Process Technology Research Articles

Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Stoned Olives with Oxygen Supply during Processing: Impact on Volatile and Phenolic Fraction and Sensory Characteristics.

The improvement of the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) extraction process involves the proper management of endogenous enzymes of the olive fruit and all the technological conditions that can affect their activities. Coratina and Peranzana cultivars were processed to assess the influence of different technologies for fruit breaking (crushing and stoning) with and without controlled oxygen addition during this critical phase. The study of volatile compounds revealed that the enzymes that are responsible for their genesis during the technological process were significantly affected by oxygen addition in both the systems of fruit crushing. The results from the stoning technology proved that the quality improvement was a consequence of the prevention of the seed breaking and the oxidation catalyzed by the olive stone enzymes. In Peranzana EVOOs, it was possible to increase the aldehyde concentration up to 97% using stoning technology with a 0.2 L/min oxygen addition compared with traditional crushing. At the same time, non-significant reductions in phenolic compounds were detected when comparing crushing and stoning with and without the addition of oxygen, and similar trends were observed for the two studied cultivars. The sensory analyses confirmed the differences in phenolic and volatile composition detected in the EVOO samples.

The role of technology in modern industrial processes: a comparative analysis of automated, automatic and mechanical systems

In the modern technological sphere, systems are categorized into various types based on their level of complexity and functional capabilities. The primary types are mechanical, automatic, and automated systems. Each of these types has its unique characteristics and areas of application. Mechanical systems are the simplest of all. They consist primarily of physical components such as gears, levers, and springs, which interact to perform specific tasks. These systems typically lack built-in control or regulation mechanisms, and their operation is based on basic mechanical principles. Examples of mechanical systems include simple clock mechanisms or traditional measuring devices. Automatic systems represent an evolutionary step beyond mechanical systems, as they include elements for automatic control. These may be electrical or electronic components that enable the system to perform certain operations without direct human intervention. For example, automatic doors or thermostats that regulate room temperature are examples of such systems. They can respond to changing conditions and perform tasks based on predefined parameters. Automated systems, in turn, are the most complex and integrated. They combine automatic control with software and advanced management systems, allowing them to adapt to changing environmental conditions and make decisions independently. Automated systems may include elements of artificial intelligence and machine learning, enabling them to perform complex tasks such as data processing or optimizing production processes. Examples include industrial robotic lines or management systems in distribution networks. Thus, the main differences between these systems lie in their level of complexity and functional capabilities: mechanical systems are based on simple physical principles, automatic systems contain elements of automatic control, and automated systems provide a high level of integration and autonomy.

Derivation of one- and two-factor experience curves for electrolysis technologies

Green hydrogen is seen as a promising energy carrier contributing to the decarbonization of the energy system. The competitiveness of green hydrogen compared to conventional produced (grey) hydrogen strongly depends on the investment cost of electrolysers and the costs of required green electricity. Accordingly, the expected investment costs and the efficiency of the production process for electrolysis technologies will play a decisive role. Experience curves can help estimate these crucial key parameters better. This paper applies experience curves to electrolysis technologies to enhance the understanding of these developments, specifically for alkaline, proton exchange membranes and solid oxide electrolysis. Experience rates are estimated using one- and two-factor experience curves for CAPEX and one-factor experience curves for electricity consumption. An independent and extensive database of CAPEX, electrical consumption and cumulative installed capacity was developed. Additionally, two different time frames and different data handling techniques are applied to understand the impact on the experience rates and the fit of the experience curve to the data provided. Based on the extensive database developed, CAPEX experience rates for the technologies range from 7%–21%, depending on the technology. In almost all cases, a two-factor experience curve analysis reduces the experience rate based on the cumulative installed capacity with the experience rate based on the size ranging between 7.4-10.2 % for all technologies. Lastly, the experience curve of the electrical consumption expects a reduction of around 1-3.5 % with each doubling of the capacity.

