Yield Of Granules Research Articles

Исследование процесса гранулирования нанопорошка системы W – Ni – Fe методом распылительной сушки

A method for obtaining nanopowder microgranules of the W – Ni – Fe system (composition of the VNJ-90) of a micron size range by spray drying of a suspension based on composite nanoparticles obtained by plasma chemical synthesis is considered. The parameters of operation of the Buchi Mini Spray Dryer B-290 spray drying laboratory unit with an ultrasonic nozzle have been experimentally determined, providing for the production of nanopowder microgranules of VNJ-90 with an output of the target fraction of 25 – 63 µm at the level of 65 %. The dependence of the size and morphology of the obtained granules on the choice of the dispersion medium, the concentration of the dispersed phase and the organic binder in the suspension is established. The effect of the suspension flow rate during spray drying on the yield of granules of a fraction of 25 – 63 µm was evaluated. The test of the manufactured experimental sample of nanopowder microgranules in the process of plasma spheroidization was carried out.

Exploratory study on preparation of high drug loading granules with traditional Chinese medicine raw powder as carriers

With Sangtang Yin granule as model drug,and based on the strategy of " unification of medicines and excipients",the feasibility of preparing high drug loading granules with traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) raw powder as carrier was explored. The powder yield,particle size and particle size distribution,fillibility,flowability,hygroscopicity,reconstituability and other key physical properties relating to preparations of 8 herbs( Dioscoreae Rhizoma,Euryales Semen,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Coicis semen,Poria,Puerariae Lobatae Radix,Puerariae Thomsonii Radix and Coicis Semen by stir-frying with bran) were studied after being smashed,and the feasibility of taking them as excipients of TCM granules was evaluated by co-spray drying,dry granulation and other preparation techniques. According to the results of the physical properties of raw powders,raw powders of Dioscoreae Rhizoma,Euryales Semen and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix had a high powder yield,uniform particle size distribution,good fillibility,poor hygroscopicity and good reconstitutability,with the feature of assisting granule forming. Compared with the prescription of spray dry powder Sangtang Yin without any excipient,the co-sprayed powder had a high yield,good fillibility and compressibility. The yield of dry granules prepared by co-spraying dry powder was increased by more than 10%,and the particles had a uniform color,good fluidity and dissolubility with the drug-loading rate up to 100%. Based on the physical characteristics of TCM raw powder combined with the analysis of the preparation process,Dioscoreae Rhizoma and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix raw powder were selected as the carriers of granule preparations,and Sangtang Yin granule without any excipient was successfully prepared. The findings provide a feasible idea for the preparation of TCM granules with a high drug loading capacity.

Feasibility analysis for granulation of silver using Granshot method

Metal granshot is a process that is used to convert metal lumps or scraps into metal grains of uniform sizes and shapes. The concept of metal granulation is based on the heat difference between melting and pouring medium. The commercial uses of metal granules are jewelry making and spray coating of costly metals such as silver, gold, and platinum. The basic aim of the silver granshot process is to get uniform size, shape, and maximum yield of silver metal granules. During processing, the metal gets superheated within vacuum up to viscosity more than 2.2 cP flow out of the minimum diameter orifice and allow to drop in the coolant with high pressurized argon gas. The present study focuses on the granulation of silver and tries to achieve the maximum yield of metal. The shape and size of the granules produced were observed using scanning electron microscopy and the results show that the average diameters of granules are between 1.2 mm and 3.8 mm. Yield is also considered as an important factor for granulation of valuable metals like silver, and after experimentation successfully achieved the 99.9 percent yield. The granulation process of silver will help to ease the trading of metal in the jewelry industry.

