PH—Postharvest Technology: Airflow Resistance of Green Gram

Pressure drops were measured in clean green gram beds at moisture content in a range of 8·36–16·65% d.b. for superficial air velocities which ranged between 0·0104 and 1·0875 m³ s⁻¹ m⁻² at bed depths of 0·2 to 0·6 m with bulk density ranging from 760 to 855 kg m⁻³. The airflow resistance of green gram increased with the increase in airflow rate, bulk density, bed depth and decreased moisture content. Results indicated that 1% increase in moisture content decreased the pressure drop by 2·43% whereas, 1% increase in bulk density increased the pressure drop by 6·6%. Modified Shedd's equation, Hukill and Ives equation and modified Ergun equation all with two parameters were examined. Airflow resistance was accurately described by modified Shedd's equation and an empirical equation, composed of airflow rate, moisture content and bulk density.     

SE—Structures and Environment: Compost Airflow Resistance

Four bulking agents, pine shavings, mixed (long and chopped) grass hay, chopped grass hay and long (whole) wheat straw, were each mixed with pig slurry and tap water to obtain three moisture contents (MC) of 60, 65 and 70%. Quadruplets of each treatment were placed in laboratory composting vessels with a capacity of 105 l and a composting depth of 0·95 m. Using the air plenum at the bottom of each vessel, air was forced at apparent velocities of 0–0·002 m s⁻¹ through each compost mass to measure the air static pressure drop across the compost mass as a function of apparent air velocity. Airflow resistance values were measured for compost depths ranging from 0·55 to 0·85 m. Following this test, all mixtures were aerated for 21 days of composting without overturning. The static pressure measurement procedure was then repeated on all quadruplet mixtures.The air static pressure drop was found with respect to a packed bed under laminar flow, defined using the particle size distribution, porosity, depth and airflow channel characteristics of the compost material. Although MC affected the value of the airflow channel characteristics of the compost material, both the hay and straw demonstrated similar values, while shavings demonstrated values more variable and wider values for MC between 60 and 70%.There was a significant increase in airflow resistance after 21 days of composting, which supports the need for compost overturning to reestablish the material's structure and to restore the airflow channels or pores.     

Biofiltration of volatile organic emissions in reference to flexographic printing processes

A great deal of research has been directed toward the problem of reduction and control of volatile organic solvents (VOS). The aim of this research was to find a process that is both efficient and low cost. We have been able to use to our advantage the increased interest in biotechnology of the past few years in order to further our research for an environmentally safe aerobic system to degrade VOS emissions from a print shop by using biofiltration technology. Our biofilter is an aerobic system for treating air-borne organic pollutants (in this case: VOS) using the degradation properties of microbial flora. This process consists in diffusing polluted gas across a filter bed into which a microbial cultural has previously been introduced. Peat was the medium of choice for inoculation with microorganisms because of its adsoption/absorption properties, its ability to retain moisture and its buffering capacity. The peat we used was spherical in shape thus it was possible for us to avoid problems due to compacting, and work with a biofilter 2 m in height. We were able to achieve promising results from biofiltration of three types of VOS (n-propanol-1, alcohol 2A and Universal 30 solvent) present in emissions from a Montreal print shop (flexographer). We concluded that it was possible to meet our objective of complying with the clean air standards set out under the Montreal urban Community's by-laws, namely: 5 kg h^?1 of VOS or 90% removal of VOS.     

Wood Chip Biofilter Performance of Ammonia Gas From Composting Manure

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of wood chip biofilter properties and the depth of biofilter media, on ammonia emissions during high rate composting of dairy manure mixed with bulking agents. The composting and biofiltration process consisted of two series of tests. Experimental trials lasted three weeks and were composted in a 605 L pilot-scale reactor vessel. Initial conditions of composting and biofiltration process between each of two sets appeared to be similar. The experimental design used replication of three biofilter vessels of wood chips in two series of biofilter medium(total of six tests). The ammonia laden emissions from the composting mixture were passed through biofilter media and collected in the boric acid trap from the compost reactor and biofilter vessels. Temperatures in the compost and biofilter, ammonia emissions, and pressure drop across the biofilter media were monitored throughout all runs. Material masses, moisture contents, pH and various chemical properties were determined for initial and final samples from all runs. Results indicated that ammonia emission was influenced by the depth of biofilter media. Optimum biofilter media depth in a closed wood chip biofilter was 40 cm for the ammonia concentration of allowable condition of less than 50 ppm.     

