ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-31DOI: 10.3390/pr12040715
S. Rojas-Flores, Juan Vives-Garnique, Felix Díaz, M. De La Cruz-Noriega
{"title":"Sustainable Electricity Production Using Avocado Waste","authors":"S. Rojas-Flores, Juan Vives-Garnique, Felix Díaz, M. De La Cruz-Noriega","doi":"10.3390/pr12040715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040715","url":null,"abstract":"Agroindustry waste has exponentially increased in recent years, generating economic losses and environmental problems. In addition, new ways to generate sustainable alternative electrical energy are currently being sought to satisfy energy demand. This investigation proposes using avocado waste as fuel for electricity generation in single-chamber MFCs. The avocado waste initially operated with an ambient temperature (22.4 ± 0.01 °C), DO of 2.54 ± 0.01 mg/L, TDS of 1358 ± 1 mg/L and COD of 1487.25 ± 0.01 mg/L. This research managed to generate its maximum voltage (0.861 ± 0.241 V) and current (3.781 ± 0.667 mA) on the fourteenth day, operating at an optimal pH of 7.386 ± 0.147, all with 126.032 ± 8.888 mS/cm of electrical conductivity in the substrate. An internal resistance of 67.683 ± 2.456 Ω was found on day 14 with a PD of 365.16 ± 9.88 mW/cm2 for a CD of 5.744 A/cm2. Micrographs show the formation of porous biofilms on both the anodic and cathodic electrodes. This study gives preliminary results of using avocado waste as fuel, which can provide outstanding solutions to agro-industrial companies dedicated to selling this fruit.","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"28 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140358441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040709
Feifei Chen, Yong-gang Duan, Kun Wang
{"title":"Study on the Flow Behavior of Gas and Water in Fractured Tight Gas Reservoirs Considering Matrix Imbibition Using the Digital Core Method","authors":"Feifei Chen, Yong-gang Duan, Kun Wang","doi":"10.3390/pr12040709","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040709","url":null,"abstract":"Tight gas reservoirs possess unique pore structures and fluid flow mechanisms. Delving into the flow and imbibition mechanisms of water in fractured tight gas reservoirs is crucial for understanding and enhancing the development efficiency of such reservoirs. The flow of water in fractured tight gas reservoirs encompasses the flow within fractures and the imbibition flow within the matrix. However, conventional methods typically separate these two types of flow for study, failing to accurately reflect the true flow characteristics of water. In this study, micro-CT imaging techniques were utilized to evaluate the impact of matrix absorption and to examine water movement in fractured tight gas deposits. Water flooding experiments were conducted on tight sandstone cores with different fracture morphologies. Micro-CT scanning was performed on the cores after water injection and subsequent static conditions, simulating the process of water displacement gas in fractures and the displacement of gas in matrix pores by water through imbibition under reservoir conditions. Changes in gas–water distribution within fractures were observed, and the impact of fracture morphology on water displacement recovery was analyzed. Additionally, the recovery rates of fractures and matrix imbibition at different displacement stages were studied, along with the depth of water infiltration into the matrix along fracture walls. The insights gained from this investigation enhance our comprehension of the dynamics of fluid movement within tight gas deposits, laying a scientific foundation for crafting targeted development plans and boosting operational efficiency in such environments.","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"51 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140361858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040712
M. Jelali, Konstantinos Papadopoulos
{"title":"Inline Inspection of Packaged Food Using Microwave/Terahertz Sensing—An Overview with Focus on Confectionery Products","authors":"M. Jelali, Konstantinos Papadopoulos","doi":"10.3390/pr12040712","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040712","url":null,"abstract":"Electromagnetic systems, in particular microwave/terahertz sensing technologies, are the newest among nondestructive sensing technologies. Currently, increased attention is pointed towards their use in various applications. Among these, food inspection stands out as a primary area due to its potential risk to human safety. As a result, substantial efforts are currently focused on utilizing microwave/terahertz imaging as a tool to enhance the efficacy of food quality assessments. This paper deals with the exploitation of microwave/terahertz imaging technology for food quality control and assessment. In particular, the work aims at reviewing the latest developments regarding the detection of internal quality parameters, such as foreign bodies, i.e., plastic, glass, and wood substances/fragments, as well as checking the completeness of the packaged food under consideration. Emphasis is placed on the (inline) inspection of wrapped/packaged food, such as chocolates, cookies, pastries, cakes, and similar confectionery products, moving along production conveyor belts. Moreover, the paper gives a recent overview of system prototypes and industrial products and highlights emerging research topics and future application directions in this area.","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"41 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140364243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040705
José Joaquim C. S. Santos, P. Faria, Igor Chaves Belisario, Rodrigo Guedes dos Santos, Marcelo Aiolfi Barone
