Production Process Research Articles

Intelligent Optimization and Impact Analysis of Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction in the High-Temperature Sintered Ore Production Process

The coordinated optimization of energy conservation, efficiency improvement, and pollution reduction in the sintering production process is vital for the efficient and sustainable development of the sintering department. However, previous studies have shown shortcomings in the multi-objective collaborative optimization of sintering systems and the quantification of pollutant impacts. To address these, this paper proposes a multi-objective optimization method integrated with the NSGA-III algorithm and establishes an integrated system optimization model for sintered ore production and high-temperature waste heat recovery. The results demonstrate significant improvements: energy utilization efficiency increased by 0.67%, energy consumption decreased by 17.3 MJ/t, production costs were reduced by 11.45 CNY/t, and the emissions of CO2, SO2, and NOx were reduced by 0.464 kg/t, 0.034 kg/t, and 0.008 kg/t, respectively. Additionally, the study identified optimal configuration parameters and analyzed the quantitative impact of several key factors on multiple indicators. The results also show that reducing the water content of the mixture, decreasing the middling coal content in the fuel, and increasing the thickness of the material layer are effective strategies to reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions in the sintering process. Overall, implementing these optimizations can bring significant economic and environmental benefits to the steel industry.

Deep Learning Solution for Quality Control in a Die Casting Process

Industry 4.0 aims for a digital transformation of manufacturing and production systems, producing what is known as smart factories, where information coming from Cyber-Physical Systems (core elements in Industry 4.0) will be used in all the manufacturing stages to improve productivity. Cyber-physical systems through their control and sensor systems, provide a global view of the process, and generate large amounts of data that can be used for instance to produce datadriven models of the processes. However, having data is not enough, we must be able to store, visualize and analyze them, and to integrate induced knowledge in the whole production process. In this work, we present a solution to automate the quality control process of manufactured parts through image analysis. In particular, we present a Deep Learning solution to detect defects in manufactured parts from thermographic images of a die casting machine at an aluminum foundry.

Recent Progress in Situ Application of H2O2 Produced via Catalytic Synthesis.

Industrial production of H2O2 requires lots of energy and causes environmental pollution. Moreover, in subsequent applications, much economic loss could be produced during the transportation process of H2O2 and its dilution process. Therefore, it is highly desirable for in situ application of H2O2. In recent years, catalytic synthesis of H2O2, e. g., direct catalytic synthesis, electrocatalytic synthesis, and photocatalytic synthesis, has attracted more and more attention because the continuous and low-concentration H2O2 produced by catalytic synthesis can be directly used for the oxidation of organic compounds, effectively avoiding the shortcomings of the current industrial route. Here, we briefly reviewed the latest processes for the catalytic production of H2O2 via various routes. On this basis, we summarized and discussed the in situ application of H2O2 in typical organic conversion reactions, including the ammoximation of ketones, the oxidation of alcohols, the oxidation of C-H bonds, and the oxidation of olefins. Some in situ coupling reactions have shown excellent performance with high conversion and selectivity, and the economic cost has been significantly reduced. Finally, the shortcomings of the in situ utilization of H2O2 in coupling reactions were analyzed, and some strategies for promoting the efficiency of the H2O2 application in organic synthesis were proposed.

«Прикладная» геймификация в креолизованном медиатексте как один из способов продуцирования и восприятия информационного контента

The article considers gamification as a variant of infotainment in line with the trends of visualization and multimedia of modern media. The relevance of the proposed work lies in the fact that the author draws attention to the applied nature of gaming technologies, as well as their educational and training functions. Due to the evolutionary transition of gaming in the media from entertainment to information and training, the contingent to which games can be addressed is changing. Gaming technologies are diverse, from epistolary forms and comics that are leaving us to immersive games, stimulating the process of effective production and perception of information content in creolized media texts.

