Controlled feeding of lignocellulosic substrate enhances the performance of fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis in a stirred tank reactor

High initial viscosity in the high-solids (>15% (w/v)) enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose is problematic especially in stirred tank reactor concepts. One potential way to avoid the high viscosity is the fed-batch feeding of lignocellulosic material to the reactor. In the current study the hydrolysis of filter paper with final concentration of 19.1% (w/w) was evaluated with different fed-batch procedures. Feeding was based on visual observation, stepwise feeding and the power requirement of the stirrer motor. All the fed-batch procedures resulted in similar yields within 30 h (47–49%) which were higher than with the batch process in similar reactor (38%). However, the mixing behavior was superior in the power based feeding as the instantaneous power of the stirrer motor was kept lower (<10 W) than in other fed-batch procedures (>20 W). The power controlled procedure was further evaluated with different enzyme doses, tip speeds and the power levels of substrate feed. Further study showed that the power controlled feeding is applicable also to other hydrolysis and mixing conditions if power levels of substrate feed are set correctly. Higher (15 FPU/g) enzyme dose caused shorter feeding time (3.0 ± 0.5 h) and lower energy consumption during the feeding period (14 ± 3 Wh) compared with lower (5 FPU/g) enzyme dose (7.0 ± 1.3 h and 33 ± 5 Wh, respectively). The tip speed and the power level of substrate feed had fewer effect on these factors. The performance of the hydrolysis process can thus be enhanced by the substrate feed controlled by the power of the stirrer motor.     

Multiscale mixing analysis and modeling of biohydrogen production by dark fermentation

Hydrogen production by dark fermentation (DF) from wastewater, food waste, and agro-industrial waste combines the advantages to be renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly. But this attractive process involves a three-phase gas-liquid-solid system highly sensitive to mixing conditions. However, mixing is usually disregarded in the conventional strategies for enhancing biohydrogen productivity, even though H₂ production can be doubled, e.g. versus of reactor design (0.6–1.5 mol H₂/mol hexose). The objective of this review paper is, therefore, to highlight the key effects of mixing on biohydrogen production among the abiotic parameters of DF. First, the pros and cons of the different modes of mixing in anaerobic digesters are described. Then, the influence of mixing on DF is discussed using recent data from the literature and theoretical analysis, focusing on the multiphase and multiscale aspects of DF. The methods and tools available to quantify experimentally the role of mixing both at the local and global scales are summarized. The 0-D to 3-D strategies able to implement mixing in fermentation modeling and scale-up procedures are examined. Finally, the perspectives in terms of process intensification and scale-up tools using mixing optimization are discussed with the issues that are still to be solved.     

Hydrogen mixing augmentation mechanism induced by the vortex generator and oblique shock wave in a scramjet engine

The mixing process between the fuel and the incoming air is extremely important for the engineering implementation of the scramjet engine. In the current study, the vortex generator coupled with the oblique shock wave is utilized to promote the hydrogen mixing process in a supersonic crossflow. The configurations of the vortex generator are put into investigation, namely typical ramp, split ramp and ramp vane. Some parameters are provided to evaluate the flow field properties quantitatively. The obtained results predicted by the three-dimensional Reynolds-average Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations show that the method of shock wave/jet shear layer interaction coupled with the vortex generator can effectively improve the mixing efficiency. Different vortex generator structures all have great effect, especially for Case SR (split ramp), with the mixing efficiency raised by 36.27%. The streamwise vorticity plays an important role in the mixing process.     

Flow field and acoustic characteristics of elliptical throat CD nozzle

The mixing characteristic of circular jet with elliptical throat is studied at different levels of expansion of the nozzle. Two kinds of configurations are studied in this paper, elliptical throat and circular throat jet. At all pressure ratios, the jet with non-circular throat experiences superior mixing than circular throat. The core length of elliptical throat jet is shorter than circular jet. Also, at all pressure ratios, the profile of both configurations looks identical in oscillation; however, the efficiency of the mixing promotion is high in non-circular throat. The promotion of mixing is most efficient at nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) level of 8. As the NPR increases, the core length of the jet reduces nearly 5–10% at each range of NPR. The centreline Pitot pressure profile of non-circular and circular throat shows that the decay of the jet from elliptical throat nozzle is faster than the jet from circular jet. At different levels of expansion, the shock structure shows notable changes with elliptical shape. The amplitude of screech frequency of the jet noise decreases with an increase in NPR. Introduction of elliptical throat to circular throat modifies the shock-cell structures, which significantly change the screech amplitude due to weakening of waves.     

Influence of feedstock preparation on ceramic injection molding and microstructural features of zirconia toughened alumina

Feedstocks for ceramic injection molding of ZTA containing 90 vol.% of sub-μm alumina and 10 vol.% of zirconia nanopowder were prepared by different processing techniques. Feedstocks were prepared by mixing in a sigma-blade kneader and subsequent homogenizing by twin-screw extrusion or shear roll compaction. Two other feedstocks were previously bead milled and subsequently processed by the same procedure. Compounding technology strongly influences the injection molding behavior and microstructures of the final product. Despite higher energy input of the shear roll compactor, powder agglomerates cannot be completely avoided. Pre-milling is effective to disperse and deagglomerate ceramic powders. Injection pressures of feedstocks from pre-milled powders were about 200 bar lower compared to pressures needed for non-milled feedstocks. Present feedstock preparation methods are feasible to produce homogeneous feedstocks, which strongly influence microstructures. In order to produce high solid loaded sub-μm/nm feedstocks, processing methods, pre-treatment and solid content have to be carefully chosen.     

Analysis of concentration polydispersity in mixed liquid–liquid systems

Inter-phase mass transfer for each chemical component is typically modelled with one material balance for the continuous and one for the dispersed phase. This approach contains inherently an assumption that the phases are well mixed at least locally. For the dispersed phase, this assumption requires that breakage and coalescence are significantly faster compared to the mass transfer, which is not necessarily true. It is important to carry out preliminary assessment whether the dispersed phase segregation is important and should be considered in subsequent modelling efforts, before embarking heavy multidimensional simulations where all possible dispersed phase variations are considered. In this work, relevant time scales are first defined and used for analyzing dispersed phase mixedness in liquid–liquid systems with mass transfer between the phases. Then appropriate dispersed phase modelling tools for the purpose are evaluated. Simple droplet number density based analysis is shown to estimate mixedness reasonably well. Furthermore, the drop number density approach is also shown to predict the average drop sizes with almost comparable accuracy than the full population balances.     

浅论铝用预焙阳极高温混捏成型新技术

本文系统阐述了铝用预焙阳极高温混涅成型新技术的产生背景、工艺技术路线研究及应用探讨,并结合相关数据论述了该新技术的成功运用。     

Measurements of fuel mixture fraction oscillations of a turbulent jet non-premixed flame

This work describes new type of combustion instability for which the 3-way coupling between mixing, flame heat release, and acoustics is modified by local buoyancy effects. Measurements of fuel mixture fraction are made for a non-premixed jet flame in a combustion chamber to assess the dynamics of mixing under imposed acoustic oscillations (22-55 Hz). Infrared laser absorption and phase resolved acetone-planar laser induced fluorescence are used to measure the fuel mixture fraction and then the degree of fuel/air mixing is calculated by determining the unmixedness. Results show acoustic excitation causes oscillations in the degree of fuel/air mixing at the driving frequency, which results in oscillatory flame behavior. This oscillatory flame behavior couples to the buoyancy and this in turn affects the mixing. Results also show that the mixing becomes less effective when the excitation frequency is increased or when the flame is present, compared to the non-reacting case. This work describes a key coupling mechanism that occurs when buoyancy is a significant factor in the flow field.     

Microstructure,thermodynamics and compressive properties of AlCrCuNixTi (x = 0, 1) high entropy alloys

Two equiatomic high entropy alloys, AlCrCuNi_xTi (x?=?0, 1), were prepared by an arc furnace. Their microstructure, thermodynamics and compressive properties were investigated in as-cast state. The AlCrCuTi alloy consists of a face centred cubic (fcc) phase, two body centred cubic (bcc) phases and an Al₄Cu₉-like phase, while the AlCrCuNiTi alloy contains an fcc phase and two bcc phases. Thermodynamic expressions based on mixing enthalpy matrix facilitate the thermodynamic calculation. The element Cr takes severe segregation during solidification and forms Cr rich phases in both alloys. The addition of Ni to the AlCrCuNiTi alloy inhibits the formation of intermetallic compounds and enhances the yield strength, compressive strength and ultimate strain, but degrades Vickers hardness.     

Passive acoustic emissions from particulates in a V-blender

Context: Regulatory agencies are recommending the development of process analytical technologies (PAT) to improve the efficiency and product quality during pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Objective: The objective of the research was to investigate the potential application of passive acoustic emission monitoring of a V-blender.

Materials and methods: Trials were conducted with sugar spheres, lactose or MCC in a V-blender. Vibrations from acoustic emissions were measured using PCB Piezotronics accelerometers with ICP signal conditioners.

Results and discussion: A wavelet filter was applied to the measured acoustic emissions to remove vibrations from the tumbling motion of the V-shell, allowing a focus on information about particle motion and interactions within the V-shell. The ideal sensor location was determined to be the lid of one of the V-shell arms due to the impact of the tumbling particles on the lid and transmission of the vibrations from other particle motion within the V-shell. The amplitude of vibrations increased with particle size due to larger particle momentum before a collision. The fill level and the V-shell scale also influenced the measured vibrations as particle motion was affected which in turn affected momentum. Changes in particle flowability could be detected through variations in the measured acoustic emissions.

Conclusion: The measured vibrations from passive acoustic emissions reflected particle motion and interactions within a V-blender demonstrating potential as a monitoring method.