Increase In Production Rate Research Articles

Enhancing biogas production from livestock manure in solid-state anaerobic digestion by sorghum-vinegar residues

This study investigated the performance of sorghum vinegar residue to enhance methane production from livestock manures during solid-state anaerobic digestion. Sorghum vinegar residue was co-digested with cattle, sheep, and pig manure, respectively. Results show that co-digesting vinegar residue with livestock manures effectively diluted inhibitory substances (e.g. ammonium, sodium ion, and potassium ion) to alleviate the accumulation of volatile fatty acids and amend microbial composition to enhance digester stability and thus methane production by 10.1 – 58.2%. The highest increase was observed for cattle manure, possibly due to its low inhibitory substances to induce effective synergistic effects with vinegar residue in co-digestion. Modified Gompertz model well fitted the experimental methane yield and exhibited an increase in the maximum methane production rate of livestock manures by 35.2 –58.0% to corroborate their enhanced methanogenesis kinetics with the addition of vinegar residue. Further microbial analyses also indicated that co-digesting vinegar residue with livestock manures enriched hydrolytic bacteria (e.g. the genus vadinBC27_wastewater-sludge_group ), acetogenic bacteria (e.g. the genera Syntrophomonas and Petrimonas ) and aceticlastic methanogens (e.g. the genera Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta ) to promote substrate biodegradation and secure methane production. • Sorghum vinegar residue was co-digested with livestock manures at solid state. • Digester stability and methane production were enhanced in anaerobic co-digestion. • Modified Gompertz model corroborated enhanced methanogenesis kinetics in co-digestion. • Vinegar residue addition enriched functional microbes to sustain methane production.

Performance and wear mechanisms of different PcBN tools when machining superalloy AD730

Nickel-based superalloys are known to be difficult to machine. These alloys are generally machined with cemented carbide tools under low productivity process conditions. Superhard polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN) tooling offers the possibility of increased production rates, however, a thorough understanding of the material performance and degradation is required before a transition from carbide tools occurs. This study investigated the performance and wear mechanism of three different PcBN tools with low (50 vol. %), medium (65 vol. %), and high (90 vol. %) cBN content, when turning AD730, a new Ni–Co-based superalloy. Due to the novelty of the material, little research has been done on its machinability with carbide and even less with PcBN tooling. The results showed the high-cBN grade was the best performer in terms of machining time. However, an undesirable wear morphology is generated, leading to excessively high cutting forces. Both the medium-cBN and low-cBN showed promise with stable rake and flank wear, but with notching as a drawback. Degradation analysis of medium-cBN grade revealed diffusional dissolution of cBN and formation of a reaction layer atop the cBN grains. The reaction layer, which acts as a diffusional barrier, consisted of three sub-layers: (1) Al2O3, (2) (Ti, Nb, Zr)N, and (3) (Ti, Cr, Nb, Zr)N. The low-cBN grade also showed a reaction layer; however, the smaller cBN grain size of this grade did not allow the layer to sufficiently stabilize.

Probiotic Effects of Bacillus licheniformis DSM5749 on Growth Performance and Intestinal Microecological Balance of Laying Hens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis DSM5749 on the production performance and intestinal health in laying hens. A total of 32-week-old laying hens (Hyline Brown) were randomly assigned to two dietary groups (10 replicates of 27 laying hens), namely, basal diet and basal diet complemented with 200 g/t B. licheniformis (3.2 × 109 CFU/kg). The trial lasted for 8 weeks, and samples were collected at the last week. Results revealed that B. licheniformis DSM5749 significantly improved laying performance, including an increase in egg production rate and average daily egg yield, and a decrease in the feed-to-egg ratio during the entire 8-week experimental period (P < 0.05). B. licheniformis DSM5749 increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the liver and decreased the IL-1 level in the serum (P < 0.05). In addition, the integrity of intestinal morphology (villus height, crypt depth, and villus height/crypt depth), tight junctions (ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin), and lipase vitality in the intestine were potentiated by B. licheniformis DSM5749 in laying hens (P < 0.05). B. licheniformis DSM5749 decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P < 0.05) in the cecum. Furthermore, B. licheniformis DSM5749 modulated the microbiota in the cecum of the laying hens, increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Prevotella) at the genus level and decreased the relative abundance of potential pathogens (e.g., Desulfovibrio). In conclusion, B. licheniformis DSM5749 can improve laying performance, promote intestinal health, affect the composition of cecal microorganisms, and regulate the intestinal micro-ecological balance, making B. licheniformis a good probiotic candidate for application in the laying hens industry.

