Targeting for cogeneration potential through total site integration

Total site integration offers energy conservation opportunities across different individual processes and also to design as well as to optimize the central utility system. In total site integration of the overall process, indirect integration with intermediate fluids or through a central utility system are preferred as it offers greater advantages of flexibility and process control but with reduced energy conservation opportunities. To achieve the maximum possible indirect integration between processes assisted heat transfer, i.e., heat transfer outside the region between process pinch points, plays a significant role. A new concept is proposed in this paper for total site integration by generating a site level grand composite curve (SGCC). Proposed SGCC targets the maximum possible indirect integration as it incorporates assisted heat transfer. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to estimate the cogeneration potential at the total site level, utilizing the concept of multiple utility targeting on the SGCC. The proposed methodology to estimate the cogeneration potential is simple and linear as well as utilizes the rigorous energy balance at each steam header.     

Autoignition and front propagation in low temperature combustion engine environments

In this paper, we computationally investigate the fundamental aspects of autoignition and subsequent combustion phenomena in low temperature combustion (LTC) engine environments using direct numerical simulations (DNS). In particular, the effects of thermal and equivalence ratio stratification on the autoignition and subsequent front propagation in high pressure and stratified hydrogen-air turbulent mixtures are studied using detailed chemistry. Depending on fuel injection timing, exhaust gas recirculation, and wall heat loss, different correlations between temperature (T) – equivalence ratio (?) fields can exist prior to the major heat release event. Here, we investigate three cases with different initial T–? correlations: (A) a baseline case of a uniform composition with temperature inhomogeneities only, (B) uncorrelated T–? fields, and (C) negatively-correlated T–? fields. Numerical diagnostics are developed based on an appropriately defined Damköhler number to distinguish different modes of heat release. It is found that the majority of heat release in the baseline case and the uncorrelated case occurs during the front propagation in the form of both spontaneous ignition fronts as well as deflagration waves, whereas the negatively correlated case ignites predominantly homogeneously.     

Effect of Emulsion Droplet Size on Foaming Properties of Milk Fat Emulsions

Foamability and foam stability of dairy-based emulsions, as a function of emulsion droplet size ranging from micron- to nanometre-scale, were investigated. Fat phase (10 % w/w of anhydrous milk fat, stearin or olein fraction) was mixed with 2 % w/w protein solution (sodium caseinate or whey protein concentrate) and homogenised at 3, 10 and 35 MPa to obtain emulsions having particle sizes of about 1.20, 0.60 and 0.20 μm, respectively. The emulsions were cooled down and aged at 4 °C for 48 h to promote crystallisation. No fat coalescence was observed in any of the emulsions, as particle size distribution remained the same upon aging and whipping. It was shown that the smaller the particle size, the higher was the apparent viscosity and the lower was the solid fat content. Higher solid fat content tended to yield better foamability and foam stability. Destabilisation of air cells happened fastest with nanosized fat particles, resulting in shorter half-life of foam.     

LoCaL: Link-optimized cone-assisted location routing in flying ad hoc networks

Recently, flying ad hoc networks (FANETs) has become a core research area in wireless networks that involves multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is widely used in modern warfare for surveillance, monitoring and reconnaissance. The routing in FANETs poses a more significant challenge due to limited energy and frequent link disconnection between the UAVs. Consequently, an effective route is always required to ensure data transmission between UAVs. Therefore, this research proposes a link-optimized cone-assisted location (LoCaL) routing protocol for FANETs. The main goal of the proposed LoCaL is to enhance the link duration between the UAVs in which a source selects a forwarding UAV from a given set of neighbours by estimating the residual energy, link duration time and safety degree parameters. Proposed LoCaL provides better stability and less frequent route breaks between source and destination. Further, the mathematical formulation of the proposed approach is presented through the utility function to enhance the route stability by selecting all those relay UAVs in the cone-shaped request zone, which reduces the routing overhead in discovering the route. Finally, the performance of the LoCaL has been presented through key indicators such as energy consumption, routing overhead, message delivery ratio, network lifetime and delay compared to the existing approaches.     

Correction to: Do Energy Resources matter for Growth Level? The dynamic effects of different strategies of renewable energy,carbon emissions on sustainable economic growth

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy -     

A review on fake news detection 3T’s: typology,time of detection,taxonomies

International Journal of Information Security - Fake news has become an industry on its own, where users paid to write fake news and create clickbait content to allure the audience. Apparently, the...     

Increased thermal tolerance in Cronobacter sakazakii strains in reconstituted milk powder due to cross protection by physiological stresses

Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii) is an opportunistic, neonatal, and food borne pathogen primarily associated with the contamination of powdered infant formula (PIF). The pathogen is reported to overcome the food safety barriers such as increased acidity, heat treatment, and so on. This study evaluates the thermal tolerance of C. sakazakii strains independently at 52, 55, and 58°C in reconstituted PIF after exposure to physiological stresses: refrigeration (4°C for 24 hr), starvation (37°C for 48 hr), and desiccation (25°C for 4 days). The Log₁₀ CFU/ml and D-values indicated that survival rate of all the strains decreased significantly (p < .05) after desiccation as compared to those of the control condition (without stress exposure). However, cold stress increased the thermal tolerance of all strains at all temperatures (52, 55, and 58°C) as indicated by increased D-values. Among the tested strains, C. sakazakii strain N15 was found to be the most resistant to thermal treatment after each stress exposure as depicted by principal component analysis (PCA). No apparent correlation between thermal tolerance and starvation stress was observed. The findings indicate that prior exposure to stress conditions may induce cross protection to thermal treatment in C. sakazakii.     

Utilization of Food Processing By-products as Dietary,Functional, and Novel Fiber: A Review

Fast growing food processing industry in most countries across the world, generates huge quantity of by-products, including pomace, hull, husk, pods, peel, shells, seeds, stems, stalks, bran, washings, pulp refuse, press cakes, etc., which have less use and create considerable environmental pollution. With growing interest in health promoting functional foods, the demand of natural bioactives has increased and exploration for new sources is on the way. Many of the food processing industrial by-products are rich sources of dietary, functional, and novel fibers. These by-products can be directly (or after certain modifications for isolation or purification of fiber) used for the manufacture of various foods, i.e. bread, buns, cake, pasta, noodles, biscuit, ice creams, yogurts, cheese, beverages, milk shakes, instant breakfasts, ice tea, juices, sports drinks, wine, powdered drink, fermented milk products, meat products and meat analogues, synthetic meat, etc. A comprehensive literature survey has been carried on this topic to give an overview in the field dietary fiber from food by-products. In this article, the developments in the definition of fiber, fiber classification, potential sources of dietary fibers in food processing by-products, their uses, functional properties, caloric content, energy values and the labelling regulations have been discussed.     

Alginate gel particles–A review of production techniques and physical properties

The application of hydrocolloid gel particles is potentially useful in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Alginate gel particles are one of the more commonly used hydrocolloid gel particles due to them being biocompatible, nontoxic, biodegradable, cheap, and simple to produce. They are particularly valued for their application in encapsulation. Encapsulation in alginate gel particles confers protective benefits to cells, DNA, nutrients, and microbes. Slow release of flavors, minerals, and drugs can also be achieved by encapsulation in gel particles. The particle size and shape of the gel particles are crucial for specific applications. In this review, current methods of producing alginate gel particles will be discussed, taking into account their advantages, disadvantages, scalability, and impact on particle size. The physical properties of alginate gel particles will determine the effectiveness in different application conditions. This review will cover the current understanding of the alginate biopolymer, gelation mechanisms and factors affecting release properties, gel strength, and rheology of the alginate gel particle systems.