The hydraulic fracturing treatment is an essential tight sand gas reservoir stimulation that employs viscous fluid to break the formation rock to create a fracture and transport the propping agent to support the fracture from naturally healing. Despite proven economic benefit, the hydraulic fracture fluid damages the producing formation and the propped fracture. To analyze the gel damage effect quantitatively, the filter cake thickness is used as a parameter that has not been measured before. This project was divided into two stages. The first stage built up a filter cake and measured the filter cake thickness by a laser profilometer. A correlation between leakoff volume and filter cake thickness was produced. The second stage eroded the filter cake by flowing original fracturing fluid through the core sample to study the fracturing fluid shear clean up effect on filter cake thickness. The filter cake was built up in the lab and the thickness was measured with different methods. The profilometer has been tested as an effective tool to measure the filter cake thickness. A correlation for crosslinked guar fracture fluid filter cake thickness was produced. An experiment setup used to shear erode the filter cake was built and tested. The results showed the filter cake was not eroded at 200 s-1 shear rate.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different gums, gum concentrations and their combination on quality and staling of gluten free cakes baked in microwave-infrared combination oven and conventional oven. In the first part of the study, the effects of different gums (xanthan and guar gum) at different concentrations (0.3%, 0.6% and 1.0%) and their blend on quality of gluten free cakes baked in microwave-infrared combination and conventional oven were investigated. The gelatinization properties of the cakes were also investigated. Among different gums, xanthan-guar gum blend addition to the cake formulation improved cake quality with increasing specific volume as well as decreasing weight loss and crumb hardness values for both types of baking methods. Gum blend addition also improved the cake acceptability in terms of texture, taste and the crust color of the cakes. The gelatinization degrees of cakes were found to decrease as the gum concentration increased, for both types of ovens. In the second part of the study it was focused on effects of different gums, gum concentrations and storage times on staling of cakes. Addition of gum blend decreased hardness, weight loss, retrogradation enthalpy and the change in setback viscosity values of cakes for both types of ovens and slowed down staling for 2 and 3 days for cakes baked in microwave-infrared combination and conventional oven, respectively. In microwave-infrared combination oven, it was possible to produce gluten-free cakes with similar quality with the conventionally baked ones even in a 75% shorter baking time.

Filter Cake, which contains leachable nickel and vanadium above the criteria in the Alberta Waste Control Regulation, is produced at an oil sands facility operated by Nexen Inc. and is currently being disposed in a landfill. Bench scale and field tests were performed with stabilization/solidification (S/S) treatment reagents such as Portland cement, fly ash, elemental sulphur, and CETCO Oilfield Service’s proprietary reagents to assess their efficacy at reducing leachable metals in Filter Cake. The CETCO reagents were the most effective treatment for reducing leachable nickel and vanadium in Filter Cake. Treatments with Portland cement were successful in bench scale tests, but inconsistent in field tests. The inconsistent results obtained for Portland cement may have been due to interferences of the cement reactions from factors such as fine particulates. S/S treatments of Filter Cake present a viable waste management option. However, the associated reduced cost and environmental impacts were not substantial.

The ability of starch to impart functions including fluid-loss control, cuttings transport, and rheological characteristics to water-based drilling fluids has led to its widespread use in the oil industry. The filter cake deposited by these drilling fluids often employs sized solid particles and starch to inhibit fluid loss into the formation. This inherently causes damage to the formation by impairing the permeability and must be removed before production. An alpha-amylase enzyme treatment was found to provide an effective approach to degrading starch in filter cake. In this work, an alpha-amylase enzyme treatment was analyzed by determining the extent of degradation of starch in filter cake using the iodine test, identifying degradants using high performance liquid chromatography, spectrophotometrically monitoring the concentration of enzyme, and measuring the cleanup efficiency of the enzyme treatment using a static filter press apparatus. The alpha-amylase enzyme used in this study was found to have a molecular weight under 30,000. The activity of the alpha-amylase enzyme was found to be sensitive to pH and temperature. The alpha-amylase enzyme was found to denature at temperatures above 165 degrees F and reversibly deactivate at pH below 4. Optimal conditions for alpha-amylase activity were found to be 150 degrees F and pH 6.5. The enzyme treatment works by hydrolyzing the interior glycosidic bonds of amylose and amylopectin residues of starch, creating soluble poly- and oligosaccharides and glucose. The enzyme treatment did not dissolve the calcium carbonate sized solids and a 5 wt. % hydrochloric acid postflush was necessary. The cleanup efficiency of the enzyme at pH 6.5 and room temperature treatment in conjunction with the postflush in a static test was 73% at 10% v/v concentration. Degradants resulting from alpha-amylase were identified chromatographically. Enzyme concentration remained steady prior to and after treatment.

