Malolactic fermentation in winemaking: evaluation of operational parameters

Dissertação de mestrado em Bioengenharia

Operational parameters of soybean seeding in santa fe system

The use of no tillage system associated with the crop-livestock integration is an alternate managing that promotes the accumulation of dry matter in the soil, an essential fact to make the system sustainable and profitable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the operational performance of a planter-tractor set on maize straws intercropped with Urochloa, in different seeding modes. The soybean crop was seed on the intercropping of two forage species (Urochloa brizantha and Urochloa ruziziensis) in five cropping systems: MBL (Maize with Urochloa in the maize seeding row, mixed with base fertilizer and deposited at 0.10 m), MBE (Maize with Urochloa seeded between rows at the same day of seeding maize), MBC (Urochloa between rows of maize seeded with the covering fertilizer at the V4 stage), MBLA (Maize with Urochloa by broadcast seeding at the V4 stage ) and MS (Single Maize: control). The following variables were evaluated: dry mass of maize straw, dry mass of forages and total dry mass of straw; and for the operational parameters the speed of seeding, wheel slippage, traction force and average power at the drawbar. The results showed that the amount of straw produced by maize intercropping with Urochloa, interferes in the operational performance of the tractor-planter at the operation of soybean seeding, i.e., areas with higher amount of straw promote greater energy demand, as well as higher wheel slippage.

Influence of Major Operational Parameters on Aerobic Granulation for the Treatment of Wastewater

Effective solids-liquid separation is the basic concept of any wastewater treatment system. Biological treatment methods involve microorganisms for the treatment of wastewater. Conventional activated sludge process (ASP) poses the problem of poor settleability and hence require a large footprint. Biogranulation is an effective biotechnological process which can overcome the drawbacks of conventional ASP to a great extent. Aerobic granulation represents an innovative cell immobilization strategy in biological wastewater treatment. Aerobic granules are selfimmobilized microbial aggregates that are cultivated in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). Aerobic granules have several advantages over conventional activated sludge flocs such as a dense and compact microbial structure, good settleability and high biomass retention. For cells in a culture to aggregate, a number of conditions have to be satisfied. Hence aerobic granulation is affected by many operating parameters. The organic loading rate (OLR) helps to enrich different bacterial species and to influence the size and settling ability of granules. Hence, OLR was argued as an influencing parameter by helping to enrich different bacterial species and to influence the size and settling ability of granules. Hydrodynamic shear force, caused by aeration and measured as superficial upflow air velocity (SUAV), has a strong influence and hence it is used to control the granulation process. Settling time (ST) and volume exchange ratio (VER) are also two key influencing factors, which can be considered as selection pressures responsible for aerobic granulation based on the concept of minimal settling velocity. Hence, these four parameters - OLR, SUAV, ST and VER- were selected as major influencing parametersfor the present study. Influence of these four parameters on aerobic granulation was investigated in this work

Selection of operational parameters for the production of instant soy protein isolate by pulsed fluid bed agglomeration

The objective of this study was to select the optimal operational conditions for the production of instant soy protein isolate (SPI) by pulsed fluid bed agglomeration. The spray-dried SPI was characterized as being a cohesive powder, presenting cracks and channeling formation during its fluidization (Geldart type A). The process was carried out in a pulsed fluid bed, and aqueous maltodextrin solution was used as liquid binder. Air pulsation, at a frequency of 600 rpm, was used to fluidize the cohesive SPI particles and to allow agglomeration to occur. Seventeen tests were performed according to a central composite design. Independent variables were (i) feed flow rate (0.5-3.5 g/min), (ii) atomizing air pressure (0.5-1.5 bar) and (iii) binder concentration (10-50%). Mean particle diameter, process yield and product moisture were analyzed as responses. Surface response analysis led to the selection of optimal operational parameters, following which larger granules with low moisture content and high process yield were produced. Product transformations were also evaluated by the analysis of size distribution, flowability, cohesiveness and wettability. When compared to raw material, agglomerated particles were more porous and had a more irregular shape, presenting a wetting time decrease, free-flow improvement and cohesiveness reduction. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Operational parameters of soybean seeding in santa fe system

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Windrowing and prismatic baling of sugar cane vegetal residues: Some operational parameters and energetic efficiency

It was evaluated the energetic efficiency and operational parameters of a windrowing and prismatic baling, both from CASE NEW HOLLAND® operations in sugarcane vegetal residues (green leaves, dry leaves and tops) picked mechanically in green cane. The area belongs to COSTA PINTO MILL (COSAN® Group) which was harvested mechanically by combines in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The geographic location of the area is: Latitude 22°40'30S, Longitude 47°36'38W and Altitude of 605m. The variety was RB 82-5336, planted in 1.40m row spacing, with 78t.ha-1 yield. The vegetal residues analysis obtained 69.93% of leaves, 21.44% of stalks fractions, 2.27% of tops and 6.36% of total strange matter. The vegetal residues values were: gross heat of 18.43MJ.kg-1, low heat of 17.00MJ.kg'1 and useful heat of 12.94MJ.kg-1. The vegetal residues average energetic potential was 342.48GJ.ha-1. The treatments were simple, double and triple windrowing. The use of the rake and prismatic baler to pick up the residues was viable. The simple windrowing treatment presented the best results: effective capacity of 83.06t.ha-1, fuel consumption of 0.18L.t -1 and 99.95% of positive energetic efficiency. The bales obtained in the treatment of triple windrowing presented the largest specific mass average of 221.11kg.m-3. The soil amount in the bales increased with successive windrowing. The baling operation in the triple windrowing treatment obtained better results, presenting the effective capacities of 20.29t.h -1 and 1.45ha.h-1 and fuel consumption of for baled in 1.37L.t-1. The high total energetic efficiency of 99.53% indicates that is technically viable the withdrawal of the vegetal residues.

