Dehydration effect of freeze-thaw on sludge: Temperature spatio-temporal distribution and multi-scale evaluation.

The freeze-thaw vacuum method for conditioning pretreated sludge has been proved that it not only has greater dewatering efficiency but also is more ecologically friendly. In this paper, the experiment is improved to address shortcomings in previous freeze-thaw vacuum approach for sludge treatment. The spatio-temporal distribution relationship of distance-time-temperature is developed and divided into two stages by numerically fitting the temperature change of freezing tubes in the sludge. It is expected to guide the time control of large-scale frozen sludge in practical engineering applications to achieve optimal dewatering treatment. Furthermore, the performance of dehydration after the model test is evaluated on multi-scale: settlement and mechanical properties (macroscopic perspective), mean particle size (mesoscopic perspective), and SEM microstructure (microscopic perspective). The results reveal that the improved sludge treatment method of alternating freeze-thaw vacuum procedures, using both prefabricated horizontal drains (PHDs) and prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs), substantially benefits the sludge dewatering and reduction. This method results in an unparalleled volume reduction of 63.51% and a water content reduction to 58.54%. Moreover, in-situ vane shearing strength of the sludge obtained from the improved test meets the strength requirement for the landfill final cover soil, demonstrating that the method is superior in improving mechanical properties.

Preparation and mechanical properties of zirconia-based nano-hydroxyapatite functionally graded material / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the nano-hydroxyapatite coating on the surface of zirconia has not only high strength and toughness, but also good biocompatibility. It is an ideal substitute for hard tissue. However, the coating is easy to fall off from the surface of zirconia, which is a fatal defect. OBJECTIVE: To prepare functionally graded bioceramics with pure zirconia as matrix, gradient layer in the middle and nano-hydroxyapatite on the surface by gradient composite technology and to screen the optimal mechanical properties and sintering temperature. METHODS: Using zirconia and nano hydroxyapatite powder as raw materials, ceramic specimens were prepared by the lamination method in powder metallurgy. According to the thickness of zirconia layer, three groups A (40 mm), B (30 mm) and C (20 mm) were designated. Each group was sub-divided into three subgroups 1 (3 layers), 2 (5 layers) and 3 (7 layers). Thus, there were 162 ceramic specimens in nine subgroups. The ceramic specimens were sintered at different temperatures (1 300,1 350,1 400,1 450,1500, and 1 550°C) and then processed into rectangular specimens for mechanical property testing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The zirconia-based nano-hydroxyapatite functionally graded material can be formed by 10 MPa single side vertical pressure. With the increases in the number of gradient layers and sintering temperature, the mechanical properties of the functionally graded bioceremics in each group were enhanced. The functionally graded bioceramics had the optimal mechanical properties when sintering temperature was 1 550°C, the number of gradient layers was 7, and substrate thickness was 40 mm. The optimal mechanical property of the functionally graded bioceramics produced at above parameter was significantly superior to that produced at other eight sets of parameters (P<0.05). According to the optimal gradient design, the zirconia-based nano-hydroxyapatite functionally graded ceramic specimens prepared by high temperature sintering technique have stronger mechanical properties.

Valor nutritivo do capim-xaraés em três intensidades luminosas / Nutritive value of xaraés palisade grass in three light intensities

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o valor nutritivo e a força de cisalhamento da cultivar de Urochloa brizantha (syn Brachiaria brizantha) cv Xaraés submetida a três intensidades luminosas e quatro cortes. O experimento foi conduzido na FMVZ - Unesp de Botucatu, com delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, sendo os tratamentos: luminosidade natural, redução de 30% e 60% de luz, com quatro cortes e três repetições. As análises realizadas foram: composição bromatológica, digestibilidade e a força de cisalhamento. Não houve diferença na digestibilidade entre os tratamentos em nenhum dos cortes, mas a qualidade forrageira foi influenciada pelos níveis de intensidade de luz, tendo o tratamento com 60% de redução de luminosidade apresentado maiores concentrações de proteína bruta e cinzas, menores teores de fibra em detergente neutro, hemicelulose, celulose e força de cisalhamento. Em relação aos cortes estudados, o primeiro teve o menor intervalo de corte e produziu forragem com qualidade superior em comparação ao último, pois obteve menor teor de fibra em detergente ácido, lignina, hemicelulose, celulose e consequente menor força de cisalhamento. Portanto, a redução de 60% de luminosidade é benéfica à qualidade e à força de cisalhamento da cultivar Xaraés.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritive value and shear strength of the Xaraés grass (Urochloa brizantha) under the three intensities of light and four cuts. The experiment was conducted at FMVZ - UNESP, Botucatu, with a randomized block design, with the following treatments: natural luminosity, 30% and 60% light reduction, with four cuts and three replications. The analyzes were bromatological composition, digestibility, and shearing strength. There was no difference in digestibility between the treatments in any of the cuts, forage quality was influenced by the light intensity levels, and the treatment with 60% of light reduction produced higher concentrations of crude protein and ash, lower levels of neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose and shear strength. According to the studied cuts, the first one had the lowest cut interval and produced superior forage compared with the last one, as it obtained lower fiber content in acid detergent, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose and consequent lower shear force. Therefore, the reduction of 60% of luminosity is beneficial to the quality and shear force of the Xaraés palisade grass.(AU)