Influence of operation variables on quality parameters of olive husk oil extracted with CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Three-step sequential extraction

Supercritical CO₂ extraction is a viable alternative process for the extraction of high-quality oil from olive husk (also known as olive pomace), a residue obtained in the production of olive oil. We analyzed the effect of pressure (100–300 bar), temperature (40–60°C), solvent flow (1–1.5 L/min), and particle size (0.30–0.55 mm) on four important quality parameters of the oil extracted with CO₂: tocopherol concentration, extinction coefficients at 232 and 270 nm, and saponification value. Response surface methodology was used to obtain mathematical expressions related to the operating variables and parameters studied. Results from these experiments were also used to design a three-step sequential CO₂ extraction procedure to obtain a higher-quality extract. The optimal operational sequence consisted of a first extraction step at 75 bar for 1 h using 1% (vol/vol) ethanol modifier, followed by a second extraction stage at 350 bar for 2.5 h without ethanol and a third step, also at 350 bar, for 2.5 h but using ethanol. These extraction conditions obtained an intermediate fraction of oil with 64% yield and all normal parameters according to European Commission food legislation. This fraction is suitable without any further refining. On the contrary, the oils obtained by hexane extraction and by conventional supercritical CO₂ extraction at optimal conditions are suitable for human consumption after further refining. This last finding may result in improved economics of the sequential CO₂ extraction process compared to the conventional extraction method with hexane.     

基于MEMS声传感器的圆柱壳体振动陀螺振型检测技术

振动陀螺谐振子振型一般采用激光进行非接触式测量,这种方法存在设备成本高、操作复杂、效率低等问题,因此,提出了一种基于MEMS声传感器的圆柱壳体振动陀螺谐振子振型测试方法。该方法利用体积小,指向性高的MEMS声传感器对谐振子振动声场进行高分辨率测量,获得精确的谐振子振动分布情况,建立了谐振子声波测试实验系统,进行了测试实验,并与激光测振仪的测量结果进行比对。实验结果表明,该测试系统具有较高的振型测量精度。这种测试方法成本低,操作简便,测量精度高,可以实现谐振子振型的高精度快速测量,为后续的谐振子修形及陀螺控制提供重要基础。     

光纤黑体腔高温传感器感温腔体的ANSYS分析

为了提高光纤黑体腔式高温传感器感温腔体的辐射性能,使腔体接近于理想黑体辐射状态,计算了腔体的有效发射率。基于ANSYS有限元方法对感温腔进行热辐射分析,讨论了腔底的形状、腔体温度、腔长、材料表面发射率、腔体的不等温分布对有效发射率的影响关系。结果表明,有效发射率会随着腔长的增加而增大,但会存在一个饱和值。同时当腔体处于非等温时,有效发射率随非等温程度近似呈直线下滑。综合分析结果,可以得出感温腔的优化构造参数,对传感器的制作以及提高传感器的测温准确性、分辨力和灵敏度有指导意义。     

基于变维卡尔曼滤波的UUV目标运动优化估计方法

为实现无人水下航行器精准、安全的跟踪目标从而高效地实现目标的信息采集,提出了一种针对该个体的目标运动优化估计方法。此方法通过建立目标运动模型,基于卡尔曼滤波基本原理,利用变维卡尔曼滤波的方法,达到UUV个体对目标运动状态准确估计的预期效果。为提高该方法的可行性,在利用最小化目标位置估计协方差矩阵完成目标运动轨迹估计及优化的过程中,考虑实际UUV机动时的最大速度限制、与目标最小距离的限制。文章详细阐述该方法的实现和步骤,并通过仿真实验验证了该优化算法的有效性。     

基于粒子滤波后验概率分布的多特征融合跟踪

在光照和目标形变等外部条件变化的情况下,仅利用目标的单一特征难以鲁棒的跟踪目标。提出了一种基于粒子滤波后验概率分布的多特征融合跟踪算法,在粒子滤波跟踪框架下,用直方图模型表征目标的颜色和边缘特征,通过两种特征后验概率之间的"协作"与"学习"实现特征融合,各种场景的试验结果比较表明,新的融合跟踪算法比仅用单一特征跟踪、现有的多特征融合算法具有更好的稳定性和鲁棒性,特别是针对环境光照和目标背景变化较大的情况更具有优势。     

Flow modelling within non-homogeneous packings: The structural macro-correlations

The pressure drop and the fluid velocity profiles were investigated experimentally and numerically in the model packings of complex geometry. The numerical estimations were performed by means of the hybrid method involving the use of structural macro-correlations. In this paper it has been demonstrated on several examples that the structural macro-correlations allow to predict the macro-scale flow behaviour in non-homogeneous packings. Finally, the recent mechanistic approaches to flow modelling in packed tubes of low tube-to-particle diameter ratio have been discussed.     

Lipase-catalyzed alcoholysis of triglycerides for short-chain monoglyceride production

Lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens efficiently catalyzed the alcoholysis of various TG in dry alcohols. For TG with short-chain FA, more MG were accumulated. The yields of MG were affected by the alcohols used. The maximum yields of MG were as follows: 85% for monoacetin in n-butanol, 96% for monobutyrin in ethanol or n-butanol, 50% for monocaprylin in n-butanol, 48% for monolaurin in isopropanol, and 45% for monopalmitin in isopropanol. The MG produced were judged to be 2-MG by TLC analysis. The presence of organic cosolvent affected the reaction rate of the lipase-catalyzed alcoholysis of TG. For the alcoholysis of various TG in ethanol and cosolvent (1∶1, vol/vol), the rates had the following orders: (i) for tributyrin, hexane > toluene > acetone > ethyl acetate > chloroform > acetonitrile > pyridine; (ii) for tricaprylin, hexane > acetone > toluene > acetonitrile > ethyl acetate > pyridine > chloroform; and (iii) for trialurin, hexane > acetonitrile=acetone > ethyl acetate > pyridine=chloroform > toluene.     

Corrosion-resistant lightweight metallic bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells

Corrosion resistant treated metal bipolar plates with higher rigidity and electrical conductivity than graphite were developed and tested for PEM fuel cell applications. Six replicas of single cells were used three of which were made of graphite composites bipolar plates and the other three of the treated metallic plates. A Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) with 5.55 cm² active electrode areas, 0.3 mg cm^–2 Pt loading and Nafion membrane 115 was fitted to each cell and operated under identical conditions. The experimental testing was conducted at room temperature (20 °C). The average value of the data obtained for the three graphite cells was plotted. Similarly, the average value of the data obtained for the three treated metal cells was plotted on the same graph for comparison. Generally, the treated metal bipolar plate provided at least 12% saving in hydrogen consumption in comparison to graphite. This is attributed to the lower bulk and surface contact resistance of the metal used in this study in relation to graphite. The results of lifetime testing, conducted at room temperature under variable loading showed no indication of power degradation due to metal corrosion for at least 1500 hours.     

Biochemical,functional, and histochemical effects of essential fatty acid deficiency in rat kidney

The present study was designed to examine the effects of EFA deficiency (EFAD) on biochemical, functional, and structural aspects of the kidney in growing and adult rats fed a normal or EFAD diet for 9 wk after weaning. Food and fluid intake (FI), urine volume, and Na⁺ and K⁺ excretions were measured weekly from weeks 4 to 8 by placing the rats in individual metabolic cages for 24 h. At week 9, Li⁺ and a 5% water load, respectively, were administered at 14 and 1.5 h prior to glomerular and proximal tubular function studies, as assessed by 3-h creatinine (C_Cr) and Li⁺ (C_Li+) clearances. Hematocrit and urine volume; serum and urine [Cr], [Li⁺], [Na⁺], and [K⁺]; and renal FA distribution were also measured. Data [corrected to 100 g/body weight (bw) and presented as means ±SEM] were significant, at P<-0.05. Despite a similar ingestion of solids from weeks 4 to 7 (weeks 7 to 10 of life), the rats on the EFAD diet showed a decreased body weight from week 5. From weeks 4 to 8, Fl and urine volume were similar for both groups, but the Fl increased at week 6 in the EFAD group; 24-h Na⁺ and K⁺ excretions were similar at all weeks, except for an increase in the EFAD group for both ions at week 7. In the EFAD group, C_Cr and C_Li+ decreased by 27 and 56.3%, respectively (385.7±33.4 vs. 280±21.1, and 21.0±2.1 vs. 9.2±1.1 μL/min/100 g; n=9 vs. 10), the latter result suggesting increased proximal reabsorption. The 3-h Na⁺ and K⁺ excretions were similar, but the Li⁺ decreased (0.78±0.06×10⁻² vs. 0.32±0.03×10⁻² μeq/min/100 g) in the EFAD group, giving additional support to the suggestion. Renal structure was normal and similar for both groups, but the EFAD group showed a more prominent proximal tubule brush border, together with heavier periodic acid-Schiff staining in all specimens from weeks 5 to 9. In the EFAD group, FA of the n−9 and n−7 series were higher, but most of the n−6 series were lower as a percentage of total lipids in the medulla and cortex. Medullary levels of 20∶4n−6 were maintained, 22∶4n−6 declined twice, arachidonic acid was maintained, and 20∶5n−3 was lower. The EFAD diet affected glomerular function, proximal tubular structure and function, and FA distribution in the rat kidney.