Showing papers in "Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly in 2017"

Thermal Performance and Viscosity of Biologically Produced Silver/Coconut Oil Nanofluids

Abstract: In this work, thermal conductivity, viscosity, and boiling heat transfer coefficient of a biologically produced nano-coolant were experimentally quantified. The nanoparticles were produced from silver nitrate via the plant extraction method and by means of green tea leaf extract. The mean size of the particles was 50 nm, with spherical morphology and single-phase structure of Ag (silver). The synthesized particles were dispersed in coconut oil as base fluid. Thermal conductivity and viscosity of the nanofluid were experimentally measured and correlated based on temperature and concentration of nanoparticles via the regression analysis. Thermal performance of the nanofluid inside an annular heat exchanger with convective boiling conditions (in forced convection and nucleate boiling heat transfer regimes) was assessed. The results demonstrated a superior thermal performance in both heat transfer regions over the base oil, and revealed that this nanofluid can be used as a coolant as well as a lubricant in engines with high heat flux conditions, as its thermal conductivity and viscosity were enhanced due to the presence of Ag particles inside the oil.

Influence of Acidity and Extraction Time on the Recovery of Flavonoids from Grape Skin Pomace Optimized by Response Surface Methodology

Abstract: Grape pomace is recognized as an economical source for the recovery of a large number of biologically active compounds, such as polyphenols. Grape pomace extracts can be successfully used as raw material for functional foods production, since they are generally recognized as safe for the food industry. This study aimed to quantify the amounts of recovered flavonoids (total flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and flavonols) from grape skin pomace (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Merlot) under conventional extraction with different acidities (0.5 % – 1 % HCl) and lengths of extraction time (30–60 minutes). The grand average values in this study were as follows: (i) proanthocyanidins 12.08±0.25 mg CE g–1 d.m., (ii) anthocyanins 2.17±1.02 mg Mvd-3-glc g–1 d.m., (iii) flavonols 7.73±0.11 mg QE g–1 d.m., and (iv) total flavonoids 36.28±0.42 mg QE g–1 d.m. The amounts of studied polyphenols generally increased with acidity and length of extraction time. This relation was more evident for flavonols and total flavonoids, while less clear for other examined phenolics.

Soybean straw, corn stover and sunflower stalk as possible substrates for biogas production in Croatia : A review

Abstract: Biomass availability is one of the key factors for biogas production in the future. Current status and possibility of utilization of harvest residues (soybean straw, corn stover and sunflower stalk) in Croatia for biogas production was given. In the last few decades, different pretreatment methods have been developed for degradation of different lignocellulosic biomass, but many of them are environmentally unfriendly and sometimes very expensive. More research and development is necessary to conduct in order to find both, economically and environmentally friendly pretreatment methods. This paper provides a review on mechanical, physical and biological methods used for different lignocellulose material pretreatment. Harvest residues are usually left in the field, but with the pretreatment process improvement, along with the soil protection they could be used for the production of huge amounts of energy in the future.

Characterization of Casein Fractions – Comparison of Commercial Casein and Casein Extracted from Cow’s Milk

Abstract: Biopolymer casein was isolated from cow’s milk by acid coagulation, which was initiated by acetic acid and sodium acetate in the first, and hydrochloric acid in the second process. The casein isolated by acid coagulation, i.e. by first process, and commercial casein were separated on α-, β-, (α+κ)- and κ casein by urea fractionation. The aim of this study was to compare various properties of commercial casein fractions with casein fractions isolated from cow’s milk. The structure of casein and casein fraction samples were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the obtained vibrational bands showed structural differences between isolated and commercial casein (presence of various amino acids), as well as their fractions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine glass transition temperature. The results showed that the glass transitions of the isolated and commercial casein were below room temperature (Tg = 2–30 °C) due to the destruction of the samples structure that provides molecules mobility and leads to a phase transition. Thermal degradation obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of all samples occurred in multiple steps. From the results, it is evident that 5 mass % of the each sample degraded at significantly different temperatures (T95), and it can be concluded that isolated casein and its fractions showed better heat stability than commercial casein and its fraction.

