Amorphous and humidity caking: A review

Caking of products is a common and undesired phenomenon in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and fertilizer industries which leads to extra cost and irregular quality. In general, caking processes could be identified as amorphous caking or humidity caking. In this review, history of studying caking, formation, methods, and prospects of these two caking processes are summarized and discussed. The relevant studies from the 1920 s to today are mentioned briefly. According to the different properties(i.e. hygrocapacity, hygrosensitivity, mechanical properties, and diffusion behavior) of amorphous powders and crystals, the conditions and mechanisms of amorphous and humidity caking are discussed. It is summarized that glass transition, moisture sorption, quantitative methods characterizing caking, accelerated caking tests, and simulation of caking behaviors are the main aspects that should be studied for a caking process. The methods for these five aspects are reviewed. Potential research points are proposed including caking of mixed particles, caking with phase transition or polymorph transition,non-homogenous caking, and simulation of caking.

Experimental and mechanistic study on chemical looping combustion of caking coal

Under high-temperature batch fluidized bed conditions and by employing juye coal as the raw material,the present study determined the effects of the bed material,temperature,OC/C ratio,steam flow and oxygen carrier cycle on the chemical looping combustion of coal.In addition,the variations taking place in the surface functional groups of coal under different reaction times were investigated,and the variations achieved by the gas released under the pyrolysis and combustion of Juye coal were analyzed.As revealed from the results,the carbon conversion ratio and rate were elevated significantly,and the volume fraction of the outlet CO_(2)remained more than 92%under the oxygen carriers.The optimized reaction conditions to achieve the chemical looping combustion of Juye coal consisted of a temperature of 900℃,an OC/C ratio of 2,as well as a steam flow rate of 0.5 g·min^(-1).When the coal was undergoing the chemical looping combustion,volatiles primarily originated from the pyrolysis of aliphatic-CH_(3)and-CH_(2),and CO and H_(2)were largely generated from the gasification of aromatic carbon.In the CLC process,H_(2)O and CO_(2)began to separate out at 270℃,CH4 and tar began to precipitate at 370℃,and the amount of CO_(2)was continuously elevated with the rise of the temperature.

Caking property and active components of coal based on group component separation

The content and the caking index of the heavy,the dense medium and the loose medium components of coal,obtained by extraction and stripping with CS_2/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone mixed solvent(1:1 by volume),were studied and correlated with the caking property of raw coals.Images of the three group components after heat treatment were analyzed.The results show that both caking index(G) and maximum thickness of plastic layer(Y) of coals have a good linear relationship with the content of the medium component;the dense medium and the loose medium components are the two key factors to determine the caking property of raw coals-they are the source materials of fluidity and swelling of coal,respectively;the heavy component without the swelling and fluidity was cohered by the other components;two new indexes,which can extend current understanding of the caking properties,were introduced.

Synergistic reaction behavior of pyrolysis and reduction of briquette prepared by weakly caking coal and metallurgical dust

Co-carbonization of weakly caking coal and zinc-containing dust to prepare highly reactive ferro-coke and collaboratively recover zinc powder is one of the feasible ways for steel enterprises to recycle zinc-containing dust.The pyrolysis mass loss behavior of adding blast furnace dust with different zinc contents to different ferro-coke materials was systematically studied by thermogravimetry and differential thermogravimetry analysis,and the kinetic mechanism of pyrolysis-reduction reaction of hybrid briquette was explored.The results of thermogravimetric curve analysis show that the addition of zinc oxide to the sample has no significant effect on the mass loss rate of the sample below 580℃,and the pyrolysis mass loss of zinc oxide mainly occurs between 800 and 1000℃.Kinetic analysis results show that the pyrolysis of zinc-containing samples is controlled by chemical reactions below 580℃.The reaction at 580–700℃ is controlled by the nucleation and growth model,and that above 700℃ is mainly controlled by diffusion.The results of X-ray diffraction analysis show that the pyrolysis process can effectively remove zinc oxide from ferro-coke.