Agricultural wastes as renewable fillers in physical granulation of NPK fertilizers: Evaluation of on-size granules and comparison to conventional filler

Purpose This research aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of granular NPK fertilizers prepared by physical granulation with eggshell, snail shell, and cow bone as fillers and to compare them to conventional filler. Methods Urea, DAP, KCl, and fillers were milled separately and mixed to the desired formula. About 150 g of mixed powders were granulated on a disc granulator in 9 minutes, at a rotation speed of 35 rpm and a disc slope of 45°. Water at a desired additional moisture was sprayed on the tumbled powders to facilitate the granulation. The obtained granules were then dried and screened into three fractions: undersize ( 4 mm). Results Snail shells and eggshells as fillers were found to give on-size NPK granules having yield and compressive strength which were comparable to that with limestone as a conventional filler. For NPK 15-15-15, using snail shells and eggshells as fillers, the yields of on-size granules achieved 46% and 56%, respectively, and the compressive strengths of on-size granules reached 2.4 and 2.1 MPa, respectively. Cow bones as fillers resulted in low compressive strength. The distribution of nutrients in the NPK granules was found to be close to the targeted formula. Conclusion Snail shells and eggshells as fillers have good yield and quality of on-size NPK granules and are very potential alternatives to limestone.

A comparison of liquid binders for drum granulation of biochar powder

Wet drum granulation of biochar using binder solutions of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, molasses and ammonium nitrate was investigated to compare granule characteristics to better understand how liquid binder solution affects the granulation of biochar into a soil amendment. The biochar granules were free flowing and approximately spherical with a significant yield between a size range of 1 to 4 mm. The binder concentration, total binder solution volume and drum rotational speed of the drum all affected the yield of granules within this size range. The binder concentration and volume of binder solution affected attrition resistance with molasses binder solution providing the most resistance. The results demonstrated that biochar can be granulated using wet drum granulation with all three binder solutions.

Study on the Granulation of FLY Ash from Thermal Power Station

The effect of the type and amount of binding substance on the yield and strength of granules prepared from fly ash was studied. The highest yield of granules was achieved with clayish slip used as binder. The granules obtained are brittle, with compression strength 0,1МРа. The apparent density of the sintered granulates was in the range1200-1500kg/m3 and the total porosity was 55-40%.

Fabrication of Nano-Calcium Carbonate Precipitate by Ultrasonic Milling Technique using Ethylene Glycol Media

Calcium Carbonate Precipitate is one of the filler ingredients which have the advantage of being neutral to all materials, light and harmless. Along with the widespread use of composite materials, it is necessary to develop smaller size nano calcium carbonate materials having nano-size properties that are superior to ordinary calcium carbonate precipitates. The purpose of this study is to obtain nano-carbonate precipitate materials with the particle size below 100 nm. In this study, the method used is starting from the preparation of calcium carbonate precipitate through a carbonation process, and then an ultrasonic milling process with ethylene glycol media is carried out. The process step is calcination, then the slaking process with water and then the carbonation process using carbon dioxide gas. Variables in the process of making calcium carbonate precipitates were not carried out, whereas in the ultrasonic milling process the variables in the process were ultrasonic time and the use of amplitude. The results of the experiment are then analysed by testing the sediment rate to obtain optimal grain size results, then the PSA Nano analysis in wet conditions and SEM analysis after the product is dried. The experimental results showed that the optimum yield of calcium carbonate precipitate granules with a size of 64 nm at 20 minutes of the ultrasonic time and the use of waves with an amplitude of 30%.

Reducing Roasting of Hematite Laterite Nickel Ores with the Formation of Granulated Nickel-Containing Cast Iron