SE—Structures and Environment: Ammonia Emissions from Broiler Manure — Influence of Storage and Spreading Method

Knowledge is poor concerning losses of ammonia from broiler manure during storage and after spreading. Broiler manure was stored from October to May in two separate heaps, one uncovered and one covered with a 30 cm layer of straw. Ammonia emissions were measured with a micrometeorological mass balance method in five separate periods during storage. Ambient air temperature and temperatures in the heaps were recorded continuously. After storage, broiler manure from the uncovered heap and commercial fertilizer pellets including broiler manure were spread to arable land at a rate of 110 kg [total-N] ha⁻¹. Ammonia emissions were measured with an equilibrium concentration method from plots fertilized with broiler manure and pellets, respectively, with and without harrowing 4 h after spreading. Temperature measurements taken in the heaps during storage indicated high biological activity. The highest temperatures were recorded in the straw-covered heap. Cumulative ammonia losses were 7% of total nitrogen from the uncovered heap and 10% from the heap with cover. Totally, 13·5% of the nitrogen in the broiler manure was lost as ammonia after spreading without incorporation of the manure and 7·5% from plots with incorporation. After incorporation no ammonia emission occurred. No emissions occurred from plots fertilized with pellets.     

生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥排放臭气效果的中试

为研究生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥发酵处理过程产生臭气以及挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds,VOCs)的可行性,开展了死猪和猪粪混合堆肥试验,分析了死猪堆肥过程臭气浓度特性和VOCs组分特征,对生物过滤法去除臭气中VOCs的工艺关键参数-停留时间进行优化试验。死猪堆肥过程中排放VOCs种类达37种,其中主要致臭组分为三甲胺、二甲基硫、二甲基二硫、二甲基三硫;以腐熟猪粪堆肥作为滤料(添加3%活性污泥),在停留时间为30~100 s的条件下,生物过滤法对死猪堆肥排放臭气去除率达90%以上;停留时间60~100 s的条件下对VOCs中主要致臭组分的去除效率达82.2%~100%,生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥过程臭气浓度和VOCs的优化停留时间为60 s。研究结果能为死猪堆肥发酵过程排放臭气的处理和控制技术进一步研发提供科学依据。     

Treatment of Air Polluted with Xylenes using a Biofilter Reactor

Biofiltration of air polluted by VOCs is now beingrecognized by the industrial and research communitiesto be an effective and viable alternative for theclassical environmental technologies. While a numberof biological aspects of the biofiltration process arewell understood, the effect of certain engineeringparameters such as temperature, pressure drop,bacterial count, etc., remained ambiguous especiallywhen several isomers have to be removedsimultaneously. In this paper are reported theresults of purification of air containing vapors ofxylenes in a laboratory-scale biofilter reactor. Thelatter is a packed bed of peat balls particlesspecifically designed and produced for this purpose. Three types of micro-organisms strains werescrutinizingly selected and immobilized on thefiltering material. Xylenes entering the biofilter ata relatively high inlet load (110 g m^-3 h^-1)are removed with an elimination capacity of60 g m^-3 h^-1 (at steady state). Theexperimental results obtained on the reduction ofxylenes were satisfactorily represented by thegeneralized Ottengraf's model.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Thermodynamics of Moisture Sorption in Sesame Seed

Experimental data on the sorption isotherms of sesame seed were used to determine the thermodynamic functions (heat of vaporisation, spreading pressure, net integral enthalpy and entropy). The heat of vaporisation decreased with increase in moisture content and approached the latent heat of pure water at moisture content between 18 and 21% dry basis. The spreading pressure increased with increase in water activity and was not significantly affected by temperature. Net integral enthalpy decreased with increase in moisture content, and became asymptotic as the moisture content of 12% was approached. Net integral entropy decreased with increase in moisture content to a minimum value of 0·138 J kg⁻¹K⁻¹ at moisture content of about 3·7%. It then increased with moisture content to a maximum of about 0·63 J kg⁻¹K⁻¹ at about 12% moisture content and thereafter, remained nearly constant.     

