Rise In Moisture Content Research Articles

Overwintering temperature affects the nutrient composition and non-volatile flavor substances of female adult mud crab Scylla paramamosain in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs)

This study investigated the effects of different overwintering temperatures (8, 12, 16, and 20 °C) on basic nutritional composition and non-volatile flavor substances, including free amino acids and free nucleotides of edible tissues (gonad, hepatopancreas, and muscle) of female mud crab Scylla paramamosain after eight-week of overwintering. The results showed that the overwintering process and temperature did not affect the basic nutritional composition of the gonad (P > 0.05). However, with the increase in temperature, the lipid content of hepatopancreas decreased and was accompanied by a rise in moisture content (P < 0.05). In muscle, moisture content increased significantly, and crude protein content decreased significantly after overwintering at 20 °C (P < 0.05). During the overwintering process and with the increase in temperature, free amino acids and free nucleotides decreased considerably (P < 0.05). In addition, each tissue had a high content of total sweet amino acids (SAA) under low overwintering temperatures. However, the contents of total umami amino acids (UAA) and equivalent umami concentration (EUC) increased significantly, accompanied by the decrease of total bitter amino acids (BAA) with the rising temperature (P < 0.05). To sum up, overwintering under high temperature was beneficial to improve the umami characteristic and reduce the bitter characteristic, but it would cause the crabs to lose and consume proteins and lipids. However, overwintering at low temperature had higher nutrients and sweet characteristic. Therefore, overwintering at 8–12 °C is more conducive to improving the nutritional quality and flavor of S. paramamosain.

Variation Pattern of the Elastic Modulus of Concrete under Combined Humidity and Heat Conditions.

The coupling effect of moisture content and temperature on the elastic modulus of concrete is experimentally investigated. The elastic modulus of dry concrete exhibits a clear temperature-weakening effect, while the elastic modulus of wet concrete exhibits a water-strengthening effect at room temperature. Under humidity-heat conditions, the elastic modulus of wet concrete declines with the temperature rise. When the temperature is 20 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, 520 °C, and 620 °C, the humidity-heat coupling factors of the elastic modulus change rate DI˙F with moisture content are 0.08, 0.07, 0.04, 0.01, and -0.03, respectively, and the declining rate increases with the rise of moisture content. The relation between the humidity-heat coupling factor DIF, moisture content, and temperature was established; The equivalent relation between the water-strengthening effect and the temperature-weakening effect of the elastic modulus was obtained. The temperature range of the strengthening effect and "apparent weakening effect" of water stored inside concrete before heating on elastic modulus was determined; The evolutionary mechanism of the competition between the microcrack expansion and healing of concrete under combined humidity and heat conditions was revealed.

Reconstruction of debris flow in the Gerkhozhan-Su river valley based on the chain modeling

The paper presents the reconstruction of the most catastrophic debris flows in the Gerkhozhan-Su river valley (North Caucasus, Russia) based on a chain of mathematical models. Transport-shift model was applied for 6 sections of debris flow formation or intense material increment, while for the rest the FLO-2D hydrodynamic model was used. A number of numerical experiments were carried out in the transport-shift model for a section of a debris flow origination site with a change in the parameters of a potential debris flow-forming soils, such as initial moisture content and density. According to the simulation results, with a rise in moisture content, the maximum debris flow discharge can increase by about 2.8 times. Modeling of debris flow in the Gerkhozhan-Su river valley was conducted for the case of low density debris flow. Based on the results, debris flow wave hydrographs were obtained at 12 sections. The results of modeling are in general agreement with the commonly accepted reconstructed pattern of the debris flow in 2000 and values obtained by videomaterials.

