Search results for "Chemical engineering"
showing 10 items of 5892 documents
Quantitative Analysis, Infrared
2000
In this article, after reviewing the different mathematical methods used in quantification we will describe and discuss their respective advantages and inconveniences. First of all, different examples of applications of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, used with or without other analytical chemistry methods, will be presented. Some examples of direct quantitative analysis in food analysis will be reviewed: lipids (measurement of unsaturation degrees, lipids determination), carbohydrates, proteins (secondary structures, quantitative analysis). We will also focus on original examples of the use of IR spectroscopy combined with enzymes. Secondly, some examples of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) a…
Testing <em>Drosophila</em> Olfaction with a Y-maze Assay
2014
Detecting signals from the environment is essential for animals to ensure their survival. To this aim, they use environmental cues such as vision, mechanoreception, hearing, and chemoperception through taste, via direct contact or through olfaction, which represents the response to a volatile molecule acting at longer range. Volatile chemical molecules are very important signals for most animals in the detection of danger, a source of food, or to communicate between individuals. Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most common biological models for scientists to explore the cellular and molecular basis of olfaction. In order to highlight olfactory abilities of this small insect, we describ…
Characterization of cooling loads in the wine industry and novel seasonal indicator for reliable assessment of energy saving through retrofit of chil…
2020
Abstract The food sector is a major consumer of energy and growing efforts are being made in the search for solutions that will guarantee the efficient and sustainable use of energy resources. Among the different sectors, wineries are attracting particular interest due to the continuous growth of the global market and production. Surveys conducted in the winemaking sector have highlighted the importance of performing accurate energy audits and have identified the installation of efficient refrigeration systems as a promising solution in a variety of cases. Unfortunately, the savings achievable by efficient cooling technologies are often estimated using simplified approaches which do not tak…
Exergoeconomic analysis as support in decision-making for the design and operation of multiple chiller systems in air conditioning applications
2020
Abstract Multiple-chillers systems represent viable solutions for medium/large-scale air conditioning applications characterized by variable cooling demand. The energy efficiency of such systems is influenced by the number of chillers, the combination of cooling capacities, and the load-sharing among the units. Large efforts have been devoted to developing efficient operation strategies for these systems, but rules of thumb are usually adopted for selecting cooling capacities thus leaving room for energy and economic savings. In this paper, exergoeconomic analysis is proposed as a promising method to identify near-optimal design and operation strategies, due to the capability of exergoecono…
Bubble fractionation of enantiomers from solution using molecularly imprinted polymers as collectors.
1998
Adsorptive bubble separation methods have been used to enrich components from both heterogeneous and homogeneous solutions. These methods are particularly effective for processing large solution volumes at low cost. Previous work demonstrated that chiral, surface-active collectors could be used to enrich enantiomers from homogeneous solution in a foam fractionation process. In a significant extension of this work, the use of highly selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and heterogeneous solutions for the bubble flotation of enantiomers was evaluated. The high selectivity and ease of recycling of the MIP make this a potentially powerful approach for process-scale separations from l…
Is multidimensional high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) an alternative in protein analysis to 2D gel electrophoresis?
2000
The interactive modes of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of proteins provide a platform for the construction of a multidimensional HPLC system coupled to mass spectrometry. We present a system composed of both anion and cation exchanger columns, in the first dimension, and n-octadecyl bonded 1.5 μm nonporous silica columns in the second dimension. Both columns are operated under gradient conditions. A system suitability test with standard proteins showed that the total analysis can be performed within about 20 minutes. The fractions taken from the ion exchanger column are directly analyzed within one minute on the reversed phase column at a high flow rate. Two reversed phase c…
Using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy To Design Active Antimicrobial Food Packaging Structures Based on High Molecular Weight Chitosan Polysaccharide
2007
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been used in this study to characterize the molecular mechanisms and kinetic processes that take place when a chitosonium acetate thin coating is put in contact with water solutions, Staphylococcus aureus solutions, microbial nutrient solutions, and with a high water activity TSA hydrogel medium to simulate the effect of direct contact with high moisture foods such as fresh meats, fish, and seafood products or beverages. The results of this work suggest that the biocide carboxylate groups that form when chitosan is cast from acetic acid solutions are being continuously evaporated from the formed film in the form of acetic acid (mechanism I) in the presence of envir…
Fuel Cell Performances of Bio-Membranes Made of Chitosan-Polyelectrolyte Thin Films and Nanowires into Anodic Alumina Membranes
2012
Chitosan (CS) / Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) polyelectrolytes in the shape of thin films and nanowires supported by Anodic Alumina Membranes (AAM) have been fabricated through solution cast and filtration techniques, respectively. Their ability to function in a H2/O2 fuel cell under mild conditions (room temperature, low humidity and low Pt loading) is proved for the first time. The fabricated membrane electrode assemblies produce power peaks of ~20 mW cm-2 for both films and nanowires. The CS/PTA films (20-40 μm thick) are able to produce a quite constant power density of ~10 mW cm-2 recorded for at least 7 h. The gradual decrease of the power output with time observed for CS/PTA nanowires i…
Influence of synthesis conditions on the performance of chitosan–Heteropolyacid complexes as membranes for low temperature H2–O2 fuel cell
2015
Flat, free-standing chitosan/phosphotungstic acid (PTA) polyelectrolyte membranes were prepared by in-situ ionotropic gelation process at room temperature on porous alumina support firstly impregnated by H3PW12O40. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of compact and homogeneous membranes, whose thickness resulted to be dependent on chitosan concentration and reticulation time. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) evidenced the formation of almost amorphous membrane without appreciable concentration of not protonated NH2 groups and PTA3- ions with preserved Keggin structure. Membranes were tested as proton conductor in low temperature H2-O2 fuel…
Chitosan-phosphotungstic acid complex as membranes for low temperature H2-O2 fuel cell
2015
Abstract Free-standing Chitosan/phosphotungstic acid polyelectrolyte membranes were prepared by an easy and fast in-situ ionotropic gelation process performed at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to study their morphological features and their thickness as a function of the chitosan concentration. The membrane was tested as proton conductor in low temperature H 2 –O 2 fuel cell allowing to get peak power densities up to 350 mW cm −2 . Electrochemical impedance measurements allowed to estimate a polyelectrolyte conductivity of 18 mS cm −1 .