Process and Chemical Engineering - Journal Articles
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Item Traditional and contemporary eco-cosmologies within Western and Christian traditions: Green shoots for integral and integrative sustainability transformation(Sage Publications, 2024-02-06) Byrne, Edmond P.This article traces persistent and important counter-narratives within Western and Christian traditions, which correlate more closely with many indigenous worldviews from across the globe than with dominant narratives from across these traditions. It posits that a paradigmatic transformation is required toward an integral and integrative eco-cosmology, one that embraces cosmic interconnection and complexity. This may emerge from green shoots emanating from a diverse range of traditions, including, importantly, from within the dominant Western tradition.Item Application of broadband acoustic resonance dissolution spectroscopy (BARDS) to the gas release behaviour during rehydration of milk protein isolate agglomerates(Elsevier Ltd, 2019) Wu, Shaozong; Fitzpatrick, John; Cronin, Kevin; Ahmed, M. Rizwan; Fitzpatrick, Dara; Miao, Song; China Scholarship Council; TeagascThe BARDS technique was applied in this study to acoustically assess the rehydration behaviour of milk protein isolate (MPI) agglomerates and to compare with regular MPI powder. The results showed that BARDS has potential to monitor the rehydration behaviour of agglomerates. The greater porosity (>70%) of agglomerated powders introduced more compressible gas into the water. The BARDS profile showed that there was faster initial gas release from the agglomerates, indicating better wetting and dispersion ability of the agglomerates with shorter t M (time of maximum gas volume in solution). At 0.10% powder addition, agglomerated MPI reached t M within 109 s, which was significantly less than the control MPI at 140 s. MPI with lactose binder (MPI-L) had a t M of 80 s at 0.10% powder addition and, larger size MPI-L had a t M of 60 s. At 0.20% and 0.30% powder addition, more time was required to wet and disperse the powders. © 2019 Elsevier LtdItem A tale of three transitions: a year in the life of electricity systems transformation narratives in the Irish media(BMC. Part of Springer Nature, 2016-01-29) Mullally, Gerard; Byrne, Edmond P.Background: This paper focuses on discourses of transition in the electricity system in the Irish print media, with particular attention to both the framing and the scalar referents of the debate. We characterise some of the key contextual drivers for system transformation and suggest that too sharp a distinction between existing electricity infrastructure and systems of the future forecloses the possibility of social learning. Our central question research question is: What lessons can emergent techno-optimistic solutions to electricity system transitions learn from contemporary infrastructure controversies? Using a reconstruction based on print media coverage over a 12-month period in Ireland, we present three contrasting short stories to suggest that there are some commonalities that might provide cues and clues for promoting solutions for transitions to a low-carbon economy and society. Methods: We divide our methods section into a discussion of theory and methods. In the theory part, we explore the literatures on sustainable electricity transitions, critical infrastructures and social acceptability of energy solutions. In the methods part, we begin from the assertion that storylines help constitute reality allowing constellations of actors to coalesce around certain narratives. We outline the methodological approach to the reconstruction of mediated narratives based on three short stories of electricity system transformations in Ireland. Results: The three short stories recounted here, the future is smart; blurred lines; and policy versus place, show how narratives of economic recovery and economic growth risk occlude sustainable electricity system transition narratives, generating conflict rather than consensus on the decarbonisation of the Irish economy and society. Conclusions: Although the public discourse on smart grid technologies is very much in its infancy in Ireland, its rhetorical framing is very similar to that in both the wind farm and infrastructure controversies. The lack of attention to issues of scale, ownership, rhetorical framing and the perceived distribution and fairness of costs and benefits in these controversies could become equally problematic in the roll of smart grid strategies. Smarter green transitions in regions and cities do not depend on technological innovation alone but require social and institutional innovation to ensure constructive public engagement in sustainable electricity system transitions.Item Effect of pneumatic conveying parameters on physical quality characteristics of infant formula(Elsevier, 2011-05-09) Hanley, Kevin J.; Byrne, Edmond P.; Cronin, Kevin; Oliveira,, Jorge C.; O'Mahony, James A; Fenelon, Mrk; Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and TechnologyThe geometry and operating conditions of a pneumatic conveying rig for infant formula were varied according to an L18 orthogonal array, with the goal of minimising variations in four product quality characteristics: bulk density, volume mean diameter, particle density and wettability. A modular pneumatic conveying rig was fabricated from 316L stainless steel components. The factors that were varied in these experiments included mode of conveying, air velocity, number of rig passes, bend radii and vertical rig section length. A factorial analysis of variance showed that the mode of conveying, air velocity and number of passes had a statistically-significant effect on bulk density. The optimum settings to minimise variability were dense phase conveying with a 50 mm plug length, 960 mm vertical section, 3 m/s air velocity, 2 passes and 50 mm bend radii, assuming a linear model. The bulk density change at these optimum settings was negligible at 0.9%.Item The structural modification and rehydration behaviours of milk protein isolate powders: The effect of granule growth in the high shear granulation process(Elsevier Ltd., 2016-05-30) Ji, Junfu; Cronin, Kevin; Fitzpatrick, John; Maguire, Pierce; Zhang, Hongzhou; Miao, Song; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, IrelandThe effects of granule growth in high shear granulation on the structures and rehydration abilities of milk protein powders were investigated. In this study, milk protein isolate, as a model powder, was agglomerated in a high shear granulator. The formed granules with different sizes were used to compare the densities, granule shapes and subsequently the wettability, dispersibility and solubility. It is found that the small nuclei showed the most compacted structures. Then the primary agglomerates coalesced to create irregular secondary structures with lower density and higher porosity until the final agglomerates formed. The densely packed structures allowed the granules to be more easily wetted by water. The large granules showed quicker release of materials into water until reaching a critical size, where more mechanical energy is potentially required for further granule break down. All the agglomerated MPI granules solubilised much more slowly than the standard MPI powder.