On the Direct Addition of Amine N–H to Ch≡C Triple Bonds with Late Transition Metal Catalysts

The kinetics of the transition metal-catalysed direct addition of amine NH bonds to carbon--carbon multiple bonds (hydroamination) has been explored by in situ spectroscopic techniques. From an open mass balance it was concluded that an intermediate species was formed during the cyclisation of 6-aminohex-1-yne. This species was identified as the enamine 2-methylene-piperidine, which is the primary hydroamination product.     

Energy Saving in Industrial Wood Drying Addressed by a Multiscale Computational Model: Board, Stack, and Kiln

This article proposes a multiscale computational model able to calculate energy consumption in a batch lumber kiln. A dual-scale computational model of wood drying deals with the boards/stack interaction and serves as a basis for the present work. A new module was added here that calculates heat losses through kiln walls (convection, condensation) and the energy used by each kiln component (fans, heating elements, humidifier, vacuum pump, etc.). The corresponding mathematical formulation is presented and then theoretical results are compared to those collected in an industrial vacuum kiln. As application example, the effect of air reversal, air velocity, and kiln insulation are exhibited, which depicts the great potential and prospects of this new tool for energy savings in relation to the product quality.     

Modeling Condensation and Evaporation on Fruit Surface

Rewarming of fruits and vegetables after cooling is characterized by heat and mass transfer processes, which leads commonly to condensation of water on the produce surface at temperatures below the dew point. This effect may affect the produce quality due to microbial growth at unfavorable environmental conditions. The amount of condensed water is a function of the produce surface temperature and of the surrounding conditions as air temperature, air humidity, and air flow. Under practical conditions, both the warming and the condensation are strongly affected by the packaging system used. Depending on the flow conditions close to the produce surface, parameters of heat and mass transfer under laboratory conditions were measured. A mathematical model was developed for the determination of the amount of condensed water on fruit surfaces, its reevaporation, and its total dwell time dependent on the environment air conditions. The model describes the heat and mass transfer processes on single fruits. The process of diffusion of humidity in air and proceed of surface temperature is the basis for the model.     

Atmospheric Freeze Drying—Modeling and Simulation of a Tunnel Dryer

Drying is an important unit operation in processing of foods and other biotechnological products. Vacuum freeze drying is said to be the best drying technology regarding product quality of the end product, but the disadvantages are, among others, expensive operational costs and batch drying. Atmospheric freeze drying was introduced to lower the production costs of high-quality dried foods, and the need of simulation tools became important in estimations of the industrial drying processes.

A simplified mathematical model (AFDsim) is developed based on uniformly retreating ice front (URIF) considerations. The model is used to calculate theoretical drying curves of atmospheric freeze dried foods in a tunnel dryer. Studies of thermal and mass transfer properties during drying are essential for understanding the changes in product quality and for designing and dimensioning the drying process. The model can be used to simulate industrial atmospheric freeze drying of different foodstuff in a tunnel. The results from AFDsim modeling are in good accordance with the experimental results.     

Drying of Probiotics: Optimization of Formulation and Process to Enhance Storage Survival

This work describes how probiotic bacteria can be dried at low temperature in two steps, combining spray drying and vacuum drying, in order to enhance their survival during storage. A sufficient number of dried probiotics survived storage for more than 3 months at 30°C, if an appropriate combination of protein and carbohydrate was selected as carrier and storage conditions were maintained optimal. The use of soy protein and maltodextrin or skim milk and arabic gum resulted in the best survival rates of probiotics during storage. No evident difference was found between different spray dryer configurations, although a cocurrent flow was preferred.     

Screening of supports for the immobilization of pectinmethylesterase from acerola (Malpighia glabra L)

A partially purified extract of pectinmethylesterase (PME) from acerola fruit was immobilized on various supports: glass, celite, chrysotile, agarose, concanavalin A Sepharose 4B, egg shell, polyacrylamide and gelatin. In addition, reticulation with glutaraldehyde was assessed, as well as the use of gelatin in the presence of celite, glass and silica. The highest immobilization yields were obtained when the pectinmethylesterase was immobilized in concanavalin A Sepharose 4B (81.7%) and in gelatin‐water (78.0%). Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

A NEW APPROACH FOR THE CLASSIFICATION AND ENUMERATION OF UNIQUE REACTION ROUTES AND UNIQUE OVERALL REACTIONS IN MULTIPLE CHEMICAL REACTION SYSTEMS

The methodology of response reactions (RERs) introduced earlier from thermodynamic and kinetic considerations is used in this work to develop a new algorithm for the classification and enumeration of unique/direct reaction routes (RRs) and overall reactions (ORs). According to the RERs approach, a unique set of both RRs and ORs may be generated starting from any conceivable set of linearly independent RRs and ORs. In particular, the direct ORs may be most conveniently enumerated starting from the formula matrix of the terminal species (reactants and products), i.e., without any relation to the elementary reactions comprising the detailed mechanism. Depending on the type of ORs produced by the RRs one can distinguish between two distinct types of direct RRs. Namely, one option is to define a direct RR by specifying the intermediate species that need to be eliminated. This type of RR is referred to as Milner RRs. The other option is to require the direct RRs to produce RERs, thus resulting in RRs referred to as Happel-Sellers RRs.     

Biosorption of Phenol onto Posidonia oceanica (L.) Seagrass in Batch System: Equilibrium and Kinetic Modelling

In this research, the biosorption of phenol using the fibres of a Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) was studied. Batch experimental procedures were made to investigate the ability of this novel marine biomass to remove phenol from aqueous phase. The influences of pH and contact time at different initial concentrations were evaluated. The results showed that biosorption capacity was enhanced using solution pH equal to 5.2. The modelling results showed that pseudo‐second‐order and Redlich‐Peterson models were found to be the most suitable to satisfactory describe the kinetic and equilibrium adsorption data, respectively.     

Reactor modelling for electrochemical processes

This paper presents a relatively straightforward approach to the modelling of electrochemical reactors operated in batch or continuous modes. The models are based on ideal flow assumptions of either well-mixed or plug flow and incorporate reaction rate models based on electrochemical kinetics and mass transport at one electrode. General characteristics of the reactor models are described, particularly with regard to the need for good mass transport in metal recovery applications. An example is given on the use of the model in the recovery of a heavy metal (Cd²⁺) from an acidified solution containing Cd(II) and Fe(III) ions. The reaction rate model is based on experimental data.     

Oxidation of Silicon Carbide in Environments Containing Potassium Salt Vapor

At high temperatures in clean oxidizing environments, SiC forms a very protective SiO₂ film, but, in environments containing low levels of gaseous alkali salt contaminants or where condensed salts may deposit on the surface, the resistance of the film is significantly reduced. Oxidation kinetics of SiC were measured by continuous thermogravimetric analysis in a controlled environment containing CO₂, H₂O, and O₂ plus low levels of potassium-containing salts. Potassium was found to be incorporated into the SiO₂ scale and to significantly change its transport properties and its morphology. The rate of scale formation was found to increase directly in proportion to K in the scale. A change in mechanism was observed when water vapor was added to the reacting gas stream.