Modification mechanism of caking and coking properties of Shenmu subbituminous coal by low-temperature rapid pyrolysis treatment

Shenmu(SM)subbituminous coal without caking property was treated by low-temperature rapid pyrolysis(LTRP)to modify its caking and coking properties.The treated samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry,vitrinite reflectance,and X-ray diffraction to determine the modification mechanism.Moreover,caking index(G)and coking indices(mechanical strength,coke reactivity,and coke strength after reaction)were employed to evaluate caking and coking properties,respectively.The results showed that SM coal was gradually upgraded with increasing processing temperature.Furthermore,the G values for the treated samples were significantly higher than that for SM coal,and G reached the maximum value at 450℃,implying the modification of caking property and the existence of an optimum temperature(450℃).Additionally,laboratory coking determinations showed that LTRP increased the mechanical strength of coke and coke strength after reaction and decreased coke reactivity when the treated coals were used in the coal blends instead of raw SM coal.Overall,LTRP treatment is effective to improve the caking and coking properties of SM coal.A mechanism was proposed for the modification.Suitable upgrading degree with suitable molecular masses and some releasable hydrogen-rich donor species present within the coal,which dominate the development of caking property,is important.

Valorization of Camellia oleifera oil processing byproducts to value-added chemicals and biobased materials: A critical review

The C.oleifera oil processing industry generates large amounts of solid wastes,including C.oleifera shell(COS)and C.oleifera cake(COC).Distinct from generally acknowledged lignocellulosic biomass(corn stover,bamboo,birch,etc.),Camellia wastes contain diverse bioactive substances in addition to the abundant lignocellulosic components,and thus,the biorefinery utilization of C.oleifera processing byproducts involves complicated processing technologies.This reviewfirst summarizes various technologies for extracting and converting the main components in C.oleifera oil processing byproducts into value-added chemicals and biobased materials,as well as their potential applications.Microwave,ultrasound,and Soxhlet extractions are compared for the extraction of functional bioactive components(tannin,flavonoid,saponin,etc.),while solvothermal conversion and pyrolysis are discussed for the conversion of lignocellulosic components into value-added chemicals.The application areas of these chemicals according to their properties are introduced in detail,including utilizing antioxidant and anti-in-flammatory properties of the bioactive substances for the specific application,as well as drop-in chemicals for the substitution of unrenewable fossil fuel-derived products.In addition to chemical production,biochar fabricated from COS and its applications in thefields of adsorption,supercapacitor,soil remediation and wood composites are comprehensively reviewed and discussed.Finally,based on the compositions and structural characteristics of C.oleifera byproducts,the development of full-component valorization strategies and the expansion of the appli-cationfields are proposed.

Deep bed filtration model for cake filtration and erosion

Many phenomena in nature and technology are associated with the filtration of suspensions and colloids in porous media. Two main types of particle deposition,namely, cake filtration at the inlet and deep bed filtration throughout the entire porous medium, are studied by different models. A unified approach for the transport and deposition of particles based on the deep bed filtration model is proposed. A variable suspension flow rate, proportional to the number of free pores at the inlet of the porous medium, is considered. To model cake filtration, this flow rate is introduced into the mass balance equation of deep bed filtration. For the cake filtration without deposit erosion,the suspension flow rate decreases to zero, and the suspension does not penetrate deep into the porous medium. In the case of the cake filtration with erosion, the suspension flow rate is nonzero, and the deposit is distributed throughout the entire porous medium. An exact solution is obtained for a constant filtration function. The method of characteristics is used to construct the asymptotics of the concentration front of suspended and retained particles for a filtration function in a general form. Explicit formulae are obtained for a linear filtration function. The properties of these solutions are studied in detail.