Plutonium-238 Production Program Results, Implications, and Projections from Irradiation and Examination of Initial NpO2 Test Targets for Improved Production

An alternative target design with potential improvements, including a major increase in 238Pu production rate and annual capacity; fewer targets to be fabricated, irradiated, and processed; and a significant replacement of a large volume of caustic-nitrate, aluminum-bearing radioactive liquid waste with a smaller volume of solid metal waste, has been conceived and evaluated using reactor physics and thermal-hydraulic analyses. The alternative target design uses pressed pellets of 237NpO2, sintered to 92% to 93% of theoretical density, and stacked inside a Zircaloy-4 cladding tube. Four test targets were fabricated, irradiated, and examined. No melting or other potential problems were indicated. Projections from measured constituents indicated annual production could be increased by a factor of ~2, and the number of targets required to be fabricated, irradiated, and processed could be reduced by a factor of ~5.

Is an Acute Perioperative Increase in Creatinine Production Rate a Potential Mechanism for an Early Creatinine-Based Signal of Renal Injury After Cardiac Surgery?

Previous studies report a creatinine-based signal of injury within hours after cardiac surgery, which is sooner than expected based on creatinine kinetic modelling. A plausible mechanism for such an early signal has not been established, but might be explained by an acute perioperative increase in creatinine production rate (Crprod-rate). The authors sought to test the hypothesis that perioperative Crprod-rate increases from baseline in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Prospective cohort study. Academic medical center. Fifty adult male patients undergoing cardiac surgery. None. Based on the principle of conservation of mass, precisely timed serial measurements of patient weight, plasma and urine creatinine concentration, and urine volume were used to calculate Crprod-rate over 3 consecutive periods: a baseline period immediately before surgery (period 0), the 24-hour period starting from induction of anesthesia (period 1), and again from 24 to 48 hours after induction of anesthesia (period 2). The primary outcome was change in Crprod-rate from period 0 to period 1 (∆Crprod-rate0-1). Median Crprod-rate0 was 5.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 4.7-5.7) μmol/kg/h at baseline and increased to 6.1 (IQR, 5.6-6.5) μmol/kg/h during period 1, a median increase of 14% (95% CI, 8%-27%; p=0.002). ∆Crprod-rate0-1 ranged from -58% to +129%, with an increase above baseline in 25 patients (76%) and an increase by ≥30% above baseline in 10 patients (30%). Perioperative Crprod-rate increased from baseline in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This may represent a mechanism for an earlier creatinine-based signal of renal injury than previously thought possible.

A Review of Plastic-derived Diesel Fuel as a Renewable Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines: Applications, Challenges, and Global Potential

Abstract Plastics’ broad application in a wide range of industries has resulted in an increase in global plastic production rates over time. The continued need for plastic, which can take up a lot of space in landfills due to the accumulation of plastic trash, has contributed to environmental problems. To address the problem of plastic waste, many options, such as recycling and energy recovery technologies, have been created. One possible technique to address landfill issues is to convert plastic waste into diesel fuel. In this review, the potential use of plastic-derived diesel fuel in internal combustion engines as a renewable and sustainable energy source is discussed. It’s been found that due to similar properties in plastic-derived diesel fuel, it inherits similar performance in internal combustion engines.

Enhanced hydrogen fuel production using synergistic combination of solar radiation and TiO2 photocatalyst coupled with Burkholderia cepacia lipase

Promising and sustainable alternatives for hydrogen production have been investigated. Among these, the use of enzymes may represent an efficient alternative. In this work, an increase in hydrogen production under simulated sunlight by combining TiO 2 and TiO 2 /MgCl 2 with Burkholderia cepacia lipase (BCL) was reported. The samples (TiO 2 , TiO 2 /MgCl 2 , and TiO 2 /MgCl 2 /BCL) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric (TGA), N 2 adsorption-desorption isotherms (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–Visible absorption spectra. Hydrogen production tests were performed in aqueous methanol solutions under simulated sunlight. The results demonstrated that 130-times greater increase in hydrogen production rate was observed by the addition of BCL than individual TiO 2 . This better hydrogen production rate can be attributed to the increase in the amount of reduction equivalent of the system due to the oxidation of protein peptides caused by TiO 2 . In conclusion, the results indicate that hydrogen production efficiency can be significantly improved when integrating TiO 2 /MgCl 2 with BCL. • TiO 2 /MgCl 2 and Burkholderia cepacia lipase improved hydrogen production using sunlight. • Characterization of photobiocatalytic system by an array of advanced techniques. • Inclusion of lipase increased the hydrogen production rate. • TiO 2 increase the amount of system reduction equivalent by oxidizing protein peptides.

Integrated Approach Improves Completion Reliability Using Compact Horizontal Wellhead

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 20201, “Improving Completion Reliability by Integrating ESPs, Intelligent Completion, and Zonal Downhole Monitoring With a Compact Horizontal Wellhead,” by Suresh Jacob, SPE, Maithem Al-Nakhli, SPE, and Muhammad Munir, SPE, Saudi Aramco. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2020 International Petroleum Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission. The complete paper presents an oilwell completion integrating multilaterals, intelligent completions, permanent downhole monitoring systems, electric submersible pumps (ESPs), and a horizontal wellhead system. The paper discusses the completion drivers and design, individual equipment, preparation, field experience during installation, and performance of the system during production. The completion has been installed successfully and its lessons are being applied in the design of future installations. Background The well was drilled in a field comprising two main stacked reservoirs separated by a thick nonporous impermeable mudstone barrier. The two reservoirs are in an asymmetrical anticline structure sharing the same oil/water contact. The two reservoirs have a common pressure gradient and similar crude oil properties while having different petrophysical properties, with one reservoir having twice the productivity of the other. Both reservoirs were developed simultaneously using peripheral water injection with horizontal injector and producer wells. Dedicated producer and injector wells targeting individual reservoirs were drilled because of the differences in productivity and the areal extent between the reservoirs. ESPs were installed in all producers to increase rates and to transport fluid to surface facilities. Multilateral wells were drilled to increase production rate and to decrease pressure drawdown. These wells were drilled as TAML Level 2 wells, with openhole laterals drilled from a cemented liner. An intelligent completion allowed the production from each lateral to be controlled remotely from the surface. While both ESPs and intelligent completions are widely used in the industry, the integration of these technologies in the same well is rare because of the difference in operating cycles for the two systems. A well with both ESPs and intelligent completions should be designed to allow periodic ESP workovers while retaining the intelligent-completion equipment within the wellbore for the life of the well. The downhole-disconnection tool is a key enabler in the integration of ESPs and intelligent completions. However, the high level of operational planning and precision required to reconnect the control lines after ESP workover and the absence of downhole sensors in the intelligent completion prompted the design of an ESP/intelligent-completion integration without the downhole wet-connect tool.

FIELD TEST OF THE INDIGENOUS MICROBES FOR OIL RECOVERY, LEDOK FIELD, CENTRAL JAVA

After selecting several old wells in Cepu, then well LDK-132 was chosen for implementing MEOR technology using "huff and puff" method. For this purpose, fluids samples (water and oil) from Ledok Formation were taken at the wellhead. No core of LDK-132 was available, only cores from LDK-209 and LDK-P1 were found. Core plugs could not be made from the former due to compacted and tightly conditions with a very low permeability of only 0.458 md. The latter with the permeability of 140 md met the requirements of microbial core flooding (MCF) tests, A standard quartz dominated core from Clashach Scotland with permeability almost 800 md was also used to compare with the native core's results. The MCF tests were conducted at the reservoir conditions for both types of core. The native core gave a recovery factor of oil production of 12.58%, while the standard core yielded a higher recovery fac- tor of 21.22% of Sor. Based on these results, the MEOR implementation was conducted on July 8, 1999 by injecting 135 barrels of mixtures consist- ing of formation water, microbes enriched with KKL-11 (Koleksi Kultur Lemigas or Lemigas Cultures Collection) and M4 medium through the annulus of LDK-132. The result showed an increase of average oil production rate, from 3.46 bopd, 6 days before the injection, to 24.85 bopd, 6 days after the injection.

