BioResources (E-Journal)
Not a member yet
1916 research outputs found
Sort by
Techno-Economic Analysis of Lignin-Containing Micro- and Nano-Fibrillated Cellulose for Lightweight Linerboard Packaging
No full textA key challenge for the paper industry in adopting nanocellulose materials is finding the right balance between production costs and the benefits for specific paper grades, given the industry’s variety of products and processes. This study developed the first model to evaluate changes in steam consumption and other process parameters on a paper machine when incorporating lignin-containing micro- and nano-fibrillated cellulose (LMNFC) as a dry-strength additive, as well as its economic effects. Significant operational differences were observed in steam consumption, dissolved solids in the sewer stream, and production rates when implementing LMNFC in different scenarios. Using the assumption that reductions in basis weight frees up enough drying capacity to offset the additional drying requirements of LMNFC, this led to a 15% reduction in manufacturing costs while maintaining paper strength. A capital payback period of five years was estimated for LMNFC production, with a minimum selling price of $243 per ton. It is important to evaluate both process dynamics and dual cost metrics (cost per ton and cost per area), when analyzing the impact of LMNFC on linerboard production. While LMNFC increases the cost per ton, the lower cost per MSF underscores its material efficiency and economic benefits, particularly for lightweight grades
The Khene: A Lao Mouth Organ of the Isan Region of Thailand
No full textThe khene is a musical instrument from Thailand’s Isan region (the Thai term for Northeastern Thailand and its local Thai inhabitants). The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of khene signal was determined via a Pico oscilloscope. Tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on the right and left side produced the fundamental frequency (in hertz) as 221(A3 = 220), 255(C4 = 261), 384(G4 = 394), 443(A4 = 440), 499(B4 = 493), 591(D5 = 587), 672(E5 = 659), and 887(A5 = 880) and as 519(C5 = 523), 247(B3 = 247), 293D4(293), 329(E4 = 331), 342(F4 = 349), 395(G4 = 392), 683(F5 = 698), and 781(G5 = 783), respectively. The standard deviations of the fundamental pitch from the equal tempered scale (ETS) for tube 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on the right and left side were ± 1, ± 6, ± 10, ± 3, ± 6, ± 4, ± 13, ± 7 and ± 4, ± 0, ± 0, ± 2, ± 7, ± 3, ± 15, ± 2 Hz, respectively. The tunings were remarkably similar with the diatonic scale of ETS. The linear equation for the partial frequency versus harmonic number for tube 1 to 8 from the right and the left side is given by y1 = 220x + 1.31, y2 = 255x + 0.34, y3 = 384x + 0.77, y4 = 443x + 0.19, y5 = 499x - 0.13, y6 = 591x + 1.82, y7 = 672.x + 2.35, and y8 = 887x, and y1 = 519x + 0.14, y2 = 247x - 0.07, y3 = 293x + 0.40, y4 = 331x - 5.49, y5 = 341x + 1.70, y6 = 395x + 0.38, y7 = 683x - 0.4, and y8 = 782x - 0.50, respectively. The harmonic number of tubes 1 to 8 on the right and left side were 16, 14, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 7, and 7, 14, 10, 10, 11, 9, 5, 4, respectively
Numerical Simulation of Stress Wave Propagation in the Three-Layer Medium Structure of Standing Trees
No full textBased on the theory of stress wave propagation in solid media, this paper conceptualizes standing trees as a three-layer composite material comprising the pith, heartwood, and sapwood. Assuming that standing trees exhibit orthotropic anisotropy, the propagation process of stress waves within the trees is simulated and analyzed using the finite element simulation software. The paper investigates the effects of diameter at breast height (DBH) of 40-year-old standing larch trees and the proportional composition of pith, heartwood, and sapwood on the propagation of stress waves. The results reveal that, despite variations in DBH and the relative proportions of the three components, the overall propagation patterns of stress waves remain largely consistent across models. Initially, stress waves propagate in the form of an inclined curved surface. As the propagation distance increases, the inclination of the wavefront gradually decreases, eventually approaching a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the standing tree. When the DBH increases from 30 cm to 50 cm, the stress wave velocity rises significantly from 3,450 m/s to 3,620 m/s. Additionally, as the proportion of sapwood increases, the velocity increases from 3,529 m/s to 3,916 m/s. A strong correlation is observed between wave velocity and the compositional ratio of the three components, with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.98.