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Water Hyacinth Chopper cum Crusher

A water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) chopper cum crusher was developed at College of Technology and Engineering, Udaipur, India to solve the problem of the bulk of freshly harvested water hyacinth during transportation. The performance of the chopper cum crusher was evaluated on the basis of its ability to reduce volume and weight of fresh water hyacinth. Two variables namely feed rate and knife speeds were studied. Relationships were developed between changes in specific volume, knife speed; percent weight loss and feed rates. Weight reduction studies showed that, with the increase in feed rate and knife speed, there was a decrease in weight loss. Maximum weight loss of 33·77% was achieved with the minimum feed rate of 1·0 t h⁻¹ and knife speed of 3·14 m s⁻¹. Regression models were developed to fit the data. The developed machine reduced the specific volume and weight of fresh water hyacinth by up to 64 and 31·54%, respectively, at the recommended feed rate of 1·0 t h⁻¹ and knife speed of 4·71 m s⁻¹.     

PH—Postharvest Technology: Physical Properties of Okra Seed

The physical properties of okra seed were evaluated as a function of moisture content (m.c.). The average length, breadth and thickness of the seed varied from 5·92 to 7·30, 4·71 to 5·40 and 4·59 to 5·36 mm, respectively, as the moisture content increased from 8·16 to 87·57% d.b. The roundness and sphericity increased from 77·76 to 79·35% and 74·48 to 76·52%, respectively, with increase in moisture content from 8·16 to 19·56% d.b. and then decreased to 72·39 and 70·63%, respectively, with further increase of moisture content. In the moisture range of 8·16–87·57%, the seed volume increased from 0·067 to 0·124 cm³, 1000 seed weight, W₁₀₀₀ from 65·78 to 129·75 g and the angle of repose from 27·60 to 39·47°. The bulk density, true density and porosity decreased from 0·592 to 0·558 g cm⁻³, 1·107 to 0·986 g cm⁻³ and 46·34 to 43·20%, respectively, in the moisture range from 8·16 to 87·57% d.b. The static coefficient of friction increased on four structural surfaces namely, aluminium (0·390–0·484), bakelite (0·345–0·480), galvanised iron (0·368–0·493) and mild steel (0·389–0·480) as the moisture content increased from 8·16 to 87·57% d.b.     

Biological Elimination of Volatile Organic Compounds from Waste Gases in a Biofilter

A great deal of research has been directed towards the problem of reduction and control of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The aim of this research is to find a process that is both efficient and inexpensive in comparison with traditional air treatment technologies. Our biofilter (one stage system, 2 m in height) is an aerobic system for waste gases containing VOCs using the degradation properties of microbial flora (assorted cultures of Bacillus, Micrococcus, Acinetobacter and yeast). In this process, polluted gas diffuses across a filter bed into which a microbial culture has previously been introduced. Peat is the medium of choice for inoculation with microorganisms because of its adsorption and absorption properties, ability to retain moisture, and buffering capacity. Furthermore, the peat utilized is spherical in shape; thus, it is possible to avoid problems related to compacting. The objective of this study was to eliminate VOCs emitted from a rotogravure process. We were able to achieve promising results from biofiltration of two types of VOCs (a mixed solvent containing isopropyl acetate and 1-nitropropane, and the solvent: 1-nitropropane). The results obtained indicate that the elimination of nitropropane and the mixed solvent in the biofilter are considered to follow zero-order kinetics with reaction rate limitation and diffusion rate limitation, respectively.     

