Optimization of Biofuel Formulation by Mixture Design

With the full growth of energy needs in the world, several studies are now focused on finding renewable sources. The aim of this work is to optimise biofuel formulation from a mixture design by studying physical properties, such as specific gravity and kinematic viscosity of various formulated mixtures. Optimization from the mixture plan revealed that in the chosen experimental domain, the optimal conditions are: 40% for used frying oil (UFO), 50% for bioethanol and 10% for diesel. These experimental conditions lead to a biofuel with a density of 0.84 and a kinematic viscosity of 2.97 cSt. These parameters are compliant with the diesel quality certificate in tropical areas. These density and viscosity values were determined according to respective desirability values of 0.68 and 0.75.

Application of the Mixture Design to Design the Formulation of Pure Cultures in Tibetan kefir

To obtain the optimization formulation of pure cultures in Tibetan kefir, the influence of the different mixtures of five strains in the pure cultures in Tibetan kefir on the flavor components in fermented milk was studied using the mixture design. The regression model on microorganism composition and main metabolites was established. The results suggested that the predictable production of lactate reached the maximum of 8.16 g L-1, while the most predictable production of diacetyl, ethanol, and CO2 were 77.23 mg L-1, 4259 mg L-1, and 2.12 g L-1, respectively. Based on these, the response values that satisfied all expectations were optimized, and the most excellent combination was Lactococcus lactis 27%, Leuconostoc mesenteroides 37%, Lactobacillus kefiri 11%, Lactobacillus casei 10%, and Kluyveromyces rnarxianus 15%. With the aid of analysis software （Design-expert 6.0.5）, the formulation of pure cultures in Tibetan kefir can be optimized for several responses and the best formulation can be obtained.

Optimization of Proportion and Formulation Process of Jinweng Granule by D-Optimal Mixture Design

[Objectives] To study the optimal proportion and formulation process of Jinweng granule,the physicochemical properties of the optimal preparing process was observed. [Methods] Adopting the D-optimal mixture design method,selecting the mixing ratio of starch,dextrin,fumei powder and lactose as tested factors,and selecting the most significant factor between hygroscopicity,formability,solubility as the evaluation index,the optimal proportion of filler was examined by system experiments. Granularity,solubility,the angle of repose,and critical relative humidity( CRH) were used to evaluate the optimal proportion and formulation process of Jinweng granule. [Results]The optimal prescription of Jinweng granule is extract∶ starch∶ dextrin∶ lactose∶ fumei powder( 1∶ 0. 5∶ 0. 05∶ 0. 3∶ 0. 15),and the binder was consisted of 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose( CMC) slurry and 3% starch syrup. The CRH of the optimum formulation process of granule is 72%,and the fluidity,solubility and granularity were qualified. [Conclusions] The process model established by D-optimum mixture design has good predictability,and the granule prepared by the optimal proportion has good repeatability,and the granule proportion and formulation process is stable and reliable.

Simplex - Centroid Mixture Design Applied to theAqueous Enzymatic Extraction of Fatty Acid - BalancedOil from Mixed Seeds

A one-step method was developed to extract oil from a mixture of soybeans,peanuts,linseeds,and tea seeds using an aqueous enzymatic method.The proportion of the four seeds was targeted in accordance with a fatty acid ratio of 0.27(SFA,saturated fatty acid(s))∶1(MUFA,monounsaturated fatty acid(s))∶1(PUFA,polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)),and the oil extraction yield was maximized by applying the simplex-centroid mixture design method.Three models were developed for describing the relationship between the proportion of the individual seeds in the mixture,the fatty acid ratio in the extracted oil,and the oil extraction yield,respectively.The developed models were then analyzed using an ANOVA and were found to fit the data quite well,with R2 values of 0.98,0.93,and 0.93,respectively.The three models were validated experimentally.The results indicated that the ratio of fatty acids in the oil ranged between 0.98 and 1.12(MUFA∶PUFA)and between 0.26 and 0.28(SFA∶MUFA),which were quite close to the target values of 1 and 0.27,respectively.The oil extraction yield of 62.13%was slightly higher than the predicted value(60.32%).