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2007. / Typescript. Accompanying CD-ROM contains the Online Cake Instructor module. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-45).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed September 24, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 46)

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Grain Science and Industry / Subramanyam Bhadriraju / Filter cake and Triplex are powdered by-products of aluminum sulfate and soap factories, respectively. Studies were designed to determine elemental composition of these two powders and evaluate the efficacy against stored product insect species on concrete surfaces and commodities. Elemental composition of the powders was determined using conjugated scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. No heavy metals were found in both powders, and the dominant elements found were silicon and oxygen in the form of silicon dioxide. The efficacy of filter cake and Triplex against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky; rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus); lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica Fabricius; red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); saw-toothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus); and Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), was determined using a range of concentrations and exposure times. On concrete surfaces ≥ 7.5 g/m² of filter cake produced more than 99% mortality of S. zeamais and S. oryzae adults within 12–24 h, whereas more than three times the concentration of filter cake was required to achieve similar mortality of both species in Triplex treatments. At 3 g/m² of filter cake, 99% mortality S. zeamais and S. oryzae adults was achieved within 22–27 h of exposure. The corresponding exposure time at 9 g/m² of Triplex was 39 h to achieve 99% mortality of both species. For both powders, lower concentrations and exposure times were required to achieve complete suppression of progeny production, percentage of insect damaged kernels, and percentage of grain weight loss compared to the concentrations and exposure times required for 00% mortality. Filter cake treated wheat at concentrations above 0.7 g/kg produced more than 99% mortality of S. zeamais and S. oryzae adults. Similarly, filter cake concentrations above 2 g/kg on wheat produced more than 99% mortality of R. dominica, T. castaneum, and O. surinamensis adults. However, on maize ≥ 3 g/kg of filter cake concentration was required to achieve similar mortality of R. dominica, T. castaneum, and O. surinamensis. Higher concentrations of Triplex were required to achieve similar mortalities of tested species on maize and wheat. Reduction in progeny production was greater when adults were exposed to higher concentrations than lower concentrations. Complete suppression of live larvae and adult emergence of P. interpunctella was achieved after exposure of eggs for 21 and 42 d to ≥ 2 g/kg of filter cake treated maize and to ≥ 0.5 g/kg of filter cake treated wheat. Similarly, complete suppression of live larvae and adult emergence was achieved when eggs were exposed to ≥ 6 g/kg of Triplex treated maize and to 3g/kg of Triplex treated wheat. In general, our study consistently showed that filter cake was more efficacious compared to Triplex against all tested species on both surfaces and commodities. Filter cake and Triplex should be recommended for protecting grain stored by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia to discourage farmers from using dangerous chemical insecticides. However, field studies should be done using both powders against stored product insects in smallholder farmers’ traditional storages structures in Ethiopia to determine concentrations that are practical under field conditions. The effective duration of protection offered by these powders should also be investigated.

Muitas famílias não têm tempo de preparar bolos caseiros e acabam optando pela praticidade de comprar produtos prontos. A atitude dos consumidores, em relação aos problemas de saúde que podem advir do consumo de alimentos com alto teor de gorduras, é de consumir alimentos formulados de maneira que apresentem menores teores, mas com as mesmas características sensoriais dos produtos originais. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da substituição de gordura vegetal hidrogenada por outros lipídeos (gordura de palma, óleo de soja, óleo de castanha do Brasil, óleo de coco) e por extrato de aveia em formulações de bolos. Foram elaboradas nove formulações contendo farinha de trigo, açúcar, ovo em pó, gordura, água, leite em pó integral, emulsificante, fermento químico e sal, substituindo-se a gordura vegetal hidrogenada pelos diferentes tipos de lipídeos e extrato de aveia. Formulações: (controle) gordura vegetal hidrogenada (GVH) - 100%; (1): gordura de palma - 100%; (2): óleo de soja - 100%; (3): óleo de castanha do Brasil - 100%; (4): óleo de coco - 100%; (5): extrato de aveia - 100%; (6): GVH - 50% + óleo de castanha do Brasil - 50%; (7): GVH - 50% + óleo de coco - 50%; (8): GVH - 50% + extrato de aveia - 50%. Através das análises de textura com probes back extrusion e de compressão (TPA-análise do perfil de textura) pode-se avaliar, respectivamente, o comportamento das massas de bolos e o shelf-life dos produtos finais durante seis dias de armazenamento. Foram feitas avaliações de volume específico, densidade, porosidade, composição centesimal e atividade de água - aw. A análise sensorial com 60 provadores foi realizada utilizando-se as formulações controle, óleo de coco, óleo de castanha do Brasil e extrato de aveia de acordo com a escala hedônica (9 pontos) e intenção de compra. A análise de textura (back extrusion) apontou diferentes comportamentos reológicos, embora todas as formulações caracterizaram-se como fluido dilatante (n>1). O resultado do shelf-life mostrou que o bolo produzido com extrato de aveia obteve melhores características de qualidade. O bolo produzido com GVH apresentou maior volume (2,65 mL/g), menor densidade (0,39 g/mL)e maior incorporação de ar (16,45 mm2). A análise de cor apontou que o bolo elaborado com GVH + óleo de coco apresentou-se mais amarelado (35,94) e o bolo com GVH + extrato de aveia com maior brilho (75,27). A composição centesimal mostrou as variações obtidas de acordo com a substituição de gordura por extrato de aveia e o menor valor calórico (257,62 kcal) para este produto. O resultado de aw mostrou maior valor para a formulação com extrato de aveia (0,94), sendo esperado devido ao maior conteúdo de água da formulação. A análise sensorial, através da avaliação de painel não treinado, indicou que o bolo elaborado com óleo de coco obteve a maior aceitação e, consequentemente, a maior intenção de compra, entretanto, apresentou pouca diferença em relação ao bolo controle. Em geral, os resultados mostraram ótimo padrão de qualidade dos bolos elaborados com a substituição da gordura vegetal hidrogenada, podendo-se assim, obter produtos com outras opções de ingredientes e com agregação de valor nutricional. / Many families do not have time to prepare homemade cakes and usually opt for the convenience of buying ready products. Consumer\'s attitudes regarding health issues, that may arise from the consumption of foods high in fat, is to consume foods that have formulated so low in fat, but with the same sensory characteristics of the original products. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of replacing hydrogenated vegetable fat for other lipids (fat palm, soybean oil, Brazil nut oil, coconut oil) and oat extract in cake formulations. Nine formulations containing flour, sugar, egg powder, fat, water, whole milk powder, emulsifier, baking powder, and salt were elaborated by replacing the hydrogenated vegetable fat for different types of lipids and oat extract. Formulations: (control) hydrogenated vegetable fat (GVH) - 100%; (1): palm fat - 100%; (2) soybean oil - 100%; (3): Brazil nut oil - 100%; (4) coconut oil - 100%; (5): oat extract - 100%; (6): GVH - 50% + nut oil from Brazil - 50%; (7) GVH - 50% Coconut oil + - 50%; (8): GVH - 50% + oat extract - 50%. The behavior of cakes batters and shelf life of the final product during six days of storage were assessed through the texture analysis with probes back extrusion and compression (TPA-texture profile analysis), respectively. The evaluation of specific volume, density, porosity, chemical composition and water activity - aw was made. Sensory analysis was performed with 60 tasters using the control formulations, coconut oil, Brazil nut oil l and oat extract according to the hedonic scale (9 points) and purchase intent. Texture analysis (back extrusion) showed different rheological behaviors, although all formulations were characterized as a dilatant fluid (n> 1). The result of the shelf-life showed that the cake made with oat extract produced better quality characteristics. The cake produced with GVH showed higher volume (2,65 mL/g), lower density (0,39 g/mL) and greater incorporation of air (16,45 mm2). The color analysis showed that the cake made with coconut oil + GVH presented more yellowness (35,94) and cake with GVH + oat extract presented higher brightness (75,27). The chemical composition showed variations obtained in accordance with the substitution of fat for oat extract and lower caloric value (257,62 kcal) for this product. The result showed higher aw value (0,94) for the formulation with oat extract, it is expected due to the higher water content of the formulation. The sensory analysis, through evaluating untrained panel, indicated that the cake prepared with coconut oil had the highest acceptance and, consequently, the higher purchase intention, although it presented little difference from the control cake. In general, the results showed great standard of quality cakes prepared by replacing the hydrogenated vegetable fat, leading to products with other options of ingredients and with added nutritional value.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a farinha do bagaço da cana-de-açúcar (FBCA) e avaliar o efeito de sua aplicação, como fonte de fibra insolúvel, em bolo. A FBCA foi caracterizada com relação a sua composição química (teor de umidade, cinzas, proteínas, carboidratos, fibras solúveis, fibras em detergente ácido e neutro e lipídeos), atividade de água (Aw), composição de minerais pela técnica de Espectrometria de Fluorescência de Raios-X (TXRF), determinação do tamanho e distribuição das partículas, avaliação da cor instrumental e contagem de bolores e leveduras e de coliformes totais. A FBCA foi aplicada em bolo tipo cupcake nas proporções de 3 e 6%. Os bolos recém-preparados foram avaliados com relação à umidade, atividade de água (Aw), densidade, cor instrumental e pH. Os bolos foram estocados durante 42 dias e em 5 pontos deste período foram avaliados com relação a umidade, Aw, perfil de textura (parâmetros dureza, elasticidade e coesão), contagem de bolores e leveduras e aceitação sensorial (atributos aparência, sabor, aroma, textura e aceitação global). Todas as análises foram realizadas também em uma amostra controle, preparada sem a adição de FBCA, para efeito de comparação. A FBCA demonstrou ser excelente fonte de fibra insolúvel, com 81,92% entre celulose, lignina e hemicelulose, bem como de minerais como o ferro, manganês e cromo. Todavia é uma fonte pobre de fibra solúvel, proteína, carboidratos e lipídeos. Em torno de 60% das partículas da FBCA possuem tamanho inferior a 80µm. A FBCA apresentou contagem alta de bolores e leveduras e cor tendendo para o amarelo e vermelho. Os bolos apresentaram em torno de 15% de umidade e Aw na faixa intermediária. Bolos com FBCA foram ligeiramente mais úmidos, escuros e densos que o controle. Porém, foram menos elásticos e tão coesos e duros quanto. Os bolos adicionados de 3% de FBCA apresentaram a mesma aceitação que o produto tradicional, com a vantagem do maior valor nutricional em função da presença das fibras e dos minerais oriundos da FBCA. / The aim of this study was to characterize the flour from sugarcane bagasse (FSB) and to evaluate the effect of its application as a source of insoluble fiber in cake. The FSB was characterized in respect to the chemical composition (moisture content, ash, proteins, carbohydrates, soluble fiber, fiber in acid and neutral detergent, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and lipids), water activity (Aw), mineral composition by Fluorescence spectrometry technique X-ray (TXRF), size and distribution of particles, evaluation of the instrumental color and counts of molds and total coliforms. The FSB was applied in cupcakes, in proportions of 3% and 6%. The freshly prepared cakes were evaluated in respect to moisture content, water activity (Aw), density, pH and instrumental color. The cakes were stored for 42 days and during this period were evaluated for moisture content, Aw, instrumental texture (hardness, elasticity and cohesion), counts of molds and sensory acceptance (appearance, taste, flavor, texture and overall acceptance). All analysis were also carried out in a control sample, prepared without the addition of FSB, for comparison. The FSB demonstrated to be an excellent source of insoluble fiber, containing 81.92% between cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose, and is source of minerals such as iron, manganese and chromium. However, it is a poor source of soluble fiber, protein, carbohydrates and lipids. Around 60% of the particles of FSB are smaller than 80µm. The FSB presented high counts of molds and the color tends to yellow and red. The cakes showed around 15% of moisture content and Aw in the middle range. Cakes with FSB were slightly damper, darker and denser than traditional. However were less elastic, but so cohesive and hard as the traditional one. Cakes added with 3% of FSB presented the same acceptance that the traditional product, with the advantage of greater nutritional value due to the presence of fibers and minerals from FSB.

Doctor of Philosophy / Food Science Institute / Finlay I. MacRitchie / Ozonation was studied as an alternative to chlorination for cake flour. Ozone treatment in a wooden tumbler at room temperature was conducted. Unchlorinated flour was treated with ozone at the rate of 0.06 L/min for 10 and 36 min using 5 lb of flour. Ozonation of cake flour decreased pH and increased the lightness (L value) of flour. Baking studies using a high-ratio white layer cake formulation showed that the volume of cakes significantly increased (p< 0.05) as ozonation time increased and cakes were softer than those made with chlorinated or control flours. The cell brightness and number of cells measured by image analysis (C-Cell) of cakes from ozone treated flour for 36 min exhibited similar values to those from chlorinated flour. Cakes made from flours after lipid extraction and after lipid extraction plus ozonation had low volume, indicating that lipids play a role in cake performance. Identification of volatile compounds that contribute to the odor of ozone treated flour was conducted. Volatile compounds of chlorinated, unchlorinated, defatted control, and ozonated defatted flours were analyzed using a purge and trap instrument and GC-MS. Aldehydes, alcohols, hydrocarbons and other compounds were found in unchlorinated and chlorinated flours while the volatile compounds present in ozone treated flours were mainly aldehydes and ketones. A rapid reduction in volatile compounds was detected when ozone treated flours were stored uncovered in a fume hood. Ozonation of defatted soft wheat flour produced less volatile aldehydes than ozone treated whole flour. The optimum temperature and time for ozone treatment in a metal tumbler using a response surface methodology design was studied. Time (5, 15, and 25 min) and temperature (25, 35 and 45 [degrees]C) was used with three response parameters. The optimum ozonation time was about 8 to 11 min with the temperature range between 36 and 46 [degrees]C. Ozone treatment for 5 to 25 min at room temperature showed an increase in unextractable polymeric protein, indicating a shift of protein to a higher molecular weight. Increase in Mixograph peak time, peak viscosity, and water retention capacity were observed as ozonation time increased. The ozone treatment did not affect the transition temperature and enthalpy change of the flour samples.