Screening of novel β-carotene hydroxylases for the production of β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin and the impact of enzyme localization and crowding on their production in Yarrowia lipolytica

Zeaxanthin, a vital dietary carotenoid, is naturally synthesized by plants, microalgae, and certain microorganisms. Large-scale zeaxanthin production can be achieved through plant extraction, chemical synthesis, or microbial fermentation. The environmental and health implications of the first two methods have made microbial fermentation an appealing alternative for natural zeaxanthin production despite the challenges in scaling up the bioprocess. An intermediate between β-carotene and zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, is found only in specific fruits and vegetables and has several important functions for human health. The low concentration of β-cryptoxanthin in these sources results in low extraction yields, making biotechnological production a promising alternative for achieving higher yields. Currently, there is no industrially relevant microbial fermentation process for β-cryptoxanthin production, primarily due to the lack of identified enzymes that specifically convert β-carotene to β-cryptoxanthin without further conversion to zeaxanthin. In this study, we used genetic engineering to leverage the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica as a bio-factory for zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin production. We screened 22 β-carotene hydroxylases and identified eight novel enzymes with β-carotene hydroxylating activity: six producing zeaxanthin and two producing only β-cryptoxanthin. By introducing the β-carotene hydroxylase from the bacterium Chondromyces crocatus (CcBCH), a β-cryptoxanthin titer of 24 ± 6 mg/L was achieved, representing the highest reported titer of sole β-cryptoxanthin in Y. lipolytica to date. By targeting zeaxanthin-producing β-carotene hydroxylase to the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes, we increased the production of zeaxanthin by 54% and 66%, respectively, compared to untargeted enzyme. The highest zeaxanthin titer of 412 ± 34 mg/L was achieved by targeting β-carotene hydroxylases to peroxisomes. In addition, by constructing multienzyme scaffold-free complexes with short peptide tags RIDD and RIAD, we observed a 39% increase in the zeaxanthin titer and a 28% increase in the conversion rate compared to the strain expressing unmodified enzyme. The zeaxanthin titers obtained in this study are not the highest reported; however, our goal was to demonstrate that specific approaches can enhance both titer and conversion rate, rather than to achieve the maximum titer. These findings underscore the potential of Y. lipolytica as a promising platform for carotenoid production and provide a foundation for future research, where further optimization is required to maximize production.

Synthesis of Ni–FeCeO2 by mechanochemical method for high-temperature water-gas shift reaction

Hydrocarbon fuels have caused significant environmental damage, leading to a search for renewable alternatives like hydrogen. The water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) is a key process in hydrogen production, especially in ammonia synthesis. Typically, WGSR occurs in two stages: low-temperature (LT-WGSR) at 180–250 °C and high-temperature (HT-WGSR) at 310–450 °C. Traditional HT-WGSR catalysts use Fe–Cr, but the presence of carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) poses environmental risks, necessitating safer alternatives. This study explores the replacement of chromium with aluminum (Al) and cerium (Ce) in Fe-based catalysts, synthesized via mechanochemical methods. Characterization revealed that Fe–Ce catalysts (85:15 ratio) exhibited superior thermal stability. Additionally, varying nickel (Ni) contents were tested to improve activity, with 10% Ni offering the best performance despite some methane by-products. The study also examined the impact of reduction and calcination temperatures, GHSV, and steam/gas ratios on the catalyst's efficiency.

Regulators for ensuring the sustainability of reproductive processes in industrial fruit growing

The necessity of developing a system of regulators to ensure the sustainability of reproductive processes in industrial fruit growing is substantiated. An assessment of the efficiency of fruit production in the Russian Federation is given. The factors influencing the decrease in the stability of reproductive processes in industrial fruit growing are identified: an increase in the cost of purchased resources; high cost of finished products; a reduction in the share of subsidies in the created cost of planting; the insufficiency of agricultural producers’ own financial resources for carrying out planned plantings renovations, updating production infrastructure funds and carrying out current production activities. Functional imbalances in the organization of reproductive processes in industrial fruit growing have been identified: internal structural imbalances, high resource intensity of production and technological processes, non-compliance with optimal comparability of production and economic indicators. Generalizing criteria for the sustainability of reproductive processes are systematized: the ability of the system to withstand negative impacts of an economic and natural nature; increasing the possibilities of expanded reproduction of all used resources; ensuring qualitative changes in the production, socio-economic, environmental parameters of the system; increasing the conditions for subsequent improvements, preventing production declines. The article characterizes and evaluates the effectiveness of existing regulators to ensure the sustainability of reproductive processes in industrial fruit growing (macroeconomic, technical, technological and economic). A system of regulators has been developed to ensure the stability of reproductive processes in industrial fruit growing in functional areas of influence. An algorithm is proposed to substantiate the necessary dimensionality of regulators to ensure the stability of reproductive processes in industrial fruit growing.

