Machine learning-driven optimization of plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane

This study investigates the dry reformation of methane(DRM)over Ni/Al_(2)O_(3)catalysts in a dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)non-thermal plasma reactor.A novel hybrid machine learning(ML)model is developed to optimize the plasma-catalytic DRM reaction with limited experimental data.To address the non-linear and complex nature of the plasma-catalytic DRM process,the hybrid ML model integrates three well-established algorithms:regression trees,support vector regression,and artificial neural networks.A genetic algorithm(GA)is then used to optimize the hyperparameters of each algorithm within the hybrid ML model.The ML model achieved excellent agreement with the experimental data,demonstrating its efficacy in accurately predicting and optimizing the DRM process.The model was subsequently used to investigate the impact of various operating parameters on the plasma-catalytic DRM performance.We found that the optimal discharge power(20 W),CO_(2)/CH_(4)molar ratio(1.5),and Ni loading(7.8 wt%)resulted in the maximum energy yield at a total flow rate of∼51 mL/min.Furthermore,we investigated the relative significance of each operating parameter on the performance of the plasma-catalytic DRM process.The results show that the total flow rate had the greatest influence on the conversion,with a significance exceeding 35%for each output,while the Ni loading had the least impact on the overall reaction performance.This hybrid model demonstrates a remarkable ability to extract valuable insights from limited datasets,enabling the development and optimization of more efficient and selective plasma-catalytic chemical processes.

Complex Processing of Pulverized Fly Ash by Dry Separation Methods

Pulverized fly ash (PFA) is produced about 500 billions tons every year in the world in a result of coals combustion. Most of the fly ash collected in power plants is disposed by deposition in landfills, situated as a rule near big cities with well developed infrastructure and high cost of land. Moreover, the pollution of environmental by fine solid wastes is inevitable and takes place in area of residing of a basic part of the population. The only solution is a complex processing of fine wastes with a production of value added materials. New conception of complex processing of PFA is proposed on the base of facilities of Electro-mass-classifier (EMC) and other techniques. The characterization of separated fractions was carried out by SEM and optic microscopy, XRD, laser diffraction, M?ssbauer spectroscopy and other methods. A fine fraction of glass microspheres presents the main interest as filler in various materials.

Application of single neuron adaptive PID controller during the process of timber drying

The paper presents a method of using single neuron adaptive PID control for adjusting system or servo system to implement timber drying process control, which combines the thought of parameter adaptive PID control and the character of neural network on exactly describing nonlinear and uncertainty dynamic process organically. The method implements functions of adaptive and self-learning by adjusting weighting parameters. Adaptive neural network can make some output trail given hoping value to decouple in static state. The simulation result indicates the validity, veracity and robustness of the method used in the timber drying process

Experimental study on shrinkage and rehydration of seed during drying process

Biomaterial will shrink during the drying process. The characteristics of shrinkage and rehydration of fresh peas were studied. Drying curves, shrinkage and rehydration curves of peas without seed coats and whole peas were compared. In addition, different volumetric shrinkage coefficients were obtained and discussed. The results show that seed coats resist moisture movement not only from inside to outside but also from outside to inside during different drying conditions. During a seed’s drying process, the drying curve is similar to the shrinkage curve. The higher the heat flux is, the less drying time is needed, and in the meantime, volume would shrink more and more intensively. Dried media will break easily at high heat flux. When we create a drying regime, both drying speed and the quality of dried media should be considered.

Optimization of Drying Process for Plasma Protein from Tibetan Sheep

Fresh blood of Tibetan sheep was subjected to protein separation and spray drying, and the effects of drying process on water content, yield and nitrogen soluble index of plasma powder from blood of Tibetan sheep were investigated. The results showed that the optimum separation parameters were a centrifugal speed at 6 000 r/min, centrifugal time of 20 min, a mass fraction of dry matter of 20%, an inlet air temperature at 180 ℃ and a feed rate at 400 ml/h, under which the plasma protein was a pale yellow powdery solid, indicating a good separation effect.

