Vacuum infrared dryer for drying fruit

The article is devoted to the study of infrared drying of products in a reduced pressure chamber using the convection effect. With the use of drying, canning of fruits, vegetables, herbs and meat is achieved, which reduces not only the volume, but also the weight of the processed raw materials. The paper presents the main parameters of drying products online, such as relative humidity, pressure, radiation intensity of infrared lamps, drying temperature. The uniqueness of this unit in comparison with similar dryers is a one-time treatment of the product with infrared rays under reduced pressure, convection of air flows inside the drying chamber and full automation of the drying process of any product of plant and animal origin. Determination of parameters and modes of drying was carried out on products of plant origin. During the experimental part, bananas and apples were used. In experimental studies, products such as bell peppers, apples and bananas with various slicing thicknesses were used. The greatest drying effect was obtained with a drying product thickness of 5 mm, and the worst with a product thickness of 10 mm. For example, pepper has decreased in weight from 79.84 grams. up to 23.43 gr., which is his weight loss by 70.65%.

Design, development and performance estimation of 110 kW kinetic heating simulation facilities for material studies–Phase I

In this work, a kinetic heating simulation (KHS) facility has been designed, developed and the performance estimation is carried out in Propulsion and High enthalpy lab held at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences. The main objective of developing a KHS facility is to study the material characteristics high temperature paints at elevated temperatures. The Kinetic heating simulation facility is developed for 110 kW power rating. The current facility is designed to hold maximum of 105 Infrared lamps with each lamp having a power rating of 1kW. Ceramic lamps are used for heating the specimen. 15 lamps are placed in a bank and each bank can be controlled individually with the help of controlling unit. A total of 7 banks are used in operation of the kinetic heating simulation facility. To estimate the performance of the KHS facility K-type thermocouple are used for feedback as well as to measure temperature. The KHS also has provision for heat flux measurement. Preliminary studies are carried out to estimate the performance of KHS facility for various ranges

Thermal Experiments for Validation of 3-AMADEUS Cubesat

There has been an increasing interest in CubeSats missions due to its small size, low cost and flexibility to accommodate different payloads. It enables CubeSats to perform a range of various missions. One of the causes of failure in a satellite in space are the temperature peaks suffered during a full orbital cycle. Therefore, proper thermal control system design and test should be performed to guarantee the reliability of a spacecraft prior to launch.The present work aims to analyze the main heat transfer processes within a satellite to validate the 3-AMADEUS CubeSat and current methodologies used by CEiiA for nano and micro satellites. Hence, with the purpose of developing thermal models with higher reliability, an experiment was devised to be performed in a controlled environment. The experimental test consists in a study of the heat exchange between two aluminum plates through radiation, using infrared lamps as heat source. Three distance configuration and two lamp types are tested. This would emulate the heat transmission between different components within the satellite. The view factors are changed. In parallel, a finite element software (MSC Nastran) is used to carry out a numerical study of the same experiments. The temperature distribution results of both numerical and experimental solutions are then compared, and the results are discussed. Keywords: Radiation, View factors, Experimental

EFFECTS OF INFRARED LIGHT ON THE SURVIVAL RATE OF COMMON SUN SKINK (Eutropis multifasciata) IN A SEMI-NATURAL HABITAT IN QUANG BINH PROVINCE, VIET NAM

This study aimed to determine the effects of infrared lamps on survival rates of mature and immature common sun skinks (Eutropis multifasciata) in semi-natural conditions in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, in the cold weather. A sample size of 400 mature (28 weeks old) and 120 immature common sun skinks were used in a completely randomized design with two variables of different lighting methods: infrared and incandescent light. Suitable food and water were freely provided. Results showed that the survival rates of the mature and juvenile common sun skinks were 82.5% and 39.2% with infrared light and 30.5% and 0% with incandescent light. Compared to incandescent light, the growth of young offsprings in the first 4 weeks after birth was greater with the infrared light and the average cumulative growth weight reached 2.18 g per individualby the fourth week. With incandescent light, common sun skinks lost their weight over time and gradually died out by the third week. Thus, infrared light which can be used to warm up pens may be an effective techniquein raising common sun skinks in semi-natural conditions in Quang Binh.

New Device and Technology for Primary Processing of Silkworm Cocoons Obtained During Different Feeding Seasons

the article presents the developed device for mortification a silkworm pupa inside a cocoon by exposing it to infrared radiation and the technology for its use. The schemes of temperature changes in the structural bonds of a live cocoon pupa during its mortification under the influence of infrared radiation on cocoons obtained in different seasons of the year and the corresponding results of practical research are presented and analyzed. Studies have shown that the distance between the cocoon and the infrared lamp affects the temperature of the structural connections of the pupa and the cocoon. It was found that the treatment of cocoons with infrared radiation for a short period of time can cause an increase in the temperature of the pupa to an average of 79oC, and the temperature of the cocoon shell in comparison with the pupa decreases to 27oC. It was also found that when processing with distances between cocoons and infrared lamps equal to 10cm, 15cm and 20cm-the temperature of the pupa and the cocoon shell obtained in different seasons of the year may differ and the temperature difference of the pupa reaches 4oC, and the temperature difference of the cocoon shell is up to 9oC. In this regard, the process of mortification the pupa cocoons, obtained in spring, can be performed in a short time, resulting in saved technological parameters of the shell cocoons at a high level, which leads to improving the efficiency of unwinding cocoons enterprises, as well as to acquire high quality raw silk.