Discovering optimal weights in weighted‑scoring stock‑picking models: a mixture design approach

Certain literature that constructs a multifactor stock selection model adopted a weighted-scoring approach despite its three shortcomings.First,it cannot effectively identify the connection between the weights of stock-picking concepts and portfolio performances.Second,it cannot provide stock-picking concepts’optimal combination of weights.Third,it cannot meet various investor preferences.Thus,this study employs a mixture experimental design to determine the weights of stock-picking concepts,collect portfolio performance data,and construct performance prediction models based on the weights of stock-picking concepts.Furthermore,these performance prediction models and optimization techniques are employed to discover stock-picking concepts’optimal combination of weights that meet investor preferences.The samples consist of stocks listed on the Taiwan stock market.The modeling and testing periods were 1997–2008 and 2009–2015,respectively.Empirical evidence showed(1)that our methodology is robust in predicting performance accurately,(2)that it can identify significant interactions between stock-picking concepts’weights,and(3)that which their optimal combination should be.This combination of weights can form stock portfolios with the best performances that can meet investor preferences.Thus,our methodology can fill the three drawbacks of the classical weighted-scoring approach.

Design Method and Performance for Large Stone Porous Asphalt Mixtures

Design method for large stone porous asphalt mixtures （LSPM） was analyzed to avoid the early distresses of semi-rigid asphalt pavements. Based on stone-to-stone skeleton structure concept, processes of LSPM gradation design was given. The gradation composite design for LSPM shows that the LSPM nominal maximum size （ N MS） should be larger than 26.5 mm, and the NMS sieve passing percentage should be greater than 50%. Through experiments and calculations on the volume properties of the aggregate, the range of aggregate gradation curve of LSPM was given. In terms of asphalt binder＇s normalized test results, MAC-70 and SBS modified asphalt were selected as the asphalt binders. The applicability of large scale Marshall Method and gyratory compaction method to shape specimens was investigated. Based on the asphalt mixture performance evaluation, the optimum asphalt content range （3.1%-3.6%）, the bitumen film＇s thickness range （13-16 μm） and the air void range （13%-18 %） were recommended. Finally, LSPM was tested by the laboratory performance tests including rutting resistance test, fatigue test and water stability test. The theoretic and practical analysis shows that LSPM has a good performance on water permeability, rutting resistance and reflection crack resistance.

Optimization of hydrogen production from agricultural wastes using mixture design

Hydrogen production from food waste,cattle manure,potato pulp and pig manure was optimized through using mixture design in this study.The synergic and antagonistic effects of the four substrates on hydrogen yield,substrate conversion efficiency and pH were evaluated.The results showed that the optimal proportion of food waste,cattle manure,potato pulp and pig manure were 61.6%,38.4%,0,and 0,respectively.Under the optimal condition,hydrogen yield of 21.0 mL/g VS with VS reduction of 29.4%and pH of 5 could be obtained.The interaction between food waste and cattle manure had strongest synergistic effects.Hydrogen was mainly produced by acetic-butyric metabolic pathway,and ammonification of protein played an important role in the maintenance of pH.

Impacts of climate change on optimal mixture design of blended concrete considering carbonation and chloride ingress

Many studies on the mixture design of fly ash and slag ternary blended concrete have been conducted.However,these previous studies did not consider the effects of climate change,such as acceleration in the deterioration of durability,on mixture design.This study presents a procedure for the optimal mixture design of termary blended concrete considering climate change and durability.First,the costs of CO2 emissions and material are calculated based on the concrete mixture and unit prices.Total cost is equal to the sum of material cost and CO2 emissions cost,and is set as the objective function of the optimization.Second,strength,slump,carbonation,and chloride ingress models are used to evaluate concrete properties.The effect of different climate change scenarios on carbonation and chloride ingress is considered.A genetic algorithm is used to find the optimal mixture considering various constraints.Third,ilustrative examples are shown for mixture design of ternary blended concrete.The analysis results show that for termary blended concrete exposed to an atmospheric environment,a rich mix is necessary to meet the challenge of climate change,and for termary blended concrete exposed to a marine environment,the impact of climate change on mixture design is marginal.

Design of Small Stone Asphalt Mixture based on Anti-skidding Performance

Small stone asphalt mixture（SSAM） was designed by Bailey method and coarse aggregate voids-filling method.The optimum asphalt content was determined by Marshal test.Surface texture depth for SSAM with different voidage,and the BPN of SSAM and SMA before after wet track abrasion were measured.The experimental results indicate that the surface texture depth increases with the decreasing of asphalt aggregate ratio.The SSAM with the optimal asphalt content has a good skid resistance.BPN of asphalt mixture decreases with the increasing of wearing time,but the extent of reduction is different.The reduction rate of BPN for SSAM is smaller than that of SMA,indicating that SSAM has a good skid resistance attenuation capacity.Finally,the other properties of SSAM are also evaluated,showing that the splitting strength and modulus and SSAM are higher than those of SMA,and the other properties of SSAM,such as high-temperature performance and water stability can also satisfy the technical requirements.

Sampling Designs with Linear and Quadratic Probability Functions

Fixed size without replacement sampling designs with probability functions that are linear or quadratic functions of the sampling indicators are defined and studied. Generality, simplicity, remarkable properties, and also somewhat restricted flexibility characterize these designs. It is shown that the families of linear and quadratic designs are closed with respect to sample complements and with respect to conditioning on sampling outcomes for specific units. Relations between inclusion probabilities and parameters of the probability functions are derived and sampling procedures are given.

Statistical optimization of stress level in Mg-Li-Al alloys upon hot compression testing

In the present study,a response optimization method using Extreme Vertices Mixer Design(EVMD)approach is proposed for stress optimization in a thermomechanically processed Mg-Li-Al alloy.Experimentation was planned as per mixed design proportions of Mg,Li and Al and process variables(i.e.temperature and strain rate).Each experiment has been performed under different conditions of factors proportions and process variables.The response,particularly stress has been considered for each experiment.The response is optimized to find an optimum condition when the contributing factors influence material characteristics in such a way,to achieve better strength,ductility and corrosion resistance.Estimated regression coefficient table for response has been observed to identify the important factors in this process and significantly high variance inflation factor has been observed.Most importantly,an optimum condition is achieved from this analysis which fulfills the experimental observations and theoretical assumptions.

Establishment and evaluation of O/W type-based microemulsion on crossbow medicine of the Miao ethnic group

Background:Crossbow medicine needle is a traditional external therapy.However,acupuncture pain,inaccurate administration,secondary infection,and poor patient compliance limit the application of specialty therapies.Since the most effective components of crossbow medicine are lipid-soluble,the crossbow medicine needle was prepared as an innovative O/W-type microemulsion to solve these problems.In this study,the crossbow medicine microemulsion preparation method was established and its quality was evaluated.Methods:A single factor and pseudoternary phase diagram,combined with a D-optimal mixture design,optimized the formulation of crossbow medicine microemulsion through particle size,polydispersity index,zeta potential,microstructure,and contents of benzoyl neoaconitine,benzoyl hypoaconitine,neoaconitine,periplocin,and methyl salicylate to evaluate the final prescription.Results:The best prescription for preparing crossbow medicine microemulsion is 0.1500 g crossbow medicine dry extract,0.1500 g isopropyl myristate,0.8625 g polyoxyethylene castor oil-35,0.2875 g ethanol,3.700 g water,and 5.1500 g microemulsion.The prepared microemulsion is an oil-in-water type with a clear and transparent appearance.Its average particle size is 19.83±0.78 nm,average polydispersity index is 0.15±0.02,and average zeta potential is−0.51±0.1 mV.The pH value is 5.17±0.02.The microstructure of crossbow medicine microemulsion illustrated a uniform distribution of spherical oil globules.The average contents of benzoyl neoaconitine,benzoyl hypoaconitine,neoaconitine,periplocin,and methyl salicylate were 13.34,113.05,43.45,628.27 and 27.93μg/g,respectively.Conclusion:The preparation process of crossbow medicine microemulsion is reasonable and feasible.The method to determine the content is accurate and straightforward,laying the foundation for further research.

