Modeling and Optimization of Catalytic Dehydration of Ethanol to Ethylene Using Central Composite Design

The central composite design in the modeling and optimization of catalytic dehydration of ethanol to ethylene was performed to improve the ethylene yield.A total of 20 experiments at random were conducted to investigate the effect of reaction temperature,Si/Al ratios of H-ZSM-5 catalyst and liquid hourly space velocity(LHSV) on the ethylene yield.The results show that the relationship between ethylene yield and the three significant independent variables can be approximated by a nonlinear polynomial model,with R-squared of 99.9%and adjusted R-squared of 99.8%.The maximal response for ethylene yield is 93.4%under the optimal condition of 328 ℃,Si/Al ratio 85,and LHSV 3.8 h-1.

Calibration of Discrete Element Heat Transfer Parameters by Central Composite Design

The efficiency and precision of parameter calibration in discrete element method （DEM） are not satisfactory, and parameter calibration for granular heat transfer is rarely involved. Accordingly, parameter calibration for granular heat transfer with the DEM is studied. The heat transfer in granular assemblies is simulated with DEM, and the effective thermal conductivity （ETC） of these granular assemblies is measured with the transient method in simulations. The measurement testbed is designed to test the ETC of the granular assemblies under normal pressure and a vacuum based on the steady method. Central composite design （CCD） is used to simulate the impact of the DEM parameters on the ETC of granular assemblies, and the heat transfer parameters are calibrated and compared with experimental data. The results show that, within the scope of the considered parameters, the ETC of the granular assemblies increases with an increasing particle thermal conductivity and decreases with an increasing particle shear modulus and particle diameter. The particle thermal conductivity has the greatest impact on the ETC of granular assemblies followed by the particle shear modulus and then the particle diameter. The calibration results show good agreement with the experimental results. The error is less than 4%, which is within a reasonable range for the scope of the CCD parameters. The proposed research provides high efficiency and high accuracy parameter calibration for granular heat transfer in DEM.

Optimization of extraction technology of safflower polysaccharide based on central composite design-response surface methodology

Objective:To explore the best extraction technology of safflower polysaccharide by central composite design response surface methodology and evaluate its quality.Methods:Taking the extraction rate of Carthamus tinctorius polysaccharide as the index,taking the ratio of solid to liquid,extraction time,extraction temperature and extraction times as the investigation factors,based on the single factor experiment,the central composite design-response surface methodology was used to optimize the optimum extraction process of Carthamus tinctorius polysaccharide and verify it.Results:The response surface model was established with the extraction rate of Carthamus tinctorius polysaccharide as dependent variable Y,the ratio of solid to liquid,extraction time and extraction temperature as independent variables X,P<0.0001.The optimum extraction process was as follows:the ratio of solid to liquid was 1:16.69,the extraction temperature was 91.39℃,and the extraction working time was 89.78min.Under these conditions,the extraction rate of safflower polysaccharide can reach 7.45%,The experimental results show that RSD is 1.05%,and the model can well predict the experimental results.Conclusion:Central Composite Design-Response Surface Methodology has the advantages of high extraction rate,simple,effective and reasonable process operation,high stability and high precision,which can be fully applied to the resource management and utilization of safflower polysaccharide.

Analysis of Heat Transfer Performance of Oscillating Heat Pipes Based on a Central Composite Design

Oscillating heat pipes (OHPs) are very promising cooling devices. Their heat transfer performance is af- fected by many factors, and the form of the relationship between the performance and the factors is complex and non-linear. In this paper, the effects of charging ratio, inclination angle, and heat input and their interaction effects on heat transfer performance of a looped copper-water OHP are analyzed. First, suppose that the relationship between the response and the variables approximates a second-order model. And use the central composite design to arrange the ex- periment. Then, the method of least squares is used to estimate the parameters in the second-order model. Finally, multi- variate variance analysis is used to analyze the model. The results show that the assumption is right, that is to say, the re- lationship is well modeled by a second-order function. Among the three main effect variables, the effect of inclination angle is the most significant, but their interaction effects are not significant. In the range of the considered factors, both the optimum charging ratio and the optimum inclination angle increase as the heating water flow rate increases.

Degradation of refractory organics in concentrated leachate by the Fenton process: Central composite design for process optimization

The primary aim of this study is inert COD removal from leachate nanofiltration concentrate because of its high concentration of resistant organic pollutants.Within this framework,this study focuses on the treatability of leachate nanofiltration concentrate through Fenton oxidation and optimization of process parameters to reach the maximum pollutant removal by using response surface methodology(RSM).Initial pH,Fe2+concentration,H_(2)O_(2)/Fe^(2+)molar ratio and oxidation time are selected as the independent variables,whereas total COD,color,inert COD and UV254 removal are selected as the responses.According to the ANOVA results,the R^(2) values of all responses are found to be over 95%.Under the optimum conditions determined by the model(pH:3.99,Fe^(2+):150 mmol/L,H_(2)O_(2)/Fe^(2+):3.27 and oxidation time:84.8 min),the maximum COD removal efficiency is determined as 91.4%by the model.The color,inert COD and UV254 removal efficiencies are determined to be 99.9%,97.2%and 99.5%,respectively,by the model,whereas the total COD,color,inert COD and UV254 removal efficiencies are found respectively to be 90%,96.5%,95.3%and 97.2%,experimentally under the optimum operating conditions.The Fenton process improves the biodegradability of the leachate NF concentrate,increasing the BOD5/COD ratio from the value of 0.04 to the value of 0.4.The operational cost of the process is calculated to be 0.238€/g COD_(removed).The results indicate that the Fenton oxidation process is an efficient and economical technology in improvement of the biological degradability of leachate nanofiltration concentrate and in removal of resistant organic pollutants.

Optimization of compression formulation and load of food-grade tracers for grain traceability using central composite design

Food-grade tracers have been developed as an identification technology for grain traceability from original harvest to final destination for transportation.The characteristics of food-grade tracers must be able to satisfy the environmental demands for grain traceability.To optimize the food-grade tracer production process,the effects of direct compression formulation and load on the mechanical characteristics were studied using response surface methodology(RSM)with central composite design(CCD).Among the four tested formulations,Formulations#2(consisting of 35.00%lactose 100 mesh,64.50%microcrystalline cellulose 102 and 0.50%magnesium stearate)and#4(consisting of 38.00%lactose 100 mesh,50.00%microcrystalline cellulose 102,11.00%pregelatinized starch and 1.00%magnesium stearate)were selected for tracer production based on their physical properties as powders.The value of Carr’s flowability index was 68 for both Formulations#2 and#4,which was the highest among all the formulations.Therefore,Formulations#2 and#4 also had the best powder flowability.The magnesium stearate ratio(1.00%-3.00%)and pressure(6.00-16.00 kgf)were used as independent variables to detect changes in the breaking rate,peak shear force and friction coefficient of tracers compressed by the selected formulations.The optimal production parameters could be achieved at a magnesium stearate ratio of 2.25%and pressure of 16.00 kgf for Formulation#2 and at a magnesium stearate ratio of 1.02%and pressure of 16.00 kgf for Formulation#4.Under these optimal conditions,the tracers had good impact characteristics(breaking rate),compression characteristics(peak shear force)and frictional characteristics(friction coefficient).Moreover,Formulation#2 was more suitable for production because compared to Formulation#4,its breaking rate and friction coefficient values were lower,and its peak shear force value was higher.

Enhanced production of thermostable laccases from a native strain of Pycnoporus sanguineus using central composite design

The production of thermostable laccases from a native strain of the white-rot fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus isolated in Mexico was enhanced by testing different media and a combination of inducers including copper sulfate（CuSO4）.The best conditions obtained from screening experiments in shaken flasks using tomato juice,CuSO4,and soybean oil were integrated in an experimental design.Enhanced levels of tomato juice as the medium,CuSO4and soybean oil as inducers（36.8%（v/v）,3 mmol/L,and 1%（v/v）,respectively） were determined for 10 L stirred tank bioreactor runs.This combination resulted in laccase titer of 143000 IU/L（2,2＇-azino-bis（3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulfonic acid）,pH 3.0）,which represents the highest activity so far reported for P.sanguineus in a 10-L fermentor.Other interesting media resulting from the screening included glucose-bactopeptone which increased laccase activity up to 20000 IU/L,whereas the inducers Acid Blue 62 and Reactive Blue 19 enhanced enzyme production in this medium 10 times.Based on a partial characterization,the laccases of this strain are especially promising in terms of thermostability（half-life of 6.1 h at 60 °C） and activity titers.

Central composite design for optimization and formulation of desulphurization of iron ore concentrate using atmospheric leaching process

Owing to the negative effects of sulphur in iron ore on steelmaking process and environment, a tank leaching process was performed in atmospheric conditions to remove the sulphur from the iron ore concentrate and simultaneously to transform sulphide minerals into useful by-products. To achieve desirable sulphur removal rate and efficiency, central composite design was adopted as a response surface methodology for the optimization and evaluation of the process. A full-quadratic polynomial equation between the sulphur removal and the studied parameters was established to assess the behaviour of sulphur removal as a function of the factors and to predict the results in various conditions. The optimum conditions were obtained based on the variance tests and response surface plots, from which the optimized ranges for each factor resulting in the best response （corresponding to the highest percentage of desulphurization） could be then achieved. The results show that most desirable conditions are atmospheric leaching in 1.39 mol/dm3 nitric acid and 0.88 mol/dm3 sulphuric acid for 47 h. The designed process under the optimized desulphurization conditions was applied to a real iron ore concentrate. More than 75% of the total sulphur was removed via the leaching process. In addition to the desulphurization, the conversion of sulphide-bearing minerals into useful by-products, extraction of valuable metals, and executing the process under atmospheric conditions are the other advantages of the proposed method.

Optimization of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography method using central composite design for the analysis of components in Yangwei granule

Central composite design(CCD),together with multiple linear regression,was successfully used to optimize the electrophoretic buffer system of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography(MEKC) for the determination of albiflorin,paeoniflorin,liquiritin,and glycyrrhizic acid in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescription,Yangwei granule.Concentrations of sodium deoxycholate(SDC) and borate,and proportions of ammonia,acetonitrile,and methanol were optimized.The total resolutions of peaks between the analytes and their adjacent peaks in real samples were integrated into the evaluation index of separation efficiency.The optimum electrophoretic buffer contained 80 mmol/L SDC,20 mmol/L borate,5%(v/v) methanol,0.5%(v/v) ammonia,and 5%(v/v) acetonitrile.The correlation coefficients(R 2 ) between the peak areas and the corresponding concentrations of analytes were greater than 0.9956.The limits of detection(LODs) (S/N=3) of the analytes were 0.97-4.00μg/ml.The results indicate the superiority of CCD in optimizing the separation conditions of complex samples such as TCM prescriptions.

Modeling of biodiesel production: Performance comparison of Box–Behnken, face central composite and full factorial design

The performances of the response surface methodology(RSM)in connection with the Box–Behnken,face central composite or full factorial design(BBD,FCCD or FFD,respectively)were compared for the use in modeling of the NaOH-catalyzed sunflower oil ethanolysis.The influence of temperature,catalyst loading,and ethanol-to-oil molar ratio(EOMR)on fatty acid ethyl esters(FAEE)content was evaluated.All three multivariate strategies were efficient in the statistical modeling and optimization of the influential process variables but BBD and FCCD realization involved less number of experiments,generating smaller costs,requiring less work and consuming shorter time than the corresponding FFD.All three designs resulted in the same optimal catalyst loading(1.25%of oil)and EOMR(12:1).The reduced two-factorinteraction(2 FI)models based on the BBD and FCCD defined a range of optimal reaction temperature(25℃–75℃)and 25℃,respectively while the same model based on the 33 FFD appointed 75℃.The predicted FAEE content of about 97%–98.0%was close to the experimentally obtained FAEE content of about 97.0%–97.6%under the optimal reaction conditions.Therefore,the simpler BBD or FCCD might successfully be applied for statistical modeling of biodiesel production processes instead of the more extensive,more laborious and more expensive FFD.

Application of response surface methodology and central composite rotatable design for modeling the influence of some operating variables of the lab scale thickener performance

This study discussed the application of response surface methodology(RSM)and central composite rotatable design(CCRD)for modeling and optimization of the influence of some operating variables on the performance of a lab scale thickener for dewatering of tailing in the flotation circuit.Four thickener operating variables,namely feed flowrate,solid percent,flocculant dosage and feedwell height were changed during the tests based on CCRD.The ranges of values of the thickener variables used in the design were a feed flowrate of 9–21 L/min,solid percent of 8%–20%,flocculant dosage of 1.25–4.25 g/t and feedwell height of 16–26 cm.A total of 30 thickening tests were conducted using lab scale thickener on flotation tailing obtained from the Sarcheshmeh copper mine,Iran.The underflow solid percent and bed height were expressed as functions of four operating parameters of thickener.Predicted values were found to be in good agreement with experimental values(R2values of 0.992 and 0.997 for underflow solid percent and bed height,respectively).This study has shown that the RSM and CCRD could effciently be applied for the modeling of thickener for dewatering of flotation tailing.

Optimization and Characterization of Cellulose Extraction from Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak) Leaves by Soda-Anthraquinone Pulping Using Response Surface Methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) using the central composite design (CCD) was applied to examine the impact of soda-anthraquinone pulping conditions on Grevillea robusta fall leaves. The pulping factors studied were: NaOH charge 5% to 20% w/v, pulping time 30 to 180 minutes, and the anthraquinone charge 0.1 to 0.5% w/w based on the oven-dried leaves. The responses evaluated were the pulp yield, cellulose content, and the degree of delignification. Various regression models were used to evaluate the effects of varying the pulping conditions. The optimum conditions attained were;NaOH charge of 14.63%, 0.1% anthraquinone, and a pulping period of 154 minutes, corresponding to 20.68% pulp yield, 80.56% cellulose content, and 70.34% lignin removal. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), was used to determine the most important variables that improve the extraction process of cellulose. The experiment outcomes matched those predicted by the model (Predicted R2 = 0.9980, Adjusted R2 = 0.9994), demonstrating the adequacy of the model used. FTIR analysis confirmed the elimination of the non-cellulosic fiber constituents. The lignin and hemicellulose-related bands (around 1514 cm−1, 1604 cm−1, 1239 cm−1, and 1734 cm−1) decreased with chemical treatment, indicating effective cellulose extraction by the soda-anthraquinone method. Similar results were obtained by XRD, SEM and thermogravimetric analysis of the extracted cellulose. Therefore, Grevillea robusta fall leaves are suitable renewable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly non-wood biomass for cellulose extraction.

Effect of Variable Selection on Multidisciplinary Design Optimization:a Flight Vehicle Example

Different multidisciplinary design optimization （MDO） problems are formulated and compared. Two MDO formulations are applied to a sounding rocket in order to optimize the performance of the rocket. In the MDO of the referred vehicle, three disciplines have been considered, which are trajectory, propulsion and aerodynamics. A special design structure matrix is developed to assist data exchange between disciplines. This design process uses response surface method （RSM） for multidisciplinary optimization of the rocket. The RSM is applied to the design in two categories： the propulsion model and the system level. In the propulsion model, RSM determines an approximate mathematical model of the engine output parameters as a function of design variables. In the system level, RSM fits a surface of objective function versus design variables. In the first MDO problem formulation, two design variables are selected to form propulsion discipline. In the second one, three new design variables from geometry are added and finally, an optimization method is applied to the response surface in the system level in order to find the best result. Application of the first developed multidisciplinary design optimization procedure increased accessible altitude （performance index） of the referred sounding rocket by twenty five percents and the second one twenty nine.