Suspendable Hydrogel Nanovials for Massively Parallel Single-Cell Functional Analysis and Sorting.

Techniques to analyze and sort single cells based on functional outputs, such as secreted products, have the potential to transform our understanding of cellular biology as well as accelerate the development of next-generation cell and antibody therapies. However, secreted molecules rapidly diffuse away from cells, and analysis of these products requires specialized equipment and expertise to compartmentalize individual cells and capture their secretions. Herein, we describe methods to fabricate hydrogel-based chemically functionalized microcontainers, which we call nanovials, and demonstrate their use for sorting single viable cells based on their secreted products at high-throughput using only commonly accessible laboratory infrastructure. These nanovials act as solid supports that facilitate attachment of a variety of adherent and suspension cell types, partition uniform aqueous compartments, and capture secreted proteins. Solutions can be exchanged around nanovials to perform fluorescence immunoassays on secreted proteins. Using this platform and commercial flow sorters, we demonstrate high-throughput screening of stably and transiently transfected producer cells based on relative IgG production. Chinese hamster ovary cells sorted based on IgG production regrew and maintained a high secretion phenotype over at least a week, yielding >40% increase in bulk IgG production rates. We also sorted hybridomas and B lymphocytes based on antigen-specific antibody production. Hybridoma cells secreting an antihen egg lysozyme antibody were recovered from background cells, enriching a population of ∼4% prevalence to >90% following sorting. Leveraging the high-speed sorting capabilities of standard sorters, we sorted >1 million events in <1 h. IgG secreting mouse B cells were also sorted and enriched based on antigen-specific binding. Successful sorting of antibody-secreting B cells combined with the ability to perform single-cell RT-PCR to recover sequence information suggests the potential to perform antibody discovery workflows. The reported nanovials can be easily stored and distributed among researchers, democratizing access to high-throughput functional cell screening.

Study on the influence of randomly distributed fracture aperture in a fracture network on heat production from an enhanced geothermal system (EGS)

In the attempt to reduce the CO2 emissions to the atmosphere and therefore the dependence on fossil fuels, geothermal energy has started to receive increased scientific interest. With the development of the Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology, extensive geothermal energy applications have become feasible. However, enhanced geothermal reservoirs are usually situated several kilometers below the ground, which makes their experimental investigation challenging. Therefore, numerical models capable of simulating thermohydraulic (TH) effects are an essential additional tool for analyzing geothermal reservoir efficiency. To simulate fluid migration and heat propagation within a fractured geothermal reservoir in EGS, discrete fracture models (DFMs) of the TH processes are widely used. However, the variability of aperture size from one fracture to another is typically ignored in these models. In this work, a discrete fracture model considering variable aperture fractures is presented and used to investigate the performance of a geothermal reservoir in EGS. The outlet temperature and energy production rate are used as the evaluation criteria. Statistically generated fracture networks with different apertures were applied. The fractures are represented as lower-dimensional elements. The fracture apertures are randomly distributed within the networks, but constant for one single fracture. The simulation results show that the coefficient of variation of the DFN apertures strongly affects the performance of the geothermal reservoir. The heat production rate and outlet temperature can be divided into three stages based on the value of coefficient of variation of fracture apertures. The higher variability results in the low heat production rate but high outlet temperature. The investigation on fracture density in turn indicates that the average heat production rate is proportional to the fracture density. However, the effect of fracture density is reduced with an increase of coefficient of variation. Furthermore, the comparison between fracture aperture and fracture density shows that, the increase in mean fracture aperture leads to a higher increase in average heat production rate than an increase in fracture density.

Potential of edge machine learning for instrumentation.

