Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) has a wide range of application scenarios. However, there are few studies on the HC treatment of food waste (FW). A Venturi device is designed and operated and plays a clear role in changing the characteristics of FW. The medium viscosity is often neglected when studying cavitation behavior by numerical simulations. We use the Herschel−Bulkley model to describe the viscosity curves of artificial FW samples obtained experimentally. RANS numerical simulation is carried out with a simplified 2D axisymmetric CFD-based model considering the non-Newtonian fluid properties. A numerical simulation study is carried out for FW (TS = 10.0 wt%) at pressure drop (ΔP = 0.05−0.4 MPa). The numerical simulation results show the variation of flow characteristics, viscosity, vapor volume, turbulent viscosity ratio, cavitation number, and pressure loss coefficient. With the increase in ΔP, the flow rate in the Venturi throat increases, and the average viscosity decreases. It r... [more]

Coal penetration enhancement technology is the key to increase the production of coalbed methane. Coal bodies are subjected to different peripheral pressures in the in situ strata, and the study of the changes in the mechanical strength of coal bodies under different peripheral pressures after the action of liquid nitrogen is crucial for the penetration enhancement of liquid nitrogen (LN2)-fractured coal. In this paper, an MTS universal testing machine was utilized to carry out experiments to obtain the stress−strain curves of the coal under different freezing times under 1 MPa surrounding pressure and different surrounding pressures after 50 min of LN2 action. The experimental results showed the following: (1) the uniaxial compressive strength and peak strain of coal samples in a frozen state are positively correlated under two conditions. The modulus of elasticity decreased before 100 min at different times of LN2 action, and the modulus of elasticity was maximum at 5 MPa at differen... [more]

Motor vehicle exhaust is an important cause of atmospheric pollution. Nowadays, mainstream exhaust emission aftertreatment technologies, such as TWC, DOC, SCR, and DPF, usually require sufficient temperature to perform good purification or maintain normal working conditions. Compared with exhaust gas heating technologies such as engine enrichment and fuel injection, electric heating technology can quickly increase the temperature of exhaust gas aftertreatment devices without adverse effects on engine operating conditions. This article introduces the research and progress of electric heating technology combined with traditional aftertreatment devices on major types of vehicles, such as gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, motorcycles, and hybrid vehicles, to improve exhaust purification efficiency and its accompanying fuel consumption impact. In addition, the common structure and characteristics of electric heaters, as well as the current status and development trend of electric heating... [more]

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are concerning contaminants due to their ubiquity, persistence, and toxicity. Conventional PFAS water treatments such as granular activated carbon are limited by low adsorption rates and capacities. Carbon-based nano-adsorbents with enhanced surface areas address these limitations but are hindered by their high cost and toxicity. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are promising PFAS adsorbents due to sustainable sourcing, large surface areas, and amenable surface properties. In this study, CNC was synthesized from the agro-food waste, apple pomace (APCNC), and coated with Moringa oleifera cationic protein (MOCP) aqueous extract to produce MOCP/APCNC for the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. APCNC and MOCP/APCNC were manufactured, characterized, and utilized in PFOA batch adsorption kinetics and equilibrium trials. APCNC was successfully produced from apple pomace (AP) and determined through characterization and comparison to comm... [more]

Apple juice is one of the most consumed fruit juices in the world. Raw apple juice is viscous, turbid, and brown in color and contains several spoilage microorganisms. These are the reasons behind the application of several steps of clarification and stabilization prior to juice commercialization. Thermal pasteurization remains the most used process for apple juice microbial stabilization, but it damages its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics. Juice settling used for clarification does not allow the achievement of the desired level of clarification. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive and bibliometric review of all the alternative treatments for thermal pasteurization in order to reduce microorganisms and patulin levels such as pulsed electric fields, microwave processing, high hydrostatic pressure, ultrasonication, etc., and their effect on apple juice characteristics as well as the techniques used for apple juice clarification.