A Review on Geotrichum Lipases: Production, Purification, Immobilization and Applications

Abstract: R. R. Maldonado,a,* D. B. Lopes,b E. Aguiar-Oliveira,c E. S. Kamimura,d and G. A. Macedob aUniversity of Campinas, Food Department, Technical College of Campinas (COTUCA), University of Campinas, R. Jorge de Figueiredo Corrêa, 735, Parque Taquaral, Postal Code: 13.087-261, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil bUniversity of Campinas, Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds, Food and Nutrition Department, Food Engineering Faculty, Cidade Universitária ZeferinoVaz, s.n., Postal Code: 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil cExact Science and Technology Department, Santa Cruz State University, R. Jorge Amado, km 16, Salobrinho, Postal Code: 45.662-900, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil dUniversity of São Paulo, Laboratory of Bioprocess, Food Engineering Department, Animal Husbrandy and Food Engineering Faculty, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Campus USP, Postal Code: 13635-900, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil

Reactive Separation of Gallic Acid: Experimentation and Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network

Abstract: Gallic acid is a major phenolic pollutant present in the wastewater generated from cork boiling, olive mill, and pharmaceutical industries. Experimental and statistical modelling using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were carried out for reactive separation of gallic acid from aqueous stream using tri-nbutyl phosphate (TBP) in hexanol. TBP has a more significant effect on extraction efficiency as compared to temperature and pH. The optimum conditions of 2.34 g L–1, 65.65 % v/v, 19 oC, and 1.8 of initial concentration of gallic acid, concentration of TBP, temperature, and pH, respectively, were obtained using RSM. Under optimum conditions, extraction efficiency of 99.45 % was obtained for gallic acid. The ANN and RSM results were compared with experimental unseen data. Error analysis suggested the better performance of ANN for extraction efficiency predictions.

Removal of Basic Nitrogen Compounds from Fuel Oil with [Hnmp]H2PO4 Ionic Liquid

Abstract: Ionic liquid (IL) N-methyl pyrrolidone dihydrogen phosphate ([Hnmp]H2PO4) was synthesized and its structure was characterized with FT-IR spectroscopy and 1H NMR. The denitrogenation performance of the ionic liquid was investigated using Fushun shale diesel oil that included 0.52 w% basic nitrogen as feedstock. Experiment results showed that under the operating conditions with temperature of 30 °C, 1:7 (w/w) IL: oil, reaction time of 20 min, and settling time of 2 h, the ionic liquid exhibited good denitrogenation performance achieving 86.27 % basic N-extraction efficiency and the yield of refined diesel oil can reach more than 90 %. In addition, the basic N-removal efficiency can still reach 54 % during four recycles of the ionic liquid.

Combined Approaches to Xylose Production from Corn Stover by Dilute Acid Hydrolysis

Abstract: Corn stover is a lignocellulosic biomass, an agricultural by-product, a possible raw material for xylose production. In this study corn stover was hydrolyzed with sulfuric and hydrochloric acid. In the presented work, hydrochloric acid resulted in the highest, 88.8 % xylose yield of theoretical under the conditions of 2 % (w/w) hydrochloric acid concentration, 40-minute reaction time, 10 % (w/w) dry matter, at 120 °C. Sulfuric acid experiments resulted in 81.9 % xylose yield of theoretical by using 1.5 % (w/w) sulfuric acid, 60-minute reaction time, at 140 °C, 7 % (w/w) dry matter. Acid hydrolysis at low dry matter content resulted in relatively low sugar concentrations. Hydrolyzate recycling concentrated xylose to three-times, while the recycling does not decrease the xylose yields. It is also shown that the pseudo first-order and biphasic kinetic models can be based on total sugar concentrations.

Biocatalytic Process Design and Reaction Engineering

Abstract: Biocatalytic processes occurring in nature provide a wealth of inspiration for manufacturing processes with high molecular economy. The molecular and engineering aspects of bioprocesses converting available raw materials into valuable products are therefore of much industrial interest. Modular reaction platforms and straightforward working paths, from the fundamental understanding of biocatalytic systems in nature to the design and reaction engineering of novel biocatalytic processes, have been important for shortening development times. Building on broadly applicable reaction platforms and tools for designing biocatalytic processes and their reaction engineering are key success factors. Process integration and intensification aspects are illustrated with biocatalytic processes to numerous small-molecular weight compounds, which have been prepared by novel and highly selective routes, for applications in the life sciences and biomedical sciences.