New developments in radiation and photonic detectors improve resolution, sensitivity, size, and rate, all of which contribute to a gigantic increase in the data production rate. Moving data analysis and compression adjacent or even embedded within the detector hardware will reduce the data volumes generated, thereby reducing material cost, power, and data management requirements. Several solutions are already being developed both on the hardware and on the software side to facilitate the use of machine learning as a real-time data analysis solution.

The Role of Bias Extension Testing to Guide Forming of Non-Crimp Fabrics

The increased production rate targets of the aerospace industry has driven the development of dry fibre processes and biaxial Non-Crimp Fabrics (NCFs). Understanding the forming behaviour of NCFs at scale is key to achieving high quality parts at high rates. The bias extension test is commonly used to characterise the shear behaviour of dry fabrics, for example as input to drape forming models. In industry, it is still often used as a standalone material selection tool as part of initial material selection processes. It is however well known that the boundary conditions of this test are often not representative of full-scale forming trials. A direct comparison with wrinkles observed during a forming experiment is carried out to show that the bias extension test overpredicts wrinkle height. Overall, the bias extension is considered unsuitable on its own for predicting preform quality in an NCF forming process where excess length is generated due to part geometry. If the bias extension is to be used as an NCF material ranking tool, wrinkle height data should be captured alongside force shear data, as shown in this study.

Industry 4.0 as an Opportunity to Achieve Environmental Sustainability: The Difference between SMES and Large Companies

The decline of environmental sustainability is undoubtedly one of the biggest problems if not the most severe one that threatens our planet. In the last decade, to overcome this global issue, industries were regulated, events and conferences were organized, objectives have been made, but the high cost of green practices, the fierce competition among firms, and the massive increase rate of production made all these efforts insufficient, in the other hand, the fourth industrial revolution could potentially provide suitable solutions to achieve high environmental sustainability. The present research contributes to the environmental sustainability literature by studying the vision that companies in Europe have on Industry 4.0 and the main objectives that they want to achieve from this transformation. Furthermore, relying on a statistical study, the research identifies the differences between large companies and SMEs in Europe when it comes to the incorporation of environmental sustainability objectives within their Industry 4.0 strategies

Experimental study on the influence of brine concentration on the dissociation characteristics of methane hydrate

Brine stimulation is a common method for assisting depressurization to produce hydrate, which significantly improves the efficiency of hydrate production. In this work, to study the influence of brine concentration on the natural gas hydrate production process, a novel cylindrical hydrate production simulation experimental device was established, and investigations of hydrate dissociation experiments induced by depressurization in conjunction with brine injection were carried out. The effects of different brine concentrations on the gas production rate and heat transfer during production were studied. The distribution, flow, and concentration evolution of brine during hydrate production were analyzed. Brine injection can significantly enhance cumulative gas production during the depressurization stage, increase the sensible heat for hydrate dissociation, enhance heat transfer between the hydrate reservoir and the environment during the recovery process, and significantly improve the gas production rate of hydrate. The increase in the gas production rate caused by brine injection mainly occurs at the end of the depressurization stage and the beginning of the constant pressure stage. The injected brine is mainly located in the middle and upper areas of the reactor. In the bottom area of the reactor, the hydrate has higher saturation and longer dissociation time, which is slightly affected by the injected brine. A higher hydrate saturation is not beneficial to brine injection and does not promote hydrate dissociation. Additionally, in the experiments with brine injection, the resistance decreases more obviously during the depressurization stage due to more hydrate dissociation. The resistance also shows that in the bottom area of the reactor, there is a higher hydrate saturation and a lower brine effect on hydrate.

