Nano-refrigerants and nano-lubricants in refrigeration : synthesis, mechanisms, applications, and challenges

Addressing global energy security and environmental concerns, the utilization of nano-refrigerants and nano-lubricants has emerged as an innovative path for enhancing heat transfer. This research focuses on enhancing the thermophysical properties, heat transfer efficiency, and tribological characteristics of nanofluids—nanoparticles dispersed in refrigerants or lubricants. These nanofluids have demonstrated significant potential in applications such as cooling, air conditioning systems, and heat transfer equipment including pumps and pipes. A comprehensive understanding of parameters like thermal conductivity, viscosity, pressure drop, pumping power, and energy performance is delivered, with the aim of enhancing the overall efficiency of refrigeration systems, particularly the coefficient of performance (COP). Additionally, the review covers existing research on flow and pool boiling heat transfer, nano-lubricant tribological enhancement, and nano-refrigerant condensation. The study also addresses the challenges associated with the use of nano-refrigerants and nano-lubricants and offers a prospective outlook for their usage. These novel nanofluids are anticipated to emerge as effective solutions for increasing the COP and reducing energy consumption in the industrial sector, thus extending beyond the scope of previous efforts in this field. This review could serve as a valuable resource for a broad audience interested in this novel approach to energy efficiency

Utilization of Corncob as an Immobilization Matrix for a Xylanolytic Yeast Strain

Immobilization of microbial cells for the production of industrially important enzymes has been reported to offer the advantages of recyclability, higher yields and cost effectiveness. The search for an appropriate matrix that is affordable and easy to prepare is a significant topic in microbial biotechnology. Here, an abundant type of agro-industrial waste—corncob—was utilized as an immobilization matrix for the production of xylanase from an indigenous yeast strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae MK-157. This is the first report describing xylanase production from immobilized S. cerevisiae. To render the corncob matrix more porous, alkaline pretreatment was undertaken and yeast cells were immobilized on the matrix by cultivating at 30 °C for 48 h in Sabouraud dextrose broth. After incubation, the immobilized matrix was transferred to mineral salt medium containing 1% xylan and incubated at 30 °C for 24 h. Xylanase production was determined in cell-free culture supernatant and the matrix was recycled for up to seven cycles. Moreover, xylanase-mediated saccharification was carried out using sugarcane bagasse as a substrate and the release of reducing sugars was monitored. The results showed that the immobilized yeast produced 4.97 IU mL−1 xylanase in the first production cycle, indicating a >tenfold increase compared to the free cells. Xylanase production further increased to its maximum levels (9.23 IU mL−1) in the fourth production cycle. Nonetheless, the cells retained 100% productivity for up to seven cycles. The volumetric and specific productivity of xylanase were also the highest in the fourth cycle. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the rough surface of the untreated corncob, which became more porous after alkaline pretreatment. Immobilized yeast cells were also visible on the corncob pieces. The saccharification of a natural resource—sugarcane bagasse—using xylanase preparation yielded 26 mg L−1 of reducing sugars. Therefore, it can be concluded that yeast strains can yield sufficient quantities of xylanase, allowing possible biotechnological applications. Moreover, corncob can serve as a cost-effective matrix for industrially important yeast strains