The sedimentation of flocs in aquatic environments is a fundamental phenomenon that has not yet been fully elucidated. This study quantitatively examines sedimentation behavior, particularly focusing on sedimentation turbulence, in a two-dimensional system between flat plates, utilizing image analysis. Experiments were conducted in a rectangular container with montmorillonite suspensions coagulated in a sodium chloride solution. The settling motion of flocs was visualized using a green laser from above and captured horizontally with a digital camera. The study employed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to analyze the velocity field in floc sedimentation, using the flocs as tracers to calculate the mean velocity at the sediment−supernatant interface. The results showed that the mean PIV value is affected by rising particles caused by sedimentation turbulence, indicating that PIV analysis of flow fields using flocs as tracers is reliable. The maximum settling velocity was found to increas... [more]

The combustion of fuels has been studied by many researchers as it is used in a wide range of engineering applications. The chemical equilibrium approach served as the foundation for the investigation of combustion reactions. This article presents a software application designed to facilitate the calculation of combustion processes by calculating the combustion of 16 fuels among the common alkanes (CnH2n+2) and alcohols (CnH2n+1OH). The Ozan Combustion Calculator (OCC) offers a user-friendly and efficient graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to easily input data and obtain results. The program was developed using MATLAB 2021a and LaTeX software, ensuring its reliability and accuracy. To perform these calculations, the program utilizes calculations of the thermophysical properties of fuels and water obtained from tables. The program consists of five modules, each serving a specific purpose. These modules calculate various parameters, such as the Adiabatic Flame Temperature,... [more]

In order to find the optimal expansion effect of a new curing expansion material so that it can better meet the requirements of the efficient sealing of drilled holes, the expansion and creep characteristics of the new curing expansion material were studied. Based on the creep results of graded loading, the Kelvin−Volgt model was selected to analyze its mechanical parameters, and a new “concentric ring” reinforcement sealing method was proposed. Numerical simulation was employed to analyze and discuss the reinforcement radius and depth of the “protective wall rock hole ring” in the “concentric ring” model, and on-site application experiments were carried out in a soft coal seam. The results show that the “concentric ring” reinforcement sealing method can effectively solve the problems of easy collapse and stress concentration instability in the sealing section of soft coal seams, ensuring long-term and efficient sealing of gas extraction boreholes in soft coal seams. When the diameter... [more]

Energy storage technology can well reduce the impact of large-scale renewable energy access to the grid, and the liquid carbon dioxide storage system has the characteristics of high energy storage density and carries out a variety of energy supply, etc. Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated energy system (IES) containing liquid carbon dioxide storage and further exploits the demand-side regulation potential on the basis of which an integrated demand response model is proposed to consider the cooling, heating, and electricity loads. On this basis, an IES optimal scheduling model with the lowest total system operating cost as the objective function is established, the Yalmip toolbox and Cplex commercial solver are used to solve the algorithms, and the optimal scheduling results are obtained for electricity, heat, and cold under four scenarios, and it is proved through comparative analyses that the model and scheduling strategy established in this paper can optimize the load profil... [more]

The ball and balancer system is a popular research platform for studying underactuated mechanical systems and developing control algorithms. It is a well-known two-dimensional balancing problem that has been addressed by a variety of controllers. This research work proposes two controllers that are proportional integral derivative-second derivative-proportional integrator (PIDD2-PI) controller and tilt integral derivative with filter (TID-F) controller in a multivariate, electromechanical, and nonlinear under-actuated ball and balancer system. Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE) is an objective function used for designing controllers because of its ability to be more sensitive to overshooting as well as reduced settling time and steady-state error. As part of the analysis, four metaheuristic optimization algorithms are compared in the optimization of proposed control strategies for cascaded control of the ball and balancer system. The algorithms are the Grey Wolf optimization algorithm... [more]

In this study, circulating fluidized bed fly ash (CFBFA) non-sintered ceramsite was innovatively developed. The CFBFA was addressed by adding ternary activator (including cement, hydrated lime, and gypsum) to prepare ceramsite. In the curing process, the use of power plant flue gas for curing not only captured greenhouse gas CO2, but also enhanced the compressive strength of the ceramsite. The compressive strength of the composite gravels prepared by the CFBFA was modeled using a novel approach that employed the response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) coupled with genetic algorithm (GA). Box−Behnken design (BBD)-RSM method was used for the independent variables of cement content, hydrated lime content, and gypsum content. The resulting quadratic polynomial model had an R2 value of 0.9820 and RMSE of 0.21. The BP-ANN with a structure of 3-10-1 performed the best and showed better prediction of the response than the BBD-RSM model, with an R2 value of 0.9932... [more]

To address the issue of inconspicuous electricity consumption characteristics among vacant users in low-voltage distribution networks (LVDNs), which hinders effective line−household relationship identification (LHRI), a method for identifying line−household relationship based on voltage clustering and electricity consumption characteristics is proposed. Initially, the paper employs Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) to analyze the similarity of user voltage profiles and utilizes the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm to cluster users. This approach identifies the topological relationship between vacant users and regular users to obtain multiple user categories. Subsequently, by analyzing the electricity consumption characteristic, the connection relationships between different user categories and phase lines are clarified based on the correlation between the electricity consumption characteristic vector of phase lines and the electricity consumption... [more]

This paper proposes an improved fault diagnosis algorithm that combines a modified fast kurtogram (FK) method with the lightweight convolutional neural network GhostNet. The FK algorithm can adaptively select resonance demodulation bands for envelope demodulation to extract fault features, but it may be disturbed by non-Gaussian noise. Hence, the fast average kurtogram (FAK) method based on sub-band averaging was introduced. This method effectively weakens the impact of pulse noise on the kurtosis graph by splitting the signal into equal-length sub-signals and calculating the average kurtosis value of all sub-signal filters. Simultaneously, to fully utilize the advantages of deep learning technology in feature extraction and classification, this study used the FAK to convert vibration signals from one-dimensional to two-dimensional kurtosis graphs as the input for the GhostNet model. This combination not only achieved accurate fault diagnosis and classification but also showed signific... [more]

A major challenge in transient pressure analysis for shale gas wells is their complex transient flow behavior and fracturing parameters. While numerical simulations offer high accuracy, analytical models are attractive for transient pressure analysis due to their high computational efficiency and broad applicability. However, traditional analytical models are often oversimplified, making it difficult to capture the complex seepage system, and three-dimensional fracture characteristics are seldom considered. To address these limitations, this study presents a comprehensive hybrid model that characterizes the transient flow behavior and analyzes the pressure response of a fractured shale gas well with a three-dimensional discrete fracture. To achieve this, the hydraulic fracture is discretized into several panels, and the transient flow equation is numerically solved using the finite difference method. Based on the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the pseudo-steady diffusion in matrix an... [more]

Lithology identification is the fundamental work of oil and gas reservoir exploration and reservoir evaluation. The lithology of volcanic reservoirs is complex and changeable, the longitudinal lithology changes a great deal, and the log response characteristics are similar. The traditional lithology identification methods face difficulties. Therefore, it is necessary to use machine learning methods to deeply explore the corresponding relationship between the conventional log curve and lithology in order to establish a lithology identification model. In order to accurately identify the dominant lithology of volcanic rock, this paper takes the Carboniferous intermediate basic volcanic reservoir in the Hongche fault zone as the research object. Firstly, the Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique−Edited Nearest Neighbours (SMOTEENN) algorithm is used to solve the problem of the uneven data-scale distribution of different dominant lithologies in the data set. Then, based on the extreme... [more]

In the current landscape of natural gas hydrate extraction, the lifting pump assumes a pivotal role as the essential equipment for conveying subsea fluidized hydrate slurry to the wellhead. The inherent shear-thinning characteristics of natural gas hydrate slurry, compounded by the complex multiphase flow conditions of the “gas-liquid-solid” system, present significant challenges to the operational efficiency and stability of the lifting pump. Consequently, this study adopts a hybrid approach, combining experimental and numerical simulations, to comparatively investigate the impact of non-Newtonian and viscous Newtonian fluids on the hydraulic performance, vortex structure evolution, and induced pressure fluctuations in a multiphase pump. Concurrently, a comparative analysis is conducted on the influence of these two fluid types on the distribution patterns of the “gas-solid” two-phase system. The research findings indicate that the apparent viscosity variations are more pronounced in... [more]

In multi-coal seam mining, when the lower coal seam mining face passes over the goaf, residual coal pillars, and other geological anomaly areas of the overlying coal seam, abnormal mine pressure appears, and the hydraulic support monitoring system is inaccurate in identifying the pressure, which brings great hidden dangers to the safe production of the mining face. It is very necessary to carry out the prediction and early warning of the mine pressure of this kind of mining face. In order to improve the reliability of the prediction model, this paper takes the 31317 mining faces of the Chahasu coal mine as the engineering background, studies the mechanism of the disaster caused by the abnormal mine pressure of the residual coal pillar, uses the clustering analysis algorithm to divide the abnormal mine pressure area of the mining face, reconstructs the abnormal mine pressure type and number based on the prediction results of CEEMDAN−Transformer deep learning, and proposes the disaster c... [more]

Texture is an important indication of the quality of food products, and the analysis of texture involves the measurement of their response when subjected to mechanical forces, such as cutting, scissoring, chewing, and compression or stretching. There is a close correlation between the texture of agri-food products and their mechanical properties. In this study, the textural characteristics of red radish roots were analyzed under different storage conditions using a penetration test. The physical parameters analyzed are the skin strength and elasticity, breaking point, ripening and softening profile, and flesh firmness. The results of the breaking point after the products’ storage at room temperature (tested after one, two, and three days, respectively) are: 184.96 N, 151.29 N, and 154.42 N, respectively; for radishes stored at a temperature of 2.8 °C, the breaking point is: 132.12 N, 109.76 N, and 141.16 N, respectively. The lowest value of firmness is recorded for the radishes tested... [more]

Process systems engineering research often utilizes virtual testbeds consisting of physicsbased process models. As machine learning and image processing become more relevant sensing frameworks for control, it becomes important to address how process systems engineers can research the development of control and analysis frameworks that utilize images of physical processes. One method for achieving this is to develop experimental systems; another is to use software that integrates the visualization of systems, as well as modeling of the physics, such as three-dimensional graphics software. The prior work in our group analyzed image-based control for the small-scale example of level in a tank and hinted at some of its potential extensions, using Blender as the graphics software and programming the physics of the tank level via the Python programming interface. The present work focuses on exploring more practical applications of image-based control. Specifically, in this work, we first uti... [more]

Knowledge of mixing phenomena is of great value in the mineral and other chemical and biochemical industries. This work aims to analyze the quality of mixedness (QM), the intrinsic mass transfer (MT) number, and the MT efficiency based on information entropy theory in the counter-current microstructured slurry bubble column. A thorough analysis is conducted to assess the effects of particle loading, gas and slurry velocity, and axial variation on the QM. The range of gas velocity, slurry velocity, particle size, and particle loading was 0.011−0.075 m/s, 0.018−0.058 m/s, 242.72−408.31 μm, and 15.54−88.94 kg/m3, respectively. QM is a time-dependent parameter, and the concept of contact time has been used for scale-up purposes. The maximum QM was achieved at dimensionless times of 0.40 × 10−3, 0.15 × 10−3, and 0.85 × 10−3 for the maximum superficial gas velocity, particle loading, and axial height, respectively. The gas velocity positively influenced both the intrinsic MT number and its e... [more]