Electromagnetic radiation signal monitoring and multi-fractal analysis during uniaxial compression of water-bearing sandstone

Rockburst disasters seriously threaten the safety of deep coal mining. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a powerful means of rockburst monitoring and early warning. However, the current related research often ignores the fact that the rock mass in engineering is frequently in a water-bearing state. Therefore, in this paper, the EMR signals of sandstone samples with different water contents were monitored under uniaxial compression. The experimental results showed that with the increase of water content, the EMR signals of sandstone weakened as well as the mechanical strength. Compared with dry samples, the total EMR energy and peak EMR energy of saturated samples decreased by 71.41% and 76.06% respectively. Moreover, higher moisture content would lead to lower dominant frequency and amplitude of EMR signals under various stress levels. Through multi-fractal analysis, it is found that with the rise of moisture content, the non-uniformity of signal (Δα) and the frequency diversity of minimum and maximum signals (Δf) decreased. These reflect some changes in the generation mechanism of EMR signal. The abrupt changes of Δα and Δf can be regarded as precursors of rock failure. The research results can provide guidance for the frequency band selection and precursor identification of rockburst monitored by EMR.

​Effect of Moisture Content on Engineering Properties of Green Gram for Designing of Agricultural Equipment

Background: Green gram is a popular pulse crop in India (with 2.02 MT production over a cultivated area of 4.26 Mha) and Odisha (20.8 lakh ha area with a yield of 10.60 lakh tonnes). The information on the engineering properties and its behavioural changes with moisture content is vital for handling and designing of different agricultural processing equipment. Methods: This work mainly focused on studying green gram variety’s (Sujata) engineering properties at five different moisture levels (within a moisture range of 10.58 to 45.45% (d.b.). Standard methods and procedures were followed in the study and the output results were compared with previous research work to justify the variation or anomaly in some cases. The curve estimation method (regression analysis) was followed to find the best-fit curve and equation for the parameters studied. Result: The geometric mean diameter (GMD) of grain increased from 3.75 to 4.12 mm within the moisture content (MC) range and the variation was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Sphericity and surface area varied significantly from 0.83 to 0.82 and 44.13 to 53.45 mm2, respectively, within the range of moisture contents studied with a high correlation among the data. Mass of thousand grains augmented (44.13 to 53.45 g) with a rise in MC and the data followed logarithmic and inverse curves. Bulk and true densities of green gram declined significantly from 860 to 670 kg m-3 and 1330 to 1240 kg m-3 with an increase in the moisture content. The porosity of green gram increased significantly from 35.75% to 46.38% and the terminal velocity raised from 9.20 m s-1 to 11.10 m s-1 with an increase in MC. The dynamic angle of repose increased significantly from 30.95 to 46.57o with MC. A significant variation in the coefficient of internal friction (0.78 to 0.90) was observed for the grains. The coefficient of static friction of grain increased significantly for different surfaces (MS, SS, Plywood and GI) with a rise in MC. The MS surface produced the highest coefficient of static friction and SS had the least. The results confirmed significant effect of MC on all engineering properties of green gram.

Effect of Grouser Height on the Tractive Performance of Single Grouser Shoe under Different Soil Moisture Contents in Clay Loam Terrain

The grouser height and soil conditions have a considerable influence on the tractive performance of single-track shoe. A soil bin-based research was conducted to assess the influence of grouser height on the tractive performance of single-track shoe at different moisture contents of clay loam soil. Eight moisture contents (7.5, 12, 16.7, 21.5, 26.2, 30.7, 35.8, and 38%) and three grouser heights (45, 55, and 60 mm) were comprised during this study. The tractive performance parameters of (thrust, running resistance, and traction) were determined by penetration test. A sensor-based soil bin was designed for penetration tests, which was included penetration system (AC motor, loadcell, and displacement sensor). The test results revealed that soil cohesion was decreased, and adhesion was increased after 16.7% moisture content. Soil thrust at lateral sides and bottom of grouser were increased before 16.7%, and then decreased for all the three heights but the major decrease was observed at 45 mm height. The motion resistance was linearly decreased, the more reduction was on 45 mm at 38% moisture content. The traction of the single-track shoe was decreased with a rise in moisture content, the maximum decrease was on 45 mm grouser height at 38% moisture content. It could be concluded that an off-road tracked vehicle (crawler combine harvester) with 45 mm grouser height of single-track shoe could be operated towards a moderate moisture content range (16.7–21.5%) under paddy soil for better traction.

Thermal desiccation of geosynthetic clay liners under brine pond conditions

Desiccation of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) in composite lining systems is investigated experimentally. Field conditions similar to those encountered in brine ponds (high surface temperature and low overburden pressure of 20 kPa) are simulated in two soil columns. The GCL is first allowed to hydrate from a sandy subsoil under isothermal conditions (44 days), then subjected to a thermal gradient applied through a heat source (78°C) on top of the geomembrane (39 days). Changes in water content, temperature of subsoil and movement of the surface during hydration and heating stages are measured. A sharp rise in moisture content is observed in the upper region of the subsoil immediately after the start of heating, which shortly dissipates. After 39 days of heating, the bentonite in the tested GCLs is dehydrated to around 8% gravimetric water content, down from over 100% after hydration. In addition, more than 3 mm of shrinkage of bentonite in the vertical direction is recorded. X-ray imaging after the tests reveals extensive desiccation cracking of bentonite. The study has confirmed the existence of a significant risk of desiccation of GCLs under thermal gradients and has generated data that are useful for validating models used for the prediction of GCL behaviour.

Infrared radiation characteristics and fracture precursor information extraction of loaded sandstone samples with varying moisture contents

To promote the accuracy of infrared monitoring of water-bearing rock stability, sandstone samples with varying moisture contents were subjected to infrared monitoring experiments under uniaxial compression. Additionally, the temporal-spatial variations of infrared radiation were analyzed. Furthermore, the infrared precursor information of water-bearing rock fracture was quantitatively discussed in light of the critical slowing down theory. The results reveal that the infrared radiation temperature of sandstone surface decreases as the moisture content rises. Variations of maximum infrared radiation temperature (MIRT) during loading on sandstone samples present distinct characteristics in different stages. As the moisture content rises, in the early stage, the trend of MIRT decrease weakens, and the effect of stress on MIRT variation is more obvious. In the plastic deformation stage, the MIRTs fluctuate earlier and more violently. When samples finally break, the MIRTs change suddenly in a reduced range. With the rise of moisture content, the variation trend of infrared image and MIRT gradually changes from falling-rising-abruptly changing to rising-being abnormal-abruptly changing. The MIRTs of sandstone samples with varying moisture contents present the characteristics of critical slowing down during loading; and the sample with a higher moisture content exhibits more notable precursor characteristics. In addition, the variance index is more sensitive to macro-fractures than the autocorrelation coefficient and can provide more accurate precursor information for the fracture and instability monitoring of water-bearing rock.

Modeling and simulation of the effect of moisture content and ambient temperature on gas turbine power plant performance in Ughelli, Nigeria

The influence of ambient temperature and moisture content on the performance of Transcorp Power Plant, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria was investigated with the aid of a digital psychrometer. The simulation was done using codes developed on MATLAB R2017a and the results show that compressor power consumption increased by 1.65% for 0.7% rise in temperature, and 0.50% for 71.4% rise in moisture content. The specific fuel consumption also increased with increase in temperature where a 1.71% rise in ambient temperature resulted in a 0.15% rise in specific fuel consumption but it decreased by 0.49% for a 41.7% rise in moisture content. A 1.62% rise in temperature led to a 0.13% drop in net power output and a 29.4% rise in moisture content resulted in a 0.48% drop in net power output. Thus gas turbine plant operates optimally in areas with low ambient temperatures and high moisture content.&#x0D; Keywords: Work ratio, net power, efficiency, moisture content, specific fuel consumption, heat rate.