Light microscopic observations of the ruminal papillae of cattle on diets with divergent forage to cereal ratios

High levels of supplementation with cereal increases production rates in cattle but can increase incidence of disease, ranging from mild indigestion to acute ruminal acidosis and death. Therefore, there is motivation to determine biological markers which can be used to identify whether animals have been, or are being fed, sufficient or excessive cereals. This study aimed to describe light microscopic findings from animals being fed diverse dietary cereal proportions and to test the performance of a novel rumen epithelial scoring system. Rumen wall tissue samples were obtained from the abattoir from 195 cattle from 11 Scottish farms and processed for histological examination. Light microscopic examination was used to characterise ruminal epithelial response to dietary challenge. Secondary objectives included describing the distribution of immune-related cells in bovine ruminal epithelium and assessing the use of a modified Elastin Martius Scarlet Blue stain (EMSB) for histological examination of the rumen epithelium. Cells staining positive for cluster of differentiation 3 were distributed mainly in the lower layers of the stratum basale and were found in higher densities in animals offered lower cereal proportion diets. Cells staining positive for major histocompatibility complex class 2 (MHCII) were most common in perivascular locations and in the junction between the lower stratum basale and the propria-submucosa. The density of MHCII positive staining cells was higher in animals on lower cereal diets. The level of supplementation with cereal was also associated with the thickness of the stratum corneum (SCT) and stratum granulosum (SGT), the integrity of the stratum corneum and sloughing of cornified cells. There were no advantages in using EMSB stain over haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) in this scoring system. We concluded that a scoring system that included only SCT, SGT and a measure of the loss of appearance of intercellular space allowed differentiation of groups of animals according to the level of cereal supplementation.

Co-digestion of municipal solid waste with lignocellulosic waste in mesophilic Environment

The present study deals with the dual problem of municipal solid waste and lignocellulosic waste in which authors tried to use these two waste materials as clean and renewable energy source. In the present study, anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste and lignocellulosic waste in varying combinations was carried out. Five-set of experiments (S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5) under mesophilic conditions were conducted in batch reactors. From all the combinations, reactor S3 (organic fraction of municipal solid waste: lignocellulosic waste, 1:1 ratio) was observed to be the best combination producing 70.09 ml concentration of methane out of 78.76 ml of biogas as compared to all other combinations. The increase in methane production rate was observed by 53.67% due to the addition of lignocellulosic waste. The decline in methane production at the end of the 50th day was observed due to a fall in pH, which created acidic conditions, thus inhibiting the conversion process. It was found that the mesophilic condition acted as a governing factor in the process of digestion.

Effect of pharmaceutical wastewater as nitrogen source on the optimization of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation hydrogen production from paper mill sludge

This study modeled and optimized a novel simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) dark fermentative hydrogen production system using pharmaceutical wastewater (PW) as a nitrogen source to obtain a suitable C/N for paper mill sludge (PMS). Optimized hydrogen yields of 54.8, 53.6 and 39.3 mL/g PMS were obtained using PW, yeast extract and ammonium nitrate as the nitrogen source, respectively, using the developed models. The process kinetics were evaluated against yeast extract and ammonium nitrate, using the modified Gompertz model. SSF production generated a slightly lower hydrogen yield than yeast extract, of 54.8 mL/g PMS, and a peak hydrogen gas fraction of 45.6% when using PW. Optimized processes showed that PW gave comparable kinetic data, shown in a 3.3 h variation in process lag time between PW and yeast extract and an 8.7% increase in maximum potential hydrogen production rate when PW was used in place of ammonium nitrate. Implications from this study suggest that using waste to enhance the beneficiation and treatment of waste PMS could significantly reduce the time and costs associated with its valorization.

E&amp;P Notes (February 2022)

E&amp;P Notes (February 2022)

Role of metal 3D printing to increase quality and resource-efficiency in the construction sector

Demand for the construction of new structures is increasing all over the world. Since the construction sector dominates the global carbon footprint, new construction methods are needed with reduced embodied carbon and high resource efficiency to realize a sustainable future. In this direction, Metal Additive Manufacturing, also known as metal 3D printing, can be an opportunity. Many studies are underway to answer open questions about the metal 3D printing processes and products for high-tech industries. The construction sector must join the metal 3D printing research more actively to enrich the knowledge and experience on this technology, and correctly adapt the process parameters suitable to the construction sector requirements. This paper states the opinion of a research group composed of academics and practitioners from Europe, the US, Japan, and South Africa on how metal 3D printing can be a complementary tool/technology to conventional manufacturing to increase productivity rates, and reduce the costs and CO 2 emissions in the construction industry.