Processes

Previous numerical simulations of polymer injectors often rely on fixed-viscosity models, which fail to accurately capture the severe shear degradation of non-Newtonian fluids under high-shear throttling conditions. To address this limitation and enhance polymer flooding efficiency, this study proposes an improved Carreau–Yasuda viscosity constitutive model to precisely simulate the flow behavior of polyacrylamide (HPAM) solutions. A comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed and validated, showing a viscosity prediction error of less than 8.6% across a wide shear rate range (0.1–10,000 s⁻¹). Based on this dynamic rheological model, the internal flow channel of the injector was optimized, resulting in a novel spindle-type throttling unit. Simulation and field validation results demonstrate that the optimized structure achieves a significant pressure drop of 6.03 MPa at an injection flow rate of 96 m³/d—representing a 65% improvement over traditional designs—while successfully maintaining a viscosity retention rate above 85%. This research overcomes the traditional design conflict between high pressure reduction and viscosity preservation, providing an accurate numerical framework and practical guidance for engineering high-flow, robust-throttling polymer injectors.

Textile wastewater contains recalcitrant azo dyes and auxiliary chemicals that are resistant to conventional biological treatment, resulting in persistent organic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. While supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) achieves superior chromophore mineralization, its high energy requirements limit industrial scalability. Conversely, biomass-derived activated carbon (BAC) offers a low-cost adsorption solution, but it rapidly becomes saturated with toxic oxidation intermediates. Notably, the literature lacks systematic analyses of hybrid SCWO-BAC systems with integrated thermal energy, which represents a crucial gap in assessing their economic feasibility. This review employed a systematic methodology, selecting studies relevant to the topic from peer-reviewed publications and databases, including Scopus, SciELO, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, for critical synthesis. Using SCWO as a pretreatment (which significantly reduces COD load), followed by BAC polishing, results in superior detoxification compared to individual processes. However, three barriers hinder scale-up: (i) chloride ion corrosion in real effluents; (ii) irreversible collapse of BAC pores after multiple regeneration cycles; and (iii) absence of standardized ecotoxicity data for hybrid-treated streams. This work outlines a technological roadmap for integrated supercritical water oxidation and biological activated carbon (SCWO-BAC) systems, targeting economically viable operational parameters for industrial-scale implementation.

Ultrasound technology, or sonication, has emerged as a versatile and promising tool to enhance and speed up traditional processing operations used by the food industry or to be used as an alternative food-processing method. This review provides an overview of the fundamental principles of sonication and its diverse applications in food processing. The core concepts of acoustic cavitation and the influence of power on processing outcomes are discussed in detail. The design and operation of different ultrasound systems, including direct-contact probe and indirect-contact bath systems, and their respective advantages were reviewed. Furthermore, a wide array of applications were explored, namely extraction, homogenization, degassing and deodorizing, pasteurization and vegetable blanching, drying and dehydration, freezing and thawing, brining and hydration, and cutting, highlighting how sonication can enhance process efficiency and improve product quality. The review also provides a critical analysis of the challenges and limitations associated with scaling up the technology for industrial use, including potential impacts on food quality, safety considerations, and economic viability. Finally, future perspectives and potential areas for further research are outlined to encourage the broader adoption of this technology in the food sector.