A thermodynamic equilibrium analysis of hydrogen and synthesis gas production from steam reforming of acetic acid and acetone blends as bio-oil model compounds

Thermodynamic analysis of steam reforming of blends of two model oxygenates, acetic acid and acetone, representing carboxylic acids and ketones in bio-oil is performed to investigate the effects of their potential interactions on hydrogen yield, synthesis gas composition and progress of reaction network. The results show that both acetic acid and acetone reach complete conversion at all operating conditions. Higher S/C molar ratio results in higher H₂ and CO₂ yields for both acetic acid and acetone. With the increase in pressure, H₂ and CO yields are diminished whereas CH₄ and CO₂ yields are enhanced. H₂ and CO₂ yields increase with the decrease in acetone concentration in the feed blend. CO and CH₄ production are affected adversely for acetic acid rich blends. The maximum H₂ yield values are 75.54%, 78.34%, 80.09%, 81.78% and 84.17% at 700 °C for acetic acid/acetone blends of 0.0/1.0, 0.3/0.7, 0.5/0.5, 0.7/0.3 and 1.0/0.0, respectively.     

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the structure and retrogradation inhibition of oat starch

As a non-thermal processing technology, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) can be used for starch modification without affecting the quality and flavour constituents. The effect of HHP on starch is closely related to the treatment pressure of HHP. In this paper, we investigated the impacts of HHP treatment pressure (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 MPa) on the microstructure and retrogradation characteristics of oat starch, established the retrogradation kinetic model and elaborated the mechanism of HHP treatment inhibiting the retrogradation of oat starch. Results show that HHP treatment caused the microstructure of oat starch experienced crystallisation perfection (100–300 MPa), crystallisation destruction (400 MPa), crystallisation disintegration and gelatinisation (500–600 MPa). Results of oat starch retrogradation showed that, after treated at 500 MPa for 15 min, the recrystallisation rate of oat starch was reduced, the formation of nuclei at the early stage of oat starch retrogradation suppressed and its nucleation mode was changed from instantaneous to spontaneous, otherwise, the mobility of water in oat starch gel system reduced. Therefore, 500 MPa treated for 15 min can inhibits the retrogradation of oat starch. This study provides theoretical guidance for the application of HHP technology in starch modification and food processing.     

Effects of ultrafiltration combined with high-pressure processing,ultrasound and heat treatments on the quality of a blueberry–grape–pineapple–cantaloupe juice blend

This study investigated the effect of ultrafiltration (UF) combined with high-pressure processing (HPP) at 550 MPa, 25 °C for 5 min, ultrasound (US) at 520 W, 40 °C for 10 min and heat treatment (HT) at 90 °C for 3 min on the microbial, physicochemical and sensory properties of a blueberry–grape–pineapple–cantaloupe juice blend during 104 days of storage at 4 °C. After UF, the shelf life of the HPP- and US-treated clear juice blends were 104 and 72 days during the storage at 4 °C respectively. HPP, US and HT treatment minimally affected the anthocyanin and total phenol contents, while HPP better maintained the ascorbic acid levels and sensory properties in the clear juice blend during the storage. Therefore, HPP combined with UF was identified as a prospective processing technique in the fruit juice industry.     

Image sequence-based risk behavior detection of power operation inspection personnel

A novel image sequence-based risk behavior detection method to achieve high-precision risk behavior detection for power maintenance personnel is proposed in this paper. In this method, the original image sequence data is first separated from the foreground and background. Then, the free anchor frame detection method is used in the foreground image to detect the personnel and correct their direction. Finally, human posture nodes are extracted from each frame of the image sequence, which are then used to identify the abnormal behavior of the human. Simulation experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has significant advantages in terms of the accuracy of human posture node detection and risk behavior identification.     

Farmers' preferences for adopting on-farm concentration of raw milk: Results from a discrete choice experiment in Germany

Milk concentrates are used in the manufacturing of dairy products such as yogurt and cheese or are processed into milk powder. Processes for the nonthermal separation of water and valuable milk ingredients are becoming increasingly widespread at farm level. The technical barriers to using farm-manufactured milk concentrate in dairies are minimal, hence the suspicion that the practice of on-farm raw milk concentration is still fairly uncommon for economic reasons. This study, therefore, set out to investigate farmers' potential willingness to adopt a raw milk concentration plant. The empirical analysis was based on discrete choice experiments with 75 German dairy farmers to identify preferences and the possible adoption of on-farm raw milk concentration. The results showed that, in particular, farmers who deemed the current milk price to be insufficient viewed on-farm concentration using membrane technology as an option for diversifying their milk sales. We found no indication that adoption would be impeded by a lack of trustworthy information on milk processing technologies or capital.     

