Sustainable optimization of waste management network over extended planning time horizon

This study proposes a multiperiod mixed integer linear programming model for the management of a single municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plant with sustainability as the objective. Discrete and continuous variables define the capacity selections for diverse MSW technologies, and the operation of the MSW network, respectively. The economic target is considered to maximize the net present value. The environmental impact is the minimization of a normalized environmental objective function (NEOF). The social target is the maximization of jobs. An interesting feature about the research work is the requirement of biodrying technologies for MSW moisture content control. Due to the conflicted nature among the sustainability components, a multiobjective optimization (MO) is carried out to find the Pareto optimal solutions. The MO results show that the Pareto optimal solutions vary around profit range of $4.9–8.5 billion, NEOF impact range of 3.2–3.6 units, and social benefit range of 2700–4828 jobs.     

Effects of yoghurt butter oils on rat plasma lipids,haematology and liver histology parameters in a 150‐day study

Although yoghurt butter oil as a fermented dairy product is widely consumed in several countries, its metabolic effects have not been fully elucidated. In this study, male Wistar rats were treated with standard diet, standard diet enriched with 10% or 20% (W/W) of either cow yoghurt butter oil (CYBO), sheep yoghurt butter oil (SYBO) or cottonseed oil (COT) for 20 weeks. Treatment of rats with CYBO or SYBO (at both concentrations) did not significantly influence haematological parameters, plasma lipids and liver histological structure. However, in contrast to popular belief, COT treatment at the higher dose induced leukocytosis, dyslipidaemia and liver steatosis.     

One-Pot,Three-Component Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydro-4(1H)-Quinazolinones Catalyzed by Perchlorated Zirconia (HClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) Nanoparticles as a Solid Acid Catalyst

Mono and disubstituted 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones were obtained in good yields via a one-pot, three component reaction of isatoic anhydride and aromatic aldehydes with ammonium acetate or primary amines in the presence of perchlorated zirconia (HClO₄/ZrO₂) nano particles as an efficient solid acid catalyst under solvent-free conditions. Simple workup and reusability of the catalyst are advantages of this method.     

Improvement of Giant Magnetoimpedance and Sensitivity in Co68.5-xFe4WxSi16.5B11 (x = 0.8, 2) Ribbons Sandwiched in PVA/Fe3O4 Nanocomposite Films

Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism - In this work, giant magnetoimpedance (GMI); magnetic hysteresis loop; and sensitivity of Co68.5Fe4Si16.5B11 (S), Co67.7Fe4W0.8Si16.5B11 (W1), and...     

Fuzzy modeling and particle swarm optimization for determining the optimal operating parameters to enhance the bio-methanol production from sugar cane bagasse

This work aims to maximize the production of bio-methanol from sugar cane bagasse through pyrolysis. The maximum value of the bio-methanol yield can be obtained as soon as the optimal operating parameters in a pyrolysis batch reactor are well defined. Using the experimental data, the fuzzy logic technique is used to build a robust model that describes the yield of bio-methanol production. Then, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is utilized to estimate the optimal values of the operating parameters that maximize the bio-methanol yield. Three different operating parameters influence the yield of bio-methanol from sugar cane bagasse through pyrolysis. The controlling parameters are considered as the reaction temperature (°C), reaction time (min), and nitrogen flow (L/min). Accordingly, during the optimization process, these parameters are used as the decision variables set for the PSO optimizer in order to maximize the yield of bio-methanol, which is considered as a cost function. The results demonstrated a well-fitting between the fuzzy model and the experimental data compared with previous predictions obtained by an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The mean square errors of the model predictions are 0.11858 and 0.0259, respectively, for the ANN and fuzzy-based models, indicating that fuzzy modeling increased the prediction accuracy to 78.16% compared with ANN. Based on the built model, the PSO optimizer accomplished a substantial improvement in the yield of bio-methanol by 20% compared to that obtained experimentally, without changing system design or the materials used.     

Numerical simulation of a falling droplet surrounding by air under electric field using VOF method: A CFD study

This is a numerical study of a falling droplet surrounding by air under the electric field modeled with finite volume method by means of CFD. The VOF method has been employed to model the two-phase flow of the present study. Various capillary numbers are investigated to analyze the effects of electric field intensity on the falling droplet deformation. Also, the effects of electric potential on the heat transfer coefficient have been examined. The obtained results showed that by applying the electric field at a capillary number of 0.2 the droplet tends to retain its primitive shape as time goes by, with a subtle deformation to an oblate form. Intensifying the electric field to a capillary number of 0.8 droplet deformation is almost insignificant with time progressing; however, further enhancement in capillary number to 2 causes the droplet to deform as a prolate shape and higher values of this number intensify the prolate form deformation of the droplet and result in pinch-off phenomenon. Ultimately, it is showed that as the electric potential augments the heat transfer coefficient increases in which for electric potential values higher than 2400 V the heat transfer coefficient enhances significantly.     

Nonmonotonic Coupled Dissolution-Precipitation Reactions at the Mineral–Water Interface

Dissolution is inherent to fluid-mineral systems. Yet its impact on minerals reacting with electrolytes is overlooked. Here, a novel nonmonotonic behavior for the surface interactions of carbonates (calcite and Mg-calcite) with organic acids is reported. Applying a bioinspired approach, Mg-calcite sensors via amorphous precursors, avoiding any preconditioning with functional groups are synthesized. A quartz crystal microbalance is used to study the mass changes of the mineral on contact with organic acids under varying ionic conditions, temperatures, and flow velocities. Supported by confocal Raman microscopy and potentiometric titrations, nonmonotonous mass developments are found as a function of Ca²⁺ concentration and flowrate, and attributed to three coupled chemical reactions: i) carbonate dissolution via Ca²⁺ ion complexation with organic molecules, and the formation of organo-calcium compounds as ii) a surface phase at the mineral–water interface, and iii) particles in the bulk fluid. These processes depend on local ion contents and the precipitation onset (i.e., saturation index) of organo-calcium salts, both of which substantially differ in the bulk fluid and in the fluid boundary layer at mineral interfaces. This continuum between dissolution and precipitation provides a conceptual framework to address reactions at mineral interfacial across disciplines including biomineralization, ocean acidification and reservoir geochemistry.     

Synthesis,characterization, rheological and thermal behavior of metallocene ethylene − norbornene copolymers with low norbornene content using pentafluorophenol modified methylaluminoxane

Ethylene ? norbornene copolymers were synthesized using rac‐ethylene bis(indenyl) zirconium dichloride/pentafluorophenol modified methylaluminoxane. First, the effect of using a modifier in combination with a low ratio of Al/Zr on the catalyst activity and co‐monomer incorporation was studied. The results of copolymerization reveal a 20% co‐monomer incorporation improvement and a rise of activity by 2‐fold in the presence of the modifier. Rheological measurements show a higher molecular weight in copolymers synthesized using modified methylaluminoxane. The alternative and dyad block microstructures of copolymers become possible in the case of a norbornene content of more than 14 mol%. Second, the effect of co‐monomer content on the rheological and thermal behavior of the synthesized copolymers was investigated. The results of the rheological study indicate a lower molecular weight in samples containing a higher norbornene content. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis confirms the influence of different microstructures on the glass transition temperature. The crystal structure of copolymers having a higher molecular weight is emphasized using wide angle X‐ray scattering and DSC even with a greater incorporation of norbornene. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry