Thesis. 1978. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Science. / Vita. / Includes bibliographies. / by Wilford D. Gardner. / Ph.D.

The purpose of this work is to find a method of determining the average particle size in samples of clays and ceramical materials, and to attempt to classify their physical properties according to the size of the particles. Such data should be useful to compare the properties of clays, to match different samples for uniformity, and to better control processes where clays are used, as for instance in manufacture of paper, rubber, and burned wear. / M.S.

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of fine (F) and coarse (C) limestone ratios and exogenous phytase at standard and superdosing activity on performance, egg quality, and bone quality of post-peak and late-lay Hy-Line W-36 hens. For post-peak, treatments with 40F:60C at 0 and 400 FTU/kg (standard phytase activity) increased hen-day egg production (HDEP). Treatments with 15F:85C decreased feed intake (FI) but also increased unsaleable eggs (UE) and eggshell-breaking strength (EBS). Treatments with 0 and 400 FTU/kg increased albumen quality and treatments with 1500 FTU/kg increased bone quality and phytate breakdown. For late-lay, interaction effects of limestone and phytase were observed for FI, HDEP, UE, bone, and egg quality. Treatments with 40F:60C decreased UE and increased EBS and bone mineral content of aluminum (Al). Treatments with 0 FTU/kg increased eggshell proximate of phosphorus (P) and gizzard pH, but 400 and 1500 FTU/kg increased phytate breakdown and bone quality.

No / Mannitol is a polymorphic pharmaceutical excipient, which commonly exists in three forms: alpha, beta and delta. Each polymorph has a needle-like morphology, which can give preferred orientation effects when analysed by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) thus providing difficulties for quantitative XRPD assessments. The occurrence of preferred orientation may be demonstrated by sample rotation and the consequent effects on X-ray data can be minimised by reducing the particle size. Using two particle size ranges (<125 and 125¿500 ¿m), binary mixtures of beta and delta mannitol were prepared and the delta component was quantified. Samples were assayed in either a static or rotating sampling accessory. Rotation and reducing the particle size range to <125 ¿m halved the limits of detection and quantitation to 1 and 3.6%, respectively. Numerous potential sources of assay errors were investigated; sample packing and mixing errors contributed the greatest source of variation. However, the rotation of samples for both particle size ranges reduced the majority of assay errors examined. This study shows that coupling sample rotation with a particle size reduction minimises preferred orientation effects on assay accuracy, allowing discrimination of two very similar polymorphs at around the 1% level.

No / Previously, dose emission below 30 L min(-1) through DPI has not been routinely determined. However, during routine use some patients do not achieve 30 L min(-1) inhalation flows. Hence, the aim of the present study was to determine dose emission characteristics for low inhalation flows from terbutaline sulphate Turbuhaler. Total emitted dose (TED), fine particle dose (FPD) and mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of terbutaline sulphate Turbuhaler were determined using inhalation flows of 10-60 L min(-1) and inhaled volume of 4 L. TED and FPD increase significantly with the increase of inhalation flows (p <0.05). Flows had more pronounced effect on FPD than TED, thus, faster inhalation increases respirable amount more than it increases emitted dose. MMAD increases with decrease of inhalation flow until flow of 20L min(-1) then it decreases. In vitro flow dependent dose emission has been demonstrated previously for Turbuhaler for flow rates above 30 L min(-1) but is more pronounced below this flow. Minimal FPD below 30 L min(-1) suggests that during routine use at this flow rate most of emitted dose will impact in mouth. Flow dependent dose emission results suggest that Pharmacopoeias should consider the use variety of inhalation flows rather than one that is equivalent to pressure drop of 4 KPa.

