Silicon carbide equipments for process intensification of silicon reactions.

Bluestar Silicones, one of the worldwide leaders in silicones chemistry, proposes a R&D project, aiming to design new equipment for the transposition of batch to continuous processes. The safety and environmental issues linked to this type of chemicals, and the productivity targets as well require innovative technologies characterized by a fair corrosion resistance and high heat and mass transfer performances. A preliminary prototype of heat exchanger reactor made of silicon carbide plates has been developed by the LGC in collaboration with a SME specialist of SiC, Boostec. It has allowed the pilot feasibility with some reactions of industrial interest for a Bluestar Silicones to be highlighted. Now, it is necessary to pursue this effort and beyond the feasibility step to go on up to the design of an industrial reactor. This project corresponds to a programme of innovative process development in order to design cleaner, safer and less consuming devices

Intensified processes for FAME production from waste cooking oil: a technological review

This article reviews the intensification of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) production from waste cooking oil (WCO) using innovative process equipment. In particular, it addresses the intensification of WCO feedstock transformation by transesterification, esterification and hydrolysis reactions. It also discusses catalyst choice and product separation. FAME production can be intensified via the use of a number of process equipment types, including as cavitational reactors, oscillatory baffled reactors, microwave reactors, reactive distillation, static mixers and microstructured reactors. Furthermore, continuous flow equipment that integrate both reaction and separation steps appear to be the best means for intensifying FAME production. Heterogeneous catalysts have also shown to provide attractive results in terms of reaction performance in certain equipment, such as microwave reactors and reactive distillation

Characteristics of feeding and breeding practices for intensification of smallholder dairy systems in the Kenya highlands

This study aimed at better understanding of the characteristics of feeding and breeding practices smallholder farmers adopt in intensifying their dairy production. Use of hired labour for fodder gathering, growing of fodder crops and purchase of feeds increased with increasing intensification, but Bos taurus breeds did not respond to increasing feeding intensification while Bos indicus cattle responded, calving at earlier age and yielding more milk. Overall, first calving occurred at 32 months, but days open prolonged to 250 days with milk yield of 4 litres per day of calving interval. A principal component analysis extracted six feeding and breeding components, explaining 71.79% of the total variations in feeding and breeding practices for dairy intensification. The six components were labelled: non- intensified feeding and breeding; breeding decisions based-intensification; high external resource based-intensification; moderate resource based-intensification; resource poor based-intensification; and moderate external resource based-intensification. These characteristics points to some `evolutionary process¿ of intensification involving feeding and breeding decisions, depending on the risk-bearing capacity of the household. Intensification enhancing interventions for smallholders need be considered in the context of the household economy. Interventions on feeding and breeding have to be packaged together holistically if intensification is to enhance productivity. A selective intervention on only one of these is associated with low productivity levels, only contributing to sustaining family subsistence livelihood

Intensification of methanol steam reforming process using Cu-modified Ni-based supported catalysts

Hydrogen is conventionally manufactured in large scale by the steam reforming of methane or naphthas. The perspective of using hydrogen as a fuel depends of finding alternatives to the existing production technologies and feedstock. Oxygenated compounds are an interesting alternative and are been investigated extensively. The process of steam reforming of mixtures of oxygenated hydrocarbons does not contribute to a net increase in atmospheric CO2, as oxygenated obtained from renewable resources are considered to be CO2 neutral. In previous works has been demonstrate that Steam Reforming of oxygenated compounds is a complex reactions network where in a previous step, decomposition reaction take place followed by the reforming of decomposition products. Its known that DME (or methanol) receives particular attention due to its properties similar to those of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)and it can be used as a clean high-efficiency compression ignition fuel. In other way, it has been demonstrate that DME-SR to produce H2 occurs through two main reactions in series, DME-Hydrolysis and MeOH-Steam Reforming. Therefore, bifunctional catalysts are necessary, with and acid funcion active in DME-HYD and a redox for reforming step. On the other hand, methanol is also regarded as an important feedstock for hydrogen production due to its high energy density and superior transportability, especially for small-scaled and portable fuel cell applications. In comparison with CH4-SR, the reaction temperature of methanol steam reforming is much lower and the gas off contains typically 60%-70% H2. In this contribution the Steam Reforming of MeOH has been studied using a Ni-based supported catalysts modified with copper and an optimized formulation was considered to incorporate in a microreformer, as an intensification of process to direct hydrogen supply on board.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Process Intensification Routes for Mineral Carbonation

Mineral carbonation is a realistic route for capture and storage of carbon dioxide. The principal advantages of this approach are the chemical stability and storage safety of mineral carbonates, the opportunities for process integration available, and the potential for conversion of low-value materials into useful products. In this work the valorisation of alkaline waste materials from thermal processes by mineral carbonation utilizing intensified and integrated mineral carbonation routes is explored. Process intensification is the chemical engineering of the 21st century, and aims at providing the paradigm-shifting techniques that will revolutionize the industry. The combination of process intensification and process integration strategies has the potential to produce economically feasible and industrially acceptable carbonation technologies that can soon be implemented at large-scale, several examples of which are already proven at the laboratory scale and are herein discussed

Possibilities and limitations of protein supply in organic poultry and pig production

Organic poultry and pig production has to face severe restrictions in the availability of feedstuffs of high quality protein. The objective of the project was to assess by meta-analysis of the literature whether the restrictions can be compensated by others measures without jeopardizing the goal of a high level of product- and process-related quality. Calculations showed that, in general, it is possible to formulate diets for poultry and pigs without the use of non-organic feedstuffs. However, there is a huge variation between farms on the local, regional or national level in their ability to provide organic diets. Several measures are outlined that are at the organic farmer's disposal to adapt to the restricted availability of high protein feedstuffs. The risk of the occurrence of diseases and welfare problems in organic livestock production due to suboptimal nutrient provision by the farmer is compa-rably low, and can be handled by a proper manage-ment. Intensification of meat production, however, encloses a system-related increase in the risks of animal health disorders. From the animal health and welfare point of view, organic farming should be protected towards the negative side effects of an intensified meat production by setting limits with respect to the intensification process

Multiscale modeling of physical and biological systems

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute