Extended preservation of raw beef and pork meat by hyperbaric storage at room temperature

Hyperbaric storage (HS) was evaluated as a new food preservation methodology at room temperature (RT) for beef and pork meat, both minced and in pieces, and compared to refrigeration (RF) storage. The meat samples were stored at 50, 75 and 100 MPa and variable RT up to 60 days. HS at 75 and 100 MPa could not only inhibit microbial growth but also inactivate microorganisms. Regarding physicochemical analyses, an overall equal to better pH maintenance in HS samples was achieved, and similar colour differences between HS and RF were observed. Generally, similarities in moisture content and drip loss between HS (mostly 75 and 100 MPa) and RF were detected (tendency for lower values in the former and higher values in the latter for the higher pressure level). Protein solubility revealed a decrease of sarcoplasmic protein values during storage with a pressure level dependency in some samples.     

Predicting the thermodynamics of aluminum dross denitrification of flue gas

Existing alumina extraction and material production methods result in the formation of harmful ammonia gas or ammonia water originating from aluminum nitride (AlN) in dross. Therefore, in this study, aluminum dross was used as a denitration reagent to eliminate nitrogen oxides in flue gas and AlN in dross. Based on the proposed scheme, thermodynamic calculations were performed to investigate the denitrification effect and reduction of aluminum dross in flue gas. The results show that equilibrium concentrations of NO, NO₂, and HF in the flue gas were influenced mainly by temperature; their concentrations increased with an increase in the temperature, reaching 4.4 × 10⁻²⁰, 1.7 × 10⁻³⁸, and 7.0 × 10⁻⁸ g/m³, respectively, at 923 K. The Gibbs free energy corresponding to the reaction of CO₂ with Al/AlN in aluminum dross was −377/–120 kJ/mol. HF, originating from the reaction of NaF and water vapor, maintained an extremely low concentration of 6.99 × 10⁻⁸ g/m³ at 923 K. These results indicate that aluminum dross processing may clean the flue gas and increase the calorific value while eliminating the hazards of AlN. The results obtained herein will provide theoretical guidance toward new avenues of aluminum dross utilization.     

Effect of stoichiometry and Cu-substitution on the phase structure and hydrogen storage properties of Ml-Mg-Ni-based alloys

To improve the electrochemical properties of rare-earth–Mg–Ni-based hydrogen storage alloys, the effects of stoichiometry and Cu-substitution on the phase structure and thermodynamic properties of the ...     

Development of LTCC micro-hotplate with PTC temperature sensor for gas-sensing applications

Low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) micro-hotplates show wide applications in gas sensors and micro-fluidic devices. It is easily structured in three-dimensional structures. This paper presents the low power consumption micro-hotplates which were developed with PTC (positive temperature coefficient) temperature sensor and inter-digitated electrodes. The paper presents two different structures for micro-hotplate with platinum as a heating element. The PTC temperature sensor using two different materials viz. PdAg and platinum paste are developed with micro-hotplates. The simulation has been achieved through COMSOL for LTCC and alumina micro-hotplates. The temperature variation with power consumption has been measured for the developed LTCC micro-hotplates. The change in resistance of PTC temperature sensors was measured with micro-hotplate temperature. The aim of this study was to place a temperature sensor with the gas sensor module to measure and control the temperature of micro-hotplate. A SnO₂ sensing layer is coated on LTCC micro-hotplate using screen printing and characterized for the sensing of carbon monoxide gas (CO). This study will be beneficial for designing hotplates based on LTCC technology with low power consumption and better stability of temperature for gas-sensing applications.     

Changes in the physical properties of honey powder during storage

Honey powders produced by spray drying with the addition of Arabic gum and sodium caseinate were characterised in terms of the influence of storage time on the following physical properties: particle size, moisture content, water activity, bulk density, flowability and hygroscopicity. The storage affected those properties; after 12 weeks of storage, particle size decreased (except Arabic gum powder treated as a control sample), moisture content and water activity increased, hygroscopicity decreased. Changes in bulk density, particle size and moisture content caused the rise of Hausner ratio value; however, the powders were still characterised by a very good flow properties and low cohesiveness. The colour of reconstituted powders was also affected by storage; in most of samples, the darkening, reduction in redness and yellowness were observed. Colour parameters were the most stable in powders obtained with the addition of 2% w/w of sodium caseinate.     

基于DSP的多元数据同步采集与存储系统的设计与实现

从硬件和软件两个角度出发,介绍基于DSP的多元数据同步采集与存储系统的组成、工作模式以及功能的测试。系统主要由上位机和数字采集与存储单元组成,其中数字采集与存储单元的硬件部分包括电源模块,值班电路模块,数据采集模块,数据存储模块,时钟同步模块。系统采用DSP作为中央处理芯片,利用经过同步后的秒脉冲作为触发信号,实现同步数据采集。以CF卡作为存储介质,实现数据自容式存储。软件部分实现自检、同步、数据采集存储功能。经过测试,系统工作稳定,功能正常,同步精度在100ns以内。     

Methodology for optimization of pouring variables using bottom pour for low masses of SS304 (<300 kg) in investment casting process (case study)

Bottom pour ladles with stopper rod systems are commonly used in the metal casting industry. However, stopper rod bottom-pouring systems have not yet been developed for the lower thermal masses of alloys typically used in the investment casting industry. Large thermal masses used with bottom pour systems are typically limited for ladles larger than 700 kg and to certain alloys with higher fluidity and longer solidification time like cast iron, aluminum alloys etc. In this study, bottom pour ladle designs and low thermal mass refractory systems have been developed and evaluated in production investment foundry trials with 300 kg pouring ladle. The ladles system and pouring practices used will be described along with the results from the pouring trials for SS304 that represents typical alloys used in Investment casting industries. Optimization of the variables used in an experimentation using Genetic algorithm is also explained.     

Development of mobile miniature natural gas liquefiers

With increasing consumption of natural gas (NG), small NG reservoirs, such as coalbed methane and oil field associated gas, have recently drawn significant attention. Owing to their special characteristics (e.g., scattered distribution and small output), small-scale NG liquefiers are highly required. Similarly, the mixed refrigerant cycle (MRC) is suitable for small-scale liquefaction systems due to its moderate complexity and power consumption. In consideration of the above, this paper reviews the development of mobile miniature NG liquefiers in Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC), China. To effectively liquefy the scattered NG and overcome the drawbacks of existing technologies, three main improvements, i.e., low-pressure MRC process driven by oil-lubricated screw compressor, compact cold box with the new designed heat exchangers, and standardized equipment manufacturing and integrated process technology have been made. The development pattern of “rapid cluster application and flexible liquefaction center” has been eventually proposed. The small-scale NG liquefier developed by TIPC has reached a minimum liquefaction power consumption of about 0.35 kW·h/Nm³. It is suitable to exploit small remote gas reserves which can also be used in boil-off gas reliquefaction and distributed peak-shaving of pipe networks.     

燃气热水器在无回水管水路中实现零冷水的方案研究

本文分析了燃气热水器行业针对无回水管水路系统实现零冷水功能的现有技术方案,指出现有技术方案存在的一些缺陷,并结合试验研究,对无回水管水路系统提出了一套全新的实现零冷水功能的技术解决方案。