Abstract—The reducing roasting of hematite-type laterite nickel ores with flux CaCO3 (limestone) and CaF2 (fluorite) additions on a coal substrate in the temperature range 1350–1450°C, which causes the formation of granulated nickel-containing cast iron, is studied. The roasting time is 8–10 min without additional holding. The intense coalescence of metallic particles and the separation of metallic and slag phases is detected at 11–13% solid reducer (coke) in the presence of 7.5–12.5% CaCO3 and 1.5–2% CaF2 upon reducing roasting at a temperature of ≥1350°C. The yield of cast iron granules is 40–42.5% and the slag yield is 32–35% of the ore mass. 94–99% of iron and almost entire nickel are recovered into cast iron containing up 2.3% Ni and 2.1–2.5% C. The contents of the main components in the slag can change in the following ranges: 32–36% Al2O3, 17–24% CaO, 27–28% SiO2, and 2.5–3.5 Fetot. The slag can be used as a combined flux addition for the reducing roasting of magnesia–silicate nickel ores in rotary hearth furnaces with the formation of ferronickel ball (Krupp–Renn process), which makes the technology of processing of hematite ores wasteless and economically efficient.

Characteristics and performance of aerobic algae-bacteria granular consortia in a photo-sequencing batch reactor

The characteristics and performance of algae-bacteria granular consortia which cultivated with aerobic granules and targeted algae (Chlorella and Scenedesmus), and the essential difference between granular consortia and aerobic granules were investigated in this experiment. The result indicated that algae-bacteria granular consortia could be successfully developed, and the algae present in the granular consortia were mainly Chlorella and Scenedesmus. Although the change of chlorophyll composition revealed the occurrence of light limitation for algal growth, the granular consortia could maintain stable granular structure, and even showed better settling property than aerobic granules. Total nitrogen and phosphate in the algal-bacterial granular system showed better removal efficiencies (50.2% and 35.7%) than those in the aerobic granular system (32.8% and 25.6%) within one cycle (6 h). The biodiesel yield of aerobic granules could be significantly improved by algal coupled process, yet methyl linolenate and methyl palmitoleate were the dominant composition of biodiesel obtained from granular consortia and aerobic granules, respectively. Meanwhile, the difference of dominant bacterial communities in the both granules was found at the order level and family level, and alpha diversity indexes revealed the granular consortia had a higher microbial diversity.

편리성 및 저장성이 증진된 구형과립 요구르트 제조

Yogurt contains many microorganisms that are beneficial to human health, and is a probiotic that supplies many nutrients such as calcium and protein. It is difficult to safety preserve for a long time because it possesses a high content of water. To address this problem, powdered “instant” yogurt has been developed, but it has flaws low flowability and solubility. Therefore, yogurt was granulated using a fluidized bed granulator to increase flowability and solubility. The fluidized bed granulator was designed by using response surface methodology (RSM), whose variables were feeding rate (FR), atomization air pressure (AP) and product temperature (PT). After being granulated, the yogurt was analyzed for yield and lactic acid bacteria count. The maximum yield of yogurt granules was 79.42%, at FR of 0.54 mL/min, AP of 2.64 kPa, and PT of 58.18℃, and the colony count for lactic acid bacteria was more than 6 log10 CFU/g. Therefore, spherical granulation of yogurt using a fluidized bed granulator could be used for making convenient probiotic products with improved flowability and solubility.

Isolation of Egg Yolk Granules as Low-Cholesterol Emulsifying Agent in Mayonnaise.

Egg yolk is an essential ingredient for many food products due to its excellent functional properties such as emulsification. However, the consumers' concern of its cholesterol level has led food industry to seek solutions for its replacement. Utilization of low-fat egg yolk granules as emulsifier can be an alternative strategy. In this study, granules with low cholesterol content were separated from egg yolk by a simple method under easily scalable centrifugal conditions. The egg yolk granules isolated within 0.17 M NaCl solution achieved a 22.5% yield that was similar to that using higher centrifugation speeds and longer time. The yield of egg yolk granules increased from 25% to 32% when the yolk:water ratio was changed from 1:1 to 1:2. Mayonnaise was prepared to evaluate the emulsifying capacity of the egg yolk granules. It was found that egg yolk granules exhibited similar emulsifying activity as that of whole egg yolk, but a better emulsion stabilizing property that is evidenced by the higher viscosity of mayonnaise prepared with the granules. In addition, the viscosities of mayonnaise prepared by spray dried yolk and granules were slightly higher than the liquid counterpart, showing a further improvement by spray drying on the emulsion stabilizing properties. The mechanical spectra of mayonnaise samples by frequency sweep also suggested that granules favored the formation of stronger 3-dimensional arrangements of oil droplets and therefore a more stable emulsion. Results suggest that granules isolated within 0.17 M NaCl solution present best emulsifying properties and can be applied as whole yolk replacer in food emulsions.

