From Chemical Plants to Clinical Patients: Process Control Applications in Biomedicine

In recent times, there has been a convergence and interaction between the age-long principles of chemical process control (hitherto exclusive to the world of man-made industrial chemical process plants) and the life sciences (particularly biomedicine). This review article presents some examples of application areas in biomedicine where process dynamics and control, as a sub-discipline of process engineering, is being utilized to save human lives. It especially focuses on the extension of the chemical engineer’s “process” and “system” to embrace parts of the human body or microbial cells. The aim of the article is to make the reader appreciate how the traditional chemical engineering tools of process dynamics and control can be applied newly to biomedical problems. This is to stir the readers’ mind to explore other exciting ways of applying control engineering knowledge to solve modern healthcare challenges. The review was conducted under three broad application headings: medical device engineering applications, industrial-scale production of therapeutic substances and elucidatory investigations into complex physiologies

Microstructural Evaluation of Aluminium Alloy A365 T6 in Machining Operation

The optimum cutting parameters such as cutting depth, feed rate, cutting speed and magnitude of the cutting force for A356 T6 was determined concerning the microstructural detail of the material. Novel test analyses were carried out, which include mechanical evaluation of the materials for density, glass transition temperature, tensile and compression stress, frequency analysis and optimisation as well as the functional analytic behaviour of the samples. The further analytical structure of the particle was performed, evaluating the surface luminance structure and the profile structure. The cross-sectional filter profile of the sample was extracted, and analyses of Firestone curve for the Gaussian filter checking the roughness and waviness profile of the structure on aluminium alloy A356T6 is proposed. A load cell dynamometer was used to measure different parameters with the combination of a conditioning signal system, a data acquisition system and a computer with visualised software. This allowed recording the variations of the main cutting force throughout the mechanised pieces under different cutting parameters. A carbide inserted tool with triangular geometry was used. The result shows that the lowest optimum cutting force is 71.123 N at 75 m/min cutting speed, 0.08 mm/rev feed rate and a 1.0 mm depth of cut. The maximum optimum cutting force for good surface finishing is 274.87 N which must be at a cutting speed of 40 m/min, 0.325 mm/rev feed rate and the same 1.0 mm depth of cut

Volume-Level Calibrations for Partially-filled Liquid Process and Storage Vessels: Metering for Complex Geometries

Process vessels utilized for liquids and liquid-phase processes are important in the chemical process industries as they are employed for a number of purposes which include use as reservoirs, surge tanks, transportation tankers and as reactors. It is therefore often desired to have real-time data about the liquid volume and level especially for partially-filled vessels. While obtaining volume-level data for filled tanks for common geometries are simple tasks, this is not so for partially-filled vessels with complex geometries. This paper therefore sets out to develop a useful theoretical tool which can assist process engineers with the task of calibrating process tanks for these complex yet widely-used geometries. The paper presents a mathematical analysis of these geometries and develops equations and charts which could be used to estimate tank volumes from given depth of liquid for any geometry of partially-filled process vessel. The paper also develops a useful methodology which can assist in the design and sizing of process vessels using the developed charts. The paper is unique in that it utilized a normalization technique in the mathematical analyses of the partially-filled process vessels. Fractional volume and fractional depth were introduced as key variables in addition to dimensionless geometric parameters

Neuroenhancement in Military Personnel::Conceptual and Methodological Promises and Challenges

Military personnel face harsh conditions that strain their physical and mental well-being, depleting resources necessary for sustained operational performance. Future operations will impose even greater demands on soldiers in austere environments with limited support, and new training and technological approaches are essential. This report highlights the progress in cognitive neuroenhancement research, exploring techniques such as neuromodulation and neurofeedback, and emphasizes the inherent challenges and future directions in the field of cognitive neuroenhancement for selection, training, operations, and recovery

Energy and Economic Comparison of Different Fuels in Cement Production

Cement clinkerisation is the major energy-consuming process in cement manufacturing due to the high-temperature requirement. In this paper, energy data including specific energy consumption, forms, and types of energy used at different units of cement manufacturing processes were analyzed and compared for effectiveness, availability, cost, environmental, and health impact. Data from three different cement industries in Nigeria labeled as A, B, and C were used for the analysis in this study. The results of this research work established that coal is the cheapest energy source but environmental issues exonerate it from being the choice energy source. LPFO and Natural gas give better production output while minimizing pollution and health issues. When benchmarked against each other, Factory B was found to be the most energy-efficient in terms of output and cost of production. Although coal is cheaper compared to fuel oil and supposed to contribute a share of fuel used in cement industries, the industries are moving towards the use of alternative and conventional fuels to reduce environmental pollution. It is therefore recommended that deliberate effort to achieve appreciable energy-efficient levels should be the priorities of the cement industries in Nigeria

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Characterization and optimization study of Ficus exasperata extract as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in seawater

This study investigated the characterization of Ficus exasperata extract and the optimization of the process variables on inhibition of mild steel in seawater environment. Box Behnken Design was employed to examine the influence of three process variables: Temperature: 25-29 °C; Time: 3 – 6 days; Inhibitor concentration: 1-5 v/v. Phytochemical screening of the extract was done. The physicochemical constituents of the seawater were also determined. The experimental data was statistically determined and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to characterize the mild steel. The result of the phytochemical screening of the Ficus exasperata plant extract (FEPE) showed the presence of contain inhibitive constituents: alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and glycosides. The highest inhibition efficiency of 86.31% at a temperature of 29 ℃ for 6days at an inhibition concentration of 3v/v was observed from the experimental run. The optimal process levels of time: 5.74 days, temperature: 27.95 ℃ and inhibitor concentration: 2.90v/v, gave 87.52% as its inhibition efficiency. The result of the SEM from the optimal process level validated showed that more passive film was formed which can be attributed to the adsorption of the Ficus exasperata extract. It can be concluded that the Ficus exasperata was a good eco-friendly inhibitor

Microstructural evaluation of aluminium alloy A365 T6 in machining operation

open access articleThe optimum cutting parameters such as cutting depth, feed rate, cutting speed and magnitude of the cutting force for A356 T6 was determined concerning the microstructural detail of the material. Novel test analyses were carried out, which include mechanical evaluation of the materials for density, glass transition temperature, tensile and compressions tress, frequency analysis and optimisation as well as the functional analytic behaviour of the samples. The further analytical structure of the particle was performed, evaluating the surface luminance structure and the profile structure. The cross-sectional filter profile of the sample was extracted, and analyses of Firestone curve for the Gaussian filter checking thoroughness and waviness profile of the structure on aluminium alloy A356 T6 is proposed. A load cell dynamometer was used to measure different parameter switch the combination of a condition in signal system, a data acquisition system and a computer with visualised of ware. This allowed recording the variations of the main cutting force throughout the mechanised pieces under different cutting parameters. A carbide-inserted tool with triangular geometry was used. The result shows that the lowest optimum cutting force is 71.123 N at 75 m/min cutting speed, 0.08 mm/rev feed rate and a 1.0 mm depth of cut. The maximum optimum cutting force for good surface finishing is 274.87 N, which must be at a cutting speed of 40m/min,0.325mm/rev feed rate and the same 1.0 mm depth of cu