler and reduced the time consumption to ∼10 days, and the range of P recovery rates were from 88 % to 104 %. Furthermore, we emphasized the necessity of vacuum roasting following lyophilized Ag3PO4 to eliminate residual oxygen-containing impurities (e.g., NO3−, Ag2O, and organic matter). Additionally, evidences from microscopy and spectroscopy confirmed that this method ultimately yielded high-purity Ag3PO4 with the Ag:P molar ratios of 3.35:1. Importantly, combining direct synthesis Ag3PO4 between KH2PO4 and AgNO3 with the Ag3PO4 obtained by the method revealed no stark oxygen isotopic fractionation of phosphate during the pretreatment processes. The newly established δ18OP pretreatment methods here can also be extended to broader studies of the biogeochemical cycling of P in aquatic ecosystems, potentially advancing the understanding of the global P cycle.

OLIVE PITS-BASED CARBON BLACK AGGLOMERATE AS AN ADSORBENT FOR PIPETTE-TIP SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CAFFEINE IN ENERGY DRINKS

Vegetal wastes are an interesting source for the synthesis of nanostructured carbon materials, which are potentially useful in various applications. Carbon black agglomerates (CBA) obtained from olive pits, synthesized in our previous research, had a low crystalline structure typical of this type of materials, with a pore size of 2.27 nm, confirming their micro/mesoporous structure, and with a high surface value of around 587 m2/g. These materials were used for the extraction of caffeine in energy drinks using a green-approach micro-sample technique called pipette-tip solid-phase extraction. This microextraction technique features reduced consumption of organic solvents, of the amount of sorbent and extraction time, thus making the whole sample pretreatment process faster and greener. In this work, we proposed an analytical method for the analysis of caffeine in commercial energy drinks, using CBA with a great extraction capacity due to its high porous surface area. The developed methodology has proven to be useful from a green chemistry point of view, using only one milligram of nanostructured sorbent, minimal solvent consumption, a reduced volume of sample, as well as easy and rapid automatization for the analysis of commercial energy drinks. For the quantification of the analyte in the energy drinks, a one-point standard addition calibration was applied to correct the matrix effect. Similar caffeine concentrations per milliliter were found in the three analyzed samples, likewise, the amounts of caffeine close to those reported by the manufacturers were established for two of the samples analyzed.

Optimization of mixed microbes pretreatment on corn straw for enhancing methane production

In order to efficiently utilize straw biomass resources, the mixed microbes were used to pretreat corn straw and anaerobic fermentation was carried out. The effects of the straw particle size, the solid-liquid ratio, and the initial pH value on both the pretreatment process and the anaerobic digestion were investigated. On the basis of single factor experiments, the pretreatment conditions were optimized using the response surface method. The pretreatment was conducted at a temperature of 30 °C for a duration of 15 days. The results indicated that the optimal parameters in pretreatment process were as follows: a straw particle size of 20 mesh, a solid-liquid ratio of 1:17, and an initial pH value of 6.5. The predicted cumulative methane production under these conditions was 3740 mL, while the experimental result obtained was (3805 ± 67) mL. With a relative deviation of 1.68% between the predicted and experimental values, the model optimized the pretreatment conditions and improved the prediction of cumulative methane production. The methane yield of corn straw achieved 243 mL/(g-VSadded).

Improvising Biodiesel Production from Scenedesmus dimorphus via Nutrient Starvation and Optimized Pretreatment Process

Improvising Biodiesel Production from Scenedesmus dimorphus via Nutrient Starvation and Optimized Pretreatment Process

Performances of full-scale biological nitrogen pre-treatment process for drinking water source: Seasonal variations and microbial community

This study investigated the performance of the full-scale unit over a two-year period to enhance nitrification efficiency and provide operational strategies. Results indicated that raw water quality from Donggan River was notably influenced by seasonal variations, particularly during dry and wet seasons, impacting the nitrification efficiency of the biological pretreatment process. Factors such as influent concentrations of ammonia and total Kjeldahl nitrogen were found to have significant effects on nitrification, with temperature and conductivity also showing correlations. The specific rate of ammonia removal was calculated to be approximately 0.1 kg-N/m3/d under the existing operational setup. Moreover, elevating dissolved oxygen levels above 4 mg/L was proposed to potentially boost ammonia oxidation based on findings from experiments conducted in lab-scale bioreactors. In times of increased influent ammonia levels, the elimination of about 1–3 mg-N/L of total nitrogen signified the activation of denitrification processes. This observation was corroborated by results from next-generation sequencing techniques, verifying the existence of denitrifying microorganisms. The real-time PCR analysis results indicated that the abundance of comammox amoA gene was comparable with the abundance of the AOB amoA gene, indicating the presence of comammox Nitrospira and their potential role on nitrification in the system.

