Fuzzy Optimization on the Synthesis of Chitosan-Graft-Polyacrylic Acid with Montmorillonite as Filler Material: A Case Study

Production of Chemically Modified Bio-Based Wood Adhesive from Camote and Cassava Peels

Adhesives are significant for manufacturing competent, light, and sturdy goods in various industries. Adhesives are an important part of the modern manufacturing landscape because of their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to enhance product performance. Formaldehyde and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) are conventional adhesives utilized in wood applications and have been classified as carcinogenic, toxic, and unsustainable. Given the adverse environmental and health effects associated with synthetic adhesives, there is a growing research interest aimed at developing environmentally friendly bio-based wood adhesives derived from renewable resources. This study aimed to extract starch from camote and cassava peels and focuses on the oxidization of starch derived from camote and cassava peels using sodium hypochlorite to create bio-based adhesives. The mean yield of starch extracted from camote and cassava peels was 13.19 ± 0.48% and 18.92 ± 0.15%, respectively, while the mean weight of the oxidized starches was 34.80 g and 45.34 g for camote and cassava, respectively. Various starch ratios sourced from camote and cassava peels were examined in the production of bio-based adhesives. The results indicate that the 40:60 camote to cassava ratio yielded the highest solid content, while the 80:20 ratio resulted in the best viscosity. Furthermore, the 40:60 ratio produced the most favorable particle board in terms of mechanical properties, density, thickness, swelling, and water absorption. Consequently, the starch extracted from camote and cassava peels holds promise as a potential source for bio-based adhesives following appropriate chemical modification.

Fuzzy Optimization for the Remediation of Ammonia: A Case Study Based on Electrochemical Oxidation

This case study covers the application of the fuzzy optimization in simultaneously satisfying various constraints that include the compliance of ammonia and nitrate concentrations with stringent environmental standards. Essential components in the multi-criteria decision-making analysis is in the utilization of the Box-Behnken design (BBD) response equations, cost equations and the cumulative uncertainty of response towards the sodium chloride dosage, current density and electrolysis time parameters. The energy consumption in the electrochemical oxidation of ammonia plays an essential role in influencing the total operating cost analysis. The determination of boundary limits based on the global optimum resulted in the complete ammonia removal and USD 64.0 operating cost as its maximum boundary limits and the 40.6% ammonia removal and USD 17.1 as its minimum boundary limits. Based on the fuzzy optimal results, the overall satisfaction level incurred a decrease in adhering with a lower ammonia standard concentration (10 mg/L at 80.3% vs. 1.9 mg/L at 76.1%) due to a higher energy consumption requirement. Global optimal fuzzy results showed to be highly cost efficient (232.5% lower) as compared to using BBD alone. This demonstrates the practicality of fuzzy optimization applications in the electrochemical reactions.