Fractionation of Starch by Gel Filtration on Agarose Beads

A chromatographical system consisting of a Sephadex G 200 column and an agarose 2B or 4B column was used for fractionation of native starches. Fractionation of the amylose and amylopectin components was achieved, and the amylose part of starch was subfractionated according to its molecular weight. The molecular weight of amylopectin is beyond the fractionation limit of the agarose and seems to be higher than 20 × 10⁶.     

On production behavior of enhanced geothermal systems with CO2 as working fluid

Numerical simulation is used to evaluate the mass flow and heat extraction rates from enhanced geothermal injection–production systems that are operated using either CO₂ or water as heat transmission fluid. For a model system patterned after the European hot dry rock experiment at Soultz, we find significantly greater heat extraction rates for CO₂ as compared to water. The strong dependence of CO₂ mobility (=density/viscosity) upon temperature and pressure may lead to unusual production behavior, where heat extraction rates can actually increase for a time, even as the reservoir is subject to thermal depletion. We present the first ever, three-dimensional simulations of CO₂ injection–production systems. These show strong effects of gravity on the mass flow and heat extraction due to the large contrast of CO₂ density between cold injection and hot production conditions. The tendency for preferential flow of cold, dense CO₂ along the reservoir bottom can lead to premature thermal breakthrough. The problem can be avoided by producing from only a limited depth interval at the top of the reservoir.     

Einflu? von Ethanol auf den Trocknungsverlauf und die Makrostruktur eines Einzel-Zellmaterials aus Apfelparenchym (Sorte Granny Smith)

Ethanol pre-treated apple parenchyma cells are dried in a laboratory vacuum dryer. Various ethanol contents (75 to 95% m/m) and moisture contents (2 to 15 g ethanol-water-mixture per g dry mass) of the cells were adjusted before drying and the influence of these factors on drying behaviour as well as the related structural changes are studied. The initial ethanol content was found to have a significant influence on both, drying behaviour and macrostructure of the dried material. In the case of a low initial value, the ethanol content during drying already drops at moisture contents of about 0.5–1.5 g/g. As a consequence the residual particle moisture consists mainly of water at the end of drying. In contrast to high initial ethanol contents, cells at a low initial ethanol content become strongly deformed on drying. The porosity of the dried material also decreases in the latter case, relatively large and stable aggregates are formed and the water binding capacity of the dried product has diminished on a large scale. The initial moisture content influences the drying behaviour especially on applying low initial ethanol contents. If the initial moisture content is reduced the drop of the ethanol content is shifted towards the end of the drying process. The influence of initial moisture content on macrostructure, however, was found to be small compared with the effect of the initial ethanol content.

     

Aluminium foam–polymer composites: processing and characteristics

Dissemination of closed cell metal foam unique properties (low density, efficient energy absorption, high vibration/sound attenuation) in real life products has often been difficult to realise. With advanced pore morphology (APM) aluminium foam–polymer hybrids a new and simplified process route targeted at application in foam-filled structures (e.g. automotive A-pillar) has been introduced. APM foams are made from spherical, small volume foam elements joined to each other in a separate process step. Joining the aluminium foam elements by adhesive bonding delivers composite foam with approximately 80–95 wt.% aluminium foam and 5–20 wt.% adhesive (polymer). Setting up cellular structures from spherical foam elements allows for automatic part production, good pore morphology control and cost effective aluminium foam application. An automated production line is displayed and discussed. Mechanical properties of APM aluminium foam–polymer hybrids are similar to other closed cell aluminium foams. Integration of APM foams in profiles resulted in significantly improved properties as observed for conventional closed cell aluminium foam fillings. The unique properties of APM composite foams make them an attractive alternative as a cost effective and easily applicable material of construction with targeted uses such as energy absorbing reinforcement of composite structures.     

Nonlinear-optical device characteristics of gaseous saturable absorbers

Measurements have been made of the third-order nonlinear-optical susceptibilities of gaseous infrared saturable absorbers. These coefficients are relevant to mode locking of infrared lasers such as CO2. The measurements are in good agreement with a theory based on a four-level model of the absorber. Earlier mode-locking observations are interpreted in light of the new data. The value of the transition moment and some other parameters of SF6are deduced from the measurements. For SF6atp = 1torr, the third-order nonlinear coefficient is in the range1-10 times 10^{-23}C.m/V³, when interacting waves differ in frequency by less than the molecular collision frequency. We find that the average dipole transition moment for SF6near theP(16)orP(20)lines of CO2is approximately 0.1-0.2 Debye. The nonlinear coefficient of CH3F is typically three orders of magnitude smaller than that of SF6.     