HAZOP ANALYSIS OF AN ATMOSPHERIC PETROLEUM DISTILLATION UNIT AND SIMILARITY IN SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS (SAFs) PRODUCTION PROCESSES

The production of petroleum derivatives stands out worldwide among the non-renewable energy production processes, as the most well-known worldwide. In this study, an atmospheric distillation column that processed 100,000 barrels/day (662.5 m3/h) of crude oil was simulated using CHEMCAD® software. From this procedure, the Process Flow Diagram (PFD) and the Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (PI&D) for the unit, corresponding to its automation, were obtained. Subsequently, a HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study) analysis was conducted in order to identify risks in the unit that, although not dangerous, could compromise its ability to achieve its productivity. The main risks of the process were related to fires, explosions and environmental contamination from leaks and ruptures in pipes, pumps, heat exchangers, the column itself, among other equipment. The HAZOP analysis was able, through the use of guide words, to identify possible operational risks arising from deviations in operating intentions, such as the possibility of fires, explosions, environmental contamination and their consequences. It was possible to identify the risks associated with the selection of materials, the mechanical design of the equipment and the specifications of the accessories. Therefore, the study carried out is an important survey for reducing possible failures in the oil industry. And, since this study is an in-depth study on the distillation processes for petroleum-derived products. It is understood that their in-depth study, as a result of the development of new renewable products, especially sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), because they are similar purification processes, employ the same methodology to identify possible failures in production.

Environmental Footprints of Yogurt Production: A Case Study of a Small-Scale Manufacturing Process in Sri Lanka

This study investigated the life cycle environmental impacts of yogurt production from cradle to gate at the Pulathisi milk factory in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. The functional unit considered was one kilogram of yogurt produced in the factory using existing technology. The defined system boundary encompassed raw milk production and transportation, machinery fabrication, standardization of milk, and standard unit operations of yogurt production. Material and energy usage data were collected through a series of observations, literature and Ecoinvent 3.7.1 databases. The ReCiPe 2008 method was employed for impact analysis, considering eighteen impact categories with SimaPro software. The inventory analysis included material consumption for machinery fabrication, energy consumption, and emissions for each unit operation in yogurt production. Results were characterized using midpoint indicators, and normalized impacts were calculated. The characterized outcomes of the yogurt production process contributed 2.48 kgCO2eq to climate change, 0.0297 kgSO2eq to acidification, 0.0002 kgPeq to eutrophication, and 6.9199 kg 1,4-DBeq to human toxicity. The study identified hotspots, emphasizing the significant contributions of cow milk production and electricity usage to environmental impacts. Potential mitigations, such as improved waste management in dairy farming and switching to renewable energy sources, are proposed to address these impacts. The normalized impacts provided insights for decision-makers and stakeholders to compare environmental performances and guide sustainable practices in yogurt production. The total impact was recorded as 0.014-person equivalent per year per one kilogram of yogurt.

Rapid and Specific Detection of Bacillus cereus Using Phage Protein-Based Lateral Flow Assays.

Rapid and precise diagnostic techniques are essential for identifying foodborne pathogens, including Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), which poses significant challenges to food safety. Traditional detection methods are limited by long incubation times and high costs. In this context, gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based lateral flow assays (LFAs) are emerging as valuable tools for rapid screening. However, the use of antibodies in LFAs faces challenges, including complex production processes, ethical concerns, or variability. Here, we address these challenges by proposing an innovative approach using bacteriophage-derived proteins for pathogen detection on LFAs. We used the engineered endolysin cell-wall-binding domain (CBD) and distal tail proteins (Dit) from bacteriophages that specifically target B. cereus. The protein-binding properties, essential for the formation of efficient capture and detection biointerfaces in LFAs, were extensively characterized from the microstructural to the LFA device level. Machine-learning models leverage knowledge of the protein sequence to predict advantageous protein orientations on the nitrocellulose membrane and AuNPs. The study of the biointerface binding quantified the degree of attachment of AuNPs to bacteria, providing, for the first time, a microscopic model of the number of AuNPs binding to bacteria. It highlighted the binding of up to one hundred 40 nm AuNPs per bacterium in conditions mimicking LFAs. Eventually, phage proteins were demonstrated as efficient bioreceptors in a straightforward LFA prototype combining the two proteins, providing a rapid colorimetric response within 15 min upon the detection of 105 B. cereus cells. Recombinantly produced phage binding proteins present an opportunity to generate a customizable library of proteins with precise binding capabilities, offering a cost-effective and ethical alternative to antibodies. This study enhances our understanding of phage protein biointerfaces, laying the groundwork for their utilization as efficient bioreceptors in LFAs and rapid point-of-care diagnostic assays, thus potentially strengthening public health measures.

Revisiting the exposed surface characteristics on the stability and photoelectric properties of MAPbI3.

In this work, the stability and photoelectric properties of the MAI-terminated and PbI2-terminated of MAPbI3 (001) were thoroughly investigated using density functional theory calculation. To study the stability of exposed surface, adsorption energy of water molecules, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), mean square displacement (MSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were calculated. MSD of PbI2-terminated surface is greater by two orders of magnitude compared to MAI-terminated surface. For the photoelectric properties of MAPbI3, the bandgap, absorption coefficients, joint density of states (JDOS) and dielectric constants were investigated. The inhibitory effect of water on the photoelectric performance for PbI2-terminated surface is more significant than that of MAI-terminated surface. Although the photoelectric properties of water molecules adsorption on MAI-terminated surface is basically unchanged, the diffusion of water molecules reduces the photoelectric properties of MAPbI3. Overall, the stability and photoelectric properties of MAI-terminated surface are superior to PbI2-terminated surface. Therefore, we advocate paying attention to the exposed surface of MAPbI3 during the thin film production process and adjusting synthesis parameters to prepare MAI-terminated surface dominated thin film, which should substantially improve the performance of MAPbI3 in the application.

Fabrication of MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF//activated Carbon Nanocomposite Electrode Material for High Performance Energy Storage and Fast Response for Gluten Detection

Abstract Gluten is a high-energy protein that is present in some grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley. It has a significant impact on the food production processes. In this work, the MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF composite was synthesized using a hydrothermal method. To estimate the electrochemical properties, the MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF composite-based electrode is designed, which shows the specific capacity (Qs) of 1050 Cg-1 at 3 mVs-1 because of the enhancement in redox-active sites and conductivity. The hybrid electrode MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF//AC revealed Qs of 337 Cg-1. In addition, the device demonstrated an exceptional energy density (Ed) of 55 Whkg-1 and a power density (Pd) of 2200 Wkg-1. The device showed capacity retention of 88% and Coulombic efficiency of 96% after 5000 cycles. Furthermore, the MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF composite is utilized for the detection of gliadin. The electrochemical sensor showed an extraordinary sensitivity of 732 µA mM−1 cm−2 against the gluten. The MoFe2O4/Cr-MOF nanocomposite has diverse potential for creating hybrid devices used in applications related to food and energy harvesting.

Digital Twin Used in Real-Time Monitoring of Operations Performed on CNC Technological Equipment

This article presents the development and implementation of a real-time monitoring solution designed for CNC machines, specifically applied to 150 industrial printing machines, leveraging Digital Twin (DT) technology. The system integrates an SQL database with Android and .NET interfaces, ensuring seamless data synchronization across all machines and optimizing production processes. The real-time monitoring enables immediate reflection of operational changes, enhancing predictive maintenance and reducing machine downtime. A notable feature of the system is its 1 s average data synchronization rate per machine, managing 150 resources distributed over a 10,000 mp area. This fast synchronization improves workflow coordination, reducing production time by approximately 10%, and minimizing operator delays caused by material issues, machine malfunctions, or product defects. The integration of advanced analytics further supports real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance, and performance optimization, aligning the solution with the objectives of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 initiatives. This version reflects the specific results of the research, including the 1 s synchronization rate, the 10% reduction in production time, and the scalability of the system for 150 resources.