Experimental investigations towards understanding important parameters in wet drum granulation of corn stover biomass

Biofeedstocks such as corn coproducts or biomass such as corn stover are typically densified in a dry process using pellet mills to enhance transportability and use as livestock feed. Our work presents data of an experimental study using a non-traditional means, wet granulation with a lab-scale rotary drum granulator to determine key parameters that affect granule properties and yield of desirable sized granules. Granules were manufactured from corn stover and two liquid coproducts from corn bioprocessing, corn steep liquor (CSL) and corn molasses (CM) by varying corn stover particle size, corn stover:coproduct blend ratio and granulation residence time. The results showed that different formulation and processing parameters affected corn stover granulation. Granulation with an initial particle size of 0.88–0.96mm (from screen size 6.4mm), low liquid level (1:4) with CM, and short residence time (0.5min) could be used to produce desirable sized granules (1.78 to 7.87mm) for ruminant livestock feed with yields of over 98%. The effect of initial particle size of corn stover particles on density of granular products was significant. Corn stover particle size also positively influenced the granule size and negatively influenced yield of desirable granules. While increased coproduct (CM and CSL) levels in the blend increased the granule particle size and density, yield of desirable granules was reduced.

An investigation of drum granulation of biochar powder

Biochar is a fine powder that is difficult to handle and would be blown away if applied to soils without modifications. Wet drum granulation of biochar using binder solutions of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was investigated to create a form that would be easier to handle and apply effectively to the soil. The biochar granules were free flowing and approximately spherical with a significant yield between a size range of 1 to 4mm. The binder concentration, total binder solution volume and drum rotational speed all affected the yield of granules within this size range. The drum rotational speed and binder concentration affected the granule strength; biochar granules were resistant to attrition and showed a crushing strength of 0.15 to 0.50MPa. The results demonstrated that biochar can be granulated using wet drum granulation. Further research is required to further refine the granulation parameters to produce granules with comparable characteristics to fertilizers to ensure that the granules could be effectively applied to soils using existing infrastructure and techniques.

Effects of hydraulic retention time on aerobic granulation and granule growth kinetics at steady state with a fast start-up strategy.

A hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4, 6, and 8h was employed, respectively, in three reactors to study the effects of HRT on granulation with a newly developed fast granulation strategy, i.e., a strategy by combining strong hydraulic selection pressure with high organic loading rate (OLR). Granules with clear boundary appeared within 24h after reactor start-up and all reactors reached a pseudo steady state after 6-day operation. A 4-h HRT resulted in a relatively higher increasing rate in terms of granule size during granule development period, i.e., 208μm day(-1), and the bigger granule size and the higher sludge volume index at the pseudo steady state. For HRT of 6 or 8h, no obvious difference was observed. However, it was found that HRT influenced sludge retention time (SRT) and kinetics significantly. A HRT changing from 4 to 8h led to an increased SRT from 3 to 21days, a decreased observed specific biomass growth rate (μ obs) and an decreased observed biomass yield (Y obs) of stable granules from 0.37 to 0.062days(-1), and 0.177 to 0.055g MLVSS g(-1) COD, respectively. Both μ obs and Y obs had a linear relationship with the reciprocal of HRT. In addition, the great difference of microbial community between seed sludge, sludge retained in the reactors, and sludge washed out indicated a strong microbial selection for fast granulation within 24h. However, during the granule development period from day 1 to 6, no more microbial selection was observed except an adjustment of microbial community. Little influence of HRT on microbial population in granular sludge indicated a minor role of HRT played for granulation with the fast start-up strategy adopted in this study. The results demonstrated that hydraulic selection pressure for granulation was mainly from short settling time, which led to strong microbial selection during the granulation period. Meanwhile, although HRT did not affect granulation with the fast start-up strategy, it played an important role on sludge retention time and excess sludge production. Therefore, HRT should be carefully optimized to balance benefits and shortfalls it brings to aerobic granular sludge system.