Yes / Over the past two decades, extensive research has been conducted to explore alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in order to address the environmental concerns associated with the cement industry. Bricks, which are frequently preferred in the construction sector, generate a lot of waste during the production and demolition of existing buildings, requiring environmentally sustainable recycling practices. Therefore, many studies have been carried out in recent years on the use of brick waste as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in cement mortar and concrete production. This critical review evaluates the impact of waste brick powder (WBP) on the mechanical and durability properties of mortar and concrete when used as a partial replacement for cement. It was observed that the properties of WBP-blended cement mortar or concrete depend on several factors, including WBP particle size, replacement ratio, pozzolanic activity, and mineralogical structure. The findings indicate that WBP with a particle size range of 100 µm to 25 µm, with a maximum cement replacement level of 10–20%, exhibits a positive impact on the compressive strength of both mortars and concretes. However, it is crucial to emphasize that a minimum curing duration of 28 days is imperative to facilitate the development of a pozzolanic reaction. This temporal requirement plays a vital role in realizing the optimal benefits of utilizing waste brick powder as a supplementary cementitious material in mortars and concretes.

Master of Science / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Ronaldo G. Maghirang / Large cattle feedlots emit considerable amounts of particulate matter (PM), including TSP (total suspended particulates), PM[subscript]10 (PM with equivalent aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less), and PM[subscript]2.5 (PM with equivalent aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less). Particulate emissions result from pen surface disturbance by cattle hoof action, vehicle traffic on unpaved roads and alleyways, and wind erosion. Research is needed to determine concentrations of various size fractions, size distribution, and emission rates from various sources in feedlots. This research was conducted to measure particle size distribution using laser diffraction method and estimate emissions from unpaved roads and wind erosion. Particle size distribution and concentrations of PM[subscript]10 and PM[subscript]2.5 at a commercial cattle feedlot in Kansas (Feedlot 1) were measured over a 2-yr period. The feedlot had a capacity of 30,000 head and total pen area of 50 ha and was equipped with a sprinkler system for dust control. Collocated low-volume samplers for TSP, PM[subscript]10, and PM[subscript]2.5 were used to measure concentrations of TSP, PM[subscript]10, and PM[subscript]2.5 at the upwind and downwind edges of the feedlot. Dust samples that were collected by TSP samplers were analyzed with a laser diffraction analyzer to determine particle size distribution. Particle size distribution at the downwind edge of the feedlot was also measured with micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI). The laser diffraction method and MOUDI did not differ significantly in mean geometric mean diameter (13.7 vs. 13.0 μm) but differed in mean geometric standard deviation (2.9 vs. 2.3). From laser diffraction and TSP data, PM[subscript]10 and PM[subscript]2.5 concentrations were also calculated and were not significantly different from those measured by low-volume PM[subscript]10 and PM[subscript]2.5 samplers (122 vs. 131 μg/m[superscript]3 for PM[subscript]10; 26 vs. 35 μg/m[superscript]3 for PM[subscript]2.5). Both PM[subscript]10 and PM[subscript]2.5 fractions decreased as pen surface moisture contents increased, while the PM[subscript]2.5/PM[subscript]10 ratio did not change much with pen surface moisture content. Published emission models were used to estimate PM[subscript]10 emissions from unpaved roads and wind erosion at Feedlot 1 and another nearby feedlot (Feedlot 2). Feedlot 2 had a capacity of 30,000 head, total pen surface area of 59 ha, and used water trucks for dust control. Estimated PM[subscript]10 emissions from unpaved roads and wind erosion were less than 20% of total PM[subscript]10 emissions obtained from inverse dispersion modeling. Further research is needed to establish the applicability of published emission estimation models for cattle feedlots.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Ronaldo G. Maghirang / Emissions of particulate matter (PM) are an increasing concern for large open beef cattle feedlots. Research is needed to develop science-based information on PM emissions and abatement measures for mitigating those emissions. This research was conducted to (1) measure PM concentrations emitted from large cattle feedlots, (2) compare different samplers for measuring concentrations of PM with equivalent aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or less (PM10), (3) evaluate the relative effectiveness of pen surface treatments in reducing PM10 emissions, and (4) predict PM control efficiency of vegetative barriers. Concentrations of PM with equivalent aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5), PM10, and total suspended particulates (TSP) upwind and downwind of two large cattle feedlots (KS1, KS2) in Kansas were measured with gravimetric samplers. The downwind and net concentrations generally decreased with increasing water content (WC) of the pen surface; for effective control of PM emissions from feedlots, it appears that pen surface WC should be at least 20% (wet basis). Three types of samplers for measuring PM10 concentrations in feedlots KS1 and KS2 were compared: Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance™ (TEOM), high-volume (HV), and low-volume (LV) PM10 samplers. Measured PM10 concentration was generally largest with the TEOM PM10 sampler and smallest with the LV PM10 sampler. A laboratory apparatus was developed for measuring the PM10 emission potential of pen surfaces as affected by surface treatments. The apparatus was equipped with a simulated pen surface, mock cattle hooves that moved horizontally across the pen surface, and PM10 samplers that collected emitted PM10. Of the surface treatments evaluated, application of water (6.4 mm) and hay (723 g/m2) exhibited the greatest percentage reduction in PM10 emission potential (69% and 77%, respectively) compared with the untreated manure layer. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was applied to predict airflow and particle collection by a row of trees (2.2 m high × 1.6 m wide). Predicted particle collection efficiencies generally agreed with published data and ranged from less than 1% for 0.875-µm particles to approximately 32% for 15-µm particles.