Promising areas of slag processing in ferrous metallurgy

The characteristics of promising areas of slag processing in ferrous metallurgy are given. An increase in requirements for environmental protection was noted. Modern slag processing includes primary and secondary processing, which differ in the physical state of the slag. The technological foundations of mass processing of slag have been formed at the Ural Institute of Metals. An assessment of the state of slag processing shows that the capacity of crushing and screening plants, mainly due to complexes purchased abroad, exceeds the yield of slag of current production and leads to a decrease in dumps. Modern areas of economics and environmental protection require the creation and implementation of new technologies and equipment for the processing of slag in liquid and solid form, improving the quality of products at all stages of processing. Processing of slag in liquid form at furnace (or located near melting furnaces) plants will make it possible to organize the technological process in highly economical environmentally friendly small-sized units, to adjust the composition and properties of slag, to expand the range and quality of the resulting products, to create conditions for the utilization of melt heat and the recycling of slag processing products. These processes reduce the environmental burden on the environment, reduce material, energy and operational costs, and expand the range and quality of the products obtained

Studies to determine the influence of the basicity modulus on the qualitative and quantitative indicators of production technology and the material composition of the sintere

In recent years, the increase in the efficiency of the blast furnace process is largely associated with the use of sinter with improved metallurgical properties. In the blast furnace charge of PJSC NLMK, the share of sinter is 60–75% with a change in basicity from 1.3 to 1.8. Studying the material composition of agglomerates of different basicity and their characteristics allows us to adjust the technological process and determine the optimal modulus of basicity depending on specific conditions. Agglomerates with a basicity index of: 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7 and 1.8. As a result of the research, it was established that the maximum vertical sintering speed and specific productivity of the sintering process correspond to the basicity of the sinter of 1.7. The influence of the basicity of the agglomerate on its strength is extreme, with a basicity of 1.4 the minimum strength of the agglomerate was obtained. Increasing the basicity of the agglomerate by more than 1.4 monotonically increases its strength. The nature of the change in the strength of the ag-glomerate with a change in basicity is determined by the mineral composition of the binder and is associated with a decrease in the proportion of glass in the structure of the agglomerate and an increase in the proportion of the crystalline silicate-ferrite binder. When studying the material composition, it was established that the samples of agglomerates have an identical phase composition, but differ in the phase ratio. Crystallization of calcium ferrites in contact with iron oxides contributes to the strengthening of the agglomerate, and the presence of impurities (Al, Si, Mg) in them increases the melting point. As a result of mineralogical and analytical studies, it was established that the highest metallurgical properties are found in agglomerates with a basicity modulus of 1.6–1.8.

Sustainable Seafood Processing: Reducing Waste and Environmental Impact in Aquatic Ecosystems

The global seafood industry is crucial in food production, providing essential nutrition and contributing to food security. Beyond its traditional role, the industry holds significant potential for generating high-value products by utilizing seafood resources. This comprehensive review explores the diverse applications of seafood resources, focusing on fish, shellfish, and seaweeds, in producing high-value products. The review examines various technological processes in extracting and purifying bioactive compounds from seafood, highlighting the advancements in seafood processing areas such as nanoencapsulation, fermentation, and enzymatic hydrolysis. Furthermore, it also discusses these innovations' economic and environmental impacts, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and efficiency in utilizing seafood by-products and waste. The seafood industry can minimize environmental pollution and promote circular economy principles by repurposing these materials. The review provides a holistic view of the future directions in this field, advocating for continued research and development efforts to enhance the value and sustainability of seafood resources. Overall, this review underscores the significance of seafood-derived high-value products in addressing global challenges while fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Using Virtual Reality in the Educational Process to Increase Students' Motivation and Interest

This article aims to identify some obstacles and opportunities for using virtual reality tools in teaching English to students. The research method is a case study focusing on the perceptions and responses of four teachers. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect this data. The results show the importance of pre-service and in-service training for teachers to use a foreign language effectively - in this case, English - when teaching with these tools. Additionally, teachers highlight specific difficulties that hinder the realisation of the educational opportunities offered by virtual reality in the process of foreign language learning. The results show that, for example, despite the overall level of satisfaction, motivation is not always present in the use of smartphones. In contrast, satisfaction, motivation, and engagement are closely related in virtual reality. These differences emphasise the importance of technology in the learning process. The novelty of this paper is to study these discourses to find that the main motivations that drive teachers to use new virtual tools are related to both personal factors (curiosity, passion, interest) and pedagogical aspects (application, sharing experiences with colleagues, caring for students). These two forms of motivation, essential for proper technology integration, underline the strong desire of teachers to participate in the project to improve their teaching practice and optimise student learning. However, although motivation is an influential factor in integrating new technologies, teachers do not hide their doubts and concerns. The practical value of the study on using virtual reality (VR) in the educational process to increase students' motivation and interest is creating an interactive environment that can engage students and make learning more fun. This is especially important for those with difficulties with traditional teaching methods and individualising learning. VR allows you to adapt the material to the needs of each student, which contributes to more effective learning. Learners can work at their own pace and repeat the material as often as necessary.