Implicações da datificação no trabalho dos comunicadores: embates discursivos no contexto da plataformização do trabalho

This study aims to discuss the possible implications of the phenomenon of datafication in the work of communication professionals by considering the restructuring of production processes inherent to the context of platformization. It problematizes this matter based mainly on the following question: how does the rise of datafication change the social conditions of the production process in the work of communicators and the speeches these professionals produce? These initial reflections arose from collective research, carried out by the Center for Research in Communication and Work with support from Fapesp.

Evaluation of Control Activities in the Inventory Purchasing System (Case Study at PT. GSI)

Purchasing inventory is a critical aspect of the production process in any company. PT GSI conducts purchasing from suppliers to meet its production needs. This research aims to evaluate the control activities of the inventory purchasing system implemented at PT GSI. Using a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with relevant departments to gather data. The study evaluates the system based on the COSO framework, which revealed several inconsistencies. A significant finding is that there is no adequate separation of duties at PT GSI, with administrative and financial tasks often handled by the same staff. Additionally, there is a lack of access control to the system, as tasks are still performed manually without sufficient safeguards. The research suggests that improvements are needed in terms of task separation and system access control to align with COSO standards. Implementing these improvements would help PT GSI minimize risks such as fraud and operational inefficiencies. Moreover, operational control would be better facilitated, ensuring smoother processes without interruptions. This study emphasizes the importance of internal control systems, especially in purchasing operations, to prevent potential financial and reputational losses. Ensuring compliance with COSO and other industry standards would enhance the company's overall operational effectiveness.

A novel integrated solar-driven system with Ag@SiO2 nanofluid filters for generating hydrogen using seawater: Parametric assessment and optimization

Both renewable energy and fresh water inputs are required to develop sustainable green hydrogen. However, there is still a lack of an integrated system generating hydrogen cleanly. Therefore, this study aims to develop a full spectrum solar energy-driven system to co-generate fresh water and hydrogen. The seawater desalination and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis are introduced into a Ag@SiO2 nanofluid-filtered photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system. The desalinated seawater can be directly used for the electrolysis, realizing the self-supply of water for the hydrogen production process. A comprehensive examination is performed via modelling the integrated system to assess the influences of mass flow rates and nanofluid parameters on system function. Results reveal that the system performance is more sensitive to the mass flow rate of nanofluid than that of coolant, and concentrated nanofluids can easily affect system performance by adjusting their depth. Furthermore, mass flow rates and nanofluid parameters are optimized using a genetic algorithm with multiple-objectives. It was determined that the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) unit is capable of producing sufficient water for the electrolysis process. The optimal system attains a hydrogen production rate of 1.95 × 10−5 kg/s, a specific thermal energy consumption of 310.18 kWh/m3, and a system efficiency of 22.39%.

Temperature effect of biogas production from a greenhouse biogas digester

Globally, energy challenges are increasing with population growth. Many countries solely depend on fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.) for energy generation for different processes. Fossil fuels fall under non-renewable energy sources, are polluters of the environment, and get depleted faster, thus making it challenging to sustain a continuous energy supply. Therefore, there is a need for alternative sources of energy to mitigate the hazards associated with the utilization of fossil fuels. The present study aims to monitor the performance of a three-meter cubic (3 m3) greenhouse biogas digester, focusing on the temperature effect in biodegrading cow dung materials for gas generation. The study was conducted under mesophilic temperature conditions, pH, and hydraulic retention time for 30 days. Results revealed that slurry temperatures of about 33.5 ℃ and ambient temperatures of about 35 ℃ resulted in a remarkable peak biogas yield of 0.3 m3 on the 23rd day of the month. After the optimum yield of the biogas, the performance declined and was ascribed to the non-supply of the new feedstock, and the environment in the reactor became acidic, hence hindering the biodegradation process. Ultimately, the total biogas yield obtained from the study was 2.58 m3, equivalent to 15.48 kWh of energy. This amount of bio-generated energy was twofold the average daily electricity consumption of middle-income South African households. It was demonstrated that temperature was a major factor influencing the performance of the assembled biogas digesters and, thus, should be closely monitored for appreciable biogas production. This study is envisaged to pave the way for the future affordable and environmentally friendly biogas production process.