Catalytic Reactive Distillation for the Esterification Process: Experimental and Simulation

Abstract: In the present study, methyl acetate has been synthesized using esterification of acetic acid with methanol in a continuous packed bed catalytic reactive distillation column in the presence of novel Indion 180 ion exchange resin solid catalyst. The experiments were conducted at various operating conditions like reboiler temperature, reflux ratio, and different feed flow rates of the acetic acid and methanol. The non-ideal pseudo-homogeneous kinetic model has been developed for esterification of acetic acid with methanol in the presence of Indion 180 catalyst. The developed kinetic model was used for the simulation of the reactive distillation column for the synthesis of methyl acetate using equilibrium stage model in Aspen Plus version 7.3. The simulation results were compared with experimental results, and found that there is a good agreement between them. The sensitivity analyses were also carried out for the different parameters of bottom flow rate, feed temperatures of acetic acid and methanol, and feed flow rate of acetic acid and methanol.

Biofuels and Their Production Through Different Catalytic Routes

Abstract: This paper presents a review of the literature available on biofuels production through different chemical catalytic routes. Biofuels are promising alternative to the fast-depleting fossil fuel and oil reserves. In consideration of the existing environmental issues, such as greenhouse effect and global warming, researchers are now interested in biofuels production from biomass. Biofuels are produced from renewable and sustainable bioresources, which are available globally in the form of residual agricultural biomass and wastes. However, the biofuels production process through chemical transformation could be very expensive and uneconomical for large-scale commercial supply. Hence, there is a continuous need for improvisation on the research on this topic. This review broadly describes the different types of biofuels and the processes for their production through catalytic routes.

A CFD-based Approach to Predict Explosion Overpressure: A Comparison to Current Methods

Abstract: C. Díaz-Ovalle,a,* A. López-Molina,b and R. Vázquez-Románc aTecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Roque, Departamento de Ingenierías, Km 8 carretera Celaya-Juventino Rosas, Celaya, 38110, Gto., MEXICO bUniversidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de Méndez, Ingeniería en Petroquímica, carretera Estatal Libre Villahermosa-Comalcalco Km. 27 s/n Ranchería Rivera Alta, Jalpa de Méndez, 86205, Tab., MEXICO cTecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Celaya, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Av. Tecnológico y A.G. Cubas s/n, Celaya 38010, Gto., MEXICO

Effective Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Solutions Using Ionic Liquid Modified Graphene Oxide Sorbent

Abstract: Ionic liquid modified reduced graphene oxide (IL-rGO) was prepared and examined for chromate removal. The sorbent was characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption measurement (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The sorption behavior of chromate on the ionic liquid modified reduced graphene oxide sorbent from an aqueous medium was studied by varying the parameters such as contact time, initial chromate concentration, pH, and agitation speed. The results showed that sorption kinetics of chromate by IL-rGO follows the pseudo second order, which indicates that the sorption mechanism is both chemical and physical interaction. The sorption isotherm studies revealed that Langmuir model provided the best fit to all the experimental data with an adsorption capacity of 232.55 mg g–1 for IL-rGO. Thermodynamic parameters, such as Gibbs free energy (–2.85 kJ mol–1 at 298 K), enthalpy (55.41 kJ mol–1), and entropy (11.64 J mol–1 K–1) of sorption of the chromate on ionic liquid modified reduced graphene oxide was evaluated, and it was found that the reaction was spontaneous and endothermic in nature.

Study on Some Properties of Calcium-dependent a -Amylase from Bacillus subtilis through Submerged Fermentation of Wheat Bran

Abstract: M. Irfan,a,* M. Nadeem,b Q. Syed,b H. Abdullah Shakir,c and J. Iqbal Qazic aDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha Pakistan bFood & Biotechnology Research Center, Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur road Lahore, Pakistan 54600 cMicrobial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab new campus Lahore Pakistan

Study on the Properties of Immobilized Biocatalysts with Lipase Activity Produced by Yarrowia lipolytica in Batch Culture