Windrowing and cylindrical baling of sugar cane vegetal residues: Some operational parameters and energetic efficiency

The objective of this study was to analyze the sugar cane vegetal residues collection, as well as determining its energetic potential, using a rake and cylindrical baler, both from NEW HOLLAND® under two different windrowing process (simple and double). The field tests were carried out in an area that belongs to COSTA PINTO MILL (COSAN® Group) in the city of Piracicaba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The geographic location of the area is: Latitude 22°4030'S, Longitude 47°3633'W and altitude of 605m. From the trash analysis, before the baling, the following average results were obtained: 69.93% of leaves; 2.27% of stalks fractions; 21.44% of tops and 6.36% of total strange matter. The estimated residues yield was 27.01 tons.ha -1 with a gross heat of 18.43 MJ.kg-1, low heat of 17.01 MJ.kg-1, useful heat of 13.32 MJ.kg-1, average moisture of 20.76% and an energetic potential of 494,875.09 MJ.ha-1. In the windrowing operations (simple and double) the averages of the 5 out of 13 analyzed variable presented differences between them in a 1% level of significance in the Tukey Test. The averages comparison of the results for bale's specific mass and the effective capacities (ton.h-1) e (ha.h-1) had been significant at a 5% level in the Tukey Test. The comparisons of the averages for the results had been significant to 1% level. The strange matter averages of the bales did not differed between them.

Zero-valent iron mediated degradation of ciprofloxacin - Assessment of adsorption, operational parameters and degradation products

The zero-valent iron (ZVI) mediated degradation of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) was studied under oxic condition. Operational parameters such as ZVI concentration and initial pH value were evaluated. Increase of the ZVI concentration from 1 to 5 g L−1 resulted in a sharp increase of the observed pseudo-first order rate constant of CIP degradation, reaching a plateau at around 10 g L−1. The contribution of adsorption to the overall removal of CIP and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was evaluated after a procedure of acidification to pH 2.5 with sulfuric acid and sonication for 2 min. Adsorption increased as pH increased, while degradation decreased, showing that adsorption is not important for degradation. Contribution of adsorption was much more important for DOC removal than for CIP. Degradation of CIP resulted in partial defluorination since the fluoride measured corresponded to 34% of the theoretical value after 120 min of reaction. Analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry showed the presence of products of hydroxylation on both piperazine and quinolonic rings generating fluorinated and defluorinated compounds as well as a product of the piperazine ring cleavage.

Operational characteristics of four metering systems for agricultural fertilizers and amendments

The use of fertilizers and solid amendments in agriculture generates special interest for their effect on crop productivity, as well as for their environmental impact. The efficient use of these products demands knowing their physical and mechanical properties, the storing conditions effect and the operational characteristics of the metering systems used in the fertilizing equipment. In this context, the present study was developed with the purpose of evaluating the operational characteristics of different fertilizing metering systems and to determine the adequate metering system-product operational parameters, using powder lime, powder gypsum, granular 10-30-10 (N-P-K), and granular urea. Operational differences were established among four types of commercial fertilizer metering systems, including wire auger, star-shaped feed wheel, feed screw and ridged traction wheel. The study found that the unloading rate depends directly on the fertilizer metering system's rotating speed and is affected by particle size, repose angle, bulk density and moisture content of the applied product. The wire auger and star-shaped feed wheel metering systems were adequate for the distribution of powder products and the feed screw for granulated fertilizers. Furthermore, theoretical and experimental characteristic equations were established, defining curves for calibration and handling of the products plus the rotating speed range in which a better distributing behavior was achieved.

Comparative field test between two sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) harvesters under two different operational conditions in Brazil

The sugar cane crop is one of the main products in Brazil and according to several authors can generate, besides the industrialized stalks, an amount of crop residues from the order of 15 to 30 % in weight of the aerial part of the plants, depending on the field conditions. The sugar cane area in Brazil is around 5.5×106 hectares, with an amount of 400.106 tons of stalks, with stalks yield of 72 tons.ha-1. This study took place in a sugar cane plot (Latitude 22°46'S, Longitude 47°23'W and 600m of altitude) with 3% of slope, located in São Paulo State. The sugar cane variety was SP 80-1816, in its forth cut, 11 months old and with a planted row spacing of 1.40 m. By other side, several sugar mills are bringing the crop residue to their patio to produce energy with the bagasse. One choice is to bring the crop residue at the same moment with the stalks, avoiding the next operation of baling it. The objective of this study was to analyze some operational parameters of two different sugar cane harvesters under the same field conditions, which was divided in four treatments: T1 = CAMECO CHT2500B operating normally; T2 = CAMECO CHT2500B operating without the cleaning system; T3 = CASE 7700 operating normally; T4 = CASE 7700 operating without the cleaning system. The results obtained were: Table presented CEB = Gross effective capacity; CEL = Net effective capacity. The conclusion is that under normal operation the CASE harvester worked better then CAMECO in the parameters CEL stalks and Manipulation efficiency. And without the cleaning system operating CASE also worked better in the parameters of CEB raw material, CEB stalks, CEL raw material and CEL stalks.