{"title":"Thermoeconomic Modeling as a Tool for Internalizing Carbon Credits into Multiproduct System Analysis","authors":"José Joaquim C. S. Santos, P. Faria, Igor Chaves Belisario, Rodrigo Guedes dos Santos, Marcelo Aiolfi Barone","doi":"10.3390/pr12040705","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040705","url":null,"abstract":"In the context of emissions, carbon dioxide constitutes a predominant portion of greenhouse gases (GHGs), leading to the use of the term “carbon” interchangeably with these gases in climate-related discussions. The carbon market has emerged as a pivotal mechanism for emission regulation, allowing industries that struggle to meet emission reduction targets to acquire credits from those who have successfully curbed their emissions below stipulated levels. Thermoeconomics serves as a tool for analyzing multiproduct systems prevalent in diverse sectors, including sugarcane and alcohol mills, paper and pulp industries, steel mills, and cogeneration plants. These systems necessitate frameworks for equitable cost/emission allocation. This study is motivated by the need to expand the scope of thermoeconomic modeling to encompass expenses or revenues linked with the carbon market. By utilizing a cogeneration system as a representative case, this research aims to demonstrate how such modeling can facilitate the allocation of carbon market costs to final products. Moreover, it underscores the adaptability of this approach for internalizing other pertinent costs, encompassing expenses associated with environmental control devices, licenses, and permits. Although certain exergy disaggregation models depict an environmental component within diagrams, which is integral for addressing environmental burdens, even models without explicit environmental devices can effectively internalize carbon credits and allocate them to final products. The integration of carbon credits within thermoeconomic modeling introduces the capability to assess both the financial and environmental implications of emissions. This integration further incentivizes the reduction in GHGs and supports optimization endeavors concerning system design and operation. In summary, this study delves into the incorporation of carbon market dynamics into thermoeconomic modeling. It demonstrates the potential to allocate carbon-related costs, facilitates comprehensive cost analysis, encourages emission reduction, and provides a platform for enhancing system efficiency across industrial sectors.","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140363399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040711
Zhiwei Wang, Rui Kang, S. Adilet, Guangrui Hu, Huanbo Yang, Guangyao Liu, Qingyu Chen, Yanwu Jiang, Kaiyuan Zhao, Jun Chen
{"title":"Optimal Design and Discrete Element Method Model Development of the Acute Angle Hoe Opener for No-Till System","authors":"Zhiwei Wang, Rui Kang, S. Adilet, Guangrui Hu, Huanbo Yang, Guangyao Liu, Qingyu Chen, Yanwu Jiang, Kaiyuan Zhao, Jun Chen","doi":"10.3390/pr12040711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040711","url":null,"abstract":"A specialized hoe opener was engineered for no-till systems to apply substantial amounts of wheat seeds and granular fertilizers, effectively suppressing early stage weeds. This distinctive hoe opener plants wheat seeds within a 120 mm wide horizontal band, positioning granular fertilizers precisely at the band’s center, all accomplished in a single pass. Notably, the design excels at covering the fertilizer with soil aggregates, compacting it through a wheat separator, and concurrently depositing wheat seeds from above. Our primary research objectives centered on achieving a consistent seedbed post-fertilizer application and ensuring a uniform distribution of wheat seeds within the horizontal band. The DEM (Discrete Element Method) was exploited to optimize the hoe opener’s parameters. Through extensive simulations and comparisons with experimental outcomes, an optimal wing orifice AB length of 60 mm was identified, effectively covering granular fertilizers with soil aggregates and achieving compaction through the wheat separator. Furthermore, parameters of the wheat seed separator’s hump were fine-tuned using the Box–Behnken algorithm, resulting in an optimal dimension of 40 mm for the top radius (A), 140 degrees for the top angle (B), and 90 mm for the bottom length (C).","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"9 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140361072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040704
D. Dziki
{"title":"Special Issue on “Current Trends in Food and Food Byproducts Processing”","authors":"D. Dziki","doi":"10.3390/pr12040704","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040704","url":null,"abstract":"The growing interest in healthy lifestyles has contributed to an increased demand for nutrient-rich foods, such as plant-based proteins, vitamins, and minerals [...]","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"52 28","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140363071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040707
Ping Zeng, Yong-Qiang Liu, Juan Li, Miao Liao