Sistem Manajemen Supervisi Akademik sebagai Kontrol Mutu Kompetensi Pedagogik Guru di Lembaga Pendidikan Madrasah

Teachers' problems in carrying out the learning process are very complex. Starting from learning administration skills to teaching skills. This problem must be resolved completely because teachers are the spearhead of quality education whose implications can only be felt in the long term. This study aims to formulate an academic supervision management system as well as the implications arising from the existence of the system in question. This research is qualitative research with a case study type where the process of extracting data is by conducting interviews, observation and documentation. Checking data using extended participation, persistence, and triangulation. Meanwhile, the analysis uses the stages of data collection, data condensation, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. This study resulted in the finding that the academic supervision management system at MTsN 3 Ponorogo is a collaborative-based academic supervision whose supervisor consists of the principal, deputy of principal, and senior teachers with a supervision management cycle consisting of planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up supervision. The implementation of academic supervision brings changes in understanding for teachers both conceptually and technically, namely knowledge of making learning tools, understanding of student behavior and characteristics, understanding of the use of information technology in the learning process, teacher interest in making changes in attitudes and performance. improve better, and the implementation of learning evaluations is more varied and complex. However, this research needs to be studied from a quantitative perspective to determine how much influence the implementation of academic supervision has on each aspects of teacher pedagogical competence that are not covered in this research.

Digital twin technology for sewage sludge smoldering process and CO/NOx emissions based on back propagation neural network: A laboratory experimental study

Smoldering has broad prospects for application in the treatment of sewage sludge with high moisture content, but it faces the problem of high CO/NOx emission concentrations. To improve smoldering velocity and reduce emission concentrations of gas pollutants, intelligent control and refined treatment of sewage sludge smoldering need to be achieved. In this paper, the digital twin-driven sewage sludge smoldering treatment system is proposed, and the overall framework, operational process and key technologies of the system are described in detail. A digital twin system based on the back propagation neural network model is constructed, which achieves the accurate prediction of the variation trends and average values of CO/NOx emission concentrations as well as smoldering temperature and velocity. Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II is used for multiobjective optimization, providing effective control strategies for sewage sludge with distinctive characteristics. Smoldering features, emission concentrations of gas pollutions and equipment operating status are visualized using WebGL technology. Results show the maximum increase in smoldering velocity is 49%, whilst CO can be reduced by 8% to 60% and the maximum reduction in NOx is 51%. This system can assist in applications such as monitoring state of sewage sludge smoldering, timely warnings and intelligent control.

A Multi-criterian Approach to Identify Groundwater Potential Zones in the Subarnarekha River Basin Using Integrated Analytical Hierarchy Process and Geospatial Technology

The intense extraction of groundwater and changing climate patterns have strained global groundwater supplies. As the demand for drinkable water rises worldwide, assessing groundwater availability and aquifer output becomes increasingly important. Geographic information systems (GIS) are being used more frequently for groundwater exploration due to their speed and provision of preliminary data. This study focuses on mapping groundwater availability in a minor tropical river basin in India, using a combination of GIS and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Ten thematic layers were generated and analyzed, including Geology, Geomorphology, Land use and land cover (LULC), Lineament density, Drainage density, Rainfall, Soil type, Slope, Topographic Wetness Index ( TWI), and curvature to delineate groundwater potential zones. AHP was employed to assign weights to each category based on their water retention properties. The resulting map was validated against existing groundwater data, demonstrating an accuracy of approximately 85%. The groundwater potential zones were classified as high, moderate, and, low. The moderate potential zone covered 59% of the basin, while the low and high potential zones constituted 29% and 11% respectively. High and low potential regions were limited to small sections of the basin. In conclusion, this research successfully mapped the groundwater availability in the Rarhu River watershed using GIS and AHP. The findings highlight the distribution of different groundwater potential zones, providing valuable information for sustainable water resource management in the area.