Synthesis of Camelina oil ethyl esters as components of jet fuels

Unrefined Camelina oil was transesterified on an alkaline catalyst with the application of commercial fuel ethanol of high hygroscopicity. It was shown that the rise of moisture content in alcohol up to 1 % leads to the low output of ethyl esters. The technological scheme of production of a pilot batch of Camelina oil ethyl esters in laboratory conditions was proposed. The scheme includes: preparation of catalyst solution, transesterification of oil with ethanol, sedimentation, alcohol stripping, separation, washing, drying and filtration. This allows obtaining products with the content of esters of about 92–93.5 %. The chromatographic analysis of the products of Camelina oil transesterification was done. The obtained products contain mostly unsaturated esters of fatty acids with the carbon chain length of 18 atoms.The comparative analysis of the fatty acid composition of the obtained ethyl esters of Camelina oil and ethyl esters of rapeseed oil, studied during previous researches of the authors, was done. The fatty acid composition allows forecasting lower viscosity, pour and freezing point of Camelina ethyl esters compared to rapeseed oil ethyl esters. The proposed assumption was proved by experimental data of researches of the basic physical-chemical characteristics of methyl and ethyl esters of rapeseed and camelina oils. The obtained experimental data proves the perspectiveness of using products of Camelina oil transesterification as components of jet fuels. In the future, compounding of synthesized fatty acid ethyl esters of Camelina oil with jet fuels will allow obtaining biofuels with improved quality parameters compared to biofuels with rapeseed oil esters

Effects of selected white-rot fungi on the calorific value of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The emerging climate change risks have drawn increased attention to renewable energy sources, including forest biomass. However, the quality of fuelwood is often compromised by a variety of fungi. The purpose of the present study was to determine selected energy parameters of beech wood affected by four species of white-rot fungi: Grifola frondosa, Hericium coralloides, Meripilus giganteus, and Trametes gibbosa. Wood degradation was studied under laboratory conditions. On days 60 and 120 after inoculation, beech wood samples were analysed in terms of moisture content, density, elemental composition (C, H, N, S, O), ash content, as well as gross and net calorific value. Reference data were provided by measurements of healthy wood. Elemental analysis indicated small differences in absolute values between healthy and affected wood. White rot led to a slight decrease in C and H and an increase in O. In addition, a significant rise in moisture content was observed (by more than 100%). These factors reduced the net calorific value of healthy beech wood (18.37 MJ kg−1) by 0.3 MJ kg−1 (T. gibbosa) to 0.5 MJ kg−1 (H. coralloides) after 120 days of the experiment. In terms of the amount of energy contained in a unit of volume, the initial net calorific value of 11.6 GJ m-3 decreased significantly by 18.1% (H. coralloides) to 33.6% (T. gibbosa).

Predicting changes in “extreme” precipitation

Climate Change As temperatures rise, Earth's atmosphere can hold more moisture. This rise in moisture content is expected to lead to a broadly comparable rise in the intensity of the most extreme precipitation events. In a Perspective, Pendergrass explains that whether this expectation is met depends on the definition of extreme precipitation. The intensity of the most extreme events may rise more than expected, as seen for Hurricane Harvey, whereas that of less extreme events may rise less than anticipated. Atmospheric circulation changes will also affect precipitation events in ways that differ from one place to another. Clear definitions of extreme precipitation are key to anticipating and preparing for future changes in extreme events. Science , this issue p. [1072][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aat1871

Effect of Deficit Irrigation Regimes on Yield and Fruit Quality of Olive Trees (cv. Memecik) on the Aegean Coast of Turkey

AbstractIn this study, six different irrigation treatments were applied to an olive orchard using the drip irrigation method. Five of these were arranged according to 25% (S0.25), 50% (S0.50), 75% (S0.75), 100% (S1.00) and 125% (S1.25) of the evaporation in 5 days of a class ‘A’ evaporation pan, and one control (SC) was arranged so as to bring the reducing moisture at a soil depth of 0–90 cm to field capacity. Yield values were not affected by the irrigation treatment (p &gt; 0.05). In contrast, 100‐fruit weight, pulp ratio, hardness moisture, oil, reducing sugar content and bitterness were affected by irrigation (p &lt; 0.05). Generally, an increase in the amount of irrigation water given in the study was accompanied by a fall in ripeness index values, a rise in moisture content, and a reduction in the oil content of fruit. The highest content of reducing sugar was obtained from S0.25, generally being lower with increase in the water applied. The findings show that application of 25% of the evaporation of a class ‘A’ evaporation pan (treatment S0.25) can be recommended for cv. Memecik. Application of this recommendation can achieve a 72% saving in water and make a significant contribution to the conservation of limited water resources. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Moisture dependent thermal properties of cassia