SE—Structures and Environment: Optimal Control Strategies for Carbon Dioxide Enrichment in Greenhouse Tomato Crops—Part 1: Using Pure Carbon Dioxide

Two optimal control strategies for carbon dioxide (CO₂) enrichment in greenhouse tomato crops have been developed. One uses pure CO₂ from a storage tank and the other uses CO₂ contained in the exhaust gases of boilers burning natural gas. The optimal strategies maximize the financial margin between crop value and the combined costs of the CO₂ used for enrichment and the natural gas used for heating. In this paper, the strategy for optimal control using pure CO₂ is presented and compared with strategies used by growers. The optimal strategy for enrichment with exhaust gas derived CO₂ is presented in an accompanying paper. Simulations show that at a cost of £0·09 kg⁻¹ for pure CO₂ and £0·10 m⁻³ for natural gas, the optimal enrichment strategy would increase the annual margin of crop value over CO₂ and heating costs by £4·6 m⁻² (27%) compared to a basic control strategy of enrichment to a concentration of 1000 v.p.m. (parts per million by volume) when ventilators are <5% open, otherwise enrichment to 350 v.p.m. The optimal CO₂ concentration was expressed as an algebraic function of solar radiation, wind speed and ventilator opening angle, and so enabled a quasi-optimal value to be obtained using variables measured by greenhouse environmental controllers. The quasi-optimal equation, with coefficients averaged from simulations over 4 years, gave an increased margin over the basic control strategy of £4·4 m⁻² (26%).     

多层生物滤塔去除废气中硫化氢

为了解决填料及单层滤塔中压降大、效率低的问题,以单层玉米芯生物滤塔为对照,研究了多层生物滤塔对低浓度H2S气体的净化效果,其适宜的工艺条件和生物降解宏观动力学。结果表明：填料分层填充可提高废气中H2S去除率,当进气浓度低于140 mg/m3时,H2S的去除率90%以上;H2S进气容积负荷、去除率与填料层填充厚度有一定的相关性,负荷低于42.2 g/(m3·d),下层200 mm填料对H2S总去除率的贡献在95%以上;填料含水率为55%～70%,生物滤塔的微生物活性较高,净化效率高;试验条件下,采用Michaelis-Menten模型进行生物降解宏观动力学研究,其中半饱和常数为12.4 mg/m3,污染物最大去除速率为909 g/(m3·d)。试验表明：多层生物滤塔净化效果优于单层,其气流分布更均匀,停留时间延长,压降低,效率高;在适宜的工艺条件下运行3个月,对H2S净化效率均稳定在90%以上,为进一步研究及工程应用提供理论指导。     

Optimization of Culture Conditions for the Biodegradation of Lindane by the Polypore Fungus Ganoderma australe

The performance of a lab-scale model biofilter system was investigated to treat CH₄ gas emitted from modern sanitary landfills using landfill cover soil as the filter bed medium. From the batch experiment to measure the influence of moisture content and temperature of the filter medium on CH₄ removal capacity of a biofilter system, the optimum moisture content and temperature were found to be 10–15% by weight and 25–35°C, respectively. From the model biofilter experiment to measure the influence of inlet CH₄ concentration and landfill gas inflow rate on CH₄ removal capacity of a biofilter system, it was found that the removal percentage of CH₄ increased as the inlet CH₄ concentration decreased. Up to a landfill gas inflow rate of 1,000 mL min^?1 (empty bed retention time?=?7.7 min), the CH₄ removal efficiency of the biofilter was able to reach 100%. Up to CH₄ loading rate of 278.5 g CH₄ m^?3 h^?1, the ratio of elimination capacity to CH₄ loading rate was 1 while they were 0.68 and 0.34 at CH₄ loading rate of 417.8 and 557.1 g CH₄ m^?3 h^?1, respectively. The CH₄ removal by biofilter was also confirmed by measuring the change of temperature and moisture content of the filter medium in the model biofilter. The results demonstrated that the installation of a properly managed biofilter system should be effective to reduce atmospheric CH₄ emissions from modern sanitary landfills at the low CH₄ generation stage.     