{"title":"The Aerobic Granules Process for Wastewater Treatment: From Theory to Engineering","authors":"Ping Zeng, Yong-Qiang Liu, Juan Li, Miao Liao","doi":"10.3390/pr12040707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040707","url":null,"abstract":"Aerobic granules are small, dense aggregates of microbial cells that form naturally in aerobic wastewater treatment systems. They are characterized by their spherical shape, strong structural integrity, and ability to rapidly settle. These granules are formed through a self-immobilization process where different microbial species coalesce to degrade organic and inorganic compounds in wastewater. This study summarizes the development of aerobic granulation technology in wastewater treatment and the mechanism of aerobic granules’ formation, analyzes the characteristics and the factors affecting the aerobic granules’ formation, and presents practical engineering examples of its application from pilot-scale to full-scale operation.","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"44 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140361908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040710
Ayrton Pablo Raiol Monroe, A. V. S. Silva, M. Melo, J. B. S. da Silva, R. R. Peña Garcia, M. Rios, W. Bizzo, Glauber Cruz
{"title":"Evaluation of the Bioenergy Potential of Blends (Green Coconut Shells and Fish Scales) as a Feedstock in Thermochemical Processes for Clean Energy Production","authors":"Ayrton Pablo Raiol Monroe, A. V. S. Silva, M. Melo, J. B. S. da Silva, R. R. Peña Garcia, M. Rios, W. Bizzo, Glauber Cruz","doi":"10.3390/pr12040710","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040710","url":null,"abstract":"Brazil is among the world’s largest producers of green coconut, which contributes to inappropriate disposal and socioenvironmental impacts. Concomitantly, some of its coastal cities produce a great diversity of fish and large amounts of solid waste. This paper reports on the use of samples of fish scales (100FS) and green coconut shells (100GCS) and their mixtures in 75%FS:25%GCS (B25), 50%FS:50%GCS (B50), and 25%FS:75%GCS (B75) proportions and quantification of their Higher Heating Values (HHV) and Lower Heating Values (LHV), and Ultimate (UA) and Proximate Analyses (PA). Their thermal behavior was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) were employed for analyses of their physicochemical and morphostructural properties. When compared to in natura samples, SEM images of the blends detected a structural disorder and a highly fibrous structure with an elongated chain and surface roughness. HHV were superior in samples with 100GCS (16.64 MJ kg−1), B75 (15.80 MJ kg−1), and B50 (14.98 MJ kg−1), and lower in B25 (14.16 MJ kg−1) and 100FS (13.03 MJ kg−1), with acceptable values for different biomasses. TG/DTG and DSC curves showed similarities among the samples, with the detection of their main thermoconversion stages. According to the data, the samples can be applied as renewable energy sources to mitigate socioecological illnesses and social vulnerabilities resulting from the archaic and inadequate management of solid waste.","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"48 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140363973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experimental Study on Yield Strength Variation Law of Casing Materials under Alternating Thermal–Mechanical Coupling Loads","authors":"Caihong Lu, Shangyu Yang, Jianjun Wang, Lihong Han, Xinbo Zhao, Yue Qi, Hui Zhang","doi":"10.3390/pr12040708","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040708","url":null,"abstract":"Unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, characterized by low porosity and permeability, often require multistage fracturing techniques for development. The high-pressure fracturing fluids with large volumes can easily cause alternating changes in both temperature and pressure within the casing. Using a theoretical model and field data from hydraulic fracturing operations, this paper calculated the alternating ranges of axial loads and temperatures in the reservoir section. Based on the calculation results, the temperature–load alternating coupling test of the P110 casing was carried out, and the tensile test was performed to analyze the yield strength variation law of the casing material. The results indicate that the yield strength, ultimate strength, and elastic modulus of casing materials are decreased under alternating thermal–mechanical coupling conditions. As the number of alternating cycles increases, there is an initial rapid decrease followed by a slower declining trend. Moreover, the tension–tension (T–T) cycles induce greater reductions in yield strength and ultimate strength than tension–compression (T–C) cycles. Meanwhile, under the same axial load condition, the higher the circulating temperature, the more significant the reduction in yield strength and ultimate strength. In essence, this is the result of the coupling effect of low-cycle fatigue and temperature aging. Finally, based on the experimental data, a yield strength prediction model of the P110 casing under the alternating thermal–mechanical coupling condition was established. The research results provide theoretical guidance for the safe design and material selection of a casing string under multistage volumetric fracturing conditions of shale gas exploration.","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"68 28","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140365186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ProcessesPub Date : 2024-03-30DOI: 10.3390/pr12040706
Carmen Branca, A. Galgano
{"title":"Kinetic Modelling of Biomass Pyrolysis Processes","authors":"Carmen Branca, A. Galgano","doi":"10.3390/pr12040706","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040706","url":null,"abstract":"Pyrolytic conversion is the only biomass exploitation route capable of providing solid and liquid biofuels, as well as platform biomolecules for sustainable energy sources and raw materials for bio-based products [...]","PeriodicalId":506892,"journal":{"name":"Processes","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140364390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}