Preparation of NiW/Ti-USY Catalyst and Its Hydrodeoxygenation Performance in Biomass Oil
No full textA catalyst (NiW/Ti-USY) was prepared via an impregnation method. Its catalytic performance was investigated for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of Jatropha oil. It was found that the support composition significantly influenced the Lewis acid site concentration, thereby affecting the deoxygenation performance. The catalyst exhibited optimal activity when the Ti loading reached 9 wt%. Furthermore, under the same support conditions, a Ni/W mass ratio of 1:9 and a total NiW loading of 30% resulted in the best catalytic performance, achieving a deoxygenation rate exceeding 90% and a minimum olefin content of 9.64%. GC-MS analysis of the product oil revealed a ratio of (C15 + C17)/(C16 + C18) greater than 10, indicating that the decarbonylation/decarboxylation (DCO/DCO₂) pathway dominated the hydrodeoxygenation process
Optimization of the Extraction Process and Physico-chemical Properties of Soluble Dietary Fiber from Defatted Rice Bran
No full textUltrasonic-assisted extraction was employed to obtain soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from defatted rice bran. Response surface methodology (RSM) was conducted to investigate and optimize the effects of solid-liquid ratio, amplitude, and ultrasonic time on the extraction. The optimal conditions were determined as an ultrasonic time of 19 min, an amplitude of 20%, and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:14 (g/mL), achieving an actual extraction yield of 14.3%. Under these conditions, the SDF exhibited enhanced water-holding (3.21±0.03 g/g), oil-holding (1.78±0.02 g/g), swelling (2.03±0.02 mL/g), solubility (0.82±0.02 g/g), glucose adsorption capacity, and cholesterol adsorption capacity properties compared to untreated rice bran dietary fiber, facilitating its processing and utilization. Laser particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction revealed that ultrasonic treatment caused the SDF to expose more chemical groups, strengthen intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and transform into a rough, porous structure with numerous wrinkles. Overall, ultrasound was shown to effectively improve the physicochemical and functional properties of defatted rice bran SDF, offering a theoretical foundation for its extraction and application
Percentage Depth Dose in Potential Wood-based Phantom Materials Using Monte Carlo Geant4 Application for Emission Tomography with a 6MV Photon Beam
No full textThe percentage depth doses of various wood-based phantom materials were evaluated using Monte Carlo GATE simulation at 6MV photon beam. Several elemental compositions of phantom materials developed over the years were collected retrospectively, and the data were used to build each phantoms’ specific geometries and compositions in a Monte Carlo GATE algorithm. Upon the construction of the linear accelerator in GATE, the percentage depth doses were measured for each of the phantom materials, and results were recorded accordingly. The output revealed that all of the samples pass the 3 %/2 mm comparison by gamma index at 96.8%. The findings of this work supported the potential of wood-based phantom material in radiotherapy and medical physics application
Challenges, Innovations, and Future Directions in Life Cycle Assessment of Product and Process Impacts
No full textReliable estimation of the environmental impacts of processes and products is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a key method for evaluating such effects. Since its development, the concept has evolved to improve the precision of the obtained results. In addition to software tools, various focuses are available that consider factors such as sustainability, social aspects, and organizational perspectives. Beyond the advancements made, there is still a need for improvement in developing accurate models and frameworks. In this sense, developments such as new information technologies can be key players in the field
Dual Role of Pennisetum purpureum as a Phytogenic Feed Additive: Enhancing Growth and Profitability in Antibiotic-Free Broiler Production
No full textAmid growing concerns about antibiotic resistance in livestock systems, there is a global shift toward identifying plant-based alternatives to conventional synthetic feed additives. This study explored the physicochemical characteristics of raw Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and assessed its viability as a low-cost, functional feed additive for colored broiler chicken diets. Comprehensive characterization was conducted on the raw grass, revealing structural features and functional groups characteristic of bioactive, fibrous biomass. A subsequent feeding trial was conducted with 216 Sasso broiler chicks divided among six dietary regimens: a negative control (basal diet), a positive control (100 mg/kg oxytetracycline), and four supplementation levels of P. purpureum grass meal (1.25 to 5.00 g/kg). The highest supplementation level (5.00 g/kg) significantly enhanced growth performance (p < 0.05), reducing feed conversion ratio (FCR) while maintaining low feed intake. Economic analyses demonstrated that this treatment yielded the greatest profitability, exhibiting superior net profit margin, break-even efficiency, and margin of safety. These findings indicated P. purpureum as a promising phytogenic feed additive with dual benefits of enhancing production efficiency and promoting sustainable poultry farming
A Review on Early Writing Materials: Genesis, Evolution, Industrial Production, and Diversification of Use
No full textThis review of the literature features the fundamentals of papermaking and its history. First, writing substrates other than paper, as well as similar to paper, are discussed. Then, issues related to the invention of the technology of paper and paperboard production as we know it today are presented. Subsequently, facts related to the key achievements in pulp and paper technology that enabled the mass production of these products are described. Finally, examples of papers and processed products (not only papermaking) that significantly expanded the scope of production of pulp and paper industry - also greatly improving people’s daily lives - are provided. The article concludes by highlighting the long historical journey toward obtaining a writing substrate with optimal properties ¾ namely, paper. It is proposed to divide the period of diversification of the applications of pulps, paper, and paperboards into 1st generation diversification and 2nd generation diversification, the latter corresponding to the contemporary times, i.e. the period in which due to the reduction in the production of writing and printing papers, the paper industry is intensively looking for new applications for papermaking pulps, papers, and cardboards
Nail-holding Capacity of Guiding Bore Hole Diameter in P. massoniana and C. lanceolata Dimension Lumber
No full textThe nail-holding performance of two major commercial wood species in southern China, P. massoniana (Masson pine) and C. lanceolata (Chinese fir), were investigated in this paper. Nail-holding strength tests on the two kinds of wood were conducted using self-tapping screws and round steel nails, respectively, with the focus on analyzing the impact law of guiding bore diameter on nail-holding performance. Without the guiding hole, the nail-holding force of both kinds of nails was poor. When the guiding hole diameter increased moderately, the nail-holding force showed an upward trend. Nevertheless, if the guiding hole diameter was too large, the nail-holding force would drop sharply. The nail-holding force of self-tapping screws peaked when the guiding hole diameter was 2.0 mm, and that of round steel nails reached the maximum when the guiding hole diameter was 2.5 mm. In addition, there were remarkable differences in the nail-holding force performance of P. massoniana and C. lanceolata wood under different guiding hole diameters, and their load-displacement curve characteristics also varied. Reasonable design of the diameter of the guiding hole can significantly enhance the nail-holding performance of wood, ensuring the stability and reliability of wood structure connections