The present paper discusses the impact of a new type of turbocharger, namely, the Active Control Turbocharger (ACT). The aim of this work was to prove the advantage of this type of turbocharger over the current state-of-the-art: the Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT). This was achieved by carrying out a comparison between two commercial Diesel engine models (through the use of a commercial engine simulation software), which belong to the same family: one 10 litre engine equipped with VGT (originally) was consecutively compared to the same model of engine modified for ACT operation and through the integration of the ACT into the 81 version of the same engine in order to demonstrate the ACT’s downsizing capability. The study has been carried out for speeds between 800 and 2000 rpm, and a fuel-air ratio range of between 0.017 and 0.057. The results showed that the actuation of the turbine in ACT mode (through the sinusoidal regulation of the turbine inlet area with each incoming exhaust gas pressure pulse) increases greatly the energy available at the turbine inlet. This leads to an increase of the boost pressure at the intake of the engine by an average 30%. The specific fuel consumption was found to be similar throughout engine operating range with a penalty of up to 10% for the ACT engine of the same size (10 litre). A comparison was then carried out between the 10 litre VGT engine and the 8 litre ACT engine. The 8 litre has been found to produce up to 37% more torque and horse power under 1400 rpm and obtained very similar performance to the 10 litre VGT engine at higher speeds. At constant power output between the 8 and 10 litre engines, it has been found that the fuel consumption was decreased by a maximum of 9% when using the 8 litre engine. The results of the present study were encouraging with respect to the potential of ACT to downsize the internal combustion engine.
Use of edible insects as an alternative source of proteins in food and feed is increasing. These last years, numerous companies in Europe have started producing insects for food and feed purposes. In the European Union, the use of edible insects for human consumption falls within Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2283 on novel foods. For feed, Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/893 authorizes seven insect species as processed animal proteins for aquaculture. Methods of authentication are required to check the conformity of the products. In this study, we propose a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the specific detection of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), one of the species included in the shortlist of authorized insects. The selected target is the cadherin gene with a single-copy (per haploid genome) illustrated by our experimental evidence. The PCR test amplified a 134-bp fragment of the cadherin gene. The qualitative method was assessed toward several performance criteria. Specificity was checked against 54 insect species next to other animal and plant species. The sensitivity, efficiency, robustness, and transferability of the PCR assay were also successfully tested. Finally, the applicability of the test was assessed on real-life processed samples (industrial meals) of A. diaperinus. The study also showed that there seems to be a huge confusion on the correct labeling of the marketed mealworms. We did not succeed to get Alphitobius laevigatus samples. They all appeared to belong to the A. diaperinus taxon.
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