Cut resistance of hybrid para-aramid fabrics for protective gloves

This paper deals with cut resistance of hybrid woven para-aramid fabrics tested according to the appropriate clause of EN 388 – “Protective Gloves against Mechanical Risks”. Abrasion, puncture and tear resistance properties of the fabrics were also measured. The experimental sample set was plain-woven fabrics made of hybrid yarns composed of staple para-aramid fibres with different core/sheath ratios of various filaments in their structure. The effects of core/sheath ratio and core filament type were investigated. The results revealed that decreasing core–sheath ratio of the hybrid yarns led to the increase in weight and thickness, resulting in improved cut, abrasion and puncture resistance properties. It was confirmed that cut resistance increased with the increase in thickness and weight of the fabric. Para-aramid/Dyneema® fabric had higher cut, abrasion and puncture resistance properties.     

Effects of probiotic bacteria and oils on fatty acid profiles of cultured cream

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using various probiotic bacteria and plant oils in cultured cream on the fatty acid profiles including conjugated linoleic acids (CLA). L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus, P. thoenii (jensenii) P126, and P. jensenii B1264 and a mixed culture (blend of L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus) were used in the fermentation of cream samples at a level of 2%. Cream samples were fortified with sunflower oil, soybean oil and hazelnut oil at a level of 2%. Microbial counts and fatty acid profile analysis were performed. The microbial results demonstrated that fermented cream could be a superior product for the presence of probiotics. Even though the cream samples contained 52% milk fat, in the majority of the samples growth of probiotic bacteria was higher than 10⁶ cfu/g. Concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids such as butyric, caproic and capric acids in cultured cream samples differed depending on the cultures used, while long‐chain unsaturated fatty acids were significantly affected by the plant oil fortification. The highest CLA content was obtained in the sample produced with B. bifidum, containing 0.73 mg of CLA/g fat. The effect of different plant oils on CLA concentration was significant (p >0.05) for HO + YC, SFO + LBYC and SO + LBYC. Results of the study are important for the dairy industry since it is the first publication on fermented cream with improved functional properties. The development of functional cultured cream with plant oils and probiotic bacteria would provide an important alternative dairy product.     

Analysis of thermal comfort properties of fabrics for protective applications

Protective clothing protects the body from external influence like heat, chemicals, mechanical hazards, bad weather, etc. by shielding the human body from harsh environmental effects. The maintenance of thermal balance is one of the most important aspects of protective clothing. The study aims to investigate the thermal comfort properties of woven hybrid fabrics produced with high performance core spun yarns. For this purpose, meta-aramid, e-glass, Technora® and Dyneema® fibres were combined using core yarn spinning method in order to enhance the protective performance characteristics. The effects of the core/sheath ratio and type of core materials on the thermal comfort characteristics were investigated and evaluated statistically. The results revealed that, core/sheath ratio, types of core materials have significant effects on thermal comfort characteristics of the fabrics. As the core ratio increases from 19 to 56%, the air permeability of the fabrics increases whereas their thermal conductivity and thermal absorptivity properties decrease. Meta-aramid/E-glass core fabrics can be preferable for protective clothing due to high air permeability and thermal conductivity values.     

Performance Evaluation of Cyclic Pressure Pulsing in a Depleted,Naturally Fractured Reservoir with Stripper-Well Production

Abstract

We present a parametric study on the operational parameters of cyclic pressure pulsing with N₂ and CO₂. We aim to develop a better understanding of how operational parameters affect the process performance in a shallow, naturally fractured, and depleted reservoir of the Big Andy Field in eastern Kentucky. The study includes analyses of various design parameters such as the injection rate, lengths of injection and soaking periods, cycle rate limits, and number of cycles. Incremental oil production, peak oil rate, and net present value (NPV) are considered as the performance criteria. Analyses have been performed using a single-well, dual-porosity, compositional reservoir model.