Physical property improvement of fluid shortening using peanut oil-based diacylglycerols and their applications in sponge cake

Fluid shortening is an important ingredient in the production of sponge cake. Peanut oil with 0, 43% and 85% of diacylglycerol content was used as the base oil. Different emulsifiers, such as glycerol monostearate, soy lecithin and sucrose ester, and their respective amounts, were investigated. It was found that the addition of emulsifiers had a positive effect on water-absorbing capacity, air-absorbing capacity and viscosity of the oils. Glycerol monostearate was the preferred emulsifier for fluid shortening with a recommended addition of 1.5%. The effects of different diacylglycerol content on fluid shortening and their impact on sponge cake production was also investigated. The onset oxidation temperature of the oil could be increased from 253.21 ℃ for PO-TAG-based fluid shortening to 263.70 ℃ for PO-DAG85-based fluid shortening. And the increase in diacylglycerol content leading to a lower specific gravity of the batter, which was 1.06 g/mL, 1.02 g/mL and 0.98 g/mL prepared by PO-DAG, PO-DAG43 and PO-DAG85 shortening, respectively. The results showed that diacylglycerols can be used as base oils in fluid shortening to improve the crystal network and stability of fluid shortenings, thereby reducing the specific gravity of the batter and improving the structural properties of the cake. This will extend the potential applications of diacylglycerols and increase the variety of base oils available for fluid shortening preparation.

Mechanism and inhibition of trisodium phosphate particle caking： Effect of particle shape and solubility

We investigated the influence of particle shape and solubility on the caking behavior of trisodium phosphate by considering the adhesion free energy and crystal bridge theory. Caking of trisodium phosphate during the drying process under static conditions is a two-step process： adhesion followed by crystal bridge formation between particles. The adhesion free energy plays an important role in adhesion. Trisodium phosphate particles cannot adhere to each other and cake when the adhesion free energy is greater than a critical value, which varies with particle shape. Compared with granular particles, cylindrical particles have larger contact area between particles, which results in more crystal bridges forming and a higher caking ratio. Thus, the critical value is about 100 mJ/m^2 for cylindrical particles, but 60 mJ/m^2 for granular particles at 25 ℃. Concerning the solubility, when particles are similar shapes and soluble in the rinsing liquid, the caking ratio has a linear relationship with adhesion free energy. However, if the particles are insoluble in the rinsing liquid, caking can be completely prevented regardless of adhesion free energy because no crystal bridges form during the growth process. Hence, caking of trisodium phosphate particles could be inhibited by screening rinsing liquids, and optimizing the particle shape and size distribution.

Measurement and quantification of caking in excipients and food products with emphasis on the non-homogeneous interaction with ambient moisture

Whilst caking occurs via several different mechanisms,absorption and migration of moisture is frequently the most dominant mechanism within the food and pharmaceutical industry.Fully understanding the propensity to cake is important for minimising down-stream process issues,however most characterisation techniques assume that moisture induced caking occurs homogenously through the sample resulting in a uniformly caked powder bed.In this study,the effect of moisture induced caking on powder flowability was investigated using powder rheology.Several materials,including skimmed milk powder(SMP)and sulphated methyl ester(SME)were stored for several days under controlled humidity conditions.The flow energies,a measure of the resistance to flow,were measured at 24 h intervals using an FT4 Powder Rheometer.As the energy is measured as a function of the bed height,variations in the powder bed are also captured.The results demonstrated that caking does not always occur uniformly,instead a caked region(or crust)forms at the air-powder interface and then progresses through the powder bed.Furthermore,the strength of this caked region was shown to increase over several days before stabilising.

The Mooncake Gambling

Mooncake gambling is a valuable Chinese tradition with its origins in the Ming Dynasty,reportedly planned by the legendary explorer Zheng He.Initially crafted to entertain sailors during their extended sea voyages,the game also aimed to ease the homesickness experienced by Zheng He’s troops.Over time,this pastime has transformed into a beloved custom in the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Flow-Induced Clogging in Microfiltration Membranes: Numerical Modeling and Parametric Study