Regional marketing mechanisms for industrial energy flexibility enabled by service-oriented IT platforms

Abstract An increasing number of renewable energy sources driven by ambitious sustainability efforts is both changing and challenging electricity systems worldwide. Successfully dealing with a variable and highly decentralized electricity supply associated with the rising share of renewable energy sources will be crucial in the near future. This paper investigates the potential of information technology (IT) for regional marketing of energy flexibility from the machine level in factories to the electricity-grid level. In this context, energy flexibility describes the capability to react quickly and cost-efficiently to alternating electricity availability. Based on a literature review of regional marketing mechanisms, existing concepts of IT platforms, and current real-world model regions, this paper aims to apply a holistic research approach to better understand the challenges regarding the energy transition on a regional level and corresponding requirements for IT platforms used for flexibility marketing. The approach allows to identify relevant key challenges and flexibility marketing use cases, attributing core importance to underlying production processes. In particular, target processes for respective use cases are derived based on a description of current regional marketing of demand flexibility. Successful implementation of target processes is required to provide regional energy flexibility via IT platforms. A comparison between current processes and target processes finally allows defining the need for change and development, e.g., of new intelligent interfaces, already during the conceptual test of new IT platforms. The introduced research approach was applied to one exemplary use case within the energy-flexible model region Augsburg of the Kopernikus project SynErgie, Germany. The paper especially illustrates that service-oriented IT platforms simplify the communication process between the relevant players in energy flexibility marketing.

Process development and optimization of sustainable and integrated large scale ammonia production process using water electrolysis based green hydrogen: Investigating process, energy, economic & environmental perspectives

Ammonia is an important raw material for fertilizer production and significantly contributes globally to agricultural systems. The multi-objective optimization of a large-scale integrated ammonia production process using water electrolysis-based green hydrogen is carried out using the Hybrid Multi-Objective Differential Evolution-Distance Learning Scheme (Hybrid MODE-DLS) algorithm. Three optimization cases are solved with the objectives of ammonia production rate, total production cost, and total energy by considering nine decision variables, and multiple constraints. The maximum ammonia production (66.51 kmol/h) and minimum total production cost (105.07 $/yr × 105) are obtained in Case 1 whereas the minimum energy value (7863.45 kWh) is obtained in Case 2. The minimum heat credit value of 3057300.5 $/annum exists in Case 2 solutions whereas the maximum heat credit value of 7992076 $/annum is seen in Case 3. The ammonia production rate increased by 82.79% in Case 2 results compared to the base case results.

Detection of early bruises in apples using hyperspectral imaging and an improved MobileViT network.

Apples are susceptible to postharvest bruises, leading to a shortened shelf life and significant waste. Therefore, accurate detection of apple bruises is crucial to mitigate food waste. This study proposed an improved lightweight network based on MobileViT for detecting early-stage bruises in apples, utilizing hyperspectral imaging technology from 397.66 to 1003.81nm. After acquiring hyperspectral images, the Otsu threshold algorithm was employed for mask extraction, and principal component analysis was used for feature image extraction. Subsequently, the improved MobileViT network (iM-ViT) was implemented and compared with traditional algorithms, utilizing depthwise separable convolutions for parameter reduction and integrating local and global features to enhance bruise detection capability. The results demonstrated the superior performance of iM-ViT in accurately detecting apple bruises, showing significant improvements. The F1 score and test accuracy for detecting apple bruises using iM-ViT reached 0.99 and 99.07%, respectively. The fivefold cross-validation strategy was used to assess the stability and robustness of iM-ViT, and ablation experiments were performed to explore the effects of depthwise separable convolutions and local features on parameter reduction and classification accuracy improvement for early-stage bruise detection in apples. The results demonstrated that iM-ViT effectively reduced parameters and improved the ability to detect early bruises in apples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study proposed an improved lightweight network to detect early bruises in apples, providing a reference for quick detection of bruises caused in the production process. Potential insights into the nondestructive detection of apple bruises using lightweight networks have been presented, which might be applied to mobile or online devices.