AbstractThermal and mechanical properties of cassia are primarily required in the study of its different thermal and mechanical operations. The thermal properties of cassia bark viz., specific heat, glass transition temperature (Tg), bulk thermal conductivity, and bulk thermal diffusivity were determined for a moisture range of 8–14% dry basis (d.b). Compression test was performed by Universal Testing Machine to examine the breaking characteristics of cassia along its three orthogonal directions at 11.10% d.b. moisture level. Results revealed that the specific heat increased from 1,553.12 to 3,232.90 J kg−1 °C−1 with an increase in moisture at 30°C. Whereas Tg decreased linearly from −66.67 to −86.09°C and the bulk thermal conductivity increased linearly from 0.10 to 0.14 W m−1 °C−1 with a rise in moisture content of the sample. Moreover, the bulk thermal diffusivity of cassia bark decreased from 2.75 × 10−7 to 1.62 × 10−7 m2 s−1 with an increase in moisture level. The average rupture forces for cassia ba...

Thermodynamic sorption of red cabbage extract (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. f. rubra) encapsulated by spray drying.

Red cabbage aqueous extract acidified with 2% citric acid was spray-dried using gum Arabic as encapsulating agent. The concentration of anthocyanin in the powder was 253.45 ± 10.82mg/100g of dry basis and antioxidant activity of 4.6 ± 0.2mmol trolox/kg of dry basis. The sorption isotherms were determined at 15, 25 and 35°C, and the GAB model was the one that best adjusted to the experimental data. The differential enthalpy and entropy for moisture levels up to 2g of water/g of dry basis decreased to a minimum value of -4.36kJ/mol and -0.019kJ/molK respectively, and then increased in magnitude with the rise in moisture content to levels close to the free moisture with a spontaneous process, governed by the entropy. The spreading pressure increased with the rise in water activity for all temperatures, while net integral enthalpy and entropy decreased with the rise in moisture content reaching levels close to 10kJ/mol and 0.025kJ/molK, respectively.

Influence of moisture content on inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in powdered red and black pepper spices by radio-frequency heating

The influence of moisture content during radio-frequency (RF) heating on heating rate, dielectric properties, and inactivation of foodborne pathogens was investigated. The effect of RF heating on the quality of powdered red and black pepper spices with different moisture ranges was also investigated. Red pepper (12.6%, 15.2%, 19.1%, and 23.3% dry basis, db) and black pepper (10.1%, 17.2%, 23.7%, and 30.5% db) inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium were treated in a RF heating system with 27.12MHz. The heating rate of the sample was dependent on moisture content up to 19.1% (db) of red pepper and 17.2% (db) of black pepper, but there was a significant decrease in the heating rate when the moisture content was increased beyond these levels. The dielectric properties of both samples increased with a rise in moisture content. As the moisture content increased, treatment time required to reduce E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium by more than 7logCFU/g (below the detection limit, 1logCFU/g) decreased and then increased again without affecting product quality when the moisture content exceeded a level corresponding to the peak heating rate. RF treatment significantly (P<0.05) reduced moisture content of both spices. These results suggest that RF heating can be effectively used to not only control pathogens but also reduce moisture levels in spices and that the effect of inactivation is dependent on moisture content.