The main purpose of the report is to present possible reasons and solutions for variation in quality of sugar used in confectionery manufacturing, with focus on chocolate manufacturing, at Cloetta Sverige AB in Ljungsbro. The project has its purpose to optimize the quality of both the sugar and manufacturing processes in a long-term perspective, since the variation in quality of the sugar affects, more or less, all manufacturing processes and causes yield losses.   Cloetta Ljungsbro uses a pneumatic conveying system to transfer the sugar within the factory and when unloading the sugar from delivery trucks. A various of different analyses were performed in order to study the sugar quality; water content analyses in forms of Karl Fischer titration and particle size distribution analyses with help from sieving. During the sugar sampling time period, an observation of the air pressure used by the road tanker while unloading sugar at Cloetta and the lead time as sugar was delivered was executed. Moreover, data of the dew point in the pneumatic conveying system and, both temperature and humidity in the sugar silos, were collected.   As a result, most of the sugar particles breakage occurred somewhere between the delivery road tanker and while in the storage silos. Most likely it is due to the use of high pressure when unloading the sugar that the particle size distribution of the sugar varies, but also causes the temperature to reach a higher temperature than recommended. Furthermore, the water content of the sugar was higher in the beginning of the autumn. Further investigations of the effect of unloading the sugar and storage of sugar should be done, but also analyse the air velocity used within the pneumatic conveying system.

The tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) has attracted a lot of unsubstantiated health claims, yet there is a dearth of research investigation within Ghana specifically in the area of food product development. This study addresses the development of ‘functional bread and biscuit’ from tiger nuts obtained from UK market (Spain). The chemical constituents; carbohydrate, lipid, protein, dietary minerals and antioxidants, the functional properties of three varieties of tiger nuts obtained from Ghana (black and brown), Cameroon (yellow) and UK market (Spain) (brown) were investigated using standard analytical methods as well as the blood glucose response of healthy adults who consumed the developed bread. Tiger nuts were found to be good sources of carbohydrate (51-82g/100g) and lipids (21-37g/100g). The dietary fibre components ranged between 18, 1, 19 and 19g/100g for IDF, SDFP, HMWDF, and ITDF respectively, while the available carbohydrate as sugars were 45, 0.5 and 5g/100g for glucose, maltose and xylose respectively. Minerals that were found to be inherent to the crop were; potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and selenium and do not depend on place of origin. The following ratios for Sodium/Potassium 0.04, Calcium/Phosphorus 0.13 and Calcium/Magnesium 0.28 were obtained. Tiger nuts had TPC ≥ 134GAE per g, DPPH and stability index of 0.9-8.7mmol/litre and 3- 4 respectively. In conclusion the tiger nuts originating from different geographical locations were good sources of health giving minerals and had diversity of physical properties and chemical constituents which could inform future research in the functional food industry. Tiger nut could be added to the Ghana food basket and the product developed from it could be a potential functional food because of its effect on glucose response and phytochemical contents. It could again be used to replace artificial antioxidants (BHA or BHT) which are used in the food industry to inhibit lipid and protein oxidation especially the black variety.