Product Engineering am Beispiel extrudierter Instantpulver

Product Engineering in the Case of Extruded Instant Powders . Starch based instant powders are usually produced by cooking/gelatinizing in an excess of water with subsequent drying and milling. Important product attributes are the specific weight and the instant properties of the powder, as well as the taste, the viscosity, and the mouth-feel of the reconstituted gel. Cooking extrusion is an alternative energy saving process. Process development usually takes a long time and proves expensive due to the large number of different process parameters and their possible combinations. For two exemplary products it is demonstrated how the screw configuration and the target range of process parameters can be defined by statistical trial design. Final optimization (?fine tuning”?) and scale-up assure efficient process design according to product needs.     

Simulations of the effect of hydrodynamic conditions and properties of membranes on the catalytic performance of a fluidized-bed membrane reactor for partial oxidation of methane

In a fluidized-bed membrane reactor the selectivity of separation can be controlled by influencing the hydrodynamics of the fluidized bed. In this reactor type, with the mass transport limitation between bubbles and the emulsion phase, even with the non-selective membranes, high selectivity of separation can be achieved. This opens the possibility for applications of membrane reactors for reaction systems for which selective membranes do not exist, e.g. when Knudsen-type membranes or form-selective separation can not be applied. This paper is aimed at explaining the interaction between the selectivity of separation and the hydrodynamics of the fluidized bed by means of simulations that were performed for a fluidized-bed membrane reactor for catalytic partial oxidation of methane.     

Olestra formulation and the gastrointestinal tract

Olestra is a mixture of compounds comprising sucrose esterified with 6–8 long-chain fatty acids. It is not hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipase and as a result is not absorbed from the small intestine. Olestra in general has physical properties similar to those of a triacylglycerol with the same fatty acid composition. Foods made with olestra are virtually identical in taste and texture to those made with typical triacylglycerols. Olestra consumption does not generate hydrolytic products in the small intestine and, therefore, does not generate some of the signals that alter motility in the gastrointestinal tract. A reduction in gastroesophageal reflux with olestra, in contrast to triacylglycerols, is consistent with a lack of effect on stomach emptying. Unlike triacylglycerols that are absorbed in the proximal small intestine, olestra is distributed throughout the small intestine during transit and passes into the colon. In the colon, olestra's effects depend on its physical properties. Liquid nondigestible lipids result in separation of oil from the fecal matrix. Olestra formulations made with specific fatty acid compositions, particularly those containing a solid sucrose polyester component including behenic acid, possess appropriate rheology to hinder separation of oil from the rest of the fecal matrix, thereby reducing gastrointestinal symptoms.     

Non-steady activity during methane combustion over Pd/Al2O3 and the influences of Pt and CeO2 additives

Methane combustion over Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts with and without added Pt and CeO₂ in both oxygen-rich and methane-rich mixtures at temperatures in the range 250–520°C has been investigated using a temperature-programmed reaction procedure with on-line gas analysis (FTIR). During the temperature loop under oxygen-rich conditions, there was an appreciable hysteresis in the activity of unmodified Pd/Al₂O₃, which was greatly enhanced over Pd–Pt/Al₂O₃. Over both catalysts the hysteresis was reversed under slightly methane-rich atmospheres, and as temperature was reduced, a sudden collapse or fluctuations in activity were shown respectively over Pd–Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pd/Al₂O₃. Such non-steady behaviour was almost eliminated over Pd/Al₂O₃–CeO₂. Under a very narrow range of conditions and over a Pd/Al₂O₃ packed bed, oscillation of methane combustion was observed.     