Optimization of Process Parameters for in High-Energy Ball Milling of CNTs/Al2024 Composites Through Response Surface Methodology

The mathematical models are developed to evaluate the ultimate tensile strength( UTS) and hardness of CNTs / Al2024 composites fabricated by high-energy ball milling. The effects of the preparation variables which are milling time,rotational speed,mass fraction of CNTs and ball to powder ratio on UST and hardness of CNTs / Al2024 composites are investigated. Based on the central composite design( CCD),a quadratic model is developed to correlate the fabrication variables to the UST and hardness. From the analysis of variance( ANOVA),the most influential factor on each experimental design response is identified. The optimum conditions for preparing CNTs / Al2024 composites are found as follows: 1. 53 h milling time,900 r / min rotational speed,mass fraction of CNTs 2. 87% and Ball to powder ratio 25 ∶ 1. The predicted maximum UST and hardness are 273.30 MPa and 261.36 HV,respectively. And the experimental values are 283.25 MPa and256.8 HV,respectively. It is indicated that the predicted UST and hardness after process optimization are found to agree satisfactory with the experimental values.

Effect of cooking conditions and oxygen-delignification on Bambusa tulda kraft pulping using experimental design and regression models

This study was concerned on the influence of cooking liquor parameters i.e. active alkali （AA） and sulfidity, on the properties of pulp produced from Thai bamboo by means of multivariate analysis. The investigated pulp properties were cooking yield and viscosity. The experiments were performed according to a face centered cube experimental design. Then, multiple linear regression （MLR） of independent and dependent variables were conducted with SPSS software using least square method. In order to optimize process, Pareto-Optimality method was employed. The obtained regression models were characterized by both descriptive and predictive ability （R^2 ≥ 95% and Rcv^2 ≥ 93%） and allowed the kraft pulping process with an acceptable viscosity （ 1110- 1 190 ml/g） and a total yield about 50% at a sulfidity level of 20-30% with 18% AA. Results indicated that high sulfidity at a lower AA could get high viscosity and relatively low kappa number for pulps. Also oxygen delignification was studied in this research.

Steam Pretreatment of Rice Hulls to Release Fermentable Saccharides:An Approach to Improve Recovery of(Hemi)Cellulosic Sugars Through Multivariate Design

The conversion of rice hulls into fermentable saccharides was explored through steam pretreatment employing 2.5% SO_(2).The in teraction between temperature and time was assessed by means of the response surface method to achieve optimum contents of C6-sugars in water-insoluble solids(WIS)and C5-sugars in the liquor.Pretreatment carried out at 218℃ for 2.3 min released liquor containing 55.4 g/L of sugars(29.1 g/L of xylose).In parallel,the WIS was subjected to enzymatic saccharification using different solid and enzyme loads via an experimental design:assays using 22.0% WIS and 20.0 filter paper units(FPU)/g led to 90.6 g/L of glucose,corresponding to a yield of 86.4% and an overall yield of 72.4%.The data reported are the highest ever found for such raw material,making it attractive to compete with conventi on al lig no cellulosic biomass.

Improvement of xylanase production by Aspergillus niger XY-1 using response surface methodology for optimizing the medium composition

Objective: To study the optimal medium composition for xylanase production by Aspergillus niger XY-1 in solid-state fermentation (SSF). Methods: Statistical methodology including the Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and the central composite design (CCD) was employed to investigate the individual crucial component of the medium that significantly affected the enzyme yield. Results: Firstly, NaNO3, yeast extract, urea, Na2CO3, MgSO4, peptone and (NH4)2SO4 were screened as the significant factors positively affecting the xylanase production by PBD. Secondly, by valuating the nitrogen sources effect, urea was proved to be the most effective and economic nitrogen source for xylanase production and used for further optimization. Finally, the CCD and response surface methodology (RSM) were applied to determine the optimal concentration of each sig-nificant variable, which included urea, Na2CO3 and MgSO4. Subsequently a second-order polynomial was determined by multiple regression analysis. The optimum values of the critical components for maximum xylanase production were obtained as follows: x1 (urea)=0.163 (41.63 g/L), x2 (Na2CO3)=?1.68 (2.64 g/L), x3 (MgSO4)=1.338 (10.68 g/L) and the predicted xylanase value was 14374.6 U/g dry substrate. Using the optimized condition, xylanase production by Aspergillus niger XY-1 after 48 h fermentation reached 14637 U/g dry substrate with wheat bran in the shake flask. Conclusion: By using PBD and CCD, we obtained the optimal composition for xylanase production by Aspergillus niger XY-1 in SSF, and the results of no additional expensive medium and shortened fermentation time for higher xylanase production show the potential for industrial utilization.