Influences of fractional separation on the structure and reactivity of wheat straw cellulose for producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

High-efficient production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF),a“sleeping giant”in sustainable chemistry,from cellulose depends significantly on the effective separation of cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass.Herein,we report the fractional separation of wheat straw cellulose(WSC)from wheat straw under solvothermal conditions using a mixed solvent of γ-valerolactone(GVL)and H_(2)O as the separating solvent,wherein the impacts of fractional separation parameters(solvent composition,temperature,and time)on removals of lignin and hemicellulose as well as purity and recovery of cellulose were studied by a Box-Behnken Design of response surface method.The optimization of the solvothermal parameters enabled an optimal fractional separation condition(V_(GVL):~60.0%,T:205℃,t:~1.7 h)that led to a higher purity(89.4%)and recovery(86.7%)of cellulose in WSC.A further correlation of the removals of lignin and hemicellulose as well as purity and recovery of cellulose with the yield of HMF excluded an independent influence of the above factors.Instead,a comprehensive contribution of high fractional separation efficiency(defined as the product of cellulose purity and recovery)and low crystallinity of WSC was found to improve the HMF yield.However,the heat-and freeze-dryings of WSC after the solvothermal separation were found to lower the HMF molar yield because it re-improved the crystallinity of WSC.A high HMF molar yield of 58.6%was achieved after reacting wet-WSC in a mixed solvent of 1,4-dioxane and H_(2)O at 180℃for 20 min,which was 1.5 fold higher than that from microcrystalline cellulose.This work highlights the importance of enhancing the fractional separation efficiency of cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass while avoiding the drying process for future HMF biorefinery.

Second-order difference scheme for a nonlinear model of wood drying process

A numerical simulation for a model of wood drying process is considered. The model is given by a couple of nonlinear differential equations. One is a nonlinear parabolic equation and the other one is a nonlinear ordinary equation. A difference scheme is derived by the method of reduction of order. First, a new variable is introduced and the original problem is rewritten into a system of the first-order differential equations. Secondly, a difference scheme is constructed for the later problem. The solvability, stability and convergence of the difference scheme are proved by the energy method. The convergence order of the difference scheme is secondorder both in time and in space. A prior error estimate is put forward. The new variable is put aside to reduce the computational cost. A numerical example testifies the theoretical result.

Simulation of Wetting and Drying Processes in A Depth Integrated Shallow Water Flow Model by Slot Method

A particular porosity method named ＂slot method＂ is implemented in a depth-integrated shallow water flow model （DIVAST） to simulate wetting and drying processes. Discussed is the relationship between the shape factors of the ＂slot＂ and the preset depth used in ＂wetting-drying＂ algorithm. Two typical tests are conducted to examine the performance of the method with the effect of the shape factors of the ＂slot＂ being checked in detail in the first test. Numerical results demonstrate that： 1 ） no additional effort to improve the finite difference scheme is needed to implement ＂slot method＂ in DIVAST, and 2） ＂slot method＂ will simulate wetting and diying processes correctly if the shape factors of the ＂slot＂ being selected properly.

Bacterial Cellulose-Silver Antibacterial Composites：Effects of Drying Processes of Bacterial Cellulose

A type of antibacterial bacterial cellulose(BC) film was prepared for potential uses as wound dressing.In order to obtain a high antibacterial effect,some forms of BC films,including the wet and dried ones were utilized as the template to in situ synthesize silver nanoparticles(AgNPs).The effects of drying methods including freeze-drying,heat drying and air drying,on the microstructures and physical properties of BC,as well as the silver contents and the antibacterial performances of the BC/AgNPs composites were investigated.It was found that the AgNPs impregnated on the dried BC films were inclined to achieve a faster silver releasing rate than the wet one,which was suitable for acute traumas treatment.