Abstract: Three kinds of matrices (calcium alginate, gelatin, and PVA) were employed as supports to immobilize lipases from Y. lipolytica KKP 379 via physical adsorption. The stability of biocatalysts (free and immobilized) was evaluated by measuring the enzyme activity before and after treatment with the method based on the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl laurate. Two fractions of enzymes were immobilized: cell-bound (yeast biomass) and extracellular (supernatant). The yield of immobilization and catalytic properties of immobilized lipases were investigated. Satisfactory results for lipolytic activity and biocatalyst stability were obtained for cell-bound enzymes immobilized in alginate (0.38 U g–1 d.m.) and crosslinked gelatin (0.18 U g–1 d.m.). Immobilization of the supernatant was successful only on the alginate (0.026 U g–1 d.m.). After lyophilization, no significant difference was noticed between treated and untreated biocatalysts. Lyophilized catalysts were successfully immobilized in all three matrices, but the process reduced their lipolytic activity probably due to an insufficient amount of water in the reaction solution.

Enhancing Lipid Production of Dunaliella tertiolecta by Manipulating the Interactive Effect of Salinity and Nitrogen

Abstract: M. Rizwan,a,b G. Mujtaba,a,c N. Rashid,d and K. Leea,* aDepartment of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Myongji University, Yongin, Gyeongki, 17058, Republic of Korea bDepartment of Environmental Sciences, University of Haripur, 22620, Haripur, Pakistan cDepartment of Energy and Environment Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan dDepartment of Chemical Engineering, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, 55180, Lahore, Pakistan

Effects of Mud from a Zinc-plating Plant and Zeolite Saturated with Zinc on Portland Cement Hydration and Properties of Hardened Cement Pastes

Abstract: This work investigates the impact of mud from a zinc-plating plant and zeolite saturated with zinc on early hydration processes of ordinary Portland cement. During the first 48 hours of hydration, the addition of mud significantly affects the cement hydration kinetics. The partial replacement of cement with zeolite saturated with zinc ions, reduces the negative impact of mud on the hydration processes. Samples with the additions showed lower compressive strength than the sample without additions. With regard to the standard limits for this type of cement, mud shares are eligible up to 5 wt. % and a mixture of mud and saturated zeolite up to 10 wt. %.

Influence of Storage Strategies on the Reactivation Characteristics of Shortcut Nitrification Aerobic Granular Sludge

Abstract: Appropriate storage strategies were helpful in keeping the integrity and activity as well as in promoting the engineering application of granular sludge. The particle size distribution, composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), and activity of shortcut nitrification aerobic granular sludge (SNAGS) of the different storage strategies (15 °C with intermittent aeration, 4 °C, −20 °C, and −80 °C) were investigated in this study. The results showed that the storage strategies influenced particle size distribution, EPSs, protein (PN), polysaccharide (PS), PN/PS, and the oxidation ability of ammonium nitrogen of SNAGS. However, storage strategies had little effect on nitrite accumulation. The particle size, EPSs, PN, and PS of the SNAGS decreased after storage. The change of EPSs, PN, and PS of SNGS was smaller under the storage condition of −20 °C. The ammonium nitrogen oxidation and denitrification abilities of SNAGS were highest under the storage condition of −80 °C and −20 °C.

The Influence of Aeration and Type of Coagulant on Effectiveness in Removing Pollutants from Groundwater in the Process of Coagulation

Abstract: The subject of research was groundwater from Quaternary formations with high concentration of total iron, increased colour and turbidity, and an increased amount of organic substances and manganese. Successful purification of such water creates technological problems and is practically impossible to achieve by applying traditional groundwater treatment processes. One of the ways recommended for intensifying the removal of iron that occurs in the form of stable iron-organic compounds is the application of the coagulation process. The paper discusses the effectiveness of coagulation with iron(III) sulphate and with two aluminium coagulants: aluminium sulphate and polyaluminium chloride in purifying groundwater without aeration and groundwater aerated for 15 minutes. The aeration of water increased the removal rate of iron and pollutants causing colour and turbidity, but it decreased effectiveness in removing organic substances. The efficiency in purifying water increased as the dose of coagulants increased, and the most effective was polyaluminium chloride. The least effective in removing iron compounds and organic substances, and at the same time in decreasing the intensity of the colour of the water, was iron(III) sulphate.