An Extensive Discussion on Experimental Test of Dust Minimum Explosible Concentration

An extensive investigation on experimental test of dust minimum explosible concentration (MEC) was carried out by using the Siwek 20 L vessel. Systematic data were reported on the MEC of various dusts and the influences of ignition energy, dust calorific value, moisture content and particle size were taken into account. It is found that the overly low or high ignition energy will result in unrealistic MEC results. To reliably measure MEC, the experimental tests should be preformed under the condition that the test result is independent of ignition energy. For the Siwek 20 L vessel, the 4-6 kJ is the most appropriate energy ranges to determine the MEC of various dusts. The more incombustible component contained in lower calorific value dust acts as a thermal sink in the ignition and heating process of dust cloud, and therefore, the higher MEC can be found in the MEC measurement of lower calorific value dust. Moreover, due to the notable dust agglomeration, to validly measure MEC, the moisture content of test dust should not exceed 10 wt %. When the moisture content is lower than 10wt %, the MEC smoothly increases with the rise of moisture content. With the decrease of particle size, the measured MEC becomes lower, and the MEC has an approximate linear relation with particle size. The results reported in this work provide the experimental basis and data guidance for the prevention and evaluation of dust explosion risk.

Effect of Moisture Content on Fed Batch Composting Reactor of Vegetable and Fruit Wastes

Vegetable and fruit wastes mixed with sawdust were composted in a laboratory scale reactor by controlling the waste feeding rate at 21 kg m−3 day−1 and aeration rate at 10.6 l m−3 min−1. The effects of initial moisture content on organic matter degradation and process performance of fed batch composting were investigated. The absolute amount of removal, removal percentage, and removal rate of dry mass obtained were substantially different among the initial moisture contents. The rapid rise of moisture content and the lowest absolute amount of removal observed were achieved in the 50% condition. The initial moisture content yielding the largest absolute amount of removal in both feeding and curing stage was 30% whereas the removal percentage and rate constant of waste decomposition were highest in the 50% condition. Examined by traditional soil physics method, the moisture content at 50-55% was suitable for satisfying the degree of free air space (65-70%) of compost during the fed batch composting. Most degradable organic matter was mainly consumed in the feeding stage as indicated by a higher removal rate of dry mass in all cases. It is recommended that the initial moisture content of 30% and mode of aeration and agitation should be adopted for achieving practical fed batch composting of vegetable and fruit wastes. The study also demonstrated that the composting kinetics of vegetable and fruit wastes mixed with sawdust can be described by a first order model.

Kinetic study of lipid oxidation in roasted coffee

The kinetics of lipid oxidation in ground roast Arabica coffee from Colombia stored under different conditions were studied. Rancidity was controlled by the analysis of the peroxide value at 30-day intervals. The influence of moisture content (26 and 43 g/kg), storage temperature (5, 25 and 35 °C) and packaging conditions (with non-sealed bags, under vacuum, 35 mbar, and packed under CO2 atmosphere) on the kinetics was determined. Experimental values were fitted with a kinetic model for the mechanism of lipid oxidation. Lipid oxidation is described by two steps, which implies a monomolecular and a bimolecular initiation mechanism for the first and second period respectively. The kinetic constants showed that the plastificant effect of water and CO2 lead to an important change in the reactants' mobility within the temperature range. However, the rise in moisture content seems to protect the product from formation of the peroxide. Furthermore, this effect is more important in the second step of the oxidation process.

Degradation of lignocellulosic residues by polyporus versicolor and the effect of moisture contents and phenolic compounds

AbstractPolyporus versicolor was selected to find out its ability to degrade four different lignocellulosic residues (angiospermic wood sawdust, sugarcane bagasse, paddy and wheat straw) under semisolid conditions. The production of laccase was also studied on these substrates. Sawdust suffered a maximum lignin loss though overall reduction in weight was maximum in paddy straw. Addition of malt extract and certain phenolic compounds (gallic acid, tannic acid and orcinol) favoured ligninolysis in sawdust. A moisture level of 5 ml/g of sawdust was found to be the most suitable for degradation whereas laccase yield increased with further rise in moisture content.