Green and Effective Ammonium Carbonate-assisted Process for Drying Hemicellulose Obtained through Alkali Extraction of Bleached Bamboo Kraft Pulp

Hemicellulose has a wide range of applications,including that as an emulsifier for the food industry and raw material for the synthesis of bioethanol/biochemicals and biodegradable films.Hemicellulose is usually present as a spent liquor,such as the prehydrolysis liquor of the prehydrolysis kraft dissolving pulp production process and the alkali extraction liquor of the cold caustic extraction of pulp fibers.Due to its dilute nature,hemicellulose needs to be dried for practical utilization,and this is challenging.In this study,cellulose and hemicellulose in a bleached bamboo kraft pulp were separated using an alkali extraction process.Hemicellulose obtained from the extraction liquor was dried by an ammonium carbonate-assisted drying process.The effects of drying time and drying temperature were determined.Structure of the hemicellulose obtained by the ammonium carbonate-assisted drying process was similar to that of original hemicellulose,as revealed by detailed Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction analyses.The novel drying method was more energy efficient and required a shorter drying time than the conventional freeze drying method,and the excellent solubility in alkaline solutions favored the chemical modification of hemicellulose.The dried hemicellulose can be used as a renewable raw material for the preparation of hydrogels and other substances such as bioethanol/biochemicals and biodegradable films.

KAOLIN CLAY PURIFICATION BY DRY HIGH GRADIENT MAGNETIC SEPARATION

A new method-dry High Gradient Magnetic Separation （HGMS）-to remove iron from ultrafine kaolin powder is described. A new kind of disperser, which breaks down the particle clusters in the powder by high speed gas flow from an air compressor, is used to completely disperse the powders. The dispersed particles are passed through vibrating HGMS by a vacuum pump to remove the iron. The magnetic and nonmagnetic fractions are separately collected by cloth collectors. Dry HGMS laboratory experiments are carried out. A product containing 0.90％ Fe2O3 was obtained, and the recovery was 70％.

Effect of Different Drying Processes on Active Ingredients of Rheum officinale Baill.

[Objectives]To determine the drying process of different functional rhubarbs.[Methods]The contents of tannins,bianthrone,free anthraquinones and combined anthraquinones in medicinal rhubarb were determined by HPLC.The results were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance.[Results]Under different drying conditions,the contents of tannins,bianthrone,free anthraquinones and combined anthraquinones in medicinal rhubarb were significantly different.Taking the tannins content as the index,the optimum drying condition of the rhizome is 1 cm thick,dried at 60℃,the root is cut 1 cm thick,and dried at 30℃;the bianthrone content is used as an indicator,the rhizome is optimally dried.The condition is to cut 1 cm thick,dry at 60℃,the root is cut to 5 cm thick,and dried at 40℃;the free anthraquinones content is used as an index,and the optimum drying condition of the rhizome is 3 cm thick and dried at 50℃.The root is cut to a thickness of 3 cm and dried at 30℃.The combine anthraquinones content is used as an indicator.The optimum drying conditions for the rhizome are 5 cm thick,dried at 40℃,and the root is cut to 5 cm thick and dried at 70℃.[Conclusions]Different functional components of rhubarb have different directional processing methods.The drying process can reduce the drying temperature or increase the thickness of the slice,and the directional processing of the diarrhea-type rhubarb can be processed.The drying process can be carried out by increasing the drying temperature or reducing the thickness of the slice directed processing of heat-clearing and purging-fire rhubarb.

Energy Audit Methodology of Sponge Iron Manufacturing Units Using DRI Process

Conducting complete energy audit (both process and utility) of a sponge iron unit is challenging as there is no laid down procedure to audit the process side. Further, the average heat to power ratio (kWth/kWe) of sponge iron plants ranges from (25:1) to (31:1). This shows that the manufacturing process mostly uses thermal energy and application of electrical energy is insignificant. The main & only source of thermal energy is coal and the entire coal is fed to the rotary kiln. Therefore we find that “Kiln” is the “Black-Box” of this industry and the success of energy efficiency is hidden in the kiln process chemistry. This article tries to establish detailed energy audit methodology of sponge iron manufacturing process or kiln operation with a view to finding out major energy saving potential of the unit. In the research work we find that it is the incomplete reaction of coal that causes the major energy inefficiency in the process. Substantial amount of un-reacted carbon comes out with the char (by-product) which has virtually zero commercial value. The article also puts a question mark on the justification of using high-grade imported coal in such energy inefficient industries.