PSIII-10 Body temperature changes in piglets anesthetized for castration during the recovery phase

In several countries, an application of general anesthesia for pain prevention during castration is discussed. A disadvantage is the prolonged recovery phase, accompanied by severe body temperature drops in piglets. Aim of this study was to investigate effects on body temperature during recovery after anesthesia. Piglets were anesthetized, castrated and placed in boxes (0.24m2) for 4h. Before, 2 and 4h after the application (0.3ml ketamine+azaperone/kg BW), rectal temperatures (RT) and skin temperatures behind the ear (ST) were measured. In a first trial, impacts of infrared lamp (250W, 50-55cm height) and number of animals per box (3 vs 6) were analyzed (n = 30). In a complementary trial, infrared lamps’ height (60 vs 70cm) and piglet age were varied (n = 27) and temperatures measured half-hourly. Differences were estimated in linear models (SAS® 9.4). Mean RT before anesthesia was 39.1±0.4°C with ranges of less than 1.9°C. After 2h, mean RT in lamp-warmed piglets increased to 40.8°C (P < 0.01), whereas in absence of lamps RT dropped to 37.3 (P < 0.001), with significant differences between groups (P < 0.001). To prevent life-threatening cooling, piglets with RT as minimal as 33.5°C were warmed immediately, so that their mean RT after 4h was not different from initial temperatures. Animal number per box caused no differences. Variation between individual RT was up to 8.2°C at 2h (first trial). Means in the second trial did not differ, but variation pattern of individual temperatures was highest after 1h (6.1°C), indicating that individual differences regarding anesthetics or external factors might occur. When lamps hung lower ST were higher after 3h (P < 0.05) and 4h (P < 0.01). RT and ST were dependent on age after 0.5h (P < 0,05, respectively) and tendentious at 1h and 2h, indicating that older piglets can rely on more distinct temperature regulation abilities and use endogenous energy resources to regain homeostasis.

Drying of acerola residues in a roto-aerated dryer assisted by infrared heating

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) is a tropical fruit which has attracted recent industrial interest, due to its high levels of bioactive compounds and vitamin C. However, acerola processing generates a substantial amount of wastes, which can represent up to 40% of total processed volume. The drying of acerola residues in a new dryer, developed by our research group, named as roto-aerated dryer, has been investigated. This dryer provides a better fluid-particle contact than the conventional rotatory dryer. A pre-drying system with infrared lamps has been installed in the feed of this new dryer. The effect of the pre-treatment of this fruit residues with ethanol was also investigated. The results shown that the roto-aerated dryer assisted by infrared radiation hybrid combined with a pre-treatment with ethanol is a good alternative for processing fruit residues, aiming their reuse. It was possible to identify conditions under which the phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant capacity presented high levels after drying. The main phenolic compounds were idenfied by HPLC.Keywords: Drying; roto-aerated dryer; infrared; acerola

Effects of artificial warming during quiescence on budbreak and growth of white spruce, Picea glauca

Climate change is expected to increase winter temperatures in boreal climates. White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) is vulnerable to spring frost damage due to its habit of early budbreak, which may be exacerbated or lessened with increasingly warm winters at its southern range edge. We tested the effects of episodic warming during the quiescent stage on budbreak time and growth of seven seed sources grown in a common garden setting in Minnesota, USA. Treatment plots were warmed with infrared lamps for 4 days each in February, March, or February and March to simulate a midwinter thaw. Control plots for each treatment and an overall control were included for comparison. Trees warmed in February experienced a slight delay in spring budbreak, but differences in budbreak time were generally not significant. Terminal growth was significantly and negatively correlated with time of budbreak but not with time to growth cessation. Our results suggest that white spruce is relatively resilient to the effects of intermittent warming but that warming early in the season may delay budbreak time, which is expected to reduce terminal growth.

Erythema Ab Igne Successfully Treated With Mesoglycan and Bioflavonoids: A Case-Report

Erythema ab igne is a localised, cutaneous condition consisting of reticulate hyperpigmentation, epidermal atrophy, and telangiectasias. It is caused by repetitive and prolonged exposure to moderate heat that is insufficient for producing burns. Currently, erythema ab igne is most commonly observed following repeated use of hot water bottles, infrared lamps and heating pads. If not properly treated, erythema ab igne can become chronic and even malignant. We report a case of erythema ab igne, successfully treated with systemic mesoglycan-based therapy, and local therapy with bioflavonoids.