Mixing in a soft-elastic reactor (SER): A simulation study

Solid state fermentation of mung beans by Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto on static, shaking flask and soft elastic tubular reactors

Given that mung beans constitute a significant nutrient source in many cultures, it is worthwhile to investigate ways to improve their nutritional and functional properties. The effect of fermentation of mung beans by Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto was investigated in various reactor designs, including static, shaking flasks, and soft elastic tubular reactors (SETR). The results showed that all three processes might affect the substrate, resulting in changes in the protein and carbohydrate fractions. We noticed an increase in soluble protein and serine levels, which we attribute to the proteases produced during fermentation. Through XRD, FTIR, and DSC analyses, it was also discovered that whereas static and shaking flask fermentation might raise relative crystallinity and peak temperature, fermentation performed on the SETR decreased these values. It was also possible to notice that SETR might induce a change in the particle size distribution of the substrate through a complex impact of mechanical forces, mixing, and microbial activity, which could be helpful to some aspects of the process. To summarize, fermentation of mung beans by Bacillus. subtilis subsp. natto could be an attractive approach for producing a food ingredient with various functional and nutritional properties. Furthermore, the SETR has been shown to be a viable technique for dealing with high solid load substrates, whether as the reactor for the entire process or as a first stage/pre-treatment step, and its applicability in bioprocesses should be explored further.

Magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection of TiO2–Cu/water between the double lid-driven cavity and a central heat source surrounding by a wavy tilted domain of porous medium under local thermal non-equilibrium

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection of heat and mass transfer is carried out using finite difference method applied inside a tilted porous cavity saturated with a hybrid nanofluid due to the presence of the double-moving lid and the heat sources. In contrast to the earlier research, various effects which are recognized by heat generation in the local thermal non-equilibrium case at the extended Brinkman Darcy model subjected to inclined magnetic field are thoroughly examined numerically. For instance, unusual observations of the cold mass surrounding the heat source emphasize that the maximum fluid temperature highly depends on the forced convection. Additionally, solid-phase temperature acts in accordance to the heat source location while fluid temperature is agitated by the moveable sides which points up the disparity at the thermal energy transportation. However, the transfer of heat and mass at the model requires a specific conduct due to the existence of damping factors. The magnetic field, for example, suppresses the fluid flow. Moreover, the thermal non-equilibrium condition deteriorates the global heat generation.

The final fate of food: On the establishment of in vitro colon models

The search for life/health quality has driven the search for a better understanding of food components on the overall individual health, which turns to be intrinsically related to the digestive system. In vitro digestion models are considered an alternative for the in vivo studies for a variety of practical reasons, but further research is still needed concerning the colon model establishment. An effective in vitro colon model should consider all unit operations and transport phenomena, together with chemical and biochemical reactions, material handling and reactor design. Due to the different techniques and dependence on the donor microbiota, it is difficult to obtain a standard protocol with results reproductible in time and space. Furthermore, the colon model should be fed with a representative substrate, thus what happens in upper digestion tract and absorption prior to colon is also of crucial importance. Essentially, there are two ways to think about how to achieve a good and useful in vitro colon model: a complex biomimetic system that provides results comparable with the in vivo studies or a simple system, that despite the fact it could not give physiologically relevant data, it is sufficient to understand the fate of some specific components.

MHD mixed convection of hybrid nanofluid in a wavy porous cavity employing local thermal non-equilibrium condition

The current study treats the magnetic field impacts on the mixed convection flow within an undulating cavity filled by hybrid nanofluids and porous media. The local thermal non-equilibrium condition below the implications of heat generation and thermal radiation is conducted. The corrugated vertical walls of an involved cavity have \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${T}_{c}$$\end{document}Tc and the plane walls are adiabatic. The heated part is put in the bottom wall and the left-top walls have lid velocities. The controlling dimensionless equations are numerically solved by the finite volume method through the SIMPLE technique. The varied parameters are scaled as a partial heat length (B: 0.2 to 0.8), heat generation/absorption coefficient (Q: − 2 to 2), thermal radiation parameter (R_d: 0–5), Hartmann number (Ha: 0–50), the porosity parameter (ε: 0.4–0.9), inter-phase heat transfer coefficient (H^*: 0–5000), the volume fraction of a hybrid nanofluid (ϕ: 0–0.1), modified conductivity ratio (k_r: 0.01–100), Darcy parameter \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\left(Da: 1{0}^{-1}\,\mathrm{ to }\,1{0}^{-5}\right)$$\end{document}Da:10-1to10-5, and the position of a heat source (D: 0.3–0.7). The major findings reveal that the length and position of the heater are effective in improving the nanofluid movements and heat transfer within a wavy cavity. The isotherms of a solid part are significantly altered by the variations on \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$Q$$\end{document}Q, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${R}_{d}$$\end{document}Rd, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${H}^{*}$$\end{document}H∗ and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${k}_{r}$$\end{document}kr. Increasing the heat generation/absorption coefficient and thermal radiation parameter is improving the isotherms of a solid phase. Expanding in the porous parameter \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\varepsilon$$\end{document}ε enhances the heat transfer of the fluid/solid phases.

How eyelashes can protect the eye through inhibiting ocular water evaporation: a chemical engineering perspective

Bionics is a fascinating subject that has inspired many inventions through learning from biological structures and functions. In this work, a coupled multi-physics model has been developed to characterize ocular water evaporation with realistic eyelash structures taken into account. From a chemical engineering perspective, the protective function of human eyelashes in terms of evaporation inhibition has been rationally revealed. Systematic investigations were carried out to elucidate the effects of different eyelash lengths, orientations and inlet air directions on water evaporation on the ocular surface. The results clearly demonstrate that regardless of inlet air directions and eyelash orientations, increasing eyelash length from zero to an optimal length can effectively reduce water evaporation. However, further increase in the eyelash length can lead to enhanced evaporation. For the normal and parallel inlet air directions, the optimal eyelash length is around 15-30% of the eye width and can offer approximately 10-30% evaporation reduction when compared with the cases without eyelashes. These values are independent of the eyelash orientation. This investigation provides valuable data for in-depth understanding of the protective function of the eyelashes, which can be used in the future to improve and optimize bionic designs inspired by human eyelashes.