Optimized Synthesis of Carbon Aerogels via Ambient Pressure Drying Process as Electrode for Supercapacitors

Carbon aerogels were synthesized via ambient pressure drying process using resorcinolformaldehyde as precursor and P123 to strengthen their skeletons. CO2 activation technology was implemented to improve surface areas and adjust pore size distribution. The synthesis process was optimized, and the morphology, structure, adsorption properties and electrochemical behavior of different samples were characterized. The CO2-activated samples achieved a high specific capacitance of 129.2 F/g in 6 M KOH electrolytes at the current density of 1 m A/cm^2 within the voltage range of 0-0.8 V. The optimized activation temperature and duration were determined to be 950 ℃ and 4 h, respectively.

Experimental Study of Drying Process of COLZA Seeds in Fluidized Bed Dryer by Statistical Methods

In this study the effect of initial parameters such as inlet gas temperature, initial particles temperature and gas velocity on temperature changes of solid particles and outlet gas temperature in a fluidized bed dryer was studied. For testing, an experimental setup was established. With combination of air and Colza seeds belonging to D groups of the Geldart classification (Geldart, 1986) fluidization regime was carried out. With five test series with maintaining the inlet gas temperature, solid particle temperature and outlet gas temperature during time were carefully measured. To analyze these data by using regression analysis to predict solid particle and outlet gas temperature, 2 correlations on initial pa-rameters were presented. The result has shown that temperature gradients in the beginning of fluidization, is very high and therefore the exponential functions in the regression model is used to predict the temperature changes.

Intensification of the Banana Drying Processes by Using EFL Electromagnetic Waves

Drying of the banana in the hot water has a negative impact on the quality of the product and drying effect. The purposes of this study are increasing the drying rate, using the relatively low temperature to improve the quality (40℃, 50℃ and 60℃) and investigate the use of electromagnetic waves to increase the drying speed. Therefore, experiments are performed using 5 kHz,10 kHz and 15 kHz low frequency electromagnetic waves in the air velocity values of 0.5 m/s, 1 m/s, 1.5 m/s and 2 m/s and 40℃, 50℃, 60℃ centigrade degrees of air blast in a special compartment. Mathematical model of the drying process has been created as using the electrical circuits methods and experimental results. As a result, a simple equation describing the drying process has been obtained. Nonlinear expression of the diffusion coefficient for a different situation in this equation has been identified for the first time. The obtained theoretical results and experimental results have been provided a good agreement. This study is considered to be useful for all studies in the drying area.

Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process in Selection of an Appropriate Drying Platform for Maize Drying in a Solar Bubble Dryer

The solar bubble dryer (SBD) is a convenient and better option to traditional open sun drying commonly practiced by smallholder farmers in Ghana and other developing countries. However, to operate the SBD, one is faced with the challenge of frequent mixing of grains using a rake to enhance uniform drying and prevent over-heating of the top-layer exposed to the sun. Additionally, condensation in the SBD can compromise the quality of grains during drying under humid conditions. In the present study, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to select an appropriate drying platform, tarpaulin, or elevated drying rack for maize drying in the SBD. Using the AHP, the elevated drying rack was chosen as a suitable platform for drying maize in the SBD. The SBD with the elevated drying racks was used to dry 270 kg of maize from a moisture content of 18.2% to 12.6% (w.w.b) within 6 hours compared to 11 hours for the same quantity of grains dried on the tarpaulin of the SBD to reach an MC of 12.5% (w.w.b). An average drying rate and moisture extraction rate of 0.93%/h and 2.88 kg/h were achieved with the elevated drying rack system compared to 0.52%/h and 1.60 kg/h when drying on the tarpaulin of the SBD. An average temperature of 44.6°C recorded in the SBD was 9°C more compared to the ambient temperature. The thermal efficiency of the SBD collector was determined as 36.2%. Drying grains with the elevated racks showed advantages of reduced drying time, improved airflow through the drying bed, and prevention of condensation, which occurs when drying on the tarpaulin of the SBD.