Issues and Challenges in Small-Signal Low-Power Amplifiers: A Review

Background: Contemporary linear electronic circuit designs frequently include small-signal low-power amplifiers as a fundamental building block. These amplifiers are widely used as LNAs (Low Noise Amplifiers) in the pre-amplifier stages of both low-frequency and high-frequency featured electronic circuits. Objectives: To review the recent advances in the design of small-signal low-power amplifiers based on device configuration of BJTs, JFETs and MOSFETs for low (≤1KHz) and high frequencies (≥1MHz) at smaller input voltage (<1 Volt). Methods: The articles published between 2010 to 2024 are shortlisted from IEEE Xplore, Springer, Science Direct Elsevier, Google Scholar, and MDPI databases and the outcomes of the different techniques are compared on various parameters. Findings: It is found that four-stage CMOS amplifier at TSMC 40nm process technology emerges with highest 84.59dB gain, InP (Indium Phosphide) Distributed Amplifier Using 3-D Interdigital Capacitors carries widest bandwidth of 160 GHz, two stage darlington pair amplifier at 0.18μm under dual input and dual output topologies and four stage CMOS amplifier at 40nm technology realizes lower power consumption of 0.5mW and 0.00086 mW respectively. Small Signal Amplifier based on single stage BJT-JFET Sziklai pair operates at lowest frequency of 11.36 Hz, single stage LNA at 180nm CMOS technology using inductive degenerate topology works at very low supply voltage at +0.5V and, recently reported complementary sziklai based small signal amplifier under CC mode works at lowest -15V supply voltage. Novelty: The review proposed on ‘Small Signal Low Power Amplifier’ is first time reported in this paper. Moreover, it discusses low power small signal amplifiers at both low (≤1KHz) and high (≥MHz) frequencies considering gain enhancement technique, power dissipation reduction technique, and noise reduction technique whereas other review papers emphasize on the general discussion of different topologies only at high frequencies. Keywords: Small-Signal Amplifiers, Low Power Amplifiers, BJTs, JFETs, MOSFETs

Improving the technology for restoring worn parts based on cold plastic deformation

Technological control scheme for forming worn parts during their restoration by deforming broaching is proposed. Particular attention is paid to the study of the stress-strain state, which provided the conditions for creating the necessary plastic flow of the product material towards the worn areas and made it possible to compensate the wear amount in these areas of the product and provide an allowance for subsequent machining. Taking into account the peculiarities of parts restoration technological process, the relationship between the required circumferential strain of the outer surface and the total tension on the hole is established. The influence of the number of deforming elements that perform the required deformation on the accumulated strain on the inner surface of the part was investigated. This made it possible to establish that the maximum accumulated strain of the inner surface is provided by the maximum number of elements with a minimum tension on the element. On the outer surface, the value of the accumulated strain does not depend on the number of deforming elements, but is determined only by the total tension and the workpiece thickness. Based on the simulation of deforming broaching in a wide range of changes in operating parameters, tool geometry and workpiece thickness, an analytical dependence was obtained to determine the angle that ensures the absence of axial strains when the workpiece is deformed. The necessary broaching modes and tool geometry were determined, which will ensure the required dimensions of the machined or restored part.