Microfiltration membrane technology has been widely used in various industries for solid-liquid separation. However, pore clogging remains a persistent challenge. This study employs (CFD) and discrete element method (DEM) models to enhance our understanding of microfiltration membrane clogging. The models were validated by comparing them to experimental data, demonstrating reasonable consistency. Subsequently, a parametric study was conducted on a cross-flow model, exploring the influence of key parameters on clogging. Findings show that clogging is a complex phenomenon affected by various factors. The mean inlet velocity and transmembrane flux were found to directly impact clogging, while the confinement ratio and cosine of the membrane pore entrance angle had an inverse relationship with it. Two clog types were identified: internal (inside the pore) and external (arching at the pore entrance), with the confinement ratio determining the type. This study introduced a dimensionless number as a quantitative clogging indicator based on transmembrane flux, Reynolds number, filtration time, entrance angle cosine, and confinement ratio. While this hypothesis held true in simulations, future studies should explore variations in clogging indicators, and improved modeling of clogging characteristics. Calibration between numerical and physical times and consideration of particle volume fraction will enhance understanding.

Valorization of Griffonia simplicifolia Seed Oil for Biodiesel Production: A Sustainable Alternative

Bio-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as mixtures of fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel), are promising alternatives for alleviating the adverse effects of fossil fuel consumption on climate change and preventing petroleum resource depletion. However, the selection of a viable feedstock for competitive biodiesel production remains challenging. Recent studies focusing on Griffonia simplicifolia seeds, the sole plant industrially exploited for 5-hydroxy- tryptophan (5-HTP) extraction, have shown that G. simplicifolia seed oil (GSO) can be solvent-extracted directly from ground seeds or the remaining seed cakes obtained after 5-HTP extraction with quantitative yields. This work documents the conversion of GSO into biodiesel through homogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification. The refractive index and density of the obtained methyl ester mixtures decreased with increasing oil-to-methanol molar ratio, reaction temperature, and time. Under specific conditions, 1.43 wt% FFA oil, 63.5C, 60 min, and 1:9 oil/MeOH molar ratio with 1.2 wt% NaOH or 1.3 wt% KOH as catalysts, optimal reaction conditions were reached. There were no significant differences in the potential for diminution of the refractive index and density between the NaOH and KOH catalysts. The predicted fuel properties based on the fatty acid composition determined by GC-MS showed that G. simplicifolia biodiesel exhibited a cetane index of 50.29, volumetric energy density of 34.97 MJ/L, cloud point of -1.03°C, kinematic viscosity of 4.07 mm2/s, and oxidative stability of 0.65 h. Apart from its unfavorable oxidative stability and slightly lower energy density compared to petrodiesel, all other calculated parameters met the current standards. The valorization concept proposed in this study should be integrated into the 5-HTP extraction process, preferably using the remaining dry seed cakes as raw materials to maximize revenue in a bioeconomic and sustainable approach.

Study on Extraction of Tea Saponin from Camellia oleifera Cake Using Water as Extraction Solvent

This paper studied the effects of liquid-solid ratio, temperature, time and pH value on the extraction rate of tea saponin from the cake of Camellia oleifera seeds by using single factor experiment with the cake of Camellia oleifera seeds as the raw materials, and water as the extraction solvent, and orthogonal test was used to determine the optimal extraction process conditions. The results showed that the extraction ratio of tea saponin could reach up to 95.50% when the liquidsolid ratio was 11：1, extracting temperature of 80 ℃, extraction time of 6 h, and pH value of 9.

Model and method of permeability evaluation based on mud invasion effects

The evaluation of permeability in reservoir assessment is a complex problem. Thus, it is difficult to perform direct evaluation permeability with conventional well-logging methods. Considering that reservoir permeability significantly affects mud invasion during drilling, we derive a mathematical model to assess the reservoir permeability based on mud invasion. A numerical model is first used to simulate the process of mud invasion and mud cake growth. Then, based on Darcy＇s law, an approximation is derived to associate the depth of mud invasion with reservoir permeability. A mathematical model is constructed to evaluate the reservoir permeability as a function of the mud invasion depth in time-lapse logging. Sensitivity analyses of the reservoir porosity, permeability, and water saturation are performed, and the results suggest that the proposed model and method are well suited for oil layers or oil-water layers of low porosity and low permeability. Numerical simulations using field logging and coring data suggest that the evaluated and assumed permeability data agree, validating the proposed model and method.