A biofilm is a biologically active matrix attached to the surface of cells and their extracellular products. As they are a mixture of many microorganisms, the microbiological activity of biofilms varies according to their position in the aggregate. With particular emphasis on drinking water distribution systems, this review focuses on the process of biofilm formation, associated bacteria, chlorine resistance of bacteria, and the predominant surface materials. We have compiled studies on the bacteria in drinking water distribution systems and their interactions with biofilm formation on different materials, and we also analysed the chlorine-resistant bacteria and their problems in the water networks. The materials used in the drinking water network are significantly affected by the disinfection method used to produce the biofilm that adheres to them. Some studies propose that the material is inconsequential, with the disinfection process being the most significant factor. Studies sugges... [more]

The Ordos Basin has abundant resources in its tight sandstone reservoirs, and the use of well logging technology stands out as a critical element in the exploration and development of these reservoirs. Unlike conventional reservoirs, the commonly used interpretation models are not ideal for evaluating tight sandstone reservoirs through logging. In order to accurately evaluate parameters and identify fluid properties in the tight sandstone reservoirs of the Ordos Basin, we propose the adaption of conventional logging curves. This involves establishing an interpretation model that integrates the response characteristics of logging curves to tight sandstone reservoirs in accordance with the principles of logging. In this approach, we create interpretation models specifically for shale content, porosity, permeability, and saturation within the tight sandstone reservoir. Using the characteristics of the logging curves and their responses, we apply a mathematical relationship to link these p... [more]

As a device for cooling charged air before it enters the cylinder, the intercooler is an indispensable part of the regular operation of a booster diesel engine. To solve the problem of the insufficient cooling performance of an intercooler for a high-power supercharged diesel engine, in this study, the flow field in the intercooler is simulated using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of porous media, and the performance data measured using the steady flow test bench are used to provide boundary conditions for the calculation. The effects of the charged air mass flow rate and the tube bundle’s transverse spacing on the heat dissipation performance of the intercooler are analyzed and compared. The calculation results show that, under the condition of satisfying the regular operation of the diesel engine, the heat transfer coefficient of the intercooler heat dissipation belt increases with the increase in air mass flow and the spacing of cooling pipes, and the heat transfer coe... [more]

In this study, the influence of U-bends on the flow and pressure propagation characteristics of a gas−liquid two-phase flow in upstream and downstream straight pipes was investigated experimentally. The superficial velocities of the gas and liquid are 0.18−25.11 m/s and 0.20−1.98 m/s, respectively, covering plug flow, slug flow, and annular flow. The experiments were conducted in U-tubes with inner diameters of 9 mm and 12 mm and with a curvature ratio of 8.33. The U-tube was C-shaped. The pressure fluctuations at the axial measurement points of the straight tubes were measured. Flow images of the distal straight tubes and U-bends were obtained. The disturbance from U-bends in the two-phase flow in the vicinity of the bend is very obvious. The perturbation from U-bends in the fluid in the adjacent straight tubes is highly related to the incoming flow pattern. The slug flow has the most significant influence, whereas the effects of the plug and annular flows are small. Fundamentally, it... [more]

Given that ultrasound-assisted aqueous extraction is gaining importance within “green technology” and to increase the efficiency of extracting bioactive compounds from Levisticum officinale root waste, optimization of its parameters was undertaken. Multi-objective (multi-criteria) optimization can be an extremely promising tool not only for designing and analyzing the extraction process, but also for making process-control decisions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to develop and optimize an environmentally friendly ultrasound-assisted extraction methodology for the aqueous extraction of bioactive compounds from the roots of Levisticum officinale, which are considered a by-product. The focus was on determining the optimal extraction conditions of the independent variables, such as solid−liquid ratio, extraction time and ultrasound power, so that the optimized extracts present the highest bioactive potential expressed in terms of levels of phenolic compounds, flavonoids,... [more]