Role of exchange coupling between the hard and soft magnetic phases on the absorption of microwaves by SrFe10Al2O19/Co0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 nanocomposite

(1-x)SrFe₁₀Al₂O₁₉/(x)Co_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄-(SFAO/CZFO) hard/soft nanocomposite ferrite materials were synthesized by ‘one-pot’ self-propagating combustion route. The co-existence of the two magnetic phases were confirmed by XRD, FESEM, EDS and VSM. The prepared nanocomposite samples were also characterized by TGA/DSC, Raman spectroscopy and VNA. Exchange coupling between the hard and the soft magnetic grains was observed by determining the switching field distribution (SFD) curve. As a result of the competing effects of exchange interaction and dipolar interaction, magnetic parameters were observed to be sensitive to the incorporation of soft magnetic phase into the nanocomposite. Results showed that with the inclusion of soft magnetic phase, exchange coupling behaviour between the hard and the soft ferrite phases had significant influence on the microwave absorption capacity of the samples. Related electromagnetic parameters and impedance matching ratio of the nanocomposite system were discussed. A minimum reflection loss of ?42.9 dB with an absorber thickness of 2.5 mm was attained by the nanocomposite (90 wt%)SrFe₁₀Al₂O₁₉/(10 wt %)Co_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ at a matching frequency of 11.45 GHz. This assured the candidacy of SrFe₁₀Al₂O₁₉/Co_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ nanocomposite as a promising microwave absorption material in the X-band (8–12 GHz).     

Tri-reformer with O2 side-stream distribution for syngas production

Methane tri-reforming combines steam reforming, dry reforming and partial oxidation of methane in a single reactor. The heat generated by the exothermic partial oxidation of methane can be used to supply the energy for the other two endothermic reactions (dry and steam reforming of methane). The thermoneutral condition allows the use of a tri-reformer with a simpler reactor structure since no external heat supply is necessary. Thermodynamic analysis of the thermoneutral reactor was performed using Gibbs free energy minimization approach. Conventional tri-reformers have heat and mass management problems. We developed a novel tri-reformer concept that utilizes proper distribution of O₂ gas to the reactor to address the problems. The optimization of the proposed reactor was performed with the objective function of minimizing total annual cost. Maintaining the peak temperatures by adjusting the O₂ flow rate at the distribution point along the reactor was shown to provide good load flexibility for the change in methane flow rate.     

Microstructure and some properties of powder-pack borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy with special attention to the microstructure at the interface TiB/substrate

The borided layer was prepared on the surface of the Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy by powder-pack boriding at 1000°C-10h. SEM, EPMA and TEM were used to investigate the effects of alloying elements (Al, V, Mo and Cr) on the growth of TiB whiskers in the borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy. Wear properties of borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy were investigated using dry reciprocating friction tests. SEM results show that the thickness of boride layer in Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy is thinner than that in the Cp-Ti. This is attributed to the enrichment of alloying elements especially V in TiB/substrate by TEM, which hinders the diffusion of B atoms, thus resulting in the short and thick TiB whiskers in Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy. Borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy has the better wear resistance than as-received alloy.     

Rapid preparation of Palygorskite/Al2O3 composite aerogels with superhydrophobicity,high-temperature thermal insulation and improved mechanical properties

Al₂O₃ aerogels are widely employed in heat insulation and flame retardancy because of their unique combination of low thermal conductivity and exceptional high-temperature stability. However, the mechanical properties of Al₂O₃ aerogel are poor, and the preparation time is considerably long. In this study, we present a simple and scalable approach to construct monolithic Pal/Al₂O₃ composite aerogels using solvothermal treatment instead of traditional solvent replacement, which remarkably shortened the preparation time. Subsequently, to obtain stable superhydrophobicity (θ > 152°), the Pal/Al₂O₃ aerogel was modified by gas-phase modification method. The obtained Pal/Al₂O₃ composite aerogels demonstrate the integrated properties of low density (0.078–0.106 g/cm³), low thermal conductivity (1000 °C, 0.143 W/(m·K)), good mechanical properties (Young's modulus, 1.6 MPa), and good heat resistance. The monolithic Pal/Al₂O₃ composite aerogels with improved mechanical performance and improved thermal stability can show great potential in the field of thermal insulation.