Preparation and characterization of physical properties of molded pulp from empty fruit bunches of oil palm

This research aims to determine the impact of pretreatment on empty fruit bunches (EFB) of palm oil fibers before the pulping process on the quality of the molded pulp produced. The study includes EFB fiber pretreatment processes, pulp production, pulp molding, physical characteristic analysis, and molded pulp performance evaluation. The pulp production process involves acid-base hydrolysis reactions. The produced molded pulp is done manually. Characterization of the molded pulp includes measurements of paper grammage, thickness, density, and moisture content. The characteristics of pulp produced from pretreated EFB fibers are as follows: an average grammage value of 415.48 g/m², paper thickness of 1.53 mm, water absorption capacity of 13.33-33.33%, density of paper of 0,026 x 106 - 0,027 x 106 g/m3, and a smooth surface morphology. Meanwhile, the characteristics of pulp produced from without pretreatment EFB fibers include an average grammage value of 372.18 g/m², paper thickness of 0.77 mm, water absorption capacity of 20.34-43.21%, density of paper of 0,004 x 106 - 0,008 x 106 g/m3, and a rough surface morphology due to pores on the fiber surface.

Optimization of Torrefaction Parameters Using Metaheuristic Approach

The probabilistic technique was used to optimize the torrefaction parameters that indirectly influence the yield of end-products obtained through the pyrolysis of biomass. In the same pursuit, pine cones underwent thermal pre-treatment at 210 °C, 220 °C, 230 °C, 240 °C, and 250 °C in the presence of N2 gas with a flowing rate of 0.7 L∙s−1, whereas the duration of the pre-treatment process was 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min at each. To facilitate the processing of pine waste, a muffle furnace was improvised for pilot-scale testing. The thermal process used to carry out torrefaction was quasi-static. The average dynamic head of volatile gases inside the chamber was 1.04 m. The criteria for determining the optimal solution were based on calorific value, solid yield, energy consumption during the pre-treatment process, and ash handling. In absolute terms, time and temperature did not influence the statistical deviation in cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition after thermal pre-treatment. While considering ash content as a primal factor, thermal processing should be conducted for 5 min at 210 °C for the bounded operating conditions, which are similar to the operating conditions obtained experimentally. The optimal solid yield would be obtained if the thermal pre-treatment is performed at 250 °C for 5 min. The solution derived through a simulated annealing technique provided a better convergence with the experimental dataset.

Characterization of Functional Ingredients Extracted with Ethanol Solvents from Ponkan (Citrus reticulata) By-Products Using the Microwave Vacuum Drying Method Combined with Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction.

For this study, microwave vacuum drying (MVD) was combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction to compare the effects of different ethanol volumes on ponkan extract and to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total ascorbic acid content (TAAC). High-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) was used to analyze the flavanone contents and antioxidant activity of ponkan (Citrus reticulata) peels. The experimental results showed that the TPC and TFC increase with ethanol volume. Ethanol extraction (75%) showed significant advantages by increasing the TPC to 17.48 mg GAE/g (DW) and the TFC to 2.96 mg QE/g (DW) of ponkan extract and also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. The TAAC improved along with increased water content. Water extraction showed the highest content (13.07 mg VitC/100 g, DW). The hesperidin content analyzed by HPLC-PDA was 102.95-622.57 mg/100 g (DW), which was the highest among the flavanones. Then, the ethanol insoluble residue extracts were taken from the pectin with four different solvents, evaluating TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity. The TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity of pectin are significantly lower than those of the peels. Combining MVD and 75% ethanol with ultrasound-assisted extraction in the pre-treatment process can effectively eliminate polyphenols, flavonoids, and other compounds, thus enabling the extraction of high-methoxyl pectin. The total dietary fiber (TDF) content of MVD ponkan by-products was 25.83%. Ponkan by-products have the potential for the future development of functional foods and supplements.

Modeling and optimization of dyeing process of polyamide 6 and woolen fabrics with plum-tree leaves using artificial intelligence

The dyeing process of textile materials is inherently intricate, influenced by a myriad of factors, including dye concentration, dyeing time, pH level, temperature, type of dye, fiber composition, mechanical agitation, salt concentration, mordants, fixatives, water quality, dyeing method, and pre-treatment processes. The intricacy of achieving optimal settings during dyeing poses a significant challenge. In response, this study introduces a novel algorithmic approach that integrates response surface methodology (RSM), artificial neural network (ANN), and genetic algorithm (GA) techniques for the precise fine-tuning of concentration, time, pH, and temperature. The primary focus is on quantifying color strength, represented as K/S, as the response variable in the dyeing process of polyamide 6 and woolen fabric, utilizing plum-tree leaves as a sustainable dye source. Results indicate that ANN (R2 ~ 1) performs much better than RSM (R2 > 0.92). The optimization results, employing ANN-GA integration, indicate that a concentration of 100 wt.%, time of 86.06 min, pH level of 8.28, and a temperature of 100 °C yield a K/S value of 10.21 for polyamide 6 fabric. Similarly, a concentration of 55.85 wt.%, time of 120 min, pH level of 5, and temperature of 100 °C yield a K/S value of 7.65 for woolen fabric. This proposed methodology not only paves the way for sustainable textile dyeing but also facilitates the optimization of diverse dyeing processes for textile materials.