Preparation and application of pharmaceutical wastewater treatment by praseodymium doped SnO_2/Ti electrocatalytic electrode

Praseodymium was selected as a promoter for SnO2/Ti electrode to improve the electrocatalytic performance by electrodeposition in pharmaceutical wastewater treatment; the micrograph and the structure were characterized by SEM and XRD. Mixture uniform design was used in the optimization of the electrolytic conditions; mathematical model was established according to the rate of wiping COD off, which revealed the relationship between the current intensity, time of electrolysis, the amount of doped Pr, and the ratio of area （SnOJTi：Al）. On the basis of the analysis of the empirical model, the optimized parameters had been obtained; the rate of wiping COD off was up to 94.9%, it decreased from 392 to 20 mg/L. Experimental results showed that the electrocatalytic performance of the electrode doped with Pr was superior for the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater.

Effects of Different Material Ratios on the Dissolution of Tongmai Pills

[Objectives]To study the effects of different material ratios on the dissolution of Tongmai pills.[Methods]Based on mixture uniform experiment design,the fiber,starch and grease-resin materials in Tongmai pills were proportioned.The contents of strychnine,brucine,paeoniflorin,calycosin,ferulic acid,hesperidin and salvianolic acid B in the solution were determined by HPLC,and the content of total flavonoids was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.The weight coefficient of index components was determined by analytic hierarchy process,and the SAS software was used to optimize the dissolution model and calculate the dissolution parameter T40.MATLAB was used to establish a mathematical model and realize the data visualization between material ratio and dissolution parameter T40.[Results]The mathematical model between material ratio and dissolution parameter was T40=8.93-5.31X1-5.83X2+17.67X1X3(X1,X2,X3 are fiber,starch and grease-resin materials respectively,r2=0.9706,P=0.01,RMSE=0.5696).[Conclusions]Fiber can effectively promote the dissolution(P<0.05).Starch can promote the dissolution,but the effect is not obvious(P=0.05).The interaction between fiber and grease-resin can inhibit the dissolution,but was not significant(P=0.07).

Development of a mixed fruit beverage and pulsed light treatment thereof to obtain a microbially safe and enzymatically stable product

A mixed fruit beverage was formulated according to D-optimal mixture design using apple ber juice(X_(1),45-59%v/v)-an underexplored fruit,carambola juice(X_(2),1-20%v/v),and black table grape juice(X3,35-40%v/v).The crisp overall acceptability(COA)from 16 semi-trained panelists and overall hedonic score(OSH)from consumers were estimated.The best formulation was apple ber:carambola:black table grape juices=59.0:3.5:37.5 v/v with COA and OSH values of 3.23(on a scale of 5)and 7.55(on a scale of 9),respectively.Further,the efficacy of pulsed light(PL)(18-30 W cm^(-2) for 33-167 s;total fluence 600-5000 J cm^(-2))and thermal treatments(90℃ for 1-5 min)were studied on various attributes of the mixed beverage.The beverages processed at 90℃ for 5 min(thermal treatment)and 5000 J cm^(-2)(PL treatment at 30 W cm^(-2) for 167 s)showed no microbial count with a complete enzyme inactivation.The thermally pasteurized sample(90℃/5 min)was more brown(browning index=70.15)than the PL pasteurized beverage(browning index=65.98).Interestingly,the PL pasteurized(5000 J cm^(-2))beverage showed 25%,27%,and 19% more vitamin C,antioxidants,and phenolic compounds,respectively,than the thermally pasteurized(90℃/5 min)beverage.The PL-treated beverage had a greater sensory appeal than the thermally treated beverage.PL-treatment can be an efficient non-thermal pasteurization treatment for ensuring complete microbial and enzymatic inactivation with maximal retention of nutritional and sensory attributes of the blended beverage.