Optimization of low-temperature alkaline smelting process of crushed metal enrichment originated from waste printed circuit boards

A novel low-temperature alkaline smelting process is proposed to convert and separate amphoteric metals in crushed metal enrichment originated from waste printed circuit boards. The central composite design was used to optimize the operating parameters,in which mass ratio of Na OH-to-CME, smelting temperature and smelting time were chosen as the variables, and the conversions of amphoteric metals tin, lead, aluminum and zinc were response parameters. Second-order polynomial models of high significance and3 D response surface plots were constructed to show the relationship between the responses and the variables. Optimum area of80%-85% Pb conversion and over 95% Sn conversion was obtained by the overlaid contours at mass ratio of Na OH-to-CME of4.5-5.0, smelting temperature of 653-723 K, smelting time of 90-120 min. The models were validated experimentally in the optimum area, and the results demonstrate that these models are reliable and accurate in predicting the smelting process.

Production of biodiesel from waste vegetable oil using impregnated diatomite as heterogenous catalyst

In this study, biodiesel was produced from waste vegetable oil using a heterogeneous base catalyst synthesized by impregnating potassium hydroxide(KOH) onto diatomite. Response surface methodology based on a central composite design was used to optimize four transesterification variables: temperature(30–120 °C), reaction time(2–6 h), methanol to oil mass ratio(10%–50%) and catalyst to oil mass ratio(2.1%–7.9%). A quadratic polynomial equation was obtained to correlate biodiesel yield to the transesterification variables. The diatomite–KOH catalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy(FTIR) and a scanning electron microscope(SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray detector(EDS). A maximum biodiesel yield of 90%(by mass) was obtained. The reaction conditions were as follows: methanol to oil mass ratio 30%, catalyst to oil mass ratio 5%, reaction time 4 h, and reaction temperature 75 °C. The XRD, FTIR and SEM(EDS) results confirm that the addition of KOH modifies the structure of diatomite. During impregnation and calcination of the diatomite catalyst the K2 O phase forms in the diatomite structural matrix and the active basicity of this compound facilitates the transesterification process. It is possible to recycle the diatomite–KOH catalyst up to three times. The crucial biodiesel properties from waste vegetable oil are within the American Standard Test Method specifications.

Effect of Planting Density and Fertilizer Application on Fiber Yield of Ramie (Boehmeria nivea)

As the most important cultural practices for ramie （Boehmeria nivea） production, the single effects of plant density and nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P）, potassium （K） fertilization on yield are well documented. To achieve the high yield and quality of ramie fiber, it is principal to quantify the fertilizer dosage for ramie sustainable production. A central composite design （CCD） was adopted with three replications, for a two-year field experiment （2008-2009） in the Yangtze River Valley of China. The aim was to evaluate both the individual and combined effects of plant density and N, P, and K fertilization on yield and fiber quality. The effects of the four factors on yield and quality of ramie cultivar Huazhu 4 were tested. Then mathematical models of the relationship among the four factors affecting ramie production and quality were established and analyzed to optimize the four factors, and used to establish optimum cultivation methods for the elite cultivar suitable to this area of the Yangtze River Valley. Supplements of N （X2）, P 0（3） and K 0（4）, and the density （X0 with N （X2） interaction significantly influenced strength in tests of mature ramie. The influence on fiber yield in the two year tests by the four factors ranked as follows： X3〉X4〉X~〉X2. We established the optimization technique attaining yield of 2 600 kg ha-~ in the tests as following： density of 28 350-31 650 plants ha-1, and supplements of N, P and K of 363-387, 98.58-105.48 and 280.20- 319.8 kg ha-1, respectively. It was concluded that nitrogen mostly improved plant growth and fiber yield while potassium had discernible effects on fiber quality.