Field Utilization of Dried Water Hyacinth for Phosphorous Recovery from Source-Separated Human Urine

This research demonstrated the feasibility of converting source-separated human urine into a solid fertilizer by means of continuous absorption and solar thermal evaporation using dried water hyacinth as adsorbent. In a preliminary experiment, the dried petioles of water hyacinth (DWH) absorbed urine in a mean rate of 18.78 ml·g-1 within 7 d, retrieving about 3.46% urine dissolved solids (UDS). In an advanced experiment, the DWH’s capacity of urine absorption declined from an initial 2.73 L·kg-1·d-1 to 0.68 L·kg-1·d-1, with a requirement of material change in about 25 effective days and an average ratio of 25 (L) to 1 (kg). Phosphorus (P2O5) concentration in the adsorbent increased from 0.46% (material baseline) to 3.14% (end product), suggesting a satisfactory recovery of the element. In field application, the urine was discharged, not in wet weather, onto the DWH via a tube connected to a waterless urinal. There are several ways to use the UDS-DWH as P(K)-rich fertilizer, e.g., making soluble fertilizer for foliage spraying to encourage prolific flowering and fruiting. Apparently, utilization of water hyacinth waste to recover dissolved plant nutrient elements from source-separated urine will benefit the environment in a wide range of perspectives. The herein innovative use of water hyacinth is also expected to be useful in the recycling of certain dissolved hazardous materials.

Feasibility Analysis of Drying Process Habanero Chili Using a Hybrid-Solar-Fluidized Bed Dryer in Yucatan, M^xico

Drying processing of Habanero chili was improved, through solar energy usage. Habanero chili is a notable seasonal product being drying such important for Mexican producers; this process is expensive and wasteful of energy. A feasibility analysis was developed, to determine the market tendency and the optimal drying conditions for redesign Habanero chili drying process, through a hybrid solar-electric energy usage. The new drying process would be held in two stages： （a） an open solar dryer was used; （b） an existing pilot fluidized bed dryer was adapted with a low temperature solar collector for air heating. Habanero chili was dehydrated from 90% to 5% moisture in 10.3 h, with good quality product, available for commercialization. A reduction in the average drying time of 50% was obtained, also, in the energy usage of 77% in the fluidized bed dryer, with an energy saving of 0.52 kg of natural gas per kg of fresh Habanero chili. An innovative sustainable efficient drying process was developed, and will be strategic to expand the market for Habanero chili with low energy cost.

Development of volatiles and odor-active compounds in Chinese dry sausage at different stages of process and storage

The effect of process and storage on the volatiles and odorant profi le of Chinese dry sausage was evaluated,as well as its physicochemical parameters.Microbial esterification and wine(27.54%–43.35%),and lipid oxidation(11.30%–34.92%)played a key role in flavor profile during process and storage.A significant increase of each volatile was detected during process except gradual decrease of volatiles from spices,while a gradual decrease of each volatile was detected during storage except signifi cant increase of volatiles from lipid oxidation and esterifi cation.15 and 6 odor-active compounds were respectively correlated(P<0.05)with the process and storage time.Level of heptanal,1-octen-3-ol,the ethyl of 2-methylbutanoic,3-methylbutanoic,butanoic,benzoic,hexanoic,heptanoic,octanoic and decanoic acid were best discriminators of process stage,while(E)-2-nonenal,ethyl hexanoate,ethyl heptanoate,and methyl decanoate,were marker compounds of storage time.An objective method was established to evaluate the stages of process and storage for samples.