Nondestructive NMR determination of oil composition in transformed canola seeds

Magic-angle spinning (MAS) ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a convenient method for nondestructive, quantitative characterization of seed oil composition. We describe results for intact hybrid and transformed canola seeds. The MAS ¹³C NMR technique complements and agrees with gas chromatography results. The spectral resolution approaches that of neat, liquid oils. MAS ¹³C NMR data allow quantitative analysis of major oil components, including saturates and oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acyl chains. ¹³C NMR directly and quantitatively elucidates, triglyceride regiochemistry and acyl chain cis-trans isomers that cannot be quickly detected by other methods. MAS ¹³C NMR can serve as the primary method for development of near-infrared seed oil calibrations. These NMR methods are nondestructive and attractive for plant-breeding programs or other studies (e.g., functional genomics) where loss of seed viability is inconvenient.     

A technique for simultaneous in situ MAS NMR and on-line gas chromatographic studies of hydrocarbon conversions on solid catalysts under flow conditions

A new technique is introduced allowing simultaneous in situ MAS NMR investigations of hydrocarbon conversions on solids under flow conditions and on-line gas chromatography. For adsorption of methanol on zeolite HBeta, equal amounts of adsorbed molecules were determined by both analytical methods. Studying the synthesis of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) on zeolite HBeta using an MAS NMR rotor reactor, a constant yield of MTBE of Y_mtbe= 27% was obtained up to a weight hourly space velocity of 1.4 h^-1. The variation of the reaction temperature led to a simultaneous change of the ¹³C MAS NMR signals of isobutoxy species and of the yield of MTBE determined by on-line gas chromatography which indicates that isobutoxy species act as chemically active compounds. In this first application, the new in situ technique has demonstrated its advantage for a simultaneous investigation of compounds with a long residence time on the catalyst surface and of compounds rapidly leaving the catalyst surface. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Einsatz des elektronischen Spiegels für den betrieblichen Überblick im Kanalsystem

Maintaining public sewer systems is one of sewer operators’ key responsibilities. Thus, information regarding the condition of the sewer system based on regular inspections is crucial in order to ensure operability and identify areas in need of rehabilitation. Condition assessments are usually carried out either directly by operational staff or indirectly, by means of CCTV inspection. However, alternative inspection methods are also available, including a manhole-zoom camera. Within the framework of the ongoing INNOKANIS project of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna four different manhole-zoom camera models have been tested to date. One aspect of this testing focused on structural and operational condition assessments in sewer systems. Based on these results, the manhole-zoom camera can provide a simple, quick and cost-effective operational overview in terms of the need for rehabilitation, cleaning or further inspection. Despite certain limitations that have to be considered when using this inspection device, it represents an effective tool for optimising operations of the sewer system.     

Photovoltaic building and infrastructure integration: The European experience of improvement in technology and economics

In this article the following items are discussed: (a) Why PV in buildings; (b) Why the cell costs do not tell the whole truth about PV; (c) What are “cost saving” PV building integration products; (d) What are rate-based incentives and “green pricing”; and (e) Lessons learnt and conclusions.     

Phosphorus and nitrogen in the waters of the El-Kabir River watershed in Syria and Lebanon

In order to assess the quality of the waters of the El‐Kabir River, which forms the border between Lebanon and Syria, water samples were collected for phosphorus (P) and nitrogen analyses at 39 sample stations in the river watershed (18 in Syria, 21 in Lebanon). These samples were collected on the main stem and three major tributaries (Nahr al‐Arous and Nahr Nasrive in Syria, Chadra River in Lebanon). Three major springs also were sampled. The sampling was carried out in September 2001, and January, April and August 2002. Nutrient analyses were carried out on samples taken in September 2001, January and April 2002 in Syria, and in September 2001 and August 2002 in Lebanon. The P concentrations were extremely high throughout the watershed, as were the ammonia‐nitrogen and nitrate‐nitrogen concentrations, indicating extensive pollution. Although the nitrite‐nitrogen concentration was relatively low, it is at the upper end of what might be considered normal, thereby perhaps being indicative of some anthropogenic sources. The spring waters were found to be polluted by nutrients. The nutrient sources contributing to the river pollution were mainly from piped, direct sewage discharges from the many settlements throughout the basin. These were supplemented by diffuse sources directly from agricultural fertilizer use and from the indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes into the river and on the stream banks and lands adjacent to the roads of the watershed.