Industrial thin-film deodorization of seed oils with SoftColumnTM technology

Development of thin-film deodorizers started in the 1970ies, and they have been in industrial use since the middle of the 1980ies. The latest type is the SoftColumn^TM, a deodorizer specially developed for mild, low cost processing of seed oils. This deodorizer consists of a structured packing section and a flexible holding section. Regenerative oil heating/cooling and final heating is carried out in external, sparged vacuum heat exchangers, and the design of the heat exchangers leads to superior heat recovery and savings in fuel consumption. This set-up provides major advantages with regard to oil quality, economy, and flexibility. The extremely effective stripping of free fatty acids (FFAs) leads to shorter overall holding times of the oil at elevated temperatures, and steam consumption is cut to a third of the amount required in conventional deodorizers. The product oil has not only low acidity, low colour, good taste and stability, but also low trans fatty acid (TFA) concentrations. By adjusting the stripping steam flow the plant can be optimized both for tocopherol retention or removal. Flexible holding times allow optimization of heat bleaching/TFA formation without compromising on capacity. In this paper product analysis data on tocopherol and trans fatty acids from thin-film deodorizers in industrial operation are shown.     

Hydrothermische Behandlung von Stärke in Gegenwart von Maltosesirup. Teil 1. Einfluß auf DSC-Parameter und die Konsistenz von Kartoffelstärkegelen

Hydrothermal treatment of starch in presence of maltose syrup. Part 1. Effect on DSC Parameters and consistency of potato starch gels A hydrothermal modification of potato starch at water excess in presence of maltose syrup permits distinct changes of properties as paste consistency, gelatinization and gelation behaviour preserving the granular structure at the same time. Annealing in maltose syrup causes a drastic decrease in hot past consistency and an increase in consistency during the keeping phase at 96°C. 3.3% starch in pastes of such samples produces a set back of about 2300 BU at a Brabender final temperature of 50°C. Annealing of potato starch in maltose syrup doubles Brabender final consistency with minimal loss in yield (< 10%). Modified patterns show a gel elasticity of about 20%-sag measured in ridgelimeter. Gel bevels composed of 3.3% annealed starch modified in 6%ical maltose syrup up to a final temperature of 56°C are characterized by sag values of 17%. The alkaline stability measured in Brabender viscograph rises 4 fold in these samples and show a shift of the DSC swelling temperature T_max of 5.5 to 8 K. Annealing of potato starch in maltose syrup makes it possible to alter properties within a short time at very low energy consumption offering broad industrial application.     

Semiempirical thermodynamic modeling of a direct methanol fuel cell system

In this study, a thermodynamic model of an active direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system, which couples in‐house experimental data for the DMFC with the mass and energy balances for the system components (condenser, mixing vessel, blower, and pumps), is formed. The modeling equations are solved using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) program. This model gives the mass fluxes and thermodynamic properties of fluids for each state, heat and work transfer between the components and their surroundings, and electrical efficiency of the system. The effect of the methanol concentration (between 0.5 and 1.25 M) and air flow rate (between 20 and 30 mL cm^?2 min^?1) on the net power output and electrical efficiency of the system and the condenser outlet temperature is investigated. The results essentially showed that the highest value for the electrical efficiency of the system is 23.6% when the current density, methanol concentration, and air flow rate are taken as 0.2 A cm^?2, 0.75 M, and 20 mL cm^?2 min^?1, respectively. In addition, the air flow rate was found to be the most significant parameter affecting the condenser outlet temperature.     

Network formation by aza‐Michael addition of primary amines to vinyl end groups of enzymatically synthesized poly(glycerol adipate)

A highly efficient approach for the synthesis of polyester‐based networks via aza‐Michael addition of primary amines to α,β‐unsaturated (vinyl) end groups of poly(glycerol adipate) (PGA) was achieved. By acylation of PGA with 6‐(Fmoc‐amino)hexanoic acid side chains via Steglich esterification, protected amine‐functionalized PGA was obtained. This was followed by the removal of fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) protecting groups and the synthesis of PGA‐based networks under catalyst‐free conditions. The successful conjugate addition of primary amines to vinyl end groups and network formation were confirmed using ¹³C magic angle spinning NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Network heterogeneity and defects were quantitatively investigated using ¹H double‐quantum NMR spectroscopy. Finally, a hydrogel was prepared with potential biomedical applications.     

Steels for pipes and pipelines

The development of steel grade up to X 80 quality was shown explaining metallurgical mechanisms used for thermomechanically rolled steels with improved toughness behaviour. The influence of the reduction of C-content for these TM-steels on the field welding behaviour was discussed. The development of steels with improved resistance against sour media was presented, showing the influence of purity degree, Mn- and C-content in combination with the steelmaking practice. The influence of residual stress on the SSCC resistance of SAW pipe was pointed out and a heat treatment process was presented reducing the residual stress and resulting in crack free spiral welded pipes under the most severe test condition of NACE-solution with pH-values of 2.7–3.5.     

Homogeneity analysis of square meter-sized electrodes for PEM electrolysis and PEM fuel cells

Electrodes for polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers and fuel cells are manufactured by coating a catalyst dispersion, consisting of precious metal, ionomer and solvents, onto a substrate that is subsequently dried. One target of current research is to produce square meter-sized electrodes, but so far the homogeneity that can be achieved in this scaling is unclear. To quantify the achievable homogeneity of an electrode, manufactured by means of slot die coating in a roll-to-roll pilot plant, this study focuses first on the selection of an appropriate substrate by investigating thickness, basis weight and surface free energy distribution at the square meter scale. Afterward, a dispersion is coated on the selected substrate, dried and investigated with respect to thickness and basis weight distribution. Among the investigated substrates, Kapton has the smallest scatter in terms of thickness and basis weight. The subsequent coating results in a precious metal loading of 1.10 mg cm\(^{-2}\), with a scattering of 5.5% that can be further reduced to 4.5% when edge effects can be prevented. These results are now available for further research in which it is necessary to investigate whether or not these fluctuations affect the achievable electrochemical efficiencies of electrodes.     

Towards a lean automation interface for workstations

Methods and principles of Lean Production have become the major concepts to create highly efficient processes since the early 1990s. Due to its high effectiveness by reducing complexity and focusing on value-adding tasks, the Lean concept is still successful. Nevertheless, its changeability to produce highly customised products is limited. Industry 4.0 describes the vision of a smart production which can meet these future market requirements. Enablers are innovative information and communication technologies and the integration of all production entities into a common digital network. Lean Automation is the application of Industry 4.0 technologies to Lean Production methods in order to combine benefits from both domains. First proprietary Lean Automation solutions exist, but to enhance changeability in production, a common, unified communication interface is required. This paper presents the ongoing work towards an interface for digitising Lean Production methods using Cyber Physical Systems.