Variation in the human lipidome associated with coffee consumption as revealed by quantitative targeted metabolomics

The effect of coffee consumption on human health is still discussed controversially. Here, we report results from a metabolomics study of coffee consumption, where we measured 363 metabolites in blood serum of 284 male participants of the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg study population, aged between 55 and 79 years. A statistical analysis of the association of metabolite concentrations and the number of cups of coffee consumed per day showed that coffee intake is positively associated with two classes of sphingomyelins, one containing a hydroxy‐group (SM(OH)) and the other having an additional carboxy‐group (SM(OH,COOH)). In contrast, long‐ and medium‐chain acylcarnitines were found to decrease with increasing coffee consumption. It is noteworthy that the concentration of total cholesterol also rises with an increased coffee intake in this study group. The association observed here between these hydroxylated and carboxylated sphingolipid species and coffee intake may be induced by changes in the cholesterol levels. Alternatively, these molecules may act as scavengers of oxidative species, which decrease with higher coffee intake. In summary, we demonstrate strong positive associations between coffee consumption and two classes of sphingomyelins and a negative association between coffee consumption and long‐ and medium‐chain acylcarnitines.     

CFD-based multiscale modelling of bubble-particle collision efficiency in a turbulent flotation cell

In this paper, bubble-particle collision efficiency in a turbulent flow is investigated from a multiscale modelling viewpoint. An integrated CFD-based scheme for the prediction of turbulent bubble-particle collision efficiency is developed. As part of this scheme, the effect of turbulence and the bubble wall effect on bubble-particle collision efficiency are systematically studied using a 3D low turbulent Reynolds number shear-stress-transport turbulence model. Example simulations and comparisons are carried out to illustrate the methodology. The method can also be applied to non-Newtonian slurries.     

Microstraining in titania-, alumina- and silica-supported V2O5-catalysts

Commonly used catalysts in industry are compositions of highly dispersed particles. Typical systems consist of precious metals or transition metal oxides like V₂O₅ on oxide supports, especially TiO₂, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂. Support and active compound show a different chemical and material behaviour. A very important influence of the support on the active compound is the formation of microstrains due to the different thermal expansion behaviour. On the surface of a stiff linear elastic support the active compound is certainly strain hindered. In order to monitor the development of strain hindrance and further effects, in situ experiments were carried out at temperature both in an X-ray and in a neutron powder diffractometer. The width of the reflexes indicated a strong influence of the thermal expansion mismatch on peak width. The strain hindrance creates mismatch stresses high enough to overcome the yield stress of V₂O₅. The Williamson–Hall plots showed both a particle size effect as well as a stress widening but the measurements were difficult because of the materials anisotropy. The TEM work showed again very fine particles which agrees with the X-ray measurements. The support effect may be seen as thermal stress induced formation of a mosaic structure in the active compound. Moreover, the peak width correlated with the catalytic activity. The low ordered regimes in the mosaic structure are acting as further active centres for the catalytic reaction.     

Process engineering parameters and type of n-octenylsuccinate-derivatised starch affect oxidative stability of microencapsulated long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the emulsifying carrier matrix constituent, n-octenylsuccinate-derivatised (OSA)-starch, and process conditions on physical characteristics and oxidative stability of microencapsulated fish oil. Furthermore, the effect of the drying medium, i.e. air or nitrogen, on lipid oxidation during spray-drying and subsequent storage was investigated. Particle characteristics and lipid oxidation of microencapsulated fish oil were both influenced by the type of OSA-starch and the drying conditions. The highest oxidative stability was observed for fish oil microencapsulated in OSA-starch with the lowest average molecular weight and glucose syrup spray-dried at a moderate temperature setting. Particle characteristics of the microcapsules were not attributable for differences in lipid oxidation during storage. In spray-dried carrier matrix particles, the particle size increased with increasing average molecular weight of the OSA-starch and was attributed to an increase in air inclusion. Thus differences in lipid oxidation of the microencapsulated fish oil were attributed to differences in air inclusion as affected by the type of OSA-starch. In terms of spray-drying under inert conditions and in the presence of air, lipid oxidation of microencapsulated fish oil was rather attributed to oxygen availability in the feed emulsion than in the drying gas.