Effect of Vent Arrangement on Windward Ventilation of a Tunnel Greenhouse

The effect of ventilation configuration of a tunnel greenhouse with crop on airflow and temperature patterns was numerically investigated using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. The numerical model was firstly validated against experimental data collected in a tunnel greenhouse identical with the one used in simulations. The airflow patterns were measured and collected using a three-dimensional sonic anemometer and the greenhouse ventilation rate was deduced using a tracer gas technique. A good qualitative and quantitative agreement was found between the numerical results and the experimental measurements. After its validation, the CFD model was used to study the consequences of four different ventilator configurations on the natural ventilation system. The ventilation configuration affects the ventilation rate of the greenhouse and the airflow and air temperature distributions as well. For the different configurations, computed ventilation rates varied from 10 to 58 air changes per hour for an outside wind speed of 3 m s⁻¹ and for a wind direction perpendicular to the openings. Likewise, the simulations highlight that while the mean air temperature at the middle of the tunnels varied from 28·2 to 29·8°C, for an outside air temperature of 28°C, there are regions inside tunnels 6°C warmer than outside air. Average air velocity in the crop cover varied according to the arrangement of the vents from 0·2 to 0·7 m s⁻¹. The consequences of the marked climate heterogeneity on plant activity through the variation of crop aerodynamic resistance as well as the influence of the vent configurations on the efficiencies of ventilation on flow rate and air temperature differences between inside and outside, are also discussed.     

Channel incision, gravel mining and bedload transport in the Rhône river upstream of Lyon, France (“canal de Miribel”)

The Miribel canal is a former arm of the Rhône embanked between 1848 and 1857 over a length of 18 km to improve navigation at low discharges. The impact of this was a hydraulic tilting of the long profile characterised by 4 m of degradation upstream and 4-6 m of aggradation of bedload downstream. This phenomenon increased downstream flooding. Since 1937 a diversion dam has controlled upstream water input, thus reducing the transit of the pebble bedload. However, excessive harvesting of sands and gravels occurred between 1970 and 1980, resulting in a general lowering of the river bed and the accompanying water table with ecological consequences in the alluvial plain and for water supply. This development made it all the more necessary to obtain knowledge about the bedload discharges passing through the Miribel canal, and more broadly about the hydraulic conditions as functions of the varying discharge. Calculation of shear stresses and grain size measurements on the lateral bars after several floods in 1989-90 show that movement of bed-material is initiated at a discharge of 440 m³ · s⁻¹ (equalled or exceeded 40 days · year⁻¹), and becomes general at 550 m³ · s⁻¹ (equalled or exceeded 30 days · year⁻¹). Transport discharge is thus relatively frequent and involves distal fluvio-glacial deposits composed of fine-grained materials. Potential transport calculated by the Meyer-Peter formula is around 60,000 t · year⁻¹ for the range of discharges between 440 and 850 m³ · s⁻¹. For these discharge values, the canal experiences a loss of materials without replacement from upstream; for higher rates of discharge, the floodgates let through an unknown quantity of materials which partially make up the loss. Gravel harvesting ceased in 1991 but the diversion dam will have to be operated in a different way in order to increase the input of bedload into the canal.     

Comparison of Sewage Sludge and Yard Waste Compost As Biofilter Material for Ammonia Removal

Sewage sludge compost and yard waste compost were compared with respect to their efficiency as biofilter material for removing ammonia from air. Ammonia removal efficiency was investigated using both small-scale filter columns in the laboratory and large-scale filter columns operated at a pig farm. The laboratory experiments were carried out using 30 cm high columns with a volume of 250 cm³ supplied with an artificially produced ammonia-air mixture, whereas 1 m columns with a volume of 27 liters supplied with the ambient air from the pig stable were used in the large-scale experiments. All filter columns were able to remove more than 95% of the ammonia in the inlet regardless of compost type and applied air flow rate. Ammonia concentration profiles inside the compost columns measured at the end of the experiments indicated that sewage sludge compost removes ammonia at significantly higher specific rates than yard waste compost. The likely explanation is that sewage sludge compost contains higher numbers of nitrifying bacteria originating from the wastewater treatment process.     

Vermicomposting of sewage sludge: Effect of bulking materials on the growth and reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia andrei

The effect of different residual bulking agents (paper, cardboard, grass clippings, pine needles, sawdust and food wastes) in mixtures with sewage sludge (1:1 dry weight) on the growth and reproduction of Eisenia andrei, Bouché 1972 was studied in smallscale laboratory experiments with batches of sixty earthworms. The maximum weight achieved and the highest growth rate were attained in the mixture with food waste (755±18 mg and 18.6±0.6 mg day⁻¹ respectively) whereas the smallest size and the lowest growth rate was achieved in the mixture of sewage sludge with sawdust (572±18 mg and 11±0.7 mg day⁻¹ respectively). The earthworms showed much higher reproductive rates in the paper and cardboard mixtures (2.82±0.39 and 3.19±0.30 cocoons earthworm⁻¹ week⁻¹ respectively) compared to the control with sewage sludge alone (0.05±0.01 cocoons earthworm⁻¹ week⁻¹).     

Effect of Changing Temperature on the Deterioration of Soya Beans

Deterioration rates as indicated by carbon dioxide evolution for soya bean (Glycine max L. Merr.) stored under changing temperature conditions were quantified and compared with those predicted using equations. Experiments included soya bean moisture contents of 18, 22, and 26% (wet basis), constant storage temperatures of 15, 20, 25, and 30°C, and cyclical storage temperatures that changed between 15 and 25°C and between 20 and 30°C on a 24 h basis. Also, the growth of micro-organisms was identified after 10 days from the treatments by using the pour plate method.The results indicated an increase in deterioration by increasing storage temperature and moisture content of soya bean. Equations of carbon dioxide weight versus time for each moisture content and storage temperature were fitted. The longest allowable storage time to reach 0·5% dry matter loss (1132 h) occurred at lower moisture content and lower constant storage temperature, while the shortest allowable storage time (170 h) occurred at higher moisture content and higher constant storage temperature. The allowable storage times for soya bean stored under cyclical temperatures were close to the allowable storage time for soya bean stored at a constant temperature equal to the average cyclical temperature. Microbial infection levels increased with increasing storage temperature and moisture content. The increasing rate of micro-organism growth decreased by increasing the storage temperature over 25°C. However, this increasing rate of micro-organism growth for soya bean exposed to a cyclical storage temperature was usually lower than that for soya bean held at constant storage temperatures of about 20°C (the average of 15 and 25°C) and 25°C (the average of 20 and 30°C).     

Interacting effects of temperature, soil moisture and plant biomass production on ecosystem respiration in a northern temperate grassland

Chamber measurements of total ecosystem respiration (TER) in a native Canadian grassland ecosystem were made during two study years with different precipitation. The growing season (April–September) precipitation during 2001 was less than one-half of the 30-year mean (1971–2000), while 2002 received almost double the normal growing season precipitation. As a consequence soil moisture remained higher in 2002 than 2001 during most of the growing season and peak aboveground biomass production (253.9 g m⁻²) in 2002 was 60% higher than in 2001. Maximum respiration rates were approximately 9 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in 2002 while only approximately 5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in 2001. Large diurnal variation in TER, which occurred during times of peak biomass and adequate soil moisture, was primarily controlled by changes in temperature. The temperature sensitivity coefficient (Q₁₀) for ecosystem respiration was on average 1.83 ± 0.08, and it declined in association with reductions in soil moisture. Approximately 94% of the seasonal and interannual variation in R₁₀ (standardized rate of respiration at 10 °C) data was explained by the interaction of changes in soil moisture and aboveground biomass, which suggested that plant aboveground biomass was good proxy for accounting for variations in both autotrophic and heterotrophic capacity for respiration. Soil moisture was the dominant environmental factor that controlled seasonal and interannual variation in TER in this grassland, when variation in temperature was held constant. We compared respiration rates measured with chambers and that determined from nighttime eddy covariance (EC) measurements. Respiration rates measured by both techniques showed very similar seasonal patterns of variation in both years. When TER was integrated over the entire growing season period, the chamber method produced slightly higher values than the EC method by approximately 4.5% and 13.6% during 2001 and 2002, respectively, much less than the estimated uncertainty for both measurement techniques. The two methods for calculating respiration had only minor effects on the seasonal-integrated estimates of net ecosystem CO₂ exchange and ecosystem gross photosynthesis.