Анализ технологических процессов погрузочно-разгрузочных, транспортных, перегрузочных и складских операций на основе контейнерных перевозок

The article discusses key technological operations, including loading and unloading, transportation, transshipment and storage of goods in containers, as well as analyzes modern approaches to managing and optimizing these processes. The main attention is paid to the automation and mechanization of loading and unloading operations, the use of multimodal transportation to improve the efficiency of transport processes, the development of strategies for optimizing routes and logistics schemes, as well as the use of modern information technologies for cargo tracking and inventory management. The authors of the article emphasize the importance of integrating logistics operations and creating a unified information system for coordinating all stages of container transportation. As a result of the analysis, ways to improve technological processes aimed at reducing costs, increasing the speed of cargo delivery and increasing the overall efficiency of logistics chains are proposed. The article contains recommendations on the introduction of innovative solutions and technologies that can help optimize the work of enterprises engaged in container transportation. The research is based on the analysis of real data, including statistics on the operation of ports, transport companies and warehouse complexes, as well as on the study of best practices in this area. The article provides examples of successful implementation of the proposed approaches in practice, which makes it useful for specialists in the field of logistics, supply chain management and transportation.

Rheological Properties and Sensory Profile of Yoghurt Produced with Novel Combination of Probiotic Cultures

Novel probiotic yoghurt was produced using the combination of bacterial cultures Lactobacillus plantarum HA119 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis B94 and yoghurt bacteria Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Its basic nutritional composition, colour, texture, rheological properties, and sensory profile were compared with yoghurt produced using the same technological process and standard yoghurt cultures (control sample), as well as other commercially available yoghurts with different milk fat contents. Despite the fat content of the yoghurt made with the new probiotic cultures being 1.44%, its apparent viscosity was similar to that of high-fat yoghurt (2.99%). Other results from rheological measurements indicate that the new yoghurt had a stronger protein network, presumably due to the higher number of exopolysaccharides compared to both control and commercial yoghurts. Sensory analysis revealed that there were no statistically significant differences between the novel probiotic yoghurt and high-fat yoghurt as perceived by panellists. In conclusion, this combination of probiotic cultures can be used to produce yoghurt with rheological and sensory properties similar to high-fat yoghurts, without the need for hydrocolloids or changes in the production process.

The Potential of Molecular Docking for Predictive Toxicology.

Molecular modeling techniques are widely used in medicinal chemistry for the study of biological targets, the rational design of new drugs, or the investigation of their mechanism of action.They are also applied in toxicology to identify chemical potential harmful effects.Molecular docking is a computational technique to predict the ligand binding mode and evaluate the interaction energy with a biological target.This chapter describes a computational workflow to predict possible endocrine disruptors on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), a nuclear receptor involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. The analyzed compounds are food contact chemicals, natural or synthetic substances intentionally added to food or released from the package or during production or technological processes.

Internal friction setting depending on the particle shape

Research into the properties of input materials and the setup of equipment for polymer process technology is the first step in any development and innovation. Considering the requirements of reducing energy consumption, time and recyclability of materials, it is desirable to develop a tool for setting the mechanical and physical properties of binary mixtures of plastic granulates. Therefore, a dataset containing the particle size distribution, internal friction angle and spreading angle of eight different polymer granulates and their blends was created. If the internal angle of the material does not suit the technology, there is the possibility to change the technology itself or to modify the material passing through the technology at the input. It is also important to know the dependence of particle shape on internal friction. Based on the measured mixing values of the plastic granules, a dataset was created from which the computer program can draw input data to generate a new mixture setting for the desired friction value. Knowing the ingredient ratios to set the desired friction is the technology of the future. Once the input shape parameters of the individual components in the mixture have been given, the model can also be used in reverse, where in turn an idea of the internal friction angles of the input mixture components can be obtained.

The Results of the Laboratory Study on the Separating Fiber Flax Seed Balls when Combing the Standing Plants with a Single-Rotor Comb-Dresser

Introduction. The low purity of combing flax seed balls with flax harvesters is a problem for the technological operation when harvesting fibre flax. The analysis of the comb designs of the combing units made it possible to identify the main disadvantages that do not fully meet the agrotechnical requirements for harvesting fiber flax. An innovative design of a removable comb for single-rotor drum-type harvesters is proposed.Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at determining the purity of combing the standing fiber flax stems using a single-rotor comb-dresser with removable combs.Materials and Methods. There has been made an experimental setup to simulate the process of combing standing fiber flax plants with combs of a single-rotor comb dresser. During the period from 2018–2023, the design parameters and operating modes of the combing unit were investigated and justified. There has been developed a technique for conducting a multifactorial experiment to determine the purity of combing fiber flax using a combing drum-type unit with removable combs.Results. The results of laboratory studies on the separating flax balls from the standing fiber flax stems by removable combs are presented to determine the combing quality. It has been found that the purity of combing fiber flax plants is up to 99.2%.Discussion and Conclusion. When studying the technological process of combing Nadezhda standing fiber flax plants the with single-rotor drum removable combs, the physico-mechanical properties of the flax stems were studied in laboratory conditions, the optimal operating modes of the combing drum were determined, which ensure the purity of the stems above 98% that meets the agrotechnical requirements for flax combines.

The importance of both catalyst and process design in unlocking sustainable carbon feedstocks through syngas

As part of its move towards net zero, the chemical industry, over time, will transition away from fossil-based chemical feedstocks towards more sustainable, ‘green’ carbon—biomass, recycled waste and captured carbon dioxide. One gateway to transforming these feedstocks into the vital chemicals and fuels society relies on is via synthesis gas or ‘syngas’—a gaseous mixture of chemical building blocks (H 2 , CO and CO 2 ). While today the majority of syngas is produced via steam reforming of natural gas, commercially available technologies are enabling syngas production and transformation from sustainable feedstocks. The optimization of sustainable syngas technologies would not be possible without the integrated development of both catalyst and process technology and the associated skills in chemistry and chemical engineering. This paper covers three example technologies that are unlocking the role of syngas as a gateway to sustainable fuels and chemicals and highlights the innovative developments in catalyst and process design that have enabled their optimization and commercialization. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘Green carbon for the chemical industry of the future’.

Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Phase Compounds on the Friability of Fe-Si-Mn-Al Complex Alloy

The research presented in the article is devoted to the study of the influence of phase compounds on the friability of the Fe-Si-Mn-Al complex alloy. The urgency of the problem lies in the development of technology for producing a non-scatterable alloy from manganese-containing ores and high-ash coals. The main goal of this work is to determine the range of alloy compositions and the resulting phases that affect the dispersibility of the alloy, which is critically important for its industrial implementation. Research methods include thermodynamic diagram analysis (TDA) using data on the standard enthalpy of formation of intermetallic compounds, as well as experimental tests in an ore-thermal electric furnace with a capacity of 200 kV*A. The results show that Fe-Si-Mn-Al complex alloys form a variety of silicide and aluminide phases, including intermetallic compounds and ternary systems, which is critical for understanding and controlling their physicochemical properties. When melting a complex alloy, the content of leboite (Fe3Si7) in the Fe-Si-Mn-Al system plays a significant role. The development of melting process technology will be aimed at avoiding the FeSi2-Fe3Si7-F2(FeAl3Si2)-Mn11Si19 tetrahedron area. This approach to controlling the composition of a complex alloy is critical to ensuring its consistent friability properties in industrial applications. Thus, this work represents an important step in understanding the physical properties and stability of Fe-Si-Mn-Al complex alloys, which have potential for widespread use in metallurgical and other industrial applications.

Статистический анализ изменения температуры воздуха по данным многолетних наблюдений Метеорологической обсерватории имени В. А. Михельсона РГАУ – МСХА

Introduction. The purpose of the study is to assess the dynamics of changes in air temperature indicators and its impact on agronomic systems, based on long-term observations of the V. A. Mikhelson Meteorological Observatory of RSAU – MTAA. Materials and Methods. Using the Mathcad program, graphs of changes in average annual temperatures were constructed using a third-order approximation polynomial, graphs of the theoretical normal density distribution and normal temperature distribution function, as well as graphs of intra-annual temperature distribution for 30 years. Research results and Discussion. The values of the relative error of average annual temperatures were calculated, the normal distribution of average annual temperatures was checked using the Pearson criterion, after which the probability of deviation of the empirical hours falling into intervals from the theoretical hours was found. Conclusion. As a result of the research, a significant increase in average annual air temperature was established against the background of a general reduction in the duration of the cold period. Increase in temperature over the period 1961–1990 amounted to 0.9 °C, which is significantly higher than the average values for the globe. The results of the study reflect the general trend of warming in the context of global climate change and can be used to improve the forecasting of weather conditions, as well as to optimize technological processes in crop production.