TiO2-Photocatalyzed degradation of phenol in saline media in an annular reactor: hydrodynamics, lumped kinetics, intermediates, and acute toxicity

The photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous suspensions of TiO2 under different salt concentrations in an annular reactor has been investigated. In all cases, complete removal of phenol and mineralization degrees above 90% were achieved. The reactor operational parameters were optimized and its hydrodynamics characterized in order to couple mass balance equations with kinetic ones. The photodegradation of the organics followed a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson lumped kinetics. From GC/MS analyses, several intermediates formed during oxidation have been identified. The main ones were catechol, hydroquinone, and 3-phenyl-2-propenal, in this order. The formation of negligible concentrations of 4-chlorophenol was observed only in high salinity medium. Acute toxicity was determined by using Artemia sp. as the test organism, which indicated that intermediate products were all less toxic than phenol and a significant abatement of the overall toxicity was accomplished, regardless of the salt concentration.

Treatment of wastewater from a cotton dyeing process with UV/H(2)O(2) using a photoreactor covered with reflective material

Wastewater containing several dyes, including sulfur black from the dyeing process in a textile mill, was treated using a UV/H(2)O(2) process. The wastewater was characterized by a low BOD/ COD ratio, intense color and high acute toxicity to the algae species Pseudokirchneriella subcaptata. The influence of the pH and H(2)O(2) concentration on the treatment process was evaluated by a full factorial design 2(2) with three replicates of the central experiment. The removal of aromatic compounds and color was improved by an increase in the H(2)O(2) concentration and a decrease in pH. The best results were obtained at pH 5.0 and 6 g L(-1). With these conditions and 120 min of UV irradiation, the removal of the color, aromatic compounds and COD were 74.1, 55.1 and 44.8%, respectively. Under the same conditions, but using a photoreactor covered with aluminum foil, the removal of the color, aromatic compounds and COD were 92.0, 77.6 and 59.4%, respectively. Moreover, the use of aluminum foil reduced the cost of the treatment by 40.8%. These results suggest the potential application of reflective materials as a photoreactor accessory to reduce electric energy consumption during the UV/H(2)O(2) process.

Projecting mammographic screens

Objective-The purpose of mammographic screening is to reduce mortality from breast cancer. This study describes a method for projecting the number of screens to be performed by a mammographic screening programme, and applies this method in the context of New South Wales, Australia. Method-The total number of mammographic screens was projected as the sum of initial screens and re-screens, and is based on projections of the population, rates of new recruitment, rates of attrition within the programme, and the mix of screening intervals. The baseline scenario involved: 70% participation of women aged 50-69 years, 90% return rate for the second and subsequent re-screens, 5% annual screens (95% biennial screens), and a specified population projection. The results were assessed with respect to variations in these assumptions. Results-The projections were strongly influenced by: the rate of screening of the target age group; the proportion of women re-screened annually; and the rates of attrition within the programme. Although demographic change had a notable effect, there was little difference between different population projections. Standard assumptions about attrition within the programme suggest that the current target participation rates in NSW may not be achieved in the long term. Conclusions-A practical model for projecting mammographic screens for populations is described which is capable of forecasting the number of screens under different scenarios. Implications-Projections of mammographic screens provide important information for the planning and financing of equipment and personnel, and for testing the effects of variations in important operational parameters. Re-screening attrition is an important contributor to screening viability.

A novel application of microwave-assisted extraction of polyphenols from brewer’s spent grain with HPLC-DAD-MS analysis

This paper reports a novel application of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of polyphenols from brewer’s spent grains (BSG). A 24 orthogonal composite design was used to obtain the optimal conditions of MAE. The influence of the MAE operational parameters (extraction time, temperature, solvent volume and stirring speed) on the extraction yield of ferulic acid was investigated through response surface methodology. The results showed that the optimal conditions were 15 min extraction time, 100 °C extraction temperature, 20 mL of solvent, and maximum stirring speed. Under these conditions, the yield of ferulic acid was 1.31±0.04% (w/w), which was fivefold higher than that obtained with conventional solid–liquid extraction techniques. The developed new extraction method considerably reduces extraction time, energy and solvent consumption, while generating fewer wastes. HPLC-DADMS analysis indicated that other hydroxycinnamic acids and several ferulic acid dehydrodimers, as well as one dehydrotrimer were also present, confirming that BSG is a valuable source of antioxidant compounds.