Thermal granulation of U3O8 powder using a rotary voloxidizer

The thermal granulation of U3O8 powder using a rotary voloxidizer was investigated in terms of the initial particle bed motion such as slumping and rolling, thermal pretreatment (voloxidation) temperature and time, and the rotational speed in slumping motion. The granules, particles of larger than 1mm, were obtained directly from fine particles of U3O8 by only heating and rotating the reaction chamber. With respect to the initial particle bed motion, the yield of granules of above 1mm in slumping motion was higher than that in rolling motion. A rolling motion was changed into a slumping motion with high slumping frequency by formation of granules from fine particles. Granule yield significantly increased with an increase in the thermal pretreatment temperature and time of up to 10h. As the rotational speed of the reaction chamber in the case of the initial particle bed showing a slumping motion increased, the granule yield increased from 81.5% to 88.7%. However, a rotational speed of 2rpm provided an effective density, crushing strength, and circularity of the granules.

Development of tapered rotating fluidized bed granulator for increasing yield of granules

A rotating fluidized bed granulator is an attractive technique for handling fine cohesive powders. However, significant particle entrainment and following serious loss of granules have been a major hurdle for its practical use. We here proposed a novel tapered rotating fluidized bed granulator in order to reduce the particle entrainment and increase the yield of granules. The tapered rotating fluidized bed consists of a cylindrical vessel with two frustum ends, in which superficial velocity of the fluidization air is less increased toward an air exit at the center of the vessel. Wet granulation of a fine cohesive powder classified into Geldart Group C was conducted by the developed tapered rotating fluidized bed, and its performance as a granulator for handling a fine cohesive powder was evaluated. The results showed that the particle entrainment was decreased by merely modifying the vessel geometry to the tapered geometry, resulting in a significantly increase in the yield of granules. The particle size distribution of the granules showed unimodal distribution, confirming that granules are able to be prepared from a fine cohesive powder without coarse granules.

Top Spray Fluidized Bed Granulated Paddy Urea Fertilizer

Top spray granulation process is a common technique used widely in pharmaceutical, food and special chemical modification for fertilizer manufacturing. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of studies regarding to the description of controlled parameters with dynamic correlation in targeting to produce urea granules. Thus, this research was carried out to introduce the crucial applied process parameters using top spray technique for paddy urea fertilizer production.The acquisition process parameter readings were verified by obtained yield of urea granules (UG) which featured as an optimum particle diameter size from 2 mm to 6 mm with reasonable hardness (crush strength) in range 2.0 kg/granule to 4.0 kg/granule, these criteria were required as a slow - release mechanism during soil adsorption interaction in paddy field to reduce amount of fertilizer consumption. Three significant parameters have been selected namely as air inlet temperature, the viscosity of binder solution and rate of top spraying from starch liquid binder to generate greater UG size from wet granulation interaction with smooth coalescence and consolidation growth . The data classification was screened by One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) 101 method and supported by 2 levels and 3 factors (23 ) of full factorial design for clear description to vindicate the critical parameter required during urea granulation using fluidized bed granulator corresponds to low energy consumption and economical process. The obtained parameter readings and findings of UG features were useful to be applied further for detail investigation on next stage regarding to agglomeration profile and mechanism using CCD camera and PDA monitoring devices.