The Effect of Structure Modification of Sodium Compounds on the SO2 and HCl Removal Efficiency from Fumes in the Conditions of Circulating Fluidised Bed

Abstract: A. Pajdak,a,* B. Walawska,b and A. Szymanekc aThe Strata Mechanics Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Reymonta 27, 30-059 Krakow, Poland bInorganic Chemistry Division “IChN” in Gliwice, New Chemical Syntheses Institute, Sowińskiego 11, 44-101 Gliwice, Poland cInstitute of Thermal Machinery, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Czestochowa University of Technology, Dąbrowskiego 69, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland

Batch Cultivation Model for Biopolymer Production

Abstract: C. E. Torres-Cerna,a,◊ A. Y. Alanis,a,◊,* I. Poblete-Castro,b and E. A. Hernandez-Vargasc,d,* aCUCEI, Universidad de Guadalajara, Blvd. Marcelino Garcia Barragan 1421, Col. Olimpica, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, C. P. 44430 bUniversidad Andrés Bello, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Biosystems Engineering Laboratory, 8340176 Santiago, Chile cSystems Medicine of Infectious Diseases, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany dFrankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS), Ruth-Moufang-Str. 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Kinetic Model for Nanocrystalline Anatase to Rutile Polymorphic Transformation

Abstract: In this paper, kinetic models are presented for phase transformation from anatase to rutile in nanocrystalline samples at different temperature ranges. The models, in which the nucleation and growth are considered together, are able to predict the polymorphic transformation behavior of titania with better accuracy. In addition to researchers’ assumption that phase transformation of nanocrystalline anatase to rutile at lower temperatures occurs only with interface nucleation, the results reveal that the surface nucleation can also have a significant role in the kinetics of phase transformation in conditions of prolonged heating. In comparison to other published models, the advantage of these models is that no experimental data regarding the size of particles is required to study the kinetics of phase transformation of TiO2 nanoparticles.

Numerical Study on Bubble Dynamics and Two-Phase Frictional Pressure Drop of Slug Flow Regime in Adiabatic T-junction Square Microchannel

Abstract: In this study, bubble dynamics and frictional pressure drop associated with gas liquid two-phase slug flow regime in adiabatic T-junction square microchannel has been investigated using CFD. A comprehensive study on the mechanism of bubble formation via squeezing and shearing regime is performed. The randomness and recirculation profiles observed in the squeezing regime are significantly higher as compared to the shearing regime during formation of the slug. Further, effects of increasing gas velocity on bubble length are obtained at fixed liquid velocities and simulated data displayed good agreement with available correlations in literature. The frictional pressure drop for slug flow regime from simulations are also obtained and evaluated against existing separated flow models. A regression correlation has also been developed by modifying C-parameter using separated flow model, which improves the prediction of two-phase frictional pressure drop data within slug flow region, with mean absolute error of 10 %. The influences of fluid properties such as liquid viscosity and surface tension on the two-phase frictional pressure drop are also investigated and compared with developed correlation. The higher liquid viscosity and lower surface tension value resulted in bubble formation via shearing regime.

Optimizing Model Base Predictive Control for Combustion Boiler Process at High Model Uncertainty

Abstract: This paper proposes a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for optimizing model base predictive control (MBPC) tuning parameters applied to the boiling process. The multi-objective evolutionary algorithms are able to incorporate many objective functions that can simultaneously meet robust stability and performance that can satisfy control design objective functions. These promising techniques are successfully implemented to stabilise MBPC at the implications of different levels of model uncertainties. The Pareto optimum technique is able to overcome the problem of trapping the standard genetic algorithms (SGAs) in the local optimum when using the LQ as the objective functions at the price of high model uncertainty. Introducing robust stability and performance objective functions has successfully improved the search procedure for MBPC tuning variables at high model uncertainty.

Functionalization of MWCNT by –SO3H and –COOH Groups and Their Application as Solid Acidic Catalysts for Esterification of Waste Chicken Fat

Abstract: A. Shokuhi Rad, a,* M. lotfinezhad,b E. Ganjian,c S. Afrashteh,d and H. Reza Ghorbania aDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran bDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Science and research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Babol University of Technology, Babol, Iran dDepartment of Textile Engineering, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran