THERMODYNAMICS OF MOISTURE SORPTION IN ALFALFA PELLETS

ABSTRACT

Experimental data on sorption isotherms of alfalfa pellets were used to determine the thermodynamic functions (differential heat of sorption, spreading pressure, net integral enthalpy and entropy) of the pellets. The thermodynamic functions were then utilized in modeling the specific heats of pellets as a function of moisture content. The estimated values of the thermodynamic functions at different moisture contents confirmed the results of an earlier study on the influence of moisture sorption on the physical integrity of the pellets. The changes in the thermodynamic properties and physical integrity were prominent when the moisture of the pellets were between 0.10 and 0.12 (mass fraction basis). Using the differential heat of sorption, it was determined that alfalfa pellets have higher affinity for moisture uptake when compared to wheat and lentils. The specific heat of the solids of alfalfa pellets had a parabolic relationship with moisture whereas the specific heat of water fraction increased linearly with moisture content of the pellets.     

Mass Transfer and Solute Diffusion in Brined Cucumbers

ABSTRACT: The exchange of malic acid, lactic acid, NaCl, and sugar between cucumber and cover brine was monitored over a course of 16 days for 5 sizes of cucumbers. Experimental results showed that sugar exchange between cucumbers and cover brine was the slowest. In comparison to Ficks diffusion equation, the exponential equation better described the movement of solutes during the brine fermentation of cucumbers. Diffusion coefficient of sugar was estimated to vary from 1.80 × 10–9 to 9.18 × 10–9 m2/s. Solute sorption rate from the exponential model varied from 0.0204 to 0.233 h-1 and decreased with increase in cucumber size and solute molecular weight.     

Antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of sulphated polygalactans from red seaweeds Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria opuntia

Antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of sulphated polygalactans isolated from the red seaweeds Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria opuntia were acquired by employing different in vitro systems. The sulphated galactopyran motif derived from G. opuntia possessed significant antidiabetic properties as identified by α-amylase (IC₅₀ 0.04 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ 0.09 mg/mL) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4, IC₅₀ 0.09 mg/mL) inhibitory activities. Based on the detailed nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy experiments the sulphated galactopyran motif of G. opuntia was designated as →3)-4-O-sulfonato-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-3,6-anhydro-(2-O-sulfonato)-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-4-O-sulfonato-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-xylosyl-(1→3)-4-O-sulfonato-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-3,6-anhydro-(2-O-sulfonato)-α-D-galactopyranan, while the one from K. alvarezii was demonstrated to be →4)-4-O-sulfonato-(2-O-methyl)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-3,6-anhydro-(2-O-methyl)-α-D-galactopyranan. The sulphated galactans from G. opuntia showed greater anti-inflammatory inhibitory activities as determined by cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1, IC₅₀ 0.01 mg/mL), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, IC₅₀ 0.03 mg/mL), and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activities (5-LOX, IC₅₀ 0.24 mg/mL). This study revealed that the sulfated polygalactan enriched concentrate from G. opuntia can be used as potential therapeutic candidate to suppress the hyperglycemic response in diabetic conditions and inflammatory activity. They can be used to develop functional food ingredient in nutraceutical products.     

Viscosity and Specific Heat of Vegetable Oils as a Function of Temperature: 35°C to 180°C

The viscosities and specific heat capacities of twelve vegetable oils were experimentally determined as a function of temperature (35 to 180°?C) by means of a temperature controlled rheometer and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Viscosities of the oil samples decreased exponentially with temperature. Out of the three models (modified WLF, power law, and Arrhenius) that were used to describe the effect of temperature on viscosity, the modified WLF model gave the best fit. The specific heat capacity of the oil samples however increased linearly with increase in temperature. The equations developed in the study could be valuable for designing or evaluating handling and processing systems and equipment that are involved in the storage, handling and utilization of vegetable oils.     

Heat Transfer and Microbial Kinetics Modeling to Determine the Location of Microorganisms within Cucumber Fruit

ABSTRACT: Microbiological and modeling (combined heat transfer and microbial kinetic equations [HTMK] model) approaches were used to determine the location of microorganisms within cucumber. The total number of aerobes found within/on cucumbers varied from 10⁵ to 10⁷ colony-forming units (CFU) /g. The highest and the least amount of microbiota were respectively found at the blossom end and middle part of the cucumbers and were within the 1st 6 mm of the cucumber surface. A comparison of the calculated thermal death time from the HTMK model with the values obtained from experimental data showed that total aerobic microorganisms were located within 0.65 mm of the fruit surface.     

Modelling the Bulk Cooling of Alfalfa Pellets

Cooling of alfalfa pellets after being made is one o f the unit operations in the pelleting of alfalfa. Using the thermal properties and drying diffusion coeficient together with other properties reported in refereed journals. a combined heat and mass transfer model was developed for the cooling of alfalfa pellets in deep beds. The model utilized the distributed heat and mass transfer equations to describe the temperature and moisture of the pellets. The distributed model interacts with the cooling air through a convective boundary condition for the temperature and a time-varying exponential surface condition for the moisture. Coupling o f the heat and mass transfer processes was carried out at the surface of the pellet using evaporative surface condition. The model was validated with field experimental data from a double-deck crossflow cooler. The simulated pellet and air temperatures were within 5⁰C of the collected field data while predicted moisture from the model was within 0.3% o f the experimental data.     

Inventory Control Using A Service Constraint on the Expected Duration of Stockouts

This paper addresses the selection of a reorder point under a management-specified, maximum expected duration of stockout during a replenishment lead time. The cases of normal and Poisson demand are considered. In both cases graphical aids are developed, allowing easy determination of the reorder point so as to achieve a desired service level. The entire probability distribution of the durations of stockouts is also developed in each case.     

THERMODYNAMICS OF MOISTURE SORPTION IN ALFALFA PELLETS

Experimental data on sorption isotherms of alfalfa pellets were used to determine the thermodynamic functions (differential heat of sorption, spreading pressure, net integral enthalpy and entropy) of the pellets. The thermodynamic functions were then utilized in modeling the specific heats of pellets as a function of moisture content. The estimated values of the thermodynamic functions at different moisture contents confirmed the results of an earlier study on the influence of moisture sorption on the physical integrity of the pellets. The changes in the thermodynamic properties and physical integrity were prominent when the moisture of the pellets were between 0.10 and 0.12 (mass fraction basis). Using the differential heat of sorption, it was determined that alfalfa pellets have higher affinity for moisture uptake when compared to wheat and lentils. The specific heat of the solids of alfalfa pellets had a parabolic relationship with moisture whereas the specific heat of water fraction increased linearly with moisture content of the pellets.     

MODELLING THE INFRARED RADIATIVE HEATING OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS

Simultaneous heat and mass transfer equations were developed to simulate the infrared radiative heating of agricultural crops. The equations assume that moisture diffuses to the outer boundaries of the material in liquid form and evaporation occurs at the surface of the kernel. Energy for moisture evaporation is supplied by the infrared radiant energy. The equations were validated with experimental data on surface temperature and average moisture content of barley kernels. Average deviations of predicted surface kernel temperature and average kernel moisture from experimental data were 3.9°C and 0.6%(w.b.), respectively. These comparisons were performed using kernels having initial moisture contents of 12.2%, 17.C% and 23.17%.

Sensitivity analysis of process parameters showed that infrared burner temperature, distance of infrared burner from the grain bed, grain initial moisture content and grain heating time significantly affected kernel temperature. Burner temperature and burner height had no significant effect on grain final moisture content.