Optimization of Microwave Drying Biomass Material of Stem Granules from Waste Tobacco Using Response Surface Methodology

Tobacco stems, an underutilized waste in the tobacco industry, can be transformed into a viable product through the preparation of biomass material of stem granules. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize microwave drying of stem granules from waste tobacco. The effects of microwave power (35–40 kW), moisture content (25–35%), material thickness (30–50 mm), and drying time (90–150 s) on filling power and yield of stem granules were studied. Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine volatile components and microstructures of stem granules dried under optimal conditions. The filling power and yield of stem granules could be adequately fitted to a quadratic model (R 2 = 0.951) and a two-factor interaction model (R 2 = 0.887), respectively. The optimal conditions for microwave drying of stem granules were 35 kW, 30%, 30 mm, and 150 s. When prepared under optimal conditions, the filling power and yield of stem granules were 7.94 cm3/g and 64.06%, respectively, which differed by only 4.53 and 3.50% from model predictions. The quadratic and two-factor interaction models provided a reasonably accurate (<5% error) assessment of optimal conditions for microwave drying of biomass material of stem granules from waste tobacco stems.

The characteristics and kinetic behaviors of steady-state aerobic gra- nules under different aerobic starvation

A brief review of aerobic granulation shows that the longer aerobic starvation was an important factor in the formation of aerobic granules,but little information could be found currently available on the essential role of aerobic starvation at steady-state aerobic granules.Thus,this study investigated the characteristics and kinetics of mature aerobic granules in SBR,which performed visible differences at aerobic starvation of 1 h,2 h,3 h and 4 h(R1-R4) respectively.Results indicated that the longer starvation was not a key factor on steady-state granular system.All reactors could keep sludge granulation and stable operating,and the COD removal rate of four reactors was above 98%.However,different aerobic starvation showed an obviously effect on the characteristics of aerobic granules.In 35 days,due to the lower starvation,the production yield of extracellular polymeric substance was reduced,but the ratio of polysaccharides to proteins of granules was increased by 6%,and the size granules still increased.Meanwhile,the longer starvation(2 h) would cause overgrowth of filamentous bacteria,thereby weak the physical characteristics and increase the SVI30 value of granules.In addition,kinetic behaviors of mature aerobic granules showed that the maximum specific COD removal rates(qmax) was 0.25-0.29 h?1(R1-R4),those of four reactors kept the similar level.The apparent half rate constant(K) and biomass yield(Y) of granules were 5.39-8.45 mg/L and 0.391-0.746 kgMLVSS/kgCOD in R1-R4,the reactor had a higher COD effluent and biomass yield under the lower starvation.Thus,the steady-state aerobic granules with low aerobic starvation could successfully apply in SBR,thereby save the energy consumption and keep the stability of granular system.

Effects of long-term addition of Cu(II) and Ni(II) on the biochemical properties of aerobic granules in sequencing batch reactors

Copper (Cu(II)) and nickel (Ni(II)) are often encountered in wastewaters. This study investigated the individual toxic effects of long-term addition of Cu(II) and Ni(II) on the biochemical properties of aerobic granules in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). The biochemical properties of aerobic granules were characterized by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content, dehydrogenase activity, microbial community biodiversity, and SBR performance. One SBR was used as a control system, while another two received respective concentration of Cu(II) and Ni(II) equal to 5 mg/L initially and increased to 15 mg/L on day 27. Results showed that the addition of Cu(II) drastically reduced the biomass concentration, bioactivity, and biodiversity of aerobic granules, and certainly deteriorated the treatment performance. The toxic effect of Ni(II) on the biodiversity of aerobic granules was milder and the aerobic granular system elevated the level of Ni(II) toxicity tolerance. Even at a concentration of 15 mg/L, Ni(II) still stimulated the biomass yield and bioactivity of aerobic granules to some extent. The elevated tolerance seemed to be owed to the concentration gradient developed within granules, increased biomass concentration, and promoted EPS production in aerobic granular systems.