中秋月饼考

关于中秋月饼产生的时间和原因,有多种说法。经过文献考证可知,中国饼食的制作有古远的历史,而月饼的前身是汉代以来的胡饼。关于中秋月饼产生于唐代和宋代的说法都是没有确凿依据的。有充分资料证明,作为中秋节节令食品的月饼正式出现于明代,开始它是拜月的供品,后来才演变为节令食品。

Effects of Substrate Complexing Light Rare Earth on Growth,Cd Absorption and Organ Distribution of Sweet Pepper(Capsicum annuum var.annuum)

[Objective] The aim was to research effects of substrate complexing light rare earth on growth, Cd absorption and organ distribution of sweet pepper to pro- vide references for development of rhizosphere regulation products in farmland seri- ously polluted. [Method] In the test, effects of substrate cakes （at the same size） and light rare earth （in different doses） on growth, Cd absorption and distribution of green peppers under stress from Cd were explored with a pot experiment. [Result] When 40 mg/kg of rare earth was added into a substrate cake, plant height of pep- per seedlings and the dry weight increased by 21.52% and 11.11%, compared with control group; when Cd was at 5.19 mg/kg （a highly graded pollution）, the shoot biomass, olant biomass and dry weight of fruits all enhanced significantly, but root system changed little in the groups where substrate cakes were saved, compared with the group where the substrate cake was washed away. No matter RE was added into substrate cakes or not, root system was significantly inhibited by Cd stress （5.19 mg/kg）, but RE at proper dose improved growth of green pepper and had little effect on fruit yielding. In addition, RE had little inhibition on Cd content in roots. RE at 10 mg/kg promoted Cd contents in stems and leaves, but reduced the content in fruits substantially. The regressive equation of Cd content and rare dose in leaves was as follows： y=4E-05x%0.009 6x＋0.655 6, FF=0.542 6; the regression equations of Cd content in root, stem and fruit did not make sense. [Conclusion] The experiment lays foundation for further research on heavy metals rhizosphere complexing controlling.

Dielectric Analysis of Dynamic Fouling Behavior on Surface of Polyethersulfone Composite Ultrafiltration Membrane

A dielectric analysis model for the fouling layer on the polyethersulfone composite ultrafiltration （UF） membrane and solution system, which consists of the solution, concentration polarization layer （CPL）, and cake layer, was established by virtue of the interfacial polarization and the electrostatic field theory. The effect of some important parameters, such as the depth, conductivity of CPL, and cake layer, on the dielectric spectroscopy （or dielectric relaxation properties） of the UF system was discussed by the parameter sensitivity analysis and the dielectric measurement. The simulations indicate that the CPL can be created rapidly and the cake layer formation is the dynamic balance process of growth and erosion in the process of UF. The key factor affecting on the dielectric spectrum of UF system is the electrical properties of the CPL and the cake layer. In comparison to the results of dielectric measurement, the simulations indicate that the model proposed in this work is valid and reliable to some degree for describing and explaining the dielectric relaxation phenomenon in UF system. It is very important to further understand the fouling behavior of membrane surface and optimize the controlling techniques of membrane fouling in the process of UF.

Hygroscopic Behavior of Lyophilized Powder of Grugru Palm (<i>Acrocomia aculeata</i>)

The objective of this study was to determine adsorption isotherms and hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized powder from grugru palm. The powders of grugru palm were obtained by lyophilization process without maltodextrin (T1) and with 8% matodextrin (T2). The experimental data were obtained through the static gravimetric method at temperatures (25℃, 30℃, 35℃ and 40℃), with different saturated solutions of salts. The models of GAB, BET, Henderson and Oswin were fitted to experimental data. The values obtained for hygroscopicity were 7.68% and 6.86% and the degrees of caking were 0.33% and 0.09% for T1 and T2, respectively. Mathematical models of adsorption isotherms for grugru palm powders can be classified as Type III. The GAB and Oswin models represented better the behavior of isotherms for T1 and T2. Grugru palm powder showed an increase in the humidity of the monolayer Xm along with increasing temperature. The grugru palm powder demonstrated to be a non-hygroscopic product, non-caking features.